Tuesday Tunes--February 16, 2016
Shaun Cordingley
This weeks Tuesday Tunes features a surprising amount of rock and folk rock (considering my last...uh...since I've been writing this) but I just hit a perfect storm of finding some really great rock tracks, generally from around the Commenwealth...
However, I could not resist a little indie hip hop in here either, just to keep this from being too "one note".
The Guys From do not hold the rights to any of these songs, it is more our hope to expose our readers to new and different music, or re-expose them to things they may have forgotten about.
At the top of each section, will be the song name, followed by the artists' name linked to their website, so you can fall down the rabbit hole, finding and supporting what you dig.
Fire Alarm - Castlecomer
First off this week is this great little rock tune from Sydney, Australia's Castlecomer called 'Fire Alarm' (released as a single, and on a 7" vinyl Double-Side with their other recent single 'Escapism'). Castlecomer is one of those bands that have been honing their skills through touring--having played 500 shows in 3 years, driving around Australia and building a loyal fan base. After splitting with their label, and some tough family times, the band was looking for a new direction, and they (to me at least) appear to have started something very dynamic, and fun with this song.
The band themselves (via their website) describe 'Fire Alarm' as: " ...(it) can be anything to anyone, but for us it’s a war cry for anyone who has experienced love, death, failure or success." 'Fire Alarm' is one of those indie rock songs that really sticks with you after you hear it, and between 'Fire Alarm', and 'Escapism' , has really made Castlecomer one of those bands that I will be keeping an eye on for more releases.
Way Back Home - Cameron AG
Cameron AG is an unsigned singer-songwriter from Oxford, U.K., who has an absolutely stunning indie pop track here in 'Way Back Home'. It's quiet, and a little dreamlike, really allowing the soft-spoken lyrics to ripple through for most of the track, and then get punctuated with a little juxtaposing sound in piano, and electric guitar. There's a lot to like here, and I cannot imagine this is the only time you are going to hear of Cameron AG.
Ophelia - The Lumineers
Hardly an unknown, I just have to say that I'm excited to see The Lumineers return, as I was a bit worried that the success of their stomp-clap radio hit "Ho Hey" would bury them (despite some limited success from other singles off of their debut album). This folk-rock band from Denver has come back, not straying too far from the formula that gave them their initial success, but there is a growth here as well: "Ophelia" really features lead vocalist Wesley Schultz and the piano of Stelth Ulvang to great success.
If you liked earlier Lumineers tracks, or are just a folk rock fan who somehow missed them with their first album, definitely give 'Ophelia' a go, and their second album Cleopatra is coming soon.
I Don't Care About The Lights - The American Vogue
This debut single from Nashville, Tennessee's The American Vogue, 'I Don't Care About The Lighst' is a fun indie pop rock song which has continued to grow on me the more that I hear it, and the combination of lead singer Brandon Mingo's soft-spoken lyrics, with a blend of harmony and that indie stalwart of backup, rhythm via shout really works here. This is a band that I do expect we will hear more from, and soon.
Move - Rat Boy
My favorite artist name of the week, next up is RAT BOY with his track 'MOVE'. 'MOVE' is an eclectic blend of genres, sliding mostly into the realm of indie hip hop, with a dance-y beat that Fatboy Slim would be proud of. RAT BOY (Jordan Cardy of Chelmsford, Essex, UK) has produced a Mixtape (in 2014) as well as released several really entertaining singles, leading up to an NME nomination for Best New Artist 2016.
Worst case scenario? Just watch the Robot Chicken style video--it's damn awesome.
The Massive, 2-month (and almost impossible to blend together) December & January Tuesday Tunes Apple Music Playlist is right here. The transitions are a little crazy, but blending Mongolian Folk Metal and Orchestral Electronica was totally a normal...day...for me...
The November Tuesday Tunes Apple Music Playlist and the October Apple Music Playlist is still available of course as well, in case you have not caught those yet (or just need more theguysfrom.com in your life).
Support what you dig! It's soooo much cheaper than anything else out there. You cannot even buy a package of starburst for what one of the songs listed here would cost you....sorry, I'm just hungry.
See you again next week with 5 more Tuesday Tunes!
-S (@Shauncord)