Videos of the Week – Tom Walker, Blended Brew and Leon of Athens

     One of the many strategic decisions that each Indie band and its label make is the selection of which song streaming sites to use. An advantage to uploading a song to Soundcloud or Bandcamp is that the song will make it onto Hype Machine if a member blog features the song. Hype Machine is the playground of Indieheads and their bloggers, so a song on that aggregator may experience traction that accelerates the popularity of the band.

     On the other hand, there isn’t any direct revenue from Soundcloud or Bandcamp access, regardless of how often a song is played. While the income per play on Spotify is a small fraction of a penny, it is still better than zero. Some bands and labels decide that limiting streaming to Spotify and other pay sites is the better business decision.

     Here are three songs we enjoy and would like to share with readers, but cannot aid the performers with appearances of their music on Hype Machine. To be clear, we understand and fully respect their decisions not to upload the songs to either Soundcloud or Bandcamp.

     Tom Walker is from Manchester, but has moved to London. His song “Leave the Light On” carries a message of support for another. 

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

Website: http://www.iamtomwalker.com/

Lyrics of “Leave a Light On” by Tom Walker

The second someone mentioned you were all alone

I could feel the trouble coursing through your veins

Now I know

It's got a hold

Just a phone called left unanswered, had me sparking up

These cigarettes won't stop me wondering where you are

Don't let go

Keep a hold

If you look into the distance, there's a house upon the hill

Guiding like a lighthouse to a place where you'll be

Safe to feel at grace 'cause we've all made mistakes

If you've lost your way

And I will leave the light on

I will leave the light on

[Repeat 2x]

Tell me what's been happening, what's been on your mind

Lately you've been searching for a darker place

To hide

That's alright

But if you carry on abusing, you'll be robbed from us

I refuse to lose another friend to drugs

Just come home

Don't let go

If you look into the distance, there's a house upon the hill

Guiding like a lighthouse to a place where you'll be

Safe to feel at grace 'cause we've all made mistakes

If you've lost your way...

I will leave the light on

[Repeat 4x]

If you look into the distance, there's a house upon the hill

Guiding like a lighthouse, it's a place where you'll be

Safe to feel at grace and if you've lost your way

If you've lost your way

I will leave the light on

And I know you don't know oh, but I need you to be brave

Hiding from the truth ain't gonna make this all okay

I'll see your pain if you don't feel our grace

And you've lost your way

I will leave the light on

I will leave the light on

'Cause I will leave the light on

     Blended Brew are a Copenhagen-based band comprising Jimmy Månsson (vocals, guitar), Mikkel Toustrup (guitar), Lord Sebastian Groset (piano, organ, blues harp), Christoffer Beck (drums) and Mathias Jørgensen (bass). We were immediate fans of “Traveling Song,” even before the “blues harp” entered toward the end of the track.

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

Website: https://www.blendedbrew.com/

     Leon of Athens have been featured in previous posts of Indie Obsessive. The title track from an upcoming album release, “Xenos,” was posted last year.  The song “Utopia” is also on the album, which is scheduled to drop on February 9.  

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

Website: http://www.leonofathens.com/

“We’re the Brave” by Stage Republic – A Song Review

     “We’re the Brave” is an often thunderous anthem of self-assurance and inner strength. The track from Stage Republic begins with a Synth Pop energy and periodic bursts of percussion as support for declarations such as:

We are fierce

We are fighters when we need

To stand our ground

We can’t back down

We are soldiers deep inside

Feel our pride

We’re the Brave!

    The early Synth Pop doesn’t carry throughout “We’re the Brave.” The song’s chorus incorporates elements of Rock, increasing the track’s draw.   

     Stage Republic are a Netherlands’ duo committed to their music. Singer/songwriter Corjan de Raaf met producer Bart Janssen when he performed live on a radio show in 2013. The two discovered they were musically compatible and started on a journey together as Stage Republic. Janssn is the guitarist in “We’re the Brave.” Singer De Raaf - re-baptized “Raven” for the English crowd - is the motor behind the band in extreme DIY fashion. The band does its own productions, artwork, promotion and distribution; all for the love of great music. Over the years, the band has been building up a small but faithful following around the globe and is a fixture on Indie Radio Stations in the Netherlands, US, UK and Canada. Recently, Stage Republic caught the ear of legendary engineer/producer Jay Messina, the man behind the sounds of Aerosmith, Kiss and Supertramp. Messina mastered the band's last two releases ("Frailty" and "We're the Brave").

     “We’re the Brave” by Stage Republic 

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

Website: https://www.stagerepublic.com/

“Body” by SYML – A Song Review

     The track record of SYML refutes any argument that London has a monopoly on pure-voiced singer/songwriters gifted with the sensitivity and talent to repeatedly release emotionally stirring tracks. Two striking singles (“Better” and “Where’s My Love”) emerged from the 2016 EP “Hurt for Me.” This year, SYML dropped another six-track EP. This one is titled “In My Body,” and includes a slightly more energetic and percussive version of “Where’s My Love.”

     “Body” is another track on the 2018 EP. The lyrics are below the Soundcloud stream. They lend themselves to more than one interpretation, so we’ll wait for insights from SYML before commenting.

     The vocal range of SYML is on full exhibit in “Body.” The vocals sound equally comfortable in more than one register, as the falsetto is an unforced plea for another chance.

     SYML is the project of Brian Fennell, who records in his basement studio in Issaquah, Washington. Before the project, Brian was the frontman on the band Barcelona. We grabbed opportunities to see Barcelona during their visits to San Francisco and look forward to the March 7 performance of SYML at Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco. Until the show is a sellout, tickets can be purchased via CLICK HERE.

     “Body” by SYML 

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

Website: http://www.symlmusic.com/

Lyrics of “Body” by SYML

In my body I have a master

I bow down when she comes around

In my body I’m a disaster

I break down when you shake the ground

Every time I stand to leave my cage

In my broken body I stay

I want to love like a man

I’ll build you a home when I can

Give my new body a chance

Patient now it’s all that I have

I fought the world for your hand

I fought the world for your hand

Give my new body a chance

Give my new body a chance

It’s all I have

In my body I fight fire

With the snow, my hell is cold

In my body I have a soft light

Burning low, but too hot to hold

I’ve become the only thing I hate

Leave this broken body today

I want to love like a man

I’ll build you a home when I can

Give my new body a chance

Patient now it’s all that I have

I fought the world for your hand

I fought the world for your hand

Give my new body a chance

Give my new body a chance

I was hearing words in black and white

Twisted up inside my broken mind

Outstretched dirty hands just like a child

Hungry little fool, but you were mine

You’re all I have

You’re all I have

Give my new body a chance

Give my new body a chance

Tour Dates (* = sold out)

1/30                Berlin, Germany                               Kesselhaus Acoustics

1/31                Hamburg, Germany                         Knust Acoustics

2/1                  Cologne, Germany                          Theatre der WG*

2/3                  Frankfurt, Germany                         Bedroom disco

2/4                  Brussels, Belgium                           Rotonde @Botanique*

2/5                  Amsterdam, Netherlands                Paradiso*

2/7                  Paris, France                                   Pop-Up Du Label

2/8                  London, England                             St. Pancras Church*

2/9                  London, England                             St. Pancras Church*

2/10                Manchester, England                       Fallow Cafe

2/12                Dublin, Ireland                                  Whelan’s

2/14                Stockholm, Sweden                         Obaren

3/5                  Los Angeles, CA                              The Moroccan Lounge

3/7                  San Francisco, CA                           Rickshaw Stop

3/9                  Portland, OR                                    The Old Church

3/10                Seattle, WA                                      Columbia City Theater

3/13-18          Austin, TX                                         SXSW (details to come)

6/15-17          Oslo, Norway                                    Piknik i Parken

“Drifting” by Nathan Ball – A Song Review

     For us, a Nathan Ball single is similar to a warm, ground-level fog that moves slowly until it fully envelops us with a comforting warmth that questions why we waited for the experience, instead of rushing in its direction. We fully appreciate Ball’s work only after a single has been released for a few months.

     In October of last year, Nathan Ball released “Drifting.” In explaining the song, Ball said, “It’s a really personal song about self-reflection, exploring the idea of seeing yourself through someone else’s eyes, knowing something isn’t right but feeling there’s nothing you can do about it.”

   “Drifting” by Nathan Ball

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

Website: http://www.nathanballmusic.com/

Lyrics of “Drifting” by Nathan Ball

I can see it in your eyes

When you lie awake at night

You convince yourself you're fine, it's alright

To keep on drifting

With the drugs keeping you high

They catch you falling from the sky

I keep asking myself why,

You stand by

And keep on drifting

And keep on drifting

Oh, I can feel it coming

See it in your eyes

See it that you're not right

Oh, you feeling something?

Just see it in your eyes,

See it that you're not right

You're not right

We're not right

That you’re not right

So, tell me what you hold inside

Tell the backstreets of your mind

You're still lonely as a child

Teary eyed

And kept on drifting

Oooo, kept on drifting

Oh, I can feel it coming

Just see it your eyes

See it that you're not right

Oh, are you feeling something?

Can see it in your eyes

See it that you're not right

You’re not right

You’re not right

That you’re not right

So, take my hand and hold on

And take my hand, don't let go

Ooooooo

Oh, I can feel it coming

See it in your eyes

See it that you’re not right

Oh, you're feeling something

See it in you’re eyes

See that you're not right

You’re not right

You’re not right

That you’re not right

You’re not right

We're not right

We're not right

That you’re not right

“Fears” by Michigander - 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. 

     Michigander at its core is the solo project of Jason Singer since. Last year, Michigander released ‘Fears,” which was premiered on DIY (UK) and featured on NPR’s World Cafe. Jason's latest single, 'Stolen' was featured on NME's New Music Monday. On top of single releases, Jason has also recorded sessions with Audiotree, Daytrotter, and SoFar.

     “Fears” by Michigander 

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

Website: https://www.michiganderband.com/

     “Stolen” by Michigander 

"Wake Up (Acoustic)" by C. SHIROCK – A Song Review

     Starting a review of the acoustic version of “Wake Up” presents a conundrum. Should the review of the track from C. SHIROCK launch into praise for the purity of the vocals and the power of the inflections in conveying the commitment to the song’s message? Or is the better approach to start with an appreciation for the instruments?

     It’s a decision in which the selection of either option is easily defended. The use of strings in short, quick strokes (for example, starting at 1:06) is similar to the style in “Eleanor Rigby,” the band's only song in which The Beatles did not play any of the instruments. This staccato delivery supports the main melody, but stays slightly detached and provides a fuller, more textured sound. Still, it is the piano that instrumentally drives “Wake Up.” Perhaps the most effective section starts at 2:30, when the other instruments perform a mini-crescendo that leads to a classical piano solo.

      Staying with comparisons, the early vocals in “Wake Up” bear similarities to the more relaxed portions of Queensrÿche tracks (admittedly, we often find ourselves alone on an island when we make assertions regarding vocal similarities). The voice carries a pain. Pauses and voice inflections only enhance the emotive atmosphere.

     C. SHIROCK is the project of Chuck Shirock, who is based in Nashville, Tennessee. According to the website of the project, the contributors to “Wake Up” are Chuck Shirock (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Scott Shirock (percussion, programming), Kevin Whitsett (bass), and Justin Saunders (cello).

     Chuck Shirock’s description of the song is insightful:

  The release of the “Wake Up” singles marks the end of the ‘11’ EP - this project has been one filled with many ups and downs, new beginnings and moments embracing endings. It wasn’t planned (I’m learning the best things often aren’t), but the final song was “Wake Up,” and what a fitting way to wrap the project.

-

  “Wake Up” is a constant reminder to me to stay awake - to stay present. I have a tendency to shut down, to get lost in the pursuit of something, and to lose sight of the all of the beauty in the process. I don’t want to live like that. I hope you don’t live like that.

-

  A favorite thinker, Alan Watts, said about life, “...we missed the point the whole way along. It was a musical thing and you were supposed to dance while the music was being played.”

     "Wake Up (Acoustic)" 

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

Website: http://www.cshirock.com/

Lyrics of "Wake Up" by C. SHIROCK

You said be stronger than tomorrow

You said be stronger than the days

And, how can I be stronger than tomorrow?

How can I be stronger than the pain?

Oh, oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh, oh

You take this heart of gold

You walk it on your sideline

You take this heart of steel

You teach it how to break, how to heal

Take it all away

My love, oh my love

Where have you gone, away

My Lord, oh My Lord

Oh, oh, oh, oh [Repeat 3x]

You take this heart of stone

Walking through a desert show me home

You take this heart, no rhythm

Give me rhythm of my own

You take it all and wake up

Wake up [Repeat 2x]

You take it all and wake up

Broken heart will love again

You wake up

Under rubble hope begins

You wake up

In stillness you find peace again

You wake up, wake up

Take it all and wake up

Broken spirit dream again

You wake up

Tired feet will dance again

You wake up

All will be made new again

Wake up, wake up

Take it all and wake up

     "Wake Up" - with electric support