Tag Archives: Bon Iver

April 3, 2019 · 2:15 pm

New Music From Holy Ghost!

Photo: Harry McNally

Crafting each sound from scratch with unapologetic, exacting precision, Holy Ghost!’s penchant for in-the-studio perfectionism has delivered hit after hit to the dancefloor. This analog approach to “electronic” music heavily informs the band’s third album Work coming June 21, 2019 on West End Records.

Available for pre-order today, Work features the brand new song “Escape From Los Angeles”(out today) plus previously released songs Anxious” and “Epton On Broadway (Part I & Part II)”. It follows the group’s two previous albums, 2013’s Dynamics and 2011’s eponymous debut (both via DFA) and isfirst full-length LP to come out on the iconic West End Records label in more than 30-years!

A return to the heady ethos that drove Holy Ghost!’s earliest releases, Work sees New York City natives Alex Frankel and Nick Millhiser revisit the freedom from expectations that suffused their 2011 self-titled debut full-length. It was a situation that stemmed partly from circumstances: They dismantled their basement Brooklyn studio and moved to a small room that a few musician friends were renting above a doctor’s office (incidentally the same address where they mixed Holy Ghost!). Due to space limitations, they pared their extensive gear collection down to just two synths, a Yamaha CS80 and a Mini Moog. “Not necessarily the bare necessities, but what would make for the most interesting limited palette,” says Millhiser. “David Bowie didn’t have every fucking synthesizer on earth to make Low. He had two. And that’s one of my favorite synth records of all time.”

The 12-song collection features the buoyant but bittersweet, “Do This” which interweaves ambient chatter from a studio session with a Nile Rodgers-esque guitar, “Nicky Buckingham’s” Fleetwood Mac-inspired riffs and swelling strings are eerily danceable, whereas “Heaven Knows What” – the band’s slowest track to date – showcases an emotional depth and range only hinted at in past releases. Featuring the talents of musical peers including Sinkane’s Ahmed Gallab, Juan Maclean and LCD Soundsystem’s Nancy Whang, Rob Moose (Bon Iver, Paul Simon, David Bowie) and Alex Epton (Neon Indian, David Byrne), Work transcends its physical constraints to capture a spectrum of vibes that remain true to Holy Ghost!’s reverence for the art and craft of dance music.

Work Tracklist:

Epton on Broadway Part I

Epton on Broadway Part II

Anxious

Heaven Knows What

Nicky Buckingham

Do This

One For Pete

My Happy House

Heaven Forbid

Soon

Slow Burn

Escape From Los Angeles

 

Upcoming Holy Ghost! Live Shows:

04-26 San Francisco, CA – The Independent

04-27 Los Angeles, CA – Globe Theatre

05-03 Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall

05-09 Guadalajara, México – Corona Capital at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez

06-21 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom (Album Release Show)

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July 21, 2017 · 3:25 pm

Check ‘Em Out: The Kite String Tangle

Australian electronic artist and producer The Kite String Tangle has dropped his debut self-titled album, and it is an absolute work of art. (Check it out below!)

This latest addition to the solo project of Danny Harley is an exploration into the idea of what success and happiness truly mean. The honesty that flows throughout the 11 tracks is crystal clear, with a heavy emotional quality reflected throughout the brave production choices and unburdened lyrics.

“It’s a dynamic album that I hope shows many sides to the music I make and what I’m trying to do with The Kite String Tangle, which is essentially to reach people and hopefully provide a soundtrack for their own existential crisis,” Harley said.
The album was written in his bedroom in order to retain that ‘bedroom producer’ ethos, wanting to create something honest, something of which he could be really proud.
“I think throughout the album you can hear me trying to find my sound and my place in the world, and whilst I wanted to create something timeless and cohesive, I think there’s also a clunky charm to when it sounds a little lost and confused. To be honest, it’s a good representation of how I was feeling throughout a lot of the process,” he said.
Having just released the visuals to “The Prize” there’s no denying fans will be dusting off their dancing shoes right in time for his Splendour in the Grass set. It’s a party tune that will have you working up a sweat on a hot summery day, and will keep you warm during the cold winter nights.

 “Waiting” on the other hand is an underground pulsating banger with a more melodious insight into the light and shade of what electronic music means to this producer. It’s simple in lyrical content but intricate in production conceptualisation.
As you go on this musical journey with The Kite String Tangle you’ll hear a strong presence of strings and horns, something Harley longed to record for a long time. You’ll even hear organs, pianos, drums and all manner of acoustic instruments dotted throughout.
“I’ve always wanted to record strings and horns but have never had the opportunity to up until now. I’ve always been trying to marry the worlds of more traditional song writing like Bon Iver, James Blake, London Grammar and Broods, with artists that are more heavy handed with their production like Odesza, Flume and Purity Ring,” he said.
The Kite String Tangle’s debut album is available everywhere now via Exist Recordings, and Australian fans can catch him performing at Splendour in the Grass today on the “Mix Up Stage”.

And if you weren’t quick enough to snatch up Splendour tickets, not to worry. The Kite String Tangle is hitting the road shortly after for a national tour with ODESZA in September and some boutique festivals in Wollongong on August 19 and in Brisbane on October 14 at Red Deer Festival. For tickets and further info, head to http://www.thekitestringtangle.com.

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September 21, 2016 · 2:27 pm

New Single From Jake McMullen – “Giving Up”

jm

This fall, Nashville-based songwriter Jake McMullen will release a new EP that follows his critically-acclaimed Always EP. Yesterday, USA Today premiered his single “Giving Up” and called it a “startling ballad that is equal parts Bon Iver and Bruce Hornsby, name-checking the 1980s but still sounding fresh.”

“‘Giving Up’ was produced by Micah Tawlks and myself. This song served as a very liberating experience for me while working on it as I felt like I really didn’t put any limits on what I could or couldn’t try.  It has acted almost as a catalyst for the mindset I now have when making music,” said McMullen about the track. “Going with what feels right and not thinking too much about things. Everybody involved was also essential to making it what it became — Dabney Morris (drums), Molly Parden(vocals), Steve McKellar (bass), Kevin Dailey (guitar). Excited to finally be able to share it with everyone.”

Check out this earlier post of his cover of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own”

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July 1, 2016 · 2:56 pm

Listen: Tall Heights – “River Wider”

 

Credit: Samantha Casolari

Credit: Samantha Casolari

“[River Wider] is a pretty track with a nice cello line complementing a very catchy vocal melody, completing a folk-pop sound comparable to Sufjan Stevens or Fleet Foxes.”
– Stereogum

Boston progressive folk duo Tall Heights have announced the release of their debut major label LP, Neptune, out August 19 on Sony Music Masterworks. Neptune is the follow up to 2015’s Holding On, Holding Out EP which was met with critical acclaim from outlets like NPR and Wall Street Journal who compared their emotive harmonies and poignant lyrics to the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, Sigur Ros and Bon Iver. Of particular note is the track “Spirit Cold”, the lead single from the forthcoming release which has quickly reached over 5.6 Million streams on Spotify.

But now, they’ve released another new track, “River Wider” and I gotta say, I like it waaaaaay better! Either that’s good….or bad. I don’t know??? Check it out here and see if you agree:

The multi-talented singer songwriters, composers, and instrumentalists featuring Paul Wright on cello/vocals and Tim Harrington on acoustic guitar/vocals got their start busking on the streets of Boston, growing up in a neighboring town in Massachusetts. Neptune is a far lusher construct than those early acoustic days — along with pristine and emotive vocal harmonies, there’s subtly chugging electric guitar and a spare descending bassline on “Iron in the Fire,” ethereal synthesizers and a spacious drum part on “Spirit Cold,” a brittle splash of percussion to open “Backwards and Forwards” and feedback created by two cellphones on “Cross My Mind.”

The band is on tour all summer through autumn including an opening slot for José González. For a taste of Tall Heights’ captivating live show, watch the band’s stunning live performance of album single “Spirit Cold”HERE.

Tour Dates
6/24: Sturbridge, MA @ The Barn | Tickets
7/12: Middlebury, VT @ Middlebury Recreation Park
7/19: Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade
7/21: Belmar, NJ @ Songwriters on the Beach
7/24: Egg Harbor, WI @ Peg Egan Performing Arts Center
7/28: Greenbay, WI @ Meyer Theatre
7/30: Bayfield, WI Big Top Chautauqua | Tickets
7/31: Marshfield, WI @ Columbia Park
8/1: Chicago, IL @ Millennium Park Summer Music Series
8/20: Schwenksville, PA @ Philadelphia Folk Festival
8/27: Hunter, NY @ Doctorow Center for the Arts
9/14: Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
9/15: Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern
9/21: Los Angeles, CA @ Resident
9/30: Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall
10/5: Washington, DC @ DC9
10/6: New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
10/7: Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle
10/20: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
10/21: Chicago, IL @ Schubas
10/23: St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club

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Track Listing
1. Iron in the Fire
2. Spirit Cold
3. River Wider
4. No Man Alive
5. The Runaway
6. Infrared
7. Horse to Water
8. Backwards and Forwards
9. Two Blue Eyes
10. Cross My Mind
11. Growing
12. Wayfarers

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April 15, 2016 · 1:51 pm

Newest Love: Youngsmith

Youngsmith

Like Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Boxer”, Youngsmith’s “Red” at first seems like a simple song. Yet another songwriter singing his wares. But by the end, it reveals a powerful and memorable soul. The new single by this Brisbane songwriter echoes the style of narrative songwriters of the past much like Simon & Garfunkel and writers of that ilk, but with a few rougher edges.

Youngsmith’s music is about getting you in touch with parts of your soul you don’t want to talk to. If you want to remember the song and sing it as loud as you can in your car and actually feel something through the lyrics, its for you. If you want to tap your feet to something, cry to something, hurt to something… this music is for you.

“Red” is a classic mix of folk and rock, sounding better with every listen. The song talks about an old friend of Smith’s he began a relationship with after losing everything. In this dark place, he found hope in an unlikely place. A redheaded girl…. simple in its accompaniment for the first half, urging you to tap your feet to the chorus. It soon breaks down into a strong and beautiful lament, questioning “Red, how’d you do that?”.

Recorded and engineered by Smith in his home studio and mixed by Bryce Moorhead – who’s work currently sits atop the ARIA charts with Violent Soho’s WACO. “Red” includes elements similar to Vance Joy’s “Georgia” or Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love”. Laments about life and love.

With a striking film clip by Dan Greatz (Violent Soho, Ball Park Music), “Wither” started a nation wide fan base “Red” plans to expand and build on through its wider sound, unforgettable chorus and upcoming national tour in support of the track.

Smith now has been making his own music for ten years. Having played both in a band and a solo artist, he has produced several EPs, had his work featured and played on national radio, surfing documentaries, in other countries like Germany and the US.

Recently, he’s had his back catalogue added to the Albert & Sons library sharing the digital hallways with the likes of AC/DC and Cold Chisel. Releasing his first single just last year in a combined effort with Shock Records and The A&R Department, “Wither” gained airplay across the country.

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May 27, 2014 · 2:11 pm

Check ‘Em Out: Josh Record – “Wide Awake”

Josh Record

Listen: Josh Record – “Wide Awake”

Standing on the shoulders of his musical heroes, Bon Iver and Swedish multi-instrumentalist Tingsek, Josh Record releases his stunning debut album Pillars on Virgin/EMI July 14th.
 
Having been tipped by Q Magazine, The Sunday Times Culture, iTunes, Radio 1, XFM, The Sun and VEVO at the turn of the year, Pillars does not disappoint with Josh’s joyous uplifting, melodic songs weaving their way into your very being.
 
Written by Josh (two songs were co-written with long-time collaborator Tom Prothero) and co-produced with David Kosten (Bat For Lashes), the album was recorded largely in Oxford and London, and features the Radio 1 and Radio 2 playlisted hit “For Your Love”.
 
Other highlights include “The War” the track that launched Josh when picked up by Zane Lowe off YouTube, the radio hit “Bones”, the lung busting epic “Finally”, and the new single “Wide Awake”.
 
Already a veteran on the road with shows supporting Bastille, Lorde, London Grammar and Sam Smith, Josh Record has sold out all his headline shows to date and is set to play summer festivals throughout the UK and Europe including Glastonbury, T in The Park, Rock and Park, Rock AM Ring, Wilderness and V Festival.

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March 20, 2012 · 10:44 am

The Flaming Lips Exclusive Album for Record Store Day

In between one-off shows scattered around the world in the past several months The Flaming Lips have still found time to record a series of unique and experimental sessions for an album featuring a diverse cross-section of heavy friends from every corner of the musical cosmos. The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends includes vocal and musical assistance from such disparate playmates as Yoko Ono, Nick Cave, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Bon Iver, Ke$ha and many more.

Some of these tracks have already appeared on previously released, extremely limited edition color vinyl 12″ EPs released in past months, which sold out as soon as they became available. Most of the tracks on the album are being released here for the first time and will surprise even the most ardent LIPS fans.

The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends will be pressed on two high-quality, multi-color vinyl discs housed in separate custom art jackets and poly bagged together. No two discs will look exactly alike. This double album will be very limited and released exclusively for RECORD STORE DAY. Once it’s gone, it will not be repressed again making THE FLAMING LIPS AND HEADY FWENDS the most anticipated RSD release this year.

Track-listing for The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends is as follows:

Side 1:

Side 2:

  • Supermoon Made Me Want To Pee (featuring Prefuse 73)
  • Children Of The Moon (featuring Tame Impala)
  • That Ain’t My Trip (featuring Jim James of My Morning Jacket)
  • You, Man?  Human?  (featuring Nick Cave)

Side 3:

  • I’m Working At NASA On Acid (featuring Lightning Bolt)
  • Do It! (featuring Yoko Ono)
  • Is David Bowie Dying? (featuring Neon Indian)

Side 4:

  • The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (featuring Erykah Badu)
  • Thunder Drops (featuring New Fumes)
  • I Don’t Want You To Die (featuring Chris Martin of Coldplay)

About Records Store Day:

Record Store Day is managed by the Music Monitor Network and is organized in partnership with the Alliance of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) and celebrates the culture of independent record stores by playing host to in-store events/performances, signings and special product releases on a global scale on Saturday, April 21st, 2012.

For more about National Record Store Day, please visit www.recordstoreday.com

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