by Kira Cappello | Oct 4, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
The newest single from one of the freshest names rising in pop is titled “Long Game” – an apt expression of 22-year-old singer/songwriter Gavin Haley’s dedication to making it work. “Long Game” simmers and twinkles, finger snaps and pop-anthem beats clicking along reliably. Haley’s smooth, breathy vocals sweep through his profession to a significant other that despite difficulties, they can count on his loyalty.
That loyalty is reflected in the mono-tempo, mono-mood of this track, which feels chill and reassuring, yet perhaps overly cautious. Parsing through Haley’s other reveals that he has the vocal prowess to produce interesting melodies in both pop songs and acoustic ballads alike, so while “Long Game” definitely fits on a late-night drive playlist, we’re looking forward to seeing both his influences and willingness to push boundaries expand going forward.
Keep up with Gavin Haley here.
by Carly Butler | Oct 4, 2019 | snapshot, visual
K.Flay made her mark last night in Nashville, singing and rapping triumphantly atop a mountain of cascading platforms that towered over the crowd at Marathon Music Works during the last stop of her Solutions tour. She knows her audience well, and the set list shows that: she opened with 3 tracks from her new album, Solutions (“Not In California,” “Bad Vibes,” and “This Baby Don’t Cry”). She then proceeded to play the album in its entirety throughout the show, and ended with a fan favorite–and her most popular song to date–Grammy-nominated “Blood In The Cut.” K.Flay belongs on the stage, and you can tell from her live performances that she isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Keep up with K. Flay here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 2, 2019 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Brisbane-based indie artist MARLOE. is coming in hot with new music, and we emerge from the experience as though spring is on its way. But truly, allow yourself to melt into this premiere. You just might find yourself reminiscing on that gorgeous warm weather love, or perhaps you’re ready to explore your feelings in the autumn months as things quiet down. Whatever the case may be, you’ll find that fresh new feeling of love in “Ruminate”, a silky smooth pop masterpiece, which perfectly captivates its audience, primed for new beginnings.
Keep up with MARLOE. here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 2, 2019 | show review, snapshot, visual
On Monday, September 30th, we were thrilled by the crowd packed into Kansas City’s recordBar to enjoy an evening of music by Noah Gundersen. Quite honestly, weeknights in Kansas City are difficult to draw fans out for, especially with our weather being so unpredictable. But the night was beautiful, and the music was absolutely enthralling.
Packed to the brim, there was an excitement in the air as we pushed through the doors on that beautiful autumn night. Couples in droves, though largely we noticed how wide Gundersen’s audience is, as there was no obvious demographic. Young, old(er), couples, single people rocking out, people in all types of outfits and moods. It was probably the most intense melting pot we have been a part of in a while, and it was thrilling.
As soon as the first chords of “Robin Williams” came from the speakers, the entire crowd was captivated. As you can view in some of the following photographs, the audience was respectful of the ambience of each song, making sure to slow down and engage on a different level with songs such as “Heavy Metals”, “Watermelon”, and “Bad Desire”. And we truly can’t blame them. Noah does an amazing job at making each person feel as though they are the only one in the room, both with the emotion in his vocals, his intense gazes into the audience, and his inventive and beautiful musicianship. But he didn’t stop there, and the setup’s light display was actually mesmerizing as well. We can only imagine how intricate a show in a less intimate venue would be, and we can’t wait to see him come back through town.
Setlist
Robin Williams
Crystal Creek
Heavy Metals
Lose You
Watermelon
Out of Time
Older
Ledges
Jesus, Jesus
Annie
So What
Bad Desire
Send the Rain (To Everyone)
Wild Horses
Kamikaze (with Lemolo)
Lover
All My Friends
Keep up with Noah Gundersen here.
by Chad Bennett | Oct 1, 2019 | snapshot, visual
Chris Davidson started his music career as a jazz drummer. The New Yorker now taps into that discipline and experience with his project CHNNLL, an alternative rock four-piece with Davidson on vocals, keys and guitar. Named as a tribute to his father, CHNNLL is in the middle of a Midwest and east coast tour called Age of Outrage. On September 24, CHNNLL returned to Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines.
by Carly Butler | Sep 27, 2019 | snapshot, visual
Dodie blissfully treated us to an evening of honest lyricism and simple–but far from boring–ukulele jams. It is a unique experience to see a YouTube star become an in-real-life star, and oftentimes the wonder and awe doesn’t translate the same past the computer screen, where there are no real-life jump cuts or do-overs. This is far from the case for Dodie, who captivated the flower-crowned and glitter-covered audience. She performed her hits (“She,” “Would You Be So Kind,” “Secret For The Mad”), as well as a charming a cappella cover of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” to celebrate being in Music City. Dodie managed to make Marathon Music Works feel as intimate as one of her YouTube videos, as if we were sitting there, watching her magic unfold in her bedroom.
Keep up with Dodie here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 27, 2019 | albums, review
In true ANIIML fashion, we’ve got a full-length release today that will spike your senses, beginning with the all-caps nature of the song titles. OH AWE is a 10-track stunner of an album that perfectly showcases the self-proclaimed “avante witch-pop” singer/songwriter ANIIML’s unique pipes (Hello, do you hear that powerful voice?!) amidst a rough and tumble mixture of instrumentals. Her twangy disposition only adds depth to the soundscape, a magnetic mess of beauty that we cannot stop playing.
From steady beginning of “IT’S OVER” to the very last chaotic lines of anthemic track “STRONGER NOW”, we are absolutely hypnotized by the beauty of ANIIML’s voice. “SLAY!” brings with it that perfect club track tempo and a bit of trending attitude, while “HANDLE ME” simplifies everything with a mixture of Gwen Stefani-like vocals laced with an increasing presence of seduction. “OUCH!” actually feels like a track Imogen Heap could have pulled off, and we’re all for the pure primal feeling it evokes. “WHERE WE GO (WHEN WE GO)” features the darling X. ARI, intricate percussion being the driving factor on this puppy. “OUT! OF! CONTROL!” actually brings with it a more vintage, theatrical soundscape that has us scrambling for a speakeasy. “BEFORE IT GETS BETTER” features Robots&Balloons, and slows things down a bit for a more introspective moment, and then “FACE TO THE PAVEMENT” slowly but surely revs things up a bit more.
If you’re looking for an interesting soundscape, “IT’S NOT OVER… YET” provides pretty much everything you need. Quirky, trudging percussion, and a little bit of a different approach then 2017’s “IT’S OVER“, she’ll be serving this goodness up on repeat for a while here. “STRONGER NOW” brings a sense of finality to the piece, and the cacophony of sounds toward the end will prove that. Give it a spin, then hit us with your thoughts on Facebook.
Keep up with ANIIML here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 26, 2019 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Portland-based musician Corinne Sharlet comes at us today with the release of her new track “Hail Mary”. Haunting and absolutely magnetic, the song a beautiful testament to Sharlet’s abilities as a singer/songwriter. Her alluring vocals are set over beautiful, intricate guitar parts that continually pique your interest throughout the track, as you focus on the intimacy of it all. The ambiance the song creates alone is impeccable, but when you find out the inspiration behind the track, it’s hard to keep your jaw off the ground. Expands Sharlet:
‘Hail Mary’ wouldn’t exist without the Laurelthirst open mic here in Portland and for that reason the Laurelthirst has become a very special place to me. I wrote the song a couple of years ago when I had just started attending the open mic. Every week, they post a new theme to write a song about. One week the theme was ‘Hail Mary’ and so the song came to be. I love that the Laurelthirst open mic provides the weekly themes because I often find that a random word or two can inspire a song without needing to have a preconceived idea for it. Writing songs feels most natural to me that way. When I write I don’t usually have an idea of something I want to write about, I start by just playing and singing and then the words come.
The song is still mysterious to me. ‘Hail Mary’ seemed to come from a different world — a different time and place. As I started writing, I became very emotional. I practically sobbed through the whole song. One of the ideas that stirs me in the song is the need humans have to turn to things that are bigger than ourselves. I was not raised with formal religion and I do not currently participate in formal religion, but I am fascinated by religious and mythological symbolism and how it has infiltrated my psyche. I don’t want to say too much more about what the song is about because many people have interpreted the song in different ways and I love that.
Check out the beauty of “Hail Mary” below, then let us know what you think on Facebook!
Upcoming Shows
Keep up with Corinne Sharlet here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 23, 2019 | albums, review
On Friday, Kills Birds released a self-titled full length that is sure to keep you on your toes. From the very first frantic chords of “Worthy Girl” to the last lines of ninth track “Ok Hurricane”, there is equal parts surf pop and punk influence in this alternative collective’s new release, and we’re thrilled with the cadence of it all. Second track “Jesus Did” is something we would actually find ourselves moshing to in a dingy club, if you’re truly wondering, and “Ow” follows suit with a subtle, beautiful darkness and slower pace. “Volcano” builds like a vintage rock track, intricate percussion leading the way, while “New Friend” slows everything down and builds the instrumentals to a trudging, intense soundscape despite the more leisurely pace.
While “Only Yellow” feels melancholic in title, it’s a garage rock gem that is equal parts chaos and intricate observation. “Tear Up” finds itself in more of a Weezer realm lyrically and vocally, while “High” prefaces the last track with a hard bass line, the most Nirvana-esque of the tracks on this record.
Quite frankly, we have been waiting for a soundscape like this. Something to match the way the weather is going in North America, something to take us into autumn with appreciation and a sense of reality. So check it out below, then tell us what you think on Facebook!
Keep up with Kills Birds here.
