by ImperfectFifth | Sep 27, 2018 | Uncategorized
A common theme here is that a lot of the music that influences and inspires us is pretty weird and catchy. This taught us that its okay to do whatever we want and write however we feel. We’re lucky that it happens to be catchy enough to remember!
Play on shuffle or in order. This is just a quick handful of songs that were thrown together so we can hang out. Enjoy!
Stone Temple Pilots – Meatplow
This song has a certain grime and groove with such “sing-along-ability” that just hits the spot every time.
Musically wacky, yet unmistakably STP. Just one of those songs that says its okay to be weird.
Bush – Swallowed
Just a great song off of a great album. Steve Albini sort of took his “In Utero” Nirvana sounds and plugged Bush into them.
Say what you will about people stealing people’s sounds, but the fact is that this shit moved us as impressionable babies and just made us want to play harder and louder to get our lil’ feelings out.
Pearl Jam – Brain of J
We’re all pretty big Pearl Jam fans. I only chose this song because it was right in front of me and its not a go-to PJ song.
I could go on all day about what Ten and VS did to us when they came out, or how I sat about a foot away from the tv during that ridiculous MTV Unplugged performance…
Soundgarden – Burden In My Hand
Try not to sing along. They beat the system. They wrote some of the weirdest stuff, while being SO fun and easy to listen to.
We all really love this band and this is a good safe song choice everyone can dig. Miss you, Chris!
Meat Puppets – Backwater
This is such a Jeff song. I think we covered it once. If you’ve heard a handful of Sunshine Riot songs, It ain’t hard to hear
how we were influenced by these dudes.
Eels – Novocaine For The Soul
Just another weird 90’s jam that makes you go “Oh yeah! I remember this!” Our Jonny has a whispery voice like this sometimes, so I guess that’s a thing.
Aerosmith – Jaded
Hometown heroes I guess. Nobody in the band is a huge Aerosmith fan, but JESUS FUCK this might be the
catchiest song ever written and its always cool to stop and think about how they were once just some pals in a basement trying their best.
Nirvana – Serve The Servants
I don’t even know how to fully express how much this band and album means to us. This is that Albini sound I was
referring to earlier. Its just so damn important and I’m so glad we all love it so much. Thanks for everything, Nirvana.
Foo Fighters – Floaty
This is a very pretty one off of that first album that was actually only Dave Grohl. Another one that made me want to play
hard and with all the feeling. A lot of the stuff on this album is actually kind of a nightmare to play on any instrument, but it sounds so simple and catchy! Super inspirational.
The Replacements – Bastards Of Young
Metal dudes say Lemmy is God. Other, less tuff dudes say Paul Westerberg is God.
Another big influence on us. Replacements mastered that raw, borderline bad sound that just makes you feel.
Now that you have a bit of an explanation of us, go check out our new tunes off our upcoming record ‘Lonely Hotel’ and then go ahead and dig into that back catalogue to really get to know us! See you soon, dweebs.
Keep up with Sunshine Riot here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 13, 2018 | soundtrack
Today is officially our one year anniversary. That’s right. We’ve been introducing amazing music to ears around the world, getting behind the scenes looks at your favorite bands, and covering gorgeous live music for an entire year together. That’s not a simple feat, especially in our current publication and music industry climates. I couldn’t be more proud of this project, the passion it was born from, and the loving community that it has facilitated. Thank you, so much.
Today is also my parents’ anniversary, which was the main reason I chose this day to launch the site. Happy Anniversary, you adorable, beautiful, wonderful people! You have inspired so many of my friends – close or otherwise – to constantly say they wish you were their parents. You leave a lasting impression on people, your friends and family adore you, and I am just so proud to be your daughter!
In honor of both of the above facts, I introduce our running September playlist today. Each month, we will have a curated Spotify playlist that grows as the month goes on. This one is pretty scattered – in the most quirky and beautiful of ways – and will continue to be updated throughout the month. (In other words, keep checking back to get in on the new tunes!)
Keep up with new stuff by “Liking” Imperfect Fifth on Facebook! For fun peeks into live music coverage and more, our Instagram is about to be reborn!
by Gemma Harewood | Aug 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
If the stats behind Nick Talos and his music are correct, the Berlin based musician, producer and remixer has gotten himself some serious credentials over the last couple of years. Remixing huge major label acts and breaking all sorts of personal records with his streaming numbers on his own tracks, Talos returns to the limelight once again with his brand-new single offering “Straight To The Heart.”
Showcasing all the musical elements that helped propel his previous guitar-led tune “Hey Gorgeous” to such prestigious streaming heights on Spotify, it also has the wonderful vocals of David Spekter. He helps to give “Straight To The Heart” an unbridled vocal hug and a sprinkling of soul.
This one is out now, so check it out here.
Keep up with Nick here.
by ImperfectFifth | Aug 15, 2018 | soundtrack
The creatively titled ‘EG’ playlist is a mix of some of my all-time favorites as well as artists and songs that were instrumental in shaping ‘Conversation’.
-Jim Ford, Bill Withers, Neil Young, Al Green
‘Still Bill’, ‘Harvest’, ‘Gets Next to You’ and ‘Harlan County’ were four records that I immersed myself in as I writing ‘Conversation’. I’d sit down with each, learn some of the music and write out all of the lyrics. My producer, Eddie Spear, introduced me to Jim Ford and now I’ll pay that knowledge drop forward.
-Jason Isbell, Bob Dylan
In my opinion, Dylan is the best songwriter of all time and Isbell is the best of my generation. These guys have set a high bar and I continually look to them as I work on my craft.
-‘Truly, Madly Deeply’, ‘No Hard Feelings’
I always love when an artist finds a way to make a cover song sound like their own. I’m a big Manchester Orchestra fan and I came to find Yoke Lore after ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ popped up on a Spotify feed.
– Coldplay, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Smashing Pumpkins
These are some of my favorite bands of all time and artists that helped shape me as a young musician. I put a few songs on here that I’ve had in heavy rotation recently.
– Natalie Royal, The Delta Saints, Brendan Benson, James Droll, Elise Davis
Nashville artists! I like to get out to shows when I’m in town and there is no shortage of talent in Music City. Here’s a handful of artists that I’d encourage anyone to acclimate themselves with if they don’t know them already.
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Keep up with EG Vines here.
by ImperfectFifth | Jul 26, 2018 | soundtrack
I wanted to share a few of the artist and more specifically the songs that shaped my writing style from a very young age. These artists all had something to say with the lyrics of their soulful songs, and by my teens I was singing back these lyrics before I truly knew what they meant. These freedom fighting songs paved the way to speak truths to the masses…and realize the concept of “if one person isn’t free, none of us are free.” Artists are needed at this time to respect the roots of activist music, in all it’s form, and to keep the soul in resistance.
Keep up with Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics here.
by ImperfectFifth | May 31, 2018 | soundtrack
These are the songs I listen to when I want to sit back and close my eyes and just vibe out and forget about everything around me.
by ImperfectFifth | May 28, 2018 | soundtrack
In celebration of our new EP, “Straight to the Face,” Max Caddy has put together a playlist in honor of all the badass musical duos out there! Stay tuned for more on our latest project @maxcaddymusic.
Keep up with Max Caddy here.
by ImperfectFifth | May 1, 2018 | soundtrack
Brooklyn-based indie funk/rock act Cosmonaut Radio – consisting of Austin Deyo (drums, back up vocals), Russell Castiglione (lead guitar, back up vocals), and Freddy Millan Jr (lead vocals) –
Austin:
Peg-Steely Dan – Could’ve chosen any of their songs honestly. And although we don’t sound like them (I don’t think anyone ever will), the way they wrote music, and found success with strange vocal melodies and crazy jazz chords is inspiring.
The Chicken-Jaco Pastorius – Arguably the best ever, this song paved the way for fusion music and bands like Snarky Puppy. It’s so catchy and the band is so top notch.
Thing of Gold-Snarky Puppy – Some of the best music I’ve ever heard, and the Moog solo will change your life.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings-100 Days, 100 Nights – Brooklyn based, funk revival, powerful vocals, groovy horns. It’s the best of like 5 different kind of musical genres combined. They’re one of the biggest reasons that funk and funk based music is popular again.
And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going-Jennifer Holliday – Jennifer hudson’s version is also impressive. This song is so epic. Musically, it’s interesting, and complex, vocally, it’s out of this world.
Love On The Rocks-Sara Bareilles – I love everything Sara Bareilles does.
Miss You-The Rolling Stones – This is one of my favorite songs, and we used to cover it. I put it on this list because it also symbolizes the end of “The Cosmonauts” and the beginning of Cosmonaut Radio. Although rock, and more specifically, blues, will always influence our music, this new record is an evolution and graduation to the next level for us. And I know you can’t graduate from the stones, but this song specifically signifies the next chapter for me and and for the band.
Another Kind of Green-John Mayer Trio – Steve Jordan, Pino Palladino, and John Mayer. Come on. The pocket is as solid as solid gets. And everything else about this song is fantastic.
Freddy:
1. “Daylight” by Failure
“Daylight” is a weird but great song to jam out to while pondering life and the universe, and it serves as the final song (and bookend) to my favorite album of all time.
2. “Dance, Dance” by Fall Out Boy
The song that originally made me want to join a rock band, the appeal of “Dance, Dance” is right there in the title, with an energy and style that always makes me want to get up and move.
3. “Ogre Battle” by Queen
One of the best songs by one of the best bands of all time, “Ogre Battle” is a microcosm of everything that made Queen great: experimental yet catchy songwriting, intensity and energy bred from tight and layered musicianship, and the inimitable vocal stylings of Freddie Mercury.
4. “Emotions” by Mariah Carey
What else can be said about Mariah Carey? Her insane range and riffing abilities were big inspirations to me as a vocalist growing up, and this song is a showcase of those talents at their peak.
5. “Greedy” by Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande is one of very few A-list pop artists right now who I think is bringing anything interesting to the table, and this song combines her pop, R&B, and theater sensibilities, powerhouse voice, and knack for insanely catchy hooks and key changes into something that’s arguably better than any radio single she’s ever released.
6. “Run Away With Me” by Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen is what I wish more radio-friendly pop sounded like, and “Run Away With Me” perfectly tinges her overt sentimentality with slightly more melancholic tones to produce a song that’s somehow both romantically fleeting and timelessly grounded.
7. “Dorothy Dandridge Eyes” by Janelle Monae
As far as I’m concerned, Janelle Monae is almost single-handedly carrying on the musical legacies of Prince and David Bowie in the mainstream, and she’s doing justice to both of them. I debated between a lot of songs to put here, but few songs demonstrate Monae’s effortless cool and subtle sensuality as well as this one.
8. “Starship Trooper” by Yes
Yes is one of my favorite bands to put on and just chill out to, and “Starship Trooper” puts their unusually long song runtimes to good use by constantly changing while remaining consistently catchy and engaging from start to finish.
9. “Glory Box” by Portishead
I love Portishead because they are a seemingly very sad band with certain songs that speak to an inner torment that I never knew I had, but I decided to go with the vaguely more upbeat closer to their stellar first album.
10. “Fortress” by Queens of the Stone Age
I’ve always liked Queens of the Stone Age, but I was not expecting to love their newest album as much as I did, and this song about vulnerability and getting back up when life knocks you down is definitely one of its many highlights.
Russell:
1. People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul – James Brown
This song has definitely influenced me as a funk guitar player. It was one of the first James Brown songs that I fell in love with instantly.
2. What A Fool Believes – Doobie Brothers
I love this song because Michael McDonald has a hauntingly amazing voice, the harmonies are killer, the key change into the chorus is a lovely change, and the song itself is so happy! I could have the worst day, listen to this song, and instantly feel better.
3. Reckoner – Radiohead
This is my favorite song from Radiohead at the moment (it changes). Thom Yorke is a huge inspiration for me because of his high falsetto range and the melodies he chooses over the band’s interesting chord progressions.
4. Skate U – Snarky Puppy
This song has an incredible build up with great breakdowns and solos, one of the best by this band in my opinion.
5. No Quarter – Led Zeppelin
This is my favorite band of all time so I had to include this. This song in particular captures the expertise of each member so well and is just really a beautiful/powerful song.
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Keep up with the band here.
by ImperfectFifth | Feb 27, 2018 | soundtrack
From New York City – Wendy Escobar curates groovy, soulful, underground house music. Good for the OG New York House Heads and for the noobs.
Keep up with Wendy Escobar here!
