Generally when I write these sort of music posts it's about new music, or newly discovered by me. But I just listened to an interview with the Scottish band, Travis, on Philly's WXPN. I was suddenly reminded of one of my favorite bands from my young formative music years. Travis was one of the first bands that I "discovered" as a freshman in high school when I realized I wasn't obligated to listen to Top 40 Pop. The first song I ever heard was the single, Why Does it Always Rain on Me, something about the sweet melancholy and jangly banjo had me hooked.
I specifically remember buying their first album, Good Feeling, with bestie, Julia, from the secondhand shop we'd frequent in Ambler, Geeks and Gods (sadly no longer in business). I think there were two copies so we each got one. Ah, remember CD's? I'm such a tactile person, but I succumb to the ease in which I can devour music online. I sort of miss the ritual of buying CD's. I loved the booklet in the front with all the lyrics, like a musical cheatsheet. Surely I wasn't the only one that immediately set out to memorize each song right away?
Ashes, by Kyla La Grange has been on heavy rotation in the past few days. From the first song, I was smitten with her epic sound. If you love the pageantry of Florence Welch, or the mysteriousness of Bat for Lashes, you'll love the UK's Kyla La Grange. Gothic Folk Rock, is that a genre? You can definitely hear influences from the likes of Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell, and even Stevie Nicks.
The entire album is a cohesive piece that I would highly recommend listen to from start to finish. "Walk Through Walls" is the energetic and passionate opener that gets you hooked. From then on the songs ebb and flow in a theatrical manner. Haunting lyrics in songs like "Vampire Smile" make her music that more interesting...
Baby I need a friend, but I'm a vampire smile, you'll meet a sticky end. I'm here trying not to bite your neck, but it's beautiful and I'm gonna get... ...so drunk on you and kill your friends. You'll need me and we can be obsessed. And I can touch your hair and taste your skin, the ghosts won't matter 'cause we'll hide in sin. Oh oooo...
My favorites of the album include, "Been Better", "Vampire Smile" and "Walk". Although Ashes was released last July, it looks like she's back in the studio working on her sophomore album. Looking forward to what this brilliant artist comes out with next!
"Wartime Lovers" by the Rose Windows has crept into my head since it's been getting air time on Philly's WPXN. The psychedelic, globally-influenced group from Seattle, released their debut album with, none other than, Sub Pop Records in June. The Sun Dogs is a collection of lyrical tales marked with "elements of The Band’s folk-infused rock, The Doors organ-driven psychedelia, and Black Sabbath’s blues-based dirges...". I think my favorite song is "Native Dreams". It has this epic prog rock feel about it with some Persian inspired melodies. I can't help but feel a power similar to Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane from the lead female vocalist. Hypnotic and atmospheric, with considerable nods to the past, this is an album that deserves some attention. Listen Here.
The band includes talent from:
Chris Cheveyo – lead guitar/composer
Rabia Shaheen Qazi – lead vocalist
Richie Rekow – bass/ 1st male vocalist
Nils Petersen – rhythm guitar/2nd male vocalist
Pat Schowe – drums
David Davila – piano/organ
Veronica Dye – flute
This video for "Wartime Lovers" was collaborative effort with Fool's Road, planned and shot in only 8 days after having met, impressive!
Looks like they'll be hitting up Philly in October at MilkBoy Philly. And they're on the bill with a Philly-based band, The Bailey Hounds, who I've seen a few times, definitely recommend them as well!
In 2011, Fitz and The Tantrums won me over with one of their debut singles, Breaking the Chains of Love, saucey lyrics and an old school Motown beat. They're back now with their sophomore album, More Than A Dream. And they have definitely shown that they're not just a retro thowback, crafting a sound of their own. The group is led by Micheal "Fitz" Fitzpatrick whose vocals are similar to Daryl Hall (and looks an awful lot like Michael Keaton with a swatch of grey hair) and Noelle Scaggs, a soulful songtress. I was lucky enough to catch these guys at last years Firefly Festival. They were definitely one of my favorite acts, so dynamic and vibrant on stage. Noelle and Fitz had such an energy, they had the whole crowd dancing and singing along.
So far my favorite song from the new album is, 6AM, a slower, dancey, lover's lament. But it showcases the vocal duality between Fitz and Noelle. They perform it live for the World Cafe with David Dye, along with some others tracks; I've got a link below!
This guy. Bombino is a Taureg nomad who has just released an album produced by Dan Auerbach. (Mr. Auerbach is a music producing powerhouse. He's probably produced a few that you didn't even know he anything to do with. Some of my past favorites have been with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Jessica Lee Mayfield,Dr. John, Michael Kiwanuka and Blakroc. I think his talent lies in preserving the individual sound, but there's a touch of Dan in everything he does.)
So back to this nomad fella'. Omara “Bombino” Moctar made his Nonesuch record debut with this album, Nomad. A born and raised Nigerian, Bombino is a member of the Tuareg Ifoghas tribe, nomadic desert folk. As a self taught guitarist, Bombino was heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Mark Knopfler, which is wholly evident in his style. This official video, gives a great look into his music.
"It's okay, I'm with the band". My husband, Chris, is a stellar bassist (I can brag because he's so modest). I love watching him play, but it's rough for me staying out late and then being a functioning human at work the next day. All the same, it was a nice Thursday night. We started off at the nearby Las Cazuelas for dinner, a corner Mexican BYOB. We got beef and chicken tacos to share. It was standard fare, but I wasn't blown away by anything. Although, I will say, that our server was awesome. Very friendly and attentive.
The Fire is close by on Girard near Northern Liberties. It's a small bar and venue, with cheap drinks and good music. Chris currently plays with Preston Hull. Give 'em a listen. My favorites are Little Sparks, So This Is The City, and Mariska Hargitay.
Chris, on the right, slappin' da bass.
After Preston Hull, a Boston-based 5 piece played, Dan & The Wildfire. They have a folksy, Lumineers/Mumford & Sons sound, with a trumpet. Lot's of harmonies and great vocals. Check them out!
This was hanging in the bar. It just may be inspiration for my next embroidery project.
The Sixth Annual Record Store Day is this Saturday, April 20th. "Record Store Day was conceived in 2007 at a gathering of independent record store owners and employees as a way to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the US and thousands of similar stores internationally." The website has a list of special releases for the day, that will only be available physically in participating record stores. So support your local record store! A few releases I'm interested in...
Calexico, Spirituoso - Includes tracks spanning their career, re-recorded with an entire symphony.
Dawes, Stories Don't End - Their latest 2013 release comes with a limited edition lithograph.
Fun Fact: Chris and I got our first dance wedding song from Medium Rare by The Foo Fighters; a special release for Record Store Day 2010. We really liked the song, This Will Be Our Year, originally by The Zombies but the tempo was just too fast for us to dance to. Dave Grohl must have known and not only covered the song, but serendipitously slowed down the tempo, perfect for our first dance! Our friend even recorded a trumpet solo featured in the original on top of it.
Recently I've been listening to the Swedish band, The Amazing. To me, the latest album, Gentle Stream, just sounds like spring. If we're going put labels on them, they have a folk rock, psychedelic rock sound. Very Nick Drake sort of melodies that ebb and flow. The single, shown below, has an ethereal quality that transports me to a meadow or some other idyllic nature scene. Perfect solo road-trip listening. Currently I have them in a playlist with Fleet Foxes and Dry the River.
Wild Belle is a brother/sister duo hailing from Chicago. They have a very chill funky reggae sound, and when I first heard them I actually thought it was new Santogold. Below is the video for Keep You, I love the the crazy sax throughout this track. I am very much looking forward to their album Isles, which will release next Wednesday. But until then you can find some singles, Keep You and It's Too Late, to listen to on Spotify. You can also find them rocking out at SXSW coming up this week and Coachella in April.
Lee Ranaldo Band Featuring J Mascis – “Albatross”
Antony – “Landslide”
Trixie Whitley – “Before The Beginning”
Billy Gibbons & Co. – “Oh Well”
Best Coast – “Rhiannon”
The New Pornographers – “Think About Me”
Marianne Faithfull – “Angel”
Lykke Li – “Silver Springs”
Karen Elson – “Gold Dust Woman”
Matt Sweeney And Bonnie “Prince” Billy – “Storms”
Washed Out – “Straight Back”
Tame Impala – “That’s All For Everyone”
Craig Wedren with St. Vincent – “Sisters Of The Moon”
The Kills – “Dreams”
Gardens & Villa - “Gypsy”
The Crystal Ark - “Tusk”
MGMT - “Future Games”
