by Veronica DeFeo | May 1, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Ever wanted to watch someone in an animal mask play electric guitar with a saw? Look no further! Indie-rock band Stardust Creatures has just released a new video for their single, “Spaced Out”. Stardust Creatures is made up of lead vocalist/guitarist Colin Coogan, George Sarpola on drums, Colin O’Rourke on bass, Kristen Mita providing backing vocals, synths, bells, and Adam Marks bringing keys and vocals to the mix. The Brooklyn-based five-piece’s new video brings quirky and honest visuals to the viewer. Balancing ethereal and realistic scenes, “Spaced Out” is one-of-a-kind.
Says Colin Coogan of the new song: “I’m a distracted, fidgety person. I zone in and out, I have a hard time sitting still for long periods of time, and I lose things pretty often. As people like me grow older, we quickly discover the need to work out survival strategies- you can’t make excuses forever. You get better as you work at it, but sometimes it feels like you’re just treading water, and you end up learning a lot of lessons the hard way. There’s always a tension between the desire to be unapologetically yourself and the need to make compromises to get by. I still haven’t fully figured it out. Writing music is part of how I process things, so a lot of those frustrations ended up inspiring this song.”
Stay connected with Stardust Creatures:
Website // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // SoundCloud
by Veronica DeFeo | May 1, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Collaborating with producer Justin Faust, Brooklyn-based Violet Sands has just put out their brand new single, “What Do You Feel”. Violet Sands is comprised of vocals by Deidre Muro, guitar by Derek Muro, and production by David Perlick-Molinari. The trio debuted Hotel, their first album, in 2017, which followed 2016’s Strange Attractor EP. With the release of “What Do You Feel”, the trio shows how much they have not only honed their sound, but also grown as a band. Oozing with aesthetically-pleasing sound, “What Do You Feel” is easy on the ears, yet keeps the listener on their toes. Well-composed and slightly futuristic, the track is sure to delight both new and old fans.
Guitarist Derek Muro says of the making of the new song, “We met Justin while he was in New York visiting from Germany, introduced by Robert Perlick-Molinari (of our label and French Horn Rebellion) who suggested that we collaborate. In an afternoon, we began experimenting with the vintage synth collection at our studio – notably the Wurli, Roland and Oberheim instruments – embracing the early-aughts electronica influence, which came out even more once Deidre wrote the lyrics and added her vocals. After only a few hours, we had the shape of the song nearly complete and decided to meet for another session that week where the song really came together.”
Stay connected with Violet Sands:
Website // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Soundcloud // Spotify
by Abby Trapp | May 1, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Australian native and Nashville based Quinn Lewis just released his latest “Weekend Luv.” The indie-pop artist is following up on his recent releases “Slipping” and “In Between.” “Weekend Luv” is one man’s search for seven day of the week kind of love. “Five days is more than a foreplay,” Quinn comes in with his clever lyrics. “Weekend Luv” discusses the struggles of dating in an adult world. “I’ve been working too much lately- you’ve been waiting for the weekend…to see me, hold me, love me right,” Quinn says on his busy schedule but his desire to have a seven day romance stating “Don’t give me that weekend luv.” Along with Quinn Lewis’ clever lyrics, he incorporates several sounds that back his voice perfectly, and even throws in an electronic vibe with bass drops during the chorus. “Weekend Luv” is infectious and an instant summer jam.
Keep up with Quinn here.
by ImperfectFifth | May 1, 2018 | soundtrack
Brooklyn-based indie funk/rock act Cosmonaut Radio – consisting of Austin Deyo (drums, back up vocals), Russell Castiglione (lead guitar, back up vocals), and Freddy Millan Jr (lead vocals) –
Austin:
Peg-Steely Dan – Could’ve chosen any of their songs honestly. And although we don’t sound like them (I don’t think anyone ever will), the way they wrote music, and found success with strange vocal melodies and crazy jazz chords is inspiring.
The Chicken-Jaco Pastorius – Arguably the best ever, this song paved the way for fusion music and bands like Snarky Puppy. It’s so catchy and the band is so top notch.
Thing of Gold-Snarky Puppy – Some of the best music I’ve ever heard, and the Moog solo will change your life.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings-100 Days, 100 Nights – Brooklyn based, funk revival, powerful vocals, groovy horns. It’s the best of like 5 different kind of musical genres combined. They’re one of the biggest reasons that funk and funk based music is popular again.
And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going-Jennifer Holliday – Jennifer hudson’s version is also impressive. This song is so epic. Musically, it’s interesting, and complex, vocally, it’s out of this world.
Love On The Rocks-Sara Bareilles – I love everything Sara Bareilles does.
Miss You-The Rolling Stones – This is one of my favorite songs, and we used to cover it. I put it on this list because it also symbolizes the end of “The Cosmonauts” and the beginning of Cosmonaut Radio. Although rock, and more specifically, blues, will always influence our music, this new record is an evolution and graduation to the next level for us. And I know you can’t graduate from the stones, but this song specifically signifies the next chapter for me and and for the band.
Another Kind of Green-John Mayer Trio – Steve Jordan, Pino Palladino, and John Mayer. Come on. The pocket is as solid as solid gets. And everything else about this song is fantastic.
Freddy:
1. “Daylight” by Failure
“Daylight” is a weird but great song to jam out to while pondering life and the universe, and it serves as the final song (and bookend) to my favorite album of all time.
2. “Dance, Dance” by Fall Out Boy
The song that originally made me want to join a rock band, the appeal of “Dance, Dance” is right there in the title, with an energy and style that always makes me want to get up and move.
3. “Ogre Battle” by Queen
One of the best songs by one of the best bands of all time, “Ogre Battle” is a microcosm of everything that made Queen great: experimental yet catchy songwriting, intensity and energy bred from tight and layered musicianship, and the inimitable vocal stylings of Freddie Mercury.
4. “Emotions” by Mariah Carey
What else can be said about Mariah Carey? Her insane range and riffing abilities were big inspirations to me as a vocalist growing up, and this song is a showcase of those talents at their peak.
5. “Greedy” by Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande is one of very few A-list pop artists right now who I think is bringing anything interesting to the table, and this song combines her pop, R&B, and theater sensibilities, powerhouse voice, and knack for insanely catchy hooks and key changes into something that’s arguably better than any radio single she’s ever released.
6. “Run Away With Me” by Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen is what I wish more radio-friendly pop sounded like, and “Run Away With Me” perfectly tinges her overt sentimentality with slightly more melancholic tones to produce a song that’s somehow both romantically fleeting and timelessly grounded.
7. “Dorothy Dandridge Eyes” by Janelle Monae
As far as I’m concerned, Janelle Monae is almost single-handedly carrying on the musical legacies of Prince and David Bowie in the mainstream, and she’s doing justice to both of them. I debated between a lot of songs to put here, but few songs demonstrate Monae’s effortless cool and subtle sensuality as well as this one.
8. “Starship Trooper” by Yes
Yes is one of my favorite bands to put on and just chill out to, and “Starship Trooper” puts their unusually long song runtimes to good use by constantly changing while remaining consistently catchy and engaging from start to finish.
9. “Glory Box” by Portishead
I love Portishead because they are a seemingly very sad band with certain songs that speak to an inner torment that I never knew I had, but I decided to go with the vaguely more upbeat closer to their stellar first album.
10. “Fortress” by Queens of the Stone Age
I’ve always liked Queens of the Stone Age, but I was not expecting to love their newest album as much as I did, and this song about vulnerability and getting back up when life knocks you down is definitely one of its many highlights.
Russell:
1. People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul – James Brown
This song has definitely influenced me as a funk guitar player. It was one of the first James Brown songs that I fell in love with instantly.
2. What A Fool Believes – Doobie Brothers
I love this song because Michael McDonald has a hauntingly amazing voice, the harmonies are killer, the key change into the chorus is a lovely change, and the song itself is so happy! I could have the worst day, listen to this song, and instantly feel better.
3. Reckoner – Radiohead
This is my favorite song from Radiohead at the moment (it changes). Thom Yorke is a huge inspiration for me because of his high falsetto range and the melodies he chooses over the band’s interesting chord progressions.
4. Skate U – Snarky Puppy
This song has an incredible build up with great breakdowns and solos, one of the best by this band in my opinion.
5. No Quarter – Led Zeppelin
This is my favorite band of all time so I had to include this. This song in particular captures the expertise of each member so well and is just really a beautiful/powerful song.
___
Keep up with the band here.
by Madison Blom | May 1, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
tick.tick.tick. Begins the all new, totally thrilling and haunting new single from young budding artist, Devin Kennedy, “Waste of Time.” Not only does the start of this new single leave the listener hanging on every beat, but there is so much raw power behind Kennedy’s vocals that it is nearly impossible to do anything else besides be captured by his perfectly crafted rhythm and skill. Although we have yet to see Kennedy release a full length album, he has released several singles and a successful EP, Love Language that has helped him gain his rapidly growing international popularity. In fact, without any promotion, “Call Me Back”–included in the aforementioned EP–racked up over 65K+ streams since its release in January.
Following the well crafted soundscapes that he has laid down in the past, Kennedy continues to hone in on his singer/songwriter skills to produce yet another thrilling single. Despite the fact that it has only been out for a short amount of time this single has reached 24k streams–a number which continues to grow with the passing hours. Within the fabric of this track, there is so much depth, but at the same time, raw, undiluted talent that allows the vocal skill to really shine through. Apart from ket synth loops and instrumentals, the highlight of this single really falls on Kennedy’s ability to relay emotion and vocal integrity to his audience. As time continues to pass, fans are looking forward to more and more work from this promising artist.
Keep up with Devin Kennedy here.
by Madison Blom | Apr 30, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Coming off of one of their most successful tracks to date with their latest LP, Parallel Person is Chicago based, garage-pop band, Varsity. Not only is this group composed of some of the most complex, yet beautiful soundscapes in the industry today, but fans are picking up on their unique talents and can’t seem to get enough of their psychedelic rhythms and beats. Before the release of Parallel Person, their last single, “So Sad, So Sad,” racked up a killer 14 million views and is continuing to grow in popularity as word of them spreads throughout the country at a rapid pace. However, more than just garage-pop fans are catching on to their success. Their past work has also awarded them praise from acclaimed critics and was named one of the, “Best Songs of 2016” by TIME. Looking forward to the release of Parallel Person, there are high expectations, but this rising band is sure to deliver.
Along with the bubbly, jangly feel of their music, Varsity brings a lighthearted feel into each of the tracks on their newest LP. Lately, it has been difficult to find a collection of songs that brings such an overall feeling of carefree release that is as infectious and catchy as Varsity’s latest release. One of the aspects of this release that really makes all the difference is the stellar twangy guitar skills that are overlaid with dreamy vocals. As listeners take in the meaning of each song, they will be transported back to the days of the easy 80’s and be enveloped in the artistic anthems that Varsity has put together. No doubt, fans and critics a like will soon be raving over this next release with great enthusiasm.
Keep up with Varsity here.
by Madison Blom | Apr 30, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Boston-based seven piece band Juice has just come out with their latest video for their single, “Sugar,” and it is as sweet as its title implies. Since the birth of this up and coming band back in 2014, they have been creating music that is as lively and exciting as their name promises. After performing together in Boston College’s Battle of the Bands, they solidified a union that would bring them to the point that they are currently at in their music careers. Despite what seems to be a perfect mesh of similar personalities, each band member comes equipped with a unique personality that is highlighted specifically in the music video for their single, “Sugar.” With themes of individualism and companionship clearly represented, in a seemingly effortless array of visual spectacles, viewers are able to see into the heart of what makes this band thrive. “We really wanted to get into the band here. With a project like this, there’s a real opportunity to capture individual personalities as well as their relationships among one another. We wanted to provide a cool space where that process would happen effortlessly. Once that was in place, the rest came easy” said Juice about their music video.
“Sugar” is the first single to be released from Juice’s next big project Workin’ on Lovin’, which is scheduled to drop on June 15th of this year. Not only is the single a perfect precursor to their bigger project, but it has effectively excited fans and has us on on the edge of our seats in anticipation.
Also, keep up with Juice as they continue on their journey by learning more about them on their website.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Apr 30, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Meric Long – the frontman for The Dodos – is releasing Barton’s Den which is a new solo album as his musical project FAN. “What a Mistake” – off of the upcoming release – is a song about trying to communicate with someone that is no longer here, and now has an accompanying video for the world to see. The video features Long singing the song on television and laptop screens in public places, other shots display him walking down the street and being followed by a man whose face is pixilated. Then it shows that the person that is gone is communicating with the living through an object that was once theirs. It is thought-inducing and moving, and a necessity for your music catalog.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 30, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
RF Shannon just released their latest single “Tooth Ache”, which is off of their latest album, Trickster Blues, due out May 5th. “Tooth Ache” pays tribute to all things alternative-indie, but also throws in a western vibe. The intro gives us that western sound with an acoustic guitar, slow drums, and sounds of a classic piano. “I take it slow right in the back road,” hums the band.
Aside from the amazing instrumentals, the vocals are haunting and will capture you. My favorite thing about “Tooth Ache,” is its ability to put a new twist on a classic rock sound. Shane Renfro, of the band says, “I tend to feel like all is right in the world when I’m slowly driving down old country roads with the windows down, so this song is kind of an ode to that vibe. I wanted to write a good backroad song.” A vibe we have all felt, RF Shannon encompasses the feeling on “Tooth Ache.”
Keep up with RF Shannon here.
