“How can I believe” is the first track from Steve Barton‘s latest album Tall Tales and Alibis. “How can I believe in God when you’re the one who’s divine?”, that line is absolutely brilliant. Part 1 of this 3 album release is filled with predominantly acoustic, folk-ish style music with a lot of great vocal harmonies. “Shadow of the Bride”, even with it being acoustic has a hint of some old punk influences as the song speeds up and states, “I don’t know what to do, I don’t know what to do, about you.” There are some elements of surf rock, old punk, and David Bowie. Steve’s vocal range produces a low, soothing, yet haunting tonal quality similar to Johnny Cash.
His diversity comes as no surprise when you start turning the pages of his resume. Having a publishing deal at the age of 14, touring in a Beatles cover band, and in 1979 forming the band Translator. Some would go as far to say Steve and Translator were the first actual “alternative” band.
Part 2 of the album is more melancholic. It’s as simple as a man and his guitar. A more serious and emotive feel that opens the door to explore his depth a little further. “Haunt me tonight” being the most upbeat track on part 2, shows no shortage of Steve’s amazing way with words that really paint a picture you can see and feel.
“Promises and miracles pour like honey down the street.” Grim yes, but man, why didn’t I think of that. He is truly the master of analogies.
“Wake up in roses” begins Part 3 and does it full on. Horns, full band, rawk, and roll. It’s astounding this is the same guy. Like a change of season, this 37 song triple album release covers every spectrum you could ever desire. For me, the true shining moment on Tall tales and Alibis is “She is the girl.” Returning with a blues style that is complemented by an organ creating a nicely dusted and subtle psychedelic aftertaste. The beat is straightforward, simple, and that perfect repetition that makes you just zone out into the song. So I was little disappointed when the song ended, that so could have kept going.
Seriously, if you have never heard of Steve Barton, let “She is the Girl” be the track that opens the door. He has captured the fantasy and reality of “that girl” far better than Sting did with “Roxanne.” The entire album is loaded with actual storytelling style songs that do not skimp on originality or brilliance.
Don’t be put off by the 37 tracks, you can purchase each song for only $0.99 from Steve’s Website or get the entire 3 part album for only $14.95.
Poetic realism is the bread and butter to Brooklyn based band Stay Inside. With their words and artistry, they are able to speak of real issues not only discussed on the television, but also experienced first hand by the musicians themselves. Vocalist and guitar player Bartees Cox Jr. recounted an experience that he had on night as he was walking the streets back to his home:
A cop ran up on me one night when I was walking home – he thought I was somebody else. Things got heated and I couldn’t de-escalate the situation – we were totally alone and I thought I was going to die. I’m black, so when I’m out alone at night, I try to stay extra aware so I can avoid stuff like this, but this song is about how sometimes there’s not a lot you can do and how it’s terrifying. By the end, I’m begging for an apology – and moreso for people to acknowledge that the lasting impact of slavery and oppression is why these power dynamics exist.
Throughout the EP, nuances of subject aforementioned by Cox adorn the lyrics of their tracks. It is refreshing to have such artistry hit the stages that speak up for the minorities and do not allow for social norms to obstruct the difference between equality and injustice.
Los Angeles-based rock collective Swerve – comprised of Gregory Mahdesian, Brandon Duncan, Ryan Berti, and Mark Gardner – has blossomed into an incredibly impressive act since the days that the moniker was attached to Mahdesian’s solo career. While the band admits their chemistry is off the charts at this point, we can hear it in the music they release. In fact, with their latest single “Lose Control”, we pick up on hints of influence amidst a bed of music that sounds like they’re having a really great time.
Luckily enough, we got to chat briefly with the guys about the track itself, as well as some really important topics like supergroups and Batman. Check it out below!
What was your first musical moment (be it a song you remember, a memory with a family member, etc.)? How do you think that impacted the way you make music today?
I actually have two that I can think of. The first song I can remember is from the Traveling Wilburys- that super group with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison. They had this track called “Not Alone Anymore,” and Roy Orbison sang the lead vocal on it, and it just floored me. I think my family had just moved across the country and I was a depressed little 5 year old, and that song, and especially that vocal, really spoke to me.
The other moment was around the same time. I had this walkman that could record the radio, and the oldies station played this song by the Box Tops called “The Letter,” which is just an awesome single. I would just listen to the station until it would play again so I could record it, and it’s the first song that was ever “mine.”
These both definitely impacted how I make music. I guess even at an early age I had a tendency to look back to the past for inspiration, and these songs really solidified my appreciation for classic song structures and catchy as hell choruses.
“Lose Control” is so fun with that twinge of 90s nostalgia that seems to pop out at points. What was creating that song like?
Thanks! Creating this song with the band was really fun. I started writing it on my acoustic guitar, and I must have been listening to a lot of jangle rock at the time because the song is filled with those little moments. When I brought it to the guys it turned into this fun, upbeat electric rock song. We added some acoustic to the recording to kind of pay homage to how it began. I remember that it came together very quickly- we finished off writing it in one session and anytime we would go back to try and tweak it, it was just kind of superfluous. There are definitely 90s touches in it. We really like to reference our influences without sounding too much like them, so you can notice them if you pay attention, but might not if you’re just casually listening.
If you could collaborate with anyone besides your amazing bandmates, who would it be and why?
So many people! Paul McCartney, just because he is the all time legend and I think I would kill to have him sing or play on a song. He’s still got it too! A few years ago he released this album called New that was awesome. I think I’d really like to get the producer Stephen Street to work with us, if he would do it and we could afford him. He produced the Smiths and all the best Blur albums, and I think he would be able to make our band really push ourselves and do something great. Noel Gallagher is my favorite, so to write with him would be amazing. And to have Michael Stipe sing something for me would make my year.
This month, you headlined the What Angie Says showcase at The Mint. What was that performance like? How has your performance style developed over time?
That performance was a lot of fun. We actually booked that right at the last minute- we had all been traveling so the band hadn’t been together for a little while, and the only time we found to rehearse was right before the show. It turned out to be one of our most energetic sets. In general, we’ve just gotten a lot more comfortable over time. We play around with harmonies more, and we don’t get nervous, so we can engage with each other and with the audience rather than just looking at our instruments and trying to play the songs correctly. The more we play the better we get as performers, but I don’t ever see us busting out dance moves or anything like that!
What has been your favorite song to write thus far? What makes it so special?
We haven’t put it out yet, but there’s a song called “Kennedy.” We usually close our set with it because it’s a live favorite for our audience. I’m really happy with the lyrics of it- the main line started out as a placeholder lyric and as the song developed I realized that it was actually the linchpin of the whole song. It’s funny how things like that happen. As far as the music goes, it went through so many iterations that we considered giving up on it, but we finally landed on the right arrangement and it felt so natural that I’m glad we kept at it.
If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
Batman, because he gets all the best toys and chose to be a hero rather than being born with a superpower. Although his backstory is very sad, at least he has Alfred.
What’s up next?
Besides world domination? We’re going to keep putting out singles leading up to our EP. We have some music videos in the works, and shows coming up in LA- the next one is March 26th at the HiHat in Highland Park. We want to start playing outside of the city soon, and to get back into the studio to record all the new material we’ve been working on.
Since their debut as a group in 2009, Candace (formerly known as Is/Is) has created a name for their group in the music industry. Together, Sarah Rose (guitar/bass/vocals), Sarah Nienaber (guitar/bass/vocals), and Mara Appel DesLauriers (drums/vocals) have worked long hours and are happy to announce that they are releasing their next full length album March 2, 2018. Just days after President Trump was elected, the girls decided to take their talent to Iowa to work on new material and continue the momentum that they have been gathering for years now. Not only is Candace releasing this new album, but in order to share their music with fans and music lovers alike they will also be going on tour around the country in the coming months.
Not only have they been gathering fans and followers since the formation of their band, but they have also been working on solidifying a sound that would be uniquely theirs on and off the stage. Their newest album, New Ruins, is proof of their success and work in trying to hold their own in the music world. All of the tracks featured on the album capitalize on their ability to bring out delicious melodies and dreamy rhythms. With so many records and tracks out for their fans to enjoy, it is hard to deny that Candace is a band to keep an eye on!
Despite the fact that Mia LJ is only 19 years old, her future in the music world is becoming more and more secure. With the release of not only her first collaborated track, but she has released several new singles and has announce that this summer she is planning to drop her very first full length album. “Human x Lovebomb” was a combined effort between Mia LJ and Archrfox and has really helped her rise to a new level in her music career. Even more impressive is the video that was created accompany this new release. No doubt Mia LJ has been hard at work in order to gain the experience that she so desperately desires.
Ever since her childhood, Mia LJ has been obsessed with music, and was inspired by music legends Jimi Hendricks and Lenny Kravitz. She also found solace in plucking the six strings on her guitar as she grew up surrounded by a rich supply of soul. When asked in an interview where she finds inspiration for her music she responded, “When it comes to writing music, I am not as inspired by my past as I am by now or the future. Lyrically, words just spill out of me. Occasionally, I use memories of frustration and lust as inspiration when writing about my past experiences. From a more subconscious perspective, self-prophesying lyrics are my favorite. They come with much ease as watching dreams go from my head to reality is incredibly invigorating.” Now that she has built this solid foundation of talent and inspired works, surly there is nowhere to go but up.
American rock band from New York, Sunflower Bean – consisting ofJacob Faber on drums, Julia Cumming on bass and lead vocals, and Nick Kivlen on lead guitar and vocals – is back with the follow up from their last album Human Ceremony titled TwentyTwo in Blue. The new album has eleven songs in total and is arriving March 23rd. The sound has a softer, sweeter, and more rich tone to it, honing in on topics people can relate to.
Singer Julia Cumming lends her vocals to the track “TwentyTwo”, which addresses about society’s expectation of women and what they are supposed to be in the world. Another single from the album is titled “I Was a Fool”. The song is about love that will make you happy, yet sad at the same time. The song is about the dizziness of love and how confused it makes you feel. “I Was a Fool” makes you feel all the emotions of love at once.
“Crisis Fest” humbles us, discussing men in uniform and a feeling of utter hopelessness in tense and uncertain times. Lines about storming the kingdom are highly relatable to modern militant rules, though might be super relatable in the every day, a sad but lesson-inspiring truth.
It is clear that Sunflower Bean has found their voice with their new album. TwentyTwo in Blue will be available March 23rd. Keep up with Sunflower Bean here.
NY-based alternative rock project Snow Villain has just released the new single ”Torches”, ahead of the upcoming EP 1 which is scheduled to be released April 27, 2018. All of the music that has been released by this group has featured raw, real sounds that highlights an honest view of central figure Grant Goldsworthy’s life while writing all of the music. Not only are the vocals perfectly adapted to match the rawness of the instrumental artistry, but the guitar riffs radically enhance the listening experience and bring exhilarating energy into the room. Unlike their other releases in the past, “Torches” has made the group dig deep inside themselves in order to portray the emotion behind the lyrics of this track.
Not only is their music lyrical genius, but is also highlights personal struggles that are faced by the general -public. Namely, self discovery and redefinition of the self. Although this band prides themselves on being, “often misunderstood, but appreciated,” there is something is this song for everyone and has the potential to reach a very general and wide audience. Currently, the band is looking forward to the EP release in April, but fans are hoping to hear more from them as soon as possible.
Folk-rock artist Greg Connors is about to drop his brand new record, Home Made Compass, on March 3rd. Today, we’ve got your first listen with a streaming premiere of it in its entirety, as well as the premiere of the picturesque music video for his single “Armadillo”.
Starting off with “BEGIN ANYWHERE”, Connors brings his own take on folk music with this raw track. Next up is ARMADILLO, a deeper track that focuses the listener into the multidimensional layers of his music. “ARMADILLO” is followed by “JUST TO BE”, which features some killer guitar moments; a truly laid back and smooth rock track that balances folk aspects as well. Taking a completely different angle with “BUTTERSCOTCH”, a spoken-word interlude, Connors moves the listener into “INVISIBLE AUDIENCE”, a gutsy song that takes the listener for a trip.
A groovy, almost psychedelic track, “ONGOING END”, follows up next. With emotion packed lyrics and some “radio” parts, it’s a unique song on Home Made Compass. “RAPTORS” takes the reins next, definitely leaning towards the rock side of the LP. The first few notes are almost Bowie-esque. “CALICO”, another spoken interlude, carries listeners into the final two tracks on Home Made Compass. “TENNESSEE’, the denouement of the album, is a lovely song filled with a love for home, even if it’s not where you come from. Closing out Home Made Compass is BOATYARD”, the last song on the album. With masterfully poised instrumentals, Connors ends his album on a nostalgic, yet hopeful note.
Overall, the album does an excellent job of marrying folk with rock, and balancing the strengths of the two throughout the record. Whether you prefer rock or folk, Connors has got you covered.
Ontario-based four-piece Ellevator will be dropping their self-titled EP on April 20. Their latest single, “Hounds” will appear on the EP, featuring a pleasing mixture of soft electronic sounds with emotional vocals. Ellevator is made up of Elliott Gwynne, Michael Boyd, Tyler Bersche and frontwoman Nabi Sue Bersche. Says Nabi Sue Bersche of the single: “Hounds” is an acknowledgement that we need each other to survive. There’s safety in numbers. We’ve seen how ‘every man for himself’ turns out, and we need to do better.”
With some killer guitar moments, floating vocals, and well-placed percussion, “Hounds” is a fantastic balance of musical technique and creativity. With the release of “Hounds”, Ellevator provides the listener with a glimpse into their well-structured musical composition. Keep an eye out for Ellevator’s EP, dropping April 20. They’ll also be heading to SXSW next month, and definitely a band to watch.
