Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Slow Suicide- Ghost (Gost') (Free Album Download)
Posted by
BandSoup
at
12:30 AM
Labels:
Free Album,
Free MP3 Downloads,
Indie Rock,
Instrumental,
New Album Release,
Rock
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When I first listened to “Snow Fall (Snova)” by Slow Suicide, I immediately envisioned innocent children playing in a wintery landscape. Despite the brooding and cynical feeling to the song, I also felt a feeling of hope for a better world peak through. The second song featured on Bandsoup, “Black X (Chernoe)”, is another story. It is a haunting soundscape that begins with noisy, hissing sounds that will either immediately turn you off or hypnotize you into continuing. I chose the latter to see where the song would go after the mechanical noises faded and soon after the song transitioned into a smooth and cinematic sea of guitars. That's when I found out Slow Suicide's m.o. is finding the beauty in the unusual.
I found their latest album, Ghost (Gost), and fell in love with their intimate instrumental music that's deeply influenced by rock and roll and moody electronic music, but with an absurd noisy twist (I hear Brian Eno and Glenn Branca). Ghost (Gost') is available as a free download and is a must listen for fans with an open mind and those that can find beauty within the madness.
- Jesse Van den Eynden
Friday, February 10, 2012
Hot One of the Week & Interview: The Soviet
Posted by
DougFoleySoup
at
4:46 PM
Labels:
Alternative,
Doug,
I Can Feel A Hot One,
Indie Rock,
Interview,
New Album Release,
Rock,
Video
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As I contemplated my blog this week, I wanted to do something different and give readers (and listeners) a chance to meet the artist rather than just read what I wrote about them. A perfect act for me to cover this week is The Soviet, a quartet from northwestern New Jersey who just released their debute EP. So without further hesitation I give you my interview:
First, before we get started, would you please introduce yourself and tell us your previous experience with music and your largest influences?
My name is Joshua Perna. I'm a multi-instrumentalist; I started playing jazz drums in my pre-teens, eventually moving on to study bass. I eventually taught myself how to play guitar, and, for this project, how to sing. I've done session work with all of these instruments, and been an actual member of only a couple of bands up until this point. Since I play different instruments I'm influenced from all over the place, but as of right now I'd say my biggest are Thom Yorke, Guthrie Govan, and Darren King.
Tell us the story behind The Soviet: a. why the name, b. who else is in the band, and c. goals you have for this project.
We originally got the name from mewithoutYou's song of the same title, but chose to keep it since it's just an interesting ad authoritative word (it translates to something along the lines of "the council", I think.) I have the blessing of working with a few really talented guys. I started the band with a long-time friend of mine, Aaron Brown, who plays lead guitar. We later found Alex Long, a jazz guitarist who picked up bass for the project, and Kevin, our drummer. Our goals are pretty simple and sincere: we just want to perform the music we're creating and get it out to as many people as we can. I feel as if many people get too wrapped up in fantasies of fame and lose sight of the fact that a band should be about a love of music, and we're really trying to hold onto that.
Your first EP is on its way out soon. How long as this been in progress and what was involved?
Wherewithal EP was written in a matter of months. We only really started as a band in Summer of 2011, and just recorded the record in January. Writing it, though, had a lot to do with finding our sound. We had all come into this project from different places, musically (primarily from a progressive/metal music scene.) So a large part of writing this was the trial and error of really agreeing what sort of sound we wanted to orient ourselves around, since this genre was entirely new to us.
Take us through the content of Wherewithal. What makes this record special, both musically and lyrically?
The EP is basically a walk through different situations and junctions in a person's life and how they choose to cope with them. Having the wherewithal (which means capability, for those who don't know) to do something is a daily struggle, and lyrically that's the emotion that the EP is centered on.
Musically, the EP is varied. We write under the pretense that no two songs should sound the same (while keeping a cohesive sound, of course.) So even though it's only a 5-track record, it covers a lot of musical ground in terms of dynamic and energy.
My name is Joshua Perna. I'm a multi-instrumentalist; I started playing jazz drums in my pre-teens, eventually moving on to study bass. I eventually taught myself how to play guitar, and, for this project, how to sing. I've done session work with all of these instruments, and been an actual member of only a couple of bands up until this point. Since I play different instruments I'm influenced from all over the place, but as of right now I'd say my biggest are Thom Yorke, Guthrie Govan, and Darren King.
Tell us the story behind The Soviet: a. why the name, b. who else is in the band, and c. goals you have for this project.
We originally got the name from mewithoutYou's song of the same title, but chose to keep it since it's just an interesting ad authoritative word (it translates to something along the lines of "the council", I think.) I have the blessing of working with a few really talented guys. I started the band with a long-time friend of mine, Aaron Brown, who plays lead guitar. We later found Alex Long, a jazz guitarist who picked up bass for the project, and Kevin, our drummer. Our goals are pretty simple and sincere: we just want to perform the music we're creating and get it out to as many people as we can. I feel as if many people get too wrapped up in fantasies of fame and lose sight of the fact that a band should be about a love of music, and we're really trying to hold onto that.
Your first EP is on its way out soon. How long as this been in progress and what was involved?
Wherewithal EP was written in a matter of months. We only really started as a band in Summer of 2011, and just recorded the record in January. Writing it, though, had a lot to do with finding our sound. We had all come into this project from different places, musically (primarily from a progressive/metal music scene.) So a large part of writing this was the trial and error of really agreeing what sort of sound we wanted to orient ourselves around, since this genre was entirely new to us.
Take us through the content of Wherewithal. What makes this record special, both musically and lyrically?
The EP is basically a walk through different situations and junctions in a person's life and how they choose to cope with them. Having the wherewithal (which means capability, for those who don't know) to do something is a daily struggle, and lyrically that's the emotion that the EP is centered on.
Musically, the EP is varied. We write under the pretense that no two songs should sound the same (while keeping a cohesive sound, of course.) So even though it's only a 5-track record, it covers a lot of musical ground in terms of dynamic and energy.
Do you have any closing remarks regarding the release of Wherewithal, the future of The Soviet, and your fans out there?
Just to get a copy of our music, by legal means or otherwise, and keep an eye on what we're doing. I hope our music is something everyone can get excited about, because I can honestly say this is one of the most meaningful projects I've ever been a part of, and I'm very excited about the future. Thanks!
-Doug Foley
Saint Jude- All Ways Were Lost (Video) + Free Downloads
Melbourne's Saint Jude play gospel tinged blues-pop-garage-country dug up from the 70s. They really do.
What started out as a Black Keys-like two man band has now blossomed into a five man fueled force with Bill Deeble (drums/vocals), Brooke Penrose (vocals/guitar), Ryan McCarthy (lead guitar/vocals), Brendan McMahon (keys/vocals) and Mick Stylianou (bass/vocals). After Bill and Brooke released The Mountain EP in 2009, the duo went on the hunt for a fuller and fatter sound, which can be heard on their latest singles, All Ways Were Lost and Rain is Falling Down, that will appear on their first full length album set to release in March of this year.
Above is the video for All Ways Were Lost, but if you head over to their bandcamp page, you can download both singles free of charge.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Soup of the Day: Death Rattle- The Dig
Posted by
BandSoup
at
1:54 PM
Labels:
Electronic,
Free MP3 Downloads,
Indie Rock,
Industrial,
Soup of the Day,
Video
0
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Death Rattle is a mystery.
Besides knowing they reside somewhere within London's fog, they have revealed no further information, no bio or background, no news on what is to come. The only thing we have is a song they released three months ago and an accompanying video that shows the duo's faces melted together, singing their pulsating single, "The Dig", into the white.
Heavily influenced by Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, and Fever Ray, Death Rattle splashes their dreary innards over what sounds like a futuristic factory machine hard at work. The femme fatale on the mic glides over the industrial synths and pounding percussion perfectly, as the grinding, seductive bass drives her kiss of death into the heart of your cortex.
60 Second Review: Ben Crane
Having spent a little over a year as a manager in this crazy industry, it still boggles my mind when I hear amazing artists that aren’t as acclaimed as they should be. Ben Crane is absolutely deserving of all the fame he has yet to acquire. This California singer/songwriter offers up a sound comparable to the likes of Andrew Jackson Jihad and Bob Dylan, which can be heard on his first full length record, Hay Fever. This bedroom/classroom recorded album does not disappoint and features an eclectic and delightful mix of new age folk laced with pop sensibilities.
The sounds and influences on this album are all over the place and Ben shows how talented he is by playing a myriad of instruments. My favorite tracks were the album's opener, Summer 99, a clap your hands and stomp your feet kind of track that makes you wish you immediately knew every word so you could sing along; Terracotta Heart, a nice ballad-like break from the first two up-beat tracks on the album; and the short two minute acoustic closer, The Captain’s Last Words, a perfect way to bring the album to a close and tie it all together.
The sounds and influences on this album are all over the place and Ben shows how talented he is by playing a myriad of instruments. My favorite tracks were the album's opener, Summer 99, a clap your hands and stomp your feet kind of track that makes you wish you immediately knew every word so you could sing along; Terracotta Heart, a nice ballad-like break from the first two up-beat tracks on the album; and the short two minute acoustic closer, The Captain’s Last Words, a perfect way to bring the album to a close and tie it all together.
If you are already on the search for a perfect summer album, look no further.
- Matt Bergeron
Ben Crane on Facebook
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Whores- Ruiner
Posted by
BandSoup
at
5:14 PM
Labels:
Alternative,
Band Spotlight,
Garage,
Grunge,
New Album Release,
Video
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Atlanta, GA noise merchants WHORES have unleashed their debut release, Ruiner, via Brutal Panda Records. The album was recorded this past summer at The Factory in Atlanta, GA with Kyle Spence (HARVEY MILK) handling the mastering duties. The record is available on a limited edition 12″ vinyl, with orders available here.
The band has quickly become known for their intense live shows, which they plan to bring across North America early next year. Creative Loafing Atlanta said it best: "To put it plainly, Whores' debut EP, Ruiner, finds the Atlanta noise-rock trio destroying everything in sight with a pulverizing rumble of slow rhythm and hatred. Singer/guitarist Christian Lembach's possessed vocalizations sway between soaring melodies and screaming lashings in "Daddy's Money." The song pulls back the hammer and a blast of methodical, teeth-gnashing rage ensues without an ounce of subtlety heard anywhere throughout the four remaining songs. But there is a tuneful drive behind standout cuts "Fake Life" and "Straight Down." Each one moves with brute force, drawing strength from its own ferocity as the bass-heavy rhythms reveal themselves as the vicious centerpiece. The production is clean, direct and loud, facilitating the strengths on "Fake Life." Each song punches with reactionary, and ultimately rewarding, fits of pure psychosis.
Here is a fan made video for their song "Daddy's Money".
A Yawn Worth Yelling
Posted by
BandSoup
at
4:57 PM
Labels:
Alternative,
Band Spotlight,
Free Album,
Free MP3 Downloads,
Indie Rock,
Live Performance,
New Album Release,
Pop,
Video
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A Yawn Worth Yelling is a five piece band out of San Jose, California made up of the multi-talented Tyler Boyd (lead vocals/guitar/percussion), Brayden Deskins (lead guitar), Johannes Heine (bass) , Taylor Stover (drums), and Joey Pisacane (lead vocals/guitar). On top of mastering their main roles, all members serve as back up singers because the band likes every yawn and every yell to have multiple layers and depth, as heard on their acclaimed debut EP, 1,000.
1,000 is an interesting record mainly due to the fact that the band is apart most of the year in different universities across the north pacific. Oftentimes, the band writes and records their material separately, sending bits and pieces of ideas to each other over the internet, until they can all meet up and turn the fragments into a complete song. "Their biggest challenge", according to lead guitarist Brayden Deskins, turns out to be unnoticeable and almost unfathomable considering the cohesiveness of their debut EP.
Combining influences from Maps & Atlases and The Dear Hunter, AYWY switches from smooth to spry at the drop of that hat and executes each mood seamlessly. The band is young and green, but after listening to the first two tracks on the EP (1,001, Actually and This Inherent Omniscience), their talent, melodies, and mature songwriting abilities take over and the musical experience takes over the inexperience. Just imagine if they had more time together.
1,000 is now available as a free download. The band is rumored to have a full length album currently in progress.
This Week on BandSoup (1/30-2/6)
Posted by
BandSoup
at
12:14 PM
Labels:
Alternative,
Blues,
Electronic,
Garage,
Hip Hop,
Indie Rock,
Punk,
Weekly Uploads
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Another week in the books and yet another week of great uploads here on BandSoup! Here are a few of the bands that you must hear according to an unanimous vote from the BandSoup blog team. Remember, new bands pop up on the site 1-5 times per day, so check back in with us. You might be missing out on your new favorite band!
* Click the band's name to hear their music.
The Scholars (Alternative Rock)-- Shimmering, hook-laden rock music from Oxford, UK. The Scholars draw inspiration from post-punk, New Wave, and rock in an attempt to make sense of a confusing media age.
Whores (Grunge/Alternative)-- "Whores is relentless and merciless in its sonic attack: Its gigantic walls of fuzz and thunderously colossal low-end rumble recall The Melvins’ refined sludge; the epic, primal howls, feedback-heavy rests and meticulous precision recall the best of The Jesus Lizard and Karp. Simply: Whores f#!king slays. Period."
Weird Dreams (Indie Rock)-- With a unique sound influenced in equal measure by David Lynch’s liminal, hallucinatory worlds, and acts as varied as the Beach boys, T. Rex, The Tammys, Syl Johnson, O.V. Wright and Smashing Pumpkins not for nothing have Weird Dreams been described as “the most exciting new band in London”.
The Average Engines (Alternative Rock)-- The debut album “Battlesuits” arrives like a large scoop of ice cream in the deepest winter; a bitter sweet combination, painfully if you eat it too fast, but extremely delicious anyway. Following on from their EP “If Dali Broke My Arm It Would Sound Like This”, they come with the goods on their first long player, published on their own label Brutkasten, containing a mixture of Indie, Stoner, Prog, Alternative and a little help of Pop. Average Engines bring a lovingly handmade debut to the fore.
3 1/2 (Garage Pop)-- Leila, Legz, and Tizza are 3 1/2, Co Wave's Los Angeles bedroom doo wop rock trio that are impossible not to like.
XBloome (Electronic Rock)-- XBloome is an Austrian band, joining electronic drum- and synthesizer sounds with classical instruments like violin, trumpet and bass into a smooth blend of ambient disco trip-hop.
The All-About (Indie Rock)-- The All-About is a synth-based power-pop project maintained by Zac Coe in and around Central New York, musically devoted to exploring the enduring connection that exists between pop music and catharsis. Described by producer Oliver Ignatius as "one of the most lovely dissections of the blisses and anguishes of a failed love affair to come out in years," the 2nd LP, Winterpop, is a "pop-soul-synth-punk opus," and it's available for free right now at: http://theallabout.bandcamp.com/.
Groj (Electronic)-- Brainwashed by the visionary sounds of Krautrock giants and the rapturous explorations of Richard D. James, in “Promised Land” Groj interprets themes of trust, self- deception and private fantasies. Under the influence of a minimalist implosive system and tangled in an abundant and hypnotic electro-acoustic foliage, the album comes through with a unique sense of simple delivery.
The Missing Season (Dream Pop)-- French duo that just released their third album, The Last Summer.
A Yawn Worth Yelling (Indie Rock)-- A Yawn Worth Yelling is composed of five members from San Jose, California. They released their debut album, 1,000, in 2011.
The Black Black (Indie Rock)-- The trio creates their own brand of groove-heavy punk rock. Rock solid rhythms juxtaposed with powerful, driving bass lines and spastic guitars; all tied together with classic melodies. It's rock music that sinks into your bones and requires you to keep turning it up. The Black Black released their first EP "Music To Sell Drinks To" in January 2012 and will be playing shows all around the Northeast this Spring.
Kubatko (Electronic)-- A czech music composer and DJ.
The Few (Blues/Funk/Rock)-- With a passion for vintage, The Few deliver retro vibes, fine-tuned for modern times. From their original stage setup to their custom made Becker instruments and rigs, The Few does it like no other. With a sound often compared to the Black Keys or Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, The Few creates a riffy, blues charged vibe, dripping with rock induced jams.
Kid City (Indie Pop)-- Eerie electronic pop from new Toronto duo that just released their first EP.
Moody Gowns (Indie Rock)-- Moody Gowns are a band who are quintessentially British for all the right reasons. They champion that wry wit and charm that all of history’s greatest Brits possessed. They couple it with light-hearted cynicism that is undeniably funny. They don’t take themselves too seriously; yet they are more real, true to life and down right important than any other band on your radar right now.
Lower Lands (Alternative/Punk Rock)-- View our blog post from last week here. Lower Lands is a young quartet from the cathedral city of Lincoln, United Kingdom that blend a spry and spirited mixture of alternative, pop, and new millennium punk rock. Last year they released their free debut EP, This Was Not Our Greatest Endeavour, a noisy yet catchy foray into the land of post-hardcore. This year the band plans to release another EP entitled Growing Pains featuring the lead single "Reality in Routine". As seen and hard in the video/single above, it's obvious that the lads from Lower Lands have already endured those growth pains and are now reaping the benefits.
Eager Eyes (Alternative Rock)-- An emerging rock quartet from Alameda, California. Their self titled debut is available now.
I Self Devine (Hip Hop)-- Chaka Mkali, also known as I Self Devine is a musician, Mc, community organizer, racial justice trainer, graffiti artist, muralist, program coordinator and director of organizing and community building at Hope Community Center in Minneapolis. Stay tuned for the new album The Sounds Of Low Class America coming May 8th, 2012!
Devin Levi (Electronic/Indie)-- Music from Devon Levi's new album, Here's to Now, a blend of electronic music and live instrumentation that Devon likes to call "artistic alternative".
The Creech (Punk/Alternative)-- Punk/Hardcore band from Germany.
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