Author Archives: Ricky Stephens

About Ricky Stephens

Ricky Stephens is an independent musician and music reviewer from Tampa Florida.

[Album Review] Flights – Anywhere But Where I Am + Free Download!

Posted by Ricky Stephens - February 23, 2012

Indie duo Brian Holl and Eric Hillman, known musically as Flights, have combined their wits to craft a debut album that soars, sings, and practically embodies the feeling of flying.

The album, relevantly titled Anywhere But Where I Am, is a mix of influences that range from Radiohead to Bon Iver and combine the best traits of both. The guitars are some of the cleanest and most thoughtful parts that I’ve heard in a while, taking precedent without stealing the show entirely. The pianos are a nice touch too and help to change the pace of the album. The introductory track “From The Lake To The Land” is my favorite but songs like “Where The Willow Tree Died” and “Anywhere But Where I Am” shine equally as bright. Remember to keep your tray tables in the upright and locked position and, most of all, enjoy the Flights.

Flights – Anywhere But Where I Am – 01 From the Lake to the Land.mp3

’Flights – Anywhere But Where I Am – 01 From the Lake to the Land.mp3′

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Flights – Anywhere But Where I Am – 05 Where the Willow Tree Died.mp3

’Flights – Anywhere But Where I Am – 05 Where the Willow Tree Died.mp3′

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Download Anywhere But Where I Am for free HERE.

Alternative/Rock

[Experimental] The Qiwu Selftet – Travelling Arriere

Posted by Ricky Stephens - February 22, 2012

France’s The Qiwu Selfte t first surfaced on the Melancholic Jazz Sunset Compilation in 2010 with their uplifting track titled “Kora”. The song got such a positive reception that Qiwu took to writing a full length. The debut release is characterized by a mixture of jazz melodies, organic tones, vocal sample, and electronic beats. It’s a really unique blend that, even though the MJS Compilation put them on the map, has kept them relevant.

The Qiwu Selftet – Narayama

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the_qiwu_selftet

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The Qiwu Selftet – Kora

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the_qiwu_selftet

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Get their debut album for any price, including free, HERE.

Follow the band on soundcloud for new releases.

Via Hilly Dilly

[Album Review] For All The Girls Debut + Interview

Posted by Ricky Stephens - February 22, 2012

Utah band For All The Girls has released a self titled work of experimental folk music. From his bandcamp page Damian Fairchild, the sole member of FATG, describes his music as “songs for the girls I am in love with or have loved at one point in time”. It makes sense, considering every song on the album is a short testament to the emotions each girls name invokes- with those names serving as the song titles. Lyrically the release is quite simple, boldly asking questions like “Maryanne, why’d you break my heart in two?”

As it turns out this 14 year old ,whose music reminds me of The Avett Brothers if they experimented with synth beats, is a fictional character from the mind of Drew Danberry. I’ve recently had a chance to speak with the man behind FATG to get a better idea about what the new album really is and why it took such an unexpected twist: Continue reading →

[New] Bright Moments – Tourists

Posted by Ricky Stephens - February 21, 2012

You might not have heard of Bright Moments yet, but I can almost guarantee that you have heard them before. The sole member of the band, a musical genius known as Kelly Pratt, has been making a name for himself among the giants of the indie scene for years. From playing trumpet in Beirut to playing flute/various horns on Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible, Pratt has surrounded himself with the right people for the job- both in terms of promotion and creativity.

The band’s new single “Tourists” is an electric adventure full of spectacular horn work and catchy melodies that follows up on some ideas that Pratt’s previous band, Team B, set in motion. Check it out below.

Bright Moments – Tourists

’Bright
Moments

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Bright Moments’ debut album, Natives, was recorded in Pratt’s own home studio during the winter of 2010 and is to be released on Luaka Bop 2/21/12.

Alternative/Rock

Shlohmo- Rained The Whole Time (Nicolas Jaar Edit)

Posted by Ricky Stephens - February 20, 2012

To support the release of Vacation Remixes on February 28th, Friends of Friends Music has released Nicolas Jaar‘s edit of Shlohmo‘s “Rained The Whole Time.” The track is a moody and emotional illustration of how much one song can move by simple changes in the beat. For the first half of the track the guitar is playing two chords back and forth… but it never feels stagnant or boring. When it drops, Jaar’s intuition and krautrock influences take hold and the song really moves as the layers and textures take over and turn the track into something undeniably big. Stream Jaar’s remix of “Rained The Whole Time” below:

[New] Hundred Waters- Me And Anodyne

Posted by Ricky Stephens - February 20, 2012

Florida’s Hundred Waters are an eclectic group of musicians who blend the best parts of jazz, folk, and electro music into one enjoyable package.

The track “Me And Anodyne” from their forthcoming LP is as excited as it is pretty. The breathy vocal lines meander harmoniously above waves of electronic sound and atmospheric delay that give the song an otherworldly feel. Layers and layers build the sound up into its full release at about the one minute mark and work together until the tracks ultimate conclusion.

The song is an excellent representation of the band’s work. If you like it then follow them HERE for updates.

[New] Hundred Waters – Me And Anodyne

Posted by Ricky Stephens - February 20, 2012

Florida’s Hundred Waters are an eclectic group of musicians who blend the best parts of jazz, folk, and electro music into one enjoyable package.

The track “Me And Anodyne” from their forthcoming LP is as excited as it is pretty. The breathy vocal lines meander harmoniously above the waves of electronic beats, synth textures, and atmospheric delay that give the song an otherworldly feel. Layers and layers build the sound up into its full release at about the one minute mark and work together until the track’s ultimate conclusion.

The song is an excellent representation of the band’s work. If you like it then follow them HERE for updates.