posted by Jessica on April 27, 2012
Chicago Cubs’ fans have no enviable fate, but JD McPherson’s propulsive performance of “North Side Gal” on opening day had listeners all over the city ready to root for Wrigley Field. The first single off McPherson’s debut Signs & Signifiers is a wicked ride that’s rooted in swinging R&B and rock ‘n’ roll with up-to-the-minute attitude.
Originally recorded at Chicago’s Hi-style studio, an all-analog space built by producer and bassist Jimmy Sutton, Signs & Signifiers was re-released by Rounder Records on April 17th. McPherson was recently kind enough to chat with me about the experience of recording the album. “The quality of the old rhythm mics and tape equipment had a lovely impact on the warmth of the sound,” he said by phone. “On an atmospheric level it was cool stuff to be around. Similar to the equipment, the studio has an antiquey, industrial vibe right down to Jimmy’s record collection. There’s a strong aesthetic quality, which is good because we didn’t really leave the studio during the recording process!”
Growing up, the Oklahoma native was as much influenced by the American roots heritage as punk and surf rock. “There is a ton of great music out of Oklahoma and not everyone is influenced by Bob Willis and Woody Guthrie or the fact that Buddy Holly recorded at Tinker Air Force Base, but it definitely affected me. On the other hand, Jimmy’s first concert was The Ramones and my favorite band was The Pixies.”
For all of its rollicking rhythm and throwback hat tips, Signs & Signifiers doesn’t feel dated but rather timeless. “Early 50’s R&B is the drive and focus we were excited about on this album, says McPherson. “Yet most of the comments we receive agree that the influence feels contemporary. People can tell we’re not coming from a place of falsehood, and that we want to write songs that are relevant today.” This earnestness, it seems, is what invigorates these musical traditions – a return to what made people rock in the first place.
On the seemingly heady album title for an enjoyably forthright style, the former teacher admits to deliberately jabbing his art school background. “In the ideals of post-modern art education you get trained to have to analyze things in code. With this album I was trying to make something that is pretty straightforward.” McPherson’s degree in experimental film and MFA was put to use in the making of videos for “North Side Gal” and the soulful, lingering “A Gentle Awakening.” He and Sutton shot the videos, which he then edited. Although McPherson’s visual arts pursuits are on hold at the moment, he did recently direct a video for Nick Lowe.
Chicago has become something of a second home to JD McPherson. “In an overarching way, it was the perfect place to record this album.” He mentions the musical legacy of the city’s blues tradition, Chess Records, Vee-Jay and the “spiritual sense of influence” their records had on his music. “Chicago is my favorite American city,” he says. “It’s comfortable because it’s still Midwestern but has incredible culture and the best food.”
As for all those aspiring north side gals, the title of his breakout single is not specific to the Windy City. “It can be about Chicago,” McPherson acknowledges, “but it can also be about the north side of Tulsa or Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. It’s for everyone.” McPherson’s music is for everyone – everyone who resonates with a distinctive style and the infectious abandon of new-old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll.
JD McPherson – North Side Gal (Downloaded 170 times)
JD McPherson – A Gentle Awakening (Downloaded 149 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Bluesy • Male vocal • Soulful • Vintage
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Loading ...posted by Jessica on March 16, 2012
Oh to be young, talented, British, and infinitely cool – the sibling trio Kitty, Daisy, & Lewis deliver on so many levels. With a dynamic sound that channels blues, swing, R&B, jazz, Hawaiian, rock, and country, they seize the exuberance of another era. If you’re interested in sparking some fire in your step and some snap in your shimmy, jam to their sophomore album Smoking in Heaven.
The multi-instrumental Durham siblings can play pretty much anything, including piano, harmonica, lap steel, banjo, ukulele, accordion, double bass, glockenspiel, xylophone, and trombone. Kitty, Daisy, & Lewis hop from instrument to instrument mid-piece and take turns on lead vocals. Gigging together since they were kids (Kitty was still in single digits!), the North London sibs even invite their parents to back them onstage.
The vintage charm of Kitty, Daisy, & Lewis extends beyond their spirited sound and superb personal style to the recording process. Their albums are produced in the family’s home studio using legacy equipment like ribbon microphones, analog tape, and absolutely no computers. Give “I’m Going Back,” a listen, check out the “Don’t Make A Fool Out of Me” video, and enjoy the energy and authenticity of this captivating family band.
Kitty, Daisy, & Lewis – Im Going Back (Downloaded 231 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Bluesy • Danceable • Jazzy • Lo-Fi • Male vocal • Vintage
(9 votes) Loading ...posted by Leigh on March 9, 2012
Floating Furies … Cowboys on Clouds … A Lonely Sea … These are only some of the psychedelia you will experience if you turn your ears to the imagery-rich tracks on the very first release from Slings and Arrows, aptly named, The Furies. The Furies is a time-is-a-bending sojourn into the mind(s) of “this fun music project,” child-of-sorts of Brooklyn-based musician Mike Story, of former Izzy’s fame.
The Furies puts a lasso around my neck with “I Saw the Furies Floating By.” I didn’t take it off. I just let it pull me around the just plain catchy chorus, and lift me upward, inward, onward through the magnetism of the vocal harmonies. For anyone who likes a good slow jam (yes, that word is coming back, in a possibly all too evolved glory … start the revolution), “We Sail on Cowboy Clouds” is like an adult lullaby (the kind you don’t fall asleep to, but the kind that puts you in a chill state, ready to control your fate in the lucid dreams that come next … ). The harmonies are delicate, balanced, sweet, faintly Beach-Boys-esque; the track urges me to make a new dance and call it something fancy and slowly dance it to this ditty like I’ve never quite danced before. Good news I would imagine, since Slings and Arrows’ self-reported goal is “to have fun and to make people sing and dance.” Good job, guys.
And now, it’s time for Mythology 101: The Furies were female divinities, punishing crimes at the victim’s instigation. Do you want to see one float by? Come out tomorrow, Saturday March 10th, to the Listening Party from 3 – 6 pm at Union Pool in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It might be the only way.
Slings and Arrows – I Saw the Furies Floating By (Downloaded 162 times)
Slings and Arrows – We Sail on Cowboy Clouds (Downloaded 151 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Harmonic • Male vocal • Psychedelic • Vintage
(5 votes) Loading ...posted by Tina on March 3, 2012
I know it’s been awhile Indieball friends….I apologize for the hiatus. I could never stay away forever.It’s music that drives us from deep within our soul. It’s just so powerful that no matter what mood you’re in…music either amplifies that mood, or changes it. If you have not yet heard about Wye Oak, then I’m happy to bring some of that powerful music to you.To me, this duo out of Baltimore, Maryland keeps Indie rock alive and popular.
Comprised of Jenn Wasner (vocals and guitar) and Andy Stack (drums and all the rest of their sound including back-up vocals) Wye Oak brings pleasing guitar sounds along with a measured balance of drums. Their latest release from March 2011 is one of those CDs that I can put on and just let it play over and over. If you’re a fan of The Walking Dead, you ‘ll recognize “Civilian” from last week’s episode as the exit music. A great tune to be heard if you’re on the passenger side of life. “Dog Eyes” is a tune that puts you in a trance, then wakes you up so you can really absorb the guitar sounds to their full extent. To me it seems the “duo” bands are becoming more and more popular in the music world. No longer do you need a slew of members to create an amazing sound that makes people stop and listen. I look forward to more music from Wye Oak and hope to catch them live sometime. Should they come to your town, be sure to grab tickets as soon as you hear about a show, as I gather they sell out quick, and be sure to tell Indieball what you think.
Wye Oak – Civilian (Downloaded 276 times)
Wye Oak – Dog Eyes (Downloaded 214 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Clever Lyrics • Female vocal • Indie • Vintage
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March 27th, 2012 at 9:06 am
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