Ashrae Fax - Never Really Been Into It

 

Ashrae Fax should have been a bigger band, but it feels like timing wasn't ever on their side. Formed 1993, after the dream pop/shoegaze bubble had certainly burst, and never really took off in America. They didn't release a proper album till 2003 (self released Static Crash), while playing as far as I know mostly in Greensboro, NC. Somehow this obscure album gets in the hands of Mexican Summer, they reissue it, and released new LP in 2014. Unfortunately, this is after the small gazey boom of late 2000s, which is a shame cuz it's a minor masterpiece of Dreamy Pop. Ive seen "Never Really Been Into It" described as synth goth pop but to me its a ethereal collision of great songwriting, production and influences (Cocteau Twins guitars meets not to be reductive, the vocal confidence/creativity of Kate Bush). The songs feel catchy and effortless, and unlike a lot of dream pop, tempos are dynamic. Some of these songs are driving, light on their feet, some groove and of course some sway with hypnotic grace. My favorite song "You Make Me Question My Mind" opens with this sliding, delayed note that echos into infinity and than 44 seconds in the breakdown, with the vocals and walking bass fuuuuuuuuuccccccccck, so perfect, a literal perfect moment in a song. Every song has a small moment where your just like YES. I don't know why/how anyone couldn't love this record, sucks it's not on bandcamp, but their early stuff is. They recently released some singles, so here's hoping more music is coming.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOJWuc3CN3024M6CJJkfXEiVJ9tXOoNlq

https://ashraefax.bandcamp.com/music

August 6th bandcamp recs

 Yay! Bandcamp Friday's are back, so here's 6 things rule and that you should check out!

75 Dallor Bill - Power Failures

Very much a recent discovery due to Sam from Media Jeweler comparing them to Smoke Bellow, so obviously I had to listen! Using clanging percussion and modal guitar lines, these tracks carry me away to another world. It's so minimal, primative and enchanting I lose my sense of time. I don't have a ton of reference points, its interesting Ira from Yo Lan Tengo plays on a track cuz this feel like avant garde YLT with hints of raga, raw krautrock, world, meditative jams that really stretch out and engulf you.  Also reminds me of Rangda, but chill. Good stuff.

https://75dollarbill.bandcamp.com/album/power-failures

April Magazine  - Sunday Music For An Overpass

Everyone in Dummy is loving this tape, it's blissed out droney pyschdelic pop that feels liks strange middle ground between Spacemen 3 and Grouper. I wouldn't call them indie pop at all, but it feels alil ramshackled, and has those classic pop chord changes but not wimpy. It has a Flying Saucer Attack level of noise that is welcoming, instead of alienating. I really feel like they could have been apart of that FSA, Movietone and Light scene in Bristol of experimental/rural psychedelic guitar music. What the fuck is in the water in the bay area that there are so so so many good bands. Cannot wait to play with em.

https://paisleyshirtrecords.bandcamp.com/album/sunday-music-for-an-overpass

Eddie Chacon - Pleasure, Joy and Happiness 

Eddie Chacon was one half of the duo Charles and Eddie who had a one hit wonder in the 90s, fell apart, and Eddie didn't end up making another record until this one. It's truly surprising to me that this didnt get more acclaim, partially due to it's just plain fantastic and partially because it was produced by John Carroll Kirby whos worked with Frank Ocean and Solange along with his own solo work. Its kinda like someone who loves new age, vintage drum machines, and a lot to expel emotionally, made a lofi soul record. The hooks are simple but stay with you, and the lyrics are very universal. Its great, seriously. 

https://eddiechaconofficial.bandcamp.com/album/pleasure-joy-and-happiness

Hangman's Beautiful Daughter  - Smashed Full Of Wonder

Earlier this week Dummy released first single of our LP, and the blog Raven Sings The Blues compared us to Snapper(hell ya) and HBD, who I had never heard of, so naturally I check it out and was blown away. Firstly the title of this collection is incredible, but holy shit the songs on this are sick, taking the most raw edges of c86, with obvious nods to The Byrds, Velvet Underground and early garage rock. Some songs are dreamy but stripped down to the bare bones, and some songs are so frantic with the drums absolutely going off. Its all very punk, hella catchy and well written. I cannot believe I hadn't heard them before, and totally got why Raven was making the comparison. Smh, hit play. 

https://opticnerverecordings.bandcamp.com/album/smashed-full-of-wonder-2

Golden Hallway Music - Rules and Chance Vol. 2

Not Not Fun records has been such a consistent in my listening habits over the last 2 years, with so many releases being the soundtrack to my days trapped inside. Their most recent release Golden Hallway Music is right up my alley, with floating synth and subtle rhythmic pulses that screams kosmische wonder. Most of the songs feel like in the moment improvisations that carry you along gentle rides, withthe organs going cosmichere and there. Listened to this alot on a recent vacation to the mountains while trying to relax, get back into reading and on early morning walks/drives. Any fan of Bitchin Bajas, Roedelius, SiP or Cluster at their mellowest will find alot to enjoy.

https://goldenhallwaymusic.bandcamp.com/album/rules-chance-vol-2

Smoke Bellow  - Open For Business 

You know how I feel about this band, go preorder their new LP its fucking good. If Yo La Tengo made a post punk record informed by afrobeat.

https://smokebellow.bandcamp.com/album/open-for-business-2

Bandcamp recs for ya!

 

Hi, haven't written a post in a minute, mostly due to working on Dummy LP, and the pause on Bandcamp Fridays. Not a ton of music has done it for me this year, lucky there is some upcoming stuff I'm excited about anyway here's some music I have really really liked, some new, some older :

Creeping Pink "_____________________"

Not to down play anyone else's contributions to but to me Landon Caldwell and Mark Tester are true renaissance men of indie music, between both their solo work, Burnt Ones and their fantastic band Creeping Pink they continue to release exciting music at an absurd clip. As far as I know Creeping Pink isn't a band anymore, which is a massive shame, the amount of energy and creativity in these 11 tracks is more than most bands in their entire discography. With touchstones ranging from Red Krayola, Syd Barret, pop era Brian Eno, and The Beatles at their most far out, it feels like a long lost Elephant 6 LP. Truly fantastic album, any fan of pyschdelic/experimental pop music will find something to love here.

https://creepingpink.bandcamp.com/album/-

EXEK - Good Thing They Ripped Up The Carpet 

So, I saw EXEK open for Exploded View in 2018, and I wasn't into it to be totally honest, I don't know if it was my mood or their sound has evolved a bunch but this LP is a huge step in a great direction. With bits of Can, Neu, Lee Scratch Perry and Lifetones blended together for a vibe no one else is really doing. The drums and bass are predominately dub/mellow krautrock influenced, which makes for extemely groovy listen, always pushing forward. The guitars bob n weave through out, more for texture and noise than melody. The vocals remind me of Brian Eno, mellow, melodic but have a mysterious aura. This album feels like a band figuring out their sound, and harnessing it to make the most realized collection to date. 

https://exek.bandcamp.com/album/good-thing-they-ripped-up-the-carpet

Colleen - The Tunnel and The Clearing 

I love when an artist you dig but dont intensely follow releases a new record, and when you find it, its a total surprise. Colleens new LP is very much my shit, cosmic droning organs, lite but steady drum machines and beautiful vocals. Its like if Antena was German, and not French. Colleen often tries to limit what she is using per album to maximize creativity with limited tool, which I think is very cool. I can't imagine anyone who doesn't love Broadcast, Beach House or ambient works of Pauline Anna Strome wouldn't get entranced by this lovely record.

https://colleencolleen.bandcamp.com/album/the-tunnel-and-the-clearing

IE - Pome

As one might guess at this point, I am a Moon Glyph records stan, no matter what they put out I'll atleast take a listen because their track record is really fucking good. This album came my way by Dummys new bassist sending it to me, I have been slowly making my way back through their catalog but hadn't got here yet. IE (pronounced eeee) is from Minneapolis, and make meditative and minimalist kosmische/ambient drone. Vocals pop in on a few songs, but mostly it feel very ritualistic and calming. It doesn't feel like its from midwest, feels so cosmic, like staring up at a sky with no light pollution in the desert. Just another absolute knock out from Moon Glyph. 

https://iesounds.bandcamp.com/album/pome

Pedazo De Carne Con Ojo - Dun Dun

Finally, this gorgeous experimental deeply psychedelic pop? Lol, its kinda hard to pin down. It feels very vulnerable the way someone like Frank Ocean or Earl Sweatshirt is but coming from a different angle like sampling Broadcast and being even glitchier. It can sorta hold you at arms length at times, trying to dig through the sounds. Its quite an inspiring listen, I've had this on my Ipod for a minute but damn, this is so good and emotionally satisfying. I'm still digesting this one so I wish I had more to say but fuck man, leave it to Manny of Citrus City to shine a spotlight onto something truly special.

https://citruscityrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dun-dun

May Bandcamp Friday recs!

 

So, shows and tours are being announced, I still feel not optimistic about the prospects but hopefully I'm wrong. So, here's more recommendations:

Tomaga - Intimate Immensity

Sadly, this is the final album by Tomaga due to the passing of Tom Relleen this past fall, but we are lucky to have this last document of a band fully realizing their potential. I found out about em cuz they opened show(s) for Stereolab. The first 5 tracks are some great combo of exotica, kosmische, ambient, IDM and with a heavy focus on the hypnotic layered percussion. Tracks 6 - 8 go into a territory I am not a huge fan of, which is more aggressive, dark ambientish, and noise. For some I'm sure this would be a welcome dynamic shift, for me....eh, but the record finishes with 2 more tracks in line with opening 5 tracks. I think they are, in my opinion in the same peer group as Wume, Forma, Bitchin Bajas and one track feature's vocals from the singer of Vanishing Twin. Get into it.

https://tomaga.bandcamp.com/album/intimate-immensity

Blu~ish, Dream Crease and Enchanted Forest  - Energy Hum Vol 2

This is a 3 cassette combo release from Blu~ish(AKA Winter), Dream Crease(Witching Hour radio host and truly lovely human), and Enchanted Forest(Ash Allard from Hott MT), all separate album's, put together as a single release by Mutation Records here in LA. Each release brings a different twist on extemely blissed out new age and ambient music. Blu~ish tape is made up of improvisations on Juno-60, that brings some 80s sounding cosmic zone outs. Dream Crease on the other hand brings a more pyschdelic ambient vibe, that feels like yr gliding through the ocean on an alien planet, looking at all the 4th dimensional beings. Lastly, Enchanted Forest, who introduced some more jarring moments upon the peace, more haunting than other two. The jarring moment's are like scars popping out that yr trying to smooth out and heal. Highly recommended for absolutle bliss.

https://mutationrecords.bandcamp.com/album/energy-hum-volume-two

Blue Ocean - Summer Of Hands/Fade

I've already talked about Blue Ocean, but recently Paisley Shirt records compiled both of their EPS on one tape, and get some more eyes on this fantastic shoegaze/noise pop. "Summer of Hands" shows a more straight forward bendy pop ala Isn't Anything, its a cool first peak into this bands mind. "Fade" is a huge leap forward, shedding some of the noise, but adding loops, feedback and even catchier jams that has the feel of early Moose and the single best MBV song "Off Your Face". This is what shoegaze should be, poppy, experimental and uptempo. For the punx.

https://paisleyshirtrecords.bandcamp.com/album/blue-ocean

Jonnine - Blue Hills

Finally, this fantastic LP is available on bandcamp, the solo debut LP by Jonnine Standish from HTRK. I know at this point calling something Lynchian is cliche but that truly is the best way to describe this record. Shades of jazz, 60s pyschdelic, minimalism,  folk and darker shades of dream pop collide to make this complete nocturnal vibe. There's an unsettled feeling in all the songs, there's always a strange sound arouns the corner to subvert the experience. The song "I Feel Like Im In A Film"  is such a bizarre combo of sounds, this simple folk song, bleeping synths, and what sounds like scissors opening and closing to create a very very very creepy feeling. This LP reminds me of 50 Foot Hose, The United States Of America and more minimal/eerie Broadcast. Do it.

https://jonnine.bandcamp.com/album/blue-hills

Elijah Knutsen - Pink Dreams

Shout out to my bud Mark for pointing me in the director of this cool tape from Elijah Knutsen. The goal of this cassette was to focus on the ambient side of shoegaze, and they succeeded! Its definitely reminiscent of Harold Budd/Eno collaboration, but also reminds me of Jefre Cantu Ledsema and Loveliescrushing. Track 3 "Wander" has Cocteau Twins feel for sure, those chorusy guitar textures. All in all a short 4 song ep worth yr ears

https://arouralrecords.bandcamp.com/album/pink-dream

Green-House  - Music For Living Spaces

Yasssssss, Green-House debut LP, their debut EP was one of my favorite and most listened to albums of last year. This is a preorder and only 2 tracks have been released so far but I'm loving em. The EP had a very warm, minimal tape ripped from youtube vibe but these new songs show a progression of sound design and songwriting. More active, layered but still remaining beautiful/transcendent. This is easily in my top 5 most anticipated  releases of the year.  Cant wait, and if you haven't listened to their debut ep, WHAT ARE YOI WAITING FOR.

https://green-house.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-living-spaces

Cobalt  - Astral Traveler's 

Lastly, this wavy dreamy new agey space rock(i use rock very lightly) from 1979, that has the most appropriate album title ever. I dont know much about the history behind this release, cuz there isnt much available. It was made in LA, and inspired by world travel. I love listening to this album in the afternoon, it has a sun baked haze to it. The guitars, drums and synths all feel like there is phaser all over em, eveything is ebbing and flowing to pyschdelic perfection. Its has a very like early Pink Floyd feel, Syd Barret era, but no vocals and all the zone outs. Trip out on the milky waaaay.

https://fromthestacks.bandcamp.com/album/astral-travels

Tangled Shoelaces - Turn My Dial - The M Squared Recordings and More

Welp, this is crazy, when Tangles Shoelaces started they ranged from 10 to 14, and the music puts to shame most adults. Playing jangley soft focus pyschdelic pop, its some of the best indie pop I've heard in forever. "The Biggest Movie Ever Made" is such aittle gem with its playful organ ans sax, and little Byrdsy guitars, that weirdly shift into a almost new waveish part, its wild. In both songs there a clever songwriting moments/transitions. The collection on the whole is very good, some of the vocals are a bit much for me, but i mean they were kids so whatever! Annnnnd Tangled Shoelaces is the cutest name ever. The always reliable Chapter Music is releasing this, and if you havent check their back catalog. Go

https://tangledshoelaces.bandcamp.com/album/turn-my-dial-the-m-squared-recordings-and-more-1981-84

April Bandcamp day recommendations 9.0

Jock Gang - Delayed Release Capsule 

Ok, so Jock Gang rules, and when they went silent it was a huge bummer. But, suddenly, month ago I got a notification they released a new ep, yassss they are returning. The EP opens with a cover of Les Rallizes Denudes song, that sounds almost as unhinged and animalistic. Jock Gang takes elements of Velvet Underground, Women, and Red Krayola to make absolutely blistering rock music. My favorite track is "Paint Spilled on the Highway", which takes noise, feedback, anti solo choas into a sub 1 minute of pummeling pop. Pure noise = pure bliss.

https://jock-gang.bandcamp.com/album/delayed-release-capsule

April Magazine - Tape For Japan

San Francisco's April Magazine make lofi pop that sounds like its from rural psychedelia scene that spawned Flying Saucer Attack, Light and Movietone but lighter than those bands. Like those bands, the recording could alienate some but for me its tight. The touchstones are VU, Galaxie 500 and 60s pop but much more hazy, and very nocturnal. Too my ears, this is DREAM POP, it feels like yr floating in and out of being lucid, its creates such a zone atmosphere and warps yr sense of reality and time. Goooood stuff!

https://aprilmagazine.bandcamp.com/album/tape-for-japan

World Peace - Come and See

In recent years I've slowly come back around to heavy music, but really only a certain brand of it, and thats power violence informed hardcore. I want all go, no slow pummeling, feedback drenched and here enters World Peace. This record is 20 songs deep, that careens into the speakers, punching you right into the face. There's not much to say, its great to listen to while driving, and being pissed at all the people out and about ignoring the reality we live in.

https://worldfuckingpeace.bandcamp.com/album/come-and-see

Regional Justice Center  - Crime and Punishment 

Like World Peace, RJC scratch a similar itch to my rage toward humanity, and this album is one of the best hardcore records I've heard since the first Low Threat Profile 7inch. In the same lineage as No Comment, Endless Blockade and a more straight forward Iron Lung. The riffs are hard, blasts are in yr face and the vocals are oddly catchy. You can tell this is a varied studied songwriter making these tunes. Also, I BELIEVE this band is angry, it doesnt feel performative. "Absence" is my favorite song, main riff makes ME wanna mosh. 10 songs, no bs, just absolute sonic punishment.

https://regionaljusticecenter.bandcamp.com/album/crime-and-punishment

Headroom - Head In The Clouds

 

Learned about Headroom because Aaron from Landing was kind enough to send me their split 12inch with em, and than realized TiM released this LP few years back. This record is very good, and very cool. Space rock isn't often compelling, normally mired in lame cliches, and even lamer songwriting. Space rock like this doesnt exist anymore, harkens back to Ash Ra Temple, Jessamine, Bowery Electric(at their most blown out) and Magnog. The opening track "How To Grow Evil Flowers" is a vast hypnotic jam, feedback bouncing all around, slow churn of a groove that swallows you in sound. The follow up track, that features vocals, and feels like what if Broadcast was more into Hawkwind than The United States of America? Anyway, highly recommend, esp if yr a early Kranky Records phreak. 

https://headroomnhv.bandcamp.com/album/head-in-the-clouds

Electric Chair - Social Capital 

So far this year, as you can see from this list 2021 has already been a crazy good year for punk/hc. The always reliable Iron Lung records comes through again with this fantastic 7inch from Electric Chair. Blistering fast d-beat played how it is always meant to be, noisey, unhinged and not drop tuned into oblivion for the aesthetic of heavy. The guitar work is really weird, off kilter at times, has that classic Dischargey tone, the rhythm section feels like they could collapse at any moment and the vocals has that raging but also has side eye vibe to em

 I havent heard a d-beat record like this in forever, packs a punch and is fun to listen too.

https://ironlungpv.bandcamp.com/album/social-capital-lungs-179

Troth - Small Movements In Radiance 

Lastly, we have this preorder from the also extemely reliable Not Not Fun Records, Troth's a duo from Australia making what they envision "ambient music for children". I dont know if I'd play this for a kid, it's pretty haunting and ritualistic, as are a lot of Aussie bands like HTRK, Joninne and early Smoke Bellow. Only 3 tracks are available right, but I am loving the combo of drone, cultish psychedelic minimal rhythms, Japanese ambient and what sounds like disembodied vocals. I am very excited to hear the rest!

https://troth.bandcamp.com/album/small-movements-in-radiance

Angel'in Heavy Syrup - IV

I remember the first time I heard Angel'in Heavy Syrup, I was at the original drummer of Wildhoneys house, we worked together at a coffee shop, and it sucked. But, after work we would often go to his house, get very stoned and he would show me music. This is where i fell in love with Flying Saucer Attack, early MBV, The Telescopes and Angel'in Heavy Syrup's "IV".  There isn't a ton of info about AIHS online, mostly I know they released 4 albums, were Japanese and all gals. IV was their last record, and imo easily their best. The early stuff isnt bad, it just doesnt grab me the way IV does, it feels like a culmination of their powers, their dynamics between members, and whatever studio they recorded(or who captured it) in to just nail this pyschdelic masterpiece. The main attraction into is the interplay between the leads and rhythm guitar, the solos sound so free from thought, and are all FEEL. She really fucking shreds, like you think yr fav goes off, listen to "Space Conquest" and shut yr mouth. They feel like the childen of Ash Ra Temple, or Amon Duuls mellow jams, but full in outer space. "First Love" opens with an iconic guitar part, and feels like a rocket ship exploding out of the atmosphere, and than the vocals kick in(which perfectly match with the dreamy, but confident coos), and it feels like yr floating. I also, love the tone of the rhythm guitar, its so jangley, punchy and crisp, they are played w equal effortless flow. Its a shame this record hasn't been rediscovered or issued, I have a cd version but would love an LP. Anyway, not on streaming or bandcamp, here's full LP on YouTube, stfu and listen.

https://youtu.be/K_EXFd-vE0o

 

Bitchin Bajas - Bajas Fresh

 One of the best shows I've seen in the last 5 was seeing Bitchin Bajas in downtown Baltimore at a short lived venue called EMP Collective with friends Wume. I don't recall how long their set was, but with ambient/new age/kosmische performances can be boring, but not B B, it was engaging, and breezed by in a blink of an eye, I lost time during it and came out full of joy, and I bought this tape. Alot of times, with this sorts music, I have no idea actually how well known they are but to me Bitchin Bajas are under appreciated, over the course of their discography they have honed their craft slowly but surely, that culminated in this FANTASTIC album that is so dynamic and accessible to anyone, not just music nerds! And the title of the record shows they are not so self serious like alot of music like this is. The elements at play here are kosmische, new age, ambient and some spiritual jazz that all wind and flow through 7 tracks of equal measures of calm and excitement. The main thing aside from the songwriting that really came together on this record was the production. Its keeps things engaging, dynamic, immersive and its so well mixed, but not to the point of sounding sterile. The real stand out here is "Angels and Demons At Play" with its soft pulse, droning synth and flute floating around the mix, its such a weirdly playful and catchy song. The opener "Jammu" also really sets the stage for the whole LP, the ever evolving track shows the new found studio confidence. The synths bob and weave for first half, building till this flute loop jumps in the mix, and than soars into some truly blissed out shit. Along their whole discography they have explored so much and are restlessly artistically, thats why they are under appreciated. Bitchin Bajas also have another record that is great, its their collaboration with Bonnie Prince Billy and its a perfect companion piece to Bajas Fresh. Both records have been their for me in recent years, especially when I first moved to LA. Lots of driving around in a car, alone, and these records would smooth over my anxieties about driving in a new city. In the words of BPB "despair is criminal ah haaa ah haaa".

https://bitchinbajas.bandcamp.com/album/bajas-fresh