On October 27th, we will get the undeniable pleasure of welcoming Pittsburgh-based pop/rock collective Donora‘s fourth full-length Sun To Me into the world. The trio’s most recent single – a light, fresh track titled “This Heart” – gives us a sneak peek into what’s to come, but we wanted to know more. So we sat down with the band to learn the ins and outs, while begging the important questions… like how do you get along with your sibling in a creative and professional environment?
Clearly, it’s something we have yet to master.
What is the first album/song you remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
The first album I bought with my own money was the Lion King Soundtrack (not sure if that one counts). Around the same time my brother bought me the (What’s the Story) Morning Glory album by Oasis for my birthday. I think he bought it for me so that he could steal it and listen to it himself, but I ended up loving that album and still do! I wouldn’t let him have it.
Casey and Jake… As siblings, do you two get along, or are there kerfuffles? What’s the dynamic like?
We definitely get along! Jake is 5 years older than me, so there has never been that competitiveness or clashing that sometimes happens when siblings are closer in age. In fact, we weren’t all that close growing up (I think I was just his annoying little sister for a long time). But when we started playing music together that all changed. We’re pretty good at acknowledging each other’s strengths and our own weaknesses. Since we grew up in the same home, I think we also have a very similar style of communication, which helps keep us on the same page most of the time. Sure there’s the occasional kerfuffle, but at the end of the day we’re family.
“Sun To Me” feels like the track at the end of an inspiring movie, begging its audience to leave with light hearts and chase their dreams. How do you imagine people listening to it? I hope people indulge in this song Risky Business style. Music cranked, comfy clothes (i.e. pants off), dancing around their house, lip synching (or better yet singing along at the top of their lungs), just doing them. One person dance parties are the best.
What inspired that track, specifically?
Well this one started out as a love song. It’s about someone being a source of light in your life. But while we were recording this song, I was pregnant. I now have a 10 month old daughter and so this song takes on a slightly different meaning for me because of that. Actually, a lot of the songs on the album mean something different to me now than they did when we were first writing them.
You have admitted your fourth album is about love and the light music can bring to your life. We’ve certainly struggled with darker times lately, and were wondering what your go-to tracks have been in the past to keep your chin up?
One song that can always brighten my mood is The Cure’s “Friday I’m In Love”. There’s something about that song that always just makes me feel happy.What is your favorite track off the upcoming release? Any particular reason?
“So Simple” is one of the ones that changed meanings drastically for me throughout this process. It started as a song about the joy a simple smile can bring to your life. Then it morphed into a love song. Then while we were recording the vocals, I was 8 months pregnant and feeling my baby move, so I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like when my child smiled at me. I can say now that it truly is extraordinary! I guess that’s why it’s my favorite on the album.
If you could collaborate with any artist on any medium, who would you choose and what would you create?
I would love to make a movie with Paul Thomas Anderson. I have always been fascinated with the story of his collaboration with Aimee Mann for Magnolia. We’ve done a little bit of film work in the past, and it has been so much fun. Trying to create the perfect mood for a specific scene is such a rewarding challenge!
What are you most excited about with the upcoming release of Sun To Me?
I’m just excited for people to finally hear it. We’ve been working on it for a long time so it will feel good to actually put it out there!
Anything else you’d like to add?
I think it’s important to be vocal about what you believe in and to stay engaged. But I also think it’s important to give yourself a break and forget about it all every once in a while. We hope this album can help provide that necessary escape!
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Get that necessary escape on October 27th, when Sun To Me drops. It is available for preorder now. Keep up with Donora here.
In the wake of the release of Broke Royals‘ emotion-filled video for “As Long As I Can See” – and in the direct lead up to the release of their self-titled album in November – we had a few very pointed questions for the band. Formed in 2014 shortly after graduating from the same University (William & Mary, but who’s keeping track?), Collin Cross asked Philip Basnight to record some demos at his recording studio so he could gauge interest from potential clients. But they immediately clicked with their music, and have developed into the duo we see before us today. As we prep for their upcoming folk-tinged pop/rock album, check out our brief interview – as well as their latest video – below!
What is the first song or album you ever remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
Philip: The first song I remember hearing is Smokey Robinson’s “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me,” which is wild because it could be the best song ever recorded. It’s almost a bad thing haha. Where do you go from there?! It’s the perfect pop song. It was on a soundtrack that my family listened to in my house on Saturday mornings while we made waffles. Later, my cousin gave me a burned copy of The Stroke’s “Room On Fire.” That was the first album I owned myself. Again, my family helped me get off to a strong start. “Room On Fire” got heavy rotation in my discman.
Colin: My family listened to music constantly growing up. In all our early family videos and pictures we’re dancing (see attached). The first specific memory I have of this was sitting in our living room with AC/DC’s Back in Black album blaring and my dad air drumming and telling me how drummers play the kick drum with their feet. The first album I remember pronouncing my favorite was Third Eye Blind’s self-titled album. Another album showed to me by my parents, but 3eb is definitely a band that has a special space in the shared Broke Royals heart having been one of the first concerts Philip and I worked together when we were on our college’s programming board.
Inline image 1
Philip:
^^^Colin Cross… born to rock.
Colin:
… what’d ya say, Philip?
Broke Royals – as many know now – was kind of a happy accident musical project with you two. How has your process evolved since the early days?
Philip: Honestly, it’s not wildly different from the early days but it is very refined now. Things generally start with an acoustic demo and blossom from there. The studio process has evolved the most. A lot of the time, we have a sixth sense for the what the other is thinking. Whether it’s a tone or a production trick, once one of us starts to say an idea the other can usually finish the sentence. That’s a really exciting feeling.
Colin: Definitely agree with Philip 100% here. Our producer, John Naclerio, would always rib us for not fighting.
We imagine you spend quite some time together. Any pet peeves or interesting stories you’d like to shed light on about each other? (We want all your secrets!)
Philip: I know what I would say if I was Colin! I think I was late to every recording session for an entire year. I had to take 95 South to get to the studio and never once got my timing right. I listened to so many audiobooks that year. Also, I think Ben and Caleb, who are touring members of the band, get pretty tired of our obsession with tacos and coffee. Every time we’re in a new town, we have to find the best tacos and coffee.
Colin: Philip is OBSESSED with Ezra Keonig’s Beats One show “Time Crisis.” Anytime we’re on the road we’re listening to it full blast. Benji and Caleb get tired of my and Philip’s love for podcasts and audiobooks in general. We’re a funky bunch, but we’re certainly grandpas at heart.
Ooooo… Philip also can’t hang past like 10 pm if we’re out drinking. He’ll just start falling asleep at the bar. He’s learned to just pregame with coffee, though.
Philip: All true. Not ashamed. PS it’s KOENIG*, duh. #8minuteCapeCod
Your track “As Long As I Can See” is both beautiful in displayed vocal content, but has this almost hypnotic sound to it. What was the production process like for this track, and what specifically inspired it?
Philip: Thank you! The structure came together in the demo but the production really came together in the studio. We went up to NADA studio in New York because we knew John Naclerio could handle some of the bigger elements of the record. Colin’s drum parts and the guitar riffs came through really well with John.
Colin: The production on this song was really fun. We knew we wanted it to feel really sparse yet sonically full, so we used only one guitar take that we re-amped through several different amps to get a really wide, full stereo sound. John also really helped us bring out the space in this track in a beautifully subtle way.
How do you imagine people listening to this track?
Philip: To me, this song is the closest we’ve ever gotten to a club banger. It’s got heavy rock elements but I can still see people putting it on to dance. We like blurring genre-lines.
Colin: Definitely in the middle of the blizzard sitting a wingback chair. It’s a warm jam with a cold body.
Philip: I hope one day our Wikipedia page says “Broke Royals invented Blizzard Rock.”
Your self-titled debut is in the works. How does it feel to be getting ready to release that?
Philip: It feels great! We worked on this album for a long time and that can be exhausting but every time we release a new song or video we get to see it again through new eyes. That’s really when it becomes bigger than just us. Anyone who listens to the album will bring their own experiences and interpretations to it.
Colin: I’m so excited to get this bad boy out. Some of the unreleased tracks are my favorite we’ve ever written and I can’t wait to share them with everyone.
Who is your favorite superhero, and why?
Philip: Spider-Man. Even with all the movie reboots he’s been dragged through- I still love him. I was at “Spider-Man: Homecoming” on opening night. When I was growing up (before wikipedia) I had this giant book called “The Complete Guide To Spider-Man” and I read it so many times that it fell apart. Then my parents bought me a new copy but the same thing happened again. Superheroes are irresistible for kids with big imaginations. That was definitely me. I’ll always love Spidey. Man, I sound nerdy.
Colin: Batman. The idea of a superhero who could actually exist is great. I like to think that I’m just a few thousand push-ups and several billion dollars away from being him.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Philip: Anytime I get to mention Smokey Robinson in an interview, it’s been a success.
Colin: A studio session isn’t complete without a PB&J sandwich, coffee, and huge salad.
Philip: Very true. We are pro-Salad.
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Broke Royals is out November 17th. Follow Broke Royals’ pro-Salad adventures here.
Today is a big day for earthy folk/indie rock collective 5j Barrow, the quartet comprised of Eryn Murman, Jason Hite, Drew Jones, and Gerard Canonico that once called Ohio, California, Tennessee, and New Jersey home. The musical (and romantic) duo of Murman and Hite found their way to music initially through the world of acting, so their romance was always steeped fully in the arts. Having just released their EP The Journey Vol. 1 on October 6th, they’re bathing in critical acclaim as they count down the days to their wedding next month. (Yeah, sometimes an EP release isn’t the biggest thing you do in a season!) And one can audibly notice why they’ve received so much attention, as the five track EP brings its own vibrant energy with it right through your speakers.
We were lucky enough to get a moment to chat with Eryn Murman herself, to delve into the story of 5j Barrow, and how they operate behind the scenes.
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What is the first album/song you remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
My earliest memory of a song that really caught my ear was Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” My mom would have the vinyl playing in our den and I would dance around to it. The first album that made an impression on me (and locked itself into my early childhood memories) was Billy Joel’s River of Dreams, my dad played the cassette in his car and I loved singing along, getting lost in the lyrics, melodies, and album art. Both of these artists made an impression on me in their incredible use of dynamics and storytelling.
What is the origin story of 5j Barrow? (Was it a meet cute?)
I never thought of it as a meet cute, but I guess it certainly was! Jason and I met as actors performing together in California. We immediately connected and our taste and love for music was definitely one of the big common denominators. I was temporarily in Cali (based in NYC at the time), and the opposite for Jason. He had planned to make the move to New York after our show. Within a couple of days of arriving in NYC, we wrote our first song in my apartment 5j (on Barrow Street). Within a month we had 5 songs and could tell something special was happening. We named our music and collaboration after this special place we wrote all of our first tunes. A little over a year of being band partners, we became romantic partners, a couple of years after that Jason moved into 5j, and now 6 years later we no longer live in NYC or in that apartment, but we most certainly carry on its name and story with us via our music. We’re now chasing our dream of touring our music and living on the road, and we are getting married next month!
The new EP is absolutely phenomenal, freeing and relaxing in its sound. How do you imagine people listening to it?
Wow, I love this question. Driving under the night sky (or any beautiful expansive sky) is one of my personal favorite ways to listen to music, albums particularly. Road trips, adventures and times in one’s life when they’re taking a risk or exploring a new path. I would be honored if our album was a soundtrack to that time in someone’s life.
We are enamored by “A New Begin”. What inspired that track, specifically?
Thank you! That song came from self reflection at a time in my life where I was happy, loved, and had a support system but would still have these moments of feeling completely alone. What surprised me more was that it was an empowering loneliness. An awareness and acceptance that when all is said and done I have no control in how long people will be in my life, what a new day will bring, or even when my own life will come to a close. Although it’s overwhelming to think about, I will always have myself and my breath to get through anything, and have the power to start anew at any moment.
New York City is such a big and terrifying place sometimes, and it’s beautiful when you find kindred spirits amongst the madness. You’re all from different places, and you found each other. But what do you think is the most magical thing about the city that brought you together?
You’re so right. It blows my mind when I think of where we all came from and how in the world we all ended up in this band together! NYC certainly gave all of us the realization, conviction, perseverance and strength to go after our dream. It’s so hard to make anything happen in this city with everyone’s crazy schedules, so to take the time to build a band, nurture it, and grow it – it became very clear that we really wanted to do this. I feel like if there are any doubts in your mind, the city makes things too difficult to put up with the exhausting energy and inevitable ups & downs.
If you could get any superhero to promote the EP, who would you choose and why?
I’m not the most educated in superheroes, so I went to the experts, our bassist (Drew Jones) and drummer (Gerard Canonico) for this one. They both had the same answer for the same reasons at the same time, haha!: “The Flash because he could physically put it in everyone’s hands very quickly.” 🙂
What’s the best part about performing this EP live?
It’s pure joy. It’s unabashedly who we are. When you get to be who you are, do what you love, and connect with beautiful people through it, there’s nothing like it!
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The EP release show is tonight, October 17th, at American Beauty in NYC. Tickets are available here. The Journey, Vol. 1 is available via iTunes and Spotify.
Maddie North is a New Zealander who has found her gorgeous self in Los Angeles, doing what she does best–making music. She released her first EP last year under the moniker of “So Below,” and we can’t get enough. Her music is ethereal, her voice tranquil, and her sound extremely unique. And then there’s her personality.
Maddie is a doll. We got to know her a little bit, and we’d like for you to know her too. Because she’s about to be a really big deal, and you don’t want to miss out. (Do you?) So check out this fun interview, and tell us what you think of miss Maddie (so) below!
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If you could introduce yourself to our readers in any way, with money not being a factor, how would you do so?
Hahaha! I’m not one for being the centre of attention, OR parachuting, so I guess just a quick blurb.
Hi! My name is Maddie and I have a musical project called So Below. I just put my debut EP out about 2 weeks ago, it’s a sort of dark style of electronic pop! I like red wine and watching terrible tv. I put way too much sriracha on all my food and if I’m not working, I’m usually walking around the house in my pajamas, I know, I’m crazy.
You’re from Auckland, New Zealand. How do you think that has aided in shaping who you are and how you live your life?
Well NZ is such a great place to grow up I think. I feel like it’s quite a relaxed place, the people are amazing and nature and beaches are such a part of it too. Moving to Los Angeles I definitely had to live in a place that had some sort of backyard garden area. I knew if I was cooped up in an apartment I would go crazy hahaha.
We feel you on that one! How old were you when you started getting into music?
I started taking music more seriously about two years ago. Before that I just made crappy little demos on Garage Band, drowned in reverb and delay. I was always pretty embarrassed to play them to anyone hahaha.
Other than that I played piano since I was 5ish and was in a choir in high school!
We have all of that in common. (Seriously. All of it.) When did you head out to the west coast, and how has that experience been for you?
I moved to LA about 3 years ago! It’s been great, definitely took a while for me to find my footing though. My tracks “Luna” and “Sleep” are both about LA, in fact. Different aspects of it but definitely inspired by my time here.
I just wrote a ton of potential names down on a list and that was the one I liked the most! The funny thing is I’m also in another band called Space Above, and didn’t even see the correlation until a few weeks later when someone asked, “You did that on purpose right? Space Above, So Below?” Hahaha maybe I did it subconsciously.
That’s awesome! What do you find is absolutely necessary in the writing/recording process for you?
I really enjoy writing by myself, but it can sometimes be challenging. Its definitely easier when you have someone else in the room to bounce ideas off of. My friend Leroy Clampitt and I work really well together, we wrote “Drift” and “Luna” together and a bunch of stuff that I haven’t released yet. He’s just fun to be around and has a really positive energy which is molto importante. Coffee yes, always a must, and a good night’s sleep hahaha.
You describe your sound as “goth pop.” Who would you cite as influences for your music?
I wrote “gothpop” on Soundcloud for a laugh, and it sort of stuck. I’ve been a massive Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails fan for a long time, huge influence.
Great influences! If you could tour with any act in the industry, who would you choose and why?
Well, Radiohead or Nine Inch Nails?? Hahaha actually Grimes seems like a super cool chick, I bet she would be heaps of fun to tour with. Or Lorde, she’s such a lovely person.
And touring with those two would make sense with your sound. OK. We stalked your Instagram, and we see you have a sweet tooth. What is the best donut you’ve ever eaten?
I honestly don’t really have a sweet tooth, I don’t crave it. But hey if it’s in front of me, I’m not NOT gonna eat it I mean that’s just crazy talk. But there’s a pretty cool place called Donut Friend in Highland Park. You build your own dream donut. <3 <3
Bookin’ the next flight out! What are you currently listening to?
The new Moderat album is really great! It just came out, definitely check it out.
What are your favorite things to do/places to go/people to see in New Zealand?
I honestly haven’t really travelled around New Zealand! So I can’t give a good answer to this hahaha my bad. Its definitely on my to do list, but every time I go home I just want to hang with my family and friends in Auckland.
Fair enough! What do you do when a baby just stares at you in public? (Yup. Bizarre question. Owning it.)
Ummmm I’m not super great with kids, and I feel like they can sense my fear sorta like how dogs can hahaha. I guess my immediate reaction would be look away??
We’re cut from the same cloth. What’s the best video/movie/TV show you’ve seen lately? Why?
I saw a film last week called The Lobster it was really great! Its got Collin Farrell in it who is one of my fav celeb hotties. Although in this movie he’s not looking tooooooo great hahah.
We have been wanting to see that! YES. Your voice is absolutely gorgeous. Ethereal, really. This makes us wonder: if your music were to be featured in a movie or television show, which one could you imagine it as a background to?
The one that offered me the most money obviously!! Haha JOKES umm I’m a big sci fi fan, so maybe something like Ex Machina, or Under The Skin. TV shows maybe Girls? Or True Detective? Not sure if it’s a good fit though.
We kind of want to hear your stuff everywhere, though! What’s up next for SO BELOW, darling?
Maddie: Live Show!! I’m super excited but also hella nervous. I’ll probably invite people to like my 3rd show, by then I would have fallen on my face and forgotten all the lyrics a few times, so it will be out of my system by then hahaha.
Los Angeles-based indie pop duo (and real life couple) KiSMiT – Carly Barnette and Basti Reunert – has been blowing minds with their latest release, a 70s-inspired track titled “Cosmic Love”. So you know “we struck gold” with the music video for the track, which also plays off the nostalgic nature of the song. Carly and Basti spend the majority of the video making eyes at each other, frolicking in the desert in vintage-inspired outfits, layered in with shots of the two playing the song as if on a variety show. But whether they’re covered in glitter and seemingly glowing, transposed over images of the universe, or dancing around outside, these two are encouraging positive, fun, adventurous love with this video.
We were in such a good mood after watching the video that we decided to ask the duo a couple of questions about it all. So check out the video below, and then learn more about your new favorite power couple!
What is the first song or album you ever remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
Carly: Definitely Jewel’s ‘Pieces of You’ – I knew all the words at 5 years old. My mom (going through a divorce at the time – shocker there!) had it on repeat in the car growing up. Something about her raw emotions just touched my little baby soul – #everydayangel (her super fan hashtag in case you didn’t know) ’til I croak. The album followed me throughout my life – first concert, first one I played at the piano – I look forward to the day I can look her in the eyes and thank her for her imprint on my life.
Baz: First album or song ever is a tough one to remember. The first song that I remember really catching me is ‘Hotel California’. It is a saga of a song not to mention the EPICALLY MELODIC GUITAR SOLOS!! My great uncle Freddy showed it to me on our drive from Palmdale to Santa Barbara, which, at 8 years old, was an epic journey of its own.
Your new video for “Cosmic Love” is so fun, and it has such a beautiful warmth to it! Where did the concept come from, and what was filming like?
Carly: Thank you! We had so much damn fun making it – I’m thrilled that that comes through. It’s our first music video so it was a labor of love from start to finish. I’ve always dreamed of doing a music video and to have been able to make it happen with some of my favorite people was just beyond magical. I had the idea for the lyric “we wax and we wane – I just want more of the same” and thought of us sleeping – how we might start spooning but then roll over onto our backs or snuggle the other way and it fascinated me from a birds eye view that it mirrors the moon cycle.
As “Cosmic Love” came to life musically that idea always lingered at the back of my mind. All of the music video brainstorming happened with Alex Cantatore (www.quickactcasual.com), our director / dear friend / upstairs neighbor at the time. We would lounge around in our apartments or chill out in the backyard and shoot ideas across at one another. Nothing was too big or crazy or extravagant and that was exhilarating!
Baz: Having alien-planet-looking parts of California (Mono Lake, Red Rock Canyon, Death Valley) as such a blessing for our outer space ambitions on a shoe-string budget.
Carly: Two worlds started to form: Our “SuperStar-Selves” (the best parts of our love: sexy, confident, fabulous); & Pleasant-ville meets desert – Desertville (the day-to-day, mundane and less flattering but very real flip side to a loving relationship). This first music video presented an opportunity to share another side of us. We wanted to be as honest as possible with the partnership we are putting on display – it’s magic and muddy all wrapped up into a a beautiful mess.
What inspired the track itself, if we might ask?
Baz: Sonically, it comes about from a mixture of sounds inspired by Allen Stone’s Freedom (Alternate Version), Andra Day’s Mistakes and Daft Punk’s Get Lucky. (Pharrell, if you’re reading this, you better not come after our money! We didn’t steal your song!) Lyrically, ‘Cosmic Love’ is derived from us wanting to remember that the day-to-day of loving and working together has many twists and turns, warm and cold moments and all of it is part of the ride.
Carly: We wanted to make something that was bursting with love and vitality from the first beat, that, most importantly, made me move. If my booty is shaking, there’s definitely a smile on my face and that was important with this new direction of our music.
How do you imagine people listening to this track? (In an armchair, surrounded by flowers in a meadow? In an airplane with cotton candy clouds? Sitting at a BBQ? You can get creative here if you want!)
Baz: I picture people who are on the move listening to the song: in their car, getting ready to go out, exercising.
Carly: Such a fun question – I hope people are listening to it while they are making dinner – bottle of wine open, dancing in the kitchen -that sort of vibe. Also, before you’re going out – a social, pump-up vibe would make me reaaaaally excited. I know my grammy listens to it on repeat while she drives – so in the car for sure (#sola) okay okay subway too!!!
Any pet peeves or interesting stories you’d like to shed light on about each other? (We want all your secrets!)
Carly: Oh DANG – first time we’ve been asked to spill the dirt! After 5 years of living and loving together, I think I can divulge just one…. homeboy sleeps with earplugs (such sensitive angel earbuds) and when I wake up in the morning, they are always near me, around me, on me, without fail like stickers on my body – really haven’t vented about this, thanks for letting me get it out. Baz, you’ve got to work on that situation. But, if that’s the top of the list of annoyances, I would say,”Hell yeah! I’m a lucky gal.” Interesting story about Baz, that his modest South African self would never share and one that continually blows my mind, is that he picked up the guitar with serious interest and investment at 16. Like whaaaaaaat!?! I am so inspired by his dedication to his passion. He is always down in the studio in soft pants slapping da bass or producing or findling on the guitar and that is something I admire so much!
Baz: Well, I’m beaten for age by Carly’s flawless performance as Annie, with a 101 degree fever, at age 9. Her gran sent us the DVD of the performance and the sparkle has always been there. (Car, while you are sleeping tonight I will be sure to rest the earbuds on your eyelids.)
What’s your opinion on the modern music industry?
Baz: It is constantly evolving, especially how people are digesting music. The ability that everyone has to get their music heard and to find their audience is unprecedented. The niche markets are able support more indie artists than ever before. The major challenge is, of course, in that music streaming has greatly halted the flow of money to the artists, but when there is change in the weather, you best adapt and get on with it, the world isn’t going to stop for you. Again I’ll say, the major pro of the modern day music industry is how easy it is to connect with people of similar taste around the world.
Carly: Yeah, I will second the positive wind in our sails. It’s daunting to be investing in a career where the return isn’t guaranteed. So much of the conversation is the same “no money in music”, which I understand that that’s the truth but my mom started her own business when she was pregnant with me (talk about inspiration) and has always preached that when you are doing what you are meant to be doing, support always comes, I really believe that. I think in a lot of way it’s a super empowering time to be in this industry – no more waiting around for someone to find you or holding your breath for luck. Do the work, get your music & content as proud of it as you possibly can be, get it out there and what is meant to be will be.
However black & white as the social media “highlights reel” may seem sometimes – I think we are also getting to a point where if you are fake, it comes through. As an artist, there’s no hiding behind an image because daily you are sharing what you ate for breakfast, how you feel, who and what you support. It’s overwhelming and I need to unplug on the regular but I don’t think we even know what we are living through yet!
On an emotional level – our country, world, humankind is hurting right now, every day we put on our armor to the outside world that feels like it’s falling apart and to be contributing music as a soundtrack through these scary times, is something I am so grateful for.
Anything else you’d like to add?
We have a new single ‘Panther’ coming out later this month – the second release off of our upcoming EP coming out next February as well as an upcoming show at Harvard & Stone in Los Angeles on November 21st at 10pm. Thanks so much for taking the time & interest to share our story!
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Keep your eyes peeled for “Panther” and updates on KiSMiT here.
As Texas’ indie/electro-rock/pop collective TOMKAT – comprised of Katrina Cain, Andrew McMillan, Mike Luzecky, and Jonny Harmon – prepares to release their captivating 9 track album Icarus on Friday, October 13th, they’re prepping a couple of live dates surrounding everything. They’re no strangers to the spotlight, as their debut single “Big Love” was placed in James Franco’s 2016 film Actors Anonymous, but we will argue that they haven’t seen their peak yet, as Icarus marks their full-length debut. And we’re excited to see fan reactions, as we’ve gotten the chance to peak all the new tracks and we’re solidly digging the soothing, trance-like feeling we get listening to the layered, smooth tracks. Katrina’s vocals will ensnare you, whether she’s bringing you up or you’re “Drowning” together.
But before you get the chance to hear what they’ve got in store, we got to throw a few questions at the band. Peep the interview below, along with latest single “Teardrops” to give you a little taste of what’s to come.
What is the first song or album you ever remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
This is such a great question! When I was a kid, we moved around a lot. I think I moved 6 times before I turned 7, which made for a lot of road trips. We also never flew anywhere, so I have very specific memories of very long car rides across the country. My dad would make mix tapes of music he liked, and that’s what we listened to in the car when we got tired of NPR. My mom claims he played Willie Nelson and James Taylor, but I very vividly remember “America” by Simon and Garfunkel, and “Sympathy for the Devil” by The Rolling Stones. That was the music my dad listened to, and it’s the first music I ever remember hearing.
Your track “Teardrops” off the upcoming album Icarus has been garnering quite a bit of attention with its soulful, laid back vibe, though the lyrics are a bit more involved than that. What inspired that song, specifically?
All of our songs start out with one concept and kind of morph and settle over time into their final, recorded version. “Teardrops” started with just a groovy chord progression, and in rehearsal we would play it over and over again while I sang random syllables that would later turn into actual lyrics. The one lyrical concept I kept coming back to was the line “I’ve been flying so high, I’ve been falling to Hell.” I couldn’t get that feeling out of my head. The harmonic and melodic content of the song really felt like a happy, laid back feeling of soaring, but in my personal life I felt the exact opposite. I wasn’t where I wanted to be in life, and it felt like everything was falling apart. That’s how the song turned into this strange sort of juxtaposition, you’ve got this outside shell where you pretend all is well, but inside you feel like you’re a failure. That’s how the song came to be.
“Persephone” is such a mesmerizing track, though it’s told from the perspective of a woman’s abductor. What made you choose to go that way with the lyrical content? (Also… Persephone was always one of our favorite characters in Greek mythology.)
I have always loved the story of Persephone too! Writing this song from the perspective of Hades was actually unintentional at first. I had wanted to write a song based on Persephone for quite some time because I wanted it to be an allegory for the female experience. I sat down to write the lyrics and pretty much did it about 10 minutes. I had always intended the song to be a feminist statement, I wanted to tell about the horror of being objectified and imprisoned. But when I finished and read what I had written, the story was quite the opposite. In my initial intent, the abductor’s voice (promising to treat her well and repeating “Say you love me!” over and over again) was meant to be dangerous, manipulative, and unstable. However, it also made me consider an alternate version of the story, that perhaps Hades was simply in unequivocal, undying love. And perhaps Persephone loved him too and was happy to make her life in the Underworld as his queen. I decided to leave the lyrics unedited, exactly as I first wrote them, and my hope is that no matter how the listener hears the song, he or she will take away some kind of meaning that is different from how he or she has previously thought of the story of Persephone.
You recorded the upcoming album over a year ago, and had all of the material prepared even further in advance of that. How ready are you for the world to finally hear it in its entirety?
We honestly feel like we have never been more ready for anything! We’re almost sick of our own songs at this point! But isn’t that how it always goes? We are super excited for this baby to be out in the world and hear what our friends and listeners think of the songs in their studio-quality state. Once that day comes, we’ll be able to breathe and take a nap.
Do you have a favorite track off of the album?
“Persephone” is definitely my favorite track. We ultimately decided not to make it a single, but I’m still planning to share that track specifically and make a music video for it after the album release, because I think it deserves that.
Did you choose to release this album on Friday the 13th for any particular reason, or was it just a crazy random happenstance?
The choice to release on Friday the 13th was kind of an accident, but when the date came up I thought, “Hell yeah! Let’s do it!” Maybe it will be good luck. (I don’t have a lot of superstitions…)
If you could have any superhero help you promote Icarus, who would you choose and why?
Wonder Woman! Because powerful women will save the world.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Icarus will be available on iTunes, Spotify, Bandcamp, and pretty much every music sharing app available!
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TOMKAT will be playing an album release show on October 19th at Harvest House in Denton, Texas. Tickets are available now. Icarus is out October 13th. It is available for preorder now. Keep up with TOMKAT here.
Melbourne-based artist Slow Dancer (Simon Okely) is rounding out his U.S. tour with two more performances before heading to London. Tonight, he plays at Resident in Los Angeles and tomorrow, he will be entertaining on stage at Hollywood’s Hotel Café. He has been touring in support of his 2017 release In A Mood, which is just smooth and sensuous as its title would indicate. What the title doesn’t indicate is his ability to drift in and out of James Taylor-esque and Anthony Kiedis-tinged vocals, wrapped in a deeper level of instrumental soul. The entire 10 track album is a winner, which made us all too happy to ask Slow Dancer a few questions as he wraps up his time in the United States.
If you could tell us a little bit about how you got into music and what led you to choose it as a lifestyle, that would be amazing!
I fell in love with Elvis Presley at age 5 and developed a passion for all things cool since.
Your video for “I Would” is incredibly beautiful. What inspired that video, and do you have any stories from production to share?
The film was directed by Mclean Stephenson – he wrote my character as social outcast. It was a character I easily identified with. By the end of filming It actually took me a few days to rebound from the character. We shot it all on super 8.
You are just coming off an immaculate run on tour with Petal and Margaret Glaspy. Any fun tour memories or crazy fan stories?
A fan in Minneapolis who happened to have his saxophone jumped up onto stage and ripped a blistering sax solo in ‘leave it to me’. We hadn’t rehearsed a thing and it was just marvellous.
What has been your favorite meal on the road thus far on tour?
My favourite thing on the road was probably the icehouse in Minneapolis’ vegetarian gnocchi. It was truly delicious.
Do you have any pre-show rituals you’d like to tell us about?
No, I’m not superstitious or ritualistic. Maybe that’s my pre show ritual! (Practicing mindful pragmatism)
Be honest: What’s your favorite song to perform?
“I’ve Been Thinking” or “I Was Often”.
If you could collaborate with any artist on any medium, who would you work with and what would you create together?
Solange or Kanye. We would make the smoothest record ever made.
Anything else you’d like to add?
How are you? How is your day going? I hope you are having one of those days where life is effortless. It’s busy enough with engaging activities that you don’t know the time is passing but balanced enough to not feel pressure to over perform. If it’s not this day, when you get back home tonight, put on the Smiths, eat a snickers bar and have a cup of tea.
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We know what we’re doing tonight. (Thanks for the advice, Simon!) Keep up with Slow Dancer here. Tickets are available for upcoming events now.
Today, Brooklyn-based folk musician Swimming Bell (Katie Schottland) releases her first solo EP, titled The Golden Heart. Over the course of five tracks, she takes us on an almost magical journey through beautifully picked guitars, slight sound effects, and light as a feather reverb to last for days. Quite frankly, it might be the best road trip ready EP we’ve heard all year, and we’re thinking about taking it on our next autumn excursion.
We’re so impressed with the work this lady has accomplished and by the beauty of her art that we wanted to ask her a few questions, to which she happily obliged. Below, find a quick interview in honor of the EP release.
What is the first song or album you ever remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
There was always a lot of Beatles, Beach Boys, and Eagles played in my house. “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” sticks out in my mind. My mom in particular loved Peter Paul and Mary and used to sing it to us as kids. I think I get my love of harmonies from her. She’s the master harmonizer… a rap song comes on and she’ll find the major 3rd.
You have quite the resume with a host of other musical projects. With your own solo project, how difficult was it to find your own voice or to hone your sound? Is the process very different for you from working with a band?
I think in any musical project I’ve been a part of, that my voice has always been there, but the more chefs you add, the wider the flavor. With the solo venture, there wasn’t much conscious thought about a particular sound or voice. We took the songs at their essence and built on them. That’s my voice I guess. This process was very different than recording with a full band. It felt way more relaxed, and in turn more creative to me. There was no right or wrong to it. Just experimenting.
We know you recorded The Golden Heart in the London home studio of Oli Deakin, whom you met in NYC. How did you two meet, and how did the decision to fly to London to record come about?
How does anyone meet these days? I was training as a horse surgeon, and he used to be a professional jockey. He was new in town and we met through the classifieds of Equestrian Weekly. 😉 Then we discovered we both love music.
As for recording in London, it all seemed to fall into place. He was going back home to London for a few months and I had a window of time that lined up. We recorded in his parents house where he has a home studio set up. We just got to play and create for hours. For me it was a dream since I’d never been able to have that kind of freedom in recording before.
As we played the EP for the first time, we came to the conclusion that we’d like to listen to it lying on a blanket under the stars in the crisp, autumn air. How do you imagine people listening to/enjoying the EP?
What you just described sounds lovely to me. Can I come? I’m just happy if people listen to it, wherever they are. 🙂
What are you most excited about with this release?
I’m most excited to be sharing something that is very much from my own imagination, and learning to own it. To be less insecure about my lack of musical training. I started playing music about 3 years ago, so I’m new to all of it and it’s all very exciting to me.
You have a couple of dates coming up in California. How stoked are you to play the west coast, and – be honest – was it an excuse to get out to Joshua Tree for a little R&R?
I’m very excited to be playing in California. Should be fun! I have friends in all the towns I’m playing in, so it’ll be good to connect with people and play to a different kind of audience. I don’t think I’ll have much time to R&R in J-Tree, but I’ll be in Yosemite for a night and looking forward to that.
If you could collaborate with any artist or musician, who would it be and why?
I wish I could collaborate with Nick Drake, or at least let me sing some harmonies on his songs, but alas. 🙁 Living artists? Beck, Thom York, Sia, Neil Young, etc. Too many to name. I really love what Nicolas Vernhes does as a producer.
Upcoming Events
10.7.17 at Pete’s Candy Store (EP Release)
10.10.17 at Hotel Utah, San Francisco, CA
10.13.17 at Joshua Tree Saloon, CA
10.14.17 at Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA
10.29.17 at Muchmore’s, Brooklyn, NY
The Golden Heart is out today via Adventure Club Records. Keep up with Swimming Bell here.
On August 4th, talented Los Angeles based musician Jenny O. released her first full length since 2013’s Automechanic, to a host of (well expected) critical acclaim. Shortly after, she hit the road for a pretty solid U.S. tour, which she is in the middle of right now. But despite her packed schedule, undoubted bevy of love letters (and positive feedback) from her new album, and everything else, she took a few moments to answer a quick batch of questions exclusively for Imperfect Fifth. Check out the interview – and her remaining tour dates – below!
What is the first song or album you ever remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
I remember hearing ‘For The Longest Time’ by Billy Joel on the radio as a toddler when it was new and identifying it as a personal favorite. Do you have a favorite song or favorite song to perform off of your new release, Peace & Information?
I really like playing some of these songs with my new band. I’d say “Case Study”. It’s just easy and fun.
How do you imagine people listening to this album?
I assume people are mostly streaming it on laptop speakers while talking. I hope that a few listen on good speakers or with headphones on a train.
You have such a – dare we say it? – unique voice. It’s raspy and delicate at the same time, ethereal almost. Did that come naturally, were there vocal lessons involved?
Thanks! I started practicing when I was a kid because I wanted to be good. I did actually take voice lessons as a teenager. It changed the way I sing for sure. I was previously afraid of my upper register, the voice I use now. For some reason I have this very separate break between two voices. Back then I only used the low one and now just occasionally. What are your go-to road snacks?
Chips & Hummus, yogurt, apples, almonds, fig bars, today I found a single serving of green olives and was really excited about it. Who is your favorite superhero? Substantiate that claim.
I’ve never been drawn to fantasy or superheroes. MLK or John Lennon, maybe.
I have to be sure not to wear my MLK pin on the same day as my Imagine shirt because it’s too much.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?
If you want to be something you just have to assume it.
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Enough said.
Remaining Tour Dates
9/29 Denver, CO – Lost Lake
9/30 Kansas City, MO – Riot Room
10/1 Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
10/3 Davenport, IA – Raccoon Motel
10/4 Des Moines, IA – Des Moines Social Club
10/5 Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall
10/6 Chicago, IL – Shubas
Peace & Information is available now via Holy Trinity Records. Keep up with Jenny O. right here.
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