ifitbeyourwill S04E02 • Sumner Bright of The Clearwater Swimmers

What drives an artist to bare their soul on stage, and how does that vulnerability shape their musical journey? Join us as we sit down with Sumner Bright of Clearwater Swimmers to uncover the transformative experiences that have brought his music to life. Sumner shares candid memories from his high school performance days, the formative role of mentorship, and the pivotal moments in college that led to the birth of his band. His authentic storytelling offers a rare glimpse into the personal challenges and victories that have defined his path as a musician.

Sumner takes us behind the scenes of the Clearwater Swimmers' creative process, from rekindling a college friendship with bandmate Sander to embarking on a spontaneous mini tour in the Northeast. With vivid reflections, Sumner recounts their exhilarating recording sessions at Big Nice studio, where engineer Bradford Krieger helped them capture a raw, live sound over three intense days. We also delve into the deeper themes of their music—memory, loss, and the passage of time—each woven together like water flowing through a valley. This episode promises a heartfelt and poetic exploration of artistic growth, making it a must-listen for anyone passionate about music and life's ever-flowing journey.

linktr.ee/theclearwaterswimmers

 

Half Happy • Bloom • 2024

Detailing their latest release, frontwoman Rosalie Miller revealed: “‘Bloom’ is about getting caught in the middle of your mate’s relationships. For the first minute of the track you are almost trapped by the vocal and synth, just like you’re stuck in an awkward conversation. You have no idea how you can help, what to say, don’t want to drop anyone in it. Then going into the chorus has always felt to us like jumping into the sea, feels like a huge relief how the guitars and synth swell together. A floaty relationship track which doesn’t know yet whether to love them or dump them”.

Red Ribbon • Crying My Car • 2024

There's a blazing fierceness that permeates Red Ribbon, Danner's most unflinching work to date, informed in part by her recent foray into martial arts -- something she studied while making the record. Her time spent in the boxing gym and the studio were undeniably intertwined, each experience working in tandem to empower her to express anger, salacity and passion unabashedly. "I couldn't help but learn how to be 'a lady' growing up: always polite, always friendly, always likable. So it felt nice and necessary to finally exhale against all of that," she says. "I've always censored myself, but on Red Ribbon, I let myself be more free. This record feels visceral.”

Cuff The Duke • Ballad of the Breaking Dawn • 2024

https://linktr.ee/cufftheduke

With a foundation in Canadian roots rock and a penchant for crafting noisy guitar jams, Cuff the Duke's unique blend of genres has consistently escaped the confines of simple classification, earning them an honoured place under the umbrella of "alternative.”

Six albums, a pair of JUNO nods, countless miles clocked on the road, including sharing stages with iconic acts like Blue Rodeo, Hayden, Sloan, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, and Calexico. Then, poof! A ten-year vanishing act, playing only a handful of shows in that time. But like all great tales, theirs has a twist: Cuff the Duke has reemerged from the shadows.

The band's comeback album, "Breaking Dawn" is a deeply personal exploration of frontman Wayne Petti's journey with mental health. Petti, who has spent the past 8 years working as an artist manager for renowned acts like The National, Owen Pallett, Broken Social Scene, and Jennifer Castle, found himself struggling with the idea of balancing his roles as both a manager and an artist.  "I struggled with the idea of working with incredible and inspiring artists in that capacity and still being an artist in my own way. I finally realized that the only thing stopping me was ME. There are no rules about how one can and cannot be creative. I realized that it didn't matter to me how it came out and who listened to it; all that mattered was that I allowed myself to create something just because I finally felt that I needed to.”

the black watch • The Morning Papers Have Given Us The Vapours • 2024

“an immaculate run of late-period brilliance that began with 2020’s Brilliant Failures ) is perpetuated on Morning Papers. With aspects of his previous MBV/Go-Betweens-gone-Beatles indie rock paradise remain, the first half feels like a’80s KROQ U.K. fest from days of Robyn Hitchcock, Lucy Show, and post-1981 Bunnymen (“New Brooms Sweep Clean”) transmogrified into Fredrick’s delicious hooks. All excellent—but it’s the second half that really takes off, when Fredrick’s guitar deals more stimulating distortion. Start with the buzzy C86-gone-baroque beauty, “More Lies”; here, Frederick’s melodic powers and poetic soul take flight anew, into the standout, noisier, fantastic “There and Here” (satirizing callousness), then continuing unabated ’til the driving-yet-bass/drums-free closer, “The Morning Papers.” Wonders don’t cease.”

- The Big Takeover 

Clem snide • All Was Revealed • 2024

Everyone's life, in the end, is a blaze of glory! Amen.

https://ffm.to/allwasrevealed

linktr.ee/clemsnide

julia-sophie • telephone • 2024

“Elegant and smoky electronic pop…Widescreen and ambitious, embodying both the freedom that comes with independent musicianship.” – The Quietus

“A forward thinking avant-popster.” – Electronic Sound Magazine 

“Captivating synth textures, spiraling melodies, and intricate rhythms.” – The Line of Best Fit

“Mesmerizing…Worlds away from her garage-rock and pop beginnings in DIY bands...you can practically hear her tears within the soft, synth-led soundscape.” – Bandcamp Daily

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ifitbeyourwill S04E01 • Pang Attack

What if the quietness of rural Quebec could ignite a lifelong passion for music? Join us as we kick off Season Four of the ifitbeyourwill Podcast with the remarkable Alex Hackett from Pang Attack with Yann Geoffroy (drums), and Dave Clark (keys, bass). From his early days influenced by 80s pop and his mother's love for the radio, to his journey into the indie underground, Alex takes us on a nostalgic trip through his musical evolution.

Ever wondered how creative collaborations evolve over distance? Alex delves into the intricacies of band dynamics, the highs and lows of musical partnerships, and the unique chemistry that can be fostered even when miles apart. One standout story is the unexpected yet successful collaboration with Peter Holmstrom of The Dandy Warhols during the COVID era, which resulted in the evocative track "Sea of Eyes." 

Looking ahead, we explore the future of Pang Attack and the personal milestones that have influenced the band's creative journey. From the reflective themes in the song "Lowborn Man" to the integration of real strings, Alex shares his insights into the band's artistic process. As we anticipate the release of their final album in its current form, Alex opens up about what the future holds for him musically and the bittersweet emotions tied to closing this chapter. Don't miss this heartfelt and engaging start to our new season!

http://www.pangattack.com/

 

Human Interest • Better Press Repeat • 2024

“An intriguing musical concoction that doffs its cap to grunge, the Kinks, Iggy Pop and T. Rex” The Sunday Times

“Human Interest are already proving to be a delight” Consequence of Sound

Devarrow • Bus Baby • 2024

devarrow.com

 

My mind is a little bit like Las Vegas

A million worlds made of plastic bricks

More plans than time and more time than money, I suppose

So I take another trip to the hardware store

A couple dozen nails and I’ll be back for more

Don’t call me babe, I’ll call you

The Jesus And Mary Chain • Pop Seeds • 2024

Earlier this year, The Jesus and Mary Chain made a high impact return with the critically adored ‘Glasgow Eyes’. Released via Fuzz Club, it debuted at #7 on the UK Official Album Chart and also shot straight to #1 on both the Independent and Scottish Albums Charts. Now the Reid brothers release a new song that was captured during the album sessions in the shape of ‘Pop Seeds’.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - The Making of Wild God - PART 1

“Elegiac and ecstatic” 

- Rolling Stone ★★★★

 

“These songs mark a high point in the Bad Seeds’ long and varied career, remarkable in its range and powers.” 

- NPR All Songs Considered

 

“It all has the sound of immediacy, of loose and unlabored inspiration. Wild God’s aesthetic feels like Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds’ cosmic gospel. It may be one of his most radical pivots yet.” 

- Stereogum

 

“Exaltation in its purest form.” 

- Northern Transmissions

 

“A euphoric masterpiece of sound and drama from Cave and the Bad Seeds”

- The Globe & Mail

 

“Meditations on faith, spirituality and rebirth run through Wild God's luminous songs“ 

- Newsweek

“Wild God manages to sonically represent the acceptance one finds when grief moves from being a hurdle to becoming a part of one's history.” 

- Exclaim!

The Oram Awards 2024 Winners

Oram Award Winners, left to right:

Dali de Saint Paul, The Silver Field, Hanna Tuulikki,  Lola De La Mata, xname

The Oram Awards celebrates women, trans, non-binary and gender expansive artists who are pushing the envelope of creativity in sound, music and related technology. Previous winners include Loraine James, Klein, Venus Ex Machina, Francine Perry aka La Leif, and No Home. The work of this year’s winners represents the wide spectrum of innovative sound artists working in the UK today.

Wings of Desire • Shut Up & Listen • 2024

“A bit like if Bruce Springsteen had a mid-’80s Jesus And Mary Chain phase” Stereogum

“Now Hear This” The Independent | "Wings Of Desire craft dazed pop jewels" CLASH

“Uplifting” DIY | “freefalling, expansive indie” DORK

The Shut Up & Listen EP grew out of our need to preserve this sacred space and support our unique local community, which is the closest thing we have to a new earth. We have put together a limited edition cassette tape and all proceeds will go to The Long Table in helping them fight their impending eviction.”

Eades • Fight Or Flight • 2024

“leather-jacketed cool” The Guardian Tracks of the Week

“What a brilliant band” The Sunday Times Breaking Act 

“punchy and familiar” The FADER | “Get to know Eades” NME 

“atypical blend of sun-kissed indie and new wave” DIY

“controlled chaos on a sonic level” Brooklyn Vegan 

"It will probably be the full stop to the way in which Eades have existed musically for the past 4 years. One final hurrah, waving goodbye to our scrappy youth in what we consider our swan song (or swan EP). It contains a distillation of all the components that made the Eades sound what it is today."

We consider this EP to be the best version of this Eades sound. This, however, has not stopped us from hinting at changes to come. Suggestions of strangeness and maturity are peppered across the EP, which will act as Easter eggs for the Eades sound the world is yet to hear, but one that is bubbling just below the surface waiting to escape. We put a lot of time and love into this EP, we can’t wait to show you what’s to 

come.”

The Cactus Blossoms • Statues • 2024

Instagram

On Every Time I Think About You, the Cactus Blossoms elevate harmony duo singing to an art form, weaving rich, nostalgic melodies and poignant themes of movement and transformation into an emotionally resonant tapestry.

PETE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT • SEA OF EYES • 2024

Website

Revolving around PETER G. HOLMSTROM of THE DANDY WARHOLS and SUN ATOMS, Portland-based PETE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT presents 'Sea of Eyes'  featuring vocalist ALEXANDER HACKETT of Montreal dream-gaze outfit PANG ATTACK with an intriguing shadow-dance video

IDAHO • Live at Bottom Of The Hill (San Francisco CA) • 2024

https://www.idahoband.com/

Full set. IDAHO played Bottom Of The Hill many times in the 90's and early 00's which made it a fitting venue for our first show in many a year. 

Opeongo • Ceiling Rats • 2024

Opeongo is the moniker of Keegan Trumpour and an ever-rotating cast of musicians. Keegan is from Midland, Ontario

My only rule for this song, and this album as a whole, was no drums – I made this decision as Liam Steffler, who these songs are written for, was my longtime drummer as well as being my closest friend. He plays on a few songs on the first album. I wanted folks to feel his absence. – Opeongo

Amy Rigby • Dylan in Dubuque • 2024

https://www.tapeterecords.de/artists/amy-rigby

Like some people turn to the moon and stars for inspiration, Amy Rigby looks to creative heroes like Bob Dylan and Mike Leigh. She finds poetry in haircuts, live chat boxes; bartending and bookselling. Her music is the sound of everyday people getting by, just like the country artists she loved and learned to write songs from.