Tuesday Tunes--October 25, 2016
Shaun Cordingley
Felt a little mellow this week (honestly, I am getting over some sort of bug...so chill has been awesome) so I've spent a bit more of this week's Tuesday Tunes exploring different indie folk, and soft(er) rock.
Plus, for the first time in...longer than I can remember, I'm featuring bands who are entirely from the United States:
The Guys From do not hold the rights to any of these songs, it is more our hope to expose our readers to new and different music that we are enjoying, or re-expose them to things they may have forgotten about.
At the top of each section, will be the song name, followed by the artists' name linked to their website, so you can fall down the rabbit hole, finding and supporting what you dig.
Moving Mountains - The Brevet
Occasionally I stumble across an indie band where you can actually hear their passion and love of making music in their songs, and that is precisely the case with indie folk band The Brevet and their song "Moving Mountains". You can really hear a tinge of Mumford & Sons in "Moving Mountains", but there's more to it; the track carries that upbeat, folk style, but there are subtle rock undertones which gives the track a much more cinematic flare that is missing from a lot of indie folk.
The Brevet recently released American Novel: Chapter 1 (recently meaning October 14th), which is the first three tracks of their forthcoming sophomore album American Novel, with which the band says (on their website, linked above) they "...want to take listeners on a journey with American Novel,” exclaims Aric Chase Damm (vocals & guitar) with “Each song blend(ing) into the next, weaving together this adventure." If the 'first chapter' is any indication, it feels like an adventure that I will be excited to continue to experience.
Animal (Revisited) - Alec Benjamin
Phoenix based singer/songwriter Alec Benjamin revisited "Animal" a track he had released in 2013 telling a story about a drunk driver this month with "Animal (Revisited)", a re-sang, re-mixed, and more heavily produced version. "Revisited" has turned into a real, Pixies tinged track, with an almost melancholy feeling pervading the lyrics--it is one of those rare indie songs that allows itself to wander into the darker side of a party lifestyle, and it handles it in a very real manner (lines about being "unable to control my brain" especially).
Benjamin is an artist who has already discovered the ability to write with a surprising lyrical depth; check out his other singles "End of the Summer" and "Paper Crowns" to get a wider sense of an artist I am quite excited to follow as he develops.
Bitter Sea - BRAEVES
Sometimes you just need a good, mellow pop rock song, and New York/Los Angeles' BRAEVES have just that in "Bitter Sea". In this song, BRAEVES is unafraid to blend tempos, particularly through Thomas Killian McPhillips VII's drums, with chill lyrics, and a well layered, traditional rock combo into a super catchy track that is absolutely perfect for your next commute or road trip.
I cannot wait to add "Bitter Sea" into my next travelling playlist.
I also suggest, if you dig "Bitter Sea", that you check out their EP Drifting By Design, for a bit more soulful, Grizzly Bear-like indie pop rock.
Give Me Something To Love - Kid Runner
Thought I would throw in a little Alt-Pop this week as well, just for a change of pace, and I have really been enjoying "Give Me Something to Love" from Columbus' Kid Runner lately. I can't quite put my finger on what it is that I makes me dig this song, but perhaps it is the sum of its' parts: fun and easy to sing along to, a great instrumental combination (with a shoutout to the keys), and the juxtaposition between the different layers of vocals, from the lyrics, to the "ah" chant, to the melodic "ahs"--it's really hard to explain...just listen to the fun track, yeah?
Dream - Tessa Violet
Wrapping us up this week is "Dream" by Tessa Violet.
Now I understand that there will be a segment of you reading this who will say that "Tessa Violet (or Meekakitty) is well known! She's got over 1 million YouTube subscribers!", and you are totally right. However, I also know there is a segment of folks who are not as entwined into the YouTube community, who may not know Violet, and "Dream" is an indie pop song that is too good to be missed.
"Dream" is just that: a beautiful, perfectly produced indie pop song which, at about 45 seconds in, had plastered a grin on my face that did not go away, even though the lyrics are about losing a love, and pining...but it does not matter: I'm still smiling now, and I've had "Dream" on repeat for probably 20 minutes.
Honestly, check out her awesome YouTube channel, though if you are just wanting more fun indie pop, grab Violet's EP Halloway now.
Here's the Apple Music Playlist for September 2016! I think this list might be missing the most songs off of it that any Tuesday Tunes playlist ever has, but that is what happens with indie music--but you do get 17 great tracks this month, so it by no means feels bare. Nor was it super quick & easy for me to put together...but that's a given.
Remember, if you want me to put these playlists on other services (like Spotify), let me know on Twitter (I've linked it below)
If you're looking for more Tuesday Tunes, are late to the party, or just want more theguysfrom.com in your day, here are the playlists for:
There are other (earlier) playlists available for you if you check out earlier articles or search on Apple Music itself.
If you're wanting me to put these playlists on other music services (ones that I don't regularly use myself) let me know in the comments below.
See you again next Tuesday with five more Tuesday Tunes!
-S (@Shauncord)