Author: sawdustandgin

Album Reviews

Rosalía Tangles Innovation and Tradition on El Mal Querer

sngalbums: There are few albums as surprising as El Mal Querer. The shock of it hopefully wears off for future generations, though; flamenco deserves a spot in the mainstream and, according to the success of this title, it has staying power. Rosalía is from Barcelona, and has studied flamenco for some time. Her first record was filled with various interpretations on the genre: traditional movements … Continue reading Rosalía Tangles Innovation and Tradition on El Mal Querer

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Album Reviews

Richard Luke Speaks Without a Voice on Voz, Featuring Amira Bedrush-McDonald

One day in Góis, Portugal, during summer of 2017, Richard Luke woke up without a voice. That did not stop him from writing a new full-length album with Amira Bedrush-McDonald, a violinist collaborator from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Called Voz, the new album is a neo-Classical anthology. At the time that Luke was temporarily stricken mute, Portugal was ravaged with wildfires. Unfortunately, I become more … Continue reading Richard Luke Speaks Without a Voice on Voz, Featuring Amira Bedrush-McDonald

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Album Reviews

Radio Skies Discover Their Contradictions Through Double Life

Contemporary psych rock has the ability to reach other-worldly canopies. Rock music has been warped for generations, and decades ago, the aforementioned subgenre appeared with a vengeance. Since then, every musical experiment on the genre has been conducted, and with constant technological improvements, the experiments continue. The Ojai-based group Radio Skies has done some exploration of their own culminating in their new album Double Life; … Continue reading Radio Skies Discover Their Contradictions Through Double Life

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Album Reviews

Embrace Community and Growth with Empress Of’s Sophomore LP, Us

Photo by Fabian Guerrero My favorite line from Us, the sophomore full-length record from Empress Of, appears in “Love for Me,” as an explanation for living life to the fullest: “The whole world spins on a thin string / Touché let’s get up off our seat.” Of course, you will be hard pressed to find a spare moment to sit as you listen to the … Continue reading Embrace Community and Growth with Empress Of’s Sophomore LP, Us

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Daily

The video may be grounded in reality, but the song itself feels like a fantasy sequence set two hundred years in the future. “Apollo” was one of several new singles released last year from the British musician, including “Someone Else” and “Hearts.” Continue reading

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Album Reviews, Show Reviews

Loma Gripped Audiences at the Bootleg, Supported by Jess Williamson

sngshows: Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. Words by me, photos by Laura Pasek.  Loma came out with another five-piece touring band for their set, this time led by Emily Cross of Cross Record. (Her partner in that project, Dan Duszynski, is also in Loma.) She had on an all-white ensemble, intending to catch the light of the tubes laying across the floor of the stage. … Continue reading Loma Gripped Audiences at the Bootleg, Supported by Jess Williamson

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Daily

Over the course of seven years, Mike Simonetti made an impact as owner of Italians Do It Better Records. Solipsism is a collection of songs that he created between 2006 and 2013, honoring his time at the label before heading over to 2MR and Pale Blue. Simonetti has made waves his entire career; listen to all of Solipsism on Bandcamp.  Source: Bandcamp Continue reading

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Album Reviews

Che’s Shuco EP is a quilted electronica tapestry

sngalbums: As far as labels go, Astro Nautico destroys the game every year. Their output is wonderfully eclectic and a release always tends to stick with me come December, like L’Rain or Photay in years past. Che’s Shuco EP took the cake this year, having nestled into my ears and created a home among my memories. The short release starts with a hesitant and thoroughly … Continue reading Che’s Shuco EP is a quilted electronica tapestry

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