Showing posts with label chamber pop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chamber pop. Show all posts

Oct 11, 2024

ifitbeyourwill S04E09 • Gary Olson of The Ladybug Transistor


Gary Olson from The Ladybug Transistor takes us on a nostalgic journey back to his first encounters with the magic of radio, which ignited his passion for music. Imagine the excitement of flipping through radio dials as a child, stumbling upon the hidden gems of college stations that would ultimately shape a lifelong musical path. Gary reveals how his unconventional songwriting methods, which rely on layering sounds with a four-track recorder rather than traditional chord progressions, have been key in the formation of The Ladybug Transistor. As he shares his unique creative process, we get a glimpse into the collaborative spirit that drives his artistic endeavors, offering insight into how it all comes together to create the band's signature sound.

Gary opens up about the benefits of recording vocals solo in the studio and how working with an engineer can bring a fresh, objective perspective to the mix. We reminisce about the creation of their album "Albemarle Sound," recalling the creative energy that flowed from living together as a band. With the upcoming 25th-anniversary reissue on the horizon, Gary discusses the thrill of unearthing rare demos and b-sides that breathe new life into the album for a new audience. Tune in to explore the artistic choices and collaborations that have defined Ladybug Transistor's enduring legacy.



Titles

ifitbeyourwill • Gary Olson of Ladybug Transistor
Gary Olson Unveils the Secrets Behind the Music
Reviving the Melody Gary Olson's Way
The Creative Tapestry of Ladybug Transistor
Gary Olson's Unique Path in Song craft

Overall, this podcast episode offers a profound exploration of Gary Olson's musical journey, the creative processes behind The Ladybug Transistor, and the band's enduring impact on the indie music scene. The episode is a must-listen for music enthusiasts, offering a blend of nostalgia, innovation, and artistic insight.



Apr 27, 2020

Endless Forms • Everything Still Waits for Me • 2020


Endless Forms is the solo project of Tulsa-based artist Justin Allen. In the wake of breaking off an engagement and dropping out of college, Allen began Endless Forms earnestly in 2014 as a therapeutic creative outlet. After a few close friends heard demos and insisted he play live by offering to be his backing band, Allen began taking Endless Forms on the road all while recording two albums under the name in 2014 and 2017.



Amidst lineup changes and fielding licensing offers (eventually securing an appearance on an upcoming episode of Netflix’s Elite), Allen decided to put Endless Forms on hiatus in 2017 to focus on other creative outlets.

www.endlessformsmusic.com

The period between then and this May’s comeback LP More Than Candy was anything but a lull for Allen. Finding time to write a novel about the Los Angeles art scene while taking up weekly marathons and producing music, he decided it was time to start working on a third Endless Forms album in the wake of a friend shelving a record they’d been working on. Initially started as a set of ambient tracks, Candy became Endless Forms’ most fully-fledged foray into pop-minded songcraft while holding onto elements of its ambient origins.



Mar 21, 2018

The Olympic Symphonium - Beauty In The Tension - 2018



“With Beauty in the Tension, the Olympic Symphonium return with another dreamy, low-key folk gem” - Exclaim! (8/10) 

Sep 25, 2017

Stars in Coma - Defunct Summer - 2017



On Defunct Summer, there is a harsh reality to come to terms with, as André observes in "This Damn Reminder," a commentary on the border controls introduced over the Öresund Bridge between Sweden and Denmark. Unlike the dreamy haze of Escapist Partisans, resignation is no more. Confusion and anxiety are no longer the prevalent moods, but rather determination and the desire to act. A recharged fighting spirit and a newfound sense of hope blossoms, accompanied by acoustic guitars and the romantic rosiness of flutes, violins, and cellos.

Sep 6, 2017

the anatomy of frank - south america! - 2017


For fans of... The Antlers, Sufjan Stevens, Sea Wolf, Freelance Whales

"... a breathtaking and intimate
exploration of life, love, travel and
being..."
- atwood magazine

"... a melancholic folk-rock masterpiece."
- the line of best fit

"some of the most inspiring melody arrangements & progressions."
- impose magazine

May 29, 2015

Folly and the Hunter - Awake - 2015


Folly & The Hunter have perfected their clean approach to atmospheric, folk-pop glimmer” – Exclaim.ca 

Awake was recorded at Toronto's Revolution Studios in the summer, and was produced and mixed by Howie Beck (Hayden, Feist, Barenaked Ladies). Written primarily while touring across North America and Europe, Awake sees the band growing from their folk foundations into a polished pop aesthetic. 

Lead singer and lyricist Nick Vallee believes that recording outside of Montreal and working with Howie was a real motivating factor in the band's new direction: "Recording with Howie in Toronto helped us step out of our old modes, and into new ways of writing songs. We pushed beyond our comfort zone, and it brought a new energy to the music." The recording sessions also solidified the full-time role of long-time collaborator Phil Creamer, an integral part of the group's live set. Similar to the other members, Creamer's multi-instrumental talents energized their varied approach to the studio. 

For band members Vallee, Christopher Fox, and Laurie Torres, heartbreak and loss haunted the delicate music on their acclaimed sophomore album Tragic Care. Touring Europe and North America for 2 years in support of the album, the band experienced a much-needed catharsis and embraced an optimistic outlook - the spirit of which is clearly evident on Awake. 

Reflecting on the joys and struggles of life as full-time musicians, songs like "Small Victories" and "Arrow" show the band's clarity and dedication. On quieter album-closer "Science", the bare instrumentation and humble lyrics explore emotions of commitment and the struggle with mundanity in day-to-day-life.

Dec 13, 2014

Faux Fawn - Lonesome Loon - 2014


Following the success of their 2013 EP Prairie du Chien; Faux Fawn has returned with a new LP titled Lonesome Loon. 

Admittedly darker and more reflective; this collection of songs takes the listener through a starless night, led only by the warm glow of Otteson and his band. Though slower paced than previous efforts, Lonesome Loon takes thoughtful steps drenched in lush harmonies and foreboding instrumentation.

Nov 28, 2014

The Miserable Rich - Live in Frankfurt - 2014


I like this chamber pop band out of Brighton. Charming, melodic music that comes together wonderfully in a live setting.


creators of the fiery chamber music for song lovers: tellers of tales, writers of tunes, forgetters of punchlines. equal parts surly, silly and sumptuous.

the sound of one lip kissing.

Nov 15, 2014

BD Harrington - Regarding the Shortness of Your Breath - 2013


BD Harrington’s piano, guitar and voice are augmented by pedal steel, stand-up bass and Don Kerr’s inimitable percussion and cello. From the plaintive lament of ‘New Skin’ (“the light will part the flesh and leave every door ajar, and I won’t wonder where you’ve been, I won’t wonder where you are”) to the vertiginous, hallucinatory ‘Mariella’ (“bring your soft lips down and kiss my new concussion”) ‘Regarding the Shortness of Your Breath’ is haunting, cogent and solidifies BD Harrington’s unique voice and establishes him as an emerging songwriter of note. 

Jul 28, 2014

All the Friends - 2014


Liking this chamber pop out of Northampton... well done.

LAMC split 7 inch Series - 2012 - 2014







We are launching the LAMC split 7” series in loving memory Ariel Panero, our dear friend and a partner in Famous Class.

The series gets its name from the epic Less Artists More Condos concerts that Ariel threw, showcasing amazing bands in some strange and unique venues. Ariel’s driving force was a desire to get the bands he believed in the recognition he felt they deserved. This series simply tries to honor that idea.

For each LAMC split 7” we ask one of our favorite bands to provide us with an unreleased track for the A-side. We then asked them to pick their favorite emerging artist to provide a track for the B-side. Ariel’s LAMC shows introduced New Yorkers to bands they might not have otherwise discovered – we hope that this series will do the same. We’ll also make the tracks available on the FAMOUS CLASS bandcamp page with 100% of the digital proceeds going to the Ariel Panero Memorial Fund at VH1 Save the Music.

We’ve got a bunch of these bad boys coming at you – stay tuned from more details as they come.

No.1: A Place to Bury Strangers/ Ceremony -April 10th 2012
No.2: Future Islands/ Ed Schrader’s Music Beat – July 17th 2012
No.3: Thee Oh Sees/ The Mallard – September 25th 2012
No.4: Deerhoof/ Half Waif – October 23rd 2012
No.5: HUNX/ Cassie Ramone – January 22nd 2013
No.6: Cass McCombs/ White Magic – February 19th 2013
No.7: Ty Segall/ Chad & the Meatbodies – April 30th 2013
No.8: Xiu Xiu/ Lawrence English – June 11th 2013
No.9: Lower Dens/ Horse Lords – June 25th 2013
No.10: Fuzz/ CCR Headcleaner – January 21st 2014
No.11: Mikal Cronin/ WAND – April 1st 2014
No. 12: White Fence/ Jack Name – September 2nd 2014
No. 13: Parquet Courts/ Future Punx – September 16th 2014
No. 14: Speedy Ortiz/ Chris Weisman – October 7th 2014

See famous Class' Bandcamp Page for all the releases...

Jan 8, 2014

Holly Echo - Out the Window Music - 2013



Really great sounds from TO Canada... A blizzard of shoegaze and chamber pop served up on a hushed popsicle stix of harmony. Check it out - reminds me of MBV / Lush / Joan and the Nutsack

Nov 2, 2013

Playlists: For Ex-Lovers Only - 2013


YEAR: 2009
My Personal Compilations (Re-Up)

TRACKLIST:
01 - Champagne Riot - Scandinavian Warfare
02 - Girl Alliance - Jaded
03 - The Parallelograms - Dream On Daisy
04 - The School - I Want You Back
05 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Stay Alive
06 - Pocketbooks - I'm Not Going Out
07 - Celestial - Preston Park
08 - Thunder Power - Take A Hike
09 - Sexy Kids - Sisters Are Forever
10 - Tiac - It's Always The Same Anyway
11 - Crystal Stilts - Love Is A Wave
12 - Dum Dum Girls - Catholicked
13 - The Manhattan Love Suicides - Last Stand
14 - Fireflies - Butterscotch
15 - The Bridal Shop - Fragments
16 - Stars In Coma - Amelie
17 - Panache - Every Floor Is A Dance Floor
18 - Hari And Aino - Second Song
19 - (((S))) - Mesmerized
20 - The Airfields - Happy And Safe


YEAR: 2009
My Personal Compilations Re-Up

TRACKLIST:
01 - Liechtenstein - Reflections
02 - The Legends - Dancefloor
03 - Amida - Class Of 2000
04 - Memory Cassette - 50mph
05 - Camera Obscura - French Navy
06 - The Hermit Crabs - I Don't Know How
07 - Eux Autres - The City All To Himself
08 - The Morning Paper - Fingers Crossed
09 - Tartans - Cats Of Cameford
10 - Slow Down Tallahassee - Candy
11 - Balcony - Now Power
12 - Summer Cats - Wild Rice
13 - The April Skies - Rise And Rise Again
14 - The Tough Alliance - First Class Riot
15 - Twig - Please Don't Turn Me Into A Murderer
16 - Burning Hearts - Various Lives
17 - My Laundry Life - Sons & Guns
18 - Hiawata! - Fightz
19 - Boat Club - Warmer Climes
20 - Je Suis Animal - Secret Place


YEAR: 2009
My Personal Compilations Re-Up

TRACKLIST:
01 - JJ - My Life, My Swag
02 - The Drums - Let's Go Surfing
03 - Cor'delle - Summer 17
04 - Pants Yell! - Magenta And Green
05 - The Felt Tips - Boyfriend Devoted
06 - Strawberry Fair - I Can't Do Anything
07 - The Pale Corners - Steve Buscemi
08 - Cats On Fire - Letters From A Voyage To Sweden
09 - Japan Air - September
10 - Fitness Forever - Probabilmente
11 - Bubblegum Lemonade - Ten Years Younger
12 - Bye Bye Bicycle - Westside
13 - The Electric Pop Group - I Could See The Lights
14 - My Little Pony - Skipping Down The Street
15 - Ultrasport - Nothing Can Go Wrong
16 - Minisnap - Rehash
17 - Astrolab - The Deep Secret Of Clouds
18 - Montt Mardié - We're All The Pirate Bay
19 - The Radio Dept. - Freddie And The Trojan Horse
20 - The Crayon Fields - Potholes


YEAR: 2009
My Personal Compilations (Re-Up)

TRACKLIST:
01 - God Help The Girl - Come Monday Night
02 - The Sweet Serenades - Die Young
03 - The Finders Keepers - I'm Sure I'm Sure I'm Sure
04 - Silver Screen - Little More Each Day
05 - Dreamdate - How Low Are You?
06 - Butcher Boy - Clockwork
07 - Hello Saferide - Anna
08 - Annemarie - Apple (Suicide On Your Stereos Set)
09 - Knight School - Maggot
10 - Starflower - Dance Til Morning Light
11 - The Charade - My Song To You
12 - Vapnet - Brunflovägen
13 - The Lodger - The Conversation
14 - Pelle Carlberg - Nicknames
15 - The Boy Least Likely To - Be Gentle With Me
16 - The Little Hands Of Asphalt - The Future
17 - Tullycraft - Twee
18 - Days - The Simple Thing
19 - Matador José - Still It's There
20 - Klaus & Kinski - La Mano De Santa Teresa De Jesús

This blog posts the most excellent playlists... Heavy into Scandinavian pop, twee pop, jangle pop, chamber pop, shoegaze and the likes. I have been enjoying them immensely. They are a bit dated, but the author posts many personal playlists - go over and explore....


Oct 23, 2013

Bo White - Adornment - 2013


Bo White where chamber pop meets glam punk. Very nice release.


Oct 7, 2013

tindersticks - across six leap years - 2013



An incredible album, they are at the top of their chamber sway. So incredibly perfect.

There will be streams of “Across six leap years” on the following sites starting on Monday 7 October at 12.00 UK time (13.00 CET)
UK – The Quietus
Ireland – RTE
Germany – Zeit Online
France – Deezer
Spain – El Pais (streaming starts Tuesday 8 October)
Portugal – Blitz
Austria – Kurier
Italy – Sentireascoltare
Sweden – Nöjesguiden
Belgium – De Standaard

Concerts

October:
19 – Hérouville-Saint-Clair, Big Band Cafe
20 – Rennes, Carre Sevigne
21 – Paris, Olympia
22 – Brussels – Cirque Royale
24 – Dublin, Vicar St
25 – London, Barbican
27 – Copenhagen, Koncertsalen
28 – Berlin, Admiralspalast
29 – Amsterdam, Concertgebouw
31 – Barcelona, BARTS – Barcelona Jazz Festival

November:
02 – Lisbon, Coliseu Dos Recreios


Sep 13, 2013

Valeska Gavotte - I Remember Orleanne Garren (Single, 2013)


“The work of Valeska Gavotte, aka 23 year old Kevin Leahy, is one of my favourite Bandcamp discoveries in a long time. Leahy’s compositions show incredible elegance, particularly considering he plays everything himself in a stunning mixture of violin, guitar, banjo, piano, mandolin and countless other instruments; it’s undeniably impressive. His sound is the kind without immediately obvious points of reference, but there’s definitely strong similarities with Sufjan Stevens instrumentally, while the feathered production recalls Efterklang and his voice could easily be a less burdened Zach Condon.”
- Sonic Reverie
“…a great record.”

-The Waiting Room
“I listen to it often, with great pleasure…An amazing talent, in one so young. I’m sure he’ll go on to great heights…”

- Jonathan Coe, Author/Journalist




thanks sensi