poetry in an empty coke can

So Much Light – The Barrel Keeps Rolling Forever

Posted on April 21, 2016April 21, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Video game nerds, take heed. Sacramento’s So Much Light (aka Damien Verrett) has reinterpreted an instrumental track from the celebrated game Donkey Kong Country into a “sad boy R&B jam,” and it is a beguiling beaut.

Explaining the inspiration for the revision, Verrett says: “The song is originally called ‘Stickerbrush Symphony‘ by the composer for all of the Donkey Kong Country games David Wise. This song in particular is really popular among people who are into video game music — it’s kind of the magnum opus as far as songs from Donkey Kong Country go. Growing up with video games I was always fascinated with the soundtracks and their ability to transport the player into different environments.”

Verrett’s reimagining, entitled “The Barrel Keeps Rolling Forever” will certainly transfix the listener with its stunningly smooth vocals and R&B intonations. Signed to Anti- Records, the singer released his debut EP Idiot Soul on the label late last year. Anti- Records is killing it right now with their roster, so you know he’s doing something right. Look out for more from this burgeoning artist on the horizon and stream below.

Nadia Nair – Blow

Posted on April 19, 2016April 19, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

You can almost see the smoke emanating from Nadia Nair‘s breathy vocals as she sings on “Blow,” the third single from the Swedish singer’s upcoming debut album. “Blow” is an empowering, galvanizing pop number about emitting the bad from your life: “It’s about letting go with passion – smoke it out,” states Nair. Aiming to blend modern sounds as showcased here amongst ancient themes on her forthcoming debut, Beautiful Poetry will be self-released on April 29 via Nair’s label, Naboobia Records. Stream “Blow” below.

Yuck – Southern Skies

Posted on April 15, 2016April 15, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

yuck

London-based indie rock band Yuck are stopping through the District tonight to perform at Rock & Roll Hotel, with support from Big Thief and Bad Moves. The predominately shoegaze-inspired outfit have dabbled in a number of genres in their career, which first launched in 2009. Listen to the more minimal, melancholic song “Southern Skies” off their 2014 EP of the same name and head on out to the show this eve if you’re in the mood for some live music.

Highasakite – Golden Ticket

Posted on April 13, 2016October 2, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Highasakite have revealed the drop date of their forthcoming album Camp Echo — due out May 20 on Propeller Recordings. In advance of the release, the Norwegian collective previously shared the tempestuous track “Someone Who’ll Get It” and now they’ve unveiled the lead single “Golden Ticket.” The more upbeat, pop leanings of the track belie the dystopian subtext of the song, the opening line of which references a post-World War II poem by Gunvor Hofmo, ‘Det er ingen hverdag mer’ [translation: there’s no more every day]. “It’s a very famous verse, and was used a lot around the time of the Norwegian terrorist attacks [Oslo and Utøya, 2011],” explains vocalist Ingrid Helene Håvik. It’s this substantive nature of Highasakite’s lyricism alloyed with their sonorous arrangements that makes their music so resonant.

Camp Echo is available for pre-order HERE.

Von Sell – I Insist

Posted on April 8, 2016April 9, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Von Sell came onto our radar in 2015 with his infectious electropop track “Ivan,” making CCP’s list of electronic artists to keep an eye out for in the future. Now the Brooklyn-by-way-of-Berlin musician has made good on that prediction with a new song out called “I Insist.” More mellow and pensive than previous effort, “I Insist” is a soulful electro jam with smooth production and delectable vox.

Listen below, we insist.

Kill J – Coda

Posted on April 7, 2016April 7, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

One of Scandinavia’s most intriguing exports at the moment comes by way of Copenhagen — the experimental pop artist known as Kill J. The songstress, aka Julie Aagard composes her music, plays the piano and does much of her own production which is probably what makes her such a unique entity. Although the artist has been on the scene for a few years, she’s had a good buzz surrounding her in 2015, and released her debut EP Quasi last month. Listen to the accompanying single to the EP “Coda” to hear her signature tremolo and striking, eclectic sound, which as stated in a press release “morphs effortlessly between drone-like beats, Bollywood-inspired refrains and bubblegum sweetness.” Her other hit track, “You’re Good But I’m Better” also has a great remix by LA producer Sad Money so scope it out below.

Bayonne – Appeals

Posted on April 4, 2016April 4, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Austin-based composer Roger Sellers aka Bayonne released his debut album Primitives last month via Mom + Pop Music. Ahead of the record release, he shared the song “Appeals,” a solid follow up to previous single “Spectrolite.” “Appeals” is a colorful, piano-driven number with looped vocals and a playful melody that reminds us a little of Animal Collective. Listen below.

DC denizens can catch Bayonne opening for Small Black at Rock & Roll Hotel on April 16.

Holy Fuck – Xed Eyes

Posted on April 1, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

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Even after a six year hiatus, Holy Fuck is not a name that can soon be forgotten. The Canadian electronica outfit has announced a surprise new record, Congrats, scheduled to drop on Innovative Leisure May 27. Previewing a track on Zane Lowe this week, “Xed Eyes” is a bold and dark indie dance-rock number that cuts to the pith of what makes the experimental act so appealing. They’ve also announced a slew of North American tour dates this summer, which you can eye below while you listen to the single. Lou Reed once said they were the best band he’d seen at SXSW, so you won’t want to miss their electric live set. DC brethren can catch their performance at DC9 July 21.

2016 Tour Dates:
June 4: Toronto, ON – Field Trip at Historic Fort York
June 12: San Diego, CA – Casbah
June 13: Los Angeles, CA – Club Bahia
June 14: San Francisco, CA – The Independent
June 16: Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
June 17: Vancouver, BC – Levitation Festival at Malkin Bowl, Stanley Park
June 18: Seattle, WA – Crocodile
July 14: Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
July 15: Detroit, MI – Shelter
July 16: Ottawa, ON – RBC Ottawa Bluesfest at LeBreton Flats
July 18: Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
July 19: Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
July 20: New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
July 21: Washington, D.C. – DC9
July 22: Philadelphia, PA – Boot & Sadd

Laura Gibson – Empire Builder

Posted on March 31, 2016March 31, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

If you’ve ever wondered how the popular NPR Tiny Desk Concert series came to be, you may be surprised to learn that the origins actually began at a SXSW show in 2008, when NPR Music’s Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson made a futile attempt to see a performance by singer-songwriter Laura Gibson.

After a frustrating experience trying to hear Ms. Gibson’s subdued vocals over a noisy crowd, Thompson mentioned to the singer post-show in jest that she should just come play at their desks. Three weeks later, the “joke” became a reality and Gibson showed up at NPR, ready to impart her folk-like melodies in person. Now eight years and hundreds of performances later, the series is still going strong and Gibson has the distinction of being the first artist to ever traverse the tiny desk.

This Saturday, as Gibson plans to drop her fourth record, Empire Builder tomorrow April 1 via Barsuk Records, she will once again bring her supple sounds to the DMV as she’s set to play Iota Cafe. Gibson’s been through a lot lately, having packed up all her things from Portland to move to New York for grad school, only to have her East Village apartment burned down last year. While she lost everything, the tragic event certainly provided ample fodder for storytelling and growth as a songwriter. Hear the new album’s title track, along with older effort “Where Have All Your Good Words Gone” via Spotify below.

If you’re in the DC area, we encourage you to check out the show at Iota this weekend. Who knows, maybe Boilen and Thompson will make an appearance (just try to keep your noise levels in check, please).

Upcoming US Tour Dates:

Fri: April 1 – Raleigh, NC – Kings Barcade

Sat: April 2 – Arlington, VA – Iota Club & Cafe

Sun: April 3 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s

Wed: April 6 – Portsmouth, NH 3S Art Space

Fri: April 8 – Providence, RI – Columbus Theatre

Sat: April 9 – New York City, NY – Joe’s Pub

Thu: Apr 14 – Portland, OR – The Old Church

Fri: Apr 15 – Seattle, WA – Fremont Abbey

Solomon Grey – Electric Baby

Posted on March 29, 2016March 29, 2016 by santiago

Solomon Grey press shot

London duo Solomon Grey have made a name for themselves in soundtrack composition. It would make sense then that their solo work would take on a cinematic quality, as showcased on their self-titled debut album — released this month via Decca Records. Made up of Joe Wilson and Tom Kingston, the act’s electronic record demonstrates remarkable range, from the percussive “Electric Baby” to the beautiful and languid “Slow Motion Picture.”