News of the Fire Live at Moniker Warehouse in San Diego, CA
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Photography By: Shane Suski |Ambassador of Photography | San Diego, CA| @shanewithmwl | Beat-Play and Music Without Labels, LLC
Future Islands initially came out of Baltimore’s Wham City scene; their first, rather unexceptional record was built from electro-punk and day-glo squiggles. Over the past few years, though, they’ve become more aesthetically disciplined. The band’s romantic synth sound scales new heights with On the Water, the trio’s most ambitious and fully realized statement yet. Built around a song cycle exploring love, loss, and memory, their latest album finds the band continuing to deliver pounding rhythms, swelling melodies, and undeniable hooks – but finding new ways to probe inner space and tug at hearts.
“Balance” is a standout cut from the recent LP – cool, pensive waves of electronic sound set the stage for a dance-pop ballad that finds singer Sam Herring delivering some of his most gripping and sophisticated verses. His singing sounds deep and high in the mix, pushed by the thump of the mechanical drum, and the airy production emphasizes its strength. “And I can sit and talk, because I was just like you, so arrogant and brave, impetuous and blue,” he sings, reminding a friend that changing one’s life only requires time. Future Islands is currently on a European tour and returns to the US in April – playing throughout the East Coast (and Canada). Tickets go on sale this Friday for their Philadelphia show at The First Unitarian Church on May 6th!
By: Elizabeth Stene | Beat-Play Ambassador South Africa | @LizMWL | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC
The Apache Relay spontaneously formed after just one gig at Belmont University. Their debut 1988, was released in 2009, produced by Doug Williams, best known for his authentically raw approach with the Avett Brothers. The record cracked the door to reveal the band’s capabilities, and they began touring nationally. Two years later the Nashville act released their second album, American Nomad, a modern and young roots-rock collection. Produced by Neilson Hubbard, the record is a collection of fresh and exuberant tunes that pay homage to the road, and suggests that the band will not be tied down – deftly moving from their folk rock base, to a Motown-inspired track, and a cover of Springsteen’s “State Trooper.”
The Apache Relay blend acoustic sounds and rock elements so well; it gives the emotionalism of acoustic music with the rousing pounding rock anthem elements. It’s high spirit music that can also be very sensible and full of feeling. The Apache Relay is currently on tour, playing all over the United States – upcoming shows include stops in Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana and Texas. The band just released today that they added two stops – New York (April 17th) and Philadelphia (April 19th) – I suggest getting tickets soon!
By: Elizabeth Stene | Beat-Play Ambassador South Africa | @LizMWL | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC
So I already wrote this blog, but word press and/ or magical internet trolls decided to make it disappear without warning. 13 hours of work gone, poof. Against my better judgement I decided to re-write it. It’s not going to be as good as the first one. The first blog entry was full of the best information I could find on wikipedia and that I could make up off the top of my head without sounding like I didn’t know what the hell I’m talking about. I guess now that I have a fresh start I might as well try to out do myself. The band is called Sleigh Bells and they have recently released Reign Of Terror. Every blogger and their mother who likes indie rock has some kind of input about this band. They are what most would call an “it” band. That won’t stop me however. Time to add to the mass media tidal wave in favor of one of my favorite offerings in recent memory. Turn ‘er up.
Loud enough for you? Not for me! I’m typing this with one hand as I turn this delicious music treat up louder. I read a couple of articles earlier about this band and in recent interviews the band promised this record would be loud. They have become somewhat famous for sheer volume and energy on their records, but man this goes above and beyond. I wish I owned a sound system the size of Madison Square Garden to play this through. I think that’s the only way it can be appreciated. Either that way or through those sweet Beats by Dr. Dre you just bought for 900 bucks. Either way this is the shit.
Can you imagine standing in a sea of people as they play that song blasting at you at volumed so loud that a. you stop thinking and b. your ear drums get up and walk out of your head? That’s kinda what I feel like it has to be right? As a Brooklyn, NY based duo Sleigh Bells has come a long way having played almost every major festival I can think of and touring extensively internationally and all very recent. Their last record Treats let the world know what they were dealing with and the single “Crown on The Ground” drove the point home. Fronted by Alexis Krauss on lead vocals with Derek Edward Miller hammering it out on guitar Sleigh Bell’s new record “Reign of Terror” makes them a force.
Looking forward, Sleigh Bells is making their way to CA soon. They just played LA’s Mayan Theater on the night of their record release. I can’t imagine the amount of skinny jeans or ironically large sunglasses in attendance, but let’s just say it was definitely more than 10 and less than 10,000… maybe. The band is currently breaking the sound barrier in Europe before they return to CA with dates in San Diego, Pamona and San Francisco and beyond.
So I guess as it turns out the second time around is better. I actually just found the first blog I wrote. I will post it now in short:
Sleigh Bells is really great. They play loud music. They will rock your ass off. They are from Brooklyn and their names are Derek and Alexis. They play guitar and sing. They are loud and good to listen to. They are on tour. They are probably good when they are on tour in Eurpoe and in the United States later. Ear drums.
It goes on from there. Did I mention I probably wrote that blog completely hammered? Chances are I did/was hammered/ am still hammered or the 14 year old kid who rides the short bus I hired to find bands for me wrote it. I guess we’ll never know. What I do know is Sleigh Bells is the shit. Now that I have written this I can go forth and join the legions of music bloggers who seem to bow down to this band in hopes of getting their ear drums blown out but this band very soon. Check them out here please?
By: Steve Rippin | Beat-Play Ambassador Los Angeles | @stevewithMWL|Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC
It’s been around a year since I wrote about South African band P.H. Fat, but they’re back – with a new EP, a new website, and the start of their national album tour. After the release of their debut album Dinosaur Blood last year, the group decided to release their follow-up EP – You Are Going To Die – independently and for free via their new website. If fans choose, they can make a contribution through the site. “The traditional music distribution model is a thing of the past, and with it so is the album per year model.” Instead, Mike, Disco & Narch plan to release new material with more regularity, keeping their fans happy – so happy that the site’s servers struggled to handle the amount of traffic on release day.
The new EP has the same unique electronic bass – rap that P.H. Fat is known for, despite its’ members growing up listening to punk rock. The band officially formed in 2008, but it took a few years to solidify their sounds. In a recent interview the band opened up about the production and studio time behind You Are Going To Die. “It was made a lot faster than ‘Dinosaur Blood’ which took us like… twenty two years to make (it was our first album). We also made the silly decision to make it in the middle of summer which was a mistake because my studio doesn’t have air-con. But it was fun as hell… it was just us hanging out making music we enjoy again.We’re kind of just making music and if people want to enjoy it that’s cool. The title is about presenting the idea that your own death is a certainty; which is just about the only message we can give to the world with any certainty.”
By: Elizabeth Stene | Beat-Play Ambassador South Africa | @LizMWL | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC
It’s another one of those nights in Nashville where you decide to check out a free local showcase, and you never know what you’re gonna get. That’s the case on Tuesdays for New Faces Nite at The Basement, but I can truly say I’ve never left without seeing at least one really awesome band. Last Tuesday was one of those nights when you’re in Music City and just feel like checking out a free local showcase. I like to go without expectations, but last week I was pleasantly surprised by Henry Wagons. Coming all the way from Australia, he was one of my favorite sets ever at The Basement. Check out the video for “I Blew It” by Henry Wagons, featured as a track of the day on NPR last year.
It’s a shame that I can’t teleport him to your desk, living room, or local venue because his live show is extraordinary. It does the Nashville soul good to hear Wagons’ music. His “twisted take on the classics of Americana country” provides a laid back approach to the genre, but allows listeners to really appreciate what he’s doing. ”Like a mischievous child of Cash, Orbison and Presley, with his distinctive baritone, Henry Wagons defies expectations of a man and his guitar on stage.” He was named one of Melbourne’s Top 100 Most Influential People in 2009, and two years later released Rumble, Shake and Tumble in North America.
Wagons is one of my favorite performers so far of 2012. He carries a confidence that is authentic and his humor is right on and relatable. The banter and songwriting coincide to bring you a new character that I can guarantee you haven’t met before. Trust me, if you ever get a chance to see him live, do it! ”Henry has played with amazing artists like Justin Townes Earle, Calexico, Joe Pug, Old Crow Medicine Show, Bill Callahan, Will Oldham, Okkervil River, John Hiatt, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zero’s, Jolie Holland and more. He has officially showcased at Canadian Music Week 2011, Americana Festival 2011 in Nashville along with SXSW in 2011 and will be making his presence felt again showcasing in 2012.”
Click on the album art above to download his latest album, Rumble, Shake and Tumble. It’s awesome! For more information on how you can hear or see Wagons, check out wagonsmusic.com. Don’t forget to listen to more music and check out the first ever Beat-Play event in Nashville at The Basement this Monday March 5!
By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC
Formed in 2002 by members of celebrated indie rock bands Jonathan Fire*Eater and The Recoys, The Walkmen burst through New York City’s crowded garage rock scene with their debut album Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone. Since then the band has continued to work between New York and Philadelphia creating amazing music and touring all over the world. Currently they are on their anniversary tour – and the next stop is Philadelphia this Saturday, March 3rd at Union Transfer.
In addition to touring The Walkmen have announced they just completed their next album. The album—the band’s seventh, which hasn’t been titled—is expected to be 13 tracks long. It was produced by Phil Ek—the producer behind Fleet Foxes’ Helplessness Blues and The Shins’ Wincing the Night Away—who whipped the band into shape for their forthcoming release. “He wouldn’t let us get away with our usual garbage we normally do in terms of playing off beat and half-assing it,” Bauer told Paste. “He was making us do things again and again until they were right, which I thought was really annoying at first. But it was really great at the end. You do hear the difference. Most of the recording we had never done, but everyone was playing live and what you get is what you get, and this was much more.” Hopefully, they’ll play a track off the untitled album this Saturday!
By: Elizabeth Stene | Beat-Play Ambassador South Africa | @LizMWL | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC
