Oldermost - Tempesst

Oldermost - Same To Me.

Background - “Same To Me” is the brand-new second single that Philadelphia’s indie rock band Oldermost ahead of the release of their new album How Could You Ever Be The Same? that AntiFragile Music is releasing on Friday, July 13th, following its rollicking lead single "The Danger of Belief”. The introspective song was one of the first written for their new album, and is one of its gorgeous, hazy stand-outs. It’s also frontman Bradford Bucknum’s thesis about love, and how embracing change is a liberating act that permits deeper possibilities of loving someone and loving one’s self. It also highlights the bands’ penchant for creating era-blending Americana-infused rock & roll with a more indie rock vibe in the vein of The War On Drugs (their Philly contemporaries!) or Wilco.

How Could You Ever Be The Same? includes two songs that Oldermost previously released but felt like had a home on the new album, including the undeniable track “Honey With Tea”, and the similarly lush “Finally Unsure”. How Could You Ever Be The Same? also spotlights the bands' evolution into more complex sonic territory, on the heels of the momentum built from the band’s previous releases. Self-produced by the band and mixed by Jeff Zeigler (Kurt Vile, The War on Drugs, Allison Crutchfield) and mastered by Ryan Schwabe (The Districts, Big Thief, Hop Along), the album is an all-star Philadelphia collaboration in the truest sense.

How Could You Ever Be The Same? also highlights the paradoxical blend of neuroticism and mysticism of lead-singer Bradford Bucknum, whose vocal delivery oscillates between semi-theatrical energetic bursts to gentle, sugary crooning. At times, despairing wit and questionable advice buoyantly tumble over a sea of lush strings; at other times, the songs dig their heels in the genre and the classic-rock enthusiasm of Mike Sobel’s guitar, the steady but experimental rhythms of Stephen Robbins’ focused and passionate drumming and Dan Wolgemuth’s unique and melodic bass playing. The music is both familiar, yet fresh - it hints at nostalgia without stumbling into kitsch. At some moments the music sounds urbane, almost high-brow and literary, and at others times, it's wild and unrefined. WEBSITE.

It was back in August 2016 that we first came across Oldermost and for whatever reason we lost track of them pretty much straightaway. It says something for the band that I knew we had featured them before, and so now we can pick things up again with 'Same To Me' their brand new single. It's a cool and calm rocker that drifts towards Americana and is enriched by some gorgeous vocals and melodic hooks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tempesst - A Little Bit Of Trouble.

Background - Tempesst announce the release of their second EP Doomsday - along with the release of new single ‘A Little Bit Of Trouble'. Detailing an ill-fated encounter with some less than courteous Londoners - the new single signals an exciting step up for the Australian, Sunshine Coast born 5-piece. Speaking a little more on the lyrical beginnings of the song, Toma Banjanin said: “The week we started writing the instrumentals for the track we had a bit of an incident at a pub in east London. Some guys were giving Andy (Toma’s brother, and Tempesst drummer) a hard time about his jacket or hat or something and everyone was pretty drunk. The song was written to capture the memory for eternity."

Following the band’s acclaimed, Adult Wonderland EP - both ‘A Little Bit Of Trouble’, and the band’s forthcoming second EP 'Doomsday' stand as impressive steps forward for the band. Sonically they continue to evolve, experimenting with more instruments, layers and sounds; maintaining their classic 60s / 70s influence but, still giving a very welcoming nod to modern psych, folk, and indie.

"I swear to god they are looking at me again / A little bit of trouble at the end of the line" Toma sings in A Little Bit Of Trouble's stomping verse, suggesting a sense of paranoia, or perhaps remorse for a familiar, reoccurring situation. Set to a backdrop of sun-kissed guitar licks and sumptuous string arrangements - 'A Little Bit Of Trouble' is arguably Tempesst strongest and most potent release to date. Closing the song declaring "I'm leaving all my bad behaviour behind" - Toma is on defiant mission to better himself - no matter who or what might stand in his way.

The forthcoming EP, 'Doomsday' touches on a sense of morality within the band, with Toma explaining "I have been caught in a ‘meaning of life’ spiral which I guess is pretty normal in your 20’s. It’s the first time that I’ve felt so aware of my mortality and it probably doesn’t help that the Facebook and Netflix algorithms keep feeding me documentaries on the topic". The band will be extensively touring the Doomsday EP over the summer months, with a headline UK tour, and US support tour set to be announced in the coming weeks. TWITTER.

Tempesst are another band we first discovered back in the summer of 2016, and the new single 'A Little Bit Of Trouble' is our fourth feature for the band. The bands well crafted alt rock might reflect on a less than happy incident in an East London pub, however the track still sounds warm and inviting to listen too, as the strings and guitars intermingle to great effect, behind refined vocals and harmonies.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quality Not Quantity: Closer - Born Joy Dead - Oldermost

Modern Inventors - Closer ft. Daru Jones

Background promo - Nashville-based Modern Inventors have released their track "Closer". Featuring drummer Daru Jones (Jack White), as well as bassist Owen Biddle (The Roots).

"After a relationship ends, it's natural to feel guarded, and sometimes when you least expect it, you'll find yourself connecting with another person," the band said of the track. "Maybe it's on a subway, or passing each other on the sidewalk, but you remember the feeling; 'Closer' is a realization that you might be getting closer to allowing yourself to open up again.”

Migrating from Philadelphia to Nashville a year ago, Josh Benus and Matt Kass have expanded on their backgrounds as formally-trained musicians with a sound that’s both unique and powerfully emotional.

After several years of collaborating in a variety of projects, including a soundtrack for the HBO documentary First Comes Love, they solidified their partnership by founding Modern Inventors. Shortly after that, they decided to move to Nashville, where they connected quickly with the city’s vibrant artistic network and — critically important — found the house that functions now as their personal and professional home base.

“Working and living here is great because we can put all of our time into writing and recording,” Josh explains. “We have our hands on every second of these recordings. They are us. And because this house has allowed us to do this, it’s become our signature.”

“For me, the allure of Nashville is, that it’s about the songwriting,” Josh adds. “It’s inspiring living here because everyone’s so passionate about their craft. So in retrospect, this is the probably the best move we could have made.”

With vocals that delight (maybe a little like if the Bee Gees, had taken a funkier, rock'n'roll route) 'Closer' is a melodic and dreamy, genre defying highly like-able song. The production and mix, and the clever use of synths, seemingly take the whole piece up another level.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Born Joy Dead - Sourdough.

Background - Hot out the oven, Brisbane's Born Joy Dead return today with 'Sourdough', a brand new single for daydreamers and brunch enthusiasts everywhere. There's no mucking about either, they'll take to Black Bear Lodge to launch this freshly baked tune in just under three weeks.

A delicious, chewy 'F' to the daily grind, 'Sourdough' is a unique result for the band who recently changed up their writing style, demoing together as a group for the first time. "The band is taking on a more organic songwriting method now and as a result it feels as though we've created something really special and more personal to us all," says front man (and former Hungry Kids of Hungary member) Ben Dalton.

Springing onto the airwaves in 2015 with single's 'Hey Blood', 'Stones in My Shoe' and 'Chains On You', Born Joy Dead have been building their chops among the local scene. Supporting the likes of Ball Park Music, Bad//Dreems, Hey Geronimo, Babaganouj and My Own Pet Radio they've also impressed at a stack of headline shows including a packed debut EP launch. Add a recent signing to Mucho Bravado management, an upcoming second EP and a September single launch. Bake at 180 degrees for best results.

Single Launch - Thursday Sep 01 Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane, w/ Muddy Chanter & guests. 

'Sourdough' has a funky rhythmic beat, that underscores the layered vocals and harmonies. Add in the melody and an intriguing stereo mix and we arrive with a superb ultra tight song, with lyrics ideal for those who suffer the daily treadmill of work.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oldermost - Honey With Tea.

Background - “Honey with Tea” highlights the paradoxical blend of neuroticism and mysticism of Oldermost's lead singer Bradford Bucknum, whose vocal delivery oscillates between semi-theatrical energetic bursts to gentle, sugary crooning. The inclusion of the up-and-coming Philadelphia singer-songwriter Rosali adds a welcomed vocal element to the song too.

The song’s despairing wit and questionable advice buoyantly tumbles over a sea of lush strings provided by the classically trained yet pop-obsessed compositional asset to the band, David Richard. Mike Sobel’s guitar work slides in and out of the steady rhythms of Stephen Robbins’ focused and passionate drumming, and Dan Wolgemuth’s unique and melodic bass playing.

The sounds of Sobel’s lap steel provides a unique foundation of sonic texture, so that the song can remain innovative but still represent the band’s affinity for popular song construction… and if his playing sounds familiar, it’s because Sobel can be heard on the song “Eyes to the Wind” from The War on Drugs exceptional 2014 release, Lost in the Dream.

This really is a fine song. 'Honey With Tea' works on so many levels, whether it's the vocals and harmonies, the cool, easy rocking music, or the melodic vibes that just hook into my ears. This is the bands first single this year, what a song!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------