Emerald Portal - One Hundred Twenty (Radio Edit).
Background - Emerald Portal is the brainchild of Thomas Ouziel and Brad Rundblade, two musicians, who at a young age immersed themselves into all aspects of art. As a sound designer and screenwriter, respectively, their music is heavily influenced by their cinematic backgrounds. Emerald Portal seeks to make engaging music that not only tells stories, but transports listeners.
Born in Europe, Thomas from Paris, France and Brad from Crete, Greece, both grew up learning how to play piano and guitar. They each spent years playing music before entering the film industry. Upon meeting on the set of a music video in Los Angeles, where the duo currently live, they found they had a mutual interest in creating music and began working on a number of songs. After a period of creative activity they had written enough material for an album. Each song on their first LP, Beyond The Edge of Reason, was a glimpse into different worlds and stories that all culminated into a grander, overall universe. Using their background in film, the duo created music videos for six of the songs from the album.
Emerald Portal works in various artistic fields often collaborating with directors, musicians, and artists to expand their vision and sound. They’ve received numerous awards for their music videos (LAIFFA, Orlando Film Festival, Los Angeles CineFest) and have a new EP, Trouble In Paradise ready for release in 2017. The ambitious band is currently working on three separate concept albums, each another glimpse into the many stories populating the Emerald Portal. Website here.
There are a few artists getting a second feature on Beehive Candy tonight of which Emerald Portal are one. 'One Hundred Twenty' is a slick alt rocker, where the smooth vocals are accompanied by an increasingly powerful and atmospheric soundtrack. If they can continue this momentum, I look forward to featuring them a third time.
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Joseph Eid - Watch It Fall - EP.
Background - Americana-singer/songwriter, Joseph Eid has been writing poetry and dreaming of a career in the arts as long as he can remember. He grew up in the suburbs of New York. Raised in a strict and traditional home, the arts were only supported as a hobby and never as a career. During his college years, Eid studied psychology and pre-med. After his first semester at med school, his dream got too big to hold and Eid made the bold choice of dropping out to move to New York City to pursue music.
While in New York, Joseph Eid picked up a guitar, joined a band, and the songs poured out of him like rain. His journey then led to Los Angeles where he started playing regularly at open mic nights and showcases. Shortly after, he began working with world-renowned guitarist/songwriter, David Lamar, honing his songwriting at weekly showcases at the Stone Bar. This lead him to write over 30 new songs as well as record a debut EP, Cardiac Output, followed by a full-length LP, Human.
Known as a dynamic solo performer, Joseph Eid has brought his one-man live show to many of Los Angeles’ premiere music venues, including stints at Room 5 and El Cid and residencies at The Stone Bar, Crane’s Hollywood Tavern, and Bar Lubitsch. He has also toured the West Coast including a handful of house concerts as a part of the Concerts In Your Home series.
Since the release of his Human LP, Joseph Eid has been garnering considerable buzz. He has been featured in American Songwriter Magazine’s “Best New Music” column and was recently named as one of the 100 Hottest Live Unsigned Artists by Music Connection Magazine. His latest EP, Watch It Fall, is released today.Website here, Facebook here.
It was a case of which song to feature from Joseph Eid's brand new EP 'Watch It Fall' having carried the title track back in February. Thankfully we can embed tho whole piece which comprises of six Americana meets modern folk material, written and performed to a delightfully high standard throughout.
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Archie and The Bunkers - You're My Pacemaker.
Background - Straight from the city of Cleveland Ohio- the home of The Electric Eels, Albert Ayler, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins- comes the newest sensation in Rock n' Roll. This new sound will make you shake, shiver and smash things up. Teen Punk, by teenagers, for anyone who will listen. This is the real deal, this is HI-FI Organ Punk!
"You're My Pacemaker" is a freshly cut track off Archie and The Bunkers' upcoming new LP set to be released in the fall of 2017, on a record label brand that can't be disclosed at this time. To promote their five week European tour next month, they have decided to give the fans a stunning visual taste of the long awaited follow up of their smashing self-titled debut album, released on Dirty Water Records in late 2015.
Almost overnight, the band hit a fever pitch that immediately propelled them from a local basement band gigging around Cleveland, into National and International Punk superstars. They embarked on their first ever tour last spring in Europe playing six countries in two weeks, played at the exclusive Gonerfest in Memphis, and were also invited to play at Third Man Records in Nashville. ( Which some selected tunes ended up on a live 7" single just released on Jack White's World famous imprint).
The duo will be hitting all the prime Summer festivals and club circuits over the five week journey including appearances at This Is Not A Love Song Festival, Festival Beat, Slap Festival, Relâche Festival, and Eurockéennes Festival. They will be sharing the stage and spotlight with bands such as The Mummies, 5,6,7,8's, The Gories, and even Iggy Pop. Live dates on Beehive Candy's tour page, website here, Facebook here.
I received a promo for Archie and The Bunkers a few months back, and am still puzzling as to why I didn't feature them, at that time. This is savagely potent, raw rock'n'roll. Energised and insane 'You're My Pacemaker' is a vibrant modern punk type song, with a timeless feel.
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The Phantom Sound - Voices.
Background - The Phantom Sound is Marisa Schlussel a Los Angeles native and now London based solo artist whose new song 'Voices' has already been championed by the likes of tastemakers 91X FM in San Diego.
The single will appear on Marisa's upcoming second album which sees her working with her long term collaborator, producer Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, Big Star, and R.E.M.). The album features Dale Crover of The Melvins and Nirvana (Bleach album), and Brian Viglione (The Dresden Dolls and Scarlet Sails) and sees The Phantom Sound moving into a harder, edgier territory. 'Voices' provides the perfect introduction to what promises to be a heartfelt, personal and sometimes politically charged Punk Rock record.
Marisa is a musician that rises to a challenge. After taking some time out from music, she returned to songwriting and recording in an industry that in some ways had changed beyond recognition, but her accomplished musicianship and songwriting ability led her to her working with artists who have not only influenced her own work but who have also shaped the creative output of many others around the world.
On working as The Phantom Sound Marisa says “My interpretation of it is that it’s a sound that you hear within a mix of other sounds. It may not even actually be there, but your brain just hears it, almost like you are hearing voices… But, in the bigger picture, to me, it personally means a new discovery, something that was lost, and is now found, but in a more beautiful and significant way.” Facebook here.
There are layers of refined sound and emotive and passionate vocals as 'Voices' begins to unfold. Then the whole thing kicks into gear and an earnest rock song urgently demands your attention, and certainly got mine.
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Beta Days - Settled for Gold.
Background - Beta Days released their glittery new single, "Settled for Gold", from the upcoming debut album, S.T.T. Beta Days is the one-man project of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Bill Bierce. The project evolved from Bierce's late night writing sessions that would start around 3 AM, as it was the only time neighboring bands at his practice space weren’t around to drown him out.
Sadly, Bierce's mother passed away during the album's mixing, while simultaneously his father occupied a long-term hospice stay from a head wound which had left him in a vegetative state a few years prior. Everything was cast into doubt, but Bierce stayed the course and completed the record mid-2016. The end result is a hazy reflection on idealized youth, relationships, isolation, and the drudgery of adult life. All of this is presented through a prism of evasive lyrics and tightly arranged instrumentation, leaving the listener to draw their own meanings from the songs.
Bierce expanded the project into a live band shortly after completing the record, including his ex-Wandas bandmate Keith McEachern on bass. The group has enjoyed the contrast of raw energy with more guitar-oriented live performances. Beta Days debut full-length LP, S.T.T. will be released everywhere June 23rd, 2017. Website here, Facebook here.
'Settled for Gold' is a lo-fi rock song where high calibre musicianship and a sophisticated arrangement, make the perfect backdrop for Bill Bierce's enticing vocals and intriguing lyrics.
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Natalie Bouloudis - Whirlwinds.
Background - Natalie Bouloudis goes beyond heartbreak with the bluesy theatricality of Whirlwinds, a captivating cut from her Dead Sea Scripts EP . ‘Whirlwinds’ emerged out of a break-up song which I decided to go back and revisit once feelings had subsided.
I liked the idea of looking back at something which had once felt raw but through time and disassociation I became an editor or an archeologist finding dinosaur bones and putting them back together; never knowing what it really was like when it was alive so it takes on it’s own new story. I also wanted to capture the anger and the crazy storm of heartbreak. The vocals swell into highs and lows like the motion of the howling wind. The song is a heavy blues jam and the most dramatic sounding song on the EP.
A native of East Sussex, Natalie Bouloudis first got her musical education in childhood, having played clarinet in jazz bands and had a few guitar lessons at school. From the age of seven she started writing her own music and has been (till recently) a secret songwriter ever since. Having lived in London for the better part of the last decade, she decided three years ago to launch her music into the public sphere under the name Aurora Harbinger. She soon played venues like Servant Jazz Quarters and The Victoria in Dalston, quickly building a loyal fan base that enabled her to successfully crowd fund her debut record.
For Natalie, playing live is an important consideration in the songwriting process, a process which focuses centrally on generating atmosphere and intimacy. Her debut EP is her first proper recording and it was all recorded live at Wax Studios in London and produced by Robert Strauss. For Natalie, getting the EP right was dependent on how precisely she could evoke the feelings she had in mind. Though armed with encyclopaedic knowledge of narrative songwriters across the spectrum of folk, rock and jazz, Natalie brings to the table her own brand of atmospheric storytelling. It’s folky in its arrangements, but in terms of sheer vocal delivery she’s a soulful rock and roller, at times calling to mind the visceral and lurching tones of Patti Smith or Etta James. ‘Burning Pier’ may only be her first single, but already it reveals an artist in the classic sense: thoughtful, precise, and led by instinct and imagination. Facebook here.
Third time around on Beehive Candy for Natalie Bouloudis this time with the bluesy 'Whirlwinds' a fabulously passionate and rhythmic piece. It's a little like Natalie Merchant with the energy levels turned up, however having heard her other material this Natalie is definitely carving out her own beautiful sounds.
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Leather Girls - Arabian Daze.
Background - Leather Girls first unleashed their ferocious style of garage rock upon their hometown of Austin, Texas in 2015 after Erik Camacho (guitar/lead vox) and Mike Garrido (guitar/vox) bonded over their shared affinity for Tropicália, Los Dug Dugs, and Billy Childish. Dillon Fernandez soon got added into the mix (drums) shortly followed by Deborah White (bass/vox).
Once a fully gelled unit, they quickly garnered a reputation for their high energy live show and blistering fuzz accentuated with a hint of Texas twang - sharing bills with legends like Holly Golightly, The Dictators, Mr. Airplane Man and becoming a favorite show partner with local heavy hitters Ringo Deathstarr and Holy Wave.
Their highly anticipated self titled debut album will be released on June 2nd via Yippee Ki Yay Records, and delivers a range of raw, airy, raucous, high energy rock sounds - much like a brick of $8 firecrackers set off in a metal trash can and then shoved in the trunk of a Chevy Nova that had to be saved up for. Facebook here, live dates on Beehive Candy's tour page.
One of thirteen tracks on the forthcoming album and 'Arabian Daze' signals ahead that you shouldn't expect to sleep any time through the collection. Besides the energy levels, the band create some catchy hook laden songs, in a natural, unpretentious and very addictive manner.
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Showing posts with label The Phantom Sound. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Phantom Sound. Show all posts
Friday &: The Phantom Sound - The Redhill Valleys - Vague - Bencoolen - Manon Meurt
The Phantom Sound - Crushing.
Background promo - The Phantom Sound recall the best of the 70’s & 80’s with contributions from the Punk & New Wave hall of fame in the powerhouse of a single: “Crushing” out May 16th 2016. The band’s powerful sound and brooding vocals of songwriter Marisa Schlussel has seen the likes of BBC and Amazing radio jump on board the good ship Phantom.
“Crushing” the standout track from the band’s special edition release of debut album “The Phantom Sound”, begins with a truly defiant swagger befitting of the punk ethos. With the unstoppable momentum of an out-of-control steam locomotive, the track leads to its iconic chorus that would be at home at both grimy rock clubs and major summer festivals.
Following her dream of working with the very artists that inspire her, Schlussel sought out the legends of the late 70’s and 80’s Punk & New Wave movement, aspiring to make sure that they loved her music. As it turn’s out, they didn’t need much convincing with Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, R.E.M.) on producer duties, legendary drummer Clem Burke (Blondie) picking up the sticks and Pierre DeReeder (Rily Kiley) all keen to contribute to what has fast become an album dripping in era-defining talent, featuring icons from the past and future.
Marisa falls into the future icon bracket, set to follow in the footsteps of Punk Rock royalty. The powerful self-titled album bulges at the seams with huge, power punk rock influenced tunes grabbing the attention of the likes of BBC Introducing London with multiple spins from supporter Gary Crowley and Amazing Radio after winning the top voted song on Charlie Ashcroft’s Audition Show for “Get to Me”. The colossal album has also seen plays on Sirius XM Radio and Genya Ravan's show on Little Steven's Underground Garage Channel.
The strength of their sound has seen the band from London receive plaudits as far as Canada and the U.S. with radio success and an invite to play Canadian Music Week 2016, representing the UK in Toronto citing influences ranging from David Bowie, Roxy Music, Blondie and The Romones.
UK Dates:
19/05 Brighton The Great Escape
23/06 Maidstone Earl’s
25/06 London The Garage
'Crushing' has all the attitude of a punk laden rock'n'roll song. Vocals have that menacing edge and the band just play guitar driven rock, with the swagger a song like this needs.
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The Redhill Valleys - Wrong Way Turns Out Right.
Background from the band - We formed as The Redhill Valleys in the fall of 2014. Today, we're sharing our single and stream of our debut album. The self titled record is out today!
The three of us had worked and collaborated together in various situations over the years, but when we got together for the first time, it clicked. We found common ground in our writing and playing styles due to our shared love of Rock and Roll, Folk, vintage R&B, and classic Country. Before long we had twelve songs written that were eclectic, but still sounded like they belonged together. We crafted this record, our debut, for a year in the recording studio. We wanted to straddle the line of getting it just right, but without it sounding stale or mechanical.
Wrong Way Turns Out Right is a special song to us. It's one of the earliest songs that was written for our record, and set the tone for many that followed. More significantly, it's the song that was the initial vehicle for us to find our collective voice. We knew we wanted to write songs with an emphasis on harmonies and this was the first song our voices really melded together - when we felt that we had something special. - Redhill Valleys (Cheslea, Danielle & Tim).
This has been a good week for albums and The Redhill Valleys debut is definitely one of them. That they have spent time on the album is born out by the quality and craft of every song. The mixture of musical styles each member brings to the band, comes together and leaves us with a selection of great music, the featured track being no exception!
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Vague - Vacation.
Background promo - Vienna five-piece, Vague have dropped their first UK single and video Vacation, through Siluh Records.
The five young guys from Austria produce sounds with heavy distortion, reminding of alternative indie scenes of the 80sand 90s on both sides of the Atlantic. They describe their music as often: blurry, melancholic, clever, combining indie ethics with traditional songwriting.
Vacation is a brilliant slice of indie pop, showcasing the band's innate ability to pen a hook, which compliments the voice of the lead singer. Reminiscing of a by gone time, the guitar driven song is moving, nostalgic and effortlessly cool.
Vague have released their first EP titled 'Tempdays' last year and 2016 sees them release their debut full length: 'In The Meantime'. Vacation is the the first release off the album, released via Siluh Records.
The press release references the retro feel of the 80/90's indie scene that comes across with the song 'Vacation'. A reasonable point of view, I would add that had it been released way back then, it would have been up with some of the best songs. It's a fine song, one that is as welcome in 2016 as any time past.
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Bencoolen - In Color.
Background promo - After months of rehearsals and shows, Bencoolen is gearing up to release their highly-anticipated new album, In Color, out Summer 2016. The 6-song record will feature the full spectrum of the band’s sound; from a gentle ballad, a reggae rock song, and heavier, “maximalist” rock. Recently the group has just launched the title track from the record, "In Color," which you can listen to and post, above.
Bencoolen was able to raise more than $6000 for the record, and has made a recent push to travel to new cities and universities to share their music. The band's sound, either recorded or live, will definitely touch Bencoolen listeners. Whether you are the lonely bartender on a Wednesday somewhere in New Jersey, or a rowdy fraternity house playing air guitars with us and singing songs you hadn’t yet heard; you have all of our energy. The hours of practice and of travel have garnered accolades from features in USA Today College, to opening for Cold War Kids, and more.
The first single, “In Color,” is simply a story about growing up. We are all born with creativity and color inside us, but as we learn, that beauty gets lost. When the bartender asks him, “What’s your name, what’re you in here for?,” The man simply says, “I’m the wind blowing through and I used to live in color” without identity or purpose for himself. As he drinks he wanders the bar, he looks at the beautiful pictures on the seemingly ordinary bartender’s walls. He then watches him work, content with where he is, and what he has done. That opportunity for self-reflection helps the man find inspiration to live beyond paying bills and doing the “right” thing to essentially find himself again.
Featured song 'In Color' has a distinct reggae feel to it, and some high quality musicianship accompanying the suitably adapted vocals. It's one of those songs that starts out well and just keeps on getting better!
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Manon Meurt - To Forget.
Background promo - Upstart Canadian imprint Label Obscura is proud to announce the vinyl reissue of the debut EP by Czech Republic shoegaze/ noise pop quartet Manon Meurt, making it available in North America for the first time.
These quickly rising shoegaze stars have played alongside The Raveonettes, The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, LSD and the Search for God, and My Bloody Valentine. During the sound check for the latter, while Kevin Shields was still in the locker room, MBV’s sound engineer actually complained that Manon Meurt were playing too loud.
Manon Meurt is Vojtech Pejša (guitar, vocals), Káta Elznicová (vocals, guitar), Jirí Bendl (drums) and Jana Karlíková (bass guitar, giggler). They hail from the small Czech town of Rakovnik, located just outside of the capital, Prague. Inspired by the British shoegaze movement of the early 90s, bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Lush, Ride and Slowdive have clearly helped shape the band’s sound.
Originally self-released on vinyl in their native country in autumn 2014, this self-titled 6-track 12-inch record sold out shortly after its initial release and now fetches upwards of $50 USD via Discogs. This debut album shows the band in a number of different musical moods, from the rollicking opener “To Forget” to the dreamy atmospherics of both “‘94” and “Until You Can” and the show-stopping B-side closer “Blue Bird”, nicely bringing the album to a close and foreshadowing what lies ahead for this exciting new band.
Label Obscura, as a website and record label, was created with the goal of shining a light on some of their favorite labels, bands, and albums from the past and present, with a focus on indie rock that never got a vinyl release or is currently out of print. This reissue will be limited to 200 copies on white vinyl in North America, and will be available through the label’s website and via select independent record retailers. All copies come packaged with a high quality plastic inner sleeve and a digital download card. It is also available digitally via the label's Bandcamp.
The song may have been around for a year plus, however the vinyl release should prove popular and remind us of the quality of the bands music. Shoegaze that morphs into dream pop, whatever the genre 'To Forget' captures the more powerful side of the band and makes for a great introduction.
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Background promo - The Phantom Sound recall the best of the 70’s & 80’s with contributions from the Punk & New Wave hall of fame in the powerhouse of a single: “Crushing” out May 16th 2016. The band’s powerful sound and brooding vocals of songwriter Marisa Schlussel has seen the likes of BBC and Amazing radio jump on board the good ship Phantom.
“Crushing” the standout track from the band’s special edition release of debut album “The Phantom Sound”, begins with a truly defiant swagger befitting of the punk ethos. With the unstoppable momentum of an out-of-control steam locomotive, the track leads to its iconic chorus that would be at home at both grimy rock clubs and major summer festivals.
Following her dream of working with the very artists that inspire her, Schlussel sought out the legends of the late 70’s and 80’s Punk & New Wave movement, aspiring to make sure that they loved her music. As it turn’s out, they didn’t need much convincing with Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, R.E.M.) on producer duties, legendary drummer Clem Burke (Blondie) picking up the sticks and Pierre DeReeder (Rily Kiley) all keen to contribute to what has fast become an album dripping in era-defining talent, featuring icons from the past and future.
Marisa falls into the future icon bracket, set to follow in the footsteps of Punk Rock royalty. The powerful self-titled album bulges at the seams with huge, power punk rock influenced tunes grabbing the attention of the likes of BBC Introducing London with multiple spins from supporter Gary Crowley and Amazing Radio after winning the top voted song on Charlie Ashcroft’s Audition Show for “Get to Me”. The colossal album has also seen plays on Sirius XM Radio and Genya Ravan's show on Little Steven's Underground Garage Channel.
The strength of their sound has seen the band from London receive plaudits as far as Canada and the U.S. with radio success and an invite to play Canadian Music Week 2016, representing the UK in Toronto citing influences ranging from David Bowie, Roxy Music, Blondie and The Romones.
UK Dates:
19/05 Brighton The Great Escape
23/06 Maidstone Earl’s
25/06 London The Garage
'Crushing' has all the attitude of a punk laden rock'n'roll song. Vocals have that menacing edge and the band just play guitar driven rock, with the swagger a song like this needs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Redhill Valleys - Wrong Way Turns Out Right.
Background from the band - We formed as The Redhill Valleys in the fall of 2014. Today, we're sharing our single and stream of our debut album. The self titled record is out today!
The three of us had worked and collaborated together in various situations over the years, but when we got together for the first time, it clicked. We found common ground in our writing and playing styles due to our shared love of Rock and Roll, Folk, vintage R&B, and classic Country. Before long we had twelve songs written that were eclectic, but still sounded like they belonged together. We crafted this record, our debut, for a year in the recording studio. We wanted to straddle the line of getting it just right, but without it sounding stale or mechanical.
Wrong Way Turns Out Right is a special song to us. It's one of the earliest songs that was written for our record, and set the tone for many that followed. More significantly, it's the song that was the initial vehicle for us to find our collective voice. We knew we wanted to write songs with an emphasis on harmonies and this was the first song our voices really melded together - when we felt that we had something special. - Redhill Valleys (Cheslea, Danielle & Tim).
This has been a good week for albums and The Redhill Valleys debut is definitely one of them. That they have spent time on the album is born out by the quality and craft of every song. The mixture of musical styles each member brings to the band, comes together and leaves us with a selection of great music, the featured track being no exception!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vague - Vacation.
Background promo - Vienna five-piece, Vague have dropped their first UK single and video Vacation, through Siluh Records.
The five young guys from Austria produce sounds with heavy distortion, reminding of alternative indie scenes of the 80sand 90s on both sides of the Atlantic. They describe their music as often: blurry, melancholic, clever, combining indie ethics with traditional songwriting.
Vacation is a brilliant slice of indie pop, showcasing the band's innate ability to pen a hook, which compliments the voice of the lead singer. Reminiscing of a by gone time, the guitar driven song is moving, nostalgic and effortlessly cool.
Vague have released their first EP titled 'Tempdays' last year and 2016 sees them release their debut full length: 'In The Meantime'. Vacation is the the first release off the album, released via Siluh Records.
The press release references the retro feel of the 80/90's indie scene that comes across with the song 'Vacation'. A reasonable point of view, I would add that had it been released way back then, it would have been up with some of the best songs. It's a fine song, one that is as welcome in 2016 as any time past.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bencoolen - In Color.
Background promo - After months of rehearsals and shows, Bencoolen is gearing up to release their highly-anticipated new album, In Color, out Summer 2016. The 6-song record will feature the full spectrum of the band’s sound; from a gentle ballad, a reggae rock song, and heavier, “maximalist” rock. Recently the group has just launched the title track from the record, "In Color," which you can listen to and post, above.
Bencoolen was able to raise more than $6000 for the record, and has made a recent push to travel to new cities and universities to share their music. The band's sound, either recorded or live, will definitely touch Bencoolen listeners. Whether you are the lonely bartender on a Wednesday somewhere in New Jersey, or a rowdy fraternity house playing air guitars with us and singing songs you hadn’t yet heard; you have all of our energy. The hours of practice and of travel have garnered accolades from features in USA Today College, to opening for Cold War Kids, and more.
The first single, “In Color,” is simply a story about growing up. We are all born with creativity and color inside us, but as we learn, that beauty gets lost. When the bartender asks him, “What’s your name, what’re you in here for?,” The man simply says, “I’m the wind blowing through and I used to live in color” without identity or purpose for himself. As he drinks he wanders the bar, he looks at the beautiful pictures on the seemingly ordinary bartender’s walls. He then watches him work, content with where he is, and what he has done. That opportunity for self-reflection helps the man find inspiration to live beyond paying bills and doing the “right” thing to essentially find himself again.
Featured song 'In Color' has a distinct reggae feel to it, and some high quality musicianship accompanying the suitably adapted vocals. It's one of those songs that starts out well and just keeps on getting better!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manon Meurt - To Forget.
Background promo - Upstart Canadian imprint Label Obscura is proud to announce the vinyl reissue of the debut EP by Czech Republic shoegaze/ noise pop quartet Manon Meurt, making it available in North America for the first time.
These quickly rising shoegaze stars have played alongside The Raveonettes, The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, LSD and the Search for God, and My Bloody Valentine. During the sound check for the latter, while Kevin Shields was still in the locker room, MBV’s sound engineer actually complained that Manon Meurt were playing too loud.
Manon Meurt is Vojtech Pejša (guitar, vocals), Káta Elznicová (vocals, guitar), Jirí Bendl (drums) and Jana Karlíková (bass guitar, giggler). They hail from the small Czech town of Rakovnik, located just outside of the capital, Prague. Inspired by the British shoegaze movement of the early 90s, bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Lush, Ride and Slowdive have clearly helped shape the band’s sound.
Originally self-released on vinyl in their native country in autumn 2014, this self-titled 6-track 12-inch record sold out shortly after its initial release and now fetches upwards of $50 USD via Discogs. This debut album shows the band in a number of different musical moods, from the rollicking opener “To Forget” to the dreamy atmospherics of both “‘94” and “Until You Can” and the show-stopping B-side closer “Blue Bird”, nicely bringing the album to a close and foreshadowing what lies ahead for this exciting new band.
Label Obscura, as a website and record label, was created with the goal of shining a light on some of their favorite labels, bands, and albums from the past and present, with a focus on indie rock that never got a vinyl release or is currently out of print. This reissue will be limited to 200 copies on white vinyl in North America, and will be available through the label’s website and via select independent record retailers. All copies come packaged with a high quality plastic inner sleeve and a digital download card. It is also available digitally via the label's Bandcamp.
The song may have been around for a year plus, however the vinyl release should prove popular and remind us of the quality of the bands music. Shoegaze that morphs into dream pop, whatever the genre 'To Forget' captures the more powerful side of the band and makes for a great introduction.
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Bumper Catch Up featuring: Rubblebucket - Mollie Elizabeth - Lilly Hiatt - The Kearns Family - WILDES and St Francis Hotel - Lucette - Caroline Strickland - Mon Rayon - Lala Salama
Keeping the comments a little shorter so we can cram a few more songs in than usual, this is our first bumper catch up of some really fine r...