Melbourne songwriter Laura Jean just released the single “Girls On the TV” off of her forthcoming release Devotion. The new album, her fourth, sees Jean embracing a more of a chill-pop sound, based on the first single “Touchstone” and now “Girls On the TV”.
Ovlov
Listen: Ovlov “Spright”
May 21, 2018
Out of Newtown, CT fuzz rockers Ovlov will release their second proper full-length Tru in July, following their humorously titled Greatest Hits, Vol. II last year, a collection of songs from their many eps. They’ve shared the single “Spright”. This one has a bit of a Pinback vibe to it. Check it out:
Phantogram
Listen: Phantogram Two Track Single In Support of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
May 18, 2018
The passing of Scott Hutchison has once more brought needed attention to the mental health issues in artistic communities. Today Phantogram shared a two track digital single of particular significance in this light. Here’s all the information from the press release:
After over two years processing the tragic loss of Sarah Barthel’s sister (and Josh Carter’s childhood friend) Becky to suicide, Phantogram today have shared their new original track “Someday”. “Someday” depicts the unspeakable grief, self-blame and sorrow that ensue after a loved one’s death from suicide, but ultimately also conveys a transition toward hope, and an acknowledgment that life goes on and must be lived fully by survivors… and also a message of hope and love for anyone struggling with depression, suicidal thoughts or other crises as the songs darker initial verses give way to the light of the chorus lyric: “I’m always going to miss you, I’m always going to feel you in everything that I do… oh I love you so”.
Proceeds from sales and streams of both tracks will go towards the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to support their mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Phantogram has previously worked with the organization and was honored with AFSP’s Public Awareness Award at the non-profit’s Lifesavers Gala on May 16th, 2018 in New York City.During their acceptance speech, Barthel spoke about the power of community support and their own journey since Becky’s death, saying “We’ve learned that when you reach out, people reach back. Our fans, our friends and family, other artists and strangers were overwhelming in their support for us, and also for each other. The stories we’ve all shared with each other have helped fend off feelings of isolation, building an ongoing community that will continue together to break down stigmas and a tendency toward silence.”
Take a moment to listen to “Someday” below and donate to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) here.
What do you get when you mix alt-rock/power-pop with hazy psychedelic groove. Take this ten-minute example from Los Angeles-based/Milwaukee-bred band Big Mother Gig, who had one of their tracks remixed by fellow Angelinos Peaking Lights. The results are unexpected. Big Mother Gig handed over their song “(Let’s Make) Compelling Content” to Peaking Lights and Under the Radar has the premiere of the hypnotic, “krautrockish” remix. It provides a nice wormhole into an alternate space for a while. Check it out below.
Led by singer/songwriter Richard Jankovich, Big Mother Gig originally formed in 1992 in Milwaukee and performed punk-influenced alternative rock across the Midwest with acts like The Magnolias, The Hunger, Punchdrunk (featuring future members of The Hold Steady). They returned in 2017 after a 20-year hiatus with a six-song EP “Almost Primed”. ”(Let’s Make) Compelling Content” was the second single released this year following the well received “The Great Heist”.
Tim Hecker
Listen: Tim Hecker “Rose Light”
May 15, 2018
There’s really no one like Canadian producer/composer Tim Hecker. Today he shared his new track “Rose Light” on Adult Swim, which starts in a foreboding, delphian mire before settling into an empty pasture.
The 58th installment of Adult Swim’s year-long Singles Program comes from Canadian producer Tim Hecker titled “Rose Light”...the track is a slow burning, layered landscape of emotion and sound design that Tim has become widely known for creating. One of the many long-time Adult Swim artist friendlies, Tim Hecker has contributed music to previous singles programs from the network as well…
TIM HECKER TOUR DATES:
5/05 - San Francsco (USA) - Mutek Festival
5/16 - Wiinipeg (CAN) - WE Cultural Centre 5/17 - Edmonton (CAN) - 9910 5/18 - Edmonton (CAN) - 9910 5/19 - Vancouver (CAN) - Fortune Sound Club 5/31 - Innsbruck (AUS) - Treibhaus 6/01 - St Petersberg (RUS) - The Place 6/02 - Moscow (RUS) - Pluton 6/09 - Zurich (SWI) - Schauspielshaus 8/02 - Amsterdam (NED) - Dekmantel (Shelter)
Sufjan Stevens
Stream: Sufjan Stevens Live at Calvin College 2004
May 14, 2018
In 2004, Sufjan Stevens was focusing on his U.S. states themed albums, working on the one for Illinois. When he was playing live, sets were deriving from those and his beautiful folk album Seven Swans. An Alum from Calvin College got his hands on a special high quality recording of Stevens playing for his alma mater in 2004. Here’s the story from his post:
I was lucky enough to receive a high quality, full-concert 2004 Sufjan bootleg from my alma mater. It’s a unique show in an early stage of his career - Sufjan plays solo with the guitar and banjo, and talks about his “new record Seven Swans.” When he performs it here, Chicago is an unreleased song from an upcoming album about Illinois.
While some version of this exists on the web, it’s at a much lower quality and has three missing tracks. As far as I know this is the very first time the concert’s ever been shared in full. The quality is quite respectable at 256kbps. It’s recorded with a combination of soundboard and room mics and the mix is fantastic. Sufjan’s performance is practically flawless. It’s basically live album quality.
Frightened Rabbit
Watch: Frightened Rabbit “The Woodpile” Live Acoustic
May 09, 2018
A lovely acoustic rendition of Frightened Rabbit’s “The Woodpile” on 89.3 the Current. Come on back, Scott.
Sigur Rós
Stream: 1st of Sigur Rós “Endless Mixtape” “Liminal”
May 08, 2018
Sigur Rós has had some groovy releases lately. A week after releasing the experimental “road trip” recording Route One, the band today they released the first installment of Liminal a project being described as a mixtape that will be continuous and added to “endlessly”.
Here’s a message about Liminal from their Bandcamp page: Welcome to Liminal. Liminal is an ‘endless’ Sigur Rós ambient playlist which is live today, brought to you by Jónsi, Alex Somers and Paul Corley. It will be built over linear time into a never-finished project. Albums will be released, volumes added to. Liminal, both live and locally, takes the listener to a place neither here nor there; a “liminal” space.
And the press release: Liminal is more than an ambient Sigur Rós mixtape curated by Jónsi, Alex Somers & Paul Corley, however. It approaches Sigur Rós as a living, breathing eco-system, identifying the connections and blurring the boundaries between work done and work to come; between brand new music and ideas barely yet born; between songs written 20 years ago and collaborations to be made tomorrow.
intended to be added to frequently and endlessly, the first Liminal mixtape to go live lasts an hour and includes brand new music from Jónsi in the form of ‘Above, Below (Alex Somers Remix)’, a piece written for underwater speakers and designed to be heard while fully submerged in a swimming pool.
