by Kayla Hutton | Apr 19, 2018 | albums, premieres, wolf tracks
Storm Conductor is set for release on 4/20. This is the third offering from Youth in a Roman Field. The mastermind behind this project is singer/violinist Claire Wellin with contributions coming from Tiffany Topol, Scott Stangland, Jamie Mohamdein, Cassidy Stirtz, and Katrina Lenk. Some of the tracks have the ability to whisk you away to the hills of rolling green in Ireland like a bar of Irish Spring, making it surprising that Youth in a Roman Field hail from New York.
The album opens up as if an orchestra was warming up before the curtains are drawn. As the melody becomes apparent it’s both adventurous and somewhat melancholic. A gentle operatic influenced woman’s voice calls out beautifully with a few overdubbed layers of alternate pitches that provide great harmony and thicken the sound into full spectrum stereo. “Your hand in mine”, is a short and sweet way to bring a listener in.
Sounding like a veteran jazz singer, Claire’s voice is most definitely the focal point, doing things most instruments just can’t. While there is a lack of a full on drum kit there isn’t a shortage of percussive additives. I’m not talking samples, I’m talking hand claps, unconventional tribal-like drums, and I even swore I heard a finger cymbal. The strings definitely posses a Celtic quality, yet sometimes can be morbidly curious.
The album’s title track “Storm Conductor” pulls away from the direction of the majority of the album. Vocals, strings, unconventional percussion, yes. The overall mood begins with a sick kind of twist. Similar to the way that Stephen King utilizes happy retro songs during a murder scene. There is something in the way she sings “It was an accident” that makes you second guess the innocent.
Finishing out the album is, “When the city goes quiet,” an acapella song with a gentle choir of group backing vocals. Youth in a Roman Field is the kind of music you want to submerge and wrap yourself in. Gentle with the occasional eyebrow lifting quirk.
Tour Dates
April 23 | Los Angeles, CA | Hotel Cafe
April 24 | San Francisco, CA | Hotel Utah
April 25 | San Francisco, CA | SoFar Sounds
April 26 | Prineville, OR | House Concert | Email for Details
May 1 | Seattle, WA | Tim’s Tavern | Tickets @ Door
May 3 | Bismarck, ND | Laughing Sun Brewing | Free
May 5 | Minneapolis, MN | Music @ The Upsidedown House Series
May 7 | Des Moines, IA | Vaudeville Mews | Tickets @ Door
May 8 | Fairfield, IA | Cafe Paradiso
May 9 | Madison, WI | The Wisconsin Room Presents
May 10 | LaCrosse, WI | The Root Note | Free
May 13 | Milwaukee, WI | The Jazz Estate | Tickets @ Door
May 15 | Chicago, IL | Martyr’s*
May 16 | Chicago, IL | The Green Mill Cocktail Hour | Free
May 17 | South Bend, IN | House Concert @ The Bramble | Donation @ Door
May 18 | Lansing, MI | House Concert | Donation @ Door
May 22 | New Haven, CT | Cafe Nine
May 28 | Winston-Salem, NC | The Wherehouse Art Hotel
May 29 | Charlotte, NC | The Evening Muse
May 30 | Athens, GA | The World Famous
June 1 | New Orleans, LA | The Foundation Room @ The House of Blues | Free
June 6 | Nashville, TN | The Back Corner | Tickets @ Door
June 7 | Bluffton, OH | The Town Hall Concert Series
June 25 | NY, NY | Mercury Lounge*| with Behaviorist
Following the 4/20 release of Storm Conductor, you may be able to catch a glimpse of their live show as they head out on the road in support. You can find pre-order and purchase details through the bands’ website or by following them on Facebook.
by Meredith Schneider | Apr 16, 2018 | albums, review
Fresh off the presses, Jaunt‘s new 5-track EP Cue is ready for your waiting ears. Launched on Friday the 13th, there’s nothing spooky about this release, though it does play with dissonance and ambient sounds to bring you into a whole different soundscape than what you might be used to. While first track “Machined” feels like a slight machine interaction – small noises that lend themselves to its overall 70s-inspired feel -,second track “Best Case” continues at a slow tempo, the occasional guitar riff lending itself to a far more groovy sound.
“Intimate Sunset” exists in a soundscape similar to what the title infers. Beachy vibes almost drop from the speakers, and we’re already feeling like we’re on a much needed vacation. “Faster Interactions” is chill, groovy and psychedelic. With the use of a keyboard organ, soft high pitched vocals, and a variety of electronic sounds “Faster Interactions” stays true to its name. The video for “Faster Interactions” also really displays the band’s creativity with a psychedelic feel of fast paced iridescent lights and unexpected visuals.
Of “Faster Interactions” Jaunt says:
“Faster Interactions” is probably our zaniest track to date! It was one of the first written for Cue, but also took the longest to complete. We quickly knew that it would be a single, and playing it repeatedly live has helped us finesse it’s nuances. Caitlin and Eliza really helped bring a new energy and dynamic, ultimately making the song more joyous. We’re also trying very hard to bring back the sound of cheap keyboard orchestra hits in pop music.
They round out the magic with “Cued”, a slower track with more of a vibey, enchanting sound to it all. It’s the perfect bookend to what we have just experienced, and we’re enthralled enough to hear more.
Keep up with Jaunt here.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 12, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
The cool thing about writing for a music magazine is that you get a first look at new music. I recently had the opportunity of listening to Anton Barbeau‘s latest album Natural Causes, which will be released April 13th on Beehive. My favorite track is iconically titled “Summer of Gold.” About a minute in, all I could think about was open road and as I write this I just hit the lyric “Steal a car, hit the road.” “Summer of Gold” takes you back to old America— a simpler time of road trips, convertibles, and cheap motels. The album has a range of fifteen tracks, starting with “(preamble)” and ending with “(ultimate outro).”
One thing to be noted of this album is Anton’s voice as he has a great vocal range. While “Summer of Gold” is my personal favorite, it’s tracks like “It’s The Coffee that Makes The Man Go Mad” and “Magic Sandwiches” that remain equally quirky and unique. The creativity on this album is also seen in the not two, but four intros/outros. “(Preambiguation)” and “(penultimate outro)” are interesting breaks that seamlessly make the album come together.
The Berlin based artist himself has a few words on Natural Causes:
My previous record, Magic Act, was my first on LP. It’s also an album I see in either an alpha or omega role, an introduction for new fans and a sparkly reminder to those that have tried to follow me for a while. Surviving the 2016 election AND turning 50, I’m treating Natural Causes like it’s my second album. The songs I remade are there for personal reasons, enough said. Magazine Street happened to be the first track on my first ever CD, so everything’s come a bit full-circle, as it were.
Stay tuned for the album release on April 13th and keep up with Anton Barbeau here.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 6, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
Honey and Salt just released their self titled LP. The grunge/rock/punk band has a variety of ten tracks on the LP starting with “A Nihilist Takes Up Knitting” and ending with “Cascade.”
The band is described as sociopolitical or as I like to call it “music with a purpose.” Honey and Salt has good reason though. Wade Allen, on main vocals, is a philosophy teacher which definitely influences the bands lyrics. On “A Nihilist Takes Up Knitting” Wade pleads “Right or wrong is not subjective.” “Blame game” is an anthem of “who and what is blame?”
My favorite, though, is “Bowling Green Memorial.” “Bowling Green Memorial” rounds out at a whooping eight minutes and nine seconds. What most impressive though, is that the majority of that is a drum/guitar solo that will take you be surprise. Just when you think the solo is over, Honey and Salt will bring you back into the music. Honey and Salt is definitely worth the listen. The LP is more than just an album—it is truly one big box of sociopolitical prompts, wrapped carefully and neatly to give to any listener so that they can ask themselves “How and why are we here now?”
Keep up with Honey and Salt here.
by Madison Blom | Apr 2, 2018 | review, wolf tracks
From the deepest parts of the Missouri Ozarks, Jodee Lewis grew up surrounded by the beautiful backdrop of the dense, lush forests that surrounded her home. However, within the seclusion of the looming trees, Jodee found herself surrounded by more than just greenery. As she matured, she would later leave the serene setting of her childhood to escape the paina nd abuse that she had endured for so long. In Chicago, she found a new life and love that was deeply rooted in her music. With the heartbreaking experience of her past, she is able to connect on intimate levels with her listeners as she revisits the past and expresses the dark details of the secret she kept inside for so many years.
Hauntingly beautiful with lyrics that will leave you pondering, Jodee Lewis is releasing her new album Buzzard’s Bluff that contains everything that fans of Americana love and look forward to. In the past, Lewis’ sound has been associated with that of other well known artists such as Lee Ann Womack, EmmyLou Harris and Alison Krauss. Not only does her music come with an introspective message that will both inspire and mesmerize, but she has the vocal skills that will draw new and old fans to her.
Buzzard’s Bluff is out on Friday and is available for preorder now. Keep up with Jodee here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Mar 30, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
Chicago/L.A.-based four-piece Young Jesus has just put out a brand new record, S/T. Young Jesus is made up of John Rossiter (guitar/vocals), Kern Haug on drums, Marcel Borbon on bass, and Eric Shevrin on keys and vocals. Says Rossister on the sound of Young Jesus: “the ethos is to push each other to express things that are not common– like ideas of love and trust within friendships– through being extremely vulnerable and making mistakes. Hopefully those mistakes become framed as an important and necessary part of process. It’s about communication between four people. Hopefully it is the sound of four very good friends who want to let other people into that space.” Their new album is the culmination of the honing of their sound and an exploration of what it means for Young Jesus to be an indie rock band.
Tracklist:
- Green – the record starts out with a marvelous track, “Green”. From the get-go, it brings the listener into the indie-rock sound that Young Jesus makes their very own.Check out the music video for “Green” here.
- River – you’ll feel like you’re down by the river when you put this one on. Slow, melodic, and composed of a soundscape filled with longing, “River” is a gem.
- Eddy – a longer song that is filled with depth of feeling, “Eddy” reminds the listener of simpler times, and the cloud of bittersweet reminiscence that surrounds every memory
- Under – an emotional, raw track tinged with well-placed acoustic guitar. Rossiter’s vocals hover on the edge of breaking, really bringing the listener in as the the song develops.
- Desert – “every little landscape breaks my heart”, sings Rossiter. This song lends itself to the feelings one associates with places that make and break a person.
- Feeling – while every artist generally strives to capture emotion in their music, Young Jesus actually paints them musically for the listener in this track.
- Storm – closing out the album is the nearly 13 minute track “Storm”. Through the length of the song, Young Jesus is able to bring the listener along for a look into their nature.
Stay connected with Young Jesus:
Twitter – Instagram – Facebook
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Mar 29, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
Spelles is back with her second EP titled Skeleton Coast, which consists of five songs that define who Spelles is as an artist. The lead single from the album is titled “Dead in the Water”, which is a song with immense emotion and power. It has a pop vibe with a dark sound to it, showing that there is power that lives inside of us that we sometimes cannot recognize.
A favorite from the EP is “Light Me on Fire”, which captures Spelles’ powerful vocals as an artist and shows why she is destined to live out her musical dreams. The song is about staying to support someone instead of leaving them.
Listening to Spelles’ new EP is an absolute joy. After listening to her EP, the anticipation to see where she grows as an artist is exciting.
Keep up with Spelles here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Mar 28, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
D.C. based four-piece Babbling April just self-released a brand new EP titled Holy Gold. Babbling April is made up of Dave New, Vivi Machi, Ben Medina, and Ben Melrod. February of 2015 saw their debut release, On Breath. Now, Babbling April is back better than ever with the release of Holy Gold. With a unique indie sound and always authentic by self-releasing, Babbling April seeks to be truly themselves and bring joy to others through their music.
Tracklist:
- “Reputation”: Reputation seems to be a popular subject these days, and this unapologetic track flips it upside down with the idea that reputation doesn’t actually matter. Need to shake off the haters? Put this song on.
- “Blighted Years”: this track starts off with some excellent instrumentals and an inescapable beat. “Blighted Years” combines harmony, hitting lyrics, and great percussion to tie up a fantastic song.
- “In the Vulgate”: A rocking, quirky track, “In the Vulgate” is an instrumental interlude halfway through the EP that carries the listener into the second half of Holy Gold.
- “If Hearts Really Do Break”: Starting with a foreboding, almost extraterrestrial sound leading into a more gentle and acoustic instrumental track.
- “Without A Care”: Following in the vein of “Reputation”, this track lends itself to a bittersweet sound and some emotional lyrics.
- “Alliances and Rifts (and Separations in the Holy Gold)”: closing out Holy Gold is another instrumental track that has excellent composition and balance of instruments.
Overall, one of the best aspects of Babbling April’s EP is the careful instrumentation and attention to balance.
Holy Gold is available for vinyl preorder now. Keep up with Babbling April here.
by Abby Trapp | Mar 27, 2018 | albums, review
Alaskan natives The Super Saturated Sugar Strings recently released their latest album All Their Many Miles. The indie-folk group usually find inspiration through Alaskan nature sounds. All Their Many Miles is filled with nine peaceful tracks of love, heartbreak, and even shows off the bands instrumental skills. Their first track “All Their Many Miles” combines a variety of instruments such as the banjo and trumpet while being backed by soft female vocals. The lyric “I feel for all their many miles,” tells the narrative of a couple trying to make it through. “Love Cocoon” starts off with eerie sounds of soft piano, cello, trumpet, violin and guitar. The eerie intro creeps into rusty male vocals. The song soon becomes sweet and intimate professing “If we reach the top, we’ll build a love cocoon.”
My personal favorite off of All Their Many Miles is “Crocodile.” The track lasts a total of 4:13 minutes and is a total instrumental. The song has a Western-old timey theme, and shows the bands ability to be versatile in their sound. Whether you are a fan of fold or not All Their Many Miles is definitely worth taking the time to listen to.
All Their Many Miles is available now. Keep up with The Super Saturated Sugar Strings here.
