phenix, “minor tones of triumph over 808s”

phenix, “minor tones of triumph over 808s”

I like minor keys…actually, I more than “like” them – I’m INFATUATED with them. Something about the raw darkness of the attack & sound just makes me feel like it’s about to get real – that we’re about to fight this war masks off in the mud – OVER our freedom. Whether it be for our freedom to love, our freedom to speak, our freedom to deserve, our freedom to be…..I see life staring up from the deep end, I refuse to dip my feet to play in the shallows. That has just ALWAYS been who I am. It’s either: I DON’T go in the water or I run FULL THROTTLE till I can no longer touch the ocean floor. I fuel my body like I live my life – with MOTIVATION. I used to foul out every ball game because I played that much harder than the rest & my feet stay planted and I wanted that damn ball so bad – no one or no thing could ever get in my way to stop me. I go hard because I love hard, the vulnerability of my capability flies behind me like a cape and I light fires without lighters and own it all because I’m a fighter. These songs encompass the magic of the minors, articulate voices full of angst & swag, not here to mess around. They are triumphant and LOUD & the hip/hop edge is definitely influencing this era of my life & art. I embrace it, I learn from it, & I bend it. To the next generation of sound do I march.

Keep up with Phenix here.

diem, “something to do with LOVE”

diem, “something to do with LOVE”

I am really fascinated by love, it’s no wonder that so many artists including me, need to write about it. Because it can hurt us so much, but also fulfill us to the most. Love comes in every form. It can be bright or dark, it can be inspiring or destructive, it can fuel us with hope or drag us down. These are some of the songs I like to listen to the I’m in the mood for love…

Instagram: @diemxdiem 
Facebook page: facebook.com/thisisdiem

lights @ the madrid

lights @ the madrid

A mixture of old and young fans filled up the Madrid Theatre on Thursday night. Granted, they were probably parents of the younger demographic as they were sitting against the wall while their kids stood in the middle of the floor, waiting for the the show to begin. That’s the thing about Lights: she has no target demographic, and her fans are loyal as hell. The Madrid provides the right amount of intimacy that performer like Lights yearns for. As seen in her Instagram posts, she loves connecting herself with her fanbase. And if you’re not following her on there, do it.

Toronto based performer DCF, or David Charles Fischer, kicked off the night with his one man act, followed by Australians Chase Atlantic. The crowd came for the entire lineup. Singing back every song and even calling out the next titles, both DFC and Chase Atlantic have a fan base here in Kansas City that built the atmosphere for the rest of the night.

Lights started her set off with “New Fears” off her fourth album “Skin and Earth.” Since the start of the tour in late January, Lights admitted that the band hasn’t been feeling well and are fighting off a bug, but the excitement and love that Kansas City brought to the table helped them continue to play on. She even posted a picture on her Instagram story thanking KC for helping her power through the show while battling the stomach flu. That’s dedication right there.

Nearly 10 years since beginning her career, Lights remembers when she first came here in the late 2000s. With that kind of connection, it’s easy to see how much this city loves her. “I think the first time we played here was in 2008, it’s been a while, Kansas City!” she said.

As she begins to wind down her tour, it’s exciting to see what Lights’ next moves will be. It’s pretty hard to top a concept album and comic book, but there is no doubt that she continue to surprise, and build, her loyal fanbase.

Keep up with Lights here.

**by Ashleigh Lee

mt. joy @ riot room

mt. joy @ riot room

Mt. Joy made its Kansas City debut last night at The Riot Room. The LA/Philadelphia alternative band filled up the Westport venue bar on the beginning of its spring tour. Opening acts included local singer Chloe Jacobson and rocker Olivia Jean.

Concert goers travelled from all over, including a few members of lead singer Matt Quinn’s family who trekked from their hometown three hours away. Now, less than two weeks after debuting its self-titled album, Mt. Joy is no stranger to drawing and playing for the masses with a solid setlist consisting of now 15 songs, thanks to the new album. Songs like “Astrovan” and “Silver Lining” mix the setlist with new and old tracks.  

Fresh off playing 10 shows at SXSW in just a few days, it won’t take long before the rest of the Spring 2018 tour sells out clubs and theatres all over the United States.  

This band is hungry and excited to see what comes next the tour continues through the end of May. “Mt. Joy” features 13 songs with deep lyrics and meanings. Find it on your favorite streaming service.

**Photos and writeup by Ashleigh Lee

ovtlier, “bang your head”

ovtlier, “bang your head”

Theses songs shaped my love for many levels of rock and metal. Continuously bringing me back to my roots and defining me as a musician. Reminding me why i love playing music and what its all about.
Kept my feet tapping and my head bobbing. These are nostalgia to me.

Songs:
Deftones – Nose Bleed
Korn – Blind
Orgy – Stitches
Slipknot – People Equal Shit
Ovtlier – Vice
Powerman 5000 – When Worlds Colide
Static X – Push It
Periphery – The Parade Of Ashes
My Ticket Home – Hot Soap
Papa Roach – Infest
The Finalist – Leave The Broken Hearts Behind
Novelists – Voyager
Blindside – Pitiful
Deftones – My Own Summer
Rammstein – Buck Dich
Pantera – Cowboys From Hell
Emmure – Shinjuku Masterlord
Limp Bizkit – Nookie
Eighteen Visions – Tower Of Snakes
Atreyu – Right Side Of The Bed
Ovtlier – Buried Me Alive
Marilyn Manson – The Beautiful People
Rob Zombie – Demonoid Phenomenon
Korn – Good God
Slipknot – Wait And Bleed
The Dillinger Escape Plan – 43% Burnt
The Human Abstract – Vela, Together We Await The Storm
Between The Buried And Me – The Primer
Every Time I Die – Ebolarama
Norma Jean – Charactarantula : Talking to you and the Intake of Glass

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Keep up with Ovtlier here:
FACEBOOK/ TWITTER/ INSTAGRAM/ YOUTUBE

krantz shares “60sdelic” soundtrack

krantz shares “60sdelic” soundtrack

Krantz is a group of heathens from all over the US who congregated to Nashville, and teamed up to make a melodious sound. Check out their newest single, “Run Away With Me” off their upcoming EP, The Pennock Tapes.
This is a playlist of what I think would be playing if you turned on pop radio back in the mid-late 60’s, as you’re sitting in Golden Gate Park smoking a doobie. Having not been alive at the time, I obviously can’t say, but it’s a bunch of rad tunes by some of my favorite artists from my favorite era in music as things were starting to get psychedelic. Tune in and turn on man….

Also, check their site www.krantzmusic.com for upcoming dates as they hit the road this spring. Dare ya to not sing along.
hollow fortyfives release strange times, talk

hollow fortyfives release strange times, talk

Having just released their brand new album Strange Times this morning, Los Angeles-based psych pop trio Hollow FortyFives – comprised of Lucas Renberg, Brett Incardone, and Travis Corsaut – is revving up to play their album release party tonight at The Troubadour. Which means they have absolutely no time to bask in the glow of their work and treasure the audience response, as they’re focused on what’s to come with the entirety of the week still to unfold.

Luckily, we got a hot minute to catch up with them to find out the inspiration behind their work as a whole, the album you’re probably about to listen to on repeat, as well as to poke and prod them with silly little questions that give us peace of mind. Check out our words below!

What was your first musical memory? Did it have any bearing on how you respond to or create music now?

Lucas: Listening to a Beatles cassette that my Uncle had made for me. Then seeing some footage of The Who play live, after that i knew i had to play music.

Brett: Driving in my dad’s car and asking him who the band was on the radio. Also, asking my brother which instrument was playing and him teaching me the different sounds.

Travis: Being taught to play the guitar by my uncle. I quickly gave up and when I got a drum set 5 years later was forced into lessons. I really grew to love it.

Where do you believe you pull the most inspiration from for your work?

Lucas: A big chuck of it comes from the music I listen to and care about, My two favorite songwriters are John Lennon and Bob Dylan. The rest i would have to say come from the way I see the world. Anything can spark a song.

Brett: My biggest inspiration for lyrics would be the people I’m surrounded by whether it be friends, family, or even strangers. For music, simply, it can be bands I like, a riff I hear, or something that just grabs my attention.

Travis: I’d have to say that Lucas and Brett are my biggest inspirations in writing.

What inspired the track “Return Ticket” specifically?

Lucas: “Return Ticket” came about from the feeling of wanting to leave and get away. I live in this paradise that is California, but it’s a huge world out there. Always nice to take a look around, and no need to fear when you have a return ticket back home.

Your album is finally coming out, and we are so excited about it. What was the process for creating this album like for you guys?

Lucas: It was great writing the album and giving these songs the treatment they deserve. As a band it was our first time not recording ourselves, which was a whole new experience itself. We didn’t have to worry about mic placement or levels, we could focus on just playing the songs. And that really helped us grow as a band.

Brett: The process was very fun and smooth. The creative process was an absolute blast to be a part of and recording the album was a lot how I had hoped it would be: lots of late nights, laughs with my band mates, and excitement for being in a professional setting.

Travis: It was eye opening creating this album. The most important part for me was seeing how the songs had grown into something we’re all really proud to show you.

How do you imagine people listening to this release in its entirety?

Lucas: In a smokey room, either laying on a carpet floor or dancing away as the music flows out the speakers.

Brett: Driving in a car on a nice, sunny day, windows down with a cigarette in your hand.

Travis: When you listen to this song, I want you driving to Joshua tree in the rain with one hand out the window. If your friends are awake belt it with them and if they’re asleep wake them up by belting it. Noise is for the boys.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?

Lucas: As a kid i was obsessed with Robin. So it would have to be Robin! He’s got the bat bike and is the only one I know who can question Batman.

Brett: Spiderman because he’s been my favorite since I was a kid, I’ve always loved Spiderman stories, and no matter how tough his life gets he always finds a way to overcome his struggles. Besides, who wouldn’t want to swing from skyscrapers?

Travis: Captain Planet, let’s strive to always improve this world guys.

If you could collaborate with any artist on any medium, who would you choose and what would you make?

Lucas: I’d love to be able to do a split single with my favorite current musician Tim Presley of White Fence.

Brett: Co-writing an album with Jeff Tweedy at the Wilco loft. It would be the craziest thing ever.

Travis: I want to do covers of the Barenaked Ladies with the ghost of Buddy Holly.

Cats or dogs? Substantiate your claim.

Lucas: Dogs who act like cats and cats who act like dogs. Best of both worlds.

Brett: Dogs. I had a cat once when I was a child, but she was a demon. Now I’m not saying all cats are evil, but I have a dog now and he is an absolute angel.

Travis: Cats AND dogs, lil cuties are a damn blessing.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Lucas: Keep living life between the headphones.

Brett: Tip your bartender.

___

Strange Times is out today and will be available here. Be sure to catch them at their album release show TONIGHT and keep up with the band here.