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The Midnight Faces of Sergio Flores

Felipe — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 15:47:37 +0000

Slide in to your Monday with these appropriately easy to listen to tracks with enough sexy sax to boost your spirits (granted, they could always use a little more sax, but I’ll take it. Did I listen to “Careless Whisper” on repeat afterwards? Maybe I did, so what? That’s the sexiest sax. Did I google funny Sergio Flores Sexy Sax Man videos after that? Signs point to probably). Midnight Faces is a Los Angeles-based synthpop+rock band by way of Grand Rapids with a new album out last fall called “Heavenly Bodies.” The album seems to be Monday morning appropriate: not too intense, got its ups and downs, easy tempos to settle you down after a raucous and sardine can-like subway ride to work. Is it an album you’re gonna crave to listen to when you get home, no, most likely not. Not me at least. But would I put it on shuffle in the background while idly working, doodling, or cooking? Ya, I would / I currently am. Would you put it on while nighttime driving, preferably with the windows down? Most certainly, it’s a very LA album.

Well, Feli Says he’s back, with hopefully less hiatuses to come. Here’s two sexy sax tracks off of Midnight Faces’ “Heavenly Bodies”, and an extra dose of “Careless Whisper” for good measure.

Leach; Leap-Year Legend: Millennial Spirituals

Gaby — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 00:34:46 +0000

Leach; verb
(soluble chemical or mineral) drained away from soil, ash, or similar material by the action of percolating liquid, especially rainwater.

… percolate; verb – gerund to be precise.
1. [Liquid or gas] filter gradually through a porous surface or substance.
2. [Of Coffee] be prepared in a percolator…

Let’s get this straight, a musician who [claims] the fruit of their labor embodies the essence of distilled rainwater in its purest form. Nothing sounds more refreshingly soothing; my thoughts exactly while listening to “What I do.” Luscious vocals lull us on a cloud of choral-soulful-electro/synth-chill-folk-alt ~ just fabulousness. I haven’t heard the organ included in any releases of late; brava, Leach. The variety of instruments, vocal styles, attention to detail, and ultimately raw talent demonstrate an artist ensnared in the vastness of musical possibility. I predict a non-conformist, Sherlock; Millennial Spirituals.

Put it to the test, imagine, your version of crystalline leach –

Millennial Spirituals was released March 15, 2016

female vocals on tracks 2, 5, and 6 – Alyssa Frost
electric guitar on track 3 – Richard Carpenter
drums & percussion on track 5 – Bobak Loftipour
drums & percussion on track 7 – Jeff Taylor
mastering – Mark Chalecki

Seramic ~ “Waiting”

Gaby — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 21:54:18 +0000

Wait no longer; Hot off the press!

Est. London, UK

How is your 2016 going? I heard today that 20% of the year is over… leaving 80% for [some] sensible decisions about: “health,” work, lo0o0o0ove, politics, and if there’s time, you! Besides successfully cooking unburned chili and finishing 1 book with my students (!! screaming internally !!) … not much for me. Enough about me, let’s talk about you – but first, from the pit of darkness – a slap of soul sparks my sedentary thoughts back to sense; not to mention, fierce undertones of funk free your bones to moo0ve. Finally, shall we?

I’m impressed and excited by Seramic’s sound. They first released “People Say” on New Year’s Day (or Dec. 30th whichever is more badass). More recently, 11 days ago to be precise, they’ve graced our cochlea with a groovier approach; a unique sound in our era of synthemaxiwaawaaaa..what kind of pedals? Which brings me to my focal point: “Waiting.” Listen as you read, this London-based group is both mystical in physicality as they are in talent – show yourself! You can find Seramic at a few upcoming underground/bridge festivals I may or may not have frequented in my London life, but to preserve the sanctity of London’s vibrant speakeasy scene, I’ll stop myself there.

Despite the fact an 1/8th of the year is complete, it still feels like just the beginning, and what a way to kickoff 2016, Seramic. Bon a petit, New York.

Gabriela’s 2015 Funkouement

Gaby — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 21:23:07 +0000

I remember the precise moment I sold my soul to the music devil; South by Southwest, ATX. The very own Most Definitely’s Stoli infused afternoon at The Yard. Before that my unexposed dreams twinkled in classical piano, A Capella’d harmonies, and celestial music festivals. Needless to say, this year had me hooked. My fellow writers and cousins have inspired my search for musical talent. Oh, and I finally got that electric guitar, oww. I bid you adieu Beelzebub’s year. A brief confessional precedes my list; in the words of our most mystical Calypso, “My intentions are honest ones, and my heart is not made of iron…”

Maybe I should blame my fiery zodiac, or just admit… Sharing this list exposes the soundtrack of my year thus far, a personal and utterly biased list. I can’t speak for you, but, if you take a gander you might just find yourself learning moves you’d never dreamed feasible (or flexible enough for). Two quick confessions and then we’ll commence musically, I promise. As a small town high school English teacher, the music industry is comparable to Dante’s second ring of hell, a daunting fiery pit of passion, authenticity, and soul; a niche I am gingerly stepping into through wonderful role models and musical talents. Finally, my draw to the music is through my synesthesthetic (new word?) viewpoint. I see the notes morph through spools of color across my lids, they roll, bubble, pour, through my veins. It’s a direct reaction to the art and dedication of the artists. Alas, enjoy. Make space to dance, lay, and free your body from our daily mundanities.

Here’s a Soundcloud version of the playlist, with a few added bonuses not found on Spotify:

Cheers, 2015.

Chairlift-Romeo

Ashley — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 15:30:22 +0000

At long last, Brooklyn synth-pop duo Chairlift is about ready to gift us with a new album in the form of Moth (due out January 22, 2016 via Columbia). Though it’s been almost four long years since their last album Something, the band has recently released two singles from their forthcoming album, the latest of which is “Romeo.”

The song is supposedly written from the perspective of the Greek mythological character, Atalanta. The myth says that since Atalanta was a proud single lady who was more interested in hunting and being in the wilderness than settling down, that she would only marry a suitor who could out run her, and those that could not were killed.

HAHAHA…and you guys thought dating in 2015 was rough. Sheesh.

The frenetic opening of the song is sure to get you pumped up to start your daily (ok, weekly/bi-monthly/post-new years) workout routine. Go ahead and add it to whatever workout mix you’ve curated on Spotify, and be prepared for an all out sprint on the treadmill. If your motivation is lacking pretend the lyrics to the song are the truth, and if you don’t run your hardest you’ll end up betrothed to a 5-hour Energy guzzling stranger who cheated his/her way into your heart.

Check out “Romeo” below, as well as their first single from Moth, “Ch-Ching.”

Marion Hill – O she definitely “Got It”

Gaby — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 23:25:43 +0000

The recently released EP by the breathtaking, Philadelphia-based Marion Hill, brings a new edge to her sweet debut circa 2013. This sultry siren appeals to a wide audience by integrating elements of Moulin Rouge burlesque and soulful vocals over ambient electronics and jazz forte. Her risk-taking and command of musical identity speaks honestly, her confidence articulates a message of complete and utter dominance. Hill puts vixen to tune in her new single “Got It.” Not to mention, her talented featured artist Steve Davit infuses her work with timeless bravado.

Check out her new album Sway; also, she’s touring, you ought-a check her out.

HOLYCHILD – Money All Around

Felipe — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:56:16 +0000

LA-band HOLYCHILD call themselves “brat pop” – but also refer to themselves as “if Katy Perry, Andy Warhol, and Robyn had a menage-a-tryst and out popped a perfect pop baby for adults only.” Sounds a little pedophile-ish but whatever, I can flex with it. They were offered a 25K radio deal if they changed their sound to be “Icona Pop meets Daft Punk”, but they said “no way Jose! we’re not changin’ for the man!” Just by chance “Jose” was the name of their manager at the time. So they fired him and pushed forward. Hopefully they’re not still broke… but their tracks are rackin’ up clicks, so I think they’ll be ok!

What would Feli Say? #wwfs

Elohim – She Talks Too Much

Felipe — Wed, 27 May 2015 14:00:05 +0000

LA-synthpop newbie Elohim is out with her first single “She Talks Too Much” (which means “God” in Hebrew – but you already knew that. Cuz ur smart. I mean, you read my posts, don’t you? Don’t you!?) I for one love reading myself talk, but that’s why I have a music blog, so it’s totally allowed, and therefore not “too” anything. But everyone else who talks too much, especially in person = super annoying. Elohim just pumped this track out to the interwebs and it seems people are snatching at it with the same enthusiasm and vigor of a millennial having their first Hamptons summer weekend by blowing an entire paycheck impressing some chick at Surf Lodge only for her to go home with that older guy in her share house who’s like, “still doing this,” bc, like, FOMO-YOLO, or whatever.

Summer is upon us. Rejoice! Then start sweating on the subway platform

Feli Says Listen to the below!

Alison Wonderland – rabbit hole double dose

Felipe — Thu, 07 May 2015 22:11:38 +0000

Alison Wonderland graduated from being a classically trained cellist to her current role as DJ/producer. The Sydney-native’s debut album is out this year and feels like if Elliphant and CHVRCHES got into a teleporter together to go to some sweet Brooklyn hipster warehouse party, but there was a glitch in the machine so when they arrived on the other side they were all smushed together and distorted, but still alive as one “person” (I guess…) and decided to just go with it and mix-up some beats and see what happens. Because everyone knows there’s a big difference between “winging it,” and “seeing what happens”. So let’s see what happens.

Feli Says Listening has never been easier

Made In Heights: death by synth

Felipe — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:00:18 +0000

Taken from Kevin Bronson @ BuzzbandsLA: “What the world needs now is another producer-driven electro-pop duo like I need a whole in my head.” I couldn’t have said the words better myself. BUT, if you listen, realllllly listen, you’ll find some excellent new stuff out there. Sabzi is on his third musical endeavor, and this one’s real solid: Made In Heights. Ya, it’s sexy-synth-pop… Ya, the electro-dreamscape genre is a bit saturated… So what? Good tunes are good tunes. Deal with it. Ambient solo sounds. Pianos. Cellos. Sleepy vocals. All with a synth-twist?? C’mon, son! Turn the lights down – Turn the bass up. The LA-based duo dropped this new track this week.

How many times do I have to say it!? Feli Says Listen!