Introducing Colored Lights

Over the past dozen years or so, I’ve been covering the music of Frode Stromstad, one of the key songwriters in I Was a King/The No Ones. Today, news came our way that Frode has a new project titled Colored Lights, and we’re more than happy to share the first little taste of what’s in store. Personally, I can’t escape the familiarity of Frode’s voice; it seems to sit perfectly in this song, like a small little boat casually resting atop the water as the song ripples through your speakers. Emotional impact is almost immediate, matching up the light strum and percussion with Stromstad’s voice…and then it’s gone, fading away with a gentle bit of noise exploration. The band will release their self-titled LP via Bobo Integral on September 22nd.

Last Week’s Jams, Today (9.19 – 9.23)

Happy Monday! Man, we covered a ton of ground last week, and I’m super stoked with the songs we squeezed into this playlist…and for the first time all of them are available on one streaming platform. That either means my tastes have gotten super basic, or those DSPs have taken over! Either way, there were a bunch of songs to love last week. I’m smitten with this new track from Kindsight, and I can’t stop playing that Cozy Slippers tune, so that’s a fun place for you to start. We get bonuses as members of Math and Physics Clubs have created two new bands, both with great new singles: Field School and Model Shop. Just a bunch of great jams to get your morning off on the right track.

The No Ones Share All the Stupid Days

What do you get if you combine members of REM, the Minus 5 and I Was a King? Well, the No Ones! The supergroup has an album and an EP under their belts, and they’ve decided that they’re going to bring us another jam, and hopefully that means another record! Personally, this is track might be my favorite they’ve written. It’s got the perfect guitar sound, walking that fine line between punk and pop, and the vocals even have just enough bite to give the song a hint of attitude; it sounds like what I maybe wish the Replacements had evolved into, great songwriting and a touch of badass-ery. Turn it up friends.

New Music from I Was a King

While Frode was working with the No Ones, I Was a King was momentarily on hold. But, just this last week they’ve rekindled my love affair with this short little blast of power-pop. It comes with the promise of another glorious single (I’m betting), but just pressing play below will have you marveling at what a punch the band can pack in 1.5 minutes. They still know their way around the perfect melodic vocal turn; I couldn’t be more excited to hear more from them going forward. This tune comes out on the new single on November 10th, with promise of a full-length to come later next year!

The No Ones Hit the Spot

I’ve long followed I Was a King, and they’ve been fortunate to work with some great folks, but they’ve upped the ante by forming the No Ones, which includes two members of the band, as well as Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey (REM and the Minus 5, respectively). Together, they’ve recorded a beautiful look into the best pop music has to offer. There’s a familiarity to Frode’s voice; it’s been a constant in my listening rotation since I first came upon IWaK. In under two minutes, you’ll find beautifully textured harmonies that hold a natural sparkle, and the only bummer is that it will leave you thirsting for more. You’ll have to wait until June 23rd to hear the whole Sun Station EP on Coastal Town Recordings…with a rumored LP to follow later in the year.

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