Glen Hansard’s highly anticipated new record Rhythm and Repose may be a couple of months away, but we are getting a taste of his track “Love Don’t Leave Me Waiting,” a song that to me feels very Van Morrison-like. It’s carefree & summery and a breath of fresh air. Pick up the single on iTunes now. We’ll see Rhythm and Repose in June.
photo credit: David McClister
The Athens, GA based foursome Reptar has been described as a ‘synth-based pop’, ‘electro funk,’ and ‘experimental dance’ band. But none of these seem to do the band’s sound justice. In live festival performances, the band throws tamborines across the stage and band members dance in short jean shorts and full-body spandex suits. Their music videos feature talking lips, lazer beams and varieties of fruit. But the one element that comes through whether you’re seeing the band at a festival, watching a music video on YouTube, or catching a small live show, is energy. And last Thursday when Reptar played at the Great Scott, they brought the energy.
Only a few weeks before their debut album drops, Reptar played an even mix of favorites off of their debut EP, Oblangle Fizz Y’all, and new tracks off of Body Faucet, which drops May 1st. Where tracks off of Oblangle Fizz Y’all were heavy on the afro beats, and long instrumental interludes that end in lead singer Graham Ulicny’s lyrical outbursts, the new tracks drew from tribal beats, wood blocks and jungle sounds. Almost all of Reptar’s songs have quick-fire, catchy but hard-to-decipher lyrics, and live, we could all tell the new tracks were danceable and high energy, but it was hard to tell which songs where which, or really, what any of them might be about. But they sounded great, and left the audience excited for Body Faucet.
The guys paused half way through the set to cake keyboardist William Kennedy in the face for his birthday, then passed the cake around the crowd. For a band so early in their career, it was fun to see them play a mix of old songs (like Blast Off and Rainbounce) and new ones (like Orifice Origami and Sebastian), all of which got the audience clapping and dancing.
Fellow Athens GA band Quiet Hooves added more quirk to the night with their set that crammed 11 people onto the stage, including two trumpet players and a saxophone player. Their sound was unique track to track, but some memorable moments included Beegees-esque backing vocals and jazzy moments that felt like we had been transported to a New Orleans street.
Local Boston band the Dirty Dishes started off the night with a solid set of tunes that lured early arrivers away from the bar and up towards the stage. Overall, it was a great night for large quantity of quality and quirky sounds.
Horse Feathers – Where I’ll Be
Portland, Oregon based folk outfit Horse Feathers released their fourth studio album today, Cynic’s New Year. The quintet has always had all of the pieces to make up a great folk group. The combination of fiddles, banjo and strings with lead singer Justin Ringle’s rough but soothing voice have always made Horse Feathers’ sound distinct. But on their fourth album, they have managed to fill out their sound. Instead of just the river, mountains, trees and valleys, we’ve got the full landscape. And it is beautiful.
Each song off of Cynic’s New Year is fuller and flows better than the band’s previous work. Where Ringle’s voice has stood out starkly, this time around his voice is perfectly matched to the surrounding sounds: the quick but deliberate banjo, the wavering strings and accompanying percussion.
The album title, perfectly describes the emotion of the album. A skeptical, pessimistic view of what is normally seen as a fresh start, the entire album features language and evokes emotion that is both uplifting and heartbreaking. Stories of roadside journeys and working men and women, the album is equal parts heart and heft. In Where I’ll Be, Ringle croons, “It’s the road and miles of it that’s only mine, But it gets exactly what you see, it’s where you are that’s where I’ll be.”
Longtime fans will surely be more than satisfied with this new album. And hopefully it will convert some new fans as well. You can grab it online here. The group will be in Boston on May 5th playing Brighton Music Hall with Brown Bird. A really great lineup, it’s sure to be a fantastic live show. You can check out the rest of their tour dates online here.
I’ve been listening quite a bit to a musician by the name of Jonah Tolchin, a 19 year old kid that sings songs that are at times quite dazzling. I mention his age because you just won’t guess it. He sings with the soul of a man 3 times his age. Part of the allure comes from his rather deep voice, its a bit grizzly, rough and almost whiskey soaked. I’m sharing his fantastic track “Criminal Man,” the title track from his album. The sorrowful, raspy vocals layered upon a minimalistic plucking of his guitar create a really intimate vibe. Tolchin’s sound blends the sounds of folk, blues, bluegrass and Americana across his record (Criminal Man) where he was joined by Music Savage favorites like Brown Bird, Joe Fletcher & The Low Anthem (it must nice to have such great friends).
I urge you to buy his album, Criminal Man.
These United States – Born Young
Today, These United States premiered “Born Young,” a brand new single from their eponymous new album, out on June 12th with United Interests. The track is the second from the album, a rambunctious melting pot of rock-and-roll, psych pop & southern rock.
These United States will also be touring like bandits with Trampled By Turtles as well as Heartless Bastards:
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Athens, Georgia based quartet Reptar is dropping by Boston tonight, playing at the Great Scott. The group, which combines danceable beats with african music and quickfire lyrics, has their debut album, Body Faucet, coming out May 1st. If you search Reptar on YouTube, you’ll find a variety of live performances featuring flying tamborines, blue spandex body suits, short jean shorts and lots and lots of dancing. What more can you ask for in a live show?
Fellow Athens, Georgia wierdo pop band Quiet Hooves are set to play before Reptar. And Boston-based band The Dirty Dishes will kick off the night.
Doors are at 9 p.m. and tickets are $9. See you there!
A few months ago, I mentioned Nashville’s Andrew Combs and his upcoming 7″. Well all of that has come to fruition. His new EP, Big Bad Love, is available on Bandcamp for a couple of bucks, and well it is definitely worth the price of a cheap beer. Heck, the vinyl edition is only $7, that’s the price of an expensive beer.. First cut off of the 7″ is “Take it From Me,” a twangy ballad that lets Andrew explore a more soulful side as he breaks up with you through this song. The weeping slide, and subtle crooning are near and dear to my heart, and this feels just about where Combs’ groove is playing songs straight from the soul, and using his strong emotive voice to pull the listener in.
Buy the EP on Andrew Combs’ bandcamp now.
Here We Go Magic have released their second single off forthcoming album, A Different Ship, today. This song is instant earworm material, the simple guitar-vocal-drums combo layers atop ornate sounds as they layer atop bass, synths & percussions. Its really easy to instantly love this sunny track from the very beginning.
Preorder A Different Ship and receive an instant digital download here.
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This video was just recorded last week, and well, I just love this version of Isakov’s “That Moon Song,” as if it weren’t a gorgeous enough song, this recording really does it great justice. If you don’t already own it, I highly suggest buying his album, This Empty Northern Hemisphere
Back in February, We Loyal, released a Double A-Side single Arch Of Glass / Reprise (Hymns & Rituals). I’m myself, just finding it now and enjoying their sound. Having toured with Active Child in Europe previously, I can see why, their sound seems to fit in quite well. Its an indie-pop, synthy, new-wave kind of thing. I’ve really been digging the first track of their double a, “Arch of Glass,” which I’m sharing with you.
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Check out this delightful indie pop electro track from Sundsvall, Sweden’s Heart-Sick Groans, and its accompanying video. The simplistic animation seems to fit in so perfectly with the carefree, quirky and fun style of the song.
Download the track on their bandcamp.
Rhode Island’s Deer Tick really needs no introduction. They seem to never let up when it comes to releasing material. Their latest EP, Tim, which was named for probably Deer Tick’s biggest influence, the Replacements; released back in February. This cut, “Born At Zero,” is a rock’n'roll track that surprises that it didn’t make Divine Providence, one of my favorite tracks. Its a fuzzy, distorted, and irreverent, just the way it should be. This just proves, Deer Tick’s throw aways are better than most bands bests.
Buy Tim – EP
The Great American Canyon Band – Burn
Chicago based husband and wife duo Paul and Krystal Jean Masson make up The Great American Canyon Band, and are about to release a self-recorded 7? from their debut album, which was recorded in a gutted house in Chicago. Their ethereal sound feels like a stripped down, Band of Horses, the gossamer, reverbed vocals and wide spatial palette feels desolate, and spacey, with a hint of country tinge through the use of two old acoustic guitars. Check out their second track released, “Burn,” a powerful track with a huge buildup. The use of an ever increasing spectrum and layer of sounds builds and builds as the song reaches a huge climax.
The “Tumbleweed” 7? is out 4/21, Record Store Day.
River City Extension – Welcome To Pittsburgh
Make no mistake, I’m a big fan of New Jersey’s River City Extension and I’m extremely excited about their upcoming record, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Your Anger, blissfully, I opened my inbox to find that they’ve released another track off of the album. “Welcome to Pittsburgh,” has got a Ronettes bang bang click sound to it, complimented with jangled guitars, and a summery, breezy, warm feel.
River City Extension 2012 Tour Dates: Continue reading
Sweden’s First Aid Kit played a flawless set Monday evening at the Paradise Rock Club in support of their sophomore album The Lion’s Roar. For young sisters – Johanna is 22 and Klara is 19 – who got their start from a YouTube cover of a Fleet Foxes song, I wasn’t expecting the absolutely polished stage presence and excellent performances that they brought to the Paradise. But from the moment they stepped onto the stage in their flowing 70s-inspired dresses, they had my and the entire audience’s rapt attention.
The girls opened with This Old Routine and followed with a good mix of songs off of The Lion’s Roar as well as a few from 2010′s The Big Black and Blue. The crowd was a good mix of young fans, to older couples and even a few families. And judging by the applause after old favorites like Hard Believer and new tracks like Blue, there seemed to be a good split of longtime fans and new converts.
Monday night was also Emmylou Harris’ birthday, so it was a fitting tribute when the girls performed Emmylou. But the real highlight of the night was when, about halfway through their set, Klara stepped away from the keyboard and Johanna put down her guitar and the two stood at the very front of the stage to sing an a cappella version of Ghost Town that was absolutely beautiful. Before they started singing, they waited for absolute silence in the room, but encouraged everyone to sing along if they knew the words. With one song, they managed to transform the Paradise into what felt like a singalong beside a campfire, with everyone singing along in the background. The a cappella version of Ghost Town earned the loudest applause of the night.
The girls will be back in New England for July’s Newport Folk Fest, and judging by their performance Monday night, they will absolutely have the crowd entranced.
Peggy Sue, a trio from London, England opened the night with a much louder, and atmospheric set. Lead singers Rosa and Katy paralleled the amazing harmonies that First Aid Kit is known for, but added expanding drums and drones to offer a completely different sound. The crowd was impressed, especially when they performed covers of pop songs from the 50s and 60s like Heat Wave and Blue Velvet. They definitely earned a few new fans Monday night.
