DATE ARCHIVES : May 2016

Introducing: Dumb

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Dumb are a Vancouver foursome – Nick Short, Felipe Morelli, Gal Av-Gay and Nir Av-Gay – who proclaim themselves as a “punk rock band!”. They are that, and a whole lot more.

Following on from two 2015 EPs, Friendship and Tulips, they’ve recently released their debut album, Beach Church. In this holy house of beach (Beach Church), across nine-songs we a graced with a rather ‘smart’ collection from Dumb. The album is littered with an intoxicating flurry of crunchy indie-rock songs that flirt with indie, punk, garage, post-punk and even occasional surf elements. From the twangy, surf-themed instrumentals of ‘Beach Church pt. I, II & III’ to the rough-and-ragged, crunching guitars, cymbal crashing and shout-able lyrics of the likes of ‘Refrain’ or ‘7-11’; Dumb eek out a middle ground between garage rock, spaced-out psychedelia and the driving stomp of punk. It all works together and come across as endearingly authentic, suggesting that Dumb is a band to keep an eye on.

You can listen to some choice cuts from Dumb’s debut LP below and if you would like to get your mitts on Beach Church, it is here, all you gotta do is ‘name you price’. Also, they play Vancouver’s Music Waste on Saturday, June 4th (the full schedule is here).

Iechyd Da – A Tribute to Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci

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10 years on from Welsh psych-pop phenomenons Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci going their separate ways, Recordiau Prin‘s head honcho, Ash Cooke has curated Iechyd Da – The Music of Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci; a 32-track celebration of the band, featuring covers from Gulp, Gorwel Owen Seazoo, Sweet Benfica, Stuart Kidd, Helicopter Spies, Baby Brave and many more.

Gorky’s are regarded as one of the most original and unique bands in the history of Welsh music. Formed in Carmarthen, west Wales in 1991, they drew from a diverse & eclectic range of musical influences, sang in both Welsh & English, released a string of excellent albums and thus, their cult status was cemented. Personally, it is a retrospective appreciation of their music. Lets just say, there weren’t many record shops in Kildare stocking Gorky’s stuff but their impact and influence has been a lasting one. Iechyd Da is a wonderful collection, crafted with obvious affection and respect it’s not only a tribute to Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, but a thank you from all those involved who loved the band’s music over the years. New to Gorky’s or a seasoned fan? There is something here for everyone.

There are a number of choice cuts from Stuart Kidd, Seazoo and Helicopter Spies for your perusal below. To seal the deal, Iechyd Da is out now and available for FREE from here.

 

Introducing: Jons

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Jons are a four-piece from Victoria, BC – Patrick Rendell, David Parry, Logan Holmes & Keenan Mittag-Degala – who’ve got a penchant for laid-back, lo-fi, psych-tinged guitar-pop.

Jons’ debut LP, Serfs Of Today (just re-issued by Solitaire Records), brings the mellow, hazy vibes. Their soothing, sun-kissed sounds wash over you with such an ease, like a lullaby, as guitars chime and shimmer, and riffs meander, amid the mellow undulation and frazzled production. Jons’ sound is just so pleasant on the ear, music to get lost in (with), the vocals are easy and practically float atop of fuzzy, mild distortion and warm go-with-the-flow harmonies.With the aid of iPhones and cassette recorders they carve out their own modern day niche, distilled with an endearingly authentic, excellently arranged, mellow, breezy and bright psychedelic sounds.

You can sample the sweet and soothing delights of ‘Don’t Complain’ and ‘Sugarfree’, perfect examples of their incredibly warm and inviting style. If they are to your liking, you can try out Serfs of Today, here.

Factory Floor Announce New Album & Share ‘Dial Me In’

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Factory Floor will return in August with their second album, following up their excellent 2013 self-titled debut.

Entitled 25 25, and out on August 19th via DFA, the album also marks the group’s first release following the departure of founding member Dominic Butler. The new LP is preceded by mesmerizing new single ‘Dial Me In’, and it is anything to go by, although minus Butler, Factory Floor sound sonically unchanged. Inspired by the duo’s increasing number of late night club shows, the newly pared-down lineup of Nik Void and Gabriel Gurnsey, deliver a stunning, stark and eerily soulful dancefloor pulse. That pulsating, winding and synth-soaked electronic sound remains firmly intact across the six-and-a-half minutes, that will worm its way inside your head and consume your complete and full attention. That’s my story over the past 24 hours anyway.

Check out ‘Dial Me In’ below:

Cate Le Bon – ‘Love Is Not Love’

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Cate Le Bon released her latest LP, Crab Day in mid April via Turnstile, and like its 2013 predecessor ‘Mug Museum’; it is wonderful.

Le Bon is a treasure. The Welsh artist is the kind that is difficult to box-off with a taste for offbeat folk but an equal a propensity for psych. Le Bon’s genre defiant sound is equally unique and strange; the oddity, jarring arrangements and musical whimsy probably wouldn’t resonate so much were it not for the moments of melodic sweetness such as latest single, ‘Love Is Not Love’. Le Bon’s powerfully versatile creative voice is there for all to see (or hear), backed by a steady beat, swaying, acrobatic guitar fuzz and keys. A dazzling display of Cate Le Bon’s boundless versatility, ‘Love Is Not Love’ is accompanied by an equally splendid video, filmed in Berlin by director Phil Collins.

You check out ‘Love Is Not Love’ below. And on a side note, if you get the opportunity to catch Cate Le Bon live, don’t pass it up, she was utterly amazing in Vancouver recently.

Oh Boland – ‘Where’s The Beach?

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Oh Boland are a garage rock trio – Niall Murphy, Éanna Mac Donnchadha and Simon McDonagh – from Tuam, Co. Galway.

Since first catching our attention with 2013 EPs Oh! & Ho!, Oh Boland have steadily and consistently proven their brilliance (and gradually become one of my favourite acts on the planet). Their latest single, ‘Where’s The Beach?’ is a rumbustious, ragged and rough-around-the-edges, blast of lo-fi garage-rock. Although it trashes, screeches and rumbles along, it is supremely catchy and continues the trend of brilliance set out from day one. That, and it reminds us that bands of this ilk are relatively scarce commodity in Ireland and rarely are they so brilliant, and why we need an album from Oh Boland HQ sooner rather than later.

‘Where’s The Beach?’ is taken from an upcoming cassette, to be released on Dublin’s Little L Records and was recorded with Liam Day, in his home studio, with the accompanying video, coming courtesy of my pal and all round good guy, Stephen Connelly.

You can check out ‘Where’s The Beach?’ and it’s superb video below. You can also check out their GruffWuff inclusion – ‘White Boy’ – of which you can download the full 19-track compilation here, for FREE.

Millions Like Us Podcast – Episode #16

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After some Mac related issued hampered our first attempt at Podcast #16, we’re thrilled (and relieved) to share yet another Millions Like Us with you all.

Every two weeks, Justin & I, in conjunction with Vancouver news & culture site 604now, aim to deliver an eclectic and hand-picked selection of top class music. There’s plenty to chew on with #16, well over an hour in fact, of great tunes and plenty of chat, encompassing all manner of topics and music including festivals as we talk Music Waste and Levitation Vancouver.

You can read more on it over here and of course, listen below (and the tracklist (with links) is after the jump too). You can subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic, Mixcloud & SoundCloud, or find us on Facebook & Twitter. Or you can email us at millionslikeuspodcast[at]gmail[dot]com.

As mentioned previously, Justin has been busy compiling tracks featured in the series. If you’re a Spotify user, then you can access this 6 hours plus playlist here.

Podcast #16 Tracklist:

PLAZAS  – ‘2 leave U Behind’

Jay Arner – ‘Like A Dracula’

Rusangano Family – ‘Lights On’

Ffug – ‘Love is Stupid’

Com Truise – ‘Diffraction’

Holy Wave – ‘Minstrel’s Gallop’

IcebergFerg – ‘You’re All On My Mind’

Words Hurt – ”Chekov’s Gun feat. Marilyn Carino’

Hinds – ‘San Diego’

Jade Statues – ‘Hydra’

Trails & Ways – ‘My Things’

Jo Passed – ‘Lego My Ego’

Watch Anderson’s Superb New Video for ‘The Existential Vacuum’

Anderson released his beautiful and beguiling debut last year, influenced by late 60s pop and early 70s singer-songwriting, it was one of 2015’s stand-out records, from Ireland or anywhere else for that matter.

You may also remember that Anderson teamed up with film-maker Colm Russell for a video in which he went door-to-door around his neighbourhood in Dublin, selling and spreading the good word about his wonderful debut album, Patterns. Well, he’s joined forces with the film-maker once again, to create a delightful visual companion to his latest single, ‘The Existential Vacuum’. The brilliantly imaginative music video, perfectly compliments playful, jaunty and colourful nature of this rich and beautiful song. In a mere two-and-a-half minutes, it demonstrates so clearly, why Anderson is an absolute treasure.

Now it’s time for me to step away and let you enjoy all that ‘The Existential Vacuum’ has to offer. You can stream / purchase Patterns here and here too.

Metronomy Announce ‘Summer 08’ LP, Share New Single ‘Old Skool’

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Metronomy are back! Indeed they are, and back with news of a new album Summer 08, the follow up to 2014’s Love Letters, due for release on July 1st, and they’ve shared the video for first single ‘Old Skool’.

It’s a funky disco-leaning gem laced with deep grooves, bouncy beats, dripping synths and super catchy melodies combining for an irresistible, danceble adventure. Add to that, Beastie Boys’ turntablist extraordinaire Mix Master Mike also lends a hand, making an appearance with some nimble scratching. It’s been quite some time since we had heard anything new from the electronic outfit, but ‘Old Skool’ has been worth the wait. Marvellous.

Check out ‘Old Skool’ below. Summer 08 is out on July 1st, and the tracklisting is after the jump.

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Billy Bragg & Joe Henry Team Up for Album, ‘Shine A Light: Field Recordings From The Great American Railroad’

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In March, 2016, Billy Bragg and Joe Henry caught a train from Chicago to Los Angeles. Over the course of the 2,728 miles of winding track, they recorded a collection of classic railroad folk and blues songs – originally made famous by Hank Williams, Lead Belly, The Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Glen Campbell & more – at various stations along the way.

The result is the new album, Shine A Light: Field Recordings From The Great American Railroad, which they recorded live at train stations, and will be released on September 23 via Cooking Vinyl. To get us right in the mood, accompanying this announcement is ‘The Midnight Special’. First recorded in 1926 by Pistol Pete, a member of the western group Otto Gray and his Oklahoma Cowboys, the song is generally attributed to Leadbelly, who recorded his version while serving time for attempted homicide at Louisiana’s Angola Prison Farm. Bragg and Henry have stuck with the acoustic roots of ‘The Midnight Special’, and the result is pretty damn fine. Those rough harmonies and rustic sound, work ever so well.

Watch a trailer for the album and listen to ‘The Midnight Special’ below.

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