If the last episode of Game of Thrones left an ominous taste in your mouth, maybe this GoT actor and musician will help to lift your spirits again. Enter Iwan Rheon, the cold and calculating Ramsay Snow on-screen, but the gentle acoustic crooner off.
This isn’t Iwan’s first foray into music, as he’s been songwriting since the age of sixteen. He even has a resume that includes lead singer of a band, before he stepped away from music to pursue acting in 2010. Now he’s back in the game, and while he’s not the best, he does offer a uniquely humble and delicate approach to acoustic music.
His latest EP Release, Bang! Bang!, was strategically highlighted during the premiere of the last season of Game of
Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Snow for HBO’s Game of Thrones
Thrones; however, his ethereal music may have been overshadowed by the brutality of his character on GoT. (Or just by the entire series in general, since that whole show can be pretty brutal.)
Bang! Bang! features whimsical pieces and abstract storytelling that paints a scene rather than creates a hook. His
accent is thick, making the lyrics a little indeterminable to us “Yanks” at times, but I find this characteristic endearing rather than unflattering.
In the hectic music jungle, Iwan is a dainty gazelle; his tunes are graceful and spirited, and they can pack an upbeat punch when necessary, but he does risk getting taken out by the other kings of the entertainment jungle. Still, he gets many points from me for keeping his music about the art, rather than trying to fit himself in a mainstream mold.
Check out the title track from Bang! Bang!, and let me know what you think in the comments below!
“We are defined in life by how we respond to defeat.” Truer words were never spoken, and these words say a lot about the latest record label on the musical scene, Easy Killer Records, featuring acts such as Night Verses, The Company We Keep, and Brian Marquis. With owners Mike Judy and Kevin Gales behind the wheel, this music-making vehicle is bound to break some speed limits (and top charts.) Both owners have an extensive background in the music industry, but it’s their personable and dedicated approach to the label that makes their experience all about the music. According to a press release, The Company We Keep stated, “We’re very excited to have Easy Killer in our corner as we finally release an LP. It’s comforting to actually know the people in charge, and we trust that we will be able to do big things together.”
Big things are bound to come their way. We got the chance to chat with Mike and Kevin about their new venture, and Kevin shares some deeply personal events that have helped to mold the way he sees life. Read on if you’re curious about the inner workings and the story behind how much of your favorite music comes to life!
TheIndieSD: Tell me about the “mantra” of Easy Killer. What kind of artists are you looking to share with the world? What kind of themes do you want your label to be about? What do you want “Easy Killer” to be synonymous with?
Mike Judy: Honesty. Diversity. Musicianship. We want to bring in artists that are genuine about honing their craft, regardless of the genre they choose to perform.
Kevin Gales: Damn. That’s an outstanding question. When you’re committed to resourcing artists to bring their message to the world, some of those messages are gonna conflict with one another. Resourcing good musicians to do good work, no matter the style of genre….that’s what we’re about.
TISD:Has starting a record label always been in the plans for your music careers?
MJ: Kevin has run a few labels in the past, so this isn’t his first time doing something like this. Me, I’ve just always known that I want to do something in this industry. Booking shows for the past decade or so has certainly aided me in gathering the sort of knowledge ya need to pull off something like this.
KG: This is my third label released through a major, so yes, I think there is definitely a place for a company to help and resource good musicians. I enjoy that role, definitely.
Easy Killer Records artist, Night Verses.
TISD: Mike, since you’ve worked as a concert promoter, you must have some awesome event ideas in store for EK. Any upcoming features and/or events that we can look forward to seeing (and hearing) from EK Records?
MJ: We’ve spoken about a few EK tours, since we’re lucky to have a roster of talented artists that respect one another. It’s really developed into a family atmosphere, especially over these past few months. You’ll also be seeing some rad stuff going on from the four artists of ours who are on Warped Tour this year.
TISD: Tell me about your “process” with a new or potential artist. How did you go about choosing your current, diverse roster? Once signed, what kind of elements do you focus on with the artists on your label?
KG: Almost everyone we look at signing, we try and figure out what it is they’re needing help with. (“Everything!”). So ok, but really. Is it touring? Is it recording? Are you set on every front, but you just don’t have a van? That’s first and then we see how [we] could help, and see if our level of commitment lines up with what they’re thinking and needing. After signing, it’s all about getting that music out there..however we can.
MJ: Like I mentioned earlier, we seek out honest, talented musicians and really focus there. Once we have someone onboard, we just want to make sure they’re active and doing the same sort of things that turned us on to them in the first place.
TISD: Tell me about the best show you’ve attended — any musical experience that really stood out to you and helped shape the way you see music and the music industry.
MJ: Oh geez…So many to choose from. This may not be something that helped shape the way I saw things, but I’d say my favorite show that I’ve attended was in October of ’11 with Thrice, O’Brother, La Dispute, and Moving Mountains. On one hand, there was Thrice, (who I had considered my favorite band for over a decade at that point), O’Brother, who are close friends of mine, and La Dispute/Moving Mountains, who were two bands that I had really been getting into at the time. Just a stellar tour. On the other hand, it was the night of Game 7 of the World Series, in which my beloved Cardinals were involved. Long story short, the Cards won the World Series that night (I lifted a confused/terrified Michael from O’Brother about 4 feet in the air after the last out) and I got to watch them hoist the trophy during the set of my favorite band. Great times.
Side Note: The tour manager that night was Brian Southall, who I didn’t know personally at the time but is now part of the EK family as a member of The Company We Keep. Small world indeed.
KG: Your readers may not know these bands because they’re all from Canada; this is when I was living there. But I managed and signed a band called Means, back in the day. They had left for their first US tour, and came home just in time for their CD release show in their hometown in Regina Saskatchewan. Not sure how many people were there, but it was for sure a 500 cap venue, and we quit selling tickets after 2000 people. That show was Means, Far From Ruin, The Holly Springs Disaster, and The Fortunate. And it was complete hardcore insanity. Really enjoyed that night. I was there with my daughter who was about 13 at the time. She was scared to death, but she also LOVED the energy and all the crazy fun.
Mandolyn Mae, an Easy Killer Records artist, has a sweet and sultry acoustic sound.
TISD: Can you divulge in, or at least hint to, any new artists that we may see added to the roster in the upcoming months?
MJ: Sure! All I can say is we’re absolutely keeping with the theme of diversity. Extremely excited to have these guys aboard.
KG: Keep in mind…diversity!
TISD: “We are defined in life by how we respond to defeat.” That’s a beautiful quote featured on your Facebook page! Can you tell me if there is a story or specific meaning for the both of you behind that quote?
KG: It takes very little to be a good person or good man when things are going well. But whether we like it or not, we are all measured by our dialogue with failure and loss. Not many people know this, but I have daughter with Downs Syndrome, and I also had a son who died when he was 9 months old. These weren’t failures, but when Joseph died, it was surely a loss. After his death, Hannah was born, and when we realized she’d be challenged, we couldn’t help but feel a certain type of defeat. If I’m being totally honest, I failed Hannah miserably in that very first day or two. But Hannah is an amazing person, God, just love her to death, and she’s key member of our family, and a huge person in my life. There’s no real story attached to that quote, only that Mike and I believe it whole heartedly.
MJ: It was Kevin’s quote, and while it doesn’t apply to one specific event, it can apply to many different times in life. It’s something to remind you that it’s when times are the worst that you can show your true colors, and come out for the better because of it. The origin of the name “Easy Killer” is relevant here as well. It of course means to take it easy, don’t get too bummed when things are going rough. “Take it easy, killer. Things will get better.”
TISD: Was starting the label a difficult or easy process? Were there any major hurdles that threatened to get in the way of creating your business?
MJ: I think the largest hurdle was really pulling everything off the way we wanted to initially, and that was to make an instant splash. In order to do this, we needed to establish a full, diverse roster right away. This was a bit tricky since we were trying to sign everyone before we were a publicly launched entity, and they had to aboard with the concept of initially signing to an invisible label. Luckily, we were able to garner heavy trust with all of our artists in the early going, mainly due to past experiences (me booking them, Kevin recording them as a producer, etc). Now that we’ve gotten over that hump, the fun part has started. We’re thrilled with where we’re at right now.
KG: I don’t think there’s anything particularly tough about starting a label. Keeping it running and such is much more difficult. I think our launch was unique in that we wanted to come out of the gate with a fully established roster. Doing that took a ton a resources up front, lots of work, lots of planning [and] coordinating. And it’s still hard, but it’s great and we believe in our artists, our company, and each other for sure.
For more information about Easy Killer Records (and Apparel!), definitely check out their official website.
State Champs have been a driving force in the pop punk music world for years, and they’re keeping the momentum alive with their new tour, opening for New Found Glory. We spoke with the band about what music they just can’t live without, and the changes they’ve seen for pop punk as a whole.
TheIndieSD:You guys are in the middle of a really exciting tour that even includes some amazing festivals! What has been your most memorable performance on tour so far?
State Champs: We played BLED FEST in Howell, Michigan and it was amazing. The fest is held at an old school. We played in a classroom on the floor and it was intense. Kids piled in until they literally couldn’t fit anymore kids in the classroom and once we started everyone pushed forward and Derek was fighting to keep kids from toppling amps and keep himself from crashing into the drum kit. Needless to say, it was amazing. Those intimate sets are generally the most memorable and fun!
TISD: Speaking of memorable moments on tour, what has been your most memorable show ever? Have you had any embarrassing experiences on tour?
SC: One of the most memorable shows for me was our first time at chain reaction in Anaheim, CA. It was our first time in SoCal and kids set it off for us. To go to an area for the first time and have kids screaming your words and throwing their bodies off the stage to your music is unparalleled. There’s a bunch of other memorable shows but this one just came to my mind. As far as embarrassing experiences? Sure, sometimes rip your pants jumping or lose your balance and fall into a wall or smash your microphone into your own mouth. :(
TISD: How have you been enjoying touring with Cartel and New Found Glory?
SC: It’s been unreal. To be able to tour with bands we’ve looked up to for years is so crazy. They’re all incredible people and great musicians that we have a lot to learn from! I’m still not sure if it’s clicked yet that we’re out here playing alongside these bands. I’m sure when I look back ill be like “0.0 that happened.”
TISD: So, I’m assuming you’re fans of Cartel and New Found Glory! SC: Yes we are!
TISD: What is your favorite song by these artists?
SC: Cartel – anything off of Chroma, “Faster Ride”, “Deep South” and “Let’s Go”. New Found Glory – everything.
TISD: What can you not live without while on tour? What do you always bring with you or always have to have?
SC: I can’t live without my ear plugs, my laptop, my iPhone, and a book. Being able to block everything out and staying occupied will help you keep you sane on the road!
TISD:What is in heavy rotation on your playlists right now? What artists or bands can you just not live without?
SC: My playlist for this tour includes The Menzingers, American Football, Nirvana and Promise of Redemption. That’s just me though! We listen to a wide variety in the van. Everything from Coheed and Cambria to Juicy J to Valencia to Skrillex.
TISD: You guys describe yourselves as a “DIY Pop Punk Band”. How did it feel to be signed by Pure Noise Records?
SC: It feels good? Haha. PNR is a very family based operation. It’s literally one guy. It’s great because he lets you be yourself. He doesn’t try to tell you how to sound or what to do or how to look. Pure Noise also lets us have a hand in stuff like our album art and pre-order options and stuff like that. Nothing is predetermined for us. Sky’s the limit!
TISD: Being in the genre for quite some time, how do you feel about some of the changes in the bands and styles of pop punk?
SC: I feel like they’re good because things need to evolve to remain relevant. If everything remains the same, why would anyone even start new bands? I think some of the current pop punk bands are the best in the genre (not to discredit any older bands!)
TISD: Do you see and feel a difference when performing on the east coast as opposed to the west coast? Do you think west coast audiences are more excited for pop punk, or is it relatively equal?
SC: It all depends on what city. Some of the better shows we play on the east coast (providence, RI. Albany, NY. NYC) compare to SoCal shows or Seattle shows. I’d say it’s relatively equal!
TISD: Pop punk is a really fun genre that creates very dedicated and appreciative fans. Do you see the band continuing in the same direction, or do you plan to branch out into other, sometimes hardcore influences, like some other pop punk bands in the business? SC: If we’re going to be branching out, it would be in the poppier direction. While we love hardcore, the poppier side just makes more sense for us.
TISD: I love the album, Apparently I’m Nothing. It plays on some very smart and deep elements. Can you tell me about your writing process for that album? Did you take any different approaches when creating the material for Overslept? (Overslept is really good too, by the way!) SC: AIN was written when I was 18-19. I didn’t exactly know what I was doing I was just trying to write songs while balancing college and a job. With Overslept, I spent a lot more time trying to write better songs and paid attention to keys and drew from a wider set of influences.
TISD: Your music tends to talk about feelings and emotions in a completely relatable way, as opposed to some genres which make music about very over the top themes (wealth, fame, adventure, etc.) Do you feel that it’s important for music to be relatable to the listener?
I don’t think it’s extremely important. Personally, I find it more appealing when I can relate to it though. However I do like songs that I later found out were ghost written or not actually true stories. They kinda lose their touch but I still like them!
According to their official blog, State Champs recently finished a full length album. While you patiently wait, check out this video playlist of the EP Overslept.
The famously talented (and young!) drummer for Nine Inch Nails, Paramore, and Angels & Airwaves has a new stamp on the music scene that is solely his. Enter, The New Regime, drummer Ilan Rubin’s latest pride and joy. He’s created the project all by himself, which gives this versatile musician the chance to show off all that he has up his sleeves. Check out this interview with Rubin, where we talked about his ambitious plans for the music industry.
TheIndieSD: First off, congrats on the new release, and for being on this month’s cover of Rhythm! :)
Ilan Rubin: Thank you very much!
TISD: You’ve accomplished a lot in the music industry and performed with many successful acts at such a young age! Did you always feel that your career would take you in this direction? Where do you see your solo project, The New Regime, five years from now?
IR: In terms of the drumming side of my career I suppose that this is the direction I saw it going in. Ideally, I think most people see themselves achieving their goals in the format of a band but my goals evolved into what I’ve been doing for a while now. The New Regime is where I see my true master plan unfolding. I’ll keep writing material during my commitments with other bands but when I have the time to properly tour with The New Regime I feel that the sky is the limit.
TISD: Paramore, Nine Inch Nails, Angels & Airwaves — all amazing bands, with very different sounds! Tell me about how it feels to be a part of so many unique projects?
IR: It’s a lot of fun getting to play with all of the above and becoming good friends with good people. They’re all different bands and its nice to get to play the drums differently in them all.
TISD:How did you feel back in 1999 when you got the opportunity to play at Woodstock?
IR: The subject that won’t go away! It was a very long time ago… I was excited to play a big show back then just as I would be now but I honestly don’t hold that event in high regard. I played a show when I was young, oh well.
TISD: Starting off your career so young, did you ever have moments of doubt or feel overwhelmed with how quick-paced the music industry can be?
IR: I never had any doubts in terms of me doing the right thing by pursuing music. However, there will always be a concern as to how I can achieve my goals in such an inconsistent and volatile industry. I’m working on it and am constantly thinking about ways to make this happen.
TISD: I can hear a little bit of NiN influence in The New Regime. Tell me about some of your other influences that helped to mold your solo project?
IR: As far as bands I’ve played with I think that NIN would be the only one to reveal itself as an influence in my music. I feel like a broken record when I talk about the music that influences but Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Queen, Beethoven, Bach, Radiohead, Depeche Mode, Jeff Buckley, to name a few…
TISD: Have you collaborated with other musicians for The New Regime, or do you plan on collaborating with others in the future?
IR: I haven’t collaborated with anybody for The New Regime. I write, play, and sing everything and my brother/manager Aaron records, mixes, and co-produces with me. I would collaborate with people in the future but the guys I’d like to approach wouldn’t waste their time with me!
TISD: How did it feel to be back in your hometown of San Diego shooting the Trolley Show? (Awesome job, by the way!)
IR: The Trolley show was a lot of fun! I must admit that it was my first time on the trolley and it was a pleasant experience. I’m glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
TISD: You’re known as a drummer, but how does it feel to get the chance to show off your other talents with your solo project? Do you plan to work more singing and guitar into your future musical endeavors?
IR: The New Regime is the only way I can truly show who I am as a musician. I’d be happy to use any skills I have if the job calls for it and have had fun doing so in NIN and Angels and Airwaves.
TISD: Have you ever had any funny/embarrassing moments on stage or throughout your career?
IR: The only thing that comes to mind would be my 21st birthday during a show in Paris with Nine Inch Nails. I was completely shocked when two strippers danced on both sides of me and dropped a cake on my head. You can see it on Youtube. People seem to find it funny.
(He’s referring to this video, which is NSFW. Thanks Youtube!)
TISD: Do you have a current music obsession at the moment? Favorite song on repeat or an album you can’t stop listening to?
IR: Lots of Depeche Mode. I’m late to everything when it comes to music so I’ve had a good time going through their catalogue.
TISD: Are there other challenges, instruments, experiences you want to tackle in the future during your career? What other plans do you have in mind?
IR: The challenge I’m most focused on and is most important to me is achieving my goals with The New Regime. It isn’t a side project to me and I really want to take it as far as humanly possible.
The New Regime just released a brand new video! Check out “Daydream” below and let us know what you think in the comments.
Say that five times fast! Or, you could debate on the common themes of “I don’t want to grow up” and “You can’t make me become an adult” — both of which are predominantly explored all throughout the pop punk genre.
I have a theory that certain music genres carry certain emotional themes. Dance music is probably the most straight-forward example of this. If you’re going to be dancing, you should probably be dancing to songs that sing about parties, nightlife, bottles, VIP service and other things associated with living life like there’s no such thing as daylight. It’s almost like being on a dance floor with your very own soundtrack playing in the background. And that’s because, if you don’t feel like the most important party goer ever when you’re listening to the latest Electro hit, then they’re probably not doing their job correctly.
On a more complex level, the same is seen with earlier genres of music, such as hymns. They served a very specific purpose of being able to communicate scripture to church patrons in a way that was musical (and thus very easy to memorize). Furthermore, Blues is one of those genres that not only has very specific moods and emotions behind it, but it was also named solely after that mood! (“You’ve got the blues” becomes a commonplace description of life, not just a type of music.)
Getting back to the point at hand, pop punk does the same as its musical genre brethren. You commonly find what I like to call the Peter Pan Pop Punk Situation, or PPP…PS for short. I’m still working on the name. The idea is that pop punk represents a supreme belief in being young forever. No rules, no authority. No adult life situations. All adventure, all the time.
Even sad and mature themes in pop punk music have a “Oh well, that’s life and I won’t let it get me down or change me” vibe to it. Pop punk kings Blink-182 dive into the subject of broken homes in their song “Stay Together For the Kids”, which is surprisingly sung from the child’s perspective — even though at the time of its release, singers Mark Hoppus and Tom Delonge were both married and later became fathers that year.
My most recent example and admiration is State Champs, whose lyrics are associated to the everyday angsty, uncertain, and adventurous aspects of young adult life. A Tumblr search of the band will find lyrics about everything from heartache to sheer defiance, such as:
“So they say, there are shades of grey in a lifetime. If that is so, I’ll let you know that I am looking on the bright side.”
and in another song,
“We’re growing up, but I’ll stay young, even if it kills me.”
Lyrics that would make Peter Pan very proud, indeed.
Recently resurrected punk act New Found Glory has shown that they still yearn for the “We will never grow up” and the “We will never fall in love” ideals that first skyrocketed the band back in the 90s. They’ve built a heavy repertoire of heartbreak songs and yet few of these songs will actually break your heart. New Found Glory’s approach to bad relationships is very relatable to a young adult or a teen, as they take a “Oh well, I’ll move on” approach to relationships — something that we often tend to do as we get old enough to want independence, but still young enough to not worry about finding Mr. or Mrs. Right.
It’s lyrics like these that keep that youth spirit alive, and one of the reasons why pop punk can be inspiring and revitalizing. We listen to a lot of music not because we can relate to the lyrics at that exact moment in our lives, but because music is simply the soundtrack to our lives. We are attracted to the songs that embody all the emotions with which we’re already all too familiar. Whether that feeling is nostalgic to a time when we were young and alive! Or whether that feeling is the hope of finding a love that won’t shatter our hearts.
So, despite having a mainstream career that can be compared to the very short-lived and short-loved nu metal, why is pop punk still so popular? Musical vets like New Found Glory prove that you can continue in this genre, based merely on the dedication of its fans. (They even launched a “Pop Punk’s Not Dead” tour back in 2010!) My theory relies on that young-at-heart stance that this genre always pulls out. Its fans will always listen, because they will always be able to relate to that feeling of living life to the fullest with little to no regrets, no matter what age. Or as State Champs say in their single “We Are the Brave”: “Well these days are only getting longer, when everyday we’re only getting stronger.” Stronger, indeed.
If you want to see and feel these lyrics for yourself, State Champs is now on tour with New Found Glory and Cartel, and will be opening up for NFG at the House of Blues, San Diego this Friday. Check out this link for tickets and info.
This coming Tuesday marks the release of Sleeping with Sirens much-anticipated third studio album, Feel. While many bands who don’t frequent popular radio find themselves in some sort of hard-core limbo, either playing local shows for the entirety of their career or traveling the world with the likes of Pierce the Veil or Chiodos, it’s pretty clear you either make it or you don’t. That can usually be determined by the time a band drops their third album, if they ever make one, but something tells me Sleeping with Sirens is here for the long haul.
These Florida boys have made a name for themselves since their beginning in 2009 with their debut album With Ears To See And Eyes To Hear. Their latest release Feel carries the band’s original sound to new levels with such singles as “Alone”, which features rapper Machine Gun Kelly. Feel opens with an upbeat anthem, detouring a bit from the band’s usual post hardcore sound, and perhaps opening the door to the possibility of reaching new listeners who would have otherwise not given this genre a chance.
SWS has kept up a trend of putting a few slower ballads in the mix, and this trend continues with contemplative songs like “Sorry”. It’s obvious that these guys have grown as a band and this can be heard not only instrumentally, but through their lyrics as well. “Free Now” is such an amazing combination of emotion and strength; lead singer Kellin Quinn opens up about his mother, father and daughter in such a forthright way with the lyrics “I wrote this song for my father/Sometimes I feel he never gave a damn about me”. After listening to these songs just once, I found myself humming the melodies and singing the few lines that really stuck in my head.
Anyone can come up with a gimmick and out music, but it takes something extra to write songs that stick with people, songs that make them want to keep coming back to the album until they’ve memorized it in its entirety, and this is one of those albums. This summer, the band will play the main stage for Vans Warped Tour and they have just finished wrapping up a sold out UK tour.
So perhaps you don’t listen to punk, scream, or post hardcore or anything along those lines, but in any case I would give this album a listen. You might be pleasantly surprised!
New Sleeping With Sirens album Feel will be out June 4th! In the meantime, you can stream the album in its entirety below via the band’s Youtube:
Guilty pleasures aren’t that guilty if you’re proud of them, and trust me, I am always proud to share a pop artist who gets it right! And best of all, I’ve got you covered if you need something to do this weekend.
Lenka, who’s been on a first name basis with the world since beginning her solo music career, has been awfully busy since “The Show” put her on the pop music map.
She followed up her self-titled debut with the just as catchy and poppy Two, an album that may have suffered the “sophomore slump” . While it’s extremely fun and the lyrics are very smart, overall it’s lacking creativity and follows similar two-beat patterns throughout most of the songs. Here’s where this pop story becomes an uplifting tale. Lenka’s latest release, Shadows, seems to offer everything we were hoping for from her earlier release. Shadows offers diversity while painting a magical scene from the very start, with “Nothing Here But Love.” The entire album plays on atmospheric sensibilities that Lenka describes as “lullabies for adults”. But don’t expect to nod off after you hear how beautifully crafted and uplifting the album can be. Tunes like “Find a Way to You” and “Two Heartbeats” playfully bounce around in rhythms like an intricate music box, while dipping into minor keys at just the right moment to cause the perfect amount of tension. That tension is what makes this album Lenka’s deepest repertoire of songs yet.
Pop music that is deep. That is when any artist in any genre gets it right, and in my opinion, artists like Lenka should be the definition of great music.
They say word of mouth is an amazing marketing tool. That could be proven true for Little Hurricane, since I knew about this group well before I ever heard a sound. San Diego’s bluesy indie darling has been making waves since 2010, and in that short time they’ve managed to carry out the near impossible: they’ve forged a path for their band that turned Little Hurricane into a large force to be admired.
Some people in the San Diego music scene might say that finding musicians on Craigslist just doesn’t work. Try and tell that to lead singer Anthony Catalano and drummer C.C. Spina. According to their Wikipedia page, that’s exactly how the duo got its humble beginnings, and just by taking a listen to the result, one could argue that it was fate. Fans of The Black Keys, The Dead Weather, and The Lumineers will absolutely adore the edgy, almost angsty approach to blues and folk that Little Hurricane has become synonymous for. Catalano pours his heart out in lyrics and style alike, with a voice that has mastered just the right amount of rasp. Spina is the perfect piece of the puzzle, and her eerily soothing vocals shine in duet style tracks like “Crocodile Tears” and “Give Em Hell”.
Their 2012 album Homewrecker lives up to its dramatic title, as it has the kind of music that will dilate your pupils and send goosebumps across your skin in the best way possible! Full of energy, intrigue, and even a little seduction, the songs are all unique enough to keep you entertained from beginning to end, yet can be intertwined into one mesmerizing bluesy story. Don’t believe me? I dare you to take the Little Hurricane challenge and listen (if you haven’t already), to see if a storm hasn’t grown inside of you by the last track. “Give Em Hell” is the perfect melodramatic conclusion to the album; the song is ominously uplifting, like the perfect villain’s soundtrack. Spina croons behind Anthony Catalano like the little voice in your ear or the little devil on your shoulder. This final track seems to wrap up the consciousness of the entire album with perfection.
I haven’t seen this band live — yet — but if their fan base is a testament to how amazing they are, then I’d bet money that Little Hurricane delivers when they’re on stage, as well. They’re now on tour, so check them out at the Belly Up this Friday May 31st in San Diego, or at any of their other tour dates.
Every once in a while the ideal band combination comes around, and that moment has graced So Cal once again. On May 8th, The New Limb will be warming up the stage for headliners Minus the Bear, and it will be a match made in catchy-guitar-riff heaven!
Comprised of five musicians based out of California, The New Limb is kind of like an indie folk child if that child ran off and had a wonderfully adventurous affair with a rock star. With just the right amount of upbeat velocity and driving drum beats, coupled with an occasional penchant for electric riffs, this group creates one of those “sounds of the summer” — their mix tape INCONSISTENCIES boasts the kind of songs that can go on dance floors and on road trip playlists, alike. Most of the band members take turns tossing around vocals, seamlessly melding their voices in a chant one moment, or crooning over keyboards and tambourines in the next.
They’re quickly becoming a new favorite, and their sound is the perfect complement to Seattle-based Minus the Bear.
Definitely not new to the indie music scene, Minus the Bear has managed to amass a bit of a cult following, based partly on their unique sense of musicality, syncopated guitar melodies, and of course, lead singer Jake Snider’s famous affinity for serenading baby-making lyrics. But don’t let the sultry subject matter fool you — in the long haul, Minus the Bear is ready to get you on your feet and dancing, keeping the dynamics fun enough for a party, but mellow enough to simply enjoy the beautiful composition of it all.
You can check out both bands live on May 8th at the UCSD Price Center Ballroom, the biggest indoor venue on the campus. Tickets are available at the UCSD Price Center Box Office, and online at https://ucsdboxoffice.com/.
Before You Exit, performing live in San Diego, CA. Photo by Christian Rodas.
Ah, let me tell you the problem with boy bands. Oh wait, you mean you already know the answer to that? How about instead, I tell you why the ‘age of the adolescents’ isn’t really all that bad. Don’t turn away from this article just yet – there are a lot of facts to learn about the elusive, mysterious, all-male musical machine known as the boy band, and some of these facts might actually surprise you.
For instance, one of the main issues with the typical definitive boy band is that it gives every young male musician under the legal drinking age a bad rep. We’ve always been a bit pretentious as a society when it came to music, especially when artists use their looks or their sex appeal to gain fans. And yet, this is completely acceptable in any other form of entertainment. ‘That Oscar winning actress is totally hot.’ ‘This model has a sexy body.’ ‘Let’s give Lara Croft a huge rack.’ You might need to be a gamer geek like me to get that last reference, but the point still stands – the entertainment industry as a whole has always welcomed and embraced sex appeal…at least, when it refers to women.
Male musicians have always garnered screaming, crying, panty-tossing female fans. But back in the day, those male musicians were playing instruments. Elvis Presley was “reinventing” mainstream rock ‘n roll. The Beatles were expressing their music without suffering creativity. Even 80’s hair metal groups — some of the first true boy bands, if you ask me — were rocking and rolling all night, and partying every day to the riffs of their guitars and the power of their drums. And they all had screaming, crying, no-holds-barred female fans.
That can’t really be said these days. The music industry evolved, and as a result, so did the boy band. But I’m telling you, it’s not all bad. Maybe we’re used to the age of One Directions and Justin Beibers (he counts as a boy band in my book; I think they might actually be cloning him for insurance reasons), and this reluctant acceptance has closed our minds to the idea that yes, boys can play instruments too.
We even want to ignore the typical boy band “formula” once our favorite songs are involved. Recent Grammy winners Fun. pretty much fit all the boy band criteria, and yet for some reason these guys are exempt. Is it because their music is about life instead of about love? I’m really starting to think the main factor is drinking age. And also, once you put instruments into the mix, there’s something else that appeals to the band’s fans than just their good looks.
Take the indie band of brothers Before You Exit, for instance. The modern day boy band formula is there: attractive young dudes, sentimental pseudo-love songs, high energy performances, and photo shoots reminiscent of the 90’s, minus the 90’s fashion trends. But there’s an extra element of surprise here, and it comes in the form of many, many instruments. This is a group that is okay with being adorable as long as they also get to be amazing, well-versed musicians in the process.
If you think about it, it doesn’t make sense to persecute musicians of any gender simply because they are beautiful. A female singer is less reputable because she’s stunningly hot? A group of guys can’t be taken seriously because they’re well groomed? These kinds of theories only make sense when image is just as important as the music itself.
Here’s the kicker: regardless of what kind of music you listen to, image is always important. Would you listen to your favorite punk band if they wore polo shirts and belonged to a golf club? Would Lady Gaga, who is actually a stunning singer and multi-instrumentalist herself, garner as many “little monsters” if she didn’t wear suits made of meat? There’s a direct correlation between a musician and his or her image, whether you want to admit it or not. It’s simply up to each individual artist to decide if that image is going to be used for good (such as, The Beatles walking Abby Road), or evil (whatever this is.)
And while I’m not ready to put One Direction on repeat anytime soon — unlike a preteen adolescent girl, I know what makes me beautiful and I’d prefer not to hear it from a boy I can’t legally date–, I would listen to Before You Exit. Maybe I’ll also give latest X Factor finalists Emblem 3 a chance, too. Because there are male musicians all around us who play well, learn their trade, entertain us on stage, and happen to look really great while they’re doing that. I’m not saying they aren’t that media definition of a “boy band”. But I am saying we can at least toss image aside and judge a musician on their abilities, just this once, right?
If you’re still pretty upset with boy bands in general, don’t stone me! Instead, tell me what you think about bands like Before You Exit, Emblem 3, and even pop rockers like Fun. being considered a “boy band”. Comment below with what you think!
“We are defined in life by how we respond to defeat.” Truer words were never spoken, and these words say a lot about the latest record label on the musical scene, Easy Killer Records, featuring acts such as Night Verses, The Company We Keep, and Brian Marquis. With owners Mike Judy and Kevin Gales behind the wheel, this music-making vehicle is bound to break some speed limits (and top charts.) Both owners have an extensive background in the music industry, but it’s their personable and dedicated approach to the label that makes their experience all about the music. According to a press release, The Company We Keep stated, “We’re very excited to have Easy Killer in our corner as we finally release an LP. It’s comforting to actually know the people in charge, and we trust that we will be able to do big things together.”
This coming Tuesday marks the release of Sleeping with Sirens much-anticipated third studio album, Feel. While many bands who don’t frequent popular radio find themselves in some sort of hard-core limbo, either playing local shows for the entirety of their career or traveling the world with the likes of Pierce the Veil or Chiodos, it’s pretty clear you either make it or you don’t. That can usually be determined by the time a band drops their third album, if they ever make one, but something tells me Sleeping with Sirens is here for the long haul.
Guilty pleasures aren’t that guilty if you’re proud of them, and trust me, I am always proud to share a pop artist who gets it right! And best of all, I’ve got you covered if you need something to do this weekend.
They say word of mouth is an amazing marketing tool. That could be proven true for Little Hurricane, since I knew about this group well before I ever heard a sound. San Diego’s bluesy indie darling has been making waves since 2010, and in that short time they’ve managed to carry out the near impossible: they’ve forged a path for their band that turned Little Hurricane into a large force to be admired.
The Indie 