by Meredith Schneider | Sep 22, 2017 | wolf tracks
Today, Destin, Florida dream pop musician Gileah Taylor released her latest track, a single titled “Till We’re Through”. A bit of a pop ballad, Taylor’s vocals are on full display on this track, as they edge on darkness at times, replete with an airy rasp, and then bounce back up to this weightless place we can’t quite put our finger on. The lyrics sit with their audience far after the last notes of the song have faded. Taylor has identified us all as fallible human beings, brought more relatable qualities to the forefront.
How strange to acknowledge our similarities.
“Till We’re Through” is available now via Velvet Blue Music. Keep up with Gileah Taylor here.
by ImperfectFifth | Sep 22, 2017 | soundtrack
**Submitted by Lo Carmen.
Memories, dreams, the things you remember, the things you can’t forget, the nights and the names you forgot, the moments that lurk and linger in the corners of your mind, haunt your sleep and hover at the edges of existence … these are the things that only a song can really capture the feeling of.
With ‘The Last Thing I’ll Remember’ I just closed my eyes and tried to condense all of those perfect pangs and elusive longings that come with the passage of time into a song.
And now, into a collection of songs by other artists who have tried to paint the same feelings into melodies; the intangible feeling of checking into Memory Motel and collapsing into sweet reminiscences, walking on the backroads, by the rivers, ever smiling, ever gentle on your mind. We all know you can’t put your arms around a memory or live in Memory Street forever, but sometimes your memory has a mind of its own. So whether you’re looking’ back on Luckenbach or can’t remember Guildford, maybe remember me, or your wildest dreams, or your favorite memory, cos walkin’ in the sand or livin’ on memories of you will be the last thing on my mind, as I remember a time when once you used to love me… so listen up, lovers, dreamers, fighters, kick your tin can down the road and remember….
- Last Thing I’ll Remember: Lo Carmen
- Memory Motel: Rolling Stones
- Looking’ Back On Luckenbach: Whitney Rose
- I’ve Got Dreams To Remember: Otis Redding
- Living On memories Of You: Dolly Parton
- If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will): George Jones
- Remember (Walkin’ In The Sand): The ShangriLas
- Your Memory Has A Mind Of Its Own: Willie Nelson
- My Favorite Memory: Merle Haggard
- You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory: Johnny Thunders
- Memory Street: Margaret Glaspy
- He’s Just An Old Love Turned Memory: Tammy Wynette
- No, I Don’t Remember Guildford: Robyn Hitchcock
- You or Your Memory: The Mountain Goats
- I Don’t Remember: The Stepfords
- Wildest Dreams: Ryan Adams
- Those Memories Of You: Trio
- Maybe Remember Me: Daniel Romano
- The Last Thing On My Mind: Gram Parsons
- I Remember A Time When Once You Used To Love Me: Dirty Three
- Gentle On My Mind: Billy Bragg, Joe Henry
___
“The Last Thing I’ll Remember” is out now. Keep up with Lo Carmen here.
**Submitted by the artist
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 21, 2017 | wolf tracks
Tomorrow, Kalamazoo, Michigan’s indie/folk americana duo Gifts or Creatures – comprised ofBrandon John Foote + Bethany Foote – releases their third full-length, a ten track piece of work titled Fair Mitten. But while we wait (not so patiently) to own a copy of it for ourselves, we’ve actually got the whole thing streaming for you.
From the lengthy, beautiful instrumental intro on first track “Pontiac’s Rebellion”, to the soft, simple but detailed storytelling in “Trout of The Pines”, to the soulful and rock-tinged “Green Gold”, all the way until the last chords of final track “Conquest Of The Old Northwest”, the entirety of the album offers an almost earthy vulnerability to its sound, making each one of its listeners feel as though they are connecting with the land around them. It’s an absolute breath of fresh air, and the band seems to have had that in mind from the beginning. Explains Brandon Foote:
Ever since I was a child, I have been enamored by the boundless blue water and thick north woods of Michigan. The striking and stunning combination of wooded land and freshwater seascapes has a rich history that is often overshadowed by the coastal cities and towns of North America. I have traveled around the country and always miss the north woods when away. The Great Lakes region has always felt like a secret undiscovered jewel to me.
Do yourself a favor and take a journey over the lush and textured soundscape Gifts or Creatures has provided your ears in our exclusive album stream premiere!
Fair Mitten is out September 22nd via Earthwork Music. Keep up with Gifts or Creatures here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 21, 2017 | wolf tracks
This week, self-proclaimed “Echo Park Pop” artist Luna Shadows unveiled her cover of Brand New’s “Jesus Christ” via Billboard, but we’re still swooning over her most recent original release, “Tokyo”. Lightweight – with that synth tinge to it that we have come to expect from Luna Shadows, with instrumental layers that have obvious Japanese pop influence. As she sings about springtime in her crystal clear, light as a feather voice, we imagine we are in a garden, surrounded by cherry blossom trees as their blossoms break off in the light breeze and fall around us.
Keep up with Luna Shadows here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 20, 2017 | soundtrack
We just wanted to come up with a witty line for the title, this might not be the best September to remember. BUT it has been a brilliant month for music – and a brilliant summer, really, for our eager ears.
We launched this site this month. Last week. Big things are happening. So we’ve decided to do a monthly roundup of music we’re listening to, and post it close to the end of the month, but keep adding as we go. So this playlist isn’t set. It isn’t done. We don’t have any explanations for the tracks, nothing important to say. The songs don’t fit into specific genres, and we’ve included everything we’ve written about this month, no matter its release date. Just wanted to keep it in one, compact, fun place for you to enjoy!
Be a part of our music community! #imperfectfifth with your song suggestion for our September playlist on social media, and it will probably (more than likely) be added to the lineup!
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 20, 2017 | wolf tracks
While you were busy soaking in the last days of summer, Ann Arbor, Michigan’s avant-rock outfit Throwaway – comprised of members Kirsten Carey and Nicole Patrick (MI) / Oliver Dobrian (CA) – was busy releasing their latest video “Family Cry”, the intro to which is slightly terrifying. Despite the cringeworthy red glow, the masks that make the subjects of the video faceless, and the white noise in the background, the strangest – and most intriguing aspect – of the video is the text that scrolls over the visuals, which doesn’t always make sense. You will find it almost impossible to keep up with the wording while simultaneously listening to the lyrics.
“Family Cry” will entrance you from beginning to end thanks in part to its director, Chicago-based performance artist Corey Smith. The colors, words, and acted scenes will confuse you, but there is a sense of thrill to it all when the song’s tempo-changing, unique, garage-tinged experimental rock backs it up.
Keep up with Throwaway here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 20, 2017 | wolf tracks
In collaboration with Margrét Seema Takyar, Masma Dream World (Devi Mambouka) has concocted a focused, beautiful, but almost anxiety-inducing world that will have you questioning your reality and comfort at the same time. Swedish designer Tove Berglund had the right idea with the costume design, which is simple but bold and highlights the beauty – and perhaps fear – of its subject.
An interesting aspect to the video is that Devi invited Tove to collaborate on this performance project in 2014, after being inspired by weave culture. Tove spent hours weaving the outfit (blond hair) onto Devi’s body, and Margrét then applied her vision of light and dark space in the visual representation of Devi’s dance.
While the track is experimental and plays with simple percussion and sound effects, Masma Dream World mesmerizes with movement – jerky, concerning, yet wondrous. Check out the video (just released today!) below, and let us know what you think in the comments!
Keep up with Masma Dream World here.
by Ian Schneider | Sep 19, 2017 | wolf tracks
In The Valley Below are a socially conscious duo that are on the forefront of raising awareness of important issues through their music. Consisting of married couple Jeffrey Jacob and Angela Gail, the indie rock infused dream pop sound created by In The Valley Below is aesthetically pleasing on all levels. They have a new project coming out (today!) called The Elephant EP, and it is both socially aware and sonically satisfying.
“Bloodhands (Oh My Fever)” is the first – and one of the most impactful songs – on the five song EP. It was inspired by the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, MO and racial tensions between people and the police. Second track “Pink Chateau” brings with it lighter instrumentals and more of a springtime vibe, as it begs you to “slow down” and “simmer down” which aren’t bad bits of advice, if we’re being honest. “Hold On Tight” has more of a whirring, pop sound and then breaks down into some insane old school guitar solos to really throw you off guard.
But we’ve come to expect the unexpected from In The Valley Below, as they blend so many genres and weave show stopping tempo and key changes that should throw you for a loop, but really make their tracks that much more intriguing. The same can be said for fourth track “Break Even”, which has such intricate percussion parts that it completely changes what we had begun to think was the established vibe of the EP. Fifth and final track “Elephant” is the standout ballad, slowing the tempo to a crawl and really allowing you to revel in the lush, vibey vocals.
With so much going wrong in the world today, there are a plethora of songs inspired by the darker side of life. The uniqueness of In the Valley Below is that they do not phone in the music or the message when they create their art. They believe that in order to have the most effect, they must reach the largest audience with genuinely good music, and it shows. This EP comes from a authentic mindset, raising awareness for important issues, and it doesn’t hurt that the songs are great to listen to.
For more information about In The Valley Below, you can visit their website at inthevalleybelow.com.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 13, 2017 | Uncategorized
My name is Meredith, and it’s time to kick start this musical journey for you guys. Imperfect Fifth came from an idea that popped into my head several years ago, when I was working in a law office having already lived what seemed to be an entirely different lifetime working in entertainment in New York. Imperfect Fifth was during the days before I was the Editor in Chief of Impose, it came at a time when I had way less of an idea of what I was doing in the industry, and crazily allowed my voice to be inhibited.
Through my last few years career-wise, I’ve discovered I don’t want to lose that voice that I have. I don’t want to lose the zest for music that keeps my heart pounding out of my chest. I don’t want to lose my integrity among the mess. I want to bring clear, positive messages to the world through music… and I want to write the words to justify the feelings that music gives us. I want to work with like-minded, brilliant people who are dreamers, but who are willing to put in the legwork to make those dreams a reality. I certainly have encountered that passion over the last few years, but especially in the last several weeks. So I’ve decided to see where this goes, and I hope you’re all kind of diggin’ it.
I’ll admit there will be some kinks to work out. I purchased the domain only Monday (yeah… two days ago) and didn’t get it verified to start building out until yesterday… right about at the point I locked myself out of my apartment with no keys, no money, no phone, and a pizza I had made fresh, sitting on the coffee table for Schmidt to devour. Right when I was ready to dig in (and not miss my TODAY deadline), I had to walk a mile to my sister’s house (Thank goodness she lives so close!), and try to get her attention with no doorbell installed and no phone or car outside to ease her mind into realizing it was me.
Basically I banged on windows and doors and yelled into her mail slot and open windows until she wasn’t afraid I was a robber anymore.
Eventually – with the help of my neighbor’s email address and some patience – I got back in. And yeah, I may have missed some good coding time, but I actually feel really good about introducing a site called “Imperfect Fifth” in this way. Imperfect, but still with something to say. That’s why I took my time with it today, and why I’ll be optimizing it as I go. It’s a learning process for me, because I’m doing it all on my own.
For now.
I say that because this sucker will grow. Quickly, like the sunflowers we used to brand it with for the first phase of its life. And I will embrace the community that has nurtured and supported me the last few seasons of my life, and we will continue to – in small steps – make the industry and our community a better place to reside. One piece of art at a time.
P.S. Ma! Dad! Happy Anniversary! {{definitely chose to launch today because of the importance of 9/13 in my life}}
**For more info on the name selection, check this sucker out. If you want a snazzy video like mine, head over to Elephant Social and find out all the cool things Erin can do with you! And if you’re still on the fence about me, find out all you need to know at meredithschneider.com!
