Where the food sounds good, and the music is pretty tasty too.
A one man show is a cool thing. Especially when the one man behind the curtain is Tom Vek. This 80’s son pulls influences from a wide spectrum of musical spices, and like a maestro at the top of his game he knows when and where to sprinkle them. The song “You’ll Stay” is s far cry from Tom’s grunge garage music roots, but his ability to rock is still front and center. Peace. Continue reading “Tom Vek // You’ll Stay”
Jake Mattison pays homage to Gil Scott-Heron and his classic “Home Is Where The Hatred Is.” My hat off to Mr. Mattison for his soul stirring display of courage. Jake makes this rendition personal and it bleeds blood, leaving the scars of addiction open and utterly exposed like raw nerves doused with gasoline. This song is a heap of introspection too, and the weighty torment thick as the lies and flies out of a politicians mouth. Surviving addiction is to have rescued one’s dying self by taking the high, hard and lonely road to recovery. Jake has stripped the original track down to its bare bones. Denuded of accoutrement it is stark and beautifully lethargic. Mr. Mattison renders a tough gut-wrenching ode, and you get the feeling this is much more than just another song to be sung. I suspect this may be his torch song, his song of triumph and rebirth. This cover is the epitome of withdrawal, leaving a listener littered with moaning and the gnawing need for more. Jake, you are a survivor with the voice of a long neglected angel. Peace. Continue reading “Jake Mattison // Home Is Where The Hatred Is (Cover)”
The band Poliça just added additional tour dates for 2012 and I’m ever so thankful. I missed their show in Chicago and now I’ll be able see them here in Michigan! Poliça has got to be one of the sexiest bands in existence today. Yeah it’s the music, but without a doubt Channy Casselle-Leaneagh is a major ingredient to their appeal with her (she’ll hate for this ) pixieish good looks and seductive singing voice and style. A big thumbs up to one of most darling records in my collection. Peace. Continue reading “Poliça // Lay Your Cards Out (Video) + New Tour Dates”
It’s highly admirable aesthetics aside, the OP-1 Synthesiser is a musicians wet dream come true. Viewing it is tantamount to lusting after your favorite flesh and blood pin-up. But, like most things we use it is all about the performance, and this little gadget-that-could performs beautifully. Our Swedish brethren and sistren at Teenage Engineering are raising the bar heavenward with no end in sight. The OP-1 features eight synthesizer engines, a built-in 24 voice sampler, 4 track tape recorder, 4 track mixer with EQ, Effect, USB MIDI controller, and it’s Mac and PC compatible and this is just the shortlist. The OP-1 is a bit pricey, at just under 1K U.S. but so worth every single krona. For a complete rundown on what’s what you’ll have to visit www.teenageengineering.com. Peace.
Cold Specks is the project of Al Spx. Her voice is a mixture of southern gospel, the stark organic beauty of folk, with just a tinge of bluegrass at times. The songs she sings are eloquently performed hymnals; which touch your soul dead center. And when you hear words like haunting or ethereal as descriptors they’re on the mark. I first heard her offerings via the songs “Holland” and “Old Stepstone” both weighty and not for the faint of heart. Here, I posted the song, “Blank Maps” and after listening you can ‘hear’ why I’m a fan. You can pre-order her forthcoming debut LP I Predict A Graceful Expulsion (May 22nd) at www.coldspecks.com and at Amazon. Also, for further goosebump inducing fare, check out her cover of the Swans’ “Reeling The Liars In“, taken from the 12” Dancing Coins EP. Peace. Continue reading “cold specks // blank maps (our sunday best)”
The Other Guys kick it old school and that’s good enough for me. They take an old format and make it fresh again, imbuing each track with creativity and stellar production. I caught up the dynamic duo Mighty Joe and Gnormen Insanate Baites of TOG to talk about the new release Joe & Insanate’s Excellent LP. Continue reading “The Other Guys // Joe & Insanate’s Excellent LP”
You know I keeps it realer than real here and fresh to death. So, it’s only natural and not surprising that I bring you NumberNin6 and these just out the lab killa’ tracks. The Bad Medicine EP packs more bang than a roomful of t-n-t . This young gun Sir Nishant has stepped up to the plate and knocks it into the stratosphere . Yeah, you’ll want to crank this one extra loud, and if the neighbors come knockin’ just crack it louder! Also, you got to check out his webpage, where you’ll find hidden treasures galore at www.numbernin6.com. Peace. Continue reading “NumberNin6 // Bad Medicine EP”
DJ, producer, owner of the Deceast label the artist Deco is the consummate Jack of trades. But I’m more concerned with his knack for orchestrating sick beats with a penchant for the bass heavy and dapper dubstep. And really, I could go on and on but like always when it comes to music I like to let it just speak for itself. Peace. Continue reading “Deco // Thoughts Of The Past EP”
When you listen to Louisa Rose Allen bka Foxes it is easy to get lost in the abject beauty of her voice (hell, I’m still searching for the exit). With only a handful of single releases, like the beautiful track “Home” it makes me eager to hear what the rest of her Warrior EP will sound like. Oh well, I’ll just have to wait until July 5th to find out. Until then I just have to click repeat often. Peace. Continue reading “Foxes // Home”
If you’re in the mood for a jam band of the highest order then hang on tight to your knickers because Pond is the absolute real deal! I’ve discovered so many great Aussie bands recently, and I’m so pleased, hopefully you’ll be too. Pond exemplifies what it means to rock out with your cock out, so to speak. The bands super amazing track “You Broke My Cool” is akin to that dirty south super duo Outkast and their song, “Take Off Your Cool” featuring Nora Jones, think of it as it’s rockin third cousin once removed. and the song “Eye Pattern Blindness” is one hell of a wild romp through rock-funk-sub space! The band’s latest album is Beard, Wives, Denim and it’s a certified rock-n-roll monster. Both iTunes and Amazon, yeah they have it, and soon enough you will too! Peace. Continue reading “pond // you broke my cool (video)”