Tiiiza Picture Feathers
You can write entire stories in the measure of one song. I feel lucky each day, discovering for myself, the absolute power these people have. Within so much searching and wondering, for the sake of securely fashioning an original fashion for ourselves, you get tired man. If not for these melodies, and dreamers, the distance between the edge and myself, would be something less lengthy. Some feathers fly the grid longer than others, and if the sage is burning bright enough, through the vivid picture show, lessons can be learned. Its funny, I miss the vintage youth, mine that is, and the folks I drew all these lines with from before. Life is no easy task, especially when relationships cloud the beauty up, and make you think how some really big things, mean very little. I’m not quite sure what the hell I’m saying right now, but I think I’m reflecting on these subjects I’ve thrown a veil over, so I’m not blinded by the vigorous light of contentious story lines. This song made me say all that, and is making me think I should take a chance at life, more so than I ever have before.
Tiiiza aka Elvis Valov, has two FREE tunes on SC, one of which is “July” from the video. I hope to learn more about Tiiiza, and this EP that either comes out in July, or is out already, and called July. I have no idea, but the video above will hold me over.
~ Ryan Boos
Chims Transportive Learnings
The warm synth bounces of mirrored mazed out reflections, with an opening that’s a call to balance. The establishment of said balance is vital to take off beyond the storm. Chims is an interesting sound project, the new song “Forever Alone” sits in so much meditative auras, that only the beat saves it from recommend list at the local zen shop. I’m always down for the worldly giving of music, transportive learnings that only they can convey. Sound is funny that way, the one angle or tonality of an instrument can shift so much in a song, make it antithetical to what perception, or rumination of spirit are relaying to you. But I guess music is free to interpret without the “genrefying” of this blogosphere.
~ Ryan Boos
Echo Champs Gold Waves
Lush synth loops from Canada, Vincent Bussi or Echo Champs is a self-appointed chillwaver with extra emphasis on the wave. A personal favorite I might add, but there’s an atmospheric tone that gets me to some almost sad places here, mainly my own worry of self doubt, and terrible tendency to drown in past steps. It’s not that kind of music though, I think the aesthetic “Shiny Eyes” envelops is the kind that gets me wondering, and on occasion my foot gets stuck in an old thought I’d rather not remember.It’s also the perfect hazed out beach bum track, it gets you dazed out looking at the semi-awkward family trying to get their shit in order, so they can have a family picnic. The odd part of the tune is the sample vocal, it adds an element that gives this shiny number some genuine freshness. A hop-wave filled with atmospheric hip shakes that will either get you wet, or find you coloring alleyway bricks. Honestly I could paint a million pictures in my head based on this song, or it could be the super strong coffee this morning, mixed with the birds outside. Whichever is the stronger influence, Echo Champs has a plethora of releases on Bandcamp, and SC, so I would get into it here.
~ Ryan Boos
Brandon Locher Gracious Prankster
Running a blog isn’t entirely too difficult, but what is hard is trying to establish a solid writing rhythm. A style that doesn’t repeat itself, much of this is the responsibility of the writer, and a decent fraction of the work depends on the content you’re trying to share.
Brandon Locher is a recording, and visual artists from Johnstown, PA. He picked up the art in 2006, and has over 50 releases under a variety of monikers. Brandon is what you call DIY at its rarest form. He’s innovative, prolific, and seems a purest to the art of creative exploration, which is just a fancy way of saying experimental. As a writer, his email regarding his amazing piece of sound art, “Conversations, 2012″ is exactly what I needed to hear to remove the stagnation of repeating myself over and over again. Brandon explains the projects as “mastering the prank call” and described the process as “spontaneous communication, by fooling the person into thinking that they are talking to an actual person, when only they are responding to a recording of the previous recorded person’s conversation response.” The results are fascinating, refreshing, and Locher’s dedication to sound experimentation is all over his Soundcloud page, so while I posted on the this particular piece, there’s a nice batch of goodies to explore. Make sure to go to this website and see the catalog here.
~ Ryan Boos
Oldhouse Bicycle Remnants
Shining out of Glasgow, there’s a fantastic new group called Oldhouse. They just released their debut EP, which is FREE through bandcamp. The music veers in/out of many themes that are all rooted in Folk. Oldhouse lets loose though, take the track “Tumble,” an intimate tale of two souls connecting. This reminds me of a small group, in a small room, jamming with the window open, so the neighborhood can hear the declarations. The other track I found intoxicating was the more “freak folk” sounding “Submerge.” Through the hall you grew up in as a little child, you come of age, and remember writing on the walls. This song puts me in my hometown, thinking about the ghostly silhouettes, and the faded tracks of our youth, resting still in the new era. Those remnants represent the adventures we had, and how we implored ourselves to explore, as little dudes.
I suggest getting this entire record, it’s really wonderful, and reminds me of how great this kind of music can be, especially if it’s a memorial of suggestions, without depending on depressing you.
~ Ryan Boos
Swims Giant Bubbles
Swims drops “Bioluminescent flora” which sounds like something they recorded while searching for the lost city of Atlantis. Maybe they hit record as they entered the Abyss, not realizing the magic they had cultivated with all these dolphins playing games around them. Another brand new song from a group with little else to report, I am a little short on time to research more on them. This new song brings a ton to get excited about. Although the music never shifts away from its main theme, the atmosphere surrounding it tracks through many levels, from a deeper point of view. Its fun, super bubbly, and you can travel with it from your sofa.
~ Ryan Boos
Aunt Brandon Pop Ice
The new single “Baby” from Aunt Brandon, out of Los Angeles, is a hot one for the sample heavy lovers. At only 18 years old, A.B. shows his chops are veteran esque, with a strong intuition to keep the hooks where they need to be, up front, repeated, and crisp. There is little else to share, it seems like finding this tune was random, and possibly this new producer is just starting to put things out for the rest of us. Cheers to what’s next, and more info regarding this young buck.
~ Ryan Boos
Phantom Power Elusive Reflection
Eric Littman (NYC) aka Phantom Power releases a superbly hazed out cover of Hot Babes “Cool Stuff.” It has all the drunken highlights of the warbled, who gives a fook walk home. The hooks phase out with the dope repeater. Eric’s most impressive stock pile is his album releases on bandcamp, just a massive cache of great music centered slightly off pace. This dude is exactly what the tag line on his facebook says, ‘über pseudo.” Couple weeks back he released “Loop In My Head” which is one of the finest summer tunes this year, especially for those late nights adventures through the dark, and weirdness of holding hands through the festival as the carnival freaks hand you tickets to come in their mirror mazes. Lets not forget to mention the comparisons to the Haunted Graffiti, b/c you’ll have to do a double take at the titles to make sure this isn’t new A.P. material. Whatever though, its hot, and there’s even more funk on Phantom Planet’s renditions of this unique chill+wave+weird aura music. There’s so much content on his pages, so spend some time, get a few records, few specialty tunes on his soundcloud page. I just might make this a Phantom Power weekend, why not?
~ Ryan Boos
End Is Not Near Cloud Surfer
Some mornings feel like a rebirth, there’s a renewed sense to them very early on, as if over night these magical creatures came out to clean up after our reluctant ways. Ambient music always reminds me of weird images like that. There’s such a heightened revelation with this kind of sound, the moment when we admit to ourselves “its” time, and the new beginning is right around the corner. End’s Not Near aka Mori Sun from Fukuoka, Japan jumped on a cloud shedding all the fear along the way. Sun’s SC page shifts between lush ambience and an IDM universe. The more I write about music, and see all these wonderfully talented folks across the world, I can’t help but think about waterfalls flowing in reverse, and the slow elapsing progression of discovery wrapped in all these riddles of life.
~ Ryan Boos
Man On The Moon Youth Montage
This Man On The Moon is Arvid Lizell, from Stockholm Sweden. On “Falling Through The Sky” the electronics really move the song, give it this motion, or vivid montage you found in a dusty box while cleaning out the attic in your parents house. There isn’t much else to say at this point, except Man really marries some of my favorite sounds together, while keeping things mostly simple, yet emotionally unique. This song really would fit the flashes of someone’s life, more so than any song I’ve heard this year. Wake up in the morning, kiss your partner, put on clothes, drink coffee, pet the dogs, shut the door, get in your car, walk in work, say hello to the first person you see, flash forward to the sun in the trees, bright colors, smile, walk in the woods, hold hands, skip with the youth, bounce in the fountain, laugh, miss your friends, notice mannerisms, wave to a stranger, spend money on the little things, and always dream big, even from your desk at work.
~ Ryan Boos
Noble Robot Starship Quirky
Out of Williamsburg, Rory Barber and Nellie Gillis are Noble Robot, and they have a ton of free wonderful music on their soundcloud page as well as an album release last year called Lit. Their official website says their new album is called Stars Above (not sure on release). The two newest tracks find the Robot stirring in its usual antics, with the clever key hooks, and Rory continuing his mostly lazy vocal, generally effected in a super cool way. I’ve been a fan for a bit now, and I think of all the SC pages I’ve visited, they by far hook it up the most. There are tons of free tracks, and nothing on there that’s skip worthy. On “Winter Sun” they pour it on heavy atmosphere, and the lovely back and forth between them makes the tune superbly addictive. Barber finds a groove on the vocal and hits this almost rap mentality, which serves the tune extremely well.
~ Ryan Boos
Shisa Future Regality
There’s a sweeping nature with Shisa aka Perris Dietrich from Pitsburg, PA. I keep getting the impression the sounds are coming from some future reagal club. Perris was apointed by the King to make sure the party is on point, and when its time to get out the opium rags, Shisa throws out tracer rays from his bare hands. There’s even more to this curious beat servant. Being an ex-House DJ I’m always going to have love for that world, those elements that simply kick the songs into hyperdrive with sprinkled soul. Shisa has in afiniity for dance culture, and the timeless classic 4/4 rhytms. I remeber caring my boys records into parties before I had dudes carrying mine, and the feeling of having a crew behind you while you were playing was like no other feeling around. I’m sure when Shisa drops bombs at live parties his peeps surround him, pure heat.
~ Ryan Boos
Julsy Lone Wanderer
It’s easy to call music something, or categorize it into some magical-butterfly, flying around like a head trip. But the immediate sensation of those analogies, or dream esque psych pops, don’t make the words less meaningful, or somehow less original. Clearly I’m about to go off on some magic-magic, blanket thrill ride with this album review. Julsy, who we’ve covered on here a couple of times, just released Break, which is a slow evolving, hands spread out in the air, dizzy circles, with enough floating long hair to make its own boat to sail away from here. I have no idea what that means, but her music made me say it. The record is two parts sound collage, scratch that, its pretty much a whole sound collage, yearning to be in an abstract DIY film made by some filmster doing a passion project, which is something I love always.There’s a vivid bright spot on the things Julsy makes. Never in a rush to cover up spaces, almost if you met her she would be most comfortable in those awkward quiet moments. The music is like that, but all taking place off this trail someone told you to walk down, because your true self is at the end of it. I’m rambling now about self discovery and over doing the whole dreamy wordy review, but that’s this music for you. It’s slowly complex, a discovery channel special showcasing the ecosystem perils of man. You can name your price right here, and pick up this wonderful piece, which will surely bring some calm to your daily life. Heavy rotation, especially for those meditations. I dig it so much I wrote this poem.
Patient listener, bright-eyed fawn,
The lone wanderer, found his one,
Vivid hallways, cold spoken heat,
Shadow light, foliage beeps,
Wild fun, abandon hills,
Hands together, they kill,
Wind feathers, color thrill,
Daydreams are better.
~ Ryan Boos
Sacred Caves Synth Bleached
Sacred Caves is a band that was created after these two dudes ran into each other at the Abandoned Caves of California, from there the relationship blossomed what they ended up with was the band. Big synth, 8o’s esque pop, that won’t sit the cool vibe down so I can catch up. The hook is breath-taking, with the beautiful echo trailing behind the lines. “On The Outside” is a perfect pop song, the kind that ignite all the cliché for me to try to not write here. But I give up, the song makes me wanna get in my car and drive or dance in an abandon building like Kevin Bacon in Footloose. This is what summer pop was intended to be, a generally hip track that’s synth work has the subtle nature of something else going on, almost a bitter sweet moment of coming to age, and having to let go of someone or something.
~ Ryan Boos
Anymals Sun Hat Adventure
Chillwave is the shit, anyone else thinking otherwise, well I feel sorry for you. Out of Bordeaux, France comes Anymals, and “Kids Grow Better Under the Sun” has every possible golden gem you could ask for, except it could be longer. I can just keep hitting play over and over again though, its well worth it. We’ll all have to repeat this one tune for now, I don’t see any news about an LP or more tracks. But I’ll be watching for it. I want more! Name your price on the single here. The song has gotten some love on SC, and surely other sites didn’t miss this one when it came out a month ago, but not everything has to be brand new, and we certainly don’t care much about single release dates here.
~ Ryan Boos
MPFlynn Heavy & Dizzy
For some time I’ve had Matthew Flynn on my radar, especially since starting this site. When I first started listening to him, he was using the name Shifty Teeth. With his new album just being released via his own Bandcamp, he goes by MPFlynn, an obvious moniker in limbo situation. But the name matters little, mainly b/c his music is so damn wonderful. I’ve been a fan of his soundcloud page for a while now. Flynn can do it all, from remixes, to chill out droplets that leave you wishing you had told a friend how much they mean to you. But he’s sticking to solid ground here. On his new record Heavy & Dizzy, Flynn is standing up straight for a more folk favored affair. This album seems to be the one he hopes to catch a more accessible turn with, and that’s just fine. Matt knows what he’s doing here, this preference in style suits him well. He has a nice steady vocal that doesn’t overreach, or get too playful, but keeps a soulful edge, one that won’t hesitate to carry you home. The attention to simplicity is what these turns call for, and Flynn holds steady, right on top of the ridge. The CD is a ten spot, with “DIY, hand carved rubber stamped, hand sewn case. 10 dollars a pop. As is in album artwork. My hands were all over these bad boys (with special help from Erin Curtis (we washed our hands, don’t worry).” That quote alone makes this package worth it, buy it here. Or be a slave to technology and get the digital DL for 8 dollars. Either way it will be well worth it, and on those evenings when the lightning bugs light your backyard, all is quiet in the neighborhood, these tunes will provide all the comforts you need. Goes well with spiked apple cider, small fires, and the warmth of your companion.
Lastly, this is a record with great musicianship, not fancy samples or tricked out electronics, real players, doing the real biz. Yeah, these cats do exist in the DIY world.
~ Ryan Boos
Ohsowhy Hybrid Blueberry
I think most sites have a “go to” Artist, who will inevitably get play on most of their releases. Ohsowhy is ours, or I should just say we like to cover her work. Mostly b/c its amazing, and she is the true essence of collaboration, the very reason this site was created. On the new single “Stranger/Sailor,” released via her soundcloud page, always. She teamed up with Diadainconsupertrafra. The song has, her now classic, canyon like voice, which sways over top of the music like a blueberry falling in slow motion. You can see this person sitting on top of a ridge doing yoga or something, or simply projecting the thing that makes them happy, probably all of us happy. There is a big bright spot on this number, at the 1:10 mark it picks up and breaks through, which is the most infectious moment on the song, the one that I wish would dominate. But that’s the beauty of Ylva and all of her tunes; in the name of life she’s willing to reward you the obvious parts, but you have to patiently wait for it, like a kid during the reading hour before recess. Totally worth it, she always is to us.
Lyrics: To be // as lost as // a message in a bottle // floating // from continent to continent // and a stranger // finding it and gets his soul back // You don’t say you’re lost // I can tell you’re lost // but it will change within the waves // movements that will bring the best out of you // and the future is ahead // and the stars will lead the way // Feeling the breeze // and you’ll get there // you take the hand and sail away from here // Send a // message // in a bottle
~ Ryan Boos
Autosave Cave Face
Autosave from Chicago, released The Memoir, which is part of an upcoming EP called Nightmares and Landscapes. The song is quite spacious, resting in movie score status, which is why I like it so much. It’s really the back drop to a short yet to be made. An epic tune with an opening sample that pulls you into the cave to hear a special message from the face. There’s plenty of ambient ritual esque atmosphere going on here, with some well-played spoken word. Then the song shifts into the main theme, which has the enough candy like noise to bring those purple colors out from the dark. Well done dudes.
~ Ryan Boos
Auraloop High Gravity Fresh
Auraloop aka L. is making high gravity ill-ish out of San Fran. On top of the music which is catchy, pumpin, and fresher than Will Smith on that show, he’s dropping lyrical fire. Behind the lyrics you can hear the subtle notion that this dude respects what he’s doing, takes it serious. The music isn’t weak or typical, just exactly where it needs to be, nothing flashy. Like a movie with real characters and a plot that relies on the script, not the special effects, L. brings it proper. All of this is parter of a larger plan, one that removes the singular for a more perfect union. L. is part of a nonprofit called Thirdeye Coalition. The group “helps to support mindful caused and positive local artists.” Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with L that dives in this coalition, and gives us some details on the music. L. currently has a couple of records online via bandcamp. There’s also a grip of music on his soundcloud, plenty of free stuff, and some others gems.
~ Ryan Boos
ChromadaData Costume Sea Goggles
ChromadaData released the Arival EP this week and its filled with “Afro Futurism.” Ian Jones love for hip hop and the essence of soul are typically at the heart of all his tunes. The extra flavor that keeps me interested is the continuations of an experimentation throughout. While he keeps things pretty well on the same points, his loops remind me of the under the sea ride, except this one is for the really cool fish.It helps to have your own sound, something unique to your music, and his keys are the things riding over the samples and beat, which essentially separate CD from the rest. Seriously though, bring your goggles and some flippers, this whole EP is riddled with bubbles, star fish, and the costume imagination mermaid that finds you whirling the underbelly of an Alice in Wonderland sea ride. The new album is only 3 bucks on his bandcamp page, I picked it up this morning, I suggest you put down the granola snacks and do the same.
~ Ryan Boos
Young Wonder Flutter Hooks
With so much to love, Ireland’s Young Wonder brings “Luck One.” The samples are so rich in mood enhancements, with the lead singer coming in when you’d least expect it. The last couple weeks I’ve come across some great music in this similar theme. I’m not sure if this is the trend for the summer, this two parts sample clip heavy music, with a flutter of pop essence and the skills to do both. I’m loving all this music that bends the predictions of where you think the tune is going. This one is full of rich fallen fruit, just pure potent electronic pop, that wastes no time making its moves to the hooks, the hip, and the lovely. The self titled EP came out April 14th. You can download the tune exclusively at WE ARE HUNTED.
~ Ryan Boos
Julsy Vivid Foliage Dream
The voices are calling from a distance, the sort of distinct feeling you get when the loss of direction over takes your being. The energy is hard to come by, but you forget that your legs are still moving, even if your brain weighs a ton. On “Stray” these vivid impressions stick to my shoulders, and crawl up my spine. The unfocused imagery of an (almost) empty whiskey bottle, keep you dazed enough not to go through the door that you know leads to the wrong place. This tune rides the line between some serious shit for me. But its fantastic ability to run through multiple types of music, is exactly what we expect from a tune featuring France’s Julie Cocq AKA Julsy.
The other player on this tune Olaf. out of the netherlands has some great music on his site as well. At the age of 19 Olaf is making some wondrous ambient works that stand the tested value of good sound scape orientations.
~ Ryan Boos
Cube Face Summer Lights
Out of Brighton, Britain (UK) Cube Face is part of the Cadence Collective whose Cadence Sampler hit the net waves at the end of March on Bandcamp. We had Bearcubs “Cascade” on our volume one mixtape, which is another bright spot in this shining collectives deep pull.With Cube Face and “Tell Me” its hard to imagine anything as awesome on the whole deal. First, I’m a sucker for that voice clip sample, that sounds like a needle being randomly dropped on a spoken word record. Cube Face, and the collective seems like the type of group that wants to bring you the deepest and most addictive bass lines. This tune sheds bright city lights on the sexual tenure of pop music, while riding the edges of electronic ocean music or something for the Florida Beaches, or hitting out of Ann Arbor’s Ghostly label. This song sounds like something off one of The Streets records, I kept waiting for the nasty brit flow to come on the mic, and drop some knowledge. Cool thing, it’s not needed, mainly b/c the productions is so damn flawless not even an MC could do much to make it better. It’s like being in a meeting with your manager and they tell you that your yearly review is in, and the thing was so damn HOT it caught on fire, and burnt down their headquarters office.
You can get the sampler for a five-spot, so put down the pizza slice or your annoyingly specific coffee, and buy it.
~ Ryan Boos
