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.” š
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 –Ā
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!
ObnoxĀ –Ā Murder Radio
1. Movimiento
2. Woe Is Me
2.Ā I Hate Everything
4.Ā The Movement
5.Ā Enter The Hater
6.Ā Bangar
7.Ā Sun Doobie
8.Ā Deep
9.Ā Mogul Chokehold
10.Ā Cheers
Murder Radio is available
now. Keep up with OBNOX
here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 13, 2017 | wolf tracks
Brooklyn-based indie americana musician Caleb Clardy dropped his new album today, a twelve track collection that holds an introspective coming of age narrative at its core. Having co-written and collaborated with many musicians in Brooklyn over the years, Caleb is no stranger to what works. This fact is evident in his work, and in our awe at his first full-length, titled Invincible Things.
From first track and previously released single “True Original”, which establishes a “stand up for who you are” ideology with words like “if love don’t work, maybe cynicism can” that make our ears perk up. “Keep Up” expands on that idea, almost giving permission for those who exist at a higher frequency – people who are always told to “slow down” – to keep on keepin’ on at their own pace. It also serves as a reminder that everyone goes at their own pace, and it’s important to accept and embrace them as they are.
And that’s just the first two tracks. The title track slows everything down to an almost country ballad feel, while fourth song “Stoic World” dances along a melancholic tightrope, the perfect audio representation of its title. “Found Us A Home” is a detailed account of living a blue collar life chasing your dreams, perhaps the modern genre-hopping equivalent of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”. And while “Watch Out World” returns all of its energy into quick paced boot-scootin’, “Magic” slows the album to a glacial pace, where Clardy gets to play with beauty in dissonance.
The song we were initially most curious about would have to be “Queen Of The World”, a sweet, delicate love letter to an obvious love interest. It’s as though the composition of the instrumentals was simplified, lightened, so that the emphasis would rest solely in the complimentary and beautiful words. “Made Up Lives” saunters into the sound space, asserting that “love is a blessing and a curse” while “Sara C” feels more punk in both tempo and vocals than its predecessors. “Flags” is, perhaps, the most gloomy track in this collection, addressing the brokenness of society, of how life can be a “long road if you’re feeling alone.” Though most of the song serves as a question for disheartened humans, there is a reminder for a light at the end of it all to keep your chin up.
“Right and Wrong” was the best choice to end Invincible Things on the right note. Once again playing – this time moreso – with dissonance and open-ended questions, this track mellows out the entire piece into a sound space to ask the hard-hitting, existential questions that Clardy has been detailing throughout. One thing is for sure, this man is not about shying away from important topics, and certainly has no aversion to beautiful composition.
Invincible Things is out today. Keep up with Caleb Clardy here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 13, 2017 | snapshot
Last month, Yoke Lore and Overcoats impressed a pretty substantial crowd at recordBar during a moody, beautiful, warm evening in Kansas City. A full gallery can be found at PlaylistPlay.com, but we’ve got some more snapshots to share!
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 12, 2017 | snapshot
In September, Los Angeles-based band Winter opened for the ever-incredible Cherry Glazerr at recordBar in Kansas City. Their songs and words were slathered in empowerment, and we may have fallen in love.
Keep up with Cherry Glazerr here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 12, 2017 | 5 to 7
Los Angeles-based indie pop duo (and real life couple) KiSMiT – Carly Barnette and Basti Reunert – has been blowing minds with their latest release, a 70s-inspired track titled “Cosmic Love”. So you know “we struck gold” with the music video for the track, which also plays off the nostalgic nature of the song. Carly and Basti spend the majority of the video making eyes at each other, frolicking in the desert in vintage-inspired outfits, layered in with shots of the two playing the song as if on a variety show. But whether they’re covered in glitter and seemingly glowing, transposed over images of the universe, or dancing around outside, these two are encouraging positive, fun, adventurous love with this video.
We were in such a good mood after watching the video that we decided to ask the duo a couple of questions about it all. So check out the video below, and then learn more about your new favorite power couple!
What is the first song or album you ever remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
Carly: Definitely Jewelās ‘Pieces of You’ – I knew all the words at 5 years old. My mom (going through a divorce at the time – shocker there!) had it on repeat in the car growing up. Something about her raw emotions just touched my little baby soul – #everydayangel (her super fan hashtag in case you didnāt know) ātil I croak. The album followed me throughout my life – first concert, first one I played at the piano – I look forward to the day I can look her in the eyes and thank her for her imprint on my life.
Baz: First album or song ever is a tough one to remember. The first song that I remember really catching me is āHotel Californiaā. It is a saga of a song not to mention the EPICALLY MELODIC GUITAR SOLOS!! My great uncle Freddy showed it to me on our drive from Palmdale to Santa Barbara,Ā which, at 8 years old, was an epic journey of its own.
Your new video for “Cosmic Love” is so fun, and it has such a beautiful warmth to it! Where did the concept come from, and what was filming like?Ā
Carly: Thank you! We had so much damn fun making it – I’m thrilled that that comes through. Itās our first music video so it was a labor of love from start to finish. Iāve always dreamed of doing a music video and to have been able to make it happen with some of my favorite people was just beyond magical. I had the idea for the lyric āwe wax and we wane – I just want more of the sameā and thought of us sleeping – how we might start spooning but then roll over onto our backs or snuggle the other way and it fascinated me from a birds eye view that it mirrors the moon cycle.Ā
As “Cosmic Love” came to life musically that idea always lingered at the back of my mind. All of the music video brainstorming happened with Alex Cantatore (www.quickactcasual.com), our director / dear friend / upstairs neighbor at the time. We would lounge around in our apartments or chill out in the backyard and shoot ideas across at one another. Nothing was too big or crazy or extravagant and that was exhilarating!Ā
Baz: Having alien-planet-looking parts ofĀ California (Mono Lake, Red Rock Canyon, Death Valley) as such a blessing for our outer space ambitions on a shoe-string budget.Ā
Carly: Two worlds started to form: Our āSuperStar-Selvesā (the best parts of our love: sexy, confident, fabulous); & Pleasant-ville meets desert – Desertville (the day-to-day, mundane and less flattering but very real flip side to a loving relationship). This first music video presented an opportunity to share another side of us. We wanted to be as honest as possible with the partnership we are putting on display – itās magic and muddy all wrapped up into a a beautiful mess.Ā
What inspired the track itself, if we might ask?
Baz: Sonically, it comes about from a mixture of sounds inspired by Allen StoneāsĀ FreedomĀ (Alternate Version), Andra DayāsĀ MistakesĀ and Daft PunkāsĀ Get Lucky. (Pharrell, if youāre reading this, you better not come after our money! We didnāt steal your song!) Lyrically, āCosmic Loveā is derived from us wanting to remember that the day-to-day of loving and working together has many twists and turns, warm and cold moments and all of it is part of the ride.
Carly: We wanted to make something that was bursting with love and vitality from the first beat, that, most importantly, made me move. If my booty is shaking, thereās definitely a smile on my face and that was important with this new direction of our music.Ā
How do you imagine people listening to this track? (In an armchair, surrounded by flowers in a meadow? In an airplane with cotton candy clouds? Sitting at a BBQ? You can get creative here if you want!)
Baz: I picture people who are on the move listening to the song: in their car, getting ready to go out, exercising.
Carly: Such a fun question – I hope people are listening to it while they are making dinner – bottle of wine open, dancing in the kitchen -that sort of vibe. Also, before youāre going out – a social, pump-up vibe would make me reaaaaally excited. I know my grammy listens to it on repeat while she drives – so in the car for sure (#sola) okay okay subway too!!!Ā
Any pet peeves or interesting stories you’d like to shed light on about each other? (We want all your secrets!)Ā
Carly: Oh DANG – first time weāve been asked to spill the dirt! After 5 years of living and loving together, I think I can divulge just oneā¦. homeboy sleeps with earplugs (such sensitive angel earbuds) and when I wake up in the morning, they are always near me, around me, on me, without fail like stickers on my body – really havenāt vented about this, thanks for letting me get it out. Baz, youāve got to work on that situation. But, if thatās the top of the list of annoyances, I would say,āHell yeah! Iām a lucky gal.” Interesting story about Baz, that his modest South African self would never share and one that continually blows my mind, is that he picked up the guitar with serious interest and investment at 16. Like whaaaaaaat!?! I am so inspired by his dedication to his passion. He is always down in the studio in soft pants slapping da bass or producing or findling on the guitar and that is something I admire so much!Ā
Baz: Well, Iām beaten for age by Carlyās flawless performance as Annie, with a 101 degree fever, at age 9. Her gran sent us the DVD of the performance and the sparkle has always been there. (Car, while you are sleeping tonight I will be sure to rest the earbuds on your eyelids.)
What’s your opinion on the modern music industry?
Baz: It is constantly evolving, especially how people are digesting music. The ability that everyone has to get their music heard and to find their audience is unprecedented. The niche markets are able support more indie artists than ever before. The major challenge is, of course, in that music streaming has greatly halted the flow of money to the artists, but when there is change in the weather, you best adapt and get on with it, the world isnāt going to stop for you. Again Iāll say, the major pro of the modern day music industry is how easy it is to connect with people of similar taste around the world.
Carly: Yeah, I will second the positive wind in our sails. Itās daunting to be investing in a career where the return isnāt guaranteed. So much of the conversation is the same āno money in musicā, which I understand that thatās the truth but my mom started her own business when she was pregnant with me (talk about inspiration) and has always preached that when you are doing what you are meant to be doing, support always comes, I really believe that. I think in a lot of way itās a super empowering time to be in this industry – no more waiting around for someone to find you or holding your breath for luck. Do the work, get your music & content as proud of it as you possibly can be, get it out there and what is meant to be will be.Ā
However black & white as the social media āhighlights reelā may seem sometimes – I think we are also getting to a point where if you are fake, it comes through. As an artist, thereās no hiding behind an image because daily you are sharing what you ate for breakfast, how you feel, who and what you support. Itās overwhelming and I need to unplug on the regular but I donāt think we even know what we are living through yet!Ā
On an emotional level – our country, world, humankind is hurting right now, every day we put on our armor to the outside world that feels like itās falling apart and to be contributing music as a soundtrack through these scary times, is something I am so grateful for.Ā
Anything else you’d like to add?
We have a new single āPanther’ coming out later this month – the second release off of our upcoming EP coming out next February as well as an upcoming show at Harvard & Stone in Los Angeles onĀ November 21st at 10pm. Thanks so much for taking the time & interest to share our story!Ā
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Keep your eyes peeled for “Panther” and updates on KiSMiT here.
