Nikki Smith

Nikki grew up in an imitation German town in Georgia by the name of Helen. It wasn’t until middle school that she started to get interested in the arts: painting, music, and writing. She wrote in her diary, sketched in art class and listened to regretful music. By high school, her tastes became a little more refined. She found Fiona Apple, Lou Reed and Giant Drag, and they remain her favorites in college. She was accepted to the University of Georgia in 2012 and is currently majoring in English. Upon moving to Athens from a town with more trees than people, Nikki was a bit overwhelmed. However, there is certainly no lack of inspiration in Athens, and she appreciates its love for the arts and its service as a platform.

Beach House: Depression Cherry

Posted on by Nikki Smith

Beach House is best described as a dream. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand form this indie duo. Since their first self-titled album in 2006, Beach House has become an obscure gem among the indie-rock scene, often likened to the sounds of My Bloody Valentine and Grizzly Bear, among others.

Beach House’s newest release, Depression Cherry, stays true to their ethereal style. You begin the album, and the notion of time seems to fade; before you know it, you’re sitting in a dark room, and the afternoon has turned into night. How appropriate that the album should embody the nighttime, but not at all depressing like the title implies. The tracks are dreamy and sensual. 80’s synthetic overlays give the album a dark-techno sound, but the album is not eerie. In fact, it is very sublime and relaxing with its languid melodies.

The album opens with “Levitation,” a dramatic first track with 80’s synthesizer tones and Legrand’s lofty vocals. A soft tambourine transitions to a rhythmic beat and subtle rock guitar riffs. “Sparks” follows with a raw guitar opening accompanied with a techno backdrop, giving the track an industrial style, softened by airy vocals. “Space Song” takes on a different sound with a surfer vibe, while “PPP,” one of the more popular tracks, takes on the style of a love song, reflecting a 50’s melody.

The album seems to be a combination of love songs and lullabies, all of which are enrapturing and comforting in their gentle vocals. Although the band name might imply a sound best suited for the west coast, Beach House captivates their listeners by taking the indie genre, which is normally associated to sounds similar to punk and rock, and combines it with a sound less harsh than the industrial genre and an 80’s techno style to create complex and beautiful melodies.

4/5

Listen: Wieuca “Pressure Head”

Posted on by Nikki Smith

Its been a while since Vinyl Mag has talked to Wieuca. We interviewed them about their band dynamic and future plans and reviewed their self-titled EP, “Wieuca.” Needless to say, Vinyl Mag is excited to see where this band is going, and we’re very happy they came to Athens from Atlanta. Hopefully they’re here to stay. Wieuca has recently graced us with yet another single, “Pressure Head,” from their upcoming album Master, produced through Land of the Freak Recordings.

 

The track opens with eerie noise and distorted instruments. The broken sounds come together to create an upbeat melody, and the noise slowly transitions to a somewhat surfer guitar riff and vocals. The sound remains ethereal, and perhaps a little psychedelic until the instrumental end. In our interview with Wieuca, Will points out that “the band is more collaborative and fun than it ever has been,” but “open to adding more members to expand the potential of our live show,” which is reason enough to attend their release show for their upcoming album on September 4th at the 40 Watt, along with The Hernies and Big Morgan.

Listen: Wavves “Heavy Metal Detox”

Posted on by Nikki Smith

Wavves was the first show that my companion and I saw at Shaky Knees this summer. I have to admit that I could not fully appreciate Wavves at the time since I had not previously listened to them extensively, and because it was so ridiculously hot standing on the black asphalt, shoulder to shoulder with my fellow festivalgoers. Nevertheless, Wavves played as if it weren’t 90 degrees outside, and I decided to place them in my top 10 shows from the festival, next to Ryan Adams and The Black Lips.

Fast-forward about three months, and Wavves has kept their listeners well stocked with new music. “Heavy Metal Detox” is the third single from their upcoming album V, along with “Flamezesz” and “Way Too Much”. “Heavy Metal Detox” is nothing unfamiliar; the track opens with a slightly distorted and repetitive guitar riff, which hooks the listener with a catchy melody. The track takes on their signature punk sound with raw vocals and a slight surfer vibe.

“Flamezesz” is equally as punk but with the addition of a brief synthesizer melody that carries on throughout the track. “Way Too Much” follows with the same upbeat sound.

Wavves successfully carries on the tradition of punk, while also adding a modern twist with their Californian sound. Unlike other punk bands, Wavves isn’t performing for shock value, but rather contributes directly to the evolution of a genre. Perhaps the same could be said for bands like The Black Lips, whom I also placed in my top 10 artists from Shaky Knees as stated above. I couldn’t help but think of The Black Lips while listening to “Heavy Metal Detox,” which seems appropriate considering The Black Lips have a slightly heavier sound. Wavves combines genres, which makes it hard to pinpoint their sound. They are a little bit indie, a little bit surfer, and a lot of punk, and while their sound is on point, they don’t let that overrule their lyrics, which are clear and well thought out.

4/5

 

Mac Demarco: Another One

Posted on by Nikki Smith

Mac Demarco is a relatively new artist that not everyone has heard of. My first encounter with him was on a sticker on the back of my friend’s laptop. I had to ask, “Who was this strange man surrounded by lettuce, bearing a large and mesmerizing gap toothed smile?” Once I bought my Shaky Knees ticket for summer 2015 and saw that he was on the lineup, I delved into the soft rock, surfer sound that is Mac Demarco. His first album Ying Yang released in 2010 with 2 following in 2012. Perhaps it wasn’t until Salad Day,s released in 2014, that Demarco started to acquire a larger following (or at least until I jumped on the bandwagon).

Salad Days seemed to add clarity and value to Demarco’s unique sound. His style does seem to have a subtle beach vibe, but most of all it is unique in it’s effects and smooth melodies. As a friend pointed out, what sounds like an echo or distortion effect on Demarco’s guitar and vocals, sounds as if it could be some sort of physical recording manipulation. This theory came with the realization that Demarco’s live performance sounded subtly different than his studio recordings. Soon after Salad Days, in fact a mere two weeks ago, Demarco released his newest album Another One. Although the album is short with only 8 tracks, it is well recorded and features Demarco’s signature laid back sound. However, this album, unlike any of his other albums, seems to make use of 80’s synthesizer sounds that can be heard in tracks like “Another One” and “A Heart Like Hers.” Demarco’s personality and humor comes out in this album. The last track, “My House By the Water,” is almost three minutes of the sound of the tide coming in, water rolling over rocks, overlaid with a somewhat eerie synthesizer tune. This is the environment that Demarco inhabits. He has no worries and no cares, just a twenty-something making fun music and entertaining people. Finally, in the last few seconds of the track, a man’s voice can be heard, almost automated. He relays an address, and it’s not until the voice says “Stop on by, I’ll make you a cup of coffee. See ya later,” that you realize it is Mac Demarco, himself, inviting you to his home.

5/5

Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp

Posted on by Nikki Smith

Set in 1981, Wet Hot American Summer (2001) is the story of Camp Firewood and the raunchy counselors who strive to make their last day of camp one they’ll never forget. Directed by David Wain, WHAS is comprised of a hilarious cast starring Paul Rudd as Andy, the bad boy who has a way with the ladies, specifically Katie, played by Marguerite Moreau, Amy Poehler and Bradley Cooper dominate the camp thespians, and Michael Showalter acts as “Coop,” the stories main character who is just trying to fit in and find a girlfriend, also specifically Katie. Michael Ian Black, Molly Shannon, Christopher Meloni and Elizabeth Banks also contribute to the deadpan humor and witty jokes.

 

Fourteen years later, David Wain and  Michael Showalter have created an 8 episode series of Camp Firewood, only this time set in 1981 on the first day of camp. ATTENTION: only watch the series, if you have watched the movie first. The humor stays the same, but a lot of it depends on the audience’s knowledge of the movie. The series is funny in its telling of origins: how “Coop” came to wear a cut off shirt and a puka shell necklace, how Katie and Andy became an item and how H. Jon Benjamin became “The Can.” New faces enroll in the camp: Jason Schwartzman, “Weird Al,” Jordan Peele, John Hamm, Kristen Wiig, and Chris Pine among others. And you can’t beat the awesome music!

 

The series doesn’t miss a beat, and the fact that the actors are fourteen years older playing fifteen and sixteen year old’s makes it that much more hilarious. Furthermore, the series is quick, 8 episodes on Netflix no longer than thirty minutes and literally no brainpower required, just watch and laugh.

 

5/5

Listen: Ezra Furman, Perpetual Motion People

Posted on by Nikki Smith

 

Since his start in 2006 with Ezra Furman and the Harpoons, Ezra Furman has since downsized to a solo act. His style remains the same: pieces of Bob Dylan, the femininity of Bowie and a versatility all his own. His first solo album, The Year of No Returning (2013), was recorded without a label. The same year he released his second album, Day of the Dog. Finally, Furman has released his newest album, Perpetual Motion People.

The album opens with “Restless Year”. Immediately, Furman presents his unique style with surfer vibes and quick keyboards, almost Vampire Weekend-esque. The track represents the album’s catchy melodies and energetic sound. “Lousy Connection” follows with Doo-wop background singers and jazzy saxophones. On another note, “Hark! To the Music” features a rock sound with a punk influence, what I imagine to be ideal pub music, while “Haunted Head” features a clarinet. Furman no doubt keeps his listeners on their toes. He does an excellent job of keeping a constant sound, while also varying instruments and style. 5 tracks in, “Hour of Deepest Need” finally takes it down a couple notches with a vintage piano sound and sentimental lyrics. “Wobbly” quickly picks up the pace with a vintage rock opening and Grease-like background singers, a perfect track for your next dance party (and probably my favorite track thus far). Each track features different moods, different instruments and different styles. Furman is a master of changing but staying the same. As a whole, the album is lighthearted and bubbly, even the slower tracks ooze energy. It’s safe to say all of his albums are refreshing in their range. One track may embody the Doo-wop 50’s, the next you feel like you’re at a punk concert. His sound is more than just drumbeats and riffs, saxophones and woodwinds create a timeless feel to this album, while still embodying a modern indie-pop sound.

 

4/5

Modest Mouse “The Ground Walks, with Time in a Box”

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Modest Mouse released their newest album “Strangers to Ourselves” March 2015 with hit singles such as “Lampshades on Fire” and “Coyotes.” Now, a new music video accompanies one 0f the most familiar tracks, “The Ground Walks, with Time in a Box.” The video opens slow and dramatic, strange creatures in straw hoods walk across what seems to be a landfill; lead singer, Isaac Brock is king of the wasteland. The video is hard to grasp with a gray tone and Brock’s energetic facial expressions, almost unsettling and a little bit mind boggling. Brock rules the junk in a crown made of scrap metal and almost nothing but an animal pelt on his back. Geometric shapes wave across the video in true Modest Mouse form. Plastic bag angels and dark lipped maidens are his followers, and Brock oversees them all with a maniacal grin on his face. Pops of color bring life to the scene and coincide with the upbeat track. I guess one man’s trash is Isaac Brock’s treasure.

Yuck “Hold Me Closer”

Posted on by Nikki Smith

Yuck is one of those hidden gems from the UK because of it’s unique sound combination of rock and pop, along with subtle surfer and punk vibes. The band, manned by Max Bloom of Cajun Dance Party, Mariko Doi, Jonny Rogoff and Ed Hayes, has been compared to the likes of My Bloody Valentine and Dinosaur Jr.  Among their various singles, the band has only released two studio albums, Yuck (2011) and Glow and Behold (2013). Their debut, self-titled album put them on the map with tracks like “Shook Down” and “Get Away,” which found popularity in the States. Their most recent short album, Southern Skies (2014), features 4 tracks, all very ethereal, very pop-rock, very Yuck. Now, their website allows you to listen to their newest single “Hold Me Closer.” The single opens with a rhythmic guitar riff and follows high pitched guitar scales that give it a classic rock sound. At about 3:10, the track slows to a more romantic melody.

Austin to Boston

Posted on by Nikki Smith

 

The thrill of a concert comes with the experience to hear and (more importantly) feel your favorite music live and to see your favorite artist in the flesh. Still, there’s the barrier that separates an audience member and the artist from individual, face-to-face interaction. Although we can relate to an artist on a personal level through song, we’ll never get to have a conversation with them, or at least it’s rare.Now on Netflix, Austin to Boston (2014) closes that gap with honest interviews and a look at what goes on off-stage. And, although we can’t ask the cast of Austin to Boston any questions, James Marcus Haney brings us closer to them in his second music documentary, his first being No Cameras Allowed, which followed Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros and Mumford & Son.

Gill Landry of Old Crow Medicine Show narrates the documentary in his fluid, Louisiana tone. 5 Volkswagen camper vans carry the cast, among which are producers Ben Lovett and Ty Johnson, as well as director James Marcus Haney, along with 4 bands: Ben Howard, The Staves, Nathaniel Rateliff and Bear’s Den. Leaving from Austin, Texas, the gang travels in a zigzag across America, playing at venues along the way. Their final destination: Boston. Landry introduces each band. Ben Howard, a singer songwriter from the UK, not as well known in the States but still his songs are familiar and his performances energetic; The Staves, a trio of sisters also from the UK, whose voices are hypnotic in their simple harmony; Nathaniel Rateliff, his music an open door to his heart; finally, Bear’s Den, a group of fun-loving guys playing great music.

Each band is different, but talented in their own ways. Although 3 thousand miles takes a toll on even the best of friends, the bands find common ground and friendship in their art, and eventually grow to be a family, all for the sake of memories and music.


Austin to Boston is now streaming on Netflix.

WATCH: Charli XCX: “Famous”

Posted on by Nikki Smith

At Vinyl Mag, we love Charli XCX; no doubt our readers love her, too. More obscure but equally loved Eric Wareheim of Tim and Eric directed Charli’s newest music video, “Famous.” Two of our favorite artists in one!

If you’re familiar with Tim and Eric, you’re right to expect a video plagued with obnoxious graphics and a slightly creepy vibe. “Famous” is just that, focusing on our generation’s obsession with technology.

Emojis flying, a fake infomercial, and various old people just doing what they don’t do best…taking selfies. Expect an element of the grotesque and one of hilarity. This is a brainchild Vinyl Mag will be nurturing for a while.