Tag: emma kupa

Mammoth Penguins Return with New Single/Album

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As an avowed Mammoth Penguins fan, I was over the moon finding this tune on the horizon for today. There’s something magical about Emma Kupa’s delivery, even when, she’s spelling out the lyrics as she does in the chorus on this note. Behind the vocals, the group consistently pump out no-frill pop rock, running through jangling-adjacent riffs and clever little interludes that allow them to set up the truest rock punch you’re going to encounter. I can totally picture myself in the crowd at an MP show, screaming along to every word Kupa tosses out; you won’t find more fun pop rock singalong tracks than what Mammoth Penguins offer. Happy to have them back after nearly five years since the excellent There’s No Fight We Can’t Both Win.; they release Here on May 3rd via Fika Recordings.

Let’s Whisper Share Long Run

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Obviously, I’ve been really high upon the forthcoming release from Let’s Whisper, but today, I’m even more amped, as the band has allowed new member (and one of my all time faves) Emma Kupa to pen a track and take the lead. It’s a mellow ballad, but this time Emma seems to be finding solace in letting things go, allowing yourself to find some closure. The instrumentation is really special, from little horn accents to an understated banjo working beneath Emma’s voice. As of yet, I’ve not heard anyone involved in the songwriting craft a bad song, so you can expect the In-Between Times to be a knock out; it’s out August 26th via Fika Recordings.

Stuff That Slipped By….Looking Back on Last Week

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So, it’s a busy time over here. End of the school year. TEA demands state testing, which means no breaks or off periods. So, a few things slipped by me last week, things I love and would have covered. So, here they are, with quick notes on why you should listen. So, go ahead and do that.

Time Share – Yellow EP

Jordan from Pop Filter/Ocean Party is no stranger on this site. His great new EP dropped last week, produced by Snowy, who funnily enough, we actually hung out with last week.

James Wavey – Snowy Beach

James an exciting poet, songwriter, who just dropped this record via Dandy Boy Records. It falls in the line somewhere between King Krule or Cody Chestnutt, but with more of a rap focus; it’s for those of you looking to take your hip-hop just a little further.

Emma Kupa – Visitation 03 01 EP

I’ve been writing about Emma for as long as I can remember being introduced to her songwriting. This go round she sat down to craft a handful of tunes with little more than her guitar and moving emotions.

Rose Mercie – Kieres Agua

This band is so incredible, and I’m increasingly shocked after spending time with this record that more folks aren’t fawning over them. If there was a record to listen to laying on the floor of your room, then surely this is the one.

 

 

Emma Kupa Shares Happy Birthday

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How does one follow up an excellent LP like It Will Come Easier? Well, Emma Kupa aims to please by wishing us all a “Happy Birthday.” Of course, the song’s more than just a birthday wish, more akin to a call to celebrate those you loved every day while you can. I love the way Emma’s song seems addressed to an individual, while also seeming like its aimed at the masses…such are the perks of songs addressed in second person. The single is a standalone number curated by Lost Map, but if you fall for its charms, as I hope you do, please consider looking into the rest of Emma’s work!

Nathan’s Favorite Albums of 2020

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It’s been a crazy year, and a depressing year, so perhaps we all retreated more into our record collections to seek out that fleeting joy. On my end, I spent a lot of time running/walking in the ‘burbs, so these are the records that played the most in my life…thus they are my Favorite Albums of 2020. The validity means little to anyone other than myself, but since you stop by, perhaps come by and check out my list!

And, just an FYI…there are 30 bands, and I linked back to Bandcamp pages so you can buy directly from the artists…except that one band because apparently they’re too cool…even though that album rips.

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Rock n’ Recipes: Emma Kupa

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We return to Rock n’ Recipes features with one of my absolute favorite musicians, Emma Kupa. I first stated my fandom with Standard Fare, but she’s gone on to her current projects Mammoth Penguins, Hayman Kupa Band…and, this month she’ll release her new solo LP. We caught up with her via email to chat about her songwriting process, the new LP, and she shares her go recipe for Vegan Banana Pancakes! It Will Come Easier is out Friday via Palo Santo Records and Fika Recordings.

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Emma Kupa Shares Nawlins Video

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If you’ve been following Emma Kupa since Standard Fare hung things up, then chances are you’ve likely heard live versions of “Nawlins.” But, with It Will Come Easier not too far away from the official release date, we finally get a lovely recorded version. I’ve listened to previews of this record quite a bit, and the strumming style and various accompaniment make this tune one of the immediate standouts, particularly when backed up against the stunning “No Easy Way Out.” That initial strum caught me instantly, filled with the accent of shakers and banjo; be weary of the chorus, as once those backing vocals get their hooks in you, you’re not getting away! Honestly, I think the soloing guitar is a nice touch; it kind of adds that light twist that shows a willingness to maybe throw something else in the genre’s mix. The LP drops September 18th via Fika Recordings/Palo Santo Records.

Emma Kupa Shares Hey Love

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Avowed Emma Kupa fan here, and I’ve been fortunate enough to get a little glimpse at the entirety of It Will Come Easier. Today we bring you the album’s second single, and one that really highlights Emma as a singer. The video, and the song for the most part are pretty stark, just Emma and her voice; you do get some delicate string work to build in the slightest hint of texture throughout, though the focus remains on Kupa’s dynamic pipes. Honestly, her voice and lyrics make this entire record; I love the lyric below reminding us that “nobody’s a saint/and we’ve all got our problems.” It’s a good thing to keep in mind as we all hold tight to our relationships. It Will Come Easier is out via Fika Recordings/Palo Santo Records this Fall.

Emma Kupa Announces It Will Come Easier

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Make no mistake about it…Emma Kupa is one of my absolute favorite songwriters; I loved Standard Fare; I love Hayman Kupa Band and Mammoth Penguins (that MP LP last year is still great!). So, when she announced her new solo effort, It Will Come Easier, I nearly knocked over my chair to get a listen. It’s interesting to hear this track, as it seems to draw on bits and pieces of her musical career, from the folkier moments with the banjo to that ripping guitar line you can hear in the distance…but of course, its always about that distinctively powerful voice. It’s hard to not see this song’s lyrics through the lens of the last few weeks, however, as the protagonist seems fed up with facing the same dilemma time and time again…so even our art is starting to call us out. A beautiful tune, and one we’ll look forward to picking up when It Will Come Easier drops via Palo Santo Records and Fika Recordings this Fall!

I Missed This Mammoth Penguins Tune

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You undoubtedly are aware of my Emma Kupa fandom. It seems like this is her year…she’s already released a great Hayman Kupa Band LP, she’s playing with Suggested Friends and in the last two weeks her band Mammoth Penguins have announced their newest album, John Doe. The angular chords chopping from the get-go kick off this new tune, allowing Kupa to rock a stellar vocal performance as the rest of the group fill the track with percussion. There’s almost a shuffling boogie from the chorus, keeping listeners hooked with that sugary pop vibe. Look for the new album on October 13th via WIAIWYA.

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