Dream Lake - Factory Edge - Bunny - Max Chillen and the Kerbside Collective
Background - So the summer is finally here and so is the latest single by the Swedish electro-pop act Dream Lake. Consisting of Isabella Svärdstam and Niklas Willar Lidholm, the band has already released an EP and have quickly stocked up a good number of Spotify plays. That automatically created a demand for more of their music to be out and here is where we’re at exactly, whole new material.
The new single ‘Midnight Sun’ is taken from their forth-coming ‘Lux’ LP, and is produced remotely by the duo themselves. Niklas’ and Isabella’s hard labour, irrefutable talent and artistic independence seem to be paying off by having already gained the support of Konbini, The Line Of Best Fit or Ja Ja Ja Music to name a few.
Airy, dreamy and filled with stunning vocal lines, the single ‘Midnight Sun’ holds a soft and steady beat whilst instantly luring the listener into its eerily stunning sound. Playing with the perennial romanticism softly implied by bands like Beach House, M83 or Death In The Afternoon, Dream Lake are about looking skyward and providing the sonic jetpacks vital to getting there.
The sentimental feel of this chilled summer soundtrack presents the widely respected Scandi winning formula of writing songs filled with skill, value and innovation. Its tempered instrumental atmosphere is given a steady rise and a contrasting sense of melancholia by the distant lead vocals, leaving the listener hopelessly enchanted throughout and wanting more. ‘Midnight Sun’ will be available for sale and download everywhere from the 25th August. Facebook here.
There is still plenty of room for top quality dream pop in the world of music and 'Midnight Sun' is that and more. Beautifully layered music where every note seems to have been given careful consideration, is accompanied by lush dreamy vocals, the above comparisons are not out of place.
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Background - Brookyn-based, alternative rock band, Factory Edge, announce their second album, Sunset Park, due out August 4th. Sunset Park was recorded over a sweltering July weekend in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park at the workshop where the band practices. The album tracks are a selection from over 70 musical sketches that were written over the past year. Once the band was satisfied with the tracks, they called upon an old friend, Glen Robinson, who masterly mixed the record in Montreal, Canada. The record was mastered at Sterling Studios in Chelsea, NY.
Recording took place at the shop with the help of producer/engineer Alex Lipsen of Russell Street Recording (Okkervil River, Nada Surf) who was able to capture the sense of the large open space. Tom Lawson (Drums, Vox), David Rosenstein (Guitar, Vox) & Said Rifai (Bass), laid the basic tracks and continued to layer in additional tracks themselves over the course of the next months. Longtime bandmate and collaborator David Kamm came in and graced the songs with electric guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, harp and vox. Our friend Ryan smith who later mastered the record also plays saxophone on two songs. Jenni Jo added some beautiful backup vocals on several songs.
Many of the words to the songs were written during the course of the recording, knowing from previous experiences that capturing a discovery as it was being experienced for the first time is something that can never be replicated, and has a purity that exists at that moment only. In the context of the ongoing, chaotic presidential campaign and election, you can hear the frustration, confusion, anger, hope and love coursing through these songs. Album track, "The Greatest Is Gone" is an ode to Mohammad Ali, written the week of his passing and celebrating his ability to be true to himself even when it meant possibly giving up fame and fortune. Facebook here.
Taken from the bands forthcoming 'Sunset Park' album we have 'The Greatest Is Gone'. Alt rock with an immediately catchy groove, the vocals are immersed in a riff driven song and at just under two & a half minutes, it just begs for a second hearing.
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Bunny - Not Even You.Background - Bunny, formed in Chicago during the winter of 2016, toes the bleary line between dream pop and bedroom rock.
The first project of Jessica Viscius, their tunes take on a soft grunge feel, mixing dainty, pretty melodies with hazy lyrics delicately laced with sarcasm.
Her tongue-in-cheek songs are a testament to the tried-and-untrue stereotypes of female frailty, dependency, and hopeless romanticism. Their debut EP, Sucker, will be released later this summer.
Bunny is Jessica Viscius (vocals, guitar), Alexa Viscius (bass), Tim Makowski (guitar) and Shane Prewitt (drums). Website here, Facebook here.
A gentle & understated beginning introduces 'Not Even You' which is in no hurry to go beyond emotionally captivating dream pop. There are hints of bedroom rock, whatever the case this is a fine song.
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Max Chillen and the Kerbside Collective - Moneymouth.Background - This week, Brisbane's Max Chillen + the Kerbside Collective share new single, 'Moneymouth'. Inherently a break up anthem, 'Moneymouth' is in Max Chillen's words, about: "the morning after, the voicemail you regret, the airing of grievances, and the questioning of your relationship that’s just evaporated before your eyes."
Drawing from the sounds of post-punk, 2000’s electronica and 80’s new wave, MCKC combine the darkest and most extravagant components of their influences. The result is bittersweet dance music that is invigoratingly off-kilter, whilst maintaining a strong pop sensibility. Mixed by Steve Kempnich (Morning Harvey, Twin Haus) and recorded by Cam Smith (Good Boy, DEAFCULT), the heart-smashing track invites listeners deeper into the MCKC universe, behind their captivating live show that has already garnered the band an infatuated fanbase.
Seven musicians from vastly different backgrounds come together to form Max Chillen and the Kerbside Collective - the figurative love-children of Morrissey and Marr, raised on a strict diet of glitter and LCD Soundsystem records. Two singles, an EP and an east coast tour already under their belt, MCKC have also shared the stage with the UK’s Telegram, America’s absurdist comedian David Liebe Hart, and Australian favourites The Jensens, Cub Sport and Northeast Party House. Facebook here.
With a band name like this, I was hoping for a good song to justify featuring them. 'Moneymouth' is reassuringly worthy of a feature, the vocals are a standout feature, and the musicians are keen not to be left in the shadows, providing a feisty arrangement, ensuring maximum hooks all round.
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