Author Archives: Tessa Schroll

[Folk] Lucius – Ghosting (Freelance Whales Cover)

Just writing the title to this blog post gave me major chills. If you’re anything like me and absolutely infatuated by Freelance Whales and Lucius then this is literally the best day of your life. Freelance Whales, a band that is very close and dear to my heart released their second studio album, Diluvia, in October. As if that wasn’t enough, Lucius, the Brooklyn based powerhouse released their EP earlier this year. It just so happens that Lucius was at a concert I recently reviewed and I fell in love with.

I was already in love with this song when I first read the title, but hitting play threw me into a whirlwind of magical glitter and unicorns and puppies. The track starts off with a funky guitar riff that gives you a whole new perspective of “Ghosting”. At first, you feel a little uncomfortable with what’s happening, maybe feeling a little unsure. But keep listening and you’ll start noticing the soft voices of Jess and Holly working perfectly together. Holly commented on the track saying, they “started by using [their] voices to emulate some of the original instrumental parts”. They definitely did this song justice not only by sounding stunning as always, but by thinking outside of the music box and creating their very own version of the song. Check it out below and follow Lucius on their tour here.

’Lucius – Ghosting (Freelance Whales Cover)’
Related items:

[Dreamfolk] Mt. Wolf – Climax (Usher Cover)

Unless you’re an underground super-ultra hipster then you most likely possibly watched some part of the American Music Awards. Usher opened the show with a mash-up of some of his most recent hits including “Climax”. It’s a good song, but after hearing Mt. Wolf’s cover I’ve established that theirs is waaaaaaaay better.

Mt. Wolf is categorized under a genre known as “dark folktronica,” their songs are contrasts of deep bass, some traces of dubstep mixed with acoustic guitar and gentle vocals. It’s an odd mix, but it totally works. This cover of “Climax” is intoxicating, filling you up with Kate Sproule’s insanely delicate and crisp voice and a beat so quiet you can’t even hear it. But listen closer and your foot will start tapping and soon enough you’re in too deep to stop. Grab their EP Life Size Ghosts at Two Sister Records right here.

’Mt. Wolf – Climax – Usher Cover’
Related items:

[Folk] House of Wolves – 50’s

Los Angeles native, Rey Villalobos, is the genius behind solo project House of Wolves. Did you know his last name, Villa-lobos actually translates to House of Wolves from Spanish? Hey, you learn something new everyday. Rey grew up as a classically trained pianist, recalling Chopin as his main musical influence which pushed him to create such utterly sincere and engaging music.

After a long day of running around, arguing with annoying people and drinking too much coffee this track is the perfect way to relax. Rey’s voice illustrates beautiful peaks of high notes and the hazy piano notes being played with a small glimmer of the tambourine are making my nerves calm down. The lyrics to the track are romantic but up for interpretation, maybe you’re in a place in your life where music like this will stop you in your tracks and make you stop for a second. After purchasing his EP, Fold In The Wind, I have become a huge fan. House of Wolves is currently on tour in Europe, but let’s hope he comes to the states. Grab your copy of his EP here.

’House of Wolves – 50s’
Related items:

[Folk Rock] The Last Bison – Switzerland

If you dig traditional folk instruments, emotionally charged vocals and a band with sound that could fill an entire amphitheatre then you’ve just found yourself a new favorite band. Enter The Last Bison, a seven person ensemble originally from the deep marshes of southeastern Virginia. Folk rock at it’s very best, this group has been compared to the sound of Mumford & Sons, Fleet Foxes and the Avett Brothers. Listen to this track and you’ll understand exactly what I am talking about.

The poetic lyrics and gold dusted vocals in “Switzerland” will carry you out to a cornfield on a farm somewhere, reminding you that simple, artisan music still exists. The full five minutes of this track are deeply hypnotizing. What makes it that much better is Ben Hardesty’s vocals, especially when uttering the word “Switzerland” over and over again losing his breath while still sounding utterly perfect. The song is off their Inheritance EP, which came out on October 23rd. You can find it on their Soundcloud page. Support the artist and buy yourself the perfect Pumpkin-Spice-latte-sipping music out there.

’The Last Bison – Switzerland’
Related items:

[Live Review] Lucius and Milo Greene – Bowery Ballroom, NYC


(Milo Greene)

The last time I was at Bowery Ballroom was for an incredible Of Monsters and Men concert. It was such a treat and didn’t think anything could top the awesomeness; I was wrong. A few Thursdays ago, I was at Bowery once again to see Lucius and Milo Greene.

LUCIUS

’Lucius – Genevieve’

Brooklyn based band, Lucius, can be no better described than an ensemble of infectious rhythms, insane percussions and vocals that will blow your mind. For an opening band, these guys killed it. Holly and Jess walked on stage matching in costume and hollered at the crowd with a “New York, we love you!”. The show started with “Don’t Just Sit There”; breezy vocals, beautifully synched harmonies and acoustic guitar got the crowd hypnotized. After that, they played their hit “Turn It Around,” which got everyone dancing, hands up in the air punching along with the perfectly placed drum beats. It was funky and energetic from beginning to end. Between songs Jess and Holly told the crowd how happy they were to be back in their hometown, cracking jokes and just being naturally adorable. Their set ended with “Genevieve,” which is just a powerhouse of craziness; the perfect way to end the show. The audience was left heavily breathing, with sweaty foreheads, thankful for what we had just experienced. Check out Lucius’ EP on iTunes and prepare for 13 minutes of just purely danceable, non regrettable music.

MILO GREENE

’Milo Greene – 1957’

’Milo Greene – Dont You Give Up On Me’

With a tough act to follow, I was more than ready for Milo Greene to walk on stage and blow my mind. So they did. I bet by now all of you have listened to one of their songs, most likely being “1957” which just exploded on the web ever since it was released.  A certain someone from Twitter once described their sound as “with ethereal wisps of guitar, and drums and vocals, that are both calming and a call to action, Milo Greene both soothes and invigorates the soul”. Invigorate they did, my friend. They walked onto the stage greeting the enthralled crowd. I start fangirling just over the fact that Robbie Arnett is standing less than five feet from me, but that’s not important at all actually. They first played “Orpheus,” warming up the crowd with the warm feeling we feel when listening to Milo. The real first song they played was their very emotional “Don’t You Give Up On Me”. The crowd becomes comfortable with the band and slowly begins humming along with Marlana’s perfectly controlled vocals. The band continued their set with songs from their EP including “Autumn Tree”, “Silent Way”, “Take A Step” and others. And yes, they indeed perform a cover song. After “Silent Way”, Graham Fink asks the crowd if they could play “Zonk” by Wilco. The crowd responded with absolute pure happiness getting their video recorders ready. It was a great performance, and brought Milo Greene outside of their comfort zone making the band and audience vulnerable.

continue after the jump… Continue reading

Related items:

[Remix] Ellie Goulding – Anything Could Happen (Blood Diamonds Remix)

So maybe you have listened to fourteen remixes of Ellie Goulding‘s new single “Anything Could Happen” before this one, but I promise you this one’s good and worth a listen (or two, or three…). Blood Diamonds hops on this hit to crank out one dank remix. He works his magic, making this version insanely danceable and also a breath of fresh electronic air. Goulding’s timeless voice remains the same, but what stands out is the intense bass and harmonic undertones. Simply said, it stands out and gets us Ninjas even more pumped for Goulding’s new album, Halcyon, out October 9th.

’Ellie Goulding – Anything Could Happen (Blood Diamonds Remix)’
Related items:

Lykke Li – Follow Rivers (The Magician Remix)

WARNING. If you’re sitting at work right now do not press play, this track will make you get up and dance like a complete freak show. Break out the moonwalk, the belly dance and hell, even your best hip thrust. But, if you’re at home, please press play…

It first starts off with a nice beat, and finally the song really begins. Greeting you at the door is Lykke Li‘s effortlessly gorgeous voice. You start nodding your head up and down as you drown yourself in a groovy ass beat, drums and a world of sweet gold. Keep dancing until the song ends, press repeat. Over and over and over again. This track is a hot sensation in Europe so let’s bring it to the clubs over here. Check out the rest of The Magician‘s Soundcloud. And obviously, go check out Lykke Li‘s most recent (and beautiful) album Wounded Rhymes.

’Lykke Li – I Follow Rivers (The Magician Remix)’
Related items: