Monthly Archives: July 2014

“Det Syng for Storegut” by Origami Arktika
26
Jul

One of Norway’s best kept secrets, Origami Arktika, moves along the axis of time by using old Norwegian folk songs and folklore combined with modern inspiration and technology. The music on the new album, Absolut Gehör, is dim and melancholic. Led by vocalist Rune Flaten, there are seven other accomplished musicians whom, in this case, make deceptively little music. But, the sum of all the smaller or larger elements result in a unique musical landscape.

Origami Arktika is part of the Origami Republika (a Norwegian artists collective). A previous album was recorded at Einstürzende Neubauten’s studio (German industrial band from West Berlin) and one of the members has a Norwegian Grammy from another project. Thus, they have a pretty impressive pedigree.

[audio:Det Syng for Storegut.mp3|titles=Det Syng for Storegut|artists=Origami Arktika]
“Det Syng for Storegut” by Origami Arktika

Album Art (resized)

Image and mp3 courtesy of Brian John Mitchell of Silber Records

“Desire Like a Lion” by Matt Townsend and The Wonder of the World
26
Jul

Indie folk/folk rock artist Matt Townsend and The Wonder of the World released a successfully crowd-funded album via Eternal Mind Records on June 23, 2014. The songs feature themes of loss and redemption, spiritual yearning, romantic longing, death, re-birth, freedom, alienation, gratitude and more.

Matt Townsend began writing songs in secret around 2008 and began performing in 2010. Initially busking on the streets of Burlington, VT and playing local coffeehouses, he soon began gracing the stages of clubs and venues around the Burlington area. Influenced by the songwriting of Bob Dylan, Neutral Milk Hotel, Townes Van Zandt, Neil Young, William Blake, and many many more, Townsend’s songs “connect universally while remaining personally vulnerable.”

The new self-titled album is streaming in full on Soundcloud.

[audio:Desire Like a Lion.mp3|titles=Desire Like a Lion|artists=Matt Townsend and The Wonder of the World]
“Desire Like a Lion” by Matt Townsend and The Wonder of the World

Matt Townsend

Image and mp3 courtesy of Matt Bacon, Intern at Independent Music Promotions

“Ocean Ending” by Polaris Rose
26
Jul

Dynamic Los Angeles indie rock band, Polaris Rose, have released their vibrant new EP OceanSongs. Peter Anthony and Madelynn Elyse are the vibing duo that make up Polaris Rose. Their music is a place where illustrious songwriting collides with intricate harmonies for an electrifying yet sparse atmosphere of music.

Beginning with a slow grooving rhythm, the album track “Ocean Ending” is a stylistically simple song. The multi-part harmonies and layers of vocals provide a romantic chemistry to the atmospheric oceanic arrangement, lush with the sound of crashing waves and spare, elegant chords. Visit Youtube for the Official Video for “Ocean Ending.” Plus, a free download is available on Soundcloud.

[audio:Ocean Ending.mp3|titles=Ocean Ending|artists=Polaris Rose]
“Ocean Ending” by Polaris Rose

Polaris Rose

mp3 courtesy of Sera Roadnight of M T Press

Image courtesy of Review Fix

“My Best Friend” by Matt Bouvier
26
Jul

Currently on tour, Matt Bouvier releases his debut EP Death And Love for Small Bear Records. The album is a collection recorded in England, Sweden and Norway. The follow up to his self-released Death And Hope, the EP sees him utilising a more electronic sound and more complex orchestration, whilst continuing to explore dark themes. The recording also adds his original EP, which is no no longer available elsewhere.

Visit Matt Bouvier’s bandcamp to have a listen to the digital album. Visit Youtube for a preview of the track “My Best Friend.”

[audio:My Best Friend.mp3|titles=My Best Friend|artists=Matt Bouvier]
“My Best Friend” by Matt Bouvier

Death And Love

Live mp3 courtesy of Phil Reynolds of Small Bear Records

Image courtesy of bandcamp

“Across The Sea” by The Golden Sounds
26
Jul

Formed in Nashville in 2004, The Golden Sounds is the creation of front-man Todd Evans. The band just released Waiting On The Birds and Todd released an illustrated short story book to accompany it. “I love print and I love sitting down and listening to a record all the way through instead of just buying a single. So releasing a short story with the album is my attempt to get people to slow down for a moment, sit and think, and enjoy…” ~ Todd Evans

The Golden Sounds’ current line-up is: Todd Evans (singer/various instrumentals), Adam Riggs (Keys), Andrew Collins (guitar, melodica), Chris Vicari (drums).

Have a listen to the album track “Across the Sea” below or visit the band’s Bandcamp.

[audio:Across the Sea.mp3|titles=Across the Sea|artists=The Golden Sounds]
“Across the Sea” by The Golden Sounds

The Golden Sounds

Image and mp3 courtesy of Todd Evans of The Golden Sounds