by Meredith Schneider | Oct 18, 2018 | soundtrack
The weather has cooled off, the colors of the foliage are gaining warmth, and we can’t honestly decide if we’re more in “sweater weather” mode or “spooky.” So, we gathered our favorite music videos released during the first half of October, and we’re kind of leaving room for you to decide! Check out some new visuals below – featuring music videos from Paul Weller, Enter Shikari, LEON, mona on the radio, Billie Eilish, Larkin Poe, Meg Myers, Weezer, Dev Ray, Kiefer, Paul McCartney, and many more! – and let us know which one is your favorite!
by ImperfectFifth | Oct 18, 2018 | soundtrack
My influences throughout the years have been a huge part of who I am today. Madonna I feel the biggest connection because of her emotions when she sings and her daring nature! I have a bit of an alter ego as well. Sia has left a big impact on me as well. Her songs hit deep within lyrically and are full of so much power. I can only hope to move people the way she does me. Others are Lana Del Rey, Christina Perri, and Lady Gaga. My moodiness in my songs often mirrors some of Lana’s. I love the storytelling nature of Christina, and Gaga is a powerful soul that I see moving through genres which I what I see myself doing. I feel I am a piece of all of them.
Keep up with Natasha Jane Julian here and at her website and keep your eyes peeled for her new album Happily Ever After.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 17, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Electronic duo O Future – comprised of Katherine Mills Rymer and Jens Bjornkjaer – is coming atchya full throttle today with the release of latest single “Smell You”. Quirky percussion weaves in staccato cowbell moments to bring a fun twist to the track, ethereal vocals setting the tone for a light-as-a-feather take on a title that would otherwise be a bit concerning when paired with the press photo. (No judgment, we like to smell bread too.) A fun take on a moment of attraction, we’re down to play this all season long.
Explains Katherine of the track:
It’s a about flirting. Deep heavy breathed flirting, to the point of almost crossing the line into not harmless into the realm of actually doing the thing your body says you are aiming at. That moment is the sexiest moment, the unsaid attraction between to people, the hidden secret thing between two people, all the animal non language turn on. Sometimes and, I would say most times in my life, those moments are the most delicious.
Keep up with O Future here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 16, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Asheville-based neo-indie/folk artist Corey Parlamento is Livingdog, and he is living proof that talent is still alive and well in the music industry. His new video for single “Creation. Stagnation.” is depicted exactly how the mellifluous music would insinuate, comprised of footage as Parlamento drives around town at night. Storefronts, homes, street lights. All of the small, beautiful things that seem to be underappreciated. They make up the community, they tell their own stories. The video is sweet in its simplicity, the music the perfect backdrop to a night drive.
Keep up with Livingdog here.
by Gemma Harewood | Oct 16, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Oozing with understated flow and serene melodies is Ruben Pol’s “Meet Again.” We first encountered the Dutch high fashion model and musician with his debut “Bedsheets,” which saw widespread critical acclaim. Now he is back to deliver more, and again dazzles.
With production taken care of by respected dance producer Tom Martin, Ruben Pol is left to inject “Meet Again” with his brooding, straight from the soul appeal. Discussing the message behind it, Pol says of this magnetic cut: “Meet Again’ is about a broken relationship and it reflects on the enormous value it still has to me. No matter how much suffering has taken place or how much pain has been done, I’m sure that in the end ‘we’ll meet again’.”
Take a listen here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 16, 2018 | albums, review
Indie pop-rock collective Roaming Herds of Buffalo releases their new album Mountain Rabbit today, and we’re blown away by the way the entire collection induces an energy field no matter what setting you listen to it in. Beginning with the fast paced “Does NOT Exist”, second track “Judgment Day” brings the pace down, but not the crashing of cymbals nor the hard guitar chords that we’ve come to know and love of this band. By “Into The Void”, we’re pleased to realize the vocal nods to the 60s and 70s will be a mainstay, indulging in the soft and glittering instrumentals of the third track.
This album truly leads you on an audible journey, a storyline attached at every turn. It’s colorful and interesting, bouncing from topic to topic while treating its listener to a soundscape unlike most others. The change of tempo after the intro in “Ray Gun” is sublime, the throwback punk feels of “Brain Stem!” really rev you up, and the title track feels like its from another world. “Dressed Like Sheep” brings it to a simpler acoustic sound, allowing the album to round out in a more delicate and light-hearted way. But the subject matter is another thing altogether…
Keep up with Roaming Herds of Buffalo here.
by Christie McMenamin | Oct 15, 2018 | show review, snapshot, visual
Acclaimed singer/songwriter Greg Holden made his return to New York City on September 23rd. Opening for Butch Walker, who produced his single, “On The Run,” Holden’s performance was like a homecoming. It’s a rare thing for an opener, especially one singularly armed with an acoustic guitar, to hush Irving Plaza from front to back, but Holden managed to wield this uncanny power with effortless ability.
When Holden first emerged from the side of the stage, the crowd’s vigorous, impassioned applause was astonishing. He strolled out with an unassuming, quiet confidence and began strumming as the audience quickly fell silent. As his 7-song set kicked off, Holden was oftentimes chatty between songs, lending an affable familiarity with a room of people whom he’d never met, treating them like valued friends. Constantly encouraging the crowd to sing and clap during parts of his songs, Holden’s set was interactive, a joint, group effort.
On “Home,” Holden issued a command for the audience to stop their feet in time to the beat. In turn, he received an eager assent as the stomps echoed throughout the venue and shook the floor. Holden’s newest track, “The Power Shift,” was prefaced by a quick lament, noting Donald Trump was currently in the city. The audience loudly booed, prompting Holden to launch into this political song, calling others to recognize the link between power and inequality, and one that was more than well-received in New York City.
“Boys In The Streets,” arguably Holden’s most moving song, showcases his lyrical prowess, one that is omnipresent throughout his work. Telling the story of a father struggling with his son’s sexuality, it’s only on his deathbed that he makes a confession: his intolerance was due to what he was taught growing up. He finally understands and encourages his son to be himself. Holden’s live performance evoked the pathos and pain of both son and father, and cheers went through the crowd as Holden reached the uplifting conclusion.
Lastly, Holden performed “Hold On Tight,” a triumphant, empowering song that bursts into a big, gleeful chorus as he sang an urgent warning: “don’t take your life for granted.”
It was an awe-inspiring set from a seasoned musician, one who will no doubt be back to New York City in the future.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 15, 2018 | 5 to 7
If you have not witnessed the glory that is Thunderpussy – live or otherwise – it’s time to wake up. We had a chance to glimpse their live performance tactics at this year’s Sasquatch Music Festival, and we were absolutely blown away as they upstaged the other performances going on around them. Seattle-based, this all-female band – expertly comprised of Molly Sides (Vocals), Whitney Petty (Guitar), Leah Julius (Bass), and Ruby Dunphy (Drums) – is taking their chops to the road, giving North America a taste of their high energy, brilliantly colored stage presence and gorgeous rock music. We’re about to join the party at Riot Room on Tuesday night, and we got the unique experience of asking guitar extraordinaire Whitney Petty some questions leading up to the tour. Check out the brief moment we got, as she explained finding her musical soulmate and creating tantalizing melodies.
Let’s get back to the basics. What was the first song or album you ever remember listening to, and do you think it has any impact on who you are as a performer today?
When I was 12 I bought my first Aerosmith CD, Nine Lives, it had just come out. I still know every word and nuance of each song on that record. I am still totally in love with Steven Tyler. Aerosmith are a huge influence on me.
While you’re busy “piercing the walls of Valhalla”, does anything about your conception story strike you as amazing? Was it a meet cute? Tell us about your beginnings!
Well, meeting Molly was an incredible event in my life. It’s a singular feeling when you meet your soulmate. And like I said, I love Aerosmith. I had always hoped that one day I meet my musical accomplice, like the Steven to my Joe. That’s Molly.
What is the recording process like?
It depends on the song, but there is usually always a melody first. Sometimes that melody is on the guitar, and sometimes it is with a lyric. Each song kind of has its own DNA.
You put out your s/t EP in May, and it’s absolutely captivating. Any personal or behind the scenes anecdotes from the recording process you’d like to share?
Working with Sylvia was a dream. Everyone learned so much about the process from her everyday. We should have had a film crew with us in the ‘Real World Ashland house’, as we called it. One of the highlights was recording Young and Pure very live and very stoned (as per Sylvia’s request) in the dark at the very end of the session. There is some magic on that track!
Anyone have a favorite song off of that EP, or something you prefer to perform?
There isn’t any song on there that we don’t like to perform, but some are more lively than others! Velvet Noose is always thrilling, and we all love to play Torpedo. With three distinct parts it’s always a journey…
We got the unique pleasure of witnessing you perform at Sasquatch earlier this year. How does festival life compare to your regular touring life? Is there something you prefer or dislike more?
CATERING. Is what’s up. Festivals are rad!! We love getting to meet artists and see big shows up close and personal.
And. Your OUTFITS. Are you always that bedazzled? What inspired that choice for Sasquatch? (We are in love.)
Yes!!! We love the glam;) Shout out to Pakio Galore out of Seattle, who makes a lot of our costumes. Molly is very instrumental in the vision of how we present ourselves onstage. And who doesn’t love a good color theme?!
When you need time to regroup – to conquer writer’s block or find your new sound or take a minute – where do you go? What’s your safe haven?
Molly and I love nature. We go to the mountains fairly often, in Idaho. And I love Kauai, when I can get there. But there is no place like our native Seattle!!!
Any fun pre-performance rituals?
Drink the blood of virgins, sacrifice a goat, that kind of thing…
Your rider list is probably pretty modest compared to, say, J.Lo. But if you could have anything on your rider list, what would you do?
Kittens and puppies in the green room, obv.
Something a little off-kilter… Do you believe in intuition and. the power of psychics? Why or why not?
Of course. I believe in the collective unconscious and synchronicity. I believe in Karma. I think there is a subtlety to life and events that many people perceive and many miss.
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Don’t forget to head out to Riot Room on the 16th to enjoy the magic of Thunderpussy’s live performance, and keep up with them here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 15, 2018 | singles, soundtrack
You can tell it’s the last big new music push moment of 2018 – RIGHT?! – as we have been enjoying amazing, brand new music around every corner for the past two weeks. It’s almost exhausting, but we’re not crying about all of the gems we’ve found. Take a gander at this soundtrack – featuring Phildel, DYVR, Dayo Bello, Lauran Hibbard, Orogeny, and more -, and keep it close for the rest of the month if you want to check out brand new tracks that will make your heart sing!
