DATE ARCHIVES : June 2016

Farewell Vancouver: Vancouver Connection Playlist

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After a couple of extremely fun years, my time in Canada is drawing to a close. As well as taking away no end of fond memories from Canada’s west coast, there is also a long, long list of local musical discoveries.

So, with that in mind and the impending return to Ireland, I decided to create a playlist of some of my very favourite artists/musical discoveries from Vancouver (and the surrounding areas). If nothing else, it will offer a taste of what this part of the world has to offer musically. Included among the 66 strong list are regulars on the blog and podcast, the likes of Kinship, Mesa Luna, Avid Walker, Bousada, The Orange Kyte, Supermoon, Soft Serve, Danny Diggs, Faith Healer, Project Pablo and more. Hopefully you enjoy the tunes as much as I do and it keeps you ticking over till the returns to normal service, once everything is settled after the move.

On that note, I shall leave you with the finest music BC has to offer.

Seazoo Return With 7″ of Sparkling, Catchy, Effervescent pop; ‘Teeth/Skulls’

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Over the past few years or so, Seazoo have been a dependable source for some of the most lovable, charming and sprightly indie-pop tunes this side of heaven,

The North Walian five-piece have returned with a new 7″, Teeth/Skulls to be released by Too Pure Singles Club on July 29th. The new tracks do nothing to dispel this notion, in fact, it just compounds this growing as one of the finest purveyors of pitch-perfect, indie-pop perfection! ‘Teeth’ is a sparkling, catchy, piece of effervescent pop, it whizzes and fizzes along and wrapped up with a shiny happiness, smiley melodies, scuzzy guitars, organ and synth. While ‘Skulls’ sees their recognisable jangle-pop-bounce joined by a touch more muscular aggression as rumbling, meaty basslines, fuzzy tones, driven guitars spacey synths, big beats, and crystal-clear vocals combine in magical and addicting perfect pop-craft harmony. Two fabulous cuts of irresistible, smile inducing skuzzed, fuzzed, indie-pop brilliance.

Seazoo just keep getting better and better with each release, and this is their best work to date. Needless to say, I can’t wait to hear what is next! For now, check out ‘Teeth/Skulls’ below. Out on July 29th.

Dan Amor Shares ‘Cnoc Cnoc Cnoc’, New Album To Follow

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North Walian marvel Dan Amor has been held in the highest regard around the quarters for quite some time, and with good reason too.

Performing in both Welsh and English Amor’s psych-tinged folk wizardry is unique in sound and style, and always crafted with love and care. Drawn to obscure and different sounds, prone to playfulness and spaced out throwbacks and infused with Welsh culture; the results are always magnificent. Amor’s brand new single ‘Cnoc Cnoc Cnoc’ is absolutely no different, and a timely reminder of what a bona fide treasure he really is. It is a Super Furries / Yellow Submarine inspired tune about hiding under the bed clothes when someone knocks on the door too early in the morning. Sang in his native Welsh, this is a gentle, melodic little gem that jovially trips along lovely strum, bouncy percussion and a marvelous kazoo solo. Sublime as per usual from Dan Amor but it gets better; ‘Cnoc Cnoc Cnoc’ is the first single take from his forthcoming new album. No firm date yet but hopefully it is sooner rather than later.

‘Cnoc Cnoc Cnoc’ is available below for your listening pleasure. Now, bury your head under the duvet and enjoy!

Introducing: Kinship

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Kinship is the moniker of Vancouver based producer Thom Klob.

Since 2014, Klob’s sound has been exploring elements of UK garage, house and more left-field electronica, with a strong focus on manipulated vocal snippets and bright melodies. And how. Having recently teamed up with Vancouver collective ‘El Cheapo’, Kinship released ‘Skinhead’ a stellar intro, and one that’ll surely get you moving. ‘Skinhead’ builds from a fanfare opening with layered fuzzed out electronics, backed by a pulsating beats and other pin-point percussives, brought together with vocal samples. Take Kinship’s brand new single, ‘Eh’ too, it is a dusty sounding house tune, incorporating all the aforementioned attributes, with a swooning, irresistible groove and plenty of bounce. This is spectacularly good, just like ‘Skinhead’. Now, we could continue with me waxing lyrical but hey, your own ears are the best judge here. So, sit back, relax and prepare for some magic.

You can sample some choice sounds from Kinship below, you will not be disappointed.

Millions Like Us Podcast – Episode #18

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We’re thrilled to share yet another Millions Like Us with you all, Episode #18!

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 a bumper episode #18, almost 2 hours in fact, of great tunes and plenty of chat, on 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.

Continue reading →

Boxed In Announce New Album And Unveil New Single ‘Jist’

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London-based quartet Boxed In – headed up by Oli Bayston – have announced a new album, ‘Melt’,

Penned for release on September 23, via Nettwerk Records, it follows their wonderful, self-titled debut, which was released in early 2015. Preceding the release, Bayston & Co. have unveiled a brand spanking new single, ‘Jist’. It is an upbeat, punchy electronic number with looping vocals that strolls smoothly along an undercurrent of rumbling synths and bassline, and a sparkling keyboard melody. ‘Jist’ packs a solid groove (a la Mylo’s ‘Drop The Pressure’) and it swells, with a mild touch of the Balearic for good measure, to serve some feel-good, party vibes with a sublimely sparkling piece of awe-inspiring electronica. Boxed In’s self-titled debut was a revelation, and going on ‘Jist’ at least, we could be in for a repeat performance. Hopefully so.

Melt is out on September 23 and you can check out ‘Jist’ below.

Bad Sounds – ‘Avalanche’

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Bad Sounds are a 5-piece from Bath, UK who bring some serious party vibes with their deliciously catchy and funky, kaleidoscopic pop.

‘Avalanche’ is only their second single proper, but it marks them out as purveyors of psych-tinged, pop perfect. Fusing bright pop hooks with fuzzy guitar lines, combined with high-pitched harmonies, sing-a-long lyrics and an irresistible groove, Bad Sounds serve up an unbelievably catchy foray through the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, in all of three-and-a-half-minutes. This is one of the most thrilling singes of 2016 thus far and one sure to leave an indelible mark on your soul.

While it is early days in the life of Bad Sounds, ‘Avalanche’ certainly suggests they are one’s to keep an eye on, for sure. Check it and previous single ‘I Feel’ below.

Introducing: TERRY

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TERRY is an Australian super group of sorts – comprised of (deep breathe) Al Montfort (of Total Control and Dick Diver), Zephyr Pavey (Eastlink, Total Control, Russell Street Bombings), Amy Hill (Constant Mongrel, School Of Radiant Living), and Xanthe Waite (Mick Harvey Band) – who’ve announced their debut album, TERRY HQ, will be out July 1 via Upset the Rhythm.

Ahead of its release next month, they’ve kindly been previewing their debut LP with some sublime singles. So far it would appear their sound is a sort of throwback to that late ’70s / early- 80s era – with touches of punk, post-punk, glam and indie – and it is magnificent! The first glimpse was provided by ‘Don’t Say Sorry’, a nervy, scratchy and off-kilter stomper. It operates in the blurred lines between punk and indie, skittering along with an unhinged guitar until the midway point, where it careers off into a discordant, sonic self-implosion and never looks back. Their new single ‘Third War’ is an infectious, warped take on classic ’70s glam with punky tones. Unravelling at its own pace with a peaceful acoustic strum and vocals, it is offset by the constant drone of an electric guitar, and juxtaposed by melancholic musings surrounding a seemingly doomed world.

TERRY HQ, will be out July 1 but for now, get your ears into the jerky rhythms of ‘Don’t Say Sorry’ & the wonderfully infectious ‘Third War’.

Freedom Fry – ‘Shaky Ground’

 

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LA based indie pop duo Freedom Fry have been charming our ears over the past few years, with catchy and lovable single after single.

The Franco-American duo’s, Marie Seyrat and Bruce Driscoll, music blurs the lines between pop, folk and indie – always bright and breezy, and blended with danceable rhythms and a sing-a-long chorus. The pair have returned with sugary-sweet and super catchy single, ‘Shaky Ground’. This re-recorded single, retains similarly brilliant characteristics to those which have marked their earlier work. A gentle and breezy number, harnessing all the potency from a catchy melody, sunny strings, toe tapping percussion and the gorgeous boy/girl vocal combo, making it impossible to resist its allure. A wonderful and utterly likable piece of guitar-pop which sits pretty well alongside their previous singles like ‘Summer In The City’, ‘Hanging With The New Crowd’, ‘Home’ and ‘Blackmailed’ etc. (which should definitely be checked out).

‘Shaky Ground’ is out now and available from all the usual outlets/streaming platforms. Check it, and the video, below. On a side note, ‘Shaky Ground’ sits pretty well alongside their previous singles, which should definitely be checked out.

Julien Mier – ‘Hum Of The Hummingbirds’

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Yet another excellent piece of electronica via Ryan Hemsworth’s Secret Song selection; a bi-weekly offering of magnificent free singles curated by Mr. Hemsworth.

On this occasion the sublime sounds are supplied courtesy of Dutch, Australia-based producer, Julien Mier. Mier has become known for his eclectic and washed out collision of musical genres, and does nothing to dispel this notion with his exquisite new single ‘Hum Of The Hummingbirds’. Opening with a flurry of twinkling, colorful fluttering electronics it surges through a neat the light, bright and beautifully lush sounds, with a buzz of electricity. A stunning 2 minutes 40 seconds, as Mier intricately brings so many threads together, with a deft, exquisite touch.

You can sample the wonder of ‘Hum Of The Hummingbirds’ below. And if that is to you liking, Meir has a new album coming soon, via Vancouver label ‘King Deluxe’, more details on that, here.