by Madison Blom | May 7, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Coming out of an artistic hibernation, Australian alternative-rock artist AViVA is back with sass and spunk that is both enticing and intriguing. In the past, AViVA has released songs that have made it to the hot new release lists throughout the world. Most notably, her single “GRRRLS” garnered over 24 million streams–a number which continues to grow as this budding artists gains a fan following who’s dedication and enthusiasm strongly resembles the strength and determination of a wild fire. With all of this success behind her, AViVA continues to look forward to the future with the release of her latest single, “BRN”–a wonderful addition to the ever growing playlist that AViVA has been diligently developing since her debut.
“BRN” is a fierce battle cry meant to ward off anyone who dares to put this feisty artist’s back against the wall. With every moment of this incredibly powerful single packed with hooks and driving beats that are just as intense as they are meaningful. As each second passes, listeners find themselves hanging on each word, each beat, and most importantly, each addicting chorus which triumphantly declares, “You’ll find I’m here to stay.” With all of this strong emotion behind her music, there is no doubt that this same spunk inspires her to continue to develop and increase her musical credibility. Soon enough, the world will come to know as she so boldly states that she is “here to stay” with the vocal skill of an artist far beyond her years and the drive to achieve her life long goals.
Keep up with AViVA here.
by Veronica DeFeo | May 5, 2018 | albums, review
Seattle-based artist Damien Jurado drops his 13th album, The Horizon Just Laughed, today. In his 20+ year career, Jurado has never self-produced a record – until now. The Horizon Just Laughed is being released via Secretly Canadian.
Jurado says of his record:
From the beginning I have approached this album differently than those in the past. I snuck away to record it without anyone knowing. I sat in the producers seat for the first time in years, where I followed creativity’s every turn. It was fulfilling to watch the things come to life before me with the help of some talented friends. I am so very proud of this album and I can’t wait to share it with all of you.
The Horizon Just Laughed track listing:
1. “Allocate” starts off the record on a mellow but strong note. Highlighting Jurado’s musky vocals, “Allocate” provides a glimpse into what is to come.
2. “Dear Thomas Wolfe” begins with a rhythmic guitar intro reminiscent of Jack Johnson. Featuring great lyrics like, “Was I faking trusting you?”, this song gets the ball rolling into the record.
3. “Percy Faith” takes a different approach instrumentally, and utilizes a storytelling manner to bring the lyricism a nostalgic feel.
4. “Over Rainbows and Rainier” is the leading single off The Horizon Just Laughed. A soft, moving track, this reflective song brings the listener gently along. Jurado has also put out a music video for this track. Check out the video for “Over Rainbows and Rainier” HERE.
5. “The Last Great Washington State” features some nice drum moments and steady vocals.
6. “Cindy Lee” is a beautiful interm track that has some well-placed harmonies, and moves the listener into the second half of the album.
7. “1973” perks up with a gentle but pointedly moving track.
8. “Marvin Kaplan” gets an almost samba sound going, as Jurado is accompanied by soft female harmonies.
9. “Lou-Jean” is closer to tracks like “Percy Faith”, telling a meaningful story through song.
10. “Florence-Jean”, the penultimate track on this record, takes an upbeat take on the tales that Jurado tells in The Horizon Just Laughed.
11. “Random Fearless” closes out the album on a fun note, unafraid of the future.
Jurado will be on his “Over Rainbows” tour from May-June. More info HERE
Read more from Damien Jurado here. Stay connected with Damien Jurado:
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram
by Erica Tello | May 4, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Last month, The Greeting Committee made an incredible appearance at Mohawk in Austin, TX. Photographer Erica Tello nabbed some photos for us.
by Madison Blom | May 4, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
Together, Laura Larson, Corrie Harrigan, and Liz Elton have come together to form the shape shifting and ever evolving minimalistic punk trio Kitten Forever and have just released their fourth and latest album, Semi-Permanent. One of the greatest attractions that this trio can offer is their seamless ability to switch instruments as well as roles mid-performance and deliver a stunningly complex and dynamic show. United by their equal abilities in each area of their performance, it is no wonder that this band has come produce four successful full length albums together. As these three friends continue to develop both their skills and talents, not only will they develop a stronger presence in the punk/pop world, but they will also gain priceless credibility among their peers.
Throughout their track, it is clear that they have clung to their roots as each song is infused with anthemic rhythms, fast and furious beats and melodic tendencies all within two minutes. Each song is laced with powerful drums and exciting bass loops that keep the toes tapping and bodies moving. If nothing else, one thing is clear-it is hard to stay still while listening to such enthusiastic and exciting music. Overall, Kitten Forever has found their niche within the realm of punk that is cleverly mixed with pop sensibilities which enhances and creates a unique sound that is specific to this Minneapolis-based band. Another notable aspect is their incredible ability to mimic the beautiful growl of the base and drums with their voice, truly becoming the third instrument in this tricky trio. This album as a whole explores the juxtaposition of all things with its lyrically dynamic tracks that discuss self-trust in a world of dishonest decay. As this budding group continues to garner success from the general public they prove over and over again that the punk genre is alive and thriving with each beat of the drum and strum of the bass. In a recent review of Semi-Permanent, an author wrote, “Kitten Forever is proof, once again, that punk is in fact not dead.”
Keep up with Kitten Forever here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | May 4, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Tatiana DeMaria of London based rock band TAT is flying solo with the release of her new single “What It Is About You”. DeMaria rose to fame with TAT in 2003 in the UK, but takes time to set herself apart from the group in her new single. Her melodic voice is sweet like honey in parts, raspy and robust in others, making this release endearing as all hell. The power and emotion in her lyrics make the song relatable, and we’re all for this feeling. “What It Is About You” shows off DeMaria’s creativity as an artist.
Keep up with DeMaria here.
**co-written by Meredith Schneider
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | May 4, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Elke – the beautiful moniker for musician Kayla Graninger – has been quite buys preparing for the release of her brand new EP Bad Metaphors. Elke was raised in different cities around the United States, discovering art in different places, until she dropped out of boarding school and moved to New York.
The EP consists of three songs that are inspired by past relationships and the hurt from the breakups that come with that. Each song on the EP sounds different from the other, resplendent in nature. The EP’s lead single “Without The I” is about someone saying “love you” without the “I” in front of it. The song gives the listener enough confidence to walk away from the person they love that does not love them the same.
Each of the songs set Elke apart as an artist, with “Two Lives” being a rock song and “Black and Blue” giving the EP a dark ending. The entire album explores what it is like to start over and the loss of relationships.
Elke’s debut EP “Bad Metaphors” is available now. Keep up with her here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | May 3, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
Rock group Rad Horror is on the brink of success with the recent release of their four track EP Anti-Teenage Sensation Part 1. The collection of quirkily beautiful pop/rock tracks takes you back to that casual, laid back, feeling that we all crave from the 90s. The first track is called “Dark Times”, and is a song that takes you on a journey addressing people who act fake while making you feel like an outcast. Endearing as all hell, it paves the way perfectly for second track “Teenage Love”, which looks at the thin line between love and lust.
The album comes around full circle, touching on a variety of topics with “Stay Out” – which talks about all-too-relatable mind games – and “Only When You’re Lonely”, which seems to bring each topic element of the album together. Anti-Teenage Sensation Part 1 is a future classic at its finest, preparing us all for the ups and downs of summertime love.
Keep up with Rad Horror here.
**co-written by Meredith Schneider
by Christie McMenamin | May 3, 2018 | show review, snapshot, visual
The audience at White Eagle Hall was already rapt before Julien Baker began her sold-out show. As she carefully stepped out onto the stage, sparsely illuminated with a background of lamps that resembled streetlights, the quiet was immediately enveloping; you could hear a pin drop in the dead silence between the faint clacks of camera shutters. Beginning with “Appointments,” the first full track off 2017’s Turn Out the Lights, feathery wisps of white light were strewn across the stage as Baker was suddenly blanketed in a shaft of soft purple lighting, as if a lavender-colored sun was leaking through a hole in the ceiling.
A Julien Baker show is mesmerizing; she holds everyone’s eyes in the palms of her hands. Her presence is almost ethereal; her gentle voice, at times fragile and delicate, can suddenly, grandly rise, soaring up into a vast melodic expanse. Small of stature and soft-spoken, Baker is solitary yet powerful, commanding the stage all by herself; a one-woman orchestra who can spin symphonies with just a guitar and piano.
Moving seamlessly through her set, Baker wasted little time between songs for banter, focused solely on her performance. The bulk of tracks played were from Turn Out the Lights, along with a smattering of Sprained Ankle. “Red Door,” an unreleased track, and “Funeral Pyre,” off an untitled EP, rounded out the show.
Towards the second half of the set, Baker invited her friend and violinist, Camille Faulkner, to accompany her, added a further layer of feeling and pathos.
“Something,” one of Baker’s most upbeat tunes, made up the encore with the whole venue singing. The moment she exited the stage, fans rushed to the front in an attempt to grab the setlist. This is the kind of fervor Baker inspires in her audience.
She makes her way back to the New York/New Jersey area in July, providing support for Courtney Barnett in Prospect Park.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | May 3, 2018 | albums, review
Virginia-based pop/punk rock artist Corey Pavlosky is ready to claim his time to shine with his debut EP Atlas. The release features six songs that help set the tone of Corey’s artistry. One of the songs on the album is titled “Weathered”, which is a song that is totally put together, with haunting harmonies led by Pavlosky’s voice. The beat of the track, by the way, that is unforgettable. The song is liable to keep the listener interested and holds its own as the last song on the album.
“Better Days”, a personal favorite on the album, shows that even though something bad is going on in your life, better days are soon to come. Each song is completely different from the next, but the differences are what make it even more thrilling. Atlas has the power to pull at your heartstrings as a listener. The album takes you on a journey that you simply do not want to end.
Keep up with Corey here.
**co-written by Meredith Schneider
