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

“Borders” by Climbing Trees – An Album Review

     In the current music-consumption era, singles satisfy the appetites of most of us. Songs are purchased individually, and the collections are easily organized and reorganized into playlists. Playing singles in the “old, old school” era of vinyl was limited to stacking a small number of 45rpm discs on a spindle. The advancement to the era of cassettes allowed a listener to record a series of singles, but there were still inconveniences, particularly if the owner grew tired on a song on the cassette.

     Yes, the world of digital collections has many advantages. But a negative impact is that the quality of an album is often missed (don’t see the beauty of the forest, because you’re pleased with a tree?). That was our error with the album from Climbing Trees. Finally, after being struck by a third single from the album “Borders,” the light went on. If asked to identify our favorite song from the “Borders” album, the response will depend upon which of three songs we heard last.

     Climbing Trees are from Pontypridd, South Wales. The members are Matthew Frederick (piano, guitar, vocals), Colenso Jones (guitar, bass, vocals), Martin Webb (guitar, bass, vocals), and James Bennetts (drums, percussion, vocals).

    “Tracks” has a piano-based beginning with a Coldplay feel to it, but thoughts turn to Red Hot Chili Peppers after the vocals arrive. If there is only a “soft focus” on the song for the first portion, things change at 1:33, when the guitar first hooks the listener and then reels her in. Still, the feature that makes “Tracks” special occurs later. For most crescendos, our enjoyment is in the journey through the intensity increase. For “Tracks,” the journey is a treat and the final destination is the reason for celebration. The multi-stage crescendo starts at 2:16, and carries the listener to a destination (2:49) that includes a larger dose of the guitar hook (from 1:33).  
     “Tracks” by Climbing Trees

     “Graves” shows the versatility of Climbing Trees. If it is comparable to another band, it certainly isn’t Red Hot Chili Peppers or Coldplay. Instead, we would point to Outlaws. The skillful guitar work and the selection of guitars (and processing) remind us of “Green Grass and High Tides.”
     “Graves” by Climbing Trees

     “Lost” is the most recent release from the “Borders” album. The song is more dependent upon vocals than either “Tracks” or “Graves.” And despite the relatively sparse lyrics, the song doesn’t disappoint. 
     “Lost” by Climbing Trees

Facebook | www.facebook.com/ilikeclimbingtrees

Website | www.ilikeclimbingtrees.com

Bandcamp Purchase: https://ilikeclimbingtrees.bandcamp.com/album/borders

“Pace” by Crooked Trees – A Song Feature

     Similar to a trumpet playing a fanfare to announce a person or event of significance, “Pace” begins with electric guitar that is attention-grabbing beyond its complexity. “Pace” is significant. The song from Crooked Trees would have fit comfortably within our list of best song of 2018 if the release date were slightly sooner. Between the electric guitar intro and the acoustic guitar outro, "Pace" is a vocal gem with engaging instrumental support.

      Crooked Trees is a duo hailing from Stockholm, Sweden. In “Pace,” the enticing electric guitar is from Kevin Spring, while the voice and acoustic guitar belong to Emil Salmi. The vocals are pleasing throughout the song, but we particularly favor the temporary shift to less soothing, more anguished Grunge-influenced vocals that enter at 3:31. Fittingly, the voice sounds more distant while bemoaning a sense of fading away.

     “Pace” is the lead track on the Crooked Trees’ EP “Flaws.” The six-song EP is embedded below as a Spotify stream. The first single to be released from the EP was "Vertigo,” which surfaced in November 2018. Crooked Trees credits the studio work of producer Lennart Östlund (former owner of legendary Polar Studios), Rolf Alex, and Rasmus Flyckt (Urban Cone, Producer). 

     “Pace” by Crooked Trees 

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

Website: http://crookedtrees.net/

Maps Of - 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.

    This is a second dose of Maps Of, following yesterday’s post of a admirably nuanced “A Foreign Place.” Maps Of released “Seeds” as a freely downloadable Bandcamp single. The finger-picking acoustic guitar and low-emotion vocals combine to generate a beauty that somehow warrants both a sit-back-and-enjoy approach and a lean-forward-and-marvel appreciation.

     “Seeds” is a cover of a song that was originally written by There Is No Escape and Never Was and performed by Live Well. Like Maps Of, the two originating bands are based in New York state. The most significant difference is that Maps Of abandons the Punk sensibilities.

          Maps Of  is a collaboration fronted by Nick Perlman (lead vocals, guitar), and joined by Andy Porta (drums, percussion), Seth “Happy” Nicholson (bass), Max Johl (lead guitar), and Arianne Lombardi (cajón, percussion).

     “Seeds” by Maps Of

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

Bandcamp: https://mapsofmusic.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “Seeds” by Maps Of

Do you wanna hang out?

I know my town

Is too far to drive

But I need you tonight

We’ve been settling seeds

And watching them grow

Into something we believe in

Tall trees we call home

Tall trees we call home

Do you wanna hang out?

I don’t mind coming down

The city’s so far from me

But I don’t care

I really need you near

We’ve been settling seeds

And watching them grow

Into something we believe in

Tall trees we call home

Tall trees we call home

Tall trees… ohh

Tall trees we call home

“By and By” by Native – A Song Feature

     There is a gentle beauty to “By and By.” And there is an anonymity to its originator, Native. His concerts are typically in Europe (Poland, Germany and Switzerland), but he visits the Los Angeles area. For the release of “By and By,” he stated that it is “the first single of my upcoming album. written together with my good friend and incredible songwriter michael kaiser (@apieceofcoffee ). produced, recorded and mixed by jordan ruiz (@thejordanruiz ).”

     “By and By” by Native

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

Links to “By and By:” https://lnk.site/by-and-by

Lyrics of “By and By” by Native

Two stones in my pocket

Thirty thousand in the air
Splitting thoughts on the wings of the airplane

I'll call you when I'm there

Same old town

Same old feeling

Different houses

Different floor

And I burn another cigarette

So I can light one more

By and by

Come on take your chances

Ain't that what a heart is for

Flip a coin I'll let you call it

I ain't good at love no more

By and by

Do you remember

The trees we planted

The trees we grew?

Do you remember

The trees we planted

The trees we grew?

And when the day comes

I hope our branches

Bring you shade

And when the wind blows

I know our leaves

Will call your name

By and by

Three for Free, Legal and Recommended (“FL&R”) – The November Version

     Free and Legal Downloads? Yes, at least temporarily. Bands often temporarily permit free downloads of new releases.  The end of an offer might be based upon reaching a maximum number of downloads or the expiration of some period of time.  But at least for now, here are songs that qualify as Free, Legal and Recommended (FL&R) downloads. 

     Finding songs that can be legally downloaded is easy. The difficult task is to find freely downloadable music that we recommend. But here are FIVE!

     There may be other words that fit, but we’re going with “confidence.” It takes confidence in your skills to select a band name that’s commonly used to identify songs as belonging to other bands. The term “covers” is not always viewed favorably. And it makes it difficult for fans to use Internet search engines to find information about you.

     Still, Covers in Melbourne, Australia is gaining attention with the release of “Amber Falls.” We’ve concluded this is the only band with music on Hype Machine and without a Facebook page.

     “Amber Falls" by Covers (download by "clicking" the arrow next to the "Share" icon).

Website: http://www.coversmusic.com/

     “Deep Forest Green” by Husky Rescue is not a recent release. But the trio is bringing out new material and the song is being promoted. Husky Rescue is from Helsinki & Stockholm, Finland. The members are Marko Nyberg, Johanna Kalén and Antony Bentley.

    “Deep Forest Green” by Husky Rescue

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

Website: http://www.husky-rescue.com/

          Everything Everything is a Manchester-based quartet comprised of Jonathan Higgs, Jeremy Pritchard, Michael Spearman, and Alex Robertshaw.
     “No Reptiles” (Live For BBC) by Everything Everything

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

Website: http://www.everything-everything.co.uk/

     BLAJK is a five-piece band based in Toronto, Canada.

     “Lost” by BLAJK (If your browser doesn't show the download arrow, try CLICKING HERE.)

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

Website: http://www.blajk.com/

     If you share our appreciation for the vocals of London Grammar, you will enjoy “Heartbeat” by TIDEUP. They are Noelle Indovino and Ben Guzman from Orlando, Florida.

      “Heartbeat” by TIDEUP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tideup-383029778441015

Website: http://tideupmusic.com/

Lyrics of “Heartbeat”

I go to sleep at night

Looking for a reason to come back

I can feel your heartbeat while we sit beneath willow trees at night

I never wanted you to love me

I never wanted you to save my name

I was only there for the heartbeat

I was only there for the fame

I go to sleep at night

Looking for a reason to come back

I can feel your heartbeat while we sit beneath willow trees at night

I can only see you in the darkness

I can barely feel you by my side

I never wanted you to leave me here

Leave me all alone

Leave me here …

Leave me all alone

Leave me here

Leave me all alone

I go to sleep at night

Looking for a reason to come back

I can feel your heartbeat while we sit beneath willow trees at night

I never wanted you to love me

I never wanted you to say my name

I was only there for the heartbeat

I was only there for the fame

I only knew that I could trust in you

Cause you said that you knew what I was going through

I showed my age when I left that day­

And I swore I’d try to be true

You’ve got the moon it just moves to your tune

You’re just lucky that way

I’ll try do what you need me to

Cause I, I just want things to stay the same

Waves, New and Chill - Free Friday/Saturday (“FL&R”)

     Free and Legal Downloads? Yes, at least temporarily. Bands often temporarily permit free downloads of their releases.  The end of an offer may be based on the expiration of a set period of time or on a limited number of downloads.  But at least for now, here are songs that qualify as Free, Legal and Recommended (FL&R) downloads.

     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 FL&R song each Friday/Saturday.

     Today’s songs are ventures away from our comfort zone of genres. The tracks best fit within the New Wave and Chill Wave categories.

     Lighbox is a duo in Konstanz, Germany. The members are Konstantin Häring (drums, synth) and Tim Foschiani (vocals, guitar).

     “Home” by Lightbox 

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

     Ah Trees describes its music as "New Wave Weird Pop from the wild west of Australia." The Perth-based band is formed of Ryan Adair (vocals, synths), Charles Douglas (guitar, bass, piano), Harry Livings (bass), Francesca Hocking (vocals), Bryan Ryan (guitar) and Zachary Taylor (drums, percussion).

      “How Long Must We Wait” by Ah Trees 

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

Outside Lands 2013 – On the Move

     Recording a quick walk through a music festival is not going to be the highlight of anyone’s weekend, we hope. But if you find yourself making the same trip multiple times over three days, it does make the walk more interesting. We did record two of our travels at Outside Lands.  Both were on Friday August 9, 2013.

     During the nine-minute walk, we traveled from the area of the Lands End Stage (Main Stage) toward the Twin Peaks Stage at the opposite end of the festival grounds. However, since no one was playing at the Twin Peaks Stage, we made the slight left turn to see The Men at the Panhandle Stage.

     This recording did experience some difficulties at about the 3-minute mark, but they are temporary (sorry).

     For the other recording, we were taking the upper path that works well in traveling from the Twin Peaks or Panhandle Stage to the Sutro Stage. The walk was intended to be timed to catch the start of the performance of Jessie Ware, but technical difficulties caused her to start 15 minutes later than scheduled. If you’re interested, her performance was better than we expected.

     Finally, we took a short clip of the night lighting. The two iconic windmills on the Polo Field and the trees are well represented. To the right is a picture looking on the opposite side of the Polo Field - showing the green Domes and the trees beyond the Domes.

Eliot Sumner Edges Alabama Shakes

VMworld - Hosted by VMware, Inc.

Alabama Shakes at VMworld

Eliot Sumner

     In a span of 24 hours, we were able to be close to the stage for four bands we looked forward to seeing. Alabama Shakes and Neon Trees performed for a corporate event (VMworld) at AT&T Park, the home of the San Francisco Giants. Because the alcohol and food were available without cost, and because there were carnival rides and booths (pictured above), only a small number of people took full advantage of the music. It was a rare opportunity. The next night, we were at Rickshaw Stop for entertaining performances by Eliot Sumner and On An On.

      Alabama Shakes were strong, as always. On An On added elements to “Drifting,” which is one of our favorite tracks of 2015. Neon Trees were engaging, as frontman Tyler Glenn told stories about his past. The surprise was Eliot Sumner.

Eliot Sumner

     As Eliot Sumner walked onto the stage shortly after her three bandmates, it was clear that she does not spend her money on makeup or her time on hairstyling. The music is the focus. She grabbed the bass and the band started with “Dead Arms & Dead Legs.” The performance of the song was even better than the digital release. And they didn’t let up, until they finished with “Information.” In performance, almost every song is modified to include either more Rock or more Shoegaze.

     We hesitate to mention that Eliot Sumner has famous parents, since it might be wrongly inferred that her current and future successes are a result of having well-connected parents. The question goes in the opposite direction – with the talent she possesses, why isn’t Eliot Sumner receiving more attention, particularly in the U.S. The parents of this 25 year old are a rockstar, Sting, and an actress/producer, Trudie Styler.
     “Firewood” by Eliot Sumner

      A recording of “Dead Arms & Dead Legs” by another attendee at Rickshaw Stop (thanks Matt Dilg).

On An On the Rickshaw Stop

DOSH

Alabama Shakes at VMworld