|
||||
|
||||
|
Month: September 2018
Jon Hopkins’ new single and video, “Singularity,” is an electro stunner.
Watch The Video For “Singularity,” Directed by Seb Edwards HEREJon Hopkins Currently On Sold Out International Singularity Tour,
Including Pitchfork Live Performance On Tue. Sep. 25
|
|
|
|
Celer’s newest track, “Tetra,” is haunting and meditative.
Celer Announces New Album, Memory Repetitions,
Out Nov. 9th On Smalltown Supersound
Listen To “Tetra”
https://soundcloud.com/
|
|
|
|
Live: Alison Krauss – September 12, 2018 – South Bend, IN
Alison Krauss‘ South Bend stop on her current tour was supposed to be at the Morris Theatre. That was changed, however, when a piece of the ceiling inside the Morris fell to the floor days earlier and the venue was closed for repairs. Her show (like Ringo Starr‘s before her) was moved to South Bend’s Century Center.
My wife and I arrived there with our tickets for “main floor left center” seats in row W, seats 12 and 13. What we found in the ad hoc seating area was chaos. All “main floor” seats were set up in the far rear stage left corner of the room. Five different docents each told us different information on where our seats were located. We were told to sit in the “mezzanine” seats at one point, and then told all “main floor” seats were across the room and to sit wherever we could find a seat. The “main floor” seats were listed by row, however (written in pencil that was hard to see, no less), and row W stopped at seat #10. Seats 12 and 13 didn’t exist. I asked if more chairs were available and was told they had enough seats for all tickets sold. This turned out to be more misinformation, because as more and more people showed up with no idea where to sit, docents started bringing out more chairs. One row of seats moved all their seats to the left by two spots either by suggestion of a docent or just for the hell of it. People were still confused about where to sit within seven minutes of the start of Ms. Krauss’ set.
Ms. Krauss did put on a fine show, so all was well once she took the stage. She and her band, which featured members of Union Station and the Cox Family Singers, performed a lot of spiritual hymns, bluegrass classics, and some of her more popular love songs.
Starting with a cover of Roger Miller‘s “River in the Rain,” Ms. Krauss’ amazing voice immediately filled the room. Her cover of Willie Nelson‘s “I Never Cared for You” was heartbreaking, and “Ghost in This House” was perfect now that pumpkin spice is all the rage and Halloween decorations are going up again.
Her cover of Little Milton‘s “Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson” was a blast and the traditional “Down to the River to Pray” was inspiring. The cover of the Carter Family‘s “Keep on the Sunny Side” was a fun highlight, and the closer of “It Is Well with My Soul” was divine.
Go see her if you can. Goofy seating is worth the headache for the lovely song craft you’ll hear.
Keep your mind open.
[Don’t forget to subscribe before you split.]
Deap Vally announces fall U.S. west coast tour.
Rock goddesses Deap Vally are playing a bunch of west coast tour dates this fall. Don’t miss them. Don’t miss them ever. They embarrass anyone who has to play after them, or before them, or any other time really.
Keep your mind open.
[Get deep by subscribing.]
Review: Magic Wands – Abrakadabra
Starting with an odd, distorted chant (“Bashmuuu”), Magic Wands‘ newest album, Abrakadabra, is both meditative and exciting. The sudden burst of “Nocturnal” (one of the best shoegaze tracks of 2018) is like a stage magician throwing down a small flash bomb onstage. Synths move like dancing handkerchiefs and singer / guitarist Dexy Valentine (whose name WordPress keeps wanting to autocorrect to “Sexy Valentine,” by the way) sings, “I’m invincible when I’m with you.” Well, sign me up for any required heroics, Mrs. Valentine.
The jangly guitars of “Houdini” by Dexy and Chris Valentine bounce all around the room, and the guitars on “DNA” come at you from multiple directions. Don’t miss Tommy Alexander’s bass on it because it’s so smooth it might slide right by you if you’re not careful. “Realms” almost lures you into a dream, and “Loveline” is wonderful dream pop. The band refers to their sound as “lovewave,” and that description is apt on this track (and the whole record, really). “New Device” brings back the shoegaze, and “Chains and Fur” belongs on your boudoir playlist. I love how both Chris and Dexy Valentine layer their vocals over one another on the track.
That “double vocal” effect is just as good, if not better, on “Diamond Road,” which begs to be played in a convertible driving across the U.S. on a lonely night. Drummer Pablo Amador puts down some wicked beats on “Julie Ann Gray” as Dexy Valentine’s vocals are slightly muted yet covered in reverb. It’s like a lost Dum Dum Girls track. “Big Life” is a lovely close to a lovely record…unless you get the digital download that comes with the bonus track “Puzzle of Love.” It’s worth it. The guitars are bold and bright and the beats are playful.
As I mentioned above, Abrakadabra is a lovely record. “Lovewave” might be your new favorite thing after hearing this.
Keep your mind open.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1ZsyXqqMV4
[Subscribe and updates will come to your e-mail inbox just like magic.]
Noiserock trio Cherubs release remastered rare material on “Short of Popular.”
Cherubs share first track from remastered, first time on vinyl Short of Popular via Daily Dot
Legendary 90s noiserock trio reunited. Collection of rarities & singles on LP for the first time w/ new artwork
Hear and share “Carjack Fairy” (Soundcloud) (Daily Dot)
|
“Cherubs perfected something that broke free of the boundaries firmly set in place by the band’s chosen mini-movement: the noisiest pop music on the planet. Short of Popular was like a Singles Going Steady of noise rock-and was as crucial to the Cherubs’ legacy as the proper album that preceded it.” — Pitchfork
Austin, TX trio Cherubs announce the first time ever on vinyl release of the collection of singles, outtakes and compilation tracks originally released on Trance Syndicate in 1996, titled Short of Popular. This release on Austin label Sonic Surgery Records (a division of Super Secret Records) is remastered with new art and pressed on beautiful 3-colored vinyl. Releases on October 12th.
The Daily Dot shares the first track from the album today, “Carjack Fairy” HERE. (Direct Soundcloud.)
“Perhaps ironically referring to the breakthrough that never quite occurred for Austin, TX, band the Cherubs, Short of Popular compiles the various singles, compilation tracks, rejected session pieces from Heroin Man, plus an assortment of other sonic odds and ends, and ties them neatly into this send-off album, indicating that the band’s break-up was indeed an untimely one. Kevin Whitley‘s signature nasal vocals, barely audible over the distorted wash of bass and guitar, are like that of a small child attempting to be heard over a steamroller. Beyond the signature roar and wallop of the Cherubs‘ rhythm section, a noise rock staple, it was the particulars that truly mattered: the undeniable pop melodies articulated throughout the redlined volume, and yes, the oddball Butthole Surfer-isms found here and there. The cover of Blondie‘s “Dreaming” is rollicking fun. A fine send-off for a band that burned brightly for a few records, then shuffled off.” — All Music Guide.
Another critic observed of the Cherubs “Nobody has made music as loud, noisy and evil as the infernal racket they produced. (Forget death metal). This is pure, heavy, intense, in-the-red punk noise which will melt your face off. It’s beautiful. Heroin Man is a classic, but the tracks on Short of Popularup the ante even further. One of the most vital underground bands of the 90s.”
This 2018 reissue of Short of Popular is completely remastered with all new art designed by band member Kevin Whitley. Some selections from the original compact disc release have been removed to improve the overall energy and live within the constraints of the vinyl format. The overall sound has a fuller and warmer feel without losing the cutting impact of the Cherubs style of music.
The Cherubs have been actively playing live both in the states and in europe since 2014 following a long hiatus that saw the members follow other interest both musical (bass player Owen McMahon toured with the Butthole Surfers) and artistic.
Sonic Surgery Records is honored to bring back this amazing collection of Cherubs magic and share it with the whole wide world. Play it loud it’ll never be as loud as the actual band)! Pre-orders are available via Sonic Surgery/Big Cartel.
|
Artist: Cherubs
Album: Short of Popular
Record Label: Sonic Surgery Records
Release Date: October 12th, 2018
01. Pixie Stix
02. Carjack Fairy
03. Chanukka
04. Orange Julius
05. Quitter
06. Hakkeboffer
07. Zip-Up Boots
08. Little Candy Hearts
09. Oh
10. Dazy
11. I Want Candy
12. Dreaming
13. How Little We Know
On the Web:
Keep your mind open.
[Don’t short yourself on music news. Subscribe.]
|
Grapetooth’s self-titled debut coming in early November.
Out November 9th Via Polyvinyl Record Co.
Watch The Video For New Single “Red Wine”
https://youtu.be/Lu0XMHCyK_s
[Photo by Alex Hupp]
The two don’t remember clearly how they met, but Frankel, home from tour with garage rock outfit Twin Peaks, began dropping in at Bailoni’s residence in the winter of 2015. The two began writing spontaneous songs in Bailoni’s synth laden bedroom studio, which had long stood as the base of operations for his own wonderfully weird solo and producer work as Home-Sick.
By 2016 the two friends were sharing an apartment, along with a growing fondness for red wine, bad weather, and the music of Yukihiro Takahashi. Though still without a name or any intention to release their music, as roommates the two collaborated more and more often, at all hours of the day and night. Soon they had quite a score, and agreed to play a show opening for their close friend Knox Fortune for his upcoming album release show. They chose the name Grapetooth, an affectionate slang term for a wino, and decided to make a video in support of the upcoming show for their song “Trouble,” one of the earliest songs the two had written together. Like the song itself, which had been written and recorded in the course of one night inside Bailoni’s bedroom, the video was similarly unplanned and on the cheap, and they posted it online without further ado. The reception was encouraging, and the pair went back to the bedroom and focused on completing their debut album.
On the strength of “Trouble” and their second single “Violent,” Grapetooth is fast becoming a favorite of many established Chicago bands. This summer Grapetooth sold out Lincoln Hall, a show so raucous it was shut down early. They’ll bring their live show to New York City for the first time to play Baby’s All Right on September 28th. They’ve also just announced a headline show at Chicago’s Thalia Hall.
Today, the band shares the video for their third single “Red Wine.” “This video worked out the same way our first two did – we always wait ‘til it gets dark then go out with a camera, some weird lights, and a couple outfits and see what happens. This time we got a convertible and drove around the city. We come up with ideas on the spot when we’re shooting – less planning works in our favor – we’re super happy with it. Jackson [James] did an amazing job!”
https://youtu.be/Lu0XMHCyK_s
Watch “Violent” & “Trouble” Videos
Listen To Grapetooth:
http://smarturl.it/grapetooth
Fri. Sept. 28 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right
Sun. Nov. 11 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
1. Violent
2. Red Wine
3. Trouble
4. Mile After Mile
5. Death
6. Imagine On
7. Hangover Sq.
8. Hallejuah
9. Blood
10. Together
https://plyvnyl.co/dont-mind-
https://soundcloud.com/
https://twitter.com/
https://www.instagram.com/
https://www.facebook.com/
Axis: Sova to release new album, “Shampoo You,” this November.
|
||||||
|
Exploded Views’ latest single, “Dark Stains,” is now available for your listening pleasure.
|
||||||
|