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Archive for April, 2013

Listen: Noel Thrasher – “an introduction to noel thrasher”

Noel Thrasher
Noel Thrasher, a folk pop solo project from South Carolina through Mat Cothran has released an album titled an introduction to noel thrasher. These tape tracks include an introduction by Justin Blackburn, the intuitive inner healer, a collection of acoustic melancholic sing-alongs, and the original version of cry babies, a track also recorded by Elvis Depressedly. Pick up an introduction to noel thrasher from her Bandcamp page for free or stream it below.

From the Coma Cinema Facebook page, “years ago, before i ever made any records i knew a girl named noel. she changed the way i looked at the world and i tried my best to find what i could of her music and offer it to you. there has been no bigger influence on my art and my life and there never will be. i miss you noel and i love you eternally.”

 

Tracklisting:
01. into (justin blackburn)
02. hmm, i was born
03. cry babies
04. flower song
05. swift swoop
06. friend of all matter
07. dead moon
08. us angels are real
09. untitled
10. outro (you can spill your heart out)

 

Watch: Pikachunes – “Cinnamon Pop Dream”

Pikachunes
Pikachunes, Kiwi disco pop artist, last week released a music video for his track, Cinnamon Pop Dream off of his new EP Miles. After producing one of my favorite music videos in 2011 for the song Nervous which you can see here, this new video incorporates the same amount of creativity. A completely stop motion effort, solely filmed within a bathroom stall with just the right amount of obscurity that compliments the song perfectly. Stream the video below, and pick up the EP on a “Name Your Price” basis on Lil’ Chief Records’ Bandcamp page.

Listen: Song Dogs – “Wild Country”

Song Dogs
At the end of last year, Song Dogs, an independent prairie-heavy roots rock band from Philadelphia released their debut ten track LP, Wild Country. The band consists of inner-city high school teachers, a poet, a law student, and a Liberian immigrant who, because of gender stereotyping, was not allowed to play drums in her homeland. The writing process consisted of four of the band members which in turn made Wild Country a musically diverse release, encompassing everything captivating of this unique genre.

 

“The album searches for the lost “wild country”: a land that, like all wild things, is both beautiful and dangerous.”

With harmonica stylings and overdrive distortion hooks the songs are reminiscent of the rock and roll giants like Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. The album was produced by Bill Moriarty (Dr. Dog) at Waking Studios in Philadelphia and mastered by Brian Lucey (The Black Keys) at Magic Garden Mastering. You can stream and download the album from their Bandcamp Page and for more information you can go to their Facebook Page and website. Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Listen: Wintercoats – “Heartful”

Heatful

Last week, Wintercoats, solo project of James Wallace from Melbourne, Australia unveiled his third release Heartful. This project combines orchestral instrumentals to produce ambient bedroom pop tracks; a bizarre combination that somehow works perfectly. From glockenspiels to violins layered on top of tranquil vocals, this six track album is one not to miss out on.  You can pick up Heartful on the Yes Please Records’ Bandcamp Page on a “Name Your Price” basis. Check out his Facebook page and Tumblr for more details.

 

Tour Dates:
APRIL 27TH – ADELAIDE // GHOST SHIPS
(with Rainbow Chan + Oisima + Glamour Lakes)

MAY 11TH – MELBOURNE // THE GASOMETER
(with Galapagoose + Guests)

MAY 18TH – SYDNEY // BRIGHTON UP BAR
(with Rainbow Chan + The Townhouses)

MAY 24TH – BRISBANE // TBA

Review: elvis depressedly – “holo pleasures”

elvis depressedly – holo pleasures

holo pleaures

Released: 16th April 2013
Label: Birdtapes | Orchid Tapes
Purchase: Vinyl | Casette [Sold Out] | Digital

holo pleasures is the sixth release by lo-fi pop project, elvis depressedly and marks the first time under this moniker that there has been a full band effort. The trio that contributed to the record includes Mat Cothran on vocals, drums, and guitar, Eric Jones on guitar and bass, and Delaney Mills playing all the keyboard parts. Like most of Cothran’s work, there is the familiar lo-fi analog comfort layered on top of warbling vocals to create unparalleled mellowness and melancholy.

The first track, okay, a pop number, encompasses Cothran’s simple yet poignant lyrical style including the lyrics, “I remember becoming winter, haunted by light, true love turned to sickness in my body, stayed up all night.” The album has the some of the same vibes as Coma Cinema, Cothran’s other outfit, however what sets them apart is the difference in the coherent aesthetic of the albums. The harmonies and hooks of this release contain a medley of droned keyboard, blown out guitar strumming, and muted percussion followed by refrains such as “If there’s a cool spot in heaven, I know you’ll get in” in weird honey and “Always real, always right, always alright” in pepsi/coke suicide. The six songs that run a total of twelve minutes are meant to be listened as one in order to gain the full experience of the record.

Mat Cothran and his band members are always constantly progressing and a new release is never far away, or from any of the groups in the scene such as Julia Brown, R.L. Kelly, and Pussy Wizard. The casette form of this release is currently sold out, but you can still pick up the 7″ vinyl in either blood red or swamp green from Birdtapes, or give it a listen over at the Bandcamp page.

Standout Tracks: “okay”, “weird honey”, “pepsi/coke suicide”

8.5

“never quit, there’s always a reason to try.”

Tracklisting:
1. okay
2. pepsi/coke suicide
3. inside you
4. teeth
5. weird honey
6. thinning out

 

Listen: The Wonder Years – “Dismantling Summer”

Dismantling Summer
The Wonder Years have premiered the fourth track of their upcoming full-length, The Greatest Generation, entitled Dismantling Summer. The song features a slightly different, more upbeat vibe to the previously released track, Passing Through A Screen Door. If both songs released thus far are an accurate showcase of the album to come, The Greatest Generation will no doubt be an essential part of every pop-punk fan’s record collection. Stream the song via Altpress hereThe Greatest Generation will drop on the 14th of May later this year.

Listen: Teen Daze – “The House On The Mountain”

Teen Daze
Teen Daze, ambient pop solo project, two days ago put out a four track EP titled The House On The Mountain. It was recorded last month on the side of Sumas Mountain, in Jamison’s hometown of Abbotsford, BC. The four unrivalled songs other than including the expected instruments also contain a medley of sampled kitchen ware instruments, which you can listen to the result of below.

Jamison’s words about the release, “I would spend the day putting together the beat, and after a morning in the kitchen, I would ask my roommate David (also the bass/guitar player for the live Teen Daze band you’ll be seeing later this year) to just improvise over-top of the beat. I’d sample his playing, and a quick mix later, we had a song. Then we’d usually go eat pizza and talk about video games. I’m lucky to have such a talented friend, and I’m sure this won’t be the last collaboration you’ll hear between us.” You can pick up this EP from his Bandcamp Page with all the proceeds going towards his wedding budget. For more information about Teen Daze check out his official website and Facebook page.

Manchester Orchestra Record Store Day Collaboration

Split Cover
Manchester Orchestra have collaborated with both Grouplove and Frightened Rabbit to produce a 12″ vinyl for release on Record Strore Day. The first of the two tracks, Architect by Manchester Orchestra and Frightened Rabbit, contains the layered vocals of Andy Hull and Scott Hutchison. Throughout this acoustic number you identify with the despondency of the lyrics but are left in awe of the talent of both bands. However this is then juxtaposed with the second track Make It To Me, the Manchester Orchestra and Grouplove collaboration. It is a much more upbeat indie pop song with a sudden influx at various times throughout the song of electronic techno-esque synth which seems out of place. You can stream the collaboration below and tell us your opinion in the comments. It will be available to buy on Saturday, April 20 at participating independent record stores that you can find about here.

Stream: Fall Out Boy – “Save Rock and Roll”

SaveRockAndRoll
Fall Out Boy has leaked their extremely anticipated comeback album Save Rock and Roll in its entirety as a set on Soundcloud. The album features a range of guest vocalists, from Courtney Love to Sir Elton John. Laden with synth and upbeat catchy melodies, the album comes across as heavily pop-oriented and radio friendly, a large departure  from the band’s pop-punk roots. However, it feels like a natural progression for the Chicago quartet, who have created overall, a very solid record. Check it out here or below, and let us know what you think in the comments!

Donate: Starry Cat – “Self-Titled”

Starry Cat
Starry Cat, solo project of Sam Ray from Ricky Eat Acid, Julia Brown and Teen Suicide, have released a self titled album in support of fellow band member and friend, Caroline White. This release was written and recorded during a break from recording for the Julia Brown debut. It was initially going to be kept a secret and be sold as physical copies at shows, however  in Sam Ray’s words, “we found out recently that caroline (our viola player/singer) is sick and has to get multiple surgeries soon. that sucks. also she can’t eat cake for like a long time which is awful. caroline’s one of my best friends and one of the most talented people i know and it sucks she has to go through this and it sucks even more because i know it’s a lot of money to get everything she needs done. i wanted to try and help her with everything so i figured i’d release this album now instead of waiting and hope that if you like it (or wanna be supportive) you’d pay for it.”

All the money donated goes into Caroline’s Paypal account to help pay for the surgeries. If you have ever downloaded music from the aforementioned bands, you’ll have noticed they never ask for money, so please this time help Caroline out, thank you.

“if you can’t afford anything you can still download it but it’d be rad if you shared it i guess so maybe other people will see it.” Sam Ray

 

 

[Edit: Cameron Boucher of Old Gray has also released a solo album for the same cause, which you can buy on his Bandcamp page.]