by Veronica DeFeo | Feb 22, 2018 | Uncategorized
Last we touched base with Russian Baths, they were releasing “What’s Your Basement”; now, they are gearing up to drop their debut EP, Penance, on February 23rd. The four track record features “Slenderman”, “What’s Your Basement”, “Poolhouse” and “Black Cross” and is released via Good Eye Records. The Brooklyn-based noise rock band is made up of Luke Koz (guitar, vox) and Jess Rees (guitar, keys, vox) along with Evan Gill Smith (bass) and Jeff Widner (drums). Previous to the release of their upcoming EP, Russian Baths dropped a split single, “Ambulance/Ghost”.
“Slenderman” opens the EP and sets the tone immediately. Filled with intense percussion alongside floating vocals, the track sets the stage for the next song splendidly. “What’s Your Basement” follows “Slenderman”, and is the most noise-rock of the four tracks. With some killer guitar and drums, “What’s Your Basement” takes its place as a solid punk/noise rock track. Check out more about the track here.
“Poolhouse” is next up on the EP, and is closer to the the sound of “Slenderman” rather than “What’s Your Basement”, but still stands alone. Opened with a marvelous minute-and-a-half instrumental interlude, the track provides for a musical tour of an emotional ground zero.Guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Jess Rees says of “Poolhouse”: “This song was inspired by a friend’s tumultuous breakup. The idea can apply to any situation where you wake up and say ‘how the f*** did I get here, I don’t want to be here and I don’t even know who I am’. It’s about an existential crisis.” “Black Cross” closes out the album with some well crafted bass and guitar. The last track finishes strong, leaves you with solid understanding of Russian Baths’ musical style after this tour of their soundscape. Penance is a record that will shake off that dreary winter feeling, and get you motivated to do great things.
Check out Penance by Russian Baths on February 23. Follow Russian Baths: Facebook // Instagram
by Madison Blom | Feb 21, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Since their debut Shifty in 2015, shy kids have truly found their niche in creating music that is a mash up of old and new. Recently, they have released their second full length album, in a state which is sure to catch the attention of fans and critics alike. This success, however, was preceded by another path that eventually led them to where they are now. Originally, this wily quartet found their start in the animation and filmmaking industry. Things took a sharp turn when they realized that their boyhood dreams were turning into more of a nightmare. From pain and heartache grew the desire to write songs that addressed the current mental and physical states of each of the band members.
Coming from a visual background has aided this group and the transition of switching from a visual to vocal spectacle did not phase them whatsoever. In fact, these skills magnified their ability to make music and produce sonic sounds that have since become their signature. This new album has been a solidified their sound in the minds of their fans around the country. Now that they have all this experience under their belts, there is no telling what they have in store for us in the near future.
in a state is out on February 23rd. Keep up with shy kids 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 Jai'Tyria Hatton | Feb 19, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Joanna Teters is setting a place in music for herself following the release of her EP Warmer When It Rains. Teterz started off as a bandleader perfecting her craft as front woman for Mad Satta, Drew ofthe Drew, Lowtone Society, and iLa Mawana. I must admit, the entire EP is a rollercoaster love story, beginning with the song “Ride with You” which takes the listener on a ride for whatever. After “Ride with You” comes “Midnight”, in honor of what really happens after midnight. Teters takes to listener to the supreme with “Supreme” which is a song that leaves the listener yearning for more.
The lead single from the album is titled “Memories Remain”. “Memories Remain is a song inspired by a friend’s break up. The song is a song that is relatable to anyone that has ever gone through heartbreak. Warmer When it Rains is a phenomenal album that is a great start to Joanna Teters’ solo career.
Keep up with Teters here.
by Madison Blom | Feb 16, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Three friends – Sarah Jarosz, Aofie O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins – banded together at the infamous Telluride Festival after they jumped on stage and performed a song for the first time. Since that moment on, it was clear that their paths would be forever intertwined on a bright future in the music industry, and together they make up the musical trio I’m With Her. See You Around is out today.
Together, these three have produced music that seems to have several undertones from many different genres of music. Instead of sounding incoherent, however, they have spun each sound and rhythm together with the highest skill of artistry. Not only are there several songs with a folk-ish feeling, but also of country and bluegrass. The album features breathtaking harmonies and fine-spun narratives that gives this group a very unique sound and feel. From Telluride to total success as a band, these three friends have a bright future in changing how the world looks at music.
See You Around is out now. Keep up with the band here.
by ImperfectFifth | Feb 13, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Ontario-based fourpiece The Crowleys have just dropped their brand new EP, Colours Change Their Tone. The Crowleys is made up of high school friends Cohen Wylie providing lead vocals and guitar, drums and backing vocals from Stuart Downie, Kaulin Horlick’s bass, and Justyn Horlick on keys and guitar.Recorded at Threshold Recording Studio, Colours Change Their Tone represents a big step into the future for the Crowleys. Known for their signature psychedelic pop, The Crowleys have a unique sound that fits well into the evolving soundscape of the 21st century.
Colours Change Their Tones starts off with the mellow, inescapable attraction of “Pink Rainbows”. After “Pink Rainbows” is “Midnight Blue”, the namesake for the album. A psychedelic, synth-packed track carries the EP well and provides a smooth transition into the next track, “Stargazer”. Midway through Colours Change Their Tones is “Girl What”, a groovy, sassy track that indubitably shines on the EP. Laced with even percussion and Following “Girl What” is “L.A. Sunsets, which again highlights the psychedelic aspects of The Crowleys while maintaining an approachable sound. Colours Change Their Tones closes out with “Pansy Party Extravaganza”, which sounds just as the name implies.
The Crowleys on their new EP: “The title comes from a corny little line in Midnight Blue, “The colours change their tone when I hear her on the phone”. It’s about how a significant person or event can change how you perceive everything around you. Small or dull things that you never notice are suddenly bright and very much in the foreground. Or like a character in a film that falls upon tough times and has literal storm clouds roll overhead. Related to that is how terrifying it is that sudden and small things or occurrences – in the grand scheme of your life – can have huge impacts.”
We are thrilled that Colours Change Their Tone is out in the world, and you should definitely give it a listen.
Colours Change Their Tone tracklist:
- Pink Rainbows
- Midnight Blue
- Stargazer
- Girl What
- L.A. Sunset
- Pansy Party Extravaganza
Keep up with The Crowleys
Facebook – Instagram – Soundcloud – Twitter
by Madison Blom | Feb 12, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
From across the ocean in Melbourne Australia, dream pop band Lowtide is planning on releasing a fantastic new album that will both electrify and mystify their fans and followers from across the globe. This new album, Southern Mind, is scheduled to be released on February 16th, but was officially premiered in its entirety live by Henry Rollins on his KCRW radio show on Sunday, February 11. Not only has their music received overall positive reviews, but the relaxed vibes and memorizing rhythms have a high potential of being their most successful album to date. Southern Mind embodies a lot of similar sounds that fans have always related to Lowtide, however, they have added even more upbeat pop beats and undertones that add new layer and depth to their music.
New releases from Lowtide, however, do not stop with Southern Mind. On the same day that the new album was streamed, they also released a new single Elizabeth Tower as well as a new clip. Also, it is important to note that they also announced their headline tour! Obviously this Melbourne based dream pop band has been busy at work over the past year to set them up for what looks to be like pure success in the new year.
Southern Mind is out February 16th. Keep up with Lowtide here.
by Madison Blom | Feb 1, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
From their heartbreaks and hard times, Tenderfoot has brought together the best of their sound to produce their newest album BreakApart. This new and upcoming band has brought out the best of the dream folk genre. Their new album, which is going to be released February 2, 2018, features memorizing drum loops and dreamy vocals that makes their music relatable and entertaining.
Tenderfoot’s roots are founded deep in trial, but they have since emerged at the peak of a potentially very successful career in the music community. What started as a solo project on the road has turned into a group of four who are dedicated to creating music that holds a sound unique to the group. After the traveling on the road Adam Kendall Woods (lead singer) recruited Jude Miqueli (drums), Gabriel Molinaro (keys), and Darcey Zoller (strings) and together they have found success in one of the fastest growing genres in the industry.
Not only does their newest album incorporate some of the latest musical techniques, but they also highlight some of the greatest personal triumphs and struggles-rendering their music highly relatable. However, their music is not all doom and gloom. Along with the heartbreak, the lyrics also bring out the beauty of creative progression as well as coming together with loved ones to find joy. Some of these topics include heartbreak, struggling in relationships and health scares. With the addition of three new members, the lush dynamic of a full band enhances their sound and elevates their credibility. After spending two years on this new album, fans are eagerly awaiting the release ofBreak Apart.
Fans and listeners of the folk genre will fall in love with this band’s appreciation for traditional sound with the incorporation of new and innovative lyric and rhythm. This is a band that came together for one purpose, to turn life’s hardest struggles into music that is highway, head banging worthy.
Keep up with Tenderfoot here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Jan 31, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Spiritus is the second album from blues rock group Jane Lee Hooker, following the band’s first album No B!.
Jane Lee Hooker consists of five women – Dana ‘Danger” Athens on vocals, Hail Mary Z on bass, Melissa ‘Cool Whip’ Houston on drums, Tracy ‘Hightop’ on guitar, and Tina ‘T Bone’ Gorin on guitar – and accepts taking on the challenge of good blues with Spiritus.
The ten track album is really good and has high energy throughout every song. The tracks are inspirational, full of high energy, and encourage the listener to live their best life. The sound of the blues is prominent in each track on the new release. “Gimmie That” has a sound that shifts from blues to pop with high energy. Tracks like “Ends Meet” and “Mama Said” contain the band’s quintessential blues influence, but also a little bit of rock n’ roll.
The name of the album means “spirit,” and follows the theme of finding yourself in life. It lends itself to the idea of taking chances and not being afraid to be yourself. It is a fun listen, and will absolutely keep you engaged from start to finish.
Keep up with Jane Lee Hooker here.
