Good music is worth the wait. The Cornerstones has been one of the
first bands who ever reached out to me on twitter (the blessed land
of vast music aptitude and extensive indulgence) and their songs made
a lasting impression on me. With vibrant, tense and incisive
melodies, with subtle, brisk and ardent vocals of raucous resonance, moreover with a promising debut album already released back in the day, the london based rock foursomeleft me eager for
more. Their second album was in the making, they said, and so the wait
began. I was lured in, held on patiently, knowing that the days, the
months that passed, time spent by the band with composing, rehearsing
and recording, would eventually pay off for the eager audience, would
eventually be endorsed by me. As good music is worth the wait, music
also takes time come into being, to evolve, to be elaborated to both
the musicians' and the listeners' approval and satifaction.
I still can recall my first interview 'experience'. All too well
in fact. The tingling excitement, the pleasant anticipation, the
touch of nervousness of which I now - as almost one year has passed
since then - like to believe vanished once I started to ask the
questions I prepared. But I can tell, it hasn't, my voice, slightly
trembling, told so, I knew, probably the band knew too and all the
listeners did certaintly notice it as well.
Myth. Enthralling and eclectic stories unfold and cast a spell on
their audience. Swift and surprising events pass by, vague details
gleam, concrete and form a ponderous and defining narrative frame.
Tension grows, is strained and temporary resolved, only to be picked
up once more, this time though to last until the very end. The
aftermath is stirring, evocative and most likely satisfies.
Love is almighty and unpredictable. Music love is so too. It
strikes you, often by surprise yet comes with the pleasant feeling of
certainty and intensity. You fall for songs that bare the
composists', vocalists' and instrumentalists' soul and emotions, that
reveal tonal, vocal and lyrical characteristics to cherish, that
unleash enthusiasm about and eager excitement for the music to play
on. It's somehow magical and once your under the music's spell you're
mesmerized … and you're wondering, wondering if there's anychance
to see the artists behind those compelling compositions live. Often
it takes less to realize you can't. At least you can't see them all.
Social media makes music accessible though: it's an easy and rather
quick process to find songs, all you need to do is to listen. To the
musicians promoting it, to the sound that is about to evolve. In the
age of connecting and sharing, you're also offered acceptable
alternatives (yet not equally qualitive options) to make up for
missed live shows: live streams of performances, live in concert dvds
and live albums.
'Can nobody hear me? I got a lot that's on my mind .....'
Imagine Dragons - Hear Me
Silence. Noise is anticipated and one can sense the distant, the
yet undefined but already animate and strained reverberation of
impetuous, of eager tonal eruption that is about to grow stronger,
that is about to resonate. Silence. Of even more depth right before
its expiration. Then – a singular, maybe at first reserved sound, soon a complex
and sonorous sequence of chords and chimes– intense in vibrancy,
stimulating in timbre, determined to appeal to one's senses, to
eventually stirr one's soul. It invades the air, rings in one's ears,
it's heard. Silence once more. Only the insipid echo of bygone
melodies in one's head, but … a lasting tonal imprint on one's
heart.
With the
narrowly defined and conclusive title the 4-piece LA based rock band The Wild Young Hearts, formerly known as Streetcar
Rendezvous (when people struggled to pronounce and write their band name correctly the guys thought it would be best to make it more obvious and easy and TWYH was born) has chosen for their second EP (‘Pretty Girls’), the listener might anticipate
and connote light and shallow music, music one has heard before somewhere else,
music that covers themes often dealt with: love, relationships, attraction,
heartbreak. But if the audience is willing to look deeper, to grant the songs
time to evolve, it soon finds that the themes might mainly be nothing new, the
music approach and execution though is striking. In fact the staging and
arrangement of songs on ‘Pretty Girls’ show both diversity and notability.
Coincidence
or fate, I distance myself from deciding on this, but one thing is certain: the
run of events that led to writing this review appeal at least to me inevitable
and can be traced back to a moment in my life I still recall as a very precious
and defining one: it has been the day that I started writing song reviews. And
it has been the day I was introduced to remarkable and refined rock music, genuinely
embodied by the St. Helens based four piece indie rock set TiTORS iNSiGNiA.
Never
change a working concept: The Ganders’
music relies on the thrusting and edgy vocals of DarrenJordan, as well as on its
bluesy but vibrant and imposing instrumental arrangement that hits the mark by
combining hooking guitar, blurry yet brisk bass (Dan Hickman) and dynamic drum (Paul
Byrne) sound. With songs as energetic and forceful as theirs, the listener soon
finds himself under a spell of grungy
and enigmatic vocals, fascinated by a sonorous and vigorous instrumental
staging: rapid, rousing drums bond with
precise, strident still striking guitar riffs and ravishing, obscure
bass melodies. Concisely, these are the defining tonal elements which enhance both EPs - ‘Hurricane’ (2011) and
‘Slipping In’ (2013) - of the 3 piece, Birmingham based bluesy rock band.
It’s a
magical, inspiring moment. A moment of anticipication. Of expectation and
excitement. Eventually of belief. One believes in those people who are involved to
create something worthwhile and wonderful, expects them to conceive something
which is memorable enoughto linger on one’s mind, to leave a lasting
impression, still expects them to come up with something unique enough to take
its listener by surprise, to stir his mind and soul. The longing for something
notable and new is in the air, intangable for now, but noticeable. One’s
waiting to embark on what is currently merely but a concept, one’s yearning to
indulge into what is yet nothing but a draft, ready to open up to it, to make
memories based on what the people behind a composition entrust one to hear, entrust
one to connect to.
It’s a
magical and inspiring moment indeed when you’re told that music is in the
making. Especially when the time has come to debut music to an audience, to
strike a new path - musically. It’s this ‘intimate’ moment I recall in respect
to The Nursery. What’s now known as the canadian indie pop foursome, all began
with Alex Pulec’s endeavour and desire to write and compose songs on his own
terms, what eventually made him leave The Ruby Spirit (spirited and
experimental, striking pop music well worth checking on: http://www.therubyspirit.com/) and search for a way to express his views on
and approach to music in a more personal manner.
It’s said
the core of every composition are the lyrics. It’s them to appeal to the
listener and to make them relate to the story told. And the one who’s telling
the story, who’s puting all his heart and soul into painting a vivid and
haunting picture with the words spoken,
better said sung, is the vocalist. He is the band’s front man for a reason - most likely he’s the one who has composed and
ellaborated the lyrics therefore the song’s message and deeper meaning, he’s
the one to reach out to the listener’s heart with the words his inspired and
receptive mind, lastly his very own heart have originated.
The
instrumental parts on the other hand breathe life into a song, let the listener
find melodies to linger on his mind, melodies to move along to as the lyrics
move him inside. The sound of the instruments back the vocals, strengthen, stress and amplify
them - at times they even outshine the vocals. The moments they do, it shows
each and every band member has his value, the right to be in the band as he contributes
to the music created, as he helps to let the sounds evolve and unfold.
Midnight Hour. The first name the band members could agree on. A name that brings
countless great memories to mind - for them being in this band, for me being a
fan of their music almost ever since the very beginning of their emotional and
inspiring journey as musicians. A name that stands for so much more than
like-minded, gifted artists coming together in order to compose authentic and
deep felt music. It stands for growing into being friends, family, it also
stands for music enthusiasts like me, who have found the core of Midnight Hour’s compositions, the one reason (actually there are plenty) to show support
to them whilst they try to make it worth one’s effort. And believe me, it is.
But what does Midnight Hour mean to you? In general, individually? After
reading about their story, after reading what made me connect to the name, the
band’s music, hopefully it’s gonna be connotations like these that linger on
your mind every time 'Midnight Hour' sounds, both the name and the music: soulful
songs. heart-warmingvocals. energetic instrumental backing. authentic and
passionate live performances. Southern California. Alternative Rock. Modern
Love. KROQ.Brad. Dan. Tim. Jeff. Mark.
A wise man once told me that brevity is the soul of wit.
Ok, let's be honest: I was told so yesterday by a (former) musician and (forrmer) fellow blogger.* And it's the short version of what he actually said, so lesson learned, I believe.
Despite these altered circumstances, there's unaltered truth within his words, that's why I'm gonna cherish and try to follow them. Starting now.
Hence, let's get straight to what this post is all about: High/Low. A two piece rock band from Southend/Essex who is currently working on their debut album. Why does it concern you? It concerns you since they are an independent band searching for support. Any support. Mainly financial one.
'Listen. Can you hear it? The music. I can hear it everywhere. In the wind ... in the air .. in the light. It's all around us. All you have to do is open yourself up. All you have to do, is listen.'
-August Rush
This blog is dedicated to those who are dedicated to music. To those who are willing to open themselves up for all the splendor and variety of music. To those who show passion for music - no matter if it's listening to, making or promoting it. You're the ones I'm reaching out to. This blog is dedicated to YOU.
It's said every day you spend without a smile, is a day lost. And it's true. You gotta seek for something to make you smile every once in a while. It has no reason to force it, take it as it comes. I did and found it's music that makes me smile, makes me feel comfortable and satisfied with all the things being. Now there passes no day, I'm not listening to music and by listening to it I mean decent and attentive listening. It's an adventure for me on every occasion as I love to explore all the depths within a composition. It's music that makes me smile, music I'd like to share with you, if you let me.
So, come along on this journey, listen and feel free to recommend, to be involved, to showsupport to musicians (see them peform, promote their music if you like to, purchase their music if you consider it's worth your money - and honestly, it is, it is since the musicians have not only put heart&soul into creating their songs, they have also invested passion, time and money to elaborate songs you're gonna enjoy daily, lastly they have created the songs for you, the listener, the fan, the supporter!), to share your love for music and to check on here occasionally.
This is probably just another music blog, hence why shall you care? Care because it's run by someone who is passionate about music, who is fully committed to it, by someone who dearly loves music. I do. And I'm quite convinced you're gonna find this enthusiasm within my blog posts, which are mainly gonna be about bands/musicians I fancy, about music I listen to, about the music institutions I'm involved with (Dr.Bones music show,Square Pig's Sty Rockin Chart, Radio Kaos Caribou). Every now and then, I'm gonna post reviews , gig information, playlists/songs ('Song Of The Day/Week') and - as a matter of heart - hereby I'll give it my best shot to promote the bands I've grown fond of more efficiently and by all means. Which basically means I'm gonna ask YOU to check on their music, to purchase it if you like what you hear, to help fund their album projects, to vote for them if they are participating in a contest in order to arouse attention for their music, to tell your friends about them, to blast their songs out loud and let the world know you're a fan, let people know they should listen too - literally.
Lastly, I'm gonna ask for your support. Support me in supporting them! I know that's quite a list, but I also know it will be worth my effort, as I know the music I'm gonna tell you about is something special, at least to me, hopefully also soon to you, and as I know I can count on your help. This being said: music enthusiasts assemble.
Now, carpe carmina. Seize music, bond to it, lose yourself in its wide dimension of tonal pleasure, simply put: bright up your life with it and enjoy it to the fullest. Listen!
