“SEALEBRITY”: PLANES ON PAPER
Full name: Jennifer Noel Borst
Age: A lady never tells
Hometown: Yakima, WA
Name of band: Planes on Paper
Style of music: Songwriter stuff, with folk influences, I think…
Top 5 Seattle artists: Mikey and Matty, The Head and the Heart, Cumulus, Big Sur, Brandi Carlile
Favorite book: The BFG
Favorite Seattle drinking hole: Ha in Fremont made an absolutely amazing mango habanero margarita for me once, but only once. It’s my favorite for that single experience.
Best show you have ever seen: Fiona Apple at The Schnitz in Portland. She seemed completely unhinged, but was pitch perfect and beautiful.
If you could play a gig with two other bands, who would they be: Patty Griffin and First Aid Kit
Biggest celebrity crush: The Silver Fox, Anthony Bourdain.
Drink of choice: Barefoot winery Pinot Grigio. Sometimes the cheapest stuff is the best.
Guiltiest tv pleasure: Hoarders. Makes me feel like I really have my shit together.
Last thing you do before sleep: Laundry and Pinterest, in that order
Full name: Navid Eliot
Age: 32
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Name of band: Planes on Paper
Style of music: Whatever we end up writing, I suppose. I think it’s folk music, but folk purists would probably disagree.
Top 5 Seattle artists: Mikey & Matty, The Fraidies, Smokey Brights, Shelby Earl, but GOD DAMN IT, there are SO many more. Seattle is great right now. In fact, Washington is great right now. One of my favorite songwriters on earth (The Holy Broke) happens to be out of Spokane.
Favorite book: I have read “1984” more than any other book, but have a real soft spot for anything Hitchens.
Favorite Seattle drinking hole: I know I’ve ended up at the Duchess Tavern more than anywhere else. It’s really hard to say I actually like anything about that place, but I guess my actions speak for me.
Best show you have ever seen: Bad Religion at RKCNDY in like 1996 was a life-changer.
If you could play a gig with two other bands, who would they be: In a fantasy scenario where we can choose anyone? M. Ward and Simon and Garfunkel. They’d probably want us to open that bill, and I think we’d be OK with that. Afterwards, they’d want to stay up late talking about music, and probably buy us milkshakes or something, and tell me how they are actually big fans of ours too.
Biggest celebrity crush: I dunno, is Alyssa Milano still alive? I think the last time I had a proper celebrity crush, “Who’s The Boss” was still a big part of my life.
Drink of choice: Apple cider vinegar and honey.
Guiltiest tv pleasure: The League. I don’t watch football, or play fantasy football, but I love that show anyway.
Last thing you do before sleep: I take the dog out for a romp in the yard. He’s a restless little dude.
Make sure you catch this duo at The Timbrrr Fest on January 9th 2014, as well as many more upcoming dates throughout the Pacific Northwest. Check out their site and subscribe for all updates HERE
INTERVIEW: Jón Björn Árnason Of OurLives
I’m lucky enough to run across some pretty beautiful music doing what I do, and frankly most of it the general public will never hear. And then some albums come along (very few), and literally paralyze me; I can’t stop listening to them. With that, I give you the album “Den Of Lions” by OurLives. Without exaggeration , I have ridden their musical cloud all the way to the other side of the rainbow and back numerous times in the last couple weeks. And I do mean from beginning to end. It’s bliss every time.
I was smitten and wanted to know more about the band and album, so I hope you enjoy this gem that literally deserves to be heard by everyone. I want nothing more than to see this band grace the largest stages in the world. Yes, I personally feel like, they are that good.
I hope you enjoy this interview, and even more so. Their music. (BUY COLLECTORS VINYL HERE)
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Jón Björn (Bjössi) and I play bass, keys and do some backing vocals in Ourlives.
What is your everday occupation?
I run a welding company with my father. We do a lot of different work, all out of iron (for example: railings, car trailers, etc.). I love my work.
What do you think Iceland brings to your music?
We’ve been asked this question a few times, and to be fair I still don’t know. I sometimes say that Iceland brings out a little bit of edge in our music, but to be honest I don’t know.
Seems that everything out of Iceland is very ethereal and beautiful. I’m not sure I’ve heard anything dirty or raw. Why do you think this is?
First off, thank you for this description of Icelandic music, but I can assure you that are a number of bands that I would describe as dirty or raw in Iceland. There are a lot of bands in Iceland, even though there are only 320,000 people that live here.
But again, I appreciate the gesture from you in regards to our music.
I was pleasantly surprised it was in English? Why that decision?
When we were growing up we listened mostly to music in English, and when we started doing songs our music sounded better to us in English. We have also always aimed for the stars, and the stars can relate to English better than Icelandic.
The album is incredibly gorgeous, but the song “Out Of Place”, kinda got me emotional. What’s the story behind that song?
Thank you very much. “Out of Place” is a special song for me too, and it’s also one of the most effortless songs we’ve done so far. The idea of the words came when Leifur was singing “figure it out” in a demo of the song, (we normally sing jibberish in the first demo, but in the middle of one of the verses he said these words) and I kind off took the words and started from there. The chorus started the song for me. For me it’s a rather tentative love song with a obvious twist to it.
Spartan Records of Seattle put this album ‘Den of Lions’ out. How did this come about?
John Frazier from Spartan Records heard our music four years ago, when he was visiting Iceland, and we have been working together ever since then. He has been a huge influence on us and we feel very proud to be part of Spartan Records.
Have you spent anytime in Seattle? if so, what do you like about it?/If not, what do you know about it?
I’ve never been to Seattle, but I’m 100% coming over at some point. We are destined to play some shows in Seattle as I’ve listened to music from Seattle all my life, and now I’m on a Seattle based label.
What I know about Seattle has mostly to do with music, as obviously all the legendary great grunge bands are from Seattle, but also a lot of bands that I’ve listened to over the years, bands like Foo Fighters, These Arms Are Snakes, Blood Brothers, Band of Horses, to name a few.
But my personal favorite Seattle band is Sunny Day Real Estate, they were a huge influence on me many years ago. “Diary” was huge for me when I was young.
Touring ….what’s the plan?
We are recording new songs so that is where our head is at right now. We want to finish a new album worth off material as soon as we can, as song writing is going well right now, so that is the plan right now. But I can tell you that in November we are playing some shows in Iceland, so if you are visiting for the Iceland Airwaves festival, come and say hello to us.
In 3 words, how do you describe this album?
Ambitious, hopeful, pessimistic
Thank you!
INTERVIEW: LP AT NEUMOS 9/18/14
LP is one of the best singer songwriters in the music scene today; her voice captivates, and her energy is electric. She will be taking the stage at Neumos on Thursday night (Odessa opens), and I was able to ask her some questions about music, fashion and Vicci Martinez. Do not miss this show!
You’re well on your way to stardom, and you said you never wanted to conform. Being with a major, isn’t that difficult?
It can be. But whenever you are in a collaborative situation wether it be a song, an album or the marketing of an album there are compromises and concessions you have to make. That’s just what happens when you mix business and art in my opinion. If you put it out on your own then you don’t which is awesome but it hasn’t been my path.
Speaking of conforming … would you have ever performed on a show like American Idol to catapult your career?
No but I don’t think that is necessarily conforming. I think people are very brave to do it.
Artists always mention growth. What is growth to you?
Growth is forcing yourself to keep going through difficult times (ie: failure and even success) mentally and emotionally as an artist. To tap into what you are feeling and express it through the truest filter of your mind and get to a new place for you even if it’s not new to someone else.
How do you differentiate when writing …what song you want and what your going to pitch to another artist?
When I’m writing sometimes I’m with the other artist which is always clearly defined. When I’m not I sometimes will be there because we’re writing for someone else. But when I just start writing and it’s coming out a certain way I usually know. There’s a familiarity like an old friend or something that resonates with my soul. Or it’s just too high for anyone else to sing . Lol
Speaking of which … I was a huge fan of The Hills (gaydar alert). How was it writing for Heidi Montag? Do you research the person you write for? or just write off the cuff?
I didn’t write those songs with her in mind. I had written a bunch of songs with a producer she was working with and when she heard them she loved them and just kept wanting more of them and hiring me as a vocal producer on them so it was totally cool with me. She’s a very nice person as well.
I am in awe of the writing and of course the singing of SIA. Thoughts?
I think she is amazing and has found the perfect balance as far as being a writer and an artist in her own right . I think she’s done it unlike anyone yet. It’s inspiring.
Now that your in the spotlight and not just writing, does it fuck with your head that people like your for LP and not for Laura?
Not at all . My name is LP and I don’t really like being called Laura as it does not feel like my name anymore. I didn’t know that would happen but it did. I might even change my name to LP as a first name legally.
Your style is fucking tits-bingo! Who are your style icons?
Thanks! Well I love the Beatles early 60’s style, Mick Jagger, Serge Gainsbourg , Brian Ferry, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Hendrix.
Favorite piece of clothing?
I’d have to say my Carol Cristian Poell boots and Saint Laurent blazer.
What is your idea of quintessential beauty in a woman?
Just natural grace. Inner beauty of course and the outer don’t hurt either. 😉
You homies with Vicci Martinez (Tacoma), you wrote a song for her?
I met her once at Sayers Club in LA after I sang. She was super cool and nice.
Any favorite Seattle spots?
Well u know I only really hung out at the W last time cuz we had a gig and a photo shoot and that was it! But I do love that W dammit!!
Debut album Forever For Now out now. BUY TIX HERE
Upcoming LP tour dates are as follows:
09/18 Seattle, WA Neumos
09/19 Vancouver, Canada Fortune Sound Club
09/20 Portland, OR Alhambra Theatre
09/21 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
09/23 Santa Ana, CA Constellation Room
09/24 San Diego, CA Casbah
09/26 Los Angeles, CA Roxy Theatre
NEW OBSESSION: MEGAFORTRESS. ALBUM OUT 11/4
Believer, the debut full-length from Megafortress, is not a meditation on faith or devotion. It is a search, constantly twisting into darkness, where the identities of every object and intentions of every figure are unclear. The tracks seem to follow a sole searcher, a lost person, for whom faith is not a source of light amidst the obscurity but a delusion that only makes the ambiguities more terrifying.
Megafortress is the solo work of Brooklyn artist Bill Gillim. In 2012, Software released his debut s/t EP, a collection of gorgeous vocal meditations and ambient soundscapes. Believer boasts a bolder, naked vocal approach, telling a hauntingly intimate story. The ten songs give shape to a world that on the surface seems sweet and welcoming, but, in time, slowly unravels into a place of disorder, sickness, and disappearance. That ambiguity is written into the album at all levels.
Aurally, the record is at once lush and spare. Layered synthesizers and saxophone, occasional bass, sampled bells and natural sounds, tweaked voices, and Gillim’s warm, unaffected vocals create a honeyed sonic backdrop. However each track adheres to a kind of patient minimalism of its own logic. The songs persistently resist climax, instead corkscrewing or turning into the unexpected: minor and discordant notes, interrupted thoughts, always toward an eerie stillness.
That balance of melody and discord, hope and haunting, is reiterated in the overall arc of the record, which takes us over a route of happier melody into darker, more anxious, more echoing and spacious zones, until we are left, lying on our backs, hearing ourselves breathe. All the while, the story we are being told in words is revealed to be one of self-deception, devious and obscure figures, and wishful thinking.
NEW OBSESSION: ME AND THE CITY
Me and the City is quickly becoming a musical force to be reckoned with. From its inception as the one-man project of singer-songwriter David Matus, this up-and-coming band has expanded their scope and palette through the addition of talented veteran musicians. Combining elements of folk, pop, and indie rock, their energetic live show has ignited venues across Southern California, creating a passionate fan-base with infectious enthusiasm. Me and the City just finished their debut album “The Wild Ones” with multi-platinum producer Warren Huart, songs that are sure to satisfy longtime fans while creating more buzz than ever.
“SEALEBRITY”- DUKE EVERS
Full name: Joshua Starkel/ Kyle Veazey
Age: 24/30
Hometown: Spokane, Washington / Edmond, Oklahoma
Name of band: Duke Evers
Style of music: Indie Rock
Influences: Queens of the Stone Age, Kings of Leon, Talking Heads, Led Zeppelin
Top 5 Seattle artists: Country Lips, My Goodness, The Crypts, The Hollers, Motopony
Favorite book: Tigerheart, Peter David / Memory of Light, Robert Jordan
Favorite Seattle drinking hole: Marios / The Lookout
Best show you have ever seen: Robert Plant
If you could play a gig with two other bands, who would they be: Kings of Leon, Queens of the Stone Age
Biggest celebrity crush: Eva Mendes / Karen O
Drink of choice: Shirley Temple / Whiskey
Guiltiest tv pleasure: Kitchen Nightmares / Ellen
Last thing you do before sleep: Sing / read a book while listening to Mouse on the Keys
Tell me about this obvious yet brilliant ode to the old guard of bands like Sabbath. After recording it, was it exactly what you wanted?
Khushal : Our goal was to recreate the sound of the 70’s and Sabbath were the biggest influence, but we tried to bring something to the table with our own unique style of playing and songwriting. And yes in the end we achieved what we wanted; in fact it turned out to be better once we started getting positive feedback from the fans.
Filip : When we first started out we originally wanted to make a progressive doom album inspired by 70s music. But later we decided that we will try and stick to the basics and make a true genuine heavy/ hard rock music as our tribute to the 70’s era.
And do you know if the band is going to take on the same essence with the next album? I mean, when you were done with “Hypnosis Sessions”, does your mind automatically move onto the next project?
Khushal : Definitely for our next album we are going to take on the same essence but the overall sound will be more refined. It’s been a gradual learning process every time you record a new song. We both are huge fans of progressive music, and you might see some progressive elements mixed with heavy- doom music in our next album.
Filip : With the next album we want to make it tighter and take it up a notch. I want to try and add small progressive elements to the new stuff. I want every song to sound unique in its own way, and avoid having the same sound for every song.
Is it true that you (Filip), have never met your “band mate”, and this was all done via virtual collaboration?
Filip : Yes that’s correct, we have never meet and everything was done over the internet. We both had a common goal in what we wanted to create, so it was quite easy to start working together. It took a while figuring out all the right programs to use and how we could share the material between each other.
Khushal : Yes that’s true we have never met because of various reasons. The entire Hypnosis Sessions album was recorded over the internet. It’s cool how technology has made this possible.
And since Khushal is in India, will you ever take this on the road? Or is that task to daunting?
Filip : This is something we will take step by step and just see how it develops. Maybe one day we will meet and create music together in the same room.
Khushal : I would love to take this on the road but there’s lots of issues both financially and planning wise. We both stay miles away from each other. The problem is that we have to be together to form a complete band and might also need some kind of sponsorship to back us on this front. It’s just the passion for music that got us to make this album, we had absolutely zero budget and we recorded the entire album with limited resources in our own small home studio.
Seems that you are kind of setting a precedent for other artists to have the open mindedness to create music if even by virtual means? Do you recommend this process?
Khushal : I would highly recommend this process as long as you have patience. Patience is the key if you wish to record virtually because there’s lots of back and forth but apart from that you also need to have a special bond with your fellow band mate.
Filip : I can highly recommend this process, however I can also say we have been very lucky. We both wanted to create good music and worked towards it slowly.
Can you kind of explain the process of how the songs were made? I mean in a nutshell, given the distance.
Filip : I usually create bunch of riff jam songs as I call them, and then I send them over to Khushal for him to see if its something he can work with. Once Khushal has a good vocal melody line and some short lyrics, we start working on the structure of the song.
Khushal : Exactly what Filip mentioned.
Seattle crowds would eat your music up. Ever been here, and what do you know about it?
Khushal : Well we have never visited America and what we know is that there have been so many great legendary musicians from Seattle and we hope we can visit there once in our life time at least. But we hope that through this interview we reach out to people in Seattle and get their support.
Filip : That’s really cool to hear. I have never really been to the states, so I don’t know how its like over there.
What’s next for Spiral Shades?
Khushal : Once our Hypnosis Sessions album is released and the promotion is over we will soon start writing songs for our next album. We’ll also have some surprises for our fans in between so stay tuned guys.
Filip : We are both really looking forward to the release of our album in August. (Pre-order Here)
PHOTO AND VIDEO REVIEW: BRENT AMAKER & THE RODEO/ FOX & THE LAW/NIGHTRAIN ON JULY 12th.
Well there is not to much to say outside of; If you missed the Brent Amaker & The Rodeo show at The Tractor Tavern this past Saturday …. huge mistake. And it’s going to be awhile before you see one of the best live shows in Seattle, if not THE best for a very long time. I got word from the man himself it could be as long as 2016. BUMMER! Let’s hope not.
But fear not … in the meantime, he will be introducing us to his new alter ego Android Amaker. The project he has been working on with Vox Mod and P-Smoov of Mad-Rad. Expect a show late summer or fall.
But lucky for you we have some shots of the show, as well as the infamous video of one of the rodeo giving the audience a “sausage encore” we very soon won’t forget …or maybe some will. You be the judge.
Regardless, NighTrain, Fox and The Law and Brent Amaker & The Rodeo all brought it, and it was a night that will not be forgotten.
FEATURED SINGLE: “AUTUMN” BY BEAR IN HEAVEN
Bear In Heaven unveils another new track from their forthcoming album, Time Is Over One Day Old (out Aug 5th on Dead Oceans/Hometapes). Having previously released the anthemic ripper, “Time Between,” “Autumn” is a brilliant, beat heavy, synth jam that kicks off the new album. With its provocative beat, textural synthesizers and unassuming but adeptly supportive bass and guitar, “Autumn” is quintessential Bear In Heaven. The band carefully balances moments of joyful simplicity and deep complexity. It’s easy to see why people and musicians alike fall hard for this band. They entice and envelop you. Jon Philpot’s high, smooth, strong voice is so tightly wound into the music that it can be easy to overlook the lyrics, Bear In Heaven’s capacious third dimension. When bands age well, their vitality takes shape. They wear, but with intention. They trim excesses. Throughout Time Is Over One Day Old you’ll hear a band at peace with themselves. They’ve learned to cut back on that which is merely impressive and to concentrate on simply what is crucial. The result is a record that will stay with you.
Bear In Heaven will tour across North America in support of Time Is Over One Day Old starting next month before heading to Europe in the fall. A full list of tour dates is below.
BEAR IN HEAVEN TOUR DATES:
Mon. Aug. 4 – Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade (in-store)
Wed. Aug. 20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Thu. Aug. 21 – Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
Fri. Aug. 22 – Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
Sat. Aug. 23 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle (Back Room)
Sun. Aug. 24 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
Tue. Aug. 26 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
Wed. Aug. 27 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues (Bronze Peacock)
Thu. Aug. 28 – Austin, TX @ The Parish
Tue. Sept. 2 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex
Wed. Sept. 3 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
Fri. Sept. 5 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
Sat. Sept. 6 – Spokane, WA @ Bartfest
Sun. Sept. 7 – Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
Wed. Sept. 10 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry
Thu. Sept. 11 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
Fri. Sept. 12 – Columbus, OH @ A&R Music Bar
Sat. Sept. 13 – Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
Sun. Sept. 14 – Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa
Tue. Sept. 16 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
Wed. Sept. 17 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Thu. Oct. 2 – London, UK @ XOYO
Fri. Oct. 3 – Brussels, BE @ Beursschouwburg
Sat. Oct. 4 – Paris, FR @ Espace B
Sun. Oct. 5 – Amsterdam, NL @ Bitterzoet
Mon. Oct. 6 – Cologne, DE @ Club 672
Tue. Oct. 7 – Berlin, DE @ Berghain
Thu. Oct. 9 – Copenhagen, DK @ Ideal Bar
Fri. Oct. 10 – Lund, SE @ Mejeriet
Sat. Oct. 11 – Stockholm, SE @ Kagelbanan
Sun. Oct. 12 – Goteborg, SE @ Pustervik
Mon. Oct. 13 – Oslo, NO @ John Dee
Tue. Oct. 14 – Bergen, NO @ Landmark
Thu. Oct. 16 – Aarhus, DK @ Atlas
Fri. Oct. 17 – Hamburg, DE @ Aalhaus
While listening to mixes of its debut full length, Columbia, South Carolina’s Death Becomes Even The Maiden realized that a name change would best signify the profound development of its core sound. Shedding elements of its aggressive post-punk crescendos for a more refined and melodic design, the trio re-christened itself Parlour Tricks. And though punched-up choruses and heightened musicianship may have replaced some of the shrill screams and squealing guitars of past 7”s, Parlour Tricks retains the tension and nervous energy that made Death Becomes Even The Maiden’s music so memorable.
Parlour Tricks released their debut album, Medals, on June 24, 2014. Medals is available as a digital download and on 12″ vinyl in bronze, silver, and limited-edition gold.
About 2 months ago I walked into my favorite and now historical music venue called the 7th St. Entry in Minneapolis. No sooner did I walk in to this oddly muggy little joint, I was stopped dead in my tracks by a band that was scorching their way through the set. Frontman Lee Bains III, was sweating, kneeling and singing at the top of his lungs in front of his drummers kick drum, and emphatically banging on the cymbals . I mean I didn’t even make it to the bar to get my PBR and I was completely enthralled.
Sure the band was tight, and had that beautiful raw kinda American gritty feel to it … you know that “real” kinda rock and roll. But the frontman and the talent behind him, was electric and fucking dominating the 25-30 people that were there on this chilly Monday night in Minneapolis. I was pissed that I had calculated my approx show time start in Minneapolis, according to the way Seattle does it, cause now I had already missed half the set; and from the looks of the soaking wet t-‘s and soaked hair …it was obvious some serious work had been put in already.
In other words get there early, and don’t miss any of this kick ass band that’s part of Seattle’s Sub-Pop family.
Photo By: Jason Friendt
FEATURED VIDEO OF THE WEEK: PANDA KID “SUMMETRY”
FEATURED VIDEO OF THE WEEK: YUS – “20 MILLION”
Youceff Yunque Kabal (born March 20th 1990, Brussels, Belgium) is the artist and record producer behind the electronic pop sound YUS. Born and raised in the heart of Europe, he relocated to Phoenix, Arizona as a teenager in 2004. His music reflects his international roots and eclectic timbre. We pride ourselves on hand-picking young new artists, and help them get a platform, if even a small platform to present their work. We think you will love YUS.
In late 2004, Youceff began to make mix CDs with his brother to listen to on the way to school. The CDs were heavily hip hop oriented, and his selections most notably featured Kanye West who remains a great influence. After seeing an Adidas commercial during the 2006 World Cup featuring the music of rjd2, and simultaneously being introduced to Fruity Loops by his neighbor, Youceff started making his own beats.
While a student at Metro Arts, Youceff dabbled in various disciplines including film, theatre, and mixed media visual art. After graduating, Youceff took a year off school and went on in 2009 to study music theory and piano performance at Phoenix College, eventually joining the school’s concert choir. In the Summer of 2010, he recorded his debut album, ‘Palms’, in his bedroom. The album was digitally released on Bandcamp on November 21 of the same year.
Youceff followed up his debut album with several well-received remixes of artists including James Blake in December 2011, and Chromatics in the summer of 2012.
In August 2012, Youceff founded Manneken Records and released the label’s first single, “Nowadays”, in October of that same year. It gained notoriety on the internet after world renowned DJ and music journalist Mary Anne Hobbs played it on her XFM show Music:Response. Since then, Youceff has been hard at work to complete the album “Nowadays”.
Currently, Youceff is studying Economics at ASU, and runs Manneken. His anticipated follow up album is scheduled for release this Summer of 2014.
NEW BAND & FEATURED SONG OF THE WEEK: “CONSPIRATOR” BY WHITE REAPER. NEW ALBUM 6/24 & TOUR
From the increasingly fertile DIY scene of Louisville, KY, emerges White Reaper – an incandescent power trio who is ready and willing to blow out eardrums far and wide.
The band – formed by Tony Esposito (vocals/guitar) and twin brothers Nick (drums) and Sam Wilkerson (bass) — combines sparkling hooks and fluid, fluttering rhythms to create psychedelia-tinged garage punk that make heads bob without sacrificing an ounce of sonic bite.
Having cut their teeth playing a number of raucous local and regional shows that left everyone’s ears ringing and no pores devoid of sweat, the group is ready to unleash their eponymous debut EP — a six-song blitzkrieg that traces the band’s present and future. While dingy and jangly single “Conspirator” scratches the itch left behind by Jay Reatard, infectious stand outs “Cool” and “Funn” will undoubtedly make the ears of the Ty Segall/Oh Sees sect perk up.
Affectionately known as “Tony and the Twins,” White Reaper has six tracks in their pocket, a few future surprises up their sleeves, a thunderous live show, and they’re just getting started….
WHITE REAPER
All dates w/ Young Widows
06/19 Czar Bar-Kansas City, Missouri
06/20 Moon Room-Denver, Colorado
06/21 Kilby Court-Salt Lake City, Utah
06/22 The Shredder-Boise, Idaho
06/24 Chop Suey-Seattle, Washington
06/25 Bunk Bar-Portland, Oregon
06/26 Witch Room-Sacramento, California
06/27 Thee Parkside-San Francisco, California
06/28 The Church On York-Los Angeles, California
06/29 Rhythm Room-Phoenix, Arizona
06/30 Plush-Tucson, Arizona
07/02 Holy Mountain-Austin, Texas
07/03 Club Dada-Dallas, Texas
07/04 Conservatory-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
07/05 Firebird-St. Louis, Missouri
FatCat is delighted to announce Youth Culture Forever, the second album from PAWS which saw the band decamp to a studio in the woods just outside New York to hone and expand on the sound that saw their debut Cokefloat! acclaimed by the likes of Pitchfork, SPIN and nominated in their homeland of Scotland for the Scottish Album of the Year awards.
Recording at Adam Pierce’s (Mice Parade/ Swirlies) studio in the woods outside of New York City, PAWS produced the album themselves in an attempt to strive for the sound that they had always imagined for the band. As Phillip Taylor from the band says “It feels like everybody considers our debut LP to be ‘lo-fi’, which really bothered us as we felt it was the complete opposite by comparison to our early releases.” He states that he wanted ‘Youth Culture Forever’ to be “bigger and louder, softer and quieter” and to “present the potential of our dynamic range more accurately than the first album.”
Of the album’s title Taylor explains that it came to the band when he and Josh Swinney’, PAWS’ drummer were watching an episode of the cartoon ‘Adventure Time.’ “One of the main characters screams “Youth Culture Forever!” jubilantly in an act of defiance towards an older character who was telling him that his new-fangled youthful ways of thinking and acting were silly and naïve. We just thought that it was a really great message. Life is forever changing and the problems we face as human beings are forever changing. The youth will always hold the potential to make change.”
SIIINES, the Los Angeles based electro-rock band who recently released their new EP, Fukushimarama!, has just announced their cross country US Spring Tour to support the new album! The tour hits Seattle on May 07 at El Corazon.
With equal parts eclectic EDM and in your face rock, SIIINES willfully crosses lines to bring a unique perspective in a time when people care more about the shoes they wear than the music that they create. Formed by Travis Nesbitt and Morgan Gies (both formerly of Social Code) in 2012, SIIINES wanted to bring life and excitement back to the ailing sound. Experimenting with electronic production in the context of rock sentiment, SIIINES found a fresh sound by challenging their own preconceptions about the genre, pushing the boundaries in the marriage of electronic dance and rock.
In 2012, SIIINES released the Disk0sno EP winning them an Edmonton Music Award for ‘Best Electronic Release’. Diving head first into live control of lights and video, building custom plexi-glass stage equipment, processing guitars live through computers, vocal sampling, and improvising with the electronic production elements, it ended up not only bringing life to rock, but danger and unpredictability to the electronic side of the project.
Mid 2013, work began on Fukushimarama! A group of songs revolving around the escapist culture of denial that they felt was prevalent: Celebrity, drugs, sex, money, and other vices they use to keep themselves from accepting the bleak realities around them.
May 07 Seattle, WA El Corazon
May 08 Kelowna, BC Doc Willoughby’s Pub
May 09 Nanaimo, BC The Queens
May 10 Vancouver, BC Vancouver Fan Club
Last month The Horrors unveiled “So Now You Know”, the lead single from their ‘weirder, wilder and more colourful’ fourth album ‘Luminous‘, out May 5th. The track is an otherworldly widescreen affair with the commanding vocals of Faris Badwan leading the way.
The ‘So Now You Know’ video is a short surreal film about the loneliness of teenage life, and the world we create with our friends at that age.
Filmed on the outskirts of LA in an empty desert town which matches the hazy synths of the track in question, the treatment weaves between multiple protagonists each experiencing a moment of realisation about their life, discovering a beauty in the mundane world and expressing this through interpretive dance. Faris also features in the video.
My SXSW 2014 In a Hipstamatic Snap!
When heading into Texas for the hipster conference (and now geek) known as SXSW in Austin, for the first time. I had a list of shows to go see and no badge in hand. I was told from quite a few veterans that a badge wasn’t needed, and indeed they were right, but there are so many shows going on, thats its virtually impossible for a music lover like me to make it from one venue to the next in a timely manner. Sure I could stay at Fader Fort, or Hype Hotel, Spotify, or the Van’s stage all day, but I was there to see the smaller bands, and that was my goal. Yes I did see a couple bands I had never seen like at the Hype party, such as Sylvan Esso, or Coin at TastemakerX. But the one goal I had was to try and snap head-shots of some of those performers that I was lucky enough to see. I want to thank all the artists who gave me a bit of their time. I hope this will be ongoing.
Christopher Prudhomme (Painted Palms)
Chris Michael (Guantanamo Baywatch)
Steve Sparrow (Morning Parade)
Amelia Randall Meath (Sylvan Esso)
Ryan Granger & Whitney Petty (Grizzled Mighty)
Cameron Crowe (Audacity)
Kyle Peters (The Pass)
Casey Call (Enemy Planes)
PJ Wolf (Thief)
Josh Von Mink (Step Rockets)
Emily Nokes (TacoCat)
Chase Lawrence (Coin)
Born under a cloudless Californian sky and bled into leftover tape, Wunder Wunder is the rolling amnesia of a Los Angeles summer, the deathless West Coast, and drinking in the dreams of its young. The debut creation of Melbourne producers Aaron Shanahan and Benjamin Plant, Everything Infinite is an album that captures lost moments spent in the pair’s adopted city of LA and a unique exploration of their unspent ideas.
“Los Angeles is a dreamy place, almost surreal,” notes Shanahan, of the duo’s drastic decision to uproot nearly 8000 miles from their native Australia. “It has continuous unspoilt skies and pastel sunsets, a backdrop of palm trees, and interesting people and houses stemming from many backgrounds in a wash of variety.”
Viewed through the windows on all three sides of the duo’s lofty home studio, endless sunshine and idyllic views of the surrounding Hollywood hills and a silhouetted horizon offered the perfect setting for Everything Infinite’s recordings to take place. “We even have visits from our little hummingbird friends which makes the space a very vibing area to create,” they say, “instead of being locked in a dungeon like studio”. Much like Wunder Wunder’s own summit observatory onto the world, the pair’s relocation offered a unique perspective from which to explore new musical styles and artistic methods by shifting from the ‘indietronica’ sound of their previous Miami Horror project and focusing their attention towards skilled song writing and content.
“You’re a product of your surroundings,” admits Shanahan, whose new dwellings offered the pair a chance to indulge in some quality time with Mother Nature. During the recording process meditation, hikes in the hills and listening to audio books all provided clarity in mind paving the way for Everything Infinite’s distinct themes; nostalgia, beauty, and universal connection. “Wunder Wunder feels like being reborn – we have learnt a lot during the making of this record,” they say.
Recalling the innocence of moments when you were a kid ‘Summers Day’, growing up as a teenager and spending a special time with that certain someone ‘Midnight Hours’, the vapour of childhood memories ‘Coastline’ or dreaming of a place where everything will be alright ‘Dreams of the Fall’, each song touches on the ease of romanticising situations and having sentimental moments. “It almost reminds me of how shows like ‘The Wonder Years’ or the movie ‘Stand By Me’ reflect on special times. It’s important to remember the positive things in life, especially when the world can seem grim,” explains Shanahan.
Whether you put it down to the West Coast’s elevated vitamin D levels or a more positive outlook, it’s clear that Wunder Wunder are karma chameleons blending seamlessly into their new habitat. ‘Midnight Hours’ offers a smooth dose of cool Cliff Martinez night-time retro nostalgia, ‘Trouble in Utopia’ sounds like an Animal Collective and Temples exchanging their own campfire stories, and the album’s big pop moment comes via ‘Hail The Madmen’s funky Prince-like groove. Melding swaying, dappled guitars, rasping layers of harmony, dreamy delays and a warm tangle of vintage synthesizers and drums, Everything Infinite is a brilliantly executed concoction of mellow 70s lo-fi chords, the sonic and progressive sounds of 60s psychedelia, a distillation of sun-bleached yearning and the undulating 90s pop sounds of Shanahan’s teenage years; each track its own kaleidoscopic motif that tessellates and reflects light like a shower of sun-kissed sequins.
“Wunder Wunder is a project of positivity, dreaming, exploration and connection,” they clarify. “We want people to feel something uplifting from what we do. Whether it’s a backdrop for happy memories on a road trip or another nostalgic occasion it’d be great to be part of those moments in people’s lives.”
Seismic-Sound 