posted by John on March 12, 2012
Allyson Baker doesn’t scare easily. Back in the ’90s, she was sneaking into Dwarves shows and frequenting mosh pits before she was barely out of junior high; by age of 17, she was playing guitar for some of Toronto’s most notorious punk and hardcore bands, before leaving her friends and family behind in 2000 to relocate to San Francisco.
Dirty Ghosts, like the name might imply, has a sound that straddles a few different opposing genres and styles, both heavy and light. Gritty rock guitars, sampled beats, new wave bass, and a arsenal of percussive loops all play host to Allyson Baker’s pop (in a good way) tunes, and powerful vocals.
“Ropes that Way” kicks off the album with a repetitive and percussive drum beat, brash guitars and Baker reassuring her catch:
And on a better day
Gonna finally say
That I’m never gonna leave you with
The ropes that way!
From start to finish, Metal Moon keeps the energy high, and the tunes danceable. Standout tracks like “No Video,” with its early 90s electronic feel and “Pretty Face” with its straight up garage rock, heavy on the rock, fall together quite nicely despite the slightly varying styles.
Fans of Metric, Elastica, Duran Duran (first album), and garage rock will all find something to latch onto in Metal Moon.
If you should find yourself in Austin, TX this year for SXSW, Dirty Ghosts have quite a few shows scheduled, and if the energy on Metal Moon translates to the stage it should be a great show.
Tues Mar 13th Panache Party – SCOOT INN: 11pm
Wed. Mar 14th KVRX Party – SPIDER HOUSE: 2:15 pm
Wed. Mar 14th Panache Showcase – BEAUTY BAR: 12:00am
Thur Mar 15th CHECK YO’ PONYTAIL Day Party – EMO’S: 1:20pm
Thur Mar 15th Vagabond Collective/ATX Sound Day Party – 450 EAST 7th and NAVASOTA: 3:30pm
Fri. Mar 16th And So Party -SPIDER HOUSE: 6pm
Dirty Ghosts – Ropes That Way (Downloaded 381 times)
Dirty Ghosts – No Video (Downloaded 149 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Danceable • Electro • Female vocal • Punk • SXSW2012
(5 votes)
Loading ...posted by Leigh on February 12, 2012
We previously featured I’m in You in 2008 after the release of their EP, Lurid View (see previous post here for all the juicy goodness). The band is at it again with a new single, entitled “Sure.” It comes with the same lengthy dreaminess that we’ve come to expect, all the space and time being used to its advantage. With “Sure” we get the added bonus of some 80′s nostalgia and electronic rhythms that will have you doing moves that you may have forgotten that you have. Perhaps while crying, or contemplating, simultaneously (or sporadically, depending upon your talents) in the corner. Check out their official site below for upcoming shows. Hint: If you are in New York, you may be lucky.
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» Meaningless labels: Danceable • Electro • Male vocal • Vintage
(4 votes) Loading ...posted by Ariana on December 8, 2011
First, and to disclaim, there’s nothing new from Bibio (at least I don’t think so). This song is just new to me! Second I’d like to acknowledge some facts. I realize that my previous Bibio post was wildly idealistic, perhaps even grotesquely so, but I still stand by it because it is true. The following song, which fits into that schema, was released this summer. It intended to be a summer song – just look at the title. But perhaps that makes it all the more stirring now that the leaves are all gone and the winter is upon us.
“Don’t Summarize My Summer Eyes” is a fabulous wordplay and a marvelous instrumental. Bibio generally uses his voice like an instrument, not really giving precedence to the vocabulary except when the words warrant comprehension. This and many other Bibio songs evoke a barren city, a pale sunlight, a glinting body of water on the verge of solidity (specifically the beginning and end of “Don’t Summarize”). They are luxuriously bleak. They put me in a lonesome, observational mood, but I don’t mean this in a bad way. In fact, let me rephrase. Some Bibio songs make it perfectly acceptable to be alone and observational. Or they highlight that lonesomeness that is latent in everyone.
Bibio – Dont Summarize My Summer Eyes (Downloaded 3554 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Ambient • Electro • Happy • Instrumental
(15 votes) Loading ...posted by Patrick on December 4, 2011
“Austra is an island on the border between Nord-Trøndelag and Nordland counties in Norway. The 88-square-kilometre (34 sq mi) island is shared between the municipalities of Bindal, Leka and Nærøy. The highest point is the 588-metre (1,929 ft) tall Romsskåla.” (Wikipedia)
Austra is also a band. Hailing from the equally cold, if somewhat more cosmopolitan, Toronto, Canada, Austra has perfected a sound defined by contradictions: remote but intimate, clinical but warm. That’s due in large part to the offsetting influences of lead singer Katie Stelmanis, a classically trained opera singer, and the band’s chilly, dance-inspired electronic backing. Stelmanis’ voice soars and lingers, while the music pushes forward with a driving beat. It’s an unlikely combination, but when it works, as on ‘Lose It,’ the results are stunning. And when Stelmanis performs ‘Lose It’ with only a piano and her voice, as in the video below, the song is completely transformed, and even more compelling. As a beat addict, I prefer the electronic version, but I can’t deny the video’s power. Perhaps Paper Bag Records can release them both?
In some ways, Austra reminds me of Phantogram. Austra’s lead singer has a wider vocal range, and is less reliant on effects and reverb, but both combine heavy beats with dramatic vocals to create a cinematic sound and feel. If you like one, try the other and let us know how they compare.
Austra – Lose It (Downloaded 283 times)
Austra – The Choke (Downloaded 283 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Amazing Voice • Driven • Electro • Female vocal • Orchestral • Synth • With Bleeps & Blips
(15 votes) Loading ...
December 11th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
We had a fun interview with Austra and would like to share it with you guys:
http://nightdrivemiami.com/2011/11/01/austra-interview-ticket-giveaway/