by Meredith Schneider | May 3, 2019 | albums, review
Atlanta-based foul/soul collective Rising Appalachians – comprised of Leah Song, Chloe Smith, Biko Casini, and David Brown – releases their new twelve track album Leylines today, and we’re overjoyed with the sonic adventure it leads its listeners on. From the first, caressing lines of “I Believe in Being Ready”, the album feels alive. The vocal layers are absolutely exquisite, and we’re blown away to see the ferocity with which said vocals lead the album as a whole. Working with talents such as Ani Difranco (“Speak Out”), Trevor Hall (“Shed Your Grace”), and Maurice Turner (“Indigo Dance”), Rising Appalachians has found a way to bring in distinctive traits from each act and meld it into a sound all its own.
“Make Magic” and “Sassafras” are two of our personal favorites on the release, and their contrasting sounds are the perfect display of how robust the talent found in this four piece truly is. Take the album for a spin below, and let us know what tickles your fancy!
Keep up with Rising Appalachia here.
by Meredith Schneider | May 3, 2019 | snapshot, visual
On Monday, April 29th – just days after the release of their new album Real Life – brother duo Cayucas made a phenomenal appearance at recordBar in Kansas City, MO. They were joined by Cape Francis, which was also an incredible delight. In all sincerity, it’s a little more difficult to get a midwestern out of the house on a Monday night. Especially when the weather has been gloomy. But Cayucas is the band you show up for, as you’ll never quite understand how impressive they are without witnessing them live.
Keep up with Cayucas here.
by Meredith Schneider | Apr 29, 2019 | albums, review
From the very first slow chords of “Little Miss Raincloud”, you can tell that The Brookses have concocted something undeniably alluring with their debut EP Lucky Charm. An Atlanta-based father/daughter country/Americana duo, there is a certain magnetism about them that you can find in each of the twelve tracks on their new release. While songs like “Over Again”, “Evening Star”, and “Victrola” have some pep to their step, there is an overarching feeling of melancholy that encases the entire album.
But that’s the true beauty of it all. Meg and James Brooks have found a way to weave heavy lyrics into gorgeous backdrops, electrifying the project with instrumental layers and a feeling of coming home. It’s almost as though this album could only have been made in this serene and balanced way by a family band, and we’re thrilled to hear the release in its entirety as it was meant to be experienced.
Tracked live in one room at Standard Electric Recording Company with producer Damon Moon (Blair Crimmins, Big Brutus, Sydney Eloise & the Palms), Lucky Charm is an absolute masterpiece. Hold this one in your pocket for a while. If you aren’t drawn in already, you will be.
Keep up with The Brookses here.
by Ian Schneider | Apr 24, 2019 | albums, review
Old Friends – the new album from spoony bard – is out now, and it has everything an experimental music lover could ever want. With Kid Cudi-esque melodies and Earl Sweatshirt flow, spoony bard is the alter-ego of musician David Nord. Rap, funk, electronic, and a multitude of other genres and sounds can be discovered in Old Friends, perfectly displaying spoony bard’s range and influences.
With references to Game of Thrones, food, and pro skateboarders, the opening track “ego trippin par 99” hits hard, setting the tone for the rest of the album. The following tracks have their own unique feel, no two being similar in sound or scope. If I had to make any artistic comparison, it would have to be if you took Gorillaz and threw in Kid Cudi as their frontman. Dash in some more traditional funk and 90’s rap and you get spoony bard, an artist not afraid to push boundaries, both sonically and lyrically.
Old Friends is out now on all major platforms. Keep up with spoony bard on his socials. Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter
by Elizabeth Messina | Apr 24, 2019 | snapshot, visual
On Tuesday, April 16th, Haley Reinhart made a spectacular appearance at The Granada in Lawrence, KS. Photographer Elizabeth Messina made the trek out on the beautiful spring evening to enjoy an opening set by Jennah Bell, and an incredibly alluring evening with Reinhart, who drew a diverse, energetic crowd of onlookers. Highlights below.
Keep up with Haley Reinhart here.
by Meredith Schneider | Apr 22, 2019 | albums, review
Denver-based rock trio The Yawpers – comprised of Nate Cook, Jesse Parmet, and Alex Koshak – released their new full-length Human Question on Friday, and we’ve been binging it like crazy. From the first, harsh chords of “Child of Mercy”, straight through the vintage edge of “Dancing on My Knees”, through to the end of the lighter feeling title track, The Yawpers have injected their quintessential oldies sound into each track, making it easier to transition from classic indie and rock into modern lyrical choices that seem to stem from the same origin.
While some of the songs are truly 60’d-infused kaleidoscopes (“Human Question”), it’s with songs like “Man As Ghost” and “Forgiveness Through Pain” that the Americana folk feel comes blazing at us full force. Our personal favorite is “Reason to Believe”, packed to the brim with soul.
What’s your favorite? Be sure to let us know on Facebook!
Keep up with The Yawpers here.
