by Meredith Schneider | Mar 26, 2018 | premieres, videos, wolf tracks
Having come a long way from its humble beginnings, current Brooklynite Phil & The Osophers – a solo project spearheaded by multi-instrumentalist Philip Radiotes, often rounded out by drummer Kevin Estrada and bassist Gus Iversen – has found his stride over the past few years. His latest – a track titled “Third Wold American” – is no exception. Taking advantage of an upbeat soundscape to layer in new instruments from the beginning, the listener can find a stark contrast in the tempo of the track verses the lyrics, which are dripping with dissatisfaction. For good reason, too.
Says the band about the track:
“Third World American” is a song that captures a decline in American culture, a decline now sharpened but born long before us. The feeling that we are foreign even at home, that a diversity of values are not welcomed, or even understood. That our hearts are orphaned, alienated by power and, because of this, beat out of tempo with the true rhythm of the world. And it is a song that puts hope solely in exactly these marginalized peoples to lead the way to change.
We’ve got the exclusive premiere of the official lyric video for “Third World American”, a video that plays with the contrast of black and white the way it plays with contrast of sound and meaning. Check it out below!
Keep up with Phil & The Osophers here.
by Madison Blom | Mar 26, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Phenix‘s latest single “Dinosaur” has been marked as an anthem for all generations. Not only does this single have a message, but it is also one of this artist’s most relevant singles to date. Within the threads that compose this exciting new track listeners can expect to find infectious rhythms, beats and hooks that are both complimented and enhanced by creative lyricism. Phenix penned the words and music to this track while facing some of the most difficult experiences that she has yet to experience. Left by the world, vulnerable and full of self-doubt, this budding artist found hope and inner strength. More importantly, however, Phenix found a voice.
With the release of this new single, Phenix has also announce that over the next year, she will be touring Canada and the United States visiting schools in order to share this empowering message with the rising generation. Hoping to express the importance of breaking boundaries and letting go of labels, this pop artist will spread her music throughout North America. Now that nothing is holding her back, there is no telling just how far this new artist will go to share her uplifting message of hope, love and acceptance.
Keep up with Phenix here.
by Madison Blom | Mar 26, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Seattle based dream-pop band Headwaves has just released their latest music video for their rising single “Left Right.” Lead singer Ryan Barber started this journey with a love of writing music that portrayed emotion and feeling. With effortless talent, Barber originally wrote folk songs, however, it soon became clear that folk music could not move an audience like he wanted. Over the span of two years and the addition of friend and musician Larson Haakenstad and producer Randall Dunn, Barber was finally able to create sound around his lyrics that had a deeply satisfying effect on his listeners. With the help of their producer, this dynamic duo feature fantastic synth rock rhythms with lush, dreamy “dance driven” beats.
The most recent music video for “Left Right,” highlights everything that listeners look for when they think of dream pop. The videography features hazy scenes and muted color schemes that seem to allow viewers the escape that they so desperately desire. Along with their creative use of color and screen writing, they were able to create an atmosphere with their music and movements that is enticing and completely envelops the listener. Now that they have several singles and the addition of this new music video, music listeners from around the country are starting to pay attention to this budding dream pop band from Seattle.
Keep up with Headwaves here.
by Madison Blom | Mar 26, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Formed in 2012, Asa Eisenhardt and post-punk outfit Nostalgist has announced the release of their next full length album Disaffection by the end of March. Not only are they releasing digital copies of their album, but they have also produced vinyl records that can be purchased as well. The six-track album offers the very best of Nostalgist with all of the same undertones, nuances and flares that have rocked their fans since the beginning of the band. Disaffection is meant the follow bands prior albums, Of Days Long Ago (2015) and 2013’s EP Monochromatic. Since the release of their last album three years ago, the band has been working tirelessly to produce more music that not only captures their unique sound in an album, but also to make music that their fans around the country could enjoy.
Nostalgist’s music is comprised of heavy, ethereal post-punk rhythms and sounds that are completely their own. This has not changed with the release of their new album. Before the release of the full collection, Nostalgist has release “Present:Tense,” which is the first single of the forthcoming album. Within the music there is increasing tension and pressure that seems to rise with each second that elapses. With the release of their successful single, we have all the expectations and hopes that the music community will react similarly to the release of the full album.
Disaffection is out Friday, March 30th. Keep up with the band here.
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 26, 2018 | 5 to 7, snapshot, visual
On a balmy 88 degree day, with direct sunlight beating down on us, the ever-extraordinary Elle Exxe sat down to do a quick interview and portrait session with us. You can check out the interview and a few of our favorite shots from that day below!
Keep up with Elle Exxe here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Mar 26, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
From the beginning of their formation, Fond of Rudy – a four piece indie alt pop band out of Brighton – has planned on creating pop music that brings your emotions to the forefront with catchy lyrics and great production sound. Their latest single, “Next”, is a song that dives into the serious issues in life. This song captures people fighting a battle with themselves and life. The song may seem like a pop track but if you listen closely, you will find a deeper meaning. “Next” shows that as humans we do not have to be perfect all the time and when we fall apart it is not our fault.
The song is perfection from start to finish with its great vocals and smooth beat behind it.
Keep up with the band here.
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 23, 2018 | snapshot, visual
On Friday, March 16th, we caught up with the guys from Marmalakes on the streets of Austin, Texas during the SXSW madness to take some photos and do a fun little interview. Check out some of the photos below, interview to come!
Keep up with the band here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Mar 23, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Music duo CVIRO & GXNXVS (pronounced ’Cairo’ and ‘Genius’) are planning to take the world by storm with their new single “Lady”. The duo is planning on dropping their EP this year, and boy is it going to be stellar. Amongst the group, CVIRO is the vocalist, while GXNXVS is the producer. As a duo, they have already released a few records together such as “Sober” which hit number 5 on Spotify’s Weekly Global Viral Charts.
From the moment I pressed play, the beat from lady began to consume me. “Lady” gives off an R&B vibe from its sound. The song is amazing from start to finish. CVIRO & GXNXVS deliver hit after hit that makes the listener anticipate their upcoming EP.
Keep up with CVIRO here and GXNXVS here.
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 23, 2018 | 5 to 7
DC-based quartet BRNDA is hitting the ground running, almost literally. While the band is on tour, they’re also set to release their new full-length – a collection titled Thanks For Playing – on March 30th. The preorder includes an instant download of two already available tracks – “House Show” and “Five Dollar Shake” – which just so happen to be perfect for this warmup our country is (hopefully) starting to experience for spring.
Despite the madness in their lives currently with the new release, the band sat down to chat briefly about the album, displaying their dry humor along the way for our eager ears. Check out our words below!
Each of you are important assets to the band. How did each of you get into music?
Actually, we’re not that into music. What we like is podcasts.
Fair response. Thanks for Playing is your third release. What makes this album different from the previous ones?
We haven’t released a record since 2015. This is our first time releasing a record in 2018. This is our first third release. This is the first time Christian has ever played bass on a BRNDA record – he is our bassist. This is the first record featuring a song where Leah sings lead. This is the first record we partially recorded at Alex’s house in Mt. Rainier. This is the first record featuring Dave soloing with guitar feedback. This is the shortest record we’ve ever made. We also worked with a different group of people this time, they are mentioned later in the interview so we won’t mention them just now.
What has been the biggest accomplishment that has come from Thanks for Playing?
Our greatest accomplishment of this record has been the collaboration with other cool people. Thomas William Rossi (Reyna Valencia) recorded it at lurch studios in DC; Justin Wm. Moyer (of so many of our favorite bands… Edie Sedgwick, Light Beams, Puff Pieces, Antelope, etc etc) mixed the record; TJ Lipple of Inner Ear mastered it. Christian’s sister Hadley Whittle painted the piece that is the cover art. Adam and Blake from Banana Tapes are putting it out. The National Film Board of Canadian Industry provided the footage for our recent music video for House Show. You’re writing about it. You’re reading about it. We’re collaborating.
What was the best part about developing the album?
Probably downloading the Adobe Creative Suite 10-day trial multiple times on multiple computers in order to create the album art j-card. We’re grateful for their love and support and collaboration.
We feel that! (Currently working on a trial of Lightroom.) You are out on tour right now. What sort of different experiences have you all had since being on the road?
Being on the road has a way of expanding your family. We kicked it with some truly wonderful people on this tour. We’ve been touring with Poppies, our forever buds from new York. We played the Community Records 10th anniversary celebration in New Orleans, a very special night in a very special town. We also played Mammal Gallery’s temporary location in this gorgeous former department store and shared the bill with 3 Great Bands (Breathers, Sad Fish, True Blossom). Touring around SXSW is like jumping into a giant vortex of favorite bands and friends that converges on Austin. We played three wonderful showcases. Dave saw Shopping and had a religious experience. All in all very good things and times.
What plans do you have after you wrap the tour?
Do laundry, vacuum the van, celebrate Torrey’s birthday, play our tape release show on March 29th, attend the melted mag release show at bathtub republic on March 31st, and then collaborate on some new songs.
Where do you see yourself as a band in the next 5 years?
Probably on tour.
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Preorder your copy of Thanks For Playing here and Keep up with BRNDA here.
