More acoustic goodness that comes in the form of a Belgian band called Cloaks And Feathers. They are a Belgian duo that started a year and a half ago and recently released our demo...which so far had some good reviews. Expect a voice similar to Joan Baez or Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane) and some moody guitarlines that will take you to another world... a world that is calm with no wars and evil but they can surely take you there!
The three tracks I have been sent are all wonderful, Your Poetry with its single guitar and voice that lulls you into a dream, House of Beth has the same vocal edge to it but with a few more layers put on the song gives it a new side of the band (ok it's a echoing of the vocals and backing vocals but still, I like it!). Finally we come to Bird On The Road, I can safely say this can sound like a cover of a Mumford and Sons song due to the very listenable vocals, soft acoustic guitars and a dash of the tambourines. [MYSPACE] [FACEBOOK] Cloaks And Feathers - Bird On The Road Cloaks And Feathers - Your Poetry Cloaks And Feathers - House Of Beth
This is something that I struggle with. I worry that people might mistake it for a center of the road dance or classical album when its neither. Ive kind of settled with Modernist Classical Electronic Dance music.
What would be your major influences?
The album idea came to me when I was at Lollapalooza 2008. I was watching Booka Shade perform and what blew me away by their performance was the crowd. Each person was dancing to every kick drum beat and synth hit, I stood there watching in awe. I had never really listened to dance music let alone gone to a dance concert so seeing people responding to music like that was completely new to me. Just watching everyone dancing made me excited and made me want to dance. I wanted to be drawn into this communal dancing experience! I knew right then that I wanted to write music that would well up similar feelings in a crowd but I wanted to use classical instruments instead of synths. I worked pretty much on that seed of an idea for about 5 or 6 months and in that time I finished and early version of the title track and started on The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. Which is where I hit a wall and realized that I wasn't really getting to the heart of the music I wanted to create. I then started listening to cheesy dance music like Tiesto to understand what in the music makes crowds communally dance like they did at Booka Shade. This inspired me to write "The Antitelephone" and work more on the first two tracks but I still didn't feel great them. The breakthrough came when I wrote The Entanglement. The song was written in about a day or two and it made more sense than all of the other tracks. So I went back and rewrote the other three. Just to give you an idea about the length of the writing process: The Entanglement literally took a matter of hours to write, had only one version and no rewrites. The Ultraviolet Catastrophe and The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle took about 10 months to write and had over 100 versions and as many rewrites. The Antitelephone took about 6 months had about 50 versions and about 30 rewrites.
The biggest influence in my mixing came from U2's "No Line On The Horizon" album. One of the first things that you will notice is Bono's crackly imperfect voice. And I realized that if there is any band in the world that has enough money to afford to make an album sound perfect, its U2. But they didn't make it perfect and all the vocal mistakes are there and unpolished. I wanted to do the same thing with the sound of my record. But since I am constrained to the perfect 1's and 0's of a computer I tried to mix the album with vintage effects to create acrackly analogue sound. Also I got it mastered on vintage equipment to add more analogue warmth and crackle. I absolutely hate the boring digital perfection of other electronic artists so I wanted to avoid that.
How long have you you been making music for?
Off and on since 2002 grade but not seriously until about 2007
What instruments or software do you use to create your work?
I use Logic 8 to write just about everything. I started out as a guitarist and sometimes Ill write things and transcribe them for other instruments. I have grown pretty tired of guitar and I really don't have any interest in playing it on a record. Hopefully that will change down the road!
And what is the creation process like? Do you lay down a beat and work from there or start off with playing around with instruments?
Usually I will choose a tempo and start laying down ideas. I put down as many short phrases as I can with out editing them. Once I have a couple down I will add about five layers of complimentary instrumentation. Then I choose my favorite and start building a song off of it. The Antitelephone and The Entanglement's idea seeds were written in the same day in the same Logic project. The Entanglement was a combination of two ideas put together. For The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle I wanted to write a dance song with Gregorian chant. Somewhere in the 100 or so rewrites it be came an operatic duet. I got a vocal teacher at my college to sing a couple of lines in Latin for the song. The female vocal was a lady that I had heard sing a solo at my church. The Ultraviolet Catastrophe's various parts were put together fairly shortly after Lollapalooza, the only thing that really changed in the rewrites was the drums and bass.
Any plans for single releases?
I released a single version of The Entanglement which is being promoted in the UK and Europe. It is going to be played on BBC 3's Late Junction Show. I also animated a video for the single (which there is a link at the bottom of the page).
(if so), would there be any bsides or remixes surfacing with the new single release? I don't really produce any b-sides. I either work on something until it gets on the album or I throw it away pretty quickly. I am planning on releasing a remix album of The Ultraviolet Catastrophe in the late fall.
What has been your favourite artist from It's All Indie?
Although not very indie, Bloc Party/Kele would be my favorite. They caught my attention with Silent Alarm and oddly enough kind of followed my shifting musical interest over they years as they changed into an electronic band. That being said I do hope that they get back together and get back to their punk/rock roots.
(and finally), what would be your 'Track of the day'?
Lemon by U2. That song is so far ahead of its time. Impressionistic lyrics set against a synthy/gated guitar line and groovy dancy bass and drum combo. There is also a cello interlude which I love. If there is one song from any artist's cannon of songs I wish I could steal its Lemon. Zooropa, from which Lemon is taken, as an album 15 years ahead of its time. Radiohead gets so much credit with Kid A being the first great electronic rock crossover album. When U2 did it 10 years earlier and much better than they did (in my opinion).
Huunter are from the USA, Brooklyn New York to be accurate and they have released a brand spnaking new album 'The Ultraviolet Catastrophe'. It is many things, modern classical meets electronic dance. It’s easy dance to, and with 4 electronic tracks it is also 40 minutes of pure electro fun. Lloyd Bourne (the one member of Huunter) sent me the album and having listened to it, I have to admit, it is a brilliant listen!
The most interesting track on the album is 'The Entanglement.' This is where Bourne creates a most harmoniously infectious, layered sound you can’t help but move to. It is also the closer to the album and the piano accompanied by the drums reminds me of late 90's dance music, the synths also make this track into my pick from the album. Huunter - Ultraviolet Catastrophe Free download Via Bandcamp [OFFICIAL SITE] [FACEBOOK]
Chrome Rainbow are from Nottingham, UK and they list themselves as Alternative-Electro, also they have influences from Foals, Dananananaykroyd, Errors, Three Trapped Tigers, These New Puritains, Good Shoes, Tubelord, Vampire Weekend, Tall Ships, We Have Band, and many more! Chrome Rainbow formed in the autumn of 2009 and are Ronan Charlton (Synth/Samples)Callum Ballard (Guitar/Keyboard)Callum McIntosh (Bass/Drums).
I have been sent very rough demos but you can tell that they can polish them up and make them into some chilling electro tunes. I gave 'Swords' a listen to and at the beginning sounds like electro coming from the depths of the night-time, distortion and synths play a big part in this with the melody coming from the solo guitar. Around the two minute mark it sounds a bit like a foals remix! Much of the same can't be said of 'Skarooven Blues', it too starts off with a dark synth but then follows a more guitar based song, and this does sound better I have to admit! The vocals are a tad too quiet for me but it's only a demo so they can be forgiven for it, and once again this does sound like a foals remix, good stuff here! I am adding 'Skarooven Blues' to my July Mixtape but I can assume you won't wait for that so below are a few links!
A Experimental-Rock band from the land of steel, Sheffield. The group make tracks that have a funky sax rhythm and wobbling bass flowing through it. They began in January 2010 and have began rehearsing, recording and building a local following before hopefully making it onto the local scene. The track I am on about is titled 'Your Soul', they are so tight in this song. The funky jazz feel you get from the song is just full of heart, with the Sax and Bass working well with the smooth vocals and precise drumming all working well on this song to make it what it is!
They also currently have a new track which isn't from the EP and that's very good too so give it a listen if you would!
Ah here is a treat! A band I have previously seen at the Portland Arms, all be under a different name but still.
They are called 'You, The Living' and are a Alt-Rock/Nu-Gaze band from the fair city of Cambridge. The band are a three piece made up of Aidy James Stevens on vocals and guitar, Oli Kelly on Bass and Will Key on the drums. They are one of those bands that are really good yet come from Cambridge. Cambridge are one of the few big cities in the UK that has big acts originating from there. And You, The Living want to change it!
This sound is brilliant for moshing to on a rainy muddy night at Glasto! I am on about the song called Hold On For Your Life. Starts off slow with a sweeping chilling noise, closely followed with vocals and then interludes into the raw rock chorus. Follows is more of that of the same heavy guitars and accompanied by the deep vocals of Aidy.
Some old songs recorded under Chasing Melfina such as They're Using Mind Control Tactics are also available for streaming on their myspace.
A mainstream band that they would suit supporting? Anyone from the Holy Roar record label!
Dead Sea Navigators are a piano-led indie/lounge band based in London.
Imagine combining the piano with distorted bass, electronica and a down tempo rhythm, Dead Sea Navigators is a mixture of all the above and creates music that would fit at a wine bar. All be a wine bar with a dark edge to it but it is nice to see bands using a piano throughout a song.
In the song Dr Crellin all the instruments have their place and with the overall sound sounding simply easy on the ears. Maybe it's because of the piano easing stress out of me, maybe because of the vocals easing tension from me but this is a lovely song. The other song I got sent was 9 Rue Git-Le Coeur. Despite the French titling this song is far from a stereotypical french song you hear on their radios whilst on holiday. Once again the piano is a big in this song and it makes this song more alive just before the chorus kicks in. The almost euphoric second half of the song is just magnificent.
The two tracks I have reviewed are for download below.
I Was A Romantic are a acoustic band located in the deep dark area of the south called New Forest in England, Their influences are drawn from, Klaus, 65DaysofStatic,Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Bloc Party and Tegan & Sara. From one of the track titles you know he is a hardcore Bloc Party fan (Lion Tamer).
They call the music they make as Acoustic/Folktronica but the genre change is approaching, by way of the teaser song on their myspace. Link is at the bottom of the page
Already they have a full demo EP for FREE download, and I have to say. This is good work! The demo EP is called 'Months' and is a collection of songs that they have created in the last two months. The track I would love for all of you to listen to first is Lion Tamer. Seriously, this is so acoustic! Gentle on the ears with heart filled lyrics. Sung from the heart this singer does put effort into his writing. The guitars and vocals are equally beautiful as they fade in and out of each other to make a great acoustic track. 24 minutes of pure acoustic joy is awaiting you. Download now!
'Months' (The Demo EP)
1. Welcome To Anchorage 2. Lion Tamer 3. Bears & Wolves 4. Great White North 5. Hearthbeat 6. New Ideas 7. Everything Good, Comes Last
Arcadian Days formed in late 2009. The band is from New Mills in England, which is around the Derbyshire area of the country, the band is made up for four friends still in the prime of their life, Alex McKenzie, Ollie Barnard, Elliot Verso and Owen Baldwin. Since they have only been together for around 6-7 months they currently have recorded two songs Dust In My Eyes and Hold Tight.
Dust In My Eyes is slow acoustic track which builds momentum to the impending verse. The break from the first verse is actually well done. I do like how basic they have kept this track, I guess maybe because they are a young band? No, or could be that they realise that this track suits it's stripped down attitude. The instrumental chorus is a sudden turn in the track but still compliments the other sections of the track well. Repeating 'Dust in my eyes' then fading out to finish the track is a nice ending to a quite a nice little track.
Hold tight is a bit more of a upbeat start and has nice twangy guitars filling the song in whenever the singer stops singing. They say on their influences that Bombay Bicycle Club, The Maccabees, The Kooks, Noah And The Whale, Joy Division, Arctic Monkeys and Vampire Weekend are major influences. I can hear The Maccabees singing and Bombay Bicycle Club playing here. I do genuinely like this track because it is catchy and with a professional doing can be a brilliant track!
This will be a new section especially for new artists I have recently come across. There will be no limit to how many I can do in a post so here are TWO!
First up (and in no particular order) is... Black Cabs
They are apparently based in New York, London & Paris... I'm 100& certain they are not, in fact they are from the Birmingham area. They are a Indie Rock band and the lead singer Cal Newsome enjoys music by Bloc Party, Vampire Weekend and The Kings of Leon. Those are some fantastic bands and surely must mean that the music he makes is good! Right to the music, I currently have 3 of their demos, Future Love, Put Your Stilettos On and Let Me Introduce You To My Monkey (WHICH IS THE BEST SONG TITLE I HAVE SEEN!). Future Love sounds like something funky at the beginning with the guitar and bass fusing over the drum beats. They sound like early 90's music, which is good! Blur? Oasis? The Verve? I must say I do like this track.
Put Your Stilettos On is much quicker and sounds more upbeat and this does sound like something Fifa would put on a Fifa computer game to represent music from that country. Also (I said this before but) the guitar makes this track for me, the solo after the chorus is just, mmm, lovely. Finally the other track. Despite the quirky title this does sound a bit Bloc Party-esque at the beginning... yep, due to the guitar again! This band excites me because they are British talent, late teen years/early 20's and they can get better with age! Just wait 3/5 more years and they could be a force to be reckoned with.
Last up is... Colour Us In
Now I have only been aware of them today, so please bear with me if this isn't 100% accurate... They are from the London area and have got to the final of the Live and Unsigned competition being held at the O2 Arena in London on the 10th of July!
They like Two Door Cinema Club, The Kooks, Bloc Party, Maccabees and Scouting For Girls. Now I have to let them off for liking the last two because of one thing. The track called Build A Base. This track is the song that I will remember them buy, a sweet track with gentle guitars, vocals, bass and even drumming. This is a chilled track perfect for a hot evening sipping beer outside (which is what I am doing now!).
