Image: Wyatt Clough
This year Silverstein celebrate their 20th anniversary with the release of their ninth studio album, A Beautiful Place To Drown, out now from UNFD. The long-running band have been staying busying despite their tour plans being postponed, and today they’re back to share an alternate version of album stand-out ‘Infinite’ recorded entirely during quarantine.
The new take fully reimagines the song as a smoldering pop gem, highlighting Silverstein’
Many of A Beautiful Place To Drown‘s lyrics focus on everyday mental health challenges and ‘Infinite’ seems have taken on new meaning in the wake of the pandemic. For the song’s accompanying video, the band reached out to their fans, opening up the phone lines for them to relay messages of how they’re feeling during quarantine. Excerpts from the messages can be seen over the music video’s footage of empty and eerily calm locations in the band’s home country of Canada.
Silverstein guitarist Paul Marc Rousseau discussed the new version of ‘Infinite’ and the song’s evolving meaning, saying:
“‘Infinite’ was born in the black hole of anxiety — unable to remember ‘normal,’ the fear of not knowing when the feeling will end, or if it will end at all. I think everyone has experienced that type of anxiety to some extent, and for me being locked down in the early stages of covid-19 poured gas on the fire.
“Facets of anxiety that once felt difficult to name or truly pin down slowly became concrete, tangible things. The sadness I was experiencing was no longer abstract or personalised, it was something practically everyone on Earth was relating to in real time. As days became weeks and weeks became months, it was hard, if not impossible, to see any light at the end of the tunnel. I love the album version of ‘Infinite.’ It screams into the void. It captures the emotional and physical frustration, the anger of being trapped in an anxious loop. But as of late, I feel more sadness than anger, and I thought ‘Infinite’—which for months now has felt more relevant than I ever could have known—could be rearranged to feel more like I feel.”
A Beautiful Place To Drown debuted on seven Billboard charts (including #122 Top 200, #5 Rock Albums, and #3 Current Alternative) and fittingly encapsulates the best of Silverstein while pushing their sound into daring new territory. The band may be proud torchbearers of the emo and post-hardcore scenes but appearances from artists that range from Princess Nokia to Underoath’s Aaron Gillespie, Beartooth’s Caleb Shomo, Simple Plan’s Pierre Bouvier, and more, are indicative of Silverstein’s wide-reaching impact and their ability to reach listeners in all worlds of music.
‘Infinite’ is the second album track to get the reimagining treatment, following the release of ‘Where Are You (Alternate Version)’ in June. The band also released their ‘Quaranstein‘ video and put its performances out as a digital EP (with all proceeds going to the NAACP and Black Legal Action Centre), and played a special livestream event professionally shot and recorded for fans last month.
‘Infinite (Alternate Version)’ is streaming everywhere now.
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Ben Harper has unveiled his new album Winter Is For Lovers (ANTI- Records), and in many ways his entire musical life has culminated in this moment. The solo recording, which features just Harper and his Monteleone lap steel guitar, is a 15-song work of original instrumental compositions imagined as a symphony. Harper has pushed musical boundaries since his 1994 debut and his lap steel guitar has played a tremendous role in his distinct sound throughout his career. But he’s never made an album that so purely distills his reverence for the instrument, and his mastery of it.
Starting today fans can order Winter Is For Lovers here from a limited 2000-piece pressing of the album on 180g vinyl, autographed, numbered and hand stamped. Orders will be fulfilled this week. The release date for the standard vinyl and digital version will be announced later this year.
Meditative and affecting, the music featured on Winter Is For Lovers is deeply ingrained in Harper’s DNA and leads directly back to The Folk Music Store, the influential California instrument shop his grandparents opened in the 1950s. The store hosted luminaries of all stripes, including Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, the Rev. Gary Davis, Doc Watson and John Fahey. While Harper worked in the shop throughout his childhood, he met and even strung guitars for iconic players like Ry Cooder, Leonard Cohen, Taj Mahal, David Lindley and Jackson Browne.
Winter Is For Lovers philosophically explores the American Primitive movement pioneered by Leo Kottke and the aforementioned John Fahey. It swirls with the music Harper heard growing up, listening to the blues, Hawaiian and classical guitar masters in his mother’s record collection. He gravitated early on to the distinct wail of the slide guitar, learning finger picking from slide master Taj Mahal and later studying with Chris Darrow of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – a lap steel virtuoso who had a major influence on Harper’s lifelong embrace of the instrument.
While Harper was composing parts of the album he was also reading Infinite Jest, and Winter is deeply influenced by the book’s unique narrative structure. As Harper learned that author David Foster Wallace fused together a series of short stories to create a bigger narrative, he saw a similar potential with the pieces that would become Winter Is For Lovers, melding together a series of works named after, and inspired by, locations across the globe that hold a special place in his heart.
Says Harper:
This is my first entirely instrumental album. It is stark, bare bones, just me and my lap steel guitar. It is purposefully produced to sound intimate and spare, as if I am playing in your living room. Upon first listen it may be surprising or catch some people off guard because it is dramatically stripped-down in contrast to a lot of what we hear today.
I am a big fan of flamenco, classical, Hawaiian and blues guitar, and I hope these influences are all somehow represented within Winter Is For Lovers.
I have been composing this record for most of my adult life, and the challenge this record presented to me was completely new. To record an entire album with one guitar and no words, where every single nuance was under a microscope, was more demanding than any record I have made to date, and also more rewarding.
Ben Harper is a 3-time GRAMMY Award winner and has earned 7 nominations. He has produced albums for Mavis Staples, Blind Boys of Alabama, Natalie Maines and Ricky Lee Jones among others. His beloved songs have hundreds of millions of streams and he has headlined the world’s greatest venues and festival stages. Harper’s previous full length release was 2018’s GRAMMY-nominated No Mercy In This Land, his second album recorded with harmonica legend Charlie Musselwhite. In 2016 Harper and his longtime band The Innocent Criminals returned with Call It What It Is, deemed “brilliant” by the Atlantic. Harper, a longtime activist, wrote the album to confront police brutality.
Winter Is For Lovers tracklist:
1. Istanbul
2. Manhattan
3. Joshua Tree
4. Inland Empire
5. Harlem
6. Lebanon
7. London
8. Toronto
9. Verona
10. Brittany
11. Montreal
12. Bizanet
13. Toronto (Reprise)
14. Islip
15. Paris
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Adelaide’s Paradise Club have dropped their intriguing new video for “The Seed”, lifted from their debut self-titled album, out now via Farmer & The Owl.
The first song on the album, and one that truly encapsulates the Paradise Club vibe, “The Seed” expertly weaves shimmering guitars with pulsating beats and rich synths while the lyrics explore going through a rocky patch and coming through the other side with fond memories.
“The Seed” has been brought to life by a fascinating video created by the band themselves, filmed in and around Antakirinja country (Coober Pedy) – the very same ruddy backdrop where Mad Max Beyond The Thunderdome was shot. Embarking on an 18-plus hour round trip up the Stuart Highway, on their album release day no less, Paradise Club stayed in one of the outback town’s famed dugouts, which you’ll see pop up in the clip alongside a wandering, blazed 3D being.
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‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head‘ by Tom Snowdon is out now, buy/stream it here.
For our friends at community radio, you can also download the track via AMRAP here.
The single is out 2nd September
The EP will be released 7th October
Out on Pieater
Stay connected with:
Tom Snowdon: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Pieater: Pieater.net | Instagr
Where are you currently based?
London
How did you first start producing and mixing?
I came from a rock and metal background originally. I was never into actual instruments myself but my friends were and I loved being around that environment. I was lucky enough to have a computer at the time, and managed to start teaching myself how to produce. I was then introduced to Pendulum who were obviously the only people doing rock and drum and bass at that time, and it sort of stemmed from there.
How did your career start?
I got in with Monstercat when they just started, around 2010. I put out a few beat sample packs with them, but then Mike Darlington really encouraged me to go farther and that’s when I put out my first EP, The Takeover.
How has your COVID experience been so far?
It’s given me more time to work on music that’s for sure. I probably wouldn’t have finished the album as quick as I did if I had still been touring. It’s been rough not being able to test my songs live though!
What influenced the sound and songwriting for your epic new album ‘The Promised Land’?
The whole album was inspired by a lot of different themes, mainly how nature and technology clash and interact. There wasn’t any particular moment that inspired the entire album but I went on a journey of discovery for the past couple of years, listening to a broader range of music and tying my vast range of influences into the album.
What did you find most challenging and rewarding through the process of creating this album?
This is my debut album so the finished product was the most rewarding. The most challenging was probably admitting that it was done, because I’m always looking to keep improving the tracks!
Your sound has evolved from the stereotypical Drum ‘n Bass sound to a more mature and cross-genre sound, please tell us about how and why this has come about:
The main thing that I wanted to do with the album was start expanding from drum ‘n’ bass and start doing other genres. People have this impression of me, because I make drum ‘n’ bass all the time, that I only listen to drum ‘n’ bass and that’s completely untrue. People who know me know I listen to and love literally all kinds of music.
I love everything from, as I say, film and video game scores to screamo to french house to electro house to old school garage to whatever. You name it! I listen to everything. I really tried to hone that in when I pulled influences for the album, just to show people that it doesn’t have to come from drum ‘n’ bass at all. A lot of them don’t even come from dance music. Very rarely, except maybe some sound design and mixdown things.
The main goal with it was to start introducing MUZZ as a multigenre brand and artist rather than drum ‘n’ bass only.
Where do you see Drum ‘n Bass progressing in the coming years?
The future of any genre is to evolve it and mash it with other styles and new sounds, which is what I’ve always done since I started making music, and this album explores those new territories. I love the genre, and always will, but I also love many other genres and don’t want to close those doors.
What do you like to do outside of music?
Gaming, food, traveling!
Which artists are you listening to at the moment?
Grimes, Rezz, Charli XCX, Fade Black, Oakwite, Loathe, G Jones are currently on repeat for me.
What is planned for the remainder of 2020?
Just to continue promoting this album as much as possible. It’s been such a process having it come together, I’m so happy it’s finally out!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
You can’t beat Middle Eastern food, and I honestly just love being in my studio in my own world.
Twitch: twitch.tv/monstercat
YouTube: youtube.com/UKFDrumandBass
Facebook: facebook.com/MUZZHQ
It comes after a whirlwind response to his latest EP Northern Rivers, which has already picked up 2 million streams since its release in November 2019.
“‘Hold You’ was written somewhere between Byron Bay and Vancouver, and it explains the feeling of falling headfirst into a romance. Reminiscing on the moments you’ve shared together, but also the obstacle of a long distance love.”
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This year Octavian will finally release his hotly-anticipated debut album. It’s the culmination of years of progress, evolution and experience, punctuated by two acclaimed mixtapes (SPACEMAN and Endorphins), multiple awards, co-signs and high profile collaborations. And with Skepta already announced as the album’s executive producer, it’s set to be one of the year’s defining releases. Listen HERE.
On new single ‘Famous‘, Octavian teams up with Gunna, whose recent Wunna album topped the US album charts, and SAINt JHN, whose global hit ‘Roses’ has topped charts around the world. Produced by Jae5, ‘Famous‘ explores the trials and tribulations of fame and the lifestyle that comes with it. This is all about the negative sides of fame and celebrity culture, as Octavian says in his own words: “The concept of ‘Fame’ should be connected to the celebration of ones achievements, unfortunately nowadays it is the glamorisation of unthought-about entertainment”
‘Famous‘ is Octavian’s second major Transatlantic collaboration of 2020 and is an undeniable statement of intent from the multifaceted London rapper, producer and songwriter. It follows the huge success of ‘Rari‘, Octavian’s recent collaboration with Future, and is another prime example of the levels at which Octavian now operates. If everything up until now has been a sign of Octavian’s promise and flair, a suggestion of his huge potential, now he’s ready to focus and actualise his dreams.
‘Famous feat. Gunna & SAINt JHN‘ by Octavian is out now, buy/stream it here.
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ERRA join a huge crop of North American talent on UNFD’s roster, which grew with the additions of Frank Iero, Silverstein and Like Moths To Flames in 2019 on top of the likes of Stray From The Path, Silent Planet and LIMBS.
Stay tuned for more music and news from the ERRA camp soon and stream ‘Snowblood’ now.
ERRA IS:
Jesse Cash (guitar / vocals)
JT Cavey (vocals)
Alex Ballew (drums)
Conor Hesse (bass)
Sean Price (guitar)
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Interviewer: Anthony Huttley
So, Danny, you’ve got a few aliases, DNYO, Danny Olivera, Danny Loko… any more we should be aware of? Or just the 3?
There are a few more. These I like to keep hidden from the public. DNYO and Danny Oliveira already confuses people, imagine if they knew the other ones 🙂
Tell me about São Paulo. What’s the music scene like there?
Big metropolis. Lot’s of everything really. My fav city in Brazil for sure, great night life, best food, best service. Culture speaks very loud in São Paulo, so the music is always kicking.
How did you get involved in the scene there?
I started making my own little parties, soon enough I started spinning at local clubs. But after living abroad I had a much better experience when coming back. Times were good. This was 2005 I think. There were lots of groups of different tribes making the night of the city back then. I miss how simple it was and the effect it made on so many.
Have you always been into electronic music?
Pretty much since I was 14. I got into my first club night when I was 15. I used to sneak into a few clubs at that point back in Miami. By 16 I was already hooked on Oakenfold, PVD, Tenaglia, Sanches, Calr Cox, all of the ones that came to South Florida, I was there.
How would you describe your sound/the music that you play?
If I’m spinning straight up techno Danny Oliveira night, that sound is not the typical Pop “Business” Techno you hear these days, as I don’t like the usual, never did, so the sound is considered to be designed differently, when there’s time for “loops” they will be there, when there’s time for serious arrangements and progressions, they will be there as well. If I’m spinning as DNYO, then it’s a whole different world. It’s deeper, sometimes melodic, but mostly hypnotic. I go through big chunks of House and Techno as a base and DNYO comes out. It’s a mixture of a lot of things put into one, there are no rules for DNYO, but it does concentrate more fans alike around the Progressive House styles.
What’s been happening recently? Any releases that we should keep our ears out for?
Lately I’ve been working on a few ideas with some friends. These, consist of making a move towards some new ground for music here in Brazil, it’s a slow process due to our current situation in the world. I have some music due to come out on Juicebox India and Timeless Moment still this year but we’ll have to wait and see.
What have been your most memorable gigs over the last couple of years?
Hmmm, Hyderabad last October. I get the chills just thinking about it. Forest Peak 2 years ago, it’s an intimate techno experience up in the mountains of Rio, that was something to remember. Spun at D.edge with a couple of friends, very close and intimate night, lots of friends came out, special night.
What are the best clubs for underground tunes in Sao Paulo?
Probably D.edge is the only place to go as a club with an underground agenda.
Where can we hear you DJ?
Really underground parties when I spin techno. DNYO gets way more exposure and dates outside of Brazil. We will have to wait for this pandemic to pass and see what holds for the industry, so that many of us can start planning again.
Are you on the streaming bandwagon like the rest of the world? Or will we have to wait until this whole thing blows over?
I’m not on that wagon, I’m outside, like a drone. Just flying through, watching and consequentially waiting for that wagon to crash and eventually die. The Napster People. It’s unbelievable how millions of artists and musicians simply let these smart guys take away their rights. Pull it from the inside out and drain it for 14% of 1 cent on the Dollar. No wonder the world is at where it is these days.
Can you give us your top 3 plugs in the studio at the moment?
Ovox from Waves is really good. Parallels from Softube and Thermal by Output.
Any advice for budding producers looking to go down the rabbit hole?
They can dive in and fight their way through, hopefully they can come in with some history in their heads cause this, where we are right now, is far from being the best model of an industry. Or they can stay in wonderland. This is the worst time to be a musician/ producer/ let alone a DJ. It has been for a couple of long years. I’m doing it because I still have some fuel left in me. Not everybody does. That fuel comes from a lot of things put together, a certain structure that is extremely hard to come by and that in the days of today, it’s just not possible, I don’t see it any other way.
What do you like to do away from music?
When I’m away from music I race. Unfortunately I don’t live in Germany, but I do my best to drive as fast as I can, anywhere I can. Gives me an edge. When I can’t, you can always find me racing in my favorite Simulators in an online lobby somewhere.
Who are you listening to at the moment? Any artists standing out for you right now?
Mostly, these days, Ambient. Sound healing. Apart from that, any thing that sounds new, futuristic, “fresh”. Forest Drive West. Barker, BAILE, John Gurd, Altus and Poemme, put these one and take a deep dive.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020?
No idea man. My releases are on pause due to this pandemic. Right now the plan is to stay sane and persist the inevitable.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Grandma food is my favorite. There are a few places, but I’ll mention one that I’ve been going since I was a teenager, It’s called “Casa da Pizza” in São Paulo. It’s in front the Repreza do Guarapiranga – the main body of water the state. It’s a pizzaria. Best Pizza in town, best service in town. I usually grab a big table and make a lot of noise with friends, extremely friendly place, feels like home to me.
![Back with a tune set to warm up any cold winter evening, Sydney’s Yawdoesitall shares ‘ARMADILLO’. Rich in R&B production and featuring the rising Maina Doe on guest vocals, Yawdoesitall well..he’s done it again. His second release for 2020, ‘ARMADILLO’ continues to lay down some strong foundations for Yawdoesitall as he emerges into one of Sydney’s exciting young names in the game. Following on from his single ‘Get It’ featuring fellow Sydney artist and songwriter Sumatra, ‘ARMADILLO’ is a bright companion piece and a reflection of Yawdoesitall’s impressive writing chops. “You wanna be up in your bed with the one that’s all up in your head,” Maina sings almost hypnotically. It’s this velvety smooth vibe that runs throughout ‘ARMADILLO’ that captures the listener’s attention from the jump. Written during his first session with Sumatra, Yawdoesitall’s collaboration with Maina here has been a personal highlight. “Collaborating with Maina Doe wasn’t face to face, but magic was made. She’s definitely one of the most talented singers out these ways and [I] can’t wait to make more magic with her.” Yawdoesitall As he describes it, ‘ARMADILLO’ is an exchange between two lovers - ‘a cliche love song’ - but it’s in the back and forth between the two voices on the track that really clinch the believability of the narrative. It’s got that late-night energy that could put it in the same lane as your Masegos or Stormzys, while still maintaining that sensual edge that could lead it into Jeremih territory. ‘ARMADILLO’ feels like the beginning of a story that could go in a number of directions. And leaving that ambiguity up in the air makes this all the more enticing to listen to. Having made his debut in late 2018 , Yawdoesitall has wasted no time in building up a solid reputation behind him. Not only a talented artist in the music field, he’s also thrown himself into exploring other creative endeavours including photography and videography. A true polymath, Yawdoesitall is ever evolving - the best way to be. PRAISE FOR YAWDOESITALL “Keep an eye out for new music from the young man who seems to be defining and refining his sound with each release.” Life Without Andy “Confident flow that just doesn’t quit…” Triple J Unearthed, Tommy Faith “His sound is infectious, smooth and funky as ever...with a hearty bassline that continues throughout the song, Yaw’s impeccable flow floats about the instrumentation effortlessly.” Happy Mag (‘Free Zone’, 2019) ARMADILLO is out now! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Triple J Unearthed](https://thepartae.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sydney-hip-hop-artist-YAWDOESITALL-recruits-MAINA-DOE-on-laidback-new-jam-ARMADILLO.jpg "Sydney hip hop artist YAWDOESITALL recruits MAINA DOE on laidback new jam, ‘ARMADILLO’")
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Where are you currently based?
I’m living in Melbourne! Not a lot happening here at the moment obviously, but just doing little things to make the day special like some yoga, dancing around in my room, playing with my dog and watching Disney movies.
How did you first start playing music?
My dad is a singer and guitarist so most nights during my childhood we would play stuff from The Rolling Stones to The Red Hot Chilli Peppers to Alicia Keys.
How has your Covid/Lockdown experience been so far and has it affected your mental health?
The lockdown experience has been really challenging for so many people and has affected me greatly. I’m obviously out of work, with no gigs or anything. I was actually admitted into a psychiatric clinic to help, as I just wasn’t coping with this lockdown. Thankfully, I’m feeling much better and can see a little clearer.
You have a new single ‘The Lucky Ones’ on the way, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
I wrote this song just after a trip to New York with my boyfriend. I surprised him in Times Square and he had no idea that I was coming. When I got back to Melbourne I was reminiscing on all the good times we had and thought about how it would feel to have all that taken away from me. I do feel lucky to be with him and it would break my heart if we ever weren’t together. It was slightly painful exploring this but I’m super happy with how it turned out.
How did you go about writing ‘The Lucky Ones’?
I wrote it with Ed Quinn from Slum Sociable; I think it was the second song that we wrote together. Ed took care of the beats and the strings and I jumped on to the lyrics and melody. It came together really well. Most of what you hear in the finished single was in the demo, so we’re super stoked with that!
Where and when did you record/produce and who with?
Ed finessed the track at his home studio during lockdown so we kind of went back and forth on the phone talking about it.
What do you like to do away from music?
I love going on long walks, I love coffee. When we’re not in lockdown I mostly enjoy hanging out with my closest friends at a park or on the beach. I also really like to dance around my room to the soundtrack of Burlesque.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
King Princess, Taylor Swift, Jorja Smith.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020 going into 2021?
I think the main focus is finishing off this EP that I have coming out in early 2021. There’s still a few songs that need some final tinkering with. I’m just so excited to get it out finally. I also hope that we come out of lockdown, this one has been super tough.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
My favourite food is definitely Thai green chicken curry and my favourite place to hangout would be on my back deck in the winter with a tea and some friends!
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What is your name and role within dave the band?
Noah is my name and singing and playing guitar is my role within dave the band.
Where are you currently based?
Newcastle, Australia
How did the band form?
We formed in high school when Gabe and I were in year 7. Max joined us after school and we’ve been happily dave ever since.
What’s been happening recently and how has your COVID experience been?
We’ve been gearing up for our album release. Lots of online stuff thanks to COVID. Our experience in Newcastle hasn’t been too bad. I’ve been surfing a lot and writing lots of songs.
Your debut album will be out August 28, 2020 – what influenced the sound and songwriting?
The sound is influenced by the energy and feeling we’ve cultivated over the years jamming and playing together as much as we can. The songwriting was influenced by nightclubs, coffee, footy, hot summers, cold winters and being an all-round Sadsack.
How did you go about writing the music?
With a guitar. It was easy.
Where and when did you record/produce/master?
We recorded in Chicago with Steve Albini. He’s a sound engineer, not a producer. We aren’t interested in anyone else telling us how to play our songs. Steve was just there to capture what we were playing. It was mastered by Steve’s Shellac bandmate Bob Weston.
What programs/instruments did you use?
Guitar, bass and drums. What’s a program? I also played Steve’s Wurlitzer on Brave and Sadsack.
Please tell us about how you came to work with Steve Albini and the experience you had:
We emailed his studio and booked it. It was as easy as writing the music.
The experience was awesome. I had mentally prepared for there to be some hitches and not have everything turn out as I would have liked, but the whole experience at Steve’s studio was like a dream.
Your new single ‘Where Are You’ is out now, what influenced this track and what does it mean to you?
I’m still working out what this song means to me. I can’t really remember writing it but it was one of the first we started working on for Slob Stories. Steve wouldn’t let me double the vocals on this song for some reason.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Household Item One, Lovedavid, De La Soul, Vex Ruffin, Andy Shauf, Purple Mountains, Frances Quinlan, Wes Montgomery, Jason Molina, Bill Frisell, Yo La Tengo
What do you like to do away from music?
I don’t like to be away from music but I like surfing.
How’s the time been supporting and playing with bands from Newcastle?
It’s been awesome. We’ve got a special scene here with lots of great artists. It’s a big city vibe without the wank.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020 going into 2021?
Recording another album!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Coffee and bagels at Frothers Espresso. Beers and pizza at The Ori.
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/davebandnewcastle
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/davetheband_/
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