by Abby Trapp | May 30, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Pop-punk quartet Punchline just released a video for their latest single “Friend From The Future.” The single is off of their eighth and latest album Lion. As you may have guessed, the video is as quirky as the singles title. Starting off the video opens to a slide captioned “When you’re 87 years old, you won’t be able to watch this for the first time.” Yes my mind had to re-read that. It then follows, “In case you’re 87 now, in which case, that’s rad you’re watching our video!” I finally started to grasp the video’s “into the future” theme. Aside from the creative intro, the video keeps you interested with bright flashing lights, slideshow inspired here and their captions, colorful outfits and highlights on each band member. The songwriting is equally amazing with one liners like “The clock starts ticking but never stops,” and “God I wonder why the past tense comes last.” My favorite lyric is “It’s not your age that’s bringing down.” A line that could not be more true, is one of many on “Friend From The Future,” an anthem for the “here and now.”
Keep up with Punchline here.
by Abby Trapp | May 30, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Scarlet Sails just released a new video for their latest single “Hideaway”. The rock band is made up of Russian born Olya Viglione, former The Dresden Dolls drummer Brian Scarlet, guitarist Mark Kohut, and bassist Kevin Jones. “Hideaway” follows up on the band’s 2017 debut album Future From The Past. Now, “Hideaway” is just the first of many 2018 projects for the rock band. Inspired by retro rock, Scarlet Sails brings a fresh twist on a classic sound on “Hideaway.”
The video is visually aesthetic in turn. Set in a Victorian-era setting, we see Olya playing ukulele from her vanity, and searching up and down the halls for her ‘hideaway.’ “Every thing I do, every thing I say…you’re my hideaway,” sings Olya with airy vocals. The song comes together with guitar solos and very present drums. Combined with Olya’s distinctive voice, Scarlet Sails really breaks through on “Hideaway.”
Keep up with Scarlet Sails here.
by Christie McMenamin | May 29, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Slenderbodies headlined Brooklyn’s Rough Trade on May 7th. The indie/electronic guitar duo, made up of Ben and Max, were met with success quite quickly, scoring opening slots for both Passion Pit and PVRIS. For anyone who’s listened to Slenderbodies, it’s not much of a surprise. Not only is their guitar work deeply intricate, boasting a trademark wispiness that sets them apart from their peers, but they also sing, write, mix, and produce all their tracks. They fully own and control their creativity without anyone else interfering. It’s a rare feat in the music business, one that Slenderbodies deftly navigates with a seeming effortlessness.
Setting the mood prior to their set, two large lava lamps were placed to the right and left of the stage while a scarf swirled around a mic stand. The room was packed, and as Slenderbodies began to play in the near-darkness, the audience swayed and danced as the music gently wafted through the air. The only light came from brightly-colored, psychedelic graphics floating across a projector screen behind the band. The atmosphere was relaxing and peaceful; Slenderbodies delivered their fans a perfect ending to a Monday night.
Slenderbodies has a new LP coming out mid-late summer. Check out their latest single, “Anome,” here and for more Slenderbodies music, including a cover of MGMT’s “Electric Feel,” check out their Soundcloud here.
by Meredith Schneider | May 29, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Vanessa Carlton – whose career skyrocketed with the release of her debut single, “A Thousand Miles”, in 2002 – is well-versed in what makes a single work. With her latest series of releases, she shows the world a different side of her musicianship. Her cover of Neil Young’s “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” is the third in an installment of six that she has vowed to release over a timespan this year. Its reverb-soaked predecessors include Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams”, with three more surprises to come over the next three months.
Check out Carlton’s slightly twangy, modern take on a Neil Young classic, and keep up with the rest of her releases below.
Keep up with Vanessa Carlton here.
by Meredith Schneider | May 28, 2018 | 5 to 7, singles
Nashville-based country duo The Dryes – fittingly comprised of husband/wife duo Katelyn and Derek Drye – are prepping to unleash 2 4-track EPs to the universe over the coming months, with impressive first single “Amen” being the introductory gem. With robust vocals, honest lyrics, and harmonies that will rattle you to the bone, this duo looks to be staking a claim in the country/roots genre that won’t soon be forgotten. With all of the excitement around what’s to come, we caught up with the two for a quick minute to get some perspective. Hear lead single “Amen”, then check out their words below!
What inspired you both to get involved in music together?
Katelyn: We started dating and for the first couple months we occasionally would sing together and thought it was fun. Derek was in another band and I was starting to get in the music scene back in North Carolina, our hometown. Then, one of Derek’s step uncles passed away. Someone in the family said “Hey! You sing (Derek)…and so does your girlfriend…we would like you two to sing for the funeral.” So that’s what we did. We very much remember that day. It was the first time we realized that we had a specific chemistry when we sang together. We felt the energy between us and talk about it often when people ask us.
Your latest single “Amen” is set to be released May 18th. What was the music making process like behind that song?
Derek: I had a guitar riff I kept coming back to. Katelyn wanted to write an upbeat jam about how we met, as we met when she was in the church choir. The co-writer, Alexa Cruse, came up with the melody of “Can I get an amen..” which got us all stoked and we took it in that rootsy/swampy vibe. The verses came out easy, cause we just took the main moments and feelings we both felt in a new relationship. Singing “can I get an amen” seemed perfect since Katelyn was in the church choir. We asked 6 of our friends to come and do gang/choir vocals in part of the song to add that element.
What inspiration would you both like to get your listeners to take away from “Amen”?
Katelyn: Don’t be too serious when you first start a relationship, have a little fun!
Why was “Amen” chosen as your lead single?
Derek: It hits you right in the face. Aside from the wall of guitar fuzz tones, the song showcases Katelyn’s vocals and I love getting to rip it up on the guitar in addition to singing. It’s exactly the type of upbeat jam that we wanted. It’s sexy.
What is your favorite thing about making music with your spouse?
Katelyn: You’ll hear all of this in the EP, but honestly it’s healing to us to sing these statements to each other, fun or serious. No matter the vibe of the song, it’s going to have to be honest. Like any marriage, we have our arguments, and disagree on quite a lot. We know that we have to be quick to forgive and prioritize what’s important. It would be pretty boring if we agreed on everything.
Derek: You kind of have to take turns being the punching bag for each other. Not in an abusive way, but a “here’s what I’m really dealing with” way, and “I know you can take it because you understand me” kind of way. When we write, we listen for those statements. They might be take-aways from how we got through something, or they might be a fun upbeat commitment to each other that we sing even when we don’t feel it. The feeling doesn’t make it less real, so we know that when we write, we can eventually tap into an incredible place together. It’s all about leaving room for it. We all tend to think that to be creative, you first have to be inspired. That’s actually not all true. We schedule time to write, and whether inspiration happens or not, we’ve at least shown up and left room for it. So NOW, inspiration happens more than ever because of that. It’s these little things that create big results.
What is the best piece of advice you both could give couples that want to make music together?
Always be open to constructive criticism. Brush offense off and learn to take each others ideas and run with them. Be okay with the fact that you would do it differently. Do it their way anyway. And you’ll get the same in return if both parties are listening. When you have that trust, you know that ultimately the other person is looking at the bigger picture of things – whether they’re wrong or right.
What are your future plans following the release of “Amen”?
We have a show in Nashville on May 23 at The Basement as a single release/new music celebration. We also have our 2nd single coming out in June, and we have EP Vol 1 coming later in the summer. We are excited to release this music and look forward to sharing it with the world.
by Abby Trapp | May 28, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Nashville based singer/songwriter Connor Leimer just released his latest single “Brooklyn,” which has heartfelt but sweet lyrics and paints a bittersweet picture of love. “I never know just how to feel, I never know just how to feel about you,” sings a confused Leimer. The chorus “You’ll go back to Brooklyn and leave me here” absolutely tugs at my heart, as will most of this song. While the lyrics aren’t the brightest, the feel of the song has an upbeat bop to it. With a jazz feel, Leimer is reminiscent of Michael Buble, but in indie fashion. “Brooklyn” is a simple yet meaningful song that suits a rainy day, or a corner spot in a cafe, reading an old book. This is just the beginning for Connor, as this is the first song off of his upcoming project with Nashville sensation Matt Rollings.
Keep up with Leimer here.
by ImperfectFifth | May 28, 2018 | soundtrack
Here are some of my favorite tracks. I tend to never keep my musical taste within one genre and this collection is the epitome of my ever-changing taste. I draw a ton of inspiration from each of these songs, whether they are new or old, they still hold a strong spot in my personal musical charts.
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by Madison Blom | May 25, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
After premiering on Ones to Watch, Sophia Black’s latest single, “Blessed” is out, acting as a taster for her up coming EP. Throughout the track, listeners become immediately uplifted by the upbeat and lively nature of Black’s bright soundscape. Not only is this single full of energy, but there is so much personal meaning in the lyrics for the artist herself that the emotion in each line is almost tangible. Since her first appearance on stage in 2014, Black has been working to master her individual sound and really hone in on her wide variety of cultural backgrounds that range from Native American to Japanese. Her last EP was released in 2015 and was the home of not one, but several international hits that garnered several million views.
With all of this excitement surrounding the release of “Blessed,” Sophia has commented on the origins of this spunky new single. In her own words she stated, “It felt like all I could think of was bad stuff,” she recalls, “so when I got into the studio with Naz, I started writing down every positive opposite of what I was thinking… and voila! Blessed!”
Within this track, Black was able to capture this sentiment perfectly with the hip, bring beats and her amazing, dreamy vocal skills. Now that she is back on the radar, fans around the globe will be looking forward to her next EP, Hi Sweetie.
Keep up with Sophia Black
here.
by Abby Trapp | May 25, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
“Mirror Mirror” is the latest single by German based band, Sky Blue Skin. “Mirror Mirror” is creepily powerful and has a femme fatale power vibe to it with sultry vocals. “Love is mean and cruel, plays it for a fool,” purrs the vocals. Sky Blue Skin shows no mercy on “Mirror Mirror.” It is no “falling in love” track. In fact, the band is just here to remind you that your heart will be broken. “And once again you end up all alone,” and “I never want to see your joy,” are lyrics without a happy ending. I loved the western rock feel that Sky Blue Skin brings to “Mirror Mirror.” Even more, I love how the band makes love seem dangerous, unattainable, and in the end downright foolish and stupid. This is definitely a power song, and listening to it made me feel like a heart breaker myself. Check out Sky Blue Skin’s latest “Mirror Mirror” below.
Keep up with Sky Blue Skin here.
