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.

The Recital

ALTERNATIVE/ROCK
Artist: The Recital
Album: The Succulent Leftovers EP
Tracks: “Drop Those Legs” & “Does Your Music Listen to You”
Street Date: February 2, 2010
Label: Suburban Sprawl Music

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The Recital, a four-piece indie rock band based in Ann-Arbor, Michigan, played in and around the Detroit area for roughly ten years before calling it quits late last year. The Succulent Leftovers is their final EP, which is released to coincide with their final show.

The EP was recorded in bassist Adam Kempa’s basement and consists of all of the left over songs that The Recital accumulated over the years (as the release title suggests), as well as a few new songs.

“Drop Those Legs,” a relatively new track, was written toward the end of their most active days (2005-2006), and was recorded and released as a demo. Later on, the band wanted to go back and make changes to the mix, however the original session files turned out to be corrupt (I guess we’ll never know how it would have sounded with the different mix).

“Does Your Music Listen to You” was written and recorded specifically for The Succulent Lovers and has never been performed live.

Though it may be sad that The Recital will be ending its decade-long life, the local indie band will always be remembered.

To listen to some tracks, visit The Recital’s MySpace.

Zoey Van Goey

ALTERNATIVE/FOLK/ROCK
Artist: Zoey Van Goey
Album: The Cage Was Unlocked All Along
Tracks: “Cotton Covering,” “The Best Treasure Stays Buried” & “We All Hid in Basements”
Street Date: January 19, 2010
Label: Chemikal Underground

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As mentioned in the previous post, the Stage 4 Alternative podcast is featuring Chemikal Underground artists for two weeks. This week’s featured artist is Scottish trio Zoey Van Goey!

After releasing a number of singles and EPs in the past few years, Zoey Van Goey, consisting of Matt Brennan, Michael John McCarthy, and Kim Moore, self-released their debut album The Cage Was Unlocked All Along (produced by Paul Savage) last year, but re-released it on Chemikal Underground on Tuesday.

The album blends catchy pop with folk-rock – somewhat like a combination of the Decemberists and Camera Obscura with a touch of Princeton. The three artfully create an endearing album that intertwines light-hearted themes throughout. Moore’s soft voice pairs nicely with the carefree undertones and melodies of The Cage Was Unlocked All Along.

For more information about Zoey Van Goey, visit their MySpace!

Adrian Crowley

ALTERNATIVE/FOLK/ROCK
Artist: Adrian Crowley
Album: Season of the Spark
Tracks: “The Wishing Seat” & “Liberty Stream”
Street Date: January 19, 2010
Label: Chemikal Underground

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Currently Stage 4 Alternative is featuring Chemikal Underground artists for two weeks. This week we present Irish singer-songwriter Adrian Crowley.

Dublin-based musician Adrian Crowley released his fourth album Season of the Spark on Tuesday. Crowley, who released his first record A Strange Kind in 1999, has been critically known for writing contemplative and reflective lyrics in past albums. Season of the Spark is a new collection of just that.

Crowley’s smooth, deep voice hovers over clusters of simple melodies and rhythms. The less emphasized music allows listeners to focus on the dense lyrics while drawing their own conclusions. The album also interweaves electronic elements into the folk-rock sound and essentially produces a “folktronic” vibe of its own.

The artist shows his ability to continue along the same route of music production despite new and upcoming trends and styles, which in fact highlights Crowley’s originality and creativity.

To read more about Crowley's musical history, visit his MySpace.