The Hydrothermal Vents, Secrets of the Deep | Music Profile

Band/Artist:  The Hydrothermal Vents
Location:  Montreal, Quebec
Styles: Post-Punk/Dance-Rock
Similar to/RIYL: Buke & Gase, B52’s, The Pixies, Talking Heads, Devo, Kate Bush, The Kills
CD: Secrets of the Deep! (July 5, 2014)

Members/Instruments:
John Tielli (vocals, guitar, midi programming)
Tessa Kautzman (vocals, bass)
Production: John Tielli
The Hydrothermal Vents "Secrets of the Deep!"

Bio:
Hydrothermal vents are deep-sea openings that erupt with super-heated, chemically rich water from within the earths crust. Despite receiving absolutely zero energy from the sun, entire communities of bizarre life forms have evolved and thrive off of the energy provided from these structures. It has even been theorized that life on earth may have originated near these vents.

John Tielli and Tessa Kautzman, the charismatic Montreal duo known as The Hydrothermal Vents, boil with a chemistry that pulls listeners deep into their imaginative world. They were drawn together by a desire to create the ultimate dance music and by a mutual love of the Pixies, an influence which, along with other post-punk bands such as the Talking Heads and the B52s, helped shape their sound. With an experimental spirit and dreamy lyrics, The Hydrothermal Vents have created an otherworldly aural habitat, which according the POP Montreal music festival, “feels retro and original all in the same track.”

On stage, Tielli and Kautzman perform with energy and precision, using inventive vocal interplay including rounds, spoken word, ghostly howls and tight harmonies to recount their fantastical tales of the deep. Tiellis guitar dances wildly and unpredictably, dishing out gritty textures and playful melodies above the punchy, propelling pulse of Kautzmans bass. Thoughtfully crafted backing tracks add layers of infectious beats and synth hooks.

In just 2 years of collaboration, The Hydrothermal Vents have received significant regional attention from writers and promoters. The band performed at Pop Montreal 2013 and has shared the stage with bands such as Parenthetical Girls (Portland) and Hilotrons.

Tielli previously fronted two acclaimed bands, Metal Kites and Clark the Band, and has collaborated with members of Arcade Fire, Wooden Stars and Hilotrons. Kautzman, who began as an indie-folk solo artist in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, has released two albums and has contributed to Montreal projects Yellow Jacket Avenger and Bantam Wing.

The Hydrothermal Vents recently finished their debut album, which will be released July 5, 2014 and followed up with a North American tour in the fall. Entitled Secrets of the Deep! the album expands on the theme embodied in their band name: a mysterious life-giving energy and a source of light in the darkness.
 

The Sons – Relic | Music Profile

Their New Single

Relic

The Sons to Headline First Off Axis Show

Release Date: Monday 9th June 2014 as a digital download

Relic is a heartfelt and gentle song that showcases singer Paul Herron’s accomplished vocal performance against a simple yet effective piano and guitar accompaniment, but the song’s lyrics come from a place of mourning for what has passed.

The Sons, an independent British five piece, draw inspiration for their alternative guitar pop from the likes of Crowded House, Wilco, Paul Simon and Fleetwood Mac.

Creating a current sound with a timeless feel, they are masters at coupling upbeat, catchy songs with rather dark, complex lyrics about the pains and hardships of life.

Having toured the UK & Europe extensively, The Sons have attracted a large and a very loyal following with fans fully funding the making of the band’s third studio album, ‘Heading Into Land’. This record hit the UK album charts upon its release in March 2014, marking a new chapter for the band.

The premiere single from the album, ‘Death Love Money’ was released in January 2014. To mark the release, The Sons invited everyone who pledged money toward the album to a free show at the historic Guildhall Theatre in Derby, England. More than two hundred people packed into the theatre to witness the band debut its new songs, with excited post-gig reactions exploding on social media.

Scarlet Starlings | Music Profile

music profileAlbum released June 1st 2014 Unsigned. Independent release.

Scarlet Starlings are a London-based folk rock band made up of cousins, siblings and significant others. They grew up listening to their large musical family playing jangly folk music like Fairport Convention, Crosby, Stills & Nash and The McGarrigles. Granny Maisie, the family matriarch, taught each of them how to play on an old Takamine guitar held together by a piece of Meccano nailed to the bridge. Mike Scott brought his love of electro pop and Grant Lee Buffalo to the mix – he and Sara-Mae have been writing songs together for years. Now, they love bands like Fleet Foxes, Sufjan Stevens, Conor Oberst and Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

Their sound will take you down some unexpected roads where folk, indie and alt country deliciously combine with harmonies and sweet melodic riffs.

They are Sara-Mae and Mike Scott, Simon Tuson, Joe and Jen Tuson and Talitha Gamaroff.

 

Their music was on the soundtrack of 2011 Portabello Film Festival award winning documentary, ‘Hard to Get: From Patient to PinUp. One of their songs ‘Ransom’ was played on Gary Crowley’s BBC London Calling radio show. They have played at festivals Lakefest 2013, Shuffle Fest London 2013 and a variety of venues across London including The Old Queens Head Islington, Folklore at the Half Moon in Putney, Into the Warm at The Harrison Kings Cross and many more.

The debut album has been a year in the making and includes these 9 tracks:
1. You Give It All Away 2. So Glad You Stayed 3. Anyone Can Say I Love You 4. The Wolf 5. Death of Innocence 6. Montauk 7. Beckons 8. Don’t Fix it 9. Shape You’re In
It was mostly recorded at a small studio just outside Oxford, England. Jason King at Shed Studios recorded So Glad You Stayed, The Wolf, Montauk, You Give It All Away and Beckons. John Laurence (of Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci) and Geraint Jones mixed and mastered those tracks. Daniel Green of Laish mixed and mastered Anyone Can Say I Love You, Death of Innocence, Don’t Fix it and Shape You’re In.

 

 

Lovesick Saints | Music Profile

These guys are a personal favourite of mine, I love War Story and listen to it on repeat. It starts with bagpipes playing ‘Amazing Grace’ and then goes into a brilliant song. They may be lovesick, now so am I.

Love Saints Band/Artist: Lovesick Saints
Location: Scottsdale AZ.
Styles: Alternative Punk
Similar to/RIYL: Bad Religion, Social Distortion, Pennywise, Alkaline Trio, Face to Face, The Ramones
CD: Dia De Los Muertos
Release date: 6/19/13

Members/Instruments: Tom Holliday (Guitars/Vocals), Jarrod Olson (Bass), Christian Howell (Drums/Backing Vocals)

Production: Recorded at Pyramix Studios (Glendale,AZ) Mixed at The Salt Mine Studios (Mesa,AZ) Mastered at Gateway Mastering (Portland, ME)

Tracklisting: 1) Dia De Los Muertos 2) Sick and Broken 3) One Foot in The Grave 4) War Story 5) This Aint It 6) Empty

Bio:
Born in 2007 in Chandler Az, Lovesick Saints was a formation of Tom Holliday on guitar/vocals, his brother Davy Joe on bass/vocals and Sun Yun on drums. Initially mixing the old skool country sound with old skool punk rock, Lss eventually evolved into the rhythm-driven Alt-punk rock sound it is today. Although heavily influenced by early punk pioneers such as the Ramones and the Clash, Lss continues to push forward, incorporating fundamental punk music principles with messages from life’s ups and downs of today.

Christian Howell joined the project in 2010 when Sun departed ways and moved to California to pursue another career. Possessing similar musical interests and undeniable dedication, Lss was honored to welcome the new punk rocker to the line up with his undeniable rhythm capabilities. When Davy Joe left the band for personal reasons in 2012, thats when Tom turned to long time friend and fellow musician Jarrod Olson. Having worked with Jarrod on an earlier project years ago, Tom knew he would be a perfect fit. With Jarrod’s unrelenting grunge-era bass technique, this Seattle-born musician was exactly what the band needed to complete it’s line up.

Lovesick Saints has played numerous venues in the Maricopa county area of AZ and looks forward to expanding its sound outside the borders of its home state. The band has released 4 studio EPs: The Punk Rock Honky Tonk, Resurwreckshun, Outside Looking In and its recent “Dia de los Muertos” EP was released in June 2013.

The Red Queens | Music Profile

The Red Queens don’t look like a regular wannabe pop band. They’re comfortably outside of the typical age bracket – frontman Darien Graham-Smith turns 40 next year – and their look can be described as “eclectic”, with influences ranging from punk to what one might call mature student chic.

theredqueens

 

“When we meet other bands, there is sometimes a bit of a coolness gap,” admits Graham-Smith. “They’re all nineteen, with fresh faces and achingly fashionable outfits. And then I wander in looking like I’ve got lost on my way to Waitrose.”

 

“But when you come to the game at a slightly older age you have a different perspective on that sort of thing. Some of the bands may look fantastic and unworldly on stage, but often the audience doesn’t really know how to relate to that. We come on as ourselves and I think we have a much easier rapport with the crowd.”

theredqueensmusic

 

“It’s a similar story with the music: when you’re young, you’ve got everything to prove, and as a result the material can sometimes be a bit wilfully extreme, a bit hard to swallow. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. But I think a lot of the best-loved songs – the really universal ones that hang around for decades – are your classic pop songs with four chords and a catchy chorus. And that’s more what the Red Queens are about.”

 

It’s a theory the band has developed over two and a half years on London’s pub circuit, during which time the Red Queens have grown from the original duo of Graham-Smith and bassist/vocalist Terrie McCann into to a five-piece line-up with guitarist Tom Derry, keyboard player Felix Kirsch and, most recently, drummer Bobby McPherson. In July, the group is heading into the studio to record their debut EP with veteran producer Paul Tipler (previous clients include Elastica, Placebo and The Wonder Stuff), and after that who knows what may beckon. Check out www.redqueens.co.uk for videos, downloads and live dates.

 

The Red Queens play The Islington, Tolpuddle Street N1 0XT on 29 May 2014. Admission £5.

The Devine Xperience | Music Profile

Band/Artist: The Devine Xperience
Location: Los Angeles California
Styles: Electronica, Breaks, Dubstep
Similar to: Bassnectar, The Crystal Method, Uberzone, Rabbit in the Moon, The Freestylers.
CD: Self-Titled
Label: Let’s Beat Milo Records
Members/Instruments:
Robert Jaros AKA Robert Devine creates all of the music and also sings backup vocals. Vanessa Garic sings lead vocals and backup vocals. Enki Siruzis a live performer.

About The Album:
The Devine Xperience – Self-Titled debut Album contains classic Electronic Dance Music consisting of the elements of Dubstep, Breaks, Electro, Trance, and Acid. It is the brainchild of producer Robert Jaros AKA Robert Devine and singer & creative director Vanessa Garic. It contains messages in the songs regarding politics, aliens, and various other controversial and transcendental subjects and will elevate the listener to a higher state of consciousness. It features remixes from legendary recording artist’s: Jackal of Jackal & Hyde and previously of Dynamix II, Decoding Jesus, The Duke and The Kaiser, and DJ D-Xtreme. The DevineXperience Album release will be supported by an all encompassing Promotional Campaign consisting of 3 music videos, and full PR, College Radio, and Social Media Promotion. Look out for their upcoming performances at a Rave, Club, Concert or Festival near you.

Devine Xperience

All Songs Written, Produced, and Performed by: Robert Jaros & Vanessa Garic All Songs Recorded, Mixed, Edited, and Arranged by: Robert Jaros.

Bio:
The Devine Xperience is a live music act that plays a unique blend of electronic dance music with elements ofbreakbeat, dubstep, trap, and trance. Their music has been described as timeless by music critics that have tried to categorize it. Robert Devine creates and records the music. Vanessa Garic is the Creative Director guiding the artistic and visual aspects of the group also lending her skills as a live performer. Enki Siruz is the audio engineer and is responsible for adding the polish andsparkle to the music and is also featured as a live performer.

Robert Jaros AKA Robert Devine began playing the piano at the age of 5, then in junior high school he started to play the drums and percussion then he moved on to the guitar and bass in high school. Robert’s first live performances were with various punk bands that he played either the guitar, bass, or sang in during his high school years, in 1992 he attended what he believed to be a Deee Lite concert but it was actually very much more. This was the first Rave party that Robert had ever attended, that night he witnessed the Rabbit in the Moon performing live and it changed his life forever…. He immediately acquired a Roland XP-80 synthesizer and began work on what would become his passion in life, producing music. Throughout the 90’s Robert produced and performed Breakbeat, Drum & Bass, and HouseMusic Live P.A. Shows in the Southeast Rave Scene under the name of The Devine X-Perience while concurrently MC’ing at various parties. Then in the early 2000’s he began producing Hip Hop for various Artists all over the US and opening for various artists such as Lil Wayne, Young Dro, Cashis, D4L, Pastor Troy, and Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz and others of that caliber while continuing to develop what would become The DevineXperience on the side during what little free time he had. Robert has put his blood, sweat, and tears into this album that he has been recording during the past 6 years, Robert is a raver to the core and Believes in Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect as his guiding principles in life. His dream is to bring his magical and unique sound into the ears of all across the globe in the form of the Devine Xperience.

Vanessa Garic’s passion for artistry lead to her interest in makeup, special effects, and fashion. She attended Sunset Gower Studios Makeup Academy in Hollywood and later became a personnel stylist for Louis Vuitton in Beverly Hills, California. Assisting many of her loyal clients in the luxury of their homes, she helped build their wardrobes; also gaining long lasting relationships.

She later moved into the world of Haute Joaillerie, studying gemstones and providing buying advice to consumers for Chopard, the Swiss based luxury jeweler. Working in collaboration with Hollywood industry events, she worked with stylist dressing several people, often hand delivering a selection of jewels to choose from.

She has a passion for painting and the visual arts and she continues to paint, which had always been close to her heart.
Music and painting have always fueled her energy for finding ways to create new and exciting experiences, which she definitely has delivered with her contributions to this project. Some of her favorite musical influences are New Order, Elliot Smith, DJ Keoki, The DandyWarhols, Brian Johnstown Massacre, Coco Rosie, and The Breeders.

Enki Siruz was born in Los Angeles California and was raised in the San Fernando Valley. He grew up listening to a variety of musical influences such as the Doors, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Sublime, and Nirvana. He loves to watch live performances and is always attending various music events. He is a graduate of Musicians Institute in the Audio Engineering Program. His goal is to make some of the best sounding, high quality albums the world has ever heard by infusing different music genres to create Amazing Sounding Projects.

Latimer House “This is Pop” | Music Profile

Latimer House

 

Band: Latimer House
Location: Prague
Styles: Guitar-driven Pop, Indie, Indie Pop,Alternative, Brit Rock
Similar to: The Strokes, The Smiths, Phoenix, Ian Dury, Syd Barrett,  Half Man Half Biscuit, The Talking Heads
CD: All The Rage

Members/Instruments:
Joe Cook – guitar, vocals
Anar Yuufov – keyboards, backing vocals
Jiri (George) Kominek – drums, percussion
Michael Jetton – bass

Tracklisting:
This Is Pop
Burn
Eye Can See
Open Your Heart
Birdcage Walk
Red Heart Sequin Blues
Your Love
Love’s Undermined
Splash!
Bubblegum

Bio:
Prague is the adopted home of Latimer House, whose foundations were  laid in 2010 when drummer and percussionist Ji?í (George) Kominek  (from Toronto) and guitarist Joe Cook (London) booked a rehearsal room  to jam song ideas. Keyboard player Anar Yusufov (Baku) joined later  that year and in early 2011 bassist Michael Jetton (Virginia) moved in  to help nail it all together.

In May 2012 they went into Prague’s Faust Studios for the first of  several sessions with engineer Derek Saxenmeyer to record their  collection of songs, ten of which were selected for All The Rage. The  last track they recorded was their first release: This Is Pop.

Joe, Jirí, Anar and Michael like a wide range of music, from classic  1960s and 1970s pop and rock, through funk, folk and New Wave, to  obscure experimental rock, jazz and contemporary alternative sounds.  All four have played in various bands down the years, with Ji?í and  Anar still busy with musical projects aside from Latimer House. Their  different backgrounds and interests all come through in their music,  although Joe’s vocal delivery certainly puts an English stamp on  proceedings!

All The Rage would not be what it is without the patience and skills  of engineer Derek Saxenmeyer, the mandolin and violin of Jim Thompson,  who came over from England to play, the guitar work of Justin Lavash,  a good stalwart of Prague’s blues and jazz bars, the trumpet blowing  of Tommy Levvechia, and Jan Keller, the world’s coolest cellist who  sports a Mohican and plays virtuoso fretless bass in a modern jazz  quartet when not playing with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. These  guys brought additional range and dynamic to the songs and sound of Latimer House.

 

no:carrier | Music Profile

Artist: no:carrier
Location: San Francisco, California, USA/Ingolstadt, Germany
Styles: Electro Noir, Electropop, Synthpop, Darkwave
Similar to: The Crüxshadows, Wolfsheim, Portishead, Depeche Mode
CD: Confession EP

no:contact music profile

Members/Instruments:
Cynthia Wechselberger – vocals
Chris Wirsig – keyboards, vocals

Production: Chris Wirsig

Tracklisting:
1        Confession – Single Mix
2        Hero To A Fool
3        Confession – 1st In 14 Mix
4        And Sometimes – RMX 2011B
5        Confession – Inspired By F.P. Mix
6        A Bright Room

Websites:
Official
Bandcamp
Facebook
Twitter

Bio:
Electro Noir Pop – a description that fits no:carrier best. “We can’t be compared easily. We have our very own sound that includes elements from several styles – from Dark Wave to Synthpop, from Acoustic to Electro,” says Chris Wirsig, main songwriter and producer of no:carrier. “We found our own way, we are not going on the trodden paths. We stay true to our ideals and write exactly the songs we want to write.”

no:carrier, originally founded in 1995 in Germany, but active in its current line-up since 2001, is now a long-distance musical affair, with Chris Wirsig living in San Francisco while singer Cynthia Wechselberger still resides in their home country Germany. But as with all long-distance relationships this can add some spice to the mixture.

After two critically acclaimed albums, “My Own Dream” in 2002 and “Between The Chairs” in 2011, the duo is back in 2013 with even more variety. Still firmly rooted in Dark Wave and Synth Pop, no:carrier’s sound and topics are broader than ever, incorporating Arabic instruments, drums and percussion from different cultures, with topics ranging from melancholic introspection to defiant declarations to tragic real-life biographies.

First harbinger of the new songs was the 5 track single “Last Scene”, released in June 2013. The song reflects a dubious past, a “last scene of a play we shouldn’t have staged”, and was praised in magazines like Side-Line, Nachtaktiv, Amobss-Mag and ReGen. The follow up single, “The Nine Days’ Queen”, released in December 2013, deals with the tragic life of Lady Jane Grey who ruled England for nine days and later was beheaded. A third precursor to the new album “Wisdom & Failure”, the “Confession EP” is released late February 2014 with the album following late April/early May.