While most artists move on from their solo projects to produce more publicly accepted music, Mat Cothran saw his lo-fi indie pop band Elvis Depressedly as a space to experiment without worry of his audience. Maybe that’s where the undeniable rawness of each release comes from. The songs’ inconsequential lyrics are paired with drum machines and ethereal keyboards that make you forget you’re singing about death.
Originally from South Carolina, Cothran moved to Asheville last summer where he hoped to feel more accepted in what he called the “growing artistic community.” Cothran and his bandmates did multiple tours last year with acts including Alex G of Sandy and Told Slant. The band is releasing their first full length titled “New Alhambra” in early March under Run for Cover Records.
With heart melting lyrics like, “I want to find you, a way out of your head. Snow is falling inside you, let it love you to death,” you’ll definitely want to take your lover to see Elvis Depressedly this Valentine’s Day.
– Kaanchee Gandhi, WKNC Deputy Promotions Director and Graphic Designer
Now that the full line up for #dbbdozen has been revealed learn some more about all the artists playing! We’ll be posting a profile of each artist throughout the week right here!
Body Games
On the first night of Hopscotch 2013, a fledgling Body Games garnered some word-of-mouth attention as one of the local acts to catch before moving on to the touring bands later in the night. Being made up of local music veterans, as well as being supported by psychedelic visuals, attracted a dense crowd to The Pour House Music Hall.
Before long, the crowd was entranced by their ambient soundscapes that gave way to simple poppy hooks. The set climaxed in the room clapping and singing along to a Michael Jackson cover that went over so well, frontman Dax Beaton felt obliged to clarify that it was a cover.
The group has grown in the time since, performing at the next year’s Hopscotch, as well as Phuzz Phest and landing an impressive spot at Moogfest. They were also featured on a track on last year’s long-awaited T0W3RS LP on the track “Raise The Gate.”
Body Games will kick off a night of loving on Feb. 14 at Cat’s Cradle. Whether you’re already a fan or experiencing them for the first time, Body Games will be sure to make you their Valentine.
It was a fun time in the studio Dec. 18 with Shampoo. The band performed three live songs during their interview with Phian: “Hanging Up On You,” “Boys” and “Shy Guy.”
Based on airplay by all of our DJs during the 2-month period each album was on playlist. I’m pretty sure I’ve never had the same band back-to-back in the top 5 before.
1 – John Howie Jr & the Rosewood Bluff – Everything Except Goodbye 2 – T0W3RS – TL;DR 3 – See Gulls – 2 Songs 4 – Hiss Golden…
Hint 1: At least two bands on this list will be performing at WKNC’s #DBBDozen on Feb. 7 and 14. Hint 2: At least one of those bands is Spider Bags. #DBBRumors
Atlanta’s Semicircle chatted with Phian before their Dec. 18 performance at Local Band Local Beer. The group brought along their instruments and performed live versions of the songs “Movement is Calm,” “Underground River of Glass” and “Mechanism of Erasure.” All three songs are also available on their new album “Blown Breeze, Grown Grass and We are Part of the Earth.”
Zack Mexico, who WKNC fans will remember from our Oct. 3 Fridays on the Lawn, performed with Strange Faces and Dad & Dad at Dec. 11’s Local Band Local Beer. The gang stopped by the studios to chat with Phian before the show.
Listen in to their conversation, which begins with the song “Meric Clanson” and also includes the tracks “Apocalypse,” “Lucy” and “Fun Fun."
Dad & Dad’s Saman Khoujinian talked with Phian before their show Dec. 11 at Local Band Local Beer. Click below to hear the conversation along with the songs “All Sys Gehen” and “Doldrums.”
Mark O’Connor and Ryan Barnum from Raleigh’s Strange Faces stopped by the WKNC studios to talk with Phian before their Thursday, Dec. 11 performance at Local Band Local Beer.
The interview also includes four songs: Above the Waves, Back of Your Mind, Pale Horse and Wasteland.
Based off the artist’s recurring dreams, this complex album paints a picture of his dreamscape. Awesome rhythms, beautiful keyboard parts, and top notch production that really brings out the darkness in the album. Minimal Vocals.
Flying Lotus – “You’re Dead”
Super jazzy album. Most tracks are quite short. Other than “Never Catch Me” featuring Kendrick Lamar, this album lacks the typical hip-hop influence FlyLo tends to bring. This album can go from an extreme fast passed weirdness to a slow and lulling cadence.
Aphex Twin – “Syro”
Thirteen years in the making, Aphex Twin’s “Syro” album. Ambient, Industrial electronic, even some jungle techno. A cool mix of interesting sounds throughout the entire album, while still keeping up with Aphex Twin’s darker style.
SBTRKT – “Wonder Where We Land”
The second full length album from SBTRKT (pronounced “subtract”) brings less synths for a wider range of styles. Sampha’s smooth R&B vocals are used on several of the tracks as well as other recognizable vocalist and rappers. All songs are pretty chill.
Caribou – “Our Love”
A more lyrically personal album for Caribou. This album explores a wide variety of styles. From the slow cerebral tracks like “Silver” to the mode mid-range synth-pop songs like “Can’t Do Without You” to the dance tracks like “Julia Brightly” this album has a lot to offer.
MOA – “Maverick”
I like this music, give me some “moa” am I right? (lame) Wow, what a feel good album. This is one of the happiest and upbeat electronic albums I’ve heard all year. Lots of dance club type tracks and some dubstep. Some tracks sound a little poppy; lots of upbeat techno.
Garden City Movement – “Bengali Cinema”
Sweet EP. Very chill, downtempo beats with chopped and screwed vocals. Totally “Majestic Casual” style. Listen if you enjoy those chill tunes.
Eliot Lipp – “Watch The Shadows”
A soulful album that really showcases his synth-hop style. Many great vocalists are featured on this album. A beautiful fusion of soulful organic sounds and new dance floor mechanics.
Kodomo – “Patterns and Lights”
Nice beats with some classical elements thrown in. This album has more of an ambient sound; no big drops or build ups. Reminds me of Japanese producers styles.
Bonobo – “Flashlight”
This 3 song EP really demonstrates the quality of Bonobo’s work. A chill album with many layers to concentrate on while listening. Good swurling synths. The last track is the most down-temp of the three.
