Evil Sword’s musical progression bears a resemblance to a time-lapse video of fungal growth or of decomposing animals; they both demonstrate within the same frame – bloom and decay – a grotesque beauty that operates slightly askew from what people expect from the art they consume. Evil Sword consists primarily of Kate Ferencz and Ben Furgal, who are sporadically accompanied by a roving cast of musicians and sound artists. An Eerie Fire Eats the Brain is Evil Sword’s first full-length album. Punchy bass, thundering percussion, and pan flute enshrine Ferencz’s vocals like an ill-fitting but well-suited costume. The LP is available as a double cassette box that houses the collection of songs and a full color book of art and writings. The group recently celebrated the album’s release with a show at PhilaMOCA, and they’ll be performing next in Philly on Wednesday, March 29 at LAVA Space.
The Must-See Nashville Artists List for SXSW
As we celebrate SXSW this week, we’ve put together a curated list of Nashville’s best emerging artists attending the festivities. We even highlighted a couple of our favorites (Faux Ferocious and Idle Bloom) for your enjoyment.
Faux Ferocious is a band that tastefully toes the line between experimental noise rock and simple, fuzzy garage rock tunes. Their punk rock, chaotic energy is remiscent of indie rock classics like The Pixies or Wavves, but their expert musicianship is evident throughout their work. They know how to play expertly but keep it loose enough to make the songs feel uniquely human. Their latest album, Cloning the Rubicon is a garage turned alien spaceship. Atmospheric synth pads hold up bits and pieces of feedback, incomprehensibly delayed background vocals fragments and what sound like UFO landing noises. If you’re into simple fuzz rock tunes drenched in pure chaos, Faux Ferocious is the band you don’t want to miss at SXSW.
Idle Bloom is an outfit that refuses to stick with a single genre. They mash psych rock, fuzzy garage rock, and grunge together to create a unique sonic blend that’s becoming increasingly rare in a music world that splits itself into specific sonic niches. Heavy, distorted guitars create a sound wall, occasionally crescendoing in reverb-soaked euphoria. The rhythm section is tight and nuanced, knowing exactly how when and how to let loose. The songs are varied and dynamic, but feel emotionally cohesive. The band’s latest record, Little Deaths is like a psychedelic take on garage rock with a catalogue varied enough to attract music fans of all stripes.
Here’s the full list of emerging Nashville artists you won’t want to miss this week in Austin:
Portland Does SXSW: Marisa Anderson
There’s a certain beauty that comes with creating something all on your own, especially when it comes to music. Marisa Anderson takes that beauty and runs with it, mastering various instruments including including guitar, lap steel and slide to produce a very veracious and particular compositions.
Often improvised, Anderson’s emotive, mercurial sounds flow through different genre styles like Delta blues, gospel and old school Americana. She uses no effects or looping, making her productions even more personable, even granting collaborations with Mirah and Beth Ditto among others.
She hasn’t played a show locally in a little while, but at least those enjoying SXSW will get to catch her live.
Pysch Andre Salvador and the Von Kings drop two new tracks
Andre Salvador and the Von Kings, aka Brooklyn-based Tim Cheplick (and friends), are crafting tasty psych/indie tunes that feel modern and foward thinking rather than reflective. The project just released two new tracks that showcase the group’s strong songwriting sensibilities and pop prowess. The A-side to the release, a bouyant tune called "Quarter Century Girl," features strident, driving piano chords and delicious slide guitar playing paired with Cheplick’s silvery vocals–a decidely radio ready track with a hook primed to be your next earworm. Listen to the band streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni
Buzz Alert: Evolfo releases gritty, dynamic garage track “Vision of Sin”
Brooklyn-based Evolfo plays garage rock with the sort of heart, grit, and flourishes you’d expect from a group of vinyl store junkies with a massive b-side collection. The band, an ensemble of music school students who orginally united–to much acclaim–in Boston, plays like a well-currated list of late 60s-70s cult hits. Their songs are dynamic, visceral, infectious, and immediately compelling. Take a listen to their recent release, "Vision of Sin," streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni
Premiere: Road trip vibes take Pueblo back home in new music video
Texas transplants, Pueblo, moved to Brooklyn last year, taking with them the ease and warmth of the southern state. These characteristics define the band’s sound, especially in the new video for their song “Dictating Directions.” In footage depicting a road trip adventure, the tempered beats of the percussion glide alongside a smooth electric guitar and soft, laid-back vocals. The slowed motion of the video is trance-like, and the whole thing feels like a dream. Perhaps it is. Pueblo’s new EP Boring The Camera is out March 31 and catch them live tonight, 3/17 at Trans Pecos. -Geena Kloeppel
Portland Does SXSW: Phone Call
South by Southwest is one of the biggest music festivals leading into the summer season. It’s historically been known to be one of the best tools for propelling up and coming artists into the next phase, or bringing back some loved artists for new eyes and ears. Portland’s representation at the festival may not be high in numbers but it is ecclectic in offerings.
One of the city’s fun acts playing the fest is Phone Call, our 5 year old local funky, r&b electronic duo that’s been making hips move while also making us laugh with some of their lyrics. Delightfully minimalistic in its execution, Phone Call’s sounds are the perfect display for the usual sensual themes found in their songs.
It’s all in good fun, and you can catch Phone Call post-SXSW at The Fixin To’ on March 24 with Coronation and Gold Casio. Dancing options are promised to be available.
New Space Pizza EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Space Pizza just released a five-song self-titled EP. Taking a bite into the infectious, chilled-out grooves and veering into guitar-guided sprints amid the melody, one can’t help but become enthused. These songs are inherently loose and catchy with slight psych-pop stylings and a carefree nature. In the midst of winter’s grip, you can stay in, relax and press play.
FYOHNA crafts moody, intimate electro pop on debut single “Ghost Heart”
The whirling, somewhat isolated beauty of FYOHNA immediately grabs you with its tense drone and aqueous synth textures on their debut single "Ghost Heart." The duo of vocalist Katarina Gleicher and producer/multi-instrumentalist Elliot Glasser provide a polished and sophisticated atmosphere that seems as if they’ve been dong this for years. The song’s experimental strokes give it an ethereal purity, though it also features the kind of chorus that cloaks you with a welcome embrace.
"Ghost Heart" is the first single off of FYOHNA’s self-titled debut EP, which will be released on April 28. They’re also scheduled for a show at Union on May 25. – Juan Rodríguez
FYOHNA crafts moody, intimate electro pop on debut single “Ghost Heart”
The whirling, somewhat isolated beauty of FYOHNA immediately grabs you with its tense drone and aqueous synth textures on their debut single "Ghost Heart." The duo of vocalist Katarina Gleicher and producer/multi-instrumentalist Elliot Glasser provide a polished and sophisticated atmosphere that seems as if they’ve been dong this for years. The song’s experimental strokes give it an ethereal purity, though it also features the kind of chorus that cloaks you with a welcome embrace.
"Ghost Heart" is the first single off of FYOHNA’s self-titled debut EP, which will be released on April 28. They’re also scheduled for a show at Union on May 25. – Juan Rodríguez
FYOHNA crafts moody, intimate electro pop on debut single “Ghost Heart”
The whirling, somewhat isolated beauty of FYOHNA immediately grabs you with its tense drone and aqueous synth textures on their debut single "Ghost Heart." The duo of vocalist Katarina Gleicher and producer/multi-instrumentalist Elliot Glasser provide a polished and sophisticated atmosphere that seems as if they’ve been dong this for years. The song’s experimental strokes give it an ethereal purity, though it also features the kind of chorus that cloaks you with a welcome embrace.
"Ghost Heart" is the first single off of FYOHNA’s self-titled debut EP, which will be released on April 28. They’re also scheduled for a show at Union on May 25. – Juan Rodríguez
New Track: “Player 2” – Alexandra Gordon
“Player 2,” the latest single from Philly singer-songwriter Alexandra Gordon, catches an intimate, exposed, lo-fi thread. Her hushed, softly-spoken narrative hints at nervousness and the potential of an emotional disconnect. The minimal, subtle steadiness of the instrumentation provides a finger-tapping foundation, without pulling back from the personal perspective. And we love the hook!