The Pass

INDIE, SYNTH-POP, PSYCHEDELIA
ARTIST: The Pass
TITLE: Colors EP
TRACKS: “Colors," “Crosswalk Stereo”
STREET DATE: 2/23/10
LABEL: sonaBLAST! Records


The Pass may sound quite similar to what's been up and coming in the Indie world for the past couple of years, but what sets them apart is there unique blend of psychedelia and dance. I mean, take a listen to their 80s pop synthesizers mixed with grooving guitars. Its different enough not to make sense, but bring in melodic yet flat vocals, and you got yourself one hell of an indie pop band.

Influenced by Justice, LCD Soundsystem and Daft Punk this quartet hails from New Jersey (JERSEY....where you at, YO!) and Kentucky, and merged together at the University of Louisville to shape their irresistible and danceable grooves. These young cats, in their early twenties, just released this five song EP titled "Colors." They are working on their debut full-length album, to be mixed by Alex Aldi (Passion Pit), to be released this summer.



Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thepasstheband

Angelo Spencer

ALTERNATIVE/FOLK/ROCK
Artist: Angelo Spencer et les Hauts Sommets
Album: Angelo Spenver et les Hauts Sommets
Tracks: “Estonia” & “Northwest”
Street Date: February 16, 2010
Label: K Records

Singer/Songwriter Angelo Spencer has made quite a few "anti-folk" records in his day, one of our personal favorites being "Love my Friends." But take a way the singing part, and add "Les Hauts Sommets" (translation: The Peaks) and you get the soundtrack to the best roadtrip of your life. Cue Music Video:



(Sunny is pretty sure the snowy road leads you directly to her hometown)

After moving away from the French Alps to the Northwestern states, Angelo Spencer released a few solo contributions on his own before ending up in the hands of K Records. There, he recorded "Music is My Sweat," before getting the help of Karl Blau, Arrington De Dionyso and Clyde Petersen to record "Angelo Spencer et les Hauts Sommets."

Although the absence of lyrics is certainly what makes this group interesting, it is the upbeat instrumentation that keeps the listener from "changing the dial." Its sweeping melodies mixed with a various - and often untimely - grouping of guitars make this group something that the directors of Garden State missed out on.

Angelo Spencer has done a split 7" with K Records Band, Tender Lovers, in the past. But his most well known collaboration is definitely with Kimya Dawson (yes, of Juno Soundtrack Fame) to make this little gem:



Yes, that's their daughter, Panda Delilah, looking cuter than ever.

So make your life the story you want it to be, and play some Angelo Spencer to really bring out the moving moments.

Gavin Castleton

ALT-ROCK, POP, INDIE, SINGER/SONGWRITER

Artist: Gavin CastletonHome

Release Title: Home

Street Date: 2/9/10

Track(s): “Coffeelocks,” “The Human Torch”

Label: Five One Inc.

Gavin Castleton, born in providence, RI, began classical piano lessons at 3 years old, gave his first recital at 5, and wrote his first song when he was 7. AND he is a Zombie....no just kidding, this cat is just one sick psycho musical freak!

‘Home’ is his fourth album with Five One Records, yet it bears little resemblance to the others. In fact each one is completely different from the last. His fifth release, Titled Hospital Hymns EP, is the story of a fictional 76 year old stockroom worker in a hospital whose spirituality makes his coworkers uneasy. The record was funded and inspired by a 6-month stint in the stockroom of a Warwick Hospital in 2005. A Bullet, A Lever A Key, is the progressive hip hop EP that tells the story of his life backwards, from 2054 to present day. The song “Human Torch” was the hardest song to record on the album. According to Gavin, it features the only ‘Wihelm Scream’ ever heard on an album.

'Home' is actually a pop/horror movie masterpiece, a Zombie Love story that encapsulates the tragedy of his most recent relationship. That's right, I mentioned that there is a ZOMBIE involved! Who doesn't love zombies? I don't want to talk to you if you don't. Anyway, it seems that Gavin digs them or at least has a thing for them. Not only is there a zombie but this album is about a broken heart, a heart tore from your chest and stepped on, a heart that has just exploded from a massive break up and the years it has taken to heal and written like a Zombie film.......WOW! WOW! WOW!

Sugar coated pop melodies, colorful musical layers, soulful dual harmonies, and a love story unfold for the listeners enjoyment. This is one adventure that hooks you from the start and does not let go. Just like the bite of a ZOMBIE.....aaaAAARRRGH!!!!

"The album features big arrangements, lush production, and the versatile voice of Lauren Coleman (duetting with Castleton in the role of his lover). Produced by Gavin Castleton, mixed by Rob Pemberton and Overclock Inc., and mastered by Grammy-winner Mark Wilder, Home is an epic project designed to console all who have encountered love and lived to tell about it."

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/gavincastleton
Website: http://www.gavincastleton.com/

Great Lakes Myth Society

ALTERNATIVE ROCK, FOLK, INDIE, AMERICANA
Artist: Great Lakes Myth Society
Album: Rainbows Single/Compass Rose Bouquet
Featured Track(s): “She’s Come Home To Steal Her Rainbows”, “Summer Bonfire”
Street Date: February 2, 2010
Label: Quack! Media

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Spawned from the band, Original Brothers and Sisters of Love, Michigan-based Great Lakes Myth Society started out in January 2004. They went on to release their debut recording on Boston-based label Stop, Pop, & Roll and eventually put together a deal in 2007 with Michigan based company Quack! Media to release the Rainbows Single, Compass Rose Bouquet, and select new materials.

The GLMS are: Timothy Monger (accordion, guitar & vocals), James Monger (guitar & vocals), Gregory McIntosh (guitar & vocals), Scott McClintock (bass & vocals) and Fido Kennington (drums & vocals).

Rainbows Single and Compass Rose Bouquet are NOW AVAILABLE from Quack! Both are a gorgeous meshing of Americana, folk and indie rock that paint pictures of musical beauty as each song unfolds while still rocking.

They will be performing at the Elbow Room in Ypsilanti, Michigan on February 24, 2010. Check out this YouTube video to see them in action: Great Lakes Myth Society - To Hell, My Boy.



Great Lakes Myth Society on Myspace.