Empires of Shame with Frustration - An Interview

Enquanto o mundo se espanta com Idles, Shame e afins, o real punk/pós punk de guerrilha, o  verdadeiro, sobrevive ás margens desse oba oba, bem no centro do submundo dos bons sons.

Caso dos franceses do Frustration. Um enérgico, raivoso, cru e brutal encontro entre os cruciais, Wire, Fall e o anarco punk do Crisis.

Os caras não são novos, tampouco pegam carona nesse tal revival, pelo contrário, estão na estrada desde 2002, com uma discografia extensa e esperando para ser decifrada, apreciada e escuta em volume máximo.

"Empire of Shame" é o último trabalho efetivo, porém do já distante 2016, mas soa tão fresco e atual que poderia muito bem ter sido lançado, ontem, hoje ou amanhã.

Angústia, raiva entre outros sentimentos que usualmente precisam ser expurgados muitas vezes precisam de um antídoto e o Frustration é a fórmula perfeita.

***** Interview with Frustration *****

Q. When did Frustration begin? Tell us about the history...
The band started end of 2002. We already knew each other from a long time as we were all playing in several bands forming what we called The Happy Family at these times. Fabrice, the singer, wanted to start a post-punk cold wave band, influenced by all those english bands he loved when he was a teenager. It didn’t take long to find a guitarist, Nicus, a bass player, Manu, and a drummer, Mark. Fred came after a few rehearsals with his keyboards. Fabrice also found the name for the band while listening to the Crisis’ frustration song. Frustration has now a new bass player, Pat, and we are still five friends playing music together.

Q: Who are your influences?
Crisis of course. But also Warsaw and Joy Division, and Wire and Killing Joke. But also Death in June. And Eddy Current Suppression Ring. And we’ll certainly forget some. We could say Post-proto/arty/synth/street punk but not only. And we listen to a wide range of music from mambo to dark electro via rockabilly and krautrock.

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time…
Buzzcocks"Time's up"
Joy Division"Closer"
Ivy green"Ivy Green"
Skrewdriver"All skrewed up"
Crisis"Hymn of faith ».

Q. How do you feel playing live?
Sweaty and fucked up,after! Playing live is the quintessence of Frustration, it’s where it all came from. We deliver it raw with a lot of primal energy.

Q. How do you describe Fustration´s sounds?
Organic and pleasurable (we hope so !). It’s a mix between the post-punk Manchester like guitar sound and actual electronic music. It’s far beyond punk with its roots in it.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
Until then, we used to play the songs a lot live before recording them. When we thought we were ready (actually when we had enough for a LP), we booked a studio and then recorded the thing in 7 days. We recorded « live » except for some overdubbing and the vocals. For the next album, we worked in a more conventional way. We worked on the songs during rehearsals and then recorded them « live ». But this time, we still worked and changed a few things after while. We’ll see if it was the good recipe.

Q: Which new bands do you recommend?
Each and every band from the new australian scene (Total control, Constant montgrel, Uv races,etc…), Crack cloud, Minneapolis Uranium Club and Beak (but is it still a new band).

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of ?
Yours! Ahaha ! Covering is a difficult thing, there are plenty of songs we love that we are not able to cover. For example, we love Futureworld from the A Frames. We tried to make a cover of it but it didn’t work. But we made some good shit too, like Holocaust or Electric Heat from the Visitors.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A new single (with our cover of Electric Heat) released in february 2019 and a new album for this fall… And touring in Brazil of course !

Q: Any parting words?
When will you decide to make us play in Brazil!?!?!
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Thanks

https://www.facebook.com/Frustrationparis/
https://frustrationblind.bandcamp.com

Where Nobody Can Hear You Scream with Masquerade - An Interview

Para quando Junho e Julho chegarem, os seres da noite, notívagos e aficionados por dark wave, pós punk e gênero soturnos, terão a raríssima oportunidade de presenciar os finlandeses do Masquerade.

Desde 2013, Suzi Sabotage e sua gangue vem causando furor por onde passam. Dos Estados Unidos ao Japão, o pós punk cru, rasgado e cortante com óbvias referências a Siouxsie, X Mal, Lydia Lunch e outros tantos clássicos do punk e pós punk com temática dark.

Dois álbuns no currículo, "Ritual" de 2016 e"Where Nobody can Hear You Scream" do ano passado, seguem a mesma lógica, cozinha classicamente oitentista, guitarras idem e a presença fortíssima de Suzy a frente da massa sonora, densa, tensa e caótica.

Desde já anote em sua agenda, desmarque seus compromissos e prepare-se.

***** Interview with Masquerade *****

Q. When did Masquerade begin? Tell us about the history...
Masquerade began in late 2012, when we acquired our first solid lineup. In 2013 we played our first shows in Finland and Sweden, and had a national TV appearance, also our debut EP and music video came out that year. To date, we've released two EPs and two albums, six music videos, and performed in the U.S.A., Japan, Mexico, Russia, and all around Europe, as well as at Wave Gotik Treffen festival.

Q: Who are your influences?
There's a whole cluster of them! Siouxsie & the Banshees, obviously, X-Mal Deutschland, David Bowie, Nina Hagen, The Slits, Sex Pistols, Lydia Lunch, etc. Also we've drawn inspiration from such genres as classical, opera, psychedelic rock, chanson and cabaret.

Q. Make a list of 5 albums of all time…
These are in no particular order...
"13.13" from Lydia Lunch,
"Juju" from Siouxsie and the Banshees,
"Cut" from the Slits,
"Fetisch" from X-Mal Deutschland,
and "Fairytales of Slavery" by Miranda Sex Garden. Those are some of my personal favorites.

Q. How do you feel playing live?
In my element. I can unleash my savage, uninhibited passions - some people might think it's all just a show but that is my real self there, doing what I love. I have now, in 2019, performed in bands for a whole decade, and can't get enough of it.

Q. How do you describe Masquerade's sounds?
Tribal drums, a dissonant, screeching guitar, a growling bass, and theatrical vocals. A reviewer has recently described it as intense, and I think he was onto something there. It's more traditional, expressive post-punk than the toned down version of it that most contemporary bands deliver.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs?
We record all the instruments except vocals at a studio, my own part I record myself. Then we pre-mix it, and I do the final mix at home, Jacques mastering it. It's often a drawn-out process, we like to take our time. The previous album, "Where Nobody Can Hear You Scream" (released in November 2018) was sometimes such a torment to finish that I wanted to have an exorcism performed on it! But having complete control and all the reins in our hands is the only way to go for us, even if it means having a bit of a struggle, and I guess it adds to the intensity and tension of the end result.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
There's a very recent band from Finland called Agnosia, I'd advise you to check them out!

Q: Which band would you love to make a cover version of?
We actually performed our first ever cover song last summer in Japan, it was "The Man Who Sold the World" from David Bowie. Perhaps we will add more of those to our repertoire, who knows...

Q: What are your plans for the future?
Coming to Brazil, of course! In late June and early July we'll be having shows in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Decadance Festival that'll take place in Araras (São Paulo region). The details will be soon revealed on our website and Facebook.

Q: Any parting words?
We're very much looking forward to visit your country! We've heard that there is a huge following of goth and punk in Brazil, as well as many fans of ours, so we decided we have to play there. Vejo todos vocês em breve!
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Thanks

https://masquerade.fi
https://www.facebook.com/masqueradepunk/
https://masqueraded.bandcamp.com

Некуда идти with Vrazek - An Interview

Os russos retornam as páginas do TBTCI, agora representandos pelo raivoso e melancólico trio, Vrazek.

Um mix de post hardcore, pós punk e pitadas aqui e ali de algo que um dia foi chamado de shoegaze.

Tanto o novo single, "Некуда идти" como o debute "Пригород", são em sua essência um pós punk rápido, melódico e cru, sem a menor possibilidade de sutilezas.

Uma obscura banda que certamente vai permanecer obscura e circulando apenas no escuro limbo do submundo dos bons sons.

***** Interview with Vrazek *****

Q: When did Vrazek begin? Tell us about the history...
A: Vrazek roots lay down in post-black band. English lyrics, blastbeats, melodic guitars, but at one moment we decide to make new russian language project

Q: Who are your influences?
A: Main influences are genres like post-black, screamo, shoegaze and oldschool fast and raw post-punk. Anyway there are tons of ideas which I can include in my music that came from different bands. I think there is no bad genres at all, every single genre could be great and influental if musicians are talented enough.

Q: Make a list of 5 albums of all time…
A: It's so hard to choose but ok

The Killers - Hot Fuss
Amesoeurs - Amesoeurs
макулатура - Пляж
культура курения - некрофилия
Depeche Mode - 101

Q: How do you feel playing live?
A: Playing live = personal war

Q: How do you describe Vrazek´s sounds?
A: Robert Smith discovered screamo and joined Birds in Row

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs?
A: Recording sessions are probably one of the most boring process in music, they lead to total mental exhaustion (at least for me). Creating music is way more fun and interesting than polishing it to studio version

Q: Which new bands do you recommend?
A: Russian bands Колчак and Чёрная речка

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
A: I have an idea to make some cover EP with obscure 90's russian bands songs

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: Best plan is to have no any plans. Just do what you have to do and that's it. New album is about to release in febuary

Q: Any parting words?
A: Love your mom and make your gig slam
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Thanks

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

Shoku No Hakumei with Qujaku - An Interview

Psicodelismo pesado, metalizado e soturno vem de terras japonesas diretamente para as páginas do TBTCI.

O quarteto Qujaku depois de três singles chegam enfim ao primeiro disco, e um disco que definitivamente não é recomendado a qualquer audição. Situado sonoramente em uma tênue linha quase inexistente entre Kyuss, King Crimson, Swans (fase atual) e Velvet Underground, os caras cometeram um disco extremamente caótico dentro de um ambiente extremamente particular.

A começar pelos mais de dezenove minutos de "Shoku No Hakumei", umas das aberturas de um debute mais anti tudo de todos os tempos, o Qujaku já deixa explícito o que o ouvinte tem pela frente, e, caso você consiga passar pela devastação da abertura outros prazeres, como a dilacerante"Hadaka No Inochi", lhe aguardam no decorrer de quase uma hora e dez minutos de caos.

Não recomendado a hipsters festivos e indie kids.

***** Interview with Qujaku *****

Q. When did qujaku begin?Tell us about the history...
A. At first, Shuya and Hiromi met at the venue about 5 years ago, then they met Ryo. Shuya, Hiromi and Ryo had played with another guitarist for a year. Soushi started playing guitar as a member of Qujaku about 3 years ago. So Qujaku is 5 years old.

Q: Who are your influences?
A. We were influenced by a lot of artist. Shuya was the first reminded of The Velvet Underground. Especially Lou reed.

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time?
A.
White Light/White Heat
The Velvet Underground
屋根裏1979
Les Rallizes Dénudés
King Crimson

Q. How do you feel playing live?
A.I don’t feel anything. But I pray for love while playing.

Q. How do you describe qujaku?s sounds?
A. Well, Power and kindness?

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
A. We have made our songs by various ways, but almost our songs are made by our musical jam session. Sometimes Shuya makes the base of the songs, then we start composing our songs.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
A. When we had been touring Europe, we saw the live performance of the band called ‘Cattle‘ they are from Leeds, the UK. There were two drummers, one of them played the drum standing, so their sounds were massive and powerful. Amazing!!

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
A. I’m sorry, I don’t think that I want to make a cover version now, because I'm interested in making own product. If I must say, I would love to make a cover version of The Velvet Underground.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A.To be overwhelmed the world by our music. We need to make an effort for that, haha!!

Q: Any parting words? Thanks again and talk soon."
Thank you for discovering us!! We are glad to be given us this opportunity. We hope that we can meet you in the future.
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Thanks

http://www.qujaku.com
https://soundcloud.com/qujaku/
https://www.facebook.com/Qujaku/

I Can Tell with Death of Heather - An Interview

Os anos vão se passando e as referências e influências das novas gerações idem. Há tempos atrás, quando o assunto era shoegaze, facilmente era detectável tanto no discurso como sonoramente que o MBV, Slowdive entre outros eram os pais da criança, mas isso tem mudado drasticamente no decorrer dos anos.

A nova geração tem se apegado muito mais a expoentes mais modernos como Beach House, DIIV entre outros quando se toca no ponto influência/referência.

Caso dos tailandeses do Death of Heather. No meio do ano passado os caras soltaram suas primeiras demos, ainda soando de certa maneira crus, mas já com o indicador apontando a direção que tomariam, sendo concretizada plenamente com "I Can Tell", primeiro single oficial dos caras.

Dreampop em sua essência, bem distante do shoegaze noventista, aproximado muito mais com os modernos DIIV e Beach House do que propriamente com a escola Shields de fritações.

É amigos, novos tempos apontam para a desmistificação dos mitos, se isso é bom ou não, aguardaremos os desmembramentos.

***** Interview with Death of Heather *****

Q. When did Death of Heather begin? Tell us about the history...
1.) Death of Heather formed in 2017. Start from the solo project of Tay(Guitarist / singer) done the
recording at home studio. After finished a few song and that became the 1st EP. So Tay invited his friends from former band to recording and playing live show.. that's the beginning of us.

Q: Who are your influences?
2.) We take biggest influence from shoegaze and the band like Slowdive.

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time…
3.)
1. DIIV - Is the Is Are
2. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
3. Turnover - Peripheral Vision
4. Slowdive - Slowdive
5. Launder - Pink Cloud

Q. How do you feel playing live?
4.) We have no idea what gonna happen inbetween the show but it always awesome. At the first
show our singer get shocked. Sometimes we want to standing there and watch ourself played.

Q. How do you describe Death of Heather´s sounds?
5.) To describe our music has influence shoegaze and dream pop because we love it. So that’s why we're going to that way and we're thinking our song accessible for the people.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
6.) All the songs has recored at our guitarist’s home. So we can spend much time as we want. Since our first album (EP. Demo l) we were recording and mixing just in two days because we have a show for opening act for METZ band, they came over to Bangkok for the show. We recored it and made CDs for sell on event day. We don’t have much time so that’s why how the sound look like.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
7.) Launder

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
8.) Sonic Youth

Q: What are your plans for the future?
9.) We want to release the new album next year. And going on tour as much as possible.

Q: Any parting words?
10.) You can following us on Facebook/ IG, support us , and you can listen to our music on all
streaming services. Love xx
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Thanks

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

Maschinelles Lernen with Telephone Exchange - An Interview

"Maschinelles Lernen" é o debute do projeto mexicano, Telephone Exchange, capitaneado pelo arquiteto freak, Cesar Saldivar.

O cara simplesmente concebeu uma daquelas obras que não só precisam, como devem ser saboreadas inúmeras vezes, é basicamente impossível absorver todos os detalhes, que diga-se de passagem, são totalmente analógicos.

Sonoramente o Telephone Exchange criou um trabalho que sem exageros, pode ser rebento direto de obras como White Light White Heat, NEU!, Real Life, Trout Mask Replica, A Trip To Marineville, This Nation's Saving Grace entre outras, das quais todas possuem em comum um linear elo onde os experimentos e a predileção por ruídos são a temática central.

Uma obra a ser desvendada periodicamente. 

***** Interview with Telephone Exchange *****

Q. When did Telephone Exchange begin? Tell us about the history...
A: Telephone Exchange was born as a concept by mid 2015 I think. I came up with the idea of making an alternate project to Bleak Boys (the band I was in by then) where I could portray the sound of the different places I've been at a determinate time; very personal and autobiographical in a sense... The name Telephone Exchange was suitable for such a concept, but it all ended just right there. A few months later, already in 2016 and established in Mexico City, my band and I parted ways. I had previously recorded a track in my home studio back in Aguascalientes, and it was meant to be the band's next single. Since I recorded all the instruments for that track, I decided to release it as a "transitory" single to a new personal project, which well, it is now Telephone Exchange (You can listen to it here: https://telephoneexchange.bandcamp.com/album/proton-salad). The initial idea of making music from different places and moments disapeared, I just wanted to start over from scratch.

There were some problems to properly kick off this project, since all my recording gear was back in my hometown, and I lived in a very small flat and had nowhere to drop all that. It was not that bad at all, since it gave me plenty of time to work on some demos and ideas. About a year after, I moved to a larger flat (by 2017), and began bringing all my stuff to Mexico City. This is really when Telephone Exchange really kicked off, and I began recording a new album; mainly during weekends... Living in Mexico City is tough job wise, and recording an album in a home studio represents big problems in means of all the sound levels and neighbours complaining about it, so, I had to stick to a very tight schedule, that's the main reason why it took almost a year to be finished.

This musical project was initially meant to be a recording project only, but some friends, which are good musicians and actually involved in Mexico City's scene, suggested to try playing it live. We set up a few rehearsals and started sounding really good; very fat, and I like that; so we are now rehearsing a lot, and a live act shoulkd be ready by February.

Our debut album, Maschinelles Learnen released on January 5th, in Mexico via my own label "project", El Cochinero Records; and in the U.S. via Ongakubaka Records. The album is available in 12" vinyl too! 6 tracks, 45rpm, now shipping; we are so happy about that!

El Cochinero Records (MX) release (sleeve available in three colours)

Ongakubaka Records (US) release (beige vinyl)

Q: Who are your influences?
A: Specifically for this album, I'd say Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, Women, Electric Prunes, Neu! Captain Beefheart, The Fall, Lizzy Mercier Descloux (The first albums mainly), Kraftwerk, Magazine... Maybe not so obvious, bands like Metz, The Men, Swell Maps, Pissed Jeans, The Seeds...

Q. Make a list of 5 albums of all time…
A: Always a tough one... White Light / White Heat is deffo my number one... Not sure if Daydream Nation or Evol or Sister goes here... Marquee Moon, Women's Public Strain (Or maybe the first one?), and Soft Machine Vol.1,

Q. How do you feel playing live?
A: This is something I don't know yet, since we haven't played live yet, not with Telephone Exchange. During rehearsals I love it, since it's getting its own character, way fatter and more aggressive than the record itself. Also it tends to get a bit experimental, we love jamming and extending the songs. I think by February we will be ready for gigs, it will get very interesting!

Q. How do you describe Telephone Exchange´s sounds?
A: Raw... Unembellished and hazy soundscapes. Somehow rotten, but I think there's a lot of work due on this one.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
A: The whole album was recorded in analogue format using a 4 track cassette recorder. It was really interesting doing it that way, since, I recorded all the instruments, one by one, and many sync and track-bouncing tricks had to be implemented in order to work it out. It was all recorded at very high gain levels, in means of the microphones, and tape saturation. I love the way that sounds.

The drums were actually recorded not in Mexico City, but in my old home studio back in Aguascalientes. I did it this way since I can't play the drums in my flat, I would get kicked out of the building immediately... Then I brought all the recording gear to Mexico City, and carried on with the rest; guitars, keys, voice, overdubs... And mixing of course, which was the toughest stage of this project due to the limited number of tracks available.

The only digital processes involved where during the mastering stage.

The official album description should be this:

"Maschinelles Lernen is the debut album by Telephone Exchange. It tries to transpose the most obscure aspects of human workforce and professional practice into a machine - learning artifact, which is eventually able to discern between performing, thinking, and all the moral, ethical and ontological aspects around these actions. This object of study is eventually transformed into an electronic kind of animal, doomed to respond to induced stimuli within a glazed stall. Maschinelles Lernen is the result of a three - year field trip working at architecture offices, living a corporate life."

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
A: I haven't been too much into "new bands" really, but I'd say B Boys, Did You Die, HMLTD is bizarre... Palm is fantastic, Moaning, Omni, Idles is brutal, Wand... Though this isn't really, really, "new" stuff at all.

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
A: Roy Orbison, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Howlin' Wolf, Captain Beefheart.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: Lose weight, do excercise, cut down the cigarettes and the drinks, work out the band, play a few gigs in Mexico City, and also set up a short tour around the country with fellow bands and friends. It would be wonderful to set up some gigs in the States too, hopefully this year. Also, start working on new music, but now as a band.

Q: Any parting words?
A: Our album is out now and on all streaming plattforms. You can get your own 12" copy of Maschinelles Lernen here: https://bit.ly/2AMiA7c (MX) and here: https://bit.ly/2KCEJtg (US).

Say no to tablets.
C Saldivar
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Thanks

https://telephoneexchange.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/telephoneexchangemusic/

Cut​-​Up with Metro Verlaine - An Interview

Os franceses do Metro Verlaine em seu debute, "Cut-Up", soam pra lá de extremamente cool.

Sofisticados, raivosos e melancólicos em doses bem equalizadas, soam próximos de um pós punk agressivo com um detalhe fundamental, a vocalista Raphaëlle Fromage dá um toque todo especial com seu sotaque afrancesado, algo como se Françoise Hardy fosse vocalista do P.I.L., ou se Siouxsie e Alison Mosshart tivessem uma rebenta.

Uma fúria dosada paira sob todas as dez canções de "Cut-Up", evocando ícones diversos do pós punk clássico britânico.

Um verdadeiro discaço do início ao fim, e ao vivo, deve ser ainda mais intenso.

***** Interview with Metro Verlaine *****

Q. When did Metro Verlaine begin? Tell us about the history...
1 Metro Verlaine was born in 2013 after a road trip in London. I (Axel / Guitarist and songwriter ) was there to feel the heart of pop rock music and when I came back to France, I met Raphaëlle ( singer ) and we have formed the band a few weekend after. We have made a lot of wild gigs, recording demos before to find a drummer (Joe) and record our first EP Manchester with him. Few months after Romain ( basse ) has joined the band and we have recorded our first album "Cut-Up" with Charles Rowell from Crocodiles band ! And we are now on tour to play this album released on march 2018 !

Q: Who are your influences?
2 We are really big fans of post punk and English pop bands. The Cure , Joy Division , PIL … We are also influenced by indie rock band as The Kills or Velvet Underground, American literature ( Beat Generation writers ) and French Pop Music with Françoise Hardy or Daniel Darc.

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time…
3 The Cure - Seventeen Seconds
Jesus and Mary Chain - PsychoCandy
Echo and The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain
Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures
Public Image - Metal Box

Q. How do you feel playing live?
4 Our album is melancholic because we want to share special feeling to the people who listen it at their home. But on stage we want to release our fury , our energy. We think that each concert could be the last so we try to burn all our soul and body on stage …

Q. How do you describe Metro Verlaine´s sounds?
5 Our sound is really between "English" sound and French touch… Hard to describe , easier to feel it when you listen our songs… We are from Normandy and England is not so far , so maybe that’s why we are so influenced by all these fantastic bands from Albion… But we really don’t want to copy anybody or to be a cliché of a rock style ( Post punk / Cold Wave etc ) that’s why I think we’ve got a particular sound...

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
6 We work a lot before to come in the studio to record songs. But when everything is in the box , we always want to work on it , and we try a lot of stuff to arrange it. Sometimes it’s cool and sometimes we don’t need anything else except the first tape of the song. We really love studio, it’s a creative step for a band. Really different as playing live.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
7 I was in London in June and I saw a fantastic band called Fontaines DC. Really raw and class ! In France we love bands as Frustration , Marietta , Liminanas or Grand Blanc. They are all very different but they are all really cool.

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
8 The Killing Moon . Echo and the Bunnymen could be a great cover. Sometimes we play Atmosphere - Joy Division or Grinding Halt - The Cure in live but maybe we should try an Echo and the Bunnymen Cover…

Q: What are your plans for the future?
9 We have released a new single "Velours Noir » with a video clip in November. We ‘ve got few gigs until the end of the winter ( Paris - Le point FMR - January 23 th ) and now are working on a new album. I hope we will have big tours next years , why not come to play shows in Brazil…
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Thanks

https://www.facebook.com/MetroVerlaine/
https://metroverlaine.bandcamp.com/releases

Famous World with Spesh - An Interview

Em uma espécie de dream pop retro chic, o quarteto de Seattle, Spesh chamou atenção de inúmeras publicações e rádios especializadas no submundo dos bons sons, como exemplo KEPX.

Navegando por entre as extravagâncias de ícones dos 80´s como Morrissey, Robert Smith e Richard Butler, passando por toques de madchester e britpop noventista os caras cometeram em seu debute, o pegajoso, "Famous World" uma sadia e prazerosa viagem por entre ensolaradas ambientações do universo indie pop, sem soarem piegas ou chiche, apesar de soarem absolutamente nostálgicos. 

Abrace o Spesh neste verão abrasivo do lado de cá do hemisfério ou se você estiver na parte gélida, aquece os tímpanos, o resultado é basicamente o mesmo, pura diversão.

***** Interview with Spesh *****

Q. When did Spesh begin? Tell us about the history...
We began all playing together as Spesh in 2017. Me (Michael) and Sergio started Spesh when our old band broke up.

Q: Who are your influences?
Julio Cortazar, The Byrds, Daniel Day Lewis, Rosa Parks, 808 state, Jake the Dog and Finn the Human, Princess Bubblegum

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time…
Utd. State 90 - 808 State,
Tusk - Fleetwood Mac,
Music for Airports - Brian Eno,
Songs of Leonard Cohen - Leonard Cohen,
Ray of Light - Madonna

Q. How do you feel playing live?
Pretty and Sweaty

Q. How do you describe Spesh´s sounds?
Heaven or Las Vegas; taffy swirls; thick milk; froth on a daydream

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
First it must be very cold outside. Then we start with drums and bass and go from there. We drink Coca-Cola to stay jittering. We let the rest pour out of us with faith and devotion and, sometimes, a faintness.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
Tacocat, Dyed, Red Ribbon, Knife Knights..... All our Seattle friends!

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
I dunno! Maybe that song Laid by James hahahah

Q: What are your plans for the future?
We are going to make another record in January! Then tour!

Q: Any parting words?
Words are for brutes; time won't protect you.
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Thanks

https://speshmusic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/spesh.band/

Thousand Things with Happy Nothing - An Interview

Lembro que alguém me marcou em uma publicação no Facebook no final do ano passado, quando "Your Fate", faixa de abertura do primeiro EP do até então completamente misterioso combo de Lawrence no Kansas, Happy Nothing, anunciava a chegada do trabalho homônimo....e a mágica novamente aconteceu....

Audições ininterruptas da canção que estranhamente remete coisas tão díspares, quanto Simple Minds ou Fiction Factory, passando por Mighty Lemon Drops entre muitas outras referências.

O ano acabou e a obra completa nasceu na última sexta feira, e, as demais faixas são tão belas e melancólicas quanto "Your Fate", destaque para a espetacular "Style", épica e eloquente, com as guitarras quase que dilacerando a pele.

Simplesmente, os desconhecidos do Happy Nothing, cometeram uma das primeiras pequenas preciosidades do início deste 2019.

***** Interview with Happy Nothing *****

Q. When did Happy Nothing begin? Tell us about the history...
Group of musicians that have played and toured in other bands for years that decided to play together. Pretty standard and uninteresting..

Q: Who are your influences?
Influence changes daily, really. We're all love music and making it, but I think late 80's early 90's college rock was our jumping off point.

Q. Make a list of 5 albuns of all time…
impossible question but I like these five albums a lot.
Television - Marquee Moon
The Cure - Pornography
Pavement - Slanted & Enchanted
Talking Heads - Naked
Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowed West

Q. How do you feel playing live?
Enjoy it, but much prefer writing and recording.

Q. How do you describe Happy Nothing´s sounds?
in our imaginations the Pixies playing the Cure.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
We write a ton of songs and once in a while we find one worth recording. We record everything ourselves. So the writing and recording process is all sort of seamless. Our bass player's house is pretty much a recording studio with a bedroom. Mostly just trying to be good at self-editing.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
I'm enjoying Miranda Winters.

Q: Which band would you love to make a cover version of?
Country Teasers - Thank God for Making Me an Angel

Q: What are your plans for the future?
None, just taking it day by day.

Q: Any parting words?
Don't let the bedbugs bite.
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Thanks

https://happynothing.bandcamp.com

Nos idées fantômes with Murmure - An Interview

O submundo dos bons sons realmente contém mistérios intermináveis, quando se pensa que estamos atualizados ou sintonizados com o que acontece, algo novo, ou nem tão novo assim aparece e a sedução, a magia acaba acontecendo novamente.

E aconteceu novamente com o TBTCI, desta vez os culpados foram os canadenses do Murmure. Com uma discografia repleta de singles e EPs, sem contar em seu homônimo e, diga-se de passagem, belíssimo debute, os caras chegaram ao meu conhecimento tardiamente através de contatos imediatos via redes sociais. Muitos reclamam desta ferramentas, mas ao meu entender, sabendo usufruir é possível adentrar a mundos fascinantes, e conhecer pessoas idem.

Voltemos ao Murmure, e seu nome trabalho, o viciante, "Nos idées fantômes", lançado em Junho do ano passado e que tem se tornado companheiro de inúmeros momentos.

Por vezes sônico, em outras, cintilante, o Murmure soube dosar linearmente duas vertentes unificando o belo ao estridente, o barulho a ternura, envolvendo corpo e mente como deve ser feito.

Fritações cintilantes seduzindo tímpanos, assim é o Murmure.

***** Interview with Murmure *****

Q. When did Murmure begin? Tell us about the history...
Well our first songs were written early 2000s. They were very basic acoustic demos... We put them on the shelf for a while and ventured to others things. I had a number of bands after that. So my energy were mostly for those other musical projects. It was not until 2013 that we committed to Murmure. We dug up these old acoustic demos and reworked them, but this time they were more piano/ambient driven with slow tempo, atmospheric guitars drowned in reverb. Since then our songs became more guitar focused with a lot more distortion. Our influences naturally resurfaced with time.

Q: Who are your influences?
We have so many influences, it's very difficult to pin point them all. I guess it depends on the song too. I remember writing "L'imaginaire #6 (La résignation)" and thinking... this riff reminds me of an old Smashing Pumpkins song (Gish area)...But basically influences comes from everywhere, Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, Eric's Trip, Cocteau Twins, Crackerbash, Cavein...

Q. Make a list of 5 albums of all time…
This is a very difficult question to answer... It changes constantly. I won't name Joy Division, My Bloody Valentine, Jesus and the Mary Chains because its pretty obvious right?! We all know they did amazing groundbreaking albums.

- Harmonium - L'heptade (Rachel's all time favorite album)
- The Cure - Disintegration
- Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation
- Cavein - Until Your Heart Stops
- Brian Eno Ambient 1: Music for Airports

Q. How do you feel playing live?
We love playing live!! We would love to do more gigs in 2019.

Q. How do you describe Murmure´s sounds?
I guess in a few words... Layered, textured and lots of reverb and delay... All that in French.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
It usually starts with a drum groove I hear in my head... After that its guitars, guitars, bass and more guitars... So many different guitar tones are stack on top of each other.. I don't do the "reamping technic" though. (Reamping is using a recorded DI signal to send through different amps)
For example, I'll play each guitar tracks separately. I find it really makes a big different for what we do. It thickens the guitars.  For vocals, we usually do 3 tracks for the lead and pan them with one main centered with a good amount of compression and reverb.

I try to find the right sound for every song (sonically)... When I'm close to something interesting.. Rachel's going to lay down some basic vocal tracks (guides) for the verses and choruses. After that, I start producing and arranging the song... finding an interesting direction... When I'm completely done.. We redo basically everything from scratch with the right equipment...

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
It's difficult to keep up with new bands... They keep popping out every day... But here in Montreal we have tons of awesome bands... Recently i've been really into Bleu Nuit, Heathers, Victime, Corridor, Calomine, The City Gates. Some of my favorite release this year have been from The City Gates (CA), Jet Black (CA), Bleu Nuit (CA), Slow Crush (UK), Nothing (US).

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
We are currently working on a The Nightblooms cover. So maybe a cover from Cocteau Twins would be fun.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
Early next year we will be releasing a new EP, a few songs have been written which 2 are almost done. Like I said, we're also working on a Nightblooms cover for a different project which will be soon available.

Q: Any parting words?
Don't stop supporting your local bands, go see them live, buy their merch, share them on your social medias, help them on spreading the words. It makes a huge difference!!! Cheers
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Thanks

https://www.facebook.com/mvrmvre/
https://mrmre.bandcamp.com

Flower Vision, "Voodoos of Ambition" - Track by Track

Elegância em formato lo fi, contemplando sonhos e outros delírios, mais ou menos assim flui o projeto britânico Flower Vision.

O debute nasceu em Maio deste ano, "Voodoos of Ambition", tem em suas cinco canções os dois substantivos do título, Voodoo e Ambição, caminhando ambos estreitamente unificados.

Constantine o cara por trás do Flower Vision expõe suavemente seus devaneios, solidão, isolamento, mas, um tracejo de luz vai aparecendo docemente em vários momentos. Para entender melhor o próprio Constantine, a pedido do TBTCI, revela agora todos os segredos de "Voodoos of Ambition".

Reserve o Flower Vision para seus momentos solitários....um trabalho melancolicamente bucólico e belo.

***** Flower Vision, "Voodoos of Ambition" - Track by Track *****

‘’Voodoos of Ambition’’ was clearly a vanity thing for me. I literally sat down with an audio interface I had since I was a university student, and a very cheap pair of headphones, and just recorded the whole thing within about three months. I’m not gonna bother you with the technical stuff, because I will also get bored. I released the lot, I think in March, digitally, but listening back to them, I am still in love with these melodies, and decided to release them on CD. I grew up listening to cassettes too, as well as vinyl records for the last 4-5 years, however, my fondest musical memories where always around this shiny round thingy we call Compact Disk. So it only felt natural for me to release it on this format. Anyway… - Constantine Chatziviltsos

Give It Up
Most people tell me this is the one the like the most, and I think this is the reason why it’s the first track on the EP. It’s quite catchy in my opinion, and holds enough emotion. However, this is an old song, which I could never place in any of the other bands I was playing in the past. I think it’s quite personal for me, and I am happy it’s finally out.

Love is God for Broken Dreamers
I really love this song’s vibes. The vocals might not be perfect (not just on this one, but whatever…), but I just fucking love this solo. It’s worth the listen just for this solo, man!

Cellophane
This was the first track I recorded for this EP, and I think it deserved a place in there. It’s a moody one, but has a very happy twist at the end, if you pay attention to the lyrics, and always makes me think of my happy place, just after the first half of the song…

Dearest Friend of All Now This is the dearest song of all (see what I did there?) on the EP. By far my favourite! I’ve had the main riff in my head for a while, and was struggling to finish it, but I think I did it justice. It sounds even better live!! The bit where it goes ‘’t-t-t-teasing you’’ always get me, man!

Bare on the Sea
This is the little brother of ‘’Give It Up’’ in my head. Not in terms of melody and music, but in terms of sentimental baggage. I very often write autobiographically, and I mean, why shouldn’t I, and these two are going hand in hand. I kinda love the shabby vocals on this one, because is a very sad song, in my opinion… The EP as a whole has very a melancholic sentiment to it, and it’s quite fitting as a closer, is it not? Remember to support the artists you love! Thank you Renato for all your support!
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Thanks

https://www.facebook.com/flow3rvision
https://flowervision.bandcamp.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ3yX6E8OFicP-OWjO9wLgA
https://soundcloud.com/flowervision
https://www.instagram.com/fl0wervision/

Break My Doubts with Enemy of Soviets - An Interview

Iniciando as atividades realmente neste novo ano, o TBTCI introduz os russos Enemy of Soviets e  seu cartão de visitas, cinzento e soturno"Break My Doubts".

O debute dos caras, depois de alguns singles, define geograficamente e perfeitamente, quão gélido e denso é o habitat dos caras, Ecaterimburgo, localiza-se na porção oriental dos montes Urais, sendo o principal centro industrial da cidade.

Sonoramente, evocam fantasmas de Interpol, aos montes, e obviamente trazem consigo as conexões óbvias de Curtis e outros (anti) heróis.

Urbano, gélido e sufocante, ou, a trilha sonora ideal para as megalópoles claustrofóbicas em que habitamos.

***** Interview with Enemy of Soviets *****

Q: When did Enemy of Soviets begin? Tell us about the history...
We decided to create a band back in 2012. And it happened because all my life I was sure that I have to write and play music, otherwise it just cannot be. I convinced my friend that we have to create a band! At first we were called The Steering Wheel and played in different styles, tried what suits us better. Played different - from blues to punk. As a result, we understand that post-punk suits us perfectly. This music was perfect for expressing our feelings and thoughts. In 2016, we released an EP, and after a while we renamed ourselves Enemy of Soviets, started working on our first album, which you can now hear.

Q: Who are your influences?
It's hard to say what kind of music influenced us the most, we admire many musicians. But if think about it, we choose Interpol.

Q. Make a list of 5 albums of all time…
1. The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
2. Blur - 13
3. Interpol - Interpol
4. Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures
5. The Doors - The Doors

Q. How do you feel playing live?
We have not played for a long time. Since we work in a regular job, we didn't have time to perform during the recording of the album! In any case, it's cool to perform, especially if the audience is suitable.

Q. How do you describe Enemy of Soviets sounds?
Dirty, congested, "tape" sound, but without fanaticism, all should be balance. On our album Break my doubts we tried to reflect that. In a sense, we are tired of listening to the sleek, plastic sounds of many other contemporary bands. I think we wanted our sound to be more alive and we did it.

Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
We really wanted all our songs to sound as sincere as possible. And so it is, we gave our best. Sometimes, to sing sincerely, you need to relive all these feelings, about which are written songs. And, yes, sometimes I'd get myself into terrible mental condition. Not having a lot of money for studio recording, mixing and mastering-engineers, we did everything ourselves. We went through many difficulties, constantly moved from place to place. We have our own recording equipment, so we can safely say that we have our own mobile studio. I also want to say thank you to our friend Vitaly, some parts were recorded in his studio.

Q. Which new bands do you recommend?
Mere Women from Australia. That sounds awesome! Lea Porcelain - they have a great future.

Q: Which band would you love to made a cover version of?
We don't really like covers, but it would be cool to try a post-punk cover on The Beatles!

Q: What are your plans for the future?
We really want to perform and work on new songs. Maybe in the spring you will hear our new songs. We would like to perform in different countries! Now we have a third member in the band, we are rehearsing and will soon be performing in support of our album. So far, alas, only in Russia.

Q: Any parting words?
Never give up and listen to damn good music! Thanks!
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Thanks

https://enemy-of-soviets.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/enemyofsoviets/

... And The Winners Are... The Best of 2018

Começando as atividades neste novo ano aqui no TBTCI, é hora de sepultarmos definitivamente 2018 mas celebrando o que de melhor aconteceu sonoramente no submundo dos bons sons, obviamente de acordo com os tímpanos, alma e mente deste que vos escreve.

Então, ..."The Winners Are"....

***** The Best of 2018 *****

1. A Place To Bury Strangers - Pinned

*****

2. Superchunk - What A Time To Be Alive

*****

 

3. Air Formation - Near Miss

*****



4. Nothing - Dance on the Blacktop

*****



5. Soft Science - Maps

*****



6. Echodrone - Past, Preset and Future

*****



7. The City Gates - Forever Orbiter

*****



8. Spiritualized - And Nothing Hurt

*****



9. Echolust - Loomer

*****



10. Kraus - Path

*****



11. Did You Die - Royal Unicorn

*****



12. Frankie Teardrop Dead - All You Need Is Love And Fucking Peace

*****



13. The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Something Else

*****



14. The Silence Kit - Fall Protection

*****



15. The Daysleepers - Creation

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bye bye 2018!!!!