by ImperfectFifth | Oct 6, 2017 | soundtrack
In honor of the release of his self-produced video for his track “Right Now”, Brooklyn based R&B/pop artist and producer
Johnny has curated a fun playlist for us to jam out to in the car. So check out the video below, and enjoy a little write up from Johnny himself with your new favorite playlist playing into the weekend!
I drive just about every day. It’s about as stressful and damn near psychosis inducing of an experience as any non-driver might imagine. Anyone who drives in a major metropolitan city can relate, but driving in NYC is different; It’s like this sick club, full of crazy people, side eyeing every vehicle / pedestrian / delivery boy motorized bike in sight.
That being said, I tend to find a LOT of my creative inspiration while I’m in the car. ‘Aha’ moments meet euphoria and somehow the concept stars align. Music can have that weird phenomena of great escape. It can also act as a mirror offering us a reflection into some of our deepest thoughts.
I put together a playlist of a handful of songs I like to listen to while driving that always seem to help me on the road. Some bring my brain back to very specific emotions. Some have incited ideas for my own songs. These just make me feel like Ryan Gosling switching lanes in a mustang. “Driving for movies.” Press play and drive with me.
Keep up with Johnny here!
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 6, 2017 | 5 to 7
Today, Brooklyn-based folk musician Swimming Bell (Katie Schottland) releases her first solo EP, titled The Golden Heart. Over the course of five tracks, she takes us on an almost magical journey through beautifully picked guitars, slight sound effects, and light as a feather reverb to last for days. Quite frankly, it might be the best road trip ready EP we’ve heard all year, and we’re thinking about taking it on our next autumn excursion.
We’re so impressed with the work this lady has accomplished and by the beauty of her art that we wanted to ask her a few questions, to which she happily obliged. Below, find a quick interview in honor of the EP release.
What is the first song or album you ever remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
There was always a lot of Beatles, Beach Boys, and Eagles played in my house. “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” sticks out in my mind. My mom in particular loved Peter Paul and Mary and used to sing it to us as kids. I think I get my love of harmonies from her. She’s the master harmonizer… a rap song comes on and she’ll find the major 3rd.
You have quite the resume with a host of other musical projects. With your own solo project, how difficult was it to find your own voice or to hone your sound? Is the process very different for you from working with a band?
I think in any musical project I’ve been a part of, that my voice has always been there, but the more chefs you add, the wider the flavor. With the solo venture, there wasn’t much conscious thought about a particular sound or voice. We took the songs at their essence and built on them. That’s my voice I guess. This process was very different than recording with a full band. It felt way more relaxed, and in turn more creative to me. There was no right or wrong to it. Just experimenting.
We know you recorded The Golden Heart in the London home studio of Oli Deakin, whom you met in NYC. How did you two meet, and how did the decision to fly to London to record come about?
How does anyone meet these days? I was training as a horse surgeon, and he used to be a professional jockey. He was new in town and we met through the classifieds of Equestrian Weekly. 😉 Then we discovered we both love music.
As for recording in London, it all seemed to fall into place. He was going back home to London for a few months and I had a window of time that lined up. We recorded in his parents house where he has a home studio set up. We just got to play and create for hours. For me it was a dream since I’d never been able to have that kind of freedom in recording before.
As we played the EP for the first time, we came to the conclusion that we’d like to listen to it lying on a blanket under the stars in the crisp, autumn air. How do you imagine people listening to/enjoying the EP?
What you just described sounds lovely to me. Can I come? I’m just happy if people listen to it, wherever they are. 🙂
What are you most excited about with this release?
I’m most excited to be sharing something that is very much from my own imagination, and learning to own it. To be less insecure about my lack of musical training. I started playing music about 3 years ago, so I’m new to all of it and it’s all very exciting to me.
You have a couple of dates coming up in California. How stoked are you to play the west coast, and – be honest – was it an excuse to get out to Joshua Tree for a little R&R?
I’m very excited to be playing in California. Should be fun! I have friends in all the towns I’m playing in, so it’ll be good to connect with people and play to a different kind of audience. I don’t think I’ll have much time to R&R in J-Tree, but I’ll be in Yosemite for a night and looking forward to that.
If you could collaborate with any artist or musician, who would it be and why?
I wish I could collaborate with Nick Drake, or at least let me sing some harmonies on his songs, but alas. 🙁 Living artists? Beck, Thom York, Sia, Neil Young, etc. Too many to name. I really love what Nicolas Vernhes does as a producer.
Upcoming Events
10.7.17 at Pete’s Candy Store (EP Release)
10.10.17 at Hotel Utah, San Francisco, CA
10.13.17 at Joshua Tree Saloon, CA
10.14.17 at Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA
10.29.17 at Muchmore’s, Brooklyn, NY
The Golden Heart is out today via Adventure Club Records. Keep up with Swimming Bell here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 6, 2017 | wolf tracks
Singer/songwriter Thee Conductor (Jason Butler) is revving up to release his multi-faceted album Cotton Tornado later this month. But while we wait with baited breath for the 20th, we actually have the exclusive video premiere for the title track on this fine Friday, and we can’t wait for you to get your eyes on it.
Produced by artist Dave Bryant, the video takes on the same tranquil, yet colorful personality as the track alone. Simple, honest lyrics (“Everything moves too quickly for this man”) play gently over what looks to be television screen static, blending a kaleidoscope of toned down colors on the screen in a quirky way that makes you realize there was no better direction for this video to go.
Thee Conductor will play a record release show on November 4th with Damien Jurado. More information is below. Make sure to nab those tickets for a beautiful evening celebrating the new album!
Cotton Tornado is out October 20th and is available for preorder now. Keep up with Thee Conductor here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 6, 2017 | wolf tracks
Chicago collective Mutts – comprised of Mike Maimone (keys, vocals), Bob Buckstaff (bass, guitar), and Ian Tsan (drums) – have had an incredibly busy few weeks, having just released their new EP Stick Together amongst re-released videos for included tracks “Neighbor” (ft. Jennifer Hall) and “Tin Foil Hat” while simultaneously opening for Company of Thieves on their reunion tour. Even with all the buzz around the EP itself – for which the title is a clear political (and human) statement in these times of trouble – we wanted to make sure everyone got their ears on it. Because these five tracks are certainly something special.
“I’ll Be Around” starts the EP in the most soulful and serene way, deep, raspy vocals serving as the standout aspect while Maimone lets you know “you don’t have to be alone tonight,” serving comfort in a very audible and strong way. Second track “Neighbor” – and its accompanying DIY video – is simple, a testament to the power of trusting in the people that surround you. Jennifer Hall’s vocals add a layer of beauty that makes the song feel more universal and hearty, keeping upfront honesty as soulful as its predecessor. And seeing as third track “Let’s Go” played often during the Cubs’ World Series run at Wrigley Field, this one is already an upbeat fan favorite that can honestly be played in any situation that you need a little bit of an energy boost.
By the time we get to “Tin Foil Hat”, the energy is already up and we’re properly prepared for both the track and its quirky music video, also created in its entirety by the guys in Mutts. Its fun nature almost makes you feel as though the song is a fun one, but its message is very anti-hate and incredibly important. (“Get yourself a tin foil hat and get the government out of your head.”) After such a direct and important message is delivered in such a creative and fun way, the only way to round out the EP is to bring the energy down slowly with “Don’t Touch It”, a track you can absolutely sway your hips to, but we can’t imagine for a second anyone head banging to.
If you want to prove us wrong, though, you’re welcome to post a video and let us know.
Stick Together is available now. Keep up with Mutts here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 5, 2017 | wolf tracks
Montreal based pop quintet Stars – comprised of Torquil Campbell, Evan Cranley, Patrick McGee, Amy Millan, and Chris Seligman – just released the latest single off their upcoming album There Is No Love In Fluorescent Light, a relatively mellow track titled “Alone”. Slowly building up from silence at the beginning, the strong vocals indicate an inner struggle, perhaps, with the idea of being alone. As they croon “I want to live where there’s room to breathe/Take one step closer and I’ll swear I’ll live alone” there is almost a claustrophobic feeling, though you also feel free with the space-establishing words that come from their lips.
There Is No Love In Fluorescent Light is out Oct. 13th. It is available for preorder now.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 4, 2017 | wolf tracks
Swedish songwriter Alice Boman recently released a limited edition 7″ of her single “Dreams”. Boman’s first release in three years, the physical copy is comprised of “Dreams” on one side, and an instrumental version of the single unavailable anywhere else on the B side.
“Dreams” lightly dances along, with melancholic lyrics and an almost eerie undertone to the vocals. Poignant in its disposition, Boman’s lyrics beg the question “Where do dreams begin?” repeatedly, opening up space for its listener to ponder. Admits Boman of the track:
I wrote “Dreams” more than 2 years ago and I can’t recall exactly what was in my mind at the time. But I do remember being in the studio later on recording the song. I had just gotten a disappointing text message and I was sad and upset, and then I had to record vocals. And I remember that it hit me, when singing the song, that although I wrote it at another time it captured just how I felt in that moment too. And it comforted me somehow, that that’s how it is. Everything is constantly changing. But some things always feels the same. Heartache is never easy. And in those moments it’s important to find something to hold on to. To keep on dreaming.
Alice Boman Live Dates:
10.11.17 – Stockholm, SE @ Pygméteatern (sold-out)
02.28.18 – London, UK @ St Pancras Old Church
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 4, 2017 | wolf tracks
Back in June, Las Vegas based R&B/soul musician Cameron Calloway released his EP My Neighborhood. Just coming off an immaculate performance at the Life is Beautiful Festival, he is now working hard to raise funds for victims of the Las Vegas shooting tragedy earlier this week. He will be playing tracks from his summer EP release My Neighborhood, and it’s not something you want to miss out on. The five track EP takes cues from so many different genres, fused together with his signature soulful voice. From ridiculously upbeat, swing-driven first track “Everywhere” to the slow, graceful melody of “Supernatural”, into rock-tinged third track “Lucy”, there’s really almost no way to classify Calloway’s work into one specific mold.
And perhaps that’s what we crave in modern music, as it becomes more easily accessible to the public and each artist is now edging on experimental. It can be fun to play with different sounds, and it’s strangely satisfying to not be limited in that way. So while “Extraordinary” is a confidence-boosting slow jam worthy of comparison to some of our 90’s favorites, he rounds the EP out with something a little more upbeat and groove-worthy. “April 23rd” takes an array of pop cues, but showcases a choir of voices to really boost the feels.
Cameron will be sharing his positive, beautiful music at a Victim Relief Fundraiser Show at the Velveteen Rabbit in Vegas on October 5th, where they will be accepting donations in exchange for live music from ten local acts. More information can be found here.
Keep up with Cameron here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 4, 2017 | wolf tracks
Beginning in a swirl of sound effects, the beginning of Rotoscope‘s “Clean Lines” honestly feels like a Wild Wild West situation. And we don’t mean the actual wild west, but the wild west Will Smith traveled to, because this song feels both futuristic in instrumental composition and simultaneously inspired by the old, as vocals come more reminiscent of the raspy darkness of Johnny Cash.As you zen out to its fun disposition, the 80s influences become obvious (think Depeche Mode), the pace picks up and the instrumentals become more layered – however lighter – as this song becomes something we could see placed alongside The Killers in an episode or two of The O.C.
“Clean Lines” is the lead single from the upcoming album Permanent Daylight, due out next year from Charlottesville’s John Athayde (Rotoscope). But it will also be included in the Clean Lines EP – due out later this month – so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy it.
Clean Lines is due out October 27th. Keep up with Rotoscope here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 4, 2017 | wolf tracks
Soulful musician Majo has been hard at work crafting her vision for the world. Mere months after her glittery track “Won’t Wish You The Best” hit the internet, new single “Move On” was thrown into the atmosphere. A soft, poetic ballad, the lyrics detail a torturous thought pattern in the wake of parting with a significant other. If you let yourself feel the words, your heart breaks just slightly every time she sings a new line like “it gets harder to forget you” and “I’m still dreamin’ of you.” “Move On” is a a testament to the difficulty of doing just that, as it lies in the tranquil resplendence of not knowing what’s to come.
Check out the track right now on Spotify!
If “Move On” track is any indication, Majo is about to make a splash, even amidst the chilly autumn weather.
“Move On” is out now. Keep up with Majo here.
