by Meredith Schneider | Jun 5, 2018 | albums, review
Kara Grainger may have had more humble beginnings in Australia, but her world travels and body of work speaks to a dozen lifetimes of success. All of her musical influences and inspiration have culminated in her latest 9-track body of work, her full-length Living With Your Ghost that dropped on June 1st. Full of robust harmonies, rock-tinged guitar, and a whole lot of twang, this album has so much attitude that it could give Carrie Underwood a run for her money. (Though we in no way are referring to any of this beaut as “pop music.”)
Not only is her soulful attitude palpable with each track, but the lyrics are something to grasp onto, making Grainger accessible and relatable in the best ways. Personal favorites include “Man Without Soul” and “Broken Record”, but we’re sure most of this album will be the soundtrack to your late night, summertime pool games all season.
Living With Your Ghost is available now. Keep up with Grainger here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 5, 2018 | snapshot, visual
As the sun slowly began to set on Day 2 of Sasquatch! Music Festival 2018, Shakey Graves took the Bigfoot stage to entertain the masses. The color of the sky cast a warm glow on the band, who powered through their set as phenomenal as ever (despite the fact that they were essentially staring into the sun).
Keep up with Shakey Graves here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 5, 2018 | snapshot, visual
On Sunday night – Day 3 of Sasquatch! Music Festival 2018 – Slowdive took the Bigfoot stage and played with brilliantly colored lights and smoke surrounding them. We popped in to grab a few photos during the first song, soaking in the beauty and wonder of their immaculate sound.
Keep up with Slowdive here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 5, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Sunday, May 27th marked the third day of 2018’s Sasquatch! Music Festival overlooking The Gorge in Quincy, WA. PNW-native Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast led her band through an incredible performance, and we nabbed some photos of the fun.
Keep up with Japanesr Breakfast here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 4, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Chicago-based rock/lo-fi band Clearance recently released their brand new music video for new track “Had a Fantastic”, and we’re totally digging it. This is the first video released from their upcoming full-length release At Your Leisure. Visually pleasing – with a bit of that vintage feel to the muted colors -, the video displays the band playing in a largely empty room. Greenery appeals to the plant lady demographic of today, with the band singing matter of fact lyrics and drawing you into their esthetic little by little.
“Had a Fantastic” does not disappoint. So grab your disposable camera and let’s get going!
At Your Leisure is out July 27th and is available for preorder now.
by Abby Trapp | Jun 4, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
At the young age thirteen, solo artist Akine wrote her notable single “Pray For The Prey”. Four years later, she is sharing her song “Pray For The Prey” with the world. “Pray For The Prey” incorporates a number of genres taking inspiration from tribal beats, syncopated electronic sounds, and alternative pop. What is so impressive about this track is how mature and riveting the lyrics are for someone so young. Unsure of the world and what is next for it, Akine uses powerful writing to express her feelings of exasperation. “Tell him you love him, he’ll shield you from every thing,” Akine sings on a higher power. “And we pray and we pray into this foolish masquerade,” proclaims the chorus. Continuing her cry, “You think you’re blessed and best because of God.”
“Pray For The Prey” is Akine’s battle cry for humanity, the foolish, and the ignorant. Her message will strike a chord with many, whether it is a positive or negative one. The message alone is telling, but Akine’s divergent and compelling voice really brings the song home.
Keep up with Akine on Facebook and Instagram.
by Gemma Harewood | Jun 4, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Sounding special right now over on CloudKid is the first single release on the label from singer, songwriter and musician JT Roach. Originally from Madison, this talented artist has carved out “Lazy Kisses,” and it is ready to soak up and stream below.
With some huge commercial names having previously been written for by JT Roach, he now focuses his attention to his own material, and there is an album allegedly on the way. “Lazy Kisses” is everything we want to hear in our summer chill playlists: smooth, dreamy vocals, flickers of acoustic guitar and beautifully-rounded musicality.
Give it a play on the stream below.
Keep up with JT Roach here.
by Kayla Hutton | Jun 4, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Founded in 2013, this up and coming L.A. alternative indie rock band Goon is celebrating their recent singing to Partisan Records. Success is coming quickly for these guys and the reason why is easy to grasp. Their latest single “Choke Throat” plays like a soundtrack to a suspended gaze to the skies. Vocalist Kenny Becker has said the song revolves around a surgery to correct a sinus condition and the after effects that followed. A feeling of throat closure led to what we get to hear as “Choke Throat”.
Starting out with an acoustic sway “Choke Throat” is joined by vocals that echo down a long hall and drone with melancholic subtleties. What has started as sad converts into eerie as sounds in reverse are inserted and a percussive sound picks up the pace and ads texture. The gentle abstract sway also features a touch of saxophone that progressively rises from the distance and takes center stage. If joined by an orchestra the song would have taken the direction of cinematic, the use of the saxophone takes the mood to a jazz induced eye opener. If I hadn’t told you what the song was about, the music alone would make it sound like a more introspective moment about the pondering of life. “Choke Throat” is one of those songs that can be interpreted in many different ways. A benefit of this is that it will affect many people as they will take what they need from it. When the chorus section becomes more full and robust the song doesn’t seem so sad. It feels like the light at the end of the tunnel.
Partisan will be re-printing Goons two self-released E.P.’s Dusk of Punk and Happy Omen, pre-orders are being taken now and are set to ship out July 13th. You can secure your copy, which will also feature “Choke Throat”, through the band’s Bandcamp page and more order details can be found on their website. Don’t forget to follow them on Facebook.
If you happen to reside in one the town Goon will be touring, defiantly grab some tickets as they are one of the few “must see” bands that are rising fast. This could be a rare opportunity to see them in a smaller environment before they end up arena giants.
July 13th – Brooklyn, NY
July 15th – Washington, DC
July 16th – Richmond, VA
Jul 21st – Dallas, TX
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 4, 2018 | snapshot, visual
On Day 2 of Sasquatch! Music Festival, self-proclaimed post-worldbeat band Algiers stunned the crowd on the Yeti stage. Our photos cannot capture the magnificence witnessed, so take a gander but we urge you to check out Algiers here.
