Now that we're knees deep into September, there is a lot of chatter about Fest. Buying Tickets. Booking Hotels. Possibility of House Shows. Everyone's all about it. Especially, taking days off work for it... my favorite part.
I have never gone to Fest but what I've heard is that is exhausting, uncomfortably hot and crowded, but the most fun you'll have all year. I'm pretty siked about attending Fest 9 in Gainesville, Fl.
My internet has been down for a week and... I'm still alive. But in all honesty, my ipod is boring the hell out of me. It's been deprived of good local music for too long. So, I just downloaded Kite Party's free EP from their bandcamp and you should too. Kite Party's another indie PA band that'll catch your ears. I wasn't sure if I liked them the first time I listened... but they're a keeper for sure. They sound like... a subdued version of Junior Astronomers... but of course no one is like JA! I'd only be lying to you if I said that... Enjoy.
Until this summer, I never noticed the trend of bands promoting free downloads of their EPs and even full length albums. Yeah well, if you enjoyed my last post go to A Great Big Pile of Leaves' myspace. In the left column you will find two links to download both of their EPs... free of charge. This band has replaced Tigers Jaw in my rotation the last two days. Give them a listen and let me know which band you like best.
It's about that time when I upload a playlist of my current rotation, but there's a problem. The past month or so, my rotation has been almost non-existent. I've been listening to Tigers Jaw non-stop... and when I get sick of them I listen to Title Fight for the longest... when I need a break from Title Fight I return to Tigers Jaw... and the cycle continues.
For someone who loves finding new music, you could say I'm stuck on those two bands. They're so good, though! Definitely the only two bands who fit my mood(s) the past one or two months.
Tigers Jaw is an indie band from Scranton, PA... home of The Dunder Mifflin paper company (I couldn't resist it, sorry!). If you are fond of Saves The Day, The Get Up Kids, or Lemuria, you will appreciate their music. You might agree that one of the vocalists sound similar to Chris Conley from Saves The Day. And Tiger Jaw's other vocalist sounds a lot like Lemuria's drummer/vocalist, Alex Kerns. I recommend listening to their self-titled album, 'Tigers Jaw.' As well as their latest album... Balance and Composure/Tigers Jaw split. Their overall sound has a satisfying balance between emo and indie. And their lyrics are symbolic, relatable and catchy. They're hitting the road with Man Overboard this summer... I'd love to see them get their name out there!
And Title Fight? Ohhh, Title Fight... I'm having a love affair with this band! I've been listening to them since Rad Fest and I can't stop playing them in my car. The majority of their songs on 'The Last Thing You Forget' album are very energetic but not so happy-go-lucky. "Why not tie a noose around my neck? I'm sure it'd be much more subtle than everything that you said." Title Fight is also from Pennsylvania--Kingston, to be exact. I'm almost positive these guys are all younger than me but I give them a lot of props. They've developed their own unique sound, making them stand apart from bands in their own genre. Earlier this year they were in Europe with Polar Bear Club and Shook Ones. And in the fall they are going overseas again, headed to Japan! Have a safe trip guys.
I only found one decent recording of Tigers Jaw... so I uploaded three from my own computer because I'm awesome like that! Enjoy.
Earlier this week, The Wonder Years hinted they had a big announcement to make... they kept quiet until today. If your first assumption is they're going on a hiatus or breaking up... well. You are very wrong. Actually it's the opposite: The Wonder Years have signed to Hopeless Records. The contract is complete, so it's most definitely official!
Growing up, I always had mixed feelings when a band got signed to a big label. I'm sure it's out of pure selfishness of wanting them to stay obscure... as well as the fear of the band no longer upholding the DIY aspect of punk and indie rock. But I'm beginning to grow out of that mind set. Any band that works hard and tours as much as TWY deserves to be signed to a reputable label. Fortunately for them, Hopeless Records signs a modest number of bands at a time. This means that the label picks the very best musicians and has plenty of time, resources, and energy to devote to their bands in order to give them the best quality of publicity and promotions--which they deserve.
The signing of TWY is not surprising since they were recently on tour in Australia. Any band who has a large fan base in other countries just blows me away. That's when you truly know you've made it big. Your paycheck or car may not show it... but once you influence people around the world... Well, that's kinda a big deal. Don'tcha think? So, congrats to The Wonder Years. Sounds like 2010 is going to be a good year for them.
Just in... literally, in my email inbox. Junior Astronomers have finished recording their EP with Kris from Solo Sound Studio at Legitimate Business in Greensboro, NC. I won't get upset if you haven't heard of them... You could think of them as one of Charlotte's many prized secrets... or at least I do. Junior Astronomers fit in the "indie" genre but have a raw, upbeat flair. Their music is a breath of fresh air and their lyrics are metaphorical... they stand apart from any band you've heard, I'm sure! Today, I'm actually hooking you up with their EP before even listening to it. This band always receives good remarks so I do not see how this EP could be any different.
Whoa whoa whoaaah. I almost forgot! I almost forgot to distribute the goods! Check out JA recording their EP in this quirky video. And here's the free download as promised. JA are awesome guys on stage and as human beings. Show them love on myspace and of course, facebook! Jam out.
Not attending Rad Fest due to money is understandable because travel expenses, tickets, and food will eat away at your wallet. Not attending Rad Fest because you're unfamiliar with most of the bands is, well... unacceptable. It is illogical to think you need to familiarize yourself with each bands' myspace to have a good time because you naturally walk in and out of venues while waiting for your favorite bands to play. Doing so, I made new friends and discovered new bands.
