Archive for category Music
STEELE INTERVIEWS: singer/songwriter Sydney Eloise
Posted by Amy Steele in Interview, Music on October 8, 2015
I love supporting women in the arts particularly women in music as I’ve been a music critic for 20 years. There’s still not enough parity. It’s still unusual to see all-female or female-fronted bands in alternative music. I’ll talk about it even if some female artists won’t discuss women in music except for Garbage’s Shirley Manson and Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches.
I *will* continue to spotlight female artists. I’m a feminist music critic and this I’ve always done.I mostly listen to female artists and female-fronted bands although I adore Death Cab for Cutie and Coldplay and Jack White and all my beloved 90s britpop bands.
So here’s Atlanta group Sydney Eloise and the Palms. The album FACES features eclectic arrangements to complement Sydney’s bluesy retro, sometimes wistful, sometimes bold vocals. There’s a retro vibe but it’s all newly packaged. Sydney worked to produce and tweak the songs with co-producers Damon Moon and Chandler Galloway. I instantly loved this album and it’s one to play in its entirety on repeat.
I interviewed Sydney Eloise via email. Currently on tour, Sydney Eloise and the Palms will perform at the PA Lounge in Somerville, Mass. on Thursday, October 8, 2015
Amy Steele: You started playing and writing music at 16. How did you become interested in music?
Sydney Eloise: My parents were musicians and had a band together into my childhood, so there was always a vast amount of music playing or being played in our house at all times. My dad had a little home studio and our place tended to be the spot for front porch jams on the weekends. I was surrounded by artist and musicians, it was a big part of my life. It wasn’t until 12 that I got into guitar and quickly after mastering a few chords I began writing songs. It was thrilling and made me feel alive. I’ve not kicked the habit since.
Amy Steele: Such distinctive vocals. How did you know you could sing? what have you done to hone your vocal skills?
Sydney Eloise: The guitar became a great tool for my songwriting, and my writing was of most importance. I just wanted to tell stories and never thought about how I sounded. To be honest I felt my voice was strange and had to grow into it. I am confident in my sound now and I think that’s the most important. I never saw myself as a singer, but a songwriter.
Amy Steele: It’s you and a band now but really neither solo or full on band of you write all the music right? What made you go that route?
Sydney Eloise: I had been writing and performing solo for years and felt a bit bored and stuck. I needed a challenge, and the challenge that came trying to keep in mind a whole band arrangement really expanded my songwriting. I would bring these skeletons of songs to the studio and play them for Damon and Chandler, and we would just experiment and tweak them. Maybe even change the whole vibe. Perspectives are so important, and I believe collaborations make us better people and artists. Learning to let go and how to compromise.
Amy Steele: Have you discovered any particular challenges as a female musician?
Sydney Eloise: Finding a clean bathroom!
Amy Steele: Can you describe your songwriting process?
Sydney Eloise: I prefer for the song to hit me like a ton of bricks. All at once and with passion. I don’t sit down and “try” and write a song- I need to feel connected to an experience to write. Usually I have a melody in my head and then pick up the guitar or sit down at the piano, but occasionally I will just be strumming and things just come together.
Amy Steele: Why did you name your new album Faces?
Sydney Eloise: Faces– like all the faces we can put on in our lives, like the many perspectives we can have over one single experience. This whole record is about my growth becoming a woman and looking back and maybe changing my mind about certain decisions.
Amy Steele: Let’s discuss a few songs. What are these songs about/ how did you come up with the lyrics or arrangements:
“Always Sailing” (catchy opening melody)
Sydney Eloise: This song was a letter to myself. At the time I had been in an awful writers rut and was feeling down about it. For me, “Always Sailing” was me calling myself out. I tend to float from project to project and ideas to ideas, and at times spread myself so thin that no product is actually produced. This song is be finding my balance and accepting where I am in the moment. I am a wanderer, no way around it. As far as the production style and arrangements, we really went to town on this one. It was the first song recorded for Faces. It set the tone for the level of production for the rest of the record. We said yes to every idea!
“I Like You”
Sydney Eloise: We had fun in the studio on this one. We experimented with lots of alt percussion A La “Cecilia” Simon & Garfunkle. It’s a cheeky song, so we wanted to the production to match the playfulness of the song. We slapped our knees, stomped on wood, clapped our hand, twist and shouted. The story in this song is based on a new relationship- and the excitement, the jealousy, the fantasy, the future planning, the uncertainty, oh and the honeymoon fun.
“Sorry Not Sorry”
Sydney Eloise: This song is not just a trendy hashtag. It’s me looking back at a past relationship and standing up for my self. Yes, maybe a little bitterness. Really, I just wanted this one song, one moment to tell my side of the story and close the book. Weird fact, an unknown ectro-pop song on Spotify inspired the beginning writings of Sorry, Not Sorry.
“Too soon”
Sydney Eloise: We worked on this one little by little and it never seemed complete. We knew it was lacking something and needed something special. That’s when the trumpet came it, and all was complete.
on tour: Matt Pond PA with Laura Stevenson
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on October 6, 2015
Fantastic indie double-bill!
Now New York-based, Matt Pond PA formed in 1988 in Pennsylvania by Matt Pond and has featured various musicians and collaborators through the years. The songs are soothing and beautifully arranged. Matt Pond PA released its 11th album The State of Gold in June.
I particularly enjoy Laura Stevenson’s quirky energetic songwriting. Brooklyn-based Laura Stevenson started playing guitar and writing songs when she went off to college. She was in Bomb the Music Industry! and also had her band Laura Stevenson & The Cans. Her grandfather Harry Simeone was a pianist and composer with works included “The Little Drummer Boy” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?”. Her grandmother Margaret McCravy was a singer for jazz bandleader Benny Goodman. Stevenson will release her new album Cocksure on October 30, 2015.
tour dates:
Oct 14 Rock & Roll Hotel Washington, DC
Oct 15 Cat’s Cradle Back Room Carrboro, NC
Oct 16 The Masquerade – Purgatory Atlanta, GA
Oct 17 1904 Music Hall Jacksonville, FL
Oct 18 New World Brewery Tampa, FL
Oct 19 The Social Orlando, FL
Oct 21 Big Mama’s Lounge @ HOB New Orleans
Oct 22 Rudyard’s Pub Houston, TX
Oct 23 Gas Monkey Bar & Grill Dallas, TX
Oct 24 North Door Austin, TX
Oct 26 The Rebel Lounge Phoenix, AZ
Oct 28 The Casbah San Diego, CA
Oct 29 Echo Los Angeles, CA
Oct 30 SLO Brewing Company San Luis Obispo, CA
Oct 31 Harlow’s Sacramento, CA
Nov 01 The Rickshaw Stop San Francisco, CA
Nov 03 Tractor Tavern Seattle, WA
Nov 04 Dante’s Portland, OR
Nov 06 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT
Nov 07 Hi-Dive Denver, CO
Nov 09 Vaudeville Mews Des Moines, IA
Nov 10 Turf Club St Paul, MN
Nov 12 Subterranean Chicago, IL
Nov 13 The High Watt Nashville, TN
Nov 14 Musica Akron, OH
Nov 16 The Southgate House Revival Newport, KY
Nov 17 Rumba Cafe Columbus, OH
Nov 18 The Foundry Philadelphia, PA
Nov 19 The Middle East – Downstairs Cambridge, MA
Nov 20 BSP Kingston Kingston, NY
Nov 21 Marlin Room @ Webster Hall New York, NY
show preview: The Zombies at Wilbur Theatre Boston on October 6, 2015
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on October 5, 2015
British psychedelic pop legendsThe Zombies will release a new album–Still Got That Hunger [The End Records]–on October 9.
The Zombies formed in 1961 in St Albans, England. The band is led by Rod Argent [piano, organ and vocals] and Colin Blunstone [vocals]. The Zombies are known for “Time of the Season,” “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her No.”
discography:
Begin Here (UK) (1965) / The Zombies (US) (1965)
Odessey and Oracle (1968)
New World (1991)
As Far As I Can See… (2004)
Breathe Out, Breathe In (2011)
Still Got That Hunger (2015)
The Zombies play The Wilbur Theater on Tuesday, October 6.
venue info:
246 Tremont Street
Boston, Mass.
tour dates:
Oct 06 – Boston, MA @ The Wilbur Theatre
Oct 08 – Washington, D.C. @ Lincoln Theatre
Oct 09 – New York, NY @ New York Society for Ethical Culture Concert Hall
Oct 10 – Cranston, RI @ Park Theatre
Oct 11 – Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre
Oct 13 – Ridgefield, CT @ The Ridgefield Playhouse
Oct 14 – Munhall, PA @ Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
Oct 15 – Kent, OH @ The Kent Stage
Oct 16 – Merrillville, IN @ Star Plaza Theatre
Oct 17 – Milwaukee, WI @ South Milwaukee PAC
Oct 19 – Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre
Oct 21 – Seattle, WA @ Benaroya Hall
Oct 22 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
Oct 24 – Beverly Hills, CA @ The Saban Theatre
Oct 25 – Sacramento, CA @ Crest Theatre
Oct 26 – Redding, CA @ Cascade Theatre
Oct 27 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
new music: BLEITCH; Des Ark
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on October 4, 2015
BLEITCH, “Crime”
Piers Baron and Madelyn Deutch formed BLEITCH in 2013 to create a self proclaimed style of “future pop.” Madelyn Deutch makes her directorial debut with this video that showcases her stunning vocals and the Los Angeles duo’s cool electro-pop style.
Des Ark, “Nighttime Moths”
dreamy, intricate song.
It’s tough out there in the music industry for women which may be why many solo female artists take in other names which indicate a band when it’s really that woman’s songwriting and compositions. With Des Ark, Aimée Collet Argote can go minimalistic and the softer singer/songwriter route or bring in the full-on loaded arrangements facilitated by a band.
third album Everything Dies [Graveyard Records] out October 6.
Oct- 8 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
Oct- 10 – Carrboro NC @ Back Alley Bikes
Oct- 16 – Savannah, GA @ Graveface Records (acoustic set)
Dec-10 – Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
Dec-11 – Philadelphia, PA @ Everybody Hits!
Dec-12 – New York City, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
Dec-14 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott
Dec-16 – Washington, DC @ Comet Ping Pong
show preview: Girlpool at Middle East Club October 5 and 6, 2015
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on October 4, 2015
I saw Girlpool a few months ago and was impressed by the two piece’s impressive and captivating performance. The pop duo formed in Los Angeles a few years ago and is a band on the rise with cool harmonies, lovely vocals and strange and thoughtful lyrics.
Girlpool is:
Cleo Tucker (guitar, vocals)
Harmony Tividad (bass, vocals)
Girlpool’s 2015 Fall U.S tour kicks off with two nights at the Middle East Nightclub– Monday October 5 and Tuesday October 6.
venue info:
472-480 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, Mass.
show preview: Skinny Lister at Middle East Nightclub Thursday, September 24
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on September 23, 2015
British six-piece folk act Skinny Lister formed in 2009 after meeting at clubs in Greenwich. High energy folk with varied instrumentation. If you’re a Frank Turner fan you’ll surely appreciate Skinny Lister’s blend of the political and the social.
Skinny Lister is:
Dan Heptinstall – vocals, guitar, and stomp box (July 2009–present)
Max Thomas – melodeon, mandolin and vocals (July 2009–present)
Lorna Thomas – lead vocals (July 2009–present)
Michael Camino – double bass and vocals (October 2012–present)
Thom Mills – drums (March 2014–present)
Sam “Mule” Brace: guitar, concertina, vocals (July 2009- March 2013, September 2014–present) mandolin (2014–present)
discography:
Forge & Flagon (2012)
Down on Deptford Broadway (2015)
Skinny Lister perform at The Middle East Club Thursday, September 24.
venue:
MIDDLE EAST
480 MASSACHUSETTS AVE
CAMBRIDGE, MA
on tour: The Mowgli’s
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on September 15, 2015
upbeat, optimistic, peace and love folk-pop band The Mowgli’s hit the scene in 2013 with its debut album Waiting for the Dawn.Now the band will tour this fall in support of its sophomore album Kids In Love.
The Mowgli’s is:
Colin Louis Dieden [vocals, guitar]
Katie Jayne Earl [vocals, percussion]
Dave Appelbaum [keyboards]
Josh Hogan [guitar, vocals]
Matthew Di Panni [bass]
Spencer Trent [guitar, vocals]
Andy Warren [drums]
tour dates:
11/04 – Austin, TX – Emo’s*
11/06 – New Orleans, LA – House Of Blues*
11/07 – Dallas, TX – Untapped Festival
11/08 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live*
11/10 – Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall^
11/11 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House Of Blues*
11/12 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade*
11/13 – Nashville, TN – Cannery Ballroom*
11/14 – Newport, KY – Thompson House*
11/15 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom*
11/18 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza*
11/20 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of the Living Arts*
11/21 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club*
11/24 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrews Music Hall#
11/25 – Chicago, IL – House Of Blues#
11/27 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave#
11/28 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater#
11/29 – Kansas City, MO – Midland Theatre#
12/01 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre#
12/02 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex*
12/04 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom#
12/05 – Seattle, WA – Pyramid Ale House**
12/08 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore#
12/10 – Anaheim, CA – House Of Blues#
12/11 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern#
12/12 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee Theatre#
12/13 – San Diego, CA – House Of Blues#
* = w/ Lights and PHASES
** = w/ Lights
^ = w/ PHASES
# = w/ Lights and K. FLAY
show preview: Dumblonde at Middle East Nightclub on Thursday, October 15
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on September 15, 2015
Dumblonde is a new alternative electro-pop duo with former Danity Kane members Aubrey O’Day and Shannon Bex. Not one for top 40, non-alternative music I’m not familiar with Danity Kane but am familiar with Aubrey O’Day. Liked her on Celebrity Apprentice 5
Knowing O’Day the bit I do from twitter and her solo work– she released her debut EP Between Two Evils in 2013– I’d say the name Dumblonde plays off the stereotype. O’Day, like me, has a political science degree. Hers from University of California, Irvine.
O’Day and Bex met in 2005 on Diddy’s MTV series Making the Band, which spawned Danity Kane. Rounding out the group were: Wanita Woodget, Dawn Richard, and Aundrea Fimbres. The group broke up in 2009 and reformed in 2013 to create another album. O’Day and Bex left the group in 2014.
I like the energy and creativity in this single:
Thursday, October 15 at Middle East Nightclub
venue:
MIDDLE EAST
480 MASSACHUSETTS AVE
CAMBRIDGE, MA
music preview: SAVANT at NAGA in Cambridge, Mass. on September 16
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on September 10, 2015
Born in 1987, Aleksander Vinter is a successful electronic dance music composer from Norway, now Los Angeles-based, who took the alias Savant after his rare mental condition Savant syndrome. According to NIH, Savant syndrome is: “a rare, but extraordinary, condition in which persons with serious mental disabilities, including autistic disorder, have some ‘island of genius’ which stands in marked, incongruous contrast to overall handicap. As many as one in 10 persons with autistic disorder have such remarkable abilities in varying degrees, although savant syndrome occurs in other developmental disabilities or in other types of central nervous system injury or disease as well. Whatever the particular savant skill, it is always linked to massive memory. This paper presents a brief review of the phenomenology of savant skills, the history of the concept and implications for education and future research.” Source: NIH
Savant stated: “I’m lucky electronic music hit when it did. Because of Skrillex and Tiesto, dance music has become this thing, in between pop and mainstream, where a little autistic guy from Norway can make a living, live in L.A. and prosper. I’m proof it’s possible. But making music for me is anObsession; I’m a workaholic, trying to make something beautiful for myself. It’s like making drugs; I’m tyring to take my mind of the darkness of knowing too much. Escaping from one reality to another is what I do with music. I’m doing it for myself—but if I can hit some chords, trigger a sample, and take somebody into a new world, then I’ve truly succeeded.”
discography:
Outbreak (2009)
Mamachine (2010)
Ninür (2011)
Vario (2012)
Overworld (2012)
ISM (2012)
Alchemist (2012)
Overkill (2013)
Cult (2013)
Orakel (2013)
Protos (2014)
Zion (2014)
Invasion[12] (2015)
Savant will be performing September 16 at NAGA in Cambridge, Mass.
venue info:
NAGA
450 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, Mass 02139
(617) 661-4900
new music: Sydney Eloise and the Palms; Operator
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on September 10, 2015
Sydney Eloise and the Palms, “Sorry Not Sorry”
Sydney Eloise possesses retro yet modern vocals that both move and soothe. This song conveys resilience and strength. I’ve been listening to the entire album for a bit and it’s so comforting and dynamic. If you like Neko Case, First Aid Kit and She and Him you’ll definitely appreciate Sydney Eloise and the Palms. The Atlanta musician gathered local musicians to fill out the band, including Paul Stevens (Grand Vapids), Jenna Shea Mobley (Book Club) and Matt Jarrard (Royal Thunder, Spirits and the Melchizedek Children).
Album Faces [The Cottage Recording Co.] out 9/22
Sydney stated: “I feel like I’m just tapping into myself as a musician, just now honing my sound and my voice. This is the first project I’ve worked on where I was pushed to the limit, and I could see my full potential blossoming. I’ve been waiting for this moment—this record truly represents who I am, where I am, and how much work I put in leading up to it. I feel like I’m meant to be here, now, with these people, my best friends, doing exactly this.”
Operator, “I, Banana”
starts with an intense, infectious beat and lots of cool synth grooves. Vocals kick in giving the song a very British shoegaze vibe. Overall fantastic track with lots going on. The Brooklyn quartet plays mellow synth-pop similar to Stereolab and blends synth grooves, noise pop, krautrock, dreamy indie rock, and shoegaze.
Operator is:
Dara Hirsch (guitar/synth/vox)
Jared Hiller (guitar/synth/vox)
Adrian Price-Whelan (bass)
Landen Griffith (drums)
Puzzlephonics I EP out October 9th
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