The Scaners - Falcon Jane - VOWWS - Wild Meadows

The Scaners - No Place In Space.

Background - France’s “alien-gonzo-synth-punk rockers”, The Scaners, are ready to take off with their eponymous debut LP with the first single “No Place In Space” which takes the listener through a darker, slower wave that Louder Than War Magazine describes as “a swirlingly mesmeric menace of guttural growls backing a looming snarl over a dark driving rhythm.”

“This song is a special song for us because we wrote and recorded two different versions” says singer and organist Pav Scaner. “On the LP it's the ‘slow’ version. It's a kind of lost but happy drifting and swimming in space. A short pop relaxing interlude before the spacecraft starts roaring again. I've made that cheap video clip late by night. Enjoy your flight!"

"The Scaners federation starship superstructure is built on the Ramones and Dickies but draws on fourth-dimensional kindred synth-punk spirits like Devo and Suicide, modern acolytes like The Spits and Useless Eaters, and bands your parents should have warned you about like The Screamers.

With extraterrestrial titles like “Checkpoint Planet”, “No Place In Space”, “We Want To Talk To Your Leader” and “Levitation Train”, The Scaners’ debut LP is a great mix of garage, punk, and new-wave, tied perfectly together in a story worthy of the finest trash B-movie sci-fi. The band just wrapped up a recent UK promotional tour that captured a local music editor by storm at Brighton’s famed Hotel Pelirocco as she recalls: “A cold, damp miserable Sunday evening was about to be transformed into a loud, exciting, hot alien crash site! The Scaners had beamed into Brighton with one of the fastest, loudest, most enjoyable and fun sets I have seen in a long time.” FACEBOOK, BANDCAMP.

Described as "alien-gonzo-synth-punk rockers" it soon becomes apparent that The Scaners fit that description perfectly, as 'No Place In Space' makes very clear, with just over two minutes of creative beauty.


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Falcon Jane - Go With The Flow.

Background from Sara May - I'm the front-woman in the plez-rock band, Falcon Jane. We're from Orangeville, ON and make music that is inspired by nature, truth, peace and magic! (and life n death n whatever else). Last year we had a good ol' time touring Eastern Canada, and we've played countless gigs over the years at Toronto's legendary venues. This summer we're releasing our third full-length record, Feelin' Freaky, which we're real excited about.

Go With The Flow is the ultimate chill out song for freaky, anxious peeps like me. It’s currently my fave Falcon Jane tune, so I wanted the video to feel very personal - very true to me. I directed, produced, and edited the video (got my bff, Deviio, to shoot it), and it’s basically about me chillin’ in my small town, doing things that make me relax n feel cool. My background is in film making so it was nice to be able to combine my two passions to create this masterpiece! FACEBOOK, BANDCAMP.

Live Dates:
march 3 @ smiling buddha, (toronto, ON)
april 20 @ burnt brick cafe (woodstock, ON)
april 21 @ bicycle cafe (flesherton, ON).

Plez rock is another description that becomes obvious as the band begin to play. 'Go With The Flow' is a refined melodic and extremely catchy song, Plez rock does for me!


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VOWWS - Structure Of Love.

Background - LA-via-Australia based duo VOWWS shares their new track "Structure Of Love". "It sort of ended up sounding like a jazzy, sci fi western video game," the duo explains of the single, "Or like the theme of an ambitious low budget movie called The Return Of Space Cowboy 3." The track is from their forthcoming album Under The World, out 3/2 on Anti-Language Records. The band will be kicking of a US tour starting in Austin for SXSW, you can check out a full list of dates below.

With their new album, 'Under the World,’  VOWWS craft their dark pop masterpiece - a cinematic, stylish and menacing statement of intent. Drawing upon influences as diverse as classic western, electronica, surf rock, metal, and film music, the enigmatic duo weave disparate threads of cultural influence together into a tapestry of drama, imagination and surprising warmth - only to deconstruct them again in front of your ears.

Under the World was largely recorded with friend, mentor and engineer Kevin S. McMahon at his New Paltz, NY studio - building upon a symbiotic relationship formed while piecing together their debut, 2015’s The Great Sun - a dirty, grinding and swaying work featuring guest appearances by electronic music legend Gary Numan and Swans’ percussionist Thor Harris.

This time around VOWWS took on a more prominent role in producing and mixing the record, but the timeless influence of McMahon and his weatherworn New Paltz studio/barn is still present. Under the World deliberately eschews any obvious Post-Punk and Industrial tropes, instead allowing space for its stylish hooks, direct vocals and rich textures to shine. It will be released on the band's own label, Anti-Language Records on March 2nd, 2018. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

Live Dates:
3.16 - SXSW: Warp Magazine Showcase at Blackheart, Austin, TX 
3.19 - 529 - Atlanta, GA
3.20 - Strange Matter - Richmond, VA
3.22 - Saint Vitus - Brooklyn, NY
3.23 - Meatlocker - Montclair, NJ
3.24 - Geno's - Portland, ME
3.25 - Kung Fu Necktie - Philadelphia, PA
3.26 - Cafe Nine - New Haven, CT
3.27 - O'Brien's - Boston, MA
3.28 - Casa Del Popolo - Montreal
3.29 - Coalition - Toronto
3.30 - Now That's Class - Cleveland, OH *
3.31 - Deluxx Fluxx - Detroit, MI *
4.1 - Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL *
4.3 - Reverb Lounge - Omaha, NE *
4.4 - Hi Dive - Denver, CO *
4.5 - Metro Music Hall - Salt Lake City, UT *
4.6 - Neurolux - Boise, ID *
4.7 - Barboza - Seattle, WA *
4.8 - Tonic Lounge - Portland, OR *
4.9 - Old Nick's - Eugene, OR *
4.11 - Blue Lamp - Sacramento, CA*
4.12 - The Eagle - San Francisco, CA
4.14 - Verboden Festival - Vancouver
* w/ Soft Kill and Choir Boy‌.

Our third feature for VOWWS and another song from their ever nearing March album release this time with the track 'Structure Of Love'. Once again their distinctive genre spanning sound is delivered with power and passion, there are plenty of hooks and an abundance of atmosphere. 

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Wild Meadows - First Exit.

Background - Wild Meadows present their debut self-titled LP, featuring recent single ‘First Exit’ a dark, foreboding tune built on a rollicking rhythm section and atmospheric vocals. 

It offers an intriguing counterpoint to the album’s more shoegaze-oriented lead single ‘Feel the Noise’, which has received regular airplay and favourable reviews across the likes of Triple R, Double J, Triple J and 4ZZZ.

Wild Meadows’ current lineup consists of Jessica Lawrence (vocals), James Ross (vocals/guitar), Dylan Bird (guitar), Donovan Pill (bass) and drummer Peter Giannoukas, who joined the band subsequent to this recording.

Produced, recorded and mixed by Paul ‘Woody’ Annison (Black Cab, Rocket Science) and mastered by William Bowden (The Church, Gotye), Wild Meadows’ self-titled album is set for release on Friday March 2, 2018 on vinyl and digitally. FACEBOOK.  

Last September we featured the song 'Feel The Noise' from Wild Meadows, and are pleased to share another song from their self titled debut album this time in the form of 'First Exit'. Fuzzy guitars and a hot pace ensures that the song rocks from the opening moments, the sweeping vocals are at odds with the pace and yet feeling just right, the album is looking pretty good.

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Somali Yacht Club - VOWWS - Madeleine & Salomon

Somali Yacht Club - Vero.

Background - Dreamtoned trio from Ukraine, Somali Yacht Club, are going to release their sophomore album “The Sea” on Robustfellow Prods. (CDs and limited editions) and Kozmik Artifactz (vinyls).

After their first LP “The Sun” - which was highly acclaimed both by critics and listeners worldwide and showed the band’s ability to mix styles, create dreamy vibe and submerge listeners into fantastic sound landscapes - the band is ready to continue their musical journey with their next album “The Sea”. Rich fuzz, blended with atmospheric psychedelia, warm grooves and airy leads show the band’s progression both musically and lyrically and once again prove Somali Yacht Club’s inventiveness in blending styles.

Somali Yacht Club is a stoner rock trio from Lviv, Ukraine. The band mixes elements of stoner rock, psychedelic rock, shoegazing and post-metal in their music. Formed in 2010, as a jam band, but evolved to a main band for it's members. BANDCAMP, FACEBOOK.

'Vero' is the first of six tracks on the bands 'The Sea' album. It's a good indicator of the quality of this album, where the band drift through rock genres whilst retaining a consistent identity. The energy levels and emotional feeling, switch without notice adding a level of anticipation at any given moment. This should appeal to a wide range of rock fans.

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VOWWS - Esseff.

Background - LA-via-Australia based duo VOWWS share their latest single "Esseff". They explain that "'Esseff' is like James Bond spy music updated for the modern world. We wanted to create a sound that felt like you were being chased by something scary, but enticing". The single is from their forthcoming album Under the World, out 3/2 on Anti-Language Records. VOWWS will also be kicking off their US tour this March, you can find a full list of dates below.

With their new album, 'Under the World,’  VOWWS craft their dark pop masterpiece - a cinematic, stylish and menacing statement of intent. Drawing upon influences as diverse as classic western, electronica, surf rock, metal, and film music, the enigmatic duo weave disparate threads of cultural influence together into a tapestry of drama, imagination and surprising warmth - only to deconstruct them again in front of your ears.
 
Under the World was largely recorded with friend, mentor and engineer Kevin S. McMahon at his New Paltz, NY studio - building upon a symbiotic relationship formed while piecing together their debut, 2015’s The Great Sun - a dirty, grinding and swaying work featuring guest appearances by electronic music legend Gary Numan and Swans’ percussionist Thor Harris.

This time around VOWWS took on a more prominent role in producing and mixing the record, but the timeless influence of McMahon and his weatherworn New Paltz studio/barn is still present. Under the World deliberately eschews any obvious Post-Punk and Industrial tropes, instead allowing space for its stylish hooks, direct vocals and rich textures to shine. It will be released on the band's own label, Anti-Language Records on March 2nd, 2018. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

3.19 - 529 - Atlanta, GA
3.20 - Strange Matter - Richmond, VA
3.22 - Saint Vitus - Brooklyn, NY
3.23 - Meatlocker - Montclair, NJ
3.24 - Geno's - Portland, ME
3.25 - Kung Fu Necktie - Philadelphia, PA
3.26 - Cafe Nine - New Haven, CT
3.27 - O'Brien's - Boston, MA
3.28 - Casa Del Popolo - Montreal
3.29 - Coalition - Toronto
3.30 - Now That's Class - Cleveland, OH *
3.31 - Deluxx Fluxx - Detroit, MI *
4.1 - Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL *
4.3 - Reverb Lounge - Omaha, NE *
4.4 - Hi Dive - Denver, CO *
4.5 - Metro Music Hall - Salt Lake City, UT *
4.6 - Neurolux - Boise, ID *
4.7 - Barboza - Seattle, WA *
4.8 - Tonic Lounge - Portland, OR *
4.10 - Old Nick's - Eugene, OR *
* w/ Soft Kill and Choir Boy

Almost a year to the day since we first featured VOWWS they return in style with 'Esseff'. The duo have created an expansive sounding, and very catchy rocker that just oozes atmosphere and plenty of originality.

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Madeleine & Salomon - Swallow Song.

Background - French duo Madeleine & Salomon have just released their album 'A Woman’s Journey' in the USA, along with a little tour on the east coast.

The epic and libertarian duo Madeleine & Salomon embraces with ardor the feminist American songbook. They cover it with loving-kindness tinged with a minimalistic music and with a deep and incandescent chant. Their first album A Woman’s Journey reveals a graceful and unexpected reinterpretation of a humanist and rebellious repertoire from Nina Simone to Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday and Josephine Baker.

Madeleine sings, Salomon sits at the piano. Madeleine & Salomon, a duo with a natural elegance, “less is more” is their essence. This homage to American female protest songstresses is enriched on stage by free improvisations inspired by screened dreamlike short films.

Madeleine & Salomon is the meeting of two artists with well-established musical visions: the pianist Alexandre Saada (Malia, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas…) and the vocalist and flutist Clotilde. Her previous album In Extremis has been ranked #5 NPR annual Jazz critics poll 2013 – Debut album category, US CMJ Week 1300 Top Adds #5 – 2013, #5 ‘Best Jazz’ music category 2011 by the SundayTime.

Long-term friends, they discovered, during a tour of Asia, in 2014, that they shared a common musical aesthetic and decided to form the duo Madeleine & Salomon stamped in impressionist poetry. They took advantage of the invitation of the Melbourne Recital Centre in June 2015 to rethink the American Songbook in their original fashion, and record their first album A Woman’s Journey. BANDCAMP.

'Swallow Song' is just a tiny glimpse of the duo's album 'A Woman's Journey', a little taste if you like, before you devour what is a fabulous album. If your in the mood for original, different and engaging wide appealing jazz centred music, you have arrived at your destination.

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Weekend Wonders: VOWWS - Her Harbour - Kambui Chui-Moore - Lowlands - Tuffet Bunnies - Atticus Chimps

VOWWS - Heartbreaker.

Background - With their new single, “Heartbreaker,” VOWWS veer into the wrong lane - and smash backwards into Pop. The new single was released this week, coinciding with their North American tour in support of British post-punk band White Lies.

A flash-grenade of musical justice, “Heartbreaker” opens with the layered ramblings of a mad man - before exploding into an urgent groove of cascading beats, vertical guitars and a guiding, screaming synth - a musical offering that pummels you over the head with a sick smile on its face.

"We wanted this song to be a window into casual insanity. It's war music for peaceful people cos when everything looks the same, it's harder to choose,” says Matt. Heartbreaker was produced by the duo and Rhys Fulber (Front Line Assembly, Fear Factory, Youth Code). Their second album, the follow up to 2015's 'The Great Sun,' is due mid-2017.

Australian duo VOWWS met while studying music in Western Sydney. They played in multiple prominent experimental rock bands together and quickly became fixtures in Sydney’s underground music scene. It didn't take long for the duo to become restless however, and soon enough they packed up, said goodbye to Australia and moved to Brooklyn NY in 2011 - where where they began writing music together with full focus. Website here and Facebook here.

A thumping rhythm kicks in and 'Heartbreaker' is underway. Dark and moody in part, the song also develops a more melodic feel as it progresses, whilst the vocals are absorbed into the atmosphere.

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Her Harbour - Chime and Knell.

Background - The song comes from her new LP Go Gently Into The Night, which will be released on February 3rd via E-Tron Records.

Gabrielle's thoughts on how the song is filled with the spectre of death, surrounded by the passing winter:

“Chime and Knell” is about the juxtaposition of life and death in the spring. I began writing it in the last stretches of the winter, when the snow was first melting and the dormant land was beginning to thaw. In a season that had always seemed abundant with life, I felt haunted by death; I saw it in the landscape and everything that surrounded me. I ultimately found peace in understanding the importance of loss to life renewing itself and hoped to convey that sentiment with “Chime and Knell”. Website here, Facebook here.

Second time around on Beehive Candy for Her Harbour this time with 'Chime and Knell'. last time we stated "a beautiful and tender song, where Gabrielle Giguère's wonderful vocals are supported by a haunting piano lead background". This is clearly something Her Harbour can deliver over and over as this charming song demonstrates.

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Kambui Chui-Moore - Confier.

Background - Kambui Chui-Moore is thrilled to share his debut full length album Confier this week. Confier means “entrust” in French. Kambui delivers heartfelt lyrics covering themes of identity, vulnerability, and the fear of what’s next. Taking cues from James Blake and Kid Cudi, he creates otherworldly beats built on unconventional rhythms, sparse piano riffs, and multilayered vocals to be the emotive backdrop to his message. The production may seem minimal, but upon a repeat listen it’s clear that Kambui provides a nuanced complexity in his music that derives from his love of classical music. As his debut album, it’s clear that he’s holding nothing back.

Kambui Chui-Moore was born in Houston to a pastor and early childhood educator where music was the backdrop of their lives. From James Brown to Mahalia Jackson, music was always playing in their house but he was the only child of three to adapt his parents’ musical talents. Kambui first started playing drums in church when he was 7 and, with the help of his godbrothers, he began performing with local group Eternal Groove and played in his school’s concert and marching bands. Although Kambui came from a place of love and security, he never felt he had his own voice.

Upon new job opportunities, Kambui’s family moved to Detroit in 2001. It was here that he was forced out of his shell and expanded his musical tastes. Acts like Paramore and Evanescence first taught him about alternative song structures and inspired him to look at the science of music. He quickly became unimpressed with the structure of marching band and quit practicing drums throughout high school.

It wasn’t until he was at Michigan State University that Kambui began playing music again. His friends built a makeshift home studio and the group began making beats, recording, and freestyling any chance they got. Recording in that studio was a life changing experience for Kambui. He could take the music anywhere he wanted to with no restrictions. He had found his purpose and his voice. Kambui means “unafraid” in Swahili, and that he is. Facebook here.

'Confier' is one of five tracks I have heard by Kambui Chui-Moore, and on each occasion I have been struck by the intimate nature of the songs, and yet the atmosphere and detailed production adds so much additional depth.

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Lowlands – Floating.

Background - Lowlands is an American bi-coastal music group based in NYC & San Diego, CA. Formed in NYC in 2014 by guitarist T.C. Garcia (of Mrs Magician) and vocalist Gabriel Spatuzzi, Lowlands play slow, dark, minimalist ghost-punk that draws inspiration from the likes of Rowland S. Howard and Ennio Morricone.

Recorded in fits and starts on two different coasts throughout 2014-2015, their debut album 'Lovers Blessings' is characterized by sparse droning arrangements and wistful, mostly ad-libbed lyrics that touch on themes of loneliness, isolation, architecture, sexual frustration & all forms of doubt (religious, self, etc).

Lowlands excellent debut album, Lovers Blessings, is now available on vinyl. This release is very limited (250 white LPs) so get 'em while they're hot here. Facebook here.

'Floating' reminds me in part of The Sisters Of Mercy with the vocals so deeply immersed in the mix. That said the band are no copycats, and this is one hook laden slow rocker, that pleads for another listen.

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Tuffet Bunnies - Everything.

Background - Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Tuffet Bunnies is excited to share the music video for his single "Everything" off his debut release Love Songs For Scarlett EP. The video sees Clem Darling enjoying a day at the park surrounded by loving couples, an acrobat, and a sparkly butterfly. The video perfectly depicts the charming, happy-go-lucky love song.

Tuffet Bunnies is the alias for Clem Darling's musical whims. He's from the American northeast, born in Boston, MA and grew up in Albany, NY. His father is a surgeon. His mother is a therapist. He played music in the northeast for awhile, from ages 10-18, mostly making music reminiscent of Unicorns and Pavement. Clem then moved to Los Angeles to attend film school. After graduating, he moved to Austin, TX and played a lot of live music in garage rock bands. Then, Clem moved back to Los Angeles because he fell in love with an acrobat and burlesque performer who inspired this debut album of love songs.

The quirky nature of the video aside, 'Everything' is one cheerful melodic song that can surely put a smile on your face, with or without a clown juggling!

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Atticus Chimps - Illusion.

Background - Atticus Chimps formed in November 2015. Founding members Theo and Sam are cousins who have played casually as a duo since their teenage years. Kerrod was a friend of Sam’s who had only started playing drums earlier in the year. The band played 3 small gigs together, in front of crowds no bigger than a classroom, before recording a 5 track EP, Hug Me ’Til You Drug Me in July 2016. After recording the EP Kerrod departed the band to move overseas, and Theo and Sam enlisted new member, Jordan, to fill in on drums; he has become an integral part of the group ever since.

The first single from the EP, “Illusion” was recorded at Tall Poppy Productions in July 2016 and was engineered by Nathan Woodrow. After writing several dark and edgy songs, the band started leaning more towards writing a song that was optimistic and uplifting - something that would make people feel good. “Illusion” has all the melodic qualities of a melancholic 90s rock song, while incorporating lyrics that touch on the all too familiar experience of growing up and living in a never ending state of perpetual change and confusion. “Dwell on the past, it only exists in your head.”

The song attempts to sooth anxieties and past regrets, while having a mindset that is happy and content with the present moment. The EP ranges from slow, calm and melodic love songs to angry, progressive, emotionally charged anthems that convey dissatisfaction and alienation from authority, bearing the influence of their Punk roots. Facebook here.

'Illusion' is a refined and smooth flowing alt rock song given some edge by the vocals. The band keep things tight and straight and there are a good few hooks thrown in along the way.

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