speed of dark

Bethancourt in a rare, low-tech moment

It's clear that Alaska In Winter's Brandon Bethancourt's new life in Berlin is agreeing with him. The one-man electronic band relocated there earlier this after securing a recording contract for his debut album A Dance Party In the Balkans, and he's been touring and performing all over Europe. He tells the tale that he woke up one morning and found he had recorded his entire second album, Holiday, released just last Tuesday, in his sleep. Uh-huh, yeah.

No matter, this one, like the first is a reflection of Bethancourt in its spritely dance beats, gliding melodies, and quiet joyfulness. But the influence of European dance party music on thenew album stands out starkly when the songs are juxtaposed with the more stately and orchestral numbers from the first album.

Incorporating previous cohorts like Zach Condon, Heather Trost, and Brandon's sister Hillary, Holidaya solid follow-up to Dance Party. I am especially fond of "Highlander," parts 1 and 2, and "Streetgang," part 2.

Alaska In Winter:
Berlin from Holiday (2008)
Staring At the Sun ft. Zach Condon on trumpet, from Dance Party In the Balkans (2007)

MySpace | Label: Regular Beat
Buy at Amazon.com, iTunes

Related posts on Speed of Dark:
Electronic Anthems from Alaska In Winter
Interview With Alaska In Winter
Alaska In Winter in Concert
Catching Up With...Alaska In Winter

The Rockwells: Tommy, Fred, Trace, and Jonathan

The Rockwells from Knoxville, Tennessee, are two sets of of brothers: Fred (lead vocals, bass)and Jonathan (lead vocals, guitar) Kelly, and Tommy (lead guitar, organ) and Trace (drums) Bateman. Their album, Place and Time, recorded in Knoxville and Memphis, will be released on December 2. Numerous recording locations were used, including various houses, a cabin, and local rock club The Pilot Light.

The brothers produce highly melodic compositions that feel loose and mild, but are actually disciplined and direct. Jonathan's and Fred's vocals blend together gorgeously over the guitars and keys in "Microkorg." And next week when you're watching football, remember story of "The Quarterback," the one who never went back to the game, and others whose dreams are broken.

The Rockwells from Place and Time:
Microkorg
The Quarterback

MySpace | Website | Label: Migrate Records
Buy at Migrant Records

I am always amazed at how far-reaching and influential Neutral Milk Hotel's 1998 album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea has been to so many artists.

On their debut recording, Wisconsin band The Chairs, with Alex Schaaf doing the vocal honors and searing guitar licks, pay homage to that source of inspiration. This cover is featured on a five-song EP that the band is self-releasing tomorrow on their website.

But the Chairs aren't just a cover band; their original songs are well-written and arranged with just the right balance of assertiveness and restraint. "I Gotta Go" has great dynamics, laying low at first and then coming out with a blast of sound. "Polly" is my personal favorite. Listen to them all on the little player on their website. Their November EP is a fine debut.

The Chairs from November EP:
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Neutral Milk Hotel cover)
Polly

Tracks in this post were provided by Alex Schaaf of the Chairs for the purpose of distribution on Speed of Dark.
Website
Buy at the Chairs' website starting November 18.

Photo by alt-gramma: telegraph weed

Like many of us in southern California, Saint John of Saint John and the Revelations came originally from somewhere else. Born in British Columbia, he was a street performer in several European countries before arriving in Los Angeles and having the luck to have his first EP, Halo financed as the soundtrack of a film.

Mercy is his second, with nine songs. The first, "Hear Me Now," sets the scene and tone for the rest: "I look up in this dark room/and it's feeling like some ancient tomb..." This is a personal introspective of the past, present, and future from the perspective of someone who has endured pain, fear, and loss in love and in war. Saint John's lyrics are crafted from deeply-felt memories that have not been dulled by time, and they have the power to strike a vibration in the corresponding memories and emotions of the listener.

The accompanying instruments are mostly simple guitar and violin that underscore the personal tone and uphold, never overpower.

"Shall we try this again?" begins "Victory Tree." I read that one of the biggest problems many Iraq war veterans have is maintaining their marriages and relationships over the repeated and lengthy returns to war. This song makes me think of that scenario, especially with the repeated stress on, "You are free."

The next song, "Gods Among Men," backs it up ("I miss you before you're gone,") and reveals the helplessness to repair what is broken. "We were gods among men, fallen again, now it's time to go," is a reminder of how the U.S. came into this war, thinking we'd be heroes; and how disappointing it has been not to be able to make the changes we hoped for.

"How" feels like the bafflement of a soldier waking up in a hospital, wondering about his wounds: "These is not my pain/this is not my bed/this is not my life/How did I end up here?/And this is not my rage/this is not my hate/this is not my hurt/How did I end up here?" From out of this confusion arises the strength and clarity to go forward. Very beautiful and uplifting, and next to "Mercy" perhaps the most poignant and powerful on the CD.

"Sky Lights Up" could be a description of a normal morning in a Muslim city in the words "Sky lights up, and the city prays," but more likely it refers to the violence of war: "What happened to your esprit de corps? This is the war to start a hundred more." That light in the sky could be bombing instead of a sunrise, and I would sure be praying if bombs were falling on my city.

"Part of Me" bares the soul of the shell-shocked man who has returned from war and is trying to act normal among those who can't fathom his experiences: "Thank you for not sitting too near/How can something so dark make it all so clear?...Part of me knows it's wrong/Maybe it's just wrong for part of me".

"Mercy" is the first song I heard from this CD, and although I'm impressed with all of it, I still like this one just a teeny bit best. When Saint John sings "have mercy on me", you hear from the depths of his being that this is real, but underneath the desperation the melody carries a tone of hope. "Break all the mirrors/Mercy/Don't come any nearer/Mercy/There have been so many names/Give up on trying to blame/Take the pictures from the frames/Mercy."

The last song is short but, by using battle language, tells of more to come: "This wasn't peace, just cease-fire". It's called "I Don't Know How to Let You Go," so it fades gently away on a repeating note.

Saint John is just beginning to record his next full-length release, a full-length album, but Mercy is a little gem that deserves notice for the delicacy and tenderness with which its subjects are treated as well as for the beauty of the music. Saint John is completely independent, so buying directly from his store supports him, not layers of bureaucracy.

Saint John and the Revelations: Mercy



This track was provided by Saint John for the expressed purpose of distribution on Speed of Dark.
MySpace | Website | Facebook: XXXX Records
Buy Direct from Saint John
Amazon.com, iTunes

Lizzie Powell of Land of Talk

I am so excited that a couple of the tunes from Land of Talk's second CD, following up their debut EP Applause Cheer Boo Hiss (2006), and first full-length, Some Are Lakes, are appearing ahead of the early-October release date. I'm sure I'll have more to say when I get my hands on it. I saw them last year at the Glass House, and Lizzie Powell is a force of nature on the level of a hurricane. Wowza!

From Some Are Lakes (October, 2008):
Corner Phone
Some Are Lakes

Photo: Land of Talk at the Glass House (June 2007).

MySpace | Label: Saddle Creek
Preorder: Saddle Creek, CD Universe

A lot of bands have claimed the Beatles as influences, but I've seldom heard any that have done it as well as The Telepathic Butterflies from Winipeg have done on their recently released CD Breakfast In Suburbia. Rejean Ricard (guitars/vocals) and Jacques Dubois (drums) incorporate memory-tickling inflections of the late 60's/early 70's British invasion sound while updating it for the alternative-rock palate. These 14 catchy tunes constitute a tantalizing trip back to rock as it was before the White Album.

From Breakfast In Suburbia (2008):
A Scathing Report
Telescope

Radio Darlings from The Telepathic Butterflies (2004)

MySpace | Website | Label: Rainbow Quartz Records
Buy at Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic

Wow, an actual rock band from Mississippi--I guess there are a few! (I'm allowed to say things like that because I grew up there) The five members of the Weeks also look like, if all their ages were added together, they'd have only a few more years than I have by myself. Well, maybe not. I am not actually that close to 90. The point is, they are very young for having so much talent; their average age is 18, which means some of them are younger.

The Weeks' debut album, Comeback Cadillac, recorded by former Squirrel Nut Zipper Jimbo Mathus, was just released July 8. From their several listed influences, Kings of Leon, the Color Revolt, and At the Drive-In feature prominently, but I also hear hints of the Killers in there too.

To help them get to Austin City Limits: follow this link.

COPYRIGHTED CONTENT HAS BEEN REMOVED

From Comeback Cadillac:
Altar Girl
Buttons

MySpace | Label: Esperanza Plantation
Buy at Esperanza Plantation Store, Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic

Watch for the second album by Joan As Police Woman, scheduled for official release next Tuesday. The title is To Survive, and it is available on iTunes now if you want to get a head start. I just love her sultry voice and exotic looks. Here is the first single from this album as well as my favorite track from the previous album, Real Life.

To Be Loved from To Survice (2008)
The Ride from Real Life (2006)

Check the sexy video of "To Be Loved:"


Joan As Police Woman is: Joan Wasser (vocals, guitar, piano, violin), Rainy Orteca (bass), Parker Kindred (drums)

MySpace | Website | Label: Cheap Lullaby Records
Buy at Cheap Lullaby Store, Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic

Show Schedule:
Currently on tour in Europe

The Owls

The first full-length CD by the Owls was just released October 23 on Magic Marker Records, and the band has even taken the daring step of joining MySpace! While the album is available for download, early buyers of the first pressing of the Daughters and Suns CD will also get a DVD of the Owls' first music video of the song "The Way On." The CD sleeve art was designed by Owl'Brian Tighe and Maria May and printed on recycled chipboard.

The Owls' next performance will be a CD release show on November 8 at PThe Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Owls: All Those In Favor from Daughters and Suns (2007)

MySpace | Website | Label: Magic Marker Records
Buy at Magic Marker Records,iTunes, and eMusic
Previously on Speed of Dark: Spotting the Owls



Nyles Lannon


I'm just discovering Pressure, Nyles Lannon's new album that was released in September. Lannon is an alumnus of one of my other favorites for 2007, Film School. His previous album, 2004's Chemical Friends seemed to keep Lannon's acoustic and electronic sides more separated, but now he seems to have learned how to blend them. Beautiful, dreamy, and reminiscent of Elliott Smith, Iron and Wine, Film School, and a hint of Beatles' White Album.

From Pressure (2007):
Nyles Lannon: Hesitation
Nyles Lannon: Next Obsession
MySpace | Website | Label: Badman Recording Company
Buy at Amazon, iTunes, and eMusic


The subject of Contrast Podcast #83 is Lust, the first of the Seven Deadly Sins. If you are over 18 and this tall, you may listen to the podcast. I couldn't imagine a better song for the theme than "Tear You Apart" by She Wants Revenge, but the great thing about CP is that everyone else comes up with the perfect song too. Stay tuned for the other six sins.
She Wants Revenge: Tear You Apart from She Wants Revenge (2005)

The Moths!

I first heard about The Moths! when they had won Rock Sellout's Best Unsigned Band contest. This is the U.K. band--be careful because there is a U.S. band by the same name. The U.S. Moths are good too; this just isn't about them.

The Moths started with songwriters James Fox, who writes and sings the lyrics, and Dave Lightfoot, who plays guitar and writes the music and now includes Jonny on drums, James L. on bass, and Asley on synths.. They have a bright and peppy 90's Brit-rock sound that has been compared to the Buzzcocks and Human League and is completely charming.


Those cute little moths on their logo, with their shapely legs and waists, were about the only things on their MySpace page. Now the Moths have a rip-roaring new design, a lot of news, and even a few pictures of the band members. My guess is, at the speed these guys are moving, they will not be unsigned for long.

The Moths!: Tell Me

MySpace | Bebo | Label: unsigned!
Buy at iTunes, and eMusic

Show Schedule:
Sep 9, 2007 - Brick Lane Festival, 93 Feet East, London
Sep 14, 2007 - Mr Fast Lane’s Secret Rock and Roll Salon, 333, London
Sep 15, 2007 - Bloody Awful Poetry, Nambucca, London
Sep 18, 2007 - Kickers Fashion, Marylebone Library, London
Sep 26, 2007 - Islington Academy (supporting IAMX) 14+ show, London



Goldroom



I wrote previously about U.K.'s Goldroom last March, but in the context of unsigned bands, they deserve another mention. I genuinely like everything they do. I often check their MySpace page to find new examples of their deeply-nuanced and myriad-influenced compositions, which carry the sweep and grandeur of movie soundtracks.

"Brighton Rock" is a recent remix of an older song of theirs. Get more at their MySpace page.

Goldroom: Brighton Rock

MySpace | Label: Unsigned!



The King Left



The King Left have a Brit-pop sound, but they are from New York. They have made a couple of "Best Unsigned Band" lists, including the Top 30 unsigned bands in the country, according to the Daily Chorus. The martial beats and discordant, hystrionic lyrics are similar to Arctic Monkeys or Tokyo Police Club.

They'll be playing some dates in New York with Speed of Dark favorites Joseph Arthur and We Are Scientists

The King Left: The Storm In a Teacup
The King Left: I Have To Let You Win

MySpace | Website | Band blog | Label: Unsign ed!
Buy

Show Schedule:
Sep 7, 2007 - Music Hall of Williamsburg w/Joseph Arthur and The Lonely Astronauts and Sounds Under Radio, Brooklyn, NY
Sep 28, 2007 - Baruch College's Mason Hall w/ We Are Scientists and Robbers On High Street, New York, NY
Oct 3, 2007 - Bowery Ballroom w/ Nightmare Of You and Le Loup, New York, NY
Oct 26, 2007 - Maxwell's w/ Film School, Land Of Talk, and Eulogies, Hoboken, NJ
Nov 9, 2007 - Elmira College, MacKenzie’s, Elmira, NY

I missed Finally Friday this week because when it comes to a choice between the grandbaby and the blog, the grandbaby is gonna win every time.

Here are two unsigned shoegaze-type bands that really deserve a label and a place to expand on their repertoires.

The Evening Sounds

Combine all the finest shoegaze you can think of--like Sigur Ros, Mazzy Star, and Slowdive--with a vision of a glowing sunset, and you have an idea of the sound of The Evening Sounds, an unsigned band from U.K.'s Midlands.

Tom Howell, Gary Sheppard, Andrew Kennedy have created lush and serene soundscapes with floods of vocal layers interspersed with simple acoustic guitar. Somebody please pick these guys up so we can have a full album of these warm and heart-soothing hymns.

Two more songs are available for download at their MySpace page.
The Evening Sounds: A New Suggestion
The Evening Sounds: Cellar Track (demo)

MySpace | Label: Unsigned!



Hazelwood Motel


Herman Jolly keeps sending me bulletins about Seattle band Hazelwood Motel, and I'm grateful because I checked them out and really liked their songs. Jolly played drums for the group at one time, and apparently the association continues to be warm.

Band members Ed Vierda, Megan Pickerel, and Patrick Smail play tender, heart-breaking ballads based around quiet piano or guitar, although "Break Myself In Two," which can be streamed on their MySpace page, has a head-bobbing beat to it. I'm really looking forward to hearing more from them. They've been playing some shows in the Seattle area, so if anyone has seen them live write us a comment.

Hazelwood Motel: Released
Hazelwood Motel: Not Enough
MySpace | Label: Unsigned!

Show Schedule:
Sep 18 2007 - Nectar, Seattle, WA
Oct 12 2007 - Mars bar with Half Light, Seattle, WA


From the blogroll:

Contrast Podcast #75 is Musicians with Moustaches. I chose J. Tillman because in most photographs he has both a moustache and beard.

Covers! Aquarium Drunkard has Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer" covered by Built To Spill, and there are more covers by Drive By Truckers and Jason Isbell at Berkeley Place, and even more covers at HaHaMusic's Cover Tuesday.

Can You See the Sunset has a review of the new Pinback album, Autumn of the Seraphs.

School has started, and Marcy at Lost In Your Inbox reminds us that that means it is marching band season. Hey, Indie Mom--remember that? Check out the song "I Used to Play the Euphonium."

Bowerbirds

Mark, Beth,and Phil of Bowerbirds
Bowerbirds were formed by Phil Moore and Beth Tacular with Mark Paulson (violin, piano, and bass drum) joining shortly after. Phil's and Beth's vocals are similar to Ivan and Kelly of fellow North Carolina band the Rosebuds, whom Bowerbirds have performed with. However, Bowerbirds' sound is acoustic, gentle, and more organic, lacking but not missing the Rosebuds' thick synth grooves.

Phil and Beth live together in their "bower" in the woods, and these songs reflect their love of nature and simple living. The whole thing is peaceful, beautiful, and charming. Even my folkie husband likes it. I encourage you to stream all the tracks at their website.

From Hymns For a Dark Horse (2007):
Bowerbirds: Dark Horse
Bowerbirds: Human Hands

MySpace | Website | Label: Burlytime Records
Buy

Upcoming shows:
Sep 6 2007 - Un Deux Trois, etc. Benefit, Chapel Hill, NC
Sep 20 2007 - Black Cat with the Mountain Goats, Washington DC
Sep 21 2007 - Sonar with the Mountain Goats, Baltimore, MD
Sep 22 2007 - North Star Bar with the Mountain Goats, Philadelphia, PA
Sep 24 2007 - The Icon with the Mountain Goats, Buffalo, NY
Sep 25 2007 - Lee's Palace with the Mountain Goats, Toronto
Sep 27 2007 - Rex Theatre with the Mountain Goats, Pittsburgh, PA
Sep 30 2007 - Middle East Downstairs, Cambridge, MA
Oct 1 2007 - The Bowery Ballroom with the Mountain Goats, New York City, NY
Oct 2 2007 - Studio B with the Mountain Goats, Brooklyn, NY


Bitter Bitter Weeks

Bitter Bitter Weeks: Ed Hogarty, Brian McTear, Amy Morrissey, Mike Kennedy
Philly-based Bitter Bitter Weeks belies their name and leaves only a sweet taste in your mouth. The band started as a solo project of multi-talented Brian McTear (producer of Matt Pond PA, among others). He shares vocals with even more versatile Amy Morrissey (singer for the Novenas, engineer and co-owner of Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia, and artist). This music is much more in rock mode than Bowerbirds' spare acoustics, but still sweet, pleasing, guitar-based, and mellow.

Brian McTear's vocals sometimes remind me of Kevn Kinney without the southern twang, and other times, like on "Once and For All," he gets into higher registers similar to Greg Gilbert of the Delays.

Peace Is Burning Like a River is their third album, and earlier works are worth looking into as well.

From Peace Is Burning Like a River (2007):
Bitter Bitter Weeks: Once and For All
Bitter Bitter Weeks: Terrified

MySpace | Label: High Two Records
Buy at My Pal God Recods, High Two Store, iTunes, and eMusic

Upcoming shows:
Jul 20 2007 - XPonential Music Festival (WXPN), Camden, NJ
Aug 24 2007 - Puck w/ Canadian Invasion, Doylestown, PA
Aug 30 2007 - Johnny Brendas w/ THE A-SIDES (CD release), Philadelphia, PA


Benzos


New York band Benzos' trip-hop influenced sound has been compared to Radiohead among others, but I hear more likeness to melodic shoegazers like Doves, Ours, and even Dishwalla. Their hybrid of dance rhythms and introspective gloom invites all kinds of comparisons, however. Branches is their second full-length CD. While there are no jaw-dropping standouts on the album, there is a lot of dark, moody beauty, and the songs flow nicely together.

At live shows they have impressed reviewers of Spin and CMJ and made a hit at Bonnaroo as well. Check their MySpace blog for links.

From Branches (2007):
Benzos: Phase 2
Benzos: Hurt Everybody

MySpace | Website | Label: Stinky Records
Buy at Stinky Records Store
Buy first CD Morning Stanzas at iTunes and eMusic


Benzos rock at Bonnaroo
Upcoming shows:
Aug 9 2007 - Knitting Factory (w/ Say Hi To Your Mom), NYC, NY
Aug 17 2007 - Camp Bisco (Main Stage), Mariaville, NY
More fall dates are being scheduled.