I Probably played this album 1,000 times this year. So many amazing songs that really speak to you. The record really cements Courtney as one of the best new songwriters around.
2. Joan Of Arc "1984"
One of the bands best yet. Songs like "Real Punk Kid" and "Tiny Baby" combine experimental elements with traditional songwriting in the finest way possible.
3. Body/Head "The Switch"
This album is full of amazing hypnotic, mind bending noise and I can't get enough. The tracks really take you to another place with each and every listen.
4. Merzbow "Exoking"
Another masterpiece from the king of noise. Amazing tones and beautiful packaging as always.
5. Alles Club "Décollage"
This album is truly EPIC. I really can't say enough great things about it. Highly original and inspiring.
6. Statue "Casper"
Amazing guitar and drum tones fill this album alongside incredible musicianship and song arrangements. Top notch across the board.
7. Guided By Voices "Space Gun"
Another stellar album from the most prolific band in the world. Lead singles "Space Gun" and "See My Field" are instant GBV classics.
8. Frankie Teardrop Dead "All You Need Is Love And Fucking Peace"
One of the most colorful and uplifting psychedelic records of the year. Can't get enough of this one.
9. Netherlands "Black Gia"
Another skull crushing release from this NYC metal/sci-fi unit. Intense and menacing with a twist of new wave energy.
10. Casino Garden "Ride"
A brilliant blend of shoegaze and psychedelia. One of the most beautiful albums of 2018.
Lunar Gateway combine elements of post rock, shoegaze, 60's psych rock and folk music to create this tremendously beautiful album known as "Near and Far". "Instinct Devolve" sets the pace for things with it's tom tom beat and intricate guitar attack which leads us to the upbeat and rather jazzy track "Goodbye" which is backed by a free feeling rhythm and a mix of jangling and shimmering guitars. The matter of fact vocal style that flows throughout the record is as inviting as it is mysterious and I'd say this is felt most throughout the extremely dark tone of "Sometimes". The math rock structure of "Poynting" adds a nice touch to the mix and shows off the diversity the band has to offer. Other highlights include the lush, rich tones found in "Deal With It" and the almost goth feel of "We're Lost". Overall "Near and Far" is a brilliant balance of incredible songwriting that's full of imagination and knows when to push the boundaries of traditional music in new directions. Inspiring, innovative and intense.
Based in London, Oats make some of the most refreshing music I've heard in some time. Opening number "The Scourge" combines spacey synth sounds with a driving beat and hypnotic vocals that make for an absolutely perfect combination. "My Ristica" is equally as atmospheric but also has a bit of a folk element to it while "Drippy Wizard" has a quirky, wavering psychedelic swing that surrounds it. Think MGMT at a tea party with Syd Barret. The rhythm of closing piece "Floating" is so full of swagger it's sure to get the biggest square in the venue out on the dance floor. It's down right infectious to say the least. I really can't say enough great things about this E.P. GET INTO IT.
Chicago three piece unit, Sci-Fi Sleep Cycles bring a lot of angst on this new two song E.P. The angular guitars and lo-fi dynamics reference the likes of Sonic Youth and Guided By Voices while also paying homage to bands like Slint and Fugazi. "You" is really an amazing number as it's got some really interesting time changes and a nice quiet/loud/quiet/loud dynamic to it. I've had it on repeat for the last several days and truly can't get enough of it. "On High" is also pretty amazing as it's sea of saturated guitars and catchy melodies give it a really charming feel. A remarkable effort from a really awesome new band.
Serpent Rainbow create a mix of mysterious, atmospheric sounds that are mostly centered around the guitar. The delicate layers of ominous and full bodied chords that ring out during "The Way" are the perfect match for the heartfelt vocals and underlying nuances that really make this track top notch. "Another Way To Misbehave" features lulling layers of hypnotic guitars that channel the spirits of ambient masters like Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. The rich modulated tones are comforting and warm before giving way to an outbreak of classic rock power chords that round out the track in fine form. An excellent E.P. from beginning to end that leaves me wanting more.
Colchester, UK based band The Angel Makers return with this delightful cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Never Going Back Again". The band put a hazy lazy spin on the track that sounds like a cool breeze flowing on a hot summer day. Shauna Kelly's stunning vocal delivery has an innocence that feels uplifting and free. She puts her own stamp on the track without drifting too far away from the original. The band also recently released a brand new four song E.P. of original songs called "Sam and Sara" which has quickly become a favorite of mine. Highly recommended.
I am truly blown away by this debut E.P. from Brighton's Valita. It's intense cinematic flair and over all eeriness draws you in and never lets you go. Lead off track "Vines" has a dark, slow mysterious presence that's full of rich psychedelic undertones. It's the kind of track that really cements a band for what they truly are and it's nearly seven minutes of stunning intensity. "Wide Eyed" has a similar feel but might be even more cunning. It's haunting guitars and crawling bass line really take the eeriness to another level while "Paint My Skin" has a more uplifting, psychedelic feel that's colorful and dreamy. "Solstice" just might be the most intense track of the batch as it's moody mix of darkness and doom serves as the perfect ending to this
truly amazing collection of songs. This record will give you chills and keep you guessing as to what's coming next. Truly beautiful and one of a kind.
Greensboro, North Carolina's Charm impress on their latest E.P. "Living Room". The lo-fi slack rock style of "Window Shopping" echoes the spirits of Pavement and Superchunk while "Bad Energy" harnesses a guitar sound reminiscent of "Marquee Moon" style Television. I'm loving the upbeat pace and jangle filled riffs of "Gaze" as it's uplifting approach makes it the perfect song for summer. "Glue" is backed by an amazing energy and driving riffs that will have you singing along in no time as I've had this one on repeat since my first listen. I really can't say enough great things about this record. So many amazing riffs, so much energy and just an overall fun band to enjoy. Get into it.
Based in Leon, Mexico, Forever Blond create an incredible blend of upbeat indie pop and slowed down dream driven shoegaze throughout this six song debut E.P. Opening number "Dices que si" is a hook filled "thrill ride" that's infectious rhythm and nasty guitar sound sets things off in fine form, while "No Somos Amigos" has a more lulling approach that's backed by an ethereal vocal delivery that's as soothing as it is mysterious. "See You Again" is filled with warm heart felt melodies and rich soundscapes making it one of the releases best moments. It's the type of track that really shows the diversity this band is capable of when it comes to song writing and approach. Overall "Algún día todo lo que sentí, me será útil" is a most excellent debut that's sure to delight fans of well crafted, catchy atmospheric rock n roll. Highly recommended.
I've been a fan of Luke Phillips AKA ICEBEING for a few years now and have been anticipating new music from the project for quite some time, so I was really excited to see Phillips drop this new two song E.P. "Wonky Boy" is a fast, infectious number full of modulated and fuzzy guitars, a toe tapping beat and an uplifting vocal delivery. It's psychedelic, colorful and hypnotic and simply put it's down right amazing. "Courting" has a more electronic approach but also retains the lush psychedelic flair that flows through these two songs. It's happy and warm yet incredibly vivid and mysterious at the same time as the song radiates an energy that's truly second to none. Another remarkable release from one of my favorite new artists.
Wasn't sure what to expect from a band named Lofi Legs but then again what's in a name? What you get is a fine blend of breezy indie rock n roll fueled but jangling guitars, swinging beats and swagger like vocals that don't try to do too much.The chiming guitar attack of "Ground" makes it one of the releases best tracks as it's oozing with melodies and captures an underlying surf rock appeal that I just can't get enough of. The shuffling beat of "Lo-Tide" and it's stop and start riff gives the song a care free feel while "Orange Sunshine" features some really awesome "guitar moves" that make for some incredible dynamics. I must say "Sonic Century" is a highly pleasurable listening experience and I can't wait to hear what this band does next.
Mothers "Pink" Single (ANTI-Records)
Mother's are set to release their second album "Render Another Ugly Method" via Anti-Records on September 7th. The records latest single "Pink" is a bouncy blast of infectious rock n roll that caries a slightly hypnotic feel and mysterious presence. It's layers of angular guitars and lush atmospheric vocals create an intricate formula that also harnesses just enough menace and grit to push things over the top. Can't wait to take in the full album. Highly recommended.
Voyage In Solitude combine aspects of post rock, shoegaze and underground metal to create a sound that's all their own. This latest E.P. "Last Train From The Hill" is a truly beautiful creation as all of the songs mesh together perfectly. The shimmering gliding feel of "Noisy Train" brings an elegance to the record that's absolutely breathtaking. "Abyss" continues in an ethereal direction but adds some heavier aspects to the sound, while "Ticket To The Other World" shows an even more cinematic side to the record as the intensity seems to build and build throughout the song. This all leads up to the climactic sounds of "Never Look Back" as it's pounding drums and other worldly presence really send the album off on a high note. It's hopeful and grey at the same time as it feels like it's breathing new life into an old and jaded body, allowing it to fully live again. A tremendous release that leaves me wanting more.
German shoegaze band Casino Garden carve out one of the most inspiring and well written releases of the year with their debut album "Slide". Starting off with the breathtakingly beautiful "Mind-Blowing Voices" the band take you on a dream like journey through sonic soundscapes that are full of ambient nuances and highly modulated guitar tones. "Colorblind" has a more indie pop stance with it's upbeat feel and catchy hooks while the acoustic based "Placebo" quickly shows off the bands vast diversity. Other highlights of the album include the shimmering and moody feel of "Ride", jangle pop based "Moths" and the slow lulling pace of "Uncanny Valley". Don't miss out on this spectacularly impactful debut.
Late Bloomer "Sleeve" Single (6131 Records)
Killer indie rock/punk rock n roll out of Charlotte, North Carolina that echoes the spirits of The Replacements, Husker Du and Weezer. "Sleeve" is a true modern day anthem that's full of sing along type hooks and an over all "half smile but feeling kinda good" attitude. It's the kind of track that gets you singing along in no time and it's got the perfect feel for summer. The bands new album "Waiting" is out now courtesy of 6131 Records.
This debut E.P. from Montreal based post punk unit Meave is absolutely crushing. Opening number "Éthérée" has a dark, eerie almost sinister crawl to it that is so mysterious and subliminally heavy. It's pounding drums and angular guitar attack stand out alongside it's almost chanted vocal delivery. "Skeleton Woman" is a little more melodic and radiates with a glowing energy while "Flowers On The Stage" is a psychedelic, hypnotic masterpiece. The sea of intrigue and darkness continues as an ominous drone flutters at the beginning of "Lost Rivers" before giving way to an infectious beat and sea of psyched out guitar sounds. It's got an epic feel all around that harnesses a primal yet modern take on riff driven rock n roll. "No Boredom" closes out this amazing E.P. with it's dirge driven mood and rich ambient vocals. It's the perfect ending to what may truly be one of the most impressive debuts I've ever heard.
Taken from their new full length album "Almost Ruined Everything" out August 10th, Notches create an amazing post punk/hardcore sound that reminds me of Dinosaur Jr. and Buffalo Tom mixed with traces of Black Flag and The Minutemen. "Telephone Wire" is wired for power and captures just the right amount of meanness to go along with it's feel good chorus and energetic attitude. Another promising effort from one of the best new bands out.
Based in Ciudad De México, Point Decster create a whirlwind of sonic rock n roll sounds that blur the lines between mid 90's screamo, post rock, shoegaze and post hardcore. "Chino Moreno" has an undeniable spirit to it as it's driving beat and melodic guitar riffs mesh perfectly with it's passionate uplifting vocals. There's also a fast "pick me up" style part at the end that caps off the track in grand fashion. "Sugarcoat" is done in a similar style but with a little more "chaos" so to speak. The end section has some of the most beautiful dynamics you will hear anywhere as it's gliding guitars create a type of tension, energy and attitude that stands above most of the other bands tying to capture this type of emotion and sound. Highly recommended.
After the release of The Mountain Goats 2015 album "Beat The Champ" WWE wrestler Sasha Banks tweated to the band “Where’s my song @mountain_goats”. According to Mountain Goats founder John Darnielle the album was based on wrestling from the “old territories days” but he agreed that at some point they would write a “Song for Sasha Banks.” Well now it's 2018 and that song has arrived as
Darnielle released the track last week. As a long time wrestling fan I must say it's pretty interesting to hear lines that mention Chris Jerhico and reference wrestlers coming up through the independents to make their mark in the "business". Another
exquisite creation from this long running indie pop project that's sure to delight longtime fans and make some new ones.
At nearly 45 years old I think I've finally realized what life is most about to me and that's moments. Yes I am the type that does enjoy what many may consider the "mundane" aspects of life but I now consider those mundane periods to be preparations and build ups to the "moments" and experiences we will never forget. Joan Of Arc's new album "1984" seems to be one of these major moments for a band that has constantly been evolving over the last 20 plus years as founding member Tim Kinsella is joined by an incredible line up of musicians including Bobby Burg, Theo Katsaounis, Melina Ausikaitis and Jeremy Boyle. Opening piece "Tiny Baby" is a stunning combination of comfort, warmth and subliminal stimulation as the group combine elements of minimalist composition, ambient swells and mysterious sonic textures alongside Ausikaitis charming storytelling. This type of experimentation continues throughout "Vertigo" as long droning tones loom over layers of looped and delayed vocal treatments. All of this builds up into "Real Punk Kid" which carries a very anthem like feel to it. It's ominous piano sounds and pulsating bass line set the foundation for yet another incredible performance from Ausikaitis. This song works like a photo album in my mind. It will make you think back to your most fondest memories and some of the greatest hurdles you may have ever had to overcome. It's a true inspiration that radiates an energy I can fully get behind and seems to say "you are not alone". "People Pleaser" adds orchestral aspects to the mix and at this point the vocals move into an even more passionate and free form headspace. You get the feeling that Ausikaitis really enjoyed every minute of the making of this intensely cathartic track. The albums final piece is the spacey, dream like "Forever Jung" which is deeply psychedelic, meditative and insightful. It's beautifully lulling and closes out the album in grand fashion. Such an incredible moment for one of the most innovative bands of our time.
"Violent therapy", the latest release from French goth/post punk duo My Great Blue Cadillac is a thunderous blast of emotional intensity. The bass driven attack of "Falling To You" echoes the spirits of Rozz Williams era Christian Death and is an absolutely relentless piece of music. The melodic but stern approach of "Possessed" shows off the tremendous song writing abilities of the pair while "Rebirth" is a dirge based wall of sonic mayhem that's as primal as it is experimental. The experimentation continues during the infectious cadence of "Hope". It's underlying industrial tones and nontraditional structure make it one of the albums most intense tracks of all. "Pain In Love" teeters on the edge of post punk and metal as it really melts elements of both together in the perfect way. Overall "Violent Therapy" is a phenomenal collection of some of the darkest material I've heard in a long time. Get into it.
Greenville South Carolina's Pure Ghost offer a brilliant balance of heavy riffs and captivating atmospherics throughout "There's No Heaven Left In Me". Opening number "Grey Type" is full of ethereal tones that sway around it's pounding beat and radiant vocals. It's the perfect blend of shoegaze and post hardcore that also shows off their incredible musicianship. The high energy of "Violet Rot" keeps things moving along in fine form while "To Disappear" showcases some of the most inspiring guitar work you will hear anywhere. At last we come to the impeccably well put together title track, as swells of colorful sound rain down everywhere offering the perfect balance of darkness and light. A highly recommended release from one of my favorite new bands.
Boston singer songwriter Savannah Lee impresses on her debut full length LP "Spectroscope Of Sanity". One thing is clear about Lee's performance throughout the album...She sings from the heart and plays from the heart. Everything is about feel and passion and being in the moment. Songs like "Theater" and "Seahaven" combine her strong, confident vocal presence with mysterious and atmospheric twists and turns that are quite introspective. "Lilac Smoke" has a lush elegance to it while "Dist. from Being" balances traditional folk with more spacey elements. Other stand out pieces include the wandering flair of "Blinders", cinematic presence of "To Say" and the psychedelic traces that flow throughout "What Would You Say". Overall a remarkable effort that showcases an up and coming artist in their truest form.
It must be something about the incredibly beautiful scenery that brings out the best in bands from Oslo, Norway. This is the first release I've heard from Swean and the rich, looming soundscapes that make up this latest E.P. made me an instant fan.
The other worldly tones that make up "Drift Aside" are inspiring to say the least. It's layers of modulated guitar leads and tight, in the pocket drumming set the foundation for it's dream driven vocals. "Point Of Reference" sounds even more epic and emotional and adds a slight touch of mid 90's emo to the mix, as underlying seas of noise create a sonic frenzy that's absolutely stunning. I can't wait to hear more from this powerfully engaging band.
From the first few seconds I heard "Seconds" I was hooked on Witch Watch. This is the first single from the Minneapolis based indie pop units upcoming album "Underground/Overground" and it's an incredibly catchy song that will have you singing along in no time. It's swinging beat, rumbling bass line and delicate guitar leads blend perfectly with Anna Neighbors soothing vocals. The best part about this digital single is that it includes 3 bonus tracks that are also top notch. "Feral Fountains" is a rich dreamy number full of beautiful atmospherics. "Blood Orange Curfew" and "Discarded Rituals" are also very appealing acoustic based pieces that infuse the stunning ambient elements that make this band great. Highly recommended.
Houston Texas based shoegaze group Angel Aura certainly put their own spin on the genre with this debut four song E.P.
The delicate yet powerful vocals and heavily modulated guitar work has an other worldly vibe but there's also a lot of ruggedness to this bands delivery and I think that's a quality that gets lost with bands way too often. The swirling, ambient sounds that flow through "Blisshaus" really make it one of the E.P.'s stand out tracks while "Crystal Inn" adds an even more distant feeling to the mix. "Outpouring" is a little more uptempo but also captures the perfect "underwater" tone and cements Angel Aura as one of the best new bands I've heard in a while.
Inspiring new project out of Burlington Iowa that mixes 90's alterna-rock with UK shoegaze and brit-pop influences. "Glimmer" is a down tempo piece full of raw, lush ethereal guitars and laid back vocals that remind me of a primitive MBV or Pastels. "Broken Stem" has a nice bit of chime to it before breaking into a sea of distorted guitars. It's as abrasive as it is warm. My favorite track of the three is the final number "Spill". It's moody, beautiful shimmer really shows off what this project is made of as the group touch on other aspects outside of the realms of shoegaze and show hints of bands like Antioch Arrow and Heroin. Can't wait to hear what comes.
I'm loving this new two song E.P. from the incredible Captain Kuzdu. "Squares" gives an undeniable nod to "Daydream Nation" era Sonic Youth which I absolutely love. It's highly textured guitar sounds and driving beat work well with the matter of fact vocal delivery. "Lydia" has a nice dreamy intro that eventually gives way to a slow dirge like pace that makes me wonder what it be like to sky dive in slow motion. It's breezy psychedelic flair is welcomed with open arms. Highly recommended.
Mogwai “We’re Not Done (End Title)” (Rock Action/Temporary Residence LTD)
Mogwai are doing the score for the upcoming science fiction/action film "Kin", which stars Jack Reynor, Zoë Kravitz, Carrie Coon, Dennis Quaid, and James Franco and the band has released the first preview track "We're Not Done (End Title). It's almost apocalyptic mood and rich beautiful melodies are nothing short of spectacular but then again what else would you expect from these long running post rock masters. "Kin" is due for release on 8/31 courtesy of Rock Action Records / Temporary Residence.
This new Oh Sees track absolutely slays as it's 1,000 MPH beat and frantic guitars are sure to melt faces around the globe. There are a few minimal laid back moments but they are only there to serve as dynamics to the rest of the mayhem that's about to be blasted upon you. Possibly one of the best Oh Sees tracks to date that can certainly hang with any other classic barn burners that have come before it.
Based in Los Angeles Small Planets offer up this highly enjoyable four song demo that channels the spirits of the 120 minutes generation. Think of the early days of bands like Cocteau Twins and The Cure but with a modern twist and and a little more aggression from the guitar department from time to time. Stand out piece "Window" is truly beautiful and charming as the vocals and overall mood draw you in like a warm blanket on a cold winters night. "Blue" has a swinging beat and catchy pop under tone while "Drowning" blends just the right amount of tension across the atmospheric layers of infectious sound. A truly remarkable
effort from beginning to end.
Started in Walla Walla, WA in 2016 shoegaze/post punk unit Reveries just released their debut E.P. on cassette through CMM. I sat down with members Jonthan Avila and Jesse Flores to talk about their early musical experiences, the making of the E.P. and the current music scene in the Pacific North West. Pick up a copy of the cassette here.
CMM-What were you all's first musical memories and what bands/artists made the biggest impact on you all as musicians.
Jonathan Avila: When I was a child, my father had a KROQ compilation CD that included many Alternative Rock bands. The bands that stood out to me were The Cure, Berlin, and The Smiths. I always enjoyed the way they combined existentialism and love.
Johnny Marr made a huge impact on me. I feel like every time I revisit The Smiths’ albums there’s always one riff that I didn’t catch the first few times around because of how layered his guitar work is. He’s very inspiring. Chino Moreno constantly inspires me to challenge sound. I think that’s why I navigate through different styles of music, mainly Alternative, and create a concoction of different “post-” elements.
Jesse Flores: My dad was always playing oldies on repeat growing up. We’re talking Earth, Wind, and Fire, The Temptations, Chicago, Tower of Power, stuff like that. Every trip in the car, every family gathering, every DIY home improvement weekend, there was ALWAYS music playing at my house. While under-appreciated at the time, it drove the household nuts but in retrospect, probably planted the love for music in me subconsciously.
I started out like a lot of kids did, worshiping Blink 182 and trying to learn all the songs on guitar. I was a Pop-Punk kid at heart (still am) but when I discovered the textures, and different sounds guitars could make after discovering This Will Destroy You, my lust for effect pedals began and I become more interested in different kinds of gear. This led me to a more experimental writing style.
CMM-How did the band form and what took you all into the musical direction that makes up the bands sound?
JF: Jonathan and I had been in a project together years prior to Reveries and since have been “on-and-off-again” jam buddies. Jonathan had 2-3 songs he had in the works and hit me up to jam them.
Once we fine-tuned the sound we were trying to go for, we brought on Ryan via Craigslist, who fortunately, was not a Craigslist Killer. He’s a rather nice guy, in fact.
Once we had 4 songs somewhat formulated, Jonathan booked us a local house show gig and we had to phone-in a bassist. So we reached out to Jose, who was also in the old project with us (and others with Jonathan) because we knew he could learn and write bass parts quick.
We all meshed well, musically, so we became an “official” band naturally. We never really had the discussion though, so maybe I shouldn't be so comfortable with my position. (Haha).
JA: We wanted to create a sound that would appeal to our local community, which is mostly a retirement community. We’re the Florida of Washington State. After writing three songs, and practicing them, they became very tiring. Jesse and I weren’t thrilled about it anymore. Eventually, the sound began to take a different shape when we started adding lots of reverb, delay, chorus, and other effects.
CMM-What was the writing and recording process for the E.P. recordings like?
JF: Basically, a lot of tracking, not liking it, adjusting tone and trying different fx, and then re-tracking. We had the luxury of having our own recording gear at our disposal so we had the time to be picky about every little.part. We had recorded drums with a fellow Walla Walla musician, Bryan Henry, but everything else we recorded in a piecemeal fashion at my place.
During the recording, is where we were really able to nail our vocal melodies and style that we wanted to go for as well as totally rewriting sections of my guitar parts on “Existential Anxiety” last-minute. With 1⁄2 the band living an hour away, it is not always easy to get all members together to write so we really do most of our writing in-studio and our practices take the form of live shows. Not the most ideal method, but I like to think it has sufficed thus far.
CMM-Any particular gear you used in the making of it?
Jesse’s pedals used for the EP include: EHX-Pitchfork + Deluxe Memory Boy, JHS Morning Glory, ZVEX Fuzz Factory, Strymon- BlueSky/Mobius/Timeline, and Walrus Audio’s Iron Horse (used for some of Jonathan’s rhythm parts).
Jonathan’s pedals include: Fulltone OCD, DOD Turbo Chorus, EHX Cathedral, and BOSS Super Chorus
Amps: Vox AC30C2 with channels jumped to get that “space rock” sound for Jonathan. Jesse recorded through his Fender Twin Reverb.
Bass was recorded direct-in into a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 using a Darkglass B7K
Guitars: Squier J Mascis Signature Jazzmaster, Squier Classic Vibe Thinline Telecaster, and Fender Jazz Bass with Darkglass Tone Capsule.
CMM-If you could score a soundtrack for any film director who would it be and what would the film be about?
JA: I think scoring a soundtrack for Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu would be amazing!
The film would be about an immigrant dealing with mental illnesses: depression, anxiety, and paranoia that the universe is not on their side. This person coexists with people who feel the same way and have mental illness as well, but they’re too proud to admit it due to an image they’re trying to uphold. The film puts you in the two different pair of shoes. The film surrounds the immigrant with imagery of destruction, and the things that keep this person living (which would be up to interpretation).
CMM-How do you see the state of the music and art scenes in the Pacific Northwest these days? Who are your favorite local bands and what venues do you enjoy performing in and seeing shows most?
JA-Right now the musical and artistic state of the Pacific Northwest is very dog-eat-dog. It’s very egotistical. There’s little to no support, and maybe that’s why we don’t see many PNW acts making it big out there. My current favorite local band is Hibou; a great dream pop act that’s underrated. We enjoy seeing shows at El Corazon.
JF-From what we personally experience, its hurting a bit. In our hometown, the favored scene consists of cover bands, blues/jazz, bar bands and country acts (around County Fair time). Which are all great in their own rite but the alternative scene has always suffered. There’s no venues or clubs for the alt scene so it falls on people putting on house shows which always run the risk of getting shutdown. We hope this will change someday. As far as other areas in the PNW, we’ve had a hell of a time getting on shows in the Seattle and Portland area. Venues seem to only be booking weekday shows which conflicts with our 9-5 lives and schooling, bands are unable to commit to show dates or ignore contact entirely, and other bands Jonathan had helped to get shows in Seattle ended up having a garbage turnout. It’s discouraging to say the least. But thanks to David Gross and his band The Lost Echoes, we will be playing in Portland for the first time on July 20th at Lovecraft Bar.
We are playing with a band from Bellingham, Washington called Tetrachromat on July 6th and I just started listening to them. They are sweet. Go check them out!
Some venues I enjoy visiting in the PNW are Wonder Ballroom and The Hawthorne Theatre in Portland. In Seattle, I like The Showbox
CMM-What direction do you see your new recordings moving in and what do you have planned for a follow up release?
JA: For the most part we have found our sound, but there’s always new ideas inspiring us to challenge that sound. We want to explore different sounds. We hope to release a few singles following up to our LP release. We’re still unsure how many tracks we’ll have on it.
JF: This band came to be by heavy experimentation, so expect new content to be similar but hopefully fresh and not fitting into just one pigeon hole.
I Need a Plastic Face is a band from Turin (Italy). By the end of 2017 they set up a basement studio and bought an electric organ - a Farfisa Matador - and started writing the songs that make up their debut album "Knick Knacks", which was recorded and mixed in 48 hours. Their main influence comes from The Velvet Underground in terms of coexistence between dissonance and pop harmonies, however the band is also heavily influenced by electronic music, shoegaze and noise rock. I got together with band members Paul Mellor and Massimiliano Alf to talk about their early musical experiences, the music and art scenes in Italy and the making of their debut album "Kick Knacks" which will be available as a cassette from CMM this summer.
CMM - What were you all's first musical memories and what's the first music each of you heard that made a major impact on you?
INAPF - Our first musical memories are respectively footage of a Slipknot's live show and an actual live show by Franco Battiato witnessed as a spectator at the age of four. These are also the first musical encounters that respectively had a major impact on us.
CMM - How did the band form and what took you all into the musical direction that makes up the bands sound?
INAPF- We met in Turin shortly after we both moved here. A common friend really wanted us to meet and since the first moment we were totally willing to form a band. In the first days we struggled hard to find a drummer, nonetheless we figured out that we were doing fine on our own and came into buying a sampler and an electric organ, which led I Need a Plastic Face to exist.
CMM - What was the writing and recording process for the recordings like?
INAPF - Our songs were born by playing along with each other. We had no idea what was going to happen each time. For what is concerned about the lyrics, they were written together and were rather written instinctively. The recording time took two nights of live sessions.
CMM - Any particular gear you used in the making of it?
INAPF - Our album is mainly made by the combination between the bass and the organ, which we found peculiar in the way they worked out together. The only exception is the leading melody of "Somehow you're Happy", which is played by a traditional chinese flute called "hulusi".
CMM - If you could score a soundtrack for any film director who would it be and what would the film be about?
INAPF - We actually worked on the soundtrack of a film that we cannot speak about yet. Anyway we really hope to be working on a film about Tarkovskij's life, one day.
CMM - How do you see the state of the music and art scenes in Italy these days? Who are your favorite local bands and what venues to you enjoy performing in?
INAPF - The music in Italy is in a very crucial phase. There are plenty of interesting and special artistic realities throughout the whole nation. The only inconvenient is found in the lack of interest by the audience. Italian art is amazing. Our favorite local bands are too many to be mentioned, even though we would really like to endorse all of them. The same goes for many venues that work in a passionate and marvelous way.
CMM - What direction do you see your new recordings moving in and what do you have planned for a follow up release?
INAPF - We only look to be sure that nobody will make any horrible jazz cover of one of our songs.
Looming atmospherics, breathtaking soundscapes and layers of eerie tension are at the forefront of this new E.P. from Italian post rock trio Augure. "Grunesfeld" has an other worldly vibe as layers of guitars sound like sirens screaming out to warn others of the presence of the danger that lingers around them. The galloping beat and sledgehammer like bass line are absolutely thunderous and the track builds and builds to epic levels before coming to an end. "Eis" has an even more mysterious vibe. It's hypnotic pace makes things as colorful as they are grey as all of the instruments lock in together to create the perfect blend of
darkness and hope while closing piece "Tides Tale" is more intricate and angular. I think what I might like most about this record is the balance that it shows on each of the tracks as there's so many moods and so many textures to take in. From what I can tell this is their debut release and I can't wait to hear what they do next.
Can't get enough of this amazing new song and video from Aux Portes. The visuals and overall presentation of the video is so beautifully done it's hard to put it into words. The song radiates like a pulsating sun peaking out of a quickly clearing sky after a humid summer storm as it's rich guitars and swinging beat melt into a tripped out rock n roll euphoria. There's elements of early and Mid period Pink Floyd here as well as newer bands like Tame Impala but Aux Portes do a good job of carving their own feel for things and running with it. Highly recommended.
The first thing that hits me about this record is it's overall uniqueness. From the song structures to the instrumentation and the production it really has something different to offer. There's an underlying pop sensibility that moves throughout "Rainbow Sky" but it's also very nursery rhyme like and has a twisted demented stance to it. "These Inner Conversations" is full of blistering noise and distorted vocals while "Pinguino il Frac" makes me wonder what it be like if Barbra Streisand teamed up with
Diamanda Galas to sing on a Philip Glass composition. "Lemon" might be my favorite piece on the album. It's lo-fi keyboard sounds and almost sinister vocal delivery are truly one of a kind. Overall "Eveliina Pink & the Golden Pinguinos" is an inspiring and most intriguing release that opens up new and exciting things to take in with each and every listen.
The always prolific Ty Segall is back with a new single "Good Boy" from his upcoming collaboration album with White Fence titled "Joy". The track has a very Abbey Road era Beatles feel to it that works oh so well. It's a two minute blast of fuzzed out guitar bliss with delightfully delivered vocal harmonies sure to get you humming along in seconds. "Joy" is due out on LP/CD and Cassette July 20th.
Mexico City based jangle pop unit Useless Youth impress with their latest track "Goodbye". The crisp clean guitars and uplifting vocals make it the type of song that's perfect for a breezy spring day. The rhythm section is on point throughout the track as the rolling bass line and shuffling beat keep things moving along in fine form. The band are hard at work on a new full length album due out this Fall and if it's anything like this track we are all in for another stellar release.
Missouri based musician Whettman Chelmets has been releasing experimental recordings the last several years, all of which are very inspiring, heartfelt and warm. His latest E.P. "New Arrivals" is made up of ethereal guitar and keyboard based compositions that take mind bending twists and turns to create a wash of refreshing sounds. Stand out piece "Seahorse" is like an ocean of relentless noise being harnessed and redirected into lulling dream like soundscapes while the reverb drenched version of George Michael's "One More Try" is as beautiful as it is surprising. The hypnotic flow of "Whales In The Distance" is the perfect way to close out this E.P. as it cements a fabulous effort from a spectacular artist that's work deserves to be thoroughly explored.
I'm so excited about the upcoming Belly album set for release in May. "Dove" is their first full length record in 23 years and lead single "Shiny One" glows bright as beautiful vocal harmonies and intricate riffs create a dreamy wash of infectious psychedelic pop. When reflecting on the making of the track founding member Tanya Donelly said "‘Stars Align’ was a dark horse that we kept coming back to in the writing stage of the album, reinventing and restructuring it. It was nearly left behind a couple of times, but we knew we could get this one to a good place if we kept at it, and it finally came together in the 11th hour before recording. This has been one of my favorites, even in its awkward stages, since Tom sent us his first version of it." The band will play a couple of east coast shows in May followed by a U.K. tour in June and more U.S. shows in the Summer and Fall.
In case you missed it Dr Octagon is back and their new album "Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripilation" will be released next week. The group stars Kool Kieth as his even weirder alter ego DR. Octagon alongside turntable master Qbert and producer Dan The Automator. The albums latest single "Flying Waterbed" is a smoothed out psychedelic soul number that features a sea of orchestral samples, a booming bass line and fluttering percussion that paints a beautiful base for all of the demented and otherworldly rhymes that Dr Octagon is known for. The group is putting on a special record release show next Thursday April 6th at The Brooklyn Bowl in NYC with special guests Handsome Boy Modeling School.
I'm blown away by the intensity of the vocals and the rich instrumentation featured on the latest single from Bay Area based band Pllush. There's a nice balance between delicate and gritty as the track has this warm pulsating drive to it that just feels right. From it's charming piano part to the shuffling beat and subtle country undertones this song simply has it all and I can't get enough of it. The bands new album "Stranger To The Pain" will be out June 8th courtesy of Father/Daughter Records. Don't miss out on this one.
The Cars "Shake It Up" Demo (Rhino)
So Rhino Records is continuing it's deluxe reissue series of all The Cars albums and each have an extensive amount of bonus tracks including demo versions of many Cars classics including this undeniably fun version of "Shake It Up". The demo was recorded sometime in the late 70's and eventually appeared on the album of the same name and reached #5 on the U.S. singles charts. The "Shake It Up" reissue is available today and also includes an early version of "Since You're Gone" and a remix of "I'm Not The One".
Oakland based post punk unit Wax Idols once again show off their ability to write incredibly melodic and catchy songs with underlying bits of doom and gloom. "Mausoleum", the latest single from their upcoming album "Happy Ending" is fueled by a driving beat and bass line alongside layers of chiming melodic guitars and Hether Fortune's captivating vocal performance.
When discussing the video the band recently made for the track Fortune says "We made this video ourselves with our friend Dalton Townsend and an old Sony Hi8 camcorder. The Monty Python-esque shenanigans are meant to stand in contrast to the bleak environment and subject matter of the song: life carries on after tragedy, but even though you learn to live with the pain of loss, it never really goes away. “Mausoleum” is a song about that feeling — when a memory or random experience has you unexpectedly thinking again about a loved one, and it almost feels like they’ve come back, just for a moment." Happy Ending is set for release May 16th on Etruscan Gold.
Montreal's Wish return with an incredibly beautiful new album fittingly called "Nice Dreams". The title track is an acoustic based number full of vibrant, swooning vocals and ambient soundscapes which sets the pace well. The experimental sounds heard throughout "City" create a whirlwind of colorful tones alongside a cagey and haunting like stance while the upbeat spirit of "Alive" really puts the record over the top with it's free spirited vibe. Other highlights include the mysterious nuances found in "Lucid", the cosmic undertones of "DeepSlea" and the delicate presence of "Fall". Overall "Nice Dreams" is a stellar record with amazing production and top notch musicianship across the board. It's certainly a record that takes you places, almost like a tour of an unknown world. Highly recommended.
