The confusion that lies amidst times of grey often cuts deeper than we care to acknowledge. The agony of unending waiting and constant questioning is dressed in a pain that slowly breaks us piece by piece. The light we hold onto seems to stand in the past, as remembering gives the hope for tomorrow. Grey is not hopeless, it is not empty, rather it is the bridge we must begin to trust. The brokenness molds and shapes us into something new. For in this season we finally begin to understand who we really are and where we are called to go.
The vocally driven album Country Sleep by Night Beds stands amidst this grey. The contemplative and personal songs reflect the journey of Winston Yellen. Though powerfully soft, a tension and longing abounds as the ten song album swiftly flows for a mere 35 minutes. Yet in these short moments of Yellen’s vulnerability, they prove themselves to be guides. They are a sound to carry us through the grey, reminding us of where we have been and that something more awaits.
Listen&Enjoy
COMING SOON : Chrissy Keegan
Check out: Madison McGuinness
Pack your bags, hold on tight, and let Nzca/lines carry you through the night. Exhibiting a sound that is uniquely powerful and surprisingly comfortable, especially within a genre of pop. Providing a quality and beauty that resonates within each song, the R&B influenced sound is fronted by Michael Lovett and it is incredibly difficult to find flaws.
Elegantly capturing soft and calm melodies, yet retaining such tension and aggression, Will Stratton majestically exposes a beautiful story. As You Divers begins with the quiet and peaceful lull of strings, and continues to powerfully build, it is clearly driven by his wondrous vocals and folk derived style. But as it is lightly filled with the heavy sounds of an ominous electric guitar the resounding tension aptly conflicts and the culmination is absolutely beautiful.
You Divers is found on his recently released album, Post-Empire.
Another beautiful song is Bluebells off his 2010 album, New Vanguard Blues.
For those of you who find yourselves north of the equator, clap your hands and sing along for summer has finally found its way home. As today marks your first day of summer, it’s seemingly appropriate to give your stereo an equal opportunity to partake in celebration. Dirty Gold, composed of a talented trio, boasts of a smooth beach sound mixed with appropriately subtle influences of pop and electronic, creating a calm and gentle yet eccentrically pervasive tone that you can’t keep from tapping your toes to. With a sound that is clearly attributed to the ocean’s favorite season, enjoy your summer with Dirty Gold.
Summer has quietly tiptoed its way upon on us. The presence of this delightful season is becoming ever so clear and the invitation to warm nights under star painted skies and long afternoons spent in bodies of water is welcomed with open arms. Oregon Bike Trails reminds you of what is coming. With a sound derived from a more 60’s rock feel, the one man band, Zach Yudin, also draws his cues from a slightly more pop background. Summer is almost here and adventure awaits. So take the time to slow down and enjoy the simple things.
COMING SOON
photo credit: zach rose
Integrating sounds derived from a myriad of influences, Campfire OK settles down nicely with something powerfully soothing and captivating. Focusing on blending the pervasive tone of folk with a deeply rooted rhythm and infusing interjections of a calm and complimentary piano while showering softly with the reverberating tones of tamborines and horns, each song is consistently unique while retaining an elegant thread of continuity. Check out their debut album, Strangers Like We Are, and keep your eyes open for an anticipated near future release.
The side project of the established band, Ratatat, E*vax is an exciting and riveting display of electronic and instrumentals. Simplistically founded through soft melodies infused with unique sounds and noises, Evan Mast has removed the cluttering of words and phrases, producing a masterpiece that is both powerfully calm and gently energetic.
Forged from the lawless yet controlled emotions that reverberate powerfully through crafted sounds and unique tones, Melodium effortlessly displays a myriad of carefully fused songs. Slowly telling the tale without the domineering use of words, instead allowing noise to be the voice of the unheard. Composed by the talented Laurent Girard, who for sometime now has produced an array of compilations, all of which are powerfully captivating. Check out his recently released album, the island.
With soft and peaceful melodies, Gem Club quietly displays a beautiful culmination of elegant instrumentals and serene vocals. With a sound that is powerfully compelling with the likes of Bon Iver, the trio’s recently released album, Breakers is absolutely stunning and captivating, truly worth your time.
With a folk and acoustic derived sound, Seryn doesn’t just leave you alone, quaintly sitting on your old wood porch, smoke and scotch in hand. Rather they resound with an array of vocals and instruments, allowing their smooth and profound melodies to paint a brighter picture. Each member not only humbly exhibits beautiful vocals, but as they perform live, they are known to frequently pass instruments around, truly exhibiting remarkable versatility and creativity.
Slow and steady, delightfully simple and calm. Daughter creates heartfelt and beautiful melodies that resound gracefully, attesting to lead singer Elena Tonra’s childhood being laden with her parent’s vinyl collection and her overwhelming desire to fashion mesmeric stories. The enchanted voice is paired with her boyfriend Igor Haefeli’s guitar, and Remi Aguilella’s drums, together the London-based trio has created a stir that cannot be ignored.