Rebecca Smith

SXSW 2015: Melanie Martinez x Vinyl Mag

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

mm2

“Cry Baby is…like a pretty pink cake with rainbow sprinkles, but you open it up and there’s a gooey dark chocolate middle.”

Melanie Martinez may have gotten her start singing Britney Spears covers on NBC’s The Voice, but she’s proving to everyone that she has a unique and evolving sound. In addition to releasing the EP Dollhouse earlier this year, her single “Carousel” was featured on American Horror Story: Freakshow, and she’ll be gracing us with her presence at SXSW 2015. Martinez keeps things interesting with her signature half dyed hair, bright colored lipstick, and jewelry made of baby doll appendages. You do you, Melanie!

Vinyl Mag: How many shows will you being playing, and where will they be at SXSW?

Melanie Martinez: I’ll be playing six shows — Waterloo Records, Neiman Marcus, BMI, Perez Hilton, and the KAMX and KPEZ/KHFI radio shows.  It’s gonna be fun!

VM: What was the best part about creating an EP like Dollhouse, which showcases your signature style as an artist?

MM: Dollhouse was the start to the whole childhood thing paired with the adult situation thing that I stuck with for the album. I was able to do three tours off of the EP, and I’m so stoked to put out the Cry Baby album so people can hear the new songs I’ve been working on for over a year.

VM: Did you write “Carousel” specifically for AHS: Freakshow?

MM: I didn’t, but it definitely fit this season perfectly. I wrote it like two months before I found out about the new season theme and sent an email to my manager, and we didn’t hear back from anyone for a year basically, and two days before they aired it, I got an email saying they were using it for the trailer. I was super excited.

VM: Can you tell us a little more about your upcoming album Cry Baby?

MM:  Cry Baby is basically a giant pack of 13 story books. Each song is an individual story in this girl (Cry Baby)’s life and what she goes through. All of the songs have a childhood theme but are all paired with a mature/dark situation. It’s like a pretty pink cake with rainbow sprinkles, but you open it up and there’s a gooey dark chocolate middle.

VM: How do you think your time on The Voice has influenced your path as artist?

MM: I think it helped me with getting over nerves when I’m in front of a camera and under pressure in live show situations. I definitely feel more comfortable on stage, and I also learned a lot about behind the scenes TV stuff.

VM: What was the hardest thing about being in situation where you are not only judged by famous artists but also by an entire nation?

MM: Well, I never really focused on the fact that people were watching at home. It was harder for me to feel comfortable singing cover songs, because I’m a songwriter and just wanted to play original music.

VM: Can you play any other instruments with your feet besides the tambourine?

MM:  Nope haha. I wish!

VM: Do you ever get sick of people focusing on your age?

MM: Usually people don’t focus on my age. Most people actually don’t know how old I am. So not really haha.

VM: Who are you most excited about seeing at SXSW?

MM: There’s so many people playing, I’m just excited to walk around and hear new music.

VM: Would you consider yourself more of a barbeque joint or taco truck gal?

MM: Definitely BBQ! Love me some ribs!

VM: What’s next for you after SX?

MM: Some more promo stuff, putting out the album, and just writing.

SXSW 2015: Camilo Lara x Vinyl Mag

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

Compass

Fusion is the name of the game in Camilo Lara (Mexican Institute of Sound) and Toy Selectah’s new powerhouse collaboration record, Compass. The eclectic brainchild of the Mexican DJ/producer duo has been in the works for over a year and will feature unlikely but nonetheless iconic guest performances by artists from all over the world including Boy George, MC Lyte, Eugene Hutz (Gogol Bordello) and Nina Sky – just to name a few. Seriously, there are over 90 incredible collaborations on this album, making it a possible candidate for one of the best dance albums to have come along in a while.

Check out our interview with Camilo below!

Vinyl Mag: What was the inspiration behind this project?

Camilo Lara: Friendship…’compass’ means buddies in Spanish. I always wanted to create an album with Toy [Selectah]. This was a good chance to make it happen.

VM: How many artists were collaborating at one time?

CL: It all depends. There are songs that have nine, and there are others that have two or three. We created the songs before the collaborations, so we just looked for the perfect match for each.

VM: How did so many artists get involved?

CL: We’ve been producing and working with all sorts of artists for many, many years. So when the project was happening either we knew them, or they knew about the project. We sent some emails, made some calls, and suddenly we had 90 collaborators.

VM: What was the hardest trial in making this project?

CL: Well, everything has been a challenge. First, we had to contact the artists and set up recording sessions. There were long days of mixing and editing. Then, there was the legal side. It has been a lot of work. Toy and I (as well as the whole team) experienced a real-life Master’s degree in music business.

VM: What should fans expect when listening to this album?

CL: I guess it has the flavor of Toy and I, with some other spices. We tried to create a truly global album. The dance floor is the same for reggae, cumbia, punk rock, or hip hop.

VM: How many songs are going to be featured?

CL: I guess the album will end up with 15 or so.

VM: What was your favorite city to work in?

CL: We enjoyed LA a lot; it was like recording at home. Tons of people we know live there. Overall, I guess we really loved traveling to Jamaica and recording there. It’s crazy—we have lived with Jamaican music all of our lives, but when you’re actually there, it’s unbelievable.

VM: Could you go siteseeing in between working?

CL: Not really, but we knew most of the cities already.

VM: After seeing so many cultures, what would you say would be one common denominator you noticed across humanity?

CL: Rhythm… it’s in our hearts, and we all live for it. It’s universal, and it does not need explanation.

VM: I saw in the teaser that the artists have to come up with ideas on the spot. How do you guys help each artist behind the creative process? 

CL: We have been producers for a long time. Actually, one of our latest productions is the best-selling album in the Mexican market for the last 15 years (Los Angeles Azules, Como te Voy a Olvidar). So we are pretty experienced in that area.

VM: What was the weirdest meal you had on your travels?

CL: Toy is vegetarian, so I guess he didn’t have very many surprises. I would have to say that some of the food in China was pretty wild.

VM: Who are you excited to see at South By?

CL: I really really want to see Centavrvs, which is a band from Mexico City, and Clubz from Monterey—both are kick-ass bands.

VM: Where should fans expect to go in order to purchase this insane album?

CL: We are still figuring that out. All I can say is that the vinyl is beautiful. We teamed up with well-known Mexican artist, Gabriel Kuri, and the fantastic, legendary designer Antonio Chavarin to do the artwork.

VM: What is next for this collaboration? Will you continue working together or keep finding new artists?

CL: Always! This is an ongoing initiative. As soon as we are done with the tour, we will work on volume 2.

 

Check out Compass at SX!

3/18       SXSW DayTrotter- Session (Compass Full Band)

3/19       SXSW Rhapsody- Do Media ShowCase (Compass Full Band) 6:30PM

3/19       SXSW Remezcla House Party (DJ Set Compass) 10:00

3/19       SXSW SBS- Half Step (Compass Full Band) 12:40AM

3/20       SXSW Latinworks Party (Compass Full Band) 4pm

3/20       SXSW QuantumCollective@Whole Foods (Compass Full Band) 7pm

3/20       SXSW Mad Decent – Iheartxomix Dj Set Compass) 10:00 PM

3/21       SXSW Official Latin Showcase at Lady Bird Lake (Compass Full Band) 6pm

SXSW 2015: ELEL x Vinyl Mag

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

elel

Depending on what night you catch them, ELEL could have anywhere from six to eight members at a time playing horns, keys, drums, and guitars. This eclectic mix of pop, jazz, and soul that hails from Nashville was born out of true love. With their first EP – self-titled ELEL – dropping just a few days ago, we have a lot to look forward to during their showcases at SXSW 2015.

VM: How do you manage to coordinate schedules to collaborate and play shows with so many members involved with the band?

Ben Elkins: It’s definitely tricky, but it’s just so damn worth it when we get in the van together or hop on stage together. We’re all from very different backgrounds, so every tour is a lesson in flexibility and understanding. But it’s paying off. It’s just such a fun and special crew of people, and I think all of us are very glad we stuck it out through the beginning and now have become a tight knit family.

VM: Will all seven members be playing at SX?

BE: There’s gonna be six of us there for most of the shows. We have some horn player friends who might join us for a showcase or two, but mostly just the six of us. Fredrick who plays trumpet for us got scooped up by a fancy cruise ship gig. He’s getting paid really well and traveling around the world. Pretty much what we’re doing without the paid-really-well part! He’ll be back with us soon though, for summer touring thank goodness.

VM: How has coming from rural backgrounds – like Arkansas and Kentucky – combined with living in Nashville influenced your music?

BE: I guess the pace down in the south is just a little slower. People are generally more laid back. I love going to New York and LA as much as the next guy, but they both feel more frantic. Our music, though not at all country or soul music, has been influenced by the ease and slower pace of both those southern musical traditions.

Also, the fact that most of us grew up around hills and trees, playing in creeks, I think makes us very interested in the organic live performance. So much of recorded music is so fit in and perfected now-a-days that it’s got no soul. ELEL struggles to keep humanity in our music even though we all use computers to record. Humanity isn’t perfect, so why should our music be? I’m not saying that we’re messy on purpose; I just know that we prefer things sounding like they do when they’re performed rather than after they’re fixed. We can relate to them more that way.

VM: Why did you choose these four songs for your EP?

BE: So far, all that’s been out and available is our single “40 Watt” which stylistically is one side of ELEL, but definitely not the whole thing. I just wanted to show ELEL’s other side on this EP. The softer vibe of both “Geode” and “Cherokee” introduce that part of ELEL.

VM: Will you be playing other songs like “Eliska” and “Kiss Kiss” during your showcases and SX?

BE: Yes, definitely! Those are probably my two favorite ones to sing in our set. The melodies are both so bouncy and fun.

VM: Speaking of “Eliska,” how does she feel about being the spark that started ELEL?

BE: She loves it! Thankfully, she really likes ELEL’s music. She’s got very good taste in music, so it’d be a real bummer if she wasn’t into the band that she inspired. She helps me a lot behind the scenes when I’m first writing songs. Her influence is probably way stronger than anyone would guess.

VM: Who are you most excited to see while in Austin?

BE: Our good friends, Avers. We just got off tour with them last week and already miss them so much!

VM: Would you say you are barbecue joint or a taco truck person?

BE: Taco truck all the way. We’re staying a few blocks from Torchy’s, oh boy…

VM: Any chance your hit song “40 Watt” has any relation to the beloved music venue here in Athens?

BE: [Laughs] Well, I’ve heard about that venue a lot, but never been. Needless to say, I hope we get to play “40 Watt” at The 40 Watt someday soon. Will rainbows fill the room? Will everyone suddenly stop watching Fox News? I don’t know, but when that goes down, something good and magical will occur.

VM: We see you guys are quite busy touring across country through April. What’s next for ELEL once you return?

BE: We have a lot of work to do here in Nashville. There are some new songs that we want to finish, probably for release in early summer. Also, we need to shoot a bunch of videos. We’re hoping to release our full-length by mid summer, so there’s just a lot of prep for that. We’ll also be doing some touring around the region. Give us a call, 40 Watt. Let’s make the magic happen.

 

SXSW Schedule:

Wed 3/18 – Palm Door – SXSW Showcase @ 12am

Thurs 3/19 – Off-Site – House Show

Fri 3/20 – Brew Exchange – Beautiful Buzzz x Vitalic Noise Party @ 1pm

Sat 3/21 – Wonderland Austin – BirdDog Presents Party @ 2pm

Sat 3/22 – The Scoot Inn – Wild Honey Pie Party @ 6:15pm

SXSW 2015: Amason x Vinyl Mag

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

Press 4 by Tobias Centerwall

With most of its members hailing from some of the best bands Sweden has to offer, it’s no wonder that Amason is becoming a serious act to watch in 2015. Amanda Bergman of Idiot Wind, along with Gustav of Dungen, provide a haunting and downright sultry vocal collaboration, while Pontus Winnberg of Miike Snow conducts a trance-like vibe on keys.

Amason also includes Nils Törnqvist of Little Majorette on Drums and Petter Winnberg on Bass. The supergroup’s freshly released full-length album Sky City is filled with vibrant yet tranquil melodies that take you on a sort of excursion of the senses; a staycation for the mind. Be sure to catch their NINE performances at SXSW this week. Details below.

Vinyl Mag: You just released your debut album Sky City – how has response been?

Nils Törnqvist: It’s been great! We have got much more attention than we thought, and not only from the hipster kids. Last week I got stopped in the supermarket by a old lady who said that she’s listening a lot to the album.  Really fun!

VM: Can you tell me a little bit about the writing process for the album?

NT: We put up the instruments in the studio and see where it takes us.
Sometimes someone have a riff that we start with, sometimes a lyric, sometimes a rhythm. It’s a very loose and democratic process.
No egos.

VM: Who does the writing, or is it all collaborative?

NT: The lyrics mostly come from the one who’s going to sing it and the music from everyone.

VM: Do you have a favorite track on the album, or a favorite track to play live?

NT: My favourite on the album is “Moon as a Kite” but that changes all the time.
Live I will go for “Elefanten.” We have had guest guitarist friends who’s been helping us out with a never ending solo in the end of the song. It’s been fantastic!

VM: For having just released your debut album, you’re already lining up major shows at South by Southwest this year, including the Spotify House, Hype Hotel, and Blackheart. How did this come about?

NT: We have great people working with us! Management, Booking agency and record company. They are doing a fantastic job!

VM: NPR also included you on their Austin100 SXSW Preview (!) – how did that feel?

NT: We are very honoured!! Feels great!

VM: How many shows are you playing at SXSW this year/what are they?

NT: We are playing 9 or so, the ones that have been announced can be found at amasonband.com.

VM: Is it your first year at SX?

NT: With Amason yes, but we have been there a couple of times with other bands and artists.

VM: Who are you looking forward to seeing most at the festival?

NT: Looking forward to see a lot of good bands.
I don’t want to miss another Swedish artist that I’ve never seen live. Seinabo Sey. Love her music.

VM: Are you food truck people or barbecue joint people?

NT: Food truck lunch and barbecue dinner.

VM: What is next for Amason after SX?

NT: Gigs in Scandinavia and we will hopefully be back soon in the US.

 

Lois & the Love x Vinyl Mag

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

Lois + The Love Press Photo 1 Credit Roger Sargent

Listening to Lois & the Love is like a friend giving you just one bite of their delicious breakfast taco before devouring the entire thing right in front of you. It was perfect while it lasted, but it just wasn’t enough. After dropping a few singles here and there, mesmerizing us with their powerhouse performances and making us crave more, Lois & the Love will be releasing a full-length album called Love Is Louder soon. Read our interview with Lois below for more info on the album!

Vinyl Mag: What can you tell us about your upcoming LP Love Is Louder, and when will it be released?

Lois Winstone: It is a collective feast for the ears! Love Is Louder will be released this summer in June. We are so excited!

VM: You released a teaser trailer for your new single “Pinocchio” back in February. Is there a video in the works for us?

LW: Yes, the “Pinocchio” video will be released soon.

VM: What is the songwriting process like for you guys?

LW: Eddie’s beats, Oli’s bass, Dean’s guitar, my guitar, poems, jam time. Record!

VM: You’ve been praised for having incredible live sets and stage presence. What’s your favorite part of performing?

LW: Thanks! The best and most rewarding part of performing is connecting with the audience—feeling their energy and giving them mine. I’m always buzzing with adrenaline before I go onstage until the end of the show.

VM: How has growing up with such a theatrical background had an influence on the way you perform?

LW: Being a gymnast had more influence on the way I move and focus. I used to practice my floor routines to The Sex Pistols, and all the other girls in the club thought I was mental. Theatre school helped me to be confident in front of large crowds.

VM: Who do you love/hate being compared to?

LW: I’m not compared to anyone really. I’m just little ol’ me!

VM: Can we expect to hear any new songs from Love Is Louder in your upcoming shows?

LW: We’ve thrown in “Child of God” at the end of the set, which went down a storm at the last show.

VM: What’s next for Lois & the Love?

LW: World domination.

Top 20 Acts to see at South by Southwest 2015

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

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Running around Austin at hyper speed while trying to scarf down a taco can be daunting at best, so we’ve compiled a list of our favorite acts you should take care not to miss this year. Happy Hunting!

20. Hey Marseilles

Hey Marseilles is a 7-piece orchestral band with folk elements not unlike that of The Decemberists. With a propensity for story telling through melody, Hey Marseilles could be perfect for those looking for adventure.

See them at Parish on Friday, March 20.

19. Thee Oh Sees

Less than a year after they released their album Drop, Thee Oh Sees have announced that they have another on the way. Mutilator Defeated At Last is not coming out until May, but surely we will be able to preview some of it at one of their many shows in Austin this year.

18. Gringo Star

Siblings Nick and Peter Furgiuele have earned the right to call themselves tenacious. Having appeared alongside acts like Best Coast and The Black Lips, Gringo Star has been creating indie melodies for years and is a fixture in the Atlanta community.

Check them out at The Pizza Loft (301 Chicon St.), March 20.

17. DeLorean

The feel good beats of DeLorean hail from Barcelona, Spain where, let’s be honest, they know a thing or two about dance music. Named after the time machine in Back to the Future, DeLorean has an uncanny ability to persuade everyone in the room to move their bodies. Unfortunately their shows haven’t been announced but no worries; where we’re going we don’t need roads!

16. Angus and Julia Stone

This brother and sister duo hit it big with their song “Big Jet Plane.” Their self-titled album Angus and Julia Stone is an elegant example of folk rock’s simplicity and candor. Catch them at various venues in Austin.

15. La Luz

Surf rock with an edge and a message. That’s what you get with La Luz, featuring vocals that channel Nico and an ominous organ.

Check them out at Hotel Vegas Patio
 (1500 E 6th St) Friday, March 20.

14. Ballet School

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why we love Ballet School so much. Perhaps it’s because they use the dreamiest elements of 80’s synth pop to transport us to a simpler time of trapper keepers and neon leg warmers. I digress. Be sure to check out their album The Dew Lasts an Hour and keep a lookout for them in Austin.

13. Charlotte OC

Charlotte OC’s vocals are haunting account of heartbreak similar yet unique to that of Banks or Kimbra.

We think this incredible artist is going places fast, so do yourself a favor and check her out at Latitude 30 (512 San Jacinto) Friday, March 20. RSVP here.

12. Kelela

Kelela’s smooth vocals paired with interesting synth layers make for a unique ebb and flow sure to make for a great performance. She just announced the release of her new EP Hallucinogen in May so maybe we will get to hear a few tidbits in Austin.

11. Surfer Blood

Surfer Blood is everything you’ve ever wanted on that summertime mix tape you’ve been meaning to make.

Maybe if we’re lucky we’ll get a sneak peak of their new album 1000 Palms, due out in May, at their show at Lamberts (401 W 2nd St) on March 18.

10. Lois & the Love

Lois & the Love have been tempting us with singles for years but they are finally set to release in their first album this summer, aptly named Love is Louder. We suggest you take the opportunity to see their powerhouse performance before they really blow up.

9. Dry The River

Sure, Dry The River made waves with their 2012 LP Shallow Bed but an obvious shift to edgier lyrics and melodies can be heard in their newest album Alarms in the Heart.

But don’t take our word for it; see for yourselves at Buffalo Billiards 
(201 E 6th St) Tuesday, March 17.

8. Alvvays

What better way to celebrate the fresh spring Austin air than to let Alvvays’ sun drenched rock & roll wash over you like a rogue wave.

Molly Rankin infectious stage presence is not to be missed this year at Cheer Up Charlie’s (900 Red River St) March 19.

7. Palma Violets

If you happen to be the kind of person always looking for an album you can listen to all the way through without skipping a song, look no further than Palma Violet’s 180.

The Londoner’s psychedelic, garage-rock vibes will be on display at Parish Thursday, March 19.

6. Twin Shadow

Florida native George Lewis Jr. is bringing back 80’s inspired chillwave in a big way. His unique electronic melodies and his smooth vocals are the perfect way to unwind after a long day of show hopping.

His third album Eclipse drops right before his performances at Stubb’s BBQ March 20.

5. Courtney Barnett

Australian artist Courtney Barnett’s deadpan vocal delivery mixed with her folky-garage rock style is refreshing and just fun to listen to.

She’ll be playing her entire debut full-length album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit at Stubb’s BBQ on Wednesday, March 18.

4. Run The Jewels

Run The Jewels is the incredible brainchild of rappers Killer Mike and El-P. From their first self-titled album Run The Jewels to the sequel Run The Jewels 2, these guys don’t hold back and continue to blow us away.

See them at Stubb’s BBQ on Friday, March 20.

3. Odesza

Consisting of Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight, this electronic duo is sure to put on a good show. Their hit song “Say My Name” featuring Zyra is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser.

If it’s dancing you want, it’s dancing you’ll get at their show at Parish, Wednesday, March 18. RSVP here.

2. BØRNS

Garret Borns’ sweet falsetto croons are just what you need to get you into the SX spirit. It’s pretty difficult to listen to his EP Candy without getting inspired so we dare you to try it.

Catch him at Parish (214C E 6th St) Wednesday March 18. RSVP here.

1. Stromae

It’s fitting that Paul Van Haver chose to be known as Stromae, which means “maestro” in French vernacular. He’s been conducting entire nations to get out of their seats and dance to his hit song “Papaoutai”. Up until now it’s been pretty hard to catch him live in the States so we suggest you take advantage of this awesome opportunity.

Playing at Stubb’s BBQ (801 Red River St) Wednesday, March 18.

SXSW 2015: Lenka x Vinyl Mag

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

Promo 4 High Res Jpeg

Despite what you think you know about SXSW, we’re guessing Lenka could teach you a thing or two. She has been a fixture of the festival for years and has a special connection with Austin that was written in the stars. That, plus her new single “Blue Skies” off her upcoming album, The Bright Side, has us anticipating just how crazy awesome her showcase this year will probably be.

VM: How many shows will you be playing at South by, and which ones are they? 

Lenka Kripac: I’m playing two shows. The Aussie BBQ and ASCAP Presents, both on March 20.

VM: What is the general theme of your new single, “Blue Skies?”

LK: Optimism that things will be better. And um, the weather?

VM: Can we expect the same sentiments to be repeated in your upcoming album, The Bright Side?

LK: Yes, it’s a super optimistic album. I feel like that’s my biggest strength as a songwriter and communicator. Imparting a feeling of hope and happiness in our lives.

VM: You’ve had such an interesting and colorful career. What are some of the biggest changes you’ve experienced creatively as an artist between now and when you were in Decoder Ring?

LK: Not being in a band, means always having to form a band. I’ve employed so so many awesome musicians over the years. It’s a rotating roster, depending on people’s other projects and availability. It can be quite stressful making it all work. But creatively, of course, I’m free to explore whatever I feel, so that’s liberating.

VM: Who are you most excited to see play this year at South by?

LK: Marina and The Diamonds! I’ve always been a fan but never seen her live. Hope I can get to a show!

VM: You’ve said in previous interviews an astrologer once told you that Austin was the perfect city for you to live in. What attributes do you think you share with the city that people are trying so hard to “keep weird?”

LK: Well, I do like to surround myself with wonderful weirdos. I guess there’s something in my stars! Freedom to be weird is very important to me.

VM: Are you a barbeque joint or a food truck kind of gal?

LK: Both, either – I’m gonna eat it all. But I need a lot of veggies on the side, too, please!

VM: In your opinion, what are the biggest differences between making music in the U.S. and Australia?

LK: It’s very S L O W in Aus, I find. People are too wrapped up in living the good life maybe. My experience in the U.S., though sometimes still complicated, has been much faster. People are always ready and excited to work.

VM: The Bright Side is set to release in June. Will you be releasing any more singles before then?

LK: Yes, I hope so! Not sure which song though…

VM: Will you be playing any other songs from your new album during SXSW?

LK: Yep, a few more for sure!

Sylvan Esso at Variety Playhouse on Jan. 15

Posted on by Rebecca Smith
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Photo by Katie Caldwell

 

Whoever decided opposites attract must have been talking about Sylvan Esso’s Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn combining EDM with indie folk vocals straight from the hills of Appalachia at a sold-out Variety Playhouse on Jan. 15.

The duo, based out of Durham, N.C., started the show off with a high-powered rendition of “Could I Be,” a track that perfectly showcases Sanborn’s ability to mirror and echo Meath’s poetic lyrics about making it big with hypnotic bass.

Meath hijacked the crowd’s attention with her expertly executed verses during “Dress” and ended the track by borrowing: I woke up like this, from Beyoncé’s “Flawless” – very much to the crowd’s delight.

“Coffee,” which is arguably Sylvan Esso’s most popular song, featured more subtle rhythmic bass lines from Sanborn and was beautifully delivered with a raw vocal authority and climax that really ignited the crowd’s excitement.

“Hey Mami” begins low and slow with Sanborn’s skillful looping of Meath’s voice, as the piece quickly morphs into an all-out dub pop free for all, followed in perfect succession by the enormously danceable “H.S.K.T.”

Ironically, “Play It Right,” which touted lyrics like; When the sounds come together so close to my face/ It’s no wonder we wonder, was a track by Meath’s earlier project, Mountain Men, that Sanborn remixed back in 2013, launching their creative endeavors.

In the end, the duo played all ten tracks from their self-titled (and only) album. Meath extended her gratitude to the crowd for embracing their sound and debut.

During the encore, the duo performed a new song for the first time with more of a math rock influence. Sanborn admitted to Vinyl after the show that the song was so new that it “doesn’t even have a title yet.”

Despite both Meath and Sanborn’s successes in their previous projects that highlight their own personal talents, they have managed to combine their contrasting musical perspectives into one cohesive and unexpectedly thrilling musical experience. Sanborn’s powerful beats breathe life into Meath’s eerie indie croons; both are incredibly proficient in their respective sounds, but the way they come together is truly magnetic.

Alvvays at the Drunken Unicorn on November 15

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

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We rely on music to transport us via our imaginations to far away places opposite of current surroundings. Last Saturday at the Drunken Unicorn, as the temperature dropped well below the national average for Atlanta, Toronto-based Alvvays carried the crowd away to a place to where sun and sand are plentiful and summer love is in bloom.

Decked out in their matching white converse, they opened the show with “The Agency Group”, a slow but climactic track that showcases the peaks and depth of Molly Rankin’s vocal range blended well with Alec O’Hanley’s crooning guitar.

With her thick Canadian accent and effortless rapport with the audience, Rankin’s stage presence is absolutely infectious. Perhaps it was just the ambiance of the venue that caused one audience member to say, “I think she’s the closest I’ll ever get to seeing an actual unicorn.”

Slow and deliberate, “Dives” featured Rankin and keyboardist Kerri MacLellan harmonizing fluidly, a testament to the long-term friendship between the two women.

In a refreshing change of pace, Alvvays chose to play their most notable single “Archie, Marry Me”well before the end of the show as the crowd sung along with Rankin. The track recently gained even more attention last week after being covered by Ben Gibbard in Seattle.

“Party Police” was perhaps the truest test of Rankin’s vocal range in a live setting and one she passed with flying colors as she raised her voice one octave towards the end of: Don’t have to leave, you could just stay here with me. This is just one example of the bands quirky and natural style that translates well from outlet to audience.

For the encore the band chose to play a new song called “Haircut”, a more post-punk influenced track that still encompasses the dreamy sound we’re used to. After the show we caught up with drummer, Phil MacIsaac who said that while they enjoy playing new songs, there are no plans to record a new album anytime soon. “We’ve been touring our asses off, there’s just not enough time right now,” He said. Alvvays kicks off their international tour in 2015 and will open for the Decemberists in March.

Cut Copy at Variety Playhouse

Posted on by Rebecca Smith

When Australian vocalist Dan Whitford of Cut Copy announced on stage Tuesday night that, based on his observations, Atlanta loves to party, the crowd at Variety Playhouse went out of their way to uphold their reputation.

The sold-out show also featured CLASSIXX, a nu-disco duo from Los Angeles who played songs from their latest LP, Hanging Gardens. The set included a few different female vocalists who were present in spirit on a large futuristic TV screen. Tracks like “All You’re Waiting For” and “A Stranger Love” were fun and poppy, yet intricate and unique. Faster songs like “I’ll Get You” featured the question, “do you like bass?” and judging by the crowds enthusiastic dancing, I think it’s safe to say the answer is yes.

All photos by Michelle King

By the time Cut Copy took the stage, the audience was warmed up and ready for more. As the Aussies provided the party noise, the crowd was expected to bring the boogie.  While the title of their most recent album, Free Your Mind, was projected in the background, Cut Copy only played a few tracks from the record. One of which being “Let Me Show You Love,” a trippy feel-good song paired with a black and white spiral background that was enough to put anyone in a trance. “In Memory Capsule” featured a skippy synthesized beat that the audience had great fun dancing along to, but the track ended with too much guitar distortion.

Audience members were appreciative of throwbacks like “Where I’m Going” from their previous album, Zonoscope, and sang along devotedly, but the real climax of the show was when Cut Copy played uber-hit “Hearts on Fire” from the 2008 album, In Ghost Colours, that featured enjoyable samples of saxophone. As Whitford sang, “with hearts on fire, I reach out to you tonight,” arms extended out to the crowd with the audience reciprocating, the positive energy was absolutely infectious.

“Out There On The Ice” was one of the most fast paced and intricate songs of the evening. By the end of the song, Cut Copy was all over the place, chaotically running around stage, playing each others instruments, climbing on top of equipment and jumping off while accompanied by sirens and fast-paced beats. “Lights and Music,” a song about second chances for the sake of a good time, also proved to be energetic enough to get everyone moving.

The band is no stranger to Atlanta, having recorded the previous album, Zonoscope, with local producer Ben Allen (Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley, Matt & Kim), who happened to be in attendance. This could possibly explain the proclivity for merrymaking that Whitford has come to expect from the people of Atlanta, but one thing’s for sure – Cut Copy’s symbiotic relationship with their audience made for one great party.