Author Archives: Will Rowe-Parr

[Indie/Electronic] Crywolf – Akureyri

Posted by Will Rowe-Parr - November 12, 2015

Crywolf
Akureyri

We’ve been all over this guy for a while now, following his first two track releases from his highly anticipated album Cataclasm. However, it hasn’t been easy! Having broken away from the buzz of California, and hidden amidst the isolation of Iceland, he confides in the necessity of a new environment to work within, in order to generate a new sense of creativity. Now he’s hit us with another new release, “Akureyri”. Crywolf (A.K.A Justin Taylor Phillips) is building quite the portfolio, consisting of these empowering/ ethereal sounds, placing us within a state of elation. Comprising of organic sounds created in his lake-side cabin, this track its beautifully authentic and honest, something which he’s passionate about as an artist.

As a producer, musician and vocalist, he holds an eclectic and rare skill set enabling him to work individually, and yet explore his incredible style of electronic and acoustic music. Cataclysm is set to be released on 20th November, and if it’s a body of work representative of what he’s already shown us, it’ll take the industry by storm!

Throughout the writing and recording Phillips is documenting the process and guides us through this new and “alien” environment he’s inhabited. He discusses the impact of this new surrounding and escaping from the claustrophobia of the city; this documentation can be found on YouTube.

Ed Prosek – Holy Water [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Will Rowe-Parr - November 3, 2015

Ed Prosek
Holy Water

Soundcloud

Having traded the sun and sand of California for the cloud and stones of Brighton, the search for home is an ever present theme throughout Ed Prosek’s music. Since the release of his EP ‘The Riverbed’, Ed has been building audiences on both side of the Atlantic, most recently supporting Lindsey Stirling on her tour of Germany. His beautifully honest style of writing makes it near impossible to present any faults at all, as his stories of struggle and liberation seamlessly engage us to sit back and travel with him.

‘Holy Water’ is refreshingly authentic, as Ed sings quite contently of his acceptance of losing everything he has, and admitting day to day struggles, as long as he finds piece of mind. This is brilliantly uplifting when he explodes into the chorus, supported by a choir and band, solidified by his impassioned vocal tone. One of Prosek’s strengths is writing in a fashion capable of addressing anyone, creating a delicately unique bond between us and him, as he sings of running for shelter, seeking mercy from a storm. We inadvertently follow his story, lose ourselves and find a captivating sense of elevation amidst the infectious chorus.

Whilst proving his development as an artist with this single, Ed has maintained his organic style through raw acoustic guitars and simple drum beats. He encourages us to lay back and relax, whilst the choir ascends towards an emotional climax, offering a beautifully wholesome dimension to his music. The arrangement of instruments within ‘Holy Water’ perfectly complements his singing and lyricism, as he consistently increases the emotion throughout. The addition of backing vocals within the chorus and middle 8 elevates the song, whilst rare cymbal crashes offer an atmospheric tangent, guiding the piece to a captivating culmination.

I think it’s safe to say Ed has found a home and laid down some new roots in the UK, as he and his band are set to have a big impact on the music scene over the coming months and years.
Check out the link below for potential tour dates and latest releases.
http://www.edprosek.com

[Singer/Songwriter] Matt Corby – Monday

Posted by Will Rowe-Parr - October 6, 2015

MattCorby
Monday

Soundcloud

Instantly hypnotised, we fall into a trance guided by his faultless vocal harmonies, as Matt Corby finds us subdued by this wave of ambiance. His angelic approach to ‘Monday’ undoubtedly includes gospel elements, a genre in which he was massively influenced by at a young age in Australia.

The bellowing kick drum is an empowering pendulum, accompanied by unified claps, offering an authentic rawness within the song. This organic style of music is amplified by the use of a loop-station, allowing Matt to layer his soulful vocals and instruments in order to achieve complex textural patterns, the beauty of which can be perfectly re-produced throughout a live performance. He sings of losing faith in The Bible and states “Monday is about being able to appreciate where you are, and thinking that maybe you don’t need anything much to depend on, you just need to accept what’s going on right now”. The recurring falsetto pattern within the vocal melody, provides a pleasing release from elements of tension amidst his lyricism, as he completely sits back into the song, re-addressing the fundamental idea of accepting life as it is.

Born in Sydney, Matt made his official stamp on the industry at the young age of 18 when he travelled to London, having felt bewildered and directionless towards his late teens. His music is honest and organic, manipulating his magnificent vocals and creating awesome sounds and tones, such as within a crowd favourite, ‘Brother’. Therefore it’s fantastic to recognise that this authenticity has been retained throughout his most recent work, whilst realising an assured maturity as an artist.

Matt Corby will be performing worldwide over the coming months, to which I highly recommend you all attend; I know I’ll be heading over in London! Check out the link below for dates and locations!

http://mattcorby.com.au

Connor Leimer – Postcard [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Will Rowe-Parr - October 2, 2015

Postcard
Connor Leimer

Soundcloud

Pop, rock, reggae and folk are amongst the eclectic mix of genres in which Connor Leimer explores through his latest record. His debut single “Postcard’ kindly lends itself as a jazz piece consisting of a warm brass section and infectious bass lines, solidifying a framework for his raspy yet organic vocals, resembling a tone similar to jazz artist Jamie Cullum.

“Postcard” explores running away to the coast, or the gardens with a loved one. Planting familiar images for us to relate to and understand. Connor writes by “blurring the boundaries” between genres and allows his work to “take [him] wherever it needs to go”, following an extremely authentic process of songwriting. The band provide a consistent accompaniment of harmonic variation, as the instruments mould together and move simultaneously, guiding the relaxed melody and conversational lyrics comfortably from phrase to phrase.

Having grown up in the suburbs of Kansas City, Leimer’s majority of work is influenced by his days in high school. Travelling away from home is unfamiliar, as he questions the desired prospect of reaching the shore, and includes imagery in association with the ocean, such as sailing away on a boat, or the sea air in [her] hair.

Check out Connor’s ongoing ‘Dorm Room Tour’ around the US in the link below. He’s undoubtedly one to watch over the coming months.

http://www.connorleimer.com/tour/

[Indie/ Folk] Jackson Dyer – Steal Away

Posted by Will Rowe-Parr - September 16, 2015

Jackson Dyer
Steal Away

Buy

If like me, you’re dispirited by the closing of festival season, this Berlin-based indie-folk artist will ease the transition from summer to back to school, university or work. Having released his brilliant EP ‘White Threads’ last year, Jackson Dyer has maintained and matured his magnificence within the new single ‘Steal Away’.

Instantly amerced by the warm depth of an ambient electric guitar, Dyer’s soulful vocals entice us to lose ourselves within this beautifully simplistic piece. ‘Steal away’ proceeds to run away with momentum as he invites the drums to help accelerate his voice, only elevating the song further. The Australian’s light vocals balance delicately upon the accompaniment, singing fondly of eloquent childhood memories along the west-coast of Australia. He later introduces the violin to bring this song to a gratifying peak of liberation, before stripping it all back to the bare essentials for the final lyrics.

Easily one of my favourite songs at the moment, ‘Steal Away’ liberates us as an audience and we quite literally steal away from our surroundings, and escape through this calming track. He sings almost desperately of home-sickness and yearning for the ocean, whilst feeling trapped amidst the concrete of Berlin city. It’s a piece that begs us to sway with his breathy voice, as the drums consistently play a perfectly laid back beat behind.

Check out the link below for potential tour dates, live videos and more music.

http://jacksondyer.com/home

[Alternative] Swimm – Belly

Posted by Will Rowe-Parr - August 17, 2015

Swimm
Belly

Soundcloud

American Indie-rock duo SWIMM have just released their third single ‘Belly’ from their highly anticipated EP Beverly Hells, expected to be released on August 28th! Having performed at Noisey LA’s “TOO FAR” series on August 11th, it’s easy to understand why they’re becoming increasingly popular, especially along the west-coast. ‘Belly’s’ infectious guitar harmonies pull us closely into their Californian fashion, and along with Chris and Adam’s raspy vocals we’re instantaneously placed amidst the State of white beaches and packed bars.

The liberating guitar instrumental that proceeds the tightly moulded vocal harmony of ‘I’m so tired of running around’, shares a stylistic brilliance with the guitar solo within Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’, as Swimm seem to discretely encourage us to lose ourselves throughout these electrifying moments.

Whilst delving into the musical brilliance of this track, you may have a tendency to pass-by the underlying lyrical meaning. Dedicating each verse to individuals who are terribly important to him, Chris mentions “each of them has had all the potential in the world, but because of addictions of some kind have let and maybe are still letting that potential slip away.” Although this may be perceived as disheartening or sombre, I admire and respect the way ‘Swimm’ have captured and conveyed this lyric so positively through the music!

They will be performing at a large variety of venues over the coming months, including The Echo in LA on September 11th, and London Music Hall in London on November 11th, performing their other late releases, such as ‘All the time’ and ‘Beverly Hells’. Check out their full tour plan here.

[Singer/ Songwriter] Will Joseph Cook – Hearse

Posted by Will Rowe-Parr - August 12, 2015

Will Joseph Cook
Hearse

Buy

Whilst still basking in the height of summer it’s almost essential to find your own chilled song to indulge into on the beach, and Will Joseph Cook certainly has this! Together with his perfectly crafted guitar hooks, and organic vocals, it’s difficult to pull yourself away onto other music.

Having seen him play live in the UK in June, I was interested in discovering where Will would progress in the preceding months. Songs such as ‘Streets of Paris’ and ‘Message’ encapsulate his naturally rich voice, and his lyrics are almost familiar to us as an audience, despite hearing them for the first time. Originally from Tunbridge Wells in the South of England, the 19 year-old embodies an image of authenticity, by addressing relatable/genuine subjects, and cleverly combining light-hearted vocal hooks with pleasingly laid-back, yet infectious drum beats.

Cook has released his new EP “Proof Enough” on August 11th under Atlantic Records, and here’s the third release from this EP called ‘Hearse’. It’s impossible not to tap or hum along, especially throughout the insanely addictive chorus, so I’d play it through a set of speakers, this way at least you won’t be the only one!

He’ll be playing at The Lexington (London) on September 14th, which I undoubtedly recommend if you’re looking for a relaxed gig, plus an exciting up and coming artist; bound to be releasing some awesome new material in the future!

Indie