by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Feb 20, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Los Angeles based duo Swimsuit Issue has released the video for their first single “Look Now”. Swimsuit Issue consists of Miles Garber and Dave Gagliardi. Garber started off as a model in mens fashion while Gagliardi is in a band called Trash Talk.
“Look Now” is about addiction. The video starts off with a news case. In the video, you see Miles Garber as an FBI agent and Dave Gagliardi as a stock market conman. “Look Now” music video looks like it is from a FBI show based out of the 80s. The video displays creative clips and shows what it would be like as an actual FBI agent. The song for the video is really good, but the video for the track is even better.
Keep up with Swimsuit Issue here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Feb 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Los Angeles singer-songwriter Luna Shadows puts twist on her latest single “Youth (Quiet)”, bringing a modern feel to her song. The song itself is exactly reflective of the title, as it’s about remembering who we are and where we come from. “Youth” helps the listener recognize the darkness that comes with love. Thought it is an alternate version of the original single, this version captures her raw vocals. “Youth (Quiet)” shows off Luna Shadows creativity as a songwriter and a vocalist.
Keep up with Luna Shadows here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Feb 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Xiuhtezcatl is an explosion of talent. The 17 year old rapper and activist is an indigenous artist who is using his voice to do big things – even leading a lawsuit against the Federal Government (Youth vs Gov). He’s been creating music since age 7, and ten years later, he’s dropping his debut LP Break Free this spring, led by his single “Blu Ink”, featuring his sister Isa. “Blu Ink” is just a sampling of one aspect of his talent, and displays not only his rapping skills but also his passion, complemented by his sister’s vocals. It’s everything you’d expect from an exceptional young artist and yet so much more. Xiuhtezcatl elaborates:
I’m telling my own story as a young artist, a young 17-year-old growing up in this world, and what the hell it’s like to process all that. I’m beyond stoked to release this record, simply because it’s a massive step for me in the world of music…The record is going to change the way the world sees me, and it’s going to change the way that I’ve told my story to the world.
And we cannot wait to hear more of his story.
Keep up with Xiuhtezcatl:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER
by Madison Blom | Feb 20, 2018 | 5 to 7, Uncategorized
Recently we had the particularly amazing opportunity to interview Raju and Chai about their creative process and where they see themselves going forward in the music community! This is what they had to say….
What was it that inspired you to start writing music?
Chai: I think my exposure to music outside the radio scene showed me how multidimensional music. My brother also opened me to both many genres and types of music, and both of these, paired with finding artists such as Frank Ocean and Coldplay, helped me develop my writing style.
Raju: I’m assuming it’d be a surprise to everyone, but its my little sister who inspired me to write music. She started both singing and writing before me, and seeing that kind of talent from someone who was 10 years old at the time brought both singing and songwriting out of me.
In a hundred years, how do you want people to remember you and your music?
Chai: i want people to remember my music as something that matters to them, helps them learn about themselves, and reminds them about certain times. Thats the type of music i consider the most powerful.
Raju: I definitely want to be remembered as an artist who provided meaning in his lyrics and used his platform to give people something they could hold close to their heart and relate to during all the moods an individual can go through. I want my music to be remembered as a force that brought people together and helped when people needed to hear the right words.
When you are having a mental writer’s block, is there something that you do to get those creative juices flowing?
Chai: i like to watch documentaries or interviews on my favorite artists to get more insight on their creative process. It really helps me push past the mental barrier and try new things that keep me going.
Raju: I like taking a shower, because mentally i can keep coming up with endless melodies and lyrics that rhyme and maintain a flow when im in there. The only difficult part is remembering what was particularly relevant to what i was working on after i get out.
Being an up and coming artist also means a flood of new fans and social media contacts from people who appreciate your music–has there been an experience that has stuck out to you with your fans?
Chai: not particularly, because It all still feels new to me. However, this makes any form of support i receive, whether in person or social media, so incredibly important and vital in terms of what it does for me. It gives me a reason to give back in the form of music.
Raju: The support i received from my classmates really struck me. People who i saw everyday but never talked to made me believe that they were numb to my existence, but seeing how they were responding with such pride and faith in me after hearing my stuff gave me more faith in my ability and in other people.
Out of all of your songs, which one is your favorite to perform or the one that gets the band pumped?
Chai: Probably “Diamonds.” It really sets the tone and puts everyone in a good mood, including myself. It follows a universal concept of having fun with people you care about, and its simple, which makes it enjoyable to everyone.
Raju: Definitely “Ambition.” Everyone ive showed it to loves it the most out of all my songs, and i think its a good expository of how i can bring a very intricate flow without compromising lyrics or melody. Its definitely something that reflects my true self in terms of music, and the beat goes hard too.
What is your current guilty pleasure song or album?
Chai: flower boy by tyler the creator is definitely my guilty pleasures because i hopped on the bandwagon for that album, having never listened to tyler before. Nonetheless he’s now a huge inspiration.
Raju: Im gonna have to say everything by Lil Uzi Vert is my guilty pleasure, because some of my friends bag on his lyrics and “repetitive” flows that are found on many trap songs. However, i dont share these views, nor am i really guilty because i actually take pride in listening to a nas song and then going to uzi right after, for example. Both of them inspire me, nas more lyrically, and uzi more melodically.
___
As you can see, there is a lot going on in the lives of these two up and coming artists!
by Madison Blom | Feb 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Based in Vancouver, BC, Gena Perala has just released her newest visual single “Good Girl,” which embodies several emotions and topics that have been combined with tactful artistry that is notable for an artist at such an early stage. This new single is the first since her independent album Exactly, Nowhere which was well received by critics and fans alike. “Good Girl,” has been scheduled to be part one of a three part EP that is going to be released one song at a time as part of a larger concept album. Not only will this have all of her fans on the edges of their seats, but it will also give listeners a chance to enjoy all of the work that she has put into her new releases.
Not only is her music easy to listen to, but it also has the unique ability to create an atmosphere for the listener. In her new release, the single opens with a series of “ooh’s” and “ahhs” which sets the stage for the rest of the “haunting” lyrics, beats and rhythms that seems to be one of Perala’s signature sounds. Not only does her music create an atmosphere, but it also exudes a kind of delicate power that also adds to the nuance of the music. As time goes on, those who know her are excited to hear more of what this artist has to offer.
Keep up with Perala here.
by Abby Trapp | Feb 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Toronto native Kira May found her love for music when she released her EP Health in 2014. Her album Sense, which releases this spring, takes us through the journey of her struggle with anxiety and depression. I had a first look into her video “Muscle Memory,” her latest single from Sense.
The video opens with a woman clothed in white sitting in a room, dimly lit. I didn’t notice it until about the minute mark, but she is also wearing decorative rainbow eyes. “Muscle Memory” really starts to heat up about the three minute mark when different colored paints bleed out of the woman’s body and mouth. Not in the creepy way though, as it is mesmerizing and almost cathartic. I took away from this video is that letting your colors bleed, showing that you are human is easier when you just drop the veil.
Keep up with Kira May here.
by Kayla Hutton | Feb 20, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Los Angeles based band
The Great Sadness – consisting of members Stephen McNeely (drums) and Cathy Cooper (guitar/vocals) – say they are “upset all the time and they put it in their music.”
When looking into The Great Sadness I started by getting acquainted with the video for “Underground” from their album Weep that was released in April of 2017. Maybe I just have a sick sense of humor, but I found nothing sad about this song while watching as the pair rode bicycles through a cemetery, stopped at the ice cream truck, the laundry mat, and hit up the massage chairs. As I was mid-laugh at the comical occasional middle finger, things got creepy and in their skull masks it felt as if death was out for a walk.
With lyrics boasting, “In this place, underground, there is no God,” one could embrace the sadness behind that realization. The further I descend into this album, the tonal quality and the words themselves do capture all that is wrong in the world. It is a sad place that we have created and The Great Sadness doesn’t sugar coat a bit of it. Cathy has an un-dusted gritty rasp to her voice reminiscent of Janis Joplin, Stevie Knicks, and early Melissa Etheridge. The music has a murky humidity that generates a grass rooted southern swamp rock feel as well as that D-tuned sludge grunge feel (don’t think Nirvana’s Nevermind album, think Nirvana’s Bleach album).
Being a D.I.Y. band and paying for your recording, production, pressing, touring can leave you financially depleted. The Great Sadness truly has a love for creating music no matter the cost and their hard work has paid off as they reached out to all of you to help release Weep on vinyl. Given the style of music, you want this on vinyl.
The shining moment for me was the song “Tonight.” A droning sometimes psychadelic darkness seems so fitting as she sings loudly, borderline a scream while maintaining great vocal control, “this dance through hell has done us in, hold me love, my breath is thin.” The Great Sadness is best described by this scenerio, if only Linda Blair (the original Exorsist movie, the possessed girl) had a band.
by Meredith Schneider | Feb 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Brand new British quartet GRDNS – comprised ofJacob Lyons, Cameron Harrison on bass, Sam Gledhill on guitar, and John Fitzpatrick on drums – just released their debut single “Night Dance”. With a sound that is self-described as “Northern England Psych”, the band oozes obvious psych pop influence. While “Night Dance” is light, the guitar sets a mood perfect for ethereal, crashing cymbals to vibe out to.
Keep up with GRDNS here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Feb 19, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Moving forward from a difficult situation is sometimes hard, but Nashville-based, New Jersey born artist Jess Nolan makes the situation easier in her song. In her new song “Mistakes”, Nolan uses her soulful voice to keep her head up and move forward, embracing life as it comes and continuing on.
“Mistakes” is full of a soulful guitar tune and brass tones. The song encourages the listener to continue to walk through life despite what has been thrown their way. Jess Nolan’s song is exactly what the title says it is: “learning to embrace your mistakes.” The song encourages the listener to use his or her trials and tribulations as a platform to move forward. “Mistakes” is the right song to encourage the listener to grow and learn from what they have been through in life.
Keep up with Jess Nolan here.
