The Early November Talk New Album

The Early November

The Early November talked with Idobi about their new album:

Look at the triple disc as an example, I committed so hard to that theme that I probably took away from allowing myself to be a little bit more generous in creativity because of how strict I had to be to complete the theme like that. I didn’t want that to happen again. 

So you look at it from a standpoint of learning from your mistakes and actually putting it into practice. That’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to grow and be better. So that was one of the reasons. But I’m really glad that you asked that question and picked up on it. And it was something that I bounced around with for a little while until I learned what this record wants to be, something different than maybe what’s exactly in my head.

Andrew McMahon Talks New Song

Andrew McMahon talks about the new single released today with People:

When I was thinking about it, I was like, “Do I really want to put out a Wilderness track in the middle of Something Corporate tour? This is such a beautiful moment.” And I immediately called Josh, who was the co-founder of Something Corporate. I was like, “I want to send you a song. What would you think about bringing the guys together and doing this as a collaboration?” He was so genuinely enthusiastic about it, and it was almost like a healing moment. Josh and I were, we’ve been best friends forever, but you end a band, you move on, you just don’t know where people stand, and he was so excited. So, I brought it to the other guys and merged this Wilderness-esque production with my original band playing all the instruments. It became this beautiful moment that felt, weirdly for the first time, all of these bands coming full circle and feeling like for once it’s one thing in one place.

And:

The song that’s going to come out next was actually written for the last Wilderness record. Luke, who produced and co-wrote “Death Grip” with me, wrote a few songs on my last album. This song was a part of the sessions that we did together. It was the first time where I was like, “This feels way more like a Something Corporate song than it does a Wilderness song that belongs on this record,” and so I always just had it in my back pocket.

And then when “Death Grip” came up, and the band seemed legit excited about getting back in the studio, I forwarded them this other track, and I was like, “This is just a demo, but if we’re all together, maybe we should try and cut another song,” and everybody raised their hand and was excited. So, we cut both in the same weekend. That song was written during the pandemic. There were lyric changes and things that I had to make to say, “No, let’s put this in the present universe.” But it’s really about just trying to source your happiness in the middle of a difficult moment. It’s called “Happy.”

Review: The Decemberists – As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again

The ninth studio album from The Decemberists, titled As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again, is a thrilling walk through the woods of indie-folk lore that firmly highlights the strengths of the band. The Decemberists recently wrapped a tour that acted as a teaser to the songs that would be on this LP, and the music found on this record translated extremely well to the live setting. The band has never been shy of expanding upon the roots of folk music by adding in rich context to their songs, creating unique characters, and telling vivid stories through their music. Truly the band’s first double album, this particular record puts all of their assets on full display in a marvelous accomplishment of artistic achievement, and it just may be the band’s finest, and most complete work of music to date.

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Interview: Snarls

Snarls

This past weekend, I was able to schedule an in-person interview with Snarls before their show at DC9 in Washington, D.C. The tour stop was during the band’s first headlining tour of their young career, and was in support of their critically acclaimed sophomore record, With Love. In this interview, I asked the band about key moments during the writing/recording process of their new album, the songs that are translating best to the live setting, and much more.

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Ghostkeeper – “Lipstick” (Video Premiere)

Ghostkeeper

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single and video from psych rockers, Ghostkeeper, called “Lipstick.” “Lipstick” opens with a strangely inviting, other-wordly noise, a chirping, digitized cicada perhaps, before settling into a sultry drumbeat. The beat – as well as various other aspects of the production – betray an interest in sounds and rhythms from trap music, and the futuristic-sounding sonic architecture of contemporary R&B acts like FKA Twigs and Rosalía, but the song is grounded by the two singers, who each take a verse, their voices filtered through a pleasingly psychedelic lens. Ghostkeeper shared, “This song was conceived out of a sweet moment of romantic nostalgia: shared cigarettes outside of Broken City after a show, shooting our own Super 8 music videos, and a photo booth picture that remains in the breast pocket of my jean jacket that Sarah sent to me while away at art school in Halifax after our very first summer of love. Lipstick is dedicated to all you lovers out there.” If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider supporting this artist here. I was also able to catch up with the band for a brief interview below.

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