Shaky Knees 2016: LANY X Vinyl Mag

Posted on May 20, 2016May 20, 2016 by Camren Skelton

Although they only emerged a little over a year ago, Los Angeles-based trio LANY has quickly made their way to the top of the charts. After touring with Halsey, X Ambassadors, Twin Shadow and, most recently, Ellie Goulding, the young band is now on their own headlining tour across the U.S. Vinyl Mag had the chance to chat with LANY prior to their set at Shaky Knees to talk about their music, touring and the exciting future ahead.

Vinyl Mag: So you guys started out in Nashville and now you’re based in LA. Has that change impacted your songwriting or is the process still pretty much the same?

Paul Klein: I think it’s the same. I mean I was living in LA when we started LANY but I would say it’s probably the same.

VM: Where does the name LANY come from? Does it stand for anything?

PK: Los Angeles, New York. It just represents, all over the country.

VM: And speaking of acronyms, your EP Make Out is full of them—what was the idea behind doing this?

PK: Well Make Out was a re-release because in 2014 we put out an EP called Acronyms that had a voicemail from his mom, I love you so bad and be right back, so we wanted to, we went on tour last year and opened up for people and got a bunch of new fans. And we wanted to kind of, noticed that on our Spotify albums we had a bunch of singles, and it felt a little unorganized, so we wanted to condense and make it an easy discovery process for people. So we complied our songs and put it on Make Out.

Jake Goss: We were actually in Nashville eating when we decided on the Acronyms thing.

VM: Well it’s a cool idea. And you guys recently toured with Ellie Goulding, how was the experience?

PK: It was super tough, probably the hardest thing we’ve done as a band. Just playing two hours before Ellie Goulding in arenas is interesting.

VM: Have you ever played an arena show before?

PK: That was our first. So normally we’re used to being really close, and on top of our fans, or people and in an arena people are really far away from you and two hours before the headliner goes on it’s pretty, it’s like half full. So for instance when we were playing the O2 that holds 20,000 people and there probably were 10,000 people there when we were playing, but it really just felt like there were 10 people.

VM: So would you say you like playing for smaller venues better, or was it cool to play in something that large?

PK: Well our songs sound really humongous in arenas so that’s always awesome. It sounds huge. But I’m gonna say smaller rooms because we’re headlining smaller rooms right now, so that feels better. But I think our greatest challenge as a band but something that I look forward to is making an arena feel like a 500 cap room. Because I know that we will be there one day. So that’ll be, I can answer that question better when we headline.

JG: But it’s always the best to just play with your fans.

VM: So when you get to the arena level, who would you want to open for you guys?

Les Priest: Coldplay

VM: Solid choice.

PK: Yeah, I don’t know probably whatever. I mean I hope that we can bring up bands that remind us of us when we were not playing arenas. Bring those people out.

VM: So if you could describe your sound in three words, what would you say?

PK: Dreamy, aspirational and emotive, or convincing. There you go, you have a couple choices.

VM: Looking towards the future, what can fans expect from LANY? Any news on an album release date?

PK: No news, just because we don’t have any news on that. But you can expect just a lot of activity I guess. A lot of content coming your way.

Shaky Knees 2016: The Dear Hunter X Vinyl Mag

Posted on May 20, 2016May 20, 2016 by Camren Skelton

What started as a solo project of frontman Casey Crescenzo eventually turned into a full band with over a hundred songs to their name. Progressive rock band The Dear Hunter features a wide variety of instruments and sounds and is known for their creation of immersive concept albums. Vinyl Mag got the chance to sit down with Crescenzo at Shaky Knees to talk inspiration and the strategic writing process behind each new creation.

Vinyl Mag: You guys have such a huge back catalogue. How do you narrow it down when you’re playing a set at a festival?

Casey Crescenzo: It’s really hard, honestly, especially because we always want to just play new songs. The one’s that we’re the most fresh on, and excited about. Represent us the most in the moment. But I think that’s a little too selfish to do it only that way. So it’s just a mix. What songs do we really really want to play right now and what songs do we think people who already know us might want to hear. If they aren’t super up to date on all the new stuff. But it’s pretty chaotic, the act of making a set list.

VM: I love the idea of you doing concept albums. Can you tell us a little bit about the writing process behind it?

CC: Yeah, I think it’s changed per record. The first few records were really just me, in a room writing for hours on end. And this last record is the first time it was really kind of, I gave the band a treatment of the story and concept artwork that no one else would see and just—nerding out on it—but just so they would have a frame of reference of where my head’s at about it. Cause I think of track listings before there’s a note of any of the songs, just to spell it out. So lately it’s been me coming with a few skeletons, and then everybody in the band, I don’t want to say putting their mark on it, because that sounds like they’re forcing it, but it’s like everybody with the story in mind and with the concept in mind kind of working together to complete a song, or a record.

VM: So when you’re writing, do the lyrics normally come before the music?

CC: No, I think the meaning comes before the music. But the lyrics usually are the last thing I do. When I’m writing music I sing with it, but it’s mostly just phonetics and gibberish, and I get my melody really comfortable. And this is going to sound really clinical, but it’s almost like painting by numbers, because I know the cadences already, I know the rhythms and the melodies, so it’s kind of like I know the rhythms, I know the melodies, I don’t know the lyrics yet but I know what I want to say with them, so it’s an easier process than to write lyrics from scratch. With no melody and no idea. But that is usually the last thing to come. Curiously enough with a concept album. I’m not a poet, so I don’t just sit and write poetry.

VM: So if you were describing your sound to someone who has never heard your music, what would you say?

CC: No idea, I hate when people say we’re just music, or it’s eclectic or something like that. Usually when people do ask I say it’s a rock band because I think if you took the widest cross section of the band that’s the element that’s shared amongst all the varying genres, but honestly there’s everything from Latin folk, to dark industrial rock, to ambient, kind of shoegaze music, to just pop. There’s plenty of just stupid pop songs that I’ve written. But it’s really all over the place, so instead of it being just kind of like, oh there’s something for everybody, it’s more like there’s everything for people who want to hear everything. And I think that’s why it doesn’t really appeal to a wide audience, it’s more just people like me who just like music, and aren’t necessarily genre specific. They don’t really have an interest, or exclusively listen to one type of music. So that’s the people I think it appeals to, and that’s what I usually describe it as, rock music that can be pretty much any type of genre.

VM: People that enjoy the meaning behind the songs too.

CC: Yeah I think it goes both ways. I think some people get really into the story, and then some people don’t think about the story at all and just think about the visceral pleasure of it. Some people cast the story away and the lyrics still have meaning. I mean there’s some songs that are really plot-driven, concept record songs. But there’s 90% of music I believe has a meaning, and can be enjoyed void completely of a concept. It is still identifiable and relatable without being over arching, 30 hours, space odyssey music.

VM: When it comes to playing something like Shaky Knees, do you have a different way of choosing your songs, as opposed to playing a smaller venue?

CC: Yeah, I think it’s just knowing that we’re not a headliner here. And knowing that while some people might know us, it’s not necessarily satisfying people who might know us at a show like this, it’s more of what do you choose that you think might be interest-catching for people who have no idea who you are. I mean we arrange a set the same way we would if we were supporting a bigger band, like going on tour as a supporter. I think the headliner sets we do are usually a little more selfish, a little bit more what do we want to play and what would our fans want to hear. And not even thinking about what might be interesting to someone who’s never heard us.

VM: So what’s next for the Dear Hunter after this? Any tour dates you’re looking forward to, or anything new you’re working on?

CC: We actually do this and then two days off , and then we start a three week tour with O’ Brother and Rare Futures. But we do that until the beginning of June, then we have a few months off and I don’t really know what’s after that, but those are the immediate things.

VM: An exciting few weeks ahead it sounds like. Staying busy.

CC: Lots of friends, that’s the best thing is we’re friends with all those people. Mini vacation.

Hangout 2016: Artists To Watch

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Camren Skelton

With headlining acts like The Weeknd, Alabama Shakes and Ellie Goulding flocking to the shores of Hangout this year, there’s no doubt that 2016 will be one to remember. But when it comes to festivals, sometimes it’s the artists who are on the verge of becoming household names that will end up being your favorite acts of the weekend. From indie-rock to alternative pop, R&B and folk, this year’s Hangout boasts an eclectic mix of artists. To make sure you catch the best, we compiled a list of 10 acts you won’t want to miss.

Atlas Genius

Australian indie rockers Atlas Genius caught people’s attention when their hit “Trojans” made it’s way into the blogosphere. With their catchy lyrics, dance-infused melodies and two full-length albums under their belt, it’s not hard to see that the young band is on their way to mainstream success.

Bully

The Nashville-based quartet brings a noisy, upbeat sound to the stage that is sure to keep you on your feet. With a sound undeniably influenced by grunge, the band has a unique sound and a raw talent. Their fiery debut album, Feels Like was written, produced and engineered by lead vocalist Alicia Bognanno.

GIVERS

Louisiana-based indie pop outfit has a self-described “afro-beat, dancy pants, indie pop love music” sound. Steeped in the culture and traditions of their native home, the band relies heavily on spirited vocals and has been compared to bands like Vampire Weekend and Dirty Projectors.

Half Moon Run

Known for their expansive, emotional and ethereal lyrics, Canadian rockers Half Moon Run are sure to be a hit at this year’s Hangout. With complex arrangements, inspired by both classical and modern composers, each live show strikingly showcases the band’s raw talent and eclectic musical background.

Kaleo

You won’t want to miss the driving indie folk sound this quartet brings to the stage. Hailing from Iceland, the band started playing together as teenagers, adopting the name “Kaleo”—a Hawaiian word for “the sound.” Inspired by a mix of blues, folk, country and rock, the band’s eclectic sound is one you won’t want to get out of your head.

Magic Man

Synth-heavy beats and mesmerizing vocals are the defining factors of this Boston-based band. After the release of their debut full-length album in 2014, the electronic rockers gained a solid foundation and one can only look forward to what lies ahead in the future.

Muddy Magnolias

The innovative duo is dropping their debut album this summer and one can only guess at the success that is poised to follow. They portray the everyday experience of the 21st century woman through a powerful and mesmerizing sound, and their bluesy, soulful vibe is one you will not want to miss out on.

The Griswolds

These indie rockers are known for their catchy tunes, upbeat lyrics and–staying true to the ways of their Australian home–laidback lifestyle. Since the release of their debut album Be Impressive, they’ve toured with fellow indie rockers Passion Pit and Walk The Moon and they are sure to bring their impressive sound to the beaches of Gulf Shores.

The Revivalists

New Orleans-based rockers The Revivalists fuse an eclectic blend of rock, R&B, soul, folk and funk into a sound that can only be described as unique. Although they were formed from a chance encounter, it is evident that more than just sheer luck has put this band on the radar.

The Struts

The classic rock style and big, bright vocals these English rockers bring to the stage make for a performance you can’t help but sing and dance along to. On the heels of their latest release, Everybody Wants, there’s no doubt that their performance will be unapologetically rock ‘n’ roll.

Shaky Knees 2016: Craig Finn X Vinyl Mag

Posted on May 17, 2016July 6, 2016 by Camren Skelton

If there’s one thing to learn from Craig Finn, it’s how to weave an intriguing story. While the Hold Steady frontman knows what it’s like to rev up an audience as a loud rock band, he appeals to the more mellow side of things as a solo artist. We sat down with Finn following his Friday set at Shaky Knees to talk inspiration, Purple Rain and the importance of telling a story through rock ‘n’ roll.

Vinyl Mag: So have you played Shaky Knees before?

Craig Finn: Yeah I played with Hold Steady in 2014, had a really good time then. I’ve never seen so many guitars at a festival, it kind of feels like nice as a rock ‘n’ roll band to feel like it’s a rock fest.

VM: Are you gonna check out any other sets while you’re here?

CF: Well, we have to get to Nashville tonight but we played at an after party last night and I saw Beach Slang, and we have a ton of friends here, so that’s been fun.

VM: So what was the transition like from going as a band with the Hold Steady to going into a solo career?

CF: You know there’s ups and downs to both, obviously you have the camaraderie with a band, a history, you have different side jokes and all that. But the cool thing is I write so much. The solo thing is able to work on my schedule a lot more. If I want to record two songs, I’m going to get who’s available to try and record with me, rather than try to make everything work for all, or get schedules with all different people. And also the solo thing allows me to play with different people, under the umbrella of the solo thing so that’s really rewarding and helpful. So there’s great parts to both, I just sort of like getting to flex two different muscles.

VM: So in the future do you see yourself branching out into a solo-only career or do you want to stay with the Hold Steady?

CF: Well we already have a couple shows with the Hold Steady in the fall, but we haven’t played in 18 months or so, so right now I’m concentrating on the solo thing. I’m trying to do, I think it will probably be a mix of everything. My first band Lifter Puller played a show last summer. So I feel like it’s just all the things I do. I’m hoping to do a different type of writing. So that’s kind of my idea of where it goes. But I think now that I have the solo thing there will always be the solo thing. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to do it, you can’t break up with yourself. Like my next record could be electronic, but it’s still Craig Finn. And then it’s like you’re still building a body of work.

VM: So do you think your audience as a solo artist is different than the Hold Steady? Or was there a lot of crossover?

CF: I think it’s quite honestly a lot of the same people. Hopefully you grow into, and some of the tours I’ve done in the last year have grown. I went out with Jason Isbell and Heartless Bastards and certainly met a lot of people at those shows. That’s always encouraging. But you’re also getting people who were at the Hold Steady. Hold Steady is a lot louder rocking band, so some people are disappointed they aren’t going to be able to throw beer in the air, but hopefully those people are also getting more mellow as I am, so hopefully it’s at least the Hold Steady people.

VM: It’s nice to have a good mix.

CF: Yeah, I mean I hope it will appeal to people of all ages. And we’ve done a lot more shows with the solo thing that are seated shows, which is kind of nice, a different energy, and hopefully it will appeal to a different group.

VM: Yeah, you get to play a lot of different types of venues I guess.

CF: Yeah, we did Lincoln Center in February and I did a lot of small theaters with Jason Isbell. Just kind of different. Again, it’s like flexing a muscle. Playing down south with Jason is a lot different than playing Chicago with the Hold Steady. Playing Bristol, Tennessee, that was a really small town in the south and no one knew who I was and that’s cool, that’s a challenge. You’ve got to be funny and you’ve got to try to charm them a little bit.

VM: So to someone who’s never heard your music before, how would you describe it?

CF: I would say it’s rock, with a focus on storytelling. Cause I think that’s one of the defining things that my songs are—stories.

VM: I like that. Do you pull inspiration from your own experiences?

CF: Yeah I do, I think we all do. I think novelists—I forget who said it, someone said “there’s one hero in every novel and that’s the author.” Gregory Dunn said that. But when I write, it’s myself but it’s also stories. And books. Like reading novels, cause I still just read, going on tour, traveling, walking around, looking in a house, and saying ‘what happens in there?’ Picking up a story, trying to entertain myself.

VM: So what has been your favorite venue to play at, in all the time you’ve been touring?

CF: So I’m from Minneapolis, and First Avenue is the club there, and it’s not only that it’s my hometown, but I think if you ask me, and most people would say that for a club this size, that and the 9:30 club in D.C. are probably the two best. But especially, First Avenue is where Purple Rain was filmed. And so there’s a lot of nostalgia, and it’s also my home town. But also I just think it’s the best club, and now that Prince has left us there’s a special nostalgia. I watched Purple Rain in 1984 when it came out, and then I watched it for the first time in full last week—it’s so good. I thought it was terrible when I was 13. But now I love it. I guess I’m in a sympathetic mood. It’s bizarre, but it’s entertaining,

VM: Yeah, seeing it from a new perspective of him not being here anymore.

CF: Yeah it’s very melodramatic. It’s not real feminist I have to admit. When they put the girl in the dumpster…

VM: Yeah it definitely has some bizarre moments. Well that’s about all I have for you, but is there anything else you want to share with Vinyl readers?

CF: No, I think we’re good. Just thanks for having me.

VM: Thanks for talking to us, and good luck on the rest of your tour.

Artist to Watch: Post Death Soundtrack

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Maria Lewczyk

Founded in 2007, Post Death Soundtrack is a music collective based out of Toronto, Canada. The group consists of Kenneth Buck, Steve Moore and Jon Ireson, and cites influences ranging from Bowie to Skinny Puppy. After the release of its debut album, Music as Weaponry, Post Death Soundtrack went on a brief three-year hiatus in which the group redefined the intention of their music, and ended up with something really cool.

Sounding more like a heavy experimental band from the ‘90s than a modern-age collective, Post Death Soundtrack explores depth and a variety of synthetic textures in their sophomore release, The Unlearning Curve. With swooning choruses and thick electric guitars swirling into a mash of music, The Unlearning Curve introduces a psychedelic, industrial landscape.

The true gems of this release are “You Can’t Go Back” and “Beauty Eyes I Adore,” tracks two and four, respectively. Something about the chanting on “Beauty Eyes” reminds me of Beatles-esque harmonies, and the sudden devolution into arpeggios of electric sound is a clever, robust touch.

Overall, The Unlearning Curve bites, chews and spits out the listener with walls of thick, jagged noise. The lyrics go into ideas of redemption, introspection and self-discovery which pair nicely to the heavy atmosphere of the album itself. My only complaint is the slight repetitiveness of the album, especially with tracks that have two minutes (or more) of the same lyric. That aside, The Unlearning Curve establishes Post Death Soundtrack as a true artist to look out for.

Shaky Knees 2016: Kaleo X Vinyl Mag

Posted on May 17, 2016May 17, 2016 by Camren Skelton

With their brilliant blend of blues, folk and country, Kaleo took America by storm last year when they arrived on the festival scene. After great success in their native country, the four-piece Icelandic band moved their sound to Austin, TX and was met with an equally receptive audience. Vinyl Mag sat down with Kaleo frontman JJ Julius Son to talk inspiration, audience and an exciting new album coming out next month.

Vinyl Mag: So you guys are from Iceland, and have been a big hit in the U.S. so far, gotten a pretty big following. Are there any key cities you want to hit?

JJ: Good question, I think we have probably played almost every city. I think we played soon, every state pretty much. The past year we’ve really just been touring pretty much. But a lot of great cities that we loved. Nashville is a big favorite. San Diego. New York is always fun. Chicago.

VM: And you guys are living in Austin now, how is that?

JJ: Yeah, Austin’s a great music city. We wish we had more time there, cause we’re constantly on tour so we don’t really spend much time there. But maybe in the future.

VM: So how was the transition from the Icelandic market to the American market?

JJ: It’s a huge transition, cause Iceland is a country of 300,000 people and America is 300 and something million. So it’s very different and you know, long drives. But every state is different, every city is different. And I think that’s one of the qualities we like.

VM: Would you say that your audience is pretty similar in both countries or do you have a different following?

JJ: No I would say they are similar. We see now that it’s more and more people from all ages in the U.S. And that was always the case back home, so we’re delighted it still crosses over to America as well.

VM: Right, appeals across the spectrum. So to someone who has never heard your music before, how would you describe your sound?

JJ: I would describe it as diverse, dynamic, soulful.

VM: And you guys have a new album coming out next month?

JJ: Yes, June 10 – very excited.

VM: What can fans expect to hear?

JJ: I would say it’s very much, to kind of go with the vision that I had which is diverse, and you’ll hear that. It’s a kind of concept album. It’s called A/B, so side A, think of it as a vinyl, side A is very much rock ‘n’ roll, blues, and then side B has more balance and softer stuff, like folky. And you can label these things into all kinds of genres and stuff, but yeah it’s gonna be diverse, definitely.

VM: So this is your debut album for the U.S.

JJ: So we did release an album back in Iceland that was only released in Iceland, so you can call it a debut album, well outside of Iceland. I think they are calling it a debut album in the U.S.

VM: And after Shaky Knees, what are your plans?

JJ: I have to catch a flight I think in an hour, but we have a festival in Austin and then we have a show in Houston, and then we have Hangout Fest.

VM: Staying busy! Have you ever done Hangout before?

JJ: We did last year, lots of fun. Right now it’s obviously festival season which is fun. And then this summer we’ll be mostly touring, and then we go back to Iceland for a few weeks, which will be nice. See some family. And yeah, that’s kind of the summer.

VM: Do you play any shows when you go back to Iceland?

JJ: Yeah, we’re planning on doing one concert when we go back.

VM: Well I don’t have anything else for you, but is there anything else you want to share with Vinyl readers?

JJ: Yeah, check out the album. It’s a vinyl concept, A and B.

VM: So great excuse to buy it on vinyl, right?

JJ: Always, yes.

Shaky Knees 2016: The Hip Abduction X Vinyl Mag

Posted on May 13, 2016May 20, 2016 by Camren Skelton

Paul Simon’s Graceland album meets Bob Marley–at a dance party in 2016. Oh, and they’re both really high. That’s how David New of The Hip Abduction would describe their reggae, world music sound–or, at least how he would describe it to your grandma. With inspiration stemming from the band’s immersion outside the U.S., The Hip Abduction has a sound that epitomizes the bright, beachy days of summer and takes you to a place far away from home. We sat down with New prior to the band’s performance at Shaky Knees to discuss travel, inspiration and the experimental quality that makes their latest album–Gold Under the Glow–so intriguing.

Vinyl Mag: So how long have you guys been playing music together?

David New: 2010, 2011 is when I guess the official Hip Abduction got started. I mean I’ve been doing the solo thing for a little while. But I think 2010.

VM: So I love Gold Under the Glow, and like your other stuff it has kind of a Jamaican, reggae vibe…what’s the inspiration behind incorporating this sound into your music?

DN: Well I lived and traveled in the Bahamas and the Caribbean a lot, during college after college, I actually worked at a field station teaching sailing and marine biology for a little while and all the stations we listed to were from Havana and Jamaica and I really got into island and Caribbean music. And I traveled to Central America a little bit. So that all comes from my time spent there. And we all individually have lived outside of the country for a little while so it’s in the vein of all of our music. And all the guys.

VM: It’s a really cool sound. I feel like you guys have a unique sound, very beachy. So if you could describe Hip Abduction to someone who has never heard of you before, what would you say?

DN: Well if we’re talking to grandma it’s different then when I’d talk to someone in their 20s or something. But to grandma, I’d say Paul Simon, Graceland album meets Bob Marley at a dance party in 2016.

VM: I like it.

DN: Really high, by the way. They’re both really high.

VM: Even better. How has your writing process evolved, and what was your process like for Gold Under the Glow?

DN: Well I guess it starts when I first wrote a song, when I was like 25. But I was really into Paul Simon’s Graceland album when I was a kid. My mom listened to that. And then I studied a lot of the musicians that were on that album—South African and West Africa. And I just evolved from there. And I was in Africa for a little while, listening. And then we released a couple albums that were influenced by music outside of the country and then this album, we started to listen to more indie-pop, indie-rock, bands like St. Lucia, Vacationer, you know modern, alternative bands. Daft Punk, I’ve been really getting into synth pop and dance. And I love fucking around with old synths, like analog synth pedals and stuff. So what I’ve been listening to has influenced the more electronic sound, a little more four on the floor dance stuff, but the world is still there. We may not be playing reggae music, or West African traditional music, but it still takes someone to a special place, the island or the same place that maybe an old record would take someone, or any reggae music or West African music. World music in general.

VM: So would you say that this album was more experimental than your past?

DN: Yeah, I feel like this is our first, who we are, kind of album. Other ones were like, let’s try to replicate this old sound of the 60s, you know like a lot of bands do, trying to replicate old, trying to do what bands in the past have done. But this one was like, I wanted to move forward, and this one is us. It sounds like us, no one is really combining these sounds with these sounds, this particular feel. But there’s a lot of white dudes from southern Cali playing reggae music, or bands playing traditional West African music. So this is our own thing.

VM: So with Shaky Knees coming up, do you guys have any pre-show rituals or routines?

DN: No, we’ve got to massage the keyboard player. He’s got to get a massage. His back is killing him right now, so have to give him a little massage. We like to chill, I mean there’s no—I think a lot of people think that backstage is crazy, party and shots and all that but it’s not really like that at all. I think when you’re trying to do this for a career and day in and day out just try to take it easy. Have some organic foods and juices and feel good, get some good sleep and take maybe a shot before the show. That’s pretty much it. I mean rituals—no, no jumping upside down or any chants.

VM: Nothing crazy?

DN: No, maybe we need some though.

VM: What’s your favorite thing to perform live? Do you have any favorite covers?

DN: Yeah, right now we’re doing one of our own instrumental versions, which is a drum jam. I’ve been taking some drum lessons and we jam a little bit. And then we cover Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing”, but it’s a tropical house version. So we’re rocking that on this tour and it’s one of those songs like, we have to stop playing this? Cause every tour you have to do a different cover, but I don’t want to stop playing it. So I still love it, and we’ve played it for four months now. And that gets the crowd excited.

VM: Yeah, I’m sure it will be a big hit at the festival.

DN: Yeah, we’re going on early and it’s gonna be hot in Hotlanta, but hopefully people can find some shade.

VM: You have quite a few tour dates coming up after Shaky Knees, so is there any city or venue you’re excited to play?

DN: You know, these are all new to us pretty much. We just started touring, we’re relatively new to the scene. And 2015 is our first—I was talking to the guys and we’ve done 14 new cities that I’ve never been to in my life in just a couple months. So you know we love New York City, we have a pretty big following there. We’re playing with Umphrey’s McGee a little bit, so I think it’s more about, we love the festivals, we love going to new cities and new markets. The Hamilton in D.C. is fun, but I have no answer for you, I just like them all.

VM: Well you get to see a lot of new places, so I’m sure that’s exciting.

DN: It is, yesterday we went white water rafting and mountain biking, and zip lining in Charlotte, and now we’re heading to the foothills of West Virginia, and we’re doing a hike, up to 7,000 feet I believe, so pretty excited about that. It’s nice to have days off, that’s for sure. But yeah, traveling is fun in doses, if you get enough days off.

Shaky Knees 2016: Beach Slang X Vinyl Mag

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Camren Skelton

The “rads,” “totally’s” and “dudes” of James Alex’s vocabulary speak entirely to the nature of the band’s unique name. Since 2013, Beach Slang has stolen the hearts of punky indie rock lovers everywhere, earning them a loyal following and huge success on their debut album, The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us. We sat down with Alex prior to this year’s Shaky Knees to discuss an exciting future for the band and learned why their next album might just take you back to the days of your favorite John Hughes 80s flick.

Vinyl Mag: So are you guys getting excited for Shaky Knees?

James Alex: Yeah, Atlanta has been really cool to us. We did that Wrecking Ball thing and that was amazing so yeah can’t wait.

VM: So you started out playing with the band Weston…how does your approach in making music with Beach Slang differ from that experience?

JA: Yeah definitely, because that was the whole figuring it out, kids you know, not really knowing precisely what we were doing, just wanting to be loud and have fun. That whole deal. But we had no blueprint for how the hell to do any of it, we were just flying by the seat of our pants which was fun and rebellious. But now getting into Beach Slang, we’ve kind of been around the block a couple times and I just kind of know how to figure out things a little bit. Still trying to keep some of that rebellion in there, but the chaos is a little more organized I’d say with Beach Slang.

VM: Is there any story behind the name Beach Slang or did you guys just sort of come up with it?

JA: Yeah well it started off as bands do, just making a list of names. And I used to skate with this girl Elizabeth, and I say rad and totally and stuff like that a lot and she kind of lovingly makes fun of that so she called it a language, she called it beach slang. So I added that to the list, and then I read this interview with another band and they said something about ‘if you have beach in your name you can’t be taken seriously’ and as soon as I read that I was like okay, I’m gonna call this thing Beach Slang and I’m gonna make it matter. So inadvertently my childhood friend Elizabeth named this band. But reading that thing from that band really fortified why I thought it was important to keep that name.

VM: Yeah kind of prove them wrong right?

JA: Absolutely, it’s that little punk that’s still hiding out in me. I need some grain to go against.

VM: Love it. Where do you guys draw your inspiration from when writing songs? Do you have any artists you’re influenced by, any particular sounds that you really like?

JA: Yeah for sure. I mean I’ve talked about this before and I feel like I broke it down into a little three-part thing, like how I approach when I’m sitting down to write songs. And the first thing I do is I sort of pretend I’m scoring a John Hughes film, and then I think to myself you know, what kind of melodies would Paul Westerberg put to it and then once I have that, what sort of words would Bukowski put to Westerberg’s melodies. So that’s really lofty ambitions, but those are definitely sort of the holy trinity to me. Sort of John Hughes coming of age films. And then Westerberg and Bukowski. It’s a long list but if I had to really sort of boil it down, like I said, they would be the holy trinity.

VM: Yeah, that’s a cool process. So when you’re playing festivals like Shaky Knees, do you have any pre-show rituals or routines?

JA: Not a whole lot, we sort of drink enough to shake off the nerves, but we really don’t have any ritual. You know things have been going fairly well for us, so I make sure I wear the same belt–sort of the things we do in our work we don’t change those. But I don’t know that we have anything before we go on like we have to do. We don’t have a chant or anything which is sort of like, you know, drink a little bit and go out and have fun. I’m sure at some point we’ll fall into some pre-show ritual but right now we’re into that flying by the seat of our pants, they want us to be kind of reckless and unscripted on all levels.

VM: yeah I mean that makes for a good love performance anyways, just kind of going with the flow.

JA: Precisely.

VM: So what’s your favorite song to perform live…do you guys have any cool covers you like to play? Or your favorite song of your own to perform live?

JA: Yeah I guess I’ll speak to the covers cause our songs it’s kind of like choosing your favorite kid, you know? But I don’t know, we do like “Bastards of Young” by the Replacements, I always love doing that. “Boxcar” by Jawbreaker. We just started working on “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure, as a band. But I played it by myself a couple shows and it was super fun so the band’s like we should get that together, so we’ve been working on it in sound check and I suppose we’ll be playing that live eventually and that will be cool.

VM: That sounds awesome. So what can we expect next from you guys? Do you have any news on an upcoming album?

JA: Yeah, we just got out of the studio before we left for this tour and the record is done, it just got mastered, it comes out in September. So we get pretty restless when we’re idle so we just try to keep shoving forward. We’re touring Europe, Australia, Canada…like all summer and then September the record comes out and we start the whole cycle back up again.

VM: Sounds like you will stay busy. Does this record have kind of the same sound as your previous work or did you experiment with anything new?

JA: I mean it’s definitely from that world of course, but it definitely evolved a bit, I think a lot more of my loves for shoegaze, and sort of British new wave to this thing. Like a lot of Catherine Wheel and Swervedriver, Chapterhouse and stuff. So it’s still definitely rooted in that 80’s, sort of Minneapolis sound but you know my record collection is bigger than just like The Maps and stuff so I wanted to dive into that a little bit more. I don’t want to become Xeroxed copies of ourselves you know what I mean. So it’s definitely, there’s an evolvement that I hope people will dig and connect with. But it goes without saying that I feel really great about the record and I can’t wait for it to come out.

Artists to Watch: Shaky Knees 2016

Posted on May 5, 2016May 5, 2016 by Camren Skelton

The fourth annual Shaky Knees Music Festival returns to Atlanta May 13-15 with an impressive lineup that is sure to keep you busy bouncing between stages. Headliners include Florence + The Machine, My Morning Jacket and Jane’s Addiction, but the acts that fall in between are sure to be just as exciting. Check out the 10 acts you won’t want to miss in this year’s lineup:

1. The Front Bottoms

Hailing from New Jersey, this indie rock duo brings an eclectic blend of pop, rock and punk sounds to the stage. That, in addition to the witty lyrics that offer a glimpse into the world surrounding them, makes The Front Bottoms an act to catch at this year’s festival.

2. Wolf Alice

An alt-rock outfit hailing from North London, Wolf Alice mixes folk, grunge and electronic elements with vintage ’90s indie rock. The band released their first full-length, My Love Is Cool, last summer. Check them out in this year’s lineup as you eagerly anticipate what they have in store for the future.

3. The Struts

The loud sound these English rockers bring to the stage will be hard to miss at this year’s festival. Their classic rock style and big, bright vocals make for a performance you can’t help but sing and dance along to and the upbeat tempos of their latest release, Everybody Wants, will be more than enough to sweep you off your feet.

4. Beach Slang

This young band’s tireless love for music and life shines through in their part punk, part pop sound. With youth and vulnerability at the core of each intriguing live show, Beach Slang brings a sound that will stay with you long after they leave the stage.

5. Alex G

The multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter started his career through a series of DIY releases on Bandcamp. After the critical acclaim of his sixth album, DSU, a series of re-issues of past albums, and signing with Domino Recording Company, Alex G released his first album with the label, titled Beach Music, in 2015. With an already impressive resume, this young artist is one to catch in this year’s lineup.

6. Barns Courtney

After spending most of his childhood in Seattle, Barns Courtney returned to his native UK, and this change comes across clearly in his eclectic mix of U.S. blues-rock, hip-hop and grunge with British indie melodies and an undeniable U.S.-British twang. His interesting sound and undeniable catchy melodies make him an act you will want to follow.

7. Son Little

Singer, instrumentalist and songwriter Aaron Livingston—aka Son Little—brings an eclectic sound to the stage with his blend of acoustic blues, vintage soul and hip-hop. His expressive lyrics are refreshingly personal, and give the listener a small glimpse into his perspective on the world around him.

8. Diet Cig

This pop rock band from New York has a fun and upbeat sound that captures the innocence of adolescence. While the young duo is relatively new to the music scene, they are already well on their way to a strong track record. Each song is overflowing with an intense and undeniable energy, making Diet Cig an act you won’t want to miss at this year’s festival.

9. Kaleo

You won’t want to miss the driving indie folk sound this quartet brings to the stage. Hailing from Iceland, the band started playing together as teenagers, adopting the name Kaleo—a Hawaiian word for “the sound.” Inspired by a mix of blues, folk, country and rock, the band’s eclectic sound is one you won’t want to get out of your head.

10. The Dear Hunter

Originating in Providence, Rhode Island, The Dear Hunter began as a solo, side project of Casey Crescenzo. Now, the progressive rock band’s sound features a wide variety of instruments and styles, and their eclectic style and energy makes them an artist to watch out for.

BackLight Productions Presents: Mosaic

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Nikki Smith

BackLight Productions brings us yet another personal look into the world of Athens-native bands. Mosaic is no stranger to the Athens music scene. They’ve played with the likes of Chief Scout and Sam Burchfield among others in Classic City venues such as World Famous and the 40 Watt. BackLight Productions introduces Andrew Huang, Kameron Munch, Chase Garrett and Harry Cloud at Studio 1093 with an intimate live performance of “Settled”. With a folk sound and bluegrass undertones, the group opens with a buoyant banjo tune and fluid vocals. Each member plays a vital role in the band, and each instrument comes together to make the sweet harmony that is Mosaic.

The guys of Mosaic sit down with BackLight to discuss their history, the song writing process, and the Athens music scene. It’s not hard to understand why these guys have such great rhythm. As BackLight presents, this is a group of friends making beautiful music. Even better, they’re playing live at the Georgia Theater Rooftop, May 2nd at 10:30pm. EVEN BETTER, it’s free!

But you should really support local artists; without it, there would be a shortage of such talent. Their music is available on Spotify and iTunes.