Photo by Jeff Leeds Cohn Originally appeared on LA Weekly. Though Winter advocates indulging in all forms of childlike ideation, what she sees in music is not strictly daydreams. She experiences synesthesia, where sounds are perceived as colors when the frequencies reach her brain. It contributes to her vivid life, which she views with unrelenting optimism. Winter goes through color phases, most recently having been … Continue reading A Hazy Shade of Winter
Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here. They say not to judge a book by its cover, but sometimes it’s hard to remain impartial! Take the art for Paul Cherry’s new album, Flavour: a random parallelogram in the background intersects with a Rolex Oyster bracelet, but instead of a normal watch face there is a cherry with a taichi symbol in its cross-section. … Continue reading Get a taste of Paul Cherry’s Flavours
Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here. Surviving a near-death experience isn’t always sunshine and roses. Kaheim Rivera had to recover for months after being hit by a car, and even after that, he struggled to reclaim his old sense of normalcy. He wrote many songs in this idle time – the new Be Quiet EP may be the first in a series … Continue reading Kahiem Rivera wrote his new EP while recovering from a near-death experience
Photo Credit: Carson Lund Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here. When you play with fire, you’re supposed to get burned. But what if you’re careful with fire? Even when handling flames with your most serious demeanor, it’s still possible to get hurt. At least, that’s what can be learned from Cloud’s sensitive and joyous new album. On the band’s nine-track effort titled … Continue reading Cloud wallows in sensitivity while celebrating life on Plays with Fire
Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here. Lauren Ruth Ward stands in front of a mirror holding up a shimmering disco ensemble. We’re in the Echo’s green room joined by a few people that play in other bands on tonight’s bill, as well as some peripheral friends. It is the first night of Ward’s January residency and the two-piece suit and jacket on … Continue reading A Steamer, a Cult, and Lauren Ruth Ward’s Debut Album
sngalbums: This is the album everyone needs. I’ve been saying it all year, since its release last April: Awake and Pretty Much Sober is impossible to dislike. Violents is a project helmed by Jeremy Larson where he writes and produces music with an invited guest vocalist; previous projects include Stacy King (Eisley, Sucre), Olga Yagolnikov (Kye Kye), and singer-songwriter Annie Williams. In this iteration Larson … Continue reading Hungover with Violents and Monica Martin’s LP
This is the album everyone needs. I’ve been saying it all year, since its release last April: Awake and Pretty Much Sober is impossible to dislike. Violents is a project helmed by Jeremy Larson where he writes and produces music with an invited guest vocalist; previous projects include Stacy King (Eisley, Sucre), Olga Yagolnikov (Kye Kye), and singer-songwriter Annie Williams. In this iteration Larson teamed … Continue reading Hungover with Violents and Monica Martin’s LP
At the center of The Hiding is a lyric on the title track that gets at the heart of Kacey Johansing’s message. “Everyone keeps hiding what they long to find,” she sings, as if unveiling a universal truth that no one wants to admit that they knew. On this new record, she discusses relationships and love, often as an intrusive observer, though it could all … Continue reading Kacey Johansing No Longer Lives in Hiding
Photo credit: Kaiya Gordon Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here. Being young is so confusing. We don’t realize it’s happening until it’s gone, then we’re left with a series of memories and far too many regrets for such a short period of time, relative to the rest of our lives. It is our most formative time, and though we all have unique experiences, … Continue reading Brooklyn Duo Via Intercom Explore Subtleties of Youth on New LP
Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here. Speculatio boasts a melting pot of influences, maintaining its heavy flutes and harps while introducing beeps and hums that change the album’s perspective. Even with my limited knowledge of French, it is evident that motifs in the lyrics also tie into the conspicuously psychedelic instrumentation. The story on this concept album is bookended with goddesses and … Continue reading Gain a fresh perspective with Odessey & Oracle’s new album, Speculatio
Sawdust & Gin 