Exciting times for me as I'm off to Paris tomorrow for a couple of days and what better song to send me off than this banger from the Nai Harvest boys. Top Shelf Records released this video from the band just yesterday entitled Just Like You which is taken off of their forthcoming EP which is out at the end of April, practically a year since their cracking album Hairball was released. This band are another great example that less is truly more. They are a great two piece that produce killer guitar lead rock songs that get stuck in my head so easily. Yet another band that I am longing for the second album to come....it can't be too much longer, can it? Enjoy!
This post I decided on not so much of a song but more a particularly interesting podcast. Specifically The DICE Podcast episode 6. In this episode, the brilliant Jen Long (below) takes the trip to Australia to go to the Laneway Festival. She talks with East India Youth, a chap from Health and one of the creators of the festival: St. Jerome. The festivals history is it started way back in 2005 and in a similar way to festivals like The Vans Warped Tour, they take the artists around to different cities each week to perform. The festival has finished for this year but by the sounds of it, it was a pretty magical time had by all. Looking at the line up I would take the trip to see Fidlar and Chvrches alone and just go where the wind takes me for the rest of the festival becasue there are so many good bands playing. Laneway currently runs mainly around Australia with spots in Detroit and Singapore but I hope great festivals like this get the support they deserve and continue to get better and better. Amazing podcast which I hope you take the time to listen to. Enjoy!
Yesterday morning I took a trip to one of my favourite record stores in Manchester Piccadilly Records. As I was flicking through the vast indie/rock selection that they have, I noticed an album by Pony Time called Rumours 2 (pictured below) It caught my eye 95% because of the Fleetwood Mac Rumours similarity but after reading more about the band and the album from the little bio that the store includes in the sleeve they sounded like right up my street. So when I got back home, I did a bit of browsing on the YouTubes and found a video they did for Geordie which is a single off of their first album. A simple and brilliantly crafted garage rock song from the two piece. For me the vocals pack a punch that is greatly enhanced by the harsh and powerful drumming from Stacey Peck. After listening to this I went through Rumours 2 and to my enjoyment, it was more of the same style tunes in the same vein as Georgie. So if you like this be sure to check out more. Enjoy!
I have been thinking about doing this feature for a while now and the time has finally come. I wanted to do a new type of post that highlights and shares great bands, not just on their latest releases or a specific album but over a whole body of work, both current and older artists included in the mix to keep things interesting. Th aim will be to post these once month but occasionally it may double up if the mood takes me.
It just so happens that the first band I want to showcase is The Wild Feathers has just released their sophomore album 'Lonely Is A Lifetime'. The Wild Feathers are a 4 piece Alt-Country band from Nashville, Tennessee. Members consisting of Ben Dumas on drums, Joel King on Bass & Vocals and both Ricky Young and Taylor Burns on Guitar & Vocals. They released their first self titled album back in August 2013 and their latest was released just in this great month of March 2016. The blend of soulful country rock and roll that they make has worked perfectly across their body of work so far and really hope they come play at The Deaf Institute sometime in the future. Speaking of live dates, they are currently doing a bunch of shows for SXSW then following that with a big tour around the US. No signs of any UK dates as of yet but we wait with hope and fingers crossed. Below is a brilliant live performance of one of the latest singles 'Happy Again'
I hope you like these guys music and even this new music showcase feature thing. It will improve with time and a little practise just like everything else. Enjoy!
This week is a bit of home-town love for me. Fellow guys from Leamington (Leamingtonians maybe?) Coves are back on the scene with You're Evil (off of new album out early April). This track includes the same electronic led psych pop music that made me fall for their début album which included killer tracks like Cast A Shadow. But what excited me about the new song is the overall darker tone and more aggressive nature of the lyrics. I should have guessed it would have been a bit more of a depressing feel after hearing the song title but I didn't clock on fast enough. I also love how in the forefront lead singer Beck Woods vocals are. The lyrics pack such a punch, I would feel scared for anyone that gets on the wrong side of her, such passion and emotion is truly amazing. Enjoy!
Just over 3 weeks to go till we all get the brilliant gift of an LP full of new Bleached tracks. Until then, this appetiser of 'Sour Candy' will hold us all off perfectly. I have been a dedicated fan of these guys since first hearing their initial album and EPs way back in 2013ish. They know how to cut the line of dreamy pop rock backed with a punk base, be that lyrics, ethos, just a spiritual feeling or anything that sounds less like a pretentious nobber. The track below has everything that first warmed me to the band with a slight sprinkle more grit for added catchiness. If you weren't hooked on these guys before, you will be (or should be) now. Enjoy!
Nada Surf, who I found out about via browsing the Barsuk record label have released this lo-fi rocker Cold To See Clear. It is off of the 'You Know Who You Are' album that was released earlier this month. It has been 4 years since their last release but they sound as fresh as ever with this tune. I like the electro tinged rock that they seem to produce with an effortless ease and the album has even more bangers like this. So if you are diggin' this number, be sure to check out more. Enjoy!
Another month gone, another day and another dollar and things are carrying on the same as can be expected. Many great releases from Yuck, Bob Woodruff, DMA's, Deep Sea Diver, Lissie and more but my favourite has been The Jezabels - Synthia. Perhaps not my usual pick in style of music but that is just another thing that makes this record exciting to me. I may not be the biggest fan of music that relies on electronic synths and the like for a large slice of the music pie but The Jezabels have used each instrument just the right amount to have an impact without overpowering my ears and turning the songs into metaphorical white noise. My favourite track is 'My Love Is My Disease', an epic building song with vocals that remind me greatly of Robyn if she were to front a late 00's emo band, dark, heartfelt and definitely passionate lyrics that are backed with complimenting rolling drums and just enough guitar. I cant wait for a beautiful video to be released for it. For now enjoy another great track with a video from the album 'Come Alive' Below!
This week I have chosen the latest track released by one of my favourite bands the NYC homies Skaters. Their first LP Manhattan was easily one of my favourite records of 2014 so boy am I glad they are back with new music. After hearing that they have left Warner Music to do their own solo thing (I presume) I was interested to hear what the new songs off of the next album will be like. Head On To Nowhere is a track that definitely didn't disappoint. Sharing the same scuzzy pop punk sound from their earlier release, this song wouldn't sound out of place in amongst their first album but it can easily be a brilliant lead track for what is to come. It is clear that leaving a major label hasn't affected them in terms of music quality, they are still as great as I remember. Enjoy!
