Friday, September 7, 2018
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Creux Lies // The Hearth
Revered for use of reverb-laden guitar work, creative synth structures, and dynamic vocals akin to the style of many early shades of 80’s pop darkness, Creux Lies are known as an alternative / post-punk / new romantic-esq project from Sacramento, California. Created out of the band formerly known as NMBRSTTN, singer Ean Clevenger, guitarist Barry Crider, synth/electronics David Wright, drummer Topher Snyder, and bassist Kyle Vorst have focused their creative vision toward a new path of electro-drenched melancholy sonic styling.
In late 2017, Creux Lies completed their first full-length, recorded at the creative fantasy-land known as Earthtone Studios in their home-city under the creative care of producer/engineer extraordinaire Patrick Hills. Their initial single and video, “Zone,” was released in January as a stand alone to much fanfare and commotion; as well as being added to several of the most notable genre-relevant playlists and radio broadcasts through out the world.
The band signed to Cleopatra Records for their opening release, The Hearth, out now.
Crux Lies released today (8/17) their debut full length album The Hearth. The album was released via Cleopatra Records and is available on all streaming platforms as well as on CD via their Bandcamp page. In this album the band manages to masterfully blend the sounds of classic post punk with a newer, modern touch and approach.nThe result is beautiful melodies, clear vocals, and a nostalgic sound that takes one straight back to the 80's.
Creux Lies gave us a first taste of the sound of The Hearth with the single Portals, that was released mid July of this year to great response from fans and journalists. The album and its lyrics were influences by tarot and mysticism, particularly the concept of duality and/or confronting multiple problems at once. This point of view let the band to find the artist who's work would eventually become the cover art for the album, Alex Kanevsky.
Creux Lies approached Kanevsky about the piece for the cover (titled "J.F.H. with Her Portrait"), to which the artist agreed after listening and liking the new album.
Upcoming Live Dates
9/23 – Los Angeles w/ Glaare/Gene Loves Jezebel
9/29 – Oakland w/ 13th Sky
10/12 – Nevada City (CA)
10/13 – Reno (NV)
10/25 – Portland (OR)
10/26 – Vancouver (BC) w/ Actors
10/27 – Seattle (WA)
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
THE LOVE COFFIN // "Cloudlands" LP
After two promising 12” EPs, 'Veranda' (2015) and 'Buffalo Thunder' (2016), the Copenhagen-based rock quintet The Love Coffin is finally ready to unleash their debut album. The nine-song long-player is entitled 'Cloudlands' and will be released September 28th in a Danish/French joint venture between Bad Afro Records and Third Coming Records. The LP features gorgeous images from Madame Ette.
The Love Coffin’s songs are all about contrasts – be it in the music, which shifts effortlessly from finely spun melodic melancholy to searingly dissonant bursts of noise – their lyrical themes, which can best be described as pendulous journeys between ominous, tar-black depths of despair and bright shafts of cheek-blushing optimism – or in the schism between frontman Jonatan K. Magnussen’s wildly intimate, volcanic vocals and the cinematic expansiveness of the sonic imagery his bandmates conjure around him.
The Love Coffin’s songs are all about contrasts – be it in the music, which shifts effortlessly from finely spun melodic melancholy to searingly dissonant bursts of noise – their lyrical themes, which can best be described as pendulous journeys between ominous, tar-black depths of despair and bright shafts of cheek-blushing optimism – or in the schism between frontman Jonatan K. Magnussen’s wildly intimate, volcanic vocals and the cinematic expansiveness of the sonic imagery his bandmates conjure around him.
Sure, you might be able to glean bits and pieces of the patchwork of influences that has led to The Love Coffin’s sound – particularly the unforgiving, magmatic squall of the New York noise rock scene of the 80’s, the sepia-dusted, grimy wide-screen perspective from the post-punk that came out of Australia in the same era and last, but not least, a knack for burying lush pop hooks under a rough-hewn bedrock of ugly guitars, Trojan horse-style, not unlike the pioneers of British shoegaze did it.
This band, though, is first and foremost a beast of its own making. Beneath the bruises you will find both tenderness, raw-hearted honesty and a dizzying talent. These five guys are here, they’re now, and they’re going straight for the jugular. Embrace the darkness or fend it off; you probably won’t escape unscathed, but you will live to tell the tale of The Love Coffin.
‘Cloudlands’ is recorded at the Grapehouse studio in Copenhagen and mixed by Kristian Alexander Pedersen in Berlin. The album is mastered by Emil Thomsen and comes in a neat gatefold sleeve with daring photos by Jennette Laven.
The Love Coffin is Jonatan K. Magnussen on vocals and guitar, Kristian Alexander Pedersen on guitar, Lasse Christiansen on keys and guitar, Tue Einar Bakfeldt Fly on bass and Alexander Vitus on drums.
Additional musicians: Bass Clarinet: Sylvester Roepstorff, Violin: Stine Jensen, Cello: Michelle Appelros, Percussion: Mikkel Fink.
credits
CHROME LEATHER // Personal Hell
Humidity is oppressive, it is stifling, it is enveloping and it is unbearable. Chrome Leather existing in the depths of the Brisbane underground, know this only all too well. Replace humidity with the disappointment and monotony of everyday living and you’re getting real close to understanding why this EP was created.
It is a means of reaching up and reaching out and still pushing through when you’ve had more than enough. With a heavy 80’s post-punk influence, this is music for the outsider.
credits
releases September 19, 2018
Jasmine Dunn - vocals & bass.
Steven Schnorrer - vocals, guitar, drums & synths.
Music & lyrics written by Chrome Leather.
Recorded at Stones Corner, Brisbane August 2018
Monday, September 3, 2018
GOST // Possessor
Synthwave artist GOST is no run of the mill synth artist. His music is adrenaline fuelled, intoxicating metal infused synth that you can't stop turning up louder and louder. Much is not know about who GOST was before there was GOST but we know he played in metal bands and his favourite film is still The Goonies, that's enough for me.
His nostalgia for 80's music, horror and the high impact of myth and performance of music artists of the time like KISS hugely influenced him and after hearing “Pump Up the Volume" from the film of the same name so began the underpinnings of what would later become GOST.
Gost has also released a free download of his cover track of Nine Inch Nail's iconic track "Head Like a Hole' which you can download directly from Bandcamp.
Possessor is out now through Blood Music Records.
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