by Madison Blom | May 1, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
tick.tick.tick. Begins the all new, totally thrilling and haunting new single from young budding artist, Devin Kennedy, “Waste of Time.” Not only does the start of this new single leave the listener hanging on every beat, but there is so much raw power behind Kennedy’s vocals that it is nearly impossible to do anything else besides be captured by his perfectly crafted rhythm and skill. Although we have yet to see Kennedy release a full length album, he has released several singles and a successful EP, Love Language that has helped him gain his rapidly growing international popularity. In fact, without any promotion, “Call Me Back”–included in the aforementioned EP–racked up over 65K+ streams since its release in January.
Following the well crafted soundscapes that he has laid down in the past, Kennedy continues to hone in on his singer/songwriter skills to produce yet another thrilling single. Despite the fact that it has only been out for a short amount of time this single has reached 24k streams–a number which continues to grow with the passing hours. Within the fabric of this track, there is so much depth, but at the same time, raw, undiluted talent that allows the vocal skill to really shine through. Apart from ket synth loops and instrumentals, the highlight of this single really falls on Kennedy’s ability to relay emotion and vocal integrity to his audience. As time continues to pass, fans are looking forward to more and more work from this promising artist.
Keep up with Devin Kennedy here.
by Madison Blom | Apr 30, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Coming off of one of their most successful tracks to date with their latest LP, Parallel Person is Chicago based, garage-pop band, Varsity. Not only is this group composed of some of the most complex, yet beautiful soundscapes in the industry today, but fans are picking up on their unique talents and can’t seem to get enough of their psychedelic rhythms and beats. Before the release of Parallel Person, their last single, “So Sad, So Sad,” racked up a killer 14 million views and is continuing to grow in popularity as word of them spreads throughout the country at a rapid pace. However, more than just garage-pop fans are catching on to their success. Their past work has also awarded them praise from acclaimed critics and was named one of the, “Best Songs of 2016” by TIME. Looking forward to the release of Parallel Person, there are high expectations, but this rising band is sure to deliver.
Along with the bubbly, jangly feel of their music, Varsity brings a lighthearted feel into each of the tracks on their newest LP. Lately, it has been difficult to find a collection of songs that brings such an overall feeling of carefree release that is as infectious and catchy as Varsity’s latest release. One of the aspects of this release that really makes all the difference is the stellar twangy guitar skills that are overlaid with dreamy vocals. As listeners take in the meaning of each song, they will be transported back to the days of the easy 80’s and be enveloped in the artistic anthems that Varsity has put together. No doubt, fans and critics a like will soon be raving over this next release with great enthusiasm.
Keep up with Varsity here.
by Madison Blom | Apr 30, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Exploding out of the starting gate with a new single that has already been pitted to be a fan favorite is Whoa Dakota with her single, “Right Now.” Along with all of the well composed musical aspects of this single, this track also comes with a heavy lyrical message that almost makes it feel like pure, undiluted lament. Throughout its entirety, Whoa Dakota explores the toxicity of self-sabotage within a relationship and the overwhelming fear that can be born from such a damaging experience. Despite the rave over the intensity of the lyrics, there is something to still be said of the vocal and musical talent that is demonstrated throughout the track. As words are coupled with tangible emotion in the vocal work, listeners are transported to an atmosphere that is controlled completely by Whoa Dakota.
Not only does this single have the immediate staying power based off of meaning and wonderfully crafted beat and rhythm, but it has also proven to be a full blown success. Since the release of “Right Now,” it has racked up over 130k streams on Spotify alone. With this exploding popularity comes many more opportunities. In the future, fans can expect Whoa Dakota to be performing on bigger, grander stages. Based off of this track alone, it is clear that this Nashville, TN artist is ready to reach a whole new level in her music career.
Keep up with Whoa Dakota here.
by Erica Tello | Apr 30, 2018 | snapshot, visual
On April 25th, the ever-incredible Houndmouth made an impressive and memorable appearance at Historic Scoot Inn in Austin, Texas. Photographer Erica Tello captured the ambiance for us.
by Madison Blom | Apr 30, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Boston-based seven piece band Juice has just come out with their latest video for their single, “Sugar,” and it is as sweet as its title implies. Since the birth of this up and coming band back in 2014, they have been creating music that is as lively and exciting as their name promises. After performing together in Boston College’s Battle of the Bands, they solidified a union that would bring them to the point that they are currently at in their music careers. Despite what seems to be a perfect mesh of similar personalities, each band member comes equipped with a unique personality that is highlighted specifically in the music video for their single, “Sugar.” With themes of individualism and companionship clearly represented, in a seemingly effortless array of visual spectacles, viewers are able to see into the heart of what makes this band thrive. “We really wanted to get into the band here. With a project like this, there’s a real opportunity to capture individual personalities as well as their relationships among one another. We wanted to provide a cool space where that process would happen effortlessly. Once that was in place, the rest came easy” said Juice about their music video.
“Sugar” is the first single to be released from Juice’s next big project Workin’ on Lovin’, which is scheduled to drop on June 15th of this year. Not only is the single a perfect precursor to their bigger project, but it has effectively excited fans and has us on on the edge of our seats in anticipation.
Also, keep up with Juice as they continue on their journey by learning more about them on their website.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Apr 30, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Meric Long – the frontman for The Dodos – is releasing Barton’s Den which is a new solo album as his musical project FAN. “What a Mistake” – off of the upcoming release – is a song about trying to communicate with someone that is no longer here, and now has an accompanying video for the world to see. The video features Long singing the song on television and laptop screens in public places, other shots display him walking down the street and being followed by a man whose face is pixilated. Then it shows that the person that is gone is communicating with the living through an object that was once theirs. It is thought-inducing and moving, and a necessity for your music catalog.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 30, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
RF Shannon just released their latest single “Tooth Ache”, which is off of their latest album, Trickster Blues, due out May 5th. “Tooth Ache” pays tribute to all things alternative-indie, but also throws in a western vibe. The intro gives us that western sound with an acoustic guitar, slow drums, and sounds of a classic piano. “I take it slow right in the back road,” hums the band.
Aside from the amazing instrumentals, the vocals are haunting and will capture you. My favorite thing about “Tooth Ache,” is its ability to put a new twist on a classic rock sound. Shane Renfro, of the band says, “I tend to feel like all is right in the world when I’m slowly driving down old country roads with the windows down, so this song is kind of an ode to that vibe. I wanted to write a good backroad song.” A vibe we have all felt, RF Shannon encompasses the feeling on “Tooth Ache.”
Keep up with RF Shannon here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Apr 30, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Piramid Scheme has just dropped a new single, “No More, Anymore”, off their upcoming debut EP Get Rich Quick Too. The East-coast band is headed by Lisa Said and Darrien Day and joined by drummer Andrew Toy and bassist Howard Rabach for live shows. Following her solo career of a few years, Said met Day and they soon began collaborating after he played bass and guitar for one of her shows.
Now, they’ve put out “No More, Anymore”, created in response to the Charlottesville hate rally last August. Taking on a garage rock sound, “No More, Anymore” is classic yet completely modern, and speaks to the current social climate. In a world where musicians can be the voice for any number of causes, Piramid Scheme has found their own way to speak up.
Look out for Get Rich Quick Too, out soon via Tall Short Records.
Stay connected with Piramid Scheme:
Piramidscheme.com | Bandcamp | Instagram
by Veronica DeFeo | Apr 30, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
NYC-based artist LP Giobbi has just dropped her debut song, “Amber Rose”. Featuring vocals from Hermixalot and co-produced with Computo and Tucker, LP Giobbi has crafted a well-rounded track on her new lablel, Animal Talk Records, which she formed with Sofi Tukker. Hermixalot wrote a poem about Amber Rose in 2008 that would later become the lyrics of “Amber Rose”. Creating a synthy wonderland, “Amber Rose” is an empowering track with a devil-may-care attitude, just like its namesake. Mixing both retro and modern vibes, “Amber Rose” is both poignant and fun.
Vocalist and poet Hermixalot says of the track:
I wrote a poem about Amber Rose when she first came into the public consciousness as Kanye West’s girlfriend in 2008. It was just when blog culture was emerging, and I was struck by the media’s portrayal of her—she was alternately dehumanized and slut-shamed for her history as an exotic dancer and completely silenced and stripped of her agency as a famous man’s companion and nothing else. Ten years later, my best friend asked me to lay something down for a track, and I kept coming back to that poem. Amber had, in the last decade, completely reclaimed her narrative. She was a feminist icon because of her Slutwalk initiative, she was an outspoken critic of the lack of intersectionality in MSM feminism, and she was a thriving CEO and mother. So, the song for me is about reclaiming the world’s gaze, which is especially important in this moment in time when women of color, sex workers, queers refuse to be silent anymore in the face of oppression. “I Amber Rose on these hoes” is an encouragement to send a “f*** you” to anyone who doubts your agency, or tries to put you into a specific box that makes them comfortable, while ignoring your humanity and your power. I don’t think I would’ve laid down this track for a male producer, because the message would’ve been lost. The fact that I—a Black, queer, woman—was able to team up with LP—a white, cis-, straight woman—and make an anthem about empowering the “others” of society reiterates the importance of representation, which brings the message of the song full circle.
Stay connected with LP Giobbi
Facebook / Twitter / Soundcloud / Spotify / Instagram / Website
