Archie Powell & The Exports is a pop-rock outfit from Chicago who are led by their fearless leader – you guessed it – Archie Powell. The four-piece band has been together since 2009 after Archie moved to Chicago from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Shortly after his relocation, the band released their debut album, the Loose Change EP, which put the band on a lot of listener’s radars. Expanding on the formula that made their debut well-received, the band released its 12-song full-length album the end of last year. Skip Work is full of energy and exuberance covering the issues of life, work, and growing up too fast.
Archie Powell goes by a simple philosophy when writing and constructing his songs. “I am of the belief that what people really enjoy, what really stands the test of time, are well-written songs that folks can remember two minutes after the damn thing ends and your lunch break is over.” It’s a philosophy that seems to be working. The twelve songs on Skip Work breeze through in a fun, amusing fashion consistently entertaining without any hang-ups. Kyle C. Stilley
“The Darndest Things,” the third single on Skip Work, is seemingly about what would happen if he skipped work during a snow day. It keeps with the bright imagery throughout the album. The band is currently in the process of recording their sophomore album and I am sure they will perpetuate the success of Skip Work. You can check out their fan page to stay current with the bands process and head over to their website to get more information about the album.
Clemency is a fresh indie rock band from Nashville, TN that I just met last Thursday in East Nashville. I connected with their manager Joshua Schlessman, as he just signed a friend of mine named Talain Rayne to Raydiant Managment. I wrote an article featuring Talain’s new music video for “Dear Sister, Your Brother” in August. It just so happens that Josh also manages Clemency, so I went home and listened to their music… I was absolutely blown away. Check out their music video for “The Wild Wind” from their new album My Heart is the Eastern Horizon.
The album is set to release in January, making it the sophomore record for brothers Jason and Paul Watkins, who formed Clemency. Originally from Yukon, OK, the Watkins brothers are releasing a second project to the masses, but this isn’t just any ordinary release. Clemency has decided to create videos and release them monthly for each song on the five-song EP. ”The videos really add another level to the imagery of the songs,” says vocalist and guitarist Jason Watkins. “We have worked really hard to not only capture beautiful shots for these films but also to tell a compelling story in each one. We can’t wait for everyone to see them.” I love the concept, mainly because of the way these guys have connected their music with a form of visual art by creating stories for each of their songs. How awesome is that! Twenty years ago, it was a big deal to turn one of your songs into a video. Today, the technology is a bit more affordable and accessible, so why not make a film for every song! The first video (above) released in June 2011. Check out the second video created for the song “Reach.”
Clemency’s films and music are well done. Their quality on the album side of things is partly due to the relationship that they formed with Grammy-award nominated producer Brent Milligan. Brent produced the band’s first album, VAPORS, released in 2008. Their sound has grown and is full of presence, dynamics, and tone on the new record. Clemency creates music with awesome ambient guitar riffs, driving grooves, and strong choruses. Their lyrics are positive and meaningful, showing the importance of hope, love, and faith. Check out the third film in the series for “My Heart is the Eastern Horizon.”
Pretty cool huh? Clemency has been living and creating their music in Nashville since they moved here in 2005. They’ve definitely found their sound, and I think the band is onto something truly great. Not only have they established meaning and intelligence in their songs, but they have been able to invest in art as a whole, taking the time to do something unique. It may seem like a daunting task to create a video for five songs in a matter of months, but Clemency has accepted the challenge. I think it’s especially important because these guys are doing it independently, and doing a killer job. Like I’ve said before.. it is so crucial for independent artists to connect music with other forms of art and media because it gives people an even greater opportunity to connect with the music! Check out the fourth video in the series for their single “Take Your Place.”
The band has just traveled to Albuquerque, NM to film the final video for the last song on the EP, “Boys Choir.” The song should turn out to be a solid last piece of the puzzle with a “decidedly west coast feel, propelled by acoustic guitars, staccato drum work, and the voices of children.” For the latest music, news, and tour dates from Clemency, visit their website at clemencyonline.com. Click on the artwork below to download these four tracks, courtesy of Clemency and briterevolution.com.
By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC
Company of Thieves is an indie-rock outfit from Chicago, Illinois. In 2007, the band released their debut album Ordinary Riches, which was also re-released in 2009. Since then, the band has seen band members come and go (eight in total), but their insatiable passion for creating great music has helped the band persevere. The bands original members Genevieve Schatz and Marc Walloch met one Chicago evening at Union Station waiting for train and began collaborating thereafter. The successes of Ordinary Riches and their popularity afforded the young bang the opportunity to appear on shows like Live From Daryl’s House, Last Call with Carson Daily, as well as last year’s Lollapalooza Festival.
Amid aforementioned band rotations, Company of Thieves welcomed drummer Chris Faller and bassist Marcin Sulewski to the fray. This summer, the completed band released their sophomore album, Running from a Gamble, to a growing, anticipating fan base. The album truly shows the range of the band as they continue to grow as musicians. One of my favorite songs on the album is called “Tallulah.” Claiming the song was inspired by an experience on a road, the band brings a serious Motown, big band sound only which is complimented nicely with Genevieve’s thunderously dynamic vocals.
I kind of feel like I was the last one arriving at the party when I consider Company of Thieves have been making music for four years now. I have enjoyed their latest album immensely in the last couple days since I became aware of them. I look forward to going back in time to listen to their debut album and I anticipate future offerings from such a talented group. “Death of Communication” is the lead single off of Running from a Gamble. Enjoy. Kyle C. Stilley
Also, Company of Thieves is running a free music promotion. Just sign up for their e-mail list at their facebook page and get a copy of their single, “Keep From Moving.” Not only are you going to get free music, but you can keep up with the happenings of Company of Thieves. I’d say it’s a “two birds with one stone” situation.
Good Evening formed on the Ides of March when Weston Rose, who plays the guitar, ukulele, and delivers vocals, decided to extend his nearly-finished Law School spring break indefinitely, forever. Alyssa Martinez had just graduated from art school and was, therefore, confused and directionless. When it became clear that she could sing, tap dance, play violin and generally keep up with Weston’s ambitious night life, they decided to form a band. Weston and Alyssa perform regularly as a duo, and are periodically joined by a rotating cast of featured players, including Matthew Sternberg (piano, harmonica), Davis Krieg (tenor guitar, bass), and Weston’s cousin David Rose, (Dobro, mandolin, violin, bass, ukulele, vocals) to name a few. I’ll admit that I have no idea what a Dobro is? Boom! Here’s the answer. Kyle C. Stilley
“Maybe Today” is probably my favorite song of the album. It was the first track released from their latest album, in Public. There is a certain sophistication, as with the entire album, that is quite endearing to me. It’s bright, but moving, it’s light, but has so much soul.
Good Evening’s greatest pleasure is to please. Specializing in “midnight broken glass love songs” that can make dubstep DJs teary-eyed and grandmas nod their heads with approval, their sound is appropriate to all-night-ragers, weddings and campfires, as well as cafes, bars and auditoriums. With eclectic musical backgrounds and interests, and the ability to play in varying forms and combinations, the band has a dynamic sound, full of happiness and heartache, whiskey and woe.
The Veils are a New Zealand/London based alternative rock band . Finn Andrew is the eccentric front man of the band, he first began playing guitar at 13 and much of their first album, The Runaway Found was written when he was still in high school. Since then the band has grown, evolved, gone through various members, producers, record labels, released a total of 3 full length albums, and a recent EP, Troubles of the Brain (early 2011).
After eight years on Rough Trade, this EP is home recorded and self released. It’s a sketchbook record, but not the kind of sketchbook that’s raw tapes and exposed heart. It’s more like a covers record, charting out multiple styles. Andrews is pushing songwriting chops. ‘The Stars Came Out, Once The Lights Went Out’ proves to be an impressive pop number with a melody aching with summer nostalgia. Shot in New Zealand, the video plays out like a low-budget, interstellar soap opera. Says Veils leader Finn Andrews, “You know when you have a really lousy day, and you look at the stars, and they’re kind of reassuring and terrifying at the same time, we just thought it was funny to imagine that maybe stars go through the same thing too but in reverse.”
Though their recorded music is great, The Veils are a band best seen live. Andrews has a presence. He imbues his songs with a malevolence that scuffs the polish. It’s the difference between Leonard Cohen’s delivery of “Hallelujah,” and the umpteenth pop interpretation that bypasses the perverted undertones. In an interview Andrews said, “I’m starting to realize that playing live is the single greatest pleasure you can have in your life. I want to do it all the time forever and ever. Somebody once said, ‘the stage is the only place in the world where you can be the perfect idea of yourself’ and that really stuck with me. There’s nothing more fun than that.”
By: Elizabeth Stene | Beat-Play Ambassador South Africa | @LizMWL | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC
You can trace Andy Wagner’s musical birth to a small farm town called Berthoud in the northern plains of Colorado where his parents purchased an upright piano and convinced the local church’s organ player to give Andy lessons. Since leaving Colorado — Louisville, New Orleans and Chicago have all been home to Andy, and his musical journey pays homage to all of these great American cities. With Colorado in the rear view, Chicago would be Andy’s first stop and would prove to be fertile ground for strong roots and steady growth. It was 1998, and at age 20, Andy aligned himself with an instrumental quintet called The Tundra Survey. Together, they released one self-titled 7inch, one CD single on Day Release Records and one self-released full-length called Cracked Radiator, Bum Transmission.
A twist of fate in the summer of 2005 brought Andy to New Orleans to tour with World Leader Pretend as a piano and guitar player for their new record Punches. Highlights included two main stage appearances at the New Orlean’s Jazz Fest and an appearance on The Today Show. Before World Leader Pretend disbanded in 2006, Andy was introduced to Theresa Andersson, and was hired to co-produce a self-titled, five song EP with her. The EP was the best selling CD at the 2006 New Orlean’s Jazz Fest and was voted as one of the top ten best releases for the year by the Times-Picayune. Andy toured with Theresa for the next year and in between tour dates, he recorded his second album called Departures which was also released on Tense Forms Records in 2006.
Theresa’s decision to continue as a one-woman act later that year was a pivotal time that led Andy back to Chicago where he now currently resides. Although Tense Forms ended operations, many of its artists are still in Chicago and continue to play live and record together. It was the vision of Casey Meehan’s to form Rock Proper in 2009 to function as a net-label that offers free downloads of albums from former Tense Forms artists and more. The Alt-Country singer has recently completed a new 9 song LP of his new songs titled Silos and Smokestacks. Here’s the video to “You, Who I Never Knew.” Kyle C. Stilley
Archie Powell & The Exports is a pop-rock outfit from Chicago who are led by their fearless leader – you guessed it – Archie Powell. The four-piece band has been together since 2009 after Archie moved to Chicago from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Shortly after his relocation, the band released their debut album, the Loose Change EP, which put the band on a lot of listener’s radars. Expanding on the formula that made their debut well-received, the band released its 12-song full-length album the end of last year. Skip Work is full of energy and exuberance covering the issues of life, work, and growing up too fast.
You can trace 