Author: nathan.lankford

Strange Pilgrim Share Late Light

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Taking a moment from writing about all the weirdo records coming out today to encourage you to keep your eyes out on the future Strange Pilgrim record, as they announce Too Bright Planet today. When jamming this new single (and their recent Embers EP), they’ve taken sort of a folk-influenced americana, and moved into the territory of fog (or rain since they’re from Portland) pop, which ends up putting it into that kind of cosmic dreaminess. This one even includes some appropriate noodling, where musicianship gets put on display before wrapping you up in a warm blanket. Keep your eyes out for the new LP; it drops in September via Royal Oakie.

Red Birds Share For Show + Drop New Album

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As we mentioned earlier, today is going to be one of those huge release days, and so I’ll try to look at the folks under the radar, like Maryland outfit Red Birds. My initial draw here on the featured track was the solemnity of the guitar tones; you can easily hear where this would have slid right alongside any number of slowcore acts of the late 90s (I’m thinking Bedhead). But, where this differs is the power of singer Zoe August’s voice; she embraces an almost traditional folk delivery, setting her next to any number of huge stars like Merce Lemon or Waxahatchee. Intermingling texture, pace and beautiful vocals makes the entirety of Things We Thought We Were Done With a very special listen, and it’s available to jam today if you jump HERE.

Aus!Funkt! Release Rewire the Damage

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There always seem to be a bevy of releases when we get to the end of the month, and today is no different as Montreal outfit, Aus!Funkt! release their brand new effort, Rewire the Damage. I wanted to drop the group’s opening track from the LP, as it has this driving industrial group, spun in a more pop-centric fashion. For some reason, it reminds me of a more playful version of International Noise Conspiracy, finding the spots where rock can subside and let heavy groove and horn blasts take control of the sound. It’s hard to turn a rock vibe into something as complex and accessible as what you’re going to get below. Jump HERE to hear the whole LP.

Worry Bead Records Prep Benefit for Trans Youth Emergency Project

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While we watch our government smother the marginalized with asinine rules, those of us who have the opportunity have to continue to speak out and stand up for those communities being attacked. Perhaps none hits closer to home than the Trans Youth Emergency Project, as I deal with several students that current laws can impact, and perhaps when needed, their families turn here for help. The music communities have gotten together with Worry Bead Records to organize a comp, with tracks from Squirrel Flower, 2nd Grade and 22 Halo (among others). It’s a benefit, and the money is definitely needed, as the trans community is continuously attacked by these bigoted monsters ruining our country. Stream the song below, and ultimately, consider donating to TYEP or buying the comp on its May 5th release date!

 

Psych Fest Preview: Dummy

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In a weekend filled with legendary acts like Galaxie 500 or Kim Gordon or Dinosaur Jr, there are other acts waiting for you to fall in love with, and Dummy is one such band you need to catch at Psych Fest.

The LA outfit has roots in the indiepop/dream pop scene, but they’ve left that past behind, which we first encountered on their two early Dummy EPs. They moved forward one step with Mandatory Enjoyment, which took some of their noisier tendencies and mashed it into this electronic fusion that drew comparisons to acts like Stereolab and Broadcast. That said, if you caught the band live on those early tours, they were anything but just a nod to influences, ripping through a set with an intoxicating mixture of synthetic textures and dissonant guitar vibes.

Nowadays, they’ve stretched themselves even further on their most recent LP, last year’s Free Energy. They left a few breadcrumbs to their previous efforts, but what I loved (as did the masses) was that they pushed further into the intersection between electronic vibes and rock, at times even leaving the rock aspect in the distant past. It left listeners with a transformative listen that illustrated the band’s willingness to meet pop music on their own terms, with their own set of influences. It’s even led to a masterful remix album titled Bubbelibrium DLC, out this June.

They’ll take the Janis stage at 6:05 on Saturday.

Gelli Haha Shares Funny Music

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If you’re ready to let yourself go, seeing as it’s Wednesday, you might want to settle in and crank up this new Gelli Haha jam. You can play the first 55 seconds alone, thrusting yourself into this realm of twisting beats and kaleidoscope of pop hooks, but you won’t have to wait too much longer for the vocals to enter the picture. At times, they sound synthetically angelic, like they’re transmitted from the heavens; they then get spliced up with various other vocal samples, shooting in and out of the textured layers. Suddenly, the pop twists, albeit briefly, hitting harder and sharper, almost with more purpose dropping from the vocals here. You’re not going to be able to find your footing here, as you’ll be joyously spun about, round and round until you find yourself grabbing a copy of Switcheroo, out on June 27th via Innovative Leisure.

New Video from Dog Park

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When Dog Park released their Festina Lente album last year, the school year had just begun, so I was lost in a sea of new students and building relationships. Alas, they visit us today with a brand new video for standout track, “Kaleidoscope.” The light jangle that opens the song should be enough to hook you, as it was definitely one of the ways I fell for this song. Additionally, the tune lets you settle in on your own terms, as it never feels overly forced, with feathered vocals carefully coating the steady snap of the rhythm section. Recline your chair, turn on a fan, and just let yourself be washed in the joy of this jam. Festina Lente is available now via Geographie!

More from Tee Templeton

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I’m increasingly fascinated by the story of Tee Templeton, who just turned 67 this week, and yet is prepping to release his debut this Summer. Listening through his latest single, there are some moments where his song craft is a marvel, like the subtle move into pure pop bliss right around the 2 minute mark. Throughout this number, the song moves into careful pop steps, buoyed by these perfect arrangements that draw obvious similarities to Robyn Hitchcock, while there are other more modern touchstones in the overall songwriting. It’s really a great story of an artist coming to terms with his craft…better late than never…or so they say.

Conflict at Serenity Pools Drop Bermuda Grass

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While I’ll be toiling away administering the brilliantly designed STAAR Test today, I wanted to leave you with a set of brilliant tunes designed to make your world a little better than mine. What better way that to dip your toes into the quieted beauty of this new track from Conflict at Serenity Pools; it has this beach-y breeze to it, though inside there, it also brings this Springtime bounce to it. I really love the way the guitar line trickles over itself, almost tripping in its own joy, particularly when the synthetic ambiance washes over the tune. I’m of the belief your day will be better if you play this one at least a half-dozen times before moving on to your day.

 

Matt Kivel Introduces Us to Wine Country

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When you’re a studied songwriter like Matt Kivel, sometimes a plot twist in the story of your career is necessary; it’s here where we meet Matt’s new project, Wine Country. Friends Andy Aylward and John Zakoor round out the trio, creating this magical concoction that feels like it was mastered in some musical chemistry lab from the heavens. This may sound like a strange comparison, but I can’t escape the feeling of a Pavement meets Good Looks meets Smog; it’s a little bit Americana and a lot of indie guitar exploration, with the whole tune taking you on this glorious jaunt that digs into your soul. A very limited amount of 12″ EPs will be available on May 27th; you can grab one HERE.

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