by Aubrey Hanson | Jul 23, 2018 | premieres, wolf tracks
“The Strand” by Daniel Feinberg was released right on time for summer seeing as it is the perfect song for a nice summer drive. This song embodies the elements of indie music mixed with a smooth blend of classic folk vocals. The lyric video is being released today, and we have the exclusive premiere of the beautiful, cloud-filled visual so that you and your friends can learn all the fun lyrics to your new favorite song!
You can find more of his music with similar sounds throughout multiple music streaming softwares which will get you prepared for his new single officially being released on July 27th! Songs such as “Elegy For My Band In An Antique Store”‘ and “Summer on the West Coast” have even more of an alternative rock sound to them so you can enjoy any song no matter what genre of music you prefer.
by Meredith Schneider | Jul 23, 2018 | premieres, videos
Mondays are amazing… when there’s something new to premiere. Which is great, since the third single off of musical project The Black Watch‘s now has a stunning visual to accompany it, and we have your exclusive first look. The brainchild of John Andrew Fredrick, The Black Watch has utilized nostalgic footage to bring a laid back, summertime vibe to the leisurely and robust track. It’s something we’re all bound to want to feel every now and again.
Explains Fredrick of the track:
I was on a beach camping holiday with my English friends, a band called Damn Vandals, and Nev, their frontman, lent me his adorable son Stan. We guerilla’d our way into a Motel 6 and shot this video with me Charlie Chaplining to ‘When We First Met’. You should have seen Stan’s eyes when Nev told him he was to push me into the pool! Someone paying him in ice cream to nudge a fully-dressed grown-up into the deep end?! Ace! I was reading Shelley (I’m often re-reading Shelley) at the time so we used a copy of that for the switcharoo. I don’t love making videos by any stretch, but Stan’s overall glee and infectious laugh made it quite fun.
Keep up with The Black Watch here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jul 20, 2018 | premieres, wolf tracks
Who is seeking a synth-fueled, smooth like silk, otherworldly new alt-pop EP to enjoy? (Raises hands way up, and jumps up and down.) We’re SO ready for it, and San Diego based singer/songwriter JARA has a brand new 6 track stunner for us to treat our ears to. We’ve got the exclusive premiere, but we’re sure this one will make its rounds to impress the masses pretty soon, especially with its sun soaked disposition. Each track is loaded with its own personality, with a similar clip to the entire album that makes it feel like a complete journey all its own. Mid-tempo “Cutting Corners” sets the pace, while “Psycho Lovers” carries it on for us, perhaps a little more debauchery-ridden than its predecessor. And while “Something Else” stands alone as the perfect summertime carefree track, “Uninvited” brings the mood down a little bit, maintaining that same mid-tempo pace we’re too keen on to let go of. The slowest we get is with last track “Go Slow With Me”, which shines as the standout funk track and gives a little love to the entire collection before rounding it out.
Give this EP some love, you know you need some new weekend jams. 😉 Check out lead single “Something Else” below, and the entire EP under that!
Keep up with JARA here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jul 6, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Portland-based musical project Schaus continues to bring his inventive, ambient brand of electro-pop to the world in the form of his upcoming release, an EP set for mid-month titled Quite Okay. Playing guitar, piano, bass, electronic drums, and computer, and producing and singing all of his own songs, Schaus is just the type of refreshing, well-rounded musician that we’ve been waiting for. Today, we’ve got the exclusive premiere of his new track “Choosy”.
Light electronic sounds – something along the lines of a kind robot or your favorite video game – give way to Schaus’ dark and luscious vocals, the overall mood light and fun. But his lyrics are actually something to ponder, the actuality of the track not as innocent and light as the soundscape would allude to. So make sure to focus on those words to get the full story, and keep your eyes peeled for Quite Okay next week!
Upcoming Shows:
July 10 – Portland, OR. – Holocene (EP Release Show w/ Amenta Abioto)
August 24 – Portland, OR. – Mississippi Studios (w/ Wild Ones and Blossom)
Keep up with Schaus here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jul 6, 2018 | premieres, videos, wolf tracks
Los Angeles-based alt-indie trio The Habits – comprised of Wolf Bradley, Chance Famighetti, and Andrew Macatrao – has been attracting a pretty solid fanbase since just last year, when they released their debut single “Feeling It”. Their new track – “Calling Me Up” – is just as catchy and beautiful as its predecessors, and we have the exclusive premiere of its accompanying music video, which just so happens to be their first ever as well.
Clear, precise visuals. This video encapsulates the trio’s live performances tactics, while allowing them to partake in a short film-like storyline, singing to a romantic interest over the phone. Relatable, intense emotions are thrown into a bubbly soundscape, making the true hurt delivered in the song a little less painful. The guys make sure to throw in a little humor toward the end, and now we kind of want to get sushi with them.
Explains the band:
We wanted our first music video to be simple and reminiscent of the types of videos we grew up on. It was inevitable the video would end in heart break, but the back and forth was all improvised. I’ve never had so much fun singing into a phone hanging from the ceiling or getting rejected on camera. Honestly, at some point it’s a little much to keep calling and singing to the same person. Get the hint.
Keep up with The Habits here.
by Aubrey Hanson | Jul 5, 2018 | premieres, wolf tracks
Today, talented musical act Leland and The Silver Wells – fronted by the phenomenal Leland Ettinger – releases their latest track “We Dissolve”, and we’ve got your exclusive streaming premiere. You may have already heard of this extraordinary artist from her past works, which you can find on her website. While these two albums may have gotten her large recognition, her new upcoming album will surely be a work of art like no other.
In “We Dissolve”, the soundscape itself is almost decadent, very relaxing due to the gorgeous choir-like vocals and the mid-tempo pace. From listening to “We Dissolve” multiple times, it is clear that throughout her album, you will be taken on an emotional ride that will leave you wanting to listen to the album over and over again!
From music school, to multiple popular albums you will want to be sure to keep an eye on Leland Ettinger for her upcoming self-titled album on September 14th!
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 28, 2018 | albums, premieres
Alternative electro-synth pop artist HiRSH – the ethereal, enchanting brainchild of musician Beau Hirshfield – is releasing his new EP Going on Friday. If first track “Ready to Go” didn’t offer the expression of his readiness to take on this industry with strong instrumentals and luscious vocals in its soundscape, the lyrics tackle that question head on. “Beating Heart” brings the tempo down, though somehow maintains a “party anthem” feel to it despite its dark lyrical tones. And while “Feels Like” boasts enviable percussion, Last track “The Well” perfectly rounds out the EP, riling up every emotion a human soul is capable within its 3 minutes and forty-seven seconds of smooth vocalization.
Says Hirshfield: “Trial and error. Guess and check. Ebb and flow. Peaks and valleys. Go ahead and pick any cliché you like to describe this journey. We are all in a mad dash to get somewhere while nobody has any real clue where were actually going. Life.”
Going is out June 29th. The EP release show is at The Peppermint Club in LA on June 29th. Tickets are available here. Keep up with HiRSH here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 22, 2018 | 5 to 7, premieres, videos
Arthur King is a unique music and art collective, creating landscape art that enriches the senses. Last summer, they took a trip to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah to create a visual experience unlike any other. During that trip, they created a short film that is as breathtaking in its detail as it is simple and endearing in its concept. With music by Arthur King, projection art by John Schlue, filming by Nash Howe, audio recording by Tim Conrad Horner, and editing by Alex Lee Moyer, the project came together quite nicely and is something we wouldn’t mind having on repeat for the rest of the day.
Not only do we have the exclusive premiere of the project, but we got the chance to take a few moments with Peter Walker, the driving force and visionary behind Arthur King.
What is your first musical memory, or the first album or song you remember listening to? Does that memory or that music have any bearing on your art now?
Drawing with chalk on my older brother’s Sergeant Pepper vinyl album. Eventually I evolved into recording said Beatles records onto cassette tapes. Today, I love manipulating instruments and sounds to make something perhaps unintended from the original design.
We understand the concept of the project, but what inspired it?
This project was born out of my pursuing a Ph.D. in mythology and depth psychology. The premise is exploring the role of the unconscious in creative expression, and more specifically how we experience a given environment both consciously and unconsciously, and how art might bridge that gap.
What made you choose the locations for the video?
We were focusing on BLM land (bureau of land management) where you can camp and do other things without any heavy regulation or government jurisdiction. There’s a lot of BLM land in Utah, as well as magnificent rock formations and somewhat pristine environments.
The visuals aspect of it all is very endearing. How long did the visuals process take?
The visual component has been a part of this project from the very beginning, with the idea that the sound informs the visuals and the visuals inform the sound, creating a feedback loop and an overall experience involving both realms.
Could you take us through the process of all of this in general? It’s such a unique way to display an array of creativity, and we’re enamored by it!
The idea is fairly simple: 1) Locate an environment. 2) Engage it, consciously—meaning explore it and listen and look and record these things with microphones and video cameras. 3) Take these samples and use them in a total improvisational “performance” within the same environment. the result is akin to what happens when we dream, where sounds and images from our waking consciousness are thrown into the stew of our psyche and come out in an unexpected way, often bringing to light connections you didn’t know were there all along. In the end, the performance allows for a different way of experiencing the environment.
Any fun anecdotes from the production process?
During the performance there was a little scorpion that was crawling next to Tim, who was sitting on the ground and operating a recording device. Tim put an empty plastic box on top of it, thinking that would temporarily solve the problem and allow him to focus on his task at hand. He would of course release it afterwards… and avoid getting stung. But when we were finished, the scorpion was gone and he realized it had probably dug its way out in a matter of seconds. all part of the fun of being in the desert!
What do you think is the most important topic to address with art, at least at this point in our progression as a society? Is there a topic that you think is misrepresented or under-represented by its art?
I think art is a tool for connecting with ourselves and with others. Most importantly, in my opinion, effective art connects us with the unknown in ourselves and the “shared unknown” in others (or as Jungians might put it the collective unconscious). Art is a connector. Fear of the unknown drives the worst in us as a species, and its omnipresent in our society today. I’d imagine there is no topic under-represented right now, it’s more likely a matter of accessing the art that might be an issue. Or maybe better put: I’m certain there are artists making vital art that are not getting the kind of exposure that is just. and that’s where you come in!
How do you hope people feel after viewing this?
Moved. Curious. There’s really no hope for a specific feeling, I suppose I hope it invokes some feelings at all, whatever they may be.
Something off the cuff a bit… What superhero do you identify the most with?
Might seem like an easy answer…but I don’t think there’s anyone more badass right now than wonder woman!?
Smart, smart man. Anything else you’d like to add about the project or anything else coming up?
In between these Changing Landscapes adventures we’ve been busy with other fun things like live improv movie scoring and large-scale interactive art installations… So i encourage those who might be interested to please come find us!
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Changing Landscapes is available now.
by Aubrey Hanson | Jun 21, 2018 | premieres, singles
Based in Los Angeles, singer Hayley Johnson also known as The Little Miss has recently released her new single “American Dream”. In “American Dream”, Johnson ties in folk music along with a traditional beat to give you that sweet summer feeling. The song can make you feel a number of emotions depending on how you yourself interpret what the “American Dream” is actually perceived as. It can be either you striving to be happy with your own dream, or just feeling free in a world of captivity. The song talks about the stereotypes of what the American culture is, or what it could be. The strong vocals in the song make you wonder what really is the “American Dream” while also giving you the urge to listen to this song over and over again due to the strong sense of emotions portrayed throughout the song. Admits Johnson:
I wrote “American Dream” at a time when the tension in our country felt palpable. This was five years ago. Now, seemingly more divided than ever, I questioned whether or not I should release a song that sounds so blindly idealistic. To be clear, “American Dream” is not an endorsement of this country as it stands now. I don’t think that it is unpatriotic to think that we can do better than this. The American Dream, as it has been fed to us – Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness – has not delivered on its promises for many (if not most of us). So, while the song yearns for this made-up, sepia-toned time that never existed, it notes exactly that: that it never existed. We’re enchanted by our own, but very limited folklore – the pioneers, the Wild West, the civil war, the nuclear family, the moon landing, etc. We have romantic notions about who we are and who we’ve been, and it is tempting, for all of us, to want to wear those rose-colored glasses. But in order to become better, and in order to progress, we need to take off the glasses and take a good look in the mirror. We all want the same thing: to feel proud of the country we call home – we just need to accept the fact that it might be healthier to learn from our history rather than glamorize it. The lives of so many depend on it.
If you are in the need of finding some good, emotional summer music, be sure to check out The Little Miss for substantially strong vocals and meaningful songs.
