by Meredith Schneider | Jan 15, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
Do you absolutely love the feeling you get from Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”? Even though instrumentally, Levy and the Oaks take their new track “On The Run” in a completely different direction, the feeling that it ignites is truly very much the same as Newman’s famous track. The sax really adds some spice, as the band sings of life revelations and appreciating your youth. This is very on board with our 2019 goals, so we’ll be in the corner memorizing the lyrics.
Keep up with Levy and the Oaks here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 15, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
Electro-ambient musician Superheart has another fun one up his sleeve, this time releasing enigmatic track “Talk About It”. An ethereal soundscape, his light as a feather vocals take the song to a wonderful, freeing level. As the reverb hits, you can’t help but move to the music. And that’s the party atmosphere we’ve been ready for. Bring it, 2019!
Keep up with Superheart here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 14, 2019 | videos, wolf tracks
With the backdrop filled with Brodie Jenkins’ haunting vocals, Cathedrals’ new video for “Just A Game” is absolutely entrancing. Add in dark landscapes, hints of natural light bursting through for a gorgeous and stunning contrast. Both members of the San Francisco duo can be observed over the course of the video, lending their live performance tactics to the screen in front of backdrops that match the soundscape so beautifully, you almost don’t know what to do with yourself. Explains Brodie:
For the “Just a Game” music video, I wanted to capture the darker, anguished side of love. I loved the original Grimm’s fairytales as a kid (still do) and have always had a gothic streak. So visually, I was inspired to combine those influences into our own dark and twisted fairytale. She’s trapped in this story – a beautiful but haunted limbo in which the familiar elements are there, but there is no happy ending and it was all a lie to begin with.
Keep up with Cathedrals here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 14, 2019 | albums, review
Experimental improv musical group Richmond Avant Improv Collective (RAIC) – comprised of Samuel Goff, Abdul Hakim-Bilal, Erik Schroeder, Zoe Olivia-Kinney, and Laura Marina – released their new album Multiplicity on Friday, and we’ve got your first listen below. “Balance of the Three” starts us off with a pure cacophony of sound, horns and cymbals alternating feverishly for a full song’s length (around 3.5 minutes) before everything evens out into a somewhat bluesy and tribal soundscape. There is a sense of mystery to the song, the longest on the piece at 22:44. “Brugmansla” is completely different in its soundscape, rough and energized as though being played at battle. It is with “Occlusion” that a slight twang comes through, though it isn’t long before tribal drums, misplaced cymbals, and guitar chords make it feel like an artsy soundcheck.
“Leaves Continue to Fall” breezes in on a saxophone, more simplistic in its approach than its predecessors, as it maintains one instrument throughout. “Agitato” is our first real glimpse at vocals – albeit briefly – and a more ethereal and well-layered soundscape stems from its opening chords, slowly collapsing into brief, heightened energy escapades over the course of its hot ten minutes. “Pingulna” is the shortest of the tracks – sitting at a quick 1:35 – and boasts a down-home, blues feel that makes you feel relaxed and confident. Last track “Silene Udulata” rounds it out with a vintage feel, boasting opera-like vocals, eery, high pitched guitar chords, and rough, hard instrumentals that make it feel like the climax track at a rock opera. It’s definitely not something we would play at our Grandma’s birthday, but insanely fun to jam out to with friends.
Multiplicity is available now. Keep up with RAIC here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 11, 2019 | albums, review
If you’re looking for some new tunes to keep you occupied on this beautiful, flurry-filled midwest day (we don’t care about your awesome weather everywhere else), then Angelo De Augustine has a new album titled Tomb you should really get your ears on. The title track starts us off, crawling us into the soundscape slowly but surely and with a palpable feeling of enchantment. “All to the Wind” and “You Needed Love, I Needed You” follow suit, with Angelo’s lightweight vocals really taking the forefront. “I Could Be Wrong” picks up the pace a bit, while “Tide” slows it down once again.
What we glean from this 12-track piece is that it really has been created in the same methodical, gorgeous and borderline-celestial soundscape that we have come to know from artists like Sufjan Stevens, whose producer Thomas Bartlett (Doveman) actually had a hand in this project. Angelo has graced us with poignant and beautiful lyricism, and a mellow tone to really jump start the new year with Tomb. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Keep up with Angelo De Augustine here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 11, 2019 | albums, review
Today, Toronto indie pop four piece Tallies – comprised of Sarah Cogan, Dylan Frankland, Cian O’Neill, and Stephen Pitman – released their highly anticipated 11-track, self-titled stunner. We haven’t been this excited about new music Friday in quite a while, and we’re thrilled to have this album in our back pocket. From the very beginning of first track “Trouble”, there is a palpable energy that urges you to keep spinning. Second track “Mother” is a little more surf pop in its sound, while “Midnight” hits us with a more whimsical appeal. The vintage dance track beat to “Have You” makes the fourth song – slightly slower than its predecessors – something you might find in a 1980’s teen movie.
One will note – regardless of soundscape – that Cogan’s vocals are stand out, drenched in reverb and befitting of the “ethereal” label. While “Not So Proud” has the pace befitting of a leisurely stroll, her vocals absolutely soar, creating more of a ballad effect for the fifth track. “Trains and Snow” feels late 80’s, early 90’s-inspired, and is the first song in the offering that seems to enhance the instrumentals over the vocals. “Eden” carries the same pace, setting the stage perfectly for our hearts to thaw and grow from “three sizes too small” during “Beat the Heart”. (Seriously, this is our jam.) And while “Giving Up” has a slightly more melancholic feel to it, they end on a high note with both “Rocks” and “Easy Enough”, paving the way for more miracles to come!
Overall, Tallies in its entirety delivers a grandiose soundscape that could easily be found in a nostalgic and well-shot teenage romcom. It’s a gorgeous soundtrack to reminisce to, and we can’t wait to see this act on tour!
Keep up with Tallies here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 10, 2019 | soundtrack
2019 is already proving to be a year for the books. No sooner had we counted down and yelled “Happy New Year!” from our living room sofas to no one in particular, then the submissions came rolling in. Songs of tragedy, death, inspiration, family, love. We’re running the gamut already with emotional, heart-wrenching songs and we haven’t even made a dent in the year already! Below, find some stunning new tracks to consider for your music library. And be sure to check back for new additions all month long!
Follow the playlist for fresh finds on Spotify all month long as we continue to update it through the end of the month!
by Anthony Mulcahy | Jan 10, 2019 | snapshot, visual
On January, one woman band Raye Zaragoza made a stunning performance at Rockwood Music Hall. One of our favorites – Mr. Anthony Mulcahy – was on hand to capture the beauty for us.
Keep up with Raye Zaragoza here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 9, 2019 | videos, wolf tracks
Los Angeles-based “evoca-pop” artist R E L is providing quite the ambiance for our 2019 via her track “Nanagrams”. The accompanying visual utilizes a contrast of light and dark to bring both an ethereal aesthetic to the project, as well as a sense of struggle. The struggle itself stems from the artist’s personal struggle with an eating disorder, something she is very upfront and honest about. Through her music, she provides healing energy for both herself and others who struggle with health issues.
“Music has the power to heal,” expands R E L. “I developed anorexia at a very young age (7). It permeated my life through my sophomore year of college. The struggles I faced affect many women, and men. Side A is about the first stage of healing – facing the problem, hitting a low. I’ve developed the EVOCAPOP project in three “sides”, so I can address each phase of healing as its own story & as part of a bigger story. Self love is the first step towards happiness, towards peace.”
R E L’s vocals convey a calming presence, perhaps her first step toward that peace, something that continually makes us feel at ease with each new play of the track.
Keep up with R E L here.
