Ears To The Ground: "So Hard" by Daddy Issues

Daddy Issues (Greensboro) released their new single,
"So Hard" on Bandcamp Aug. 26

 

Within recent years the Triad region has begun to develop quite the bustling music scene. While folks who hear that statement may immediately jump towards Winston-Salem and the burgeoning scene being developed with the help of Phuzz Records, it'd be unfair to write Greensboro out of the picture so soon. The city hosts a truly eclectic mixture of acts, bands like Holy Ghost Tent Revival serve as the scene's figureheads while The Collective and Lowland Hum are gaining steam with their beautiful melodic folk. Although their orchestral tunes get bukus of focus, Greensboro has always been home to a more raucous rock scene as well. Venues thrive on DIY atmospheres, you're able to find a nationally touring act inside of an I Love NY Pizza and frankly few other cities can make that claim.

One of the acts coming out of Greensboro that's set on slowly building a name for themselves through no-frills, hooky surf rock is Daddy Issues. The female-centric surf-punk quartet is comprised of Lo Davy, Lindsey Sprague, Maddie Putney, and Amethyst White. Together they craft unabashed rock n' roll with the same tenacity of any grizzled band of unkempt dudes you can find. They toss out any preconceived notions of an entirely female rock band with their latest single "So Hard," a song that's literally about making a dude's dick so hard that he's miles away. The band are unapologetic in how crass and straight forward their songs can be, and that's what makes them so great. If you're looking for some stereotypical songs about love, boys and other ridiculously gendered topics then you can get the hell out and go listen to some Best Coast or something. If you're looking for a band that prides themselves on being original, authentic and honest as hell then look no further than Daddy Issues.

Daddy Issues fits right alongside Triangle rockers like Gross Ghost and Ghostt Bllonde (despite their lack of a spooky ghost name) and have bukus of promise lying within these simplistic songs. The band will be performing at ReverbNation's Hopscotch Day Party on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Deep South alongside Hammer No More The Fingers, Jenny Besetzt, Iggy Cosky (of The Lollipops) and thefacesblur (of Body Games).

Ears to the Ground: "Know My Love" by Weller

Weller, the new project of Nathan Toben (The Toddlers),
will release their debut album Weller, I on July 1, 2014

One of the downsides of having such an amazingly deep music scene is that some of the area's most talented songwriters may never get their due. Those that get picked up by larger labels will sell-out the Cradle, some will garner a dedicated, passionate local following, others may fade into obscurity. Most fall somewhere in between the spectrum, revered by droves but largely unmentioned when it comes to to powerhouse listings.

Take acts like The Toddlers for example, the band released their self-titled LP last October to little fanfare despite their powerful gothic dream-pop arrangements. Even with high-profile tours with acts like Lost in the Trees and the Love Language, the group largely remained in the shadow of our region's more prominent acts. Since last year's release the group has suffered the same fate as many of our local favorites and has moved on to new projects. But with every band's demise there must come more, the constant state of flux is what keeps this scene so damn thrilling.

While many still mourn the recent loss of The Toddlers, the group's songwriter, Nathan Toben, has already begun to craft new and engaging tunes. The songs found on Weller, I, Tobin's full-length debut as Weller, are deeply personal cuts that chronicle bouts of paranoia and perseverance through a shimmering and enchanting veil. The album careens through a wide array of emotions, everything from bright and lovestruck to somber introspections. Take the album's lead single "Know My Love" for example, it's a track that delves deeply into our own insecurities of moral standpoints and existential crises.

"Tell me what it is that makes you so certain man/Does it come from within?" Toben croons smoothly over grooving rhythms. The melody tumbles along gracefully, riding along with one of Toben's most danceable riffs, but the lyrical content doesn't falter one bit. "Do you trust the synthesis inside of your head/And all those books that you’ve read? he ponders, going on to question what it means to"be a good man." Toben's songwriting proves to brilliantly tow the line between infectious pop simplicity and heavy-hitting personality, making for a unique, mesmerizing output.

Weller, I is set to be released on July 1, the album was recorded at Timberlake Earth Sanctuary in Whitsett, NC with Wesley Wolfe producing. Toben has been gradually leaking more and more information about Weller through his website whatisweller.com, including tracks and an eventual full-album stream upon release. For now though we're phenomenally excited to share "Know My Love," the lead single from a very impressive debut effort from Weller.

Ears to the Ground: "Trading Love For Gold" by Morning Brigade

Morning Brigade are celebrating the release of
"Grow Around The Bones" on Sat. April 26 at Local 506
w/ Look Homeward and Birds & Arrows

For the past few years Chapel Hill's Morning Brigade have been slowly but surely building quite the reputation for themselves. Though they're still fresh-faced college students, they've performed at some of the area's premiere festivals including Hopscotch, Shakori Hills and the Eno River Festival. Their debut full-length Above Our Heads was released back in 2012, but they're already a week away from the release of their heavily anticipated follow-up Grow Around The Bones.

I spoke with Peter Vance, the band's vocalist and songwriter back in 2013 and noticed how clear of a vision the band seems to have for itself. Morning Brigade isn't clouded by visions of pomp and fanfare like one may expect from a young band that's gathered such a large local following, instead they're headstrong, focused on advancing as musicians by creating engaging and thought-provoking songs all their own. Vance said that he didn't want the band's follow-up to be a sequel to Above Our Heads, but instead something new and exciting. From the early sounds of Grow Around The Bones, it'll be just that.

Although the core of "Trading Love For Gold" was written by Vance before Morning Brigade had even formed, the collaborative aspects of the band shine through. The song has been a staple of live performances, growing over the years into an inquisitive and expansive track that tackles the reaches of love and what it's truly worth. "Trading Love For Gold" serves as a brilliant stepping stone for Morning Brigade, it's proof that they've grown markedly as an act since the release of Above Our Heads, mostly because it feels like a far more realized version of the grandiosity on display in their debut. Each instrument fits snugly into the mix and serves as a vital element to the song's structure, subtly layered harmonies and gently swelling strings give way to emotional shouts and abrupt rhythmic shifts.

Grow Around The Bones was recorded at Nightsound Studios in Chapel Hill and was produced by Chris Wimberly and Morning Brigade (with local icon Chris Stamey mixing "Trading Love For Gold" and "Elemental," the album's first two singles). Grow Around The Bones will be released officially on Saturday, April 26. The band is celebrating with a performance at Local 506 in Chapel Hill alongside Look Homeward and Birds & Arrows. With a sold-out 506 performance under their belt, I'd jump on some advance tickets for this one if you want guaranteed entry, you can purchase them at local506.com for $10, with a free CD included with admission. They'll also be performing on Friday, May 2 at Kings Barcade in Raleigh with Saints Apollo and The Walking Sticks. You can listen to "Trading Love for Gold" below:

Ears to the Ground: "Let Me Out" by Clockwork Kids

Rememory will be released on April 3

Within the past year or so it's become a bit overwhelming as to how many stellar local acts are putting out album after album, it becomes a bit hard to stand out amongst the crowded scene. However, when you're putting out your first full-length you've got to find something people can latch on to, and holy hell have Clockwork Kids done so. To celebrate the release of Rememory, their forthcoming full-length album set to be released on on April 3, the band will be performing the album in its entirety at Morehead Planetarium on UNC Chapel Hill's campus. Accompanied by a string and horn section, the group will be play beneath the stars for a synchronized light show like no other, serving as a top-notch opening for the ConvergeNC Southern Music Festival.

But looking past the release show antics, there's plenty to get excited about with Rememory. Clockwork Kids combine the dreamy aspects of shoegaze with the straightforward melodic tendencies of college rock, topping it all off with the deep, resonant vocals of Justin Ellis. "Let Me Out" gets off to a slow start, slowly rolling along with smoothly strummed guitar lines accentuated by sly overdubs. However, the song gradually builds into a brilliantly robust track, reaching its precipice as Ellis and his three guitar crew reach an emotive crescendo, bringing all of the rich layers together in one dazzling moment of clarity.

The interplay between the band members keeps this six-minute track as fresh and entertaining as a three-minute pop banger and quite frankly should get fans prepped for a night of immersive tunes at Morehead Planetarium. It's rare to see a band that packs in three guitars into one track and it doesn't just feel over the top, but Clockwork Kids' dynamic approach allows each part to shine on its own rather than muddling things up. Combine that with the guest spot from guitarist Chris Petto's father, Frank Petto further fleshing out the track with some slick organ work and you've got a pretty fantastic glance into what you can expect from the band's full-length debut.

Clockwork Kids' Rememory will be released on Thursday, April 3. Rememory was mastered by Thom Canova (The Love Language, Old Ceremony, Dex Romweber Duo) and will performed in full at Morehead Planetarium on Thursday, April 3. Admission is $10 and the show will serve as the opening event for the ConvergeNC Southern Music Festival.

Ears to the Ground: "Creme Brulee" by Virgins Family Band ft. T0W3RS

Watching a band grow and evolve is probably one of my favorite parts of being a music listener. It's what makes it such a joy to find a band in their infancy, it's like aural cartography, watching this rich voyage taking place in front of your eyes. Such seems to be the story with Virgins Family Band, I was beyond thrilled to come upon the band before they released their first full-length record Honeylion around this time last year and sure enough here we are debuting their first new track since said debut.

"Creme Brulee" is a big step into the psychedelic frontier for Virgins, it's a fresh and invigorating take on a sound that was already brilliantly polished. While Honeylion was filled with sounds that just felt natural, "Creme Brulee" makes the listener reach a bit. Playing on heightened tensions and sharp synth lines, Virgins Family Band have taken my expectations and shattered them with a tightly focused bit of electronic experimentation.  The track reels the listener in with smooth melodies and throws them for a loop with brisk rhythmic changes and seemingly random guitar and bass fills, but there's a sense of structure to all of this absurdity. The vocals initially float wistfully atop the mix, reminiscent of their previous work, but as the track progresses they slowly mesh together with the instrumentation as harmonies bleed in and help to create a lush lyrical arrangement.

All in all "Creme Brulee" serves as a welcomed change to what I thought was an un-toppable sound. When speaking with the band about their inspiration for Honeylion they said that they chose the name for the album because that's what they felt their music sounded like. The same can be said for "Creme Brulee," while the base of the track is built around sweet and delectable melodies, it's contrasted brilliantly by a crunching synth,  and spastic instrumentation. Or maybe I just really dig food, who knows.

Check out the trippy, kaleidoscopic video for the track below or stream it on Virgins Family Bands' bandcamp page.

Ears to the Ground: "No Dark/No Light" by Lilac Shadows

It's with great pleasure that I share this brand new Lilac Shadows track with all of you. I've been intently listening to No Dark/No Light, Lilac Shadows' forthcoming full-length album set for release on Feb. 4, for a few months now. But regardless of how many times I listen to it I still find myself just as transfixed as I was on my first listen. With a revamped lineup, Lilac Shadows has come strong out of the gate for their debut full-length. No Dark/No Light finds the band delving deeper into the explorative tendencies that they toyed with on their Shallow Madness EP, they're swiftly mastering the push and pull that all great psych-rock bands harness.

"No Dark/No Light" is the album's lead single and it's a brilliant representation of what can be found on the album. Whether it's the rich dynamic shifts, the deeply layered strings or the rambling vocal melody, "No Dark/No Light" contains plenty of subtle nuances that the listener can go back and hone in on. It's a revelatory experience each time around, whether you find yourself entrenched in the encapsulating instrumentation or sucked into the equally dense vocal patterns and lyricism, it's all worthy of your undivided attention.

No Dark/No Light is a unique sonic adventure with apt titling. The album is as bold and defined as it is amorphous. Frankly it's one of those albums best experienced with minimal distractions, with eyes closed and headphones on just absorbing all of the intricacies that lie within. Granted that's easy for me to say since I've been following a similar listening pattern for a few weeks now, but if you don't believe me then give this title track the same respect. Nestle yourself inside of some blankets and pump these tunes into your ears and tell me you're not craving more. Sure you can blast this in a car or through your laptop speakers and get an equally enthralling experience, but music this wonderful deserves your aural respect. So give it such!

No Dark/No Light will be released on DiggUp Tapes on February 4. Lilac Shadows will celebrate the release of the album with a show at The Carrack Art Gallery in Durham. Joined by Midnight Plus One and Matt Northrup, Lilac Shadows will also be providing a "collaborative multimedia exhibit" so that fans can truly immerse themselves in the vibrant world of No Dark/No Light. Artists involved in the exhibit will be sharing interpretive artwork that serves as a response to their listening of the album. From Feb. 4-15, the Carrack will house this artwork along with an interactive sound exhibit, featuring samples of the album that people can interact with, creating their own soundscapes.

Artists involved includes: Harrison Haynes, Casey Cook, Ann Tilley, Will Goodyear, Katie Zickefoose, Gabrielle Duggan, JP Trostle, Brian Howe, Jeremy Withers, Thomas Dean, Janie Ledford, Grace Montgomery, Linc Hancock, Liz Bradford, Kelly Kye, David Eichenberger, Sandy Logan, Jacki Huntington, Matt Park and more forthcoming...

Check out the band's upcoming show schedule and listen to the title track below:

Upcoming Shows:

Feb. 8 - Durham, NC; The Carrack Gallery Release Show and Art Opening with Midnight Plus One and Matt Northrup

Feb. 20 - Raleigh, NC; Tir Na Nog with White Cascade and Jazz Tapes

Feb. 21 - Richmond, VA; Boyzhouse with Lonnie Walker

Feb. 22 - Washington DC; The Dunes with Lonnie Walker and The North Country

March 13 - Durham, NC; The Pinhook with Zack Mexico and The Clockwork Kids

March 14 - Charleston, SC; Swamp House with Zack Mexico and Elim Bolt

March 15 - Columbia, SC; Shredquarters with Zack Mexico and Elim Bolt

March 16 - Charlotte, NC;  Strange_House with Zack Mexico and Elim Bolt

Ears To The Ground: "St. Gloria" by Wild Fur

"St. Gloria" is the second track released by Wild Fur,
the new project from Wylie Hunter and Nick Jaeger

Lots of bands have gotten swept up into the electronic craze, but understandably so. Guitar music has been slowly phasing itself out of our world, arguably ever since Kid A dropped over a decade ago. Many claim that electronic music is the future--which may be true--but the musicians that are currently standing out have found the perfect way to blend electronic styling with those guitar driven rock tunes that have defined our era for so long.

Enter Wild Fur. Wild Fur is the new project from Wylie Hunter of Wylie Hunter and the Cazadores and Nick Jaeger of various local acts like The Tomahawks, Max Indian and Roman Candle. The songs took form earlier this year as Hunter was writing, but he quickly found that they wouldn't fit in with the Cazadores' style. Quite frankly they don't fit in with many pre-disposed styles, Wild Fur's sound is akin to an experimental Americana act that hasn't quite decided which end of the spectrum to fall on. Instead they choose to fill songs with whirring synth lines, minimalistic percussion and distorted guitars that somehow coalesce to form a sound thats simultaneously fresh and vintage.

Back in October Wild Fur debuted their first track "Keep The Band" on Speakers in Code, a wonderful blog based out of St. Louis that frequent Bottom String photographer Agatha Donkar shoots for. Shortly after that Wylie approached me to ask if I'd want to debut "St. Gloria," the band's second single. At this point I'd already listened to "Keep The Band" at least five times and was transfixed in the new direction that Hunter had taken his music. Wild Fur retains much of the rustic qualities that made The Cazadores so lovable and relatable, but delves into an exciting new territory that expands into the far reaches of the Southern aesthetic.

"St. Gloria" is a rambling, ambitious track that paints the picture of a head strong young woman named Gloria defined by late nights, red dresses and hidden scars. She's a rambunctious type that lives for the day whilst flippantly "burning bridges," but the narrator beckons for her to take down the veil before those surrounding her realize she's not the person she seems to be.

Be on the lookout for more new tunes from this promising act comprised of local favorites, because if the new tracks are anything like these past two songs then they're sure to be brilliant bursts of innovative sonic exploration.