Young Bands Series: King Krule

King Krule is 18, about to be 19 in a couple of days and has a new album coming about titled 6 Feet Beneath the Moon.  Unlike The Orwells that I featured in this series a couple of weeks ago, King Krule is alone in his musical pursuits and has been recording since before he was 16. I have a hard time describing his sound, and I think that is partially why I love him so much.  It's different, but familiar at the same time.  

I first heard King Krule because my friend Kevin and I were talking about what our Music Drafts would be...if the music industry were to have a draft that had first and second round picks...Anyway, I gave Krule a listen because it was part of Kevin's 1st round pick of artisits/songs that he was loving for the summer. Easy Easy, his favorite song, was pointed out to me specifically so I started there.  

King Krule's baritone makes you think that there is no way that this kid is only 18.  It lends itself well to the smooth and low growl that he emits during most of the songs that he sings.  The entire album is a map of growing up and how isolating it is to be in your teens and into young adulthood.  Everyone knows what this feels like, you're lost in your own head for most of the time! King Krule just brings it out in drawn out words and syllables that everyone can appreciate.

King Krule, take a listen!

Upcoming Shows!

Haim 9/1
The Cold War Kids 10/18
Beyonce 12/20


I'm hoping I can squeeze in Frank Turner on 11/30 and then whoever else comes into town for under $30! Always on the lookout for new bands to check out, so let me know if there is anyone that I should be supporting and seeing live!

Falling for the cooler weather

Begrudgingly, I have to admit that I'm not too upset with the cooler weather moving in.  The Fall is one of my favorite times of year for weather, food, and music.  It's warm during the days and cool at night, making you want to cuddle in and hunker down at a bar for a good show!

As I did in the summer, I've started a fall playlist that will grow throughout the season.  Really, it's still summer until the end of September, so I guess we can just call this the summer cool down list.  Check it out on my GrooveShark here! Follow me and share with me what you're listening to!

#ilovelucius

This past Friday night my sister, brother in law, and I went up to Newmarket, NH to see one of our favorite new bands, Lucius! Not only are we completely in love with them, but Rolling Stone is too. Check out how they are the new up and coming band to watch! 

The concert was held at the Old Stone Church in Newmarket, NH.  It's a small, friendly old church that has switched ownership so many times, I've lost count. The bar flows through the night and their only rule is if you fall over, you've had too much.  Tables and chairs are scattered throughout the small space with exposed beams and remnants of old church still visible in everywhere. With soft lighting and a stage that is only a step up from the tables, the Old Stone Church becomes alight with excitement when a band gets on stage to start a perfectly personable show.

Friday night we were delighted by Lucius and their opening act, Alpenglow! starting around 9 and playing well past midnight, the two bands were absolutely magical and probably put on one of the best shows I've ever been to!!

Today's Obsessions

Lucius. Wildewoman
Jay Z. Picasso Baby
Asaf Avidan & The Mojos. One Day/Reckoning Song
Andrew Bird and Tift Merritt. Newport Folk Festival set
The Civil Wars. The Civil Wars (self-titled new album that hit toady)

I can't stop listening to these 5 things right now.  I know that they are all very different from each other, which is a huge reason I think that I'm appreciating them all today. There hasn't been a good flow to my mood today, so I think that's sort of where the mixed and matched songs are coming from.  

I'm eager to hear Lucius's new album hitting in October and listening to the new Civil Wars album is absolutely heart breaking. I hope that they come back together eventually, I'm not alone when I say that I love them and think that they have an amazing gift.  

The Asaf Avidan track is a little more out there than I usually get into, but I was watching The Crash Reel documentary about pro-snowboarder Kevin Pearce, and this song was the outro.  I loved it and had to keep listening to it! 

Jay Z, obviously, is making huge headlines with Picasso Baby. I also have Condos in my Condo, but that's more because I am a Condo and I live in a sort of Condo....it works. Anyway, it's been cool to hear my family immortalized in a Jay Z song, not to mention a really good Jay Z song.  I love the way that he tells everyone it's not that different, art and music, aren't they all related at some point anyway? 

New Series of Posts : Young Bands

I thought that I would start a new blog series focusing on younger than average bands and artists.  It seems as if there are a ton of new musicians hitting the scene that are at least 6 years my juniors and it's sort of crazy to me! The bands/artists that I'm looking to focus on are people that may still be in high school, but that are trying their best to break out into the music world, school be damned! 

The first band I want to draw attention to is a seriously ROCKING band out of Illinois.  The Orwells hail from just outside of Chicago and they are garnering attention from everywhere, especially NPR and SXSW. Their first album, Remember When, debuted last summer and basically told the music scene that they were here to stay.  Since then, the guys have been working on finishing up high school early in order to work on their new album.  

If you haven't listened to them this is my take: Reminiscent of a late 60's early 70's rock band, almost a Doors meets Ramones flair. Keeping them current, though, imagine that Nirvana, The Strokes and the Black Keys had a baby (not feasible, I'm aware). That is this band.  I completely imagine myself listening to them playing in a smokey bar somewhere in middle America circa 1973.  

The Orwells make me want to listen to their music, and I like that.