We just lost the great Mark E. Smith of The Fall and A Savage of Parquet Courts has honored him properly with his cover of The Fall’s “Frightened”. It rumbles as Savage roars. Thanks mate.
The Goldberg Sisters
Premiere: The Goldberg Sisters “The Kids Are Alwrong”
Feb 08, 2018
Adam Goldberg is known by most of us for his numerous memorable roles on the silver screen (Saving Private Ryan, Dazed and Confused, A Beautiful Mind, Zodiac, the list goes on). A self-described “jack of all trades” Goldberg is also a musician, writer, director, producer, editor and photographer. His new psych pop album, Mood Swing, will be released April 13th under his musical moniker The Goldberg Sisters. Under the Radar is psyched to premiere one of the songs “The Kids Are Alwrong”.
After providing music for some of his own films (2003’s Running With the Bulls and I Love Your Work in 2005), he released his first solo album, 2009’s Eros and Omissions. Goldberg recorded the dream-pop gem over a six-year period with a variety of musicians, including frequent collaborator Stephen Drozd from the Flaming Lips and subsequently released his first two albums issued under the Goldberg Sisters moniker, 2011’s self-titled offering and 2013’s Stranger’s Morning, on which Goldberg played all the instruments.
The Goldberg Sisters’ bio describes the new album as such: “A deeply reverential Lennon-esque vibe permeates the 13 tracks that comprise Mood Swing, particularly on the tight, sturdy rocker “Where or When or Why” and the lo-fi cosmic spellbinder “The Kids are Alwrong,” which sounds something like an unlikely collaboration between Spoon, Spector-era Lennon, and Curtis Mayfield. Goldberg cites a panoply of diverse influences including “Bowie, Elvis Costello, Nick Cave, the Divine Comedy, Sparklehorse, Built to Spill, American Music Club, Curtis Mayfield, America, and Burt Bacharach to name just a few!”
About “The Kids Are Alwrong”, Goldberg says: “I wrote this late one night in lieu of interacting with a troll on social media who got my goat. The main riff was something I had been noodling with for a while and only realized it fit with the baseline while recording the album after having demoed the tune without it. I like the build, that the riff is quietly introduced with direct input guitar plunking and then crescendos with more guitars, synth, vocals, and trumpet playing it in unison. It was such an unexpected treat.” Check it out below.
Connan Mockasin
Listen: Connan Mockasin Live Recording at The Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian, LA
Jan 26, 2018
This one feels like the day after a three night weekend. The New Zealand blooded, Los Angelino psych-pop artist Connan Mockasin has released a live recording with producer, composer and keyboardist John Carroll Kirby and saxaphonist Segio Flores. It was recorded live in Los Angeles at The Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian by Howard ‘Head’ Bullivant on December 10, 2017, then mastered by Liam Finn. Mockasin most recently teamed with British musician Sam Dust, aka LA PRIEST, to bring us the sultry vibes of Soft Hair in 2016. Get ready for a smoke trip, space oddyssey.
Madeline Kenney
Listen: New Madeline Kenney “Still learning” Ft. Naytronix
Jan 25, 2018
Madeline Kenney just released her new song “Still Learning” where she teams with Naytronix, the multi instrumentalist, producer, and bass player for tune-yards, Nate Brenner. The track features Kenney on vocals & guitar, Brenner on synth, bass & backup vocals and Derek Barber on guitar. Kenney released her enchanting solo album Night Night At the First Landing this past September. This combination works. Check it out.
From the Carpark Records press release:
Kenney on working with Brenner (from the Carpark Records press release): “This track took about a year to make, not because it was particularly complex or elusive, but rather because Nate and I would do a lot more hanging out, drinking beer, and eating pizza than tracking every time we got together. If this song had a flavor it would be mushroom pizza by the slice. Featuring Derek Barber on what some may call a guitar.”
Kenney also announced North American tour dates last week in support of Soccer Mommy. She will make her overseas debut this May in support of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.
March 27th – Lexington, KY – The Burl * March 28th – Bloomington, IN – The Bishop * March 29th – Chicago, IL – Schubas * March 30th – Davenport, IA – Raccoon Motel * March 31st – Minneapolis, MN – Bryant Lake Bowl * April 3rd – Spokane, WA – The Bartlett * April 4th – Seattle, WA – Barboza * April 5th – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge * April 10th – Los Angeles, CA – The Echo * April 11th – Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar * May 11th – Bristol, UK – Rough Trade May 12th – London, UK – Sebright Arms May 16th – Brighton, UK – The Haunt May 18th – Dublin, IRE – Button Factory ^ May 19th – Belfast, UK – Empire ^ May 21st – Sheffield, UK – The Plug ^ May 22nd – Edinburgh, UK – The Caves ^ May 23rd – Birmingham, UK – Hare & Hounds ^
* - w Soccer Mommy ^ - w Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Clams Casino
Stream: Clams Casino New Instrumentals Album
Jan 19, 2018
New Jersey producer Clams Casino always crafted beats that echo from a deep well of catharsis, beats that expanded and became their own entities, not canvasses for lyrical impression. In 2016, Clams released his first major label album 32 Levels, replete with guest rappers and vocalists and while some of it worked, you still longed to be swept into the dark world his music conjured without words. Clams has returned to where his music has its greatest impact, today releasing a straight instrumental album, simply titled Instrumentals. Stream it below and get swept.
The Shins
Listen: The Shins - “Dead Alive” Flipped Version
Jan 04, 2018
An overlooked album of 2017 in some circles was The Shins’ Heartworms. So for those of us that slept (I include myself here) James Mercer is throwing it back at us in 2018, with all of the songs flipped into alternate versions, calling it The Worms Heart. The reconfigured album will presumably arrive sometime soon in this new year, as three of its flipped tracks were just made available. This version of “Dead Alive” bests the original. Check it out:
Wolf Alice
Listen: Wolf Alice “Don’t Delete the Kisses” Charlie XCX / Post Precious Remix
Jan 03, 2018
British Electro-Pop vixen Charlie XCX has teamed with the recently formed duo of the same persuasion, Post Precious, to remix Wolf Alice’s “Don’t Delete the Kisses”, one of the singles from the band’s terrific 2017 album Visions Of A Life. The already elevating track sends tingles with the new treatment. Check it out. Charlie XCX released her own acclaimed album, Number 1 Angel, this past year, while Post Precious is the new exciting collaboration between MS MR producer Max Hershenow and solo artist Alex Winston. Nice team up here.
Sharon Van Etten
Listen: Sharon Van Etten Interview for No Effects Podcast
Dec 14, 2017
There’s a new music podcast out there and judging by its first round of interviews, it’s going to be a good one. No Effects, hosted by Jesse Cohen just posted a deep dive interview with Sharon Van Etten about “her open mic days, ‘trying to make people cry,’ her first tours, and how motherhood has changed her.” Do tell Sharon…
