Track of the Day: Jaye Bartell - Tuesdays

I first heard Jaye Bartell's 'Tuesdays' a few weeks ago on NPR's ever-brilliant All Songs Considered podcast, and was instantly struck its wonderfully conversational style and it's incredibly detailed narrative. 

Both vocally and in songwriting style there are clear comparisons to Leonard Cohen as Bartell beautifully meanders his way through the mundane elements of life before it bursts to a chorus of soaring harmony of “Everybody knows that every day is always the last day”.

Track of the Day: Matt Maltese - Studio 6

Entering the dimly lit basement of Servant Jazz Quarters late last year I heard gorgeous, soft piano tones set alongside a woozy yet beautiful voice, reminiscent of Guillemots' Fyfe Dangerfield. It was the sound of the 20 year old singer-songwriter Matt Maltese; and it was truly special.

'Studio 6' is his latest single and it perfectly captures the atmosphere which I witnessed that night. It's of little surprise that he references influences such as Leonard Cohen and Francoise Hardy, as he shares their passion for detailed imagery, lived-in characters and evocative storytelling.

This track is taken from his forthcoming EP 'In A New Bed' which is due for release on 22nd April and promises an encapsulating glimpse into what looks to be a very promising future for the young talent.

Track of the Day: Max Jury - Standing On My Own

Over the past couple of years there has been one artist who has stood head and shoulders above the rest as my enduring new music crush, and that is Max Jury.

From the moment I first heard the ethereal country twang of the Iowa native's first single 'Christian Eyes' through to his most recent gospel infused track 'Numb', there has been a timeless quality to his songwriting which continues to draw me in. 

As a special B-side for the aforementioned track he has released 'Standing On My Own' with the below video which documents the young artist's influences via the medium of vinyl; from Gordon Lightfoot to Ray Charles.

With his self titled debut LP out on June 3rd on Marathon Artists I have little doubt that 2016 will be the year that Max Jury brings his beautifully wistful tales of small town America to a wider audience.

I'M BACK! Here's my 2016 so far....

It's been a fair ol' while since I last let you guys know the nuances of which tracks have been filling my headphones on the morning commute, and I can't apologise enough for that fact. To use a valid but vastly overused and painfully emo cliché, "life got in the way". One exciting part of the aforementioned life however, is My Little Empire Records; an indie label which I started around a year ago with a friend, putting out two EP's by two brilliant acts called Easy Kill and Why We Love thus far in 2016.

Anyway, below is a selection of tracks which it's well worth you guys checking out - full disclosure both acts from our roster appear, but you know what, they are in my favourite tracks of the year, so it simply wouldn't be right to leave them out.

I'll be posting more frequently going forward (famous last words) and will obviously actually write some narrative around future tracks too - just didn't want to look forward without looking back at some of the gems which 2016 has already given us.

Track of the Day: Frog - Rubbernecking

2015 has been quite a year for Frog, with the Queens-based two-piece already earning a swath of new fans with their captivating debut full length 'Kind of Blah' which was released to considerable and thoroughly deserved acclaim on the every-brilliant Audio Antihero label (read my full review of the album here).

However, prior to this LP the duo showcased their fuzzy guitar pop on a self-titled mini-album in 2013 on the now defunct Brooklyn imprint Monkfish Records. Though the release made few waves at the time (besides DiS proclaiming it "the best American guitar record of the year"), Audio Antihero saw what a rough diamond it was and off the back of the band's new cult following and upcoming UK tour decided it was well deserving of a re-release - which includes limited edition run of 50 brilliant green tapes.

Taken from this mini-album is today's Track of the Day;  the brilliantly macabre and infectiously catchy 'Rubbernecking'.

You can buy it on tape with a lossless digital download for £3 here

"Backed up down the country lane

the ambulance screams out of frame

rubbernecking

rubbernecking.

The scent of death, it beckons as you drive away

fuck with baby just don’t tell me your name

shhh a second won’t you tell me where you came from

just a second

just a second.

The scent of death it beckons as you drive away

last night i fucking killed a man

last night i fucking killed a man

and you know it didn’t change shit

and you know it didn’t change anything.

Theres a fire in the minivan

and the gasoline stains on your little hands

its just rubbernecking, failure beckons

you go to work, and iron your shirt

and count the seconds where all your records

don’t do dirt and hike your skirt up.

It's an old black tone coming through this microphone

the melody man, i don't know the truth be told, it might be thousands of years old."

Track of the Day: Max Jury - Great American Novel

There is an utterly timeless quality to Max Jury’s songwriting; a pairing of delicate vocals, narrative story-telling and outstanding ability to construct tender melodies which would sit beautifully at any point in the past 6 decades.

 “Great American Novel” is yet another example of his talents, and another stunning step in the exciting career of the young Iowa-based singer-songwriter. His debut album (which he is currently working on) is set to be one of my most hotly anticipated in recent years.

Great American Novel Lyrics: 

There’s a story in your voice

And in the way you say goodnight

Leaves me wanting more 

It lingers in my mind 

Lingers in my mind 

It was the golden age

Of being lost in love 

You wrote the perfect page 

Then you ripped it 

You ripped it up 

Now I’m waiting for a train

From New York to Boston 

It’s not supposed to be this way 

It’s not supposed to be this way 

It’s the price I have to pay 

Throw roses at the rich girls 

And I start to feel ok 

When I start to feel ok 

There’s a song inside my head

It plays on constantly 

Loud enough to wake the dead 

It’s a song for you and me 

It’s a song for you and me 

Those were the sleepless nights

Learning to make love 

And all the sunken eyes 

Of being too far apart 

Too far gone 

Now I’m waiting for a train

From New York to Boston 

It’s not supposed to be this way 

It’s not supposed to be this way 

It’s the price I have to pay 

Throw roses at the rich girls 

And I start to feel ok 

And I start to feel ok 

I start to feel ok 

It’s the price I have to pay

Track of the Day: Frog - Judy Garland

The debut full length record Kind of Blah from New York duo Frog is one of my favorite of 2015 so far (read my full review of it for London in Stereo). It was a brilliantly rough-around-the-edges exercise in catharsis and nostalgia.

This is characterised perfectly in the stunning and sentimental song and video for 'Judy Garland'. "When she died it broke the last vestige of the 1940s America that everyone deep down still loved" explained Bateman of the vaudevillian icon.

Watch the touching music video from Portland director Alex Coppola.

"excuse me darlin' to disturb you 

could you spare a bit of what the lord's left for you 

bless your solemn unending virtue 

lest your savior up desert you."

Track of the Day: AURORA - Running With The Wolves

With her debut EP yet to be released Aurora Aksnes is one of the most exciting talents currently in pop music. At only 18 years old, the prodigious songwriter has once more crafted something hugely sophisticated and accomplished; complete with lush synths and driving beats.

'Running With The Wolves' is Aksnes' second single and is the title track from the EP due for release on May 4th on Decca Records.

Following-up from the widely acclaimed lead single 'Runaway', this is a masterclass in electronic pop, showcasing the Norwegian's natural instinct for writing expansive hooks. //

Track of the Day: Low Low Low La La La Love Love Love - Burrows

Photo courtesy of Annie-Marie Arpin

Having made music together for over a decade in various forms, Kelly and Ellis Dyson's (aka Low Low Low La La La Love Love Love) have decided to call time on  their musical endeavors.

The band's size swelled to a six-piece on 2009’s 'Feels, Feathers, Bog & Bees', however, for their final Swan song they have stripped things back to basics, with just the duo remaining; though their new fuzzy, lo-fi style acts as a third character in the mix; adding a hazy nostalgia to their lush melodies.

'Burrows' is the lead single from Last the band's fourth and final album which will be out on February 16th. It's available to download for free on their Bandcamp, and they will say their final goodbye live at The Servant Jazz Quarters in Dalston (with support from superb Audio Antihero label-mates Superman Revenge Squad) - get your ticket here.

The Evening's Empire's Top Track's of 2014: 10 - 1

There were some truly brilliant tracks in the previous part (if you missed it you can catch up here), but we're now we're down to the top ten. So much talent lies within the songs below.

10. Sykes - Gold Dust

I've been following this London-based three-piece since I first heard 'Gold Dust' on the 6 Music Podcast at the back end of summer - instantly being attracted to their hugely infectious synth-pop stylings. This track stands tall as the band's most triumphant moment; littered with soaring hooks, glittering guitars licks and Julia's stylish, yet emotive, vocal work.



9. We Came From Wolves - Paradise Place

My tastes have mellowed significantly over the past few years, partly due to personal preferences, but partly due to the prevalence of music built around computers and synths over that of guitars. It is bands like We Came From Wolves, and songs like 'Paradise Place', that remind me why I fell in love with that music in the first place. Angular guitars, offbeat rhythms and playful vocal interplay all make this a truly exceptional track from the Scottish four piece.



8. Sivu - Love Lives In This House

To anyone who frequents this blog often it will be of no surprise to see James Page aka Sivu amoungst my favorite tracks of the year; his debut single 'Better Man Than He' topped the chart last year, and I even interviewed him in the lead up to the release his debut album Something on High back in September. The album is stunning piece of work, and 'Love Lives in this House' is one of it's finest moments. Page's delicate falsetto hangs ominously above brooding guitars and crunching percussion, to create a dark and atmospheric masterpiece.



7. Lewis & Leigh - What Is There To Do

Brilliantly channeling the sound of contemporaries such as Ryan Adams and Caitlin Rose, Al Lewis and Alva Leigh come together to bring us lush Americana on 'What Is There To Do'. Hailing from Wales and Mississippi respectively, their Night Drives EP was a remarkable collection on songs, showcasing a sound which is often overlooked in the UK. A bright 2015 lays ahead for this talented duo.



6. Paul Thomas Saunders - Starless State Of The Moonless Barrow

If there is any justice in the world Paul Thomas Saunders will be huge. The kind of huge reserved for indie royalty like Arcade Fire and The National. His record Beautiful Desolation was one of the finest debut albums in recent memory; an astral themed record, rich with vast soundscapes complemented by the young artist's lush melodies. 'Starless State Of The Moonless Barrow' is one of the record's many highlights; an intelligent pop gem.



5. Dancing Years - Places We've Roamed

Dancing Years are a band I'm expecting to explode in 2015. Without an album to their name this Leeds five-piece has gained an impressive following; round off the year with a headline show at Oslo last month illustrating what a formidable live force they are. The band manage to consistently craft tracks which demonstrate impressive maturity and subtlety, with refined guitar and percussive work and articulate lyrics. 'Places We've Roamed' is the band at their best; melancholic, yet passionate.



4. Fickle Friends - Swim

Released last New Year's day, 'Swim' caught the entire blogosphere half asleep and fully hungover. However, such is the track's infectious energy and instant likability that it was causing waves within hours. This is what Fickle Friends have done all year - they write tracks which demand attention - and it seems to have worked, as they were the 6th Most-Blogged Artist of 2014 according to BBC 6 Music. One listen to the below will show you exactly why.



3. Ryan Adams - My Wrecking Ball

What superlatives can I give this man which I haven't already..... simply put, he is the greatest songwriter of our generation. His self-titled 14th album which was released earlier this year was a brilliant change of pace; channeling 80's synths and rockier tones into his already formidable musical arsenal. However, it was an archetypal Ryan Adams track that really blew me away. 'My Wrecking Ball' is everything that makes this man brilliant - understated songwriting, emotive lyrics and a truly stunning voice.


2. Max Jury - All I Want

Max Jury is without doubt one of my favorite musical discoveries this year. Hailing from Des Moines, Iowa, there's an utterly timeless quality to his songwriting; spinning wistful naratives of blue-collar America. All I Want is a stunning track; romantic, full of wry humour, gorgeous sepia piano and George Harrison-esque solos. There's an intangible quality to everything the 21 year-old songwriter puts his hand too, and I can see in Jury the early signs of a true American great.



1. Small Wonder - Until I Open My Wings

When I saw Goldflakepaint waxing lyrical about an obscure Brooklyn artist called Small Wonder, I though I'd give it a quick listen to see what the fuss was about - I certainly did not expect to find my favorite track and EP of the year behind this mysterious moniker - however, like so many times this year they had discovered a diamond in the rough. Henry Crawford aka Small Wonder created something so human, so flawed and oh so beautiful with his Wendy EP. This is illustrated so perfectly on 'Until I Open My Wings' - my favorite track of the year because it is one which has stuck with me throughout it; continuously affecting me with every play.

"I am the moss
that grows on stones
and I am the rocks
that pave your roads
and when you inhale
I fill your lungs
and when you exhale
don't let me out into the world."

 

The Evening's Empire's Top Tracks of 2014: 50 - 11

2014. *stands back and claps*....what a genuinely incredible year in music this has been; both independent and commercial. There have been so many stunning releases this year; some from artists I would have expected - Ryan Adams' ever growing catalogue of brilliance was extended once more this year with his self-titled album back in September - and some from new acts such as Paul Thomas Saunders & Max Jury who came out of obscurity to become some of my favorite artists of the year.

I have found myself getting more involved in the music industry in 2014 too; starting a new music label called My Little Empire Records. Lots of exciting news on that front will be coming in the next few months. This project has led me further down the rabbit hole into new and emerging music; something which I couldn't have done without the following: Tom Robinson's weekly BBC Introducing podcasts, amazing bloggers such as Goldflakepaint, When the Gramophone Rings & Breaking More Waves, Daisy Digital's ever brilliant weekly mixtapes, as well as any music blogger's trusted sources in Hype Machine & Amazing Radio.

It gives me great pleasure to share with you my top 50 tracks of the year. I hope you find something here that you love.

50. Laura Marling - Short Film

49. Scott Matthews - Sunlight

48. Jamie T - Zombie

47. Rhodes - Home

46. Laurel - To The Hills

45. Olympians - Brunch Cannon

44. Beck - Blue Moon

43. Eliza & the Bear - Friends

42. The Travelling Band - Passing Ships

41. Jungle - Busy Earning

40. Ben Khan - Youth

39. Roo Panes - Tiger Striped Sky

38.The Barr Brothers - Even the Darkness Has Arms

37. Colleagues - Tears

36. Our Mother - Lion OX

35. Rae Morris - Closer

34. Lisbon - Native

33. Phox - Slow Motion

32. First Aid Kit - Master Pretender
31.The Sea & I - The Island

30. Billie Marten - Ribbon

29. Tenterhook - Stereo

28. Corbu - We Are Sound

27. Benjamin Shaw - You & Me

26. Bear's Den - Elysium

25. Alt J - Warm Foothills

24. FKA twigs - Two Weeks

23. Barbarisms - Backwards Falconer #2

22. Sun Kil Moon - Micheline
21. Withered Hand - Life of Doubt

20. My Sad Captains - Goodbye

19. George Cosby - Cold

18. The Twilight Sad - Leave the House

17. The Mispers - Shoulder

16. Jacob Douglas - Hellion

15. Marika Hackman - Drown

14. S - Pacific

13. Sophie Jamieson - Stain

12. Dry the River - Gethsemane

11. Slow Club - Everything Is New

Laura Marling Announces New Album 'Short Movie'

I'm not the kind of blogger to do news items, or to post the instant I hear something new. However, such is my love for Laura Marling's astounding talent that I am here breaking this pact.

Ever since hearing her debut 'Alas, I Cannot Swim' in 2008 I was hooked on her mature and beautiful songwriting style lathered in smokey vocals. Well, 6 years later with a Brit Award win and 3 Mercury nominations she has announced the follow-up to 2013's 'Once I Was an Eagle'.

'Short Movie' will be released on March 23rd via Virgin EMI, and it's title track has been unveiled through an engrossing animated video directed by Art & Graft.

Check out the tracklist and video below, via DIY Mag.

"It's a short fucking movie, man. I know, I won't try to take it slow"

Short Movie:

01 Warrior
02 False Hope
03 I Feel Your Love
04 Walk Alone
05 Strange
06 Don't Let Me Bring You Down
07 Easy
08 Gurdjieff's Daughter
09 Divine
10 How Can I
11 Howl At the Moon
12 Short Movie
13 Worship

UK Blog Sound 2015

It's hard to work out whether it's the decreasing quality of my memory (late 20's syndrome as I like to call it) or a genuine reflection of the increasing health of the music scene, but 2014 has been one of the best years of independent and emerging artists I can remember.

Platforms such as Tom Robinson's weekly BBC Introducing podcasts, amazing bloggers such as Goldflakepaint, When the Gramophone Rings & Breaking More Waves, Daisy Digital's ever brilliant weekly mixtapes, as well as any music blogger's trusted sources in Hype Machine & Amazing Radio, have been key touch-points for bringing brilliant up-and-coming music to my attention.

For anyone wanting to start writing a music blog, or just wanting to be able to have a bit of pithy dialogue like this - Person A: "I really like this new band called [insert new hype band name] I just heard on Radio 1, have you ever heard them?" Newly established music aficionado: "Yeah, I listened to their lead single from their debut EP 18 months ago on [insert obscure new music source]" - I'd recommend any and all of the above for broadening your musical horizons.

Being one of these irritants myself it gave me great pleasure to be asked to take part in the UK Blog Sound pole again this year; there's loads of blurb about what this is at the bottom, but the important thing is it showcases UK blogger's favorite emerging artists. Below is the 15 act strong longlist. The winner will be announced on January 2nd.

The Full Blog Sound of 2015 Longlist (In alphabetical order)

All We Are - Liverpool 3 piece who describe their music as 'psychedelic boogie'.

Black Honey - Brighton based indie band formerley known as Kill Moon

Chløë Black - Tags her music as 'goth 'n' soul'

Coasts - Indie rock band from Bristol who have comparisons with Foals

Deers - A band from Spain who first created a stir with some lo-fi demos earlier this year.

Fickle Friends - Danceable indie music from another Brighton based band.

Flyte - Classic old fashioned songwriting with an indie pop twist.

Halfrican - Glasgow based punk rock

Honne - R&B influenced electronics and soul pop.

Låpsley - Solo artist from Liverpool making downtempo electronica with a range of influences.

Prides - Synth pop group from Scotland, who performed at the Commonwealth Games

Shura - Singer songwriter and producer using synths to create a mellow pop sound.

Soak - Singer songwriter from Derry whose real name is Bridie Monds-Watson.

Sophie Jamieson - Singer songwriter who has been compared to Daughter. Was alos on last year's list.

Tei Shi - Describes her music as 'mermaid music'. Make of that what you will!

Descriptions courtesy of Breaking More Waves.

Listen to a full playlist of bands below.

What Is The Blog Sound of 2015?

The Blog Sound of 2015 poll aims to showcase some of the best new emerging artists. However, unlike the ubiquitous BBC Sound of poll, the artists nominated aren’t picked just by industry experts. Instead they’re voted for by music bloggers, a small number of whom may work in the music industry, but the majority of which are just hardcore fans who write their blogs because of their genuine passion for music, normally with no financial incentive to do so.

This poll is not about picking acts who bloggers think will be famous. The bloggers involved are asked to vote for their favourite acts, irrespective of chances of commercial success.

How The Voting Worked

This year the Blog Sound Of 2015 poll canvassed 62 UK music blogs in November 2014, the most ever since its 2011 start. It asked each one to pick its 3 favourite emerging artists and rank them in order of preference. In total 148 artists received at least 1 vote, showing the diversity of bloggers' tastes. The acts scored 3, 2 and 1 points respectively.  The bloggers could choose any artist they wanted, providing the artist had not had a top 40 hit (including as a collaborator on a song) by the time voting started and that they weren’t related to or have any financial interest in any artist they selected. Where 2 artists tied on the same number of points, the artist with the most first place votes was ranked higher.

The 15 most popular acts that form the long list include artists that are on major labels as well as indie and unsigned ones, such as Brighton based indie band Fickle Friends, fuzzy sounding Glasgow punks Halfrican, goth ‘n’ soul singer Chloe Black, recent XL signing Lapsley and singer songwriter Sophie Jamieson, an artist who appears on the list for the second time running having also appeared the previous year. 

Album Review: Bear's Den - Islands

"Guard your hope with your life" 

I first discovered Bear's Den via their previous outfit Cherbourg way back in 2009. It was just prior to Mumford-mania, and in hearing the - now folk super houses - support band for a show at Kingston's iconic New Slang, I was instantly taken aback by their beautiful melodies and sincere approach to songwriting - something I'm pleased to say has changed little to date. Following Cherbourg's split, I kept an eye out for Davie's musical endeavours as I could tell that a formidable talent lay within the bearded West-London native - and I even picked him out as a one-to-watch for 2011.

Upon hearing 'Agape', the first song from his new outfit Bear's Den, (taken from the 2013 EP of the same name) I could tell that I was hearing was something special - beautiful melodies and sincere songwriting were present as they were years earlier, but this time there was added maturity and lyrical depth. The band's follow-up EP Without/Within showed  an increasing focus on musicianship and deviating to more abstract and complex song structures.

Although Islands is the band's first full length record, it feels like the culmination of years of musical journeys.

Opening with the song that started this whole journey off, 'Agape', the familiar opening banjo chords are like being welcomed to this new chapter by an old friend. It's chorus is a rousing sing-along, rich in harmonies and littered with lyrical gems of heartbreak and obsession. 'The Love That We Stole' is an incredibly well crafted Americana track, built around an off-beat guitar riff and thundering percussion. Following two former fan favourites in 'Isaac' and the newly named 'Above The Clouds of Pompeii', we hear a new track in 'Think Of England'. This lush, nostalgia laden homage to our fair isle builds beautifully over 4 minutes, leading to an eruption of brass as it fades to black, repeating the line "do you lie back, and think of England with fireworks flashing".

'Magdalene' is a re-working of one of Cherbourg's finest moments (previously called 'Never Love Again'); despite lacking some of the urgency and melodic hooks of it's previous incarnation it's pretty special to hear the former melody line from five years earlier creep through at the song's climax, as a reverberated and ghostly Davies repeats the line from his past: "I will never love again with all my heart, it just falls apart every time I try". 

For me this is where this record diverges. To this point it has featured a number of tracks already released on previous EP's or written in previous formations of the band; however, the final three tracks show glimpses of the band's future.

'Stubborn Beast' hints at darker subject matter built around Bon Iver-esque open guitar song structures. On 'Elyisium' Davie writes confessionally to his brother about the complexities of becoming a man ("brother, please never grow up"); though it is lyrically quite a downbeat affair, it's juxtapositioned by one of the most infectiously anthemic choruses on the album. Closer 'Bad Blood' is, simply put, a masterpiece, showing glimpses of further evolution in the band's songwriting. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to scare you at all, I'm just trying to drain all my bad blood"

Though in these hugely cynical times people will criticise them for being too safe, there is something so refreshing about the accessibility and genuine honesty of everything that Bear's Den do - completely devoid of pretension - and based on their ever-growing legions of fans, I'm clearly not alone.

Bear's Den - Islands: 7.5 / 10

"I don't want to know who I am without you"