by Annjelica Houston | Dec 18, 2017 | snapshot
On Sunday, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Los Angeles, hundreds gathered to witness the incomparable James Blake.
When he got to the stage, he was humble, and friendly—even his attire was casual (a red and white soccer jersey). His demeanor was reminiscent of a friend that was asking you to listen to their new music as you both sat casually in a makeshift studio.
Once he began to play, it was clear that James Blake performing in a place of worship was all too perfect. The crowd became deafeningly silent, and like a tsunami, Blake was still and suddenly commanding, prominent—like a pastor in the middle of a passionate sermon. Heads bowed and swayed in sync, as if in trance.
His set list included the beloved, “Limit to Your Love,” “Retrograde,” and “Love Me In Whatever Way,” “Wilhelm Scream,” and other ethereal tracks. A new song he gifted the audience with was “Asking for a Friend.”
By the end of the show, it was clear that while it wasn’t his intention, Blake became the leader of a new religion: a group of people mesmerized by his (incomparable) vocal abilities, modesty and genuine connectivity.
If you get the opportunity, it would serve you well to see James Blake live in concert, it may not save your soul, but you can feel like it for a couple of hours.
Keep up with James Blake here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 18, 2017 | wolf tracks
Just in time for the wintertime madness, Milwaukee’s electro soul pop collective No No Yeah Okay – comprised of Mark Gage, Christopher Quasius, Colin Plant, and Josh Paynter – has released a glittering single that is perfect for enjoying in a nightclub during winter break with your closest friends just as much as you can jam out to it at a bonfire or your family holiday party. Lightweight, the track reminds you that it’s time to let go of the past and really head into 2018 with more of a “dirt off your shoulders” mindset.
Trust us. You’ll feel that way too.
Keep up with No No Yeah Okay here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 18, 2017 | wolf tracks
New Jersey-based indie psych rock band Speed The Plough – comprised of John, Toni and Mike Baumgartner and Ed Seifert, joined by former STP bassist Dan Francia and drummer Ken Meyer – released their latest full length on December 8th. The album, titled …And Then, is comprised of ten tracks that dare to drag you into a soundscape that doesn’t altogether make sense in one grouping. From one track to the next, the group displays their musical prowess and keeps the listener on their toes with the variety of sounds they are able to create together.
Take “Crossing the Tizsa” for example. The lyrics are almost like a fairy tale or a beautiful children’s story, set over dark instrumentals that eventually lighten into a Renaissance-like tranquility. This makes sense, as it was found in a songbook of Hungarian folk songs. (John’s mom is the one who can be heard in the spoken word section, by the way. Props to her!) “Take Me” allows the album to take on a whole different persona, introducing itself with bass that would rival the best oughts’ pop/punk tracks. And while “Azimuth” has an unmistakable 70s vibe, perhaps driven by the keys that make up the melody, “The Bitter End” feels abrupt and intense in its disposition. By the time we reach fifth track “Marina”, we’re not sure what to expect, as Speed The Plough tends to switch up the sound on us from one track to the next. For example, “Marina” brings back that beautiful renaissance-meets-rock feel to it, almost as though it should be on an A/B Side with “Crossing the Tizsa”.
“By This River” is light as a feather, largely driven by simple and delicate piano chords. Its sound is slightly different from its predecessors as well, if not only for the fact that it is a cover originally done by Brian Eno. While we might expect “Why We Fall in Love” to be some sort of intense love ballad, it’s more of a quirky indie track with percussion that feels primal, and perhaps groups it back in that “far-off places, daring sword fights, magic spells” territory. (Guess that reference in the comments and you’ve got a new bets friend!) “The Bird Has Flown” is almost theatrical in its presence, notable for its robust piano chords and delicate guitar.
Last two tracks “Running On” and “Dark Continents” happen to have been originals from an earlier iteration of the band called The Trypes. These tracks hadn’t gotten the studio attention the band thought they needed to thrive, so these tracks happen to have a different, low-key, “vibing out” feel to them that really tends to invigorate as the last track fades out beautifully.
…And Then is available now. Keep up with Speed The Plough here.
by Ron Boling | Dec 15, 2017 | snapshot
On Dec 7th Hardworker of Durham, NC took the stage at Rockwood Music Hall in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York. The band has a sound that is deeply rooted in American folk but breaks out and finds its home in todays indie singer/songwriter pool of talent. Lead singer and guitarist Sus Long lead the band through a set of songs off their latest release Go Alone as well as a few tracks from albums past.
By the second song they had to crowds undivided by playing the folk rock turned garage rock anthem “Look More Like A Girl”. The vocal harmonies divided between Long and Alex Treyz on “Lazarus” really filled the room with a Gospel vibe. Mid set the track “Kate” brought the energy with sharp guitars from Daniel Nowell and a distorted four string banjo played by Mike Connor. Wrapping up the already heartfelt show with all out folk song “Kansas City” we were left knowing the band can channel the North Carolinian roots. Elizabeth Cotton would have even probably approved of the bands ode to home.
Hardworker fits into and breaks out of the folk rock mold and they put on a great show in the meantime. Keep up with them here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 15, 2017 | wolf tracks
With Bohnes‘ new music video comes a new sense of badassery to alt-pop. The musical project mastered by Alexander DeLeon (The Cab) continues to impress, maintaining the same versatile, soulful vocals he’s been dazzling us with for years, while putting a new spin on the way they are delivered. His most recent release – a music video for his track “My Friends” – is dark and brooding, yet somehow incredibly inspiring in that it prompts you to evaluate your own “demons.” While DeLeon really draws that raw, rock feel into the track with hard guitar riffs and solid, impactful percussion, we find ourselves drawn to the subject matter with brilliant visuals of a life in the dark, DeLeon’s skeletal makeup at the forefront.
Keep up with Bohnes here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 14, 2017 | wolf tracks
New York-based musician Aaron Taos just released his last single of 2017, and boy is it a doozy. Existing at mid-tempo, the song has that “strutting like a badass” feel to it instrumentally, though the subject matter is a little less suave at its core.
Admits Aaron of the track: “‘Twisted’ is about how stupid we can get when we’re interested in someone. It’s not a revolutionary concept, but it’s the idea of feeling high when you’re in the presence of that person and not being able to think clearly/act normally. I.e. bumbling, rambling, tripping, and fumbling when you see them and start to get that young love head rush”.
So check out your new favorite “puppy love” track below, and dance your way into the holidays.
Keep up with Aaron Taos here.
by ImperfectFifth | Dec 14, 2017 | soundtrack
As easy as it is to access music now, the on going change of favorite songs is such a fun one to us, we thought for a while about what theme we wanted to choose and ended up with this “Top 5 favorite songs we are listening to right now.” It kinda leans in a lot of very different directions, from pop to rap to post hardcore to metal. We all have very different music tastes which is actually a lot of fun when it comes to touring cause depending on who is driving, the music style changes. Never gets boring in the van!
Hope you enjoy Kalie, Seb, Micket and Josh’s favorite tunes as of 12/4/2017!
Damned Soul is due out February 2, 2018. Keep up with RIVALS here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 14, 2017 | wolf tracks
Brooklyn-based rock collective Lovehoney – comprised of Alysia Quinones (vocals), Tommy White (guitar), Tom Gehlhaus (drums), and Matt Saleh (bass) – might just be getting their start together, but they have already melted faces at some prominent venues on the east coast. Their recent single “Try to Get Rid of Me” really flourishes in that aggressive rock soundscape, a nostalgic 70s twinge to the vocal recordings throwing us back to a time where leather vests, fringe, and long, flowing locks dominated. Whirring guitars keep the energy consistently badass as Quinones belts out honest and compelling lyrics anyone could relate to.
Keep up with Lovehoney here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 13, 2017 | wolf tracks
New York-based art rock collective Heroes of Toolik – comprised of Arad Evans (guitar), Jennifer Coates (violin), Moppa Elliott (bass), John Speck (trombone), and Michael Evans (percussion) – has chosen to take the band in a different direction from their previous two album releases. Not only did they add Elliott and Evans to the lineup, but they’ve also added a noticeably more experimental layer to their work that both captivates and encourages the listener. They’ve really brought that to light with a short film they recently released of a studio performance as the official video for their track “Quincunx”.
The word “quincunx” translates to “an arrangement of five things,” so they take that meaning in the most literal sense just being a band together. The band and the word are simple, yet intrinsically complex. The video itself mirrors this concept, as it is a relatively simple live performance but is built of its own instrumental complexities. Bathed in warm light in the heart of summer – June 22nd, 2017, to be exact – Heroes of Toolik find their groove together in a way that just insists on provoking an ambiance. And it’s absolutely beautiful.
Keep up with Heroes of Toolik here.
