Henry Bliss & The Sidewalkers: Hurry Up !
July 23, 2008
Henry Bliss is a singer-songwriter from Brussels and is now playing with the “Sidewalkers” (Olivier Van Steirtegem: guitars, piano; Cédric De Meersman: bass, backing vocals; Mounir Kadjaj: drums, backing vocals.
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Why Bliss ? “To be honest, I wanted a name that would perfectly complement my first name (Henry) and easy to pronounce in French and English. This last name must also express an emotional affinity with my inner self, with my songs and compositions. I chose for the antithesis. My songs express mostly bad feelings, escape or misunderstanding. On the other hand, “bliss” means beatitude, serenity or happiness. This duality represents my vision of the basic human condition.” |
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Popularity: 2% [?]
El Ten Eleven: I Like Van Halen Because My Sister Says They Are Cool
July 22, 2008
We’ve decoded a recent El Ten Eleven instrumental transmission here in Los Angeles and it seems to be ushering in a new album release:
“El Ten Eleven’s third album, “These Promises Are Being Videotaped,” is out now!
You can buy a physical copy or get a download of the record at ete’s website:
http://www.elteneleven.com/north/
It will be available in a few weeks at all the usual outlets like iTunes, Amazon, Amoeba, etc. But because you are super special you get first dibs! For those of you who are audiofiles, FLAC files will be coming soon as well.”
For those of you in the Southern California area, ete will be opening for Pinback in Costa Mesa on July 31. Tickets are available here:
http://www.ocpac.org/home/Events/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=730
We recommend getting your tickets early as this will likely sell out.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Caverns: This Are Syntax
July 21, 2008
Instrumental rock music…how does that phrase make you feel? Some people fall asleep after just hearing the word “instrumental”. People need lyrics, a catchy hook, and a singer to focus on, right?
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This is where Washington, D.C.’s Caverns comes in. Neither Mathy nor Spacey, Caverns side-steps many of the things that have become cliche in instrumental rock and forge a sound that varies between the beautifully melodic and the intensely discordinant and everything in between.
With the release of “Sing Along”, a 5 song e.p. recorded by J. Robbins at The Magpie Cage Studio in Baltimore, MD, Caverns have committed every ounce of their live intensity to tape. |
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Popularity: 36% [?]
Way to Go, Einstein: Walk Through Fire
July 20, 2008
From one of my favorite regions in Canada - Way to Go Einstein hails from Vancouver, British Columbia and we apparently enjoy saying their name so much as it doubles as a nice age-old method to convey epic failure to someone.
On the flipside of the meaning, Einstein has a successful sound that jumps a lot of musical pandoric trees ala Sigur Rós, Jump Little Children, Coldplay, and seems to have a slight shoegaze element that you’d possibly find layered in an Ulrich Schnauss collaboration. While navigating this musical obstacle course, they still remain grounded with their own unique vision for the artwork which takes it forward in some very interesting directions and to promising heights.
A few months ago they had the privledge of having Kevin McDonald (Kids in the Hall) announce one of their shows, testing new material and crushing heads. We’ve included an extra highlight video below if you’d like to experience some of that night for yourselves.
You can support Way to Go, Einstein through iTunes and can also pick up a physical copy of their debut album, ‘Hide and Seek Champion’ over at CDBaby. [cs]
Popularity: 54% [?]
Five A.M: Just Say Anything
July 19, 2008
“’Raise the Sun’ is an album of love, hope, and reaching for something bigger than oneself,” says lead singer and songwriter Trent Yaconelli. “I grew up believing the best kind of music was more than something to dance to. It was something that could change someone’s perspective, change someone’s life, bring people together or change the world. That’s what this collection of songs is about, and that’s what this band is about.”
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Incredibly, “Raise the Sun” marks the third time Five A.M. fans have helped the band realize their music. In 2003, Five A.M. fans raised $21,000 to fund the groups’ debut album, “Degrees of Falling.” For their second outing “This Morphine Life,” they were literally pushed into the studio by the president of a recording college, who happened to hear them playing live for a campus webcast. |
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Popularity: 55% [?]
Bag of Toys: Smile So Wide
July 18, 2008
Starting out with a few appearances at a local open-mic showcase, Bag of Toys has quickly risen up the San Francisco venue circuit by entertaining the masses at venues such as The Independent and Slim’s while sharing the stage with popular acts such as Pato Banton, Sean Kingston, John Cruz, Fishbone, The Expendables, and the B Foundation.
Bag of Toys just released their second full-length album July 1st. Entitled “Afternooner,” the album was produced by Andy Zenczak at Gadgetbox Studios in Santa Cruz, mastered by John Cuniberti (Dave Matthews, The Grateful Dead, Aerosmith), and features 13 contagious tracks which not only have the signature sound that made their debut album popular, but also incorporate some new elements such as funk, country, and Latin rhythms.
Undeniably, Bag of Toys has invented a sound all their own. Featuring two acoustic guitars, the music offers a relaxed vibe supported by a catchy groove and rock-oriented rhythm section. So sit back, grab a beer, and enjoy the imaginary sand in between your toes because Bag of Toys will take you away to a better place with what the band jokingly refers to as “acoustic surf-rock that doesn’t suck.”
If you like tunes along the lines of Slackstring, The Expendables, the Mother Hips, or that one dude who sings fairytales about brushfires, make sure you pick up BoT’s album at iTunes, e-music, Amazon, or CDBaby.
Popularity: 57% [?]
JJ Appleton: Today, Today, Today
July 17, 2008
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Singer-Songwriter JJ Appleton is back in the US with a brand new EP, ‘Black & White Matinee’. Recorded in London, England with Producer Stephen Lironi, the six song disk features sun-shiny moods intermingled with emotional undertones and guitar driven rock-n-roll. |
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Popularity: 58% [?]
The Foundation: Rocker Girl
July 16, 2008
WARNING: attempting to wear earplugs at any of The Foundation’s live shows is futile…The Foundation will melt them into your skull.
Nothing can prepare you for the top-fuel injected rawk & roll of The Foundation. Hailing from the City Of So-Called Angels, The Foundation is doing what no other band on the scene is willing to attempt – they are rawking and rolling like nobody’s business.
The Foundation’s Justin, Bryan & Sam are sonic merchants of mayhem who know what needs to be done and gets it right the first time around. Don’t be fooled by their heavy as a hammer – fast as a race car sound. There is plenty of warm-fuzzy riffage and sun-drenched melodies to delight all fans of a sound that seems to be lost amongst today’s confused teenagers.
Insomnia Radio is proud to finally bring you the final mixed version of Rocker Girl by Producer Rae Dileo (Army Of Anyone, Filter, Henry Rollins,Veruca Salt). You can purchase this track through SnoCap on their MySpace page above.
Popularity: 59% [?]