Thundercat – Drunk

I don’t remember where I first heard of Thundercat (AKA Stephen Bruner), but I remember being amazed by his bass guitar skills. His fingers seemed to move on his guitar frets as nimbly as a spider racing across a web. I caught him live at Mamby on the Beach earlier this year, keen on hearing him live. He didn’t disappoint. He wowed the crowd with a jazz-fusion set that was unlike anything you heard the whole weekend.

His newest album, Drunk, is also unlike anything you’ve heard in a long while. It blends electronica with jazz, yacht rock, funk, and even a bit of trip hop. “Rabbit Ho” is a quirky intro with Bruner’s falsetto singing about friends coming and going from his life before it slips into “Captain Stupido,” which is a collaboration with one of his best pals – Flying Lotus. “I feel weird,” Bruner sings, perhaps speaking for all of us, as he struggles to get through the odd feelings that surround everyday activities like brushing your teeth. His bass and Lotus’ loops and beats are a killer combo.

“Uh Uh” is an instrumental showcase of Bruner’s stunning bass skills. Seriously, it will leave you dumbfounded. I have no idea how he plays that fast and that well at the same time. “Bus in the Streets” has Bruner watching the world go by and not wanting to get involved in the rat race. “Won’t you leave some things a mystery?” he asks in this age of everyone Tweeting, hash-tagging, and posting everything at every moment.

“A Fan’s Mail (Tron Song Suite II)” is perhaps the greatest love song written to a cat of all time. Bruner sings about his admiration for his cat having nine lives, doing what he wants, and lying in the sun all day. “Everybody wants to be a cat. It’s cool to be a cat.” It has a groove as smooth as a cat’s walk, too.

“Sometimes you have to let it go,” Bruner sings in the opening of “Lava Lamp.” The song moves as languidly as its namesake. “I’m so tired. Where can I lay my head?” Bruner asks. It’s a common theme for a lot of us in these times. We’re so overwhelmed that we’re losing time to decompress. Flying Lotus comes back on “Jethro,” and brings wicked beats with him. “Show You the Way” has powerhouse guests Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald, and both men show they can still slay a microphone (and a keyboard, too, in McDonald’s case). It’s a glorious return of yacht rock that you won’t realize you missed until you hear this track.

The special guests keep on coming as Kendrick Lamar drops some guest vocals on “Walk on By” – another groovy, smooth track. “Blackkk” is the smoothest song about overcoming fear of death I’ve ever heard. “Tokyo” would be great to have in your ears as you cruise through the city. Bruner sings about eating too much fish, blowing all his money on anime, and wanting to stay another night there.

“Jameel’s Space Ride” has Bruner dreaming about driving into space as he’s pulled over by the cops. “Friend Zone” is a sharp dis on someone keeping him at arm’s length instead of embracing him as a lover. “I’m your biggest fan, but I guess that’s just not good enough,” he sings as his bass and Mono/Poly’s synths deliver dance beats. “Don’t call me, don’t text me after two a.m., unless you plan on giving me some, ‘cause I got enough friends,” Bruner sings. Ouch.

In contrast, “Them Changes” (the first single) has Bruner singing about heartbreak. “Nobody move there’s blood on the floor, and I can’t find my heart. Where did it go? Did I leave it in the cold?” His bass groove on it gets into your circulatory system and won’t leave until you dance. Flying Lotus’ beats sure help, too (as they do on the next track, “Where I’m Going”). “Drink Dat” is a slow jam for people starting to wind down after partying in the late hours. “Can’t open my eyes, girl, ‘cause I’m just too wasted,” Bruner sings between raps by Wiz Khalifa.

“Inferno” is the most psychedelic track on the record with Lotus’ trippy beats. “3AM” has Bruner still awake despite being (according to the theme of the album by now) drunk and tired. His bass groove in it is something Christopher Cross hears in his dreams. “Drunk” gets as wobbly as its namesake thanks to Bruner’s reverbed bass and Flying Lotus’ melted cheese synths.

“The Turn Down” is a witty song about the aftermath of too much partying. Bruner laments the mess in his house, the location of Captain Planet (who might be one of Bruner’s cats), and guests who have lingered too long. Pharrell teams up with him on the track, and Bruner has said multiple times that Pharrell’s contribution to the track blew his mind. He does nail it.

The album ends with the great, keyboard-driven “DUI.” Bruner’s night went from drowning his sorrows, to a fun time, to exhaustion, to annoyance, and then either back home, jail, or the grave.  “I’m so tired,” he sings again just before the keyboards turn into the sound of screeching tires and then fade into distortion. Did he crash? Did he make it home? Is he in the hoosegow?

Drunk is masterfully crafted, and the best-engineered and mixed album I’ve heard so far in 2017. It’s a stunning, eclectic piece of work. Only good things are ahead for Thundercat. Get Drunk.

Keep your mind open

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Rewind Review: Zola Jesus – Taiga (2014)

Zola Jesus’ music is difficult to classify. It’s not quite electro, not quite shoegaze, not quite diva, and not quite goth. Yet it is somehow all of these things. Zola Jesus, has one of the most haunting voices in music, and her album, Taiga, and is a fine addition to her already impressive catalogue.

The title track opener is a spooky electro song with drum and bass beats that dissolve into frightening horns. “Dangerous Days” could be a dance club hit if she wanted. It could also be your favorite new song about relationships. “Dust” sounds like a long-lost Yaz track with its tick-tock electric beats and her lovely voice creeping through it like fog rolling along a beach. Ms. Jesus, in case you’re reading this, I’ll sign a petition to hear you cover Yaz’s “Situation.”

“Hunger” is a hot song about hot sex that I’m sure tore up dance clubs in various remixes in 2014. “Go (Blank Sea)” is a swirling wave of sound that hits you over and over again (in a good way) with Zola Jesus’ powerful vocals, which are sometimes laced with reverb to make them even bigger, industrial beats, and angelic synths. It’s one of the best cuts on the record. “Ego” and “Lawless” highlight her vocals well, especially “Lawless,” which mixes epic synths with hip-hop beats and a bit of a tough girl attitude behind her vocals.

“Nail” has the gloomy yet beautiful feel that many Zola Jesus fans love in her work. “Long Way Down” has probably the biggest electro beats on the record (and the most reverb), and I’m sure is another excellent remixed dance track. “Hollow” is another solid entry, and the closer is the cheekily named “It’s Not Over.” It’s a big-voiced track about big love with a slow build and a glorious ending.

The main attraction to any Zola Jesus record is her phenomenal voice. The electro beats and goth touches help, but her voice can be soothing and haunting at the same time. She needs to sing the theme to the next Bond film, and the next ten Bond films if you ask me. If you enjoy a lovely female voice, you need to hear her.

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Elephant Stone announces Europe and North America tour dates.

Elephant Stone have been on tour for seemingly all of 2017, and now they’ve added more tour dates throughout Europe and North America that go into the winter.  They’re playing gigs with the likes of the Black Angels, A Place to Bury Strangers, and the Dream Syndicate.  Any of these shows would be well worth your time and money.  Here are the dates:

8/11 Quebec City, QC @ Le Cercle TICKETS | FB EVENT

8/12 Gaspe, QC @ Festival du Musique au Bout du Monde TICKETS | FB EVENT
8/13 Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, QC @ Sea Shack TICKETS | FB EVENT
9/1 Rouyn Noranda, QC @ Petit Theatre de Rouyn Noranda TICKETS | FB EVENT ^
9/7 Berlin, DE @ Bassy TICKETS | FB EVENT *
9/8 Cologne, DE @ Gebäude 9 TICKETS | FB EVENT *
9/9 Hamburg, DE @ Molotow TICKETS | FB EVENT *
9/12 Malmo, SWE @ Plan B FB EVENT
9/13 Copenhagen, DK @ Pumpehuset TICKETS | FB EVENT #
9/16 Angers, FR @ Theatre le Quai TICKETS | FB EVENT ~
9/18 Le Havre, FR @ McDaid’s Live FB EVENT
9/19 Leiden, NL @ Gebroeders Nobel TICKETS
9/20 Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso TICKETS | FB EVENT @
9/22 London, UK @ O2 Forum TICKETS | FB EVENT #
9/23 Liverpool, UK @ Baltic Triangle TICKETS | FB EVENT &
9/27 Theossaliniki, GR @ Rover Bar 
9/28 Arta, GR @ Miles Bar 
9/29 Athens, GR @ Death Disco FB EVENT
12/3 Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups TICKETS  +
12/4 Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall TICKETS  +
12/5 Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line TICKETS  +
12/6 St Louis, MO @ Off Broadway TICKETS +
12/7 Nashville, TN @ High Watt TICKETS +
12/8 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl TICKETS  +
12/9 Raleigh, NC @ Stag’s Head Music Hall TICKETS +
12/10 Richmond VA @ Capital Ale House TICKETS  +
^ w/ A Place to Bury Strangers
# w/ The Black Angels and A Place to Bury Strangers
@ Indiestadt Festival w/ The Black Angels,A Place to Bury Strangers, Beach Fossils
& Liverpool Psych Fest with sets by Elephant Stone and Acid House Ragas
+ w/ The Dream Syndicate

Rewind Review: Ty Segall – Live in San Francisco (2015)

Ty Segall is so prolific that I’m surprised it took him until 2015 to release a live album. He seems to put out a new record every month, so it feels like he should have three live albums by now.

The psych-fuzz whiz kid opens his live set with, oddly enough, “Wave Goodbye.” It starts out with low bass and then kicks into squealing high gear that has the small crowd cheering in joy. It sounds like something Tom Petty wishes he could release on his new record, but fears it would alienate his long-time fans. “Slaughterhouse” (from the album of the same name) is pure freak-out punk rock with a little Nirvana vocals sprinkled on top for good measure. “Death” mixes stoner rock with punk so fast it might give your ears friction burns. It’s one of the best cuts on the record.

“I Bought My Eyes” is one of Segall’s biggest hits, and he lets it rip on this live album. The guitars seem to come at you from all sides while Segall’s vocals are somehow gentle in the din. “Feel” borders on arena rock territory at first, but the sleeveless denim jacket riffs cut it off at the front door (which is a good thing).

“The Hill” follows the band’s friend, Julie, telling a joke, and next up is “Thank God for the Sinners,” which sounds like something Buzzcocks cooked up at their second jam session. Segall claims “Standing at the Station” “is about the cow trade.” I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know that it’s a swaggering, wild blues-influenced tidal wave coming out of your speakers.

The album ends with another of Segall’s hits – “What’s Inside Your Heart.” I’m sure the fans at this gig told him how their hearts were full of palpitations from being shaken by so much rock. It’s a strong ending to a strong record.

I know this entire review has essentially been me saying this record is non-stop blaring madness, but that’s the best way I describe it. You’ll understand once you hear it. Ty Segall is making crazy records, and we should all be grateful to him for doing it. The world needs more live records, and live performers, like this.

Keep your mind open.

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Rewind Review: TV on the Radio – Seeds (2014)

TV on the Radio returned in 2014 after taking time to mourn the loss of their bass player, Gerard Smith, who lost his battle with lung cancer in 2011. The album they released, Seeds, is a bright affair that not only pays tribute to Smith, but also embraces life and love after loss.

The first four lines of the opener, “Quartz,” are “How much do I love you? I’ll tell you no lie. How deep is the ocean? How high the sky?” It is a beautiful track with wicked beats that get your feet tapping within seconds.

“Careful You” (a play on “care for you”) is the most direct tribute to Smith barely hidden within a love song. The opening verse, “Oui, je t’aime, oui je ta’ime, a demain, ala prochaine (Yes, I love you, yes, I love you, tomorrow, and the next), I know it’s best to say goodbye, but I can’t seem to move away.” is both heartbreaking and tender. The throbbing synths drive the song through any fog that may be surrounding your head and bring you to out of your reality, at least momentarily.

“Could You,” with its big brass horns, has lead singer Tunde Adebimpe pleading for love (“Could you love somebody? Could you strip the ego bare and let love take flight? Could you open up your heart?”). The first single, “Happy Idiot,” is a sizzler with hot drums and lyrics about a man preferring ignorance and losing his mind to thinking of a life without his former lover. “Test Pilot” is another song about lost love and heartbreak, although by the end it seems the lovers involved may be willing to work through the rough skies and come in for a safe landing after all.

“Love Stained” is an epic song with lovely lyrics about a man terrified by his feelings and seemingly the world at large, but whose lover is always there for him (“In the middle of the night, when fear comes calling singing it all dies, always scared, alone, I’m looking into your eyes to feel the call, pretty thing that catches me so strong when I fall.”). The synths in this rise and fall like waves and eventually drift out like the tide. It’s almost as haunting as opening to the follow-up track, “Ride,” in which the piano and violins sound like a funeral dirge until the drums kick in and the song bursts open to become an affirmation of moving beyond grief and embracing the future. It’s a telling statement from the band considering the loss of Smith.

“Right Now” is another song of renewal and embracing of life. It is a directive from TVOTR to live in this moment and the leave behind the “imaginary need for the silly little things.” “Winter” has blaring guitars that sound designed to reach the back of the concert hall; and, yes, it’s another love song. It has the sauciest lyrics on the album – “Can’t think of nothing better than a union in the afterglow. Let it go, all the thinking and the reason. Here we go, to the lovin’ and the pleasin’.” Meow.

If all the synths are too much for you and you’re whining about the album not having a “real” TVOTR song, don’t worry. “Lazerray” sounds like something the band might’ve put on Return to Cookie Mountain. It’s is the most straight-up rocker on the record and a strong message about the impermanence of everything (“Chop down your master plan in nanoseconds, man. I hope you understand that nothing living lasts forever.”). “Trouble” seems to be a song about a man realizing his lover’s going to break up with him and there’s nothing he can do about it, but I can’t help but think it’s also about the impending death of Smith, especially when the song ends with “Everything’s gonna be okay” repeated over and over. The title track closes out the record, bringing back the thick synths and TVOTR’s great layered vocals. It’s another beautiful love song about a man planting the seeds to build a relationship with a woman who’s been stung in the past.

Seeds might be the best collection of love songs released in 2014. It was a great return for a great band.

Keep your mind open.

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DJ set list for August 03, 2017

Thanks to everyone who listened to my show on WSND last night.  There was a lot of good participation online and via the good ole phone.  Here’s my set list from last night:

  1. POW! – Cyberattack #3
  2. Com Truise – Memory
  3. Austra – Future Politics
  4. The Jeff Beck Group – I Ain’t Superstitious (requested)
  5. Four Flies on Grey Velvet radio ad
  6. Alice in Chains – Again (live)
  7. Boris – Riot Sugar
  8. Zeke – Killer Inside
  9. Ron Gallo – Why Do You Have Kids?
  10. Be Your Own Pet – Super Soaked
  11. Damaged Bug – Eggs at Night
  12. Thundercat – Them Changes
  13. Vintage Ban deodorant 1960’s radio ad
  14. Led Zeppelin – I Can’t Quit You Baby (live)
  15. The Strypes – I Can Tell
  16. Vintage 1960’s radio ad for the Byrds’ Ballad of Easy Rider
  17. The Byrds – Ballad of Easy Rider
  18. Skyland Drive-In Theatre intermission
  19. Blue Cheer – Rock Me Baby
  20. Fever – Distorted Horizon
  21. Moda – Deeper
  22. Abyss – Mind Games
  23. Lightnin’ Hopkins – Fan It
  24. The “Bongo Dance” from the Astro Zombies soundtrack
  25. Elephant Stone – Savage Soul
  26. Dengue Fever – Saran Wrap
  27. Shonen Knife – Cookie Day
  28. Shock Waves radio ad
  29. Bauhaus – Party of the First Part
  30. Radiohead – Treefingers
  31. Sisters radio ad
  32. No Joy – Ignored Pets
  33. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Long As I Can See the Light

    I’m back on air August 10th at midnight EDT.  Give me a listen!

    Keep your mind open.

Buy Ty Segall’s new EP and support the ACLU.

TY SEGALL RELEASES NEW “FRIED SHALLOTS” EP VIA BANDCAMP!

ALL PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO THE ACLU

In order to survive this long, hot season of discontent, you gotta have something new to turn up and tune into! It’s vital to chew down on stuff that’s not just all negativity, you know? If you wanna stay positive, throw Ty Segall’s “Fried Shallots” into your brain pan and flame on for a quick snack.

“Fried Shallots” is a handful of numbers from different times and places over the past few years that all work together in a weird way. That’s something we should all be striving for: all working together in a weird way. For Ty, that requires rock with the gears shifting and stripping, tempos and tropes mashing up; a primal outburst, a quick-and-fuzzy soundtrack of rock, folk, r’n’b and pure power pop, to give us a chance to chill and do the new century twist for just a minute. That’s good, for in twist we trust!

“Fried Shallots” isn’t simply just good fun. The profits from this release will be donated to the American Civil Liberties Union, whose defense of our rights is badly needed now – especially in the face of the government pigs who don’t care about the constitution and are determined to thin our herd so that they and their corporate sugar-daddies can grow ever fatter off the deprivations of the common man-clan! Don’t you let ’em do it! Organizations like the ACLU help secure freedoms that allow individuals to stay individual in the face of the choking tides of oppression. Ty Segall’s “Fried Shallots” is here to help us surf those tides and not be swept under.

“Fried Shallots” is available for digital purchase exclusively on Bandcamp and a physical release will follow on August 25th!

“Fried Shallots” EP Tracklist:
1. Big Man
2. Dust
3. When The Gulls Turn To Ravens
4. Is It Real
5. Another Hustle
6. Talkin’Purchase “Fried Shallots” Digitally — 
https://tysegall.bandcamp.com/album/fried-shallots

Pre-Order “Fried Shallots” 12” EP — 
http://www.dragcity.com/products/fried-shallots

Ty Segall & The Freedom Band Tour Dates:
8/2/17 at The Capitol Theater in Olympia , WA, USA
8/3/17 at The Vogue Theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
8/5/17- 8/6/17 at Pickathon in Happy Valley, OR, USA
8/17/17 at Pukkelpop Festival in Hasselt, Belgium
8/18/17 at Lowlands Festival in Biddinghuizen, Netherlands
8/19/17 at Festival Paredes de Coura in Paredes de Coura, Portugal
8/20/17 at La Route du Rock Festival in Saint Malo, France
8/23/17 at Den Graa Hal in Copenhagan, Denmark
8/24/17 at Astra Kulturhaus in Berlin, Germany
8/25/17 at Le Cabaret Vert in Charleville Mezieres, France
8/26/17 at Nox Orae Festival in La Tour de Peliz, Switzerland
8/27/17 at Rock En Seine in Paris, France
8/29/17 at Atabal in Biarritz, France
8/30/17 at Le Bikini (Bikini Fest) in Toulouse, France
8/31/17 at Ebrovision Festival in Miranda De Ebro , Spain
9/1/17 at The Coronet in London, United Kingdom
9/2/17 at End Of The Road Festival in Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset, United Kingdom
10/5/17 at 191 Toole in Tuscon, AZ, USA
10/6/17 at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, NM, USA
10/7/17 at Summit Music Hall in Denver, CO, USA
10/8/17 at The Fox Theatre in Boulder, CO, USA
10/10/17 at The Bunkhouse Saloon in Las Vegas, NV, USA

Alex Lahey to release debut album October

ALEX LAHEY ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM, I LOVE YOU LIKE A BROTHER,
OUT OCTOBER 6TH ON DEAD OCEANS

WATCH VIDEO FOR “EVERY DAY’S THE WEEKEND”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBj_magluuc

(photo credit: GiuliaMcGauran)

 

“The 24-year-old from Melbourne, Australia, has a knack for spinning the tiny, unremarkable details of everyday existence into riveting portraits of twenty-something life — and then topping it all off with a gale-force indie-rock hook.” — Entertainment Weekly (“Breaking Big”)

“This single by Melbourne’s Alex Lahey has got to be one of the peppiest songs about rejection ever—a song about being disliked, and yet it is only likable.” — Pitchfork, on “You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me” (“Best New Track”)

“It’s one of the most impressive indie rock introductions in recent memory…” — Stereogum, on “B-Grade University” (“Artist To Watch”)

“Post-grad ennui and the bizarre feeling of being out of school are topics that have been tread by plenty of artists, but Alex Lahey’s specificity, wry humor, and sun-streaked guitar melodies (not to mention her brilliant, tongue-in-cheek music videos) breathe new life into these universal experiences.” — NYLON

“I’m just some random from Melbourne.” Alex Lahey likes to keep it real. The 24-year-old Australian musician takes her rise up the ranks from music student to ‘an artist with one of the most highly anticipated debut albums of 2017’ in stride.

Lahey’s debut album, I Love You Like A Brother (out October 6th on Dead Oceans), drops fresh off the back of Lahey’s breakthrough EP in 2016, “B-Grade University”, which earned her a slew of glowing press from the likes of Entertainment Weekly, Stereogum, NYLON, Noisey, and beyond. Last year, Lahey’s “You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me” single was inescapable and landed a “Best New Track” on Pitchfork, as well as a spot in the Australian radio network triple j’s prestigious Hottest 100 of 2016.

Born and raised in Melbourne, Lahey initially studied jazz saxophone at university but unimpressed with “learning music in such a regimented way” she switched to an arts degree. Her tenure with cult music collective Animaux allowed Lahey the musical anarchy she yearned – hell, she booked the band their first gig before they’d even prepared a single song.

Brother finds Lahey back in the studio with production partner, and one-half of Holy Holy, Oscar Dawson (Ali Barter, British India). The pair pushed each other to create an intimate sonic experience that comprises scuzzy guitars thrumming over pop melodies, helmed by Lahey’s unfussy but arresting vocals. The album’s songs traverse the everyday themes of family, heartbreak and identity. Lahey tells her stories with character and dry humor – “I’ve figured it out,” she sings in “Awkward Exchange”, “you’re a bit of a dick” – but there are also moments of darkness. In “Taking Care” she muses, “I’ve gained weight and I drink too much, maybe that’s why you don’t love me as much.” The poignant “Backpack” is a tribute to Lahey’s latest relationship, and the unsure start it got off to.

The themes of Alex Lahey’s album might be universal, but it’s the unique approach she takes unpacking them that’s earned her millions of Spotify streams, buzz-worthy showcases at SXSW and festival sets alongside the likes of Flume, The Kills, At The Drive-In and James Blake as well as guesting on tours with Catfish & The Bottlemen, Tegan & Sara and Blondie.

Lahey will bring her tour in support of I Love You Like A Brother stateside this November, kicking off in Boston on Wed. November 15th. A full list of tour dates are below.
WATCH VIDEO FOR “EVERY DAY’S THE WEEKEND” — 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBj_magluuc

 

ALEX LAHEY TOUR DATES (US DATES IN BOLD):
Tue. Oct. 26 – Brussels, BE @ Botanique Witloofbar [tix]
Fri. Oct. 27 – Rotterdam, NL @ V11 [tix]
Mon. Oct. 30 – Cologne, DE @ Blue Shell [tix]
Tue. Oct. 31 – Hamburg, DE @ Molotow Musikclub [tix]
Wed. Nov. 1 – Berlin, DE @ Privat Club [tix]
Wed. Nov. 3 – Munich, DE @ Kranhalle [tix]
Sat. Nov. 4 – Stuttgart, DE @ Keller Klub [tix]
Sun. Nov. 5 – Fribourg, DE @ Espace culturel Le Nouveau Monde [tix]
Mon. Nov. 6 – Paris, FR @ La Mécanique Ondulatoire [tix]
Wed. Nov. 8 – London, UK @ Boston Music Room [tix]
Tue. Nov. 9 – Bristol, UK @ The Louisiana [tix]
Fri. Nov. 10 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club [tix]
Sat. Nov. 11 – Manchester, UK @ Deaf Institute [tix]
Sun. Nov. 12 – Glasgow, UK @ King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut [tix]
Wed. Nov. 15 – Allston, MA @ Great Scott [tix]
Thu. Nov. 16 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg [tix]
Fri. Nov. 17 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live [tix]
Sun. Nov. 19 – Washington, DC @ DC9 [tix]
Wed. Nov. 22 – Toronto, ON @ The Drake Hotel – Underground [tix]
Fri. Nov. 24 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean [tix]
Sat. Nov. 25th – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry [tix]
Wed. Nov. 29 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada [tix]
Thu. Nov. 30 – Austin, TX @ Barracuda [tix]
Sat. Dec. 2 – Denver, CO @ Lost Lake Lounge [tix]
Sun. Dec. 3 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court [tix]
Tue. Dec. 5 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge [tix]
Wed. Dec. 6 – San Diego, CA @ The Casbah [tix]
Fri. Dec. 8 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo [tix]
Sat.Dec. 9 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill [tix]
Mon. Dec. 11 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios [tix]
Tue. Dec. 12 – Vancouver, BC @ The Cobalt [tix]
Wed. Dec. 13 – Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey [tix]

 

I LOVE YOU LIKE A BROTHER TRACKLIST:
01. Every Day’s The Weekend
02. I Love You Like A Brother
03. Perth Traumatic Stress Disorder
04. I Haven’t Been Taking Care Of Myself
05. Backpack
06. Awkward Exchange

07. I Want U

08. Lotto In Reverse

09. Let’s Call It A Day

10. There’s No Money

Pre-order I Love You Like A Brother https://alexlahey.lnk.to/brother

Download hi-res images & album art — http://pitchperfectpr.com/alex-lahey/

(I Love You Like A Brother album art)

Alex Lahey online:
alexlahey.com.au
facebook.com/alexlaheymusic
twitter.com/alexlahey
instagram.com/alex_lahey
pitchperfectpr.com/alex-lahey

Briana Marela’s shares new single from upcoming album due August 4th.

BRIANA MARELA SHARES NEW SONG, “FEEL WHAT I FEEL,”
AND ANNOUNCES SEPTEMBER TOUR

https://youtu.be/oK0_TlZ1P1c

NEW ALBUM, CALL IT LOVE, OUT AUGUST 4TH ON JAGJAGUWAR

(photo credit – Eleanor Petry)

“an exciting and exhilarating new terrain for Marela” — Stereogum

Olympia-based Briana Marela explores the sounds of love in beautiful, striking new ways on her forthcoming album, Call It Love, out August 4th via Jagjaguwar. Produced by Juan Pieczanski and Ryan Heyner of Small Black, the album presents both her ambient, ethereal side and brighter, beat-driven pop leanings. Following the release of “Quit” and “Give Me Your Love,” Marela now shares “Feel What I Feel,” a song initially written about her first big breakup when she was barely twenty. In the recorded version, it bears a new sophistication; the lyrics dare the subject to jump back in, even as the music reminds them Marela doesn’t need their love to be happy.

Catch Marela on the road in September supporting San Fermin.

Stream Briana Marela’s “Feel What I Feel” –
https://youtu.be/oK0_TlZ1P1c

“Give Me Your Love” –
https://youtu.be/mV21zXLoT2s
http://open.spotify.com/album/1qVsrYXGsyCbZC8T0lTHiC

“Quit” –
https://soundcloud.com/jagjaguwar/briana-marela-quit-2/s-9KqDG
http://open.spotify.com/album/3ksYQpIUvO7bMmvH4JpShh

Briana Marela Tour Dates:
(all shows with San Fermin)
Thu. Sep. 14 – Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
Fri. Sep. 15 – Kalamazoo, MI @ Bells Brewery
Sat. Sep. 16 – Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi Lounge
Sun. Sep. 17 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
Mon. Sep. 18 – Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
Wed. Sep. 20 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
Thu. Sep. 21 – Ft. Collins, CO @ Downtown Artery
Fri. Sep. 22 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room
Sun. Sep. 24 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar

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Rewind Review: Blue Cheer – Vincebus Eruptum (1968)

I’d heard and read that Blue Cheer (Dick Peterson – bass and vocals, Leigh Stephens – guitar, Paul Whaley – drums) were among the loudest bands of all time. Eric Clapton mentioned this in an interview I read once when he was talking about the psychedelic / stoner rock scene in late 1960’s. Other musicians seemed to whisper about Blue Cheer like speaking too loudly of them might unleash a sonic boom at any moment. So, I figured I should buy their debut album Vincebus Eruptum (which is Latin for “blue cheer,” by the way).

The album opens with what is widely considered to be the first heavy metal song ever released – their cover of “Summertime Blues.” It immediately pours on the distortion and drumming that sounds an army of Orcs is playing it. My favorite part of the cover is how they don’t bother singing the parts when the boss or the congressman in the song speak. They just play a quick bass, drum, or guitar solo instead. “Rock Me Baby” is a blues standard, showing that Blue Cheer could groove as well as blow out your eardrums.

“Doctor Please” is the first track on the album written by Peterson, and it’s almost eight minutes of howling vocals backed by wailing guitar, heavy drums, and angry dog-growl bass. “Out of Focus” almost starts that way with its funky, weird bass groove, but soon Whaley’s drum licks bring everything into a (somewhat fuzzy) focus.

“Parchment Farm” has guitar work that you can hear influenced bands like Earthless, Sleep, Kadavar, and Wolfmother. Stephens melted the first faces in 1968, and some people still haven’t recovered. Listening to “Second Time Around” is like hearing the first cries of Baby Stoner Rock. It’s a wild, bluesy, psychedelic trip with a crazy drum solo from Whaley. The band is allegedly named for a type of LSD, after all.

As wild as it is to hear Vincebus Eruptum now, it must’ve been mind-blowing in 1968. No one had done anything like this before, and many are still trying to do it now. From now on when people ask me, “What should I listen to if I want to get into stoner rock?” I’ll tell them to start with this.

Keep your mind open.

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