Category Archives: Music

New music by emerging artists.

“Window To Nowhere” by Andre Chrys
31
Oct

Vancouver singer-songwriter, Andre Chrys, delivers roots rock songs that blend eclectic influences from rock, classic pop, Americana, blues, and soul. Chrys began his music career in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He paid his dues in hardworking bands that toured across Canada, playing clubs and festivals. Life, love and reality took him down a dozen different roads since then, finally drawing him to the west coast. Window to Nowhere is a new record, with an old soul. It introduces colorful characters, and themes of love and loss.

Chrys has always responded to music with a timeless quality to it. He considers Tom Waits, Townes van Zandt, and Steve Earle “some of the real greats.”

Chrys explains the inspiration for the title track, available on cdbaby: “I have a room at home where I do most of my writing and recording. It has a window that looks out onto the wall of the house right next to mine. It’s East Van, and the houses are built really close to each other. I’m not even sure why they put the window in the room in the first place. It’s literally a window to nowhere. I’m trying to capture that desperate, out-on-a-ledge feeling you get when the walls are closing in around you. I’m sure that most people who live in shoebox-sized digs in Vancouver can relate.”

Accompanying Andre on Window To Nowhere are long-time bandmates Jeff Younger (guitar), Bill Briscall (bass), and Mike Magnusson (drums). Guest musicians lending their talents to the record include Aiden Briscall (violin) and Tyson Naylor (organ and accordion).

“Window to Nowhere” by Andre Chrys

Andre Chrys Album Art resized

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

“I Hope You’re Well” by Violet Night
31
Oct

British Columbia sweethearts, Violet Night, have crafted a distinct sound described as “deeply emotional indie pop magic” with their debut EP, I Hope You’re Well. The band’s vocalist and guitarist Connor Pohl is also known for his work in City Light Vigil.

There is a depth to the sound on this album, and a profound artistry to Violet Night’s sonic constructions. Visit examiner.com for more on the four-track EP. Plus, have a listen to the entire EP via SoundCloud.

“I Hope You’re Well” by Violet Night

Violet Night Cover Art

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

“Dancing with the Devil” by Sarah Petrella
31
Oct

From a young age, musical theatre gave Sarah Petrella a great opportunity to gain experience performing and honing her writing abilities. At 15, Petrella left for Nashville to write and record with several prominent musicians including the famed songwriter, Don Goodman. Petrella continued onto a successful career in musical theatre, but was still drawn back to songwriting, her true love and passion.

In Petrella’s music one can hear elements of folk, rock, blues, and country, with her main influences ranging from Patty Griffin to Grace Potter and Bonnie Raitt. KCRW describes Petrella’s vocal stylings ranging “from light fun, to Broadway, to alt-folk rock.” She covered Pearl Jam’s “Daughter” and KCRW called her rendition “strong, sweet and I think better than the original, which is a classic.”

Her latest single, “Mister Mystery,” showcases her sultry vocals and dramatic tendencies as she evokes intense passion in this bewitching tale. The dark melodies and grooving rhythms delve into a steamy story of romance. View the official music video for “Mister Mystery” via YouTube.

Petrella hopes that her music, derived from her life experiences and relationships, will connect with people on a deep and personal level. Have a listen to more of Sarah Petrella on SoundCloud.

“Dancing with the Devil” by Sarah Petrella

Sarah Petrella resized

Image and mp3 courtesy of Nicole Acosta of LaFamos Marketing & Publicity Department

“Anime” and “What’s In My Cocoon” by Debris of Titan
31
Oct

Upstate New York psych rock prodigies Debris of Titan have been crafting and recording songs since they were in elementary school. Childhood friends Winston Dunlop and Michael Diaz met in the 5th grade and quickly bonded over their love for Joy Division and Animal Collective. But their mature musical tastes weren’t the only thing they had in common; both possessed a dizzying talent for playing multiple instruments.

Debris of Titan combine world sounds, blending acid jazz with dreamy pop melodies, hip hop groves and freaky folk progressions to create new psychedelic, progressive rock that is worth taking note of. Needless to say, they have developed a pretty far out musical language, drawing comparisons to Tame Impala, MGMT and King Crimson. Their EP, On The Home Slope, was released on October 23.

When these boys were 12 years old, they formed their first band Retro Lake and their first album was released in 2010 when they were 14. Their second album came out two years later at which point Dunlop and Diaz reevaluated the bands sound and switched their moniker to Debris of Titan.

Howl & Echoes included Debris of Titan’s debut single “Anime” in their Ten Best Songs of the Week, noting the track manages to “somehow feel both vintage and futuristic, it’s like if Animal Collective and Tame Impala took acid and had a sunny, funky, lo-fi baby.” Have a look at the list here.

The duo also premiered “Anime” via PopMatters. And, they premiered “What’s In My Cocoon” via Sunset in the Rearview.

Have a listen to more of Debris of Titan via SoundCloud and Bandcamp.

“Anime” by Debris of Titan

“What’s In My Cocoon” by Debris of Titan

Debris of Titan On The Home Slope Cover

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

“Pieces”, “Not Enough” and “Beautiful Things” by Rabid Young
31
Oct

Las Vegas-based rockers Rabid Young premiered their first single, as a prelude to their debut EP, on PopMatters who noted the bands “grandiose synth pop holds nothing back on its cinematic groove.” Check out the PopMatters Premiere. “Not Enough” is off the bands forthcoming, EP 1, which was released on October 2.

Next, their single “Beautiful Things” premiered on A Music Blog, Yea? who branded the single an “infectious electro-pop tune.”

In addition, the band premiered their video for “Pieces” on MySpace. Seriously? Does MySpace still exist?

Have a listen to more of Rabid Young via SoundCloud.

In 2014, Las Vegas musician Eric Rickey (lead vocals, guitar and keys) found himself at the end of a well-traveled road wondering where to go next. That year Rickey’s previous band, Most Thieves, had opened for the Killers through Europe and Canada, playing arenas and getting a taste of international success. Back in Vegas, Rickey joined up with friend and fellow musician Jackson Wilcox (bass) and the two began plotting their new endeavor with fellow Most Thieves alum Bobby Lee Parker (guitar), as well as Matthew Long (drummer for Roky Erickson) and Alex Stopa (Drums). Later, Megan Wingerter (keys) and Mason Bundschuh (guitar) joined the group.

With Rickey’s studio, Electric Animal, at their disposal, the group began experimenting with instrument layering; cutting layers into snippets and looping them into ambient hooks, essentially sampling themselves.

“Pieces” by Rabid Young

“Not Enough” by Rabid Young

“Beautiful Things” by Rabid Young

Rabid Young

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

“She’s Gone” by The Train Set
3
Oct

Back in the mid- to late-eighties The Train Set emerged from the Crewe/Winsford indie music scene to make an impact on the Manchester and Liverpool gig circuit. The band released two 12″ singles which both broke the Indie Chart and performed at venues across the country. Clive Jones (vocals), Andy Boote (guitars) and Mark Shaw (Bass) met at school. They recruited Adam Halford (drums) from Winsford and Dave Hassall (keyboards) from Chester.

The new compilation album Never California was released on Firestation Records on September 7. It features The Train Set’s highly sought after singles including “She’s Gone” which was the title track of the band’s first record. This compiliation also contains previously unreleased tracks. The original members have come together to oversee the release of this retrospective album, providing a vital listening experience and an opportunity to discover their material again, or perhaps for the first time.

“She’s Gone” by The Train Set

TTS 5

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

“A Rainy Week in Paradise” by Elessar Thiessen
24
Sep

The latest effort from Winnipeg-based, singer-songwriter Elessar Thiessen was released on June 10 and is titled A Rainy Week in Paradise. It is a reflection of the growing influence of blues guitar licks in a modern pop rock context. It exposes us to longing, angst and agony, fear and shattered confidence, and yet comes through it all with hope and joy, rooted in love, truth and deep faith.

Filled with all sorts of tasty musical twists and turns, the ebb and flow of what Thiessen does on the album is inspirational. Members for the album include Cam Friesen (drums, percussion); Brody Britton (percussion); David Landreth (bass); Jordan Jackiew (organ, piano); Alexa Dirks (vocals); Catherine Wylee (supporting vocals); and Thiessen himself on vocals, guitar, organ, piano and programming.

Stream or purchase the record via bandcamp. And, for a glimpse of a new song taking shape, watch the video for “A Song in Carlsbad” via Youtube.

“A Rainy Week in Paradise” by Elessar Thiessen

Elessar Thiessen promo 2 resized

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

“Shot in the Dark” by Skittish
24
Sep

The idiosyncratic-sounding quartet, Skittish, from St. Paul, Minnesota have released their newest album, Two Legs Bad. Since their inception, the band has maintained a steady trajectory through the indie wilderness; playing SXSW and Summerfest and opening for some notable acts including The Lone Bellow.

Members include Jeff Noller, Brianna Tagg, Jeremy Krueth and Lazarus Ulysses Clearwater. Skittish began as Noller’s recording side project when his college band reached the end of the line. He was content to explore his potent musical ideas alone in his basement until he met Brianna Tagg, a classically trained pianist and voice major, whose knack for ear wormy melodies offset Noller’s neo-folk sensibilities. Jeremy Krueth and Lazarus Ulysses Clearwater rounded out the band, having been bouncing their rhythm section off the walls of dark Midwest clubs for years.

The title of their newest record, Two Legs Bad, was pulled from a line in George Orwell’s Animal Farm and is one of the many literary, economic and historical references peppered throughout the album.

“Shot in the Dark” by Skittish

Skittish

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

“Weight In Gold” by Dave Woodgett
22
Sep

Small Bear Records are happy to announce their latest release, the Over The Ash Tree EP by Dave Woodgett. You may download it via bandcamp.

Woodgett is a 23 year old musician from Norwich. After recently moving to the Isle of Man, Over The Ash Tree was recorded on the stage of a local music venue co-founded by Woodgett, using only an acoustic guitar and a drum kit. Woodgett’s music was brought to the attention of Small Bear Records via his pal Jon Price, also band-member of Small Bear Records’ Veto. Veto are Jon Price, Paul Nicholson, Maz Norton and Simon Densham.

Price suggested Small Bear Records founder, Phil Reynolds, give a listen to Woodgett’s material, so he did. What he heard was three songs of stripped-down, swampy magnificence, reminiscent, possibly, of early Black Keys or maybe La Hell Gang, Other Lives or Ty Segall.

“Weight In Gold” by Dave Woodgett

Over The Ash Tree cover

Image and mp3 courtesy of Phil Reynolds of Small Bear Records

“Rewind” by Kalsey Kulyk
21
Sep

Singer-songwriter Kalsey Kulyk moved to Las Vegas at the age of 19 to work with famed record producer, Richard Dashut (Fleetwood Mac). She had a successful debut EP in 2014 and headed right back into the studio to follow it up with the uplifting single “Rewind.” The song has poignant lyrics which paint a picture of someone finally saying goodbye to the heartbreak and chaos left behind by a past love. It also possesses a lush sound with big percussion, untamed banjo, and warm vocals.

A native of Hudson Bay, Saskatchenwan, Kulyk’s battle with cancer at the age of seventeen inspired her to adopt the mantra, Sing And Be Heard — one that she has carried with her throughout her musical journey. Her infectious mix of country storytelling and whimsical folk instrumentation is filled with messages of hope, strength, and perseverance.

Have a listen to “Rewind” via the player below or via Soundcloud. Plus, you may view the official video via YouTube.

“Rewind” by Kalsey Kulyk

Kalsey Kulyk

Image and mp3 courtesy of Sera Roadnight of M T Press