Childcare - Levi Parham & them Tulsa Boys and Girls - Sugar Candy Mountain
Background - Pushing beyond the echo-chamber, Childcare follow the slinky art-rock of Put Down Your Pen with the bold and brooding Big Man, an alternative take on dealing with bubble-breaking disagreement and family friction.
The second single from their upcoming ‘Luckyucker’ EP, Big Man seeks to address the difficulties of contrasting world views, immigration and accusations of liberal elitism, all in a tidy 3 minutes and 53 seconds. Frontman Ed Cares explains:
"There's a place for fighting and affirming the values you stand up for, but too often we ridicule and dismiss those we disagree with. I'm bored of broad-brush Tory bashing and of hearing that everyone who voted for Brexit is stupid. This song is a reminder that we need to listen and try and understand those who believe differently from us."
The band will head out on a two week UK headline tour in October to support the release of the ‘Luckyucker’ EP. With a sling of festivals including the legendary Reading and Leeds and a recent Radio 1 Maida Vale session tucked safely under their belts, the band’s vivid and visceral live show shouldn’t be missed. TWITTER.
This is our fifth feature for Childcare, I had not realised they had been on here so many times, so clearly they resonate well with Beehive Candy. At the centre of 'Big Man' are some refined vocals and harmonies that are added to, by a vibrant and punchy musical backdrop. Also a note of respect for the subject matter, that many artists I expect, would shy away from.
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Background - May 18 will see the release of "It's All Good" a brand new album by Levi Parham. One of the most talented Okies around (Jimmy Lafave mentored him and produced his break through album "These American Blues"), Levi gathered an all star Tulsa band and took them to the iconic Muscle Shoals Sound Studio (now called Portside Sound Studio) to record 8 brand new songs. The outcome is an exciting mix of Tulsa swing, Southern grooves and mean guitar battles, almost bringing Derek and the Dominos back to life.
In Parham's own words: "I’ve always been an admirer of the music that’s come out of Muscle Shoals, from Aretha Franklin to The Allman Bros. After visiting a studio there last year while on tour, I got the idea to bring a group of Tulsa musicians, still carrying the torch of the legendary Tulsa Sound, and toss them in that iconic space and setting along the Tennessee River and see what would happen.
What happened in August 2017, with musicians Paul Benjaman, Lauren Barth, John Fullbright, Jesse Aycock, Dylan Aycock, Aaron Boehler, Dustin Pittsley, Michael Staub, and Lauren Farrah, was a combination of mean soulful guitar riffs and loose vibey grooves, with hints of inspiration and influence from Derek And The Dominos, The Band, The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, and even Oasis." TWITTER.
It's All Good Tour - NL 2018:
Zo. 29-4 Hengelo - Cactus Cafe (band)
Ma. 30-04 Amsterdam – Paradiso (band)
Di.1-5 Leiden - Qbus (band)
Wo 2-5 Utrecht – Tivoli (band)
Do 3-5 E’hoven – Vunderke (solo)
Za 5-5 Ospel – Moulin Blues (band)
Zo. 6-5 Goes - Buunder Kunst (solo)
Ma 7-5 Oss – Railroad Roots (solo).
'My Finest Hour' is just so good! Lovers of southern rock, blues rock, Americana and the better side of classic rock need to give this album a listen. It's passionate, slick, bluesy and builds on the above cited influences, to a point where it exceeds expectations by pretty much any measurement. Have a virtual thumbs up, this album belongs in many a rock fans collection.
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Background - Sugar Candy Mountain shares second track "Crystalline" off upcoming album, Do Right. Part travelogue, part response to the current, turbulent climate, Do Right gives voice to the deeply nested anxiety of modern times attempting to offer a balm. Nature it seems, is where the band often goes to calibrate it’s moral compass so frequently upended by the daily news-cycle.
Sugar Candy Mountain invites you to join them on this journey singing “There’s a quiet place I go when I need to find my way/ There’s a quiet place inside/ Come on in just knock and a door will open”. Musically, the band remains rooted in 60’s and 70’s rock, with their signature honey sweet vocals. Do Right leans more heavily on synthesizer than the band’s previous records lending the album a more modern feel. The album pairs the ephemeral orchestral arrangements of The Beach Boys with the pop sensibility of George Harrison on “All Things Must Pass”.
Oscillating between the hazy psychedelic pop of Mild High Club, the driving energy of Dungen and the danceable familiarity of The Supremes, Do Right is a perfect cocktail of old and new, imploring the listener to take a ride into the sunset with Sugar Candy Mountain. WEBSITE.
Tour Dates:
04/27 - Boulder Creek, CA – DIO Fest
05/02 - Santa Barbara, CA – Soho
05/05 - San Luis Obispo, CA – Shabang 10
06/16 - Leggett, CA – Hickey Fest
06/23 - Miami FL – Miami Psych Fest.
We shared 'Split In Two' just over a month ago and the follow up song 'Crystalline' really does deserve a second feature for this creative band. The dual vocals are atmospheric and enticing, the musical setting adds some real depth, it's a little psychedelic and a whole lot addictive.
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