Where the food sounds good, and the music is pretty tasty too.
Fellow Chicagoans AJ Cesena, Sophie Leigh, Ian McDuffie, Sarah Sterling, and Jenna Caravello are the band Videotape. And while their name may place an emphasis on the visual it is the band’s large pulsing rock/pop sound (and Sophie Leigh’s sexy vocals) that’ll win you over. The song, “Static” is the first single from the band’s forthcoming debut album This Is Disconnect which drops September 24th, 2012. Continue reading “videotape // static”
By now you’ve already heard of the Alabama Shakes. You’ve heard their galvanizing tracks, “Hold On,” “I Ain’t The Same” and my hands down favorite “Be Mine”. Check out their heart-thumping performance on Jimmy Fallon. This band is making waves all over the place, and with good reason. Together they’re a whiskey soaked fist channeling every ounce of black and blue heartbreak, turmoil and raucous joy through the southern soul-fired vocals of Ms. Brittany Howard. Without a doubt BA are certified darlings of the Indie music scene the world over and then some. I have little else to add, except this one is a no-brainer and Brittany Howard is the truth! In my opinion she’s a hybrid of Janis Joplin and Tina Turner. And although those are apt comparisons she is standing firmly on her own blessed ground. Period. Listen to the whole Boy & Girls LP after the jump, that’ll git ya’ fired up! Then cop it for yourself. Peace. Continue reading “alabama shakes // boys & girls (our sunday best)”
Twin Trip is the project of multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and vocalist Felix Penny. Keyboard/guitarist Gigie Hall and bassist Eric Olsen complete the trio. The band’s self-titled debut album dropped in April. The song, “Man On The Moon,” is all kinds of nice. It reminds me a lot of Radiohead “Subterranean Homesick Alien”. But what do I know? Hey, don’t answer that. Peace. Continue reading “twin trip // man on the moon”
Zack Levine from the band Pinegrove, (well I am assuming it was him) reached out to me mere moments ago via email and introduced himself. And for that I thank him immensely for making known to me their wonderfully rich and utterly dynamic (in an organic way) sound. Well, needless to say it passed mustard and I like it! I headed over to the band’s Bandcamp and clicked play. Over the next 32 minutes and 47 seconds I was treated to a gargantuan seismic wave of beautiful music. Pinegrove hints at a cavalcade of elements, from folk pop to those subtle austere southern rock elements. It’s all good. My favorites are the tracks Metronome, Mather Knoll, and Sunday. Honestly though, the whole enchilada is a great listen from beginning to end. This album will be played a great deal this summer and beyond. Thanks Mr. Levine. Peace. Continue reading “pinegrove // meridian”
New York gang of three Shy Around Strangers have a knack for penning authentic (and performing) balls-to-the-wall rock fare without an iota of pretentiousness. Check out Emily Powers and the brothers Dawson (Saric and Michael) kicking up a lot of dust with the song, “Never Look Down”. The band is still putting the finishing touches on their debut EP due out in August. And although I really like the jam laden “Never Look Down” version, I believe I may be over the moon for the acoustic set. Check ’em both out after the jump. Peace. Continue reading “shy around strangers // never look down”
I just came across this song, “She’s So Vulnerable” and I am totally under its precious spell. The song is by Mike Spring of which I know very little (He’s from the Netherlands). But rest assured I’ll do my research and hopefully unearth additional gems. Hope you like it as much as I do. Peace. Continue reading “mike spring // she’s so vulnerable”
Sjaak Kassies has this project called The Fiber and it keeps him busy. His latest release is the single, “Away With Words” and it is a melancholy piece of music shrouded in setting suns and thunder storms. It is a song best served with the lights dim and one’s heart heavy and introspective. The Fiber is building stone by stone, song by song an impressive body of work. Hopefully, we’ll see a complete album in the near future because every time a new song drops I immediately want more, much more. Peace. Continue reading “the fiber // away with words”
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals made their debut in 2005 and they haven’t looked back. If you like great music that doesn’t sacrifice an iota of originality then this band fits the bill in spades. The music is eclectic, organic and manages to surprise again and again. The song, “Never Go Back” is taken from GPN’s 4th studio album release The Lion The Beast The Beat. You can cop this tour de force on Amazon and iTunes. After the jump I’ve also included earlier tracks taken from the band’s self-titled 2010 release and it’s all right here for your listening pleasure. Peace. Continue reading “grace potter & the nocturnals // never go back”
Chicago alternative rockers Like Pioneers have a spanking new album, Oh, Magic and it sure is a lot of fun to listen to. You can stream the entire release on the their bandcamp page afer the jump. Plus, you can get in a digital format via Bandcamp or iTunes, and for those CH2=CH junkies well yes you can get it in vinyl too. Peace. Continue reading “like pioneers // oh, magic”
Recently I received this absolutely sweltering song, “Smoking Like The Barrel Of A Gun” and it put me in good place. A place a swirl with the ghost of Janis Joplin meets Frankie Rose, replete with guitar wizardry and drums suited best for bedroom antics. Yeah, this track is good times galloping and romping amok. To say this song is just hot is the ultimate understatement. This is the kind of song that’ll make your ears prick up and your pulse quicken and boil, and it’s all courtesy of Candice Gordon.
And don’t misunderstand this young woman, she’s not all grit and middle finger waving angst. No, she has many moods from blue flame hot to low smouldering flame. Her soft underbelly of a song, “I Haven’t Eaten In Days” is best experienced with the lights down low and someone lovely in your arms. Then there is her spiritually conflicted ode, “I See A Demon” and although one may think this song is in need of an exorcism I think it’s beautifully tainted and perfectly lovable as is. Check her out! The single release of “Smoking Like The Barrel Of A Gun” drops July 9th courtesy of Fauna Records. Peace. Continue reading “candice gordon // smoking like the barrel of a gun”