Indie dance-rock outfit We Were Lovers recently premiered the video for their new single “Islands”, off their Pyramids LP coming this April. This is their first official music video, but you wouldn’t know it. Playful, sexy, and badass. That is how I would describe this video. Also, the landscape shots are as epic as the vocal and beat that accompany them. We Were Lovers are the duo of Ash Lamothe & Elsa Gebremichael from Saskatoon, Canada. By Jon Herriot
Yeah this is rock and roll. “Sweet Dreams” sounds mean and dark and menacing and cool. Angel Olsen’s deep-in-the-pa wail sounds anachronistic and nostalgic as if it was ripped straight out of some dusted-out frequency and amplitude of post-psychedelia. In 2013, we need more music like this.
Canadian band Walk Off the Earth turn out a vibrant indie cover of Asaf Avidan’s “Reckoning Song” complete with a soaring vocal harmony and jivey folk vibe. The five member group (best known for their snappy well-played covers, use of eclectic instruments and clever low-budget videos) went viral this year with a brilliantly understated video for their cover of Gotye’s “Somebody I Used To Know”. The video which features the entire band playing one guitar is one of this years most notable vids. WOTE rounds out a reasonably good 2012 with the release of their R.E.V.O. EP and the recent premiere of their latest video for the EP’s uplifting original track “Gang of Rhythm”. Good stuff. We look forward to hearing more from this multi-talented and refreshingly playful group of rising stars. By Erin Feathers
Walk off the Earth – Reckoning Song (One Day) (Asaf Avidan Cover)
New York based singer songwriter Jon Bellion recently dropped a second track from his forthcoming free album Translations Through Speakers via the Visionary Music Group label. “Life” (produced entirely by Bellion) is an infectiously charming track infused with effervescent vocals, a bright harmonic release, and an impossibly catchy sing-song refrain. Check out the accompanying new video by director Jeremy Peel. By Erin Feathers
It’s no surprise that Canada has treated this 6-piece from Regina, Saskatchewan so well. Having been crowned “Best New Canadian Band” and “Best New Alternative Band” by iTunes Canada in 2009, Rah Rah recently released their new album The Poet’s Dead in the US and it’s an album I’ve spent some time with. For several band members, their last week’s visit to LA for a small handful of shows was their first trip ever to California. As with other folk-flavored rock bands that veer between a harder and softer dynamic, I’d hoped this live show would rock (rather than put me to sleep). I’m glad to say this band not only rocked it, but exceeded lofty expectations. Rah Rah can play. Literally, band members often switched up on instruments, between tunes or even sometimes mid-song. They perfectly nailed their tempos and crescendos bringing select highlights to a supreme level of intensity.
Rah Rah’s set opened with their infectious song, “Art & A Wife”. This track reminds of New Pornographers around the time of their Twin Cinema album. Throughout the song, and even the set, Rah Rah feature male-female vocal exchanges. In general, four band members in Rah Rah provided lead vocals with Marshall Burns handling most of them. Marshall’s voice sounds a bit like Neil Young — more so live than on the recordings. His vocal on “Dead Men” was a highlight that night, as was “Prairie Girl” sung by Erin Passmore. And some locally Regina-flavored humor was found in the set’s finale, “Duet For Emmylou And The Grievous Angel”.
Rah Rah obviously enjoy playing, and they have a down to earth, winning way in their stage manner. Still building their loyal L.A. following the comfortable crowd was responsive and offered them a very warm encore. By Bruce Rave
*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.
Here is the second video offering from Mike Higbee’s debut album, Secret Life. “Wandering Streets” is a persistent, upbeat track destined to bring its listener a good time. The track is just one more shimmering example from Higbee’s dynamic and genre crossing album. We are always happy to feature Mike Higbee here at B3SCI, and keep a look out for him as he continues to gain momentum around the net. By Trevor Meyer
The duo from LA known as Reflections have recently dropped their second single. On “Disconnected” the introduction of a subtle piano counter melody wastes no time in leading the charge for the vertical textures that keep course the rest of the song. Infectious is one way of putting it. Be sure to check out The Reflections’ forthcoming debut LP, Limerence expected early 2013.
We have an exciting announcement for those of you in the SoCal/Los Angeles area this coming week! On Tuesday (11/27) B3SCI is teaming up with Central S.A.P.C to present November’s artist in residency and rising star Gavin Turek, who will be joined by a stellar bill of talent including Jhameel, Kenan Bell, Hustle Roses and a very special secret guest TBA (stay tuned for this one!).
To say the least the gig is a can’t miss, and to make things even better… it’s absolutely FREE! So come hang out with us and enjoy some great music plus oceanside breezes in Santa Monica this Tuesday night. Additional details on the show are here at Central S.A.P.C. and also check out some fresh videos and tunes below to get you in the mood. See you all there!
New electronic producer Albert throws down some heavily chill drenched vibes on his forthcoming release “Lucky”. For the track, the Copenhagen based producer links up with the vocal and lyrical stylings of Anna Lena for an eerie composition of pragmatically spaced instrumentation, illustrating the ultimate sonic hibernation. You can get “Lucky” and it’s remix package soon via London based Studio Rockers. Be sure to check out the stunning visuals for the track below and stay tuned for more to come from this promising young talent on the rise.
B3SCI recently caught up with Bryan from The Neighbourhood on the phone while en route to Chicago on tour with Paul Banks. We had a chance to chat about the band’s Californian roots, their gravitas towards radio, a new album expected in 2013, and potentially some new material surfacing within the next few weeks. Give a quick spin to our phone conversation below and check out the band on tour – more dates and details below.
Nov 14 Borderline – London, United Kingdom
Nov 15 Manchester Deaf Institute – Manchester, United Kingdom
Nov 16 King Tuts Wah Wah Hut – Glasgow, United Kingdom
Nov 25 Varsity Theater – Minneapolis, MN
Nov 29 House of Blues Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV
Dec 5 The Fonda Theatre – Hollywood, CA
Dec 9 Bootleg Bar – Los Angeles, CA
Dec 16 Bootleg Bar – Los Angeles, CA
Dec 23 Bootleg Bar – Los Angeles, CA
Feb 1 Laneway Festival 2013 – Brisbane, Australia
Feb 2 Laneway Festival 2013 – Sydney, Australia
Feb 3 Laneway Festival 2013 – Melbourne, Australia
Feb 9 Laneway Festival 2013 – Perth, Australia
Only You is a new project from Rachel Fannan of Sleepy Sun. Together with Micayla Grace of Leopold & His Fiction, Only You comes as a fresh breeze of straightforward Pacific Coast guitar jangle. White Iris presents the debut release and 7″, Applying Myself / Love Is Making Me Tired, that combines soulful harmonies which swim free in a dynamic of melody and heart tugging treble. Only You is sure to strike an exciting chord for retro rock aficionados. Preview “Applying Myself” and get familiar with Only You below.
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