by Meredith Schneider | Jun 27, 2018 | 5 to 7
Relatively new duo Broken Baby – comprised of Amber Bollinger and Alex Dezen – is hitting the Los Angeles music scene hard with their unique and energy-inducing brand of post punk-rock. They’ve already brought social commentary to the forefront in first single “Year of The Fat Man”, in an endearing way that gets you moving, even if you aren’t necessarily a dancer. But their new single “Pass The Acetone” is set for release this week, and we’ve got your exclusive premiere of the upbeat, sassed-up track right now.
Of course, we had to throw a few questions at them as well. So while you enjoy the new tune, check out our quick interview below!
What was your first musical memory, or the first album or song you heard? Do you think that has any bearing on who you are as an artist now?
Alex: I don’t know if I can remember that. I think it was probably hearing Saturday Night Fever coming through the walls of my parents room. The next thing I remember is a vinyl copy of Let It Be by The Replacements that I broke. It was my sister’s. She was pissed.
What is the conception story of Broken Baby? Was it a meet-cute? Give us all the details!
Amber: We were on tour for Alex Dezen’s second solo record and we were bored in a van driving across the country. Alex suggested we started a band together. I thought it was a joke, but when we got back to Los Angeles we followed through. Yep. The EP was done two weeks later.
A recent post on Facebook gave us a glimpse into the raw beauty of being empowered, woman or man. What spurred on this beautiful and open post about double standards?
Amber: Alex and I have so many talks about music and life, and we agree that this is a very interesting time.
Alex: Someone had asked us about it, so we answered.
We have until September to wait for your next official release. While we wait, how do you think your sound has evolved since the beginning of Broken Baby? Has your process changed at all?
Amber: Actually, you only have to wait about a week until our next song is released. PASS THE ACETONE will be out June 29th!
I think our sound is constantly evolving and moving forward. In ways that I don’t care to analyze yet. It’s been spontaneous so far, and that’s been a good thing.
Do you believe in aliens? Why or why not?
Alex: No.
Amber: Hell YEAH, I do! You’d be a dummy to think we’re the only ones to exist in this ever expanding universe. Come on!
Keep up with Broken Baby and their new music (HELLO “Pass the Acetone”!) here!
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 27, 2018 | snapshot, visual
LANY riled up a growing crowd on Day 2 of Bonnaroo 2018. We got into their stage antics pretty quickly, and got a few photos for you to enjoy.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 26, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Baton Rouge-born and Austin, TX-based musician Ben Millburn has been gracing the psych genre with his own brand of beautiful, kaleidoscope-like tracks. His most recent – a single titled “Call Me King” – touts the talent that we are to expect from his upcoming debut LP, Sunglass Moustache. And though we have to wait until the autumn months to get our ears on that release, we’ve got the exclusive premiere of “Call Me King” for you right now.
Layering in from simple guitar chords, Ben’s relaxed, 60’s vocals – though sometimes abrupt – lead you on . a journey through a soundscape that is absolute perfection for those lazy summer nights. (Or, perhaps more specifically, those nights in the warm months that you allow yourself to slow down for a beat.) We’re big fans, so much so that we might insist that you refer to us as “King.”
Sunglass Moustache is out this September. Keep your eyes peeled for it here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 22, 2018 | 5 to 7, premieres, videos
Arthur King is a unique music and art collective, creating landscape art that enriches the senses. Last summer, they took a trip to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah to create a visual experience unlike any other. During that trip, they created a short film that is as breathtaking in its detail as it is simple and endearing in its concept. With music by Arthur King, projection art by John Schlue, filming by Nash Howe, audio recording by Tim Conrad Horner, and editing by Alex Lee Moyer, the project came together quite nicely and is something we wouldn’t mind having on repeat for the rest of the day.
Not only do we have the exclusive premiere of the project, but we got the chance to take a few moments with Peter Walker, the driving force and visionary behind Arthur King.
What is your first musical memory, or the first album or song you remember listening to? Does that memory or that music have any bearing on your art now?
Drawing with chalk on my older brother’s Sergeant Pepper vinyl album. Eventually I evolved into recording said Beatles records onto cassette tapes. Today, I love manipulating instruments and sounds to make something perhaps unintended from the original design.
We understand the concept of the project, but what inspired it?
This project was born out of my pursuing a Ph.D. in mythology and depth psychology. The premise is exploring the role of the unconscious in creative expression, and more specifically how we experience a given environment both consciously and unconsciously, and how art might bridge that gap.
What made you choose the locations for the video?
We were focusing on BLM land (bureau of land management) where you can camp and do other things without any heavy regulation or government jurisdiction. There’s a lot of BLM land in Utah, as well as magnificent rock formations and somewhat pristine environments.
The visuals aspect of it all is very endearing. How long did the visuals process take?
The visual component has been a part of this project from the very beginning, with the idea that the sound informs the visuals and the visuals inform the sound, creating a feedback loop and an overall experience involving both realms.
Could you take us through the process of all of this in general? It’s such a unique way to display an array of creativity, and we’re enamored by it!
The idea is fairly simple: 1) Locate an environment. 2) Engage it, consciously—meaning explore it and listen and look and record these things with microphones and video cameras. 3) Take these samples and use them in a total improvisational “performance” within the same environment. the result is akin to what happens when we dream, where sounds and images from our waking consciousness are thrown into the stew of our psyche and come out in an unexpected way, often bringing to light connections you didn’t know were there all along. In the end, the performance allows for a different way of experiencing the environment.
Any fun anecdotes from the production process?
During the performance there was a little scorpion that was crawling next to Tim, who was sitting on the ground and operating a recording device. Tim put an empty plastic box on top of it, thinking that would temporarily solve the problem and allow him to focus on his task at hand. He would of course release it afterwards… and avoid getting stung. But when we were finished, the scorpion was gone and he realized it had probably dug its way out in a matter of seconds. all part of the fun of being in the desert!
What do you think is the most important topic to address with art, at least at this point in our progression as a society? Is there a topic that you think is misrepresented or under-represented by its art?
I think art is a tool for connecting with ourselves and with others. Most importantly, in my opinion, effective art connects us with the unknown in ourselves and the “shared unknown” in others (or as Jungians might put it the collective unconscious). Art is a connector. Fear of the unknown drives the worst in us as a species, and its omnipresent in our society today. I’d imagine there is no topic under-represented right now, it’s more likely a matter of accessing the art that might be an issue. Or maybe better put: I’m certain there are artists making vital art that are not getting the kind of exposure that is just. and that’s where you come in!
How do you hope people feel after viewing this?
Moved. Curious. There’s really no hope for a specific feeling, I suppose I hope it invokes some feelings at all, whatever they may be.
Something off the cuff a bit… What superhero do you identify the most with?
Might seem like an easy answer…but I don’t think there’s anyone more badass right now than wonder woman!?
Smart, smart man. Anything else you’d like to add about the project or anything else coming up?
In between these Changing Landscapes adventures we’ve been busy with other fun things like live improv movie scoring and large-scale interactive art installations… So i encourage those who might be interested to please come find us!
___
Changing Landscapes is available now.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 21, 2018 | 5 to 7
Dallas, Texas-based musician Garrett “Sleepy” Zuhoski released his debut album Better Haze this month, and if you haven’t yet gotten a taste of it, you’re missing out. That’s not just a simple statement in our eyes – as we’re sure you know, of course – but a testament to how truly enamored we are by his genre-bending style. With each line comes an array of influences, leaving the listener constantly questioning what’s to come. What’s more? The album in its entirety is perfect for a lazy summer day, the recent video for “On a Cloud” all-too-entertaining to miss.
Good news? We’ve got the video and Better Haze in its entirety to share with you, so you don’t have to go searching far and wide for this goodness. We also got a hot second with Garrett himself, so read on for more fun!
What was your first musical memory, or the first album or song you heard? Do you think that has any bearing on who you are as an artist now?
I remember listening to Bob Dylan a lot as a kid. The first time I ever thought a song was beautiful was These Are Days by 10,000 maniacs. Those both probably influenced me quite a bit. I still just want to make beautiful music, but love a gruff matter-of-fact delivery.
After all these years sitting on some of your work and working with other bands, what made you so keen to work with Salim Nourallah when the opportunity arose?
He offered to put me in a real studio and press vinyl haha. I mean, his reputation preceeds him in Dallas. I have been aware of his various projects for about 10 years and know several bands who he’s produced. I knew I was in good hands.
Better Haze is jam packed with a variety of sounds and nuances. How do you want fans to feel after listening to it in its entirety?
I love whole albums; albums as journeys. While I wasn’t really ready to do a proper “concept album” or really have a premeditated flow to it, I want people to feel like they were taken on a pleasant musical tour. I really enjoy making mixes and thinking hard about the flow of a collection of songs. I guess it has less to do with having a specific feeling in mind, I just want a satisfying collection of songs.
“On a Cloud” is such a fun and mysterious music video. What was the production process like on that music video?
Well, that was really all Weird Life Films. The label contacted them about making a video, and they pitched us the idea. We kinda just let them do whatever they wanted. They submitted the idea and we basically just said “go for it” without making any changes. I feel like it’s important to have trust in collaborators. I am not a film maker, and haven’t put much thought into that type of creative outlet, so I pretty much tried to leave it up to the experts. We were so pleased with the outcome that we worked with them on a second video (out soon) where we gave them free reign again to great results.
On a broader spectrum, what drives your passion to create music?
Honestly, I usually write songs to soothe anxiety. Thats probably why my songs have a darker depressed feel, even though people generally refer to my actual personality as goofy and cheery. I feel like theres a natural high that comes from performing music you love. I make music to feel good about myself.
If you could be any superhero – “existing” or made up – who would you be and why?
Oh dang, I’m really not a superhero kinda guy. Maybe be a Doctor Who companion, or Finn The Human.
Keep up with Sleepy Zuhoski here!
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 21, 2018 | snapshot, visual
June 15th and 16th, 2018 marked the fifth annual Boulevardia Beer, Music, and Food Festival. Though it always feels like it falls on the hottest days of the year – it is consistently held on Father’s Day weekend in a an old but picturesque area that is basically all blacktop concrete – Boulevardia is a consistent adventure for midwesterners and travelers alike. This year featured forty bands across three stages, old and new taps alike, food selections from all over the metropolitan area, and additional installations like a wider variety of vendors and the fest’s very on outdoor Silent Disco.
This year, Saturday’s headliner was Bleachers. So of course we ran into the pit to get a few action shots for you!
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 20, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Austin Ward has already begun to make a name for himself with his signature sultry vocals and laid back atmosphere to his music. The brand new music video for his single “2 of Us” drops today, and we’ve got one of your first looks at the masterpiece, which is shot beautifully and follows him around while he interacts with a love interest. The video itself, directed by Elliot Wolf with creative direction by Wolf and Ward himself, seems to take place over a short period of time, acknowledging the back and forth of a relationship along the way, and incorporating mesmerizing dance and live performance tactics by both Ward and his female cohort, Mani Krishna (choreographed by Emily Duncan).
The video is soulful, and one you won’t soon forget.
Phenome is out June 29th. Keep up with Austin here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 20, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Broken Social Scene has inspired an array of artists who are living out their own moments to shine now. How wonderful an experience to witness their live performance tactics at Bonnaroo 2018! (Plus: Check out the reflection of the growing audience in some of those sunglasses photos!)
Keep up with Broken Social Scene here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 20, 2018 | snapshot, visual
St. Paul & The Broken Bones brought their unique brand of magic to the stage at Bonnaroo 2018. Having never seen them – but having heard the buzz around them for quite some time – we were floored by their set. Here are some photos.
Keep up with the band here.
