Artist Spotlight: The Sleeping Gypsies

To wrap up the week and head into the Easter weekend, I have another edition of Artist Spotlight featuring Charlevoix, Michigan's own The Sleeping Gypsies. The band consists of William Roloff, Josh Raber, Mitch Crandall, and Colin Fitzgerald. The band has an rich, dynamic classic rock sound that has enthusiastic properties to it that will definitely keep you occupied and paying attention throughout to catch the musical peaks and valleys that are present throughout. I was impressed with the band's ability to take classic rock elements and put a modern twist to them that makes them sound relevant and in tune with the current musical trends that are constantly evolving and shaping the current musical influences of today's up and coming musical acts. A great upstart act that is definitely primed to have a lasting and promising musical career.

For more information on The Sleeping Gypsies, head on over to their Facebook page here to get to know the act a little bit more clearly. The band's music is on ReverbNation located over here where you can listen to all their music and stay up to date with all their latest upcoming concert appearances that hopefully will be stopping by your area sometime soon!

Berklee College of Music Artists Featured on Dorm Sessions, Vol. 8

A host of students and past alumni from Berklee College of Music are featured on the latest Dorm Sessions compilation released by Heavy Rotation Records, the college's student run label.

The 13 track collection features an collected assortment of tracks from a host of supremely talented musicians from the most renowned music institution in the world. Some artists that are featured include past Artist Spotlight alumni from here on the blog including Bear Language, Sirma, Melanie Lynx, and Canary. The disc has also hosted some artists on their past compilations who have gone on to have success in their future music endeavors, including Apollo Sunshine, The Click Five, Passion Pit, and Big D & The Kids Table.

If you would like to check out the entire compilation for free in its entirety, you can go over to Heavy Rotation Records website right here or you can stream it from their BandCamp page located over here. This is the track listing for the compilation:

1. Bear Language - Creeping (In Your Head)
2. 3rddy Baby - I'm On Fire (Beam Me Up)
3. Nikolas Metaxas - Miracle
4. Sharin Toribio - Over You
5. Red Oblivion - Aqua Jesus
6. Brite Lite Brite - I Lost My Heart Tonight
7. Bent Knee - I Don't Love You Anymore
8. Evolfo Doofeht - Walk Like A Demon
9. Sirma - Wanderer
10. Sarah Walk - I Don't Mind
11. Melanie Lynx - First Time
12. Stone Giant - Lady
13. Canary - You Couldn't Hold On

There will be a showcase at Cafe 939 next Wednesday, 4/3 featuring artists from this compilation including Bent Knee, Sirma, and Stone Giant. Admission is free and you can find out more information on the event here.

Artist Spotlight: Jamie Thomas

Today's Artist Spotlight comes to us direct from Los Angeles, CA and it's none other than the vocal talents of Jamie Thomas. Jamie has a melodic, straightforward, and easy going playing style similar to the likes of Tom Petty with a strong emphasis being put on his vocals, and the instrumentation built around him suits him perfectly to a T and makes him feel comfortable in his own skin as he's up on stage strutting his stuff. I was pleased with Jamie's material when I first heard it a few weeks back, and I really took to heart his organic approach to songwriting that is very basic, and is easily identifiable with music listeners from across all genres, who will be sure to find something wonderful and creative about his fluidic playing style that comes across extremely well to a captive and receptive audience. A terrific upstart act that I would love to hear more from in the future. Some recommended tracks to have a listen at include "She's" and "Let Me Tell You".

For more information on Jamie Thomas, click on his Facebook page and 'Like' it right here to get a better sense of what he's like upfront from a prospective listener standpoint. He can also be followed on Twitter as well from over here to stay up to date with all his upcoming concert appearances! His music is available for streaming on his ReverbNation profile located right over here.

Bear Language Release Brand New Single "The Factory"

Boston's fastest rising indie alt rock trio Bear Language just released their brand new single titled "The Factory" just yesterday, and this commemorates their return from the SXSW music festival in Austin, TX where they played a total of 6 shows in a span of just 4 days that was very well received, followed by their first ever tour that took them across the country.

 

"The Factory" marks a decidedly change of pace from their prior single "Mary Go Round", and instead relies on a much more heavier frame of mind that gives the band some added depth and puts them in a class all of their own of bands who aren't afraid to push the envelope a little bit and widen their musical boundaries as well. Joe Lambert handled the mastering duties on this track, who also previously worked with Local Natives and Youth Lagoon.

 

If you would like to download "The Factory" in its entirety, it's now available for purchase on iTunes at this link right here. You can also stream "The Factory" on SoundCloud at this link here and on Spotify from right over here.

The Strokes - Comedown Machine

Julian Casablancas and his bandmates The Strokes are back with their all new studio release, Comedown Machine. The follow up to 2011's Angles finds NYC's premiere garage rock sensations deviating slightly from their usual blend of melodic alternative rock, and into a more 80's synth fueled hybrid that may turn away and alienate some fans in the process who feel that the band have drifted away from their roots a little bit, and some of those fans may be right here.

The disc starts off with "Tap Out", a decent, synth fueled rocker that is faintly reminiscent with that classic Strokes vibe, but added with more keyboard effects and Julian's voice inserted into a synthesizer that sounds a tad bit artificial and not the usual Strokes that we have come to love so dearly in the past. My favorite song off the album is the disc's first single "All the Time", a track that strikes a perfect balance between bassist Nikolai Fraiture's terrific bass skills and the band's overall classic Strokes vibe that is present in full form here and encourages listeners to keep their attention fully all the way throughout the track. "Welcome to Japan" tones down the electro toned effects just a little bit to allow the instrumentation to breathe and allow the rest of the band to do their thing, including guitarist Nick Valensi who contributes a great deal to the sonic achievements of The Strokes up until this point. "80's Comedown Machine" is a mellow, synth heavy rocker that takes a huge detour from the prior musical road the previous songs took, and makes a strong emphasis on allowing the other instrumentation to take a backseat for the time being, something which I don't necessarily agree with and doesn't exactly do it for me right here.

The second half of the album commences with "Slow Animals", a midtempo rocker that features a neat percussion arrangement from Albert Hammond Jr., who contributes a great deal to the band's melodic side, ensuring that each track ends on point and on cue. "Partners In Crime" starts out with an odd sounding melody that ricochets off the instrumentation, before settling in to a midtempo groove that carries it all the way throughout on a decent but somewhat confusing track. The disc begins to wind down on "Happy Ending" a solid, consistent rocker that features Julian's crooning voice continuing to amaze and inspire, and keep the album on solid footing as we head towards the finish line. The disc ultimately draws to a close on "Call It Fate, Call It Karma", a soft, comforting rocker that features Jule's monotone and straightforward vocal style that has become the hallmark of The Strokes sound and the one component of their music that all fans seem to gravitate towards, and puts the finishing touches on a so-so effort displayed here. I must admit I wasn't a huge fan of The Strokes when they first came out in 2001, as I was a little overwhelmed with a lot of bands using "The" prepositions in their names to sound trendy, plus I didn't traditionally like their sound a great deal. Upon further and repeated listens, I grew to truly appreciate and love their sound, and really admired Julian's work ethic that he imposed upon each and every song the band created, and had a very soft-spoken and laid back personality that made me love him and the band that much more.

All in all, a decent and somewhat disconcerting effort here from The Strokes, who have clearly worked hard to create another effort that fully realized their artistic vision when in the studio creating these tracks, but this album falls flat in comparison to their previous releases.

                                                                                                                              Album Score: 3/5

Track Listing:

1. Tap Out
2. All the Time
3. One Way Trigger
4. Welcome to Japan
5. 80's Comedown Machine
6. 50/50
7. Slow Animals
8. Partners in Crime
9. Chances
10. Happy Ending
11. Call It Fate, Call It Karma  

Artist Spotlight: Ruby Ridge

Starting off your week with an all new edition of Artist Spotlight. Today, we have an eclectic indietronic duo based from out of Camrbidge, MA by the name of Ruby Ridge. The group consists of the husband and wife team of Callan Von B on synthesizers, programming, and vocals and John Von B on vocals, programming, synthesizers, and percussion. The duo has a mellow, intricate sound that is reminiscent of such groups like Animal Collective and Beach House with a distinct and straightforward sound that is all their own and allows them to explore the confines of their comfort zone with remarkable ease and aplomb. I was really impressed with their music when I first heard it last month and really appreciated the band's simplicity and the dynamic and creative approach they took when crafting their music together that didn't feel need to go over the top with anything too fancy or extreme. A great local group deserving of an extra push in the local scene. A recommended track for you to have a listen at is "No Shade".

For more information on Ruby Ridge, click on their Facebook page here and don't forget to 'Like' it as well while you're there finding out more info on the group. If you would like to listen to their debut EP Intent, it's available for streaming on their SoundCloud page located here along with a host of other assorted tracks for your listening pleasure.

BREAKING: The Self Proclaimed Rockstars Call It A Day

Breaking news coming in just now. Wakefield, MA's own The Self Proclaimed Rockstars have decided to hang it up after a total of 11 years together. The official announcement came this morning via their official website and you can read the official announcement here. The band has existed since 2002 through a variety of different incarnations and several different lineup changes over the years. The most current lineup has been together since 2009 with frontman John Malone, guitarists Mick Greenwood and Rjan Savary, drummer Stephen DeBenedictis, and bassist James Hogg rounding out the lineup.

I'm heartbroken to hear this news as I was a huge fan of SPR ever since I first saw them back in November 2010 at McGann's, and was amazed with the band's stage presence and their ability to incorporate the audience in as a part of the act with the song "Whisky", where the members would invite random concertgoers to come up on stage with them and have a shot of whiskey as they were performing. The band has been covered extensively here on the blog as an Artist Spotlight shortly after that aforementioned performance, and their album Postcards From Purgatory was reviewed glowingly here on the blog upon its release in April 2011, plus I conducted an interview with them shortly after that totally encapsulated the free wheeling, fun spirit that the band were trying to emulate in their music. I really appreciate and admire the guys for constantly evolving during their time together, and adapt to the ever changing musical climate by sticking to their guns and making the audience feel like they're part of the act, something that is very rare with other local artists these days. I'm very close with the guys in the band, and I'll continue to support the guys with their new musical venture which should be announced sometime soon. A personal thanks to the whole band for being such cool guys and being huge supporters of the blog and the whole Boston music scene in general!

BREAKING: My Chemical Romance Calls It Quits

Breaking news coming in just now. My Chemical Romance, who broke onto the scene way back in 2004 with Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, have decided to disband permanently. The band made the announcement via their official website just now. Here is the official announcement in its entirety:

"Being in this band for the past 12 years has been a true blessing. We’ve gotten to go places we never knew we would. We’ve been able to see and experience things we never imagined possible. We’ve shared the stage with people we admire, people we look up to, and best of all, our friends. And now, like all great things, it has come time for it to end. Thanks for all of your support, and for being part of the adventure."
My Chemical Romance

The band formed back in 2001, and released their debut album I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love in 2002. The band later released what is arguably the greatest album of their career, Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge in 2004. The album produced monster tracks such as "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)", "Helena", and "The Ghost of You". Their follow up album came out in 2006 called The Black Parade, which was modeled to be a rock opera of sorts in the vein of Green Day's American Idiot which came out just a couple of years prior. The album contained scorching tracks like the album's title track, plus "Famous Last Words" and "Teenagers". Their final album came out in 2010 called Danger Days. This album wasn't as successful as their predecessors, but contained one memorable track in the form of "Sing". My Chemical Romance was a big part of my college years, and I remember blasting Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge in my dorm room and I recall it being unlike anything I've ever heard before and it was raw in terms of sheer musical style and sharp lyricism that really hit you hard the moment you listened to it. 

Interview w/ Gentlemen Hall

Today, we have another entry in my ongoing interview series on the blog. To round out the week, we check in with Boston's own fun loving rock sensations Gentlemen Hall. You may remember they were an Artist Spotlight feature on the blog a few weeks back, and they were kind and gracious enough to sit down for an in depth chat so that we can get a chance to know them a little better, and get a sense of the band's beginnings and where they all their positive energy emanates from and shines brightly in their music. Here is the full transcript from that interview:

- What are your names and roles in the band?

Gavin Merlot: vocals/guitar
Cobi Mike : vocals/guitar
Seth Hachen: flute
Brad Alderman: synthesizers
Rory Given: bass
Phil Boucher: drums

- How did you guys meet and when did the band form?

We met in school, where we each had a common interest in spending our time listening to and writing the music we really vibe on.  Our first show was May of 2008 but it was mostly accidental.  We'd just been having fun writing music and jamming together in our basement before that.

- How would you characterize the sound of the band to those who aren't too familiar with you guys?

A Smörgåsbord of alternative rock with modern sounds and a take-you-on-a-journey flute.  We're often compared to bands like The Killers and Passion Pit. 

- What artists inspired you while growing up and how have they helped influence the sound of the band?

The six of us have different musical backgrounds, but the common thread is meaningful, interesting songwriting.  So bands like The Beatles, The Smashing Pumpkins and The Flaming Lips are good examples.

- You guys recently just performed at SXSW, can you tell us what that whole experience was like?

We took this year off from SX to focus on finishing our new record, but can't say enough good things about it in the past.  Going down there and playing multiple shows a day over a week is a lot of fun, but it's even more fun to see and meet a whole boatload of bands you hadn't known of before.  Nonstop music of all genres.  Paradise.

- What is your favorite thing about performing live and how does it make you all feel?

The best part of a great show is a great crowd.  When the audience is vibing off your sound and energy, they give it right back.  All of a sudden you are taken over by this sense of one-ness, it's like a deep, spiritual, tribal connection.  And to be supplying the foundation for that is an electric experience.  

- What is the inspiration behind your song "All Our Love", and what the lyrics are about?

-These days, it feels like almost all the news is bad news.  "All Our Love" is meant to be a rallying cry to remember how right it felt to be young, with nothing but the best intentions for one another. 

- Away from music, what do you guys like to do in your spare time for leisure?

It's a rare day that we are away from the music, but when we are you can usually find us in venues checking out other acts.  Boston has a lot of other great options to explore depending on the season, but it's more about who you spend the time with than it is what you do.  

- What's coming up next for the band this year, are you guys planning on recording a new album in the not too distant future?

You can expect a lot from us this year!  We're almost done with our new record and the plan is to hit the road this Summer to spread the word following its Spring release.  We think the new songs have turned out great and are really looking forward to sharing them!

- Lastly, how influential have your fans been in getting you to this point, especially those from the Boston area?

Oh wow.  Not sure if it's possible to articulate how important our fans have been.  GH fans have so passionately backed this band over our five-year career.  They've never hesitated to spend their time helping us out on our various campaigns, coming to our shows and spending time together afterwards.  Boston has been amazing, it's doesn't feel so much a band / fans experience as it is a tight community for us.  Can't imagine a better group!

Thanks once again to the fellows in Gentlemen Hall for being so gracious enough in carving out some time from their busy schedules to conduct this interview. These guys are definitely a band to keep a close eye on in the Boston scene as they definitely have the mindset and charisma to take it to the next level. If you haven't already, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter right over here.

Artist Spotlight: Jared Lee

For today's edition of Artist Spotlight to wrap up the week, we head over to Hollywood, CA and uncover the vocal stylings of Jared Lee. Jared has a distinct, powerful pop-rock sound that takes influences from the likes of Alicia Keys and John Mayer to name a few, with a style all his own that is real, authentic, and gets to the point very quickly upon first listen. I don't regularly listen to this genre of music too often, but something about Jared's voice made me want to continue listening to see what else he had in store for his listening audience, and doesn't rely too heavily on auto-tune or any extraneous electronic accompaniment that would have otherwise drowned out and destroyed such a beautiful and delicate voice like Jared's. A great upstart artist that is destined to take that next step on the musical path to success. His single "It's Over (Goodbye)" is a perfect example of the abilities of Jared's voice.

For more information on Jared Lee, click on his Facebook page here and don't forget to 'Like' it as well while you're there finding out more information about him along with his music. To follow him on Twitter, click here and find out where he'll be stopping by on tour next! To check out his debut EP titled Falling Through Holes, it's available on iTunes at this link right here, plus you can find more information about Jared on his official website here and you can check out more music from him on his SoundCloud page located right over here.

Artist Spotlight: Shade of Red

Today's Artist Spotlight comes to us courtesy of a band emanating from right across the pond in St. Ives, Cornwall England called Shade of Red. The group mainly consists of Dani Smith on lead vocals, guitar, and synth, Elliot Benjamin on guitar and vocals, Fred Williams on melodeon, melodica, and vocals, Isaac Watkins on bass, violin, and orchestral arrangements, and Josh Benjamin on drums. The band has a think, distinct indie rock sound that uses a wave of odd and random instrumental arrangements, where synthesizers and violin are among the choices in a very orderly and concise musical fashion put forth here. I stumbled across this band randomly while surfing the interwebs, and I was impressed with the band's ability to take instrumental combinations never before conjured up, and combine them to create bombastic and upbeat indie-rock tunes that make them stand out prominently from the other bands attempting to make it in the London, U.K. music scene. A great band on the rise that I look forward to hearing more from in the future. Some recommended tracks for you to have a listen at include "Tragedy of Artists" and "Wits' End".

For more information on the chaps in Shade of Red, click on their Facebook page located here and don't forget to 'Like' it as well while you're perusing all the features on the site. The band can also be followed on Twitter from this location here and find out if the band will be dropping by stateside in the U.S. anytime soon! Their official website can be found here that has a long list of features pertaining to the band, and their BandCamp site located here has all their music that can be streamed from that central location.

Interview w/ The Basics

Back with another all new interview in my ongoing series. Today, we sit down for a chat with Melbourne, Australia's The Basics. The band was formed in 2002 by Wally DeBacker (more popularly known by the stage name Gotye), and maintained a small but loyal following in their native country, playing over 1,000 shows and evoking a sense of humor and vivacity in their live performances as well. We caught up with the members of the group during their self-imposed hiatus to get a better sense of their beginnings and how their music is created in the first place. Here is the transcript from that interview:

- Give your names and positions in the band?

Col. Wally De Backer, Intelligence and Drums

Staff Sgt. Tim Heath, Gunnery and Guitar

Capt. Kris Schroeder, Reconnaissance and Bass

(shared vocal duties as required)

- How and when did the band form?

Ancient Scripture quotes the following Genesis story:

"In the Worlds before The Basics, primal chaos reigned.
Heaven sought order, but the Phoenix can fly only when its feathers are grown.
The four worlds formed again and yet again, as endless aeons wheeled and passed.
Time and the pure essences of Heaven, the moistures of the Earth, and the powers of the Sun and the Moon
all worked upon a certain rock - old as Creation, and it magically became fertile.
That first egg was named "Rock 'n' Roll".
Tathagata Buddha, the Father Buddha, said, 'With our Rock we make the world.'
Elemental forces caused the egg to hatch: from it there came a stone The Basics.
The nature of The Basics was ... irrepressible!"

- What initially inspired your foray into music, were you always into music even at a young age?

From the youngest age (which I assume would be "1"). Our reasons were obviously different, but all three of us needed an outlet, somewhere secret to express ourselves in the oppression you can face at home and at school. I guess we were all black sheep in our own way, seemingly bleating a different bleat to the rest.

- How do you guys normally go about writing and recording your music, what is each members duty or does one person handle all the lyrics?

Eh, it just kinda... happens. Wally and Kris typically handle the songwriting together, sometimes more collaborative, sometimes less. But when we get together to 'learn' the song - that is to say put it together - everyone has an opinion and everyone's opinion counts.

As for the recording, well we've done it so many different ways from the old 4-track Tascam Tape Recorder, right through the to 144-channel desk in Abbey Road's Studio 3. Now THAT was fun.

- What are some of your favorite songs that you guys have recorded together?

Wow, big question. Okay the short-list might be Get Me Down, I Could Be Happy, The Executioner, Wait For You, With This Ship. That's a pretty-good cross-section. They all have something unique about them.

- What is your take on music being used in films and TV shows, do you feel more able of reaching people through this medium than on record or at shows?

Well we've had a bunch of songs used in film and TV - Scrubs, The Bank Job, Californication, just to name a few - and I don't know about the reach, but the money sure is good. Also it's pretty cool when you're just kicking back and it just comes on and you're like "Hmmm... this sounds familiar..." until you realise it's actually you.

- What do yo make of the success of Gotye with his debut solo album "Making Mirrors" and all the success surrounding it?

Well his debut album "Boardface" only sold a few hundred copies, "Like Drawing Blood" was pretty huge though, only bolstered by the "Mixed Blood" remix album. He's done great!

- Do you guys plan on getting back together and hitting the studio sometime soon to record some new material?

There's no concrete plans, but there's been a bit of talk. Sometimes it's better to quit while you're ahead, but I feel like we've still got at least one more album in us. I guess we just have to have something to say, and if we do... who knows.

- What do you gentlemen like to do in your spare time away from making music?

Sit somewhere quiet, sometimes with friends, just enjoy the serenity that the World offers. Good conversation, good food, good wine also. You only live once, so it's good to make the most of it.

- How would you describe the sound of The Basics to those who have never heard of your music?

The best sh!t you've never heard.

Thanks once again to the gentlemen of The Basics for being so kind in taking some time away from their sabbatical to do this interview. The guys are definitely a quirky bunch as you may have read, and definitely enjoy being in each others' company. For more information on The Basics, 'Like' their page on Facebook here, check out their music via their official website here, and also via their YouTube channel as well from right over here.

Artist Spotlight: The Hiatus Flux

For today's edition of Artist Spotlight, we head over to Bloomington, Indiana and uncover the hard rocking sounds of The Hiatus Flux. The band consists of Tyler Mortis on lead vocals, Chad Kinder on guitar, Sam Pruett on guitar, Richard Pruett on bass, Nick Mosier on keys, and Zack Phillips on drums and programming. The band has an intense, in your face sound similar to the likes of Pierce the Veil and Underoath with a no holds barred, frenetic listening experience that will have you on edge immediately right out of the gate. Now I'm not much of a metalhead, but these guys inject some intricate keyboard elements that make the songs unique and arch out prominently from the other ordinary types of metalcore bands currently running amok today. For those who like simple-structured metal like myself, this band has all their musical talents down pack and truly know what they are doing to get themselves noticed on a larger scale beyond their hometown. Recommended songs for you to take a listen at if you dare include "Front Page" and "Snake".

For more information on the guys in The Hiatus Flux, head on over to their Facebook page and 'Like' it right here to get accustomed to them upfront. You can also follow the band on Twitter as well from right over here to communicate with the boys and find out if they'll be stopping by your area sometime soon! The band's latest album "Fire Starter" is now available on iTunes via this link here and you can also check out their music via their ReverbNation page here and on their SoundCloud profile located here.

New The Strokes Album Now Streaming On Pitchfork

The new Strokes album Comedown Machine won't be out until next Tuesday, but you can now stream it in its entirety thanks to the fine folks over at Pitchfork! The site features dark, silhouetted images of each of the 5 members of the band to choose from as wallpaper while listening to the record. This is definitely a step up from their previous album Angles, and sees the band dabbling with some Sinatra styled crooning on a couple of tracks. Anticipation is quickly building as this is sure to be one of the top releases of the year.

To stream the new album in it's entirety, simply click on this link here that will take you to the Pitchfork site.