Showing posts with label live preformance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label live preformance. Show all posts
Aug 19, 2025
Jul 24, 2025
Samia • Tiny Desk Concert • 2023
Stephen Thompson | November 8, 2023
There's plenty of curious timing in Samia's Tiny Desk debut. For starters, this was the final Tiny Desk concert produced by Bob Boilen — he came in for one last Monday to accommodate the performance — which meant the singer-songwriter had to endure the reluctant tributes paid to Bob as she waited patiently to perform. Then there's the timing of Samia's song selection: All five of these tracks appeared on her terrific debut album (2020's The Baby) and not this year's equally magnificent Honey. Which is saying nothing of the fact that Samia is actress Kathy Najimy's daughter, yet we opted to run this performance a full week after the conclusion of Hocus Pocus Season! What were we thinking?
Fortunately, Samia's set nevertheless provides a stunning showcase for her charisma, vocal talent and deftly detailed lyricism. She possesses a remarkable knack for specificity in her songwriting, which finds her name-dropping her favorite bands, recounting conversations in devastating detail and even shining a light on songwriting itself. ("I only write songs about things that I'm scared of," she sings in "Is There Something in the Movies?" before adding, "So here, now you're deathless in art.")
Taking advantage of the Tiny Desk's quietude, Samia and her band chose to focus on the more subdued side of their sound, even deploying the sample of her grandmother that opens "Pool." As a result, it's easier and more rewarding than ever to hang on her every word.
SET LIST
"Is There Something in the Movies?"
"Big Wheel"
"Winnebago"
"Triptych"
"Pool"
Jun 8, 2025
Blondshell • The SoCal Sound Session • 2025
Between recording the songs, Blondshell sat down with Julie Slater and Jason Friday to discuss the recording of the album, her creative process, and finding traction as her performer. During the interview, Blondshell explains that much of If You Asked for a Picture was written at home – literally in her room- with demo tracks captured on her phone. Emphasizing this point, she explains how that mind space is so important, “ It has to feel really everyday for me to feel comfortable,” she shared. “If there’s too much ceremony around it, it stops feeling natural.” socal
May 26, 2025
Super XX Man • Rusted Hues • 2025
Super XX Man marks 30 years with Rusted Hues, their 19th album, co-produced by Adam Selzer (Peter Buck, M. Ward). Founder Scott Garred reunited with former bandmates, blending home and studio recordings. NPR’s All Songs Considered once featured the band, with host Bob Boilen saying, “If we’re going to choose 10 songs every week, let it be Super XX Man,” and later inviting them for a Tiny Desk Concert. The album explores themes of decay and renewal, with standout tracks like “Rusted Hues” and “Hold On to Me,” showcasing heartfelt lyrics and lush arrangements.
Feb 14, 2025
Dutch Mustard • Thank You (Live for Propeller Sessions) • 2025
Netherlands-born, London-based Dutch Mustard marries a blend of ethereal dream-pop and 90s alt-rock with timeless shoegaze touches. The overall soundscape layers abstract drones and washes with bouncing psych-infused guitar lines, whilst SJ’s vocals drift between a borderline whisper and heaven-directed lung-bursts.
“A rousing, triumphant ode to individuality and empowerment” NOTION
“Dutch Mustard make listeners feel hope for the future of rock” The Grammys
"Accomplished" – Iggy Pop - BBC 6 Music
“totally infectious" Jack Saunders - BBC Radio 1
“ethereal thumper” DORK
“Dreamy alt-rock” The Line of Best Fit “lush and beautiful” CLASH
Jan 31, 2025
Rubblebucket • Anyone Else But You [Live @ SiriusXM] • 2025
We have always loved the Moldy Peaches song "Anyone Else But You." The lyrics are so poetic and the song is so simple. Despite being so soft the performance has a punk ethos in its level of carefreeness. The vibe really captures our spirit and the lyrics deeply speak to our story of being friends, then romantic and then just friends again. In that way it also brings out the spirit/story of our most recent album Year of the Banana which is about enduring friendship in its various poetic snapshots of our cosmic collision. It was a little challenging to figure out how we could bring something fresh to something so perfect without ruining it but we're happy with our added syncopations, percussion, trumpet and synthesizer. We also made sure to run it by our friend Adam Green who is one half of Moldy Peaches who said in response: "This is great!! Love the trumpet and the ethereal pads in the second half - you guys do it perfectly - I wouldn’t overthink it - the nature of the song is casual like this so it really works... You guys sound superb singing it." Thanks Adam!
Dec 28, 2024
best of 2024 • hey, nothing • Maine (Live in Maine)
The group describes the message behind “Maine” as “an apology to those hurt by your distance but an acknowledgement of the pain you experience without it.”
Rough at the edges, the song is brutally honest and packed with experience — something that couldn’t be created from imagination alone. With lyrics like “I can’t wait not to go home, so far away from everything I know,” Tyler Mabry and Harlow Phillips use their pain to create a safe haven for themselves and everyone who’s felt the crippling guilt of leaving home and feeling better off because of it. luna
Dec 19, 2024
ifitbeyourwill S04E27 • Malia DelaCruz of CIAO MALZ
Ever wondered how a white MacBook and GarageBand could spark a musical journey? Meet Malia DelaCruz of CIAO MALZ, a talented musician from Brooklyn, who takes us through her captivating origin story. From her childhood fascination with instruments like the piano and clarinet, to those early days of crafting songs with the hum of background TV and basketball games, Malia reveals how he discovered his unique creative process. Her story is a testament to the power of embracing distractions and letting go of overthinking to allow musical ideas to flow with ease.
Malia's narrative unfolds as we explore her evolution from band member to solo artist. Listen as she recounts the serendipitous encounter with the band Frog and the label Audio Antihero, which opened doors to dream collaborations. Transitioning from collaborative projects to solo endeavors, Malia shares the liberating yet challenging experience of finding her voice and style. Her heartfelt EP Safe Then Sorry, showcases her growth as an artist and her commitment to creating richer musical textures.
Navigating the world of music production and performance, Malia offers insights into the balance between technical skills and songwriting. From opening gigs for bigger bands to receiving uplifting feedback from peers, her journey is filled with motivational moments that inspire aspiring musicians. Emphasizing the importance of consistency, discipline, and seizing opportunities while maintaining one's unique charm amidst a world of repetitive patterns. Join us for this lyrical journey, celebrating individuality and the allure of CIAO MALZ's irresistible presence in the music scene.
"Safe Then Sorry is a rest stop on the path most traveled. I wrote the bulk of the EP after work, these stories and characters came to me subconsciously and asked to be spoken into existence. These songs are about the unlikely connections we make, how they’re simultaneously inexplicable and meaningful. I work through these contradictions with unpredictable melodies, explosive choruses, and with the recording process itself. We did everything on the fly to capture as much raw emotion as could fit in the four walls of the basement studio. I wanted the project to feel how it did when I was messing around on GarageBand on my first computer — unrestrained." – Malia DelaCruz (CIAO MALZ)
best of 2024 • Zack Keim • Battery Lane & Better Days (Live & Direct at Social Hill)
Zack Keim moved to the Washington DC area in the hope that new surroundings might help him discover the person he wanted to be. “Battery Lane had a mystic, almost timeless vibe,” he explains. “The building wasn’t fancy—built in the 1920s, with worn floors and old fixtures. But something about its age and character made it feel like a place where I could truly find myself.” Only just as he was finding his feet in the new area, 2020 arrived and with it inevitable disruption.
“That year forced many of us to look at our lives differently, and I was no exception,” Keim continues:
My relationship ended, my grandmother passed away, and I lost my record label. The weight of it all was overwhelming, but every loss and every mistake forced me to look deeper into myself. Within the walls of Battery Lane, I picked up my guitar again. Music had always been there, but now, it became the one thing that kept me grounded. It was in those quiet moments alone that I realized music wasn’t just a part of me—it was my one true love, the constant I needed. VF read more…
Nov 21, 2024
ifitbeyourwill S04E18 • Robin Koob of Run Remedy
What happens when life throws a curveball at your classical music dreams? Discover the inspiring journey of Robin Koob, the creative mind behind Run Remedy, as she transitions from a classically trained violinist to an indie folk rock artist. Faced with carpal tunnel syndrome, Robin redirected her path, embracing new musical styles and international teaching roles that fueled her artistic evolution. With resilience and adaptability, she now balances her passion for music with her role as an international corporate trainer, crafting a unique blend of sound that defies traditional boundaries.
Manchester becomes a muse for musicians seeking to immerse themselves fully in their craft. Listen as we unravel the story of a musician moving from a day job to creating dramatic black metal string compositions with Pine. Using innovative techniques like altering pitches and effects pedals, they craft orchestral pieces on the spot. Personal motivations, such as a poignant conversation with a late mother, inspire this creative leap, while the challenge of self-production turns into an empowering journey of self-expression and storytelling.
Music as a tool for exploring identity and healing takes center stage in our exploration of songwriting and queer narratives. From high school songwriting competitions to the release of "Disciple" our guest shares how music helps process past traumas and religious experiences. Unravel the complex tapestry of spirituality, struggle, and the search for meaning as we weave through themes of self-discovery and redemption. These powerful narratives reveal the profound connection between music and authenticity, offering solace and understanding amidst life's chaos.
Titles:
ifitbeyourwill • Robin Koob: From Classical Violinist to Indie Folk Rock Innovator
Robin Koob and the Art of Musical Reinvention
Robin Koob's Evolution in Sound and Spirit
Robin Koob: Crafting Identity Through Song
From Strings to Queer Stories with Robin Koob
Run Remedy, the musical project of New Jersey-born, Manchester-based artist Robin Koob, has released a striking new single titled ‘Disciple’. Known for her genre-defying sound that blends elements of singer-songwriter intimacy, experimental rock dynamics, and psychedelic folk experimentation, Run Remedy's latest track delivers a potent mix of candour, confrontation, and catharsis. read more
Nov 20, 2024
Run Remedy • Disciple • LIVE in Manchester 2024
' Tell me about him - how he's gonna save my soul. Can he? Should he? No.'
Multi-instrumentalist self-proclaimed Jersey trash and Manchester 'string-slut', Run Remedy is making sad queer girl bangers for the soul starved.
Nov 10, 2024
Ellur • God Help Me Now • BBC Music Introducing at Reading 2024
I think too much
I'm all out of fucks
The worlds on fire
I'm just getting drunk
The fear is real
Tell me how to feel
Tell me how to heal
Sep 23, 2024
Aug 28, 2024
Camera Obscura • Liberty Print (Live on KEXP) • 2024
CAMERA OBSCURA’s 2024 tour continues this week in the UK (with European dates coming in September and October). If you missed them earlier this year, our friends at KEXP have you covered! Check out “Liberty Print” below, then revisit their stunning return album Look to the East, Look to the West which is perfect for a late summer day!
May 8, 2024
Eades • Liquid Gold (The Abbey Road Live Session) • 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
Apr 21, 2024
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)