by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Feb 26, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
LINES is a band from Stockholm – comprised simply of Erik, Fred, Nisse, and Johan – who just released their new single “Lockdown” as a solid follow up to their previous single “You”. The band’s sound is alternative pop, which is evident especially in their latest release.
“Lockdown” starts off at a slow pace and then begins to pick up as the song progresses. The song makes you want to get up and dance to its beat, boasting pop sounds and a hint of guitar. The song is catchy, with fun lyrics and a grooving beat.
Be careful, the “Lockdown” chorus is bound to get stuck in your head.
Keep up with LINES here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Feb 26, 2018 | 5 to 7
Los Angeles based two-piece The Palms, composed of Johnny Zambetti and Ben Rothbard, are making big strides in the alt-pop world, now more than ever with the release of their 14-track album, Mulholland Dr. After feeling somewhat creatively restricted in their previous band, The Palms was formed as a way for Zambetti and Rothbard to forge their own path and create authentic music. Exploding onto the Californian music scene, The Palms look to expand their horizons and reach many other places. With tracks that can uplift, amp up, and chill out, The Palms tick all the boxes that an alt-pop band seeks to fulfill. Get ready to groove when you put on a record from The Palms.
The Palms answered a few of our questions, and we discovered that pretty much everyone hates the Snapchat update.
As an L.A. based band, did the band’s name inspiration come from the locale, or elsewhere?
100% from the locale. I was living in Venice at the time as Johnny and I were starting our new project and desperately trying to come up with a name. During one of our early Studio sessions, most likely as we were writing Push Off, I took a bike ride to grab some stuff from the local market and passed Palms Blvd. It hit me like a lightning bolt and i texted Johnny. He agreed immediately and that was that.
What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
Our music has to feel fresh and classic at the same time.. We’re influenced by The Beatles and Beach Boys as much as we are OutKast or Kanye West.
If your band was a color, what would it be?
Purple
Describe each other in a word.
Ben to JZ – Talent
JZ to Ben – Vocal
Favorite live show played to date?
Playing The Troubadour is always a trip being that we’re both born and raised in LA and the history of that place is intertwined in the identity of the LA music scene. Hometown shows are always special too.
Snapchat or Instagram?
Instagram 100%. Snapchat update might’ve been in the fork in that one.
Dream collaboration?
Kanye West or Kevin Parker. That should give you an idea of what we’re going for with this project.
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Keep up with The Palms:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
by Katie Pugh | Feb 26, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Musician and media installation artist Amy Raasch uses her latest project Girls Get Cold to examine detachment and disconnectedness in a world striving for constant connection. Raasch and producer David Poe produced the album in her apartment, which lead to the use of a variety of usually unconventional sounds.
The title song, “Girls Get Cold,” has a mellow, delicate aesthetic and depicts boundaries in relationships. While her songs “Kitty Decides” and “Straight Boys” offer a more upbeat attitude with lighthearted lyrics. “Straight Boys” is a feminist anthem which describes modern day toxic masculinity. It’s catchy melody and humorous use of lyrics allows her statement to stand out. “We’re in an unprecedented moment” says Raasch of the song, “where men and women alike have a unique opportunity to re-examine their entrenched assumptions about relationships. I’m excited to be part of the cultural reset.”
Raasch’s use of cultural television and film references gives her songs and extra layer of relevance and pizazz while making them fun and exciting to listen to. Amy Raasch’s Girls Get Cold is the perfect blend of statement-making lyrics and catchy instrumentals.
Girls Get Cold is available now.
by Madison Blom | Feb 26, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Up-and-coming artist Colin Magalong has set the stage for what he has in store for his fans with new release, “Blossom.” Not only does it have everything that you would need to get you moving, but it is also what fans want when they think of electro dance music. Inspired by music legends MJ and Daft Punk “Blossom,” is a strong beginning for Magalong. Some have described the new track as “effortless,” and “entertaining,” which are both positive reviews from some of the most important critics. The song has a contagious energy that listeners are not likely to forget anytime soon. Hopefully, the success of this new song will propel Colin Magalong into the career that he has dreamed of.
As a budding artist, Magalong grew up on the San Francisco peninsula where he was surrounded by music and sounds that inspired him from a young age. Later on, after moving down to LA Colin signed with a producer that has high hopes for him. Together, they hope to take this artist to a new level and are encouraging fans to hop on the bandwagon now to be sure to be involved with all of their new releases.
Keep up with Colin here.
by Meredith Schneider | Feb 26, 2018 | snapshot, visual
On Saturday, February 24th, Judah & The Lion made a notable, sold out appearance at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City. The theater was packed from wall to wall, with people standing behind pillars just to be able to hear the entire set while catching a glimpse every once in a while. It was the most packed we have ever witnessed that venue.
Photographer Meredith Schneider got some photos. Here are her favorites.
by Madison Blom | Feb 26, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Indie folk duo Belle of the Fall has come out with a new airy and luscious single that is blowing all of us here at Imperfect Fifth away. It features intimate harmonies and chord progressions that highlight the talent of fantastic artists Tracy Walton and Julia Autumn Ford. These two artists are able to weave together several different instrumental pieces alongside vocals that are all beautifully wound together. Lyrically, their music speaks to the public and tries to pierce the very heart of our society. Uncertainty, hardship and facing the unknown are all topics that humanity have to combat and this song, perfectly written, inspires the weary and mends the broken soul.
After having their start in the heart of Connecticut and being brought together to produce Julia’s solo album in 2014, this group has taken off and taken control of indie pop rock alternative scene. Although both of these artists wrestled with continuing as solo artists, they decided to form a duo and have since then found the success that they couldn’t have found apart. Now, more than 150 gigs later they are getting ready to release their next full-length album Rise Up on April 6. This duo is for sure headed in the right direction.
Keep up with Belle of the Fall here.
by Madison Blom | Feb 23, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Since they announced their debut album in January, fans of FRIGS have been waiting with baited breath for its release. Now, after countless hours of work and recording sessions, this sludge-pop band is finally ready to show the music world what they have to offer. Their album Basic Behavior features their signature stark sounds and diverse influences. Led by Bria Salmena, this Toronto-based group has banded together with all of their individual thought and emotions in order to produce an all encompassing sound that is unique and interesting. With this particular attribute, once you listen to their work, they become impossible to forget and you find yourself wanting to hear more.
Even more impressive is that this album was completely self produced and was written and recorded within a 16-month period. During this time, all who were involved were able to explore their sound and solidify lyrical subject matter without the outside pressure that might have come from a producer. Thus, they were able to create a psychedelic element within their sons that contains aspects of emotional depth and immerse their listeners in hypnotic rhythms. Without a doubt, this new release will propel them forward and bring them even closer to finding where they fit in the music community.
Basic Behavior is out now. Keep up with FRIGS here.
by Abby Trapp | Feb 23, 2018 | review
As the #5 artist on BBC Sound of 2018, Pale Waves shows no signs of stopping as they dropped their digital EP All The Things I Never Said. Listening to their EP felt slightly reminiscent of Group Love, with their energetic and pop like style. Their first track “New Year’s Eve” is an honest plea of “New Year, New Me” with lyrics like “I don’t want to be in love on New Year’s Eve, do you even want to be with me?” However, I seemingly relate with “My Obsession”, a true tale ones (unhealthy) infatuation with someone they shouldn’t probably be with. Listen to the new EP All The Things I Never Said below.
Also, look out for Pale Waves as they are set to perform at SXSW in March.
by Kayla Hutton | Feb 23, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Well, maybe. “Donnie wants you dead” is a teaser single from Seattle based
Powerbleeder from their new album
GUSH that is slated for release on
April 10th.
My first impression was “sounds like Seattle”, the standard grunge sound that has become a symbol representing an overcast sky and sloshing around in rain puddles. Then a bit of a change in weather as the verse begins and enters an alternate sky that is as sunny as the summer days in California. “You can fill the crossword without really even trying” grabbed my immediate focus dead center. Each verse is followed by a repeat in a camp-fire group style, and the overall sound becomes a little Beatle-esque. As much as this track makes you want to join hands, pick up a tambourine, and sing along, listen closely because it isn’t all Mento’s smiles. The actuality of the lyrics and the way Powerbleeder has a fun way of saying some things almost makes you miss the sarcasm of a bleak message. With the line,”You sent a bud bug to the White House overnight”, it sounds so upbeat, like it was a good thing, when in all honesty if that line was spoken normally my response would be, “What a dick, those things are hard to get rid of.” I can see the actions of someone wanting somebody dead becoming very clear.
The music at times becomes powerful and the guitar line is evocative of scales used in jazz. The transitions build up smoothly and reveal theoretic capacity in instrumentation and song structure making it hard to say, yeah they are a pop-ish rock band. Pop is so simple, and while “Donnie wants you dead” retains catchy pop hooks, what lays beneath the playful memorable song standard is anything but standard. If you’ve ever felt impure of mind or had some choice words you want to throw at someone, do it in style. Powerbleeder leads the way and makes it fun. You’ll see, once you check out “Donnie wants you dead” and you later find yourself walking with a spring in your step, singing it happily aloud while snapping your fingers with a smile across your face.
And if that is not enough joy in your life you can Pre-Order your copy of
GUSH from the band’s
Bandcamp page for only $4.
