Categories
Concert Preview

Mother Mother Inside Tour 2022 Concert Preview

Off their latest release, “Inside”, alt-rock sensation Mother Mother is touring with Vundabar and Transviolet across the globe. They are visiting Raleigh’s own The Ritz on October 18, 2022.

This is the first time Mother Mother has made their way to the triangle in almost ten years, since 2013. The opportunity to hear songs such as “Hayloft”, “Verbatim” and “Infinitesimal” live is an opportunity fans will not want to pass up.

On top of that, with openers like Vundabar and Transviolet, it is shaping up to be quite the show.

Mother Mother

Mother Mother has been releasing music for almost 15 years at this point, with eight studio albums under their belts. While their newer releases have been split among audiences, their early releases have energy that can’t be found in many other bands.

Mother Mother, “Inside” Album Art

Fans can expect the set to open with “Verbatim”, one of their most popular songs. They will play music from all reaches of their discography, with acoustic versions thrown in and even a cover of “Creep” by Radiohead. The set will wrap up with “Hayloft” into “Hayloft II”. Fans can also expect an encore.

The Openers

Fans of the electronic indie band Vundbar can expect to hear a variety of songs from their earlier alums. They will be playing many of their most popular hits including “Alien Blues”, “Oulala” and “Chop” all from their album “Gawk”. Fans should not expect to hear many tracks from their three newest albums.

Pop band Transviolet will start the Mother Mother show with their song, “Bloodstream”. Fans can expect songs from all over their discography to be played, especially “Girls Your Age”.

With all this in mind, fans of Mother Mother should expect an excellent show with great openers. Tickets are being sold by Ticketmaster and are still available for the Raleigh show.

Setlist information provided by setlist.fm

Categories
Playlists

Five Songs for October

The long-awaited fall season has officially arrived.

As we enter October we enter into a new state of mind, pacing of schoolwork and new music. To celebrate the arrival of the season, I have compiles five new releases that fit the refreshing, crisp atmosphere of fall beautifully.

I find my music feed fills with folk and folk adjacent genres when fall arrives. The five songs I have selected are primarily folk, with a dabble of indie rock and indie folk

“A Lifetime to Find” by Trampled by Turtles

Trampled by Turtles have continued to make a name for themselves in the folk and bluegrass world with each and every release. They have been releases a series of singles throughout the past months, and this track happened to come out Sept. 30.

This track simply has just a pleasant sound. It is clear in discography that these guys are extremely talented on the strings, it’s nice to hear them slow down their complex musical lines and really make the vocals thrive.

There are few things more fitting for fall then a refreshing folk release; I hope you all enjoy their new releases as much as I do.

“Nullify” by MILLY

Milly is an excellent indie rock duo who just released their second album of 2022, “Eternal Ring” Sept 30.

The entire album is just a nice solid indie rock album for the season. This track in particularly stuck out to me due to the revolving theme of routine.

Especially for college students, around this time it is easy to feel like classes and daily routines are our entire life– it’s important to break this routine state of mind every once in a while to reflect on and do the things you love. This song highlights exactly that.

“Me and My Shadow” by The Ghost of Paul Revere

I discovered The Ghost of Paul Revere while hunting down songs for my radio show, Saloon Tunes, last semester. If you are looking for a solid folk and bluegrass band, this is the one for you.

I quickly fell in love with their unity. These gentlemen harmonize beautiful together. It is easy to hear how much they enjoy making music together.

They released a new album, “Goodbye”, Sept. 2. It is by far their most moody collection of songs. I think this album has some really excellent highlights, but it felt a little disheveled compared to their previous releases.

The richness of the vocals in this track is incredible, I honestly wish the background backed off more to let the vocals shine.

Nevertheless, I felt this band fit the fall energy quite well. Fall is often a time of reflection, and this song really embodies self reflection and growth.

“francis” by Origami Angel

I was very excited to see new releases from Origami Angel. Origami Angel is an emo-rock duo from Washington, DC.

They released not one, but two sets of singles Sept. 30. This one is off their more relaxed indie rock set, “re: turn”. Their juxtaposing set, “DEPART” is three screamo tracks. Expect a seperate blog reviewing “DEPART” in the near future.

This track is such a nice change of pace for Origami Angel, who historically have been tapping into emo and emo-adjencent genres. Lead vocalist, Ryland Heagy, transforms his voice into such a gentle sound. The sound he achieves here is very reminiscent of the early releases of Turnover.

The evolution that is embodied within this track and their newest singles truly fits the transformation of fall.

“Hell Time One” by Brittle Brian

I have only recently started listening to Brittle Brian, who just released their first album, “Biodiesel” Sept. 15 of this year.

Her voice is simply enchanting in this track. I selected this one due to it’s melecony undertone and decomposing composition that is very reminiscent of the season. As the song processes it seems to dissolve into a free flowing structure, the vocals fading into the building backtrack.

Her voice really reminded me of one of my favorite singers, Adrianne Lenker. Fans of Big Thief and Adrianne will certainly enjoy this upcoming solo female artist.

Categories
Concert Preview

Seven October Shows in the Triangle

October is in full swing and there are tons of shows going on in the Triangle this month. October is one of the best months to go to a concert, the weather is perfect for it. The best way to celebrate fall is to get out into your community and go to see a show.

The triangle is lucky to see some awesome artists this month from Watchhouse at the North Carolina Museum of Art to Panchiko at Cat’s Cradle. I personally am looking forward to the Mother Mother show at The Ritz later in the month and hope to see some of you there as well.

Here are seven shows in the triangle worth checking out:

  1. Caroline Rose – Sunday, October 9 @ 8 p.m. – Cat’s Cradle
    • Opener: Tōth
  2. Mother Mother – Tuesday, October 18 @ 7 p.m. – The Ritz
    • Opener: Vundabar and Transviolet
  3. Hippo Campus – Friday, October 21 @ 7 p.m. – The Ritz
    • Opener: CHAI
  4. Panchiko – Sunday, October 23 @ 8 p.m. – Cat’s Cradle
    • Opener: Computerwife
  5. Whitney – Tuesday, October 25 @ 7 p.m. – Cat’s Cradle
    • Opener: twen
  6. Watchhouse – Friday, October 28 @ 8 p.m. – North Carolina Museum of Art
    • Opener: Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves
  7. MICHELLE – Monday, October 31 @ 8 p.m. – Motorco Music Hall

If you want to go see a show but can’t decide who to see from this list, here are some recommendations. Whitney is a great artist to see live, speaking from personal experience. They have a calm, nice energy that really matches their music and makes for a great show. If you want to go to a cool, outdoor venue to enjoy the autumn weather, you could go see Watchhouse (previously known as Mandolin Orange) at the NCMA.

Even if it’s not a traditional fall activity, I always try to get out and go see a show during the fall season. There are some great concerts in the triangle this month at some amazing venues. If you have the time, I would definitely go check them out.

Categories
Weekly Charts

Chainsaw Charts 10/11

#ArtistRecordLabel
1CABALExit Wound [EP]Nuclear Blast
2FROMJOYit lingersSelf-Released
3SCARS OF THE FLESH“The Hooded One” [Single]Bonespill
4BOTCH“One Twenty Two” [Single]Sargent House
5OBSIDIAN SKIESSaturnian [EP]Self-Released
6KUBLAI KHANLowest Form Of Animal [EP]Pure Noise
7SPYHabitual Offender [EP]To Live A Lie
8SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL“1984” [Single]Sumerian
9CALLOUS DAOBOYS,THECelebrity TherapisteOne Rock
10UPON YOUR GRAVEGold & DecaySelf-Released

Chainsaw Adds

#ArtistRecordLabel
1GAEREAMirageSeason of Mist
2IRON KINGDOM“In The Grip Of Nightmares” [Single]Self-Released
3BLACK ROYAL“13th Moon” [Single]M-Theory
4BLACK ROYAL“Earthbound” [Single]M-Theory
5CASKET ROBBERY“Worm Food” [Single]Blood Blast
Categories
Weekly Charts

Top Charts 10/11

#ArtistRecordLabel
1LAVA LA RUEHi-Fidelity [EP]Marathon
2070 SHAKEYou Can’t Kill MeG.O.O.D./Def Jam
3FLY ANAKINFrankLex
4DENZEL CURRYMelt My Eyez See Your FutureLoma Vista/Concord
5JPEGMAFIALP!EQT
6SCUBADIVERGodspeed ToSelf-Released
7SHY HIGHGoodbye Delicious [EP]Self-Released
8PARANOYDS, THETalk, Talk, TalkThird Man
9YOUNG WABOMirage [EP]New College
10ALEX GGod Save The AnimalsDomino
11ARMAND HAMMERHaramBackwoodz Studioz
12AUDREY NUNAa liquid breakfast DELUXEArista
13MAVI“Baking Soda” [Single]Self-Released
14PRETTY SICKMakes Me Sick Makes Me SmileDirty Hit
15REDVEILlearn 2 swimSelf-Released
16SAMM HENSHAWUntidy SoulDorm Seven/AWAL
17BLACK MIDIHellfireRough Trade
18DIZUltra.VioletSelf-Released
19FLYING LOTUSThe ProtestSelf-Released
20HIATUS KAIYOTEMood Variant (The Remixes)Brainfeeder
21IDLESCrawlerPartisan
22INJURY RESERVESuperman ThatSelf-Released
23JEAN DAWSONCHAOS NOW*Handwritten/Varick St.
24MCKINLEY DIXONFor My Mama And Anyone Who Look Like HerSelf-Released
25QUELLE CHRISDEATHFAMEMello
26REPTALIENSMultiverseCaptured Tracks
27SHYGIRLNymphBecause
28SKIIFALL“Bloodclarrt Business” [Single]XL
29THEY HATE CHANGEFinally, NewJagjaguwar/Secretly Group
30VINCE STAPLESRamona Park Broke My HeartBlacksmith/Motown

Daytime Adds

#ArtistRecordLabel
1PRETTY SICKMakes Me Sick Makes Me SmileDirty Hit
2ALEX GGod Save The AnimalsDomino
3PIXIESDoggerelBMG
4SURF CURSEMagic HourAtlantic
5THICKHappy NowEpitaph
Categories
Weekly Charts

Afterhours Charts 10/11

#ArtistRecordLabel
1KY VOSSThe AfterPlay Alone
2ARCAKICK iiXL
3HVOBTOODifferent/PIAS
4KAEL ALDENSaturated HighsShorthand
5MATVEITALES_FOR_NIGHTCLUBS_II [EP]Kitsune
6JOCKSTRAPI Love You Jennifer BRough Trade
7NAKED FLAMESMiracle in TransitDismiss Yourself
8WORKING MEN’S CLUBFear FearHeavenly/PIAS
9SEGA BODEGARomeoSupernature
10FLUMEPalacesFuture Classic

Electronic Adds

#ArtistRecordLabel
1DIVINO NINOLast Spa On EarthWinspear
2SHYGIRLNymphBecause
3SOLAR QUESTA+B=C In D#Crammed Discs
4JOCKSTRAPI Love You Jennifer BRough Trade
Categories
Playlists

Four Renditions of “Autumn Leaves”

It is finally autumn. One of my favorite ways of celebrating the start of the fall season is to listen to some of the many, many renditions of “Autumn Leaves”.

“Autumn Leaves” is a jazz standard, originally made in 1945 by Joseph Kosma with lyrics by Jacques Prévert in French. There are an unbelievable amount of recordings of this song, with each artist adding their own unique flair to it.

This song is the perfect template, allowing artists to build and add to it to make it truly unique. The song can span from two to over ten minutes long.

I have a great appreciation for genre standards such as “Autumn Leaves”. Songs like this one bring artists together in a way not much else can. I wanted to share a few renditions of this staple by some of my favorite jazz artists.

Chet Baker

Chet Baker’s “Autumn Leaves” was the very first version of the song I ever heard. It took me quite a long time to realize that this wasn’t just his song and is definitely the landmark for how this song should sound to me.

The highlight of this song, besides Baker on the trumpet, is Bob James on the electric keyboard. Each note on the keyboard creates perfect imagery of fall-colored leaves falling to the ground.

Ryo Fukui

“Autumn Leaves” was a great pick for Ryo Fukui’s 1976 album, “Scenery”. Not only does it match the vibe of the album perfectly, Fukui renders the song expertly.

This version highlights how incredibly the piano leads “Autumn Leaves”, more so than any other instrument. The piano can perfectly capture the frenzied beauty of falling leaves in a way that no other instrument can.

Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole’s rendition is the only one on this list that has vocals. As it should be, as no other version of “Autumn Leaves” with vocals tops this one.

Even though his version is the shortest on this list, King Cole slows down the song, highly emphasizing the original composition with brass instruments to support his vocals. This version of the song is very short and sweet and perfectly captures the autumn feeling.

Vince Guaraldi

Everyone knows Vince Guaraldi, he’s the Peanuts guy. The first jazz vinyl I ever bought was one of his. His rendition of “Autumn Leaves” is spectacular, with his piano playing at the forefront.

His version of the song is ten minutes long, utilizing the basic composition to create a truly fall-inspired sound. Guaraldi can evoke the feelings of a season better than any other artist I have heard.

Categories
New Album Review

“DECIDE” by Djo Album Review

Djo has picked up a lot of popularity over the past three years after his 2019 release “Twenty Twenty”. There is no doubt he will continue this trend with his newest album, “DECIDE”, released Sep. 16 of this year.

I think there is common trend among artists such as Djo, who is otherwise known as actor Joe Keery. Multi-talented and multi-expressive artists are simply enchanting.

Being able to express themselves through acting, directing, writing, or visual art only strengthens their ability to sing, perform, and compose. In “DECIDE” Joe Keery’s theatrical nature is really prominent– featuring various forms of spoken word and unusual audio clips.

Track Highlights

Generally, this album is really solid. In any release there will always be stronger songs than others, but I was really pleased by the composition of the entire album. It’s entirely very expressive and cohesive, while maintaining diversity within the tracks.

It’s starts off song with tracks “Runner” and “Gloom”. “Gloom” is certainly one of my favorites off the album. Although it doesn’t particularly have any experimental hooks, the proliferation within the lyrics and vocals sets an anticipation and excitement for the entire album.

“Undress you with my eyes, I’m ready to go / I measure up to you, I’m ready to go / I smoked my cigarettes, I’m ready to go”

The tone set in the first two tracks leads the listener to expect pretty vanilla indie pop songs for the remainder of the album, but I was happy to see Djo diverge from that sound immediately in some of the elements in “Half Life”.

Djo is really exploring audio collage in tracks “Half Life”, “Change”, “Is That All It Takes”, and “Go For It”. It’s clear Djo is pulling from multiple sources of inspiration.

He is also seen tapping into a 90’s sound, similar to artists such as Jamiroquai, in track “I Want Your Video”.

While also exploring more electronica genres, perhaps pulling inspiration from Daft Punk in tracks such as “Climax”.

I really appreciate his ending tracks, they conclude “DECIDE” in a perfectly theatrical and ominous tone.

It’s refreshing to hear Djo continue to build strength in his musical composition and vocals. I was impressed by his range of musical textures and variety of inspiration. I’m excited to see what he will be releasing in the future, I’m sure this album will continue to push him towards major success.

Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Profile of the Week: Alvvays

Toronto-based band Alvvays is keeping jangle pop alive. They create an extremely reverb-drenched, versatile sound that provides variety on every track but is still instantly recognizable as Alvvays.

Led by Molly Rankin on vocals and guitar, Alvvays consists of five members: Kerri MacLellan on keyboards, Alec O’Hanley on guitars, Abbey Blackwell on bass and Sheridan Riley on drums.

Alvvays emphasizes creating strong melodies rather than focusing on a specific genre. This allows for a lot of variety in each track but for their discography to be glued together by Rankin’s vocals and the bands instrumentals.

The immediately bittersweet sound created by the band is the glue that holds their discography together. As soon as Rankin begins singing on any given track, no matter how varied the sound, it becomes instantly recognizable as Alvvays.

Discography

Alvvays formed in 2011 after Rankin released her solo EP “She EP”. Their first full project was their self-titled debut album in 2014 followed by “Antisocialites” in 2017. Five years later, they are releasing their third album, “Blue Rev“, on October 7.

If you are in the mood for some bittersweet tunes on a rainy day, Alvvays has you covered. “Antisocialites” is a great place to start if you’re in the mood for an entire album.

“Antisocialites” is Alvvays’ sound honed like a sharpened sword. It’s jangly, guitar-driven and supported by sharp keyboard and drum patterns.

Alvvays, “Archie, Marry Me” music video

“Archie, Marry Me”, “Your Type”, or “Easy On Your Own?” are excellent starting places if you don’t have the energy for a full album. These tracks will instantly hook you on the bands sound and highlight each of their projects.

Their self-titled debut is not easily recognized as a debut album. “Alvvays” set the benchmark for Alvvays’ crisp sound that they have continued to live up to for almost ten years.

Their new singles for “Blue Rev” are promising a continued expansion of the sounds Alvvays encompasses. The tracks have that crisp, guitar-driven jangliness that can expected by Alvvays but bring in a pronounced Shoegaze element.

Conclusion

Each Alvvays song provides something unique to the band’s discography. This is a truly versatile band that can’t help but make a catchy song for a rainy day.

After a long five years, they are finally releasing their third album. Based on the singles, it is seemingly going to live up to the hype that has been culminated over time.

Alvvays starts touring in the United States on October 14 and “Blue Rev” releases October 7.

Categories
Weekly Charts

Afterhours Charts 10/4

#ArtistRecordLabel
1MAGDALENA BAYMercurial World DeluxeLuminelle
2SEGA BODEGARomeoSupernature
3KY VOSSThe AfterPlay Alone
4NAKED FLAMESMiracle in TransitDismiss Yourself
5BARRY CAN’T SWIMMore Content [EP]Ninja Tune
6VTSSProjections [EP]Technicolour
7CONFIDENCE MANTILTHeavenly/PIAS
8I JORDAN“Always Been” b/w “First Time Back” [Single]Ninja Tune
9FLUMEPalacesFuture Classic
10TDJTDJ123Disques Durs

Afterhours Adds

#ArtistRecordLabel
1DIVINO NINOLast Spa On EarthWinspear
2SHYGIRLNymphBecause
3SOLAR QUESTA+B=C In D#Crammed Discs
4JOCKSTRAPI Love You Jennifer BRough Trade