FESTIVALS!

As summer closes, and festivals come to an end... Stage 4 would like to know, what was your favorite festival moment?

I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours....

Why Soul?

It is no secret that rock music's deepest roots lay in soul and blues, therefore it is easy to see why modern Indie artists pull many influences from old soul. Look no further than past Stage 4 artist, the Heavy, to see how thoroughly soul has re-introduced itself in modern indie rock music:

As more and more artists look back to the 50s and 60s for these influences, it is easy to see that indie music fans are doing the same. Just in my life in San Francisco, I know of three different, and very popular, soul nights throughout the city. Edinburgh Castle boasts the most famous night for soulsters, 1964 each Wednesday), and although the argument can be made that "decade" events are often popular among many, I believe that what makes soul night so popular amongst us young'ns here in the city is that deep rooted feeling you get when you listen to soul music. I myself have a deep love for soul music, my favorite artist being Otis Redding, and my favorite song being right here:

Even my most avid electro DJ friends boast amazing soul record collections, and there is no doubt that soul, especially Motown soul, has a certain magic and elusiveness that can touch many different generations.

But like Rhythm and Blues, Rock, and many other genres, modern soul, although deeply rooted in the same intention and emotion, is a far hike from the genre's defining generation. So as we feature artists such as Andreya Triana, whose soft vocals carry the listener easily through her songs, and whose 'soul' is very much open for the world to see, it is interesting to see the different ways in which soul has expanded music, and where exactly the genre leads to.

So I ask you, as Stage 4 fans and avid music listeners, to give me the answer to this... Does this new era of soul music, which is much softer but just as deep as its predecessor, have a place in the record collections of young people? Or will we carry on with rock, leaving soul only a small influence in the life of music?

weed

No, this is not an ode to the green stuff some people smoke. This is about the music that gives you a chemical-free high.

genre: lo-fi, bedroom rock (bedrock)
artist: Weed
album: DC Hope EP
featured tracks: Cody Girl, W.G.A.
release date: July 13th 2010
label: Moodgadget

DC Hope EP will be Willy Anderson's second release as Weed. His first release was a cassette called "To The North," which he recorded and pressed in his bedroom and released for free a while back.

But since you're all still wondering why a guy named Willy Anderson picked the name Weed, I'll tell you that first. According to Willy (a Brooklyn-based, but well traveled 21 year old), the name Weed is a metaphor. He likes "thinking about people using songs like drugs" and states that he has "certainly used records to relax, get pumped up, or to cheer up, if only temporarily." Me too! And his songs certainly have that vibe. Don't get me wrong-- each track on the EP has it's own thing going on, but each, in it's essence, is "the right song at the right time."

Cody Girl is a mellow and upbeat track that blends muted vocals, riffs that roll like waves, soft drums, and a touch of Pink Floyd. The end result is, in layman's terms, a really really really good song. In the words of Bloc Party, it is "the gentlest feeling." But it still rocks.

W.G.A. utilizes a similar muted-vocals-paired-with-gentle-rock style, but carries a more introspective mood. The lyrics hint at stories of travel and basketball (two things Willy is well-versed in)... is this a self-portrait, in song form? Either way, I'm diggin' this mellow-rock thing he's got going on. Not boring and doesn't require headbanging? Perfect for a lazy summer afternoon.

Double Rainbow!

Last night, as my friends and I drank squine (or squirt and wine combined... they call it poor man's sangria, I call it a headache), they sat me down to watch a viral video which so touched my heart (as in I, Sunny Dee) that I must share it with as many websters as possible. Thank you, Jimmy Kimmel, for sharing this video on your twitter, so that others could enjoy the video that is Double Rainbow, and pretty much make me cry. Please take about four minutes out of your life to enjoy this beautiful video.

And since this is a music blog, and we all are wondering what this has to do with music, I also bring you, as with any viral video, its remix into song. Enjoy.

IAMX

genre: industrial, alternative
artist: IAMX
album: Kingdom of Welcome Addiction
street date: May 16th 2010
featured tracks: My Secret Friend (ft Imogen Heap), Kingdom of Welcome Addiction
label: Metropolis Records

Chris Corner (previously of Sneaker Pimps) is the man behind IAMX, and has recently delivered his loyal fans an aptly named fourth release-- I certainly welcome my newfound addiction to this album. In an interview with Postwave, Chris describes this album as "Disney World... But with lipstick, cynicism, and wit." I couldn't agree more. In the eleven lyrically rich tracks on this release, Chris explores themes that range from politics and religion, to schizophrenia and destructive inter-personal relationships. Today's featured tracks share a theme, bu

Kingdom of Welcome Addiction chronicles an internal battle between opposing forces. The storytelling lies in the lyrics ("if you choose life, you know what the fear is like; if you welcome addiction, this is your kingdom"), but it is the conflict between the guitar and the keyboard, magnified by well-timed percussive variation, that makes this song stick together like it's bound by an epoxy.

My Secret Friend tells the story of psychological warfare a brother and sister wage on one another. Musically, this track is quite simple. The chord structure serves as a stage, while the bassline helps build intensity-- but the focus is truly on the intricate harmonies and haunting melodies of Chris and Imogen's vocal performances. This one sent a chill up my spine the first time I heard it.

get addicted.

The Sunset Curse

genre: alternative thrash rock, electro pop
artist: The Sunset Curse
album: Artificial Heart
street date: June 26th 2010
featured tracks: Too Close To The Sun, Flavor
label: Helmet Room Recordings

I wish we could feature every track on this album on the podcast this week. Unfortunately, there's a two-song limit.

The Sunset Curse is a trio out of Denver, CO that can deliver a wild, rocking live show as well as a carefully thought out album. Their unique sound has been compared to bands like MGMT, The Mars Volta, and At The Drive In-- though, the best description I've seen to date is "genre-defying." The band says the secret behind their awesome sound is the fact that they are inspired by a wide range of musicians (some favorites include Sting, At The Drive In, Etta James, and Rush. Yeah, that's certainly a diverse collection of influences). "The best art pulls from everything [the creators] like," says the band. Truth.

Too Close To The Sun is the perfect example of the band's genre-defiance-- it's got elements of electro-pop and indie rock, artfully mixed with introspection, a touch of melancholy, and a nod to Greek mythology.

Flavor could easily be the sensual story of any two strangers that lock eyes on any given Friday night. The song opens with a flirtatious hook and closes with a transition from a heartbeat-tempo bassline to a treble-y crescendo... enough said.

Stream and Discover

the big tease...

genre: rock, indie, alternative
artist: Jay Trainer Band
album: Jay Trainer Band EP
featured tracks: While the World Burns Down, Miss You Well
label: Briar Patch Records
street date: June 29th 2010

According to VivaLaMainstream, Jay Trainer Band is somewhere between Van Morrison and Santana-- and that is exactly the sound these California musicians are going for. Jay defines his style as "a negotiation of... quiet, almost jazzy tone[s] to booming thunder, in any given moment." Yup, that sounds like Van Morrison + Santana, with a generous helping of Jay Trainer secret sauce.

The EP is a teaser for the upcoming full length album, to be released this fall. And let me just say... if the album is as good as the EP (and obviously it will be), then I'm ready for summer to end right now. The EP is Jay Trainer's 3rd release overall, but his debut release with the band. While his previous studio work has received much praise, his live shows receive even greater applause-- performances are described as "raw, personal, and uninhibited." In other words, not to be missed.

And now on to the music.

While The World Burns Down starts off with a moody riff and slow, smooth vocals before segueing into a contemplative guitar solo within the first minute of the song. Jay emotes passion and depth throughout the length of the song both lyrically and musically, which is truly the power that melds the complex elements of this song together.

Miss You Well characterizes a vibe distinctly different from that of While The World Burns Down. While The World Burns Down seems to carry a political undertone; conversely, Miss You Well is an upbeat take on "the one that got away." It's like Jay is saying "yeah, she's gone-- but damn, when she was here she was so, so good." Miss You Well delivers more epic guitar solo greatness, a big helping of "saying-exactly-the-right-thing-at-the-perfect-moment" (for lack of a word to summarize), and even serves it up with a side of brass. Yum.

in summary: if you're looking for musical and lyrical depth, complexity, and wonderfulness... you need this EP.

stream now at the myspace