by Janilisse Wahlstrom | Jun 22, 2018 | albums, review
On June 22nd, punk rocker Lenny Zenith released his highly anticipated album What if the sun. His influences are from New Orleans an New York City. The twelve track journey is one for the ages; my personal favorites are “Sunday Dress”, “What If The Sun”, “Whatever Stella”, and “Suddenly Someone”. This selection was made since they all have amazing guitar arrangements. “Sunday Dress”, with its indie rock feel, has a special twist with Spanish vocals. “What If The Sun” has a spectacular intro and hypnotic lyrics to jam to, as you ponder thoughts like, “What if the sun fell out of the sky?” Some cool guitar skills and a percussion-heavy track can be found in “Whatever Stella”. “Suddenly Someone” cools it all down for us, with lyrics talking about a lover that we can all get behind. Each single described has the possibility to relate to all audiences.
Lenny’s genre-bending style is well exposed in each song, a style he’s been harnessing since he got his start in music fronting the band RZA in the 80s. His musical prowess has further developed over the decades, as he’s lent his expertise to several incredible musical projects. What If The Sun holds clear influence from some of his own personal experiences, as well as from some of the acts he has worked with over the years.
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.
by Janilisse Wahlstrom | Jun 19, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Shaman Elect just released their 13-track debut album,
Mind The Ether. The Brooklyn-based alt-electro-psych-rock collective has some smooth feel on “Woman in Black”, very expressive about specific feelings. The band has the electric guitar in gear, striking a cord with listeners quite literally as the lyrics take hold. My personal favorite, “Ships Ahoy”, has a quick beat to it, and expresses the thoughts of a woman waiting for her love. The cool vibes with a rock feel make it worth listening to again and again.
Check out Shaman Elect on soundcloud where you can find 4 released singles, all of which have caught the attention of music seekers all around the world. Their rich rhythms and inspired performances lead the listeners to enjoy and experience a release through music.
**co-written by Meredith Schneider
by Erin P.S. Zimmerman | Jun 18, 2018 | show review, snapshot, visual
For those of you who are not yet privy to the rising music scene in Kansas City, now is the time to do your research. Boulevardia – the midwest beer and music fest that started to call Kemper Arena and the West Bottoms home five years ago – has exploded into a much bigger event, drawing crowds from all over the United States to tap brand new and limited run beers, check out bands in both rustic venues and in front of a very spacey-looking building (Kemper Arena, about to become HyVee Arena), and to ride a ferris wheel in an undoubtedly urban and growing area. This year featured forty bands – including, but certainly not limited to Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, Radkey, Manchester Orchestra, Sir Sly, Guster, Bleachers, and Kansas City’s own Tech N9ne -, craftspeople and artists from around the metropolitan area, and a silent disco experience. (The best part about that? It was outside, instead of in a tent, so looky-lous could stop and watch for a bit if life called for it.)
2018 featured an array of additional rides – you know, besides that vibrant, beautiful ferris wheel – and a Royals outfield experience. And even though this event seems to happen on the hottest and muggiest weekend of the year every single year, we were too busy watching numerous parades of contortionists and acrobats and clowns and people full of PRIDE and enjoying the midwest’s best in beers that we almost didn’t even notice it.
But that’s the magic of Boulevardia. Enjoy these Day 1 photos, and check back in to see some highlights from Day 2 as well!
by Karina Marquez | Jun 14, 2018 | albums, review
Mallrat’s new EP, In the Sky, is electrifying and emotional in every way. She seems to take a piece of you and a piece of herself, giving the songs a personal yet nostalgic tone with sweet pop melodies. She also incorporates the beauty of nature in many ways, whether it be in the cover art, the accompanying videos on Spotify, or in the album title itself. It’s clear that she is inspired by everything around her, which is clearly shown in each song.
The EP opens with the cool simplicity of “Groceries.” It has a steady, bouncing beat and acoustic guitar that gives it an upbeat vibe. But the lyrics are surprisingly deep: “I just want to get groceries” shows emotional depth about what you want in a relationship. “Texas” starts off as a ballad with pretty harmonies, but as the song goes on, it becomes a track that makes you want to dance around your room. “Better” is an upbeat song with painfully honest lyrics. Her voice croons about young optimism: “Everyone’s alive so everything’s alright.” At the same time, she reminds us of how fleeting everything is when you’re young and growing up: “Maybe when the summer ends / I’ll drift away from all my friends.” This song was a personal favorite, and it really shows how personal her lyrics can be. UFO sounds like a summer Top 40 hit with its electro-pop vibe and a rap verse from fellow Australian artist Allday. The EP ends with “Make Time,” which is more subdued than the rest. it allows you to daydream and think about someone you miss.
Mallrat’s cool, unique sound is taking over the world. Not only does she sing and write her own songs, but she co-produced every song on this EP. At only 19 years old, she is a powerhouse of talent and passion.
Keep up with the latest on Mallrat here.
by Kayla Hutton | Jun 7, 2018 | albums, review
Lolaa, consisting of Toronto-based sisters Lex Valentine & Nadia Valerie King will release a Spanish version of their debut EP on June 8th. The musical project allows the sisters to explore their Mexican heritage, taking inspiration from Latin American 80’s pop music. The EP is a soulful approach with Latin-inspired instrumentation. Similar to that of Gloria Estefan minus the pop American influence and hiding the cultural percussion in the background. Lolaa puts them in the forefront and the result is a feel good, twilight, dancing in the streets fiesta.
“Lola” – the song bearing the proper spelling of the band’s namesake, meaning “Lady of Sorrows” – sways slowly in a gentle breeze accompanied by impactful and heartfelt vocals. While the verses are sung solo and with minimal instrumentation the chorus is filled out by an overlay of vocals giving it a thicker, meatier, stronger delivery. “Cancion 6” has a passionate vibe and produces a lot of warmth. Taking some influence from a 70’s disco ballad with a swaggering groove, intense pre-chorus vocal melody that leads the way for a full-on Pop anthem chorus. I have no clue what they are saying, but I feel the need to sing along. Maybe I will make up my own words. Could be fun.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bepmx9t4-CA]
Thus far Lolaa is bringing the synth-pop and danceable rhythms even during the slower paced songs. Embracing all the emotions in life and creating a sound that despite the mood or event, you can dance. “Barricada” demonstrates an almost haunting calling. While the beat boasts a Casio powered hi-hat and a simplistic stock snare kick combination the vocals definitely take the bull by the horns. I think this track could easily be even more dramatic and impactful a cappella aside from the ending with the comforting sound of an old music box. While none of the tracks are high energy they maintain a joggers pace and are in the key of motivation and are cinematically dramatic, the key of each song designed to appeal directly to the heart of your emotions.
Lolaa has a unique sound as you can definitely and obviously pick up on the Latin influence, as these tracks are En Espanol, but the music itself has a fusion of American pop, latin and old-school instruments, Canadian imagination and an immense of amount of passion. Don’t let the language barrier stop you from checking them out. You don’t need words to express an exact message. Tone and delivery will impact you just the same. A video premiere for the single “Espiritu” has been released via Nylon Espanol to hold you over until the E.P. is released.
Tour Dates
July 12th Coney Island Baby at 8 pm New York, NY
August 4th Handlebar’s at 8 pm Toronto, ON
Keep up with Lolaa here.
by Abby Trapp | Jun 5, 2018 | albums, review
Jessie Kilguss recently released her latest album, The Fastness. The Fastness is the fifth album for the Brooklyn based singer/songwriter. The alternative-indie artist has a lot of things to offer on her latest album. The Fastness is an album of regrets, hope, love, and wanderlust. Jessie’s voice and style brings weight to the album as you can hear the Stevie Nicks and Norah Jones influences. The album has ten tracks, each song a little different from the last. “The Master” is a song about a person of great wisdom, holding the key to all the answers. Leaving his followers behind, Jessie asks “Who will be the oracle when he is gone?” “New Start,” tells the story of one’s ability to believe in love again. The hopeful and upbeat song will lift your spirits with lyrics like “I thought it was over, but I made a new start,” “Now I’m ready to be mystified, I know I’m not the only one,” and my favorite “You changed my mind.”
Jessie shows us her darker side on “Hell Creek.” The song is full of sinful regret, shame, and morbid themes. “I knew I the time had come to break myself free- and every thing went red,” cries out the singer. The song remains haunting with the line “Going down to hell creek, wash the blood off my hands.” The artist also shows off her love for travel and the world with “Spain,” and “Rainy Night in Copenhagen.” I completely related to the song “Spain” as I once fell in loved with Madrid and the beautiful lyric “Maybe I’ll find it here- Spain stretched out in front of me.” It describes the country perfectly. “Rainy Night in Copenhagen,” is a place to leave all your troubles. “So peaceful, so far away from home,” Jessie sings on the countryside. “I’m not ready to go home,” laments the artist as the song is a feeling of wanderlust, a thirst for the world- something we all experience at least once in our lives. The Fastness provides a variety of melodies to feed your soul, heart and mind. Jessie’s beautiful voice and thoughtful lyrics will take you to a peaceful place that is all your own.
The Fastness is currently available on major streaming services. Get your copy here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 5, 2018 | albums, review
Kara Grainger may have had more humble beginnings in Australia, but her world travels and body of work speaks to a dozen lifetimes of success. All of her musical influences and inspiration have culminated in her latest 9-track body of work, her full-length Living With Your Ghost that dropped on June 1st. Full of robust harmonies, rock-tinged guitar, and a whole lot of twang, this album has so much attitude that it could give Carrie Underwood a run for her money. (Though we in no way are referring to any of this beaut as “pop music.”)
Not only is her soulful attitude palpable with each track, but the lyrics are something to grasp onto, making Grainger accessible and relatable in the best ways. Personal favorites include “Man Without Soul” and “Broken Record”, but we’re sure most of this album will be the soundtrack to your late night, summertime pool games all season.
Living With Your Ghost is available now. Keep up with Grainger here.
by Abby Trapp | May 31, 2018 | albums, review
Tancred is excited to release their latest album, Nightstand. The release of Nightstand follows up on the well praised 2016 album Out of the Garden. The album rounds out with eleven tracks, the first fittingly titled “Song One.” It is slow, sweet, and at 1:44 it is all too brief. Jess Abbott (Tancred) shows off her vulnerability on this track. “I will not lie to you, these words will be true,” leads the first line of Nightstand. “Why must she love someone else?” wonders Tancred. “Apple Tree Girl” has a folk indie vibe to it, with some interesting lyrics. “Drink my heart out, drink it up,” and “send me a photo, the two of us in the unknown,” make for interesting and almost emo lyrics.
I really enjoy Tancred’s “Underwear”. The song starts off slow and self-loathing, almost punk. “I don’t want to fight you, I’m already fighting me…and I’m losing,” sings Jess before the guitar comes in. The quirky title comes from the electric song line: “Remember when we were in the halls at 5am in our underwear running from ghosts and in my room I was learning that you were soft.” “Rowing” the last track on Nightstand, equally mirrors “Song One” and again shows the artist’s honesty and vulnerability. “I am crude and sweet in bed, I am gentle in a dress,” sings Tancred. With a taste of rock and tambourine, tinged with Tancred’s simple vocals, “Rowing” is a series of positive, gentle thoughts.
Nightstand, in one word, is diverse. It shows Tancred’s ability to navigate through a series of genres and styles, while remaining true as an artist.
Look for Nightstand which will be out June 1st 2018. Keep up with Tancred here.
