With a band name like Great Time, the trio of Jill Ryan, Donnie Spackman, and Zack Hartman have a lot to live up to, which they doubled down on with the naming of their debut LP Great Album – an eclectic mix of danceable grooves, soulful slow jams, and intimate bedroom pop, enhanced by hints of psychedelia, momentary rock freak-outs, and guest bars and vocals. The band is continuing to go all in with the construction of their very own recording studio on a farm outside of Philly, which was also supported by a successful Kickstarter campaign. Below is their latest video for the track “Lazy Lilly,” and you can catch them this upcoming Tuesday, November 20 at Johnny Brenda’s. But first, check out our recent Featured Artist(s) interview with the Great Time gang HERE!
Total Recluse unwind on dreamy, psych-pop informed “West Coast”
Something about saying the words "West Coast" immediately invites a welcome setting. Even when it has such a broad descriptor, it also requires no further explanation, even to an Angeleno like myself who sometimes takes the natural pleasantries this city offers for granted. That’s a feeling Silverlake-via San Diego musician Richard, who goes by Total Recluse, wants to evoke on "West Coast." The dreamy, psych-pop informed single – which has a homespun quality to the recording – unfolds like a memory that is filled with wistful longing. It also has a timeless quality that seems ripe for any season, especially as the winter approaches.
"West Coast" is the lead single off of Total Recluse’s latest EP, Coastal Lows, which is out now via his official soundcloud page. Juan Rodríguez
Photo credit: Joanna Suhl
Jackie Mendoza brings colorful bedroom-tronica to h0l0 on 12.13
It seems like there’s not a lot that Jackie Mendoza can’t do. The Brooklyn via San Diego visionary writes and produces enchanting ukelele synth pop, switches between English and Spanish with ease, and sometimes, directs music videos. Inspired by Latin pop and folk textures, Mendoza’s compositions re-imagine what electronica can sound like in 2018. On “La Luz,” her most popular track, her ukulele strums and breezy vocals swirl and echo into rippling beats hefted by Latin-inspired percussion and a sparse piano part. It makes for a transcendent sound that’s unlike anything else. Listen below and catch Jackie Mendoza at h0l0 on 12/13 alongside Snakeskin, Verdigrls, and Anna Altman. Sara Nuta
Daisyhead spring back to release “Make Me Feel Safe” from upcoming EP
Over the last several years, Daisyhead have staked out their turf in Nashville’s emo scene, releasing albums and touring around the States and in Europe. This past January, however, the band — led by Michael Roe — decided to take a break for the sake of their mental, physical, and financial health; they played a "Goodbye For Now" show in March at Cafe Coco. But just in time for the holidays, Daisyhead has sprung back in partnership with mental heath education non-profit Hope For The Day to release new music. The band’s upcoming EP I’ve Been Better covers some of the personal growth and therapy that Roe’s experienced over the year. The first track from the EP, "Making Me Feel Safe", kicks off the chorus with the line "I don’t wanna go on thinking every breath I take is a mistake", which sets the triumphant tone that Roe and Daisyhead have chosen to take on their road to recovery and renewal. "Making Me Feel Safe" also has a video, which you can watch below. Let’s hope that 2019 brings good things to Daisyhead. – Will Sisskind
Ness Heads “Pretty” Video
Ness Heads has released the Exhbit 91 directed video for her most recent single, “Pretty”. The track has an addictive beat created by Chicago Native, LA-Based produce Vince Nantes.
Ness Heads is the heavy hitting Hip Hop persona of Vanessa Ortiz, and “Pretty” is her third and potentially breakthrough single. The lyrics may come across as verbose, but we actually see them as empowering as this track was written in response to unkind words thrown her way by an acquaintance.
femdot. “Snow In July” Video
femdot. has released a beautifully scenic black and white video for his track “Snow In July”. The track is taken from his recent LP Delacreme 2 (Closed Sessions), and features production from CRL CRRL and vocals from Johari Noelle.
You can catch femdot. at Lincoln Hall on December 21st with Shawnee Dez and L.A. VanGogh.
New Track: “Cemetery” – Tapes & Tubes
Hauntingly beautiful strings set the stage for “Cemetery,” the new single from Austin Potter, a.k.a. Tapes & Tubes. The song has an eerie, fall mix of bright sun and a chilly breeze, as the scene is laid out in deep spoken-word detail. That desolate, quiet stillness of an old small town, imagining the lives of those who have passed on in prose form as one takes a moment to remember those who may seem forgotten. Bourbon & Branch will play host to a billing on Thursday, November 29 that will include Tapes & Tubes, C.M. Slenko, and C.R. Gennone.
Akasha “Mother Of Exiles”
Reggae group Akasha is preparing to release a new concept album, Mother of Exiles, on December 7th via Jump Up Records. The timing for this album could not be more perfect in that it deals with how with process the complex issues of our time like immigration, discrimination, and oppression. Their approach is much needed as they infuse love, service, and unity. Below you can pre-order and stream the first two singles, "Mother of Exiles" and "Light Up The Skies".
You can help them celebrate the release on December 6th at The Whistler.
Tobias Ventures into the Realm of Lyrics on ‘Toby’
Tobias has been creating glitchy electronica for the last several years, and now he’s exploring new sonic territory: lyrics. Toby, his latest LP, is the 22-year-old’s first endeavor in recording and writing lyrics—and the culmination of several years of tinkering with instrumental experimental electronica. The hybrid album ripples with a fragmented fluidity, floating from mellow tracks (“Safe,” “Translucent,”) and picking up tension along the way (the anxious post-punk-y “Don’t Ask”) until it lands on the urgent closer “Boardsports.” Clocking in at just over thirty minutes, Toby reveals that there’s subtlety and economy to Tobias’ songwriting. Each of the 9 tracks has sparse, moody energy and listening to the entire record feels like driving through a dark road at night in the middle of nowhere. Listen below and catch Tobias perform alongside BLK SLK, Cutie, Chaste, and Died on 11/18 at Trans-Pecos. Sara Nuta
Chris Rawlins @ Elbo Room (11/16)
Singer/Songwriter Chris Rawlins has released the first two singles from his forthcoming album which is due out before the end of the year. Chris has great voice and the addition of Steve Dawson on lap steel gives these tracks a near Country feel.
You can catch Chris at Elbo Room on November 16th as part of the Songwriters Singing Songs event and at Cafe Mustache on Jan. 31st.
New Track: “When the Powers Out” – AllegrA
AllegrA recently surprised us with a new song, “When the Powers Out”. Bathed in an intimate, melodic, beach-surf aesthetic, the single washes over in a relaxed wave of warmth, expressing a sense of support from a distance, amid a disconnect of communication. However, there is a desire to bridge that divide. Compromise can be difficult, and so can watching someone work through things on their own. (Photo by Roxanne Friedman)
Hair Puller Album Release
Hair Puller is releasing their debut full-length album “Old Friend” this Friday, November 16th. Listening to the pre-released singles, I wouldn’t be surprised if Satan himself had a hand in producing this album. Each song is full of searing vocals, riffs that flood the soundscape with a wrathful chaos, and lyrics that contains just enough emo-articulation to satisfy moody fans. The onslaught of heat is unrelentless throughout each song. In fact, the sheer force with which the band plays is so overwhelming that more than a few metal fans might break a neck mid head-bang.
“Old Friend” will be out on vinyl by Nadine Records, and out on cassette by Accident Prone records. The band will be playing a release show the following Saturday at Kenton Club. Maximum Mad, OVER, and Avola will also be playing sets.
-By Avril Carrillo