Lunatic Wolf – A Band Review

     Lunatic Wolf released their debut album “To the Adventure” in November 2014. We missed it until we received a Twitter “follow” that motivated a visit to the music of Lunatic Wolf. It wasn’t long before we purchased the album. Later, we found an email invitation to review the music, with a code to download the album for free. No regrets – the $7 (USD) is good for short term gratification from two mochas at our favorite coffee shop or longer lasting enjoyment from the addition to our music library. Music is always the wiser purchase.

     “To the Adventure” is a theme album. According to Lunatic Wolf, “The album captures the band's transition to adulthood, exploring themes of growth, childhood nostalgia and the end of life and love.” The two songs that we favor are “Roses” and “The Tallest Tree,” but there are other strong tracks on the album. “Roses” is about being in love, while “The Tallest Tree” is the questioning that occurs after leaving childhood.

     The strength of the band is its vocals. “Roses” is a good example. Nothing about the song is complex, although clearly much thought went into the presentation (there’s a complexity in its simplicity). The song begins with an acoustic guitar and a single voice. Later, other voices enter and, although those backing vocals seem minimal if measured in terms of time or syllables, they are powerful if the measurement is the impact on a listener. And, the instruments are carefully mixed and mastered into the vocalization fabric.

     If we were pressured to identify a comparable artist/band, our response wouldn’t be useful to many. We would identify a young Graham Nash, who similarly generated simple yet powerful music. His “Simple Man” (1971) and Lunatic Wolf’s “Roses” have much in common. 

     Lunatic Wolf is a Folk Rock band based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The members are Gavin van den Berg (vocals), Richard Oldfield (piano), Jacques du Plessis (keyboard), Gavin Flaks (drums), Adrian Erasmus (guitar) and David Grevler (bass). "To the Adventure" was produced and mixed at High Seas Studio by members Gavin van den Berg and Jacques du Plessis (producer for Wrestlerish, Shortstraw, Desmond & the Tutus). The album was mastered by Emily Lazar with assistance from Rich Morales.

      “Roses” by Lunatic Wolf

     “The Tallest Tree” by Lunatic Wolf

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

Website: http://www.lunaticwolf.com/

Bandcamp: https://lunaticwolf.bandcamp.com/album/to-the-adventure

A Concert Review- Magic Giant and Joy and Madness

     Going through the list of our Best Songs of 2014 list, we were seeking a show to attend by one of those featured artists at a favorite local concert venue before the month was over. We were thrilled when Magic Giant was making an appearance at the Brick and Mortar on Saturday night. We blogged about the band in January of 2014 (if you're interested in reading that post, CLICK HERE) and we feel fortunate to be blogging a concert review on their live performance a year later. The band is based in Venice Beach, Los Angeles and they classify their genre as “Folk Revival”. There are four members - Austin Bis on lead vocals, Zambricki on the mandolin and banjo, Brian Z on the bass and acoustic guitar, and DJ AJK on drums. 

     The band certainly did not disappoint. They came out with “war paint” on their faces and enough energy to get everyone on their feet and to the front of the stage.  One highlight was when lead singer, Ausin Bis came out fire ablaze beating his own drum, front and center stage.

     A favorite song of ours is “Glass Heart” (in fact, is the song that made our Best Songs of 2014 list), and we feel that we are going to be hearing a lot more of the band in 2015. They have played at the Sweetlife Music Festival and hoping they’ll be back in San Francisco for Outside Lands this year! 

     What was really pleasantly surprising was the band that opened for them, Joy and Madness. They’re a funky soulful band consisting of 8 members; Joe Cohen, Bobby G, Miss Nyxi, Hans Eberbach, Tony Marvellim Andrew Enberg, Raul Sandoval, and Jeremy Springer.  We love a band with a brass section! I even had the pleasure of exchanging some words with the Miss Nyxi before they performed. Overall, a very personable band that put on a great show!

     Here are two of their songs that really resonated with us.

January Songs that Bear Repeating

     As a welcome to the new month, here are favorite songs from January posts of Indie Obsessive.

     “Sleepwalker” by The Cold Start (from the post of January 7)

     “Money Can’t Buy” by Howard (from the post of January 1)


       “I Believe” by We Were Strangers (from the post of January 25)

     “If You Went Away” by Daniel Wilson (from the post of January 4)


     “White & Blue” by Flower Fellow (from the post of January 29)

     “Disappear” by City Reign (from the post of January 17)


     “Dialogue” by Valise (from the post of January 26) Still a free download CLICK HERE.