Music | Painting the Silence

“If Only” by Ships Have Sailed
23
Mar

The first single, “If Only” from the new LP, Moodswings, from LA’s Ships Have Sailed was premiered by The 405. The 405 called the song a “massive tune” and referred to the full album as a “juggernaut of an alt-rock debut.”

Moodswings (released March 10th), is a huge leap in creativity from the band’s accomplished debut EP, Someday (2014), showcasing their capacity for slow-burning hooks and dynamic production.

The second single “Boomerang” was premiered by A Music Blog, Yea? who called the song an “instantly catchy track.”

Other premieres include, “Summertime” on Popdose, “Criminal” via Cutprice Jukebox, “Out of Time” on Earmilk and “Drive” via BlackBook.

In addition, “Midnight” has been placed in the upcoming documentary about Russel Brand, “BRAND: A Second Coming“… in the wedding scene with Katy Perry. The premiere of this film opened the SXSW Film Festival last week. Ships Have Sailed also performed during SXSW on Friday, March 20 at 7pm at HandleBar.

[audio:If Only.mp3|titles=If Only|artists=Ships Have Sailed]
“If Only” by Ships Have Sailed

Image and mp3 courtesy of Jennifer Thorington & Samuel Markus of Working Brilliantly

“Elf Anthem” by Tiger Factory
23
Mar

Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts, co-founded by Sir Paul McCartney, is launching The 2Ube, an eclectic showcase of musical talent from across the north west. Every Friday they share a track from a band who is playing the weekly showcase, as well as appearing on the live streamed 2Ube Extra festival in spring 2015.

Keith Mullin of Liverpool band The Farm is a music lecturer at Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts and the driving force behing The 2Ube. This year The 2Ube Extra Festival begins in April and for three weeks will feature four bands each evening, together with exclusive interviews and performances with some of the most respected figures in the music industry.

This week, meet Tiger Factory, a hip hop-rock band combining smooth and bouncy melodies with high energy live performances.

[audio:Elf Anthem.mp3|titles=Elf Anthem|artists=Tiger Factory]
“Elf Anthem” by Tiger Factory

Image and mp3 courtesy of Andrea Lynch of Blue Soap Music Professional Radio Plugging and Music PR

“Pickup Lines” by Mishka Shubaly
2
Feb

Tomorrow, February 3, 2015, Mishka Shubaly will release his third full-length album, Coward’s Path, a document of his wasted years. It is twelve tracks of drinking songs, snapshots from a life careening out of control. Somehow, it’s also funny.

He recorded the bare bones of the album on an 8-track reel-to-reel in an unheated, condemned squat in Long Island City in 2008, then sat on those basic tracks for years. Finally, Shubaly brought the 8-track recordings to his longtime friend and composer, engineer and producer Erik Nickerson. The result is a record that is less stripped-down rock n’ roll, like his previous releases, and more ensemble work, featuring accordion, upright bass, mellotron, vibes, weird percussion, maracas, bells, tape hiss, and even the sound of a passing airplane.

[audio:Pickup Lines.mp3|titles=Pickup Lines|artists=Mishka Shubaly]
“Pickup Lines” by Mishka Shubaly

Early in his sobriety, shabbily also began publishing his writing with Amazon. His biggest seller, “The Long Run,” a mini-memoir, sold more than 80,000 copies. For Amazon’s Kindle Singles line, Shubaly wrote an account of his redemption through running, as well as other episodes from a colorful life. His latest single is called Of Mice and Me and it captures the journey we all take in life — from being loved, to giving love.

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

“Abigail” by Clara Barker
31
Jan

Small Bear Records are happy to announce the reissue of the debut by Clara Barker titled Indigo. This release follows the release of her second album, Fine Art & The Breslins, earlier in 2014.

Indigo contains a variety of songs, ranging from the joyous and playful “Cowboy, Ninja, Bear!” to the more downbeat and dark title track. The album is available now via bandcamp. The video for “Abigail,” shot by Alex Mealin, can be viewed on YouTube.

[audio:Abigail.mp3|titles=Abigail|artists=Clara Barker]
“Abigail” by Clara Barker

Image courtesy of bandcamp and mp3 courtesy of Phil Reynolds of Small Bear Records

“You’re Not One Of Them” by The Red Paintings
18
Jan

Orchestral art rockers The Red Paintings are on tour in support of the release of their debut album The Revolution Is Never Coming.

Based in London and Los Angeles – and having been fortunate enough to already tour much of the globe – The Red Paintings are a five-piece group (guitar, violin, cello, bass and drums) whose sound evokes everything from child-like lullabies, to tearing, biting, alternative-rock numbers. They incorporate multimedia performance art wherever possible and seek submissions from local artists who paint the band’s live energy onstage in real time. With costumes, conceptual stage shows, live painting and human canvases their performance combines sound and visuals.

The debut album was 5 years in the making and features a 35-piece orchestra, 22-piece choir, harp players, French horn, Theremin and more across 13 tracks.

[audio:You’re Not One Of Them.mp3|titles=You’re Not One Of Them|artists=The Red Paintings]
“You’re Not One Of Them” by The Red Paintings

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

“Buy Your Heart” by Nate Paladino
16
Jan

Orange County, California-based singer/songwriter, Nate Paladino, released his Good Boy EP on November 7, 2014. His lyrical approach lies on the dark and introspective side with his blues, ballads, rock, and 50’s-60’s pop influences looming large in his songwriting. Members include, Nate Paladino on guitar and vocals; Jon Hyrkas on drums; Frank Fermi and Anthony Shadduck on bass; Steve Maggiora and Danial Kirkpatrick on keyboard; and Lauren Anderson, Sydney Endicott, and Madeline Bukaty on background vocals.

“I’m Nate Paladino and I sing sad songs that sometimes sound happy. I have ballads, I have blues, I have pop, and I have a song about choking down the hair of the dog on a rusty plane over the Pacific. I try to capture some of the intimacy that Roy Orbison had in abundance, I draw on the energy of Howlin’ Wolf, and I’m constantly chasing the lyrical standard that people like Leonard Cohen or Nick Cave set … my bread and butter is bar gigs in Orange County and Los Angeles. I don’t have a dance routine, but I can make a crowd shut up and listen.” ~ Nate Paladino

Streaming of Good Boy EP is available via SoundCloud.

[audio:Buy Your Heart.mp3|titles=Buy Your Heart|artists=Nate Paladino]
“Buy Your Heart” by Nate Paladino

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

“Forever In Your Debt” by The Slow Readers Club
15
Jan

On December 1, 2014, Manchester-based indie-electro band The Slow Readers Club followed the success of their last single “Don’t Mind” with the re-release of fan favorite, “Forever In Your Debt,” a taut, energetic track with dark, introspective lyrics.

[audio:Forever In Your Debt.mp3|titles=Forever In Your Debt|artists=The Slow Readers Club]
“Forever In Your Debt” by The Slow Readers Club

The re-release of “Forever In Your Debt” also teamed with the release of Live At Central Library, a recording of the band playing the newly reopened iconic Central Library in Manchester.

The neoclassical landmark, built in 1930, had been closed for a four year period of renovation.

The Slow Readers Club’s following has been building rapidly since the release of their 2012 debut album. Their innovative music videos, such as “Block Out The Sun,” have received widespread media attention.

Image and mp3 courtesy of Andrea Lynch of Blue Soap Professional Radio Plugging and Music PR

“Sunday” by I, Us, & We
14
Jan

California, dream-pop outfit I, Us, & We just released their first single, “Sunday” from their debut EP, Mono.

The song is written, recorded, and mixed by the band. Also co-produced.

“‘Sunday’ is a lush synth-driven glide with a nifty modern take on some soft-focus 80s production. Call it chillwave, call it synthwave, call it what you want, it’ll still sooth your soul just as well whichever way.” ~ RECORD REWIND PLAY_ _ _

[audio:Sunday.mp3|titles=Sunday|artists=I Us & We]
“Sunday” by I, Us, & We

Image and mp3 courtesy of Evan Doverspike, band-member, I, Us, & We

“Icarus” by DRLNG
4
Jan

DRLNG (pronounced darling) is a new project featuring former members of Boston dreampop act Plumerai. On December 16, 2014 they released their debut EP Icarus. The four-song EP was recorded at Mystic Valley Studios and features songs mixed and mastered to vinyl in 100-percent analog environments. No computers were used in the recording of this album. The 12-inch vinyl is limited to 300 copies.

DRLNG hails from New York and Paris, thus, they tip their hats to a variety of influences such as Seventeen Seconds era Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bjork, and Ella Fitzgerald. By employing minimal overdubs, the band has successfully crafted music that relies on unique songwriting abilities. Band members include Eliza Brown (vocals), Martin Newman (guitars), James Newman (bass) and Mickey Vershboe (drums). Brown’s croon and the dreamy soundscapes of the rest of the band create a sound that is recognized as their own.

Have a listen to the title track below.

[audio:Icarus.mp3|titles=Icarus|artists=DRLNG]
“Icarus” by DRLNG

Image and mp3 courtesy of Brian John Mitchell of Silber Records via bandcamp.

“Wildfire” by Ethan Jano
4
Jan

Raised in rural Pennsylvania, Ethan Jano was one of eight children. Jano’s earliest memories involve listening to his Dad and great uncle pick out old tunes from the likes of Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Elvis and Bob Dylan. When Jano turned eight, his Dad taught him his first guitar chords and one night around the campfire, Jano decided to break the ice by belting out a version of “Folsom Prison Blues” which seemed to leave everyone a little speechless.

Jano’s guttural vocals and peculiar delivery seem to blend traditional folk with rhythm and blues; a musical style inherited from a working class life that he has always known. Jano’s day job entails creating custom hardwood architecture at a Lumber mill in Boswell, Pennsylvania.

The debut album, I’ll Be Fine, was recorded at POGO Studios and will be released on February 10. The 12 songs authoritatively address unjust wars, which take place on both large and personal scales — a suite of topical folk songs that are as relevant today as their predecessors 50 years ago. To read more about it, click here.

[audio:Wildfire.mp3|titles=Wildfire|artists=Ethan Jano]

“Wildfire” by Ethan Jano