Forever Finding Oren Lyons

20 Aug

Oren Lyons

Oren Lyons is a Native American faithkeeper who is widely recognized for his advocacy for indegenous rights. Oren Lyons is also a band, whose nostalgic mix of cinematic Western symphonic rock is a musical “return to the land” and a true pleasure to listen to.

Oren Lyons formed this past January in Silver Lake, California, a Los Angeles neighborhood known for its modernist architecture and hipsters. It combines the work of composer and multi-instrumentalist Gueorgui Linev with guitarist/producer Peter Potyondy, singer Kristianne Bautista, violinist Dannon Rampton, drummer Randy Wagner, and bassist Ian Anderson.

The end result of this combination is an ambient sound that refreshingly transforms the genre of progressive rock into a calm, ethereal, dream-like sequence of delicate string arrangements, soft vocals, and excellent rhythm. “Forever Found,” the band’s debut single, can be streamed on their website. The effort reminds me of Rome, the 2011 album written by Danger Mouse and Italian composer Daniele Luppi, featuring Jack White and Norah Jones. That album featured musicians who recorded spaghetti western soundtracks in the mid-60s. “Forever Found” is cut from the same mold, a track that could have easily found itself on a Western sountrack, and this old-fashioned styling is far from outdated.

The song begins with strings that fall into percussion and an introductory bass line. The bass work in this song is notably good. With a name like Ian Anderson, you almost certainly have to be talented. Kristianne Bautista’s voice can be best described as haunting. It elegantly dances with the music, oscillating with the strings skillfully. The song continues to rise, taking a step up for the second verse, and this leads to exciting string work. The strings are certainly one of the main elements of the song, and they do carry it. I must say though, when the song descends at the 2:40 mark, Peter Potyondy’s guitar introduces a new element to the piece, providing it with an infectious folk-esque riff. The ending is wonderfully constructed. It also provides the listener with a most important conclusion – I want to hear more!

You can explore the band’s Facebook and Soundcloud

Tags: , , , , ,

It Will Only Take a Matter of Time

17 Aug

As an introduction to The Target’s “Matter of Time” music video, the band sits in a room and plays an acoustic teaser of the song you are about to hear. It’s a raw moment where the 3-piece UK rock band discusses the meaning of “Matter of Time.” If you work at something long enough and set it out as your ultimate goal, it will only be a matter of time until you make it. If you have to root for one band to make it in this difficult musical climate, might I suggest targeting The Targets.

Formed nine years ago when the band members were 12, The Targets have already become veterans of the road, having toured North America four times and the UK more than the Queen. They have developed a strong Toronto fan base, and it is now time to take their music across the pond and through the border into the United States. The band plays an infectious brand of feel-good rock n’ roll infused with foot-tapping punk riffs, angsty lyric, and, with “Matter of Time,” anthemic keys. It’s fast-paced, rapid-fire music that hits you hard quickly and leaves you with a good taste in your mouth…and ears. 

The Targets released their debut EP, These Grey Times, in March 2010 and released their second EP, The Toronto Tapes, in April 2011. They are in the process of creating a full-length. Let’s take a listen to “Let Me In” off of The Toronto Tapes.

The song is carried by excellent percussion mixed with a repetitive riff that plays off of the level vocal. The chorus transitions into some individual notes, but the speed of the song is kept, and it persists throughout the song. I enjoy the song’s refreshing pace and candor. It knows what it is – a rock n’ roll driver – and doesn’t attempt to change it.

“Matter of Time,” though, is certainly my favorite from the band. It is inventive, and demonstrates the growth of the band.

Let’s stick with the first 30 seconds of the song. The key-work is excellent. The satiating harmonies and acoustic rhythm fit so well in front of the keys that you are almost forced to smile. The song moves beyond your typical rock. Traditional rock is fine. Don’t construe this as suggesting differently. But “Matter of Time” is an example of The Targets taking the genre and bending it. It is not so much Indie, though, only providing a taste of the genre to fit into their tight piece. What is it? It is maturation. It is a band hitting their stride. This is the type of song that anchors an album. It is their best song to date, and a good indication of things to come. The band adds layers as the song continues, providing the listener with some electric guitar and more vocals. The mid-song breakdown is refreshing and a nice change of pace. It’s a solid piece, and I hope it’s just a matter of time before it sticks.

Check out the band on their Website, Twitter, and Facebook.

The Correct Candidate

15 Aug

Candidate

Candidate:

Cedric Sparkman: Vocals

Laurence Adams: Guitar

Jason Matuskiewicz: Bass

Chris Infusino: Drums

Justin Craig: Guitar, Synth, Bass, Programmed Beats.

Brooklyn-based Indie-rock band Candidate has labeled their music Dreamrock, a genre that they say, “is a combination of post-punk and shoegaze with late ‘80’s/early ‘90’s American indie and grunge and Britpop.” Such a genre encompasses a lot, but, their music is even more expansive than their genre suggests. If Candidate fits the description of Dreamrock, then the genre is going to need a bit of work.

In many ways Candidate reflects the city that spawned them. Their music is a diverse mixture of echoed harmonies, distorted instrumentation, grungy guitar riffs, and synthesizer. They pick the portions of each genre they want to take from, and leave genre restrictions behind. For example, the music does have some noticeable grunge influences, but it has sweet melodies. While it takes on pop/punk form with choppy and fast-paced rhythms, the synthesizer levels the music out. The concoction makes for enjoyable tracks that keep the listener on their toes.

“April Again” provides the best example of the band’s genre manipulation. They combine early Beatles psychedelia stuffed with 60s psychedelia painted neatly over an anachronistic guitar riff that comes into form after the verse. The chorus transforms the song into early 90’s indie/rock. It then hits back with psychedelia that this time is overshadowed by some repetitive electronic beats. But even with all of this going on the song is easy to listen to and equally enjoyable. It is a skillful track.

You can check out more of candidate on their blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

Enjoying what you hear AND you are going to be in New York City this Friday? They will be playing on Friday, Aug. 17th at The Trash Bar in Brooklyn at 10:30. The show costs $8.

You Need Various Hands to Throw A Party

13 Aug

Note: Bands of Summer Part II is up and running. Over the next couple of weeks, I am going to go through my backlog of new bands that are on my list for features. Get ready to learn about some hot new bands, and become a music hipster – know cool before they were cool!

Various Hand’s debut EP guarentees you that This Party Will Be Fun, and if you are into fast-paced, inventive pop/rock similar to Maroon Five you will have a good time at Jeff Nations’ party. Nations, the lead vocalist and instrumentalist – he plays and sings everything, released this energetic debut in November of 2011, and it has since launched the band in rotation on 300+ college radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Nations has signed licenses with 14 TV networks including MTV, VH1 and Discovery for possible placement in those networks’ programs.

The EP plays quickly, each song a mover devoted to get you up on your feet and singing along. It’s upbeat, anthemic quality is heavy on basic chord progressions and rapid drum beats, simple but refreshing. It’s a bouncy, fun, uncomplicated, and concise release.

“Blame It On The Night” combines a scratchy guitar riff with a foot-tapping rhythm and loyal bass line.

Check out more:

– Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter

Tags: , , ,

HELP! The Music Court Needs New Writers

13 Aug

 

You don’t have to write with ink pens!

The Music Court is looking for passionate music writers! This is an exciting opportunity to become involved with a well-read blog that posts passionate content about a variety of music. The blog does not have any bounds. We do not focus solely on Eastern Polka music (but if you’d like to write a special section on it, go right ahead).

I am looking for 1-2 writers to write 1-2 posts a week (400-1000 words). Like I said, these posts can be on any genre of music. I just ask that the writer is ardent about their subject. Never posted on WordPress before? I have written instructions that I can send you that will teach you how to write a post, post a picture, publicize the post, etc.

If you, or a friend of yours, may be interested in this opportunity, e-mail musiccourt@gmail.com a short bio about yourself and tell me what’s your favorite band and why. This is a great opportunity for budding music journalists to gain a large collection of clips from a reputable site. I’m looking forward to hearing back from you!

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →