by Meredith Schneider | Feb 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Australia-based dream pop duo Lyon Apprentice – comprised of brothers Adam and Nathan Lyons – is coming at us HARD with their beautiful, resonating new track “Starlight”. With an almost 2000s boy band feel to the chorus, this track incorporates a stunning blend of genres to make the listener feel as though they are entering some vague level of euphoria. You’ll find yourself not only bobbing your head along, but yearning to be sent to starlight as well.
Keep up with Lyon Apprentice here.
by Meredith Schneider | Feb 20, 2018 | soundtrack
Last year, I got the insane pleasure of hanging out with Austin-based rock outfit
The Cuckoos at SXSW. This year, they’re taking immense strides into the forefront of the industry, nabbing attention from some of the hottest music outlets in the world. Their brand of rock gives off this soulful, vintage vibe, while their style and attitudes reflect that same laid back comfort that has gone missing from so much of our modern music.
Don’t believe me? Check out their latest track “Heartbreak Paradise” below, then sidle on down to a playlist the quartet curated exclusively for Imperfect Fifth, which includes a look into their inspiration and taste. (Descriptions provided by Kenneth Frost.)
Heartbreak Paradise – The Cuckoos
Just a little shameless self promotion. This is our new song we just released on Valentine’s Day.
The Dude – Quincy Jones
This is just a funky, feel-good track with a little bit of rap, some horns, and Mr. Quincy Jones layin’ it down.
Uptown – Prince
I love the production of this record– Super funky and raw sounding. This song has some of my favorite lyrics as well.
Do I Make You Feel Shy? – Connan Mockasin
I’ve been listening to a lot of Connan Mockasin lately. I love the lyrics and the simplicity of this track. It’s very catchy and he always puts off such a watery, seductive vibe with his music which I really dig. It’s romantic.
Dinosaur Carebears – Ariel Pink
My favorite example of a song that makes you feel like you’re on drugs without actually being on them. It’s pretty much a 3-part psychedelic jam that goes into this weird ‘toy train from hell’ sounding bit before mellowing out into a pretty cosmic sounding groove.
Stay – Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs
It’s a lovey dovey old school tune with great falsetto vocals. It’s only about a minute and a half, so it makes you want to play it on repeat.
Redbone – Childish Gambino
This is probably my favorite track of 2017. Gambino made a dope funky 70s funkadelic Prince-y sounding pop song with some heart and it did really well. So not only do I dig the song, but I also feel like it was pretty ballsy and cool of him to do that style of music and also make it on to pop radio. It reminds me of the next few songs.
Do Me Baby – Prince
Another Prince tune. Super slow, super romantic. Great lyrics and dynamics. It has this bass pop that just gets me every time. Gambino did it in Redbone too. Both of those really influences TheCuckoos‘ song, Heartbreak Paradise.
I’d Rather Be With You – Bootsy Collins
A classic.
I Wanna Roll With You – Connan Mockasin
Another Connan song. The intro is genius and I love the backup vocals on this track.
Orange County Suite – The Doors
A kind of deep cut. Morrison wrote and recorded a version of himself singing and playing this song on piano before he passed. It wasn’t released until the remaining members of the doors recorded the instrumentals to the tracks. I found it on an old bootleg record, but I think they put it out with a deluxe L.A. Woman and on a compilation too. One of their most haunting songs and a personal favorite of mine.
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
Bass Line. Production. Music Video. Moonwalk.
Ego Tripping Out – Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye getting funky as hell and telling everybody why he’s the best.
Mary Jane – Rick James
Rick James was cool as shit. The clavinet at the end is gnarly.
China Girl – Iggy Pop
I love ‘The Idiot’. To me this track is just melancholy gothic post punky perfection. Iggy’s screams are godlike.
Something About That Woman – Lakeside
One of my favorite songs. The guitars, the bass, the synths, the vocals. Everything is so tight.
The Wedding List – Kate Bush
The first song from Kate Bush I heard. She’s one of my biggest influences and I love her music dearly.
True Blue – Dirty Beaches
Sounds like Dirty Beaches doing The Ronettes. I feel like I’ve really been influenced by Dirty Beaches’ vocal style.
A Little Bit Funky – The Cuckoos
Us again 😉 I feel like this was the first song of ours we got people to dance to and that makes me proud.
This Night Has Opened My Eyes – The Smiths
What’s there to say? The Smiths are cooler than cool. I like the moody stuff.
Little Dark Age – MGMT
Their new track and album are dope. I dig where they’re going with this new record and I’ve been listening to this a lot lately.
Keep On Lying – Tame Impala
Probably my favorite Tame Impala song. The guitars and keys just put you in a trance. They’re one of the reasons why I started making music.
Into The Groove – Madonna
Keyboard lick (ugh). How could you not dance? Just an all around banger from the moment you put it on.
When The Music’s Over – The Doors
Probably my favorite song of all time.
The Beautiful Ones – Prince
Probably my second favorite song of all time.
Decades – Joy Division
Probably my third favorite song of all time.
___
Keep up with The Cuckoos
here.
by Meredith Schneider | Feb 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Brand new British quartet GRDNS – comprised ofJacob Lyons, Cameron Harrison on bass, Sam Gledhill on guitar, and John Fitzpatrick on drums – just released their debut single “Night Dance”. With a sound that is self-described as “Northern England Psych”, the band oozes obvious psych pop influence. While “Night Dance” is light, the guitar sets a mood perfect for ethereal, crashing cymbals to vibe out to.
Keep up with GRDNS here.
by Meredith Schneider | Feb 19, 2018 | 5 to 7
The Temptations gave so many generations of music lovers some of the most infectious, intriguing music to enjoy. But that’s not all they’ve bestowed on us, as Temptations member Ali Woodson’s daughter – Aliah (Lia) Ali – is a quadruple threat (singer / actress / songwriter / dancer) and making her mark on the entertainment industry.
What was it that inspired you to start writing music?
Different artists inspire me in different ways, but singing and writing music has always been a passion of mine ever since I was a little. As a little girl, I would always spend hours in my room just singing and coming up with the most random lyrics/music of my own and as I got older, I took it more serious and realized it’s something that I want to do for the rest of my life. Although, my writing skills can improve a lot, it will always be something that I strive to get better at because it’s my passion and my therapy.
In a hundred years, how do you want people to remember you and your music?
In a hundred years, I want people to remember me and my music as a light to the end of their tunnel, something they can listen to and still get that feeling they got when they first listened to it. I want to put smiles on people’s faces eternally and make people feel good about themselves when they listen to my music!
When you are having a mental writer’s block, is there something that you do to get those creative juices flowing?
One of the hardest things about having mental writer’s block sometimes is figuring a way out of it, but my go to remedy for it is taking time to myself to meditate and pray to God to help me get my creating juices flowing again and that always works.
Being an up and coming artist also means a flood of new fans and social media contacts from people who appreciate your music–has there been an experience that has stuck out to you with your fans?
Becoming a new artist can be stressful sometimes, especially introducing yourself and your music to the world and just hoping and praying people will love it as much as you do. So far, I’ve been blessed with amazing people by my side supporting me along with a small fan base, at the moment, but I know eventually it will grow and more people will hear and love my music and that’s just a feeling I long for.
Out of all of your songs, which one is your favorite to perform or the one that gets the band pumped?
I love all of my songs, but the one song that gets me pumped up so far when I perform it is “Work It.” It has such an old school vibe to it that people automatically love and I just love to see people vibe and dance along with me while I’m performing it!
What is your current guilty pleasure song or album?
My current guilty pleasure song at the moment is “Frozen” by Sabrina Claudio. I literally listen to it at least 5x a day. It’s such a soothing song and it gets me in my feelings, good feelings for sure!
Anything else to add?
I would love to tell people who are reading this to follow your dreams no matter what people tell you. Whatever you dream about yourself doing, DO IT and be the BEST at it because the sky is your only limit. Most importantly, believe in yourself. Believe in the passion that you have for your dream and ask yourself this, if you believed in Santa Clause, The tooth fairy, and the Easter bunny as a child then why can’t you believe in yourself? Follow your dreams.
___
Keep up with Lia Ali
here.
by Meredith Schneider | Feb 16, 2018 | snapshot, visual
On Saturday, February 10th, Sir Sly made an appearance at recordBar in Kansas City as the headliner of Afentra’s VD Show. The room was at capacity, and the energy was absolutely insane. Check out the photos we could get from side stage, while the crowd went wild.
by Meredith Schneider | Feb 14, 2018 | premieres, videos, wolf tracks
Talented Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Doug DeLuca has been putting together a pretty stellar EP experience for us. But in the meantime, it looks like we’ve got the sticky sweet premiere for the “Gimme Love” music video to enjoy. What a perfect time to be sharing this one, as it matches the theme of Valentine’s Day so well. As the track sets seductive, soulful vibe for the most love-filled day of the year, the listener is entranced by the way DeLuca expresses his feelings so bluntly and in such a rose-colored light. Let yourself be dazzled by the vivid colors and fun, bottle popping experience that is “Gimme Love”.
Look out for the Hit Your Mark EP, and keep up with Doug DeLuca here.
by Meredith Schneider | Feb 14, 2018 | soundtrack
Los Angeles native Aaron David Gleason has officially released his latest – a full length titled Wry Observer – and we’re absolutely smitten. And we shouldn’t be surprised by his chops, as he is the son of Tony-winner Joanna Gleason and Let’s Make a Deal co-creator Monty Hall. His vocals somehow set smooth-as-honey, though they’re laced with a little bit of raw edge. Well-written and composed, the album itself is an actual joy to listen to. So check it out, but only after you check the playlist Aaron curated exclusively for Imperfect Fifth, full to the brim with funk and vim and vigor!
For a Funky Time, Please Call…
1. I’m Glad You’re Mine–Al Green
Well, I honestly don’t know of a smoother, more dastardly funky song. Al Green is one of the most innovative and impish artists of all time. Those drums are Al Jackson Jr. and he is a wicked sorcerer.
2. It’s Your Thing–The Isley Brothers
Can you sing this high up? I can’t. I try. It’s one of my vocal warm up songs. I’m still trying. Anyway, this tune is such a rave up, I adore it.
3. Poor Boy–Nick Drake
Can you be funky whilst being a true English gentleman? Of course, and Nick Drake did it as well as anyone. Orchestration by Robert Kirby made this song lift off the ground.
4. Soul Love–David Bowie
What a sneaky song this is; from the quasi Latin beat of the verse to the explosion of Mick Ronson on the choruses. Bowie mastered soft/loud/soft far before it became a thing. Top it off with a sax solo that sax players scoff at and dreamers love to dream to. Bowie knew culture and song were a mix of high and low art, and to do it all at once, well that’s out of this world.
5. Chain Of Fools–Aretha Franklin
The Queen of Soul had a golden period where she dug into Blues and Soul. This was another song written originally for Otis Redding. Man, he was a graceful guy, because Aretha often took his songs and did them to the 9s…I’m sure he was all about it 😉
6. This is Radio Clash–The Clash
The Clash had the most devastating rhythm section. Then came the mixing of dub style echoes and loops with bursting vocals. It’s no wonder they were the biggest true Punk band of all time. They basically made a Punk version of World Music–that territory is truly their own.
7. I’m a Greedy Man–James Brown
James Brown and Bobby Byrd spent so much time riffing together that they developed a mind meld. I’m SURE they could go in with three lyrics to a song and make an epic. That’s what is happening here. Check the moment when Brown talks about each member of the band and finally focuses on Byrd. “Talkin about YOU,” he implores on a very rare moment of heart felt camaraderie that wasn’t overshadowed by showmanship.
8. Kid About it–Elvis Costello
This song is about John Lennon. It’s opaque and mystical. And when you can have a song that doesn’t quite make sense and yet it hits you with tremendous poignancy, well then you have a great song. It’s also low-key funky, as the kids are saying. Yes, you can be funky in 3.
9. Someday Baby–Bob Dylan
Dylan is the king of rejiggering verses to fit his lyrics. So a 12-bar blues doesn’t stand a chance in front of HIS firing squad. Good luck Structure! Love this tune.
10. Coming Up–Paul McCartney
Paul is one of the best Bass players of all time– I don’t care what Quincy Jones says. Here is Paul, probably higher than a Georgia Pine, making a fun larkish tune.
11. Meat City–John Lennon
But if John wanted to up Mac, he usually did. What can I say, volatility has some benefits for maestros.
12. Theme From Blackbyrds–The Black Exotics
I can’t find any information on this band. That being said, this song has remained on my favorites list for 10 years and will be forever.
Keep up with Aaron David Gleason here.
by Meredith Schneider | Feb 2, 2018 | premieres, videos, wolf tracks
Today, Kings & Associates brings their unique blend of soul, funk, blues and folk to a colorful peak with the music video for “Deadwood”, and we’ve got your first look. Taking place in what looks to be a recording studio, the band is able to showcase their talents in a live performance-type scenario, while playing out a quirky timeline in the background. The coloring is warm, vibrant, and lends itself perfectly to a sound of a similar kind. The guitar work is electrifying, so make sure you don’t miss this one!
Keep up with Kings & Associates here.
by Meredith Schneider | Feb 2, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
If you’re into smooth listening, “take a pill” in the form of Los Angeles-based Rx Soul‘s most recent release “Sea Change”. The instrumentals – experimental, almost, in nature – have a full, robust sound that almost feels primal when coupled with Rx Soul’s airy, seductive vocals. With the success of last year’s “All The Way There”, Rx Soul seems to have hit his stride as a newcomer in the industry. In fact, as a newer artist, we have even more respect for him because he doesn’t shy away from the tough topics. As he explains, “I wrote this song after realizing that much of my time was spent searching for the next high and relying on finding it. It’s an expression of my own reflection at the time, waking up to where I’d been.”
Keep up with Rx Soul here.
