Premiere: Youth Model, “Open Season EP”

 

First and foremost, Charleston, SC based Youth Model is not ashamed of their pop inclinations. Their newest EP, Open Season is their honest take on the lighter side of alt rock without departing too far from pop sentiment. The six songs run the sonic spectrum with riffing on title track “Open Season,” quirky opener on “Versions”, and weighty meaning on “Tried this Time” and “Heaven.” As I’ve heard Randy say multiple times, “We aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel here,” it’s true they aren’t exploring unknown territory but they have pulled influence from a gambit of alternative pop creators.

Interview: Keath Mead – Charming Authenticity and Being in the Right Place at the Right Time

Persons of Dialogue:
Keath Mead: Musical Prodigy
Lucas Amick: Wannabe Journalist

The timid yet genuine nature of Keath Mead’s “Sunday Dinner” transcends the audio files. In person his soft spoken authenticity can only be described as disarming. The morning following his Friday night Tir Na Nog performance, we shot the shit in the pool room of a Raleigh bar. It was an absolute pleasure discussing an array of topics with him as he leaned against a pool table sipping a beer.

LA: In all sense of the matter we are going to avoid any talk regarding waves of chill.

KM: Haha, alright – sounds good.

LA: We’re going to play a game of true/false. Spotify tells me that you were inspired to become a musician by the Beatles film Hard Day’s Night.

Legal Free: Various Tracks by Auckland Soundscaper Sun Blood

Sun Blood (or SUN BLOOD or sun blood) is Auckland, NZ soundscaper Ben Leonard. Sun Blood weaves spacial textures over electronic percussion that satisfies the listener’s more organic needs. Although Sun Blood seems to lack a prolific online presence, Ben’s focus is on quality not quantity. Below are a few tracks to get you abreast of his rising talent.

Interview: Astronauts, etc. – Tape, Toro, Hypothetical Treats, and How Ten Minutes Turn into Twenty.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Anthony Ferraro, the once sole member of Berkeley CA’s Astronauts, etc. We talked about the direction of Astronauts not-so mystical but surely unnamed fall 2015 release and whether or not it would be in line with the R&B infused bedroom pop heard on previous cuts Supermelodic Pulp and Sadie. Anthony, a classically trained musician, turned potential negatives into positives as arthritis ignited his interest in popular music and reinvigorated his interest in practical computer programming. In this redirection, Ferraro provides a humble presence as the touring keyboardist with pop-funk-anythingers Toro y Moi and in the world of generative music. It was cool talking with Anthony about his upcoming project, working with Toro, and his latest creation – Hypothetical Beats. Check out the conversation below.

Feature: The Leak — Steph Stewart & the Boyfriends – “Nobody’s Darlin” and “All Over the City”

Steph Stewart & The Boyfriends is a band grown from the ground up, with a sound as tall and full as a giant oak tree. Their new LP, Nobody’s Darlin’, out 5/30, is a righteous affair that will surely turn some heads. Sure, they’ve got a solid handful of followers and loyal devotees (who will inevitably be excited at this sneak peek), but this is a band that has quietly been producing some of the most quality folk music in the country for several years now, and they deserve your attention.

Album Review: Hermit’s Victory, ‘Hermit’s Victory’

Hermit’s Victory S/T
(Hearts and Plugs – April 7, 2015)
(Alternative, Indie, Pop, Lounge)
Review by Rob Bockman

Charlestonian Tyler Bertges’ first album under the moniker Hermit’s Victory, a self-titled full-length, is already one of the strongest albums of the year to come out of the Southeast—a golden-ratio fusion of analog songwriting and digital production. Bertges, a self-proclaimed songwriter over performer, seems to favor tightness over showiness, which creates an incredibly united aesthetic palette. Synths and sparse instrumentation give Hermit’s Victory an almost chillwave vibe, but rather than the somewhat detached groove chillwave imparts, Bertges’ music is warm and longing.