Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes - Headfirst (It's All Happening)

1.    Who? 

Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes are an indie rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. Headfirst (It's All Happening) (June'18)is a single from their third album Fashion (August'18). 


2. What kind of tune is it? 

Headfirst (It's All Happening) is a change in musical direction for this good times rock'n'roll band. Bouncy synth, a bass drum and vocals barely sustain interest for the first two and a half minutes but then the song explodes to life with a dark all-in rock out at the two and a half minute mark making the patient wait worth while. Rinse and repeat.



3. Who do Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes sound like? 

Beirut and Young The Giant.

4. What is the word from the people about Headfirst (It's All Happening)? 

“The sound life makes when it becomes ecstasy” – The Low Down Under. 

“A rallying cry for Daniel Ellworth & The Great Lakes” – Magnet Magazine.

“Eclectic-synth indie-rock” – Bong.

5. Which bands have influenced Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes? 

Some of their influences include Wilco, Paul Simon, Tame Impala, Kendrick Lamar, and Spoon. 


6. Why should I give Headfirst (It's All Happening) a spin? 

Because it's a reasonable introduction to a great band. For the all-in kicking in.


7. What other bangers do they have? 

Sun Goes Out is a divine indie rocker, the crown jewel. Shoe Fits and Always/Never are the dogs bollocks too. 


8. Any more words champ? 

Fashion was produced by Kyle Andrews. 

Brian Fallon is the singer and guitarist for Gaslight Anthem. He is from New Jersey and is known for his heartland rock music. Brian Fallon sounds like Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison. His main influences are Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, and Pearl Jam. If Your Prayers Don't Get To Heaven (Dec'17) was the second single from Brian Fallon's second solo album Sleepwalkers (Feb'18) and is an attempt to recreate a Motown/Muscle Shoals sound. The song pops.

Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam - 1000 Times

1.    Who are the chaps?

Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam are an indie rock band of convenience from NewYork. Leithauser is the singer from The Walkmen and Rostam Batmanglij is  the multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter/producer from Vampire Weekend. They have both quit their bands and struck out on their own. 1000 Times (Aug'16) is the first single from their album I Had A Dream That You Were Mine (Sept'16).

2. What's the fuss? 

1000 Times has a catchy chorus that get's milked until they've sucked that tit dry. The vocals move from whimsical to crazed, desperate, and impassioned. It's a classic. 

3. Who do Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam sound like? 

The Walkmen, Bob Dylan and Rod Stewart.

4. What have the fawning press said about 1000 Times?

“Vagabond soul” – Rolling Stone.

“Fantastic single” – Paste Magazine.

“A pained piano driven pop track” – Spin.

5. Who are they influenced by? 

They are both influenced by Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and American roots music. 

6. Why should I give 1000 Times a listen? 

One listen to the chorus and you'll know why. Leithauser's plaintive wailing is more addictive than deep fried heroin. 

7.  What are Hamilton Leithauser +Rostram's best songs? 

1000 Times is the best. 

8. Any more words? 

No.

 “I had a dream that you were mine”

Biffy Clyro are a very successful indie rock band from Kilmarnock, Scotland. Started in 1995 they have recorded seven albums. Biffy Clyro are similar to Twin Atlantic, Feeder and Foo Fighters. They are influenced by Metallica, Nirvana and Rush. Re-Arrange (Nov'16) is the fourth single from their album Ellipsis (July'16) that entered the U.K.charts at number one. Re-Arrange is a quirky rock pop ballad.

“Cause I would never break your heart”

You Won't - Ya Ya Ya

 

 

 

1.    Who are these funny bastards?

You Won’t are a folk pop duo from Massachusetts. The duo have been making sweet music together for over 15 years and Ya Ya Ya (Feb’16) is the lead single from their second album Revolutionaries (April’16).


2. What kind of march are You Won’t drumming?

Ya Ya Ya is an instantly catchy low-key folk pop tune with a chorus as sticky as a rapist in church.


3. Who do You Won’t sound like?

Flood Magazine compared You Won’t to Neutral Milk Hotel.


4. What have the cut and paste bandits said about Ya Ya Ya?

“A sturdy heart-felt distorto folk song” – Flood Magazine.

“Redolent and sweet” – Consequence Of Sound.

“Packs a powerfully ear-pleasing punch” – KEXP.

5. Who puts the pop in You Won’t’s folk?

You Won’t have expressed love for Paul Simon and The Magnetic Fields.


6. Why shoud I give Ya Ya a swish past the brain holes?

Campfire sing-alongs. Ya Ya Ya is a lovely song you will sing-along with and has enough meat in the lyrics to satisfy the soul.


7. Do You Won’t have any more of these lovelies?

The second single No Divide (April'16) is piano led and more of the same happy brilliance.



8. Any more words?

You Won’t have been on fluffing duties for bands like The Lumineers and The Joy Formidable. They also once supported Danish electronic rock gods Alcoholic Faith Mission.

 

“You say your brain is like a lost land mine”

 

 

The double dip is courtesy of indie pop band Generationals. Started in 2008 and hailing from New Orleans the men have four long players to pin to their pole and I Never Know rocks off their third album Heza (2013). I Never Know is a hooky rocker with a glam vibe.

“I bet it don’t upset you to see me get busted”