Names can be misleading. You might expect a band called Wolkoff to be led by unforgiving dudes with Eastern European accents, but it’s actually the project of (probably rather forgiving, and definitely not a dude) Brooklyn based artist Joanie Wolkoff, a multi-discipline artist who has traveled the world and absorbed many cultures (a Toronto native, she went to school in Paris, worked in Tokyo, and farmed in the Chinese countryside, according to this 2015 interview with She/Folk). Her new single "The Homecoming," from her upcoming album ‘Without Shame,’ is a synth pop gem featuring tasteful Asian influences reminiscent at times of some late Peter Gabriel and Japan records. The song reflects and epitmoizes Wolkoff’s cosmopolitan life experience, while showcasing her talent as a singer, songwriter and programmer. Check out also the other single from the album, ‘Kings Highway‘ – Wolkoff will celebrate its release at The Knit on April 19th, after a brief east coast tour opening for Jesse R. Berlin.
NYC-by-way-of-Israel guitarist Yonatan Gat performs and records as a power trio. The band’s unworldly instrumentals are unleashed live with a rare combination of energy and precision, so much so that the group’s performances have garnered a semi-legendary reputation, in particular in the DIY circuit, always welcome to artists that push the creative envelop without giving up punch. This year the band is literally taking over SXSW (list of shows here), but those who are not headed to Austin can catch them live at Webster Hall on March 11.
We asked the Gat are a few thoughts on being a nu-New Yorker and being psychedelic – or something. Read the Q&A with Yanatan Gat here.
The uniquely evolving sound of singer/songwriter Mary Spencer Knapp’s “cabaret soul” brain-baby Toot Sweet shoots to grandiose levels on ‘Dilettante,’ title track of their upcoming album, scheduled for a March 25 release. Knapp seems to be focusing more on her vocal prowess, and the inclusion of the full-band feel, rather than the signature lost-art cool of her accordion. Thumping kick drum and bass start the track in a playful dance, as Knapp’s singing frolics on top, almost becoming part of the percussion section itself. It’s not long before the rest of the instruments swell and swarm around her voice — the crash of cymbals and fluttering trumpet eventually giving way to the audible clang of an old-timey piano, going back and forth in powerful contrast. Cool, ghostly backup vocals float in and out, adding to the ancient effect at the band’s, and Knapp’s, core. – JP Basileo
Lawndale scuzz trio NOYES have already begun their tour up the best coast, after a Friday performance at the UCLA Co-op that ended with a police shutdown. Don’t worry: Kermit, Daniel and Ian ripped through their set. The neighbors and one of the officers agreed, "NOYES is being too noisey." They even waited until We think that was a compliment. The band’s next stop is at the Greenhouse venue in Arcata, CA with Chachi Hands and Dosidicus on the fifth. "Relapse" is now available on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Music streaming services. – Ryan Mo
Kahli Abdu’s Nigerian heritage shines in his music. Vibrant and engaging, it’s impossible to skip through his soundcloud library for fear of missing a beat, a vibe, a compelling lyric. Each track has its own power and mystery. From the brash funk of “Fear Fear Factory” to the uplifting flavors of “Festival,” Kahli melds rhythms and instrumentation into a new genre he has dubbed “World Electro.” Equal parts Fela Kuti and Wyclef Jean, there are cavalcades of polyrhythms marching forward to triumphant synth pads and sing along hooks to inspire your day. Kahli recently won the Hip Hop/Funk/World category of our Best of 2015 readers’ poll for emerging artists, and he’s currently in the studio churning out his debut album. We’ll be sure to keep you in the loop! – BrokeMc
An ethereal combination of sounds goes the distance for Brandon Curtis’ (ex-Secret Machines) new project Cosmicide, who just finished a February residency at Pianos. If you managed to cautch one of the shows, you might then attest to the tonal high emitted from the gorgeous layering of sound, both instrumentally and vocally. With even catchier hooks, and an array of electronic production coating his brilliantly soothing voice, Curtis builds his own universe and sends you soaring through it. Driving rhythms and chugging lows set an undeniably moveable pace for the piercing aerial melodies. Lush synth is interwoven with warbled guitar modulation, which then meld into beautiful vocal harmonies, creating one rich chord for the entirety of the songs. This is one artist to keep an eye on in 2016, check out latest track "Everything’s Under the Waves." – JP Basileo
Under the Big Oak Tree has all the makings of a solid bluegrass/folk collective, from dulcet vocal harmonies to mandolin flourishes and a foundational upright bass line. The trio’s latest album Local Honey—released early this year on Mudstomp Records—showcases these elements in a vibrant, lush sonic atmosphere. Find out more about the group in our Q&A with songwriter Simon Fink.
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music.
Simon Fink: Rustic melodies; warm, tremulous singing; lyrics that tilt toward the literary: Gillian Welch, Dolly Parton, and Leonard Cohen walk in to a bar—or onto a front porch, maybe…
The Deli: Give me some background info on Under the Big Oak Tree.
Simon: About 4 years ago, I answered a Craigslist ad from a guitar player who wanted to start a bluegrass band for his daughter, who he said was learning to sing and and play guitar. From the sound of it, I pictured a guy with a 15-year-old daughter who wanted to be Taylor Swift. They turned out to be two of the nicest and most generous people I’ve ever met (Kristin Hamilton and Rocky Cathcart, who moved to Texas). As I got to know Kristin’s approach to singing, her voice became a great inspiration for new songs and arrangements. We added Doug Ward on bass pretty much immediately, who fit right in to what we were doing and helped expand on it.
The Deli: What inspires your music and songwriting? What is your songwriting process? Does one person write everything or is it collaborative?
Simon: I write most of the songs, and Doug contributes too. A lot of my inspiration comes from thinking about the sound and dramatic potential of the group—the voices and instruments. For me it’s all about the meaningful interaction between words and music that, in turn, creates something greater—the alchemy of songwriting. Though I don’t purposely avoid it, I don’t generally write from autobiography. Lyrics, for me, are an heightened kind of language. A lot of my reference points are in (written) poetry, and you can see the names of certain poets who served as inspiration in some of the song titles on the new album.
The Deli: What have been your greatest accomplishments as a band?
Simon: I think both of our albums are pretty darn good, and I’m proud of them. We still have a lot more to explore.
The Deli:Tell us about your newest album, Local Honey. What can listeners expect? What future plans do you have for getting your music out there?
Simon: Expect a genuine singing voice embedded in sweet, rootsy acousticness. People tend to instantly recognize a kind of welcoming wholesomeness in our music. I hope they hear that, and I hope they hear some of the richer, more challenging layers to the songs and ideas as well.
We’re based in St. Joe, but we hope to get the word out and play more in KC and Lawrence.
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
Simon: I’m not a huge fan of that phrase because it makes it sound like one more grim duty (“Eat your vegetables.”), when, in fact, participating in music—especially “locally”—is essentially joyous and enlivening. There was a well-known ethno-musicologist in the ‘70s who found that worldwide and across cultures, people’s peak life experiences tended to have one thing in common: music. I’m always heartened by the people, especially non-musicians, who feel like they get something out of our shows and recordings.
I do worry that many people don’t seem have a place in their life to really listen anymore. When I read profiles of great contemporary thinkers and doers, their response to, “What are you listening to?” is so often a podcast or audio book. The status of music kind of peaked with the Romantics. In the 19th century, it was considered the greatest and most vital of all art forms. Now, music for its own sake (apart from film, TV, commercials, etc.) no longer seems to fit into our lives so well—and yet that’s exactly why it’s still so essential.
The music industry is a mess at the moment. But every community needs dedicated, local musicians. Individual fans can help by pitching in to ad hoc crowdfunding campaigns, etc., but it’s hard to imagine a local scene of quality and consequence really being sustained that way.
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now? Non-local?
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
Simon: Opening for Bob Dylan. Accompanied by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. On a tour of great American National Parks. Sunrise and sunset shows. Staging by Julie Taymor. Cloud-scape by Vik Muniz. Free admission and snacks. And bourbon.
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
Simon: Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Robert Johnson, Lou Reed: some of my favorite American songwriters.
The Deli: What other goals do you have for 2016 and beyond?
Simon: Record some live videos of the band; start a sponsored concert series; collaborate with local musicians on a project of new songs about St. Joe, MO; facilitate a collaboration between the KC folk and classical scenes; get an intern; get our music out to as many people as will listen and win you over as a UBOT fan. Yes, YOU, dear reader.
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
Simon: I have tried to write paradise
Do not move
Let the wind speak
that is paradise
-Ezra Pound
(mic drop…)
You’re in luck—Under the Big Oak Tree will be playing this weekend in Lawrence. Catch them at The Bottleneck on Saturday night with Kelly Hunt and Kansas City Hustle. Music starts at 9:00 pm. Facebook event page.
Having met by chance in a recording studio in Bushwick, classically trained singer Elaine Lachica and guitarist Brandon Jaffe bonded over their mutual love of dreamy indie rock/pop bands, which set the foundation for Arc Waves‘ musical DNA. With the addition of bass player Joe Beach and drummer Mike Hodges, the band started forging a texturally layered sound, merging droney distorted guitars, ethereal vocals, and electronic elements with new wave and shoegazer influences. In their most recent release, “Transmission” (streaming) the guitar sputters more enthusiastically than ever before, but Lachicas’ soprano still echoes throughout the song creating a cavernous, enveloping sound. Take a gander below and don’t forget to catch Arc Wave down by South Street Seaport for the annual Out To See Festival on 3.11.
"The Redhead’s Allegations," by NYC songwriter Chapell, is a collection of little stories about life in New York that – much like NYC – doesn’t care about fitting into some pre-conceived narrative. Chapell’s songs evoke a simpler time for confessional singer-songwriters: when painful memories translate to lyrics on love and loss, and a tell-tale organ solo or raging brass combo are never too far away either. The record’s first single ‘The Game,’ weaves this intimate form of storytelling into pop format, evoking master craftsmen like Elvis Costello and Jeff Lynne. Listen below to the entire album, out tomorrow.
Brooklyn songwriter Nola Wren is a perfect case to exemplify how electronic music is tempting more and more musicians through fun, increasingly user friendly products capable of inspiring young artists and unleashing new creative energy. A talented songwriter gifted with an expressive alto (vaguely reminiscent of Kate Bush), Nola in just over one year reinvented her sound, transitioning from her from her early folk recording to a new synth-pop "phase" that is resonating with many fans. Her natural sense for style is only helping the cause. Read the De;icious Audio Q&A about her creative process here.
The new single by Mori, a new band led by songwriter Mori Einsidler, certainly doesn’t lack range, alternating epic, ethereal, emotional and punchy moments. On Saturday March 5th, fans of emo and pop punk will surely get their dose of intense melodies paired with wall of distorted guitars, when the band will be celebrating the release of their debut EP. Checkoiut single "All Along," streaming below.
On New Year’s Eve 2014, Brooklyn folk project yours are the only ears(aka Susannah Cutler and JongMin Lin) shared the intimately hushed “fire in my eyes” (streaming below). A lovelorn request for company from a bruised soul, the drum-clasped track doesn’t just showcase Cutler’s striking poetic ability to speak volumes with just a single phrase, but quietly conveys the precious calm that a lullaby such as this can provide. Yours are the only ears plays at Palisades on March 18 as part of their forthcoming mini-tour. More details can be found on the band’s Facebook page. – Zach Weg
