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Tag Archives: lofi
Ten Kens – Namesake
“Excellently skewed, arty rock, like Sonic Youth and Liars colliding.” — NME
Ten Kens, the Toronto based ethereal artrock group, is streaming their entire forthcoming album, Namesake, a week early via the massive Canadian entertainment conglomerate, Exclaim! This is also in conjunction with their recently released video from Namesame for the song “Gently Used“, which is presented by Tiny Mix Tapes and available above. Finally, to give you a probably way over the necessary dose, the video for “When A Door Opens” also premiered via Consequence of Sound. which, you guessed it, is also available above.
Released after two years of nerve racking tranquility and a sophomore album glow, the aptly titled Namesake moves the band away from their signature genre-bending dither into a more darkened psychedelic day trip experience. The result of an intense yearlong recording period and masterfully engineered/produced by Ten Kens‘ own Brett Paulin and Dan Workman, the band jumped from one recording facility to the next in order to find each individual sound which makes this whole. Apparently, the band enjoys disappearing “into complete isolation to keep their vision focused and devoid of any outside influence” which may come across from just the first 2 mins of “Gently Used“.
It is this insidious exploration, though, coupled with an almost ambient prog rock, that makes Namesake such an experience as for as an album. An abstract art-piece constructed from the remains of decaying genres, Ten Kens’ Namesake is an unapologetic trance of post-rock meets prog rock with a whole lot thrown in between. Basically, it’s beautiful. Grab a download or don’t be stingy and grab the vinyl (Release Date: May 21, 2013, if it’s a great album, it’s a worthwhile buy and yes, Namesake is a great album). Here’s to hoping a tour is in the works.
Filed under Music
Love Cop – Eat Yr Heart Out
Ah, 80′s glam electronica, you always know how to put a smile on my face and Gnarnia VIPs and dark pop geniuses, Love Cop, oblige with a cassette of lofi dreamgaze with a heavy tote of perverted pop. With clear nods to the best moments of Television Personalities, The Clean, and Factory Records bands like Joy Division and New Order, Eat Yr Heart Out is bursting at the seams with fuzzy guitars, jangly guitars, crunchy guitars, dance beats, rock beats, witchy vibes, stoner vibes, and maybe the kitchen sink (why not?).
Signed copies were available at their performance at Gnar Tapes SXSW Showcase on March 15th, 2013 but never fear, you can still get your not-as-special unsigned copies through the friendly folks at Gnar Tapes. So pop on the album through bandcamp (or better yet, the cassette itself), open up the windows, and ignore your responsibilities. Love Cop‘s got the soundtrack to your dysfunctional narcissism.
Love Cop – Eat Yr Heart Out (Bandcamp)
- Cliff
Filed under Music
Dissociative Identity Productions – Public Relations Recruitment
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend my radio program yesterday: midterms have proved to be far more annoying than I had originally assumed. Despite to say, I wanted to announce that Dissociative Identity Productions is currently recruiting for additional members in our Public Relations Department.
So what the hell does that mean? Well, for one, we would love to have additional writers. Whether your a seasoned blogger or a recreational writer, feel free to shoot us a message from our contact page to let us know about your interest. Want to get your boots on the ground with some physical promotion? Then let us know and we can assist you in joining our street team. Whatever your passions may be, let us know: this site should never simply be able one individuals ego so assist and expand Dissociative Identity Productions.
Anyways let us know whatever your thoughts are an, of course, get psyched for the Dissociative Identity Productions & Noise Level Magazine show ft. Slow Animal, Wellboys, Canada, & Hairyman, Sat. May 4th from 6pm – 11pm for outdoor fun, cool beers, and just plain good times. Till then.
Doors/hangouts at 6, Music at 7, End by 11
$5 at the door, $3 if you like Noise Level Mag or DIP on the Facebook
- Cliff
Filed under Uncategorized
Dissociative Identity Productions & Noise Level Magazine Presents: SLOW ANIMAL, WELLBOYS, CANADA, & HAIRYMAN
If ya hadn’t noticed, I haven’t written in awhile. Computer experienced some minor technical difficulties despite to say, things are back to normal. Now back to the real point of this article. As you may have figured out by now from our Facebook Page, Dissociative Identity Productions & Noise Level Magazine are proud to present: Slow Animal, Wellboys, Canada, & Hairyman.
We are extremely excited for the show as we will be hosting it outdoors (with a rain location ready, just in case) to get the most out of the upcoming spring time weather. Furthermore, we are also extremely proud with our lineup. Whether seen through our header, Slow Animal, to our opener, Hairyman (Elgin & Travis (Ted Nguyent)), the show provides a great cast for good times in the spring time.
The final note worth mentioning are the prices. While we had intended to actually charge more initially, both Noise Level Magazine & Dissociative Identity Productions want to encourage as many people as possible to come on out and enjoy themselves. That’s why admission will actually be only $3 if you like either Dissociative Identity Productions‘ or Noise Level Magazine‘s Facebook Page, with it being $5 at the door otherwise. Simply like the page beforehand, by the day of the show, and state your name at the door for the discount. There will also be beers available at the venue for those interested.
Anyways, thank you so much for all of those who have come together to help with this process and for continued support. I look forward to seeing you in less than two weeks and feel free to hit us up if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. See ya soon.
Doors/hangouts at 6, Music at 7, End by 11
$5 at the door, $3 if you like Noise Level Mag or DIP on the Facebook
- Cliff
And So I Watch You From Afar – All Hail Bright Futures
Belfast‘s And So I Watch You From Afar has just started streaming their entire forthcoming album, All Hail Bright Futures, all this week, courtesy of Vice’s own Noisey.com. As described by Sargent House, the label/worldwide management group to which ASIWYFA just recently signed onto, All Hail Bright Futures “could be taken as both an ethos for the album and the band at this point in time. There is a new color scheme in place: new textures, emotions, sounds and voices… (All Hail Bright Futures) is dominated by a sunnier disposition, a positive uplift that more closely matches the euphoria the Northern Ireland trio has been instilling in audiences through their music in a live setting for the last five years.” And by the way, they really aren’t kidding when they talk about the euphoria of their live shows after just recently winning the Best Live Band at Choice Music Prize this past year, not to mention the clocked 500 plus shows worldwide.
Thoughts, comments, and concerns? Well it is certainly a different kind of album than expected from the group. Sure, there are moments such as “Trails” & “Mend And Make Safe” which remind me far more of previous albums such as Grimes, but the vast majority of the album seems, well, different. Perhaps they have taken a cue from fellow Irish group Adebisi Shank however the songs are clearly for more energetic, not in the way say post-rock climatic strikes but more as a thrashing math-rock meets an electronic bliss of reimagined post-hardcore. To understand this sensation, I would highly recommend “Like A Mouse” & “Big Thinks Do Remarkable“. Sargent House releases All Hail Bright Futures on March 19, 2013 on LP, CD, & download worldwide and is the first recoding done by ASIWYFA as a three-piece. While this may have been the case with recording, the band will continue on as a four piece with the addition of Niall Kennedy (guitar). The album was recorded with Rocky O’ Reilly at Start Together Studio in Belfast.
Essentially, it is definitely clear that ASIWYFA is seeking to redefine itself with their third full length. And yeah, I will certainly say that I gladly bump said album at least several times through in the past twenty four hours, partly for research and partly to keep me awake during this depressing weather. It feels as though the group is lost though. They are taking heavy cues from others without retaining enough of what truly made them unique on the global stage. If they seek to be an amazing live act, well, it appears as though they have accomplished it and certainly this album tour is going to be a fun one by what I am hearing. If the goal is to continue to give a unique perspective and development on this evolving genre, well, they may have missed the mark. Take a listen and tell me I’m wrong: regardless, I think I’ll pop it on one more time.
And So I Watch You From Afar – All Hail Bright Future
- Cliff
Filed under Music
Daphne Lee Martin – “Moxie” Interview & Album Radio Special
In case ya didn’t read my original article, let me just go ahead and summarize, though I imagine you can probably guess where this is going since I am, in fact, setting time aside to specifically write on this again. Yes, I thorough enjoyed Daphne Lee Martin‘s Moxie, the first of twin records: Frost & Moxie. Produced by Bill Readey at Fuzzy Rainbow Production, the album even includes John Panos of Mates of State along with her full band, “Raise the Rent“. Yet these are matters I have already discussed (again, just read the original article already if you’re curious).
The real reason for this article is that Dissociative Identity Productions & WKDU Philadelphia, 91.7 fm are proud and excited to host Daphne Lee Martin at the studio, around 6:30 pm EST (assuming the dreaded ‘punk time’ does not strike) to have an interview as well as an overall Moxie album radio special. This means an hour of tracks off the album, interview and the odd assortment of conversations which come with that territory, as well as some tracks of which have proven influential to the group as a whole. Yeah, it should make for quite an interesting hour so be sure to tune in either at 91.7 fm or simply by streaming through the WKDU site (top right hand corner). See ya then and just to get ya excited, not only is the full album streaming above but we’ve even got an official video for the single “Belly” below. Check it out and thanks for tuning in.
- Cliff
Filed under Music, Uncategorized
Zorch – Sign to Sargent House/New Album in Works
Zorch, Austin, TX‘s hyper-kinetic duo, premiered a new song, “We All Die Young“, a release from their forthcoming full length. The track is available through SPIN Magazine with the full length album expected to be released this summer. Clearly the big change, however, is that Zorch has signed on with Sargent House for management and label. This, while a massive change, is not necessarily a massive surprise.
Zorch is composed of Zac Traeger (keyboards, omnichord, vocals) and Shmu (drums, omnichord, vocals), whom hail from Wisconsin and Canada respectively. The duo originally met around Boston and after moving to Austin in 2009, the foundation of what would become Zorch was laid. After years of building up a reputation within the city’s DIY scene, Zorch will again play their annual multi-performance marathon during SXSW in Austin this March (listed below), marking a welcomed combination of both their roots and their future.
Take a listen and go ahead, get excited. Frankly, I always assumed Zorch was already on Sargent House so the move is a welcomed decision in my mind. But who knows? Maybe you disagree with me to which I simply say: you’re wrong. Indulge yourself to some experimental beauty while at work, in your classroom, or simply walking down freezing streets. It won’t be long till March comes along, the beginning of a long overdue spring and summer (time is relative, get over it). Till then.
Austin, TX – SXSW:
3/10/13 – Yeast by Sweet Beast @ Chain Drive
3/11/13 – Weird Destiny Freakout @ The Museum of Human Achievement
3/12/13 – All Tamara’s Parties @ Cheer Up Charlies
3/12/13 – SXSW Showcase @ Metal & Lace w/Assacre
3/12/13 – Granada House Backyard Shredathon @ The Granada House (1184 Greenwood Ave) 3/13/13 – Slip n’ Slide Party III @ Second House (2906 E. 2nd.) w/Delicate Steve
3/13/13 – SXSW Showcase @ TenOak w/Sorne
3/14/13 – House Party @ Hobbies’ Odd (1118 Linden St)
3/14/13 – Escapes @ Club 1808
3/15/13 – The Vagabond Collective showcase @ Austin Kickboxing Academy
3/15/13 – Wuwufest @ Russian House w/Why?, T-Bird and the Breaks
3/15/13 – SXSWendy’s @ Wendy’s
3/16/13 – Hometapes/Spacebomb Friend Island @ The Museum of Human Achievement
Zorch Facebook
Sargent House Zorch Page
Zorch Bandcamp
Zorch Site
- Cliff
LVMRKS – Valentine
What do you get when you blend the likes of Broken Bells, …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, & Red Sparrows? Well, from the latest news, something along the lines of LVMRKS. Neil Busch, former vocalist/bassist/songwriter in …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead is back with LVMRKS as well as work nearly completed on their forthcoming debut album, Pale Fairytale. The all-star group includes, of course, bassist Jonathan Hischke (Broken Bells, Hella, Dot Hacker, et al.) and drummer Dave Clifford (Red Sparrows, The VSS), making a well rounded act with an extremely potent potential.
To appease your undying desire, LVMRKS has already shared the first song from their debut album, the cupid-themed song, “Valentine” which is available to stream above. As far as the album, Pale Fairytale, it will be available on LP and download on May 21st, 2013 and was recorded and mixed by Toshi Kasai (of Melvins, Tool, & Big Business notoriety). So I will not say much since I don’t want to look back in several months and feel like a jackass despite to say, I’ve got a smile on my face. And yes, that’s a good thing. Take a peak and get excited.
- Cliff
Filed under Music
Adebisi Shank – Thunder
Adebisi Shank’s most recent album, This Is The Second Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank, released in 2011 via Sargent House was an absolutely brilliant sophomore album which did not slow down this monumental three piece’s sense of brilliant noisy math rock. So when I woke up this morning to an email notifying me that Ireland’s Adebisi Shank will be entering a studio later this year to begin work on their next album, it frankly put a smile on my face.
To make things even better, Adebisi Shank was able to release an early live session recording for the track “Thunder“, which was mixed by Toshi Kasai (Melvins, Big Business) in L.A. during the band’s recent tour with Fang Island. What’s humorous to me is that the band openly admits that the track may not end up with the title of “Thunder“: rather, it is still so early in the process to really make any conclusive decisions on the album. So overall, maybe this article is premature however after viewing the video, you can probably see why I am so excited.
So yes: we’ve got awhile to wait before we know just about anything. But from I’m watching/listening, I’d say it’s so far, so good. Keep it up Adebisi Shank and I’m psyched for, I don’t know, maybe “This Is The Third Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank“? You can choose your own name: I’m just spitting ideas. Watch the video and enjoy: I know I did.
- Cliff
Filed under Music
