by Meredith Schneider | Jan 22, 2019 | albums, review
KONGOS ‘ groovy appeal is almost enigmatic. Their fun melodies and the band’s chemistry might stem from the fact that the four-piece is comprised of brothers Johnny, Jesse, Dylan, and Danny Kongos. Now based in Arizona, the band released their latest full-length – a 10-track project titled 1929, Pt. 1 – on January 18th. “Something New” speaks of things we can all relate to, whether political, music-wise (And if you are, this new album hits that spot!), or in our relationships. With a percussion-led instrumental section, “I Am Not Me” is a self-reflective song, infused with a fun beach feel, despite its melancholic lyrics. While “Stand Up” has more of an ethereal soundscape, “Pay for the Weekend” reeks of rock n’ roll.
“Wild Hearts” slows it all down quite a bit, simplifying the landscape for us and injecting every line with the deepest intention of emotion we’ve yet to be exposed to. Ever. While “Real Life” speeds the pace up a bit, “Keep Your Head” is the obvious party track of them all, working guitar licks in and around a pop-rock vibe we are 100% on board with. “Everything Must Go” goes into a very obvious U2 direction. A ballad, if you will. “When You’re Here” breaks it all down into an easy breezy soundscape – worthy of the warmest of weather – and the album is rounded out nicely with the robust, intense sounds of “4543”. Quirky enough to keep our ears perked, we’re probably going to be spinning this title for the remainder of the day.
Keep up with KONGOS here.
by ImperfectFifth | Jan 22, 2019 | soundtrack, wolf tracks
I think this is a really good moment for women in music and overall entertainment right now. The climate is really conscious, women are speaking up and advocating for themselves through various forms of art and media. I am so inspired by all of the female pop recording artists right now. They’re all strong, socially aware and convey a similar message of women’s empowerment. They all support each other and I too feel the desire to support fellow female artists. I made this playlist to listen to when I want to feel inspired and a sense of community in the music business. All of these different artists show strength in their lyrics and vocal performances even if it’s through moments of vulnerability, enjoy.
Website // Instagram // Spotify // SoundCloud
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 21, 2019 | videos, wolf tracks
Today, singer/songwriter Kiki Halliday released both the track and the accompanying visual for her single “Majesty”. Soulful, raspy vocals electrify the track, simplified acoustic guitar that sets the songstress in center stage from the first notes of the track. The video itself is comprised of varying camera angles highlighting Halliday’s relaxed live performance vibes, as she sings in a seemingly empty room. The dusty colors and soft shading set the tone for the track itself, and we’re certain this is the beginning of a long, beautiful road for Halliday.
Keep up with Kiki Halliday here.
by ImperfectFifth | Jan 21, 2019 | snapshot, soundtrack
Pickathon returns to the woods outside Portland, Oregon from August 2-4, 2019, with an initial lineup to be released January 21. Pickathon has built a reputation over the last twenty years as the best festival experience, combing groundbreaking programming focused on discovery, sustainable ethics, and a lineup that pushes the boundaries of genre. This vision is clear in Pickathon’s initial lineup, which brings together key headliners like Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (Rateliff’s first time playing Pickathon and he’ll be bringing two different bands), Khruangbin, Mandolin Orange, Tyler Childers, Lucius, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Fruit Bats, and Mountain Man with a voraciously broad cast of other performers like well-loved Americana outsiders Caamp, Lambchop, and H.C. McEntire, doom metal band YOB, North African desert blues artist Mdou Moctar, new supergroup Bonny Light Horseman, Northwest indie royalty Damien Jurado, Laura Veirs, and Courtney Marie Andrews, returning favorite Julia Jacklin, psych soul outfit The Marías, Polaris prize winner Lido Pimienta, Congolese experimentalists Jupiter & Okwess, and word-of-mouth newer artists like Sudan Archives, Miya Folick, B Boys, The Beths, and Black Belt Eagle Scout, among many others.
The initial lineup shows the kind of deep curation and wide-ranging musical interests that have made Pickathon a key tastemaker event in the American music scene. It’s a lineup based on discovery, not draw, a diverse lineup intended to represent the best contemporary snapshot of music across more than a dozen genres. With many artists requesting to return each year, Pickathon has become a kind of pilgrimage for artists looking to renew themselves at a well of creative inspiration. Walking onto the festival grounds at Pendarvis Farm in the small town of Happy Valley, OR, you can see what draws artists back year after year. Pickathon is a riot for the eyes, a festival that takes a holistic view to the music. Each stage is visually spectacular, from the woven branches that make a towering shell of the Woods stage to award-worthy architecture of the Treeline stage, using renewable resources in a different array each year. The Mt. Hood Stage, the mainstage of Pickathon, was ringed with living gardens in 2018, and the festival makes use of rustic, picturesque existing buildings like the late-night-raging Galaxy Barn, or the interview-focused Lucky Barn. Each artist’s sets are curated specifically to each stage and the timing of the festival meticulously planned, all to inspire the artists to new heights and historic performances. An army of over 600 videographers and audio specialists record Pickathon, pushing for a spread of nearly 200 videos that will be released between festivals. It’s a wildly ambitious project that involves so many people because each person has come to realize that Pickathon represents our best vision for how music and community come together.
LINEUP
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Khruangbin
Mandolin Orange
Nathaniel Rateliff
Tyler Childers
Lucius
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Fruit Bats
Mountain Man
Caamp
YOB
Damien Jurado
Lambchop
Laura Veirs
Julia Jacklin
The Marías
Miya Folick
Sudan Archives
Bonny Light Horseman
Mdou Moctar
Courtney Marie Andrews
Lido Pimienta
Cedric Burnside
Town Mountain
Jupiter & Okwess
The Beths
B Boys
Our Girl
JJUUJJUU
Sneaks
Young Jesus
Sam Evian
Black Belt Eagle Scout
Flasher
Mike and The Moonpies
Nap Eyes
Soft Kill
H.C. McEntire
Helena Deland
The Cordovas
Lauren Morrow
Bodega
David Nance Group
The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
Virginia Wing
Garrett T Capps
Martha Scanlan
Gold Star
Colton Turner
&more (Chill Moody & Donn T)
David Bragger & Susan Platz
Download 2019 Pickathon Poster here
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by Meredith Schneider | Jan 21, 2019 | albums, review
St. Petersburg-based trio Polyenso – comprised of Brennan Taulbee, Denny Agosto, and Alexander Schultz – recently released their new EP Year of the Dog, and we’ve got some thoughts. Beginning with a swirling, ethereal energy in “Neon Mirror”, the cacophony of sound these musicians create together is poetic in its existence, only further so with the addition of vocals woven throughout with an electricity that is undeniable. “Bastard” has a bit more of an experimental feel to it, but the percussion makes us want to dance down the street, essentially turning our walk into a musical number. That’s got to say something, doesn’t it?
“Happy” has a bit of a melancholic feel to its soundscape, further perpetuated by the lyrics. While “I Go You Go” definitely has the charm of a late night dance track, to be enjoyed in a sweaty underground somewhere in Manhattan, the instrumental versions of each track take us back through a host of emotions, living through the same pattern twice over the course of one EP. We’re pretty impressed, and know you will be too!
Keep up with Polyenso here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 21, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
Toronto-based electro alt-pop songstress X. ARI has done it again with edgy new track “Break Point”. With her signature robust, strong vocals, she takes on emotions we can’t all express correctly. Everyone’s breaking point is different, and we’ve all been in similar scenarios. To have it vocalized for us – and in such a vulnerable and beautiful way – is another step closure to collective healing.
“Break Point is about PTSD and it describes the moments right before I broke down late 2016,” explains X. ARI. “Having a mental health breakdown doesn’t just happen overnight. There’s a build up and a splitting point where you crack and you’re not really yourself anymore. This song describes that process and experience.”
Thank you, X. ARI.
Keep up with X. ARI here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 21, 2019 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Electro avant-pop act Strawberry Mountain might be based in New York City, but they are taking over the west coast starting this week! Join this effervescent band on an other-worldly journey at any of the dates listed below. But before you do, give their new track “Racer” a spin (or twelve!). With a blend of nostalgic space-y sounds and their matter-of-fact vocals, the track is definitely an earworm.
Upcoming Shows
January 23rd 2019 // Portland, OR // The Liquor Store
January 24th 2019 // Eugene, OR // Old Nicks Bar
January 25th 2019 // Salem, OR // The Space
January 27th 2019 // San Francisco, CA // Milk Bar
January 28th 2019 // Santa Cruz, CA // Bocci’s Cellar
January 30th 2019 // Los Angeles, CA // Harvard & Stone
January 31st 2019 // Long Beach, CA // Alex’s Bar
February 1st 2019 // San Diego, CA // Til Two Club
February 2nd 2019 // Phoenix, AZ // The Lunchbox
February 3rd 2019 // Las Vegas, NV // Bunkhouse
February 7th 2019 // El Paso, TX // Love Buzz
February 8th 2019 // Tucson, AZ // Cans Deli
Keep up with Strawberry Mountain here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 18, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
San Diego-based rock trio Exasperation – comprised of Garrett Prange, David Mead, and Steve Dale – recently released a compelling 10-track album titled Paradise. Nestled among this bed of genius is the particularly dance-worthy lead track titled “Pyre”. Starting with staccato emphasis – reminiscent of The Lumineers’ “Submarines” – we are taken on a sonic journey that brings feelings of elation, despite the name of the band. We’ve got garage rock on our brains throughout the duration of the song, imagining a scenario where we are surrounded by friends at a basement party, concrete and a feeling of edge all around. And we think you might agree. Check it out, then let us know!
Keep up with Exasperation here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 18, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
If you’re in the mood for a leisurely, inspired track in your life, we’re not going to sugarcoat it. Kid Bloom‘s new track “Sugarcoat” is exactly what the doctor ordered. Hailing from Studio City, California, the band’s fresh sound is just what we ordered for the new year, and this song could – quite possibly – be your new favorite. With luscious, full vocals and a beat that keeps your toes tapping, “Sugarcoat” is definitely our new go-to track, and Kid Bloom is one to watch.
Keep up with Kid Bloom here.
