by Meredith Schneider | Oct 3, 2017 | wolf tracks
Los Angeles based singer/songwriter Traces has been garnering critical acclaim left and right recently. Having premiered his very first single via Milk, he is now taking over the Spotify sound space with his new track “IDBH.” Smooth and alluring vocals stand at the forefront of this track – as we are sure will be the case with all of his future work – while heartbreaking lyrics and an interesting beat weave everything together seamlessly.
Get lost in a trance-like state with “IDBH.”
Keep up with Traces via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 3, 2017 | wolf tracks
Fresh off his incredible September 24th show at Pianos, New York’s own solo pop genius Gianni Paci has a new track – and its accompanying video – reading and raring for us. “Pine Hollow Road” is soft, melancholic but sweet, and includes an autumn road trip-ready melody that will keep you infatuated for weeks to come.
The video is beautiful in its simplicity, at times reaching for comedic relief while Gianni sings and plays within the frame of a woman confused and frustrated. It becomes obvious that she doesn’t want him in her dance space, and the comedic relief stands strong, as we’re sure it was hard for Gianni to keep a straight face at times. We’re absolutely smitten with the the work, self-directed and produced by the artist.
Explains Gianni:
I wrote “Pine Hollow Road” about the tension and unrest of being caught up in an abusive relationship. It is an ode to both my old pseudonym, The Pine Hollows and the street that I grew up on in Oyster Bay, New York. The accompanying video deepens the narrative, as the actor’s emotionally charged performances work in tandem with the dauntlessly plaintive lyrics. In an attempt to acknowledge my own loss of irreproachability, the roles were reversed for the video in the sense that I play the aggressor, while my voice chronicles the actress’s inner dialogue as she seeks her own brand of justice.
Smoked The Wrong Stuff is available now. Keep up with Gianni Paci on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 2, 2017 | wolf tracks
Indie pop/rock project Dutch Party (Ken Franklin) has been on a roll, nabbing critical acclaim left and right for its musical prowess. Now, there is an official music video for the first song off of the upcoming EP Combat Pop, and we wanted to share it with you since it seems the entire industry has been buzzing about it. For good reason, as the mellow track really flows with the “summer to autumn” feelings we’ve been having, while giving our nerd selves a little boost with roller blades and futuristic, steam punk looking garb in Chinatown. (Yup. You gotta see it to believe it.)
Combat Pop, the self-produced second EP is set for release fall 2017. Keep up with Dutch Party here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 2, 2017 | wolf tracks
Gainesville, Florida has a secret that’s about to be ripped wide open with blues/garage rock trio The Delta Troubadours. Comprised of Gytis Garsys, Jon Franklin, and Ian Heausler, the band released a whirring, intense six track EP titled Gritt earlier this year, but that hasn’t slowed them down in the slightest. Their latest – a track titled “Stone Thrasher” – was released in June, replete with soulful vocals and hard-hitting instrumentals that give you a very energetic disposition, despite the underlying darkness to it all. With its relatable lyrics, we’re probably just going to be over here spinning it into infinity.
And, holy shit, that guitar solo.
Keep up with The Delta Troubadours here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 29, 2017 | wolf tracks
Swedish audio/visual duo Felin – comprised of songwriter/artist Elin Blom and photographer/director Fredrik Etoall – recently released a refreshing, upbeat new single titled “21st Century”. Blom’s vocals captivate in a robust way, not unlike fan favorites P!nk and Robyn. “21st Century” will get you off your feet dancing in almost any situation, but also might drive you into another form of adrenaline-inducing situation, if you’re not careful. (That’s fine actually. Proceed.)
”We’re the lost generation,” explains Elin. “The generation where the image of caring is more important than to actually care. The generation where it’s more important to get likes than to be liked. The generation where how you look on the outside is more important than how you feel on the inside. We get more lonely each day even though we have the whole world just one click away. We’re living in a fantasy world without boundaries while the world outside gets more and more fucked up. But in the end will we also be the generation who actually makes a change in the world? No matter what we decide to do we’re still going to be the future of the 21st century so let’s make it a future we want to live in.”
Admits Fredrik, “We wanted to catch this struggle between all the bad that’s going on in the world right now as well as all the beauty and joy that is available to us… The upcoming video will capture this struggle; the craziness, the never-ending party, but also the darkness that comes with it.”
Keep up with Felin here.
by ImperfectFifth | Sep 29, 2017 | 5 to 7
On August 4th, talented Los Angeles based musician Jenny O. released her first full length since 2013’s Automechanic, to a host of (well expected) critical acclaim. Shortly after, she hit the road for a pretty solid U.S. tour, which she is in the middle of right now. But despite her packed schedule, undoubted bevy of love letters (and positive feedback) from her new album, and everything else, she took a few moments to answer a quick batch of questions exclusively for Imperfect Fifth. Check out the interview – and her remaining tour dates – below!
What is the first song or album you ever remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
I remember hearing ‘For The Longest Time’ by Billy Joel on the radio as a toddler when it was new and identifying it as a personal favorite.
Do you have a favorite song or favorite song to perform off of your new release, Peace & Information?
I really like playing some of these songs with my new band. I’d say “Case Study”. It’s just easy and fun.
How do you imagine people listening to this album?
I assume people are mostly streaming it on laptop speakers while talking. I hope that a few listen on good speakers or with headphones on a train.
You have such a – dare we say it? – unique voice. It’s raspy and delicate at the same time, ethereal almost. Did that come naturally, were there vocal lessons involved?
Thanks! I started practicing when I was a kid because I wanted to be good. I did actually take voice lessons as a teenager. It changed the way I sing for sure. I was previously afraid of my upper register, the voice I use now. For some reason I have this very separate break between two voices. Back then I only used the low one and now just occasionally.
What are your go-to road snacks?
Chips & Hummus, yogurt, apples, almonds, fig bars, today I found a single serving of green olives and was really excited about it.
Who is your favorite superhero? Substantiate that claim.
I’ve never been drawn to fantasy or superheroes. MLK or John Lennon, maybe.
I have to be sure not to wear my MLK pin on the same day as my Imagine shirt because it’s too much.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?
If you want to be something you just have to assume it.
___
Enough said.
Remaining Tour Dates
9/29 Denver, CO – Lost Lake
9/30 Kansas City, MO – Riot Room
10/1 Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
10/3 Davenport, IA – Raccoon Motel
10/4 Des Moines, IA – Des Moines Social Club
10/5 Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall
10/6 Chicago, IL – Shubas
Peace & Information is available now via Holy Trinity Records. Keep up with Jenny O. right here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 29, 2017 | wolf tracks
San Diego’s pj sparkles – the beautiful dream pop/americana musical project by Megan Liscomb – recently released a new single titled “Big Star”, and we’re absolutely smitten. With a nostalgic, lounge singer vibe to the vocals, keeping the instrumentals relatively simple was perfect, building at the chorus with a perfect swell. The lyrics themselves are bittersweet, laced with optimism in an overwhelmingly oppressive environment. Delicate, but murky in its disposition, “Big Star” will captivate you like no other song can.
Keep up with pj sparkles here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 28, 2017 | wolf tracks
Glasgow synthwave musician Michael Oakley is channeling the 80s – and we’re guessing a musical great or two – with his latest release, a music video for his single “Turn Back Time”. As though in homage to the decade itself, the title already throws it back for us. But the track itself – though glistening with that synth lightness we cherish close to our hearts – definitely marches to the beat of its own drum.
We can’t say it’s any less cheesy than an 80s music video, but it’s definitely an updated, modern, fun take on love, that falls further to the pop side of the spectrum in all of its “last glance at summer” glory.
Keep up with Michael Oakley here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 28, 2017 | wolf tracks
Brooklyn garage pop collective Best Behavior – comprised of Alex Gruenburg, Jon Mann, Chris Jimenez, and Daniel Jacobson – recently released the music video for their track “Say”. The upbeat, insanely catchy track plays behind a young girl playing hooky from her private elementary school, and going for a day at the boardwalk. It’s actually insanely adorable and clever, a welcome departure from some of the more serious commentaries we have been witnessing in music videos as of late.
Watch a girl get her footing as an individual in the blissful video for “Say”.
“Say” is available now. Keep up with Best Behavior here.
