Domestic Bliss with Ravels - An Interview

É aquele negócio, ouço rotineiramente pessoas dizendo que nada de novo é feito de interessante, inteligente e instigante no mundo do rock, tanto faz se for mainstream, ou underground, existe uma imensa gama de pessoas tendenciosas a dizer que hoje em dia tudo é uma bosta.

Quem acompanha o TBTCI sabe que o enfoque dessas páginas é mostrar justamente o contrário, seja indie, shoegaze, post punk, psych, dark, ou qualquer coisa, o ponto é que diariamente nestas páginas novíssimas bandas mostram e comprovam exatamente o contrário.

Os russos do Ravels são um típico caso que se a mídia os escutasse eles certamente estariam tocando em festivais pelo mundo, inclusive no Brasil, estariam lançando seus discos por alguma major, e vendendo, porque o mix de pós punk revival, com indie rock clássico, é de te pegar pela mão e fazer ouvir seguidas vezes. 

Os caras não negam suas referências, tem Strokes, quando eram bons, tem Interpol, quando eram bons, tem Radiohead, quando não se achavam os reis e tem, Deerhunter, bastante por sinal, os meninos não escondem sua idolatria pela genialidade de Bradford Cox.

"Domestic Bliss" o EP de estréia do Ravels atesta os parágrafos acima, mas sugiro que você escute e tire suas conclusões.

***** Interview with Ravels *****

Q. When did Ravels start? Tell us about the history...
1. Nick:  The history of the band started in 2012, when me and Andrey (drums) decided to play together. In 2013, Nikita (bass) joined the group, however the band RAVELS appeared with the arrival of Arseniy - the vocal / guitar in 2014. Then more effective work was done, in 2015 the first demo recordings were recorded, and in 2016 we supported A place to bury strangers in Moscow.

Arseniy: There were a lot of difficult moments on our way. Living in different cities, it’s hard to communicate, to write song, to rehearse. That is why our work slowed down in a few moments, especially while we were recording EP.

Q: Who are your influences?
2. Nick: We are inspired by Sonic Youth, The Strokes, Interpol, Radiohead, Fugazi and sometimes Tame Impala

Arseniy: I agree with Nikita here, can only add that the band Deerhunter influenced us also. It is clear in our unrecorded songs we are currently working on.

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time…
3. Nick:
Radiohead - in the Rainbows
The Impala Tame - Lonerism
Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse
Interpol - Turn on the bright lights
Strokes - Is this it

Arseniy:
I can only tell about my favorite ones, I think it’s
Interpol – Turn on the Bright Lights
Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
Fugazi – Repeater
Swans – To be Kind
Iceage – You’re nothing

Q. How do you feel playing live?
4. Nick: Going out on stage, I feel that I'm leaving to work, and the stage is a workspace where we work on performance, sound, so that the listeners will love what they see and what they hear.

Arseniy: For me, stage is the place where I want to turn off and feel myself apart from everything that's happening. It’s cool when it is possible to make a crowd feel the same. I find it hard to communicate with listeners because we don’t have a lot of experience playing live, but when I feel this contact, I feel myself incredibly happy.

Q. How do you describe Ravels sounds?
5. Nick: The sound of RAVELS, I think, is a semi-neopsychedelic, semi-shoegaze sound. Although, the ideal of guitar sound, I think, is the sound of Nick Zinner from Yeah Yeah Yeah's, I also think that our sound is developing in the right direction.

Arseniy: On our EP I hear influences of post-punk revival bands of USA. There are the same paces, king of the same guitar sounds. But lately we are trying to be more complicated, we are experimenting with bass lines, drum parts to make sound in general more interesting. Honestly, I think that how we sound right now is a mix of bands which influenced us mostly. Here you can hear vocals reminding early The Strokes, here are some tricks from Tame Impala’ guitar sounds, etc.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
6. Nick: We wrote songs at the studio with our good friend. We experimented with sound, with percussion, with amplifiers and all the guitars were recorded through 3 amps. All the work on recording took us about 4 months and, of course, something had to be rerecorded several times.

Arseniy: Almost all the vocal parts were recorded from the first take, it was a little bit strange for us, but result was good.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
7. Nick: Ought, Mile Me Deaf, BRONCHO, Mellow Lizard

Arseniy: Ought, Remo Drive.

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
8. Nick: Sonic Youth, to be precise, a song ‘Stones’

Arseniy: Radiohead – Bodysnatchers. One of my favorite songs from In Rainbows and example of perfect guitar sound.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
9. Nick: Continue to work on the material, work on the sound, come up with new tracks and think through the concept for the next album.

Arseniy: We want to become better live artists, to play concerts more often. We already got songs for the LP, but I think we are not ready, there are a lot of ways to move on and on, becoming a better band.
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Thanks

https://www.facebook.com/ravelsband/
https://ravels.bandcamp.com/releases
https://soundcloud.com/ravelsband

Casual Hex with Dorsia - An Interview

Alice Kraynak é a mente por trás do Dorsia.

O projeto da garota é uma festa atmosférica, guiada por sua voz deliciosamente sedutora, suas guitarras que por vezes soam cortantes e, em outras sussurram como sua guia.

A estreia do Dorsia veio há pouco menos de um mês no belíssimo, "Casual Hex", um EP que vai te sugando a cada audição, mesmo porque é humanamente impossível escutar o disco apenas uma vez ainda mais quando se tem uma beleza do quilate de "Not The First Time".

Alice e seu Dorsia são simplesmente apaixonantes!!

***** Interview with Dorsia *****

Q. When did Dorsia start? Tell us about the history...
Dorsia was initially just a collection of songs I had written in my bedroom. I had no plan to release them at the time. Around August or September of 2016, an old friend from school, Chace Wall, had just moved back to Chicago. I showed him "Marcelle," and he thought it was really great and offered to record some of my stuff. So over the next year, I spent a lot of time writing, arranging, and recording these four songs for my debut.

Q: Who are your influences?
I have a wide range of influences. My background is that I'm a classically-trained violinist with a music composition degree, so I've been exposed to so many different genres, all of which I appreciate. For this record, I pull a lot of influence from My Bloody Valentine, Jesus and Mary Chain, and Slowdive... at least in terms of atmosphere and guitar tones. Songwriting-wise, I pull great inspiration from The Beatles, particularly their mid 60s era (Help and Rubber Soul).

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time…
1. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
2. The Velvet Underground & Nico - The Velvet Underground & Nico
3. The Beatles - Rubber Soul
4. London Calling - The Clash
5. The Smiths - The Smiths

Q. How do you feel playing live?
I've been performing my entire life, but singing in front of people is new for me, so I tend to get nervous. At a certain point though, once that wall of nerves falls away, and I can get lost in the music, it's a feeling of bliss that I can't describe. It's magical.

Q. How do you describe Dorsia sounds?
The guitar tones are reminiscent of early shoegaze records such as Loveless and Psychocandy, with the actual guitar melodies more influenced by the playing of The Smiths' guitarist Johnny Marr.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
Recording is my absolute favorite part of the songwriting process. Learning about recording opened up a completely foreign and exciting world for me. We recorded the EP at Minbal Studio in Chicago (now renamed to Jamdek studio) over the course of 2 days. The first day was used to record all the guitar parts, and the second to record drums and noise tracks. We ended up not getting to the noise tracks until about 3 am after we had been at the studio for about 20 hours. I was so exhausted while recording violin and organ that I started hallucinating. It felt like there was a ghostly presence in the studio. Totally wild and spooky experience.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
The Chicago music scene is really incredible right now. Lots of local bands like NE-HI are really getting a lot of recognition, which is awesome because they're killing it with great songwriting. DIM is also a great shoegaze/atmospheric doom band that has really captivating sounds happening... they're another Chicago band. Lucille Furs is another one of my favorites. They're about to release a record, and they write amazing, catchy Psychedelic tunes. Faux Furrs is another Chicago band that are near and dear to me. They just put out a killer record, and they're some of the greatest people I've met. Divino Nino is incredible too. Honestly, I could go on and on about all the great things happening in Chicago haha.

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
I really want to work on some unexpected covers. Something totally different than my style that I can make my own. Like James Brown or something haha. That would be a fun challenge.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
Anything and everything. I'm going to take the next year to play live more and write enough material for a full length album. I'm already writing a lot, and the songs are sounding very different, which is exciting.

Q: Any parting words?
I would love to come to Brazil sometime if you all will have me ;)
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Thanks

https://dorsiachicago.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/dorsiachicago/

Lovetrip with Leones - An Interview

O trio Leones de Indiana, segue aquele linha tênue entre o shoegaze e grunge. Melancolia e raiva caminham lado a lado, se abraçando as vezes, e, se odiando em outras.

"Lovetrip" o mais recente trabalho dos caras explicita as linhas escritas acima, e segue o caminho aberto pelos dois EPs anteriores, "Vibrant Company" e "Holy", só que em "Lovetrip" a sonoridade do Leones esta mais direcionada ao que o Nothing fazia no início, desacelerando o barulho e o deixando mais denso e arrastado, injetando ainda mais angústia no conjunto final.

Obviamente que a música do Leones precisa e deve ser escutada alta, bem alta.

***** Interview with Leones *****

Q. When did Leones start? Tell us about the history...
Ozzy (vocals/drums)
We started in the spring of 2015. I had just dropped out of college and had returned back home to my parents house. Eric had gotten a hold of me and we began jamming. We realized we had something cool going on and we decided to write and record some songs shortly after. Once we we’re ready to start playing live Eric’s older brother Manuel joined us on bass.

Q: Who are your influences?
Ozzy (vocals/drums)
I don’t look to specific bands for ideas or inspiration. But I do enjoy listening to different types of music. I listen to anything from Code Orange to The Police. And I feel like each of our personal influences translate into our songs pretty seamlessly.

Eric (guitar)
Everything is an inspiration to me such as music, personal situations, people, and things that are intangible.

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time…
Ozzy (vocals/drums)
Hyperview- Title Fight
Disappear Here - Bad Suns
Amar Es Combatir – Mana
Jar – Superheaven
Souvlaki- Slowdive

Eric (guitar)
Anything The Smiths writes
Anything The Cure writes
Siamese Dream- The Smashing Pumpkins
Voices Carry- 'Til Tuesday
Four-Calendar Café- Cocteau Twins

Q. How do you feel playing live?
Ozzy (vocals/drums)
I love playing live. Especially when we’re performing in front of people who have never seen us. I enjoy seeing the reaction of the crowd. And it makes me feel so good when people have positive and kind things to say about our music because it’s not anyone else’s music that we’re performing, it’s our own and it’s something that we created.

Eric (guitar)
I love it. Being able to share our music in front of anyone is one of the best feelings in the world. The emotions that I get are indescribable.

Q. How do you describe Leones sounds?
Ozzy (vocals/drums)
I feel like it’s a mix between pop rock, shoegaze, and grunge music.

Eric (guitar)
A friend of ours once described us as slow, heavy, and dreamy. I automatically thought that description was perfect. I think we capture a lot of different sounds and make it into our own.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
Ozzy (vocals/drums)
Eric will present me with a couple of guitar riffs and we’ll go from there. Ill lay down the drum beat and after we have the songs fully structured I will write the lyrics and melody. Our good friend Caleb Lewis has recorded all of our stuff. He’s also tracked bass on all of our recordings.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
Ozzy (vocals/drums)
I would recommend our homies in the band “We Love You” from Indiana. They are super talented and they’re all great guys!

Eric (guitar)
Our boys in “Windbreaker” https://windbreakerband.bandcamp.com/album/you-minus-me-windbreaker-split-ep-2

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
Ozzy (vocals/drums)
I would love to cover a song from The Police or My Bloody Valentine.

Eric (guitar)
Any song from The Cure or The Smiths.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
Everyone
We are currently writing new songs and they are sounding better than anything we’ve ever written. Our brother Manuel is also starting to write with us as well. We’ll continue to play shows and get our music out there for everyone to hear!! Hopefully haha.

Q: Any parting words?
Everyone
We would like to thank anyone who has ever listened to us! It means the world to have people from other parts of the world listening to our art!! Also, anyone who has ever showed us any kind of support. We acknowledge it and we appreciate it. Thank you so much.
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Thanks

https://leonesin.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/leonesin/
https://www.facebook.com/leonesin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOrFRUIPqcg

Diffusion with Reverbcore - An Interview

St Petersburg, segunda maior cidade da Rússia, tem se tornado assídua frequentadora das páginas do TBTCI, sua fértil cena tem gerado diversos expoentes, sejam garotos pós punkers, sonhadores ou gazers, mas o fato é que, certamente a cidade vive algo de especial.

O mais novo representante saído de lá é o sexteto, Reverbcore. Depois de uma discreta estreia ano passado com "Blown", eles retornam a ativa ainda mais sonhadores do que nunca, e ainda mais cerebralmente dançantes, ao como o Portishead russo, porém menos sombrio, o dreampop do Reverbcore chega com sutis toques de trip hop chega a sue momento ápice até o momento no EP "Diffusion", lançado há pouco menos de um mês.

"Circles", faixa que encerra o EP é algo como se o Reverbcore fosse a trilha sonora para conduzir-nos ao paraíso, celestial, eu diria.

***** Interview with Reverbcore *****

Q. When did Reverbcore start? Tell us about the history...
Victor - We all study sound engineering at university. I've transferred to sound engineering course at my second year of studying, I was a newbie there. Tim, our co-producer, bassist & beatmaker had noticed that I wrote music and we've started to hang around together. Tim had a band back then. I've joined it and we've been rehearsing his music a couple of months. In the meantime I met Nick and found out that he was a sensational guitarist and an extremely reliable person. When I wrote a few songs, I asked the guys to help me make them better. That's how our journey in music and sound engineering started, I guess.

Q: Who are your influences?
Victor - Alexander Scriabin, Ray Charles, Nick Drake, Moby
Nick - Radiohead, Boards of Canada, Massive Attack
Tim - Flying Lotus, Vulfpeck and Black Mirror series
Vova - Portishead, Sonic Youth, Americana music

Q. Make a list of 5 albums of all time…
Nick - Flying Lotus – You're dead!
Vova - Sonic Youth – A thousand leaves
Tim - Bill Evans – Interplay
Victor - Radiohead – In Rainbows
Sasha - Slowdive – Slowdive

Q. How do you feel playing live?
Nick - Bringing the music to the stage demands rearranging and re-thinking of studio material. In this way rehearsals provide some specific challenges, but the working process is great. We haven't done a live shows yet. I think it will be exciting.

Q. How do you describe Reverbcore sounds?
Tim - Like touching the dewy grass in the morning with your bare feet. The sun is barely up, the air is piercinlgly cold, but you feel safe to walk around and embrace this chill. You can step back home anytime. The fireplace is lit and your coffee is steaming. Nick - Irrational, subconscious, like David Lynch films Vova - Meltin'

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
Nick - Victor writes main part of music: structure, chords, lyrics. Other members introduce their parts in the way they feel it. F.e. bass and guitars. We feel ourselves free during the working process. So we can offer our own ideas and make some changes. Victor - after the first LP I've began to collaborate with Vova. We have been jamming together a lot, working on interaction and communication in ensemble. When his Jazzmaster sounds sharp & pertly, my pads are dreamy & languid, when his solos are dark and muddy, my melodies are crystal clear. So we counterbalance each other. Then I've asked Sasha to sing some vocals. She was into Slowdive and stuff and knew exactly what to do.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
Victor - Port st Willow, Bing & Ruth, Memoryhouse
Tim - The Internet
Nick - Badbadnotgood, hiatus kaiyote, jaala, nobody.one

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
Tim - Gorillaz, maybe
Nick - We did it a few times with Victor during our study process in our university studio. You can check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJzLpZIkF0s
Victor - Moderat

Q: What are your plans for the future?
Make some live shows. Finish our studying.

Thank you for listening!
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Thanks

https://reverbcore.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/revercore

Bummer with Lacing - An Interview

A história é a seguinte, no dia que "Bummer" veio ao mundo, mais precisamente em 15 de Setembro, eu ouvi, ouvi novamente, e de novo, e por repetidas vezes, o bagulho entrou na minha mente de tal forma que foi inevitável eu ir até a gravadora e comprar o disco.

"Bummer" é o primeiro álbum do quarteto Lacing, e é uma barulheira feita para fazer abrir um sorriso de ponta a ponta em qualquer gazer, ou amante de guitarras, anos 90, etc, etc.

Referências óbvias como Dinosaur Jr e MBV tornam-se apenas norteadoras para o Lacing, na real os caras se aproximam mais do Nothing e do Whirr, e aí explode uma melancolia ruidosa sem tempo pra pensar.

"Bummer" é foda, é um disco matador, simplesmente assim, e é o seguinte, Lacing é foda e ponto final.

***** Interview with Lacing *****

Q. When did Lacing start? Tell us about the history...
Spring/Summer of 2015. Joe Davenport on guitar/vocals, Jerry Reed on drums, Robert Parker on guitar, Joseph Micolo III on bass. We started in Jerry's garage in the suburbs of Chattanooga, TN. We were always way into shoegaze and thought we could do a version of it that wasn't something we heard in other bands.

Q: Who are your influences?
Typical genre stars: My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive probably more than anything. Also heavier non-shoegaze specific stuff like Unwound, Smashing Pumpkins, Hum, Dinosaur Jr, Built to Spill, Sonic Youth, and Nirvana.

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time…
We are sure you get typical shoegazer answers for this all the time and you can be absolutely sure that Loveless is one of our favorite albums of all time and that we worship the Slowdive back catalog but here's some non-shoegaze stuff we love in no particular order:

Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Rust Never Sleeps

The Stooges - Funhouse

Delia Derbyshire - everything she ever did as a tape splicer, composer, musician, etc. she was incredible

Sonic Youth - we're gonna cheat and say all of it from EVOL through Dirty at the very least because we love them but all have a different favorite album from this period

A Tribe Called Quest - Low End Theory

Q. How do you feel playing live?
Scared. Trying to not fuck it up. We live for it though. We worship the volume. You gotta have fast reflexes for stomping those pedals. We love it. It's the best thing about being in a band besides just getting to hang out with each other.

Q. How do you describe Lacing sounds?
A heavy, gloomy, wall of sound.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
We did the Honey Glow material ourselves and tracked it individually. Micolo has an audio engineering background so he did that on Pro Tools in his living room. The album, Bummer, was recorded by Scott Minor of Sparklehorse and our friend Carey Balch in a studio in Knoxville, TN USA called Wild Chorus. We tracked it live in a big room across the span of two days and then edited and mixed it in another two. We work fast.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
Lazy Legs, Pinkshinyultrablast, Weed (RIP), Jaguwar, Cloakroom, Soda Lilies, Tender Age

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
Nirvana, Joy Division, Pixies, The Cure, Bauhaus....Siouxsie & the Banshees...about a million others

Q: What are your plans for the future?
Split release with Lazy Legs. Second album already in writing stages. More live shows always.You know that one episode of The Simpsons where Bart chains all of the megaphones together? That.

Q: Any parting words?
This world is a horrible, sad place. Let's try hard to make it better. Love each other. I want you to think of that one motivational poster of the cat dangling on a tree branch that says "hang in there." I hope that's the message we can convey with music you know. That life is shit but you absolutely have to hang on to it and to the people you love and work hard to make it not be shit.
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Thanks

https://www.facebook.com/lacingband/
https://lacing.bandcamp.com/releases

Lutalica with Swanhoppers - An Interview

Enquanto a maciça maioria dos garotos (as) busca na bíblia shoegaze, leia-se Loveless, suas inspirações para iniciar a saga musical, o duo de Los Angeles, Swanhoppers se alimenta de outra fonte criada por Mr. Shields e Cia., os EPs, pré Ins´s Anything, aliados a uma leve desleixo proposital, originário da escola Dinosaur Jr de barulho e assim criam suas barulheiras.

"Lunatica" é o único álbum cheio dos caras, e é um verdadeiro exercício noventista de como se criar uma obra de baixa fidelidade sem soar babaca. Daqueles discos pra ouvir no último volume preferencialmente em fones de ouvindo pra estourar tímpanos e tudo mais que estiver pela frente.

Fora tudo isso, o Swanhoppers acabou de soltar um novo single ""I Don´t Need To Know", que parece ter saído diretamente do mesmo lugar de onde veio Sunny Sundae Smile.

Chega de blá, blá, blá, o negócio com o Swanhoppers é música alta, e como diz um de seus criadores, música pra dirigir....só se for rápido, é claro.

***** Interview with Swanhoppers *****

Q. When did Swanhoppers start? Tell us about the history...
1. Swanhoppers is a solo project that started back in 2014. Before that, I was playing in a cover band with a couple friends until I decided doing covers wasn't my thing and started doing my own thing.

Q: Who are your influences?
2. My main influences would have to be My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Elliott Smith. As of recently, I've been interested in sampling music to the sound of DJ Shadow and the Avalanches.

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time…
3. My five top albums currently would be
• Self Titled - The Avalanches
• EP Collection - My Bloody Valentine
• Endtroducing - DJ Shadow
• Cyborgs Revisited - Simply Saucer
• In Rainbows - Radiohead

Q. How do you feel playing live?
4. I haven't played live in a while, but when I did I would get a mix of adrenaline and nervousness. It's the same feeling I get when I'm in my "studio" mixing and mastering. There's no other way to explain it.

Q. How do you describe Swanhoppers sounds?
5. Swanhoppers' sound is an homage to to the experimental, high energy, and familiarity of the music I'm influenced by. As for the music, I try to make music you can take on a drive.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
6. I can go all day talking about what I did to record my songs! Before I get into the technical stuff, let me just say that I love to layer my guitar tracks and that I use sampled drums. The earliest EPs were made using a basic pedalboard (overdrive, fuzz, delay, reverb) running through a Fender Munstang 3 and recorded using a Sennheiser 835 into a Focusrite interface. The bass guitar was recorded straight into the interface.

The "Lutalica" album was made using the same guitar rig, with the addition of a wah pedal and a chorus pedal, running through the Fender Mustang 3 and/or Vox AC30 and recorded using the 835 and two SM57s.

Currently, my pedalboard now includes a pitch shifter and runs through the Vox and Fender Twin Reverb. For recording, I use an EV 635, SM57, and SM58. I run my bass through a fuzz pedal and the Twin and record using the SM58. The drums were layered and tuned to imitate the sound made by the drums in MBV's "Isn't Anything."

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
7. In my immediate area, it's gonna have to be "The Voxes" and "Muskk," though I wish I had time to see them live.

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
8. I have a couple songs I wouldn't mind covering, but to cover a single band's discography isn't something I'm inclined to do.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
9. In the future, I plan to release another set of songs as well as re-release the "Ripples" EP when I have time away from my other project.

Q: Any parting words?
10. I'm thankful to live in a time where music is abundant and not confined to a status quo. It has also made it very difficult to differentiate yourself from everyone else making music so I want to extend my thanks to everyone who has supported me by downloading my music. My inbox is open to anyone who wants to talk about gear or anything in general. Thank you for the interview, Renato!
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Thanks

https://www.facebook.com/swanhoppers/
https://swanhoppers.bandcamp.com/releases

The Road To Now with Ella Atlas - An Interview

Stephen Masucci já é figura conhecida nas páginas do TBTCI por conta de sua banda, o The Lovely Intangibles. Mas entre gravações e shows com sua banda, o cara se entreteve com Tarrah e sua lindíssima voz, e resolveram iniciar um novo projeto.

Assim nasceu o Ella Atlas, e o debute nasceu há pouco menos de um mês atrás. "The Road To Now" é uma obra que contempla paixões e sonhos. Um dreampop épico que é conduzido com arranjos elegantes e sofisticados servindo de pano de fundo para Tarrah, usar e abusar, do charme de sua voz.

Não existe lá muita coisa a se comentar, é ouvir, ouvir novamente e contemplar tudo a sua volta, cortesia de Stephen e, claro, de Tarrah.

***** Interview with Ella Atlas *****

Q. When did Ella Atlas start? Tell us about the history...
ELLA ATLAS: We formally started working as a collaboration/band in August/September 2016. Tarrah and I had been friends for quite a while, and she helped co-write several songs I was doing for a previous project. It just felt natural to keep working together and then provide a context and outlet for the new songs.

Q: Who are your influences?
STEPHEN: Cocteau Twins, Hank Marvin, Sisters of Mercy, Glen Campbell, Dusty Springfield, Angelo Badalamenti, lots of movie soundtracks, it's a long list.

TARRAH: My influences fluctuate, but what really grounds me is film and traveling. Musically: Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, India Arie, Mediaeval Baebes, baroque guitar quartets, etc...

Q. Make a list of 5 albums of all time...
STEPHEN: Wow, too hard to narrow down, and it changes often.
TARRAH: I agree with Steve- there are too many but off the top of my head:
Raising Sand - Allison Krauss & Robert Plant
Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys
Abbey Road - The Beatles
The Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd
The Ultimate 5th Dimension - The 5th Dimension

Q. How do you feel playing live?
ELLA ATLAS: Haven't played live yet, but it's in the plans.

Q. How would you describe Ella Atlas' sound?
ELLA ATLAS: We're just starting so we're just learning our vocabulary. It's a mix of things we like and want to try initially. Ethereal, acoustic/electric music with a bunch of influences powered by female vocals.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs?
ELLA ATLAS: Usually it's just Tarrah and I working together in our own studio. Lots of trial and error and experimentation is involved. The songs can start anywhere, from a basic rhythm experiment or feel - up through a basically completed song from Tarrah that just needs arranging. We tend to record on our own, layering tracks one at a time until it starts to sound like something we're aiming for.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
ELLA ATLAS: Lo Moon, Alvvays, Shiny Toy Guns

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
ELLA ATLAS: Hard to say right now as we're just developing our own thing.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
ELLA ATLAS: Recording and playing live.

Q: Any parting words?
ELLA ATLAS: Thank you so much for being interested in what we're doing!
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Thanks

https://www.facebook.com/ellaatlasmusic/
https://ellaatlas.bandcamp.com/releases

Waiting For Mint Shower​!​! with Shelling - An Interview

Já faziam alguns meses que as páginas do TBTCI não eram visitadas por expoentes japoneses, talvez apenas uma simples coincidência do destino, mas a ausência chega ao fim exatamente neste momento.

O cultuado e adorado Shelling enfim chega as páginas do TBTCI. Ao contrário da grande maioria das bandas japonesas, onde o alimento principal chama-se Loveless, o Shelling, debutou em 2013, e mostrou uma doce e tenra combinação, não somente do estilo MBV, mas incluindo sutilezas que remetem diretamente ao Broadcast, e, se por ventura, você não conhece, o link esta ali embaixo, e eu digo, escute esse disco.

Mas, de lá pra cá os caras já lançaram "Aquarium Sympathy", seu segundo disco, e no primeiro semestre deste ano veio ao mundo o terceiro, "Waiting For Mint Shower​!​!". Os japas resolveram cair profundamente na mente de Kevin Shields, e daí meus caros, algumas doçuras foram deixadas para trás e o derretimento sonhador norteia o trabalho.

Eu diria, que o disco, é sim, muito, muito bom, mas eu adoraria saborear o tempero secreto que o Shelling tem, ou apenas "colher conchas na praia", tradução do significado do nome banda.

***** Interview with Shelling *****

Q. When did Shelling start? Tell us about the history...
Q.1 Shelling was formed in 2007. Split album "before time melts." Was released in 2010. In 2013 the first album "Shelling" was released, in 2014 it released the second album "Aquarium Sympathy". An interview was published at The Japan Times, and in 2015 we performed a Taiwan tour. And we released a new album "Waiting For Mint Shower !!" in May this year.

Q: Who are your influences?
Q2 We were influenced by DAVID BOWIE, BRIAN ENO, SPECTRUM, boards of canada, my bloody valentine, lali puna, Washed Out etc.(Shota)

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time…
Q3 I hear these well recently.
Isan Plans "Dawn In Pencil"
Sora "Re:sort" Monoland "Ben Chantice"
Day Wave "The Days We Had"
bonobo "Migration" (Aya)

Pink Floyd "The Piper at The Gates of Dawn"
BROADCAST "THE NOISE MADE BY PEOPLE"
the smiths "Queen Is Dead"
KLAUS SCHULZE "Mirage"
Belly "star" (Shota)

Q. How do you feel playing live?
Q4 We are sometimes live performance at cafe and gallery. When live at a live house, add support members. Guitar vocals, programming, drums, bass, and venues change live formation.(Aya)

Q. How do you describe Shelling sounds?
Q5 Shelling's music is cold and dreamy sound. I am making sounds based on water concept such as snow, lake and ocean.(Aya)

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
Q6 I make songs at home recording. Then send the file to shota. And he plays guitar arrangements.(Aya)

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
Q7 Salami Rose Joe Louis and POND are recommended.(Shota)

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
Q8 We like Jigsaw's Who Do You Think You Are covered by Saint Etienne and we would like to cover this song. We like the melody of this song so much.(Shota)

Q: What are your plans for the future?
Q9 I want to try to live overseas to expand the range of sensitivity. Because there are people's responses from overseas, I want to try live at the site. I like movies, so I'd like to make a soundtrack-like album.(Aya)

Q: Any parting words?
Q10 Enjoy the music of Shelling.(Aya)
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Thanks

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Shelling-104197099634595
https://chiheihatakeyama.bandcamp.com/album/shelling

001 with Shadowlands - An Interview

Novamente Portland dá as caras no TBTCI, desta vez, o quarteto Shadowlands chega com seu sombrio mix de darkwave com elementos de prog rock, algo como se Vangelis e os Banshees se encontram-se, em um inusitado cruzamento de teclados eloquentes sob uma cortina escura e densa.

"001" primeiro disco deles é tudo isso imerso a caldeirão de tendências do pós punk, indo da desconstrução completa, urgência quase punk, e tribalismo sintético.

Um verdadeiro massacre em cores negras sem se render a nenhum rótulo. O Shadowlands com "001" se credencia com uma das grandes forças do pós punk atual.

Para variar, Portland, comandando a festa negra!

***** Interview with Shadowlands *****

Q. When did Shadowlands start? Tell us about the history...
We started about 4 years ago in Caseys garage. Casey, Jason, and I were hanging out on a cold Portland night drinking rum and we decided to jam. We never stopped jamming and eventually invited Jesse to join us, as he's my forever bandmate and this is our 4th or 5th band together over the last 15 plus years.

Q: Who are your influences?
Vangelis, Tangerine Dream, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Cure, Gobin,The Sound, Suicide, Echo and the Bunnymen and probably some elements of psychedelic and 70's/90's garage rock.

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time…
This is a difficult question and probably different for all band members. We all listen to a pretty broad range of music genres as well. But some of the albums that are go-to regularly listened to albums for me would be:
David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust,
The Cure - Disintegration,
Cocteau Twins -Garlands,
Compulsive Gamblers - Crystal Gazing Luck Amazing
and Television - Marquee Moon.

Q. How do you feel playing live?
Personally, I have a dichotomous relationship with playing live. I love it, but sometimes it feels incredibly difficult. I am usually working out something on stage, whether that is feeling completely alien and unable to relate to people, anxiety, joy, shame, insecurity, fear...most commonly it's a combination of anxiety and joy. My feeling is that the more I can be comfortable with my own strangeness on stage, the more people will relate with me. And I want that connection. But it's a major work in progress.

Q. How do you describe Shadowlands´sounds?
We are a little all over the map. We all write songs, but I'm the primary song-writer. Once we started getting labeled a goth band, I immediately started writing more pop and post punk sounding songs. Then when we started getting invited to post punk festivals, I started craving more 77 punk sounds. At this point, we simply play what we like and hopefully people will resonate with that and it will keep things from getting stale. I also love love LOVE synth-y horror soundtracks, anthemic vocals, and challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone with my vocals--so that will always be part of our sound.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
We recorded our debut album and upcoming EP at Destination Universe here in Portland. We produced it ourselves, but had some good input from the engineer, Victor Nash. The first album was recorded mostly live, due to time constraints. We chose to make a shorter 5 song EP this time around so we could take a little more time and having more fun with layers and effects.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
We love all our fellow This-A-Way Records bands. We also love Lithics (from Portland), Chelsea Wolfe, The Bootblacks, Sextile, Austra, Light Asylum, Black Marble, Soft Kill... there are so many good ones!

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
We having been talking about covering Waving My Arms Around by The Birthday Party. We also learned Halloween by Siouxsie and the Banshees, but we probably won't play it out. I love the guitar in that song.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
We are releasing our new EP after the first of the year, we are hoping to get down to California on a mini tour. We have a two music videos being released as well. We are friends foremost and then bandmates, so that makes it easy to spend a lot of time together. We are in this for the long haul regardless of any kind of success. But we hope to sell enough albums, of course, to support our music making habits.

Q: Any parting words?
Música é tudo!
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Thanks

https://shadowlands.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pg/shadowlandsband

Quiet Hex with Molten Salt - An Interview

Melancolia melodiosamente declamada suavemente, é o conteúdo do primeiro álbum do quarteto de Olympia capital do estado de Washington, Molten Salt.

Ecos de Bowie e Bolan, quando eram trovadores, vão se misturando com uma doce conexão à cena Paisley Underground, convidando a todos, adentrar a uma viagem intimista e desacelerada, assim é "Quite Hex", disco lançado há um mês atrás.

Envolvente e sedutor, o Molten Salt criou um daqueles preciosos discos que poucos ouvirão, mas os que o ouvirem, terão suas mentes reconfortadas.

***** Interview with Molten Salt *****

Q. When did Molten Salt start? Tell us about the history...
Molten Salt was formed in 2016 in Olympia, WA. We have all played together previously in a few other bands (The Celestials, Star Ghost, Middlewav) since 2012. Drummer (Mike Elliott) and Guitarist/Vocalist (Keir Allison-Bourne) met in middle school in the year 2005 and have since moved across the country. Bassist (Joel Shillander) and Guitarist/Pianist (John Winter) are both from Olympia and through fate we were all brought together to make dreamy music. We just released our first full length album called "Quiet Hex" and are currently playing shows and planning for the future.

Q: Who are your influences?
Sparklehorse, Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, The Papercuts, Yo La Tengo

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time…
1. Sparklehorse - It's a Wonderful Life
2. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
3. Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
4. The Strokes - Is This It
5. The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

Q. How do you feel playing live?
We feel like we are high on vibrations and libations when we play live. We very much enjoy it. Recorded music is beautiful but live music is transformational.

Q. How do you describe Molten Salt sounds?
I would describe us as a mix between dream pop, shoegaze, and psychedelic rock with some folk elements slipped in there.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
The song writing process spanned 2 years from 2015-2017. Most of the songs are written by Keir Allison-Bourne. The process involved lots of looping acoustic guitars late at night.

We run a small recording studio out of our house called Mahayana Studio so we already have all the tools we need. With our latest album we began tracking drums and guitar together with a scratch vocal track. Then we overdubbed the bass guitar and other rhythm/lead guitar parts. For some songs we added an MS-2000 synth for that smooth sexy feel. Finally we layed the vocal tracks on top using an Electrovoice RE-320.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
Herbert Walker, Le Grotto, Heat Shimmer, Fruit Juice, Close Encounter

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
The Cure

Q: What are your plans for the future?
We are already starting the writing process for the next album. This time it will be a joint venture with the whole band making songwriting decisions. We are also planning a West Coast USA tour for Spring/Summer 2018.

Q: Any parting words?
Music is a key ingredient for making the future. Thank you for supporting it.
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Thanks

https://moltensalt.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/moltensalt/

Nova with Baula - An Interview

Mezzo Islândia, mezzo Suécia, o duo Baula é daquela pepitas que quando aparecem em nossa frente rola um flerte imediato, sabe como é?

Indiepop bubblegum ensolarado, com conexões óbvias a outra duo bem conhecido de todos, o The Raveonettes, mas apenas uma conexão de referências e influências, mesmo porque o Baula passeia mais pelo lado melódico e assovíavel da coisa toda.

Três singles no currículo, "Don´t Bother", "Just Like Yesterday" e o mais recente "Nova", são deliciosos aperitivos para um futuro cintilante. Será? Talvez, afinal tudo pode acontecer...

Mas se por ventura nada disso aconteça, delicie-se com o Baula, sem contra indicações.

***** Interview with Baula *****

Q. When did Baula start? Tell us about the history...

Hi! Baula was formed by Kallo and Ísak back in 2015 before the Icelandic Airwaves festival. We kick started the band by playing 11 off-venue gigs during the festival week. Since then we have released three singles: ‘Don’t Bother’, ‘Just Like Yesterday’ and most recently ‘Nova’.

Q: Who are your influences?
We both love the guitarish world of The Raveonettes”, the atmosphere in their songs is melancholy perfected. We are also very inspired by the the rhythmic tunes of “Man Man” as well as their extremely well written lyrics.

Q. Make a list of 5 albums of all time…
P.J. Harvey - White Chalk
Man Man - On Oni Pond
The Raveonettes - Observator
Berndsen - Planet Earth
Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Once More, With Feeling

Q. How do you feel playing live?
We love playing live! It’s an integral part of our music and we always strive to write songs that we can perform live. On stage we are accompanied by two more musician-friends of ours, together we always have a good time on and off stage.

Q. How do you describe Baula sounds?
We tend to describe ourselves as alternative-pop. Soundwise we lean towards an alternative-rock/indie sound but we got the pop hooks there as well. We weight down our lyrics with a blanket of melancholy.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs?
“Just Like Yesterday” was recorded wholly in our kitchen, from the drum loop to the vocals. After that we sent it for mixing and mastering. For our latest single “Nova” things could not have been more different. It was recorded in studio Music A Matic in Gothenburg with producer Henryk Lipp who also mixed and mastered the song. There we had access completely different world of equipment and expertise compared to the kitchen utensils at home.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
We are of the opinion that every soul should listen at least once to the genius of “Shitkid”, “YXA” and “KATTHEM”!

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
“Feathers” by Man Man.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
This autumn we’ll continue to write new songs before going into the studio again to record our debut EP. It should hit the streets next year!

Q: Any parting words?
Hej då!
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Thanks

http://baula.se/
https://www.facebook.com/baulatheband
https://soundcloud.com/baulatheband

Plebeian with Ruiners - An Interview

Se alimentando de angústia e diversão o quarteto de Houston, Texas, Ruiners cometeu recentemente seu mais novo trabalho, o quarto EP da carreira dos caras que começou dentre de um quarto, basicamente como toda banda.

Os caras trucidam seus demônios rezando na cartilha de gente como Fugazi, Wire, Weezer e outras barulheiras.

Explicitar as loucuras e possessões da virada da adolescência para a vida adulta é uma arte, e o Ruiners neste quesito, tirou nota 10.

Escute alto e saiu chutando tudo pela frente, ou se, você estiver um pouco velho, escute alto e dê seus pulos.

***** Interview with Ruiners *****

Q. When did Ruiners start? Tell us about the history...
Shan: I started the band in 2013 as a bedroom recording project. I had my friend Matt Cloud play drums, Hayden on bass, and a friend named Byron on second guitar. We played a handful of shows that spring and summer before I relocated to London, England for about 2.5-3 years. While in London, I had found some friends to play with and keep it going. When my visa ended, I moved back to Houston and started the band again with Hayden and got Joey/Ian to complete the current lineup.

Q: Who are your influences?
Shan: Wire, mission of Burma, Fugazi, the Beatles, Brian Wilson.

Hayden: Frank Ocean, Juan Alderete (Mars Volta), and Chet Baker.

Joey: David Bowie, The Smiths, Nirvana, early Ministry, The Beatles.

Q. Make a list of 5 albums of all time…
Shan: rubber soul and pet sounds.

Hayden: Jaco Pastorius (self titled album)

Joey: Low by David Bowie

Q. How do you feel playing live?
Shan: I need it.

Hayden: I love it. It's the best part about being a musician, in my opinion.

Ian: Playing live gives me anxiety. Honestly don't really enjoy it. I always feel like I'm going to shit my pants.

Joey: Literally either like nothing else in the world could be this great or like I'm the worst performer imaginable.

Q. How do you describe Ruiners' sounds?
Shan: my goal is to sound like an adolescent pinback, who grew up in a household that listened to Brian Wilson, that just bought a title fight record and found inspiration.

Hayden: I'd like to think that we're developing more of a dark, post-punk sound with our newer songs. However, I would describe our older songs as sounding more like House-party-pizza-rock.

Joey: I would say it's very musically honest sound; visceral, quick, smart, sometimes gentle...

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
Shan: I write guitar riffs and record home demos. I usually have some of the melodies/song structure figured out, but i bring it to my dudes who flesh it out with me.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
Shan: Radioactivity, bad breeding, girl band

Hayden: Sheer Mag, Glue, Impalers, Furnsss, Flesh Born, Two Knights

Joey: Furnsss

Q: Which band would you love to make a cover version of?
Shan: Weezer - blue album and Pinkerton

Hayden: I'd love to play in a Kiss cover band.

Ian: I'd like to make a cover of Billy Idol's 'Eyes without a face' without that wack ass guitar solo.

Joey: Depeche Mode

Q: What are your plans for the future?
Hayden: To continue writing music and performing until it doesn't feel right anymore.

Q: Any parting words?
Hayden: Love, peace and chicken grease
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Thanks

https://ruinertx.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/RuinersTX/

Finelines with Pacific Latitudes - An Interview

Aventuras psicodelicamente emolduradas pela fritação gazer, assim é o trio de Portland, Pacific Latitudes.

Intensos, melódicos e estridentes sem exageros, a dose da viagem praticada pelos caras já ganhou ao menos um aliado, Mr. Adam Franklin, que aliás participa com sua guitarra e teclados no mais recente single dos caras, "Koukoussa", um delírio conduzido por guitarras explicitando versos melancólicos até a médula: In my dreams, I travel to a silent place, where no moon rules, over every hiding place...", fazendo a conexão a uma das principais influências dos caras, Mr Elliot Smith.

Música guiada por guitarras e conduzida diretamente para a alma.

ACIMA.

***** Interview with Pacific Latitudes *****

Q. When did Pacific Latitudes start? Tell us about the history...
A: We started about a year ago after I took a 7 year break from playing music. I am the singer/songwriter and guitar player.

I was very active in the Portland music scene in the 1990s, playing with people like Elliott Smith and having how shows in our basement with bands like Weezer and Everclear.

Q: Who are your influences?
A: I would say in this band some of my biggest influences are a mix of classic psychedelic bands like Pink Floyd and the 13th Floor Elevators mixed with post-rock bands like Slint, Jawbox, Circa Survive and also British shoegaze bands like Swervedriver, My Bloody Valentine & Slowdive. I also incorporate a lot of the melody and song writing sensibilities of musicians like Elliott Smith, Jeff Buckley and Beck.

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time…
A:
1. Slint " Spiderland.
2. Jeff Buckley " Grace"
3. Elliott Smith " Roman Candle"
4. Pink Floyd " Live at Pompeii"
5. Swervedriver " Mezcal Head"

Q. How do you feel playing live?
I think playing live is where you can give everything back to people who have supported you and also use it as an opportunity to win over new fans.

 It's a huge honor and a privilege to play live and we give everything we have in our performance and leave it all on stage at the end of the night.

Q. How do you describe Pacific Latitudes sounds?
A: I describe it as a mixture of psychedelic & shoegaze and I call it "Psychegaze."

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
A: I usually write the basic guitar parts and lyric ideas at home and then bring it to the band where we work on the songs and develop them dynamically and compositionally.

We spend a lot of time rehearsing and then before we record in the studio we sit down and map out each song and think about what type of dynamics and affects we would like to use. We try and be as prepared as possible to go into the studio so that we don't waste time and said that we achieve the best results.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
A: I've been listening to a lot of our friend's band Portugal. The Man these days. They seem to really be blowing up. I appreciate how they constantly reinventing themselves each album and don't stick with the same approach. It keeps it new and fresh.

I've also been listening to Balance and Composure, Brand New & also Tigers Jaw.

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
A: I don't know. I've never actually played cover songs before because I'm always searching for creating something that's never been written.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: we're putting together a tour of Iceland and then going over to Japan in the fall of 2018. We play music for enjoyment not to become famous or make money.

 I feel like if you focus on doing the best you can at riding and playing music and really enjoying your time doing it, good things will follow naturally.

Q: Any parting words?
A: I would just say that because I'm an older musician, I've learned that it's really important to treat the people you play with like their family and to honor what is special about coming together to create music. Focus your head and heart on enjoying yourself and doing the best you can and you won't regret it in the future.
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Thanks

https://www.facebook.com/Pacificlatitudes/
https://pacificlatitudes.bandcamp.com

Lato w mieście with Pensjonat - An Interview

Ao lado do Evvolves o quinteto Pensjonat formam a linha de frente da barulheira polonesa noventista.

"Lato w mieście" primeiro EP dos caras, passeia estridentemente pela trilha das guitar bands da década dos excessos, um elo de entre Dinosaur Jr e Broken Social Scene, os disquinho vai desbravando o frescor dos barulhos assoviáveis.

O Pensjonat serve perfeitamente para ilustrar que nos dias de hoje pouco importa se você é dos centros urbanos musicais, a globalização do barulho é mundial.

Aumente o som.

***** Interview with Pensjonat *****

1. When did Pensjonat start? Tell us about the history...
Pensjonat Was formed in Oktober 2015. The band came out of the desire to make simple catchy songs. However, we wanted to add a little more chaos between the planned initial ideas. Most of songs were born in Kuba (guitar) house. It was playing on the couch in front of the TV, just chillin. when a couple of riffs, chords and chorus Was ready, Mateusz (second guitarist) added great parties based on the combination of noise and melodies. We knew each other before so we knew after a few sentences what we were looking for. The idea of who will sit behind the percussion was born after the second or third rehearsal. Tomek (drummer) Naturally filled and twisted the dynamics of the songs. When it comes to choosing the vocalist it took a little longer. Because in our city (Poznań) it is easier to find someone who wants to sing Guns and Roses songs, not noise pop things. At that time Mateusz wrote a couple of lyrics about spending "summer in the city" (thats our EP name) After a few months of playing we heard Marcel (bass) and Dziuda (vocal) got our records from rehearsals. These were bad quality recordings from the phone. So if that convinced them we invited them with open arms.

2. Who are your influences?
We are at the age where we listen to every kind of music. Of course our EP is distorded guitars so we say broadly defined Indie\shoegaze\DIY bands. From MBV to Fugazi, from Spaceman 3 to Broken Social Scene. When we meet with a group of friends you can hear everything from classic shoegaze bands to rave music.

3. Make a list of 5 albums of all time…
The Stooges - Fun House
Nirvana - Incesticide
Smashing Pumpkins - Mayonaise
Stara Rzeka – Cień Chmury Nad Ukrytym Polem
My Bloody Valentine - Loveless

4. How do you feel playing live?
It's hard to talk about a particular feeling. In the loudly parts, We want to create a big wall of sound to create a little chaos also in our heads. In the soft part just smile and relax.

5. How do you describe Pensjonat sounds?
In the strict sense it's 90's sound revival. Bunch of distorded guitar with no solos on it. Just four minutes of simple riffs in each song. Mentally Pensjonat is just the present state of our feelings in our city. Place by the river, parks, trams, dirty sidewalks, variable weather.

6. Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
It took us only two days, because we've been playing all of the song for over a year. We were recording in the studio in the center of town. Zero rush, beautiful weather, lots of burned cigarettes. All instruments were recorded separately, so when someone was recording, rest of us could just laugh and gossip again.

7. Which new bands do you recommend?
Check out our bands from Poland like "Evvolves", "Złota Jesień" and "Dyshon Sphere". Great guitars, noise and a little bit of psychodelic

8. Which band would you love to made a cover version of
Maybe all the songs from our favorite albums list would be interesting to record or play live. But the cover song would have to surprise the listener. We think it would be great to convert somebody's emotions to the opposite. Check what band like Cloud Nothings did whit Coldplay song in video "Cloud Nothings deliver a polarizing take on Coldplay’s “Clocks”" It's hillarius.

9. What are your plans for the future?
Play a lot of concerts and record fast another EP and album. Simple as that

10. Any parting words?
Thanks for the opportunity to reach your readers. We have never been in Brazil and we would like to find out if similar music taste can be found in your beautiful country
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Thanks

https://pensjonat.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/Pensjonat420/

The Common Men, "A Separate Peace" - Track by Track

Há questão de um mês e meio atrás, quando coloquei mãos e ouvidos em "A Separate Peace", quarto discos dos heróis do pós punk de São Francisco, The Common Men, o clima de desespero, já conhecido por mim, tomou conta por completo durante as inúmeras audições do trabalho.

Sentimentos como desespero, claustrofobia, tensão, são comuns na música dos caras. E em "A Separate Peace" eles se afloram e afunilam-se mais intensamente. Esqueça a melancolia soturna que usualmente permeiam as obras recentes das banda pós punk atuais, o The Common Men atua em outras esferas.

Os ares  melancolicamente soturnos dão espaço para o desespero acelerado, uma sensação inquietante é acelerada pra dentro da mente, sem a menor possibilidade se não ter os sentidos alterados.

Você esta frente a frente com um dos grandes álbuns de pós punk dos últimos tempos, entenda e compreenda como o The Common Men concebeu seu trabalho.

Esta intensidade precisava ser explicada detalhadamente, e o TBTCI foi conversar com seus criadores para entender em detalhes cruéis o que são os doze exercícios de inquietação de "A Separate Peace".

Escute alto.

***** "A Separate Peaces" - Track by Track *****

Kevin Rollis (Kev2) and myself (KIC) have provided notes and insights into what was perhaps our most personal album to date. Most albums--by our standards--take anywhere from 3-4 months to write and record. This one took nearly 2 years!

We had more than a few artistic differences and you can definitely hear the tension in the music. But, with that tension i feel the songs came out more human--if nothing else.
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1. Burning Son - "Fever"
Kev2: Josh's bass line, based around an Am, is steady revolving rhythm with the slowly rising guitar lines and e-bowed guitars turning the temp up as the song progresses. The only relief comes during the "Your words were never to blame" parts, where the fever break hits, tho fleetingly.

An example of how josh will plug in to get a line check on his amp and just plays something and Kevin and I going "woah! Do that again! Do that again!!" And start a song. First one we wrote with new guy Christian on the drums.

2. Forgetting Her - "Haunted"

Kev2: Wall of feedback turns into moody jangle with a touch of surf. Kevin Ian brought in chords and melody line, everybody adds their particular touches.

KIC: This is probably one of the closest songs to “classic” Common Men. The lyrics speak of a man tormented by memories of his past and a woman he cannot forget. I was heavily into Ingmar Bergman at the time, and “Hour of the Wolf” was the main inspiration.

3. Gripping My Chest - "Panic"

Kev2: 80's jangle influence turned dark thru age. Sounds like Kevin is describing a panic attack and the rest of the band is trying to either relieve or induce the stress...depending on who you ask. Written on the newly purchased Fender Jazzmaster which is where all the jangle n strum come from. Christian happens to mention he plays woodwinds and my mind immediately starts scheming… try and find them in the song. Thrown in for good measure is not 1, not 2, but 4 outro solos in a bit of a blur, sonically enacting the "Hands" from the verses. Kevin, despite some downright brutal influences, adds great sing along lyrics. (And sings them beautifully!)

 KIC: This song features a wonderfully chaotic series of solos by Kev2. We threw caution to wind--playing through everything from an overly loud tube amp to a tiny practice amp on the verge of breaking. I’m almost positive we blew out the speaker from playing it for too long on 10.

4. Hand Thru Heart - "Breath"

Kev2: Goth with a small 'g'. Kevin Ian bring us an old school Common Men chord change and we go to town with our best raincoats on. Christian leads us off, setting up the "pea soup" beat nicely with everyone joining in after the mood is set. Josh comes up with Hooky-esque middle, I add a Bond theme feel cause Bond films are great. (Usually)

KIC: This song is primarily about exploitation. I was incredibly inspired by “10 Cloverfield Lane.” The best thing about being in a band with these musicians is that they can take a simple chord change and make them sing. The pe-chorus is pretty standard Common Men fare until Kev2, Josh, and Christian make it incredibly unique to the song--even though we’ve heard it on so many songs before ours.

5. To Repel Ghosts - "Memories"

Kev2: Common Men go Glam! ...sort of. When we did the revenant ep, I was trying to make the memories as ghosts a theme for the album. Didn't get farther than this song, due to...well, life. seems like everybody is plugged thru a fuzz box on this! The queen bits were actually inspired by Thin Lizzy cause they're great and you should listen to them too. ;)

KIC: I’ve had various versions of this chord progression floating around in my head since about 2013. It wasn’t until about early 2015 did it really land while jamming one night with Kev2. We brought it to the rest of the guys and it became a song. The bridge was hard to write because it was almost incredibly democratic in its inception. The character in the song dies momentarily in a suicide pact gone wrong. He wakes up to find his lover has buried him alive.

6. Instead - "Change"

Kev2: During Christian's audition, Josh starts playing bass line, I add the synth line and we play it for a few minutes and then forget about. Good thing we recorded it. Better thing when we find this recording a couple months later, best thing Christian joins! Kevin Ian adds guitar melody and song begins taking shape. I pull a chorus off an older song I had lying around and legos are complete. Everybody claps because handclaps are great.

KIC: Man falls out of love with his lover. They are essentially strangers in bed. Try as he might to rekindle the flame, they are too far gone in their relationship. He just gets up one night and walks out of the house and never returns. I actually recorded this song with a guitar, a delay pedal, and an amp turned up too loud. I didn’t have a tuner with me, so I tuned to the keys in the song. The slight chorus effect you hear is not a pedal--it’s my guitar being slightly out of tune. I triple-tracked the ending solo to make it surround the stereo field.

7. Wall to Floor to Wall - "Rage" /  "white" funk meets somber strings.

Kev2: Kevin Ian showing off his 'mark 2 Crimson" influence here during the bridges and solo. Verse bass line written by Kev2 in a "headhunters" mood. Chris already syncopating by 2nd run thru. Fantastic double tracked Kevin Ian solo at end!

KIC: Josh has no easy feat during this song. I think he adds the right amount of disgruntled octave fury. The lyrics describe a man in the throes of a demonic posession. He’s not winning the battle.

8. Empty Vessels - "Statuesque"

Kev2: The fastest song by The Common Men so far! More ripping sax from Christian. Kev2 adding a bit of hardcore to the mix, filtered thru The Common Men esthetic: result: riffs, riffs, riffs! Kevin vocally duels himself between the speakers. Christian thundering thru some pretty heavy drumming, going thru 4 pairs of sticks to get the right take if memory serves... Josh is just a pure demon with the bass on this one!

KIC: The song is about a man constructing his perfect lover--only to find it grows tired of his company. Josh stacked a fuzz and distortion--specifically a Devi Ever Ruiner and smallsound/bigsound Mini--during the interlude for a stupidly massive bass sound. Christian’s drumming is extra furious during this song. Listen to his small drum solo on headphones to catch the full thunder.

9. If And When We Were Then - "Regret" the duality of self.

Kev2: Kevin Ian idea with a 6/4 bar. A good example of the push n pull of the 2 guitar line up. Kevin Ian with the abrasive, harsh, angry lines; Kev2 with the melancholy melodic lines. We had been running thru this one for a few practices before I figured out what to do, but eventually grabbed the whammy bar and never let go.

KIC: For this song I over-dubbed four “atmospheric” guitars: guitars that are almost unrecognizable in harmonic content, but are still present in the mix. Two of them were recorded direct into the recorder. The other two were recorded in our rehearsal studio with microphones on the other side of the room. I cranked the volume to 11 and stacked anywhere from 4-5 fuzz pedals into each other. Including Kev2’s guitar parts and mine--I kept my original take, mistakes and all!--there are anywhere from 8-9 guitar parts not including the bass track. I cannot stress enough how incredibly tight Christian and Josh are in this song. They play off each other well, and Josh’s melodic bass fills contain just enough “not-quite-in-key” notes to make it interesting and incredibly fitting.

10. Fall in Autumn - "Apathy"

Kev2: More small 'g'. I bring in the initial idea, and I suggest it should feel like "sleazy disco rock.” The band takes it to heart. Chorus up to full. Once again Josh's King of Low End mantle needs no defending. Mixed very dry for full panning effect.

KIC: One of my favorite songs in that there are minimal overdubs. It’s a very straight-forward song for us.

11. Between Each Other - "Distance" (Moody idea turned modern epic. )

Kev2: True story: Christian confused practice days and was home cooking lasagna one evening. Amused to bits, the rest of us start demoing this number with myself on drums. I only really know this one beat and it was a little shaky. Upon his return Christian took the idea and shaped it into awesome. Kevin Ian riffs an echo loop of Bm to A, I go all fingerstyle, Christian controls the heartbeat, and Josh holds everything together. Outro idea featuring Christian building on a drum pattern leading the charge. It’s my favorite on the album.

KIC: Perfect example of “less is more” with regards to changes and arrangement. The song speaks of a couple who are beyond mend. Their lives merely touch each other--they are no longer “one.”

12. Absent are We - "Resolve" (Sing the sorrow, then dance the night away. )

Kev2: Kevin Ian brought in a song but after several run thrus, we only keep the D to G outro. I come up with first half after hanging out near the coast in the rain too many times. Josh yells "keep going!!" during outro and has ideas that it should dissolve into everybody playing drums. Then we added some other things for the headphone listener!

KIC: This is my favorite song on the album for nothing else than the gall we had as a band to arrange it, record it, and release it. Josh took the reigns with regards to pushing us to keep playing the song even after we had thought we nothing left in us. He proceeded to grab an extra drum and started playing. From there, Kev2 started riffing on his keyboard and Christian started playing a very tribal-inspired beat. Each time we play the song, it’s different because we primarily looked at each other for cues--led mostly by Christian.

Whereas Josh comes from a more noise/punk/experimental background, Christian comes from a more classic rock/progressive background. Seeing these two people take an active part in arranging the song yielded masterful results.

Kev2’s adventurous spirit is something we cannot stop nor contain. He brought many noisemakers--conventional and unconventional--to the studio. The day we recorded this song, we had saxophones, radios, congas, extra toms, snares, violin bows and a ton of extra pedals ready to go. We had a basic idea in mind with Josh and Christian playing conductor from behind their instruments.

Most of what you hear is happening in real time. Aside from a few overdubs--primarily Josh and Christian playing saxophones (“What do we play?” “Just play” “When do we stop?” “When I say stop...heh!”, what you hear is Kev2, Josh and myself roaming the studio while Christian lays the foundation. The lyric al content of the song is the logic al conclusion of the album: hopelessness and  resentment that ends in a spiral of madness.
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Thanks

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