Another familair name: Matt Bauer. He released a new EP in October and although it's good, in all honesty I must admit it's not as great as I expected it to be. There's one perfect song on it though: "Tonight We Get To Sing Our Songs". This has made me sing every night for the last 7 weeks or so, addictive as fuck!
Neil Halstead is a name te remember and keep an eye out for in 2013. I'm very sure this year will see his breakthrough. His well-deserved breakthrough. Listen to another beauty, just released..
The weekend started about 11 minutes ago and I'm already dancing to this great new track by First Rate People. Canadian indiepop at its finest! Have a good weekend, dance your ass off!
The year 2012 is coming to an end (actually it ended a week ago, but I'm sticking with the intro..). It is that time of the year for Christmas carols, buying presents for our loved ones and reflecting on the year that (almost) lies behind us. For us music bloggers it also means writing year lists, pretending our opinions matter to the world. Which of course, they do not, but even bloggers have dreams. These last few weeks I’ve asked several of my favorite artists of 2012 to look back on what this year has brought them. For their own musical careers, but also about the music they’ve enjoyed themselves and, if any, what their plans for 2013 are. These are their stories (yes, I did just quote the A-Team intro).
Although I refused to do a 'best of 2012'-list, I’ve given this a lot of thought and if I had to choose one album as my 2012-favorite, it would be Rebecca Brandt’s Numbers & Shapes. From the huge amount of great records I’ve heard last year this is the one album that always makes me smile. Always brings me comfort. Never stops amazing me. I am still truly surprised and overwhelmed by the deep emotions that this records holds. Emotions I’ve never heard and felt in an instrumental record. Instrumental music has always interested me, but Numbers & Shapes have added the emotional layer I’ve never experienced in instrumental music. I hope this makes sense, I can’t think of a better way to describe it. Numbers & shapes has opened my eyes, touched my heart and has given me joy like no other album has. If for some twisted reason I could only take one album released in 2012 with me into the future, this would be it. And I would never regret it. The final 2012-interview is with Rebecca Brandt. Read about her year and future plans (let’s hope they involve new recordings..), listen to some fine music.
1. If you had to name one moment, what would you consider the highlight of 2012? My best moment of 2012 was definitely midnight on May 1, when my first album "Numbers & Shapes" was officially released. I had been working towards that moment for over 2 years, and to finally get the chance to put my music out in the world was a really significant experience for me.
2. What are doing at the moment (November 2012)? I'm still chugging along, trying to work hard! I recently finished scores on 2 short films and am providing music for several upcoming commercials. I've also begun fleshing out ideas for some new pieces, just really basic, structural stuff. And there are a few other exciting projects and possibilities in the works...!
3. Which great band/artist did you discover yourself in 2012? They are in no way a new group and have been around for years, but I recently discovered the music of Balmorhea and am pretty much in love. They play some really cool instrumental stuff with post-rock and classical vibes, totally up my alley.
4. What's your favourite album released this year? I am very much a Yann Tiersen fan, so I've got to say his record "Skyline." This may be cheating a bit because while it was released in 2012 in the US, it had an earlier release in 2011 in parts of Europe. Still, I am crazy for his sound and this album is just beautiful.
5. How will you celebrate New Year's Eve? I'm not really sure yet, though I do know it will involve music, probably a fun show to dance in the New Year! I'll probably stick around my area in Brooklyn... Manhattan gets a bit too nuts for me during the holidays.
6. What are your plans for 2013? 6. On my shortlist for 2013 plans: play some shows, write some new music, get a puppy, win the lotto and retreat to the mountains in Peru. Not necessarily in that order.
Thank you Rebecca. For a beautiful album. For the answers to these questions. And about those mountains in Peru, the Netherlands are also pretty beautiful and perfect for retreating..
2 fine songs by The Ruby Troupe from their debut Spogy EP. The EP is well worth hearing, with 2 more songs like "Buffalo Skull" and "Just Like The Judgement Day", making this a cool 1st release for this folk-blues band from Texas.
I started dancing while listening to these songs for the 1st time. Good Stuff!
The year 2012 is coming to an end (actually it ended a week ago, but I'm sticking with the intro..). It is that time of the year for Christmas carols, buying presents for our loved ones and reflecting on the year that (almost) lies behind us. For us music bloggers it also means writing year lists, pretending our opinions matter to the world. Which of course, they do not, but even bloggers have dreams. These last few weeks I’ve asked several of my favorite artists of 2012 to look back on what this year has brought them. For their own musical careers, but also about the music they’ve enjoyed themselves and, if any, what their plans for 2013 are. These are their stories (yes, I did just quote the A-Team intro).
After this interview with Hip Hatchet, only one remains. After that last one and a tiny recap, I’m finally ready for 2013. I hope you are too. But for now, tonight, let’s turn off the lights, fire up some candles and listen to the finest folk album of 2012. Hip Hatchet’s Joy and Better Days is a masterpiece in all its subtle beauty. Sweet and tender music combined with sharp and brilliant lyrics. I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard so much one-liners on one album. Just listen to the 2 songs featured here (the 1st four lines of “Selfless in a City” are both hilarious and tragic) and you’ll agree with me for sure. This is among the finest albums of 2012 for me and I’m 100% sure I’ll be listening a lot to it for a lot of years to come. For now, listen to a few songs & find out how Hip Hatchet feels about 2012 and 2013.
1. If you had to name one moment, what would you consider the highlight of 2012? Heading out on tour was pretty monumental for me. The majority of shows gave me a lot of confidence to keep moving forward with this project and reaffirmed my love for songwriting. In addition to all of that, I just had a really great time.
2. What are doing at the moment (November 2012)? I'm producing an album for my friend Anna Hoone, working on some new songs, and working my day job(s). Trying to figure out if I can handle another Portland winter.
3. Which great band/artist did you discover yourself in 2012? Most of the music that i discover these days is by playing shows with other artists. I've played a handful of shows with my buddy Kevin who performs under Widower. They've got a new album comin out soon with one single already released. 'Catherine' was the soundtrack to my fall tour.
4. What's your favourite album released this year? Sun Kil Moon - Among the Leaves
5. How will you celebrate New Year's Eve? No plans yet. Lots of cheap champagne, probably.
6. What are your plans for 2013? 2013 will see some more touring and some recording. I'd like to buy a keyboard so I can play certain songs live on keys and play backup in some other bands. Hopefully I'll be releasing a split EP with another band here in PDX. No details are locked down yet though.
Thank you Hip Hatchet for answering a few questions about your past year and future plans. I hope there’s new music coming our way this year!
The year 2012 is coming to an end (actually it ended a week ago, but I'm sticking with the intro..). It is that time of the year for Christmas carols, buying presents for our loved ones and reflecting on the year that (almost) lies behind us. For us music bloggers it also means writing year lists, pretending our opinions matter to the world. Which of course, they do not, but even bloggers have dreams. These last few weeks I’ve asked several of my favorite artists of 2012 to look back on what this year has brought them. For their own musical careers, but also about the music they’ve enjoyed themselves and, if any, what their plans for 2013 are. These are their stories (yes, I did just quote the A-Team intro).
My favorite Dutch release of the year is Elenne May’s debut album Misleadingly Soft. Her beautiful voice and great songs are a ‘one of a kind’-combination. Misleadingly Soft is suitable for any moment of the day, exceptionally fine by day, perfection by night. Just sitting in the dark, staring at the walls, taking in this album is among the best things I’ve done in 2012. Elenne May has answered the same 6 questions all the others did, read about her year & future plans here. While you listen to her fine voice, fine songs & be sure to check out the rest of the album.
1. If you had to name one moment, what would you consider the highlight of 2012? Performing at Paradiso for the semi-finals of the Amsterdamse Popprijs, the Misleadingly Soft release of course and also, performing at NachteGiel on 3fm was very special. I’ve had such a wonderful year, there were so many beautiful moments!
2. What are doing at the moment (November 2012)? Well my debut album “Misleadingly Soft” has officially been released on the 15th of November in the Sugarfactory. This was something I’d been looking forward to and working towards for a long time. Right now I’m enjoying everybody’s reactions, talking to people about my work, hoping that it will spread and hang over the air as music should. I would like it to be part of a chain in people’s lives, the chain of memories and comfort. A link in the chain of music, part of the food chain, I hope she gets a fighting chance, room to grow and room to communicate.
3. Which great band/artist did you discover yourself in 2012? I rediscovered PJ Harvey, her latest release is so different to all her other work. It’s so destructive and positive at the same time. A protest to her country and to each and every human being. An album about land and love, soldiers and dancers, beautiful!
4. What's your favourite album released this year? “Let England Shake” by PJ Harvey
5. How will you celebrate New Year's Eve? Out in the woods, away from all the fireworks, breathing in forest air, recollecting healthy and wise energy for a new year to come.
6. What are your plans for 2013? To play lots of shows, my own shows, from living rooms to stages and café’s but hopefully also in collaboration with other Singer/songwriters and bands. I love working together with inspirational and creative people. I can’t wait for 2013!
Thank you Elenne May for your answers. You are on my “must-see-live”-list for 2013. Shouldn’t be too hard, and maybe that’ll even happen in my own living room (Elenne is doing living-room-concerts, sign up via her website).
There is no other band like Bridie Jackson & The Arbour. Their completely unique sound was my 1st love of 2012. And their new single, release date February 11th, is my 1st love of 2013. It's a double A-side with a new song "Scarecrow" and a new recorded version of "All You Love Is All You Are" my favorite track of their debut album.
"Scarecrow" is their 1st new song with record company Debt Records and it is different from what we've heard on Bitter Lullabies last year. It's a dark murder ballad with a more traditional sound to it. But the harmonies Bridie & The Arbour make so special are still here, aswell as a fantastic violin-solo. Beautiful new work from this amazing and unique ensemble. The new "All You Love Is All You Are" is a cleaner version of this well-known beauty, terms such as 'better' or 'worse' don't apply. It is still breathtaking.
1st real blog post of the year: if everything is this fine, 2013 is going to be absolutely brilliant!
The year 2012 is coming to an end. It is that time of the year for Christmas carols, buying presents for our loved ones and reflecting on the year that (almost) lies behind us. For us music bloggers it also means writing year lists, pretending our opinions matter to the world. Which of course, they do not, but even bloggers have dreams. These last few weeks I’ve asked several of my favorite artists of 2012 to look back on what this year has brought them. For their own musical careers, but also about the music they’ve enjoyed themselves and, if any, what their plans for 2013 are. These are their stories (yes, I did just quote the A-Team intro).
There are good albums, great albums and insanely beautiful albums. SEESAW by The Rest goes in that last category, or maybe even beyond. A special one, created for records such as SEESAW. It is easily described as indiepop, but it is an album that is best not talked about. You need to listen to the 10 fine songs that are on this record. Words get in the way.. When looking back on 2012 SEESAW is definitely one of the albums that stood out between the huge amount of great music I’ve heard. Each song has been my favorite at some point (those are the best albums), and that intimate live version of “Always On My Mind” is among the best live-videos on the entire web. Check out their 2012 below and listen to a few songs and of course watch that insanely cool live-vid.
1. If you had to name one moment, what would you consider the highlight of 2012? I think the release of SEESAW have such a long wait has to be the big standout for me.
2. What are doing at the moment (novermber 2012)? Working on building a studio. It's going pretty good so far!
3. Which great band/artist did you discover yourself in 2012? SBTRKT
4. What's your favourite album released this year? A tough one...still figuring out that #1 spot. But I'll say the Dirty Projectors, Fiona Apple, Japandroids, and Frank Ocean are fighting for it.
5. How will you celebrate New Year's Eve? A quiet party at home with some close friends.
6. What are your plans for 2013? recording, recording, recording!
Thank you The Rest for brightening my days with that great release and for the interview. I'm looking forward to the new recordings!
