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.
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, JessicaRabbit, 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.
Melbourne’s Big Scary, comprised of Jo Syme and Tom Iansek, are releasing an ambitious third studio album, entitled Animal this Friday, September 2. Molded into four unique movements they’re calling the “4 Stages of the Animal” — Hunting, Lurking, Resting and Waking — these phases are meant to represent an evolution from dark to light, or evolution of man so to speak. While humans have the capacity to rise above our animal urges, our baser instincts are often in direct conflict with our higher-minded selves, creating a constant balancing act in the psyche.
As the duo stated in a press release: The extent to which we are all just animals with drives, urges and instincts was a question that particularly interested us. It is fascinating that we, as human beings capable of love, kindness, creativity and incredibly nuanced and complex thought are often in the same moment dealing with base drives, desires and hungers to be fed and satisfied; that we seemingly have a mind that is both a treasure and a torment; a mind that can equally throw up the twisted and perverted alongside the good and the Godly.
“Over Matter” is the aperture of the final chapter, which the band espouses as the emotional and spiritual heart of the album. Shaped through layered, oscillating synths, upbeat drums and a rising crescendo, the track is complemented by Iansek’s falsetto vocals and a gorgeous closing sax solo courtesy of collaborator Gus Rigby. “Lyrically it can be seen as descent into madness; life attacking from all angles; hysteria and confusion building to a simmering cacophony,” explains Big Scary. “There is also a surrender to all these things in the end, and the beginning of a transformation.”
Surrender yourself to the song and accompanying video for “Over Matter,” and be sure to scope the thought-provoking new LP in its entirety upon its release.
New Brooklyn duo BLKKATHY want to make your booty bounce and ruin your makeup, according to their bio. They actively encourage crying on the dance floor. So who is this duo exactly? They’re a couple of women living in BK who share the name Kate, and make understated yet potent pop music via 808s and plenty of heartbreak. Their new single “Lemon” features tasteful beat work, intricately placed synths and polyrhythms with subdued R&B vocals that denote healthy skepticism. Look out for their EP of the same name to drop later this summer via MANIMAL VINYL RECORDS and listen to “Lemon” below.
Sea Span is the project of a former senate page turned musician, who hung up his political suit to channel his frustrations with the American political system into a more gratifying outlet. The tongue-in-cheek name is no coincidence for the Philly-based band, who create their own blend of indie-folk baroque pop, recommended if you like Day Wave. According to the young act, who have only a handful of tracks uploaded to Soundcloud, most of their music was written this past winter and influenced by Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash. With a firm base in acoustic guitars and subtle Fender Rhodes synths, their style is melodious and accessible with a side dose of political disenchantment. Stream their track “Refugees” below.
On any given night of the week in the DMV, there are myriad options for live music, which is why we’ve started a segment called DC Live to call out our favorites. First up on the docket is a Boston-based indie band known as Air Traffic Controller, who are playing at Jammin’ Java TONIGHT in Vienna.
The story behind ATC is an interesting one — singer-songwriter Dave Munro had served in the US Navy as a real-life air traffic controller, sending out 4-track demos during his deployment. After his enlistment was up, Munro arrived back home in Boston to discover he had inadvertently established a fanbase, which prompted the career switch under the same name. He first met singer Casey Sullivan, and then the duo quickly grew into a quintet with the addition of multi-instrumentalist Steve Scott, Richie Munro on drums, and violinist Jeremy Van Cleave. Their following hit single “You Know Me” is off their 2012 sophomore LP Nordo, which soared to the number one spot on the Hype Machine at the time and sealed their status as all-American indie darlings.
Another upcoming show we’re excited about is the influential Canadian experimental rock band Holy Fuck, who are hitting the road in support of their first album in six years — Congrats. They’re known for having a particularly electrifying live show with lots of improv and electronic ingenuity, so make sure to check them out at DC9 this coming week on July 21. Watch the video for new track “Tom Tom” below.
And finally, the NYC-based indie band Future Generations are playing Tropicalia August 5 with support from local DC bands Wylder and Clones of Clones. The foursome first came together in the dorms of Fordham University, who bonded over their nerd-like zeal and shared appreciation of all forms of pop music. Now the quartet is gearing up to release their self-titled debut album via Frenchkiss Records July 29. Stream the infectious album single “Stars” and be sure to come out to the show if you’re in the area.
If you’re in search for the perfect tropical score to accompany your plans for coastal exploration this summer, look no further than Melbourne’s Flamingo Jones — who was introduced to the world in 2015 by way of his debut EP Wet Sounds. Inspired by the likes Brian Wilson, Animal Collective and Harry Belafonte, the Australian artist has cultivated a sound which he has aptly labeled ‘Nature Beat.’ For a taste of the breezy sun-kissed soca vibes Jones has to offer, listen to “Fred Bear,” a calypso confection of syncopated beats and whimsical lyrical musings below.
Another band to emerge out of Oakland’s fecund music scene is a trio called Flying Circles, who released their debut LP via Antiquated Future Records last month. Their single “Dayglo Queen” immediately stood out to us for its angular guitars, skittering synths and cool, compelling vocals from Colleen Johnson. The mezzo-soprano employs a minor-key vocal line on the track, which blends nicely with the the track’s retro rhythm section, distorted textures and prismatic soundscape. No doubt their sound is influenced by the rich, esoteric-folk musical trend that’s been blooming out of that particular region of the Bay Area (think Waterstrider and Bells Atlas). We’re into it.
The album, Of Loving Grace is available for purchase on Bandcamp.
From the opening bars of their first single “Not Enough,” Sunjacket draws you into their world of layered, jazz-tinged syncopated rock. The Chicago quartet’s haunting harmonies sound like a cross between Adult Jazz, The Antlers and Grizzly Bear. The track, mixed/co-produced by Milagres‘ Fraser MuCulloch and mastered by Joe Lambert (who’s worked with Animal Collective and Pet Shot Boys) is the first of their debut LP Mantra, due out sometime this fall.
Delighted to share the new one from a musician who was easily one of our favorite musos to emerge from Down Under over the last few years — D.D Dumbo. Having released his EP Tropical Oceans in late 2014, the Australian artist and musical raconteur aka Oliver Hugh Perry has a new album in the works and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Although the multi-instrumentalist is definitely someone you’ll want to see live, the production on Perry’s new song “Satan” sounds more polished than ever. Hard to deny the Sting comparison here, in which Perry weaves a compelling tale on the typically inventive and colorful cut replete with Eastern influences. Stream below.
poetry in an empty coke can 