Sundays Alternative Take - For Your Ears Only

Nightriders - Background - Boston-based house/nu-disco duo Nightriders kicks off the summer with five sizzling remixes of their track “Demand You,” taken from their February released EP ‘Until We Are Together.’ For the remix EP, the duo enlists heavyweights like Grammy-winning house music pioneer Ralphi Rosario, in-demand NYC producer/remixer, DJ, and Tiki Disco founder Eli Escobar, DJ/producer and Get Up! Recordings co-founder W. Jeremy, nu-disco maverick Alcala, and newcomer Jamie de Von to cleverly reinvent their slo-mo sleeper hit into a scorching summertime anthem covering the spectrum from deep tech house and nu-disco/indie dance and jackin’ Chicago house with hints of Detroit techno.

It was a tough choice on what remix to feature, the 'Alcala Remix' wins by a whisker for my ears, the variety of interpretation across all five versions is impressive. On iTunes Here.

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

Thomas Deil - Background - A young  DJ/Producer from Italy,with a Tropical House remix of KSHMR - Jammu, and looking for yours and my vote over on Spinnin' Records Talent Pool (Here) & that's all I know!

Worthy of a feature by us at the very least, this is a very cool remix. I will leave you of course to decide if you want to vote over at Spinnin' Records.

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

BluBird - Background - “Good music is its own genre. It doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.” So says Dejko, one half of Slovenian live-electronic outfit Blubird. Hailing from a part of the world perhaps best known for language barriers and border disputes, Blubird’s ethos is as unifying  as possible: they’re looking to blur the final gaps between DJ set and live act.

It’s a format that appears to be working. The likes of Klingande and Bakermat rate their tunes, as, it seems, does YouTube. The duo’s debut Emotions track featuring a live Sax earned over 100,000 plays in a couple of weeks. “We’re the kind of guys that’ll be playing tech house at a house party somewhere at Slovenia, then suddenly from the kitchen one of our dudes walks in with a trumpet and just starts going for it” explains other half of the pair Damjan.

The pair’s live sets in Slovenia, Croatia and Barcelona have already won them a cult following, all based on this unstructured, is-it-a-band, are-they-DJs approach which fluctuates between DJ set, live instruments, MCs, laid back tropical house or injections of tech house. ‘It’s not about being in a superclub, it’s about being at the best house party you’ve been at in your life..’

Not only YouTube videos, you are also spoilt for choice on Soundcloud where there are some outstanding tracks by Blubird. Came up with this tune to feature, it is just one dimension of their art.

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

Kat Vinter - Background - Islands Remix EP. Vimes' remix of Kat Vinter's 'Downtime' has offered a lighter, more summery perspective of the original. Like dappled light dancing among the shadows, the sounds used create an atmosphere of buoyancy without losing the lush textures and intimacy of the former. New hooks are created by playfully pitched and stretched vocals, as they become less a plea for intimacy, than a celebration of it. 'Islands (Remix EP)' is out July 10th on Culvert Music.

Between the urban creative hub of Berlin and a small cabin located deep in the woodlands of the Swedish border to Norway the team has since been crafting layers of hip hop inspired beats, tribal drums, waves of synths and aching ethereal vocals. Themes such as isolation, intimacy, fate, deception and obsession surface and re-occur. The result is a lush and mysterious soundscape of brooding, beat driven pop music with moments of darkness and light, beauty and tension.

This is an incredible EP including the original version of 'Islands' along with remixes and 'Sooner Or Later' and 'Downtime' both of which have also been remixed with stunning results.

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

Babayaga DJ and Josh Blackwell - Background - Babayaga DJ and Josh Blackwell combines a melodic house vibes with deep sounding drums and synths to create a very cool dance floor oriented track. A super sexy deep vocal line and sporadic synth elements rise and fall over and over while the percussion keeps the entire ship afloat and rocking.

Short and sweet background info. Actually this has a timeless dance floor feel, along with it's own fresh and breezy style, I reckon you will be unable to stay still to this one.

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

Some Summer Saturday Songs to Sing (and dance to).

The Kite String Tangle x Dustin Tebbutt - Here's the low down - Ahead of his return to the US, and fresh off the back of the 'Illuminate' release; a collaboration alongside fellow Australian artist Dustin Tebbutt, rising talent The Kite String Tangle has unveiled a new video for the title track. Having made his stateside debut at last year's CMJ Music Marathon, The Kite String Tangle will be playing a run of dates this July/August, including a show at New York's Mercury Lounge and Echo in LA. The Kite String Tangle, a.k.a. Danny Harley, has enjoyed a great run since the release of his breakthrough single ‘Given The Chance’. Striking, delicate electro-pop tunes including ‘Arcadia’, ‘Stone Cold’ and ‘What If’ followed; sold-out headline shows and some killer festival appearances confirmed his popularity, as did an ARIA nomination and a spot in the Top 20 of the 2013 & 2014 Hottest 100.

And here's the video, for all lovers of fine music and the desire to escape...

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

Soft Lions - What you need to know - "Every Soft Lions song is basically born in my diary", states Megan Liscomb, the shy, rainbow-haired singer/guitarist of the San Diego trio Soft Lions. Liscomb's songs evoke heartfelt memories, distilling in them a wide range of emotional states and colors. To make the music come to life she sought out Lex Pratt to help with vocal duties. Pratt replaces the traditional bass player with her percussive, psychedelic style on keys. Jon Bonser serves as the backbone on drums.

The band crafts songs that are a blur of decades, mixing the sound of 60's San Francisco pop with noisy garage-guitar driven tracks, lending the songs a definitive west coast vibe. Liscomb's songwriting is angular and interesting without losing any of the big sing-along melodies you want to hear. Soft Lions have cut their teeth like any new band should: by playing a bunch of local shows and sharing the stage with numerous national acts. They also made an appearance at this year's SXSW festival.

Caution all surviving original hippies, this video contains flashback inducing material (and it's superb!).


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

Monks Of Mellonwah - Keeping it simple - Australian rock group Monks of Mellonwah has just released a new lyric video for their single, 'Even When It Burns'. The band's new 7 track EP Disconnect is set to be released August, 2015. Formed in 2009 by school friends Vikram Kaushik, Joseph de la Hoyde, Joshua Baissari and John de la Hoyde, the band represents a collision of musical personalities, creating a fusion of alternative, indie, and film-inspired rock.

OK then Beehive Candy readers it's buckle up and sing along time, on the count of three.....


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

Jack + Eliza - Definitely on the 'ones to watch out for' list - We have two songs that may well delight you and make your day! "Quarter Past The Hour" is the latest track off their upcoming August 7th debut LP 'Gentle Warnings'.

Also enjoy their video for "White Satin". One is ideal for a gentle summer afternoon and one reminds us to enjoy these summer afternoons, oh you will work out which is which, both are an absolute joy to feature.

===================================================

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

2015 - Out Of Our Inbox - July - One

So lets find out a little about Los and the Deadlines - Describing themselves as a blue collar band, Los and the Deadlines came into being when Arizona native and lead vocalist Alex LoSardo moved to London in 2010. After being introduced to guitarist Neils Bakx, the two found common ground in their interests and influences and started composing music while studying for their undergraduate degrees.

After several line up changes and the release of two EPs, the band recruited Italian drummer Alberto Voglino and Israeli bassist Rotem Haguel. Together they embarked on the recording of third EP 'Perfect Holiday' which marked a new direction in the band's musical journey. The epitome of art-rock, Los and the Deadlines utilise cliches to convey their message through their broad-ranging sound, which encompasses grunge, stoner rock, noise rock, punk and sludge.

The band's 'Perfect Holiday' EP explores the absurdities of Western civilisation by contrasting the reality of an urban, deprecating society and its opposing depiction in the mass media. This in congruence is described not only through tongue in cheek lyrics but also through music where there is an ever present competition between noise and melody through thrashing riffs and thumping rhythms.

Sometimes you just need a band and a song that cuts to the chase. Los and the Deadlines seemingly have this sussed out and the featured track 'Feel At Ease' is the perfect remedy from a band that can belt out a song, without taking themselves to seriously.

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

OK on to My Old Dutch and the background on the featured song - My Old Dutch is an explosive two-piece lo-fi rock’n’roll outfit from Melbourne. Bashing out 50’s inspired tales of love lost, found and stolen, their crunching wall of guitars, soaring melodies and bed of beats are sure to get your foot tappin’ and your heart racing!

My Old Dutch’s second single ‘Queen of the Dogs’ was recorded and produced by Craig Harnath, Jez Giddings and My Old Dutch at Hothouse Audio in St Kilda, Melbourne. Queen of the Dogs was one of the early tracks to come out of the My Old Dutch catalogue, inspiring them to turn a recording project into a live act.

Queen of the Dogs is the second single from My Old Dutch. This is "dirty edged blues" at its best. From the first crack of the snare to the last spluttering decay of the guitars. You’ll be hooked! Selling sex with pain, My Old Dutch is joined by the devilishly talented Cat Deller on vocals. With Cat belting out seductive lyrics, this track screams chaos and disorder. Yet you still can't ignore the simplicity of the structure. Queen of the Dogs. "She not never let you die"! 'Queen of the Dogs' by My Old Dutch feat. Cat Deller will be released 10th July 2015.

What can we add, this is another no nonsense classic rock'n'roll beast of a song with just enough originality and modern day slant to appeal to those who just fancy three minutes of bedlam to leap around the floor to.

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

Calming things down a little and next up Alejandro Meola & Robinsones. with some background on them and also the featured number - “Gypsy Woman” is on his new EP, “First Impressions,” releasing to digital stores worldwide and in North America beginning July 15th.  

Miami-born, Buenos Aires-bred, New York-based Meola filed two singles in the US in 2014 (“Please” and “Black Feathered Angels”).   He’s been making music between South and North America since 2007.  That includes 2 LPs and 2 EPs before debuting in the US last year.

“First Impressions” is a record of his first impressions of  his new hometown of NYC. Witness the gorgeous skyline to surfline video for the single “Please” here.

“I could have called it “First Impressions of New York” easily…. It’s essentially the musical expression of this inner revolution I’ve experienced in the past couple of years since I first moved to New York from Buenos Aires. The people, the streets, the language, the bars, the food, the fashion, they are all imprinted in these new songs. Not mentioned once literarily in the lyrics but in the sound.  The sound is different. And by different I mean new,” says the Latin troubadour.

Aesthetically, “First Impressions” is a total departure from his previous work.  It’s five episodes according to the writer.  Each one very different from the other, but still connected by an overall sound. Super songwriting, arrangement and production courtesy of Meola, Francisco Botero’s engineering for Studio G Greenpoint and Steve Fallone’s mastering for Sterling Sound contribute along with his band, Robinsones, to Meola’s professed “eclectic 25 minute rock ‘n’ roll  voyage.”

My first impressions are of a stripped back indie rock feel, with quality musicianship and some catchy songs. Check the featured song, if you like, then the EP is a must have.

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

New for me are Twin Within and apologies if I am a little late to the show. Background is - The group consists of Steve McKay and Alex Samaras. McKay mainly known as the percussive force behind Bruce Peninsula, collaborate with Timber Timbre, and songwriting partner of Allie X, while Samaras background is in Tuvan throat singing and working in countless vocal ensembles. 

Merging classic pop with classical sensibilities, in a uniquely modern way. Together their voices have a natural affinity beyond technical ability, and recall classic duos like Righteous Brothers, Walker Brothers, or Simon & Garfunkel. Alex's vocals enhance the arrangements with the same depth and originality that an Owen Pallet string arrangement would, enhancing Steve's catchy, but intricate, Grizzly Bear like song writing. An anti-throwback throwback. With just a touch of yacht rock.

Yacht rock? Na come on hows a genre mix addict like me going to cope with that. Harmonies and oh so cool music are very spot on and we can throw in a wonderful as well. A hint of the classic Steely Dan precision to add to the name checking going on above. Warm sunny week off rock!

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

Next up - Telegraph Canyon. We are featuring their single from their upcoming LP, 'You From Before' due out on July 31st.

Loads of background - In 2010 the Fort Worth, TX based band, Telegraph Canyon released The Tide and The Current on Velvet Blue Music. Whatever the expectations were for the album, none anticipated the level of success The Tide and the Current enjoyed. Following the release of the LP the band’s Texas shows brought greater opportunities as the septet found themselves in front of larger and more diverse audiences. Telegraph Canyon’s regional fan base quickly expanded. Over the next two and a half years the band toured throughout the U.S. and Europe on the momentum of that surge, while their songs, praised by Rolling Stone as having “irresistible choruses,” appeared in multiple films and television shows. Now, five years removed from the release of their sophomore album, the band prepares to issue it’s follow-up, You From Before. 

You From Before is an intensely personal record, and is, at times, uncomfortable in its intimacy. “Every song is about a person or a relationship I've had," says front man (singer/songwriter) Chris Johnson, "many of them women, some romantic, some not. The songs aren't all about breakups, but most of these people aren't in my life any more. Some of them were only there for a day or two but affected me in a huge way." Since the release of The Tide and the Current, Johnson’s life has had it’s share of obstacles. A difficult divorce, a period of homelessness, living in an RV in Fort Worth, various line-up changes in the band, and the pressure to avoid artistic redundancy, collectively forced Johnson to navigate through an unfamiliar emotional terrain.

Throughout the writing process, the impact of the impermanence of Johnson's daily life left him meditating often on death and the question of an afterlife. You From Before reflects the idea that some of us live several different lives on earth during the course of our life and wonders how that relates to what happens to us after we die. Themes of reinvention and reincarnation play throughout the album and culminate in a general attitude of perseverance. An attitude Johnson and the band have come to rely upon in their commitment to a lifestyle of creating and performing music together. The new songs are just like the last five years of Johnson's life, lively and moody, cinematic yet introspective, and filled with the magic of uncertainty.

I can add that NPR & Rolling Stone have picked up on this band and the featured song below suggests why. Without wanting to state the obvious this is classy music with those 'play again' hooks everywhere. Album now on the 'must have' list.

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

Sons Of Rico finish this round up in style, first some background - Melbourne indie rock quartet Sons of Rico are back with a brand new single, 'What Am I Doing Here?'. "It's the question we ask ourselves in moments of discomfort, loneliness, or dissatisfaction, and the confidence it can take to address it." - says Alex MacRae. The song is the first taste from the band's forthcoming third album, and the follow up to 2013's colourful 'In Rico Glaciers' that spawned singles 'You Don't Know What You're Missin' and 'I'm Not Thinkin' About You'.

The song is introduced in a manner that may have one thinking the band has travelled back to the 80s. What are they doing here? Electronic drum samples, swelling Toto-inspired synths, and Belle and Sebastian-esque vocal deliveries from frontman Alex MacRae and keyboardist Siobhan McGinnity seem to pave an entirely new direction for the band. However, we're instantly snapped out of the calm when Adam Weston's (Birds Of Tokyo) guest appearance on drums thunders in and the song confidently charges ahead, gaining momentum with every section -- keeping your ears on their toes.

Recorded in their new digs of Melbourne at Newmarket Studios, Sons of Rico were thrilled to have local hero Callum Barter (Dorsal Fins, British India) behind the desk engineering MacRae's vision.
Sons of Rico launched out of Perth in 2010 with the single 'This Madness' from their debut album 'Reactions'. In 2012, MacRae and Weston relocated to Brisbane to record the band's sophomore album 'In Rico Glaciers' with legendary producer Magoo. Shortly thereafter MacRae relocated to band's current home of Melbourne enlisting new members Terry Mann (Coach Bombay), Siobhan McGinnity, and Nigel Moyes (Money For Rope).

This is a tonic for anyone struggling to smile or in need of a lift. Harmonies and a lively soundtrack that say 'come on - it's summer'. If this don't work it's time for one of those positive life changing sessions.

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

And Now For Something Completely Heavyweight

Introducing The Heavyweight Brass Band. New to Beehive Candy lets get up to speed with this intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable band.

The band is currently embarked on a Canadian Tour including stops at top Jazz festivals, in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Halifax amongst others.

The Heavyweights Brass Band is all set to perform at the prestigious 2015 Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, the world’s largest jazz festival in Quebec July 2-5, 2015. The alliance with the two industry leaders comes on the back of an overwhelming response from their audiences for more performances across the continent.

The Heavyweights Brass Band debuted to great appreciation and admiration in 2009 and saw much success at the release of their highly acclaimed album Brasstronomical in 2014, which featured original compositions that brought out their unique sound and style. The band is composed of trombonist Christopher Butcher, Tom Richards on sousaphone, Paul Metcalfe on saxophones, Lowell Whitty on drums, and Jon Challoner and John Pittman on trumpet. 

The band have recently signed with Cuza Agency and Slammin Media in a worldwide agency representation deal, in search of wider attention and recognition. Well good for them, however even better for us is the refreshingly different and totally enjoyable sound these people make. It's always a delight when some band decides to do what they feel is right, rather than what might make them 'super stars'. A couple of numbers from last years album below, enjoy them if you are at the 2015 Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, from tomorrow. And if it helps, they are 'super stars' for Beehive Candy. Their website Here.

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