Ah Trees - 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.

     Ah Trees is a band from Perth, Australia, formed in 2015. They take inspiration from the New Wave, Alt-Rock and Post-Punk sounds of the late 80’s, as well as elements of funk and electronica, manifesting into a kind of dreamy weird-Pop Dance-Rock. Ah Trees has seen many lineup changes over the years, however frontman Ryan Adair, guitarist Charles Douglas and bassist Harry Livings have been permanent band members and songwriters. The other two members are Francesca Hocking (vocals) and Bryan Ryan (guitar).

     In 2017 Ah Trees released two singles, a thought-provoking music video filmed in Vienna as well as an extensive live schedule with performances across WA, including a curated residency at The Odd Fellow in Fremantle and a tour of WA’s beautiful south celebrating the release of ‘Do It All Wrong’, the follow up to their self-titled debut EP.

     Not a band afraid to experiment, in early 2018 they released a standalone single "Nomads & Pilgrims," a 7-minute ethereal journey of washed out synths and epic soundscapes. Ah Trees returned in October 2018 with a fresh new dreamy single "How Long Must We Wait."

     “How Long Must We Wait” by Ah Trees

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

Lyrics of “How Long Must We Wait” by Ah Trees

Cruising over points of no return

We laugh as we're watching all our bridges burn

A liar always spots a fake

Herculean forces move into the night

Couldn't be myself more than if I tried

A liar always spots a fake

How long must we wait?

Get lost in the day

Move further away, you say

Get lost in the day

State of indecision is a new world vision

Life without purpose is not worth this

How long must we wait?

Get lost in the day

Move further away, you say

Get lost in the day

[Repeat]

State of indecision is a new world vision

Life without purpose is not worth this

State of indecision is a new world vision

"Doctor Please" by Jim and Sam – A Song Feature

      “Tell us something good doctor, please.” It’s a plea we are revisiting. Only a small number of fortunate people have not been in a situation that is beautifully touched by Jim and Sam, a husband-and-wife vocalist/songwriter duo based in Los Angeles.

     "Doctor Please" by Jim and Sam 

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

Website: https://www.wearejimandsam.com

Lyrics of "Doctor Please" by Jim and Sam

I don’t believe in heaven

How my gonna get through this

Brother lend me light

When they hand me darkness

Tell us something good Doctor, please

Tell us something good Doctor, lie

Has it all been a waste

Down on our knees

Tell us something good Doctor, please

Sister when you’re praying

Could you pray for me

‘Cause I don’t know that song

Those chords or that key

Tell us something good Doctor, please

Tell us something good Doctor, lie

Has it all been a waste

Down on our knees

Tell us something good Doctor, please

I wish it were simple

I didn’t wear his watch

Mother can you hear me

Do my words get lost

Tell us something good Doctor, please

Tell us something good Doctor, lie

Has it all been a waste

Down on our knees

Tell us something good Doctor, please

“pictures” (feat. Kacey Musgraves) by Judah & the Lion – A Song Feature

     Tickets for the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco go on sale today. Among the many bands and performers are Judah & the Lion and Kacey Musgraves. So, there is a timeliness to posting their collaboration – “pictures.”

     The picture in this post is from Judah & the Lion’s performance at The Fillmore in San Francisco.

“pictures” (feat. Kacey Musgraves) by Judah & the Lion

Lyrics of “pictures” (feat. Kacey Musgraves) by Judah & the Lion

Too scared to move these things from this home we made

So many good memories and some fatal mistakes

And I know that you love me still but we're not the same

And if I'm being honest, I don't really want you this way

But you were mine always, and now you're gone

Look what we've become

Just another sad song of a love gone wrong

I hate that I'm taking our pictures off the walls

KACEY:

But I guess I'm still processing

My whole world's been turned around

Every truth I knew since high school was a lie from your mouth

And we made our promises, yeah, we said our vows

But none of that really seems to matter to you now

'Cause you were mine always, and now you're gone

Look what we've become

Just another sad song of a love gone wrong

And I hate that I'm taking our pictures off the wall

HARMONIZED:

'Cause you were mine always, and now you're gone

Look what we've become

Just another sad song of a love gone wrong

I hate that I'm even missing you at all

I hate that I'm taking our pictures off the wall

I hate that I'm taking our pictures off the wall

I hate that I'm taking our pictures off these walls

“Just That Time of the Night” by ISLAND – A Song Feature

      “Just That Time of the Night” is a slow-guitar-play, melancholic-vocals single with the power to change a listener’s disposition. The song is one of four tracks on the upcoming EP “When We’re Still” from ISLAND. The EP is set for release on April 12, 2019.

Quoting their bio:

  ISLAND are a London-based 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 songwriting nous that belied their age

     “Just That Time of the Night” by ISLAND

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

Website: http://islandislandisland.com/

Bandcamp: https://island.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “Just That Time of the Night” by ISLAND

And when I was a child

My mother said there were no angels

And now I'm running wild

I see their faces in the strangers

But it's just that time of the night

It's just that time of the night

Now others pass me by

I see their eyes faced to the pavement

I see their trophy lives

I know my place in this is fading

And far too long, far too long I thought the world was changing

Far too long, far too long I spent my young days ageing

Was I too old

To walk this road

I won't slow

I'll sell my soul

Cause it's just that time of the night

It's just that time of the night

It's just that time of the night

It's just that time of the night

“As The Crow Flies” by Øzwald – A Song Feature

      Øzwald is a supergroup with reach. The members are Steve Stout (from Blondfire and Lost Beach) and Jason Wade (from Lifehouse). With their lyrically intelligent song “As The Crow Flies,” the reach is to Arctic Monkeys.

      “As The Crow Flies” touches upon anthemic existentialism. That is, the song is optimistic in its determination to face the unknowns of life:

And I won’t stop trying to climb

Digging my way through the found and lost

Got a thousand more miles of life to cross

As the crow flies

     “As The Crow Flies” by Øzwald

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

Website: https://www.ozwaldmusic.com/

Lyrics of “As The Crow Flies” by Øzwald

And I don’t know

And I don’t know what it means

And I don’t know

And I don’t really mind, you see

I’ve been over here

I’ve been over there

I’ve been everywhere and in between

And I don’t know

I don’t really mind, you see

And I won’t stop trying to climb

Digging my way through the found and lost

Got a thousand more miles of life to cross

As the crow flies

I won’t stop trying to find

I’ve been chasing down the answers until I drop

Got a thousand more miles of life to cross

As the crow flies

I won’t

And I won’t stop

And I don’t know

I don’t know what it is

And I don’t know

If it’s somethin’ in my heritage

And I won’t

I don’t know if it’s the chemistry

Ohhh

And I don’t care

Gonna rewrite my history

And I won’t stop trying to climb

Digging my way through the found and lost

Got a thousand more miles of life to cross

As the crow flies

I won’t stop trying to find

I’ve been chasing down the answers until I drop

Got a thousand more miles of life to cross

As the crow flies

I won’t [3 times]

And I don’t know

And I don’t know what it means

And I don’t know

And I don’t really mind, you see

And I won’t stop trying to climb

Digging my way through the found and lost

Got a thousand more miles of life to cross

As the crow flies

And I won’t stop trying to find

I’ve been chasing down the answers until I drop

Got a thousand more miles of life to cross

As the crow flies

I won’t

And I won’t stop

[Repeated]

“Tomorrow” by Demons Of Ruby Mae – A Song Feature

      It’s appropriate to feature a song with a piano intro, since the music world is approaching international Piano Day (March 29). “Tomorrow” enters with a stately, piano-guided gait. Before departing with a synth-generated warble, the song moves seamlessly through shifts in tempo and percussive aggressiveness to strategically emphasis the message that the person is finally prepared to make a long-term commitment.

     The early vocals share characteristics with Michael Stipe of R.E.M., but “Tomorrow” stands on its own. It’s a single from Demons Of Ruby Mae, a UK duo based in Manchester. Jonny Gavin and Adam Rowley are originally from Leicester, but now reside in the thriving music scene of Manchester. After releasing their self-titled debut last year and signing to North American and European labels (Anti Fragile Records and Long Branch Records respectively), Demons Of Ruby Mae return with “Tomorrow.” Quoting content regarding the single:

  "The band have been in the studio working with producer Phil Bulleyment (Gaz Coombes, The Slow Readers Club, Blossoms) and in their own words, 'Tomorrow' is an uplifting song about learning from mistakes, writing your wrongs and appreciating those around you. Featuring singer Jonny Gavin’s signature vocal features on top of a crescendo of pianos, synths, guitars and drums, the track substantiates just why the band became one of BBC Introducing East Midland’s Top 20 artists played in 2018 and were included on Spotify’s Hot New Bands and Best of Indie Pop 2018 playlists."

    

     “Tomorrow” by Demons Of Ruby Mae

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

Website; https://www.demonsofrubymae.co.uk/

“Young Evil” by Yes We Mystic – A Song Feature

     With all the moving parts, “Young Evil” defies conventional Indie thinking around melodic aesthetics. The percussion in particular carries an aggressive urgency, while the vocals are purposeful in communicating the song’s message, at least until the vocal sampling at the outro. Other contributions to “Young Evil” select sides, as for example the trumpet choosing the less frenetic approach early in the single from Yes We Mystic.

     “Young Evil” is densely and explosively textured, yet remains melodically pleasing. It’s time to track the tour schedule of Yes We Mystic, a five-member band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. The members are Adam Fuhr (vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, synth, trumpet), Keegan Steele (synth), Jodi Plenert (keyboard, bass, synth, cello), Jensen Fridfinnson (electric guitar, piano), and Jordon Ottenson (drums). According to the credits of “Young Evil,” collectif9 added strings.

     “Young Evil” is from the album "Ten Seated Figures" by Yes We Mystic out April 19, 2019 on DevilDuck records. Quoting the band:

  Like most things we do, production on this song is a juxtaposition of intimate and grand. For the majority of the two years that “Young Evil” spent coming to fruition, it was just Adam alone in a small, dank room – capturing ideas the moment they were conceived. Eventually, we relocated to a studio for drums, guitars, and vocals before moving to Montreal where renowned classical string group, collectif9, contributed strings in a grand hall.

  Production on “Young Evil” also includes panicked vocal loops, octavized trumpets, pitch-shifted keyboard choir, two people sitting on the floor while turning the knobs on a monophonic analogue synth, and real drums being layered one track at a time.

     “Young Evil” by Yes We Mystic 

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

Website: https://yeswemystic.com/

Yes We Mystic 2019 tour dates:

12 MAY – Exeter, UK

14 MAY – Manchester, UK

15 MAY – Leeds, UK

16 MAY-18 MAY – Wrexham, UK (Focus Wales 2019)

20 MAY – Bristol, UK

21 MAY – London, UK

23 MAY – Cologne, Germany

24 MAY – Hamburg, Germany

25 MAY – Magdeburg, Germany

26 MAY – Langenberg, Germany

28 MAY – Dresden, Germany

29 MAY – Chemnitz, Germany

30 MAY – Bremen, Germany

1 JUNE – Svendborg, Denmark

3 JUNE – Berlin, Germany

Young Lions - 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.

     Whether to upload songs to Soundcloud is a difficult business decision. It’s an oversimplification of the factors and relevant streaming platforms, but the decision can be described as a selection of Spotify revenue sharing versus Hype Machine worldwide exposure. Spotify pays a band/artist a small amount (extremely small) each time a song is played. Soundcloud does not, so if fans of a band use Soundcloud rather than Spotify, the band loses much-needed income. The flipside is that Hype Machine, the most popular aggregator, will repost a song featured on one of its contributing blogs only if there is a Soundcloud or Bandcamp upload.

     Well, Australia’s Young Lions have made the selection. Songs from the Brisbane-based band are not on Soundcloud or Bandcamp. They are flying under the radar in the U.S., but we respect their choice. The members are Zach Britt (Vocals), Morgan Castle (Bass), Matt Gibson (Drums), and Ryan Allison (Guitar).

     “HELP.” By Young Lions – To access the free download, go to the Triple J site and click the download arrow (https://www.triplejunearthed.com/jukebox/play/track/7470781). 

Lyrics of “HELP.” by Young Lions

It's not easy to say this

But I'll try to get it all out

I think I see the future but I just can't figure it out

I think I'm scared of myself

It's getting harder to deal with

Wish I was somebody else

And now I'm stuck on a feeling

Oh God, I think I need you to

Help, help, help

Help

We can all see the future

But we don't know what we need

We've all got those memories

That we wish that we could unsee everything

I think we're scared of ourselves

It's getting harder to deal with

We wish we were somebody else

And now we're stuck on a feeling

We're scared we've got no one to

Help, help, help

Help

No one to help

So just call me

Anytime, anywhere

Just call me

When you get scared of yourself

And it gets harder to deal with

When you're going through hell

And you're stuck on a feeling

Maybe I can be there to

Help, help, help

Help

Maybe I can be there to

Help, help, help

Help

Sometimes we all need some

Help, help, help

Help

One day I know you will be fine with yourself

Help, help, help

Help

Sometimes we need some help

Help, help, help

Help, help, help

Help