Despite having just released their last EP, Mother Mountain, less than 4 months ago, Kansas band Spirit is the Spirit are already back to crafting their next batch of songs. As seems to be the nature of bands bred in the Midwest, the members of this Lawrence based band have known each other for as far back as kindergarten, playing in various musical outfits with one another over the years until eventually the line-up shuffled to be Spirit is the Spirit. With this incarnation roughly a year in the making, the six-piece band has zeroed in on a floating, ambient kind of sound, full of lush electric guitar and a folksy easiness in their loping vocals. Mother Mountain’s opening track, “Sing/Dance/Run/Chant” is pretty literal in its title, unfurling its five minutes of bassy “oh’s” slowly with static filled shuffling before falling into a rhythmic pace that had us bobbing in our seats from the first listen. Tracks like “Oh, Speckled Bird” bring to mind bands such as As Tall As Lions and Annuals, delivering a sweet, sleepy eyed sound that felt warm and familiar. While these Kansan boys may not be reinventing the wheel in terms of indie folk, they certainly add a little air to the tires, playing soothing and smooth, their songwriting coming off as naturally as their EP’s earthly name would imply it would.
A few of the boys from Spirit is the Spirit amicably agreed to talk shop with us via email, where we talked about their influences, how they’ve grown as musicians and the bands they wish they had listened to earlier in life.
Because its always fun when there’s more than one, what started out as a backing band for Mat Shoare’s solo project morphed into a full fledged band under the name The Empty Spaces back in February of 2010. More recently the Kansas City musician and his band mates, bassist William Wright and drummer Ross Brown, have been moving The Empty Spaces through a transition in sound. “We have started playing much more upbeat and energetic music. We have held on to a couple of songs from the first album but mainly have been working on new songs and a new sound. More garage rock influenced.”(Mat Shoare)
While garage rock certainly seems like an appealing change of pace for the band, we have to say that we’re already pretty satisfied with the sound supplied in the full length Shoare sent our way, 2010’s The Empty Spaces. For any listeners who feel confused by a record credited to the solo musician that is also named the same thing as the singer/songwriter’s full band, Shoare clarified the hybridization of the album during an interview question he recently answered for us. “The album “The Empty Spaces” is a transition. From a solo artist to a band. And the songs reflect that. Some are solo or with very little band influence. Andothers are arranged and put together by a band for a band.” (Mat Shoare)
With bigger full band numbers that are reminiscent of jaunty 60’s pop-rock, The Empty Spaces is a staggered collection of fast and slow when combined with solo work from Shoare. Mat has one of those voices that are familiar and distinguishable all at once, a culmination of singers we have loved over the years such as Rocky Votolato, Simon & Garfunkel and Matt Pryor. Melancholic titles “I’m Sorry” and “Looking in the Bathroom Mirror” bear notes of heartache and regret while sleepy track “Fairylake Road” plays as more of a light narrative than any kind of soul baring ballad with lines like “We’re all gonna die they say/ but not too soon I pray/ for one more day, keep the wolves at bay/ and everything will be okay” As a whole we feel The Empty Spaces is a great first impression for Mat, William and Ross to make with the music world as a The Empty Spaces and we will be waiting with bated breath to see what comes next for this newly spawned trio.
Mat Shoare himself recently agreed to an email interview with Reviewsic, where we asked about the band’s best/worst moments together, how they’ve grown in the last year and how they describe their own sound. (more…)
Since releasing 2010 critically acclaimed double Lp Sad Sour Future Ames, IA band The Poison Control Center has played 140 shows on what they are calling their, “Never Ending Tour.” After taking a month off to drink soy nog and wrap presents for loved ones, the band recently spent 5 days in Chicago recording a new album in an old Egyptian building where no records had been cut before. With no rest for the weary the band headed strait to Omaha to mix the record with A.J. Mogis. Now that a new record is in the can the band can’t wait to get out on the highways of America and start the Never Ending Tour Leg 2. To celebrate the 2nd leg of the Never Ending Tour the band would like to give away an unreleased home recording of a song called, “Tihitian Girl.”
We don’t know a whole lot about the music scene in Moline, IL but we do know that locals Is World deserve to be a definitive staple in their hometown. Duo members Steve Maule and Ian Lambach come from symphonic and jazz backgrounds but the root of Is World’s sound truly comes from the emo driven music that ruled the indie rock scene of the late 80’s and early 90’s; listen to Is World and memories of bands like Pavement, Dinosaur Jr. and Cap’n Jazz will begin to take over your brain. Hints of Built to Spill peek out in their melodies while the occasional synthesized blip reminded us of a loop Minus the Bear might play. More than anything though the boys behind Is World come off as two musicians that genuinely loves the music that they’re making. Though the four tracks on the band’s Turning EP do come from completely different corners of the music world, as a whole this first release from Is World manages to work in its own special way. From the bubbly opening “Either/Or” to the post-rock style of “Stuck with Me”, Is World maintains a constant voice in the style of their guitar writing and through their vocals. Our one real complaint is the 18:54 reprise found at the end of the EP, which despite its epic length, doesn’t seem to offer much value to the record. Never mind that the last minute and a half of the song is basically dead air- “(Reprise)” is a whole lot of generic synth and ambient organ noises. Why this chunk of time was even included in the EP is really hard to understand, because in comparison to the charming licks of guitar and sweetly off tune vocals Is World brings to the table in their other tracks, this one has zero personality or originality.
That final track disappointment aside, the Is World Turning EP is a nice throwback to the indie rock of yesteryear and a reason for Moline to actually brag about having a local music scene.
Fresh from summer break, Lansing natives Frank & Earnest are well rested, newly wed, and ready to play in support of their recently released EP Old Francis. Officially forming during the Spring of 2009, Frank & Earnest began as a moniker for singer/guitarist Otis, who eventually decided to bring in a few friends to collaborate with him, adding Paul Wittman, Ben Hassenger, and later Ryan Horky on the drums.
It is that lineup that is heard on Old Francis, the bands 8-track EP that has been garnering all sorts of praise from bloggers across the net. After taking a long hard listen at Old Francis its no surprise that people have been calling the record nearly flawless and all sorts of fantastic adjectives. What we love most about Old Francis is its totally unassuming appearance as a record. A simple Polaroid collage graces its cover, its inside is made up of layers of member quotes and inside jokes scrawled onto post-it notes, and minimal fanfare presents the CD to its listener. That simple nonchalance mirrors the content of Old Francis perfectly, which is a record seems to be a testament to getting through adulthood. “Stick a Fork in me, I’m done” bemoans a rough Christmas Day break-up, “Political Song for Ben Hassenger Sing” accounts giving blood for money to get by, and “ ‘87” captures all the frustrations of the twenty-something with lines like, “I’ve been fucking this up since 1987/ I’ve been biding time and squandered it all away/ I’ve burned down all my bridges, I’ve made all the wrong decisions/I’ve been biding time and wasting it all away/ Now I’m so tired/ I don’t think I’ll ever work up the gumption to finish what I started” Old Francis is an album that’s gritty enough to feel real, but polished enough to impress. Frank & Earnest are reasserting the venting lyrics, aggressive melodies, and chugging bass of punk to change the minds of anyone who has the impression that today’s punk rock is actually pop punk made by pretty boy one-hit wonders. Old Francis is on the top of our list for records that reinstate our faith in new music, and we can’t wait to hear more from these four.
Reviewsic got a chance to talk with Ben Hassenger and Otis via email this past month. See what they had to say about Old Francis, touring, and the band moments they vote as the best so far.
Reviewsic: What are your top three musical influences?
Ben: The only artists we can all pretty naturally agree on are Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and Blink 182. We all have a lot of different influences, and for the most part three guys in the band will like an artist and the fourth won’t. There are probably plenty of artists that we all like if we had a formal “listening session” party, but it would just dissolve to us calling each other stupid and Otis being covered in apple pie, so I would say those three.
Reviewsic: Sting, among others, once released his lyrics on their own as poetry. Do you think that’s something you would ever do/would your lyrics hold up in that separate format?
Otis. Why are you referring to Sting?
Ben: Hell no. That’s for pretentious fucks who are convinced that music isn’t an acceptable form for “emotional artistic release”. I mean, we have the lyrics in the CD booklet, but that’s more of a convenience for people like me who can’t ever understand lyrics when I listen to them. It’s nothing against poetry at all, but to think that our lyrics somehow transcend their intended form of release is pretty ridiculous. We just write about our days and jobs, nobody wants to hear that outside of music.
Reviewsic: What are the last three albums or bands you listened to?
Ben: Kid Rock, Weird Al, and some NPR podcast.
Otis: Paramore, Lady Antebellum, and Lucero.
Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?
Ben: Mutt Lange… hell he made Shania Twain even more of a superstar, imagine what he could do for us!
Reviewsic: What is the most memorable concert you’ve ever attended?
Otis: The Promise Ring’s final show in 2005 in Chicago. There are plenty of legitimate reasons why this was my most memorable concert, but mostly because Craig (Horky, who did the artwork for Old Francis) pissed on a guy in front of us who was too drunk to notice.
Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands? How do you think your local scene has affected your sound?
Otis: We know way too many bands to be able to narrow it to just one, there are a ton of great bands in Lansing. Young Dan Tucker, The Plurals, Cavalcade, The Cartridge Family, Cheap Girls, Josh David and the Dream Jeans…
Ben: We were all born and raised in the Lansing music scene, playing in numerous bands before we joined up together. Lansing certainly isn’t the largest scene in the Midwest, or maybe even in Michigan, but the people who come to the shows are there to really listen to music and help build something really cool, definitely something that none of us could do on their own.
Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Otis: Sum 41, hanging out with them would be ridiculous
Ben: Bill Cosby.
Otis: Don’t bother me any more, I’m laying these buttons out.
Ben: Probably The Cartridge Family, we’ve been out with them before and those tours are nothing short of complete absurdity the entire time. Lots of nudity and Lou Bega on those tours, good times.
Reviewsic: Tell us about Old Francis Did you enter the studio with a specific intent or concept? What do you hope listeners take away from this record?
Otis: Our concept was to record all of our songs and pick the ones that sounded the best to put on the album.
Ben: We succeeded.
Otis: Mission accomplished.
Ben: We recorded with Tommy McCord of the Plurals. He has the entire downstairs of his house set up as a recording studio/practice + performing space, and we’ve known him for years and knew that working with him would be both comfortable and very productive. I’m super happy with how it sounds.
Reviewsic: How would you compare yourselves as musicians at this point as opposed to when you first began playing together?
Otis: We’re better… still not that good!
Ben: We’ve definitely figured out how we all play and how to really communicate with each other, and without sounding like some U2 Rolling Stone shit, we’ve definitely learned how to play off of each other and how to arrange all of our parts into something coherent. Once we start working on new stuff, it’s never too long before it all clicks together.
Reviewsic: What are some of your favorite cities and/or venues to play?
Otis: Lansing of course is always a blast. We have a lot of friends at Frankie’s in Toledo and those shows are always a lot of fun. Really, we are pretty good at making any show we play a lot of fun.
Reviewsic: What are the best and worst band moments so far in your career?
Otis: Too many bad ones. Ben: Driving halfway through Pennsylvania before Otis told us he had no proof of insurance or registration on the van, playing with the electronic/flashing lights/3OH13-type band that did the cover of ”Under The Sea” from The Little Mermaid. Actually playing at the Good Time Gang Festival in Ionia. It was outdoors and the weather was beautiful, we played really well, everybody there was having a great time, it was a really positive time and reminded me of why I play music.
Reviewsic: What are a few items essential to your “tour survival kit”?
Otis: Proof of insurance and registration.
Reviewsic: What are the best and worst band moments so far in your career?
Otis: Too many bad ones.
Ben: Driving halfway through Pennsylvania before Otis told us he had no proof of insurance or registration on the van, playing with the
electronic/flashing lights/3OH13-type band that did the cover of ”Under The Sea” from The Little Mermaid. Actually playing at the Good Time Gang Festival in Ionia. It was outdoors and the weather was beautiful, we played really well, everybody there was having a great time, it was a really positive time and reminded me of why I play music.
Reviewsic: What are your plans for music in the next year? Otis: Do we have plans?
Ben: Keep playing shows, play out of Michigan some more, I’m sure we’ll release some more music… basically keep doing what we’re doing. As long as it’s fun, there’s no reason to stop.
With the singular goal of bringing Rock n’ Roll back to its loud, fast and reckless roots, Ohio’s Red Hot Rebellion are well on their way to fulfilling this mission with their upcoming album. Nameless as of yet, the record is due out during the Spring of 2011, and for those of you who truly believe that a Les Paul and a Marshall stack were made for the sole purpose of rattling you at your core, Red Hot Rebellion just might be a new favorite.
RIYL: Electric Frankenstein, Nashville Pussy, Zeke, Fu Manchu, Valient Thorr, Danko Jones, Supersuckers, Hellacopters, Turbonegro,
Riding the coattails of two well received records, one of which was named album of the year by CMJ New Music Monthly, comes the third release from Milwaukee natives The Goodnight Loving- a self-titled album chock full with floaty 60’s pop influence and pretty harmonies.
Formed in the early 2000’s, the band went on to grow from their initial pop sound in Cemetery Trails to a moodier lo-fi approach in Crooked Lake before arriving at the point of The Goodnight Loving. Getting caught in an British invasion of their own, The Goodnight Loving channels the charm of mid century pop along with the trippy style of psychedlia to create a sound that bridges the gap between their previous work, confirming suspicions that The Goodnight Loving has hit its stride as a band. The Beatles-esque “Doesn’t Shake Me” and “Ain’t It Weird” are quick to burrow into your brain, proving to be instant pop addictions, while many other tracks on The Goodnight Loving seem to favor a more folksy quality. “It’s a Long Way in a Bad Way” has a throaty backbeat to its guitar and drums that wouldn’t be misplaced as riding music in the old west, while songs like “Addicted to Debt” and “Ramble Jamble” find the perfect middle ground between those aforementioned styles.
As simplistic as some of these songs seem at first listen, there is a very specific sound behind every track marking TheGoodnight Loving as an album that was thoughtfully written and arranged. With no inconsistency to be found, the transition between each and every one of these fifteen tracks is smoothly executed. A delightful combination of old and new, this latest release from the heartland band wonderfully encompasses the qualities once heard and loved from across the pond.
The Goodnight Loving drummer Ryan Adams took some time to talk with Reviewsic about the new album, his biggest influences, and what bands he’d take along with him on his “dream tour”.
Reviewsic: What are your top three musical influences?
Ryan Adams: Thats tough to nail down. I love Roger Miller and I know the other guys do to, probably also CCR and the Beatles, although realistically there are many others.
Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
Ryan Adams: I would like to play bass one day.
Reviewsic: What are some of the songs/albums/artists on your Summer playlist this year?
Ryan Adams: Personally, in no particular order: King Tuff/Happy Birthday, Reigning Sound, always Roger Miller, Beach Boys
Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why? Ryan Adams: Brian Wilson? Haha, I really dont know…
Reviewsic: What is the most memorable concert you’ve ever attended?
Ryan Adams: Saw Devo recently, that was great.
Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands?
Ryan Adams: Sticks and Stones, The Midwest Beat, and The Sugar Stems. Catholic Boys forever.
Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Ryan Adams: The Beatles–because I love John Lennon. Johnny Cash—isn’t it obvious!? Vancougar, they rule!
Reviewsic: Tell us aboutthe The Goodnight Loving Supper Club - is there a particular concept or creative intent behind it? What was the process of making the album like?
Ryan Adams: We thought about it being kind of a science fiction meets folk music thing in the beginning. We just wanted to be as creative as possible and use simple recording techniques to the best of our ability. The process was somewhat on the fly–in fact, when we recorded “Ramble Jamble” it was the first time we had played that song all the way through. There are even a couple of songs that were worked out almost entirely in the studio.
Reviewsic: How would you compare yourselves as musicians at this point as opposed to when you first began playing together?
Ryan Adams: I haven’t been around since the beginning so I cant speak for the others. I just want play as well as I can and continue to improve. I filled in for the previous drummer Austin Dutmer, and those were some big shoes to fill–he is a fantastic drummer and I learned a lot from seeing him play and listening to the records.
Reviewsic: are some of your favorite cities and/or venues to play?
Ryan Adams: New York is always fun, also I would say Huntsville AL and Asheville NC.
Reviewsic: What are the best and worst band moments so far in your career?
Ryan Adams: Best: Getting into Canada. Worst: Getting denied entry to Canada.
Reviewsic: What are a few items essential to your “tour survival kit”?
Ryan Adams: Water. Crosswords. NPR. Mad Libs. Fud (thats crappy restaurant food) Spirit Animals. Ball.
Reviewsic: What are your plans for music in the next year? Ryan Adams: Its always a mystery!
Chicago darlings Canasta recently debuted the music video for “Mexico City,” their latest single from The Fakeout, the Tease and the Breather. Conceived and directed by the brilliant Eduardo Cintron, “Mexico City” combines sharp, modern camera work with good old fashioned lyrical storytelling. Check it out below and if you find yourself falling in love, download the song [...]
Record releases, reunion shows, poetry slams and school of rock benefit shows make up this weekend’s list for some of our favorite venues. Pick your poison, head out to support the local scene and check back with us Monday for your weekday shows list.
Release shows, local favorites, touring acts and lots of jams this week in Chicago. Scope out the list and check back with us Friday for your weekend shows.
Free shows, much loved locals and badass school of rock chicks make up our weekend line up- get out there and enjoy your music metropolis, Chicagoans! Check back with us Monday for you weekday list.
2pm CT The Mongoloids New Jersey straight edge band The Mongoloids go live from Sound and Fury to answer your questions! 4pm CT Smoking Popes Chat with Chicago pop-punk band Smoking Popes while they take a break out of their summer tour with Alkaline Trio to go live via webcam from Los Angeles! 8:30pm CT Brother Bear Live chat [...]
Despite having just released their last EP, Mother Mountain, less than 4 months ago, Kansas band Spirit is the Spirit are already back to crafting their next batch of songs. As seems to be the nature of bands bred in the Midwest, the members of this Lawrence based band have known each other for as far back as kindergarten, playing in various musical outfits with one another over the years until eventually the line-up shuffled to be Spirit is the Spirit. With this incarnation roughly a year in the making, the six-piece band has zeroed in on a floating, ambient kind of sound, full of lush electric guitar and a folksy easiness in their loping vocals. Mother Mountain’s opening track, “Sing/Dance/Run/Chant” is pretty literal in its title, unfurling its five minutes of bassy “oh’s” slowly with static filled shuffling before falling into a rhythmic pace that had us bobbing in our seats from the first listen. Tracks like “Oh, Speckled Bird” bring to mind bands such as As Tall As Lions and Annuals, delivering a sweet, sleepy eyed sound that felt warm and familiar. While these Kansan boys may not be reinventing the wheel in terms of indie folk, they certainly add a little air to the tires, playing soothing and smooth, their songwriting coming off as naturally as their EP’s earthly name would imply it would.
