The MBV meets Big Black meets 2013 indie blitz of Big Deal’s very very big “Teradactol” exhibits the sort of uniqueness and singularity (and awesomeness) that demands attention. The melodic/hook part of “Teradactol”s equation is perhaps its strongest component. The backdrop of the track’s razor-focused distorted guitar pile driver presents an interesting counterpoint to the song’s essentially pop tune. June Gloom, of which “Teradactol” is a part of, Big Deal’s second LP is due for an appropriately June release on Mute.
It’s HAIM, so you know it’s awesome. The sultry layered pop of “Falling”, which was produced by the hot hand of Ariel Rechtshaid (he co-produced Usher’s “Climax”, Alex Clare’s The Lateness of the Hour, Sky Ferreira’s “Everything Is Embarrassing”, etc) is the title track on the LA-based band’s forthcoming EP of the same name. Consider us in love.
Brooklyn via our home state of Ohio (Cincinnati) five piece Wild Leaves earn high marks for their ably executed folk pop on new track “Wind & Rain”. The perfect for a Sunday evening slow dance “Wind & Rain” is excerpted from Wild Leaves’ debut EP which you can pre-order here is set for a March 26th release.
Aussie exports Them Swoops connect the stellar melodic dots with second single “Too Fast For Love”. The order for the track is choice indie rock melody, choice indie rock melody, and more choice indie rock melody, as the Oz band fires tuneful salvo after tuneful salvo on “Too Fast For Love”. If you’re in Australia (or just visiting!), look out for the band to be touring the country later this month.
SF garage kids Burnt Ones drop off an ace bit of fuzz pop on “Fountain of Youth”, which is sampled here from the band’s forthcoming sophomore LP You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Radio host Abbey Braden recently caught up with Matt Cauthran of The Bronx to chat about the band’s new album IV, roman numeral education, ‘piping hot’ nachos, Disney Land hook-ups and more! It’s pretty hilarious stuff… give it your ears below.
*Tune into Virgin Mobile Live for more interviews and killer jams with Abbey Braden daily on VML.
Tribes’ second album Wish To Scream won’t drop until May, but the single “How the Other Half Live” has hit the airwaves in the UK since being minted Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record In The World on Radio 1. Tribes is one of the best bands at combining older rock influences with a thoroughly modern feel. The new single not only continues in that tradition, and showcases growth on the pop side. Wish To Scream was recorded at the legendary Sound City in LA and the band stayed at a pad in Malibu with an ocean view. Talk about the best of both worlds, as Sound City of course is the subject of the new Dave Grohl film documentary. The Sound City room is famous for the drum sounds it produces, and you will appreciate that when you hear drummer Miguel Demelo’s driving beats on this track. By Bruce Rave
The breezy soulful “Skyscraper” is the latest from London duo Elephant. The warm winds of California soul-esque instrumentals (the beat/vocal manipulations on “Skyscraper” are next level) frame vocalist Amelia Rivas’ whistful forlorn melody. Memphis Industries will be releasing “Skyscraper” b/w “Spies” on March 26th.
Check out NYC hype merchants SKATERS and their hotly tipped “I Wanna Dance (But I Don’t Know How)”. The track’s disparate yet complementary parts (new wave-y verse, UK indie chorus, modern indie pop bridge, etc) showcase the interesting amalgam of influences at work within the band. Get yourself a sample of “I Wanna Dance” below.
Hanni El Khatib’s brand of blues/soul-driven rock and roll gets an assist from Akron OH guitar player Dan Auerbach on “Family”, the first single from the L.A.-based Khatib’s forthcoming Head in the Dirt. Auerbach’s hand is strong on “Family”; where the guts of 100 years of blues & soul & old-time R&B focused through the most precise and skillful arrangements Keys sort of sound helps propel Khatib into a palatability & accessbility he’s not yet not realized until now.
London quintet Eliza and the Bear have conjured up a delectable new AA single for the indie folk/pop/rock enthralled. The insatiably melodic Upon the North / The Southern Wild sees release later this month on February 25 via Generator. We recently caught up with vocalist James Kellegher to talk about songwriting, a debut album, Justin Bieber and more. Check it out below.
B3SCI: How did Eliza and the Bear come to be?
EATB: We’d all played in bands that had crossed paths once or twice. Paul, Martin and Chris were all quite local to me (James), Callie and I were in bands together. These bands ended for one reason or another and most of us decided to have a good break from all of it. There was a point in time, boredom set in and we decided to go back and write music that we wanted to hear and to keep enjoying it. We recorded our first demo “Trees” in Paul’s bedroom studio, with absolutely no plans to tour or do much with it. Eventually it became apparent that people enjoyed it, so we thought we’d better write some more songs!
B3SCI: The band explore a variety of eclectic rhythms and cultural folk and rock styles. How would you describe the musical cauldron of Eliza and the Bear?
EATB: It’s certainly a busy cauldron! We all have musical tastes that differ from eachother, but there is a overlapping section that we all agree upon. We are constantly listening to new music and branching out into different genres. We aren’t really afraid to stray from the path a little bit, which I think can limit some bands, if you think too much about what you “can’t” do, you may lose your spark. Most importantly, don’t force it, if we find ourselves trying to force a song to work we usually put it to bed for a few months and then go back to its core.
B3SCI: Speaking of various influences, how about sharing a few guilty pleasures? Any surprises with your main influences?
EATB: This band are FULL of guilty pleasures. We are all hoping to go and see Justin Bieber on his UK tour and maybe One Direction! I don’t think our main musical influences are that surprising, but they don’t particularly sound like us. Bands like: Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Coldplay, The Maccabees.
B3SCI: Much of your music feels colorful, showcasing strong range, restraint and dynamic all without saying too much. Is this a conscious effort and in any case how do you want people to feel when they hear an Eliza and the Bear song?
EATB: I don’t think its too much of a conscious effort. I think if there is a vocal line or piano line that we particularly think will stand out on its own, we will use it. I have an inability to sing about anything overly happy, so I think it’s a nice mix with the upbeat music. I think the music has quite a grand sound, it’s quite euphoric in places but we like to expose the delicate nuances of the song as well. It makes me feel nostalgic, so I hope that comes across to listeners.
B3SCI: Your upcoming double A-side / 7″ for “Upon the North” and “The Southern Wild” beckons the obvious juxtaposition curiosity. How do Eliza and the Bear see the roles of ‘North’ and ‘South’?
EATB: I think in these songs “North” and “South” play a similar role in the way that they are a direction to choose. Almost an escape/new start.
B3SCI: The single drops on the 25th of February. How will Eliza and the Bear be spending their days leading up to its release (besides sleepless nights of course)?
EATB: On the 25th we start a short tour, so I’m sure we will be keeping our minds active in the rehearsal studio. Making sure everything is ready to go!
B3SCI: What role does the live show play in the overall Eliza and the Bear experience?
EATB: I think the live environment is very important for bands. A lot of people will hear your band live before anything else, so you have to be tight. For our shows, we make sure we just enjoy ourselves and I think that can be contagious to an audience.
B3SCI: When will fans in the United States get their chance to see Eliza and the Bear? Is SXSW on the horizon?
EATB: We are all hoping to get out this year or in 2014. I think SXSW 2014 is a goal we are aiming for.
B3SCI: When can fans expect a full length release?
EATB: We are currently writing and demoing for a full length, so we are looking forward to getting into a studio at some point this year to start work on it!
B3SCI: When you guys aren’t making music, how do you bide your time?
EATB: We all still have dayjobs right now, some of us work in schools/colleges and others are labourers. If we aren’t at work, we are either sleeping or practicing!
B3SCI: In fine tradition as now B3SCI interview alumni, we’re hooking you guys up with a free ride on our B3SCI Time Machine… Where/when are you guys heading?
EATB: I think we all want to go back to the 1920’s and be gangsters running an alcohol factory. (Yes we watch Boardwalk Empire!)
Welcome UK duo Coves to B3SCI. The twosome made a bit of a blogosphere splash at the end of last year with their “Wicked Game” cover. “Last Desire”, the duo’s proper debut, is a stomper (maybe one of the spaciest, most fuzzed-out stompers of all time but still a stomper). The layered distorted syncopations of guitarist John Rigard are quite sharp and do well to complement vocalist Beck Wood’s deep-in-the-pa cool delivery. The band are playing some dates later this month in the UK, which you can scope out below.
Coves dates:
12th February – Cardiff, The Moon Club *
13th February – Brighton, The Green Door Store *
14th February – London, Hoxton Bar and Kitchen*
15th February – Birmingham, Hare and Hounds*
16th February – Manchester , The Borderline*
20th February – London, The Borderline with Night Engine
13th March – London, Birthdays – single launch show
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