BOTW #20 - Pickwick

Photo fr: npr.org

This week's BOTW is Seattle's very own PICKWICK. This band is so indie hipster-cool that they don't even have a Wikipedia yet, and almost everything has one these days.  This indie-rock/soul group bring a fresh sound with their 60s guitar tones, groovy organs, steady beats, and earnest vocals. Along with Allen Stone, I am pretty sure they are part of Seattle's growing "soul" movement. I'm going to call that now (we will see if this theory pans out).

I first heard of these guys a couple years back through a video of them singing a cappella in the Suzzallo Library Reading Room (aka the Harry Potter Room). There are many things amazing about this, but here are a couple.  One: The Suzzallo Reading Room is basically silent at all times, even the sound of your backpack zipper will echo obnoxiously through the room. Basically the perfect room for an impromptu a cappella performance. Two: I am obsessed with basically anything a cappella. So the fact that they were able to sound AWESOME a cappella is a pretty big deal. 

You'll totally love Pickwick if you are fans of:

1. The Black Keys

2. Allen Stone

3. Alex Clare

4. Band of Horses

5. Cold War Kids

Check out Pickwick's full length album, "Can't Talk Medicine," for some soulful tunes. It shall not disappoint! 

Peace, Love, & Rock n' Roll,

A-Tran.

BOTW #19 - Capital Cities

This week's BOTW spotlight, CAPITAL CITIES, serves the indie-electro-disco realness that you have been missing in your music collection. The band's extremely catchy and danceable debut EP probably has something to do with the two main members starting out as jingle writers. They met through Craigslist in LA in 2009 and started to build up a full live-band set up, which also includes a trumpeter!

The expertly crafted combination of smooth and melodic vocals, goovin' bass lines, 80s-inspired synth hooks, trumpet riffs, and toe-tappin' beats, Capital Cities could do you no wrong. They have a full LP due out this coming June, but in the meantime, check out their self-titled EP for a good dancing time. Their hit single, "Safe and Sound," not to be mistaken by the track off the Hunger Games soundtrack, was released in 2011 and is just now starting to get radio play on alt-rock stations. I would not be surprised if this band blew up sometime soon!

If this song doesn't get stuck in your head or make you want to fist pump in the car, I do not know what to say...

There's also a million remixes of "Safe and Sound" on Spotify, check itttt.

Other bands that might play in the same festival lineup with Capital Cities...
1. Phoenix
2. Imagine Dragons
3. Empire of the Sun
4. Walk the Moon
5. Two Door Cinema Club
6. Daft Punk
7. Young the Giant

Until next time music enthusiasts.

Peace, Love, & Rock n' Roll,
A-Tran.


This blog was Capital Cities approved on 5/24/13. (:

BOTW #18 & Concert Recap - Pentatonix

Aca-scuse me? This is real life.

Photo by A-Tran. 5/11/13 Showbox SoDo.

This week's BOTW spotlight is on the most aca-awesome band you will ever hear, PENTATONIX! Choir nerds can rejoice because PTX has made a cappella the coolest thing ever (not that we ever thought otherwise). Let us just take a look at why each member is a key component in creating that signature PTX sound you hear in all of their a cappella covers and originals...

Photo by A-Tran.

Scott (a.k.a. Beyonce) 
Where do I even start with this kid? RIFFS, that's what. Scott's riffing skills are out of this world and leaves you amazed every time he sneaks one in. His powerful and distinct baritone pop/soul/r&b voice is so versatile and sounds stellar on basically anything.

Photo by A-Tran.

Mitch (a.k.a. Voice of an Angel)
Mitch serves the realness and sass of the group. Not only does he have the voice of an angel, his range, runs, and Vogue poses are EVERYTHING.

Photo by A-Tran.

Kirstie (a.k.a. PTX Queen)
Being the only girl in the group, Kirstie does not earn the "PTX Queen" title by default, she is truly one of the fiercest, stylish, and most talented chicks around! Her sweet tone, perfect harmonies, and awesome belt voice could win anyone over. (She also does a mean "Single Ladies" in whistle voice... what??)

Photo by A-Tran.

Avi (a.k.a. Meat)
Never was there a bass like Avi. Not only is he a solid foundation for the group, he sings overtones like a pro AND claimed to be a dwarf whilst singing the dwarf theme song from "The Hobbit" at the show last weekend. He is also the sweetest person ever and wears a lot of flannel/plaid.

Photo by A-Tran.

Kevin (a.k.a. Potatoes)
What can't Kevin do? He is a class act vocal percussionist, an accomplished cellist, the creator of "cello-boxing," fluent in Mandarin, and was pre-med at Yale... seriously? This guy glues PTX together with his reliable and inventive beats, crazy sound-effects, beatbox-rapping, and vocal-trumpet solos!






Now that you know a bit more about the members, let's just take a minute and appreciate their combined sound. Their arrangements are a perfect combination of expertly arranged three-part harmonies, synchronized riffs, funky bass lines, dubstep breakdowns, and cray beats even your drum machine can't keep up with! Their aca-talented-selves are so good that they are often accused of using instruments (best compliment an a cappella group could get!).

PTX just wrapped up the first leg of their 2013 tour right here in Seattle (obviously the best place for a finale). The show was nothing short of EPIC. They sold-out the entire Showbox SoDo, and I am pretty sure it was filled to the brim with choir nerds/a cappella-wannabes. Complete with a stage set-up, lighting, and choral-ography, the show was everything you could have hoped it to be. PTX performed the best of their YouTube covers as well as favorite from their time on The Sing-Off.

Oh yeah, I ALSO HUGGED ALL PTX MEMBERS. They were literally the sweetest people ever at the meet & greet! It all happened so fast, it was probably the peak of my fangirl life thus far. Basically, Scott liked my floral print Docs, and then I had a really nice conversation with Kevin about what I am studying in school and such. Can't believe I actually got to meet my a cappella heroes, TOO MANY FEELS.

Any who... here are some various video clips/pics from the show! (Apologizing for the guy behind me trying to sing ALL of their parts and ruining it..haha. Also, if the vids are fuzzy sounding, it is because of DAT BASS.)

"As Long As You Love Me/Wide Awake"

Kevin's Beautiful Cello Solo:

Avi Singing Mongolian Overtones (like a boss):

"OMG"

"Radioactive"



And then all of this happened...

I can actually see myself in this crowd shot!

 

Have an ACA-awesome weekend!

Peace, Love, & Rock n' Roll,
A-Tran.

BOTW #17 & Album Review - LIGHTS

Photo fr: amplifiedmag.wordpress.com

In honor of the recent "Siberia Acoustic" release, this week's BOTW is the one and only: LIGHTS. (Not to be confused with Ellie Goulding's single) Before you read any further, I just want to note that this may sound very fangirly, at least more than usual...

Hailing from Toronto, this electropop-rocker has graced the music scene since 2006, starting out as a songwriter for SONY, and later getting signed as a solo artist in 2008 to 'Underground Operations'. Not too long after, LIGHTS takes the Canadian charts by storm and eventually leaves the label for her own, 'Lights Music Inc'.

LIGHTS's first full length, "The Listening," is jam-packed with synthy pop-rock and tasteful use of autotune.  LIGHTS is basically a melody making machine. Every tune she writes has the potential of getting stuck in your head, and that takes skill. Her 80's new wave inspired beats and expert use of sound effects glues the album together.

The sophomore album, "Siberia," is perfect. She has grown so much as a vocalist, songwriter, and instrumentalist since "The Listening," and this record proves this with every single song. The tracks are so solid on this record that she could have released any of them as leading singles. "Siberia" brings a more refined alternative-electropop-edgy vibe, much more lush synth pads and voices, great lyrical choices, and her voice is so much stronger. It is going to take a lot to top "Siberia," to say the least.

With that being said, LIGHTS's "Siberia Acoustic" is a whole other musical adventure! With each acoustic version, she brings a new 'feel' to the music and new meanings to the lyrics. Stripped down to mostly acoustic guitar, cellos, and percussion, you are really able to 'hear these songs as if she were playing them at home,' as LIGHTS describes.

Especially notable acoustic tracks include:
1. "Peace Sign" - With the finger-picking, slight changes in riffs, and the addition of Coeur de pirate singing in French, this song could not be any more endearing.

2. "Heavy Rope" - I loved the original version of this song, but something about the acoustic version makes me really dig deeper into the beautiful lyrics.
3. "Banner" - This acoustic redux version gives listeners a sweeter tone when compared to the electropop-anthem vibe of the original version.

My Favorite LIGHTS Songs (if I HAD to choose):
1. Cactus in the Valley (Original, Acoustic, AND iTunes Session versions!)
2. The Last Thing on Your Mind
3. Peace Sign
4. Ice

5. Banner
6. Siberia
7. Toes
..But, basically ALL of them are my favorite.

LIGHTS is currently touring for the her "Siberia Acoustic" album! Check out dates here: http://music.iamlights.com/tour/
@lights
OR see you at the Seattle show @ The Neptune, June 13th!

LIGHTS & I! (When she toured
Canada/US with Keane in 2009!)

LIGHTS & I, again!
(Bumbershoot 2012)

Until next week, friends!

Peace, Love, & Rock n' Roll,
A-Tran.

Concert Recap - Marina and The Diamonds

Tour: Lonely Hearts Club

Date: May 2, 2013

Venue: Showbox SoDo - Seattle, WA

Opening Act: Little Daylight

A myriad of cell pix from last night! Not to worry, I will start bringing a real
camera to shows (depending on the anticipated mosh levels.. haha)!

As an experienced concert go-er, I can usually anticipate the intensity level of the crowd depending on the type of music or the level of fame the artist has achieved.. This was not the case for Marina and The Diamonds! Having had success and a dedicated following in the UK music biz, her status in the US is definitely more on the "up and coming" side of the spectrum. With that being said, Marina and her Diamonds were able to sell out the Showbox Sodo on the first stop of her last "Lonely Hearts Club" tour in Seattle! 

After the opening set, my concert going buddy and I (shout-outs to Mo-riss), were beginning to get restless in all the anticipation for Marina to start, and we began scouting out the crowd... For future reference, the crowd at a Marina show might resemble one of a One Direction concert; a.k.a. 95% fangirls and fanboys ranging from the teens through mid-20s, and 5% parents who gave their tweens a ride to the show. As soon as she walked out, the crowd literally erupted in an uproar of screaming/screeching girls, and for the first half of the show, the mosh levels were equivalent to an arena rock concert. Girls be getting feisty tryna get that perfect Instagram photo or just a closer glimpse of Marina doe!

Marina commands the stage like no other. With at least four wardrobe changes (she has the best outfits), quirky stage props (i.e. mannequin outfitted in a baby blue tux, her fluffy stuffed animal poodle, soda & burger stage props), and a dapper band, she is the FIERCEST of fierce. And like the cutest, EVER, with her Bristish accent. Her voice is beautiful with strong lower register vocals that are reminiscent of Katy Perry's, and her upper register will give you vibes of Florence Welch. M&TD graced the crowd with the best of the best tunes from her two albums (although all her tracks are solid) and everyone left the Showbox a happy camper.

Relive the Marina mosh from last night with these video clips!

Primadonna

Starring Role

Bubblegum Bitch

                                         

The State of Dreaming 

(Literally recorded these 12 seconds because it's the best part of the song)

Marina brought along some new kids on the block, Little Daylight, 

to open for her and it was definitely a great choice. Little Daylight 

provided some great catchy electro-poprock tunes to pump up the 

Marina crowd, and if you're fans of other bands like Shiny Toy Guns, The 

Naked & Famous, or Tegan & Sara, then you would 

totally love these guys (and gal)!

Here are a couple clips from Little Daylight's opening set!

For more on Marina, check out my BOTW #6 feature on M&TD: http://atransbandoftheweek.blogspot.com/2013/02/botw-6-marina-and-diamonds.html

That's all for now, see y'all at the next show!

Peace, Love, & Rock n' Roll,
A-Tran.

BOTW #16 & Concert Recap - Alex Clare

Photo from: guardian.co.uk

If there were ever an artist that embodied the fusion genre of Awolnation/Stevie Wonder/The Black Keys, a.k.a. alt-soul-rock, this week's BOTW, Alex Clare, is your main dude! Hailing from London, this singer-songwriter brings you much, much more that just his Top 40 hit, "Too Close."

As a vocalist, Alex Clare is one of those guys that could sing anything and I would listen to him all day. His effortless ability to croon on a mellow rock-ballad and then transition into a high-energy upbeat song is almost unfair. Check out my favorite tracks: "I Love You" to witness Alex at his most endearing vocals, and "Hands Are Clever" for his most soulful performance.

Check out some video footage I caught on my phone to get a taste of what awesomeness you are missing out on!:

This is a BRAND NEW song! I couldn't catch the title with Alex's thick accent, HOWEVER, I can tell this is already a new favorite!

"Treading Water" is a perfect crowd pump-up song, and you can see/hear why...

And of course, AC and the band closed with "Too Close," just as epic as ever!

AC @ Showbox Market 4/29/13 via my cell pix.

Literally obsessed with AC's band. You've got the ultimate
alt-rock drummer in his black teee, the Spongebob shirt wearing bassist, AND
the Fresh Prince of Synths (complete with flat-top and keytar).

If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend that you go see AC and the band live.  It is one of the most chill/rockin' shows you will ever go to!

Some other artists you might like:
1. Awolnation
2. Madeon
3. The Black Keys
4. The Naked and Famous
5. Allen Stone
6. Young the Giant



PEACE OUT MUSIC SCOUTS!

Peace, Love, & Rock n' Roll,
A-Tran.