Alt-pop rock artist Haas comes at us today with a visual to complement her beautiful debut single “Behind Those Eyes”. With a tearful intro, the video gives us a glimpse into the live performance tactics we will surely come to expect from Haas, as she introduces her act to the world. The song itself is catchy and incredibly fulfilling, and the listener can tell that a lot of emotion was used to create this masterful piece.
Keep up with Haas here.
In an era of computer-made, beat-driven music, Grand Canyon is the antithesis of modern pop music. However, by focusing on musicianship and timeless songwriting, and drawing on the inspiration of the classic sounds and arrangements of the 70s, it is the kind of pop music that will be wafting through the canyons for a long time. Here, guitarist Joe Guese shines looks back on a rock legend that inspired his career, as well as countless others.
“Oh, I await the dayGood fortune comes our wayAnd we ride down the Kings Highway”
While half the country is being pummeled by snow, w’ve been searching far and wide for the best new tracks of February 2019. Most of this is because we were originally supposed to go on a weekend getaway to Seattle this past weekend, and since that was canceled (HELLO, SNOW!), we have had a little more time on our hands. So, this month’s soundtrack is stacked already. And it’s only heading toward more greatness because – as you know – we continually update this sucker all month. So check below for newbies from Hugh Marsh, Gold Connections, Emarosa, Cheat Codes, Celeste, and more below!
Come back for more additions to the playlist throughout the month of February!
Tommy Bazarian’s, known by his musical space Lampland, debut album No Mood is debuting with a thunderous wave of emotion and sounds that will make you sway. Bazarian utilized his day job of being a radio producer to form the album’s lyrics, and his past formed the stories that are portrayed with drum loops, synths, and even a dash of some trumpets.
Bazarian’s vocals remind this listener faintly of The Smashing Pumpkins front man Billy Corgan. The whispering-moody feeling is definitely present throughout, but Bazarian makes it his own with his ability to compose unique music that is not like that of the loose comparison I have made.
This description on Lampland’s website, which you can find here, perfectly encapsulates what this debut album brings to the table sonically:
“In the spirit of Paul Simon’s solo albums, No Mood features almost as many genres as tracks. Alt-country rockers sit next to Elliott Smith four-track recordings, followed by dramatic full band arrangements. It’s all held together by Bazarian’s distinctive voice, by his vivid lyrics, and by his restless energy. Which, by the end of the album, he’s come to accept. ‘I know that you don’t blink insanely’, he sings. ‘Well, I do.'”
You can find more information on Lampland and No Mood at https://www.lamplandband.com/.
Italian shoegaze musical act Be Forest – comprised of Costanza Delle Rose (Bass and vocals), Nicola Lampredi (Guitar), and Erica Terenzi (Drum, synths and vocals) – released their new full-length today, a swirling and intense collection of songs titled Knocturne. Beginning with the moody instrumental track “Atto I”, the soundscape doesn’t vary too much heading into “Empty Space”, though additional background vocals and reverb are layered in. By third track “Gemini”, you realize the soundscapes are all strikingly similar, and that you’re truly on an instrumental adventure that could not have been laid out – and taken as successfully – any other way. “K’ is most notable for its quirky percussion amidst the same whirring guitars and intense disposition as its predecessors.
“Sigfrido”, somehow, brings us into an even darker soundscape, making this work of art much moodier than Earthbeat, which came before it in 2014. This song belongs in a transformational film, and we’re backing that idea 100%. “Atto II” has the clear markings of its first, though definitely begins in a more mysterious place, eventually exploding into a cacophony of ominous sound.
“Bengala” has a much more noticeable 80s influence, the beginning bringing the mood back up slightly. It doesn’t altogether abandon the darkness, as there are guitar parts that simply belong on the Warped stage and iron out any feelings of overwhelming lightness we may have shifted into. We wonder most about the inspiration behind the track “Fragment”, as it is packed with finesse and strength, leading us perfectly into last track “You, Nothing” which simplifies the instrumental pace slightly, allowing us to really enjoy Costanza’s vocals.
Keep up with Be Forest here.
Kaz Murphy‘s music is about as Americana as it gets, and his newest release Ride Out The Storm is no exception. This folk artist’s sound is that of the old west, forming stories with each lyric and melodic refrain. Kaz has had an illustrious career, stemming from his beginnings as a lead-singer and drummer at age 10. He established himself as a respected writer of musicals in the 1980s, transitioning to music after forming a folk new wave band in 1988. Multitudes of bands and projects later, Murphy as come to Ride Out The Storm, which can be seen as a return to his roots.
Each track on this album paints a picture, forming simple, yet elegant, audio tapestries for us to envision while listening. Stories of younger days, tough times, and perseverance are spread throughout the 11 song project. While listening, I couldn’t help but think about my own difficult situations. I also couldn’t help to make a vocal and sound comparisons to country-western artist Marty Robbins and the illustrious Johnny Cash.
For those looking to get lost in deep Americana story telling, then Ride Out The Storm is the album you must listen to. Ride Out The Storm is out now. You can visit Kaz Murphy’s website at https://kazmurphy.com/ for more information.
Australian pop musician Mallrat has created yet another catchy, beautiful, melancholic track for our ears to enjoy, this time with Basenji in latest track “Nobody’s Home”. The 20 year old has taken it up a notch with the new visual to accompany the song, and it’s quite a vibrant and enjoyable way to experience the song. Theatrical, a feeling of longing ever-present, this video will make you evaluate your own love life. We’re almost certain of that.
Keep up with Mallrat here.
Megan Rooney and Jeffrey Albert project their emotionally vibrant lyricism into the ether with the latest single, “Waves”, from their musical project Spectator. As Albert implores the object of his affection to take him “on a ride on the other side of [their] mind,” you begin to realize how vastly similar significant others and relationships can be to waves in an ocean. At times, relaxing and glowing. At others, turbulent and exciting. Either way, we’re on board with the track and think you will be too!
Keep up with Spectator here.
With their new 8-track album Songs Nine Through Sixteen, Denver-based psych folk rock collective DBUK provides a vitality to the cold winter weather that is incredibly welcoming, especially in the frozen tundra of the midwest. “Bonnie Clyde, The Big-Bull-Hen Of The Women’s Prison” is electrifying, starting the album energetically before slowing down immensely for “Deerslayer”. Just by the title, the listener can tell we’re going in a melancholic direction with “From The Estate Of John Denver”, though the pace and mystery pick up with the very 60s inspired “In San Francisco Bay”.
A sharp title, “Coca-Colonialism” is quirky and catchy, perhaps one of our favorites on this work. “The Misrepresentation Of The Thompson Gun” slows to an absolute crawl, and though it is a very specific journey DBUK leads you on with this track, it perhaps isn’t the most entertaining we have heard. Though we will admit the pace picks up slightly and the instrumentals are absolutely glowing. “It’s Killing Me” provides a cacophonous composition that is glittery, and vies for the title of favorite on this collection as well, while “And God Bless You” seems to be set out as the staple ending track specifically for its title. It does have a lullaby factor that we’re keen on, making this album ace to get you through the remaining cold months.
US TOUR DATES:
Thu 3/14 St Paul, MN- Turf Club
Fri 3/15 Green Bay, WI- Lyric Room
Sun 3/17 Cincinnati- MOTR Pub
Tue 3/19 Detroit, MI- El Club
Wed 3/20 Cleveland, OH- Now that’s Class
The 3/21. Buffalo, NY – Revolution Gallery
Fri 3/22 Pittsburg, PA- Cattivo
Sat 3/23 Philadelphia, PA- PhilaMOCA
Sun 3/24 Jersey City, NJ- Monty Hall at WFMU
Tue 3/26 Providence, RI- Askew
Wed 3/27 Lowell, MA -Uncharted Gallery
Thu 3/28 Boston, MA-Haymarket Lounge at City Winery
Fri 3/29 New Haven, CT- Cafe Nine
Sat 3/30 Brooklyn, NY- Safari Room at Cortez-
Sun 3/31 Washington, DC-City Winery Garden Room
Mon 4/01 Richmond, VA-Capitol Ale House/ Richmond Music Hall-
Tue 4/02 Chapel Hill, NC- Local 506
Wed 4/03 Atlanta, GA- EARL
Thu 4/04. Asheville , NC- Greg Eagle
Sat 4/6 Knoxville, TN- Pilot Light-
Sun 4/7 Nashville , TN-Little Harpeth Brewery
Mon 4/8. New Orleans, LA- Santos Bar
Tue 4/9 Houston, TX- Rudyard’s
Wed 4/10 Austin , TX – State Theater at Paramount-
Thu 4/11 Dallas, TX- Three Links
Fri 4/12. Kansas City, MO – Record Bar
Keep up with DBUK here.