Archive for category Music
new music: nav/attack; tindersticks
Posted by Amy Steele in Music, Uncategorized on January 8, 2016
nav/attack, “More Wins”
named by L.A. Weekly as one of 10 Los Angeles artists to watch in 2016, art-pop, synth band nav/attack have its self-titled debut album out now. The music mixes piano, trumpet, drums and bass with drum machines, computer speech, vocoders and vintage samplers. Los Angeles-based artist, producer and engineer Andrew Lynch stated that the name nav/attack moniker is derived from “an ’80s “War Games-esque” software that uses a computer to locate a specific target and relay information back to its human counterpart. To avoid misunderstandings with a computer, you must learn its language.” Andrew Lynch studied film and video at Academy of Art in San Francisco. He has recorded music for Christopher Guest‘s film For Your Consideration and Drew Barrymore‘s directorial debut Whip It.
tindersticks, “were we once lovers?”
another short-film out accompanies this gorgeous and hypnotic song from British band tindersticks. I’ve liked this band for some time. Its sound is romantic, wistful and evocative. The video, directed by Pierre Vinour, is a strange and intense car trip. Rather fitting for the song. The new album The Waiting Room [City Slang] is out January 22nd. The album features short films for each song. Directors include Christoph Girardet, Claire Denis, Rosie Pedlow and Joe King (who directed the “Hey Lucinda” video), Gregorio Graziosi, and Gabriel Sanna (who directed the “We Are Dreamers!” video).
Of the video, Stuart Staples stated: In the early 90s Pierre Vinour made an iconic short film called ‘Paris – Marchseille’ – a time lapse view of the journey through a car window condensed into three minutes ending by driving off the edge of France into the sea. When I saw this film I felt an immediate connection with ‘Were We Once Lovers?’ – the speed of the journey, but I also felt that the song was speeding through the drivers mind. I was pleased that Pierre felt that connection also and he set to work building on this idea. Still, I was still not prepared for the effect the final film had on me. The clenching intensity I felt when making the song was literally doubled. I love it but I can’t wait to be released from it, it holds me in this strange limbo.”
new music: TRAEDONYA! featuring Irish Soulflower: The Besnard Lakes; Moke Hill
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on December 22, 2015
TRAEDONYA! featuring Irish Soulflower, “Simply Beautiful UR”
–what a beautiful heartfelt jazzy, soulful song with Irish Soulflower speaking some truths. The sexy gentle beats and rich vocals make this a winner with its subdued melody and positive message. Traedonya is from New York.
The Besnard Lakes, “The Plain Moon”
–soothing, melodic, dreamy with 70s harmonies and vibe. psychedelic, progressive pop, blurred atmospheric lyrics. I adore this! Male and female band members allow for diversity in sound and attitude. The Besnard Lakes is: Jace Lasek, Olga Goreas, Kevin Laing, Richard White, Robbie MacArthur and Sheenah Ko. The band’s new album, A Coliseum Complex Museum, is due out January 22nd on Jagjaguwar.
Moke Hill, “Doing It Wrong”
–thoughtful lyrics and soothing, melancholy melodies that reach in, snatch my soul and wring it out. vocals give me a Jackson Browne-vibe. Moke Hill is the result of between Ben Berry and Drew Phillips, who met in grade-school in Detroit. Once Berry was in Chicago and Phillips was on the West Coast the two began writing music through a long-distance internet collaboration. amazing what can be accomplished through technology and wi-fi today. Moke Hill’s debut LP Time Stops Moving out now.
EP Release Party for Petty Morals January 2, 2016
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on December 21, 2015
Petty Morals is an all-female synth-punk/ electro-pop band based in Salem, Mass. Yes lots of hyphens. These talented, cool women exude confidence and positivity. Their shows are energetic, edgy and empowering.
Another favorite local band, The Organ Beats, is on the bill. Should be lots of fun. I interviewed Tai earlier this year.
Petty Morals is: Taiphoon [lead vox]; JC [lead vox]; Chrissy V [guitar, backup vox]; Ivahna Rock [bass, backup vox]; LoWreck [drums]; Allison Wonderland [keys]
new video for “Telephone Erotic”
Petty Morals EP Release Party at Great Scott on Saturday, January 2, 2016. Superb start to the new year.
music news: Suede album due out in January 2016
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on December 18, 2015
One of my favorite Britpop bands The London Suede will release its seventh studio album Night Thoughts [Rhino Records/Warner Brothers] on January 29, 2016. The album will also be accompanied by a feature film directed by acclaimed photographer Roger Sargent – to be released on DVD – as part of a special album package. Night Thoughts was produced by long-time The London Suede collaborator Ed Buller and was recorded at SARM Studios in London and ICP in Brussels and features a full string orchestra.
Night Thoughts track listing:
1. When You Are Young
2. Outsiders
3. No Tomorrow
4. Pale Snow 5. I Don’t Know How To Reach You
6. What I’m Trying To Tell You
7. Tightrope
8. Learning To Be
9. Like Kids
10. I Can’t Give Her What She Wants
11. When You Were Young
12. The Fur & The Feathers
pre-order at Amazon: Night Thoughts (CD/DVD)
Macy Gray “All I Want for Christmas” fundraiser for A Place Called Home Foundation
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on December 18, 2015
Today, Macy Gray announced her “All I Want For Christmas” initiative: a CrowdRise fundraiser benefiting A Place Called Home Foundation. Lyrics include: “Everything I’m hoping for is intangible, like free healthcare and gun control.
A Place Called Home is a community youth center located in South Los Angeles, which is one of the most impoverished communities of the city. The agency is a jewel to the community, serving over 300 youth ages 8-20 daily and provides free programming in music, art, dance, fitness, gardening, nutrition, digital media education, onsite adult education, high school tutoring and counseling to all members and their families.
These services are offered free of charge to those in need and from today, Grammy Award winning artist Macy Gray is asking you to donate $10 or more to help give others a better Christmas this year.
Go to crowdrise to donate today and receive a free download of Macy’s much loved 2015 Holiday song “All I Want For Christmas” plus a chance to win a personalized note from Macy Gray. 100% of your contributions go to those in need this Christmas via A Place Called Home.
music preview: Perfect Pussy at Middle East on Wednesday, December 16
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on December 16, 2015
There isn’t a much better band name out there right now than Perfect Pussy. If there’s a cool reasonably-priced t-shirt I’m absolutely buying one. Being a female music critic I tend to avoid white male music critics as much as possible but on occasion I’ll read Rolling Stone or Pitchfork or NME listen to NPR’s All Songs Considered. Last year the guys on All Songs Considered RAVED about Perfect Pussy, a punk riot grrl-ish band out of Syracuse New York. The music’s fierce, fast and furious. The lyrics bold and feminist. Just as punk should be.
Perfect Pussy is:
Meredith Graves (vocals)
Ray McAndrew (guitar)
Garrett Koloski (drums)
Greg Ambler (bass)
Shaun Sutkus (synths)
Perfect Pussy plays The Middle East Nightclub Upstairs on Wednesday, December 16, 2015. Doors at 8pm.
Billboard Women in Music 2015 airs Friday, December 18 on Lifetime
Posted by Amy Steele in Music, TV on December 15, 2015
Taped last week in New York and hosted by Savannah Guthrie and Tamron Hall, Billboard Women in Music 2015 honored six-time Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and actress Lady Gaga as Woman of the Year; Missy Elliott as Innovator; Loretta Lynn as Legend; Selena Gomez as Chart-Topper; Kelsea Ballerini as Rising Star; Tori Kelly as Breakthrough Artist; Fifth Harmony as Group of the Year, Demi Lovato as Rulebreaker, Brittany Howard as Powerhouse; and Lana Del Rey as Trailblazer.
The two-hour special features performances by Lady Gaga, Brittany Howard, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Fifth Harmony, Tori Kelly, and Kelsea Ballerini.
Presenters included Ciara, Alicia Keys, Martina McBride, Paul Rudd, Hoda Kotb, Hilary Scott (Lady Antebellum), Jussie Smollett, Hailee Steinfeld, Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) and presenting Billboard’s Woman of the Year honors to Lady Gaga, her mother Cynthia Germanotta.
Billboard Women in Music 2015 airs Friday, December 18 at 8pm ET/PT on Lifetime.
new music: Lizzo, Daniel Amedee; Daniel Martin Moore
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on December 5, 2015
Lizzo, “My Skin”
“I woke up in this/ you can’t take it from me/ brown skin.” Reminiscent of India Arie’s gorgeous song “Brown Skin.” This is Lizzo’s global call for body acceptance, for racial acceptance, to embrace your body and your individual beauty. An empowering message and a strong beautiful song and video. She defiantly raps then sings in melodic splendor. It’s an anthemic ballad. The video fortifies Lizzo’s message.
Daniel Amedee, “Everything Will Change”
a bluesy, dreamy and bit wistful folk song from the New Orleans singer/songwriter. There’s beautiful sentiment in the song’s lyrics– “when you see love instead of hate and when you see freedom instead of fear.” It’s the title track off his upcoming Everything Will Change EP due out in February 2016.
Daniel Martin Moore, “It’s Christmas”
If you’re into low-key and alternative holiday tunes [I’d way rather hear The Waitresses 10x than Silent Night], you’ll like this sentimental, subdued song from Kentucky-based singer/songwriter Daniel Martin Moore. Mellow, pretty and honest gem.
new music video and tour dates: Gun Outfit
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on November 27, 2015
Los Angeles alt-rock/ punk band Gun Outfit formed about a decade ago and recently released its fourth album Dream All Over [Paradise of Bachelors]. Carrie Keith and Dylan Sharp share vocals duties. The introspective single for “In Orbit” features beautifully muted melodies with jangly guitar and sitar. Sharp’s vocals sound like J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. and there’s definitely that 90s alt-rock messy edginess of Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr. and Pavement. Sharp describes the video as “an exploration of the glimmering surface of the veil that separates us from the emptiness of sea and space.”
Gun Outfit is:
Carrie Keith (guitar, vocals, slide)
Dylan Sharp (guitar, vocals, banjo, balalaika)
Daniel Swire (drums, percussion)
Adam Payne (bass)
TOUR DATES:
Thu. Dec. 3 – Boston, MA @ Out Of The Blue Too
Fri. Dec. 4 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool
Sat. Dec. 5 – Columbus, OH @ Cafe Bourbon St
Sun. Dec. 6 – Barnesville, OH @ The Grange Hall
Mon. Dec. 7 – Washington, DC @ Cafe Saint-Ex
Tue. Dec. 8 – Hadley, MA @ House Show
Wed. Dec. 9 – Providence, RI @ Tate 2
Thu. Dec. 10 – Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA
Fri. Dec. 11 – Albany, NY @ Treehouse
Sat. Dec. 12 – Brooklyn, NY @ Alphaville
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