7 March Bandcamp day recommendations

 

As another month passes, bandcamp continues their unwavering support of artists that continue to struggle, but hopefully soon, we will be back going/playing shows. Either way, here's 7 suggestions for yr listening pleasure.

Nightshift - Zoë

Ya, yea, ye, I've already written about this in the previous recommendation post buuuuut I hadn't heard the whole LP (and has only recently been released in full), and wow, this is so so so good. The restrictions of lockdown in their process has really elevated their songwriting, more based on loops, and mantra like vocals with hints of jazz, krautrock, post punk and early 90s post rock all tucked together for maximum results. I love how the guitar isn't a main focus, its all about the pulse. It's probably just me but they kinda remind me of a less abrasive Pram. Everytime I listen, I pick up on new lil momemts, that sometimes contextualize the song in a different light, like in "Outta Space" catching the lyric "There's no air in outer space" makes the song feel more errie. Another lil moment I love is how in "Spray Paint The Bridge" how it keeps circling back to the fluttering 3 note clarinet part that pushes up against the verse creating this levity I really like. This record is just dope, experimental without being pretentious, but with subtle vocal and instrumental hooks. Fire.

https://nightshiftgroup.bandcamp.com/album/z-e

Landon Cadwell - Bicycle Days

2 haunting, wonderous, pastoral and beautiful ambient/new age adjacent tracks from Landon Cadwell. This tape has been my morning go for the last month since I got it. Each track is around 20 mins, and its totally engaging, evolving and blissful. He weaves recurring melodies through the songs runtimes to evoke nostalgia for youthful moments of excitement, reflection and what it felt like the be on your bike as a kid, feeling free. Its quite lovely and cant wait to hear what he has coming this year on Moon Glyph and Trouble In Mind. 

https://mockrecords.bandcamp.com/album/bicycle-day

Dravier - Earth Mirage

LA really feels like the hub of great ambient, new age, experimental electronic music, its wild how many great releases have come out from artists here. Dravier is no exception, creating a mixture of ritualistic rhythms, new age swirls of synth soundscapes. Unlike another Not Not Fun release Coral Club, which felt like humid tropical landscape, Earth Mirages sound like an traveling through the cosmos to land in a alien rainforest from another dimension. Their are elements imo of kosmische as well, that really makes for a far out listen. 

https://dravier.bandcamp.com/album/earth-mirage

Grand Veymont - Grand Veymont

Would like to shout out Steve from Moon Glyph records for putting me onto this French groop, he knows I fuck with dreamy vocals over a motorik beat. What you get here is a slightly broody krautrock/kosmische with lovely vocals sprinkled thoughout, with a more avant leaning presentation. Imagine if Broadcast (haha era bleeding into tender era) had foregone pop and focused more long occulty hypnotic jams. Its def in same zone as Erasers, Zomes and early Smoke Bellow. 

https://grandveymont.bandcamp.com/album/grand-veymont-2

They Are Gutting A Body Of Water - Destiny XL

Hallucinatory mutant gazey noise pop/rock that goes hard, I'm so excited Citrus City is issuing this on cassette. This is one of the few bands I feel like "get" MBV, its crushing, in yr face but not in an overly masculine way, driving, dreamy, but at times very abstract with the inclusion of hip hop beats/production to break up the feel. Its someone from one of the best "shoegaze" bands Blue Smiley. I like on bandcamp the stream is side a and side b to force you to listen to it as complete sides, its flows similar to a Spirit of the Beehive album. Its like a liner lucid dream. Anyway, good gaze is hard to come by, and here's some.

https://citruscityrecords.bandcamp.com/album/destiny-xl

Fievel Is Glauque - Gods Trashmen Sent Right To The Mess

Found this on bandcamp daily, its a kaleidoscopic combo of bossa nova, lounge, fusion and indie pop. Its kinda sits at a cross section between Astrid Gilberto, Belle & Sebastian, Cortex and a lofi beat tapes. Its mostly 90 to 120 second bursts of exuberant energy, subtle grooves and dreamy but confident vocals. Its all record live, to tape so it gives me that quality I love about early Patsy Cline recordings. There's hints pointing in a more experimental direction here and there, I hope they mine that more in the future. Honestly, lots of potential here, excited to hear what they do next.

https://laloi.bandcamp.com/album/gods-trashmen-sent-to-right-the-mess

Pram - North Pole Radio Station 

Its still early in the year, so not a huge pool of releases have come out yet that I'm feeling super hard, and I tend to include older stuff, and this is a perfect place to start for the uninitiated to one of my favorite bands Pram. Easily one of my favorite discoveries over the last five years, and super influential to Dummy. North Pole Radio Station is Pram's fourth LP, and in my opinion their best entry point. Early Pram much weirder, dissonant and abrasive, until Sargasso Sea which saw them mellow on the somewhat aggressive Can inspired noise/post rock, into a dreamy almost exotica band. With NPRS they become more accessible, pop folding in elements of bossa nova, lounge, dub, library music, jazz and psychedelic pop and swirling it all together into a cohesive and brilliant listen. The vocals are the thing that normally turn people off, but I love the soft coo of Rosie's voice. The LP is just a beautiful journey through a weird little self made wonderland

https://pram.bandcamp.com/album/north-pole-radio-station

7 recs for February Bandcamp day 2021

 

 

And we're back, 2021 and eveything is still fucked, but bandcamp is here doing the lords work, helping bands stay a float, so here's a list of things that rule.

Ryan Garbes - Tabbed View

Over the last year Moon Glyph records has become one of my favorite active labels, one that I will always listen to whatever release that is coming out next. Late last year, they released "Tabbed View" by Ryan Garbes, a mutant fried psychedelic pop record that is far weirder and creative than 99% of pysch rock you will hear. The rhythms are off kilter, the guitars strings feel like their being attack and vocals coast along the mix as a source of gravity pulling it all together. Its like an even more whacked out Elephant 6 record but with no beach boys/Beatles worship. My favorite song is "Reverby", which is like Cluster on speed, it moves so franticly, like a funhouse on acid but in a good way. This shit rocks.

https://moonglyph.bandcamp.com/album/tabbed-view

Landing - Bandcamp Subscription Series

Landing is one of those underrated, hard working bands thats been around forever, who never have gotten their due, but aren't in it for that reason. This year they are doing a subscription series where each month they will drop a long form piece of music, if you pay into it. The first song has been released called "Sow" which is a beautiful slow moving peace of dreamy drone, minimal drums and walls of gorgeous sound. Contextually Landing is from the Wendy and Carl, Fuxa and Azure Plane scene of psychedelic droney dreamy space rock, and continue to push themselves to experiment to uncharted places. Also, check out "Oceanless" its a perfect combo of rural psychedelia, ambient drone and noisy pop.

https://landing.bandcamp.com/subscribe

Erasers - Pulse Points

This Australian duo are easily the most underrated Fire Talk records band, meditative kosmische pop(?). There aren't to many bands doing this vibe at all, similar to early Beach House, Zomes and Smoke Bellow, these songs envelope you on warm trance like atmospheres. Organs drone, beats pulse....and vocals guild you through this cosmic outback. This is so fully my shit. Excited to see what they do next, hopefully go further out. 

https://erasers.bandcamp.com/album/pulse-points

Insides - Soft Bonds 

Insides haven't released a full LP since 1993, that album "Euphoria" was minimalist dream pop at its finest, with evocative lyrics, sensual ASMR type vocals and triphop skittering beats. Almost 30 years later they return with "Soft Bonds", an even weirder record that pushes the more abstract bits of their minimalism while retaining the dreamy/other worldly quailty of the debut. Something about this reminds me of  the most recent HTRK LP, I wonder if they are at all influenced by Insides? Truly unique vocal delivery that feels like she's whispering right into your ears, its mixed very similarly to early Bjork LPS. If your a fan of minimalist ambient pop, you'll dig this!

https://insides1.bandcamp.com/album/soft-bonds

Terminal Bliss - Brute Rrr/Ata

Chris and Mike Taylor at this point are an institution of great music, from Pg99, Mannequin, Hissing Choir, Pygmy Lush and now Terminal Bliss, who's debut is a chaotic and blistering masterclass in punk rock in the right hands(😉). There's a beautiful unhinged euphoria to these songs, pure energy, distilled down to its bare bones. Like their hero's Born Against, Disclose and Crossed Out, this is punk music with purpose, that pummels. Its been very cathartic listening to this LP.

https://terminalblisscult.bandcamp.com/album/brute-err-ata-2

Lionmilk - I Hope You Are Well

Ah, Leaving Records, you have become such a consistent in my life for peaceful and meditative music, and Lionmilk's new album is no different. Originally made exclusively for friends in LA who were feeling anxious and depressed due to all the isolation, is now released for us all to enjoy. Most of the release is made up of exploratory Rhodes playing, thats so serene and warm you feel like yr floating down an endless stream. Jazz, ambient and hints of new age course through this lofi cassette, and its perfect for cleaning house, reading and walking at dusk. Sonic therapy for this absolute hellscape.

https://lionmilk.bandcamp.com/album/i-hope-you-are-well

Soul Connection - Street Soul

Welcome to 2021, originally I was gonna write about another underrated UK early 90s post rock band, but I tossed it in favor of writing about something I've been currently obsessed with that seems unheard or rated. Soul Connection were  beloved UK street soul pioneers, only releasing 2 albums, and "Street Soul" is a comp of their "best" tracks. The duo's mix of soul, hiphop, breakbeat and house is truly unmatched and infectious. All of this stuff was recorded in a bedroom, truly raw, punk and singular. These 6 songs bang front to back, signaling things to come in the 90s with dance music effecting top 40 production and aesthetics. "In And Out Of Love" is a hit song that never was with its perfect hook, bouncey beat and laid back atmospheres, that feels like someone running around a city center trying to shake off the feeeeeels. Its has this ambiance that is so warm and welcoming, the beats are off kilter but groove, and the vocals emote yearning that feels universal. The whole thing just feels so ahead of its time, with the layering of rhythms, samples and synths. You can hear its echos from Dee-Lite to No Joy. Its perfect and maybe could be the first thing you discover in 2021.

https://invisible-city-editions.bandcamp.com/album/street-soul

 

Bowery Electric - Discography

 Oh, another underrated band from Kranky records from the 90s, on this blog......NO WAY. Bowery Electric existed in an in between time for this combo of space rock, shoegaze, triphop and drone, where they were to far out for regular indie listeners, but by the time they made their most accessible work trip hop was way past its prime with audiences, and for me those are the best bands, the ones that don't fit in nicely. Kranky, Too Pure and Wurlitzer Jukebox were the hubs of these sorta bands, their peers Jessamine, Wendy and Carl,  E.A.R and Stars of The Lid were all pushing boundaries in their own ways. Pulling from avant guarde, pop, electronic and production that doesnt settle for just "sounding good". Their debut was a double 7inch, was definitely their most aggressive, soaring space rock, droned out psychedelia similar to Spacemen 3 at their loudest(but stripping all the blues/soul or rock n roll out). The vocals are coed, soothing and lethargic to have maximum focus on the droning guitars. Their first LP, simply S/T is a drone rock opus, still taking elements of Spacemen 3 but also what MBV did on Loveless, slowing in down and blissing out in a more earth bound way. These songs feel like growing weeds, expanding deeper and deeper, until you hit the core and its all ablaze in walls of distortion. Nothing about this first LP is what I'd call pop, the vocals are buried and don't grab you. That changes somewhat on their second LP "Beat", where vocals are pushed up, with mantra like vocal lines, the drums take on a slightly more "dancey" or "hiphop" type beats and the walls of sound are more inviting and less punishing. Clearly very much a combo of Seefeel, MBV and triphop. The guitars are sounding less and less like guitars, the bass is slightly more groovy, and pop is seeping in a bit more. Its still a deeply expansive and experimental work of rock music, but its starting to let a little light in, and accessibility. This was their last LP with Kranky, and their next LP would be their biggest change between records. Bowery Electrics final LP would end up being "Lushlife" which is the perfect description for the LP. I assume this is the album they are best known for, seems to be the most popular, and that makes sense, bigger label, catchy songs, grandeur production and much more vocal focused in the mix. The guitars are so buried or processed you cant tell whats samples or whats guitar.  The vocals are catchier with cool hooks. Its still a very crazy sounding record, but its more "mature", confident and is the full decent into triphop, which by 2000 was outta vogue. The obvious comparison to Portishead, I think is a boring, Bowery has more of a dreamy vibe, but it is very urban and sensual, its not AS detached as Beth, and "Lushlife" feels more indebted to electronic music, shoegaze and IDM. Could be wrong, I think its a great LP, and yea its very of its time but it still rules. Their progression was natural but they also ended up in such a different place. I wonder live, how it felt going from these drugged drone jams to more polished stuff? If it was less visceral, or more fun? Wish there was more live videos of em. Anyway, they rule, Enjoy.

Https://boweryelectric.bandcamp.com/music

Top 17 releases of the year

 Welp, this year was a terrible in most ways that don't need to be rehashed here, but the one thing that kept me going was releasing music with Dummy and new music. This year felt particularly strong for some reason, maybe cuz I had more time look, listen and pay attention to things coming out weekly but I just think stuff that connected with me, was just in more abundance.  Anyway, I like odd numbers, so here's my top 17 of 2020 in no particular order, and it is a mix of LPs Nd EPs. All available on bandcamp minus Jonnine, smh.

SiP - Leos Naturals 

This year I've been lucky to have friends sending me a ton of suggestions, and one of the best came from a bud in Smoke Bellow, by way of a bud in Wume who showed us Chicago's SiP album out on Not Not Fun. Over the last year I have gotten more into Moebius and Roedelius, after loving Cluster for years, so this hit at a perfect time. Modern kraurock often leans way more on the ROCK, and bullshitty jam stuff, and less of the meditative, improv, experimental and forward thinking stuff. Tends to be corny larp shit. SiP on the other hand, is taking all the great parts of previously mentioned artists, and expands with hints of new age, free jazz, raga and subtle rhythmic pulses. This has been an album thats been with me on walks, drives, while reading and cooking, I'm not ranking the list but this is definitely in my top 3 of the year, its soothing and challenging. Cant wait to hear that SiP does next.

Jonnine - Blue Hills

HTRK's most recent album was a favorite from last year (?), but here we find singer Jonnine on her solo debut full length . Another album I listened to alot on solo walks, around sunset trying to release some tension from being/feeling trapped in house most of the day. The music itself has hints of Lychian jazz, ambient dissonant pop, and post punk all swirled into this almost bad trip nightmare. Its quite beautiful but its always subverted by some shrieking horn or haunting bassline that plodes a dark path untaken. Its really special album, very weird, uses alot of found sounds. She killed it.

Mo Dotti - Blurring

I've made it very well known how much I love this EP, Mo Dotti was the first LA band I really connected with when I saw them open for my friend Halles band Automatic. I've also been lucky enough to become friends with Gina, who has been a huge presence of encouragement during early Dummy shows and EP2 stuff. So yea, I'm alil biased but this is a perfect collection of pop tunes. Taking elements of The Sundays, MBV, some of the guitar heroics of Johnny Marr but first and foremost strong, winding slightly off kilter songwriting that isn't typical of dream pop/gazey stuff. They take a dump of 99% of this sorta bands, and can't wait to hear what's next and hang with my buds. 

Lojii - lo&behold

Most definitely my favorite hiphop release of the year is from Philadelphias Lojii, coming in with amazing production that's low key but not boring, and very dynamic. I've been singing the praises of this album all year.  Great lyrics about(imo) late stage capitalism and perfecting your art. A lot of the stuff in my list is stuff I personally feel is underrated but for life of me I don't know why this record didn't blow up more. Its catchy as hell, I get these song stuck in my head all the time, lyrical content is great and his delivery is smart/charming and effortless. So, if you dig looped, jazzy, and more chill hiphop this is for you.

Peel Dream Magazine - Agitprop Alterna/Moral Panic EP

Its funny, too me this record has been out a lot longer, I keep forgetting its a 2020 release cuz I book for PDM, Joe and I are friends so I've been hearing these songs for way longer than basically everyone BUT doesn't change the fact this record rules. Joe takes a step up with, unlike his first LP, this is a full band affair, heavier but still warm and inviting, excellant pop song craft, with more a focus on twee and gazey aesthetics. Highlight for me being "Its My Body" and high octane "Eyeballs". Not to slow down Joes prolific output, he quickly followed up AA with with "Moral Panic" which is more experimental and has one of my fav PDM jams to date "Verfremdungseffekt" which is a bouncy pop jam that retains Joes sense of songwriting but with a more playful edge. Its 2 great releases in one year, its a real shame PDM couldn't capitalize on all the good press and tour due to our countries stupidity.

Green-House - 6 songs of Invisible Gardens 

This year has been a treasure trove of great new age music, and Green-House comes in with easily one of the best. If yr familiar with Japanese ambient, you'll find alot to love here because they are clearly a student of it. Its warm tape sound, soft synths and welcoming arms of sound. Very similar Haruomi Hosonos "Watering A Flower" without sounding pastiche, or a YouTube ambient algorithm album. Its a deeply beautiful album and can't wait to hear what they do next.

No Joy - Motherhood

I'm so happy people are praising this LP, its by far one of the most adventurous and unselfconscious of the year. Released from the shackles of worrying about how to play live and the dreaded shoegaze tag, No Joy explores 90s dance hits production, triphop, new age, sampling, numetal and pop into a hypnotic swirl of pure.....joy. This is the sound of someone having a blast and not giving a single fuck, which I love and respect. Been a fan of No Joy since the beginning and super proud of her for this one

Small Bills - Don't Play It Straight

Elucid is a name I've seen around for years in relation to MIKE, Earl, Milo and his duo Armand Hammer, which released an album this year that I checked out and wasn't into at the time(gonna give it another listen) this is a collaboration with The Lasso and it rules. Its left field experimental hiphop record for sure, it plays with your expectations around evey corner. The opening few tracks I was like "oh cool, kinda trippy funky/jazzy rap" but 4 track hits, and its very much influenced by techno, and Elucid sounds like a man losing his mind. The rest of the record plays out as a spiraling, exciting tripped out musical adventure. 

Omni Gardens - Moss King

Another blessing from the kosmische gods this year, we have Omni Gardens "Moss King" that teems with new age warm and krautrock textures. This record has been there for me all times of the day, be it making coffee in the morning or laying in bed reading before sleep sleep time. Similar to SiP, there are hints of Moebius, Roedelius and even Eno. Its just a lovely, calming and healing record to take with you anywhere at anytime. 

Dehd - Flowers of Devotion 

This one deserves the hype, all killer, no filler, bare bones minimalist indie rock/pop n roll. Its hard to pull off using so little, and in an age of so much extra bs in production, Dehd keep its all about the songs. Both singers are charming, the songs bop and stay lodged in yr mind for weeks. Big props to Emily for being extremely adventurous with her vocals, and not being afraid of putting it all out there.  Good ass record. 

Daisies - Daisies In The Studio With DJ Rap Class 

Daisies seem like phreaks in the best possible way, and this record is their best yet. Similar to No Joys "Motherhood", it borrows heavily from 90s dance, triphop and using layered sampling to create a whirlwind of fun, unselfconscious and catchy hits. Been a fan for awhile but this one just nails it, its smooth, vocals are at their catchiest and the production is interesting, thoughtful, its dreamy without being washed out. One of the songs I'm pretty sure is referencing a Suger Ray song, and that's funny as hell. Fans of Dee-Lite, Saint Etienne and dance remixes of pop rock songs will love this.

Blue Ocean - Fade

Actually good shoegaze from San Francisco/Oakland thats lo-fi, up beat and weird. They take what MBV was doing with sound manipulation and do it with their own diy spin. I love all the tape, feedback, far out loops JUST below the surface of these tunes. Its like if fans of 14 Iced Bears and The United States Of America had a DIY baby...which maybe thats what this is. Self recorded, and hell ya.

Fiona Apple - Fetch The Bolt Cutters

So, look I've been on the Fiona Apple train loooooong before it was "cool" to do. The hyperbolicness surroundings the GREATNESS of the record is imo, and over course correction for eveyone sleeping in the past. This isn't her best record, that remains to be "When The Pawn...." but this LP is very much the most FIONA, Fiona Apple record that she's ever released. Its chaotic, messy and feels what I assume its like to be in her head. The whole record feels like an exorcism of the past. I'm a dood, so a lot of the themes aren't for me, which no one should use as a knock on the record and I still relate to alot of them anyway. The main thing I personally miss is the beautiful melodies and hooks, It makes me happy more people are giving her the respect she has long deserved. 

Coral Club - Nowhere Island

This is the second release from Not Not Fun records that i fuck with,first being after mentioned excellent SiP cassette . This release is much more humid and percussive. Feels like your sitting in the middle of a rain forest, meditating and transcending to astral plane after the shrooms kick in and yr one with the water, earth and air. Its all very tribal but tropical without feeling at all corny. Its rough around the edges and its like someone trying to fight off the darkness. I often listen to this while taking solo walks at dusk.

Soul Glo - Songs To Yeet At The Sun 

Soul Glo are an punishingly chaotic hardcore band with dynamic vocals that harken back to the golden days of bands like Pg99 and Reversal Of Man. This is their new EP, its a bruiser. I love how unhinged the vocal delivery is, esp compared to most hardcore vocalists who just feel like they go through the motions of "anger" or "anxiety". For me, even back when i was involved with hardcore, touring in a "hardcore" band, I often just didn't believe the vocals or the musicians anger or tension, it felt fake. Thats why bands like Soul Glo pull me back into enjoyong hardcore again, cuz I fucking BELIEVE it. Anyway, shit rules.

(Liv).e - Couldn't Wait To Tell You...

Lojii, who put out one of my favorite releases of the year posted about this record on IG, so I immediately checked it out. This is a kaleidoscopic swirl of RnB, Soul, Hiphop and Lo-fi production. Its feel like Ann Peebles and Quasimoto got together, dropped acid, and recorded an LP w a 4 track tape machine. It's just...so so good, damn.

Sea Oleena  - Weaving a Basket 

This album is jaw dropping beautiful, i can't describe how this album makes me feel, sorta like I'm not alone in my dispair, but it also feels holy. I listen to this in dark moments, driving alone in morning, feeling alien to reality. The music is vast, and pastoral, but never grand or corny, she pulls back right before those moments. It comes from same kindred spirits of Roy Montgomery, Grouper, Tiny Vipers, Clear Horizon and a more gentle Flying Saucer Attack. Its stunning and grounded, but also in the stars. Fuck, just listen to it.

Dec 4th Bandcamp day recommendations

One good thing that came outta this year comes around again, Bandcamp Fridays. Bless these angels for doing this for a full year. 

Blue Ocean - Fade

Actually good shoegaze from San Francisco/Oakland thats lo-fi, up beat and weird. They take what MBV was doing with sound manipulation and do it with their own diy spin. I love all the tape, feedback, far oit loops JUST below the surface of these tunes. Its like if fans of 14 Iced Bears and The United States Of America had a DIY baby...which maybe thats what this is. Self recorded, and hell ya.

https://blueoceanmusic.bandcamp.com/album/fade

Small Bills - Don't Play It Straight

Late in the year sleep hit, Smalls Bills debut project is one of my favorite hiphop releases of the year(next to Lojii). The title says it all, they come at this album from so many different angles, via vocal delivery, production and lyrical content. There is funk, jazz, electronic, techno and mind melting atmospheres around every corner of this thing. Its sounds like they manifested the inner walls of their collective minds. I can't imagine any fan of Milo, Earl or Digiable Planets wouldn't love this freak shit.

https://thelasso-mmg.bandcamp.com/album/dont-play-it-straight

Strange Passage - Shouldn't Be Too Long

Hey, you know how indie pop is often twee, and wimpy (which at the time indie pop was og happening it was quite punk), and how that kinda sucks? Well, Strange Passage is here to give us muscular jangle pop with hardcore band urgency. With nods to REM, The Byrds, The Church and Neu, Strange Passage are a stupidly under heard band in indie pop circles. THEY ARE BETTER THAN YR FAV, so yea, go buy their shit, it bangs and the guitar work is bonkers. 

https://strangepassage.bandcamp.com/music

AV Moves - In A Pause

Leaving records really killed it this year with Green-House, Nailah Hunter. I think this one kinda went slightly under the radar for whatever reason but its like taking a warm sonic bath of static. Through out the record, sounds ebb and flow over you like waves of blissed out sound. There are bits of jazz, dub, idm and new age but, this feels more firmly in the ambient genre. Definitely an early morning record for me. Its beautiful, slightly haunting in a indie video game soundtrack kind of way. Its really good, and deserves yr ears. 

https://a-v-c.bandcamp.com/album/in-a-pause

Daisies - Daisies In The Studio With DJ Rap Class 

Daisies seem like phreaks in the best possible way, and this record is their best yet. Similar to No Joys "Motherhood", it borrows heavily from 90s dance, triphop and using layered sampling to create a whirlwind of fun, unselfconscious and catchy hits. Been a fan for awhile but this one just nails it, its smooth, vocals are at their catchiest and the production is interesting, thoughtful, its dreamy without being washed out. One of the songs I'm pretty sure is referencing a Suger Ray song, and that's funny as hell. Fans of Dee-Lite, Saint Etienne and dance remixes of pop rock songs will love this.

https://daisies.bandcamp.com/

Kaoru Inoue - Em Paz

This came out 2 years ago, but my husband just recently discovered it. I know nothing about this artist, aside from this is a beautiful collection of Japanese ambient music. It some how feels celestial and grounded at the same time, its grooves and pulses but is still peaceful. Its an interesting balance sounds, textures, production and rhythms. Highly recommended!

https://seedsandground.bandcamp.com/album/em-paz

Kathy Leisen - Proof

Syncro System records has been quietly releasing fantastic albums over the last few years, by Strange Passage, The Umbrellas and now an upcoming psychical release of Kathy Leisen LP "Proof". I've just become aware of this release, that came out in May digitally. Its an exciting combo of stuff like Antena, Mariah, Bjork, Judee Sill and devtionals. Its definitely some outsider folk music. I'm really looking forward to diving into this record more, but i thought it was def worth sending yalls way.

https://kathyleisen.bandcamp.com/album/proof

 

Nov 6th Bandcamp day recs

So, here we are rounding the corner of this absolute hell of a year, and the one consistent light through out has been Bandcamp Fridays.  I've bought more music this year, than i have in a long time, from new age to power violence, its been a great year for music. So here's my recs for upcoming day.

Posmic - Whirly Bird b/w Said It

So, full disclosure this band is filled with some of my best friends, so one could say I am biased. That being said, these two songs rule. Its like they took elements of Dinosaur Jr, Sebadoh, GBV and Breeders, distilled them into these tight minimal lofi pop jams. The vocals ooze personality, David and Emily deliver each song with more swagger that most bands dream of. Emily singing with a side eye at herself, and pretending that things are ok. David, also speaking to himself, trying to open himself up to love. Damn, I love these songs.  

https://posmic.bandcamp.com/releases

Various - Brutal Supremacy 

For a long time "heavy" music was something in my past due to trama I endured during my hardcore years, so I tended to not listen to at all besides nostalgic purposes, but more and more I find myself returning to old stuff and discovering new stuff i dig (gulch and bib) cuz I'm just more and more angry,and relating to the feelings I had when I used to play and listen to punk/hardcore. This is I guess in my opinion a now classic 4 way split between at the time(and still) some of the best power violence bands going. Iron Lung being the kinda vets on this, with Hatred Surge, Mind Eraser and why I am suggesting this comp Scapegoat. Unfortunately Scapegoats debut 7inch isn't on Bandcamp. The songs on here are absolutely savage, pure rage, and sonic punishment. The thing I always loved about Scapegoat was how tense it was, not like just regular old hardcore/punk/pv tense, like this is grinding yr teeth, eyes bulging, veins popping tension. Their sense of dynamic was always weird to, with tempos shifting, things being small, than blasting into walls of lofi sound. It rules, also highly recommend finding their debut on YouTube, or download it off a blog.

https://painkillerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/pkr-034-brutal-supremacy

Inner Light - Pastoral Homage Vol 1.

For people who've read this blog, or know me in person know I love Smoke Bellow, they are easily my favorite band of the last 10 years, not a single miss in their discography. So, I was very happy to discover earlier this year they had release a side project a few years back under the name Inner Light. They take elements of kosmische, new age, ambient, dub and post rock into a meditative LP length masterpiece. It all feels thoughtful but off the cuff as well, some moments feel like they just clicked a recorder on, and played, some built slowly over time. Its very beautiful and for any fan of Roedelius or Moebius. For some reason you can't buy it on bandcamp, but you can download it on the labels site, or buy Smoke Bellow stuff too.

https://ehserecords.bandcamp.com/album/pastoral-homage-vol-1-2

http://www.ehserecords.com/tapes/pastoral-homage-vol-1 (download mp3s)

Wet Fruit - Wet Fruit 

Found Wet Fruit looking a bands similar to Dummy on Spotify, cuz I am curious what people who are listening us are also listening too. My ears were blessed with this very strange dreamy nervy circular post punk.  There are hints of 60s psychedelic pastoral folk, with flutes and field recorded birds songs showing up on "Water".  They are kinda like Electrelane without the rock n roll but more chaotic free jazz approach. Its a really cool, far out and experimental pop record. If you dig Palm or Mope Grooves I think youll dig this!

https://halfshellrecords.bandcamp.com/album/wet-fruit

Coral Club - Nowhere Island

This is the second release from Not Not Fun records that I am suggesting for a bandcamp Friday, first being that excellent SiP cassette . This release is much more humid and percussive. Feels like your sitting in the middle of a rain forest, meditating and transcending to astral plane after the shrooms kick in and yr onn with the water, earth and air. Its all very tribal but tropical without feeling at all corny. Its rough around the edges and its like someone trying to fight off the darkness. I often listen to this while taking solo walks at dusk.

https://coralclub.bandcamp.com/album/nowhere-island

Dylan Moon - Oh No Oh No Oh No

LA's Dylan Moon plays a fractured, mangled bedroom pop that takes cues from city, slacker, outsider, folk and ambient pop, that all collide together with strange dynamic shifts that show a elevated sense of arrangement and songwriting. Its a quick, short 9 min release, packs in so many ideas most people should be jealous. 

The Umbrellas - Martime EP

Twee jangle pop is alive and well in San Francisco, as I've said before I am not a huge fan of this vein of indie pop these days, but when a band is killer, they are killer and The Umbrellas are that band. They take classic Sarah, C86 and Slumberland influences and make them feel ungent and fresh. The vocals weave togrther seemlessly, like honey into yr ears. There is slight paisley underground feel with the guitar leads. What sets this apart from a lot of jangle pop currently is its DIY/punk feel, this doesn't feel like some unstudied rich kids, it feels like sweaty basement pop. Along with Strange Passage and Star Party, The Umbrellas are one of a few current great indie pop bands

https://theumbrellasca.bandcamp.com/album/maritime-e-p

Rx - Demo

This is a one track demo, from LA's Rx. I don't know much about em minus that this song bangs. Its left field minimal post punk, cool vocal layering with a slight R&B influence. Any fan Antena, Pink Industry, Fall of Saigon and Young Marble Giants should keep an ear out. 

https://prescriptionrx.bandcamp.com/releases

Soul Glo - Songs To Yeet At The Sun 

Soul Glo are an punishingly chaotic hardcore band with dynamic vocals that harken back to the golden days of bands like Pg99 and City of Caterpillar. This is their new EP, out tomorrow and its a bruiser. I love how unhinged the vocal delivery is, esp compared to most hardcore vocalists who just feel like they go through the motions of "anger" or "anxiety". For me, even back when i was involved with hardcore, touring in a "hardcore" band, I often just didn't believe the vocals or the musicians anger or tension, it felt fake. Thats why bands like Soul Glo pull me back into enjoyong hardcore again, cuz I fucking BELIEVE it. Anyway, shit rules, buy it.

https://soulglophl.bandcamp.com/album/songs-to-yeet-at-the-sun

Sea Oleena - Weaving A Basket

Welp, this came the fuck outta nowhere,  never heard of Sea until someone posted it on Twitter. Apparently this is their first release in 6 years. Its a stunning album, and has skyrocketed to top 10 releases of the year. Its the sound of isolation on a cold, but blissful island. Dreamy, ambient slow moving experimental folk, that is achingly beautiful. Moments bloom, and shrink and doesn't over stay its grandness. There are elements of Flying Saucer Attack, Jessica Bailiff, Tiny Vipers, Grouper and Julianna Barwick, but it feels very much her own thing. Idk, goddamn.

https://seaoleena.bandcamp.com/album/weaving-a-basket