by Meredith Schneider | Oct 27, 2017 | wolf tracks
Perhaps one of the most charming acts we’ve ever become acquainted with, Chicago-based lo-fi indie pop duo Zigtebra – comprised of “Zebra” Emily Rose and “Tiger” Joe Zeph – has been releasing a new single every single month during the year 2017. Their latest – the video for trance-inducing single “I Can Dance” – was cut together with archival footage setting a vibrant foreground for its audio counterpart. The track feels mellow – yet danceable at the same time – and captivating for reasons still not entirely clear to us, though perhaps Emily Rose’s ethereal, calming vocals have something to do with it. Her light words almost counterbalance the harsher electronic nature of the instrumentals, creating a quirky and fun dynamic we don’t always get to see in pop music.
It’s time to get inspired to dance with “I Can Dance”.
Zigtebra’s favorite recordings will be compiled into a full-length release next year. Keep up with the band here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 27, 2017 | soundtrack
In celebration of my favorite holiday, Halloween, and my upcoming Album Release Party, I give you Romeo Dance Cheetah‘s Boogieman Dance Party Playlist.
1. “Boogie Nights” – Heatwave
2. “Night is on My Mind” – Oliver
3. “Dead Man’s Party” – Oingo Boingo
4. “I’ve Been Watching You (Move Your Sexy Body)” – Parliament Funkadelic
5. “Girl Loves Me” – David Bowie
6. “Moonlight” – The Gold Web
7. “Windowlicker” – Aphex Twin
8. “Idioteque” – Radiohead
9. “Fatty Boom Boom” – Die Antwoord
10. “Meat Quotient” – Big Dipper
11. “Gotcha Good” – Celine Neon
12. “Dare” – Gorillaz
13. “Don’t Get Captured” – Run the Jewels
14. “Black Cat” – Janet Jackson
15. “I Would Die 4 U” – Prince
16. “Somebody’s Watching Me” – Rockwell
17. “Give me the Night” – George Benson
18. “Boogie Wonderland” – Earth Wind and Fire
19. “Oh Sheit It’s X” – Thundercat
20. “Sympathy for the Devil” – The Rolling Stones
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by Meredith Schneider | Oct 27, 2017 | wolf tracks
On October 23rd, Greek electric artist May Roosevelt released an 8-track enchanter of an album titled Junea via Inner Ear Records. The album is named after a fictional character in Junea’s world who acts as a “heroine of the modern digital world, where reality meets fiction through bridges made of electronic sounds and pixels.” Junea seems to be an extension of May Roosevelt herself – an alter ego almost – but either way, she has been unleashed and is receiving an immense amount of attention. We can see why, as we’re thrown into another world within each individual track.
Beginning with the light – almost watery sounds – the track “Air” evokes a feeling of being alone right off the bat, witnessing the track build slowly around a lonely echo. The pace picks up and you are thrown into a largely instrumental dance track, exposed to the mellow yet upbeat sound space that will captivate you throughout the majority of the album. “Pa” provides more quirky instrumentals, while “Flowers” has an elegance about it that its predecessors don’t, though the larger instrumental theme holds them all together like a thread. The percussion in “Flowers” is standout, as the lyrics layer ethereally over each other and provide an earthy and tranquil sound. And while “Be” has a lightness that innately encourages you to be present in the moment, “Let’s” begins with a similar sound but travels into a darker sound space than the album has quite allowed yet.
“In Your Eyes” opens with an otherworldly – almost alien – feel to it, enticing its listeners into a hip swaying, belly dancing type of mood. It’s sultry, mirroring its title in a way that makes it entrancing. “Ta” disrupts with a more immediate electronic, computer-like feel to it, sending us back into that tranquil mindset as it explodes into a cacophony of glittery sound before slowing down and resting briefly to prepare us for the last track. “Tides” comes in slowly, somehow more delicate than she has yet introduced a song. It’s as though her whispers have become whispers of whispers, drawing you into her abundance of mellow and beautiful energy. It’s the most interesting way to bring you out of your Junea-induced trance, as it picks up immensely and you have to almost fight yourself not to dance.
Overall, we’re pleased with the way May has made her mark on the electronic sound space. Junea seems effortlessly – yet flawlessly – produced, an album that should be celebrated widely across the festival circuit next summer, if given the proper chance. With it, we have seen another facet of her work and are equally inspired and motivated from it as we are with her previous releases.
Tracklist:
01. Air
02. Pa
03. Flowers
04. Be
05. Let’s
06. In Your Eyes
07. Ta
08. Tides
Junea is available now. Keep up with May Roosevelt here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 26, 2017 | 5 to 7
Canadian-based artist management company and record label Forward Music Group has had quite the year. Celebrating 10 years of helping artists bring their music into the world, they’ve taken it upon themselves to release an official 2017/2018 sampler – which is phenomenal, by the way – amongst some other really fun celebratory things, including a mess of live dates in October titled the “10th Year Anniversary Revue.”
And we’re totally on board, as this company certainly has a lot to celebrate. Their discography is extensive and includes artists like Michael Feuerstack, Gianna Lauren, Paper Beat Scissors, Sleepless Nights, and many more, while the amount of artistry they’ve brought to the world out of Canada makes them a standout for the country at large. Luckily enough, we stole a few minutes to chat with Owner/Operator Kyle Cunjak, who has quite the view of the industry, and a little bit of insight on the last ten years.
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What is the first album/song you remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
I’m going to approach this two ways and cheat a bit by giving you two experiences and three albums:
1 – Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense was a constant throughout my childhood. My dad loved this album and would play it non-stop. We’d both sing ‘Burning Down The House’ together and I was transfixed by David Byrne’s dance moves and style.
2 – The first albums I remember REALLY hearing, and I mean they had a profound influence on me, were Rancid’s …And Out Come The Wolves and Beck’s Mellow Gold when I was around 10-11 years old. They both blew my mind. I had no idea music could sound like these records. The former my aunt Cathy gave to me for my birthday because my older cousins were into them and I’m sure she had no idea what the music was like. The latter I heard at my friend Victor’s and remember BEGGING him to dub me a copy before a family vacation. When he wasn’t able to do this fast enough, I convinced my folks to drive me to the record store so I could buy Stereopathetic Soulmanure.
Of course I had been heard music prior to these and been to concerts (Bob Dylan, quite boring to an 8-year-old but also when I first remember smelling marijuana and likely got contact-high) but nothing stands out like those three, quite polarizing when put back-to-back, albums.
Any fun anecdotes or interesting memories from Forward Music, as you celebrate 10 years?
There are so many to mention – getting stranded by a “snowstorm” in England and inventing the most insane/fun songwriting game, arriving in Berlin for the first time without knowing anyone and with no place to stay but somehow ending up on Nils Frahm’s floor for a few magical nights, travelling Canada by train for free playing music in the lobby cars, etc…
One of the best parts about playing music is that you get to travel with your friends. So important for character building and life experience. It’s something like a free vacation and when you’re in your early twenties you definitely get up to some shit, even as alt-folk bands. However, the problem-solving, logistical, and organizational skills you develop are incredibly valuable. I’m confident that any musician could win The Amazing Race with ease.
Your 2017/2018 Sampler was curated quite excellently. Who was involved in the process, was it difficult to narrow it down? Was there an overarching theme?
When developing samplers, we reach out to our artists and ask for suggestions. This one came together quite quickly under a deadline. I really enjoy sequencing records and have a lot of fun trying to make songs from multiple genre songs make sense together.
There are a number of instrumental-heavy tracks here due to the growth of our sister label Backward Music that we started in 2012 and which features primarily instrumental music. It’s our outlet for releasing one-off projects with a minimal budget on various formats and with no pressure. Surprisingly, it’s been one of the most successful parts of our catalogue. Go figure.
What made you choose to go with the horse drawing on the front by Gianna Lauren? Was it commissioned, or was it something pitched to you?
That horse is so handsome how could I not have put it on the cover? When compiling this sampler and beginning to think about art, I asked all the roster artists to draw their interpretation of a horse. We had a lot of submissions, some better than others, but Gianna’s horse stood out.
Right now you have a ton of shows scheduled in Canada to celebrate 10 years of Forward Music. Any chance we might nab something in the states?
Unfortunately not at the moment. It’ll spare you the dull legalities but it’s extremely expensive and difficult for Canadians to play in the USA right now, especially without agent/label representation as is our case. It’s a shame because we’re SO CLOSE geographically and we’d be in Portland (Maine), Boston, and New York every month spending money on food, gas, hotels, records, etc… if the terms were reciprocal between borders. Unfortunately it’s easier for us to get to Europe to play music outside of Canada.
Dan Misha Goldman has a green card and performs in LA from time to time. We’ve also done development in America with a few artists in the past and have plans for a couple others but it’s all quite far in the future I’m afraid.
Please send more US bands over to us in Atlantic Canada though, we’d love to have them and I’m always game to help out with promoting shows.
Both the live and recorded version of “Onwards” (Paper Beat Scissors) are incredible. What made you choose the live version to highlight, specifically?I’m glad you enjoy these! Tim has a very captivating style and voice – intense, unique, and beautiful. This live version of Onwards is from a special orchestral show that Paper Beat Scissors performed in Montreal last April at
La Sala Rossa and will be released as a digital EP in the coming year.
Dan Misha Goldman always has some of the most inspiring instrumental work in his music. What made you choose “Hollywood, Jerusalem” to work its magic on the release?
Another thing we try to do when compiling our samplers is to highlight songs that may not have gotten proper attention. This song, off his Champion of the Afterworld album released earlier this year, fit into that category. It’s sonically so beautiful, subtle, and interesting.
There is such a quirky collection of artists included on this mix. How do you imagine people listening to it? (Holding a glass of brandy, driving under the night sky? You can get detailed here!)
It’s definitely a eclectic mix of music. I like to think there’s something for everyone here and that a compilation like this might challenge people to listen to a genre they’d otherwise not seek out.
What I hope at least one person does when listening to this compilation is ride a horse. That would make things come somewhat full-circle with our branding.
If you could get any celebrity to promote the Sampler, who would you choose and why?
Probably Neil Young. He’s a hero, major influence, and fellow Canadian who I think would actually dig the music.
What is the biggest piece of advice Forward Music has for us now, in its tenth year?
If I’ve learned anything in ten years it’s that nothing is predictable so I’d prefer not to offer any advice because I don’t think it’s relevant. However, I will offer my personal motto when working within music, both in the “business” and when performing, which has saved me so much time, stress, and money. NEVER RUSH!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Keep fighting the good fight, damn the man, enjoy breakfast, appreciate nature, and submerge whenever possible.
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Keep up with Forward Music Group
here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 26, 2017 | wolf tracks
Last week, Milwaukee-based electro-dream pop collective GGOOLLDD – comprised of Margaret Butler, Nick Ziemann, Mark Stewart, and Nick Schubert – released their latest, an upbeat track titled “The Way That I Feel”. Found on their upcoming EP TEETH (out December 1st), this track is a definite party go-to. Beginning with Margaret’s infectious laughter, the drums set a catchy, dance beat to the single while the vocals sound like they’re being delivered through a megaphone. In a way, with lines like “I don’t care”, this song feels like the perfect personal anthem to lead you into the winter season.
Tour Dates
11/08/17 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory OC – w/ The Sounds
11/09/17 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom – w/ The Sounds
11/10/17 – San Louis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theater – w/ The Sounds
11/12/17 – Los Angeles, CA – Fonda Theater – w/ The Sounds
11/13/17 – Los Angeles, CA – Fonda Theater – w/ The Sounds
11/14/17 – San Diego, CA – Observatory – w/ The Sounds
11/16/17 – Pomona, CA – Glass House – w/ The Sounds
11/17/17 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy and Harriet’s – w/ The Sounds
12/08/17 – Eau Claire, WI – University Cabin
12/09/17 – Minneapolis, MN – The 7th Street Entry
12/16/17 – Chicago – Empty Bottle
12/31/17 – Milwaukee – NYE at Turner Hall
01/26/18 – Sheboygan, WI – Stephanie H Weill Center for the Performing Arts
TEETH is out December 1st. Keep up with GGOOLLDD here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 26, 2017 | wolf tracks
Danish indie rock singer/songwriter and producer Hans-Christian Søgaard Andersen – who goes by the particularly interesting name The Captain of Sorrow – is prepping to release his debut album at the beginning of 2018. The release, titled Racetrack Babies, is named after a band he used to play with that broke up while creating the album, so he kept the nickname Racetrack Babies drummer Henrik Svendsen gave him as his stage name and finished the project for the fans, crafting it to mirror the interesting sounds that Hans-Christian hears in his head. “Holly Empty Void” is one of the tracks off the upcoming release, and we have the exclusive American premiere right here, right now.
Beginning with a rough guitar bass line and “whooping” noises that almost resemble a police siren, Hans-Christian’s voice comes in almost immediately, almost soothing amongst the instrumentals. As he talk/sings a melancholic narrative, the drums become a defining factor of the track and you find yourself getting lost in a swirling cacophony of sound and vocal reverb before the song fades out with whirring guitars. Get your first listen below.
Racetrack Babies is set for an American release on January 26th. Keep up with The Captain of Sorrow here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 25, 2017 | soundtrack
Today, Brooklyn-based rock collective OxenFree – comprised of Jeff Doyle, Sam Ghitelman, Sean Padden, Christopher Burns, and Emilie Soffe – released the official music video for their single “Machine”, off of their recently released album Another Land. Directed by Matt Smithson, the video is fully animated in simplistic black and white sketches, and details a slightly creepy “day in the life” situation with a man wearing a smiley mask and who seems to do everything on autopilot. If that isn’t saying something, we’re not sure what is. The drawings are extraordinary, as you take in the message of the track while bobbing your head to the beat.
In honor of the release of their new video, the band has curated a playlist for our readers. Listen to everything you need to hear – including all 23 tracks on the playlist – right here, and then scroll on down to feast your eyes on “Machine”!
Keep up with OxenFree here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 25, 2017 | wolf tracks
Recently the most upbeat alternative rock live act we know, AWOLNATION, released the official lyric video for latest track “Passion”. The track itself serves as a mellow backdrop between the bravado of the repeating chorus – allowing itself to showcase Aaron’s softer vocal abilities than, say, “Sail” – to the contrast of the simple, black and white setup for the video. Shot from the Red Bull E-Sports Studio, the video is comprised of several individuals singing into the camera, a single light shining down on them and contrasted in black and white, their décolletage exposed as though to equalize all of them. The simplicity is striking, and the lyrics will certainly stick with you.
Keep your eyes peeled for AWOLNATION’s next release – set to drop in 2018 – right here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 25, 2017 | wolf tracks
Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Ghita has really hit the ground running as a newcomer to the west coast music scene. Last year, she released her tracks “HateULoveU” and “How Low” as if she were feeding them to the wolves, as both tracks took off immediately. In fact, “How Low” – a track she released with producer Mickey Valen – hit and exceeded one million streams almost immediately. So of course she’s got to follow up that success with another stunner, and she has with her most recent single “Mindfvck”, released earlier this month.
“Mindfvck” details a tumultuous romantic relationship, as Ghita admits that she might be the issue since she can’t decide how she feels about her counterpart in the relationship. Lines like “as soon as you know me I’m likely to change” and “sometimes I love you” adhere to that ideology, as she struggles with her own polarizing thoughts about the relationship. We can relate, so we’re going to be spinning this into the weekend.
“Mindfvck” is available now. Keep up with Ghita here.
