Rock Torch

Eric Zeiler of Xylos carries a torch for Robyn

by

Eric Zeiler and Robyn

Eric Zeiler and Robyn

Eric Zeiler’s recommendation: “Though it may be an obvious choice, the new Robyn record has really moved me the past few weeks since I first heard it. I’m impressed by the production primarily. As I’ve dug deeper into the nuances of pop music, I’ve found myself most affected by really simple, subtle, elegant production.”

New to Robyn? Eric suggests you start here: On the track “Dancing on my Own” (on Body Talk Pt. 1), you can count the number of instruments in the track (it’s not that many). Every tone that’s introduced is there for a reason, and provides a serious impact. For example, the electronic percussion sound that comes in at 0:38. Super simple, but really powerful. I’ve always subscribed (mostly unconsciously) to the “more is more” philosophy when producing music, but it’s been inspiring lately for me to work to wriggle out emotional power from simplicity. Robyn does that really well.”

Robyn ‘Dancing On My Own’ (Official Video) from Robyn on Vimeo.

Eric ZeilerAbout the guest author, Eric Zeiler: The way it is explained in the Examiner interview, Eric Zeiler decided to pass on his acceptance to the Columbia MBA program. Instead he sat down and cranked out a harmony filled pop masterpiece, the five song Bedrooms EP. Outstanding reviews rolled in and an appearance on MTV’s Iggy show followed. Eric recruited more Xylos members and is now hard at work on the band’s first full length album. They’re cool enough to make a song from their sessions available (see below). Be sure to check the Xylos site for information about their upcoming release.

MP3: Not Enough from the upcoming Xylos release.

Steve Yutzy-Burkey of The Swimmers carries a torch for Will Oldham (aka Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy)

by

Steve Yutzy-Burkey and Will Oldham

Steve Yutzy-Burkey and Will Oldham

Steve Yutzy-Burkey’s recommendation: “Will Oldham has the ability to deliver some of the most revealing and heartbreaking lines, yet somehow he manages to never take himself too seriously. He has maintained a unique voice throughout a varied career (Palace, Palace Brothers, Palace Music, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billie, etc], always making music on his own terms. His voice is full of personality without the pretension of a constructed persona. I am fascinated by performers like him that can take so many risks (out-of-tune vocals, almost overly sincere lyrics, sloppy revolving cast of backing band members, weighty subject matter) and pull off so many things that would fall flat coming from anyone else. I doubt that people would easily hear a connection listening to my music, but Will Oldham’s music has been a source of inspiration and frustration for me throughout my years of attempting to write and perform.”

New to Will Oldham? Steve recommends you start here: “If unfamiliar, I recommend starting with Palace Music’s Lost Blues & Other Songs, as it was my first introduction and it worked on me. It’s a scattered and sparse affair–less polished than some later records–but even early on Oldham’s voice draws me in with its warbled and haunting clarity. I just listened to it again after a long break from hearing it, and it’s everything as brilliant as i remembered it.”

Steve Yutzy-BurkeyAbout the guest author, Steve Yutzy-Burkey: Steve is the lead singer/songwriter for The Swimmers, the Philadelphia band that the New York Times called “…a new favorite” and was placed as one of the “Eight To Watch in ’08” by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Their last release, People Are Soft is a fantastic mix of cheery keyboards, sweet harmonies and smart lyrics that never try to be too clever. Check The Swimmers MySpace page for upcoming dates and sample their sounds below.

MP3: Shelter by The Swimmers from their album, People Are Soft

Corey Cunningham of Magic Bullets carries a torch for The Feelies

by

Corey Cunningham and The Feelies

Corey Cunningham and The Feelies

Corey Cunningham’s recommendation: “I always have a thing I tell people when I talk to them about this group: No band has ever made such a perfect and complete discography. Even The Beatles had their Let It Be. But not The Feelies. Every record is as good as the last. And, most surprisingly to me, every record almost sounds like it could have been recorded the same year as the last. How many artists have a 16-year, 4 album career that is seemingly untouched by the trends of the time? They made it seem easy and so exciting. Yet if you’ve ever tried to rite a song that sounds like The Feelies you’ll find it a good bit harder than expected. They built a vocabulary that was smart, that came from so many others – Velvet Underground, Modern Lovers, the first Talking Heads. Yet what they did was so Feelies-like it could never be duplicated.

I know what you’re thinking.. their covers of other artists, right?

Surely that’s a blemish on this perfect discography (all but one of their four albums contains at least one cover). But to me their renditions always redefine the song and often surpass the original. I can’t count the number of crummy, pointless covers that bands often feel inclined do. The Feelies played them as if they were theirs all along.

And when I say their whole discography I’m including their side-projects as well. Listen to Yung Wu, The Trypes, and The Willies. Same quality control. Same use of tasteful restraint. But not exactly the same band. I still think that Yung Wu album is one of the best albums of 1987.

My biggest debt to them though? I learned what to do on stage from watching a video of them live at Maxwell’s from 1979. What moves!”

About the guest author, Corey Cunningham:Corey is the guitar player for the San Francisco band, Magic Bullets. They formed in 2004 and have since played shows with The Walkmen and Cold War Kids. Amplifier.com praised the band by saying that “…guitarist Corey Cunningham‘s brittle, swooning riffs suggest Johnny Marr, while singer Philip Benson‘s sphinxian lyrics come in bursts of poetic beauty.” Hear for yourself on the mp3 for “Lying Around” below (and if you like what you hear, buy their new EP here. The band is on tour, so check the Magic Bullets web site to see where to catch ’em.

MP3: Lying Around by Magic Bullets

Kate Nash recommends Sleater-Kinney

by

Kate Nash and Sleater-Kinney

Kate Nash and Sleater Kinney

Kate Nash’s recommendation: “A band that I love is Sleater-Kinney because they write really heartfelt sincere vulnerable music but it’s also tough and has a lot of balls and they do what they want. It feels like a really raw uncensored expression of something, and I love that mix of lyrics that are vulnerable but tough.”

New to Sleater-Kinney? Kate Nash suggests you start with their third album, Dig Me Out

Watch Words and Guitar from Sleater Kinney here:

Kate NashAbout the guest author, Kate Nash: Kate’s career is as Cindarella as it gets. She hoped to work in the theater, but a foot injury nixed that idea. She then turned to songwriting, posted some clips on Myspace, signed with Fiction records and had an album that debuted at #1 in the UK. Her new album is called My Best Friend Is You and she is currently on tour, making appearances at this year’s Lilith Fair. Check her website for more info and her catchy new single here:

Bonus: One of our favorite live clips pairs Kate and Billy Bragg. Yup…it’s a must see medley of Foundations and New England. LOVE IT!


newsletter software