by Meredith Schneider | Oct 18, 2017 | wolf tracks
In the midst of the lead up to Holy Wars‘ full-length Mother Father, a new track titled “Cruel World” has emerged from the production process to tease us even further into a tailspin. Kat Leon’s vocals – alluring as always – ensnare you as they walk a fine line between intensely dark and multifaceted, as she repeats “Oh, it’s a cruel world, it’s a cruel world” over crashing drums and heavy, layered guitars. The track feels like the living representation of heavy chains, the message dragging you down slightly while simultaneously challenging you to make the most of this “Cruel World”.
“Cruel World” is available now. Keep up with Holy Wars here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 17, 2017 | 5 to 7
In the wake of the release of Broke Royals‘ emotion-filled video for “As Long As I Can See” – and in the direct lead up to the release of their self-titled album in November – we had a few very pointed questions for the band. Formed in 2014 shortly after graduating from the same University (William & Mary, but who’s keeping track?), Collin Cross asked Philip Basnight to record some demos at his recording studio so he could gauge interest from potential clients. But they immediately clicked with their music, and have developed into the duo we see before us today. As we prep for their upcoming folk-tinged pop/rock album, check out our brief interview – as well as their latest video – below!
What is the first song or album you ever remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
Philip: The first song I remember hearing is Smokey Robinson’s “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me,” which is wild because it could be the best song ever recorded. It’s almost a bad thing haha. Where do you go from there?! It’s the perfect pop song. It was on a soundtrack that my family listened to in my house on Saturday mornings while we made waffles. Later, my cousin gave me a burned copy of The Stroke’s “Room On Fire.” That was the first album I owned myself. Again, my family helped me get off to a strong start. “Room On Fire” got heavy rotation in my discman.
Colin: My family listened to music constantly growing up. In all our early family videos and pictures we’re dancing (see attached). The first specific memory I have of this was sitting in our living room with AC/DC’s Back in Black album blaring and my dad air drumming and telling me how drummers play the kick drum with their feet. The first album I remember pronouncing my favorite was Third Eye Blind’s self-titled album. Another album showed to me by my parents, but 3eb is definitely a band that has a special space in the shared Broke Royals heart having been one of the first concerts Philip and I worked together when we were on our college’s programming board.
Inline image 1
Philip:
^^^Colin Cross… born to rock.
Colin:
… what’d ya say, Philip?
Broke Royals – as many know now – was kind of a happy accident musical project with you two. How has your process evolved since the early days?
Philip: Honestly, it’s not wildly different from the early days but it is very refined now. Things generally start with an acoustic demo and blossom from there. The studio process has evolved the most. A lot of the time, we have a sixth sense for the what the other is thinking. Whether it’s a tone or a production trick, once one of us starts to say an idea the other can usually finish the sentence. That’s a really exciting feeling.
Colin: Definitely agree with Philip 100% here. Our producer, John Naclerio, would always rib us for not fighting.
We imagine you spend quite some time together. Any pet peeves or interesting stories you’d like to shed light on about each other? (We want all your secrets!)
Philip: I know what I would say if I was Colin! I think I was late to every recording session for an entire year. I had to take 95 South to get to the studio and never once got my timing right. I listened to so many audiobooks that year. Also, I think Ben and Caleb, who are touring members of the band, get pretty tired of our obsession with tacos and coffee. Every time we’re in a new town, we have to find the best tacos and coffee.
Colin: Philip is OBSESSED with Ezra Keonig’s Beats One show “Time Crisis.” Anytime we’re on the road we’re listening to it full blast. Benji and Caleb get tired of my and Philip’s love for podcasts and audiobooks in general. We’re a funky bunch, but we’re certainly grandpas at heart.
Ooooo… Philip also can’t hang past like 10 pm if we’re out drinking. He’ll just start falling asleep at the bar. He’s learned to just pregame with coffee, though.
Philip: All true. Not ashamed. PS it’s KOENIG*, duh. #8minuteCapeCod
Your track “As Long As I Can See” is both beautiful in displayed vocal content, but has this almost hypnotic sound to it. What was the production process like for this track, and what specifically inspired it?
Philip: Thank you! The structure came together in the demo but the production really came together in the studio. We went up to NADA studio in New York because we knew John Naclerio could handle some of the bigger elements of the record. Colin’s drum parts and the guitar riffs came through really well with John.
Colin: The production on this song was really fun. We knew we wanted it to feel really sparse yet sonically full, so we used only one guitar take that we re-amped through several different amps to get a really wide, full stereo sound. John also really helped us bring out the space in this track in a beautifully subtle way.
How do you imagine people listening to this track?
Philip: To me, this song is the closest we’ve ever gotten to a club banger. It’s got heavy rock elements but I can still see people putting it on to dance. We like blurring genre-lines.
Colin: Definitely in the middle of the blizzard sitting a wingback chair. It’s a warm jam with a cold body.
Philip: I hope one day our Wikipedia page says “Broke Royals invented Blizzard Rock.”
Your self-titled debut is in the works. How does it feel to be getting ready to release that?
Philip: It feels great! We worked on this album for a long time and that can be exhausting but every time we release a new song or video we get to see it again through new eyes. That’s really when it becomes bigger than just us. Anyone who listens to the album will bring their own experiences and interpretations to it.
Colin: I’m so excited to get this bad boy out. Some of the unreleased tracks are my favorite we’ve ever written and I can’t wait to share them with everyone.
Who is your favorite superhero, and why?
Philip: Spider-Man. Even with all the movie reboots he’s been dragged through- I still love him. I was at “Spider-Man: Homecoming” on opening night. When I was growing up (before wikipedia) I had this giant book called “The Complete Guide To Spider-Man” and I read it so many times that it fell apart. Then my parents bought me a new copy but the same thing happened again. Superheroes are irresistible for kids with big imaginations. That was definitely me. I’ll always love Spidey. Man, I sound nerdy.
Colin: Batman. The idea of a superhero who could actually exist is great. I like to think that I’m just a few thousand push-ups and several billion dollars away from being him.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Philip: Anytime I get to mention Smokey Robinson in an interview, it’s been a success.
Colin: A studio session isn’t complete without a PB&J sandwich, coffee, and huge salad.
Philip: Very true. We are pro-Salad.
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Broke Royals is out November 17th. Follow Broke Royals’ pro-Salad adventures here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 17, 2017 | snapshot
On September 29th, Andrew McMahon headlined an out of character stripped down show at Music Alley in Lenexa, KS following an all-too-brief set with Lo Moon. The night was absolutely gorgeous, the music the perfect backdrop to the sunset and subsequent starry night sky.
Keep up with Andrew McMahon here, and Lo Moon here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 17, 2017 | snapshot
On September 23rd, Nashville-based artist Creamer took the stage for the second time to open for the storied Wilco at the Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland in Kansas City. We got the opportunity to follow Phil around while he prepped for the show, nabbing a few glamour shots around the way. Here are just a few selects from the show!
Keep up with Creamer here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 17, 2017 | 5 to 7
Today is a big day for earthy folk/indie rock collective 5j Barrow, the quartet comprised of Eryn Murman, Jason Hite, Drew Jones, and Gerard Canonico that once called Ohio, California, Tennessee, and New Jersey home. The musical (and romantic) duo of Murman and Hite found their way to music initially through the world of acting, so their romance was always steeped fully in the arts. Having just released their EP The Journey Vol. 1 on October 6th, they’re bathing in critical acclaim as they count down the days to their wedding next month. (Yeah, sometimes an EP release isn’t the biggest thing you do in a season!) And one can audibly notice why they’ve received so much attention, as the five track EP brings its own vibrant energy with it right through your speakers.
We were lucky enough to get a moment to chat with Eryn Murman herself, to delve into the story of 5j Barrow, and how they operate behind the scenes.
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What is the first album/song you remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
My earliest memory of a song that really caught my ear was Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” My mom would have the vinyl playing in our den and I would dance around to it. The first album that made an impression on me (and locked itself into my early childhood memories) was Billy Joel’s River of Dreams, my dad played the cassette in his car and I loved singing along, getting lost in the lyrics, melodies, and album art. Both of these artists made an impression on me in their incredible use of dynamics and storytelling.
What is the origin story of 5j Barrow? (Was it a meet cute?)
I never thought of it as a meet cute, but I guess it certainly was! Jason and I met as actors performing together in California. We immediately connected and our taste and love for music was definitely one of the big common denominators. I was temporarily in Cali (based in NYC at the time), and the opposite for Jason. He had planned to make the move to New York after our show. Within a couple of days of arriving in NYC, we wrote our first song in my apartment 5j (on Barrow Street). Within a month we had 5 songs and could tell something special was happening. We named our music and collaboration after this special place we wrote all of our first tunes. A little over a year of being band partners, we became romantic partners, a couple of years after that Jason moved into 5j, and now 6 years later we no longer live in NYC or in that apartment, but we most certainly carry on its name and story with us via our music. We’re now chasing our dream of touring our music and living on the road, and we are getting married next month!
The new EP is absolutely phenomenal, freeing and relaxing in its sound. How do you imagine people listening to it?
Wow, I love this question. Driving under the night sky (or any beautiful expansive sky) is one of my personal favorite ways to listen to music, albums particularly. Road trips, adventures and times in one’s life when they’re taking a risk or exploring a new path. I would be honored if our album was a soundtrack to that time in someone’s life.
We are enamored by “A New Begin”. What inspired that track, specifically?
Thank you! That song came from self reflection at a time in my life where I was happy, loved, and had a support system but would still have these moments of feeling completely alone. What surprised me more was that it was an empowering loneliness. An awareness and acceptance that when all is said and done I have no control in how long people will be in my life, what a new day will bring, or even when my own life will come to a close. Although it’s overwhelming to think about, I will always have myself and my breath to get through anything, and have the power to start anew at any moment.
New York City is such a big and terrifying place sometimes, and it’s beautiful when you find kindred spirits amongst the madness. You’re all from different places, and you found each other. But what do you think is the most magical thing about the city that brought you together?
You’re so right. It blows my mind when I think of where we all came from and how in the world we all ended up in this band together! NYC certainly gave all of us the realization, conviction, perseverance and strength to go after our dream. It’s so hard to make anything happen in this city with everyone’s crazy schedules, so to take the time to build a band, nurture it, and grow it – it became very clear that we really wanted to do this. I feel like if there are any doubts in your mind, the city makes things too difficult to put up with the exhausting energy and inevitable ups & downs.
If you could get any superhero to promote the EP, who would you choose and why?
I’m not the most educated in superheroes, so I went to the experts, our bassist (Drew Jones) and drummer (Gerard Canonico) for this one. They both had the same answer for the same reasons at the same time, haha!: “The Flash because he could physically put it in everyone’s hands very quickly.” 🙂
What’s the best part about performing this EP live?
It’s pure joy. It’s unabashedly who we are. When you get to be who you are, do what you love, and connect with beautiful people through it, there’s nothing like it!
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The EP release show is tonight, October 17th, at American Beauty in NYC. Tickets are available here. The Journey, Vol. 1 is available via iTunes and Spotify.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 17, 2017 | wolf tracks
New York’s collective The Howlin’ Souls – comprised of Pete Smith, Scott Sepe, Robbie Sokolowsky, and Nate Lang – may find their inspiration in the likes of blues greats and legends like Petty and Dylan, but their sound is truly their own when you boil it all down. In their latest track “Viva La Revolucion (again)”, the hard hitting drums and sharp, whirring electric guitar serve as evidence of this, as Smith’s vocals almost strain to be heard over the blaring instrumentals. While they call for a revolution politically and socially – as a large majority of us are at this point – The Howlin’ Souls simultaneously beg for your energy, without ever having to beg at all.
Go forth, and spread the revolution.
“Viva La Revolucion (again)” is available now. Keep up with The Howlin’ Souls here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 16, 2017 | wolf tracks
Electronic musician Devereaux (W. Heyward Sims) has been busy in 2017, releasing his first new music since 2014’s Pineapple Flex LP to critical acclaim. Earlier this year, he released his most recent single “Kapowski”, and now it has an accompanying music video animated by Brian Caiazza, packed with visuals that will keep your mind adjusting to its explosions of brilliance for the duration of the track. “Kapowski” is a clear party track, something to jam to when in an energetic mood or – alternatively – an altered state. Pops of color and the usage of multitudes of instruments and different delectable looking fruit visuals makes the video one tasty treat, as though it simultaneously gives us cravings and satisfies them.
Keep up with Devereaux here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 16, 2017 | wolf tracks
While you were running around like a chicken with your head cut off this summer, rock collective The Hails – comprised of Andrew Escobar, Robbie Kindsley, Zach Levy, Dylan McCue, and Franco Solari – were busy releasing an impressive five track EP titled Impel. But it’s the single “Parking Lot” that hooked us, with its slightly bluesy feel and smooth, focused vocals. Set at a leisurely tempo, the song is about a romantic encounter in a parking lot, a time of endless possibilities in love. But sometimes chance encounters are just that, and love isn’t a factor.
So which would this song be about? Find out for yourselves, and check out the next track on your autumn playlist, just below!
Impel is available now. Keep up with The Hails here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 13, 2017 | wolf tracks
Today, Cleveland-based punk artist
OBNOX‘s (Lamont “Bim” Thomas) second full length LP of the year – quickly following
Niggative Approach –
Murder Radio drops via Ever/Never Records. It isn’t the first time he’s released multiple LPs in one year, as he cranked out two in just seven months back in 2015. In fact, he’s released an impressive seven LPs and nine EPs in the last six years alone, which just might make him the hardest working – or at least most productive – guy in the business.
Joined this time around by Steve Mehlman on drums and Chuck Cieslik on guitar, Murder Radio takes a dive into justice, politics, and darkness in OBNOX’s quintessential noisy, rough around the edges way. From first heavy-hitting track “Movimiento”, through no holds barred honest track “I Hate Everything”, all the way to final track “Cheers”, you might feel like your speakers will crash around you in a cacophony of sound, simultaneously allowing you a sense of freedom that only OBNOX’s music can.
So what are you waiting for? We’ve got it streaming right here!
Obnox – Murder Radio
1. Movimiento
2. Woe Is Me
2. I Hate Everything
4. The Movement
5. Enter The Hater
6. Bangar
7. Sun Doobie
8. Deep
9. Mogul Chokehold
10. Cheers
Murder Radio is available
now. Keep up with OBNOX
here.
