Tag: artists

Current Obsession : Paolo Nutini

[ Paolo Nutini – Let Me Down Easy ]

I’ve finally found a man to challenge the one that I will always love. Otis Redding, meet Paolo Nutini. With rough sounds of soul and jazz, Nutini brings another dimension to his sound that I had once never given the time of day.

Having never recognized the name, I looked at some of his older work to learn that he is also the artist behind “New Shoes” (a pop-y song that I recall hating in my early teen years). I can’t explain my strange, extreme distaste for this song…perhaps it was the fact that it was always on the radio and then unwillingly stuck in my head. It was one of those strange things that overly-angers you for no sane reason. Had I’d known that this was him before exploring his most recent work, I may have never even began.

However, thankfully, Nutini reconstructed his sound quite a bit from the sound I remember hearing years ago; resulting in a funkier, rougher sound that is so good it allows me to compare him to Otis Redding. Maybe this sound was underlying the whole time, and i just can’t seem to shake my old stigmas, but this second glance has pleasantly surprised me and opened up a whole new perspective.

As always, my indecisiveness restrains me from giving you just one favorite, so I’ve given you the song that let me look at this guy in new (and kinder) light. If you like what you’re hearing, definitely check out his latest album, Caustic Love (but it’s not that new – stubbornness made me slow to the game).

Lost But Not Forgotten

 

[ Wild Belle – Another Girl ]

This is one of those bands that you’ll inevitably listen to and essentially fall in love with, but never quite get around to sharing due to disorganization and a shitty memory. Or at least that’s my experience. The Chicago-based brother/sister duo throw around sounds that hold glimpses of indie alt/rock/pop, dance, folk and even a little bit of reggae. Prior to knowing this, I’d heard their singles here and there when they came into the spotlight and I always heard the name tossed around. However, I knew that deep down, somewhere I had listened to them, but only recently came to the realization that I really didn’t know them as well as I thought. Melodies and lyrics of theirs held some familiarity as I combed through their music over this past month, but after listening to all of their work, I came to the conclusion that I never really knew Wild Belle. Until now, of course. They’ve got an upbeat, happy tune to often counteract the weight of their lyrics. They’re a band that I think can be played regardless of mood or setting and won’t feel out of place.

So here’s one of my favorites, if you like what you hear, check out some of my other favorites, such as “Love Like This”, “Backslider” and “Shine”.

Concert Review : PHOX

phoxx

Artist: Matt Bishop,Trails and Ways, PHOX

Date: July 6, 2014

Location: The Crocodile

Let’s just say that I think I’ve waited my whole life for this concert. What resulted in a four hour show, proved only to feel like a twenty minute show. And though I do tend to say this after many shows, I truly do believe that this was all-around, my favorite show thus far…and let me break down my reasoning for you:

Firstly, the show was $10, and it was the kind of show that is probably the epitome of an indie show. Instead of tickets with the show description (or basically any indication that it was a concert) they gave out raffle tickets as a substitute and there was no traffic of people to push through once doors opened. With that being said, I was about front row on the Under 21 side (so equivalent to second row on the right side, approximately).

Kicking off what would amount to a killer evening in a small Seattle venue, Matt Bishop (of Hey Marseilles) took the stage. I definitely wish I could have listened to more of Bishop’s solo work. I love Hey Marseilles as much as the next guy, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear only Matt Bishop and his guitar. Bishop’s voice is much smoother and fuller live and gives a pretty different feel than when you hear Hey Marseilles on recording. Of course, he carefully intertwined Hey Marseilles work with his own, consistently laughing at the pessimistic tone of them all because “that’s all I know how to write…I’m really a very happy guy, but writing sad songs is the only thing I’m good at”. But never had any complaints with the mood of his melodies and knew he was right when he said that that was his strength and easily enjoyed the rest of his performance.

After Bishop was Trails and Ways. I feel that I am pretty well-prepared for most concerts I attend in the sense that I know all of the bands and artists playing, or that I have at least done a little research if they are completely unknown to me. I knew that Matt Bishop was opening but Trails and Ways blindsided me. A small eclectic band from Berkley, CA, these guys completely blew me away (as well as the members of PHOX, who were standing just a dozen feet away from me in the audience?!). Trails and Ways reminded me of a five-man band version of Youth Lagoon, but more upbeat and less moody. And when the mic broke and the technical difficulties began, the corny jokes were made with no hesitation. I began to like these guys more and more. As sad as I was to see them go after their last song, I could hardly contain myself for what was to come.

Though I had predicted differently, PHOX kicked off their set with “Shrinking Violets” and I already knew I was a goner. With each song I knew I was falling in deeper and deeper, and I reached the ultimate, concert-ear-gasmic point when PHOX played “Satyr and the Faun”, and couldn’t do much more than stand there in momentary bliss, attempting to take it all in. Throughout the entire show, Monica Martin kept apologizing for the awkwardness or the mistakes or this or that, but not in the way that frustrates you, but in the way that validates their authenticity; a band that is so raw that they’re here, up on stage, giggling at their mistakes, restarting songs and laughing in the middle of chorus lines because they are still so shocked at what they are doing. And that is what I like best about them, and truly don’t think that much else could get close to pinpointing the experience, because I think it was not only the band’s talent but also that their personality that made the experience, not the specific setlist or venue or minor details.

 

 

P.S. Being the stellar bands and artists that they are, all three stuck around after the show and I got to have a quick chat with Matt Bishop, make acquaintances with Keith of Trails and Ways and nearly pee my pants while holding a conversation with Monica Martin.

ALSO, rarely do I make picture collages (I find them too overwhelming and distracting) but being the indecisive person that I am, I made one…so let me decode it for you: top left is Trails and Ways, bottom left is PHOX, top right is Keith of Trails and Ways and I, middle right is Monica Martin and bottom right is Monica and I.

The Next Local Natives

 

[ Owl Paws – CARRY ON ]

These guys are cool. Like the “we live in San Francisco, but thought we’d drive all the way up to Seattle in a van and play at a tiny house show on a Wednesday night” kind of cool. While reuniting with some old high school friends and several people that I’d never met before, Owl Paws kicked off the party. Just three dudes (though typically four); one on snare, one on guitar and one on an upright bass.

Immediately these guys stole my attention. The vocals – as well as style and facial hair – had an uncanny resemblance to Taylor Rice (aka the lead singer in Local Natives). Their music flowed in a similar manner to that of Local Natives in the sense that it was incredibly well harmonized, lively and had poetic lyrics that did more than just accompany the tune. These guys were also pretty entertaining to watch with each member dancing in their own little way. Though their albums are killer, I don’t think anything will beat seeing them live.

After – obviously – thoroughly stalking the band on most social media platforms, I was pretty surprised to find that they had less followers than I expected. But what’s a number really mean anyway? These guys are getting out there, and I’m telling’ ya, there gonna get big some day…they’re too good not to.

 

P.S. Big shocker, I can’t ever pick just one song, so I posted their latest album. Favorite tracks: The Fields, Croak and Sunrise.

A Strange Feeling

 

[ On An On – Ghosts ]

Out of all of the music that I recently found, this song has to be one of my favorites. I wish I could put my finger on it…there’s something about the song. It’s not a negative song by any means, but I think that there is something in this song that keeps it from being a completely carefree type of tune. However, that is what I like most about this song. I was listening to it tonight as I was driving home and it just got me thinking…it didn’t suck me into nostalgia the way that certain slower songs tend to do, but it just left me with a very unique feeling that very few other songs have. I wish I could find a better way to articulate the way that this song resonates with me, and perhaps it won’t give you the same feeling, but either way I think this song is gold and one that should be added to your summer/contemplation/night driving playlist.

Back In the Groove

 

[ The Belle Game – Wait Up For You ]

I wouldn’t say that I was short of good music to listen to, but I’ve felt that lately I wasn’t finding as many gems at that pace I once had. I’d rediscover music I’d forgotten about, new renditions on old songs and even new albums, but I wasn’t getting lost in my music searches in the way that I knew was possible. Until today, of course. In the midst of creating playlist after playlist and digging deep between “Related Artists” and “Similar To”, I found several little pieces of gold that I can’t wait to share with you guys in the weeks to come. Obviously, not all of this newly discovered music is new music per say, but it’s pretty new to me and it’s pretty damn good, so regardless of age I think it’s more than worth the share. To kick it all off, here is one of my new favorites from The Belle Game and the first of many gems to come.