Each week I will chat about a cool band or artist.
Favorite Songs | Albums | Concert Recaps | Upcoming Shows | Tours | New Releases | Pix | Vids | Mosh Levels | Music Fashion | Festival Dates | etc.
Imagine a mashup of MGMT's synthy effects, some funky Jamiroquai-esque grooves here and there, the offbeat-coolness of Frank Ocean, and some Imogen Heap vibes... what do you get? This week's BOTW: Toro Y Moi!
South Carolina native, Chazwick Bradley Bundick (coolest name ever), brings these hybrid sounds (often referred to as chillwave) to the electronic and synthpop world and they have definitely made their mark.
For the lucky few that were able to snag Sasquatch tickets, Toro will be there to grace the stages of the Gorge. For all the non-PNW kids, he is currently on tour in various locations around the world. For everyone else, his records are totally ideal for the next time you decide to throw a hipster dance party.
Shout outs to @AdamFeldenkris for the request!
Bands I think Toro Y Moi should tour with...
1. MGMT
2. M83
3. Passion Pit
4. Daft Punk
5. Grimes
6. Cut Copy
7. Mayer Hawthorne
8. Empire of the Sun
Check out the single, "So Many Details," from his record, "Anything in Return":
This week's BOTW spotlight is on a native Seattle band, The Lashes. Forming in 2000, they quickly took the local music scene by storm. Along with constant local shows and tours, they have released two EPs and a full length record.
The Lashes's one and only full length record, "Get It" (2006), was literally the soundtrack throughout my entire high school career. "Get It" is an album that I know front to back, and track to track. It is the album you turn on if you want some good ole rock n' roll karaoke! The band shows listeners that they are more than capable of writing a solid power-poprock tune through their contagious melodies, classic rock inspired guitars, and expert weaving of synthesizers and The Killers-eque organs.
The Lashes are for listeners of:
1. Hot Hot Heat
2. Weezer
3. Kaiser Chiefs
4. Phantom Planet
5. The Killers
6. The Lonely H
I was lucky enough to catch these guys a couple times in 2006 and at Bumbershoot 2008! I will forever be waiting for The Lashes's return to the scene!
My FAVES:
1. Sometimes the Sun
2. A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody
3. Dear Hollywood
4. Please Please Please
Photo from: last.fm
Alex Brown Church of Sea Wolf, fully equipped
with flannel and guitar in hand.
Most kids would cringe in embarrassment if someone found out that they listened to the same music as their parents. On the contrary, my mom has awesome taste in alternative rock (specifically bands in the mellow-alt-rock club) and I'm glad to say that she introduced me to this week's BOTW, Sea Wolf!
Alex Brown Church played in various musical projects before breaking out to start Sea Wolf so that he could focus on his own individual sound. Although originally from LA, he totally "sounds like Seattle," and this is probably influenced by his demo sessions in Sea-Town with Phil Ek (Phil also worked with some hometown favorites like The Shins, Band of Horses, and Fleet Foxes). Alex Brown Church, or "ABC" as I like to call him, provides everything a mellow/alt-rock/Seattle-esque band should, i.e. a unique vocal timbre, strum-y acoustic guitars, subtle synth and strings, and constant drum patterns. A Sea Wolf record is the kind of record you can put on at any time of day, and it will provide great vibes whether you are driving in your car, doing homework, require some background tunes, or feel the need to soundtrack your organic fair trade coffee and hipster poetry session.
Since Sea Wolf's record label debut in 2007, he has released three solid albums full of endearing vocals and indie instrumentals. I totes recommend checking them out!
ABC, Mom, and I at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard!
See him live! There's something about the live performance that can make or break your fandom for an artist. Sea Wolf definitely is one of those bands that becomes MORE awesome after a show. Alex's vocals have become so much stronger and you get an emotional performance that can't be replicated in a studio. Favorite Album: Hands down, my fave record from Sea Wolf is the 2007 release, "Leaves in the River."
Imagine yourself eating at your favorite locally-famous neighborhood taco truck run by a few hipsters. I am pretty sure that the dudes of "The Bronx" / "Mariachi El Bronx" would run a business as such if they weren't already out playing their punk+classic rock jams half of the time and playing their mariachi-infused punk rock jams the other half of the time!
The Bronx is a band that hails from Los Angeles who has made quite a name for themselves. Releasing six full length albums to this date (Four under the name The Bronx and two under Mariachi El Bronx), fans of "The Warped Tour" crowd will totally dig their stuff! Each track they produce gives off a mixture classic rock influence and punk rock angst through driving guitars, catchy riffs, fearless vocals, and beats that make you want to enter the next air drumming contest! I first heard of these guys through their mariachi alter-ego band, Mariachi El Bronx, several years ago when they played as Conan's music guest. I was instantly hooked (probably due to my shameless love of anything distantly reminiscent of marching band, i.e. ska, mariachi, etc.). Although The Bronx may not always be easily identified by the average listener, I am pretty sure there is no other band out there that can pull off a mariachi band with punk rock vocals this well.
With that, I will leave you to some of their best hits. The Bronx/Mariachi El Bronx are definitely your go-to-guys if you ever want some quality punk/classic rock/mariachi music to soundtrack your life!
When you're in a punk rock mood:
The Bronx - The Unholy Hand
When you're in a mariachi mood:
Mariachi El Bronx - 48 Roses
Hello fellow music lovers! As I write on the BOTW #12, I thought it would be a good idea to do a quick rundown on what new music is coming out this year! I feel 2013 is going to be a big year for many artists, and I can't wait! Here is what I am excited about so far! [Everything mentioned is OUT NOW!]
OneRepublic - Any team with Ryan Tedder is in it to win it. OneRepublic's "Native" is as solid as it gets. Track 1, "Counting Stars", will convince you of this within the first 30 seconds!
The Strokes - Their "Comedown Machine" LP gives you that retro-Strokes vibe along with some fresh new sounds. Julian's voice is the epitome of alt-rock, that is all.
Demi Lovato - Demi's "Heart Attack" single gave me a heart attack from all it's glory. She brings back some of her early pop-rock style with some powerhouse Kelly Clarkson-level belting. I could not be more excited for the album expected to be coming out this summer/fall.
Wavves - Indie-surf-rock fans are in for a treat with this band's new record, "Afraid of Heights". Fans of Best Coast and MGMT would totes dig this stuff. (Shout out to Jonathan for introducing them to me!)
Vampire Weekend - AT LAST! These fancy alt-rockers have finally come back with some new stuff and their single "Diane Young" is one of my favorites so far this year!
Phoenix - These Frenchmen know how to entertain, especially with their new single "Entertainment"! Amazing live band, and I can't wait for the rest of the album! Daft Punk - Am I the only one STOKED that Phoenix AND Daft Punk are releasing new music at the same time? They should just go on tour together... it makes so much sense.
Ariana Grande - Don't fooled by this singer's extreme tween/teen-fandom because this girl can SANG. Her debut single, "The Way" featuring Mac Miller, gives off so much 90s. You will be reminded of a young Mariah Carey with her breathy soprano pop timbre and some impressive whistle notes too!
Justin Timberlake - Although reluctant to listen to "The 20/20 Experience" at first due to my anti-N*Sync & pro-Backstreet Boys life style, I finally caved a couple days ago.. and I gotta say, there are some good jams there. (But those 8 minute songs? Ain't nobody got time fo dat...)
Beyonce - Obviously I have to end this list with the Queen. Nothing else is to be said.
>>> BOW DOWN
There are SO MANY other new releases I am stoked for, but I shall save them for another special feature on the blog! In the meantime, hope you are enjoying the music of 2013 so far, I surely am!
Calling all alt-rock fans! Not to be confused by the vampire trilogy, this week's BOTW is Civil Twilight, and if you don't already know them, well... you should! Complete with vocals reminiscent of the epic and iconic Thom Yorke and Matthew Bellamy, driving guitar riffs, and atmospheric synth-y backgrounds, there is no doubt that this super studly group of South African natives are able to embody the genre to its fullest.
I first heard "Letters From the Sky" (from their self-titled debut LP) on the one and only Seattle alt-rock station, 107.7 The End, and I was instantly hooked! A couple of years later, I could not have been happier to learn that they would be at Bumbershoot 2012 (the BEST Bumbershoot to date btw!). Civil Twilight is one of those bands that you love on records, and love even more live! The energy they have on stage just cannot be captured through just a CD, and Steven's super suave vocals are even more beautiful in person. But if you haven't gotten a chance to see them live yet, it's your lucky day because they have two stellar LPs, "Civil Twilight" and "Holy Weather". Add them to you alt-rock playlists, you will not regret it!
Photo by Momma Tran. Bumbershoot 2012.
Above: The guys of Civil Twilight and I.
I am trying really hard to hide the inner fangirl (if
you couldn't already tell)! They were the sweetest
dudes, and how could you not love those accents??
Fans of ______, would love Civil Twilight.
1. Young the Giant
2. Oasis
3. Walk the Moon
4. Radiohead
5. (Old School) Coldplay
6. Silversun Pickups
7. Muse
8. The Script
My favorite Civil Twilight tunes:
1. Trouble
2. Fire Escape
3. Human (You MUST hear this live, it just might bring you to tears)
4. Every Walk That I've Ever Taken Has Been in Your Direction (Best/Cutest song title, ever)
Hope you like the new jams, see y'all next week! (:
In the wake of hearing Paramore's new track "Still Into You," I couldn't help but choose these guys to write on. I am proud to say that I have grown up with Paramore since "All We Know is Falling" when it was released during my freshman year of high school back in '05 (dang, I'm old haha)! Paramore, to this day, is one my favorite bands of all time for reasons. Reasons being: kick-ass girl powerhouse vocals, driving bass lines, the catchiest guitar licks, memorable lyrics and melodies, the perfect mashup of rock and pop, and super stylish outfits to die for. Paramore can do you no wrong!
Photo fr: paramore.net
Between 2002-2004 Paramore was formed in Franklin, TN, and in 2005 their first record was released through the super trendy label, Fueled By Ramen. Up til 2009, the band released two more full length records, original soundtrack songs for "Twilight" and "Transformers", and even had featured songs on video games like "Sims" and "Guitar Hero". Fast-forward to 2013, four years since releasing their last album, Zac and Josh Farro (drummer and guitarist from original Paramore lineup) had parted ways with the band, and the remaining members (Jeremy Davis, Taylor York, & Hayley Williams) are set to release their fourth studio album on April 9th! The self-titled record has a track list of 17 songs (not to mention the 2 B-sides featured in their special edition box set)... that's NINETEEN new Paramore songs!!! Not sure if I can handle it, but it is definitely worth the wait! No words can express what this band means to me, they really proved that their love and passion for music could overcome anything and that is something I really look up to. I hope you enjoy listening to them (if you don't already do)!
paramore.net
@paramore
I've witnessed the greatness of Paramore on... 9/1/2008Seattle Center - Bumbershoot 7/19/2009 w/ No Doubt & The Sounds - Summer Tour - White River Amphitheater 5/12/2010 w/ fun. - Spring Tour - WAMU Theater 12/4/2010 w/ All Time Low, The Maine, Boys Like Girls, 3OH!3, The Ready Set, Runner Runner - Jingle Bell Bash 2010 - WAMU Theater
If you haven't already, you HAVE GOT to see these guys live. Though their studio recordings are perf, nothing can beat the electric-high-energy shows Paramore puts on! Headbanging and singing at the top of your lungs fo dayz.
Now on tour! [and has not yet announced a Seattle/surrounding area date...]
Album: All We Know is Falling Released: 2005 Favorite Tracks: Brighter, Emergency
Album: Riot! Released: 2007 Favorite Tracks: When it Rains, Crushcrushcrush
Album: Brand New Eyes Released: 2009 Favorite Tracks: Playing God, Ignorance, Turn it Off
Album: Paramore Set Release: April 9, 2013 The Awesome Singles So Far: Still Into You, Now
Have a rockin' rest of your week, friends!
Peace, Love, & Rock n' Roll,
A-Tran.
P.S. The day Hayley replied to me on Twitter was THE BEST day.
