Interview with Matt Page from Dream the Electric Sleep

In an age where the music trends in rock and metal music seems to center around a gold-rush towards any possible angle and interpretation of the term “progressive”, dare I say we’ve reached a point where its significance seems worn off. More than a mere trivial label tagged on to mindful, creative compositional approaches, “progressive” sometimes seems to be losing its edge as it slowly draws towards structural and tonal standardisation. Fortunately, Lexington’s Dream the Electric Sleep serve as an exception to the trend, restoring the thrills brought by music born from truly creative minds. Returning here with a 3rd record under their belt, the band pulls no punches and gives us an album that is bound to thrill rock enthusiasts in search for something new. Borrowing from the likes of Shoegaze, Pop, psychedelic and metal, Dream the Electric Sleep merges its influences on Beneath the Dark Wide Sky and offers us an album that is both accessible and forward-thinking in its approach. Here to answer a few questions on their latest release, I was thrilled to get a hold of Matt Page for a quick interview.

The first thing I noticed in your music is the impressive range of musical influences weaved into one coherent sound. Could you tell us a few words about your musical upbringing (what music you first got into, what got you into first picking up an instrument etc…)

As a band we really work to create a space where each member can bring their diverse influences to the writing process. Since we are all a big part of the writing process it is imperative we be open, generous and supportive of this kind of genre bending experimentation. That being said, the overarching mantra of the writing process is “nothing is sacred”. Though we all bring these different ideas to the table, we all are willing to drop any part or rewrite any part that needs it. In the end it is all about the overall song and as long as we are all happy with that, we move forward to recording it. For me, my earliest influences were Metallica, U2, GNR, Simon and Garfunkel, and Rush. I was probably around 12-14 when I was listening to these things. Of course there were many more but those are the standouts. I never intended to play music. I was an art kid in school but my mom decided to get me an acoustic guitar for my twelfth birthday. I started poking around on it and then one day something just started to click and it was like wildfire spreading. I never looked back!

Last month you released your 3rd full-length record, titled Beneath the Dark Wide Sky. First off, could you give us a quick word about the albums title and album art?

Beneath the Dark Wide Sky is inspired by photographs taken of the Dust Bowl in the 1930’s by American photographer Dorothea Lange. Lange worked for the United States Works Progress Admiration and hoped her photographs could be used to educate the masses (via photo essays in major news publications and magazines) to the poverty and desperate living conditions of thousands of farming families and migratory workers who lived and worked in the drought-struck American Great Plains. Lange believed photographs had the ability to shine an objective light on issues of social justice and environmental degradation and could be used to persuade and motivate social and political change.

Much of what motivated Lange motivates me as the lyricist of the band. How does art inform the way we understand the world we live in and can it motivate us to challenge and change our assumptions? I am not sure there is an easy correlation, but I am very interested in those who try to bridge the gap between art and life.

A Dust Bowl farm - Photo by Dorothea Lange

One of my good friends from graduate school, Nil Karsten (http://www.nilskarsten.com/) is a fantastic collage artist. A couple years ago I saw him give a slide presentation of new work and I thought it was amazing. He had been a long-time supporter of the band and I asked if he would be interested in making some collages for the album cover and he was thrilled by the idea. I sent him some really rough demos and he began sending me collages. He probably sent 15 or 20 of them over a two-month period. When I saw the collage we finally decided to use, I knew it was the one, and the rest of the band agreed. We are so happy with what Nils has contributed to this project. He really captured the feel of what we wanted the album to look and feel like.

This record marks somewhat of a stylistic shift for the band. Was there a particular goal or idea in mind when it came to shaping this album?

We always start with the idea that whatever we write has to feel good to us first, then we can step back and ask if it is the kind of direction we want to move in artistically. Sometimes we write a good song and are happy with it but then after a few weeks, we might get rid of it because it isn’t taking us in the direction we want to go overall. For this album, we knew wanted it to be a little tighter and more deliberate. We felt the past albums were a little out of our grip, like we couldn’t hold onto the thing we were after. This time we really tried to keep a sharper focus and try to capture more of the bombastic nature of the band. We are a loud band with a little edge and we wanted it to feel like that. More focused on the performances and capturing the sonic nature of what we do.

For this record you decided to call upon Nick Raskulinecz to produce the record. What first got you familiar with his work and which aspect of his work drew you towards working with him?

Nicks albums are big and bombastic and like I mentioned in the previous answer, that was something we wanted to bring to the sound. We weren’t sure he would work with a smaller, less known band like us, but he was really into the demos and the sounds we were making and after spending a weekend with him we all agreed it was a great fit. We all liked we he had done on the Ghost album he produced as well as with Big Wreck. It just seemed like there might be a cool chemistry there and we were thrilled to get in a studio to see what would happen!

Being a sucker for all dream-related matters myself, could you tell us about one of your most noteworthy dreams?

I have reoccurring dreams of tornados. I have had them my whole life. They are vivid and wide open. I can feel the wind beating down and in the distance I always see a funnel dropping from the sky. I am always outside watching as it barrels towards me. In my dream I am always looking for a ditch or low-lying land. I fall to the ground and grab the grass with my hands. Often the tornado takes me and I forget everything after that. As I have gotten older the tornado takes me less and the dream will continue on. I know it is about overwhelming fear, the unknown, the faceless onslaught of things out of my control. Maybe I have learned to accept much of what happens in waking life is beyond my control and the tornado passes like all bad weather now. 

To finish off : could you each name one of your favorite albums, movies and books?

Chris:

Album: Times of Grace by Neurosis

Movie: Papillon by Franklin J. Schaffner

Book: Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley

Joey:

Album: Superunknown by Soundgarden

Movie: Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas

Book: The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

Matt:

Album: Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys

Movie: The Shining by Stanley Kubrick

Book: Camera Lucida by Roland Barthes

Interview by Robin ONO

A huge thank you goes out to the band as well as to the staff at HIM Media for making this interview possible!

Be sure to check out the band via their website and social media pages listed below

Dream the Electric Sleep

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/DTESBAND/?fref=ts

Official Website

http://www.dreamtheelectricsleep.com/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/dtesband/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/DTESBAND

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkAYNGsadwC45sXpQ14Z9Ag

Manfred Kidd

I'm more used to reviewing Gothenburg metal than Gothenburg indie, but y'know, sometimes something cool will find its way into my inbox and I have to review it no matter what. Manfred Kidd is that 'something cool'. There is something deliciously romantic about Manfred Kidd, the fact that the two guys in this band were childhood friends who had lost contact before bumping into each other in the midnight train is just beautiful to me. With stellar production and lots of cool layers in the music, the debut single from Manfred Kidd, Lights, is the kind of thing that millions of indie kids the world over will raise their lighters too. Its 'the sort of triumphant anthem of youth that can truly resonate with the listener at some specific crucial moment in their life and leave them with an everlasting memory. It's easy to get lost in the beautiful sounds of Manfred Kidd and it's hard not to want more. These guys can do big things, I just get on my knees and pray that they get the promotion and recognition they so apparently deserve.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/manfredkiddmusic

Jodee-After the Hurricane

I know this isn't a site for pop, folk rock or indie music, but sometimes I get a submission that's just so darn good I can't really ignore it. That's the case with todays review, the new EP from Jodee, entitled After the Hurricane. With powerful and oftentimes haunting vocals, Jodee has found a spot in my heart as more than just a gifted musician but also a veritable force. There is a very human beauty to her music that speaks to the power of those who came before and those who will come after. Jodee touches on the very humanity within all of us and allows us to find peace.

I think the appeal of Jodee for me is that her voice is very distinct. It's beautiful and powerful, but not overdone. It may be the focal point of the music, but I wouldn't accuse her of trying to dominate the sound, instead she soars over top of it providing touching melodies. The use of dynamics to allow engaging crescendos on tracks like Emerald City shows her ability as a songwriter. Meanwhile the solid keyboards always seem to help bring her music to a new level. It's a pleasure to latch on to her voice and really dig in to what she's all about. Jodee understands the power of music as a healing force and seems to want to drive that home.

So sure, my perception of the After the Hurricane EP might be a bit romantic, but this is seriously some top notch stuff. This is the kind of girl who has the potential to be a mega-star. Oftentimes haunting and always touching I'm excited to see what the future has for a musician with this much promise. Already starting to make a name for herself I expect this Pennsylvania girl to take the pop world by storm. With beautifully layered soundscapes and a great sense of what she wants to do as well as how to do it, Jodee is a true musical princess.

Find her on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/jodeeseidersmusic

Villainettes

Villainettes are the kind of unique and proggy pop band who break boundaries and pursue a wholly singular sound. Suffice to say, they know where it's at. The stellar production of this band entraps you, bringing you into a simply epic soundscape that often goes beyond the limits of human comprehension. See, Villainettes aren't bothered with a lot of the things that most bands concern themselves with, and this allows them to make some of the most poignant pop rock since Joy Division. This is not a band who are going to change for a scene, or a girl, no, there is something much more important going on here, the sort of rock and roll redemption that only comes once a generation. Villainettes are pursuing a sound that could become legendary. They have a unique take on popular music and it is strangely hypnotic, I could see myself listening to these guys for days on end. Just let yourself fall into the otherworldly magic of a band seemingly destined to succeed!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Villainettes

Mangoseed

Mangoseed is an exciting rock band from London. Their sound, while based in tradtional rock roots, actually has a lot more going on, with touches of world music and pop to augment the sound. Why, on many of the tracks off their new album, Basquiat its possible to find bits of rapping. The electronic elements here also add a lot of flavor the music and give Mangoseed a unique vibe. See, what makes Mangoseed so interesting for me is that they take a lot of elements that we, as music fans, are pretty familiar with, but they deploy it all in a unique way and give the group a color that no one else has really achieved before. As you dig deeper into this record you find that Mangoseed really aren't to be taken lightly, they simply have so much exciting and new stuff going on that it boggles the mind. Filled with a variety of ideas and emotions, Basquiat is a shape shifting beast who transcends many of its contemporaries. Suffice to say, I think the future will be very bright for these English innovators!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/mangoseedband

Interview with Mitch Harris of Menace and Napalm Death

So just a few weeks ago I had the privilege of sitting down with Mitch Harris after a killer Napalm Death show and talking a little bit about Napalm Death as well as his very cool new project Menace. We also get into some of the more spiritual aspects of his work, something that Mitch and I bonded over on a very personal level. I've always been struck by how compassionate and kind this man is, and I feel like this interview really proved the inner beauty of this grindcore legend.

Be sure to check out Menace on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/MENACEofficial/582062241849421

So, after you played a great show like tonight, how do you feel?
Punch drunk. Like I've been in a fight. It's like a lack of oxygen but also with adrenaline, and a non violent sort of meditation a test to the body and mind. trying to do your best but also feel it and try to project some kind of energy which helps people connect with how it was written and something like that. It's cool to unwind and talk to people. That's my highlight of the day, after a show. All the traveling and all that stuff in between and waiting around in soundcheck and everything, it builds confidence. But when you get away from the venue and have a shower if you're lucky, then you realize that there's civilization. Try to make the most of why you're there and when its done the responsibilities finished and at some point you can begin to enjoy life from a different angle, with a sense of achievement. It was as good as it could be, under the circumstances. It might be better or worse tomorrow, which makes life interesting.

This desire to reach out and impact people in a positive way, was that the founding idea behind Menace?
Well, I guess it all starts in a personal way. First you have to please yourself and if that represents where you are at this point in time then that's something to put all your energy into. Even if you're going into something negative that's a way to turn things around, for myself and for those people I love around me. Then the rest of the world comes into it. It was therapy for me, so hopefully it can be therapy for someone else. Hopefully it will at least comfort them for a while and make them feel that they're not the only ones that feel like that.

Stylistically it's very far from Napalm Death, was this kind of music what you've been into for a long time or just, what came out?
Both. I haven't really heard a band that does the odd combination that Menace has. I grew up listenign to all kinds of music in my moms record collection with the Beatles and then the Stones and Hendrix and hearing all this stuff. My cousins played Kiss and AC/DC. My other cousins played Pink Floyd and Yes. I liked all of it. Years later I got into Metallica, Slayer, Exodus, Cryptic Slaughter and DRI. I got into heavier stuff, that was the next logical step for me. I closed the door on lots of styles of music. I still love the stuff I grew up with, but a lot of my friends got into this hippy phase, and I was like "No I don't want that to influence what I'm doing". By 88 or something I heard Janes Addiction and I was like, this is a way more interesting and rocking. It opened my mind to a lot of things with the different vocal styles and drumming styles. There was a lot of interesting stuff in the 90s too.

By that point we (Napalm Death) were already doing Utopia Banished and there was this whole wave of death metal, thrash, grindcore whatever you want to call it. To me it sounded like they all had the same influences, like they all went to the same record stores and bought the same records. I always tried to push away into different areas. The other kind of music I listened to like Ministry and Smashing Pumpkins, The Cardigans, and Skinny Puppies and how that applies to what we're doing because it's kind of abstract to begin with. After a while it just evolved.

Was there a message you were trying to get at with your lyrics?
It was more... I like symmetric poetry and things that are visual when you read them. I don't know if it's adjectives, or finding how words fit within a song, but when poetry gets brought to life by stringing melodies out with different notes, there's a way of making the poetry way more meaningful. Screaming on it just wouldn't give that sense of connection with what's being said and talked about. The vibe could be intrusive. Putting other instruments in like violin and strings and adding atmosphere. Using electronic bass too was helpful. Not that we don't do that stuff in Napalm but it was a way of highlighting what's being said and creating a storyboard. It carries a video, the lyrics and the meaning behind the songs. The insight is projected in the song in a way that hopefully makes sense to other people.

It can be very self indulgent. I was very isolate when I put it together, with very little interaction from anybody or constructive criticism. I don't know, I like it I think it helps the song go along and pushes it in different directions. Sometimes that's needed, to create an album that tells a story from start to finish and leaves room for the next chapter.

So there will be a next chapter?
I believe in trilogies. There's a lot to be said. There's a lot of stuff that didn't make the record. The combination of the spontaneous stuff. I'm going to start with the vocals next time as a different approach. Trying to understand minimalism and dynamics. How to use heavy guitars as a sort of dynamic to make it heavier and bring in different instruments. When you take the guitar and drums out it's a completely different style of music really.

Originally you were supposed to work with Max Cavalera, but that didn't happen. Why didn't it work out, and will you potentially work with him in the future?
We've always been closed and always talked about doing something together. I don't know, we've been tlaking about this project for 10 years. 6 years ago I had a collection of songs that I thought would work. We were going to work with Igor Cavalera and that didn't work out. So he saved a bunch of songs and I saved a bunch of songs, then years went by and he got so busy with two or three bands, and I was also doing stuff. Our schedules conflicted to the point where... we just didn't have time. I thought of the idea of doing different songs with different musicians but... It's nice to have a team of people that can focus on it though.

So, will we get to see Menace live?
I think by October I'd like to have something up and running. It would probably be in America because to start it in Europe... I don't know, we could only do like two weeks, whereas in America we could probably tour for six weeks. It will take a while for it to get to the point of maturity where it really works live and has an even better energy than the album.

I want to quickly touch on the new Napalm Death stuff, you said earlier progress was slow. How's it going overall? 
A lot of times it's stuff that's born out of spontaneous riffs and isolation, either with Shane and me or whatever. Everyone hears the tracks and we choose the ones that will be best for the record, things that are hard hitting and tense. It's more like documenting rehearsals and jams, catching it as it happens, otherwise it can become stale. The approach is a spontaneous one, there are ten songs recorded already, I have another six, Shane has a whole shit load so there will probably be a bunch of material documented and we'll choose a lot of shit.

My approach was a lot different for this one even though the songs were written at the same time as Utilitarian and the tail end of the songs from Menace. I wrote about a hundred once I edited the riffs into basic structures. About forty of those go in the garbage, but the ones that stick in my head... I had a different for Utilitarian than for this. In some respects I was trying to push the boundaries and also find a way to use everything I love in Napalm as well. After having menace and building on what I learned from the Napalm records I was like, well these things would be better for clean vocals and no distortion and separated it that way.

The new Napalm should be intense and fierce and concise and to the point, but still dynamic and groundbreaking. That's a lot to achieve right there. Not going backwards, but also tipping your hat to the past, but in a way you've never done it before. Barney tries vocals and we talk about it. We try to make dynamics because its kind of hard when everything is 100% distorted at maximum speed and the vocals too. Dynamics is a tough one!

One of the things I've always really admired with Napalm is how you always keep it underground. What inspires you to keep going in a van and keep it low maintenance.
It's not a case of trying to keep it underground, not at all. We've got like, one five piece drum kit, a half stack, one guitar, one bass, we don't even need a bass amp. We can fit in a van, or double up on a tour bus. We could play with a band that has massive production and then we'd get to some venues where they would never be able to pull off their show. We do great because we don't need shit to do what we do.

I would love production but it complicates things. Why would you spend a shit load of money hiring a tour bus and then flying in for weekend shows. We've got a small team. A guy that sell t-shirts, drives and tour manages as well as a sound guy, we always take sound, we don't compromise there. We did this Roadburn show the other day, and it was most of the slow songs from the discography. There was a video projection behind us and it worked really well. It's kind of DIY. If we go on a three week tour we'll definitely bring someone to help with the gear because if you get injured you could fuck up the rest of the tour, just by crunching your finger loading in. It's basic and it works for us. The less complicated the better. It's hard enough with personalities, everyone has different schedule. There's strong personalities in the band but we get by, it's like a marriage. Then the years fly by and before you know it we're talking about the next record.

Finish this sentence for me "I've never told this story before, and probably shouldn't but..."
Man, that's personal! (Laughs) Once I was in Vegas, where we used to have desert shows because there were no all age venues. There was a free thinking scene of people, three or four hundred people every weekend who came to metal and hardcore shows. There was a band who sounded like DRI, a band who sounded like the Misfits, they said my band sounded like Cryptic Slaughter. All these local bands. I looked up at the sky and saw a satellite or something and my eyes focused on it and then I saw that it was moving. the sky started to spin around it, because I didn't know it was a satellite, it was 1987 or something. Then I saw the sky start to crack. It looked kind of like the Death Star or a planetarium. I thought about the universe and space, I was the size of a bacteria in my own body, even smaller than that. It seemed like the answer to all my questions came in one heartbeat of understanding, everything I wanted to know in one instant. I never tried to explain it to anyone because I couldn't understand it and they would have thought I was crazy, but that's what Multiple Clarity is about.

So what do you love so much about music?
It's a way of documenting a time in your life and a way that people connect. Some people listen for talent, but for me its about something that stays in your head and change your mood. Having the freedom to listen to it at your own volume and sharing it with other people and sharing it on a soul mate level. It's a reference to a point and time and feeling. Capturing that, that's the challenge.

Any last words of wisdom?
I would start with the word 'wisdom' and be like what? It's a way of learning from mistakes and that's what music should be as well. Half the things weren't planned or shouldn't have been. Learn from your mistakes and your parents mistakes too. Sometimes they had talents they didn't use and just never followed up on their dreams. Try to live your dreams as hard as they are and dedicate your life to that.

Whyskins, Déklic, Sound of Memories, and Moven.S at Le Petit Bain

Saturday night we're heading on out to Le Petit Bain, it is time for some rock and roll anarchy at one of the few venues in Paris I had yet to visit. Le Petit Bain is actually a most excellent venue, it has a great sound (Although it is rather quiet) and a lot of space with lots of places to get a good view of the action on stage. Meanwhile, the stage is sufficiently low to permit stage diving and get a great connection between the band and the audience. I saw six bands tonight and will be reviewing four, each playing a 25 minute set, and with the special highlight of Sound of Memories things got crazy.

The first band I got to see was Whyskins, a pretty fun local rock act who are just starting to pull some good stuff together. The problem I feel is that these guys haven't really fully identified their sound. Yet still, their show was highly enjoyable. One special highlight for me was the second to last song which was a sea shanty, their unique brand of alternative rock gave a special flavor to this song and made me almost wish the rest of the bands music was like that. As is though, these guys were pretty interesting to see, and with a little bit of polishing they could make for a most excellent live band. I'd be interested to hear a recording of theirs, it could be pretty great.

Déklic came on shortly after and they were...interesting. This was the first time I've seen a wholly pop band live and while its definitely not for me I guess I can see the appeal. Their singer made a special effort to connect with the audience and I think he definitely made some good progress. It was especially impressive to see fans of all ages singing along to and dancing with Déklics music. Sure it's not my cup of tea, but I see where the fun lies, the way that people were grooving is definitely something I can respect, so if you are a fan of pop music, then this may very well be a band you want to check out, their unique brand of synth heavy work is pretty cool in it's own way.

Sound of Memories were the fifth band I saw and by god, they blew everything else right out of the water. You see, these guys were the most brutal (And the most popular) band of the night, and their unique brand of hard hitting melodic death metal hit where it counted. Getting a pit started three songs in (note the previous bands had not been heavy in the slightest) and getting the whole crowd involved seeing these guys play was a blast. Led by a wonderful frontman, Flo, the way these guys charged into their music had to be seen to be believed. From start to finish Sound of Memories delivered a great 25 minutes of music, 25 minutes that often felt like it was much more than that. They are simply that good. Suffice to say, Sound of Memories is one of the best local bands that I have seen in a very long while.

Moven. S were the last group that I would see play on the night and I have to say I really enjoyed their unique brand of Nu Metal. As Nu Metal ages, much of it is actually getting better and Moven. S is a great example of that. Their groove and live energy is pretty impressive. One thing I didn't get was why they had two female lead singers, it often seemed kind of redundant, but hey, their music certainly sounds cool. I'd especially like too note their bassist who really drove the music forward, partially through the power of his awesome mustache, but mostly through his killer riffs. These guys are tight live and the way that they blast, rattle, and roll is really fun to see, if you like your new metal full fledged and furious then this is the band for you.

In closing, tonight was a lot of fun, and best of all, the band I came to support, Sound of Memories, advanced to the next round of Fallenfest, a sort of battle of the bands. These groups are all pretty solid, especially when considered in the context of their respective fanbases. Yet Sound of Memories were the true highlight for me, with two new songs on their setlist and a load of energy to drive into the fans faces these guys know how to rock. Be sure to join up with them, and the others who advanced in Fallenfest at La Cigale on January 24th!

Find the bands on Facebook!

Whyskins: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Whyskins/226656260781017?ref=ts&fref=ts

Déklic: https://www.facebook.com/pages/DEKLIC/129057700441868?ref=ts&fref=ts

Sound of Memories: https://www.facebook.com/soundofmemoriesofficiel

Moven. S: https://www.facebook.com/Movensmusic


Details on Fallenfest!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fallenfest/5977664309?fref=ts

Celleste

Female fronted rock inflected alternative pop band. Admit it, even if you're not into this kind of music (I'm certainly not) it's still pretty awesome. See, what Celleste does that is so cool is that she mixes in crazed elements of 40s Cabaret music and 70s rock to keep things interesting. Celleste's music is rather unique, not just because of the songwriting, but also the heartfelt passion that she pumps into her songs. It helps to keep the music alive and beautiful, showcasing the inner joy that these songs so clearly give her. That is what really makes Celleste fun for me, sure things are perfectly produced and wonderfully mastered (By the same guy who does U2 and Sheryl Crow), but the spirit behind the music stays bright and fiery, showcasing a wonderful dedication to the musicians craft. Burning bright and triumphant in a time that is very dark for pop music I hope to hear more from Celleste in the future. Her head is certainly in the right place and her songs have the potential to touch the hearts of millions.

Find her on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Cellestemusic

Kaitlin Riegel

Kaitlin Riegel is an interesting alternative pop musician who doesn't play by the rules and seems to be rather proud of it. Her music is quirky and poignant, reflecting a musician who loves her craft and won't let anyone direct how she does it. The songwriting in Riegel's music is unique and beautiful with a power of its own. For those of you wishing for some sort of context, think of another alt pop kiwi, Kimbra. In other words, Riegels music is beautiful and unique using sounds that are rarely heard in this kind of context. It creates a sort of magical landscape around the songs and keeps the listener addicted, unable to turn away from these mystical soundscapes. There is more to Riegel than originally meets the eye and I think that will tak her far. I for one am excited to hear a full length release from this strange alternative pop princess. Her future could be bright indeed, especially if she continues to carve her own unique niche in the pop world and obtain something greater than the normal constraints of the genre.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/KaitlinRiegel

Matthew Mole

Well here's something you don't see me do often, review a band who could quite realistically top the charts. Already a hero in his home country of South Africa Matthew Mole provides a fresh and fun re-imagining of pop music in a way that is reminiscent to the work of Ed Sheeran and the Lumineers. The thing about this guy is that his music is just so pure. There is no filth or lies in his music, it just is a beautiful and unique whole that does not seek to shock anyone but just to be. Matthew Mole create simple but elegant soundscapes with a pretty distinctive folk/electronica approach that many standard pop or indie fans could easily enjoy. The sheer simplicity of songs like You and Your Crown is beautiful and showcases the sheer songwriting talent that Matthew Mole seems to have. While this may not be my cup of tea, I can very easily see why people would dig into it, it's hooky, calm and elegant. So if you're looking for a cool new pop act who bring something fresh to the genre with a squeaky clean sound and some interesting melodies then Matthew Mole is something you're going to want to check out!

Find him on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/matthewjmole/app_178091127385

Tom Lawton

So now we move on from the jagged metal fields and into something more majestic, something that is beautiful in its simplicity. Here is a man who makes glorious folk music all on his lonesome. The solo guitar and vocal prothalmions he crafts are simply excellent. While not afraid to embrace pop hooks there is a certain earthiness to the sound that can not be put into words. Sure, this might not be my cup of tea but the sheer humanity of Tom Lawton's music is excellent, it provides something fresh and elegant in the world of over produced and often dull and drab pop music. I'd also like to point out that Tom Lawton is overall a pretty excellent musician who knows how to craft some very simple and catchy chord progressions. The end result of this is a veritable massage for the ears as you fall into the glorious and soul touching music of Tom Lawton. While maybe not standard metal fare if you can respect a great musician and solid songwriting then Tom Lawton is someone you're going to want to check out!

Find out more on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Tom.Lawton.Music

Fallow Fields

Fallow Fields is a distinctly interesting pop punk band from Hertfordshire. Their polished and intricate sound is fun to listen to and makes for a good time no matter your mood. Preoccupied with the dramas of love and every day life their is a sort of natural beauty in Fallow Fields music that makes them a lot of fun to listen to. I especially dig their finely orchestrated hooks, they add a lot of flavor to the songs and really keep things interesting. This female fronted act has a sort of suburban beauty and their delicate lead lines give everything a flavor of its own. Their mix of light and dark makes tracks like Save Me with its acoustic parts intertwined with pop punk blasts. Suffice to say, if you're into pop punk then their new four track EP Beast of Mind is something you're going to want to check out. (They have another one, Lottery of Life on Spotify) They have some special sounds and it should be cool to see how they evolve in the future, they could very well give rise to a new wave of beautiful, more intelligent pop punk.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/fallowfields

Special Bruise

Special Bruise is a nifty pop band with a bluesy influence that somehow reminds me of the White Stripes. The thing about this group is that their music is rather simple yet it has a beautiful earthy power behind it that is hard to ignore. The thing is that these guys infuse their music with all of the might of the blues yet with all of accessibility of pop music. The end result is unique and glorious, finely crafted, yet simple soundscapes that encapsulate the listener and hold them in thrall for the four song duration of their debut release the Special Bruise EP. I love the way the male and female vocals intertwine to give the music a new layer of magic, it just feels so natural, so right that you can not put it down. So if you're looking for a band with a gentle bluesy sound that is simply magnificent and tear jerking then this is a band your going to want to check out, Special Bruise know what they want to do and how to do it and if they continue releasing stellar music in this vein they could go far!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/SpecialBruise/app_204974879526524

Great Lakes Feather Company

Great Lakes Feather Company is a unique synthrock band whose very alternative sound is easy to get lost in as it revels in unique musical twists and turns that one wouldn't expect to see coming. While not metal by any stretch of the imagination there are still a lot of cool ideas here which make Great Lakes Feather Company worth checking out. The way they fuse ambient sounds with more traditional hip hop sections really gets me and I especially dig Neptune for that. The generally progressive nature of a lot of the longer songs is cool to and belies the virtuosity of the composers. An important thing to note is that there are a lot of guest stars on their records, this helps to give their music a unique diversity that you don't find in modern pop music. It also means that every song has its own unique twist (because of the different musicians performing on it) thus really keeping things exciting and engaging. So if you're looking for a fresh new alt hip hop act with cool ideas that could change the genre then I strongly recommend you check out these guys!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/GreatLakesFeatherCompany

The Chance

And so we have our second pop punk band in a week after a long dearth. And I'm excited to say that this is yet another one who is actually decent. With songs mostly about teenage love their is a certain beauty to The Chance that makes me flash back to a more innocent time (As hard as it may be to believe I was not always a hoary old metalhead) when love was easy and life was more or less perfect. The raw magic of this bands music is in its innocence and joy. Even the sad minor key ballad that is Hey Katie has a certain wondrous pop punk magic to it that leaves the listener with a generally happy impression. I think what helps to make these guys so good is the fact that they're all talented musicians and songwriters so that the end result of their travails is very much worth listening too. One of the things that especially helps to set them apart is the intricate soundscapes that they craft with every song. So if you're looking for glorious and fun pop punk then The Chance is the band for you.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/thechanceband/app_178091127385

Something More

So it's been a good long while since I've covered any sort of pop punk, and usually I would steer clear of it. Yet today I found Something More a band who provide well... something more to the standard pop punk formulas that dominate the genre. With a fun and powerful sound these guys take me back to my middle school days filled with glorious choruses and high energy songs. With a lot of melody lines reminiscent of Bowling for Soup and punchy vocals reminiscent of Blink-182 this band is almost an amalgam of the best in pop punk. Their sound is fiery and light-hearted, there is nothing dark at all about these guys. We only find squeaky clean rocking on their new Nap Up EP. The production is tight too, Something More know exactly what they want to do and how to do it and the end result is an excellent slab of pop punk that should interest many fans of the genre. If you're looking for something upbeat and happy to close out your weekend with then Something More is definitely the band for you!

Listen to their EP on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/somethingmoreband/app_204974879526524

Ditchin' Quincy

An up and coming pop rock force this very young band from Dublin are creating their own brand of polished and well executed rock that is taking over their local scene. They have drawn attention from big names like The Corrs, it shows that these guys could get huge fast. The band has a remarkably mournful sound, the vocalist almost has an Adele quality to his voice, their is a crushing depression in his singing. In particular, the song Devils Eyes really shows how sad this band can be. The songwriting is fairly well done and the riffs are a bit more than your standard pop rock chords. While that is present I feel like their is something more to a lot of these songs. As a whole though the songs are tight and interesting and a breath of fresh air in a crowded pop rock scene. Laid back and filled with sadness but also hope Ditchin' Quincy could very well be the next big Irish rock band.

Check them out on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/DitchnQuincy/app_178091127385

Kopernik-Juste Moi

Kopernik is a French pop-punk band who I have talked about before. They recently put out a new single title Juste Moi on iTunes. Its a solid slab of pop-punk that should appeal very much to fans of Green Day or Nevermind-era Nirvana. Its well produced and shows a true dedication to the genre. With its funk aspects it manages to push the bands sound to new and interesting directions. I really hope that they push forward down that path in the future The guitar work is typical of the genre with solid power chords and a touch of funk. The bands bassist provides a thudding heart, as well as high pitched and accessible vocals for the band. Finally, the drumming provides a kick of energy to the bottom end. Juste Moi is a very solid effort from a promising band with some strong musicians who can push themselves further and bring their music to the next level, as is, this is a tight release that a lot of pop punk fans will enjoy, check it out!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/juste-moi/id593673049?i=593673114&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQOCBOJKVGk

The Jellycats

The Jellycats are a fun pop-rock band with a heavy classic rock influence. Their music provides an interesting balance between pop-punk and blues. The end results is what is essentially bouncy blues with poppy vocals that add a light hearted feel to the music. With lots of walking bass lines these guys are not afraid to get in touch with their older roots. Yet this is a band that knows how to make fun rock and roll for the people and not seem completely boring doing it. The music is very happy and really just peps you up. In many ways it reminds me of hours spent in the backseat of the car listening to my mothers Sheryl Crow records. The whole Ska side is very tasty and I think that it helps give the band its own feel and differentiates them in the pop rock crowd. So, fans of mainstream rock music, go check these guys out, you probably will adore them!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Jellycats/156157734427678?sk=app_2405167945

WVM-The End is Only the Beginning

The neo-pop monster of WVM is back with a new EP entitle The End is Only the Beginning. You may remember them from THIS review I did a while back. With guest appearances of current ex-members of Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson  and a Perfect Circle among other acts this EP has lots of star power. Now WVM has recently released a sneak peak of his new EP. All I can say is that you had better be psyched, regular readers know that I am by no means a pop/electro guy, yet this groups' dark blend of sounds is something that you can not easily forgot. So, go check out their facebook page and get ready because the new EP will rip your head off!
https://www.facebook.com/WVMOfficial