Monthly Archives: July 2013

“Old Highway 9” by King Washington
22
Jul

Rock band, King Washington, is a staple on the LA music scene dating back to their debut in 2009. Their wide creativity and talent translates just as well to the stage, apparent in their current residency at Silverlake Lounge, which brings in fans from across the city.

“Don’t Expect My Love” is the first single after returning from a hiatus from performing and recording. In addition to the single, the release includes a b-side of “Old Highway 9.” I, myself, am partial to this track. It is an emotional ballad departure from what we usually hear from King Washington. It offers a steady rock ballad, heightened by harmonic background vocals, while each of the verses lay subdued with subtle instrumentation.

[audio:Old Highway 9.mp3|titles=Old Highway 9|artists=King Washington]
“Old Highway 9” by King Washington

King Washington

Image and mp3 courtesy of Sera Roadnight of Magic Tree Productions

“The Weather in California is Nice” by Andrew Weathers
21
Jul

Andrew Weathers is an accomplished experimental touring musician who just got his master’s degree in electronic music from Mills College. His latest project, They Turned the Heat On, is featured as one of Silber Media’s “five songs in five minute EPs” which are free to stream or $1 to download.

The recordings on this EP blend Weathers’ goals of both creative direction to his banjo playing, heading towards technical expertise associated with academia, and representing the inspiration and improvisation that is essential to art. The pieces were all recorded sitting on his bed in California waiting for the heat in his apartment to be turned on in hopes of warming his fingers.

[audio:The Weather in California is Nice.mp3|titles=The Weather in California is Nice|artists=Andrew Weathers]
“The Weather in California is Nice” by Andrew Weathers

Andrew Weathers - They Turned the Heat On

Image and mp3 courtesy of Brian John Mitchell of Silber Records

“Main Street Parade” and “We Are Giants” by A Fine Surprise
20
Jul

On stage for the first time at Hollywood’s Hotel Café, something magical happened between solo performers Louise Goffin and Billy Harvey as they traded songs during the show. The immediate and unexpected chemistry prompted them to form the duo A Fine Surprise.

They recently released two singles “Main Street Parade” and “We Are Giants.” The songs are melodic and soothing; a perfect mix of bright acoustic guitars and soaring voices.

Louise Lynn Goffin is a songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and a recording artist. Her musical talent provides the right color of instrumentation while her lyrics and top-line vocal phrasing often brings an emotional vibrancy to the music she helps create.

Over the years, Billy Harvey has been playing his own brand of post-modern pop, working not only as a songwriter but also as a producer. He has also been quietly directing, animating, and editing the accompanying music videos to his records, culminating in his 2008 documentary, Everywhere Now. The film premiered at the SXSW film fest to rave reviews.

[audio:Main Street Parade.mp3, We Are Giants.mp3|titles=Main Street Parade, We Are Giants|artists=A Fine Surprise, A Fine Surprise]
“Main Street Parade” and “We Are Giants” by A Fine Surprise

A Fine Surprise

Image and mp3s courtesy of Patrick Lenon of LaFamos, Marketing & Publicity Department.

“Unstoppable” by Malin Bylund
18
Jul

Singer/songwriter, Malin Bylund, has released her single, “Unstoppable,” for streaming on Soundcloud.

You may view the official music video on YouTube.

Bylund attended at the Music University of Kulturama, Sweden’s largest center of aesthetic education, before studying vocals at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles.

Since moving to Los Angeles in 2010, Bylund has also been doing her own shows and background gigs all over the city. Right now she’s studying production at UCLA and is working with different songwriters and producers, writing for herself and for others, and by the winter of 2013 her first EP will be available to the public.

[audio:Unstoppable.mp3|titles=Unstoppable|artists=Malin Bylund]
“Unstoppable” by Malin Bylund

Malin Bylund

Image and mp3 courtesy of Malin Bylund

“Willamette Valley Ballad” by John Moen (The Decemberists)
17
Jul

John Moen; drummer and harmony right-hand for the Decemberists, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, Elliott Smith, and Robert Pollard’s Boston Spaceships, as well as the former front man of Portland’s legendary Maroons; released his own album of gorgeously crafted pop-rock tunes, Revise Your Maps, on June 25, 2013 under the name Perhapst on Jealous Butcher Records.

The record kicks off with “Birds off a Wire,” the perfect introduction to Moen’s impossibly keen melodic sense. The title song tugs on the heart with a refrain that’s equal parts teary and hopeful. Revise Your Maps is a grown-up record full of all the love, want, and peacemaking that come to a husband, dad, and musician who’s been playing on stages since he was a teenager.

[audio:Willamette Valley Ballad.mp3|titles=Willamette Valley Ballad|artists=John Moen (The Decemberists)]
“Willamette Valley Ballad” by John Moen (The Decemberists)

Cover Art

Image and mp3 courtesy of Alex Steininger at In Music We Trust PR