December 14, 2017 · 12:42 pm

Video: Public Access TV – “Metrotech”

Photo Credit: Jonah Freud

Public Access TV has shared a video for their new single “MetroTech” off of their highly anticipated sophomore album Street Safari, due out in February 2018.
 
The video features Kevin Corrigan (Buffalo 66, Pineapple Express, The Departed) dancing through the dimly lit streets of the city.
 
“Max (bassist from PATV) met Kevin randomly while day-drinking alone at some dive bar. Kevin was there by himself as well and eventually they started talking and spent the rest of the day hanging at this bar. Max then “night walked” home and the next day when he told John the story, the video idea and everything was created.”
The story of Public Access TV seems like it was written for an episode of Behind The Music. A group of friends drop out of high school and catch a New York City bound bus with dreams of starting a band. What follows is a frenzy of press hype, label bidding wars, a critically-acclaimed debut album, sold-out tours, and festival slots around the world. 

But as all viewers of any music doc surely know, there is always a darker side to the story, and PATV is no exception. Addiction, recovery programs, public brawls (mostly with one-another), a devastating explosion that destroyed all their earthly possessions, and a car crash behind the wheel of an 80’s convertible…a lifetime packed into a one-album cycle. Now for part two, Public Access TV’s sophomore album: Street Safari.
 
The band, comprised of frontman and lead-singer John Eatherly, Xan Aird, Max Peebles, and Pete Star, entered the studio to record the new album in fall 2017 with Producer Patrick Wimberly (Beyonce, Chairlift, MGMT, Blood Orange) armed with a plethora of songs they’d written documenting the tumultuous last few years of their lives. The first single “Metrotech” previews the more expansive palette the band is working with on their new album. 

“I think it’s a cop-out to say that this is our mature album, or whatever cliche thing it is that bands say about their second album.” says Eatherly. “There was no spiritual awakening or come-to-Jesus moment. We’re four young guys trying to figure our lives out, be good people, and a lot of the time find ourselves coming up short. Expressing this through songwriting is the challenge and I can only hope the deliverance.”  
 
Tickets for Public Access TV’s European / North American tour are on sale now. Full dates below.
European Headlining Tour Dates:

Feb 13: Academy 2. Dublin, Ireland
Feb 14: Broadcast. Glasgow
Feb 15: Underground. Newcastle, UK
Feb 16: Brudenell Social. Leeds, UK
Feb 17: Soup Kitchen. Manchester, UK
Feb 18: Hare & Hounds. Birmingham, UK
Feb 20: Crofters Rights. Bristol, UK
Feb 21: Joiners. Southampton, UK
Feb 22: Oslo, London, UK
Feb 24: Green Door Store. Brighton, UK
Feb 26: Yard Club. Cologne, Germany
Feb 27: Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Feb 28: MOD. Hasselt, Belgium
Mar 1: Supersonic Club, Paris, France

Public Access TV North America Headline Tour

Mar 6: DC9. Washington, DC
Mar 7: Milkboy. Philadelphia, PA
Mar 9: Savannah Stopover Fest. Savannah, GA
Mar 10: The Earl. Atlanta, GA
Mar 11: The End. Nashville, TN
Mar 13: House of Blues – Bronze Peacock. Houston, TX
Mar 17: Not So Fun Wknd. Dallas TX.
Mar 20: Valley Bar. Phoenix, AZ
Mar 21: The Echo. Los Angeles, CA
Mar 22: House of Blues – Voodoo Room. San Diego, CA
Mar 23: The Observatory, Constellation Room. Santa Ana, CA
Mar 24: Bottom of the Hill. San Francisco, CA
Mar 26: Crystal Ballroom – Lola’s. Portland, OR
Mar 27: The Timbre Room. Seattle, WA
Mar 28: The Cobalt.Vancouver, BC
April 2: Schubas. Chicago, IL
April 4: Garrison. Toronto, ON
April 5: Petit Campus. Montreal, QC
April 6: Great Scott. Boston, MA
April 7: Music Hall of Williamsburg. New York, NY

 

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December 13, 2017 · 3:56 pm

Check ‘Em Out: MTNS

Brisbane electronic group MTNS has been trickling releases from their Like A Stone EP for a few months now, and today the full EP is here. Their biggest hit “Slow Motion” has now racked up over 17,000 SoundCloud plays with “Waves” also pulling healthy numbers. The EP was recorded in LA with brothers and good friends of MTNS, CAMBO and Louis Bartolini.

“Our time spent in California was inspiring. It was an amazing experience getting involved in a music scene outside of our own,” MTNS said.

The songs are inspired by their families, friends, and faith, and for a lyrical perspective, they are based on a reflection of life from hindsight.

“These songs reflect the joining of our histories and differences. Through the process of building this EP we’ve learned a lot about collaboration in music and experienced first-hand its power to bring people together,” MTNS said.
The MTNS soundscape has developed since their first EP Salvage three years ago, stepping away from the computer and using natural elements to blend in with the electronic productions.

“A big part of our new development was experimenting with sounds and attempting to bring the ‘live, natural and band feel’ to the electronic scene. Our first songs were all based 100% on the computer, so it was great to get out of the box and manipulate natural elements by blending them with the electronic sounds,” MTNS said.

Two new songs on this EP are “Aes Sedai” and “Like A Stone”, each rounding out a cohesive pop-electronic vibe. There’s angst and drama across the four tracks, which hit you hard and strike with every synth clash.

This newfound sonic direction for MTNS is a promising step forward in establishing themselves as major players in the music space, and will hopefully inspire others to follow suit.

“Our hope is that anyone listening to our music will feel inspired to create and connect in the same way we have,” MTNS said.
Like A Stone EP is available everywhere now including Spotify & Apple Music.

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December 12, 2017 · 12:00 pm

Listen: VHS Collection – “Sign”

VHS Collection has shared their latest single “Sign“, which has been featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday Playlist upon it’s release. The band is currently gearing up the release their debut LP, which is due for release in 2018. Stay tuned for more new music and info coming soon.

“I’m halfway out of New York / Half of me I left behind / If we’ve got something to save / Then now’s the time / Just give me a sign”

VHS Collection is a rock band from New York City that has gained a reputation for high energy live performances and a unique blend of rock, electronic, and disco influences.

VHS Collection’s songs have been streamed over 25 million times on Spotify and the band has seen festival performances at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Bunbury Festival, and Okeechobee Festival in the last year.  VHS also sold out a headline show at Bowery Ballroom in February and Music Hall of Williamsburg in June, as well as LA’s Troubadour, in addition to sold-out club dates throughout the mid-west and throughout the west coast.  The band has released two EP’s to date and will release its first full-length record late this fall.

“Lean” the single off the band’s first EP hit #8 on the Spotify Viral Charts last January.  “Waiting on the Summer” the single off of the band’s 2nd EP Stereo Hype hit #14 on the Spotify Viral Charts and has been streamed over 12mm times to date.  The “Waiting on the Summer Dave Edwards Remix” was also #1 on Hype Machine in April.

VHS Collection got their start in the winter of 2014 but the three members, James Bohannon, Conor Cook, and Nils Vanderlip have been playing music in one form or another together since they were kids.  Conor and James grew up across the street from each other in NYC and attended the same grade school where they began jamming on acoustic guitars; Nils and James met in high school, where they started their first band together and recorded an album.

Years later, with all three members back in NYC, VHS pulled together a collection of electronic-leaning rock-influenced bedroom recordings and posted them on Soundcloud.  Encouraged by the volume of hits the tracks received, VHS began performing a live set at friends’ parties and around NYC’s small clubs.  2015 saw multiple sold-out nights for VHS at the Lower East Side’s indie-rock launching pad, the Mercury Lounge.

2016 saw the band’s first major festival performances at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits, in addition to sold-out club dates on both coasts in addition support dates with Bloc Party and Powers.

VHS has remained independent and is self-managed. They are able to reach a growing audience via Spotify and other social media outlets without a label and have also built a live following by word of mouth.  The band sold out Bowery Ballroom and NYC’s 700 cap Music Hall of Williamsburg in the last 6 months and also played several major West Coast headline dates, including LA’s famous Troubadour.

VHS has created a writing process which is unique and serves them well.  It starts primarily with each member individually writing and producing dozens of bits and pieces of songs on their laptops.  The band spends months working on these initial song ideas virtually, sending each other files and collaborating via Dropbox.  Every few months, the band heads to a cabin in upstate New York where they lock themselves in for 7 days at a time to complete the songs during intense writing sessions.  During these sessions, the three members collaborate on every element of the song, with each member playing various instruments on the tracks.  The band then weeds out the best of these home produced tracks to bring into the studio.

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December 8, 2017 · 5:09 pm

Annie Mac Presents AMP Sounds AND the 2017 Compilation Album

Britain’s premiere music tastemaker Annie Mac announces the first installment of AMP SOUNDS for February 2018.

Coming home to where AMP started out, AMP SOUNDS will be taking over the place where it hosted so many happy years of parties, London’s Camden. Celebrating all of the music that Annie Mac loves, AMP SOUNDS will encompass nine shows over the course of one month in three venues: The Jazz Café, The Roundhouse and Koko.

Showcasing all sides of the renowned AMP live brand (from the Annie Mac Presents club nights to the AMP Collected gigs), AMP SOUNDS will bring a broad range of the hottest artists and DJs of the moment, both established and upcoming.

“All aspects of our AMP Live events will be represented,” says Annie. “Our raves with the finest DJs, our showcase events with the most exciting new acts and our big closing party with the best of AMP past and present.”

AMP SOUNDS at Koko will see four very special raves held over four consecutive weekends, headlined by Annie herself alongside some very special guest DJs.

AMP SOUNDS at The Jazz Café will continue the theme of the more recently established AMP Collected nights, showcasing some of the best live acts of the moment in one of London’s most renowned and intimate venues. Running each Thursday across the month it will feature four hand-picked, eclectic line-ups including the likes of Tom Misch, Billie Eilsh, Jessie Ware and Superorganism (to name but a few).

AMP SOUNDS will culminate in a HUGE closing party at The Roundhouse. Everyone attending a show at the Jazz Cafe or Koko across the month will gain pre-sale access to this spectacular finale. The secret bill will see Annie take to the stage once again alongside THE BEST artists from AMP past, present, and future, making it THE most special party Annie has ever hosted.

Celebrating great music in one of the UK’s most renowned cultural hubs for the month of February, AMP SOUNDS will be THE music event of the year for 2018.

Tickets for AMP SOUNDS are on sale now! Purchase here: http://gigst.rs/AMPSounds

The announcement of AMP SOUNDS comes ahead of Virgin EMI’s release of the AMP 2017 compilation album. Available to download and stream on Spotify now, AMP 2017 features a definitive selection of Annie’s favorite tracks from the past year.

PRE-ORDER THE AMP 2017 ALBUM HERE 

LISTEN TO/ SHARE THE AMP 2017 ALBUM MINIMIX HERE

The AMP 2017 compilation is split across two discs featuring a broad-ranging collection of music that Annie has been playing on the radio and out at clubs, parties and festivals over the past year.

With the music that Annie champions being more ubiquitous than ever, never has an AMP compilation felt more reflective of the popular music zeitgeist.  Featuring Bicep, J Hus, Little Dragon, Frank Ocean, Jorja Smith, Sampha, Wolf Alice and Stormzy to name a few, the tracklisting encompasses both upcoming and established artists, of varying genres. Boasting everything from international floorfillers, through US Hip Hop to UK Grime and Alt Rock, AMP 2017 demonstrates how the dancefloor is breaking down more boundaries and proving more integrated than ever before.

ANNIE MAC PRESENTS 2017 TRACKLISTING

ONE

  1. Tieks – Say A Prayer feat Chaka Khan and Popcaan
  2. Kah-lo – Fasta
  3. Pnau – chameleon (Mele Remix)
  4. Ill Blu – Tribalist
  5. Frankie Rizardo  – Same Man
  6. Gerd and Shan – Surrender
  7. Mella Dee – Techno Disco Tool
  8. Ware and Odyssey – Down With The
  9. Marlena Shaw – Get Together (CAtz and Dogs mix)
  10. Camelphat and Elderbrook – Cola (franky rizardo remix)
  11. Disciples – On My Mind (denney remix)
  12. Gorgon City – Primal Call
  13. Bicep – Vale
  14. DUSKY – COLD HEART
  15. Toddla T – Magnet
  16. Lorde – Green Light (Chromeo remix)
  17. Joe goddard – Home (Eric Kupper remix)
  18. Goldie Vs. Ulterior Motive – I Adore You ( Feat. Natalie Williams)

TWO

  1. Jessie Ware –Midnight (Goldie Remix)
  2. The xx – On Hold
  3. French Montana (feat. Swae Lee) – Unforgettable
  4. J Hus – Bouff Daddy
  5. Mura Masa (ft. A$AP Rocky) – Love$ick
  6. Not3s – Aladdin
  7. Stormzy (feat. Kehlani) – Cigarettes And Cush
  8. Khalid – Location
  9. SZA (feat. Travis Scott) – Love Galore
  10. Little Dragon – High
  11. Childish Gambino – Redbone
  12. Lil Uzi Vert – The Way Love Goes
  13. Jorja Smith – Teenage Fantasy
  14. Sampha – (No One Knows Me) Like The Piano
  15. Tyler, The Creator (feat. Rex Orange County & Anna of the North) – Boredom
  16. Four Tet – Two Thousand And Seventeen
  17. Wolf Alice – Don’t Delete The Kisses
  18. LCD Soundsystem – Oh Baby

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December 8, 2017 · 4:55 pm

NVDES Release Vol. 2

Photo Credit: Neil Favila

In the midst of a national co-headline tour with Pierce Fulton, Los Angeles-based creative collective NVDES release their Vol. 2 EP today. Highlighted by the work of de-facto frontman Josh Ocean, the six-track collection is brimming with his signature energy-packed influence. Fusing pulsing electronics, hard-hitting beats, and ethereal vocals, the EP includes “Everyday,” featured in Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist this week, and “D.Y.T (Do Your Thing)” feat. REMMI which set the internet ablaze upon its release last month.

Earlier this year, NVDES released his La NVDITÉ, Vol. 1 EP which included the infectious single “Turning Heads,” recently selected to feature in Apple’s iPhone X ad campaign. In 2017 alone, NVDES’ music can be heard in over 15 shows and commercials for the likes of Victoria’s Secret, T-Mobile, CW’s Dynasty, and more. To date, NVDES has garnered over 12 million streams across platforms, charted on Spotify’s Global and US Viral Charts, and earned acclaim from the likes of FADER and NYLON.

NVDES Tour Dates w/ Pierce Fulton
12/12: San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Hall
12/13: Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room
12/16: San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar

Vol. 2 EP Tracklisting
1. This High
2. D.Y.T (Do Your Thing) feat. REMMI
3. Everyday
4. Amsterdam In My Mind
5. Walls
6. Where Is Your Mind

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December 8, 2017 · 12:29 pm

Jack White’s “We’re Going To Be Friends” Children’s Book Available

More than 15 years after the release of the White Stripes’s White Blood Cells,
one of the most enduring songs from the album gets a quirky adaptation… Blake includes
appealing retro flourishes throughout, including a Tenniel White Rabbit, a Betty Boop pocket watch, and a drawing style that evokes early Disney cartoons. – Publishers Weekly 
Jack has written a perfect story and Elinor’s art is enchanting. – John Kricfalusi, The Ren and Stimpy Show 
Elinor Blake creates an enchanted vision for Jack White’s
gentle story of new friendship. – Nina Crews, The Neighborhood Mother Goose 
Possibly the greatest-ever song about childhood BFFs. – Entertainment Weekly

Twelve-time Grammy winner and lead singer of multi-platinum selling group The White Stripes, Jack White, released his first children’s book today titled WE’RE GOING TO BE FRIENDS. Based on lyrics from one of The Whites Stripes’ most enduring and loved songs-and releasing just a few months after the group’s 20th anniversary (July 14, 2017), the perennial favorite feels right at home on the page as a children’s book. Get your copy of the book here: http://smarturl.it/WGTBFbook

Beautifully illustrated by Elinor Blake, animator on Ren & Stimpy and Pee-wee’s Playhouse, in the signature colors of The White Stripes — red, white, and black — WE’RE GOING TO BE FRIENDS follows the adventures of the song’s protagonist, Suzy Lee, as she goes to school with her books and pens, looks for bugs, shows and tells, and finds a friend. Fans of The White Stripes will delight in this new way of experiencing the song and sharing it with their children-while a new generation of music and book lovers will be introduced to the beloved song and its whimsical evocation of the simplicity and nostalgia of childhood, for the first time.

Every copy of WE’RE GOING TO BE FRIENDS also includes a download of the original White Stripes song and new versions by singer/songwriter, April March (also known as Elinor Blake), and The Woodstation Elementary School Singers.

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December 8, 2017 · 12:18 pm

Video: Koda – “Curse”

Photo Credit: Jack McKain

Koda shares his latest video for new single “Curse”. The track is from his forthcoming album I Hope This Makes Us Better, which is due out spring 2018. Stay tuned for more new music and details on the new album coming soon.

The grandson of a famous Haitian singer, alternative artist/producer Jordan Sudak (aka Koda) spent the first half of his life as an army brat, being yanked from city to city across the globe. Living in three countries by the age of 15, Jordan watched as his free-spirited parents turned to a radical form of born-again Protestantism, banning contemporary art and burning his Harry Potter books in the process.

After finally settling in Columbia, South Carolina, Jordan’s family values took a bizarre turn as his father’s close call with a heart attack triggered an 180 degree flip on religion for the entire household. His parents eventually opened for an experimental rock band called The Radar Cinema. His mom claimed Jordan to be a family cousin, and he then became the band’s frontman.

Between rehearsals, Jordan would get together with the band’s keyboardist to listen to doom metal and sludge records while “circuit-bending,” the art of making new instruments through soldering circuit boards from toys like Furbies and Speak ‘N’ Spells. From there, Jordan made the deep dive into ambient and experimental music, teaching himself QBASE, a popular production software for electronic artists.

Initially crafting side-project Koda — a nickname he received due to his obsession with photography — in the world of ambient dream pop and Nordic folk, Jordan quickly saw the project see success to the tune of 20M+ streams and calls from music supervisors for scores featuring his vocals, which bared a welcome resemblance to that of Jonsí (Sigur Rós) and Thom Yorke (Radiohead).

This success led to the one-way ticket from Columbia to Los Angeles, where Koda would spend the next few years buried in the studio, writing 100s of songs as he developed what would eventually become his debut LP, I Hope This Makes Us Better. The project marks a return to his rock roots, a Radiohead-esque blend of vocals-driven neue-gaze, post-rock, and alternative electronica.

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December 8, 2017 · 11:06 am

Listen: New EP From BANNERS

Prolific Liverpool UK native BANNERS, whose career-propelling “Start A Riot” has generated over 50 million Global Spotify streams, releases his highly anticipated second EP, “Empires On Fire” via Island Records.  To celebrate the release, BANNERS has also dropped his new music video for single “Someone To You” today.  Watch the video below. The “Someone To You” video was shot on site in New York and directed by duo SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT (consisting of Charlotte Fassler and Dani Girdwood).
“Firefly”, current single “Someone To You” and previously unreleased track “Empires on Fire” are featured on BANNERS’ new EP. Full tracklist below:



“Empires On Fire” Tracklist:
Someone To You
Empires On Fire
Firefly
Into The Storm
Holy Ground

Listen to the EP HERE via Spotify!

After signing to Island Records in 2015, BANNERS first connected with audiences on his debut single “Ghosts” which rose to #2 at Hype Machine.  “Shine A Light”, which has been certified gold for track sales in Canada, is the official trailer for EA’s blockbuster game, FIFA 16 Ultimate Team Legends and appeared in spots on NBC, ESPN, E!, and FOX.  “Start A Riot” continued the momentum, featured in an episode of E! channel’s UK-centric The Royals.  In 2016, BANNERS joined the SiriusXM Presents Alt Nation Advanced Placement Tour throughout the US and Canada along with major North America festivals including Lollapalooza, Forecastle, Way Home, Osheaga, and Sloss. Along the way, he was chosen as one of Spotify’s ‘Spotlight’ artists and made his late-night debut on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!
 
Fascinated by dreams, life, death, hope, and despair, BANNERS grew up singing in the Liver­pool Anglican Cathedral Choir and the Liverpool Kop.  Influenced by artists ranging from Jeff Buckley to Arcade Fire, BANNERS’ music is at once haunting and hopeful, as it resonates with audiences across space and age.

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December 7, 2017 · 4:32 pm

Check ‘Em Out: Everything by Electricity

There is a powerful agent, obedient, rapid, easy, which conforms to every use, and reigns supreme on board my ship. Everything is done by means of it. It lights it, warms it, and is the soul of my mechanical vessel. This agent is electricity. Everything by Electricity. — Jules Verne, 20000 leagues under the sea

The band Everything by Electricity’s sound is littered with the strains of alienation and longing for escape one would expect from childhoods spent gazing across cold barren landscapes deep behind the iron curtain.

Whilst lush pop beats strongly at its heart, dense waves of guitar, reverberating walls of noise and fragile melodies collide amidst sparkling neon-lit synths, dreamy vocals and ghostly shapes via the night sky; anchored tight by pulsing bass, throbbing drums and drum machines.

On moving from Siberia to London, Yulia (guitar, synths, vocals) quietly crafted a collection of demo material in her bedroom studio and expanded the live line-up with the addition of Daniel (bass guitar, synths) and Manoela (drums, pads).

Check out their track, “Last Day of the Sun” below:

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December 7, 2017 · 1:55 pm

Check ‘Em Out: SQRD – “Would Run Wild”

Having spent the last few years developing and evolving his unique sound, Swedish born and based producer SQRD returns with a new video to his single “Would Run Wild”, out now via Swedish Tastemaker label Sommarhjärta.

After the release of his critically-acclaimed Gold EP in 2016, which saw the producer master his blend of lo-fi electronics and rich, textured compositions, “Would Run Wild” video aims to create an atmospheric backdrop that highlights the quintessential essence of SQRD’s music to date.

With strong and understandable comparisons to the likes of James Blake, SBTRKT and The xx, the producer’s latest material bridges the gap between niche appreciation and contemporary appeal. “Would Run Wild” is a nostalgic piece with a captivating and alluring set of skillfully filmed images accompanying the track.

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