Have a Nice Weekend

Hot Summer Nights is in full swing. Thanks to the Red River Cultural District for being rad. Gonna see Once Upon A Time In Hollywood Sunday. You? Should we talk movies? Maybe soundtracks?

TR/ST has shared a track off of Destroyer Pt. 2. Pre-order here. It is one of those amazing songs that can make you sink to internal depths and lift you up at the same time, that conflict of negative understones and ringing, climbing leads floating just above.

More New TR/ST

I will have to admit upon bonus listens that the previously released track “Gone” left me a bit flat. This is more like it.

The first of a pair of 2019 releases named Destroyer is due 4/19 on Grouch via House Arrest. About this track, it is a reunion collab with Maya Postepski; she was there for the formation of the TR/ST project, co-writing and touring. I am curious of how they reached the balance here after being solo for a spell. Who brought pop sensibilities, who wanted to go darker?

TR/ST Announces Two Records

Robert Alfons is the person behind TR/ST. His intense song craft using a dark wave environment, with sweeping changes and underlying tension, have had me hooked from the first note of the first song TR/ST released. The news is that there will be two records this year, The Destroyer — 1 and The Destroyer — 2. Read the full goings on at Billboard, but we leave you with this sample of The Destroyer — 1 titled “Gone”, hinting at a more pop-oriented album.

New Song By TR/ST – New Video By Ryan Heffington

TR/ST, Trust, TRUST

Nowness is presenting this video for the latest track to hit the internet for the forthcoming release by TR/ST. The video is a collaboration project, taking the track called “Destroyer” and setting it to choreography and direction by Ryan Heffington, assisted by Justin Tyler Close to create a simple, but awkward visual that becomes more engaging and emotional as you are drawn into the music and the motion. This song is also a bit of a departure for Mr. Alfons in my opinion, a piano melody rolling on and on with more present vocals instead of the cavernous synth. Even more excited about he still-unnamed LP due early next year, which is soon, so I’m even more excited.

TR/ST Flexes On You

It was SxSW a few years back and I had just seen TR/ST for the third time. Having exchanged pleasentries side stage at Mohawk and in passing during the week, I worked up the nerve to ask for a quick portrait. His immediate response was, “No.” Magical moment. Right?

TR/ST, aka Trust, aka Robert Alfons, has captivated mindshare since I happened across “Candy Walls” six years ago. I think I listened to it seven times, over and over. It led the way for the record TRST in 2012 that still gets pretty heavy rotation in my house. It has been three years since Joyland and it is about time for a new track. And here it is. I planned on making this part of a have a nice weekend post, but it is too good. Maybe I was just tired and brain-fried when I listened to it yesterday, but damn. He tells Fader that “Bicep” is about “…the struggle between accepting and resisting shame, as well as an expression of sexual fantasies.” Perhaps, but this is brilliantly dark and danceable, just as you’d expect with that familiar edge lurking in the waveforms.

We’ll be waiting impatiently until 2018 for the new record.

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Electropop Vibes from Black Fly

This new tune from Vermont’s Black Fly is really getting me ready for the weekend. It has this darkened electropop vibe, prompted by heavy synth lines and a natural hook in the song’s craft. The vocals have the tendency to spin things slightly differently, almost more geared towards anthemic indie rock; it serves to give the tune a bit of contrast between the melody and the driving rhythm. It’s a fun little number that definitely will pick up your spirits…if you dig TRUST, then this is your new favorite jam.

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New Music from Gambles

Gambles-Far-From-Your-Arms-EP-COVER-highresThe last time we heard from Gambles he has released his album, Trust, which we fawned over.  Checking in on him the other day, I found that he has quietly been building new songs for us all, though they’re different in sound, showing his growth as a songwriter. His first effort had him working with the power of his voice over a strummed guitar, for the most part.  Now, he seems to have been experimenting, adding extra layers, percussion, etc; it’s an interesting progression, yet just as striking as his earlier work.  Both tunes are said to come out on a new record, which we’ll keep you posted on.

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Ski Lodge Clearly Still Has It

lodgerI’m greatly surprised that the new Ski Lodge single is getting less attention than their last effort, despite leaving listeners with two really great songs.  We’ve already tossed out the A Side, “Trust,” but I think the B Side is even stronger.  It’s a quieted piano ballad, opening softly with croon of Andrew Marr, washed over by a nice electronic touch.  There’s true emotional power in the first chorus, before the song takes on a more emphatic ballad form.  Honestly, as big as a fan as I was of their first album, this might just be the best thing the band has done…if my two cents count for much.

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Ski Lodge Return to Smooth Out the Edges

skierIt’s been a bit since we’ve heard from Ski Lodge, and I’m glad to see the band’s return…I loved Big Heart.  While their first effort seemed to hold tight to the realm of indiepop, they look to go with a smoother, larger pop sound behind the efforts of main songwriter, Andrew Marr.  You’ll still hear huge harmonies and melodies bursting forth, though in a different fashion…those touches have been polished to sound more like a band working in a hi-fi studio. The “Trust” 7″ will be available for pop fans on February 23rd.

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