by Meredith Schneider | Sep 26, 2019 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Portland-based musician Corinne Sharlet comes at us today with the release of her new track “Hail Mary”. Haunting and absolutely magnetic, the song a beautiful testament to Sharlet’s abilities as a singer/songwriter. Her alluring vocals are set over beautiful, intricate guitar parts that continually pique your interest throughout the track, as you focus on the intimacy of it all. The ambiance the song creates alone is impeccable, but when you find out the inspiration behind the track, it’s hard to keep your jaw off the ground. Expands Sharlet:
‘Hail Mary’ wouldn’t exist without the Laurelthirst open mic here in Portland and for that reason the Laurelthirst has become a very special place to me. I wrote the song a couple of years ago when I had just started attending the open mic. Every week, they post a new theme to write a song about. One week the theme was ‘Hail Mary’ and so the song came to be. I love that the Laurelthirst open mic provides the weekly themes because I often find that a random word or two can inspire a song without needing to have a preconceived idea for it. Writing songs feels most natural to me that way. When I write I don’t usually have an idea of something I want to write about, I start by just playing and singing and then the words come.
The song is still mysterious to me. ‘Hail Mary’ seemed to come from a different world — a different time and place. As I started writing, I became very emotional. I practically sobbed through the whole song. One of the ideas that stirs me in the song is the need humans have to turn to things that are bigger than ourselves. I was not raised with formal religion and I do not currently participate in formal religion, but I am fascinated by religious and mythological symbolism and how it has infiltrated my psyche. I don’t want to say too much more about what the song is about because many people have interpreted the song in different ways and I love that.
Check out the beauty of “Hail Mary” below, then let us know what you think on Facebook!
Upcoming Shows
Keep up with Corinne Sharlet here.
by Kira Cappello | Sep 5, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
With this freshest release, songwriter Jeremy Ferrara sounds as if he’s lived through his own life a few times before, only to come out wiser. Melancholy, observational, yet still bright; “This Trouble” weaves influences both sedentary and explorative, sketching a freewheeling character borne from folk-rock classics such as Bob Dylan, The Allman Brothers, and Wilco. Twangy electric guitar leads stir Ferrara’s migration on to the next place he’ll call home, while sporadic trickles of piano fall like midmorning rain. “This Trouble” breathes of Ferrara’s desire to roam. He sings, “Like the weather in south California, some things they never change.” Though nature cycles without end, this letter to venturing peaks with a compelling guitar solo that is an essential, fulfilling catharsis.
Ferrara has a growing accruement of EPs and singles released, with 16 total tracks released over a two-year span.
Tour Dates
9/5 – The Liquor Store
9/26 – Kreuzberg California
9/29 – MadeWest Brewing Company
10/4 – Neck Of the Woods
10/5 – Shanty Shack Brewing
10/10 – Bunk Bar
Follow Jeremy Ferrara here.
by Kira Cappello | Jul 19, 2019 | premieres, singles
Rolling, bright and temperate: “Looking for Anyone” is the newest single from self-described “easy listening” group Common Hours, and it’s perfect for a back porch at twilight.
This track invites us in with warm shoegazey strums met by a texturizing, Southern-esque guitar leads from guitarist Dillon VanBuren. A steady kick drum and ride cymbal, via August George, effectively secure infectious head-nodding throughout. Backed by sugary harmonies from Ariel Roxanne Cook, lead vocalist Adam Black’s croons hazily illustrate the smooth, mono-mood of “Looking For Anyone”. Cook’s bass parts are pleasantly present in the mix, supplying a satisfying foundation for the floatiness that is a marker for this track; as lead guitar mimics the chorus melody, providing a predictability that is comforting but not cliché. The lyrics are distant enough to allow for objective interpretation, but personal enough to relay Black’s qualms about rushing into love to quickly, weighed down by lingering anxieties from previous relationships. “Looking For Anyone” is about anything but, as Black wonders aloud: “I’m not just looking for anyone. Can I get you to know that I need your love?”
This single is Common Hour’s newest release since a 2018 EP titled A Life Worth Living.
Keep up with Common Hours here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jul 18, 2019 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Recently, we had the wonderful pleasure of sitting down with Lulise to chat for season 2 of our podcast. We have to wait until August to experience that gem, but for now we thought we’d bide some time and premiere her new single, if you’re into it. (Frankly, we don’t care what you think. But we’re pretty sure you’ll be keen on it too.) Get a dose of gorgeous vocals, a little bit of attitude, and a whole lot of relatability as Lulise croons about a love interest that she cannot pursue!
Keep up with Lulise here.
by Kira Cappello | Jul 1, 2019 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
For fans of AC/DC, Shinedown, Green Day.
Get ready to have your speakers blown out – Deify’s electrifying rock ballad “Outta My League” is meant to be played at full volume, preferably while flooring it down a deserted highway. Deify, borne out of Seattle and comprised of brothers Duncan and Jared Byargeon, draw influence from 80’s stadium rock classics such as AC/DC, most notably in bluesy chord progressions and compressed drum fills. Blasting through fervent guitar solos and a snare that refuses to quit, this track is friend to headbangers and country-rockers alike.
While its gritty, boot-stomping vigor may seem well suited for your local dive, lyrically, the song is textbook pop. The chorus professes: “You’re the one…that I need, you’re the only person for me, here’s my heart, take the key”. The second half of the song brings with it a much-appreciated rattle of dynamic, as a wailing guitar solo increases in intensity before giving way into a mathy drum fill, before sending off into one final chorus.
Explains Duncan of the track:
Outta My League is a sonic mashup of our love for AC/DC and ZZ Ward. In college, I was going out with a woman that my friends dubbed way out of my league – and they liked to remind me as much as possible. As much fun as the jokes were, that’s something that really began to eat at me, and that insecurity certainly impacted the relationships for the worse.
This song explores the back-and-forth in my head, as I was head-over-heels for this woman, but “knew” deep down that I wasn’t good enough for her. Letting doubt into any relationship is the ultimate killer – and I knew once I felt this way it wasn’t going to last. However, I also couldn’t bear the thought of being the one to end it. So, this song is about the elation of the pursuit, while knowing the relationship was doomed from the start.
This single is the group’s newest work since their latest EP, five track compilation titled So Far Away. Deify will be touring through the West Coast Starting in August, beginning in Seattle.
Keep up with Deify here: https://www.deifymusic.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/deifymusic/ | https://www.instagram.com/deifymusic/ | https://twitter.com/deifymusic?s=17
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 18, 2019 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Portland-based three piece Rum River Cult – comprised of Sarah Parson, Jed Overly, and Colin Ringkamp – is giving us a run for our money with their new single “Strangers Now”. We’ve got the exclusive premiere, and this smoky, fun, gorgeous sonic landscape is something you do not want to pass up on. As an edgy guitar riff sets in, Parson’s reverb-filled vocals make an impact. The song explodes into a beautiful, psychedelic journey that will almost intrinsically force you to dance. So get those moves ready, and check it out now!
Rum River Cult will play the Davis Music Festival this weekend. “Strangers Now” will hit all streaming platforms June 19th. Keep up with Rum River Cult here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 6, 2019 | premieres, wolf tracks
What mood did you wake up in this morning? Because we guarantee pop outfit RAINNE‘s new track “Dirty Little Dream” will completely transform you. (Bold claim. We know.) We’ve got the exclusive premiere of the new track, which is replete with the sultry vocals of bandmates Annie Dingwall
and Justin Klunk and an attitude we know you can’t resist. Admits Annie of the track:
Seductive, dark, and clever, ‘Dirty Little Dream’ explores the possibility that your wildest dreams may not be what you’d expect. At first glance, it’s a seductive song engulfed in passion, but upon further listening, maybe that’s only part of the story.
So press “play,” and jam into the dark hours of this beautiful summer day.
Check out the song on your favorite platform and keep up with RAINNE here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 6, 2019 | premieres, singles
We’re talking about reminiscing a lot, and it’s no different with Jacqueline Harvey‘s new single “Came Around”. The pop singer utilizes her signature sultry vocals to address a past love interest, as the instrumentals usher in a dance floor vibe. It’s truly a sonic delight to experience, and we think you’ll agree.
Keep up with Jacqueline Harvey here.
by Karina Marquez | May 30, 2019 | premieres, singles
Indie rock band Wrinkles puts an emphasis on carefree fun in the music video for their latest single, “Thunderstorm.” In the depths of a Montana winter, we see the five-piece band put their house to the test as they gather every blanket, pillow, tool, and instrument possible to create some sort of musical fortress. The video has a very exciting, TV-sitcom vibe that focuses on who Wrinkles is as a band and highlights their talent as well as their obvious camaraderie. While this is a lighthearted video, it shows the importance of a band’s strong connection not only as musicians, but as friends. As a result, the video – directed by Kendall Rock – perfectly matches the upbeat and catchy qualities of the track.
“Thunderstorm” is the first single off Wrinkles’ sophomore album Other Days, which comes out on August 14th. Check out the music video, and keep up with the band here.
Other Days Tour Dates
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8.7 – Missoula
8.16 – Helena
8.17 – Bozeman
8.22 – Seattle
8.23 – Vancouver
8.24 – Bellingham
8.25 – Portland
8.26 – Corvallis
8.27 – Eugene
8.28 – San Francisco
8.29 – Oakland
8.30 – Los Angeles
8.31 – San Diego
9.1 – Phoenix
9.2 – Tucson
9.3 – El Paso
9.4 – Marfa
9.5 – Austin
9.6 – Houston
9.7 – Baton Rouge
9.8 – New Orleans
9.9 – Memphis
9.10 – Nashville
9.11 – Athens
9.12 – Asheville
9.13 – Richmond
9.14 – Baltimore / DC
9.15 – Philadelphia
9.16 – Asbury Park
9.17 – New York
9.18 – Amherst
9.19 – Albany
9.20 – Montreal
9.21 – Toronto
9.22 – Hamilton
9.23 – Detroit
9.24 – Chicago
9.25 – St Louis
9.26 – Kansas City
9.27 – Omaha
9.28 – Denver
9.29 – Ft Collins
9.30 – Bozeman