Band of the Week: Air France

[December 15-21]

Air France
Sounds Like: Pop / Electronic / Atmospheric
Drinking Buddies: Studio, M83, Julian Fane.

Synopsis: A serene synthesis of sounds.

Makes You Want To...: Travel; Meditate; Stay indoors.
[Myspace]

One week, one band. You know the drill.
This week, the featured artist is Air France.



Not to start this off in a totally cliched manner, but holy crap, what is up with the weather? We've got the worst ice storm to hit the northeast in... well, as long as most people care to remember, a nasty bout of Canadian chill swarming into the midwest, and it's even snowing down on the Gulf of Mexico. If you live in North America, you are no doubt silly for leaving the house, yelling at your local meteorologist on the television, or sipping hot chocolate/tea from the comfort of your warm and cozy home.

On these frozen nights that seem to curse the very life out of the land with a blanket of snow and ice, it's nice to hide in the most hospitable place you can find. But for all the frostbites and car wrecks that this wicked weather may bring, one must admit, there's an extreme beauty to be found in nature, even at it's cruelest and coldest. And maybe this is just an opinionated suggestion, but I see this beauty personified into the sweet sounds crafted by Air France.

Adding to the list of bands that are not geographically exact (I'm From Barcelona [from Sweden], Architecture In Helsinki [from Australia], Beirut [from New Mexico]), Air France is a duo from Gothenburg Sweden. With careful detail, and meticulous skill, Air France creates intricately textured songs with subtlety and finesse. The moods are light and vibrant, and play on with a quircky sense of repetition. The songs they play are almost mystic in nature.

It's hard to capture the sense of atmosphere in a song; hard to define the image of a place in the notes and chords - rythmns and melodies - squeezed into a musical composition. It takes a novel understanding of the thematics that one can develop in song. Bands like Sigur Rós, Explosions In The Sky, and The Decemberists know how to dilligently use their instruments to their songs advantage, to better paint the picture they are trying to tell. Air France takes the same concept into tow, and with a steady rythmn, shape scenery around the song. Scenery of driving down a road through the countryside with farms passing by the windows; of a plane in flight over the Atlantic, the destined continent just out of eyeshot, but approaching by the second; of a fire cracking as snow softly covers the backyard. With an active imagination, Air France can take their listeners on rides no book or movie could ever show or tell.

Air France is currently taking things at a very slow pace, and are remaining quiet back in Sweden. Though we may not be hearing much from the band themselves, you can certainly catch a glimpse of their wonderful music. Air France presently has no official LP, but they do have two EPs, their On Trade Winds EP, as well as their more recent No Way Down EP. You can snag yourself a copy, watch some videos, and listen to their wonderful music on their Myspace right now!


Stay indoors during these cold times, reader. Have a wonderful week.

Goot Is Making Progress - New Free EP

Those catchy melodies, those lilting piano tunes, those cute melodies... if you don't know all the wonders of Alex Goot for yourself, well dear reader, you've certainly been missing out. This one-man thunderstorm of a band has been busy all year between recording cover songs and making some brand new material, all released on his Myspace.

But this entry happens to be one celebrating tons of new music. We're not talking a random demo or two, folks, because this is much bigger. Goot has released an entire, brand new EP, just for our greedy little paws and ears. Humbly named the Progress EP, Goot's new EP definitely shows the progression in his music with dilligently refined song structure and a slew of new, catchy pop songs to waft out of your speakers.

I feel like I'm forgetting something though... oh yes, did I mention the EP was entirely free? I didn't?! The fact is, Goot is offering these eight delicious songs for your listening pleasure completely free of charge. You can wander straight over to Goot's Myspace, and download the entire EP whenever you're ready (the link is at the top of the page - you can't miss it!). So what are you waiting for?! Get your new copy of the Progress EP now! Of course though, if you want to make sure Goot has plenty of money for some awesome Christmas presents, buy his previous album, Arranged Noises, while you're there.

I Want It Now, Now!

On the surface, Now Now Every Children looks like, well, children. They appear to be of the over-exaggerated eyeliner variety, with hair in their face, and some weird mix of Kimya Dawson and Brand New on their iPods. If you saw them on the street, they might pose a friendly reminder than you need to head to Goodwill for some funky new sweatshirts and worn-out Chuck Taylor’s.

But underneath the ultra-hip, pop-indie, “I want to be watching ‘The Royal Tenenbaums,’” skin that Now Now outwardly displays, there is a goldmine of delightfully poignant lyrics and mature musicianship that will make you think that they’re all grown up.

An undeniable cohesiveness of lead Cacie Dalager’s pretty vocals, and they are in fact quite pretty, with the trio’s rough symbol clashes, bell chimes, keyboard loops, and distorted guitar all shine brightest on their debut album Cars. Of course, they won’t stand to be your average underground sensation with a Myspace launch pad, though. These Children bring something new to the table: a versatility of mood. This music is relatable, listenable at most any time. You can soak in the melody of say, the title track of the new album whether you are having a dance party in your bedroom or driving home from a funeral. The music is comforting, appropriate. Their tunes are what you need them to be.

All three members of the band are quite young, too. Cars could certainly be the first step in a very promising career. Sure, they are not necessarily what you might call “radio friendly.” Still, neither are their feasible proteges, like Eisley. However, they are hopefully bound to pop up at some festival or in some Starbuck’s speaker, sooner rather than later. As an aside, do not be the least bit confused by the knowledge of their status as paramorefans.com’s April Band of the Month. They really do rock.

Now Now was signed to the impeccable, Midwestern-front Afternoon Records. They released two EP’s earlier this year, which contributed some tracks to the full-length album. The aforementioned album was released in stores Dec. 9.

Especially for fans of Tegan and Sara, Tilly and the Wall, and Islands, Now Now Every Children could become your new favorite band, no matter how young they seem. As iTunes customer StaceyRockSteady reviewed, Now Now Every Children are the "best thing to come out of Minnesota since the Mighty Ducks." True 'dat!



"We Know Martha Webber" by Now Now Every Children

Band of the Week: The Acorn

[December 8-14]

The Acorn
Sounds Like: Folk / Indie-Pop
Drinking Buddies: Ohbijou, Great Lake Swimmers, Peter and the Wolf.

Synopsis: Outaouais folk, layered thick like a quilt.

Makes You Want To...: Travel; Meditate; Take a walk.
[Myspace]

One week, one band. You know the drill.
This week, the featured artist is The Acorn.


Everyone looks for something a little different in the music they listen to. Now, I personally love quirkiness in a musically artist; any band that diverts from the paved road ahead of them and takes the road less traveled gains my respect and admiration (as well as my ear). Now this is obviously a guess, but I have a hunch since you - my dear reader - are wandering from music blog to music blog in search of new, your tired of listening to the same old same old, and are in search of something a little more interesting.

The Acorn epitomizes "something a little different," and define "a little more interesting." The collective from Ottawa, Canada, use a strange blend of folk and pop to weasel their way into your music player. You may remember them, if you're a fan of another Canadian collection known as Ohbijou. The Acorn and Ohbijou shared their last split-EP together; if their choice in friends is any determiner of how amazing and eccentric The Acorn's musical stylings are, well, you should have high expectations.

And if your expectations are raised, they certainly won't be let down. With a vibrant array of different instruments and skills, The Acorn assails your cerebellum with a slew of sounds that pass through you like the cold Canadian northern winds, each note as unique as the snowflakes that combine with their brethren on the white ground. Too much imagery? What if I told you that The Acorn explores a textured array of sound with folk inspired rhythms that could impress someone like Sufjan Stevens?

What separates The Acorn from other folk outfits is their cunning combination of sounds, with their inspiration from their surroundings. Listening to songs like "Crooked Legs" is like walking through a still forest at night, or watching your breath rise in the cold air; The Acorn captures not only a sense of complexity and texture, but also a sense of simplicity and subtlety. Their keen use of instrumentation and thorough use of musical texture offers an immensely unique sound, along with a bright, poignant image.

At present, The Acorn is relaxing in their Outaouais home. Their rest is well deserved, since these folks have been touring all year long! Following the release of their latest album, Glory Hope Mountain - which debuted in the United States in March - The Acorn toured all over the place! Whether it was down south in Texas for South By Southwest 2008, over in New England, or at the biggest festivals around Canada, The Acorns managed to rack up many a mile in travels, espcially along with their buddies/pals Ohbijou. The Acorns have plenty of albums for your listening pleasure, including their debut The Pink Ghosts, and of course their latest release, Glory Hope Mountain, along with a couple EPs! You can check all these albums, along with a collection of their music, and more! on The Acorn's Myspace.

Don't forget your scarf when leaving the house; Christmas is quickly approaching from around the corner, and we can no longer leave the house without wearing a jacket or seeing some Christmas lights. Let's get festive, folks! Have a wonderful (if not cold) week.

Mount Righteous Headlining Art Conspiracy 4

Local time! The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is chock full of culture. Be it our Texan heritage, or our modern approach on how Texas should be, us North Texans live in a city sprawl that stretches as far as the eye can see in all directions. We take up two counties of Texas, make up something like 14 towns lumped together, and we rival the population of Los Angeles.

You may remember the article featuring Vomitorium, featuring an awesome art magazine featuring some local D-FW talent from local artists. As it so happens, some local North Texan artists are going to be wandering down into Dallas over the weekend; over 150 of them, in fact. They will be featured at a lovely art show and auction called Art Conspiracy 4, which is essentially and auction and a party all at one venue. And, as it so happens, one humble artist among the crowded bunch is an author featured in Vomitorium - Zicole Marxen - though you may remember him as being one of the famed members of one of the greatest bands to begin their rise toward stardom in 2008.

That's right my fellow North Texans, Mount Righteous. Z. Marxen is in attendance, and she's not coming with the rest of his posse in Mount Righteous, who are going to be headlining at Art Conspiracy 4. If you're of local folk here in North Texas, you should wander over to Dallas to attend the festivities; Art Conspiracy 4 will be held at 3011 Gulden Lane, Dallas, TX (75212) at 6:30 PM, with an entrance fee of $10. If you're anyone who's anyone (or live in the North Texas area), you'll definitely find yourself there.

Sure, Chameleon Chamber and Aton will be there, but we all know the real party lies with Mount Righteous. For those of you who live outside the Metroplex though, never fret! You can hear the righteousness that is Mount Righteous right here on their Myspace. Or you could read the feature article Voilà! wrote for them! Check it!

Video: "Microphones In The Trees" - A Silver Mt. Zion

Haunting songs are a luxury in my eyes. It's easy to make something happy, perky, poppy, jovial, or any other number of positive adjectives. It's easy because everyone likes to smile. Nobody likes to frown or feel bad; even if feeling bad is what someone wants, they're happy once they're feeling that way. It's easy to conjour happiness because happy is universal. Sad is easy too, because sad is easy to relate to, along with angry, which is proven by the thriving success of punk rock.

But haunting. Scary. Disconcerting. Powerful. Songs like that are more difficult to arrange - to compose - to construct. You have to keep your listener engaged, but you can't scare them off. You have to try to intrigue and distress simultaneously. Then, of course, you have to speak your peace for the song - say what needs to be said within the confines of the choruses. Some of the best political music I've ever heard is scary. It's easy to yell about politics, but it takes a lot more passion and skill to conceptualize politics; to give reality the weight reality really holds; to present the world in a light that is not necessarily flattering.

Case and point, this wonderful live performance by A Silver Mt. Zion. This was recorded as part of La Blogotheque's Back On Stages series of videos, expertly capturing intensity a band's liver performance avec cinématographie. The music by A Silver Mt. Zion, this truly unique ensemble from Montréal, can speak for itself with this poignant performace. Just remember, that it's not about simply what is being said, but also how it is presented.

Back On Stages 3-A Silver Mt Zion-Microphones in the trees
by lablogotheque

The Hush Sound on Daytrotter

Long time coming doesn't even begin to describe.

As you may or may not remember, WAY back at the end of May, Daytrotter announced that they recently recorded a session with pop-punk superstars The Hush Sound. Eager with excitement, I hung on like an addict for the release of the session of the Fueled By Ramen veterans on Daytrotter.

No such appearance came.


...Until now! Seven months after the original announcement, nine months after the release of the ensemble's last album, Goodbye Blues, Daytrotter FINALLY releases the long awaited live sessions with The Hush Sound. Sure, it may not exactly be punctual. But oh, is it ever so good, with four exclusive performances and a wonderfully written article! Do not hesitate to check out The Hush Sound on Daytrotter now!