Worthless - Children Of The Grave b​/​w Softest

Article by KevW

The psychedelia wagon keeps on rolling, and it makes you wonder whether there are more records being released now that fit that genre than ever before. Deep psych, retro psych, sunkissed psychedelia... take your pick and you'll find a veritable banquet to feast your ears and melt your mind with. Ignore their name, because Brooklyn-based (possibly, their Facebook page says they're from Florida...) collective Worthless are anything but. New single 'Children Of The Grave' b​/​w 'Softest', if we're picking which branch of psychedelia they belong to, would have to be considered retro, although you do get the odd twang of obscure '90s groups such as Big White Stairs.

The A-side is all trippy vocals and lyrics (when you can make them out through the distortion) with twangy guitar and the merest hint of a jangle in the background. There's a spooky air to it, and it should probably come with a free lava lamp and joss sticks, but it's a musical soup of sounds that make for a top quality track. B-side 'Softest' doesn't change things too much; similar effects are used with a shuffling beat added to offer an little extra groove. As a whole, this single is chilled, slightly weird (in a good way) and faithful to its influences without leaning on them too heavily. It has its own personality, and it's one that you may just find yourself liking. It's a thumbs up from us anyway.



Worthless' website

Stream or buy the single





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Naytronix - Back In Time

Article by KevW

For decades musicians have formed side-projects, recorded solo albums and released records under various aliases, but, perhaps due to the relative simplicity and cheaper cost of making and promoting such material (i.e. the internet), it almost feels like an essential part of your career nowadays. Whatever the reason Nate Brenner (if you don't know the name, he's in tUnE-yArDs) chose for his extra-curricular activity, it's unlikely it was just for the sake of it; the music's too good for that. Clearly a talented artist himself, his Naytronix project will be putting out the album 'Mister Divine' on City Slang this October.

As the song title suggests, 'Back In Time' is lyrically about the feeling of nostalgia, but musically it's not very retro at all. Comparisons don't come easily either, and that's in part due to the fact that the song chops and changes a couple of times. Mainly though, 'Back In Time' is a patchwork of various styles, all pieced together to create an experimental, indie/electronica/pop/whatever tune that's unorthodox yet easy to get into at the same time. With a soulful vibe and layers of strange sounds, each quite sparse on their own, but coming together to make something much richer, he's obviously not just going through the motions. The album should make for an interesting listen.



Naytronix's website

Buy the single





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Ned Dylan - Disco

Article by KevW

If anyone out there seriously still thinks that young people today don't have anything to say or are lacking any political opinion and passion for what's going on/wrong with the country/world, then they clearly haven't heard Ned Dylan yet. Mind you, with a host of alternative music stars and radio DJs hurling praise at him from every angle, it can only be a matter of time before word is out there. Big festivals have been played, and big names are already on board - and he hasn't released his debut single yet. Oh, and he's only fourteen. Too much hype for what could be an unknown quantity? No, not really. Ned has a host of original material (he doesn't do covers) which you can check out from various live performances if you have a snoop around on YouTube.

He describes himself as "acoustic punk", and it's likely that his songs are written on an acoustic guitar, not to mention performed live that way on certain occasions, but, although it's an acoustic he uses for debut single 'Disco', this is an electric pop-punk piece of fury, ripping at the seams with vigour and intensity. As a mark of how well respected this guy is, Gordon Raphael (the man behind the first few Strokes albums) produces the track, and lead guitar is provided by Fruitbat from Carter USM. Having connections is one thing (and many up and coming artists would give their right arm to have people like that on their team), but the real strength of 'Disco' is in its energetic delivery and well informed lyrics. There's a fire burning in the belly of Ned Dylan, and its one that too few musicians seem to have. Make no mistake, this guy's the real deal.



Ned Dylan's website





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HEYROCCO - Melt

Article by KevW

Considering their proper debut album (they released a set of demos back in 2012) only came out this summer, South Carolina's HEYROCCO have achieved an awful lot and built themselves a sizable following. Touring the UK and Europe (including festival spots and a headline gig in London) and notching up national radio play is no mean feat considering all that was available were those home recordings and an EP late last year, but it's not quite a case of everything falling into the trio's lap. They formed in 2009, so have been around a while, and gigged extensively in the US. They've put in the groundwork.

It's paid off though, and their mix of "grungy angst and bubblegum pop" is certainly a winning formula. They've been compared to Nirvana and Pavement, and true enough, you can hear aspects of both bands in tracks like video single 'Melt' (a long time favourite that was on last year's 'Mom Jeans' EP, as well as recent LP 'Teenage Movie Soundtrack'). Perhaps it's the old-fashioned video (a little bit 'Buddy Holly' maybe?), but you'd have to say that Weezer are also a strong comparison. This is the same kind of catchy, scuzzy alt-rock that they made their name with. If you're new to HEYROCCO, it'll be worth trying to catch them on their upcoming tour. All the hype sounds like it's worth it.





HEYROCCO's website

Buy the album

Catch them live:

September 30th – London, Tooting Tram & Social
October 1st – Guildford, Boilerroom
October 2nd – Brighton, Green Door Store
October 3rd – Exeter, Cavern
October 6th – London, Old Blue Last
October 7th – London, King’s Head
October 8th – Edinburgh, Sneaky Petes
October 9th – Glasgow, Hug & Pint
October 11th – Preston, The Ferret
October 13th – Manchester, The Castle





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Keep Shelly in Athens - Now I'm Ready (featuring Ocean Hope)

Article by KevW

It was the very awesome 'Running Out Of You' that announced Greek duo Keep Shelly In Athens to the world (or the wider world at least) back when we were a radio show. Listener feedback was great, just as you'd expect from a tune that was slightly moody chillwave that suddenly burst open like a flower to become far more blissed-out and memorable than may at first have been expected. Since then the pair have gone on to release many acclaimed records as well as creating some notable remixes. There was a line-up change last year, with original singer Sarah P leaving and being replaced by Myrtha.

Latest single 'Now I'm Ready (featuring Ocean Hope)' obviously has the input of another artist as well, but the title-track to their forthcoming album (out on October 16th) doesn't break form or style much from that grand introduction a few years ago. The whole "chillwave" scene might have dissipated, but that genre name, like most, was really a press creation anyway. What we get with 'Now I'm Ready' is a quite beautiful dreampop song full of hope and immaculately produced. Built on a subtle foundation, twangs of guitar engage you early on, and when the song ups tempo it only gets better and more euphoric, painting a gorgeous. buoyant, soaring musical picture. One of their very best tracks to date.



Keep Shelly In Athens' website

Pre-order the album

Catch them live:

Oct. 31, 2015 - Washington,D.C. @ U Street Music Hall

Nov. 03, 2015 - Boston, MA @ Great Scott

Nov. 04, 2015 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's

Nov. 05, 2015 - New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge

Nov. 07, 2015 - Asheville, NC @ The Mothlight

Nov. 09, 2015 - Atlanta, GA @ Purgatory

Nov. 10, 2015 - New Orleans, LA @ Hi-Ho Lounge

Nov. 11, 2015 - San Antonio, TX @ Limelight

Nov. 12, 2015 - Austin, TX @ Empire Control Room

Nov. 13, 2015 - Dallas, TX @ The Foundry

Nov. 14, 2015 - El Paso, TX @ The Lowbrow Palace

Nov. 16, 2015 - Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar

Nov. 17, 2015 - San Diego, CA @ Casbah

Nov. 18, 2015 - Los Angeles, CA @ Club Bahia

Nov. 19, 2015 - San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop

Nov. 20, 2015 - Oakland, CA @ Awaken

Nov. 21, 2015 - Seattle, WA @ Sunset

Nov. 22, 2015 - Vancouver, CANADA @ Fortune

Nov. 23, 2015 - Bellingham, WA @ The Shakedown

Nov. 24, 2015 - Spokane, WA @ The Bartlett

Nov. 25, 2015 - Walla Walla, WA @ Main Street Studios

Nov. 27, 2015 - Denver, CO @ Lost Lake

Nov. 28, 2015 - Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room

Nov. 29, 2015 - Springfield, MO @ Outland Ballroom

Nov. 30, 2015 - Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews

Dec. 01, 2015 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry

Dec. 02, 2015 - Madison, WI @ The Frequency

Dec. 03, 2015 - Chicago, IL @ Schuba's

Dec. 04, 2015 - Toronto, CANADA @ The Drake Hotel

Dec. 05, 2015 - Montreal, CANADA @ Fairmount

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Get Me Free #50: HÔN - Silent Lover

Article by KevW

Our introduction to Danish solo artist HÔN came when putting together our playlist of some of the best new tracks around just last week (unless you count his time spent as a member of The Rumour Said Fire), but that track was his second release under this new guise, and followed on from an introductory single in the summer. The new material shows a marked difference in style from his previous band, opting for a more synth-oriented sound as opposed to the indie/rock/pop guitar styling that many may have expected. Backtracking to that debut single, it reaffirms this new direction and can be downloaded for free by anyone who signs up to his mailing list.

'Silent Lover', possibly more than 'Honeydream', shows this change instantly, almost as if its job is to act as a statement proclaiming that things will be a bit different from now on. The track does have an "indie" aspect to it and isn't pure electro-pop, so it's not a polar opposite to what fans may be used to, and it also contains the same pop nous of his past works. That introduction could lead to a colder, more robotic song, but the vocal and fuzzier synths that soon arrive give 'Silent Lover' a much more welcoming feel. Then there's the chorus, where any remaining darkness disappears like clouds parting to reveal the bright sunshine. We may have only heard two tracks, but HÔN could really be on to something here.



Download 'Silent Lover' for free from HÔN's website

Buy the single





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The Sound Of Confusion Mixtape by Cumbres Carrascosa

Article by Cumbres Carrascosa

Forward by KevW:

"At the start of 2014 we were first introduced to the work of Canary Islands native Miguel Cámara and his EP 'Nevertheless Introductory'. More music has been recorded since then, and you can find it using the links below. So when he offered to make a mixtape for us explaining what music inspired and influenced him then we were more than happy. It's always interesting to learn what sounds artists use and how they go on to shape the songs that they're making. This mix is interspersed with a few touches from Cumbres Carrascosa himself, as well as featuring some of his own tracks. There's plenty to enjoy here, and quite a variety too. Plus, if anyone was unsure of where our site got its name, you only need to listen to the first tune to find out! If you're at work, or if you just want some sounds to get you through your day, then scroll down, hit play and listen a a great selection."

60-minute mixtape for The Sound Of Confusion with a compilation of tunes and artists inspiring the solo project Cumbres Carrascosa. Expect certain analog keyboard + pedals or eventual whistled language from the island of La Gomera on the mix. Enjoy.

1.- Spacemen 3 - Walkin' With Jesus.

Repetitive and mind-altering chords to start this mixtape. Neo-psychedelia they call it. I actually got to Spacemen 3 quite late, after their break-up. "Spiritualized" was one of my first hunts as soon as I got an internet connection. That search took me to Spacemen 3. I stick to the lyrics of this tune:

(…) I've chosen what's best

Well, here it comes

Here comes the sound

The sound of confusion

The sound of love.

2.- Gina X - BB 50.

I'm not really a fan of Gina X Performance and this song is not the main turntable favorite but I like this track anyway, the way it's composed. They somehow put this one as an interlude out of the German disco influenza of that time. And god knows I love interludes. I lived in their hometown Köln 20 years after this record was put out. I fantasize thinking one of them was a regular client at the late night club I used to work.

3.- Gaz Nevada - Going Underground.

Not much I can tell about this Italian band but there must be a logic between the "maybe I feel so lonely" and the "going underground" verses. There is.

4.- Crystal Stilts - The Dazzled.

Drummer Frankie Rose was the link to this band, and The Dazzled certainly represents how I wanted my music to sound like when I started the Cumbres Carrascosa thing. Indeed Still And Hushed Forever was composed in 2010 after listening to The Dazzled a trillion times. I wanted to stare at the horse and scream and kill god at the same time.

5.- Tomo Akikawabaya - Diamond.

My leitmotiv in an absolute dramatic and Wagnerian way. The Arabic-like melody of the vocals sets me adrift. The simplicity of the composition is enough to divert the attention from his mysterious background. Minimal Wave Records is re-releasing his music in a louder remastered 2LP edition.

6.- AC Marias - Drop.

Angela Conway, the intriguing ingredient.

7.- Nina Simone - Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter.

I find much more fury on this version by Nina Simone. A song for the haters.

8.- Les Rallizes Dénudés - La Mal Rouge.

Besides all the attractive mystique and the political background behind Les Rallizes Dénudés, I admire the timeless capacity (or inexorable fortune) of Takashi Mizutani to perpetuate his work during almost 50 years.

9.- Tropic Of Cancer - More Alone.

Oh… Camella Lobo… Camella Lobo… She is Camella Lobo… Oh, dear… Camella… Lobo… She is… Oh… I might have romanticized the idea of a collaboration with her… I might have even proposed it actually… Oh… She is… I am… She is… I am… More Alone.

10.- Cortex - You Just Can't Kill The Boogeyman.

I was in Gothenburg right after a concert with a side project in Sweden. The family Ingelhammar hosted us before our trip to Holland. We spent the night drinking cheap wine and listening to their vinyls. Mostly Swedish underground. I was then told about Freddie Wadling, the band Cortex and the story behind You Just Can't Kill The Boogeyman: the things that are always coming back. That reminds me the words of my former psychologist on regards love and drugs. She helped me to embrace my fears and addictions because drugs work the same way love does in your brain.

11.-Rheingold - Dreiklangsdimensionen.

One of my favorites. I've always distrusted the Neue Deutsche Welle as much as the fairy tale of the Movida, but I Iove the "Sequenzen hone Grenzen" thing.

12.- Gary Wilson - Gary's In The Park.

Total respect.

13.- TALsounds - All The Way.

Just a little piece of Natalie Chami's world. I read somewhere there's no overdub here and it truly looks like a formidable first take. It inspired me to create Pyre Passage. I recently purchased her cassette All The Way via Hausu Mountain Records.

14.- The Fassbinders - Hellfire.

Geology Records released this project. All I know about it is a resemblance from Reiner Werner Fassbinder so that's all I need to pay attention to Hellfire.

15.- Cumbres Carrascosa - Glitch Of Love.

I had worked on the lyrics of Glitch Of Love under the influence of Cavafy's poetry. It's a song I've included almost everywhere I've played so far as it truly shows the specific idea behind the project. I've never played this tune twice with the same guitar, except in Japan where I borrowed one from the band Harps for part of the tour. Glitch of Love is included on the record Silenced No, available via US label RACECAR on CD and cassette. Also in Japan via Sone Records.

16.- Cumbres Carrascosa - Pulled Under By The Surge.

This is a first take with no overdub included on the digital EP Pyre Passage.

https://cumbrescarrascosa.bandcamp.com/

https://twitter.com/cumcar

https://cumbrescarrascosa.wordpress.com/





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