by Meredith Schneider | Nov 3, 2017 | wolf tracks
Today, Utica, New York’s alternative musician Anthony and the Mountain premieres its Storm Fruit EP, the first collection of music we have gotten from the project since 2016’s I Felt Tall and Full of Blood. Three songs deep, “Fatboy” serves as the first track, a dramatic narrative from Anthony’s childhood. Anthony croons “Watching the ocean pull away from me” in an all-encompassing way, truly capturing a feeling in tandem with the lyrics. And while “Little Ceramic Dolphins” maintains a similar tempo, the song itself feels darker, more existential in its presence than its predecessor. Anthony’s third song is the title track “Storm Fruit”, which draws from intense vocal registers and a more seductive emotional state to evoke a romanticism that perfectly rounds out the release.
Says Anthony about the EP:
The three songs that make up the EP were slowly written over the past few years and paint portraits of myself at three very different points in my life, both chronologically and emotionally. It’s about relationships. From growing up as a queer teen and the relationship i’ve had with my body, my relationship to religion, and ultimately my relationship with myself. I wrote them at the piano, trying to connect with the part of me that started writing songs in the first place. The desire was to do something that was meditative, and orchestral, cinematic even, with my voice being the emotional center. I wrote them mostly in seclusion, with the recording happening very quickly once I set down to do it.
Storm Fruit is available now.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 3, 2017 | wolf tracks
Experimental indie pop collective Babylawns – comprised of Ryan Egan, Davey Alaimo, Mike Phillips, Chris Tremblay, and Conor Powers – is headed out on an east coast tour this month in support of their brand new album Sorry it’s like this, with the first stop happening tonight in Providence, Rhode Island. The nine track full-length starts with heavy hitting “too big”, crashing guitars leading you into the thrashing feel of “heartbeat” before winding you down into “anxiety”, which happens at a crawling clip. The album meanders between genres, as its listener gets bits of americana, psych rock, alternative, goth pop, and more through the expert instrumentalism of a group that knows how to cohesively switch tempo at the drop of a hat, highlighting the composition of the music at the same importance as the vocals themselves. Sorry it’s like this adequately sums up a highly relatable but often inexplicable melancholic feeling in song. And it’s something you need to experience.
Tour Dates
11/3 – Providence, RI
11/4 – Philadelphia, PA
11/5 – Columbus, OH
11/6 – Ann Arbor, MI
11/7 – Harrisburg, PA
11/8 – Baltimore, MD
11/9 – New Brunswick, NJ
11/10 – Wilton, NH
11/11 – Goffstown, NH
11/30 – Brooklyn, NY
12/1 – Portland, ME
Sorry it’s like this is out now. Keep up with Babylawns here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 3, 2017 | wolf tracks
In October, Brooklyn’s americana rock trio Animal Years – comprised of Mike McFadden (vocals, guitar), Anthony Saladino (bass), and Anthony Spinnato (drums) – released the music video for their widely praised single “Caroline” in the lead up to the release of their new EP, Far From Home. The EP – which is made up of five soulful, intricate tracks – was produced by Ryan Hadlock (The Lumineers, Brandi Carlile, Vance Joy) came out on October 27th via eOne Records.
“Caroline” begins the EP with an upbeat ring to it – despite the bittersweet, self-aware lyrics – allowing the listener to just about float over the country-tinged vocals and light, acoustic instrumentals. “Friends” slows everything down initially, but when it hits the beat it really gets your hips swinging as it addresses the importance of a warm and rich support system. And while “Give It Up” really gets you grooving, it paves the way for a slow down with “Corinth”, which is widely defined by its deeper guitar work, percussion, and flat out deeper vocals. Singing from a darker place (“I’m drowning in the deep end”), looking toward a silver lining (“I think I can win her”) will do that to you. “Home” is the perfect silver lining to it all, however, as the lyrics reflect on the darker times – perhaps in tandem with the flow of the album – while simultaneously appreciating any hint of good fortune. It’s the perfect place to land, truly tying it all together and making the sound space feel just like that. Like home.
Far From Home is out now. Keep up with the trio here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 3, 2017 | wolf tracks
As we wait with baited breath for the release of Texas-bred, Nashville-based indie rock musician Sierra Blanca‘s brand new EP on November 10th, we’ve got the music video for his track “Book” for you to enjoy. But Sierra has taken the term “back to your roots” to a new level, performing the track live in the woods at night amongst the stars, the chirping bugs, a small crowd, and – of course – the trees and their many roots. And while we could let the white noise from grasshoppers and creatures of the night get to us, it adds an ambiance to the track that makes us feel as though we’re outside enjoying a crisp night with friends under the stars. And – after all – that seems to be what he was after to begin with. So gather your own sense of community by watching the video, and let us know what you think below!
Honorable Mention is out November 10th. Keep up with Sierra Blanca here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 2, 2017 | wolf tracks
Nashville-based musician Ernest K. might be known for his silky vocals, but it’s his ability to turn an intelligent rhyme that really bowls us over. And – after killing it with Spotify plays on his new track “Bad Boy” – we’ve got his new music video to share today.
As the video begins, you’re drawn in by overlay font that’s reminiscent of the “Full House” title screen, so automatically you’re tossed into this throwback mentality. And it’s a casual video, with Ernest wearing a Looney Tunes shirt, hanging out with his friends and singing on porches and around town. There is a sense of community in the video, almost as though Ernest has drawn different aspects of his inspiration into the video itself. Plus the smooth, supportive lyrics of “Bad Boy” set a perfectly chill backdrop to it all.
Keep up with Ernest K. here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 2, 2017 | wolf tracks
French jazz-pop musician Laure Z might reside in Los Angeles now, but she’s brought a wealth of knowledge over the pond from her years in music education. Right now, she’s preparing for the debut of her new EP, a 6 track work titled Girls Don’t Wait due out in November. But while things are going on behind the scenes, we’ve actually got the exclusive premiere of the next piece of that work, a song titled “I Will Follow You”. Whistling leads you into this soft, emotional release. Laure Z’s vocals seem to float effortlessly over the instrumentals, giving off the feeling that you’re in a garden, surrounded by brilliant landscape under a bed of twinkling stars. The song is a testament to love, inviting trust and acceptance into a relationship, spun blissfully together with simplistic and ethereal instrumentals.
Girls Don’t Wait is due out soon. Keep up with Laure Z here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 2, 2017 | wolf tracks
Alternative power-rock trio Noiseheads – comprised of Nick Gray (vocals, guitar), Greg Nicholas (drums, vocals), and Joe Gray (bass, vocals) – recently released the official music video for the second single from their album Sitcoms for Aliens, titled “Ballad of Me, Myself, and I”. The video is comprised of footage of Nick singing, made to look like flat magazine collage art. Scenes of Times Square, outer space, a cubicle, and other miscellaneous places pop up behind him, his outfits and scenarios changing throughout. It’s a fun overlay to the song itself, which is a relatively mellow track that could be enjoyed in a head banging situation or at home with a small group of friends. It follows the rest of their work quite nicely, with fun, upbeat riffs and an aggressive delivery of vocals galore.
Keep up with Noiseheads here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 2, 2017 | wolf tracks
Indie pop duo Soft People – the self-titled “America’s Best Gay Socialist Band” made up of couple Caleb Nichols and John Metz – is introducing their first collection of songs to the world, an album titled American Men which debuts on November 7th. The album weaves in an agenda of addressing modern American politics, challenging a generation while critiquing the new status quo. It’s a narrative that is very necessary right now, and Soft People have done due diligence to deliver in a fun and inspiring, rowdy pop music. Today, we’ve got the exclusive premiere of their latest track “New Kampf”.
The song begins with the line: “Nazi, I saw a Nazi!” and you’re pretty sure you know where it’s going from there. But while quirky, honest lyrics outline the spotting of a Nazi for their listener, the drums keep a toe-tapping beat going that is both appreciated and danceable by many. It is relatively clear that the lyrics were developed around the new generation of far right protestors and violent demonstrators, a social commentary delivered with a laugh track in the back. Because – without being too blunt – it’s way too difficult to handle current political goings on without some humor.
American Men is out November 7th and is available for preorder now. Keep up with Soft People here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 2, 2017 | snapshot
On October 27th, Noah Cyrus opened up for Katy Perry at Sprint Center in Kansas City. Here are a few photos from that set, which included original music as well as covers by Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, and more!
