poetryinanemptycokecan

THE COVERUP: Colouring – I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Marvin Gaye Rework)

Posted on September 30, 2016September 30, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

colouring

A couple years back, we fell for a UK outfit by the name of Osca, who in the time since have underwent a rebrand and changed their name to Colouring. Whatever the reason for the change, their emotive and ethereal esthetic remains intact, and this week they’re supplying content for THE COVERUP–a segment in which we feature a fresh take on a classic. Colouring takes on Marvin Gaye‘s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” giving it a modern facelift through a dystopian, post-dubstep yet soulful soundscape. Vocalist Jack Kenworthy captures all of the hurt and confusion of the original, coloring us captivated in the process. Hear it straight from the source below.

The Japanese House – Face Like Thunder

Posted on September 29, 2016September 29, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Pushing the parameters of alt-pop with her brand of brooding electronica, UK artist The Japanese House has emerged as one of the most promising new acts to arrive out of London over the past year or so. The moniker of 21-year-old Amber Bain, The Japanese House — inspired by a vacation house she once stayed in belonging to Kate Winslet — is intended to be an androgynous epithet, much like the music itself. Following the release of two acclaimed EPs, Bain is now to set to release her third, Swim Against The Tide via Dirty Hit November 11. Imbued with sparkling production and lugubrious lyrics, the EP’s first single, “Face Like Thunder” contains the cool, translucent and lagoon-laced imagery that runs like a current throughout Bain’s body of work. Hear the new single, plus earlier effort “Cool Blue” below.

On the heels of a long run supporting The 1975, The Japanese House will be hitting the road again this October for a span of dates in the UK, EU and US. Check out her North American tour schedule below, which includes a stop in the District on November 25 at DC9.

2016 Upcoming Tour Dates:

Hugh – Look Back In Laughter

Posted on September 26, 2016September 28, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

London-based outfit Hugh make genre-bending, stripped-down and spellbinding trip-hop tapestries with textured synths and silky vocals. Consisting of Joshua Idehen (vocals), Izzy Brooks (vocals), Andy Highmore (production/keys) and Tino Kolarides (guitar), their latest single “Look Back In Laughter,” recently remastered is another one for the books with its self-aware lyrical sapience and musically apposite metered percussion. Idehen’s spoken word also steps into the limelight on this number. Look out for the track to be released on an upcoming compilation later this year.

Molly Burch – Downhearted

Posted on September 21, 2016September 21, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Austin-based artist Molly Burch may be unknown at this point, but with a debut as strong as this, it’s hard to believe that that will be the case for long. After moving from Asheville to Austin, Burch found herself reflecting on past loves and past lives. The result was a 7″ single released this month on Captured Tracks, available for purchase via Omnian Music Group. The first of the two-track release, “Downhearted” clearly demonstrates Burch’s musical influences–which are grounded in old school country and blue-eyed soul. It’s a nod to stylistic predecessors such as Dusty Springfield, Patsy Cline and The Shirelles, as well as a heartwarming introduction to the young singer and purveyor of vintage, romantic pop. Hear the dreamy tune below.

DC LIVE: Jah Wobble / Nick Waterhouse / Preoccupations (FKA Viet Cong)

Posted on September 20, 2016September 20, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

On any given night of the week in the DMV, there are myriad options for live music, which is why we’ve started the segment DC LIVE to call out our picks.

To kick off this edition we have the English musician Jah Wobble, who will be playing Rock & Roll Hotel with his band The Invaders Of The Heart September 23. Drawing on influences of dub, jazz and world music, John Wardle aka Jah Wobble has had a long and storied career. Originally known as the bass player for Public Limited Ltd (PiL), he later went on to fashion his own solo career, releasing his new album Everything Is No Thing with The Invaders this August. If you enjoy a good rhythm and blues section, listen to the single “Cosmic Blueprint” and check out his show at Rock & Roll this week.

Continuing the theme of rhythm and soul, Nick Waterhouse also has a show coming up at Rock & Roll Hotel on October 12. The LA-based musician is releasing his third album Never Twice (via Innovative Leisure) on September 30, which showcases his signature pastiche of R&B-rooted sounds. Calling upon some of his favorite artists to contribute to the record–Waterhouse solicited Jazz musician Bob Kenmotsu’s on the flute, Tom Waits and Elvis Costello collaborator Ralph Carney on sax, and Dr. Lonnie Smith protégé Will Blades on organ–amongst others. Waterhouse also collaborated with Grammy-nominated artist Leon Bridges on the track “Katchi,” which you can hear below. For a night of doo wop and neo-soul swag, be sure to come out for the show.

And finally, the band formerly known Viet Cong, recently rechristened as Preoccupations will also be playing Rock & Roll Hotel this October 16 (killing it with the bookings much R&R?). Working with Graham Walsh (Holy Fuck) on their new self-titled LP through Jagjaguwar, the post-punk Canadian group’s new album reflects their present state at the time of recording — one of flux within both their professional and personal lives. Listen below to the album’s opus, an amorphous 11-minute journey entitled “Memory” featuring Wolf Parade‘s Dan Boeckner on vocals.

THE COVERUP: Night Drive – Whole Lotta Love / Too Much Love

Posted on September 16, 2016September 16, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Before you ride off into your weekend, we’ve got another installment of THE COVERUP today, a segment in which we feature a fresh take on a classic. Today’s cover comes courtesy of Night Drive, a new wave band based out of Texas who create modern, dark synthpop inspired by sci-fi cinematic landscapes. While they’re in the midst of working on their new album, they were inspired to do a reimagining of Led Zeppelin‘s “Whole Lotta Love,” coupled with LCD Soundsystem‘s “Too Much Love.” According to Night Drive, it’s “what you might expect if Jimmy Page and James Murphy had a child in a dystopian NYC landscape, circa 2025.” Listen below.

TRUE – Back In A Second

Posted on September 12, 2016September 12, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

We were first introduced to TRUE a couple years back, with the release of their second single “Colors Of My Estimation.” Now, the virtually un-googeable Swiss group is gearing up to release their debut record, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Consisting of Daniela Sarda (vocals) and Rico Baumann (production and drums), the future R&B duo make idiosyncratic electropop with fresh instrumentation and a touch of nostalgia. Despite the digital blackout, the project has managed to position themselves for global success with only a single EP and handful of tracks, thanks to exposure from the likes of BBC 1 and MTV Europe.

Both seasoned jazz musicians, Dani and Rico’s music is full of unexpected twists and turns and meticulous nuance that feels effortless and instantly catchy. The LP, Wrapped In Air is due to drop September 23 on Mouthwatering Records. For a taste of their pop expertise, take a listen to the single “Back In A Second” — and earlier effort “It’s Not The Wind” for a sample of their softer throwback production.

Pional – The Way That You Like (ft. Empress Of)

Posted on September 8, 2016October 27, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

When Empress Of pops across your inbox, you perk up, which is exactly what happened when we saw that Pional had paired up with the Brooklyn siren for a collab. The reveal comes right as the Barcelona-based producer is prepping to release his new EP, When Love Hurts at the end of the month. Described as “a song about a toxic relationship,” the new track “The Way That You Like” is a riveting, sonically tense electronic tune sustained by rhythmic synths, dynamic drum beats, and of course the enchanting vocals of Lorely Rodriguez. Listen below.

When Love Hurts will be out on September 30 via Ninja Tune imprint Counter Records, and you can pre-order here.

Grapell – Every Time…

Posted on September 7, 2016September 7, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Soulful Swedish group known as Grapell have a collection of love ballads on the horizon. The duo, comprised of longtime friends Emil Erstrand (vocals) and Nils Nygårdhs (drums) recorded their upcoming EP Love Chamber with a live band in their rehearsal space located in a laundry basement in Stockholm. To Grapell, a ‘love chamber’ represents a place of beauty, but also a place that one can get easily trapped. Each song on the EP is its own entity, and yet there’s a unifying thread throughout. Regarding the decision to create an EP rather than rushing to put out an album, Erstrand explains, “An EP is much easier to consume, and you want a theme to be cohesive.” The opening track for example, “Every Time” is a subdued, gossamery and reflective song, while “Some Places” is a more uptempo, glimmering sax-suffused duet with notable additions by Many Voices Speak (female vocals) and jazz saxophonist Björn Arkö.

Escape with both efforts below. Love Chambers will be out September 30 on Strangers Candy in Europe and Roll Call Records everywhere else.

DC LIVE: Sleigh Bells / Tigers Are Bad For Horses / Tamaryn

Posted on September 5, 2016September 7, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

On any given night of the week in the DMV, there are myriad options for live music, which is why we’ve started the segment DC Live to call out our picks.

To begin this installment, we have Brooklyn’s Sleigh Bells who will be playing U Street Music Hall September 7. On their forthcoming fourth studio album, Jessica Rabbit, the duo trade in their abrasive punk/pop sound for a more experimental, synthesized aesthetic with the help of producer Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Fiona Apple) and mixer Andrew Dawson (Kanye West, Tyler the Creator). For a sample of their so-called controlled chaos, listen to new single “Hyper Dark,” come out to the show and look for the release of their album November 11 on the band’s new label, Torn Clean.

Next on the lineup, we recommend checking out DC-based band Tigers Are Bad For Horses, who will be playing in support of Highasakite at DC9 this Thursday, September 8. The homegrown group, who we’ve featured before are an electronic/alt pop duo that blend jazz-influenced, multi-textured production with piano and melodic vocals. Hear their latest effort, “Embers” below. You best bet that CCP will be represented at this show, so come out and say hi.

Lastly, we urge you to get acquainted with Tamaryn, another NYC-based artist who makes dark rock, dance pop. Her recent record, Cranekiss released last year on Mexican Summer, serves as a “post-adolescent love letter” to their early musical influences. Stream the sensual, synth-laden single “Hands All Over Me” below. Currently on tour supporting Lush, you can find Tamaryn performing at 9:30 Club September 21.