Author Archives: Charles Gray

It’s not uncommon for bands to travel “across the pond” to seek a standing in the States, but what of the ponds outside US Borders?

The Rubens are an Australian rock ‘n’ roll group well established in the Oceania territory. They are just now tearing through the States with catchy pop rock aimed at your this-song-is-now-stuck-in-your head gland. We chatted with The Rubens’ lead singer Sam Margin just before their showcase at Bonnaroo.

How’s this weekend been?

We saw JEFF the Brotherhood, saw a bit of Bjork, which was fucking cool.

This isn’t the first time in the States, correct?

No, we recorded our album in New York about a year and a bit ago at this studio called Avatar. David Kahne produced it and did a really amazing job. After that, we’ve come back a few times to do shows, or play south SXSW.

Read More »

Nicki Bluhm is a woman who is known to love, and known to love music—but more than just a simple story of music and a talented musician, Bluhm is soulful and slow-paced singer/ songwriter, well-versed in modern Americana.

Bluhm is often accompanied by her husband (famed songwriter in his own right) Tim Bluhm and backed by her band The Gramblers. Together, Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers are two albums deep in a blossoming career. We caught her at Bonnaroo to discuss songwriting, festies, and singing in the car.

When did you get here?

We got here [Thursday] and we played the opening set, then we played a VIP party today, then we’ve got one more party set, and then we have to be heading out. [We’re] playing Little Rock tomorrow.

You have a very warm, almost nostalgic sound. It’s very natural. What inspires you the most?

Tim and I listen to a lot of vinyl. The whole band does. I’m a fan of a lot of music from the ’60s and ’70s. Tim’s big influences are the Beach Boys and the Byrds, and I think the music from those decades reaches all of us and inevitably fuses into the music that we make.

Read More »

When telling people you’re going to interview Jeff the Brotherhood, those who have already been around the guys usually have one of two things to say: One, that no one works harder, and two, that no band provides better company. So when the chance arose to talk to them at Bonnaroo, we quickly got on board to speak to the noisy pop duo.

As of the past year, the Nashvillian two-piece have been promoting their 7th record Hypnotic Nights with endless touring and festival gigging. We were able to speak to them about extended touring, their upcoming record, and a made-up men’s cologne someone out there will probably wish were a real thing.

How has this year been treating you guys?

Jamin Orrall: Wonderful.

Jake Orrall: Best year of my life.

Hypnotic Nights is your seventh record. Would you guys mind talking to me about the process of writing and recording it?

Jamin: It was very rushed. As all of our records are.

Jake: We tour so much we don’t have time to write songs, so we actually pulled a lot of songs I wrote when I was like 19. [Laughs] Yeah and you know just, wrote the other ones in like two weeks.

Jamin: Honestly, we kind of shat that record out.

Read More »

When flagship festivals as big as Bonnaroo come along, they’re always overloaded with so many acts that plotting out a schedule seems almost too easy, but heed this warning! If you only see the big names, you’re liable to miss some good shows.

Past the acts everyone knows to see like Paul McCartney, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, R. Kelly, Bjork, The National, festival staples like Mumford and Sons, Wilco, Pretty Lights, and breaking acts like Lumineers and Action Bronson, there are names that seem to blend in with the overwhelming list of notables. So here are some obvious don’t-miss picks and a little bit of a peak-under-the-radar to see what can be good show you’re glad you got to see.

Though there are plenty B+ list bands to catch, there are a few especially worth being available for. The xx are a name you’ve probably heard for a few years now. Lead member and producer Jamie xx has built a sound that mixes American indie rock with English dance sentiments. The xx has properly defined the aesthetic with their sophomore effort, last year’s Coexist. In the same fashion as the recorded material, their live show works off of equal helpings of raw performance and expert production well worth checking out.

Read More »

If you haven’t been keeping up, Summer 2013 is the season of dynamic duos.

Not only did Mount Kimbie already release a fantastic effort in Cold Spring Fault Less Youth, Daft Punk released Random Access Memories, and Boards of Canada have the very much-anticipated Tomorrow’s Harvest just around the corner, but today brings with it the release of indie-dance darlings Disclosure‘s Settle.

The hyper young brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence (both ’90s kids) have built a sound based on a squeaky clean aesthetic, four-on-the-floor beats, and translucent arrangements. Commercial success was brought about by a select group of singles including “Latch (ft. Sam Smith)” and “White Noise (ft. AlunaGeorge),” both of which contain perfection in gridlocked swing and well-baited hooks.

Read More »

Enjoy earthy tones and warm sounds? Warp Records staple Bibio has probably made your day before and is sure to do so again with today’s release of his seventh album Silver Wilkinson.

Bibio’s effortless ability to combine analog warmth with modern-day beats creates an intriguing sound, juxtaposing crunk with melancholy. The result is a brain-feeding experience heavy on nostalgia but still full of head-nodding and the desire to flail limbs in some sort of rhythmic manner, which is what my friends accuse me of doing instead of “dancing.” Emotive and rhythmic? Yes, I’ll bite.

To promote Silver Wilkinson, Bibio released “You,” which harkens back to the warm vocal cuts on older tracks like “Fire Ant” and “À tout à l’heure,” a sparkly tape-warped pop tune bubbling with optimism. Both emphasize Bibio’s lean on nostalgic melancholy and aural texture. On April 16, Warp released a 7″ of the latter with some uber-delicious art available through Bleep.

Read More »

Alright, Memphis, the weather’s nice out and pollenocalypse is seemingly over—it’s time to enjoy Spring. 

One of Memphis’s best record shops is bringing you some awesome Record Store Day celebrations this weekend, a perfect add to your agenda while taking advantage of the Razor scooter weather.

Shangri-La Records is a music store located at 1916 Madison that carries an extensive collection of varying vinyl, including loads of local releases, both new and old. This year marks their 25th anniversary, providing a more than ample excuse to go big this weekend. They’ll be hosting a two-day vinyl celebration packed with deals, steals, and a show from a local up-and-comer.

Read More »