Dilly Dally prepare for demolition, Weyes Blood gets into the show, Caveboy stretch out, Reno McCarthy goes deep, The Dream Syndicate can see for miles and more in today’s lengthy Roundup. I told you not to wake the publicists! Now see what you’ve done!!
1 Dilly Dally are bringing down the house. Or more precisely, having it brought down around them. The Toronto outfit’s new live video for the smoulderingly intense Sober Motel/Bad Biology was filmed in The Coffin Factory Studios, where singer-guitarist and shoulder-pad enthusiast Katie Monks lives — at least until April 1, when the building can be torn down to make way for condos. SAYS THE PRESS RELEASE: “It’s so important to cause a fuss when these places fall off,” says Monks. “Ultimately, The Coffin Factory is a place where artists are free to be themselves. Make noise, experiment, collaborate, and live with people you may not have otherwise met. A place to worship the creative process and live out your dreams. I was lucky enough to live there there for the last few months.” Home is where the art is:
2 Movies surround us. Movies consume us. Movies move us. So what better way to examine the power of film than with a cinematic video — set inside a movie theatre, no less — in which viewers are literally drawn into the picture? That’s what you get in the ambitious clip for Weyes Blood’s single Movies, the latest preview of Natalie Mering’s forthcoming album Titanic Rising. SAYS THE PRESS RELEASE: “We are enamored with Movies. Our generation is the most cinematically saturated of all time. Videotapes, DVD’s, streaming… Spielberg…all of it has thrust us into an endless loop of consumption. They provide formative experiences as children, standing larger than life before our fragile adolescent minds. I wanted to take a look into the emotionally manipulative powers of Movies – how have Movies succeeded in telling the myths of our time? How have they failed (miserably)? What is the consequent effect on a society of beings looking for themselves in the myths on the screen? It’s safe to say that they have failed us, but I can’t help it…I love Movies.” Our feature presentation:
3 The yoga studio is the new club. At least, that’s how it goes in the video for Landslide, the sensual single from Montreal dream-pop trio Caveboy. Insert your own downward-dog joke here. And no,their Landslide not a cover of the Fleetwood Mac song. That would be a real stretch. SAYS THE PRESS RELEASE: “With Landslide, we knew we wanted to make a music video that would elevate the raw sensuality and electricity of the lyrics. We’ve always been big fans of D.W. Waterson and her work. We instantly bonded after meeting back in 2016, and knew right away that we wanted to collaborate somehow; her fierce passion and artistic talent were hard to ignore. Having her direct this video was a no-brainer. We had an absolute blast working with her, and her incredible crew made up in large part by some majorly badass ladies … Landslide speaks of an insatiable hunger, not unlike our own desire to see real progress for equality in our industry and in the world.” Strike a pose:
4 What are you afraid of? Heights? Snakes? Public speaking? Or something more existential like failure? That last one makes the first three seem like nothing. And fittingly, it just happens to be the subject of Montreal singer-songwriter Reno McCartny’s soulful pop groover Deep Dive from his upcoming album Counterglow. Ultimately, I guess that makes sense — after all, who wants to listen to a song about overcoming the terrors of public speaking? SAYS THE PRESS RELEASE: “Paralysis by analysis. The moment when you don’t know if you’ve got what it takes. The inner dance between the feeling of inadequacy and sudden unexpected bursts of strength. It’s Indiana Jones looming over the canyon in The Last Crusade as he ponders whether to take that leap of faith. It’s about living in a cage of your own making. The door is open and you could walk out, but you don’t.” Fear not:
5 Few bands can pull off a decent comeback. Fewer still can keep it going. But Paisley Underground legends The Dream Syndicate are the exception that proves both rules. After returning in 2017 with the acclaimed How Did I Find Myself — and following it up by taking part in the throwback multi-band tribute 3X4 — the L.A. vets are back with their upcoming album These Times. And if the psychedelic single Put Some Miles On is anything to go by, it’s gonna be one helluva trip. SAYS THE PRESS RELEASE: “This is our third video directed by David Dalglish, a Scotsman who is gradually becoming the official visual interpreter of our music,” lead singer and songwriter Steve Wynn explains. “And I love the way he captured the triple meaning of Put Some Miles On — actual road miles logged, the ensuing experience and wisdom of the turning of the calendar pages and, of course, our love of Miles Davis himself. It’s truly a zig zag marathon!” Get up with it:
6 Making a video can be as easy as throwing a party. Or at least that’s how easy Montreal’s Heartstreets — the duo of Gab Godon and Emma Beko — make it look in the clip for their single Good Thing. The informal tone of the vid certainly matches the easy-breezy vibe and lighthearted positivity of their sweet melodies and supple flow. SAYS THE PRESS RELEASE: “Childhood friends who bonded over their mutual love of dance and ’90s hip-hop, Heartstreets have spent the past few years refining their craft. Their latest single Good Thing combines the duo’s smooth vocals over an acoustic guitar that builds to a catchy, unique R&B track.” Take it nice and easy:
6 If the name Shana Cleveland rings a bell, you might be a fan of her eclectic surf-rock band La Luz. But if you’re expecting to ride the same waves on her upcoming solo album Night of the Worm Moon, think again. True to its name, the acoustic guitar-based title cut is a gently soothing, vaguely trippy folk ballad best suited to moonlight and quiet contemplation. SAYS THE PRESS RELEASE: “As much a work of California sci-fi as Octavia Butler’s Parable novels, Night of the Worm Moon incorporates everything from alternate realities to divine celestial bodies. Inspired in part by one of her musical idols, the Afro-futurist visionary Sun Ra (the album’s title is a tip of the hat to his 1970 release Night of the Purple Moon), the record blends pastoral folk with cosmic concerns.” Go gently into that good night:
8 Gotta be honest: I’m not sure Lust For Youth is the greatest band name this Scandinavian duo could have chosen. But hey, they’ve had it for a while now, so they’re stuck with it. Thankfully, their latest single Great Concerns — a darkly pulsing slice of classic ’80s synth-pop — goes down far smoother. SAYS THE PRESS RELEASE: “Pirouetting on decadence, meeting eyes with a dizzy sensation, falling and flying at the same time — Lust for Youth have continually held poise through the most vitalizing of times. Their new album, a self-titled collection of eight songs, is sure-footed where they had earlier feared to tread, and light-headed for a new set of reasons. The album is driven by a dance-pop agenda, hustling its way through upbeat peaks that level out into reflective ballads. While still taking clear cues from a crop of austere synth-pop, Lust for Youth sound brighter than they ever have before, taking tips from some of the flirtiest Eurobeat to aid their new direction.” Great idea:
9 I don’t know about you, but I obviously spend a lot of time sitting at a keyboard and staring a screen. So it never hurts to come across a song that might make you want to get up to your feet and shake things around a little. Wait a Minute, the enjoyably funky single from 21-year-old Arizona dance wunderkind Ekonovah, does just that. No fuss, no muss, no big message: Just a good beat, a sharp hook and three minutes of distraction. SAYS THE PRESS RELEASE: “Ekonovah uses deep rhythmic flow to breathe new energy into house music on his New Noise debut, Wait a Minute.” Wait no longer:
10 Some things don’t need reinventing. Like classic rock. Or the blues. Or the power trio. Case in point: California’s Shotgun Sawyer. They’ve clearly spent some quality time soaking up the old sounds of everyone from Muddy and Wolf to Zep and Sabbath — and channeling them into songs like their latest butt-kicking riff-rocker (Let Me) Take You Home, a preview of their forthcoming sophomore album Bury the Hatchet. That cover art below tells you where they want to bury it — and tells you everything you really need to know about them. SAYS THE PRESS RELEASE: “For Bury The Hatchet, we teamed up with Cody Tarbell of the prodigious Slow Season at his Double Wide Studios to create the most raw, unfiltered, authentic record we could imagine. Recorded live, with absolutely no instrumental dubs, and using only analogue technologies, tricks, and tape, the result was the most honest presentation of our band possible.” The safety’s off:
11 Have you been watching The Punisher on Netflix? I haven’t. But maybe I should: Apparently they’ve already featured two songs from Schenectady, N.Y., garage-rock outfit The Abyssmals’ forthcoming full-length Gospels, Hymns and Other Trash! If the rest of their soundtrack is as good as the fuzzy majesty For All of Time — which is what Johnny Kidd and The Pirates would sound like if they recruited a female vocalist and moved into 1313 Mockingbird Lane — count me in. This version comes from their self-titled first album, since the link the label sent me was private. Speaking of punishment. SAYS THE PRESS RELEASE: “Link Wray meets Bela Lugosi on this song about romance that flirts with deranged obsession (or is it vice versa?) that explodes into distorted exaltation. We want you simultaneously spent and wanting more.” Bring it:
12 Change can be a pain. But it can also be an opportunity. Just ask Kingston alt-rockers Kasador (whose handle is a play on the Spanish term for leader Will Hunter’s last name). After losing a couple of members in the past couple of years, they’ve regrouped as a quartet, retooled their sound — and even put lead guitarist Cam Wyatt on the mic for their fittingly ruminative single Brood & Bloom, the title cut from their upcoming album. SAYS THE PRESS RELEASE: “This is our first song with Cam on lead vocals, which is an exciting change for us. As a founding member, Cam has always been an integral part of our instrumentation. He really lead the charge on this one – you can hear it in the heavy riffs and soaring vocals.” Fire away:
13 Usually art imitates life. Sometimes art imitates art. And occasionally it does both. At least, that’s how it is on Water’s Gate, the debut album from Vancouver indie-folk duo Porteau. They’ve already shared the singles River Song and Penelope on these pages. Now they present their latest melodic gem, the appropriately nocturnal Moon Maidens. SAYS THE PRESS RELEASE: “As an ode to Greek mythology, the record plays on this idea of someone being immortalized in the stars. The album artwork features this character between the ocean and the sky.” Twinkle, twinkle:
