SXSW: ONES TO WATCH (PT. 2)

March 26, 2019

BY ZOE SALVUCCI

Every year in Austin, thousands of musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and fans gather to celebrate and discover the latest trailblazers in each of the three industries. With SXSW 2019 having just wrapped up, here is part two of our artists to watch list.

1. Pottery (CA)

This young five-piece from Montreal only have two releases on their Spotify, but right after SXSW they’re kicking off a US tour supporting Sweden’s Viagra Boys. With post-punk sounds reminiscent of the UK and a look like an American indie band, Pottery is sure to bring their unique energy to audiences across the world.

2. Illiterate Light (US)

Virginia-based alternative rock duo Illiterate Light, made up of Jeff Gorman and Jake Cochran, makes up for the lack of members with their explosive sound. Pounding drums and shredding guitar build the rock and roll sound of Illiterate Light, a sound not heard often in modern music.

3. Black Midi (UK)

Black Midi is—or was—London’s best kept secret. They have released no music and only just appeared on social media, but have already done a KEXP session and played numerous shows around London, including support slots for highly acclaimed punk band Shame. Their math-infused punk style is unique in sound and brilliant in execution, and their young faces make it all the more impressive. With a US tour hot off the heels of SXSW, Black Midi is about to take the US by storm.

AVALANCHE PARTYPHOTO BY ZOE SALVUCCI — **AVALANCHE PARTY**
PHOTO BY ZOE SALVUCCI

4. Avalanche Party (UK)

Seeing Avalanche Party live is an experience like no other. Vocalist Jordan Bell gets right in the audience’s face, meandering throughout the crowd while the band holds down the beat on stage. It’s intense, aggressive, and truly a unique live experience, which is important in leaving a mark on the industry.

5. Godcaster (US)

Split between Brooklyn and Philadelphia, Godcaster is an insane mashup of experimental psychedelic garage rock that consistently leaves audience’s minds blown. Their energy is tangible, their musical chemistry undeniable, and their recent single “She’s a Gun” catchy as hell.

6. Roe (IE)

Hailing from Derry in Northern Ireland, Roe’s solo multi-instrumentalist act is one you have to experience firsthand. With a huge voice and an even larger stage presence, she fills the room with her music and charm.

7. Chai (JP)

CHAIPHOTO BY ZOE SALVUCCI — **CHAI**
PHOTO BY ZOE SALVUCCI

CHAI, four girls from Tokyo, may have put on the most joyful sets at SXSW. From their latest single “Fashionista” to a cover of “Dancing Queen,” their set of hits made it impossible not to immediately fall in love with them.

8. Jealous of the Birds (UK)

Soulful singer-songwriter Naomi Hamilton made her second SXSW appearance since 2016 this year, hot off the heels of her 2019 release Wisdom Teeth. Performing with a full band now, Jealous of the Birds made quite an impression at South By, one of several Northern Irish acts to make their mark at the festival.

9. DYGL

UK-based, Japan-born DYGL, pronounced day-glow, are your classic indie rock band, but with the catchiest hooks imaginable and the stage presence of a band with twice their experience. With their latest single, “A Paper Dream,” released just days before the festival, 2019 is looking to be a huge year for DYGL.

10. The Nude Party

On a first listen of The Nude Party, you might think you’re listening to a band from 1973, because of their nostalgic style with a modern twist is the latest addition. With their self-titled debut album released only last year, the Nude Party have already made quite a name for themselves in the American garage-rock movement.

11. Sorry Girls (CA)

Montreal duo Sorry Girls is a nostalgia-fueled powerhouse of new wave-reminiscent indie-pop. Following the release of their EP Easier in November, published by Montreal DIY label Arbutus Records, Sorry Girls is likely to have an exciting year in 2019.

S. GRANT PARKER: INTERVIEW

March 18, 2019

BY BRE CURA

We recently got to chat with S. Grant Parker, a 22-year-old singer/songwriter from Nashville, TN. Currently finishing up school, Parker has masterfully balanced both academics and a promising music career. With two singles currently out on Spotify, Parker tells us a little about his writing process, where he pulls inspiration from, and his “DIY” approach.

How did you decide to pursue music?

Parker: “Well, I grew up in a musical family, singing with my two brothers and my dad everywhere we could. My dad has always been a worship leader at churches, so I was exposed to a capella gospel music really early on. I played in bands in high school and such, but nothing crazy serious. I think the moment that it moved from a hobby to taking it seriously occurred right before I graduated high school. I wasn’t planning on going to college, and if I had to, I would’ve gotten some business degree or something. However, Lipscomb University in Nashville announced a Contemporary Music program, led by Charlie Peacock (look him up !!), and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to study with him.”

What has your journey in the industry been like so far?

Parker: “It’s honestly kinda funny to think about myself as being part of “the industry”. With today’s world of streaming and self-starting, “the industry” has expanded to anyone who has a laptop and $10. I’ve spent most of my time in the DIY scene, which means booking my own tours, recording on my own dime, but also getting to do whatever I want creatively. I like the freedom there. It’s definitely difficult, and just because it’s accessible does NOT mean you’re guaranteed success. I’ve been lucky, though. The people I have met and worked with have been encouraging and honest people. Everyone is on the same team!”

You recently went on a tour in December, tell us what that was like!

Parker: “OH MAN OH MAN. The greatest. I love touring so much. And touring with your best friends is even better. Jac and Carly are amazing, and I felt so at home with them no matter where we were. I actually didn’t know Carly at all before the tour (Jac and I met in school and have been best pals for a while), but when just the two of us had to drive 12 hours to Houston to meet Jac at the beginning (of tour), we got a head start on our friendship :’). Back to the tour though! We played mostly house shows, which are so much fun. Everyone is like a big ole family sitting in a living room together.”

So, you have two singles out right now; can you tell us a bit about “No Fire” and “Late Love”?

Parker: “No Fire was a mess. My production team and I went through 3 or 4 recorded arrangements, and when we settled on one, went through like 18 mixes (poor Benjamin...), and finally scrapped the whole thing to start over. I was fed up with it, I guess. I just wanted the song to be released. SO, I bought a cheap tape recorder meant for classrooms in the 90’s and tracked it in one take in my bedroom. I decided to just let the song and performance speak for themselves, because the recording quality is TERRIBLE. Late Love was a bit different. We tracked that once, then scrapped everything but the bass part and built it back up. It was just my engineer and myself in the studio for most of the recording process, which was super freeing and fun.”

What inspires you while writing music?

Parker: “I think I start with real life situations, and then let the song find its own way. My songs aren’t necessarily autobiographical, but they certainly begin there. Both (the sound and lyrics) are equally important. I don’t want to say something in a song that I’m not 100% sure of, and I don’t want to play something when I know there is something better out there. (When writing music) I start with real life situations, and then let the song find its own way I think I’m still on my way to finding my style. The more I write, the deeper I dig into my own pool of creativity.”

Do you see your personal taste in music influencing the pieces you write and perform?

Parker: “I try to write and perform like my heroes, but my individuality keeps me from ripping them off, if that makes sense. One of the biggest influences on the way I conduct the business side is Nordista Freeze (look him up too!). We’ve been best friends since little league baseball, and he is the DIY KING in Nashville. Sonically speaking, Zac Swann, Jac Thompson, Blake Mills, Taylor Goldsmith, Dave Rawlings & Gillian Welch, and Harry Styles. Just to name a few.

Blake Mills is my all-time favorite artist for SURE. He changed the way I think about lyric writing, arranging, guitar playing, and nearly every other aspect of my own musicianship. I listen to his records on a weekly basis at the very least. I’m also a huge fan of Dawes, Henry Jamison, Cass McCombs, Vulfpeck, Kurt Vile, and that new Kacey Musgraves record is KILLER.”

Parker assures us that more music is on the way! (And to keep an eye open for upcoming shows!!) Besides singing and songwriting, Parker is also a gifted guitar player. Evident in both “No Fire” and “Late Love”, his use of electric and acoustic guitar produces a poetic combination of both modern and vintage vibes. You can check out his music here.

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'SEASONS' / AMERICAN AUTHORS: ALBUM REVIEW

March 12, 2019

BY EMMA SCHOORS

American Authors’ latest effort, Seasons, is jam packed with blurred genres, beats from a plethora of instruments, and fitting, real lyrics about life and love. Strung together by community, it makes for a great addition to the band’s quilt-like collection of albums, but stands just as strongly on its own.

The album opens with “Stay Around”, a tune about the weary times that can often lead to ended or shaky relationships. It’s backed by a hand-clap beat and fronted by lyrics that reflect the title, echoing “...lighting my fuse is so easy to do.” Then jumps forward “Say Amen”, with Billy Raffoul adding to the rustic, gospel-like groove of the track.

“Calm Me Down” is a track infused with piano and anthemic choruses to match the plea that matches the title, “I need you here to calm me down”. The album peeked its head into the public arena in late 2018 with the tracks “Deep Water” and “I Wanna Go Out”, both of which offer a complexity that satisfies the overall vibe of the effort, but doesn’t give too much of it away too soon.

One of the songs on the album that departs from the future/forward thinking lyrics is “Neighborhood”. Instead soaked in nostalgia, the lyrics paint a picture of a loved community. “Can’t Stop Me Now” is one of the many songs featured on the album fit for an arena. The lyrics apply describe the title, and almost leave a taste of the band’s earlier material. It’s once again anthemic, yet not too much so that it drowns out the message.

“Bring It On Home” is a song that reconciles with the doubts that we all face and plows right past them to deliver an optimistic forcefield of lyrics. “Before I Go” contrasts the prior track with a more raw version of events. This theme is strung throughout the whole album. The effort closes with “Real Place”, which perfectly wraps up the authenticity that the band put into the album as a whole. The band’s earlier lyrics tend to be mischievous and fun-filled, and this album lights the fire for a much more relatable listen that forces audiences to think about their own experiences in a new way.

Seasons, an album by American Authors on Spotify

'WAIT FOR YOU' / JAKE MILLER: MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW

March 11, 2019

BY DAVID THOMPSON

A synthesization of optic stimulation, presented to it’s electro pop track, Wait For You, is now the latest music video premiere of artist Jake Miller. The visual engagement concocts carefully crafted imagery whilst still correctly and harmoniously executing it’s intended artistic vision. A potpourri of vibrantly fashioned colors, vivid and intensive visual effects, and potentially symbolic objective presentation in combination, create a videographic piece not only suited to that of its musical counterpart, but standing as its own independent visionary of art. Miller translates a masterful creative thesis to a conceptual figmentation of romantic feeling and the desire to love someone throughout the process of their own acceptance of being loved. Communicating an exquisite, ocular display, dense with passionate lyrical composition and sustainability, Jake Miller bequeaths his artistic perception of his world of love and it’s accommodations. a sight of his heart and a gift to the eyes, the videoed adaptation of Jake Miller’s Wait For You is out now.

ZACHARIAH: INTERVIEW

March 4, 2019

INTRO BY KAT VISTI

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

Zachariah recently released his latest single “Winter Doesn’t Wait” on February 15th. He falls somewhere between Sam Smith and Troye Sivan, but he has his own talent. We sat down with Zachariah to learn more about the single and his music.

When did you first decide that you wanted to pursue music?

ZACHARIAH: “I’ve always wanted to be a musician for as long as I can remember, since I was a little kid. In the first grade I dressed up like Elvis on career day.”

How would you describe your music in three words?

ZACHARIAH: “Nostalgic sad-boy pop.”

Who are some of your musical influences?

ZACHARIAH: “I grew up listening to a lot of different music, from Radiohead to Chet Baker to Lana Del Rey. I studied jazz in high school and I think that definitely influenced me melodically in my writing.”

You recently released your new single “Winter Doesn’t Wait” – can you tell us a little about the song and the process creating it?

ZACHARIAH: “The song is about how time is fleeting- especially time spent with the person you love. I wrote it with my friends David Burris (he produced it too) and Brooke Tomlinson, after coming back from a short trip away from LA. I was dreading coming back to my part time jobs and the monotony of LA, and ‘winter doesn’t wait’ popped into my head- I wanted to hold on to that one week of summer for as long as I could.”

Where do you find most inspiration when creating music?

ZACHARIAH: “For me, a lot of inspiration comes when I’m not trying to write. I’ve written some of my favorite lyrics sitting in traffic or at a party in the bathroom. I’m not someone that can sit in my sadness and write about what happened to me that day. I have moments of reflection- sometimes about things that happened years ago that come to me when I’m not asking for them to. I sometimes try to stir up that reflection by going on walks around my neighborhood - it’s been rainy and grey in LA recently so it’s been kinda perfect.”

Is there anything else we can expect from you in the coming months?

ZACHARIAH: “I’ll be releasing some more singles in the following months, and hopefully an EP by the end of the year.”

prod. by david burris written by zachariah, brooke tomlinson, david burris

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