Tuesday, December 31, 2019

“End of the Year,” “This Is Our Time”


     Never mind the timeliness of the release (December 22), “End of the Year” deserves attention. The song is by Small Strides from Düsseldorf, Germany. The members are Leo Bernard (vocals, keys), Manuel Tesch (guitar, vocals), Léon Gelin (bass), and Malin Weber (drums).

     “End of the Year” by Small Strides 


      The last post of a year should have an anthem. Wild just released a strong one – “This Is Our Time.”  Wild is a trio in Los Angeles. The members are Zach DeGaetano (vocals, guitar), Tyler Thompson (guitar), and Lauren Luiz.

     “This Is Our Time” by Wild



“The Cycle” and “Reasons to Stay” by Kate Vogel


     The songs of Kate Vogel are confessional, revealing both past vulnerability and current resolve. That description is particularly accurate for “The Cycle” and “Reasons to Stay.”

     "The Cycle" reveals her story of childhood abuse and identifies the sadly unfortunate tendency for abusiveness to be passed from one generation to the next. But “The Cycle” ends with skillful melodic punctuation - “This cycle ends with me.” Turning to “Reasons to Stay,” the verses introspectively revisit Vogel’s thoughts that pushed her to an attempted suicide, while the chorus describes reasons to stay. As in “The Cycle,” the last line is masterful, when Vogel adjusts the sentence in order to invite the listener into her resolution – “We all have a reason to stay.” 

     While each song from Kate Vogel carries its individual qualities, her music is characterized by sparse yet emotionally effective instrumental support and choruses in a higher range than the verses. “The Cycle” does become more instrumentally elaborate and textured just before its two-minute mark, but returns to its acoustic guitar roots for the quietly powerful conclusion. In comparison, “Reasons to Stay” is piano that assists the lyrical message without stepping on or distracting from the vocal beauty. Interestingly, Vogel's song “Rain” uses a slide guitar approach to emphasizing the emotion of a magically poetic description of struggle.

       Although the verses of her songs leave no doubt that she is a soprano, it is during the choruses that Kate Vogel exhibits her ability to beautifully command upper octaves. Vogel is from Los Angeles, but relocated to Nashville at the age of 16.

      “The Cycle” by Kate Vogel 




     “Reasons to Stay” by Kate Vogel




Lyrics of “Reasons to Stay” by Kate
I've been driving around
Here in this town
Know it like the back of my hand
I've been dreaming of ways, ways to get out

Put myself in a box
That I'd never be
Someone I'm proud of you see
Here I am on this bridge facing defeat

I'm just doing the best I can
I'm just living the life I have
I'm confused but I'm fine with that
The beauty will outweigh the pain

From the chill of the autumn wind
And the laugh of your sister's kid
To the first snow when it sets in
The beauty will outweigh the pain
We'll all find a purpose one day
There's so many reasons to stay

No I don't wanna die
Just don't wanna live
Why can't I reach out for help
You would do anything to get me through this

I'm so used to alone
Don't know what it's like
To let someone into my mind
But I'd do anything just to survive

I'm just doing the best I can
I'm just living the life I have
I'm confused but I'm fine with that
The beauty will outweigh the pain

From the chill of the autumn wind
And the laugh of your sister's kid
To the first snow when it sets in
The beauty will outweigh the pain
We'll all find a purpose one day
There's so many reasons to stay

I'm just doing the best I can
I'm just living the life I have
I'm confused but I'm fine with that
The beauty will outweigh the pain
We'll all find a purpose one day
We all have a reason to stay

Monday, December 30, 2019

“Bulletproof" by Samantha Fish - A Song Feature


     Samantha Fish is an accomplished Blues guitarist from Kansas City, Kansas. Our favorite song from her discography is “'Bulletproof.” In explaining the single, she said:
  “’Bulletproof’ digs into the theme of vulnerability, about it being mistaken for weakness, and how we often times feel the need to wear a mask to survive in the world today.”

     “Bulletproof" by Samantha Fish




Lyrics of “Bulletproof” by Samantha Fish
You got me trained to sit on a stage
Not show my rage for you
You got my love, its not enough
I need to prove it to you

What's the difference, what's the difference, what's the difference in me now?
I can change, I can change, I can change, oh tell me how. Oh!

I'd turn this on you, turn it on you, turn it on you, oh but you're bulletproof
Turn it on you, I'd turn this on you, turn it on you, but you're bulletproof

You got my gaze, I'm just a phase
A shift in your point of view
Your rocks are off, you demagogue
I'm just someone to talk to

Make me feel something real, I'd fall for your muse
Where's the spark through the dark for you light my fuse?
But it's all about you

I'd turn it on you, turn it on you, I'd turn it on you, oh but you're bulletproof
I'd turn it on you, turn it on you, I'd turn it on you, yea but you're bulletproof
Oh, it's all about you baby
So, look out

Broken things, I kick and scream, I'd fall apart to move you
Shot down in vogue, I got the joke, you need me bulletproof

Twisted up and turned out you say I'm crazy now
You're bellicose, I loved you so, I'm on my way out
I’m on my way out

I'd turn it on you, turn it on you, I'd turn it on you, oh but you're bulletproof
I'd turn it on you, turn it on you, I'd turn it on you, but you're bulletproof


“In My Dreams” by John Lawrie & The Welcome Strangers – A Song Feature


     “In My Dreams” holds two characteristics that deserve an extended blog post. First, the song from John Lawrie & The Welcome Strangers is a song that demonstrates the error in a judge-and-jump approach to music discovery. If the single is judged without listening to the final two minutes, the strength of its sonic appeal is missed. The second characteristic is the splendor of backing vocals that do not include a word, but powerfully create an ambience.

     The voice of Krisha Umali enters at the 2:46 mark of “In My Dreams” and the song transitions from a heartfelt crooning about a dream involving a missed loved one to a crescendo of melody, reverberation and passion. Her voice pulls the listener into the dream, where the lead vocals and the instruments increase in intensity to reveal the depth of emotional investment.

     John Lawrie & The Welcome Strangers are based in Sydney, Australia. The credits of “In My Dreams” identify the contributors as John Lawrie (vocals, guitar, synth), Connor Rust (drums), and Sean Niven (bass), as well as guest appearances on the piano from Jerome Blazé and vocals from Krisha Umali, both from The Elevator District.

     “In My Dreams” by John Lawrie & The Welcome Strangers 




Lyrics of “In My Dreams” by John Lawrie & The Welcome Strangers
We’re alone and kissing
And dancing in your kitchen
To songs from our parents’ youth.
You’re dancing the blues
I
n your red shoes.
And the light’s reflecting
Off that dress that you used to wear,
But there’s a haze of lies
Across your hazel eyes
As I’m pulled from my den to the truth

‘Cause I saw you in my dreams again last night
I saw you in my dreams again
I saw you in my dreams again last night
I saw you in my dreams again

Took a seaside drive through a backburnt sunset
Windows down as the beaches burned
The smell of smoke on the sea breeze
From our spot looking over town

And I’ve been looking for the brown in your eyes
In whatever’s been filling my glass
Mind’s a racing but I’m coming last

‘Cause I saw you in my dreams again last night
I saw you in my dreams again
I saw you in my dreams again last night
I saw you in my dreams again

My mind was laughing at me
But I couldn’t see the joke
My soul was cold and heavy
‘Cause in the darkness we were happy
Until the sun awoke
And you were gone

My mind was laughing at me
But I couldn’t see the joke
My soul was cold and heavy
‘Cause in the darkness we were happy
Until the sun awoke
And you were gone
My mind was laughing at me
But I couldn’t see the joke
My soul was cold and heavy
‘Cause in the darkness we were happy
Until the sun awoke
And you were gone

‘Cause I saw you in my dreams again last night
I saw you in my dreams again
I saw you in my dreams again last night
I saw you in my dreams again
I saw you in my dreams again last night
I saw you in my dreams again
I saw you in my dreams again last night
I saw you in my dreams again

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Cleanin’ Out the 2019 Closet (of Deserving Songs)

     With the year coming to an end, it’s time to pull deserving songs from the queue. It’s not a publish-or-perish situation for the songs, but there is a preference toward  posting songs during the year of their release.

     Harrison Storm is based in Melbourne, Australia. Four years ago, he exploded onto the blogosphere with his single “Be Yourself.” Harrison will be touring the U.S. in 2020. The schedule is shown in the above picture ("click" the picture to enlarge). There is a stop in San Francisco. On February 25, he will be at Café Du Nord with another recommendation – Hollow Coves. For ticket information to any of the shows CLICK HERE

     “You & I” by Harrison Storm


     Kiol is a multi-instrumentalist with ties to Italy, England and Ireland. He was born in Turin, Italy, but is now based in London. His song “Mallow” is a reflection on his time in summer school in Mallow, Ireland. He explains that during that summer (2014) he was encouraged to sing by some Irish fellas who started calling him Kiol, which is the sound of the word music (ceol) in ancient Gaelic.

     “Mallow” by Kiol


      Marti West is a singer/songwriter currently based in Gothenburg, Sweden. His music resides in the Folk genre, specifically the neighborhood of simple yet elegant instrumentalism and portrait lyrics.

     “Give Me Light” by Marti West


     Island is another London connection. The band’s bio states that they are an Alternative guitar band whose history is characterized by "old friendships, close bonds, and an almost telepathic mutual understanding. Forming as teenagers when frontman Rollo Doherty’s acoustic bedroom project was treated to the boisterous backing of guitarist Jack Raeder, bassist James Wolfe and drummer Toby Richards in a dingy windowless practice room where they began to painstakingly shape a sound which combined darkly twisting instrumental with a sweetly melodic song-writing nous that belied their age."

     “She” by Island


Saturday, December 28, 2019

Jordy Maxwell - Free Saturday (“FL&R”)


     If you're not a fan of the music, maybe you have some electrical work I can help you with.” That is the “bio” of Jordy Maxwell from Perth, Australia. We tip our collective cap to artists who work hard at their craft, but don’t take themselves TOO seriously.

     “Graceless” by Jordy Maxwell – To access the free download, go to the Triple J site and click the download arrow (https://www.triplejunearthed.com/jukebox/play/track/8626591).

     “So Far” by Jordy Maxwell - – To access the free download, go to the Triple J site and click the download arrow (https://www.triplejunearthed.com/jukebox/play/track/8570471).




Benedikt - Free Saturday (“FL&R”)


     Finding songs that can be legally downloaded is easy. The difficult task is to find legally downloadable music that we recommend. Our plan is to post at least one Free, Legal and Recommended (FL&R) song each Saturday.


     The bio drama film “The Two Popes” is interesting and enlightening. It shines a light on the contrast of Pope Benedict XVI and the now-reigning Pope Francis. We don’t know if the film motivated Benedikt to release “Pope Francis.” We only know that the song by the band from Oslo, Norway is pleasing.

     Benedikt is a nine-member band, which explains how “Pope Francis” is both calming and highly textured. The members are Hans Olav Settem (vocals, guitar), Stein Boge ( guitar, trumpet, Brage Kristian Einum (synth, accordion), Oddbjørn Sponås (percussion), Sunniva Lilian Shaw-of-Tordarroch (cello), Marit Othilie Thorvik (vocals), Emilie Catrin Korsvold (vocals, trombone), Sindre Skår (bass), and Simen Mitlid (banjo, guitar). Yes, that Simen Mitlid.

     “Pope Francis” by Benedict

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benediktandfriends/

Thursday, December 26, 2019

"It's Alright" by Mother Mother - A Song Feature


     The holidays are difficult for many; posting “It’s Alright” may be timely for some. Vocally, the song from Mother Mother has a sweetness, particularly during the female chorus. Lyrically, the song has an importance. The lyrics are directed to the value of self-forgiveness to the healing process. In talking about the motivation for “It’s alright,” Ryan Gulldemond said:
  “It’s easy to feel guilty, ashamed and regretful about [an earlier] part of my life, but I try instead to see it as a crucial bridge to becoming a better and healthier person. I am still called to my vices, frequently, and make no eternal promises of perfection to myself, but the call to live out powerful days, fueled by clarity, love, creativity and sustainable productivity seems to be louder right now, and for that I’m grateful.”

     Mother Mother is a five-member band in Vancouver, Canada. They are Ryan Guldemond (guitar, vocals), Molly Guldemond (vocals, keyboard, Jasmin Parkin (keyboard, vocals), Ali Siadat (drums), and Mike Young (bass).

     "It's Alright" by Mother Mother




Lyrics of "It's Alright" by Mother Mother
Ooohwa
(It's alright)
Ooohwa

Aw hey
I had a night, I had a day
I did one million stupid things
I said one billion foolish things
I'm not okay
I got a baseball bat beside my bed
To fight off what's inside my head
To fight off what's behind my meds
I'm lonely, lost in pain

It's alright, it's okay, it's alright, it's okay
You're not a monster, just a human
And you made a few mistakes
It's alright, it's okay, it's alright, it's okay
You're not gruesome, just human
And you made a few mistakes
It's alright
It's okay

Goddamn
I throw a brick right through the window
My life ignored the signals
I am high and drunk on ego
Can't see straight
So I just feel my way around
And I am touching, I am grabbing
Everything I can't be havin'
I am broken down in shame

It's alright, it's okay, it's alright, it's okay
You're not a demon, there's a reason
You behaved in that way
It's alright, it's okay, it's alright, it's okay
And I believe, yes I believe
That you will see a better day
It's alright
It's okay
It's alright

I don't wanna know who I am
'Cause heaven only knows what I'll find
I don't wanna know I'm not capable of coming out alive
I don't wanna see what's inside
I think that I would rather be blind
I don't wanna know I'm not capable, I'm capable

I'm alright, I'm okay, I'm alright, I'm okay
I'm not a monster, I'm a human
And I made a few mistakes
I'm alright, I'm okay, I'm alright, I'm okay
I'm not gruesome, just human
And I made a few

It's alright, it's okay, it's alright, it's okay
You're not a demon, there's a reason
You behaved in that way
It's alright, it's okay, it's alright, it's okay
And I believe, yes I believe
That you will see a better day
It's alright
It's okay
It's alright
And I believe, yes I believe
That you will see a better day
(It's alright)