"Five For Friday" with Jesse Gale of Youngest Of Elders

Youngest Of Elders is the brainchild of San Francisco based musician Jesse Gale. With a songwriting style that's mainly focused on dealing with and understanding the angst, fears, anxiety and nostalgia of past, present, and future, Youngest Of Elders is constantly pushing towards a sound that's reminiscent of Joy Division, The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, Hum and many more. Jesse shares some of his favorite songs in this weeks edition of "Five For Friday" but first have a listen to his song "Before Beauty" from his latest E.P. "ASL" available now at youngestofelders.bandcamp.com and available soon as a limited cassette from CMM.

Radio Dept. "1995"

I can't remember the first time I heard this band, but I remember hearing this track and being blown away by its simplistic and atmospheric melodies. I saw them in San Francisco in 2010, and lost it when they rocked this one. I love and hate that they rarely play live, or release new material on a regular basis, for that matter.

Pedro the Lion "Rapture"

I heard this track in an old Thrasher skate video and loved it. Listened to their whole Control album right after and became inspired to find the perfect marriage of lyrics and music, combined with a ton of dynamics and emotion. Besides Pink Floyd records, this is the first concept album I listened to and studied like crazy.

Joy Division "Disorder"

This is the band and song that changed everything for me. The intensity of this song will always get me in a better mood, despite its lyrical content and Ian's tragic end. This song was the gateway to my musical journey, and helped me make some upbeat, yet moody songs. Nowadays, if I ever get stuck writing music, I'll listen back to this song to remember to simplify things.

The Appleseed Cast "On Reflection"

This is another "simple yet complex" song from an amazing record and band. Their tones and melodies are some of my favorites. One of the many bands that I would research their gear to try to emulate the delays and reverbs and distortions. They change their sound every record, which always good to hear. I think they're putting out a new record in 2016, and I'm really excited to see what direction they go in this time around.

The Velvet Teen "Gyzmkid"

One of the best kept secrets from the Cotati, CA area. These guys consistently release amazing material and change their sound completely every time. Got a lot of inspiration years ago to try blending electronic samples and electric guitars because of this song. This song blew me away with the drumming of their then new drummer, who is insane to watch live.

"Melodramatic Reverberation" an interview with Youngest Of Elders

Youngest Of Elders is the project of Concord California musician Jesse Gale. His latest E.P. "ASL" blends indie folk sounds with dream pop atmospherics to create rich organic songs full of beauty and power. We sat down with Jesse to talk about his first musical experiences, the making of the new E.P. and the music community in the bay area. "ASL" is available now at youngestofelders.bandcamp.com and will be out as a limited cassette later this month on CMM.

CMM-What was the first music you remember hearing as a child and what bands and artists made the biggest impression on you as a musician?

Jesse-I was raised on a lot of 80's hair metal, Eagles, Cat Stevens, and a lot of other bands my parents would listen to. I remember being in elementary school and hearing Nirvana for the first time and was totally blown away. Later hearing The Cure, Joy Division, The Smiths, Pedro the Lion, and My Bloody Valentine in my teens really inspired me to play in bands, and still inspire me to this day.

CMM-What instrument did you pick up first and when did you start writing songs and playing in bands?

Jesse-I first started playing piano when I was 8 or 9 years old, then got bored and wanted to learn guitar at age 12. I didn't start writing songs until I was 17 or 18 and started my first band Earth Itself with some friends in my senior year of high school.

CMM-How did Youngest Of Elders come about and how have things evolved since you started the project?

Jesse-The project started as a way for me to take all these songs I've had for the better part of a decade and finally finish them and make them sound how they're supposed to. The biggest change has been going from bedroom Garage Band demos to legitimate studio recordings, which makes me more and more excited to keep going.

CMM-What was the writing and recording process like for your new E.P. "ASL"?

Jesse-The three songs were written in 2008 and weren't finished until I went into the studio in 2015. The songs now sound completely different from the demos, since we cut and rearranged and wrote new parts and lyrics and cut synthesizers and replaced them with electric guitars.

CMM-Any particular gear you used when making the record?

Jesse-I tracked guitars with my Fender Telecaster. Pedals I used were Blues Driver, OCD, Timmy overdrive, Lazy Eye, Super Chorus, Digital and Analog delay, and Blue Sky reverb.

CMM-The Bay Area has a very long musical history. How would you describe the current DIY music scene there? Any favorite local bands or venues?

Jesse-The scene now is probably the best it's been in a long time. There's definitely a stronger sense of community and brotherhood out here, everyone plays together and goes to everyone's shows, buys merch, etc. A few people got together and started the Mountain Vibe Music Gathering festival that's in Wilseyville, CA every July, which is always a blast. Favorite locals right now are BullyWest, Overland, The Iron Heart, Mourning Mountains, Books on Fate, and Mama Foxxy & The Whiskey Gypsy Rebels. Favorite venues will always be Bottom of the Hill, Red Hat, Toot's Tavern, and The New Parish.

CMM-If you could do a film score for any director who would it be and why?

Jesse-Probably Joss Whedon, David Fincher or Alfred Hitchcock. All of those guys know how to bring tension and humor and raw emotion in unexplainable ways.

CMM-What does Youngest Of Elders have planned for 2016 and beyond?

Jesse-Next is a 7" vinyl release, more recording, hopefully another EP, and a full length is in the works. Also hoping to do a few small or long tours of the west coast and mid/southwest.

"Five For Friday" with Esa Torkkeli of Silence Through The Rain

Silence Through The Rain hail from Kouvola, Finland. Their latest self titled E.P. is a promising collection of post punk, indie, and alt rock sounds. Vocalist guitarist Esa Torkkeli shares some of his favorite songs in this weeks edition of "Five For Friday" but first enjoy "Silence In The Rain's "Equilibrium".

Therapy? - Isolation

Therapy? is one of my favorite bands. This cover was originally written by a band called Joy Division, which is also one of my favorites.I prefer this version to the original version and that is rare. It does not happen often that a cover version beats the original version.This one brings something else to the table musically and that is in my opinion the only good purpose to ever record a cover song.

Manic Street Preachers - If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next

Manic Street Preachers was one of the most important bands for me when i was growing up. This song is about the Spanish civil war and it was a number one smash hit all over Europe. That alone is an achievement in my books. a Brilliant song with brilliant lyrics. In my opinion they should have been one of the biggest bands in the world, but they are not. In this video they are ripping off chords from a guitar with a barcode reader. How cool is that? They have often been misunderstood and they have never lacked any self-irony.

New Order - Blue Monday

After surviving the death if Ian Curtis, the remaining members of Joy Division decided to continue under the name New Order. Not only were they able to continue making fresh sounding music successfully. They did it with more commercial success than ever before.Blue Monday is still today the biggest selling 12" inch vinyl single in the world. Sometimes i still wonder what they would have sounded like if Ian was still alive today.

Björk - Paegan Poetry

Björk for me has always been one of the greatest in channeling emotional intensity into music. Somewhere deep down inside of me there is a place that always resonates through her music. There are a lot of great songs i could have picked for this from her, but this song "Paegan Poetry" is one that´s stuck with me since i first heard it.The song in my interpretation represents agony of love and in the end learning to let go of yourself for solitude. It is a sad song, but there is always comfort to find in transcending sadness. It is a natural part of life. For me she is an artist in it´s purest form. Loads of respect.

Placebo - Every You Every Me

Placebo was one of the most influential bands for me growing up. Their earlier records feel like a soundtrack for the various moments in my life.This song in particularly is an important song in my life. Feels like a lifetime ago, but at the same time i remember it like it was yesterday.The emotional charge in this song is something that is over the top.

6 Records CMM Wants You To Know

Dungeon Pipes "Skype Dreams" E.P. (dungeonpipes.bandcamp.com)

Hailing from Halifax Nova Scotia ambient drone artist Dungeon Pipes latest E.P. is nothing short of a a sonic mind bender. Broken into three parts "Skype Dreams I" embraces the haunting atmosphere of classic horror films from the 70's and 80's as there's a looming psychotic undertone throughout the piece. "Skype Dreams II" builds on more relaxing tones that offer a lulling comfort as the sounds flow through your ears in an almost liquid like way. "Skype Dreams III" is a cinematic trance inducing drone that could have easily been part of the soundtrack to the film Baraka. It's uplifting feeling certainly sets an optimistic mood. One of the top ambient releases I've heard in sometime.

Exiles "Kill The Lights" Single (exilesband.bandcamp.com)

Excellent new single from Exiles out of New York City. The vocals are strong, powerful and beautiful. Add a touch of shimmering ethereal guitar backed by an on point rhythm section and you have an impressive piece of dream pop magic. This is the type of track you'll have on repeat for days on end as it adds a much needed hint of Spring we could all use on these bitterly cold winter days.

Jen Hingley "Autonomy" LP (jenhingley.bandcamp.com)

Jen Hingley makes some major waves on her debut album "Autonomy". Handling all the vocal, guitar, bass and drum duties as well as production herself, Jen has created 11 pop songs drenched in heavy guitar fuzz and noise. Think Throwing Muses and Liz Phair meets Guided By Voices and Ween with a touch of PJ Harvey type darkness. Tracks like "There's No One Left" and "Solo" have an underlying doomy dirge to go with their upbeat tempos. While "Frozen Again" and Restart" give positive nods to Smashing Pumpkins, you'll also be floored by "Wrong Way" with it's sick Melvins like feel that's unbelievably crushing. "Autonomy" is an excellent collection of no frills rock n roll that puts a modern spin on classic 90's alternative swag.

Odd Limbs "Shadow Drops" Single (oddlimbs.bandcamp.com)

Man!!! This is quite a snarling blast of psychedelic pop mayhem. Surf guitar textures carry the straight forward psych laced verses that give way to furious bursts of Birthday Party'ish chaos. Makes me think what it be like if The Doors collaborated with Syd Barrett for a Sun Ra tribute album. A top notch song indeed and an excellent preview of their upcoming album. I can't wait to hear more!!!

Pauwels "Elina" LP (pauwels.bandcamp.com)

Pauwels create aggressive, gorgeously eerie and truly frightening sounds while maintaining an incredible sense of musicianship that is technical and precise. The foundation is set by a pair of drummers who's astonishing rhythms remind me of experimental legends Crash Worship. The guitars carry a very cagey presence with tons of sustain and distortion that shifts back and forth from mean sounding riffs to more math rock driven jazz type runs. There's also a lot of mysterious sounds throughout many of the songs. "Wig" ends with what can only be described as what sounds like a large robot set for self destruct mode while "Bogey" ends with a psychedelic symphonic feel. "Ouspenski" reminds me of listening to John Zorns Naked City while taking a field trip to a local funhouse. Heavy, well crafted and intense.

Urban Grey "A Line Through The Fall And The Sky" (urban-grey.bandcamp.com)

Debut E.P. from this post punk snyth-rock outfit based in The Netherlands. Four moody tracks in the vein of early Cure, Joy Division and Suicide. "After The Storm" is the most upbeat of the four showing off a catchy guitar line matched with dance inducing drum machine swing. "Risk Taking" is a bit more melancholy, embracing a somber feel while riding out a memorable melody. "Under Your Charm" and "Weathered Statue" have that "10:15 Saturday Night" type vibe that I love. A recommended addition for fans of gloom and doom.