Thanks to the inexplicable popularity of my Submit Music page, I always have a huge digital pile of indie albums and EPs awaiting my perusal. But at this time of year — after I’ve spent months consumed by the endless onslaught of major fall releases — the backlog becomes nothing short of insane. Thankfully, now that the holiday rush is finally over, I’ve got some time to play catch-up. Here’s a recent gem from the massive stack. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. If so, I encourage you to support the artist by buying it from their Bandcamp page — and be sure to tell them I sent you. And if you’ve got something you want me to hear, send it my way. If I think you’re half as good as you think you are, I just might include you sometime.
Labasheeda
Old Traditions
HOME BASE: Amsterdam.
GENRE: Indie Folk.
THE PRESS RELEASE: Labasheeda are an art-punk band from Amsterdam based around singer/guitarist/violin player Saskia van der Giessen and guitarist Arne Wolfswinkel. A driven act whose sound blends poppy melodies with bursts of distorted violin, melancholic vocals and wire wool guitar dissonance juxtaposed with intense drumming. Since they were formed in 2004, Labasheeda have built up a strong cult following from their unrelenting touring and recording schedule. Tours across Europe and Canada are where the band really holds their own, delivering intense and energetic performances. Their acoustic sets are equally captivating and perfectly suited for their live radio performances on diverse stations in the U.K., Canada, the Czech Republic, and of course the Netherlands. The Old Traditions EP highlights the more introspective side of the band. The sound is dominated by acoustic guitar, double bass and violin/viola, but the characteristic dissonances have certainly not disappeared from the music. In the title track and Fireworks, Saskia gives her personal view on the holidays — seasonal, but also universal.”
MY TWO CENTS: Cool, calm and collected, these mellow Americana numbers are the perfect cure for your post-holiday blues.
