by Meredith Schneider | Sep 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Baltimore-based experimental hip hop collective Soul Cannon – comprised of Eze Jackson (vocals), Matt Frazao (guitars/electronics), Jon Birkholz (keys/electronics), and Charles Wilson (drums) – recently released the lead single from their upcoming album, a track titled “Test Drive”. The song is very similar to its name, as it addresses many important topics and seems to put them each through their own “test drive”. The vocal delivery is absolutely beautiful, the song itself breeding a mid-tempo elegance that will get you right in the gut, delivering a smooth blend of hip hop and jazz. Check it out below!
Keep up with Soul Cannon here.
by ImperfectFifth | Sep 20, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Day 3 at Grandoozy 2018 was a helluva time, chock full of insanely talented artists and fun games in the park. Nikki nabbed some highlights from some of the later shows, including Kelela, Mavis Staples, Stevie Wonder, The Chainsmokers, and St. Vincent. Take a peek below!
**Photos by Nikki A. Rae Photography
by ImperfectFifth | Sep 20, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Day 3 at Grandoozy Music Festival was one for the books. We had so many amazing photos submitted by Nikki that we have to break them up for you! Nab some glances at sets by Dragondeer, DJ Big Styles, De La Soul, Black Pumas, and Daniel Caesar below!
**Photos by Nikki A. Rae Photography
by ImperfectFifth | Sep 20, 2018 | snapshot, visual
This year, the Denver metropolitan area introduced Grandoozy Music Festival to its citizens. The show was produced by the co-creators of Bonnaroo and Outside Lands, and its lineup mirrored that tenacity, bringing some insanely talented acts to Overland Park. We had a photographer on the ground for the weekend, and she captured some fun shots of Friday and Sunday at the fest! Here are our Day 1 gems, featuring Miguel, Bishop Briggs, Phoenix, and more!
**Photos by Nikki A. Rae Photography
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 20, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Nashville-based indie rock outfit Jon Reynolds & The Aches releases a new track this week called “Tomorrow’s News”, and we’ve got your exclusive premiere. The second single in their three track lead up to their EP in early 2019, “Tomorrow’s News” exists at a moderate clip, really drawing the listener in to its country vibes. At first listen, hints of The Eagles are palpable. Admits Reynolds of the meaning behind the track:
After the November 2016 elections wrapped up, I felt a deep need and responsibility to contribute what I could to what I can only describe as a cultural civil war. On an even more personal level, I promised myself 4 years ago, when I first moved to Nashville, that I would make music I believed in: music that I was passionate about personally. There are few things more motivating than seeing a man who openly discussed sexual assault get elected president of the United States. I wake up feeling very anxious about the next nonsensical statement or action I’m going to read in my morning news- I put that feeling into this song.
Allow yourself to get enveloped in a beautiful expression of frustration with our current world. This song is a beautiful conversation starter, and the exact sound you need on an early autumn evening.
Keep up with Jon Reynolds & The Aches here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 20, 2018 | snapshot, visual
On Thursday, September 13th, Rooney took the stage at recordBar to start the second half of their “A Cosmic Interlude” tour. Last year, Schwartzman promised an eager crowd – they played recordBar for the first date of that tour as well – that they would continue to come back each year with new music. He seems to be holding up on that promise. In fact, on the 13th, he told the crowd he enjoyed starting things off in Kansas City, and wants to come back to recordBar next year to kick things off again. We would totally understand if his crazy schedule didn’t permit that – the man just got back from signing a distribution deal for his latest full-length feature, The Unicorn.
Rooney was joined by Toughies and Mating Ritual, both of whom will have photos up this week! Get a glimpse into Rooney’s headlining set below.
Keep up with Rooney here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 19, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Sultry jewel tones fill the room as East Sussex-raised FØNX floods the space with his gorgeous vocals. The simple contrast of black with those tones increases the soulfulness of the track itself, and make it feel a little more like a scene from a boy band video from the 90s.
Keep up with FØNX here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 19, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
17-year-old musician Akine is gaining traction, now with her new track “Money In Your Mouth”, where she brings us an incredibly vulnerable side of herself. The intense lyrics paint a picture that will leave a bad taste in your mouth on behalf of Akine – or, the protagonist in the song -, but the vocals themselves are simultaneously edgy and smooth. The song is light enough to feel perfect for an autumn get together, bundled in hoodies and rocking vintage boots.
Keep up with Akine here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 19, 2018 | albums, review
Toronto-based trio The Trews – comprised of Colin MacDonald, John-Angus MacDonald, and Jack Syperek – continue to enthrall their fan base with a rotating bevy of new material. Their new album Civilianaires – which dropped on September 14th – hits with lighthearted energy in “Vintage Love”, throwing you into that puppy love that only this band can re-instill with every new record release. And while “Leave It Alone” is a little more hard-hitting, “The New US” continues at that pace, with a bit more of a commentary on civilization as we know it. I think we can all get on board with the sentiment in fourth track “Time’s Speeding Up”, while “Bar Star” throws itself into an introspective atmosphere, allowing the listener to question what they think about during last call.
“Harder To Love” feels incredibly primal in its disposition, “Is It Too Late” mirrors the title’s sentiment, a question plaguing anyone who isn’t sure about the choices they’ve made in life, and “Up sweet Baby” implores the object of the singer’s affection to stay awake until he gets home to be with them. The title track and its follow-up “No More Saying Goodbye” are filled to the brim with nostalgia, influences from past decades palpable. “Amen”, “Let The Great World Spin”, and “Jericho” are perhaps the best ways to round out the album, discussing forgiveness and elevating the world.
As a piece of artwork, this album really shows up for the introspective crowd. While the instrumentals stay energetic, layered, and freeing, the lyrics bounce from topic to topic, often with the melancholy glazed over by the gorgeous melodies provided. We’re big fans, and we think you will be too!
Keep up with The Trews here.
