Out of the ashes
rises the fire;
The flames of
what was once departed.
I smile
as you slink softly
back into your place
amongst rocks and ruin,
hope and despair. And yet,
a road springs silently
and etches our path for us.
But I, I remain
tucked under the folds
of what seems will never
come to pass.
Dark embers crystallize
And glisten in the dim light
Of the aftermath.
After I; after nothing.
Before you.
Said The Whale, Photo by Vanessa Heins
(from THM.com)
Said The Whale, hailing from the ever-blossoming music town of Vancouver, British Columbia, released their sophomore album last month on Hidden Pony Records. As I was a quick fan to one of their earlier singles “The Light is You,” I was eager to get my hands on the album and check it out. The band’s upbeat sound and amazing energy never fails to leave me wanting more, and all this just from their records! I’m still waiting my turn to catch these guys live. (Hint: please come to NYC soon!)
The band officially formed just over 2 years ago when songwriters Ben Worcester and Tyler Bancroft decided to embark on a new collaborative effort together, along with Spencer Schoening, Peter Carruthers, and Jaycelyn Brown. They released the updated version of their debut EP, “Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia,” in 2008 which quickly became a fan favorite and made the first indentation on the indie music circuit, especially in Canada.
With “Islands Disappear,” it is clear that this quintet is gunning to truly bust through the scene. With catchy folk-driven beats, gritty guitar riffs, airy melodies, and wailing woeful ballads like the title track “Islands Disappear,” the album is an entertaining mind-trip into the lives of these musicians, one that is incessantly pleasing to the ear. The band worked with producers Howard Redekopp (Tegan and Sara, The New Pornographers, Mother Mother) and Tom Dobrzanski (Hey Ocean!, The Zolas), which is clearly evident as the album shares the well-rounded sound found on both Tegan and Sara and Hey Ocean!’s new albums.
The first single off the album “Camilo (The Magician)” is a song that demands to be blared at full volume, despite the pitfalls of grouchy neighbors, cold weather (windows down while driving), or the awkward subway stares. There is no way to avoid it though, so why fight it?
Other standouts from the album include “Emerald Lake, AB”, the charmingly romantic ” A Cold Night Close to the End”, and the bluegrass-y folk tune of “False Creek Change,” which very well may be my favorite song on the album. Although, most people will probably be drawn to down-right catchy, super uptempo “Out On the Shield,” that is driven by propulsive guitar rhythms more in the vein of indie rock than folk.
Overall, “Islands Disappear” is a solid album; Said The Whale beat the sophomore album slump and delivered a powerful EP that does well to be heard in its entirety. The band is finishing up their crazy tour schedule of the past few months but if you happen to be in Vancouver, be sure to check their upcoming shows on their MySpace page.
Check out their video to “The Light is You”
(from Examiner.com)
Porter Block is a Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter who on his fourth studio album was in search of a new challenge. Deeply ingrained in the New York indie music scene, he recognized the creativity blossoming all around him and wanted to make an album that was both a dedication to the area in Brooklyn where he lives and records music as well as a musical conversation between songwriters. The result is The Gowanus Yacht Club.
The Gowanus Canal is known throughout the borough as one of the more environmentally disturbing parts of Brooklyn. For this reason itself, the small beer garden Gowanus Yacht Club receives patronage simply due to the irony in a name. But the waterway is part of Brooklyn and therefore part of the residents and a part of Block.
The Gowanus Yacht Club (Engine Room Recordings) was titled as both an homage to the beer garden that sits just steps away from the studio where Block recorded the album but also to the canal itself–with the cover art serving as a slight reference to The Beach Boy’s 1973 album “Holland” with the image of Kromme Waal, a canal that runs through Amsterdam.
Block’s second album release in 2009 is a collection of collaborations between Block and a handful of talented NYC-based singer/songwriters. This series of inspired encounters provides an indie-folk rock version of what was Herbie Hancock’s Possibilities. Guests include: Wes Hutchinson, Paul Basil (Great Elk), Casey Shea, Angela McCluskey, Jason Rabinowitz (The Bloodsugars), Nate Campany, Terry Radigan and more. The album is a cohesive unit; at no point does it feel like eleven songs by eleven artists–it is a blending of musical sensibilities to its very best. “I wanted to start something new,” Block explains, “and I thought it would be a great way to work with these artists, some of whom I knew, some of whom I had never met before in my life.”
The Gowanus Yacht Club opens with “Youth’s Magic Horn” featuring Paul Basil, an uptempo multi-layered song made complete with Basil’s uniquely gravelly voice. “Got to Get Back” is a testament to Block’s adherence to the honest forging of creative collaborations with each musician as the song rings true to the sound that Shea exudes in his own music. It is an airy heartfelt tune in line with the pleasingly reminiscent sound of musicians gone by. “Your Heart is a Broken Thing” is the only duet created with a non-New Yorker–Angela McCluskey. Block refers to the song as the “red-headed stepchild” on the album–one he loves to equal if not stronger measure to the others. The song was written by Block and Luke Janklow with McCluskey’s gritty and soulful voice in mind.
Block credits the entire process as a “smashing creative success.” Heralding it as an uplifting experience he says that “the whole project just emphasized, whatever that horrible cliche is, that music is the universal language.” TheGowanus Yacht Club is on the whole one of the more interesting and worthwhile albums of the year. In this time of single downloads and bleak futures for the concept of whole albums, Block has tapped into the resources around him to create a record that begs to be played in its entirety and perhaps on repeat.
Block went on tour earlier this month supporting Mike Doughty with the intention to take Gowanus out of the city, traveling to 16 different cities. He wanted to share his ode to the borough with those who just might not get the titular reference. This Halloween, he will be back in New York City at Le Poisson Rouge at 8pm. The show will be streamed live on StreamJam’s facebook application starting at 7:30pm EST for those who don’t live in NYC or are a bit too frightened to manage the crowd from the parade.
(from Examiner.com)
It is a fact readily acknowledged that within the five boroughs of New York City, there is a Mecca of highly talented musicians scraping by on whatever ragtag funds they can get while fiendishly awaiting their due recognition.
Matt Jones, a Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter is a card-holding member of this would-be elite group of creative souls. The independent folk-rock musician, slightly disdainful of genre labels, is currently in production on his as-yet-untitled sophomore album–an undertaking that he has helmed completely, playing both the role of the powerhouse executive and the talent. In addition to finding the right man to produce his album and a solid PR team, Jones established a fundraising push in order to finalize all aspects of production.
In an era where the standard that has made up the music industry is being shattered and re-molded, Jones seems to have forged a sturdy path within the independent spectrum. An earnest supporter of the local music scene, he lights up when asked whom he admires listing off a mountain of names including: James Maddock, Laura Meyer, Jo Williamson, Lorraine Leckie, Will Knox, Alyson Greenfield and so much more.
Jones exudes a controlled confidence and charm, he gives off an affability that makes you feel like you have known him for years. Raised in Texas by his adoptive parents, Jones is open about his connection to his Brazilian heritage–and his obsession with Bob Dylan.
I sat down with Jones at Think Coffee just off Washington Square, the site of his upcoming show this Friday. (more…)
Hey Ocean! photo by: Justin Tyler Close
(from GreenShoelace.com)
The Vancouver-based Hey Ocean! made their last stop in the States before heading back to Canada this past Thursday at the LES’s local-favorite, Piano’s.
To say that this indie-pop band full of Caribbean infusements is a new fave of mine, is not a stretch in the least. Ever since I got my hands on their catchy and upbeat album It’s Easier to be Somebody Else, I have been eager to see them live. Despite cold and rainy weather and an at-first thin crowd, Hey Ocean! gave an energetic and vibrant performance. Between Ashleigh Ball’s charming enthusiasm and both Daves (Beckingham on guitar and Vertesi on bass) incessant smiles, one couldn’t refuse their infectious attitude. After just a few songs, the crowd at the front bar caught on and began flowing in to see what all the commotion was about.
Ball commands the stage like a young Debbie Harry, leaving no space in time or on stage unfilled. Her voice is an interesting mix of the raw emotional quality of New Zealand critic-favorite Gin Wigmore and the soft playfulness of Regina Spektor. With decidedly refreshing songs due to their youthful tropical-jazz sound and thematic yet honest lyrics, Hey Ocean! has begun to carve out their niche in this industry.
After a fun cover of The Cardigans’ “Lovefool,” which got the crowd interacting and singing along to every word, the group diverged into a full on percussion round; this led them into, none other, but a percussion-based rendition of the theme song to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
The show finished up with three great songs off It’s Easier to be Somebody Else: ”Alleyways,” “Fish” (during which they asked the crowd to serve as the horn section) and “Song About California.” All in all, this was an energetic and lively show. If you don’t live in Canada, it might be a while ’til you can see them again but Hey Ocean! did offer places to crash if you decide to stop by Vancouver.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
But first up was Brooklyn’s The Depreciation Guild. Though seemingly small on the large stage of Webster Hall this trio took command with their unique sound that is a blend of electronica and pop-rock, reminiscent of the Cocteau Twins and Lush.
The Depreciation Guild’s front man (And The Pains drummer!) Kurt Feldman’s soft and airy vocals provided an additional layer to the songs, enrapturing me from the start. I wasn’t too familiar with the band before the show and now I’m hooked, to say the least. Their single “Dream About Me” has been on repeat since I left the walls of Webster Hall.
On a side note: their track “Sky Ghosts” has recently been added to Urban Outfitters’ 7th installment of their music compilation “LSTN” where they provide access to download the track for free.
The young quartet of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart took to the stage in a very un-imposing manner. I was standing by the merch table perusing their impressive collection of vinyls, cds, t-shirts and more when, without a roar of applause from the crowd or any obvious indication the show was beginning, the band started to play..
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart is an interesting moniker and one that, despite its length (or because of it, perhaps), is catchy and makes a bold statement. That is why I was a bit surprised by their on-stage presence: it was just like listening to their album… only live. In a way, I felt like a voyeur catching the group at garage practice that happened to be on a large stage in front of hundreds of people, with bright lights behind them. (more…)
Photo: The Damnwells
The Damnwells were born in Brooklyn–as a band, that is. Front man Alex Dezen started the band back in 2001 and after a few proverbial road bumps including a tantalizing string dangled by EPIC records in 2004, the band is still going strong and ready to show their appreciation to their dedicated fans and Brooklyn town.
Friday, August 28th, The Damnwells will be playing the Music Hall of Williamsburg. The show is also the DVD release party for Golden Days, the award-winning documentary directed by Chris Suchorsky that follows The Damnwells as they prepared to release their sophomore album. The film was heralded by multiple film festivals and was labeled as “a fascinating glimpse into the fabled but ubiquitous major label hell,” by Harp Magazine. The film shows the band at a crucial moment in their career as they were suddenly dropped from EPIC records just after a year of production, leaving their album shelved and in limbo.
First off, I know what you’re thinking… it’s May 1st. Marketing campaigns reach all of us. But why spend perfectly good just-earned-salary-check money on seeing Wolverine on opening weekend when you can wait ’til Discount Tuesday (less crowded and no pre-teens kicking the back of your chair repeatedly while screaming asinine comments for 2 hours straight) and in the mean time rent the flick below? Just a really good thought.
“What have you done for forty-five years?” It’s a question that is posed to you in Jeremy Gosch’s documentary about the revolution of the stance of surfing in 1975 on Hawaii’s North Shore.
Taking into account that this is a film about surfing, which lends itself to the association with the likes of films such as Endless Summer, Blue Crush, and Point Break (Though I have nothing but obsessed love for Point Break), Bustin Down the Door commands an entirely different side of your mind (i.e., the side that isn’t high on, ahem, ‘life’). Be it the beauty of the storyline, the power of these men’s passions, or the concept of a sporting legend created by a handful of men, this film demands your full attention; so none of that getting up to use the loo or heat up more popcorn once you’ve pressed play.
It is a rare gem of a film that can get you laughing out loud to the point where your sides ache. That is exactly what Garth Jennings’ film, Son of Rambow, accomplishes.
First off, just take a look at the premise we are working with: two kids decide to make their own version of Rambo based off their subsequent obsession with the character after sneaking a peak of First Blood.
In a word: brilliant.
The hijinks that ensue as these two unlikely kids shoot their film are non-stop and resemble that of a Tom-and-Huck storyline. Whimsical and witty cartoon moments spill off the screen and help bring you into the fantastical mind-set that is our heroes’ world.
ABOUT
A collection of writing by K.B.Abele, including short stories, novel excerpts, poetry, interviews and articles on film and music.
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