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: Bright Light Social Hour x Vinyl Mag

Posted on by Morgan Greenfield

blsh

Bright Light Social Hour are returning once again to the South By stage this year after the recent drop of their new kick-ass album, Space is Still The Place. Known for their heavy touring, BLSH has gained quite the fan following – to say the least.

Their music, for those who haven’t caught the BLSH bug, is meant for the dance pop rock people with a psychedelic mind.Their sound is clean, wet, and bluesy but consistently driven by effects. Curtis Roush’s vocals consist of a beautiful falsetto but so drenched in reverb that you can trip on his voice alone. The only words I can write for Jack O’Brien’s bass mind is that he has an absolutely amazing talent, creating fills that are just so good you will get chills. Edward Braillif’s guitar handling is the washiest and cleanest of all the instruments included. Joseph Mirasole completes this foursome with his Strokes-like drum banging as he highlights their pop tones while also staying true to their bluesy vibes.

Be sure to check out Bright Light Social Hour at SXSW this year.  For more info about their new album, their advice for navigating SX, and what is next on their agenda.

Vinyl Mag: Congrats on your new album, Space is Still the Place. I read that the concept of “Future South” sparked the creativity behind the album. Who coined that phrase? What inspired you guys about it?

Jack O’Brien: Thanks. Curtis did; it kinda summed up a lot of vibes we’d been bouncing around.

VM: I see you have been on quite the tour route through the southern side of the US. What was your favorite city you’ve played? And why?

JO: Personally, I love playing New Orleans. It’s just gritty and sexy and so much cross-dressing. It’s pretty future.

VM: When on tour, what’s the one thing you miss the most about Austin?

JO: Fresh jalapeños and family.

VM: I saw that you guys have recently affiliated with the non-profit Adopt A Star, giving away free downloads of “Infinite Cities” to those who adopt a star and win the contents. What sparked y’all’s interest in Adopt a Star?

JO: We all just thought that was such a cool gift, to give someone a star and even name it after them. It’s so cool, and not to mention proceeds help fund internationally-collaborative space research.

VM: Who are your brother bands? As in the bands that you call your great friends and don’t mind touring with.

JO: Migrant Kids, Spaceface, Walker Lukens and the Side Arms, The Tontons, Megafauna.

VM: As a native Austin band, what local advice do you have for SXSW-attendees – any restaurant recommendations?

JO: Hydrate. Be love. Eat only beef.

VM: Are you barbecue or taco truck people?

JO: Brisket breakfast tacos forever and ever amen.

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

JO: Talk in Tongues.

VM: What’s your favorite memory of SX?

JO: Probably going in high school, not being in a band, and trying to sneak into parties.

VM: What is next for you after the album release and SXSW?

JO: Tour, tour forever.

 

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: Speedy Ortiz x Vinyl Mag

Posted on by Morgan Greenfield

 

speedyortiz

One of Northhampton, Mass. finest, Speedy Ortiz, will be hitting the stage this year at SXSW, giving fans the proper dose of straight American indie rock. Originating in 2011, Sadie Dupuis’s creative brain birthed her solo career at a creative writing camp. With the help of Mike Falcone on drums, Matt Robidoux on guitar, Darl Ferm on bass, and Devin McKnight on guitar, Speedy Ortiz formed.

The sound consists mostly of melodic grunge guitar and bass tones absolutely drenched in feedback and gunshot chords. The drums, on the other hand, are a pop lover’s dream, with tight rolls with every measure. Of course, Dupuis’s vocals are nothing but one-of-a-kind. Very clean with a touch of vibrato, she sings about sarcasm, the best subject around. Best for those who are absolutely bonkers for The Cranberries, Joanna Gruesome, and Parquet Courts. Fans, if you are at South By and miss this band, you truly are missing out.

Vinyl Mag: What does your song-creating process include?

Sadie: Usually, it starts with me playing guitar, or humming out some melodies. Then I’ll make a demo – sometimes just guitar and vocals, sometimes bass and drums and keyboards, too – and then the band will learn from that, adapting my parts or writing their own.

VM: Foil Deer, your new album, comes out on April 21; what is the concept behind the album?

Sadie: It’s about self-protection, growth, ditching the haters. And it’s about glitter, too.

VM: I see you guys are also playing Shaky Knees, whose lineup is awesome this year. You guys excited to play that festival as well? Who are you excited to see play?

Sadie: It’s always exciting seeing TV on the Radio live. I’ve seen them a half dozen or more times, and each show has been markedly different, which is something I admire in a band. And it’ll be good to hang out with our buds in Metz, Mitski, and Dr. Dog.

VM: Sadie, I saw the you are the new advice columnist for She Shreds; how has that been?

Sadie: I’ve clocked more hours listening to Dan Savage’s Savage Lovecast than I have listening to some of my favorite bands. And I read Dear Prudy religiously. So I feel like I’ve been training to be an advice columnist for some time. Plus, She Shreds is one of my absolute favorite publications, so I’m honored they tapped me for this column.

VM: You guys really associate with comics. I really liked the comic design Michael DeForge did for you guys on Pitchfork. Is there a comic you guys like the best?

Sadie: The comic I like best is Michael DeForge singing “Flavor of the Weak” at karaoke.

Seriously, though. My all time faves are probably Los Bros Hernandez (duh). Suzy Exposito’s “The Best Song Ever” made my heart swell while she was still publishing it. And Simon Hanselmann is unparalleled at making me LOL IRL.

Darl: I have to give a shout out to Michael DeForge for Ant Colony, but some other favorites include Like A Velvet Glove Cast In Iron by Daniel Clowes, Sleepwalk by Adrian Tomine, and Black Hole by Charles Burns.

VM: On your Facebook page it says you guys are snack rock and “illegally loud” – what does that mean exactly?

Mike: We’re on a mission to increase the snackage of all listeners. Science has proven that certain sounds may affect appetite glands. We have accordingly chosen our effects pedals and chord progressions based on what’s most likely to stimulate the hypothalamus. The sludge band Crowbar is also snack-rock.

We also occasionally overlook noise ordinance. Cops have shown up at shows to tell us something along the lines of “stop playing because you guys are too loud,” which is then sometimes followed by “the music was good though.”

VM: What were your favorite bands growing up?

Mike: A lot of the obvious stuff. The Knack, J. Geils Band, Gerry Rafferty, Gore Beyond Necropsy. And of course P.O.D.

Sadie: No Doubt. Mighty Mighty Bosstones. No Doubt covering The Clash.

VM: How did you guys form?

Darl: Through the dark web.

VM: You guys are from Massachusetts – what’s your favorite thing to do back home?

Mike: Chuggin’ Dunks. Also known as Dunkin D’s. Can’t get enough.

Darl: Listen to the Dropkick Murphys while drinking a seasonal Sam Adams and watching The Departed in picture-in-picture with a Bruins game.

VM: Are there any pre-show rituals you do?

Sadie: Sometimes, we put our hands in the center and shout “cash money” or “camaraderie” or something. Then we dump out a bunch of champagne into a sewer drain. Who drinks champagne anymore?

VM: Who are you excited to see at SXSW?

Sadie: TV on the Radio… Mitski… Metz… all my answers are redundant. Pile. Earl Sweatshirt (tryna wife him, always). Um…Alvvays. Screaming Females. Courtney Barnett. And the queen Brandy. Oh and we’re playing with Failure, which is like, a life goal for all of us. Major bucket list entry.

VM: What is next after SXSW?

Sadie: We’re gonna do a video for “Raising the Skate” and hope not to fall asleep in the middle of it since we have to fly home at like 4 a.m. after playing. It will involve a lot of fake blood.

 

*Catch Speedy Ortiz all this week at SXSW!  Show details below:

3/16: 2:15 pm at Spotify Party, The Spotify House, 901 E. 6th St.
3/17: midnight at Ground Control Touring Showcase, The Mohawk Austin, 912 Red River St.
3/18: 1:15 pm at Pitchfork Party, The Mohawk, 912 Red River St.
10:15 pm at FLOOD Magazine Fest, Cedar Street Courtyard, 208 W. 4th St.
3/19: 4:20 pm at BrooklynVegan Showcase, Red 7, 611 E. 7th St.
11:55 pm at Carpark Records Showcase, Swan Dive, 615 Red River St.
3/20: 5:25 pm at Exploding In Sound Records/ Stereogum Party, HOLE IN
THE WALL, 2538 Guadalupe St.
11:20 pm Yahoo Showcase, Brazos Hall, 204 E. 4th St.

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.

 

Marina and the Diamonds: ‘Froot’

Posted on by Andrew Plaskowsky

It’s been close to three years since the release of Marina and the Diamonds’ sophomore record Electra Heart, a polarizing concept album about female archetypes. With Diamandis’ third album, FROOT, she forgoes listening to the input from others to deliver a tight 12 song set that she co-produced with Bat For Lashes producer David Kosten. The resulting product is her most sonically cohesive effort to date and depicts the maturing songwriter’s state of mind throughout her hiatus.

Album opener “Happy” begins with a dry vocal that’s accompanied by a piano as the lyrics play off the forlorn atmosphere (Couldn’t relax, couldn’t sit back / and let the sunlight in my lap.) While the first verse doesn’t sound like the title would suggest; the stacked harmonies that come in towards the end of the second verse establish a more optimistic tone. It’s an interesting choice to start the album with since the campaign has been full of bright, neon colors; however it works as a good lead-in to the disco title track “Froot.”

Although “Happy” appears to be the most introspective track on the record based on a topical listen, “Gold” is truly the show runner from a thematic point of view. In a recent interview, she mentioned this song was written during her opening run for Coldplay. Perhaps she didn’t intend for the track to be interpreted as her internal conflict regarding how Electra Heart was initially perceived, but it certainly comes across as such with the lyrics “I’ve been waiting for the penny to drop / I’ve been working to get back what I lost / But whatever happens I’ll be okay.”

Farther along in the album is “Solitaire,” and it’s easily one of the best tracks on the album. Dissonant sonar blips set the stage for the deeper end of her range; this time slightly reverberated and filtered to appear like it’s coming from an old fashioned radio. The title itself is a play on the definition of the word “solitaire” as Diamandis juxtaposes the feeling of singularity in first verse (Don’t wanna talk anymore / I’m obsessed with silence / I go home and I lock my door / I can hear the sirens) against the uniqueness of a diamond in the chorus. The minimalist approach to the song builds to its bridge as the blips combine into cascading synth sparkles.

The second to last track “Savages” is a cliché – by her standards — musical approach to showing her disdain for how human treat one another, but she considers it to be the most important song on the album. It contains the same snarky mentality as other songs in her back catalog like “Girls” and “Hermit the Frog” with far less metaphorical imagery. The song’s saving grace is the fourth verse which concludes with “I’m not afraid of God / I’m afraid of man” after listing off the animalistic ways in which humans interact with one another.

With this record, Marina has nothing to prove to her fans and critics because they already know what she’s capable of producing. Instead, FROOT is an inside look into the alternative pop artist’s mind as she confronts her dislike for her last record and wants to strip everything back down to the essentials. As Diamandis sings in the title track “Good things come to those who wait / but I ain’t in a patient phase,” the finished product truly shows what happens when an artist is left to their own devices and achieves a true moment of self-realization.

3.75/5

Alternate Titles for Carrie Brownstein’s Autobiography

Posted on by Kelsey Butterworth

Carrie Brownstein, undeniable queen of the hipsters, finally gave her autobiography a name and birthday. Hunger Makes Me A Modern Girl will hit shelves on October 27, and we can’t wait to read it. Its title comes from notable Sleater-Kinney track “Modern Girl”, so we wondered what alternate titles may have been floating around for the Portlandia star.

Society Makes Me A Sad Girl

Cardboard Clad

Come Be The First In Line (To Buy This Book Of Mine)

Excuses 1-16

Riot Grrl & Riot Grrl First

Long Version

I Wanna Be Your Miranda July

Ask Me About My Relationship With Corin One More Time I Swear To God

Top 5 Shows at Savannah Stopover 2015

Posted on by Michelle King

In our Stopover preview, we highlighted a bunch of locals acts worth making a point to check out.  A number of them managed to stand out from the pack, even within the mix of touring acts. Cusses, Crazy Bag Lady, and Boy Harsher all pulled decidedly large crowds and delivered truly epic performances. The Furious Hooves label showcase was a hit as well, with fantastic performances from the likes of Black Water Choir, Heavy Boots, and Blackrune. But discounting those acts we’ve already spoken about, here are our top five picks from the weekend… some more expected than others.

The Prettiots

NYC-based all-girl trio The Prettiots play sweet and innocent-sounding art pop tunes about boys and heartbreak. With a drummer that looks straight-up like a baby doll and lead singer Kay Goldberg crooning away with her ukelele, it couldn’t get much sugary and cute, but they do it so damn well. All the members are under 25, and that may account for why Goldberg has such a fresh memory of all the boys that she dated in high school. They played an early evening set at Hang Fire Bar on Friday to a modest crowd, but no doubt these girls have bigger crowds and bigger stages in the near future.

Penicillin Baby

There will always be something to be said for some good rock music. And people will always appreciate it. Take note of Penicillin Baby, an up and coming group out of Nashville that push the boundaries of rock n roll with their fuzzed out psych pop tunes. Their energetic performance at Ampersand Friday evening was as crowded as I’ve ever seen the place, and speaks to the truth of my earlier statement. Grunge rock, surf rock, cosmic rock… call it what you will. We’ll just call it good.

Generationals

With arguably the most hype leading into Stopover weekend, New Orleans electopop duo Generationals put on a fitting showing late Friday night at Club One. The perfect spot for a dance party, this venue is a gay club every other weekend of the year, and boasts an impressive light rig, massive disco ball, and sizeable dance floor to hold the feet of a bunch of jazzed up festival attendees enjoying the hits like “Gold Silver Diamond”. Generationals put out their fourth LP on Polyvinyl last fall to a wave of success and they’re not ready to slow down just yet.

San Fermin

San Fermin’s performance in Trinity United Methodist Church Saturday evening was both energetic and serene. With a big stage and an even bigger arena to fill, the Brooklyn-based chamber pop group brought out all the horns, strings, and sireny vocals to have folks both glued to their seats in the pews and dancing dancing in front of the altar. The group is helmed by classically trained composer Ellis Ludwig-Leone but the impressive vocals of Allen Tate and Charlene Kay take center stage in beautiful ballads like the glorious cut “Sonsick” off their debut self-titled album. We eagerly await the follow-up.

French Horn Rebellion

French Horn Rebellion’s set at Hang Fire Bar was perfectly placed and timed for a dance party, and that’s just how it turned out. Where the “cool kids” would hang out on a Saturday night anyway, and being one of the last shows of the weekend, out-of-towners and locals alike were able to let loose, down maybe one too many drinks, and soak in the lush and danceable tunes coming from the tiny stage in the corner. The NYC-based duo have been cranking out remixes for the likes of Beyonce, Savoir Adore, and Sleigh Bells while collaborating on original tracks with Haerts, JD Samson, Ghost Beach, and plenty more. According to their Twitter, “We used to play French horn. Now we make hot dance beats.”

 

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.