Mesa Luna – ‘Woronoco’

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Mesa Luna, the one-man dream-pop project of multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Justice McLellan is preparing to release debut LP Lash on March 22.

Last we encountered the Vancouver artist was with blissful and shimmering synth-filled lead single ‘Dispel’, and McLellan is back with another taste of the forthcoming record in the shape of ‘Woronoco’. It is a blissed-out, majestic and heavenly slice of shoegaze indebted dream-pop that is equally beautiful and affecting. With ‘Woronoco’, Mesa Luna weaves atmospheric textures, glacial elegance, shimmering electronics, reverberating synth, slowburning guitars, yearning emotion and hushed heartfelt vocals together to create a song that is delicate and pristine yet simultaneously powerful and a compelling wall of noise. Yet another exquisite and emphatic track from Vancouver; things are looking rather well for the album on March 2.

Listen to ‘Woronoco’ below:

Mesa Luna – ‘Dispel’

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The last time we encountered Vancouver’s Mesa Luna was with the hypnotic, absorbing singles ‘Ruins’, ‘Don’t Let Go’ and ‘Church Garden’ a few years back – at that time, a duo featuring Justice McLellan and Alex Cooper (now of the PAVEL parish).

Today, Mesa Luna is the one-man dream-pop project of multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Justice McLellan who is preparing to release debut LP Lash; out March 22. The album is fronted by lead single ‘Dispel’ which proves Mesa Luna has lost none of its allure, zip and groove. Centred around shimmering synth, immediate riffs and rumbling bassline, ‘Dispel’ is submerged in dreamy, blissed-out vibes. Amid all the hazy atmospheres and dreaminess there is a doleful, melancholic air as the beat quickens – matched step by step by riff, synth and bass – ‘Dispel’ gallops forward leaving only dust (think early Foals and Boxed In). An exquisite and emphatic introduction.

Tune into ‘Dispel’ below and remember Lash is coming out on March 22 via Afterlife Music.

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.

Pavel – ‘Beginner’s Mind’

Pavel is the solo-project of Alex Cooper, one half of Vancouver based duo Mesa Luna; purveyors of rich, melodic and rather exquisite electronica.

Having unveiled the new project with debut track ‘Alright’, Cooper is back with ‘Beginner’s Mind’, a second single from a forthcoming 10-track EP, which is out May 13th. The latest effort offers a slightly different side to Pavel’s sound. It’s a downtempo, chilled electronic excursion with a slow and steady beat, mellow organ and a generally laid-back, late night demeanor. ‘Alright’ was a wonderful introduction to Cooper’s new side-project and ‘Beginner’s Mind’ builds on that. With a 10-track EP set for release in May, thankfully we won’t be waiting long for more. Definitely looking forward to hearing it!

You can check out ‘Beginner’s Mind’ below and if you’re in the Vancouver area, you can catch Pavel along with a whole host of others at the Toast Collective on May 13th – all the details are here.

 

Pavel – ‘Alright’

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Vancouver duo and purveyors of rich, melodic and rather exquisite electronica, Mesa Luna are currently on a bit of a break. One half of the dynamic duo, Alex Cooper, isn’t about to let this downtime stifle his own creative output.

Cooper’s ready to step out with a new solo project under the guise of Pavel, and we have been graced with debut track ‘Alright’. ‘Alright’ serves an intro to this new musical moniker, and how! It is a whimsical mix of pleasant synth warblings, shuffling drum machine beats, crackles and hazy vocals. It is a pretty infectious groover that espouses a playfulness amid its rippling saunter. ‘Alright’ is a wonderful introduction to Cooper’s new side-project and sure to keep us tide over till Mesa Luna get the bit between their teeth once again. Mesa Luna by the way, are not only a local favourite but one of the finest new discoveries from the past 12 months or so, and well worth some of your time.

Pavel will be supporting for Prince Rama and Dinner at Vancouver’s Cobalt on April 2nd, but for now, listen to the brand new single ‘Alright’ below.

Millions Like Us Podcast – Episode #7

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We’re back once again with a brand new episode of ‘Millions Like Us’, and we’re delighted as always.

This is Episode #7 (time really is flying) of Justin & I’s music podcast in conjunction with Vancouver news & culture site 604now. It is a bi-weekly digest of music from metro Vancouver and beyond, the latest serving has the usual whimsical chatter and top tunes, comprised from an eclectic mix of styles and genres. Hopefully you enjoy podcast #7 and we plan to have an end of year round-up Pod recorded before the close of 2015, hopefully you tune in to that too.

You can read more on it here and listen below, and the tracklist (with links) is after the jump too. You can subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic or find us on Facebook & Twitter.

Hopefully you enjoy our curated pickings, and thanks for listening as always.

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BarryGruff Playlist October 2015

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A now regular monthly feature, whereby we round up all the blog action with a nice, neat and handy playlist of tracks featured during the month.

October was another busy month. We we’re introduced to Primitive World, Soft Serve, Auramics, Jade Statues, New Pope, Mesa Luna & Silver Matter. There were excellent new singles from Totalitarian, The Statics, Cuinciu, Juice, Martha Ffion & Queen of Jeans. And we had tunes from Field Music, Nancy Leticia & Fold ahead of their respective, new and forthcoming albums. There as also the not so small matter of an interview with Super Furry Animals’ resident electronic and keyboard wizard, Cian Ciaran – read it here.

Oh, and there were two new episodes of ‘Millions Like Us’, Justin Beats & I’s new music podcast extravaganza for 604now (if you missed them, why not check out episodes #3 & #4 here). You can also subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic or find us on Facebook & Twitter.

Well then, that’s that for another month – listen to BarryGruff’s October 2015 playlist below. Enjoy!

 

Millions Like Us Podcast: Episode #3

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Delighted to share ‘Episode #3′ of ‘Millions Like Us’ – a music podcast hosted by myself & craft beer, pastie and fast-food safari enthusiast, Justin Beats – in conjunction with Vancouver news & culture site 604now.

A bi-weekly digest of music from metro Vancouver and BEYOND. The third installment is a mix of new tunes, musings and general chit-chat, with an eclectic mix of musical styles too. Obviously these are still early days but we’re hoping you’re enjoying them so far and we’re looking forward to developing it further and further, over the coming weeks and months. Not much else to say really, aside from thanks to 604now and we hope you enjoy the show. You can read more on it here and listen to episode #2 below, and the tracklist (with links) is after the jump.

You can follow us on SoundCloud | Mixcloud | Twitter

Episode #3:

Zoo Strategies – ‘An Anthem For Angry Country Kids’

Mesa Luna – ‘Don’t Let Go’

Gwenno – ‘Patriarchaeth’

Mourning Coup – ‘I Will Never Die’

Jade Statues – ‘She Don’t Evn Smoke’

Rozmosis – ‘Rain ft Azrael’

Fold – ‘She’

Turn To Crime – ‘Can’t Love’

The Stammer – ‘Kate & Chris’

Other Jesus – ‘Repetition’

Bloody Knees – Daydream

Girl Band – ‘Paul’

Introducing: Mesa Luna

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Vancouver based duo Mesa Luna, comprised of Justice McLellan and Alex Cooper, have a knack for rich, melodic and rather exquisite electronica.

Recorded in various places around the city such as cafe basements, bedrooms and an old empty bank vault, the pair will release their debut EP, Crux, toward the end of this month, October 24th in fact. Ahead of their forthcoming EP, there are already afforded us with plenty of reasons to get excited. Rich in textures and melodic subtleties, a hint of melancholia pulses through the veins of their absorbing sound, which has certain similarities to Boxed In, Hot Chip’s more down-tempo moments and some DFA stalwarts. From the sombre, downtempo psychedelia inflected electronica of ‘Ruins’ to the peaceful, introspective, spaced-out and thought provoking kind of mood inducing ‘Don’t Let Go’; it’s hypnotic, absorbing and all irresistible grooves. ‘Church Garden’ meanwhile, flits between subtly euphoric and vaguely ambient as chiming notes, fluttering keyboards and yowling synths combine with snappy beats, which are delivered with pin point accuracy. The result is a blend of warm sounds with a crisp frosty elegance, creating a absorbing hypnotic, comforting sound collage. Quite simply; Mesa Luna are one of the finest electronic pairings to emerge this year.

There are a few choice cuts below to further convince you and Mesa Luna’s Crux EP is out on October 24th via nbd Label.

BarryGruff Playlist September 2015

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A now regular monthly feature, whereby we round up all the blog action with a nice, neat and handy playlist of tracks featured during the month.

September was pretty damn good, aside from saying goodbye to summer! We had tunes from Sexwitch, Gwenno, Hinds and The Altered Hours ahead of their respective, new and forthcoming albums. There were excellent new singles from Slow Riot, Tuff Love, BUCK, H. Hawkline, Freedom Fry, Gulp & Miaoux Miaoux. Oh, and their was the launch of ‘Millions Like Us’, Justin Beats & I’s new music podcast extravaganza for 604now (if you missed them? Why not listen to episodes #1 & #2)

Also featured on this month’s playlist are great tracks from Avid Walker, Mesa Luna, Ghost Culture, Boxed In, Anderson & Peaness. So yeah, pretty good alright.

Listen to BarryGruff’s September 2015 playlist below.