Tuesday Tunes--July 5, 2016
Shaun Cordingley
Little bit all over the place this week, moving from folk, to electronic, to rock, but hey, you should be used to that by now with Tuesday Tunes...and yes, the new playlist is ready and waiting for you.
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.
Living Room - Wylder
First up on this weeks' Tuesday Tunes is Washington DC's indie folk band Wylder's "Living Room", the first track off of their debut album Rain and Laura. This is an excellent folk track, that I must say has drawn me in as much as it has due to it's spectacular use of violin, on top of a stellar folk band. "Living Room" is one of the best folk songs you are going to hear in 2016; it is expertly layered, and has that fun, ensemble energy to it that helps it stand out from the crowded indie folk scene.
I love when a group takes a genre and twists it ever so slightly, or in the case of adding violin, takes it back to an even stronger place in folk roots; Wylder is a folk band whom I am particularly excited to continue hearing more from...the whole album is really quite wonderful.
Waiting - Vök
Icelandic indie electronic group Vök's single "Waiting" is next, a soft, dream-pop like, somewhat haunting track that would feel completely at home if it were to pop up in a snappy alcohol commercial, where an unnaturally well lit and swanky bar is filled with not-drunk attractive people. It was used in an episode of MTV's Scream, which helped get Vök noticed a bit more outside of the indie-electro scene, but this beautiful electronic song deserves a lot more attention--I know I would be using it to slow sets down all summer.
There are a couple of EPs by Vök as well, Circles and Tension, which I also recommend you check out (if you dug "Waiting").
The Woman - Bo Baskoro
I cannot explain to you why I like Portland based Bo Baskoro's song "The Woman" as much as I do. I mean sure, it's a very well produced, sung, and composed pop-rock ballad, but there's something to this that makes it stand out for me that I can't quite put my finger on....Perhaps it is the balance of the vocals with the simple and effective electric guitar, keys, and drums, perhaps it's the fact that it has a real cinematic feel to it, or that....
Look, I know this: "The Woman" is good. And it needs to be listened to by more people.
Now or Never - Saltwater Sun
London based indie-rock group Saltwater Sun is a group that I have been paying attention to for a while (since the release of their debut EP Wild last year), but I really like the lush sound they have in "Now or Never"--a feeling that they played with earlier, but seemingly have jumped into with both feet here. This is one of those songs that sounds increasingly familiar, regardless of whether you have heard it before or not, but in no way feels derivative or tired.
"Now of Never" is a hazy indie track that is perfect for summer, and I cannot wait to see what the band has in store with their next single.
Bow Down (to no man) - HOGNI
Wrapping up with an older song (for Tuesday Tunes) in "Bow Down (to no man)" by HOGNI (aka Høgni Lisberg), the first artist I've had on here from The Faroe Islands. I'm not going to lie, I heard this song for the first time on NBA2k16 and it has instantly landed itself into high rotation for my summer. This is an endlessly catchy, and singable alt-rock song that lives in it's layers: the percussion matches the vocals matches the piano, and it's all punched up by a great bit of work on the guitar. "Bow Down" feels like one of those timeless songs that you could listen to 20 years from now and still find as fresh and exciting as it is now.
Check out HOGNI's latest album Call For a Revolution, or the 2008 album Hare! Hare! which "Bow Down (to no man)" is featured on as well; HOGNI is a seriously underrated alt-rock musician.
Here's the Apple Music Playlist for June 2016! I have done my best to mix it all together like I'm spinning a set for you, but as that is hard to do without being able to fade, mix, or talk through the transitions, you will have to forgive a few hard edges...and this was a (surprisingly) tough month...
Remember, if you want me to put these playlists on other services (like Spotify), let me know on Twitter (I've linked it below).
If you're looking for more Tuesday Tunes, are late to the party, or just want more theguysfrom.com in your day, here are the playlists for:
December 2015 & January 2016 (because I felt crazy)
Support what you dig! It's soooo much cheaper than anything else out there. You cannot even buy a mini dount for what one of the songs listed here would cost you...it's Calgary Stampede season again....whee.
We will see you again next week with 5 more Tuesday Tunes!
-S (@Shauncord)