Tuesday, July 30, 2019

“Hummingbird” by Canary Gold – A Song Feature


      It’s a bird named for the noise it makes with the continuous high-speed beating of its wings, although the sound is more of a ‘whirr” than a “hum.” So, the title “Hummingbird” does not telegraph either the reliance on or the sophistication of the percussion in the song from Canary Gold.

      “Hummingbird” begins with piano and vocals before the percussion pushes the door open with a layered approach. The source of the lower frequencies is easily identifiable as a large diameter drum. But there is a higher frequency component that is more difficult to identify – perhaps drumsticks hitting a suspended tambourine. Doesn’t matter; the frequency contrast is effective.

     But “Hummingbird” is more than rhythm, it is a dynamic single that is vocally strong and instrumentally varied. Canary Gold also delivers guitar, which is particularly attractive in the final 30 seconds. In an email from the good people at A Badge of Friendship, the key sentence is “Combining simple piano with an earthy, rich lead vocal, Canary Gold produce an eclectic offbeat sound complimented by layered chanting, hand claps and tribal-like beats, creating a spellbinding, complex piece of music.”

      The core members of Canary Gold are brothers Spencer O'Grady (guitar, vocals) and JP O'Grady (keyboards, guitar, vocals). Their Facebook page also identifies Bryn McLernon (bass). The brothers started Canary Gold in Aberdeen, Scotland in 2016.

      “Hummingbird” by Canary Gold 


Monday, July 29, 2019

“Soul on Fire” by Raised on TV - A Song Feature


     Another processing-light, instrument-authentic Rock grenade has been lobbed over the Indie wall by LA’s trio Raised on TV. A combination of guitar and drums leads into the explosion of energy that characterizes the single “Soul on Fire.”

     The website of Raised on TV explains:
  The latest single ‘Soul on Fire’ narrates rediscovering one’s self in the midst of the digital age. “It's about the fantasy of throwing your cell phone literally out the window, which is one of the lines in the song, and not caring whatsoever, which has become so hard to imagine.” The idea of disconnecting from the internet and all it entails, only to reconnect with your truest self. The idea of letting go of that dependency we now have as human beings to cell phones and the internet. Sonically ‘Soul on Fire’ bursts with adrenaline while maintaining a sense of self-reflection. Built upon multiple layers, the track narrates a traditional and infectious rock feel. The dreamesque verses lead you down a rabbit hole of self-introspection, giving you an insight into what to expect from Season 2.

          The members of Raised on TV are brothers Keaton Rogers (guitar, vocals) and Kacey Greenwood (drums), along with Kacey’s best friend from high school, Ryan Weiss (bass). All three members grew up in the San Fernando Valley. They formed the band that became Raised on TV in 2015.

     “Soul on Fire” by Raised on TV


Saturday, July 27, 2019

Sahara Beck - 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.


     Today’s songs belong to Sahara Beck from Brisbane, Australia. The first is “I Haven't Done A Thing Today.”
      To access the free download, go to the Triple J site and click the download arrow (https://www.triplejunearthed.com/jukebox/play/track/8064331). 


Lyrics of “I Haven't Done A Thing Today” by Sahara Beck
I don't like to drink caffeine
But I am still a party queen
All my friends are getting clean
At least I'm not hooked on the bean

Do do do do
Do do do do

My mother asked me if I'm gay
Hoping I would say I'm straight
'You know to me, it's all the same
Everyone is beautiful'

I always feel so drained
I make so many mistakes
I always feel so drained
(Na na na na)
I haven't done a thing today
(Na na na na)
Tomorrow will be just the same
(Na na na na)
I haven't done a thing today
(Na na na na)
Tomorrow will be just the same

I don't believe in anything
Without proof or reasoning
I know that love is everything
And without love we are nothing

(do do do do)

My brother's so intelligent
Always in his element
My mother thinks he's heaven sent
But I think he's an alien

I always feel so drained
I make so many mistakes
I always feel so drained
(Na na na na)
I haven't done a thing today
(Na na na na)
Tomorrow will be just the same
(Na na na na)
I haven't done a thing today
(Na na na na)
Tomorrow will be just the same

I don't think when I speak
There's nothing up my sleeve
So don't play games with me
So don't play games with me

Throw you love into the air
And know that I will find it there
Remember love is everywhere
Remember love is everywhere

(Na na na na)
I haven't done a thing today
(Na na na na)
And tomorrow will be just the same
(Na na na na)
(Na na na na)
Tomorrow will be just the same
(Na na na na)
I haven't done a thing today
I haven't done a thing today
And tomorrow will be just, woah
Just the same
Just the same
Just the same

     “Brother Sister” by Sahara Beck


     “Don’t Overthink It” by Sahara Beck - – To access the free download, go to the Triple J site and click the download arrow (https://www.triplejunearthed.com/jukebox/play/track/8431616). 


Friday, July 26, 2019

“No Work” by The Black Fever – A Song Feature


     “No Work” immediately embraces a listener’s attention by means of a guitar progression that is soon joined by the heartbeat of a kick drum. It’s a strong start that raises expectations. The remainder of the song lives up to the heightened expectations. The instrumentation is varied, yet consistently strong and interesting. As an example, the percussion makes a higher frequency shift at the 3:05 mark of the single from The Black Fever.

     The Toronto-based band explains, “Given the plight that many people are facing in the modern economy, the title ‘No Work’ just came to us, and the lyrics flowed from there.  It seemed appropriate to talk about, given how tough it is – particularly for younger people or newer graduates from university or college – to find and keep a good job.”

     “No Work” is a single on the recently released EP “Unarticulated Wants.” The members of The Black Fever are Shoe (vocals, guitar), Pat Bramm (bass, back-up vocals), and Dan Purpura (drums). Originally, it was a solo project of “Shoe,” but he knew Bramm from the University of Toronto. Purpura joined after being with another band.

     “No Work” by The Black Fever


Thursday, July 25, 2019

Curse of Lono – Top Songs


     Earlier this month, Curse of Lono released a live album that includes “Pick Up The Pieces,” giving new life to the song and opening the door to posting our top three songs from the band. We assume they were named for the Hunter S. Thompson book in which he described his 1980 experiences in Hawaii.

     Formed in London in 2015, Curse Of Lono are Felix Bechtolsheimer (vocals, guitar), Joe Hazell (lead guitar, vocals), Dani Ruiz Hernandez (keys, vocals), Charis Anderson (bass, vocals) and Neil Findlay (drums).

     “Pick Up The Pieces” by Curse of Lono
     “Cinematic Southern Gothic Alt Rock” is the description Curse of Lono attaches to its music. It’s a description that invites rearrangement. While listening to “Five Miles,” the Southern component is prevalent, since the guitars are acoustic and Southern-style electric. “Cinematic” is appropriate. The song includes “Rock” elements and it is “Alternative” music. We wouldn’t have called it “Gothic” without the suggestion from the band, but we can buy into the designation. Our description of “Five Miles” would relocate the descriptors, with "Southern" at the start and a de-emphasis of “Gothic.”

     “Five Miles” by Curse of Lono


     “Send For The Whisky” by Curse of Lono


Wednesday, July 24, 2019

“Why Am I Alone” by Widespell – A Song Feature


      “Why Am I Alone” is melodically relaxing, but lyrically troubling. The vocals possess a deep resonance that would be reassuring, if the description weren’t dark and the question weren’t angst-filled.

     Widespell is the project of Nick Widener, along with the brothers who form Airpark – Ben Ford and Michael Ford, Jr. The project is based in Nashville. Widener explains:
“Originally, this was nothing more than a creative outlet for myself. Shortly after jamming on several ideas, it started pulling me into an avenue I’ve never tapped into. I then took these ideas into Eugenia Hall in Nashville where I allowed them to breathe and take shape for a single week. ‘Anyone’ was the first of the tunes to reveal itself and it became the reference point for the vibe of the EP.”

     “Why Am I Alone” by Widespell 

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

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

War on Drugs Infusion – Naked Strangers and Spectator

     The influence of War on Drugs is more apparent in the track from Spectator, but it lives comfortably within the sound of Naked Strangers as well.

     “Honey Roast” begins with a double-bass, holding the War on Drugs-esque guitar at bay long enough to notify the Indie Universe that Naked Strangers owns its sound. The band is based in Sydney, Australia. They are Mahn Lion (drums), Suami Werkmann-Sanchez (guitar, vocals), Brett Morgan (guitar, vocals), and Evangeline Read (double-bass). Quoting their bio:
  Expect fervent melodies, alluring rhythms, and anthemic choruses from this powerful 4-piece. Backed up by dark and enigmatic double-bass, Naked Strangers leave you somewhere between a breathless silence and accidentally singing along. Their lyrics occupy a sincere and vulnerable openness that reflects what it's like to… well, just be alive and breathing. As genuine as they are brutally honest, Naked Strangers are able to embody that space between relatable, charming, funny and warm, despite the heavy blues and folk rhythms that built this wonderful beast.

     “Honey Roast” by Naked Strangers 


     Spectator is the wife-and-husband duo, Megan Rooney and Jeffrey Albert, who first met in 2006 in Saint Louis. Their genre is Dream Pop. It’s the single “Weight” that showcases the War on Drugs skills. Spectator explains, “Layers of upbeat guitar symbolize the free, unbolted feeling of living in the moment as the moment itself begins to fade away.”

     “Weight” is on Spectator’s album “Charlie, Baby,” which reflects on “the lonely nights, the empty hearts seeking fulfillment, and the comforting feeling of holding on to memories even as they fade out of focus.”

     “Weight” by Spectator


Monday, July 22, 2019

Beck, Cage the Elephant, and Spoon Tour


     Beck, Cage the Elephant, and Spoon visited Mountain View, California. Here are our favorite pictures from the show.




Beck was joined by Matt Shultz of Cage the Elephant



Beck’s setlist at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA:
  1. Loser
  2. Up All Night
  3. The New Pollution
  4. Que Onda Guero
  5. Girl
  6. Mixed Bizness
  7. Black Tambourine
  8. Lost Cause
  9. Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime (The Korgis cover)
  10. Saw Lightning
  11. Wow
  12. Devils Haircut
  13. Dreams
  14. Where It's At
  15. Night Running (Tour Debut, with Matt Shultz)
  16. Search and Destroy (The Stooges cover)
  17. Miss You (The Rolling Stones cover)

    Cage the Elephant







    Spoon




    Tour Dates:
    July 23 – Denver, CO at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater*^
    July 26 – Austin, TX at Austin 360 Amphitheater*#
    July 27 – Dallas, TX at The Dos Equis Pavilion*#
    July 28 – Houston, TX at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion*#
    July 30 – St. Louis, MO at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater*#
    July 31 – Chicago, IL at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island*#
    August 2 – Cincinnati, OH at Riverbend Music Center*#
    August 3 – Detroit, MI at DTE Energy Music Theater*#
    August 4 – Indianapolis, IN at Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center*#
    August 11 – Toronto, ON at Budweiser Stage*&
    August 12 – Saratoga Springs, NY at Saratoga Performing Arts Center*&
    August 13 – Darien Center, NY at Darien Lake Amphitheater*&
    August 15 – Mansfield, MA at Xfinity Center*&
    August 16 – Gilford, NH at Bank of New Hampshire*&
    August 17 – New York, NY at Forest Hill Stadium*
    August 20 – Holmdel, NJ at PNC Bank Arts Center*&
    August 21 – Camden, NJ at BB&T Pavilion*&
    August 22 – Columbia, MD at Merriweather Post Pavilion*&
    August 24 – Raleigh, NC at Coastal Credit Union Music Park*&
    August 25 – Charlotte, NC at PNC Music Pavilion*&
    August 27 – Birmingham, AL at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre*&
    August 29 – Tampa, FL at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre*&
    August 30 – West Palm Beach, FL at Coral Sky Amphitheatre*&
    * co-headlining with Beck, with special guest Spoon
    ^ with Starcrawler
    # with Wild Belle
    & with Sunflower Bean

    “California Suite” by The Honeymoon Suite


         The song is not about the state in southwestern U.S. Instead, it’s about the southwestern area of Derby, UK. The Honeymoon Suite is a quartet from Derby, which helps explain the band shout of “Everyone seems to think like me!” during their single “California Suite.”

          The Honeymoon Suite is comprised of William Rhodes (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Tom Knutton (drums, backing vocals), George Wright (bass), and Lou Minion (lead guitar, backing vocals).

         “California Suite” by The Honeymoon Suite

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theh0neymoonsuite/

    Saturday, July 20, 2019

    Wy - 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.
        Wy is comprised of longtime lovers Ebba and Michel, from Malmö, Sweden. “Softie” is the title track of their 2019 album. The album is a statement on the turbulence of human existence, written from Ebba's experience of being bipolar. With clarity in emotion and unapologetic use of lyrics, it's an important record in more ways than one way. “Softie” was released via Hybris/Beatnik.

         "Softie" by Wy


    Lyrics of “Softie” by Wy
    I just wanna tell you how I feel
    But I don’t talk about my misery
    To you, to no one
    Don’t wanna drag you in
    I just try to tell you how I deal
    With all the shit I think
    All the dark I see
    And how I push through anyway
    I do it all for you
    I break my back for you
    It's all I wanna do

    I feel like a shell of a person
    some new version of me
    something you didn’t think
    I would be

    Can’t act like I care
    Can’t tell you enough
    You’re enough
    Can’t bring myself to say loud that I love you
    I just hope you know

    I am tired of feeling in control
    Being good and being pure
    It’s overrated
    Complicated
    And I’m off my meds now
    And I’m doing it again
    And it’s getting harder acting like a friend

    Can’t act like I care
    Can’t tell you enough
    You’re enough
    Can’t bring myself to say loud that I love you
    I just hope you know

    I just hope you know
    I just hope it shows
    I’m trying harder
    I’m trying harder than before
    I just hope you know

    I just hope it shows
    I’m trying harder
    I’m trying harder than before

    I just hope you know
    I just hope you know
    I just hope you know
    I just hope you know