Discoverer 146: new indie findings

Time for another trio of new proposals in our discoverer series! A pretty eclectic combination today, from singer-songwriter to synth-pop, so you have plenty and diverse music to enjoy with!

Twin River. Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, around 2009, the first incarnation of the band was the stripped-down folk duo of singer-songwriter Courtney Ewan Bromley and guitarist Andy Bishop. But changes were already evident with the self-release of debut EP 'Rough Gold' in early 2012, recorded with with the help of local guitarist Malcolm Jack and singer-keyboardist Rebecca Law Gray. A full band was born, being completed shortly with Dustin John Bromley on drums. The quintet locked into the studio the year later, giving form to the tunes (with Colin Stewart from The New Pornographers on mixing duties) that, after some changes in the line-up, would became their first LP 'Should the Light Go Out', out via Light Organ Records in February 2015. Now they're back with 'Passing Shade' sophomore album out since June, consolidating the shimmering blend of garage, jangle and dream pop of their sound. Think on The War On Drugs or DIIV meeting Neko Case or Jenny Lewis. Think on dark, cloudy hazes pierced by rays of light in the form of eternal guitar lines and upped drum paces. Think on the kind of music that haunts you before stays with you.  

Margaret Glaspy. Born in Red Bluff, California, but based in New York via Boston where she became part of the local folk scene, singer-songwriter career "officially" began in 2013 (although there's a 'Homeschool' EP from 2012, available digitally at her bandcamp, collecting some home-recorded songs) with debut release 'If & When' EP. Then came tours with Lucius, Rayland Baxter or Milk Carton Kids, the signature with ATO Records and the release of a 7" 'You and I b/w Somebody to Anybody' in January 2016, in advance of first LP 'Emotions and Math', out just now. With a very distinctive, explosive voice and a approach to songs where electric guitar lead the way, Glaspy is able to croon and bite, trap you with a melody or knock you out with a killer lyric hidden between an almost grunge riff. Expansive minimalism on an artist summoning Joni Mitchell, Feist and Josephine Baker. Fated for greatness...    

Featherfin. And we end in Tromso, Norway, to recommend you the music project of Knut Børre Lindbjør, a Bloodbuzzed beloved friend, the blogger behind Eardrums Music, a founder member of the GREAT label EardrumsPop (never praised enough) and musician since the 80s, now back with this fishy moniker blending his passion for electronic music and indiepop with his ability with visuals. Although the first Featherfin tune appeared in 2014 on the 'Between Two Waves- The Second Wave' lovely compilation album, his first proper release dates back from February 2015, with EP 'Butterfly Girl', followed by the single 'The Crimson Spill /Nananarama and 'Wintersongs' EP later that same year. Now he's back with 'Helen Richey' EP, out just now (don't miss the video for the title songs, a genius mini-documentary). And he's in superb company, alongside "usual suspects" from this Blog's Jeremy Jensen from The Very Most and Michaël Korchia from Watoo Watoo. Dreamy, organic, undeniably gorgeous tunes. Haunting music.  

These Go to 11: Interviewing Northern Spies

Today we start a new section of the blog, long-time planned, with a series of interviews to musicians, bands, indie label owners and all sort of indie culture promoters (maybe I should say defenders). The questionnaire was intended to be as enjoyable to answer as it was to prepare it. And of course, fun for you to read as well. Ladies & gentlemen, These Go to 11!

Ms. Wiezell, the charming  Swedish

Astrid Wiezell, aka Northern Spies 
Our first interviewed is one of the most amazing music discoveries of 2013. This lovely young Swedish is responsible of one of the best EPs of the year, "My Middle Names", available on the infallible EardrumsPop for free!. A disarming charm permeates her indiepop/singer-songwriter tunes, a natural grace that can't be faked and you'll easily find in her answers to the questionnaire. Perfect choice to start this section!

1. First record that you bought (be honest)

The first album I got was probably "Anthology I" with The Beatles, a two CD compilation with early recordings when I was maybe 8 or 9 years old. I pretty much learned English to all the Beatles lyrics and skits on that album, so much goofy stuff. The first single I bought was "Circle of Life" by Elton John, from "The Lion King". I was obsessed with the movie. I was also really into Meat Loaf, haha.

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)

My first concert was the Spice Girls when I was 11 years old. I am still really proud of that! They were my heroes, a fantastic pop culture introduction to feminism as a tween and it was where I started before I found riot grrls in my teens. They were all about sisterhood and having fun with your friends foremost. The last show I saw was Slow Magic last week which was really fun as always, I've seen him play a bunch of times. I am SO excited about my next show: Night Beds, a new-ish country rock band from Nashville. The singer Winston has one of those magical voices.

Astrid turns into a poster PopArt girl!

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)
I don't believe in guilty pleasures at all. So boring and restrictive! You like what you like. I think many would think of it as a guilty pleasure that I love Taylor Swift. I think RED is one of the best albums of the last ten years and that most people will get that with time. Usually anything adored by teenage girls gets mocked and ridiculed. I just think she's a really great songwriter and performer.

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)

I don't really collect records in the way some do, but I love buying records since I got a proper stereo and record player. In terms of prettiness, "Vol. 3" by She & Him win by a long mile. Pastel pink vinyl is pretty dreamy.

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)

I don't trust anyone who can just throw out an answer to this one with ease. For me it changes every day. One of my favourites is from the song I Remember by Joel Alme, that song just kills me in all its Swenglish sweetness: "Our life is short/No time to waste/I am your friend, don't hesitate/There is not only stars up in the sky"

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
I've said Jonathan Richman before, but I'd really love to sit down with Joni Mitchell too. I'm just getting into her music now and she is spectacular. As a wordy songwriter myself, I love the way she writes. I'll settle for watching interviews on YouTube though.

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
Oh man, I'm not really that cool with these things, I just love pretty album covers that work well with the music. Some recent favourites: First Aid Kit- "The Lion's Roar", She & Him- "Vol. 3", The Very Most- "Just A Pup", The Smittens- "Believe Me", Tigercats- "Isle of Dogs"... I could go on, which is turning out to be the theme of this interview.

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both)
Books: "The Best of Everything" by Rona Jaffe is a great little read. Some books stay with you and I think about that one quite often.
Movies: "Frances Ha" moved me so much and is beautifully shot in black and white. Maybe my favourite movie of the year! Otherwise my favourites are "Almost Famous" and "Moonrise Kingdom", I think.

9. Song (of yours) you are most proud of

I just wrote and recorded a song called "E 6th" that I'm loving on. I wrote it for my step sister about our week in New York in September. It made her happy, and made her cry, and so if anyone else likes it that's just a bonus. It's our song.

10. What’s does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)

I think there are two branches of it. Indie as independent - music being made outside of the more traditional big label means, less commercial, more DIY ethos. Then there's the indie as genre question which always raises a lot of debate, indie pop, indie rock... people argue over what's what all over the Internet. I guess I identify my music mostly as indie pop as in being part of a community and sound that calls its music that, and as in that I write, play and record everything myself. I feel passionately for the DIY spirit.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
If I can be a dreamer (and I'm totally a dreamer): on stage, singing in some capacity.

Zillion thanks Astrid!

"Greenwich Village", Generation Folk

Greenwich Village: Music that Defined a Generation
Beefeater In-Edit 2013, Chapter II

Very few places have the mythical qualities of Greenwich Village. The Beats, CBGBs, Dylan, Woody Allen... Literature, music, cinema... these streets are sacred ground for me. I've been lucky to wander around the area, and despite the hipster-posh-pricey-style, full of Starbucks (that's heresy!) and organic stores, the neighborhood still has a special vibe. So watching this film at In-Edit Festival was an obvious choice.

As its perhaps too evident full title announces, "Greenwich Village" aims to be an in-depth take of what it meant to be there on the 60s-early 70s, and how the music scene fuelled, or at least was an intrinsic part of the political, social and cultural changes of American society. Director's Laura Archibald approach is a coral one, full of interviews mixed with some striking performance clips, which, on paper, makes absolute sense. After all, the Greenwich Village in the 60s was a collective, a community that became the voice for many. Right?

That's the question. And I'm afraid it remains unanswered after watching the documentary. Don't get me wrong, the film is excellently structured (the comic animations are pretty cool too) and the division in several "chapters" gives cohesion to the different remarks of the artists interviewed. But it is not as revelatory as it could haven been, in my opinion because the quick interventions from the speakers are so short the whole majority of them are just flashy or superficial statements that makes you think there's a bit of indulgence and self-importance. Won't add a lot to the ones who, like me, are already "converted" to the cause. But I don't want to criticise the film, as I believe it's a fantastic work, that can really grab the attention of the casual spectator or only big-names folk/protest songs fans, showing a glimpse of a simpler but probably more human way of understanding life, and a sense of commitment and unity that would be very much welcomed and needed today.

And it does has many points of interest and remarkable situations. Archibald goes way beyond Dylan (maybe the weakest chapter, despite Jose Feliciano's hilarious impersonation), and shows many others artists, rather unknown, doing justice/paying an unexpected tribute to a few of them. She also features some mesmerizing performances by the likes of Phil Ochs, Odette, Richie Havens or Joni Mitchell. And she's not shy to bring (although I would have loved a richer insight) a not-so-happy issue to the table: the blacklisting and persecution from the House Committee on Un-American Activities, and the perennially ridiculous fear of Communism.      

Finally, and it's such a big plus it deserves a separate comment: it does have PETE SEEGER (yeah, in big capital letters). Every remark he offers in the film is full of wisdom and joyous eloquence (don't miss the final credits where he reveals what happened on the über-famous Newport Folk Festival where Dylan "turned electric"), and brought me near tears a couple of times.“What in the world is an un-American activity?” Not singing songs about people, that's for sure...  

SCORE: 6,75/10