Little Earthquakes - "Brightside"
We all need a poppy theme song to dispose of the bodies to.
The latest release from Austrailian siblings Mathew and Justin Hyland, Little Earthquakes mixes the better parts of indie pop, rock & electronic and acoustic instrumentation in order to animate their quirky pop-rock melodies.
With the recent release of their Brightside EP the boys are gearing up to hit the road in support. I'm not sure when they'll make it to the states, but I'm certin that their fun energy will be well recieved. Until then just remember, that even if you have dirty deeds to do, it's alright to do them with a little extra bounce in your step.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
Cure for the Mondays: Concord America - "So Gay"
Concord America - "So Gay"
This ones for the crappy jobs we've all had, and the odd love affairs they inspire.
Atlanta based trio Concord America are pulling out of the gates with the high-energy of their dirty sweet garage-rock sound. Consisting of brothers John and Vinny Restivo and friend Ben Presley, Concord America is following up their 2013 debut Shag Nasty LP with the recent release of the Suns Out Guns Out EP on the Post-Echo label.
This video for their latest single captures the irrevernt joy of this band in all its tounge-in-cheek glory. May its crazy highjinks make your Monday a bit easier to bare.
*Featuring this video has no bareing on BLS's veiws of Alternative lifestyles but infact, like all things we do here,is about the music; its sound, its structure, and the artist that make it.
This ones for the crappy jobs we've all had, and the odd love affairs they inspire.
Atlanta based trio Concord America are pulling out of the gates with the high-energy of their dirty sweet garage-rock sound. Consisting of brothers John and Vinny Restivo and friend Ben Presley, Concord America is following up their 2013 debut Shag Nasty LP with the recent release of the Suns Out Guns Out EP on the Post-Echo label.
This video for their latest single captures the irrevernt joy of this band in all its tounge-in-cheek glory. May its crazy highjinks make your Monday a bit easier to bare.
*Featuring this video has no bareing on BLS's veiws of Alternative lifestyles but infact, like all things we do here,is about the music; its sound, its structure, and the artist that make it.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Living Room Performance: The Feed - "Rex"
The Feed - "Rex"
The Chevy Music Showcase: St. Louis
Venice Cafe
St.Louis, Missouri
2012
Saint Louis's swinging rock four-piece The Feed, have some how found that sweet spot between soulful blues and catchy pop. Preping for the August 5th release of their sophomore album Outsider. Returning from a 3 year hiatus, the band is armed with awesome new material and brimming with new found energy.
Influenced by the band member's eclectic tastes and talents The Feed are creating some perfectly weird and eccentric melodies. With the impending release of the new album we can only asume there's a tour soon to follow.
The Chevy Music Showcase: St. Louis
Venice Cafe
St.Louis, Missouri
2012
Saint Louis's swinging rock four-piece The Feed, have some how found that sweet spot between soulful blues and catchy pop. Preping for the August 5th release of their sophomore album Outsider. Returning from a 3 year hiatus, the band is armed with awesome new material and brimming with new found energy.
Influenced by the band member's eclectic tastes and talents The Feed are creating some perfectly weird and eccentric melodies. With the impending release of the new album we can only asume there's a tour soon to follow.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Cure for the Mondays: Wrongchilde - "Gold Blooded"
Wrongchilde - "Gold Blooded"
For us in the older crowd it's like a journey through our childhood.
It's funny how all things come back around, and in the last few years the sounds of the 80's have been slipping their way into musical stream. Case-in-point, this new wave-synth infused pop gem from New York based Wrongchilde. The solo project of Kill Hannah's Mat Devine, Wrongechilde has launched a PledgeMusic Campaign in order to self-finance the independent release of his albume Gold Blooded due for release on August 19.
Through the PledgeMusic Campaign fans can pre-order a signed copy of the album, nab an exclusive limited edition Gold Blooded ring, or if they're feeling more generous, they can pledge for the more exclusive Burn Notice or Procreation Packages. Check it out, because the only way good independent music can continue to be created is through the support of the people that love it.
For us in the older crowd it's like a journey through our childhood.
It's funny how all things come back around, and in the last few years the sounds of the 80's have been slipping their way into musical stream. Case-in-point, this new wave-synth infused pop gem from New York based Wrongchilde. The solo project of Kill Hannah's Mat Devine, Wrongechilde has launched a PledgeMusic Campaign in order to self-finance the independent release of his albume Gold Blooded due for release on August 19.
Through the PledgeMusic Campaign fans can pre-order a signed copy of the album, nab an exclusive limited edition Gold Blooded ring, or if they're feeling more generous, they can pledge for the more exclusive Burn Notice or Procreation Packages. Check it out, because the only way good independent music can continue to be created is through the support of the people that love it.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Living Room Performance: Cancellieri - "Western States"
Cancellieri - "Western States"
SXSW
Austin, Texas
2013
The creative child of multi instrumentalist and songwriter Ryan Hutchens, Cancellieri has the beautifully organic sound of the street performer’s soul. An American troubadour who's wondering soul finds its way into the well warn and forgotten streets of this wonderfully complex country of ours.
The recent release of his first full-length album, Welcome to Mount Pleasant, follows the maturing footsteps of the three EPs that came before it. This is the sound of soul-deep honesty.
SXSW
Austin, Texas
2013
The creative child of multi instrumentalist and songwriter Ryan Hutchens, Cancellieri has the beautifully organic sound of the street performer’s soul. An American troubadour who's wondering soul finds its way into the well warn and forgotten streets of this wonderfully complex country of ours.
The recent release of his first full-length album, Welcome to Mount Pleasant, follows the maturing footsteps of the three EPs that came before it. This is the sound of soul-deep honesty.
Friday, June 6, 2014
"Seven Day Forecast" with Blue Skies For Black Hearts: Double Feature: "Sitting On the Edge" & "Going to California"
As we come into the final stretch of our Seven Day Forecast with Blue Skies For Black Hearts, I thought I'd serve up a special double feature.
So sit back and enjoy.
Blue Skies For Black Hearts - "Sitting on the Edge"
Blue Skies For Black Hearts with Jenny Conlee-Drizos - "Going to California"
So sit back and enjoy.
Blue Skies For Black Hearts - "Sitting on the Edge"
Blue Skies For Black Hearts with Jenny Conlee-Drizos - "Going to California"
Thursday, June 5, 2014
"Seven Day Forecast" with Blue Skies For Black Hearts - The List: Awesome Music Movies
As a recording engineer whose main hobby is writing songs and playing in a band, I spend a lot of days immersed in music. I wind down by watching TV. I gravitate to the movies and shows that involve good music. This isn't a definitive list...it's a few that I've been watching that are a little off the beaten path. - Pat Kearns
10) Cisco Pike (1972) - Kris Kristofferson plays a fresh out of jail songwriter gone drug dealer trying to get back to being a songwriter. Gene Hackman is the corrupt cop who gets him to go back to dealing. Sounds good to start, right? Plus, Doug Sahm appears in the studio, apparently on some sort of stimulant. Worth it just for the cameo.
9) The Secret To A Happy Ending (2009) - This film about the Drive-By Truckers documents that it may sometimes hurt, but you should always follow your heart. Because of this movie, I became a fan of the band. That's a good movie. You actually get a sense of how this band works together. And you want to root for them and be on their side.
8) Rockers (1978) - This is a classic Jamaican film, the next one down the hill from The Harder They Come. I love the scenes from the famous Harry J Studios. The language is thick, but it gives the movie incredible vibe. The story is good, but this one is so full of eye candy that you can put it on and tune in when you want. Plus Burning Spear is in it.
7) Captain Beefheart Under Review (2006) - When I need to reset, there' s nothing like Beefheart. This British doc takes an analytical view of Captain Beefheart's entire music career. It's filled with insightful interviews and obscure footage. The early footage of The Magic Band playing on the beach in Cannes, France, is mind blowing.
6) Human Highway (1982) - Neil Young, Devo, and Dennis Hopper. I was amazed when I found out that this happened. And I was even more amazed after I saw it. This is Neil Young at his self indulgent best....making a movie! And it gets weird, even more weird than you can imagine.
5 & 4) Play On, John: A Life In Music (2009) - This is a Smithsonian doc on John Cohen of the New Lost City Ramblers, a major player and musicologist on the American folk scene since the early 1960's. Oh, and John Cohen also makes amazing films about music. He might even be a better film maker than he is a musician. See his film, The High Lonesome Sound (1962) for further proof.
3) Color Me Obsessed (2011) - This may be the best music documentary I have ever seen...and there is no music by The Replacements in the documentary...and nobody in the band was interviewed either! I saw it in a theater. It was a special showing of an early cut arranged by Jackpot Records in Portland. I talked my wife, who was not a Replacements fan at all, into going with me. The movie goes chronologically by album and features fans telling stories about the band and their music and what it meant to them. After we got home, we listened to their first five records back to back - my wife's idea. Remember what I said about a good music movies? We also drank a lot of red wine.
2) Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) - No, not obscure, but this one is different. This is the beat side of being a musician...and I don't mean "Howl" beat. This is the down side: the creative struggle, the missed connection with the audience, the failed audition, the foot in mouth. I don't know what it was about this movie that got me, but it sunk it's claws deep in me. There's not a lot of action. It's melancholy. It's depressing to watch someone that's in one of the most important musical places and times, 1961 Greenwich Village, and they're missing the opportunity to become a great artist and a self-actualized soul because of negative energy and self sabotage. I feel the Coen brothers warning...but I also wonder if there's no hope and that it all lies in fate. I constantly thought about this movie for weeks after seeing it. It haunts me.
1) The American Astronaut (2005) - Directed by and starring Cory McAbee of The Billy Nayer Show, I came across this gem by accident. And, man, I love it! It mashes up science fiction, film noir and propaganda films all into it's own, unique low budget package. Plus, I had the extra bonus of seeing my old friend Mike Silverman (That One Guy) show up in the space bar scene. There's Rock & Roll and dancing....it's actually a real musical! There's a related short film series that's even more bizarre. Totally worth the time to track down.
9) The Secret To A Happy Ending (2009) - This film about the Drive-By Truckers documents that it may sometimes hurt, but you should always follow your heart. Because of this movie, I became a fan of the band. That's a good movie. You actually get a sense of how this band works together. And you want to root for them and be on their side.
8) Rockers (1978) - This is a classic Jamaican film, the next one down the hill from The Harder They Come. I love the scenes from the famous Harry J Studios. The language is thick, but it gives the movie incredible vibe. The story is good, but this one is so full of eye candy that you can put it on and tune in when you want. Plus Burning Spear is in it.
7) Captain Beefheart Under Review (2006) - When I need to reset, there' s nothing like Beefheart. This British doc takes an analytical view of Captain Beefheart's entire music career. It's filled with insightful interviews and obscure footage. The early footage of The Magic Band playing on the beach in Cannes, France, is mind blowing.
6) Human Highway (1982) - Neil Young, Devo, and Dennis Hopper. I was amazed when I found out that this happened. And I was even more amazed after I saw it. This is Neil Young at his self indulgent best....making a movie! And it gets weird, even more weird than you can imagine.
5 & 4) Play On, John: A Life In Music (2009) - This is a Smithsonian doc on John Cohen of the New Lost City Ramblers, a major player and musicologist on the American folk scene since the early 1960's. Oh, and John Cohen also makes amazing films about music. He might even be a better film maker than he is a musician. See his film, The High Lonesome Sound (1962) for further proof.
3) Color Me Obsessed (2011) - This may be the best music documentary I have ever seen...and there is no music by The Replacements in the documentary...and nobody in the band was interviewed either! I saw it in a theater. It was a special showing of an early cut arranged by Jackpot Records in Portland. I talked my wife, who was not a Replacements fan at all, into going with me. The movie goes chronologically by album and features fans telling stories about the band and their music and what it meant to them. After we got home, we listened to their first five records back to back - my wife's idea. Remember what I said about a good music movies? We also drank a lot of red wine.
2) Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) - No, not obscure, but this one is different. This is the beat side of being a musician...and I don't mean "Howl" beat. This is the down side: the creative struggle, the missed connection with the audience, the failed audition, the foot in mouth. I don't know what it was about this movie that got me, but it sunk it's claws deep in me. There's not a lot of action. It's melancholy. It's depressing to watch someone that's in one of the most important musical places and times, 1961 Greenwich Village, and they're missing the opportunity to become a great artist and a self-actualized soul because of negative energy and self sabotage. I feel the Coen brothers warning...but I also wonder if there's no hope and that it all lies in fate. I constantly thought about this movie for weeks after seeing it. It haunts me.
1) The American Astronaut (2005) - Directed by and starring Cory McAbee of The Billy Nayer Show, I came across this gem by accident. And, man, I love it! It mashes up science fiction, film noir and propaganda films all into it's own, unique low budget package. Plus, I had the extra bonus of seeing my old friend Mike Silverman (That One Guy) show up in the space bar scene. There's Rock & Roll and dancing....it's actually a real musical! There's a related short film series that's even more bizarre. Totally worth the time to track down.
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