Instamatic - Fifty Yards

I received a notification this morning that someone had started following me on SoundCloud.  Logging into the app, I see it's a band called Instamatic.  I pick on of their tracks, "Fifty Yards" and start listening.  "This synth is pretty cool", I think.  The intro is in full swing and it keeps building and building.  I really dig what I hear.  It would be so cool if there were vocal....wait, what is this?!?! Super moody, ephemeral vocals that are the epitome of amazingly cool?  Why yes they are.  I need more.  Shut up and listen.  There are so many influences I can hear in the track but none of it is imitation or stolen.  It's all subtle and nuanced and it's new and exciting and some of the best synth pop I've heard in a LONG time.

Let me look at their tracks.  They have one called "Jiggawatts"?  That has to be incredible just because of the title.  This is so freaking cool.  I am loving this.  The combination of the crazy synth and the vocals are winning me over.  Ok, let's check them out on Facebook.  They're from Philly, that's awesome.  I wonder...HOLY Crap...they've done shows with City Rain.  How did I not know this.  They are the coolest group ever.  They play their own instruments on stage as well?!? I'm running out of interrobangs at this point.

Instamatic is a Philadelphia based synth pop group that have released an amazing 3 track EP on BandCamp called, Wrapped in Wires.  It is simply inspired.  If you are a fan of Depeche Mode, New Order, Nizer Ebb, Bauhaus, Duran Duran, Apollo 440, a little Carl Cox and so many other incredible artists, you are going to go head over heels for these guys.  It's brilliant production and it will just make you say, Damn!!

So go follow them on all the medias.  Go buy their EPs on BandCamp.  Yes you can put in zero dollars but don't be a dick  They make amazing art that deserves to be be bought.  Buy it.  Make them huge because that's where they deserve to be.

Instamatic on the Web

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/instamaticband
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/instamatic
Twitter: @instamaticband
BandCamp: http://instamatic.bandcamp.com/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/instamaticband

Blake Lewis - Your Touch

I only have 3 people from American Idol that I could give a damn about.  Kelly Clarkson, Phillip Phillips and Blake Lewis.  I think Blake is one the most talented artists to come out of any competition based show, ever.  In the first single off his 3rd album, Portrait of a Chameleon, Blake treats us to some pretty serious beats.  The track is a perfect compliment to his vocal styling.  It's hard edged and fresh and his delivery is never overpowered.  It's a very current song and if the right people get behind it, it could take him places.

He's signed on with a new record label which makes me very hopeful for him.  I have always wanted amazing things for him and I hope he finally starts getting the recognition he deserves.  This song was also chosen for the new Internet Explorer 10 campaign so that's pretty cool.  This track will be available March 10 and the album not too far after that,.

Rowsy Bosch feat. Jeb Havens - Take Me Back

I have a feeling spot that's about the size of Texas. Because it's so big, it takes something super powerful to hit me and make me feel the feels. This video and song do just that. I've already talked about Jeb's ability to serve you Vulnerable Realness and he does that and so much more in this song.  I don't understand why he isn't signed to a major label because his voice is beautiful and has this ability to carry so much emotion.  You don't even have to watch the video to know exactly what he's feeling.  There aren't many artists that have an authentic ability to convey what he can in less than 5 minutes.

There's no flashy production or big story to be told with the video, just Jeb emoting.  That's all there should be.  The combination of Jeb's vocals and Oliver Voigt's production are flawless and they can absolutely deliver the goods.  Their EP, Corrilatos is available wherever you get your digital products.

Rowsy Bosch feat. Jeb Havens

http://www.rowsybosch.com
http://www.jebhavens.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RowsyBosch
Twitter: @rowsybosch

The WIld Feathers - The Ceiling

In the sequel to "Backwoods Company", our couple are dealing with the feelings of what they had to do at the end of the video. I hope The Wild Feathers continue this style of storytelling through their videos because I've always wanted to see a story progress like this.  I've said before I don't really know what category these guys fall into but they are one of the most dynamic groups I have ever seen.  Their harmonies are off the wall and they have stage presence like not many other groups.  On top of all that, they're damn nice guys.

I am eagerly anticipating their debut album as I need to give them all the monies.  They have created a sound that sticks with you long after you've listened to the track.  It's honest and without pretense and can damn sure get you wherever it is you need to go.  Support these guys because they deserve it.  Quality music is hard to come by and this is the best.

Download "Backwoods Company" and "The Ceiling" for FREE at their website - www.thewildfeathers.com and follow them on Facebook for the latest information.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildFeathers

Missing Andy - Feel Like This

You do everything you can in your power to get them to notice you and they just don't. Your heart and mind have been consumed by these feelings and you don't know what to do with them.  In the first video from Guerrilla Invasion, Missing Andy present just that type of scenario on the streets of Essex.  The song and the video do such an amazing job of telling the story that I don't have to.  They are a phenomenal band that don't have a ton of recognition outside Eastern Europe but they should and it bothers me that they don't.  Their blend of pop, rock, ska, and a little bit of everything else make them one of the most compelling bands in the industry today.


Download "Feel Like This" via all major outlets from March 11, 2013 and Guerrilla Invasion will be out April 1st 2013!!!

Gossip - Get A Job

Where Beth goes, we all go.  In the third single off A Joyful Noise, Beth takes her no nonsense approach to those ratchety ass girls that think they can go through their entire life living off everyone else.  It was all cute and stuff when you didn't know better but you're 30 now and you need to get off your dead ass and make something of yourself.  The video finds Beth flipping through the want ads and has her trying out different positions (double entendre).  There isn't much I wouldn't buy that she was selling.  I'm just saying.  It's a great video for the track and while it may not be my most favorite track off the album, I still listen the hell out of it.

Alison Moyet - Changeling

The first time I ever heard her laugh in "Situation", I knew from then on I was going to be in love with this woman. She has only gotten better with age and I am in love with this new track. It's been produced by Guy Sigsworth of Frou Frou and it's brilliant. I'm not going to clutter this up with alot of talking so just listen to it. Her voice has never sounded better.

Britney Spears - Toxic (Jeb Havens Cover)

When I talked about BLBL's new track on his Soundcloud, I talked about how a change in an arrangement can change the overall perception of a song.  What Jeb has done with this cover is take something that was super bubblegum and turn it into this love lost, forlorn track filled with sorrow over not being able to be with the person that you know is the worst possible solution ever.  You know the one.  You haven't talked to him in forever, you get a text out of the blue and the next thing you know, you're being called by the border patrol in Northern Mexico letting you know you're missing car is being used as a Black Tar Heroin transportation vehicle.  Anyway....Jeb does an amazing job injecting amazing amounts of emotion into this song and it is great to hear one of my favorite tracks stripped down and built back up into something new.

If you don't know who Jeb is, then you are missing out.  He is this really cool Singer/Songwriter from San Francisco that does amazing work.  Originally from Connecticut, he has a bazillion videos on his YouTube and I think it's incredible how varied his tracks and recordings are.   Again, he is this super awesome indie artist that you should be buying his album and not selling it.

Jeb on the Web (Yes I went there....)

http://www.jebhavens.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jebhavensmusic
Twitter: @jebhavens
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MagneticT

Hurricane Love - Only Human

This is the absolute perfect video for this song. I couldn't have thought of a better concept, ever. Hurricane Love have quickly become one of my favorite Swedish groups and I am infatuated with music from Sweden. The harmonies are some of the best, the writing is amazing and they just sound good.  I love this song because of the way it's told from two perspectives.  I love how it mimics life and humanity as much as it does and I love the fact that it actually makes me feel something.  If they keep up this caliber of work, they are certainly going to be a force to be reckoned with this year.

Bright Light Bright Light - Your Loving Arms

It's astounding what the change in an arrangement can do.  When you hear the track with the alterations, it can either make an impression or it can leave you shaking your head at what the producer was trying to do.  Bright Light Bright Light never ceases to amaze me with how he hears a track.  His world must be filled with such creative energy it's immeasurable.  What he's done with Billie Ray Martin's club banger is a work of genius.  It's taken this song that was on one end of the emotional spectrum and tilt shifted it and sent it to the other end.  What your left with is this forlorn and heart-achingly beautiful ode to that one person that can make everything better. Slowing it down and removing all the production has created something so much greater than it was before.  And I say, Bravo.  Keep doing what you're doing Mr. Thomas.

Here's the original if you were curious.

Fitz and the Tantrums - Out of My League

Change.  It's important, it's inevitable, it's constant.  We have to have it in order to grow and mature and become something more than just creatures in a state of perpetual stagnation.  Fitz and crew proved they could totally rock the blues/rock vibe on their first album and with the release of the official audio for the lead single off their next project, they have made a stylistic leap into new territory.  It's still full of amazing Fitz moments.  The piano, the syncopation, Noelle's harmonies and Fitz's amazing vocals.  If you aren't bobbing along by like the :25 second mark, we probably can't be friends.  This is such a killer sound.  It just builds and builds and creates this pretty perfect storm of a song.  I think I am going to really enjoy the second album if there is more that sounds like this.  I've listened to it over and over now and I am really really impressed.

Nathalie Archangel - Next To Me (Official video)

When the quality of the song is high enough, you don't need a flashy video to make it more than what it is.  The idea behind this song of having that special person with you, throughout the good and the bad times, is what's important.  Knowing that you are going to get through the rough patches when things aren't as steady as they could be.  What I love the most about this video is seeing the couples in it.  There weren't any models or people that are totally unobtainable.  They were real people with real love to share with their friends and lovers.  That's what makes this video better than anything produced by Spike Jonze or choreographed by all star choreographers.  It's real and it's honest, like the thought and the sentiment behind the song.

I did a write up on the track way back in September and you can read what I had to say then by clicking here.

It's one of my restorative songs that I listen to when the world has beaten me around the head because it restores my faith in what could be and really should be.

Missing Andy - Acoustic EP

In a prelude of their new album (that's not coming out soon enough), Missing Andy have recorded an acoustic EP - cleverly titled Acoustic EP.  It's 4 tracks that you can get at your favorite online music retailer.  The theme of the songs are varied enough that if you wanted a quick way to explain to someone who and what Missing Andy are, you have the ability to do it with this EP.  That being said, you have to make sure that you go ahead and explain they are so much more than this but it's a helluva jumping off point. Alex sounds amazing.  I think his voice is tailored for any type of singing - which doesn't work out so well for a most artists.  "It's Over" is a brilliant break up song that is amazingly written and sung.  I talked about it here -----> Link so I won't spend much time on it.  "Young Disciple" and "Mr. Policeman" show of their talent at storytelling, which they do an tremendous job of doing.  "Slip Away" is this great piano number that is just this tender tune about running away and getting away from it all.

It's an incredible EP and it's only $4 so go get it.  They are one of my favorite bands and I want them to have as much commercial success as possible.  You can buy it here and listen to samples of the tracks.  They really deserve the support.  I promise.

Ryan Silverman - If Only In My Mind

I write about music because of the connection I am able to create with the artist and their work.  This connection is made generally because the artist is able to express a thought or feeling I am having difficulty doing.  Ryan Silverman has a knack of doing just that and he does it with such flair and panache that I feel like my original feeling has been upgraded to something less pedestrian and more "top shelf" as it were.

In his latest single, he talks about the things he's going to do with his true love but as luck would have it, he can only do these things because they aren't the two that are the two.  Be it distance, or incompatibility or just lack of availability  we all have had that moment where we see the perfect person and you immediately plan out the next ten years of your life and where your time share is going to be and how you are going to split the holidays, but those things are just things because in that same moment - they're gone.  He does all this to a funky Calypso/Latin  inspired beat and has created a very evocative video that expresses the longing and loneliness you can feel when you don't have that person.

I really like Ryan's music.  It's classy. It has a maturity to it that most popular music doesn't have. It's cabaret. It just makes you want to have your shoes polished and put on your best suit and have a night on the town.  He has an album in the works and with what I've heard so far, there is the potential to do something great and bring focus to a style of music that doesn't have much of a face to it.  I can't wait to see what he has in store for us next because it just keeps getting better and better.

p.s. the dance number at 1:30 is about the most adorable thing I've seen in a long time.