Alt-indie newcomers, FEVA, just release their latest single. “Makin’ Waves” is a debut off of the English based band self-titled album FEVA. The song is sure to be an indie-rock classic with focus on guitar, drums and vocals, while maintaining an upbeat feeling. “Don’t feel like you gotta settle down—baby lovin’ ain’t for us all.” “Makin’ Waves” encompasses an important message in the song for people of all ages. The line I specifically mentioned: “Don’t feel like you gotta settle down,” is especially crucial. In today’s world of have a stable career, education, and S.O. (significant other), by the time that you’re thirty is not only stressful—it’s daunting. “Makin’ Waves” really came around full circle for me, making me realize that you have to go out there into the world and make waves…literally. Settling down isn’t an option, so don’t make it one. FEVA sure didn’t.
From Guildford, England comes the voice of Annabel Allum. A small framed casually put together woman who you wouldn’t expect to have such an elegant tonal quality. “Rascal” is the 2nd single released this year following up her 2017 release “All that for what?”
“Rascal” is a very honest approach that gets more inwardly intimate than most. Revealing truths most bury, ignore, or deny. The slow tempo swaying verse begins with “I’m just a rascal woman, I take home people I meet in bars, I tell them I can see their soul, I can count their scars.” Pretty straightforward.
I always research each artist I review to get a little insight into their personality and how its applied to their approach to music. Annabel is quoted saying, “Rascal’ is about me accepting what people think of me, and trying to get on with it anyway. No one’s perfect and I’m certainly not.” The sincerity in that is very respectable. After hearing “Rascal” Annabel projects her truth exactly as it is. The chorus comes in like the morning twilight transitioning into a breathtaking sunrise. You know something is coming, your anticipation rises, the volume increases and like an orchestra director you raise your hands at the same moment the cymbals crash and the full spectral sound comes flooding in.
It is difficult to categorize Annabel as to me she is a woman with a guitar playing her heart, which is something that cannot be duplicated.
If you took Delores from The Cranberries(RIP), Liz Phair and Peri Gilpin(she played Roz on Fraider) ripped out their vocal chords and blended them like your morning smoothie, that combination would closely then resemble Annabel. While the music isn’t pop or rock it is very listener friendly.
“Rascal” is as powerful musically as it is lyrically. It’s raw yet mature. For those who aren’t afraid to admit they can be a “Rascal” at times, it’s a great song to relate to and reassuring that you aren’t terrible alone. We all have our moments. Accepting it is easy to do when there is a song to sing along to.
To purchase the single and albums prior visit her website, and don’t forget to follow her on facebook.
Borderline legendary duo Matt and Kim recently released their latest music video “Forever”, off of their new album Almost Everyday, earlier this year. Mark Hoppus (of Blink-182) joins Matt and Kim on vocals for “Forever.” The video opens with the duo in a warehouse. Set in black and white, you wonder where the video is going as the beat is poppy and energetic. It breaks to Kim taking drums and the two going back and forth dancing with each other.
The video is carefree, simple, and sweet like the song reflecting lyrics “Together we’ll cause a stampede, running through streets- I can dance better in a seat, as you’re making fun of me.” The song and upcoming album Almost Everyday heavily reflect Kim’s recovery after an onstage injury in 2017. The duo seems to be back and it makes me super happy to see Kim dancing in “Forever.”
Today, Erika Wennerstrom’s debut LP Sweet Unknown is unleashed upon the world. The alternative indie artist’s latest album takes us through nine tracks. Sweet Unknown is a melancholy, yet pensive, take at life and love. “Staring Out The Window” tells us of a haunting of a past love. “I didn’t understand what it is that I did,” is a broken heart asking for questions as the track proclaims. “Gravity” is a reflective track on ones self. “Getting to know myself like I’ve never known…I’m ready for whatever life brings to me” screams the track. Fittingly enough, “Gravity” is the last track of Sweet Unknown. It is the acceptance, it is ending- but for the artist, a new beginning. My personal favorite is “Letting Go.” Starting off with “Come with me my friend,” the track feels lighthearted on a heavy album.
Sweet Unknown is definitely personal for Erika Wennerstrom, maybe even healing at time. This album is for you if you want to do some soul searching or simply wallow in your sorrows. I’m sure you can make Sweet Unknown personal to you too. Sweet Unknown is now available via all leading digital service providers and comes with an instant download of the album’s first single, “Extraordinary Love.” The physical copy includes a limited edition version pressed on double white vinyl.
Tour Dates
Mar 23 – Macon, GA – Cox Capitol Theatre**
Mar 24 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater**
Mar 25 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVA**
Mar 26 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater**
Mar 28 – Wilmington, DE – The Queen**
Mar 29 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl**
Mar 30 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl**
Mar 31 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer**
April 2 – State College, PA – The State Theatre**
April 3 – Toronto, ONT – The Mod Club**
April 4 – Toronto, ONT – The Mod Club**
April 6 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall**
April 7 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall**
Pick up your copy of Sweet Unknownhere, and keep up with Erika here.
Band of Gold just premiered their single “Well Who Am I” off of their forthcoming album Where’s The Magic. PopMatters describes the band sound as “A really unique take on pop music… an intriguing sound.” It is in fact an intriguing sound as the track is quirky, unique, and very zany. What you think is going to start off as an alt-pop song, leans into a rock guitar solo, but not until the vocals pick up the pace and end the song abruptly.
The most interesting part of “Well Who Am I” is the bands’ seemingly random lyrics. It starts off “I like the way you comb you hair” and is followed by “I like the neatness of your hair….but I don’t think you’ll ever dare.” The uniqueness and array of sounds/genres is what makes this song so fascinating, and addicting.
the lampshades, a trio from Pittsburgh, are getting ready to release their album Astrology on March the 23rd of 2018 through Mint 400 Records. As a teaser, the guys, that have been playing together since they were teenagers, have released a video to accompany their teaser single release, “Civilization and its Discontents” via YouTube.
A traveling video with plenty of the cities views with some cool effects added to the sequences. Wait for the 0:38 mark as the guys are squished together singing in unison looking just as the song says, discontent. It’s a little humorous. I definitely got the vibe of a mundane, in and out, everyday, routine where they city just becomes so blah.
Behold, as comes the ending and images of nature in flight. Maybe it represents the ability to be free and fly away, or maybe its a look at the everyday beauty of things we often take for granted as we shrug off passing the same skyscraper every day.
Either way, this indie-alternative-grunge sounding band has something to offer both visual and auditory. The Lampshades will be playing some local shows in support of the album release. HEY PITTSBURGH, get out and support your homegrown boys. For the rest of the world keep up with the lampshades by visiting their website.
