COYOL are yet another example of how in 2004 there was a turning point in the indie music with the release of Arcade Fire‘s ‘Funeral‘ album. That album skillfully combines traditional American folk music with the archetypical New York City indie rhythm section and the melodies of the big arena rock bands. Since then thousands of bands have tried to follow that blueprint to mixed results.
There are those who have taken the lead into some projects worth noting such as the excellent Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros who push the use of dual vocals in addition to adding a country and western twang and a greater use of wind instruments in the orchestration of their tracks.
COYOL in theory might be the natural evolution of this trend. The couples country ballad voices evoke those of Johnny Cash and June Carter and rhythm section arrangements more concise than the band above. The lyrics are personal and engaging such as the brilliant ‘Pharmacist‘; which deals with modern society’s troubles and the anxiety disorders suffered by singer John Isaac Watters. Together with Céleigh Champan they offer a passionate delivery that betrays both their old Southwest and new Los Angeles roots.
Having recorded their self-titled EP in late 2010 COYOL will unveil each of the EP’s six tracks individually, culminating in the full release on September 6, 2011. With unique art produced for each song this is a journey worth pursuing and hopefully they can continue finding their “voice” on their first full LP.
A friend and I once had a debate that ended in the agreement that solo singer songwriters have to have either one of two things to keep us interested: Good lyrics or balls. These raw emotional qualities we find most clearly in pop history from Bob Dylan. The balls department is effectively covered by Johnny Cash.
Bruce Nathan aka everyBOY‘s sophomore album ‘Parachute Mind‘ combines some very classic Southern Californian folk with some neat electronic and analog instrumentation to fill out his uplifting stories on darkness into light.
Like the debate, he has managed strong open hearted lyrics with a little more balls than your average solo man; “I’ve been crawling through a cloudy haze“, He croaks into a wall of strings and minor note guitar picking.
Musically it felt like a cross between latter day Lindsey Buckingham (with a whiskey hangover) being backed by The Weepies. Tunes like ‘Life Is 4 Living‘ are sweet and enchanting yet have an undertone of sadness and of a sensitive and thoughtful soul that’s very much lost in a modern world.
The title track reminded me of the energy and imagination of “Down To Earth” by Peter Gabriel, a soulful yet playful effort that put forward the pop elements of folk.
A studier of Japanese arts and philosophy, everyBOY‘s words are what bring forth his strength. He brings messages of hope and love like George Harrison with the melancholy of Neil Young.
Singer songwriters will always be around, but they tend to be few and far between when it comes down to it. EveryBOY has not only future proofed his songs with very cool electronics and instrumentation but has made them sound timeless too.
Following her stop over promo tour Cougar Microbes and Alana Stewartdiscussed UK venues, Rod Stewart covers and “resurrecting” Lauryn Hill. I’m pretty sure this is how it went down:
- Cougar Microbes: Who is Alana Stewart? Describe yourself and your music to the uninitiated.
- Alana Stewart: I’m a vocalist & lyricist who tries her best to play different instruments. I geek out about things like endocrine disruptors and gender/family politics to the point of being annoying to my friends. You might like my music if you dig strong female vocals. You might like my lyrics if you dig portraits of peoples and cities, the art of seduction, religion and moral didacticism. Or you could just generally like fly chicks from California.
- CM: What time did you wake up today? Was it out of choice or necessity?
- AS: 10:30 am. I rarely wake up to an alarm if I don’t have to. I do my best work at night anyways.
- CM: How have you been killing time on this UK stopover, hobbies?
- AS: I have been constantly working and promoting my music while in the UK. I did an interview for Steve Lamacq on BBC 2 and he played my song, ‘Perfervid‘. I did an interview with Ollie on Shoreditch Radio‘s “My band is better than your band“. I had 4 shows, lots of meetings with labels and publishers, but I also drank a ton of tea (because nobody makes tea better than the English). Fashion week was fun- that was the most indulgent thing I did I think. I got most of my kicks and giggles sliding down tube station stairwell bars. If I knew how to skateboard I would go nuts grinding on them.
Good job London.
- CM: What have been your favourite venues on this tour? Any venues you absolutely hated?
- AS: Rule #1 never be ungrateful for a show that someone else booked for you. All the venues were great. The sound at The Bull & Gate was especially great. I really love Martin the door guy. And I love the impoverished elegance of The Old Queen’s Head. I haven’t bought new clothes in a very long time, so any time a venue has a natural decay I really appreciate it because my wardrobe fits right in.
- CM: How has it been different to play to audiences in the UK compared to back home?
- AS: Audiences in the UK are great listeners. You’re a very polite bunch. Normally in The States I try to include as many songs into the bill as possible where people can sing-a-long to the refrain or at least clap because I find that Americans really love the sound of their own voices and bodies. I try and submit to that urge and include them on songs. Americans love to participate in sound. Brits I find are a bit happier to observe and listen. Or maybe I’m wrong, maybe you’re all dying to sing and clap you’re just unsure of the social consequences.
- CM: Is there a song you are simply sick of playing?
- AS: I’m sick of playing songs I wrote 4 years ago, but as my songwriting has gotten better, I’ve noticed I don’t get sick of songs as quickly.
- CM: Are you able to write on the road or do you do this in your off time?
- AS: I can write while not being “at home“, but it definitely requires free time and personal space. I need to be alone or with other musicians.
- CM: Favourite track of yours and why?
- AS: A track called ‘So Be Glad‘. I’ve had a couple people ask me if they could use the song as a backing track for videos they’ve done celebrating Gay Pride. And I also had a woman who had given up a child for adoption cry when she heard it. She was a complete stranger and she cried in front of me- it was surprising and very sobering. The beginning lyrics are “I’m not allowed to fall in love. I’m not allowed to be caressed and kissed and hugged… So Be Glad for your partner who supports what you do, and Just know that there are those who don’t have love like you do.“
At the end of the song you realize that the narrator has given up the rights to her child. She felt it was necessary because she didn’t have enough money or a stable relationship. I’m really interested in why parents abandon/give up their children. My sister is adopted and intentional separation from biological family seems tragic to me.
I also love the song because it has bowed bass and kalimba, two of my favorite instruments.
- CM: If you could record any cover what would it be?
- AS: I’m trying to find a Rod Stewart song that I love right now that isn’t too difficult to pull off. Rod Stewart was married to an Alana, whom I compete with for google seniority. But he was also married to a woman named Rachel (my legal first name is Rachel, my middle name is Alana, which I go by). So it seems that Rod Stewart and I have some type of cosmic connection and I think if I found the right song of his to cover, The Universe might bless me in some way.
- CM: Do your songs go through many revisions via demo recordings?
- AS: Rarely. But now I am becoming more ambitious with my song structures. I desire more motion and scope lately. Motion and scope require consideration and deliberation, aka revisions. So I expect there will be a greater number of revisions from here forth.
- CM: What is more important: the lyrics or the melody?
- AS: That’s like asking what is more important, your mother or your father. They’re both necessary for different reasons. Melody is important for its physical properties, how it makes your body sway or react, how it feels… Lyrics are important for your mind. Imagine you see a really attractive person walking down the street- that is the melody. Then, when you meet them, you’re delighted to discover that they’re interesting and intelligent on top of having a stunning body- that is the lyrics. Together, it makes for the ultimate attractive song.
- CM: What are your views on auto tune in music in 2011?
- AS: I’m a big fan of auto-tune-the-news. “Hide ya kids, Hide ya wife.” No rules. This industry shouldn’t forget it’s about having fun and being playful.
- CM: Any other artists from your local scene we really should know about?
- AS: YES. New Orleans & San Francisco has some majorly under-shared music that is very deserving. New Orleans: Hurray for The Riff Raff. San Francisco: Honeycomb.
Hurray for the Riff Raff‘s- ‘Bricks‘ is probably one of my most favorite songs of all time.
- CM: Most flattering thing you’ve read about yourselves?
- AS: I’m most flattered by the thank you letters I get for writing the album. Especially the ones from strangers. I appreciate the opportunity to brag, but I’m gonna go ahead and move on to the next question. haha.
- CM: What was the first record/tape/cd you ever bought?
Janet Jackson duh.
- CM: What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
- AS: I had a major thing for La Roux‘s ‘Going in for the Kill‘. I wish I had written that song. Glad someone did at least.
- CM: What was the last show you paid and queued up for?
- AS: I don’t pay for shows. I am living in a state of poverty. But… probably Kermit Ruffins in New Orleans.
- CM: If you had to bring on artist back from the dead in exchange for sending a living artist down ,which artists would it be and why??
- AS: Well, she’s not physically dead, but metaphorically I would bring back Lauryn Hill. She’s probably the one artist that impresses me the most- with everything she does. But I know she is doing a good job raising up the next generation of Marley‘s so I can’t get mad at her. Who would I kill? Justin Bieber.
Alana Stewart releases ‘The Misuse of Chemistry‘ EP this spring on ChessClub Records
Best Coast’s pretty much characterized the sound of summer 2010 at Cougar HQ with the infectiously lo-fi girl meets boy “Crazy For You’. Resident scribe Ruby knew they would make her list months ago explaining:
This year the saw the rise and perhaps return of the ‘difficult album’ filled with disjointed lyrics, experimental sounds and innovative instrumentation. This also meant we were all forced to sit down, listen hard, and draw the increasingly thin line between trash and treasure, garbage and greatness, nirvana and noise.
Cue in, Bethany Cosentino’s Best Coast whose nostalgic indie pop gems needed no such time for digestion slipping through our hearts and minds. Admittedly this sound is not ground breakingly original. However, what ‘Crazy for You’ does manage to do is tap into feelings we can all relate to; high school crushes, lazy afternoons and lot of daydreaming.
The fusion of low fi reverb guitars and syrupy soft vocals seduced even the most hardened cynic and it is my solemn belief that the album single-handily prolonged the summer. For which of course I will be eternally grateful
Relocating from California to Brooklyn did not stiffle The Morning Benders ‘Pet Sounds‘ inspired arrangements. It is somewhat fitting that Kenny, who first exposed me to the band’s sound back in February, has featured this in his top albums:
I first heard about The Morning Benders when they recorded the glorious track ‘Excuses’ for a ‘Yours Truly’ session back in February. The heart-warming video, featuring front-man Chris Chu conducting an orchestra of friends, had me itching for the release of ‘Big Echo’ – which I later learned was their second full-length. #
I wasn’t disappointed. Not even one bit. The Berkeley College graduates have released a record that is as hair-raising as it is uplifting. It serves up distant dirty guitar, less-distant acoustic guitar, solid rhythms, pretty harmonies and wit. This album is concise and brilliantly crafted – as all good writing should be.
Having only just recently bigged up a new Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros track because it DIDN’T feature the vocals of Alex Ebert, something you can forgive when considering the lovely Jade Castrinos takes over vocal duties, I feel I should immediately compensate.
The idiosyncratic frontman has had a busy year; On top of recording an ‘Itunes Sessions‘ EP with ‘ES&MZ, being on a seemingly non-stop tour and releasing a new album with his original band Ima Robot he has also found time to unleash his first solo single under the Alexander identity.
The track ‘Truth‘ is not a million miles away from ‘Up From Below‘s more introspective moments once again radiating a feel that is ”like a Sergio Leone picture“.
It will be interesting to see how he balances all these projects in 2011 as we await new EdwardSharpe material.
When Ugly Kid Joe released their debut album ‘America’s Least Wanted‘ there wasn’t a kid in my class who couldn’t air guitar to the single. Brilliant to believe this charted as high as #3 in the UK singles charts back in the day but there was a spark in this and other singles the band unleashed at the time.
Everyone’s favourite multi-membered multi-talented merry prankster revivalists Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros have recorded a special’Itunes Session’ EP just in time for the holiday season.
The EP features brand new track ‘Fire & Water‘ plus lively reworks of some of the tracks from the brilliant ‘Up From Below‘, though the mega popular ‘Home‘ inconspicuously missing.
When I caught the band live in VictoriaPark two summers ago they performed this new track simply as “Jade’s song” and it was electrifying. Despite not featuring frontman Alex Ebert on this the formidable talent of Jade Castrinos deservedly take centre stage.
to feature an array of amazing releases and artists (past, present, old and new) with the goal of promoting them to anyone interested and anyone who stumbles across this site.
If you like any of the tracks, please go buy the albums and help finance the artists producing this great music.
If there are any issues with the tracks featured do not hesitate to contact: "team (AT) Cougar Microbes (DOT) com and we will happily oblige.
COYOL are yet another example of how in 2004 there was a turning point in the indie music with the release of Arcade Fire‘s ‘Funeral‘ album. That album skillfully combines traditional American folk music with the archetypical New York City indie rhythm section and the melodies of the big arena rock bands. Since then thousands of bands have tried to follow that blueprint to mixed results.
