by Meredith Schneider | Mar 31, 2020 | 5 to 7
Bandits on The Run. They’re so fun and just incredible speakers off the cuff that we decided to run this interview with no edits. (They will find this out when it is released. You’re welcome, my friends!) We talked bolo ties, cabin fever, and friendship!
- 0:00 Intro
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- 0:24 Adrian Enscoe reads the name of the meeting out loud. “Bandits Interview – I love you” after having issues connecting to our interview, and some scheduling conflicts. (All good! It’s all good!)
- (BTW this interview is with Bandits On The Run. Other members are Sydney Shepherd and Regina Strayhorn.)
- 1:40 Tell us about your recent Tiny Desk Session
- 4:17 What are you doing online right now to keep the community open and engaged?
- 6:11 While everyone else is pillaging paper products, what one item would you buy the store out of if given the chance?
- 7:26 Out of context of SXSW, this might be a little different… What’s the most statement-making piece of clothing you’re wearing right now?
- 11:18 Anything else you’d like to share with us?
Imperfect Fifth Virtual Tip Jar
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 30, 2020 | 5 to 7
Erik Sanden of Demitasse talks about Skype dates, happy accidents, and missing his writing partner during social distancing. (Hi, Joe Reyes! You’re amazing!)
- 0:00 Intro
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- 0:24 Erik Sanden (Demitasse)
- 1:17 This isn’t your first rodeo together. How did you and Joe come up with the idea for this project?
- 3:06 Have you found that this time has inspired you more, or has it been more distracting for you?
- 7:24 Are you and Joe doing OK being separated like this?
- 7:56 While everyone else is pillaging paper products, what one item would you buy the store out of if given the chance?
- 9:04 Is there anything you’d like to share with the audience?
Imperfect Fifth Virtual Tip Jar
by Kendal Chandler | Mar 30, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Meryem Aboulouafa offers an introduction to herself in the music video for her track “Ya Qalbi” alongside the release of her debut album. “Ya Qalbi” is a magical and stunning Algerian song from the Arab-Andalusian repertoire. With the help of producer Franceso Sanalucia, the addition of modern effect brings the track into the 21st century.
The video is moving art, simply put. The color schemes are lush, highlighting simple visuals layered behind footage of the artist singing in black and white. It packs maximum impact in a quick 2 minutes.
Her debut album excels in the ‘game of reference.’ Being able to track all influences of this album is almost impossible, as she has many. Parallels can be made of her limitless imagination to Kate Bush, her creation of intimacy and emotion to James Blake, and her ability to hypnotize the universal language of music without denying the musical traditions of her origins from Oum Kalsoum.
by: meredith schneider + kendal chandler
by Madi Toman | Mar 27, 2020 | albums, review
Chicago singer-songwriter Anna Holmquist formed Ester back in 2017 with the help of friends and collaborators, and now they’re about to release their first full-band LP, Turn Around. The record is a meditation both on major life changes and looking back at the past to help you understand your own growth, and Holmquist, possessing a rare vein of talent in both songwriting and singing, expertly guides their band through this task.
Most of the songs were written within the 6 month window around the beginning of Holmquist’s Saturn Return, which is psychologically viewed as the time that one reaches full adulthood and is faced (often for the first time) with adult challenges and responsibilities. The album’s exploration of adulthood is vulnerable and introspective, presenting a lot of moments for personal reflection.
Turn Around pieces together folk and rock elements around the centerpiece of the album: Holmquist’s honest and confessional lyricism and sensitive and emotional vocals. The songs are well-crafted, with the words written just as artful and important as the music.
“Little Shadow” is draped in haunting strings and gently plucked guitar. The ominous track builds to great heights with Holmquist’s quivering voice pulling mysterious melodies across the night sky.
“Holy Daze” feels like a float down a lazy river, with warm, slow bass coating the track in thick golden honey. Holmquist shows off her control and flexibility, easily flipping into their head voice before landing skillfully back with both feet on the ground. They sprinkle themself over the calm and breezy instrumentation like a colorful candy coating before tapping into their stock of emotionally-charged vocals, the intensity of their feeling evident to even the most casual listener.
“John’s Car” starts off sounding like a simple yet ominous indie-pop track, but Holmquist stuns, expertly building the song’s intensity with precise and attentive skill before it naturally peaks in a cathartic explosion of emotion. Holmquist is not only a powerhouse, but one who is smart enough to form important moments by holding back just the right amount before laying all of her cards on the table and damn, it’s a good hand.
“Thirsty” is reminiscent of a modern Fleetwood Mac while tracks like “When You Wake” channel the power and authority of Florence Welch. “Wildflower” is a breath of fresh air, providing even the most stressed out soul with a breath of fresh country air.
Turn Around is available now.
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 26, 2020 | 5 to 7
We caught up with one half of talented duo Donna Blue as the band was getting through customs to head back home to The Netherlands. Heavily impacted by the cancellation of SXSW, they spent a few days in Austin after the announcement hit. They calmed our nerves, and we’re going to spend the rest of lockdown listening to their music.
- 0:00 Intro
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- 0:26 – What are you up to today?
- 0:46 – How do you feel about how the music community is responding in the wake of the SXSW cancellation?
- 2:10 – What inspired you to jump into music?
- 3:12 – What’s been your favorite venue to play so far?
- 4:05 – Is there a specific venue you’ve dreamt of playing?
- 4:52 – What are you planning on doing once you get home?
Imperfect Fifth Virtual Tip Jar
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 25, 2020 | 5 to 7
On Season 3, Episode 2 of The Imperfect Fifth Podcast | The Sofa Sessions, we chat with KP Hawthorn from The HawtThorns (partner duo with Johnny Hawthorn) about rearranging life right now and the incredible live performance opportunities online!
- 0:00 Intro
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- 0:27 – How are you doing right now?
- 2:14 – How are you utilizing social media to keep your community engaged?
- 5:36 – What’s the most statement-making item of clothing or accessory you’re wearing right now?
- 6:40 – What’s some music or some authors you’re going back to to keep yourself in a good headspace?
- 10:12 – Is there anything else you’d like to share with the audience?
Imperfect Fifth Virtual Tip Jar
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 25, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Swedish duo The Radio Dept. just released their latest track “You Fear the Wrong Thing Baby” on March 20th, perfectly showcasing their quintessential dream-pop style that we have all come to know and love. Edging on ethereal, the reverb in this track makes it feel like a glittering kaleidoscope soundscape before we even reach the words. The lyrics of this track, coincidentally enough, fit perfectly with the current global health crisis. “When we recorded the song we had no idea what was coming,” expresses the duo. “The text is against conservatism and a tribute to youth as a progressive force.”
Keep up with The Radio Dept. here.
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 24, 2020 | 5 to 7
2020 was the first year Imperfect Fifth was accepted as an official press outlet for SXSW. Though two members of our team have been listed as press in the past — and we have attended and done extensive coverage even when we aren’t listed — this was a huge feat for Imperfect Fifth as a bootstraps music publication. But our reach is larger than we know. We are bringing new music to the forefront as best we can, especially in these times when people are turning to the arts for an escape, or peace of mind.
Though we can’t make things physically better at the moment, we did decide to move forward with our in-person interview format… but from our couches. Elizabeth Schneider — music journalist, writer, and DIY queen — came up with the name, and we’re sticking to it! So relax for a few minutes, and delve into the first episode of our quick-hitting third season of our podcast, The Sofa Sessions.
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Stephen Clair is doing everything he can to stay involved in the music community during quarantine. During our first interview of what would have been our SXSW series, he talks Al Franken, social distancing, and Beacon Music Factory!
- 0:00 Intro
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- 0:25 – Was there a moment or a specific memory when you realized that music was your path?
- 1:23 – How did songwriting come to fruition?
- 2:20 – You released “Mad” last December. Was there any specific inspiration behind the sentiment?
- 3:50 – What are you doing to stay engaged with your community?
- 5:15 – Are you an extrovert or an introvert?
- 6:00 – While everyone else is pillaging paper products, what one item would you buy the store out of if given the chance?
- 6:25 – Anything else you’d like to share?
Keep your eyes on the site for daily podcast releases in the coming weeks!
by Madi Toman | Mar 23, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Toronto-based artist Elrichman (also known as Paul Elrichman of Ducks Unlimited and Germaphobes) has just released his new single, “I Mostly Consume”, which is from his upcoming sophomore LP, Heaven’s Mayor. The record is the follow up to his 2014 effort, Young, Healthy and Wonderful, and is to be released this summer via Bobo Integral. It features a wealth of Toronto-based talent with Alex Gamble on production duties (Fucked Up, Alvvays) and contributions from Zach Bines (Weaves) and Jon Pappo (Hooded Fang) as well as the Boston-based Anh Phung (Twisted Pine).
Speaking of the track, Paul says: “‘I Mostly Consume’ is about feeling like you exist on this earth mostly to consume, which is the sense I have sometimes. The bridges set scenes of impending doom, but everything else is pretty cheery so I guess I’m a blissful consumer!”
The song is quite bright and poppy for a topic as serious as impending doom, and Elrichman juxtaposes serious topics (the album itself focuses on the notion that we only exist on this planet for the purpose of consuming) with upbeat 80s jangle-pop vibes. Elrichman explores a variety of tempos and strips back mid-tune for a thoughtful instrumental section comprised of piano and strings in the middle of the track before launching back into a high-energy second half for a strong finish.
“I Mostly Consume” is out now on all streaming platforms and Heaven’s Mayor is to be released in summer of 2020 via Bobo Integral followed by a string of North American tour dates.
