New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
As the summer months get warmer and warmer, Haroula Rose’s music is like a refreshing, cool breeze. Her debut album, entitled "These Open Roads," was produced by Andy Lemaster and recorded in Athens, GA. With her honeyed voice and folky songwriting, Rose fits in quite nicely with Lemaster’s repertoire of working with Bright Eyes, Azure Ray and the Good Life. Azure Ray’s Orenda Fink even contributed vocals on the album. Likewise, the Southern country influence from Athens seeped into the album on songs such as, "The Leaving Song" and "A Place Under the Sun," with their quivering steel-pedal guitars.
While most of the songs on the album ruminate on the topics of lost love and starting anew, Rose’s enchanting voice remains hopeful. It makes sense that her resume includes singing commercials and teaching music to children. Originally from Chicago, Rose attended the University of Chicago and then moved to Madrid on a prestigious Fulbright grant, sponsored by the US Department of State. After traveling through Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, Rose decided to settle in Los Angeles. The soft guitar strumming and sparkling voice reflect that of a well traveled person who has gained a strong compassion for people. On the song "Free to Be Me," Rose joyfully sings "there’s more to believe and so much more to see, I am free, free to be me," showing that she is eager and confident to nurture a long and fruitful musical journey. Rose is set to perform on July 16 at the Echo Country Outpost. – Karla Hernandez
Of all the wonderful shows happening here in New York over the fourth of July weekend, one particular event is sure to get the psych rock and dream pop crowd’s attention. On Sunday July 3, The Vandelles, Heaven, Dead Leaf Echo and visiting psych-rock nobility Ringo Deathstarr will all be taking the stage (in that order) at Shea Stadium in Brooklyn. The Vandelles have been touring their “Summer Fling” EP since its release earlier this year. Their strong vocals, complimentary dual guitar textures, drum ruckus and melodic bass all contribute to a sound that pays homage as much to Tommy James & the Shondelles as it does to The Cramps. Dark fuzz-pop trio Heaven (pictured) add buzzy synths to their romantic chord progressions and emotive vocals. Rock solid drumming gives this trio a cut above propulsion (especially live) further enhanced by their unique light show. Songs like “Mountains Move,” “Centuries” and “Once The Heartache” keep the dream-gaze vibe very much alive. Brooklyn ’s Dead Leaf Echo weave together luxuriant keyboard textures and three-quarter time guitar arpeggios to accompany a relaxed vocal style. The emphasis is frequently on atmospheric guitars, distinct percussive momentum, cathedral inspired vocal harmonies and dramatic build-ups. All 4 bands for 8 bucks. A bargain. – Dave Cromwell
Voices by Purling Hiss
Nate Martiznez’s dream-folk brainchild Thieving Irons, who made out Best of NYC 2010 list this past january in 59th place, just released this video for the song "Pale Blue Dots". The man is currently busy in upstate NY recording the project’s sophomore release. We like this music so much that w’ll also paste here a stream of their song "Ashes on the Riverbank.
Thieving Irons- Pale Blue Dots from Thieving Irons on Vimeo.
I’ve got this big wool sweater and, on more than one occasion, I’ve sat back and thought about what I should be listening to when I’m wearing it. I’d like something cozy, something with banjos, big choruses, and foot stompers. Comfortably, Campfire OK has fit my musical wardrobe quandary. They take the acoustic, rootsy sounds of Fleet Foxes and mesh them with the more orchestral elements of Grand Hallway to come up with some strong jams full of elaborate arrangements and woodsy, lonesome imagery. Check out Campfire OK at the Capitol Hill Block Party July 24th.
To celebrate their 15th anniversary Alkaline Trio have reworked and rerecorded 15 of the greatest hits for a new album they are calling Damnesia. The album will be released on Epitaph Records on July 12th.
Life Size Maps‘ EP "Magnifier" (out this week) features dominant, treated electric guitars, crooked melodies, loud-quite-loud alternation, and fast, borderline messy drums that take us back to the glorious days of of Pavement’s "Slanted and Enchanted", with an extra "avant" twist. Life Size Maps can be heard live at a Showpaper Benefit show at Monster Island Basement, July 1st with Dinowalrus, Total Slacker, and Soft Black. Check out the single Mechanical Man embedded here.
This week brings about a plethora of new album releases in the city.
NJ based producer Clams Casino (pic above) is set to release its debut EP "Rainforest"which blends Massive Attack, Zero 7 and Cocteau Twins influences for an exciting new soundtrack for your "more intimate moments". Clams Casino plays MoMa’s PS1 Space as Part of their “Warm Up Series” August 18th.
Brooklyn label, Electric Cowbell’s upcoming compilation "101 Things To Do In Bongolia" drops June 28th. This diverse group of songs includes music between the exotic and the experimental by NYC emerging artists we already praised like Superhuman Happiness and Talibam!, and others like surprisignly edgy afro-beat quintet The Sway Machinery and more. The album offers a nice collection of really original, exotic and enjoyable music made in NYC, and is the perfect summer soundtrack for the sophisticated ear.
The funk-infused Aabaraki (pic above) released its self-titled album on June 23rd. The Brooklyn group entertains R&B/soul influences with a quirky twist – their new EP gives indie/alternative lovers a new sound to dabble in.
Dreamy, folk- pop Minerva Lions’ EP "Great Strides, Priestess & Queen" drops this week. The six tracks’ possess sounds similar to Wilco, Blind Pilot, and Andrew Bird – read more about them here.
"Bad Things", the third single from The Whisperians, rounds out this week’s releases. The Whisperians create tunes heavily influenced by the indie rock of the 90s. For those looking for a more classic indie sound, The Whisperians encompass the quintessential grunge summer feel…if there’s such a thing. – Madison Silvers
Recently Joan of Arc stopped the studio of My Old Kentucky Blog to record a couple of tracks. Below is the track "Love Life" and you can find the recording of "What Whorse You Wrote Id On" here.
A Lull is releasing a four song ep to further the build upon the success of their recently released debut album Confetti. The ep will be released on August 16th and includes tracks that were originally intended to be included on the album but were pulled at the last minute. The four tracks are "Pot Luck", "Confetti Reprise", "Exit Wounds", and "The Pit".
A Lull will be performing at West Fest on July 10th.
