Tag: Alternative

Music, New blog post, New music

Who You Need: All Poets & Heroes

by Blondie and the Beat1 Comment on Who You Need: All Poets & Heroes

all poets and heroes

 

WHO: All Poets & Heroes

WHERE: Syracuse, NY

GENRE: Alternative/folk

TOP TRACK: “Unidentified”

 

 

 

Picture sitting in a white-hued kitchen on a Sunday morning. There’s fresh flowers on the table and the morning sun streams in through every cracked window. That’s how All Poets & Heroes make you feel. Their upcoming EP titled, Where We Lived and What We Lived For (releasing in October) is a 4-track homage to life and the questions we often associate with it.

Opening song, “Day Dreams” sounds like something you’d hear on an early John Mayer album. It’s easygoing while dancing on the border of playfulness. Lead singer Rob McCall’s steady vocal chords sing, “You say I’m in too deep, I say let’s play for keeps.” Each song feels just as comfortable as the one before. Somewhat muted melodies and a thudding drum beat carry each track right into the next.

Philosophical inspiration is a direct theme on this EP. What is the meaning of life? Should I take a chance? Should I let things go? What is my future? The opposite end of the album features a heavier composition. A lyric on the track “Choices” encompasses this underlying theme; “Was this life not meant for sad words and scars?”. Philosophical breakdowns of life and love lull you into a thought process most artists can’t trigger in their listeners.

In just four tracks, AP&H prove what they stand for in an industry that has somewhat lost its luster for real music. These guys bring you back to the basics; music with meaning that’s pulled out of you in the most beautiful way.

 

For more info on All Poets & Heroes, visit their site, here.

 

 

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Who You Need: Colouring

by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment on Who You Need: Colouring

“Stop all the clocks, I’ll be with you, you’re all that I think about” sings lead singer Jack Kenworthy in a high pop range as an electro beat migrates to the forefront. “About You” is one of their several singles released late this year. London natives, Colouring are doing just that. Coloring music with a blue hue (check out all their single artwork) and poetic lyrics. If One Republic and Coldplay had a baby, it would be these guys…

band
Image: facebook.com/ColouringBand

The group yanks at your heart strings with the sad yet beautiful “Everything Has Grown.” A light twinkle of piano chords played by Kenworthy graces your ears. He told Impose Magazine, “I could always work out melodies by ear on the piano, even before I knew what any of the notes were.” His voice is a steady strong alto as the lyrics overflow with honesty; “Now all these years have passed us by, and every tear has left your eyes, but how we try.” Kenworthy says, “It’s a pretty personal song to me. I think everyone knows the feeling of looking back on a difficult time in their lives and finally finding peace with it.”

This four-some met eachother over a span of years forming what would soon be their band. They played and listened to music together in their house in London. “From early on, we all realized we loved the same stuff. We quickly became pretty close,” said Kenworthy. It’s obvious they all work well together and are motivated to make more music. A debut album is in the works for 2017.

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The Secret Collab You Need

by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment on The Secret Collab You Need
taku wafia
Image: wegotthiscovered.com

Both TAKU and Wafia manage to stay under the radar when it comes to their music. You won’t hear their names on E! News and you won’t see their faces on the cover of every tabloid magazine. That’s what makes them the best kept secret in music. Both come from powerful genres of music; TAKU from the electronic world and Wafia from the alternative world. It only seems natural that the two would come together and form some musical magic one day. Well, that day is coming August 5 of this year when their duet EP titled,  (m)edian is released. A 5-song emotionally stacked project that can only serve as the melancholy soundtrack to the end of your summer.

The two recently brought their collaboration to life at the Sydney Opera House a couple weeks ago. With intensely subtle lights and visuals, TAKU started the show plucking at everyone’s emotions through his piano-driven sounds and vibes. “How’s everyone’s feelings?” he says into the mic as the crowd cheers back for him, waiting for their souls to be revived by his extremely beautiful sense of self.

Watch their concert at the Sydney Opera House here:

He told the story of how the duo met and how he instantly fell in love with Wafia’s music and immediately emailed her saying, “Lets work.” TAKU tells the crowd (m)edian is about, “experiences we’ve had throughout our lives with our families. About sacrifice, love, and compromise.” Although TAKU’s music is mostly non-vocal, Wafia and him have a wonderful vocal sound together. It’s a coffee-shop soundtrack with a little more pizazz. The two seem very humble, talented, and inspired when performing together.

“Love Somebody” is the closing track on the upcoming EP, keeping TAKU’s classic piano- driven melody alive. Wafia and TAKU compliment eachother’s sounds perfectly. They repeatedly harmonize to the words, “Oh, when you love somebody,” pushing the poetry right into your soul.

One can’t help but feel enlightened after witnessing a duo like this. Cue the incents and burgundy-hued wall tapestries.

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Who You Need: Ta-Ku

by Blondie and the BeatLeave a Comment on Who You Need: Ta-Ku
photo via facebook.com/takugotbeats.com
photo via facebook.com/takugotbeats.com

Sometimes you just find music that completely speaks to you. That’s what it felt like when I found Ta-Ku. I was like ummmm, where have you been all my life? (stuffs chocolate and wine into my open mouth as I listen to Songs to Make Up To). It’s an eclectic mix that I’m sure only certain people are into but there’s one thing you can’t deny; it’s beauty. These are love songs and they are mind-blowingly good.

Ta-Ku is a musician from Perth, Australia. He started back in 2011 with an EP titled KT. His most recent album, Songs to Make Up To, serves almost as a sequel to Songs to Break Up To, which was released in 2013. When I heard these two, I thought it was the coolest thing I’ve ever heard. The songs truly live up to the title in the craziest ways. Both keeping an electronic/R&B based sound with incredible musicality. Songs to Break Up To, could almost be playing in the background as a couple fights about how they don’t make time for each other anymore, or how he’s never home for dinner, or she’s always late. The intense musical elements spark visuals in your brain, almost as if you could create your own music video just from listening.

photo via uproxx.com
photo via uproxx.com

Songs to Make Up To, is even more delightful to listen to. The song names are a true indication of what magic is about to happen: “Hopeful”, “Love Again”, “Trust Me”, “Long Time, No See”, “Sunrise/Beautiful”, “Fall4You”, “Work In Progress”, and “Down For You”. Every song makes you think of beautiful things in life and that’s how they make you feel too.

One thing that makes Ta-Ku different is that his style is unpredictable, a song can shift into something completely separate from what you just heard and it still cohesively fits together somehow; it’s incredible. “Love Again” (Feat. JMSN & Sango) is a clear masterpiece off this album. Repetitive piano chords, intoxicating vocals, and a clap beat dances in your brain making you want to make up with someone, ANYONE. The song, spanning over 5 minutes is borderline heavenly. Not to mention, the dope hip-hop drag at the end making it a true Ta-Ku song. Most songs are led with no or minimal vocals and it totally works, which is a skill in itself.

Check out this live performance of “Love Again”:

The truth is, I have too many good things to say about Ta-Ku and the way he’s building his music. It’s intricate, intoxicating, powerful, and immensely captivating. Something every artist should be trying to achieve. Touché to you Ta-Ku. Cheers to being a delicious musical force.

-Abbey  

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All the Colors of Michael Blume

by Blondie and the Beat2 Comments on All the Colors of Michael Blume
photo via pausemusicale.com
photo via pausemusicale.com

With rhythm like Miguel, a voice like Frank Ocean, and lyrics like Chet Faker, Michael Blume has created his own path that is new age and worth hearing.

After the release of his first single, “Manufactured Love” I knew I would be in love with this man; I was right. His natural vibrato-infused voice ignites a musical fire inside your soul. Everything about him is hypnotizingly cool. Once you start listening, you can’t stop.

His latest single, “Colors” is slightly more upbeat than his previous. “All of the colors are bleeding from my head, all the colors paint a picture in my head,” are the poetic lyrics heard on this pretty tune. Blume blends R&B beats with alternative lyrics and melodies to create something extremely unique. “Colors” resembles a relationship which includes mistakes, drunk texting, imperfections, and much more. The song builds to a gorgeous outro sung by a heavenly choir. Music just doesn’t get any better than this.

Listen to “Colors” here:

http://www.hillydilly.com/2015/10/michael-blume-colors/

I can’t wait to hear more from Michael Blume. His talent is rare in the purest form.

-Abbey