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Being There – In The Dark

'In The Dark' by Being There

Most bands do it (whether or not you’ll ever get them to admit it is another story), but a name/line-up/sound change for most bands is often a necessary and healthy evolution. Consider it a growing pain. UK collective Being There have recently returned to the scene with a similar statement of sorts. The driving bass line of “In The Dark” and the counter melodic tendencies of the song speak volumes to pop maturity. As the band explains, “The song is a little about someone close to you moving abroad…. It’s also about the anonymity of cities – in the dark you can be whoever you want to be. And it’s also about mirrors, once experience mirroring another, one person mirroring another, the water of the canal mirroring your image.” Well put – Being There have got our attention.

Being There (Facebook)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
09-19-13

Rave’s Fave: Irontom – What Will Happen To All the Indie Stars

irontom

Reviewed By Bruce Rave

This young band LA played It’s A School Night at Bardot in Hollywood last Monday and offered up a strong representation of their new Nitro EP. Irontom have a familiar hard rock edge yet blend an artistic integrity rarely heard among newer artists of this genre. Alain Johannes (Eleven, Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures) is their producer. In this song, fine-voiced singer Harry Hayes ponders, “all things even the great oh they eventually go away, what will happen to all the Indie Stars”? As the question beckons… it’s up to the listener to determine. Or as Harry sings, “it is not something you’ll only hear once”. This up and coming band is one that I will be keeping an eye and ear on.

Irontom (Facebook)

*Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!

reviewed by
09-19-13

PAWS – Needle in the Hay (Elliot Smith Cover)

PAWS

Is covering an Elliot Smith song sacrilege? The debates can rain but one thing for sure is that it takes balls for any artist to even consider. Scotland’s Phillip Taylor of PAWS’ recent cover of “Needle In The Hay” falls well within that vein of the most-tasteful. Most importantly showcasing PAWS’ (always important for any true artist) appreciation for quality songsmanship.

PAWS scotland (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
09-19-13

Arthur Beatrice – Grand Union

arthur beatrice

“Grand Union” is primed to ‘double-take’, complete with a bridge worthy of The Bends era Radiohead and a melodic rock mix that’s as at home in 2013 as it would be in 2001. “Grand Union” is the new single from UK four piece Arthur Beatrice’s debut album expected 11/4 via OAR/Polydor Records. Get familiar.

Arthur Beatrice england (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
09-19-13

Interview w/ Black Light Dinner Party

Sons & Lovers Art

The anticipated debut album Sons & Lovers from NYC collective Black Light Dinner Party sees release this coming Tuesday, September 24th. B3SCI correspondant Brian Litwin recently caught up with the band for a quick chat in run up to the big release. Sample the album below and also check out the new video for title track “Sons and Lovers”.

B3SCI: How did Black Light Dinner Party come to be?

BLDP We were each producing music independently, Flying Lotus kind of stuff. We would bounce ideas around with other but, when we wrote “Older Together”, that’s when it became real. 

B3SCI: The band seemed rather elusive a couple years back and now you guys seem much more out in the open. How has this “unveiling” factored into the success? 

BLDP It’s a bit of everything. Transparency would have felt wrong given the circumstances. The way things played out, we couldn’t be more excited.

B3SCI: What does a ‘Black Light Dinner Party’ look like and what food is being served? 

BLDP You’ll have to use your imagination. We can’t tell you that now, that would spoil all the fun…

B3SCI: Please tell me how you guys got in contact with porn star Ron Jeremy in the video for “Gold Chain”? 

BLDP Dan our bassist had his number in college. We would call him at parties, as a joke, and we’d end up having long, thoughtful conversations with him. Ron is outgoing and articulate.

B3SCI: Can you give us a little insight on your upcoming debut album Sons & Lovers? What can fans expect? What was the recording process like for you? 

BLDP Sons & Lovers is a collection of our best work since the very beginning. We didn’t really have a concept in mind other than the track that set us off wanting to start a band. “Older together” was the spark and Sons & Lovers is the fire.

B3SCI: The production on tracks like “Older Together” and “We Are Golden” is superb. What synths are you guys using? Is there one piece of gear that you cannot live without?

BLDP Thank you! We have a Korg Poly-61 that was one of the early house synths. Juno 106 is a great resource. Also, Joel has an Italian Oberheim that is special. GForce is making some amazing softsynths too. We can nerd out on this all day.

B3SCI: Is there a particular track from the album that you guys take away as a particular achievement?

BLDP In many ways “Lift Away” was the steepest to climb. I think “Sons and Lovers,” the track, is the most impactful for us. “We Are Golden” hits closest to home.

B3SCI: Do you have a musical guilty pleasure?

BLDP We love Katy Perry, though I’m not so sure we feel guilty about that. 

B3SCI: We’re hooking you dudes up with a ride on the B3SCI time machine, where/when are you going to, and why?

BLDP 1972, Abbey Roads studios so we can hang out in the studio with Pink Floyd while they make The Dark Side of the Moon.

BLDP (Facebook)

reviewed by
09-19-13

Johnny Stimson – Daddy’s Money (Follow Me Remix)

Johnny Stimson - Daddy's Money (Follow Me Remix)

Follow Me services “Daddy’s Money” by Johnny Stimson the sort of dance all summer 80’s pop-inspired remix treatment that rich girls (and of course everyone else) won’t be able to resist. Hit the dance floors, hit the shopping malls, hit the play button… “Daddy’s Money” it’s on now!

Johnny Stimson (Facebook)
Follow Me (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
09-18-13