Something More From Last Year

 

Over the past weekend, I listened more closely to some bands that inspired me last year. One of them was Deeply Armed, a new band from Dublin. They recorded a song called The Healing, which is now available in several remixes. The original is a mixture of relaxed music that could have been released 40 years ago. Psychedelic and Krautrock that could have been produced by Conny Plank.

The other band that really impressed me was Thought Leadership, a band from the greater Manchester area that has released several albums. What they all had in common was a reduction to echoing guitar sounds in the tradition of Durutti Column and David Gilmour. With III of Pentacles, they have created an album that enchants with its blend of ambient, Cocteau Twins, and Johnny Marr.

Shells

There is a place for new music as well for old fashioned music. Most of the times they live in their very own world. But sometimes it gets magic when they come together to combine both worlds. This happened when I listened to Shelley Salant's latest record Shells - Shells 2. Shelley is a Michigan based guitar player and songwriter located in the local alternative scene and she offers a lot of songs that combine the tradition of guitar picking artists like John Fahey with basic rock tools. Sounds weird? No it isn't in any way. All the songs were only instrumentals and work in any way. If she plays slow and reduced songs they sound great as songs that uses feedbacks and overdubs. Simply an album you can explore and the more you listen you will get involved to this sound. Sometimes I think it sounds like Durutti Column had a session with a garage band.

Florida, Here I Come

Shauna is doing a well job promoting new artists. On last bank holiday I checked out the emails about new artists from the last months. I was astonished how many great artists appeared on the scene and I didn't heard any note so far. In fact that I will go for holiday to Florida tomorrow for two weeks (I think there will be no more posts until I come back) there are some bands you ought to listen. Young, fresh and deeply based in 80's tradition.

First I want to introduce probably Melbourne's best new psychedelic band. Some might file them under shoegaze but they have more to offer than this. This song could be great if it was released 20 years ago. A bizarre mixture of rhythmic guitar chords overlaid with a sweet sound of the leading voice.



The next one's are from Boston based band Dyr Fazer. It is a 3-peace ensemble making a very unique mixture of darkwave, psychedelic, shoegaze, Krautrock and dream-pop. Very worth to listen and if they could get enough airplay they might get more well known.



In conclusion another band that could be typed to shoegaze. Stella Diana is a band from Naples/Italy. Influenced by classic post-punk bands like Joy Division, The Chameleons, Durutti Column and the Echoe's the combine it with 90's bands like Pale Saints and Slowdive. Very good songs from a record released a few month ago. Try and make a decision of your own.