Eureka The Butcher – Music For Mothers

Eureka the Butcher, the solo pseudonym of Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez (of Zechs Marquise/The Mars Volta) releases his debut album today! The recording, Music For Mothers, is dedicated to Frances Sarah Rodriguez-Lopez, Marcel‘s mother who passed away last year. In regards to the dedication, Marcel writes that “she is the reason why I started playing the piano. She told me that it was great that I wanted to play drums, but if I played the piano, I could create music and play to a room full of people by myself. I didn’t start playing drums for another 4 years, and I wouldn’t start playing piano for another 7 or so. That’s when I started making electronic music. Making music under the Eureka name gives me that ability: to make music.”

Made while on tour with The Mars Volta and Zechs Marquise, the project progressed in buses, vans, planes, dressing rooms, airports, hotel rooms, backyards, sidewalks, and what I can only assume was a couple of really dingy dive bars. Music for Mothers is intended to serve almost as a testament to the idleness and boredom which inevitable lingers while on the road. While the album was intended as a therapeutic journal of sorts, the music is specifically intended  “for all mothers…for all families. I hope that it will inspire other people to make music for their mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers… if my mom hadn’t pushed me to learn other aspects of music, I would be sampling records and it wouldn’t be as rewarding to me. Sampling records properly is an art form in itself, but i knew it wasn’t for me.”

As far as the act itself, Eureka the Butcher is a barrage of sound, chopping and slicing bits and pieces of rhythms of the larger Rodriguez-Lopez including The Mars Volta. Marcel explains to Fusion Magazine that the name “comes from the nature of editing; the Butcher part from cutting up sound, chopping up beats to make up new things; the Eureka part comes from when it all comes together.” With a collage of psychedelic samplings and prog-rock meanderings, I’d say that name fairly sums up the experience in an elegant manner for those scared of the emotional connection explanation provided earlier.  You can snag your copy of Music For Mothers via Rodriguez Lopez Productions and be sure to check out all them social network sites below to figure out what the hell they’re up to. Here’s to mothers and great music: who would’ve guessed they’d be hand in hand?

Eureka The Butcher – Sargent House
Eureka The Butcher – Tumblr
Eureka The Butcher – Twitter

Cliff.DI

Ten Kens – Namesake

“Excellently skewed, arty rock, like Sonic Youth and Liars colliding.” — NME

Ten Kens, the Toronto based ethereal artrock group, is streaming their entire forthcoming album, Namesake, a week early via the massive Canadian entertainment conglomerate, Exclaim!  This is also in conjunction with their recently released video from Namesame for the song “Gently Used“, which is presented by Tiny Mix Tapes and available above. Finally, to give you a probably way over the necessary dose, the video for “When A Door Opens” also premiered via Consequence of Sound. which, you guessed it, is also available above.

Released after two years of nerve racking tranquility and a sophomore album glow, the aptly titled Namesake moves the band away from their signature genre-bending dither into a more darkened psychedelic day trip experience. The result of an intense yearlong recording period and masterfully engineered/produced by Ten Kens‘ own Brett Paulin and Dan Workman, the band jumped from one recording facility to the next in order to find each individual sound which makes this whole. Apparently, the band enjoys disappearing “into complete isolation to keep their vision focused and devoid of any outside influence” which may come across from just the first 2 mins of “Gently Used“.

It is this insidious exploration, though, coupled with an almost ambient prog rock, that makes Namesake such an experience as for as an album. An abstract art-piece constructed from the remains of decaying genres, Ten Kens’  Namesake is an unapologetic trance of post-rock meets prog rock with a whole lot thrown in between. Basically, it’s beautiful. Grab a download or don’t be stingy and grab the vinyl (Release Date: May 21, 2013, if it’s a great album, it’s a worthwhile buy and yes, Namesake is a great album). Here’s to hoping a tour is in the works.

Cliff.DI

And So I Watch You From Afar – All Hail Bright Futures

Belfast‘s And So I Watch You From Afar has just started streaming their entire forthcoming album, All Hail Bright Futures, all this week, courtesy of Vice’s own Noisey.com. As described by Sargent House, the label/worldwide management group to which ASIWYFA just recently signed onto, All Hail Bright Futures “could be taken as both an ethos for the album and the band at this point in time. There is a new color scheme in place: new textures, emotions, sounds and voices… (All Hail Bright Futures) is dominated by a sunnier disposition, a positive uplift that more closely matches the euphoria the Northern Ireland trio has been instilling in audiences through their music in a live setting for the last five years.” And by the way, they really aren’t kidding when they talk about the euphoria of their live shows after just recently winning the Best Live Band at Choice Music Prize this past year, not to mention the clocked 500 plus shows worldwide.

Thoughts, comments, and concerns? Well it is certainly a different kind of album than expected from the group. Sure, there are moments such as “Trails” & “Mend And Make Safe” which remind me far more of previous albums such as Grimes, but the vast majority of the album seems, well, different. Perhaps they have taken a cue from fellow Irish group Adebisi Shank however the songs are clearly for more energetic, not in the way say post-rock climatic strikes but more as a thrashing math-rock meets an electronic bliss of reimagined post-hardcore. To understand this sensation, I would highly recommend “Like A Mouse” & “Big Thinks Do Remarkable“. Sargent House releases All Hail Bright Futures on March 19, 2013 on LP, CD, & download worldwide and is the first recoding done by ASIWYFA as a three-piece. While this may have been the case with recording, the band will continue on as a four piece with the addition of Niall Kennedy (guitar). The album was recorded with Rocky O’ Reilly at Start Together Studio in Belfast.

Essentially, it is definitely clear that ASIWYFA is seeking to redefine itself with their third full length. And yeah, I will certainly say that I gladly bump said album at least several times through in the past twenty four hours, partly for research and partly to keep me awake during this depressing weather. It feels as though the group is lost though. They are taking heavy cues from others without retaining enough of what truly made them unique on the global stage. If they seek to be an amazing live act, well, it appears as though they have accomplished it and certainly this album tour is going to be a fun one by what I am hearing. If the goal is to continue to give a unique perspective and development on this evolving genre, well, they may have missed the mark. Take a listen and tell me I’m wrong: regardless, I think I’ll pop it on one more time.

And So I Watch You From Afar – All Hail Bright Future

– Cliff

Zorch – Sign to Sargent House/New Album in Works

Zorch, Austin, TX‘s hyper-kinetic duo, premiered a new song, “We All Die Young“, a release from their forthcoming full length. The track is available through SPIN Magazine with the full length album expected to be released this summer. Clearly the big change, however, is that Zorch has signed on with Sargent House for management and label. This, while a massive change, is not necessarily a massive surprise.

Zorch is composed of Zac Traeger (keyboards, omnichord, vocals) and Shmu (drums, omnichord, vocals), whom hail from Wisconsin and Canada respectively. The duo originally met around Boston and after moving to Austin in 2009, the foundation of what would become Zorch was laid. After years of building up a reputation within the city’s DIY scene, Zorch will again play their annual multi-performance marathon during SXSW in Austin this March (listed below), marking a welcomed combination of both their roots and their future.

Take a listen and go ahead, get excited. Frankly, I always assumed Zorch was already on Sargent House so the move is a welcomed decision in my mind. But who knows? Maybe you disagree with me to which I simply say: you’re wrong. Indulge yourself to some experimental beauty while at work, in your classroom, or simply walking down freezing streets. It won’t be long till March comes along, the beginning of a long overdue spring and summer (time is relative, get over it). Till then.

Austin, TX – SXSW:

3/10/13 – Yeast by Sweet Beast @ Chain Drive
3/11/13 – Weird Destiny Freakout @ The Museum of Human Achievement
3/12/13 – All Tamara’s Parties @ Cheer Up Charlies
3/12/13 – SXSW Showcase @ Metal & Lace w/Assacre
3/12/13 – Granada House Backyard Shredathon @ The Granada House (1184 Greenwood Ave) 3/13/13 – Slip n’ Slide Party III @ Second House (2906 E. 2nd.) w/Delicate Steve
3/13/13 – SXSW Showcase @ TenOak w/Sorne
3/14/13 – House Party @ Hobbies’ Odd (1118 Linden St)
3/14/13 – Escapes @ Club 1808
3/15/13 – The Vagabond Collective showcase @ Austin Kickboxing Academy
3/15/13 – Wuwufest @ Russian House w/Why?, T-Bird and the Breaks
3/15/13 – SXSWendy’s @ Wendy’s
3/16/13 – Hometapes/Spacebomb Friend Island @ The Museum of Human Achievement

Zorch Facebook
Sargent House Zorch Page
Zorch Bandcamp
Zorch Site

– Cliff

Adebisi Shank – Thunder

Adebisi Shank’s most recent album, This Is The Second Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank, released in 2011 via Sargent House was an absolutely brilliant sophomore album which did not slow down this monumental three piece’s sense of brilliant noisy math rock. So when I woke up this morning to an email notifying me that Ireland’s Adebisi Shank will be entering a studio later this year to begin work on their next album, it frankly put a smile on my face.

To make things even better, Adebisi Shank was able to release an early live session recording for the track “Thunder“, which was mixed by Toshi Kasai (Melvins, Big Business) in L.A. during the band’s recent tour with Fang Island. What’s humorous to me is that the band openly admits that the track may not end up with the title of “Thunder“: rather, it is still so early in the process to really make any conclusive decisions on the album. So overall, maybe this article is premature however after viewing the video, you can probably see why I am so excited.

So yes: we’ve got awhile to wait before we know just about anything. But from I’m watching/listening, I’d say it’s so far, so good. Keep it up Adebisi Shank and I’m psyched for, I don’t know, maybe “This Is The Third Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank“? You can choose your own name: I’m just spitting ideas. Watch the video and enjoy: I know I did.

– Cliff

My Education – A Drink For All My Friends

There has been some incredible releases already with the New Year, whether it is through TTNG or Tyvek. Yet as I work through my long overdue articles, a particular one always strikes my attention. Back towards the end of November, an Austin, TX staple, My Education, released their sixth album, A Drink For All My Friends in North America on Headbump Records/Haute Magie and in Europe on Golden Antenna. Sonic explorer’s at heart, My Education’s A Drink For All My Friends is the band’s most streamlined and aggressive effort yet, while remaining an entrancing cinematic journey throughout.

Originally formed in 1999, the band’s membership has expanded and contracted between and after each release. Still, while the material buildup of the group has changed, the sonic landscapes have grown with each release. Think of it like Doug Martsch’s Built to Spill lineup, except within the vast domains of post-rock, post-prog, and post-hardocre. My Education has released 5 full-length albums, several singles, compilation appearances, and a 12″ vinyl collaboration with avant-hip hop duo Dalek. in the past, as well as having their singles remixed by members of bands such as Kinski, Pelican, Red Sparowes and Dalek.

So as for the release itself? At times, My Educations pulls off tracks that faithfully push forward a movement similiar to that of Turing Machines with it’s electronic pedal heavy riffs and uncompromising percussion/bass. Yet at other tracks, it is a blissful acceptance of beauty in patience as displayed by such groups as Tortoise or Collection of Colonies of Bees. If I wanted to be simpler, I would simply say the album is all over the place except that it is not: rather, it is a very purposeful journey with moments of peace followed by the always present shadow of entropy, disorder, and chaos. A Drink For All My Friends is the album for those vinyl nerds, sitting alone with massive headphones in their room for hours. It is for the intellectually curious introverts in all of us. And, more importantly in my opinion, it’s an album for me.

So trust me on this recommendation or don’t. Frankly, it’s not my concern or job to care. Yet it is my job to cover such a beautifully crafted album, one which I nearly missed due to my own slothfulness. It is a mistake I hope to never make again, particularly with the reward that My Education provided me. Don’t make the same mistake: grab a download, catch them live, and let your inner introvert run wild. I know I did.

My Education – A Drink For All My Friends

– Cliff

This Town Needs Guns (TTNG) – 13.0.0.0.0/Name Change?

Well folks, this has been an album I have long been awaiting for (and so yes, I feel a little embarrassed that I am writing on the matter over a week late). While the album caught my attention with its references to the Mayan calendar’s Long Count, which indicates the beginning (August 11, 3114 BCE) and end (December 21, 2012) of the current civilization, the past several weeks have created an even eerier reputation to the group. Regardless of the odd timing and conspiracy like development, Dissociative Identity Productions is at least happy to report that yes, the album does live up beyond the controversy to an actually amazing album. This Town Needs Guns, or TTNG (due to obvious developments in the US) brings a force unknown in previous releases with a refinement that you have come to expect from the group.

13.0.0.0.0 is TTNG‘s first album featuring their new vocalist Henry Tremain after the former lead singer, Stuart Smith, left in 2011. While fans of “Animals” may feel nostalgia, this lineup seems to show considerable growth and cohesion already. The album opener, “Cat Fantastic“, kicks things off with an incredibly nimble plucking guitar melody combined with the warmth of Tremain‘s voice and the song’s hooky chord progression which all makes it easy to forget the depth of what you are hearing. Elsewhere, the ethereal vocal melodies weave together with a rapid-fire guitar and bass interplay as displayed on “Havoc In The Forum“. “I’ll Take The Minute Snake” is rich with a sliced-up sounding drum pattern while Tremain‘s vocal intricacies in “Left Aligned” prove his new found position while slithering bass chords, fugue-like guitar notes and rollicking drums form a sturdy base to explore from, like Battlestar Galactica to a Raptor (ok, I’ve been fairly addicted to the program recently). “13.0.0.0.1” perfectly closes the album with a chiming lullaby of interwoven piano and lightly plucked guitar notes, adding a seeming moment of silence to the album experience. Appropriate in my mind.

Take a listen through the streamed link above but more importantly, be sure to catch them live/grab a vinyl for the full experience. I could understand some skepticism to buy the vinyl when its a lofi as hell group but believe me, the quality of the album will make you reconsider. So long time in anticipation and waiting: am I disappointed? Not in the slightest.

TTNG

– Cliff

Native – New Album & Tour w/ Caspa

In case ya didn’t know, yeah: I am a massive Native fan. We Delete; Erase was simply a masterpiece which gorgeously combined a midwestern noodle rock sound with a grundgy, emo-rock flare that often lost the listeners in bursts of post-rock glory. While We Delete; Erase is still my favorite of Native’s, Wrestling Moves, the sophomore release, did not disappoint. All of this brings me to the more exciting news: Northwest Indiana’s Native is announcing a whole hell of North American live dates starting next month, most of which will be alongside post-rock instrumentalists Caspian. A full list of the schedule is available below.

In addition to this glorious news, however, it is also a delight to hear that Native has just recently finished recording their second full length album with Greg Norman (Russian Circles, Pelican) in Chicago, a release which will be provided by your friendly label folks over at Sargent House this summer. To start building up enthusiasm  or if you are not familiar with Native, I would highly recommend checking out a video of the band playing one of their new songs,”Kissing Bridge” live in Paris (top of article). Furthermore, of course, I included a stream of Wrestling Moves for a quick preview.

As for now, well, be patient and stay tuned. Based just off the live video, I’d say we got a triumphant return in store for us. Till then.

Feb 25 – Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory
Feb 26 – Albuquerque, NM @ The Gas Works
Feb 27 – Tempe, AZ @ Tempe Women’s Club

CASPIAN & NATIVE 2013

Mar 01 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex also w/ Junius
Mar 02 – San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar And Lounge
Mar 03 – San Francisco, CA @ The Bottom of the Hill
Mar 05 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza
Mar 06 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
Mar 07 – Boise, ID @ The Red Room
Mar 08 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
Mar 09 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
Mar 10 – Omaha, NE @ The West Wing (no Caspian)
Mar 11 – Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Music Hall
Mar 12 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue 7th Street Entry
Mar 13 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
Mar 14 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
Mar 15 – St Louis, MO @ The Firebird
Mar 16 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
Mar 18 – Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
Mar 19 – Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar
Mar 20 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House
Mar 21 – Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop
Mar 22 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose
Mar 23 – Buffalo, NY @ Big Orbit Soundlab
Mar 24 – Burlington, VT @ Signal Kitchen

NATIVE ONLY

Mar 25 – Montreal, QC @ L’escogriffe Cafe Bar
Mar 26 – Kitchener, ON @ Jesse’s Rehearsal
Mar 27 – Toledo, OH @ Mickey Finn’s

Native – Sargent House

– Cliff

Fang Island – Major

9 days ago, Brooklyn’s own Fang Island released their sophomore album, Major, to a gleeful audience excited for more after their debut, S/T full length and teaser Single, “Sisterly“. Admittedly, I was nervous after hearing the “Sisterly” single: it felt as though everything that made them fun to see live had been replaced with…well…FUN (the band). However, after listening to the album, Major, as a whole, I couldn’t be more wrong, a point to which others have taken quick notice of. There’s plenty of other, professional music reviews you can take a look at however my favorite quote is probably from the brilliant crew over at Vice, “As an album, if I had to give Major a rank, I would promote it to General.”

As the album artwork hints at, Major is one hefty, monolithic and just plain regal experience. Compared to their S/T, to which Fang Island described as, “everyone high-fiving everyone,” Major is a far more confident triumphant experience with just a dash of youthful exuberance. As guitarist/vocalist Jason Bartell explains, “One of our core ideas has always been that our songs would be all of your favorite parts of the song that other bands make you wait 8 minutes to get to… We wanted to be the band that’s nothing but your favorite hooks back to back.” I thought they had already achieved that with their S/T release but I guess Major has put any doubt to shame.

However, to give a quick run-down about why you should even care about this particular album, here’s an explanation by Chris Georges (guitarist) on some of the multitude of reasons why they named their sophomore album “Major“:
“- Major key dominant (though the first song is minor)
– Valley girl colloquialism
– Because we (Fang Island) are on an independent label
– Because the rank under Sargent (House) is major
– It sounds like a constellation
– Steely Dan’s “Any Major Dude” was in rotation a lot during the sessions
– The record is packaged to look like stone because it’s ROCK. I really wanted people to hold a piece of rock when they picked up the record.”

I really don’t know how to follow an explanation like that. Despite to say, if you want to truly experience the joy, don’t just stop with the one song streaming on this site, pick up a copy (MP3, CD, LP) or, better yet, catch them live as they go all across the US, pairing up with the likes of Adebisi Shank and Zechs Marquise, including Austin, TX with the “Fun Fun Fun Fest“. It’s great to see a sophomore album actually expand in the right direction from a freshmen album and Major certainly lives up to the description. Well done though last complaint… why not Philadelphia?!

FANG ISLAND Summer 2012 Tour:
08/02 Salt Lake City, UT @ Vertigo *
08/03 Boise, ID @ Neurolux *
08/04 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre *
08/05 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile *
08/07 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall *
08/10 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour *!
08/11 San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar !
08/12 Phoenix, AZ @ The Rhythm Room *!
08/13 Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress *!
08/14 Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad *!
08/16 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada !
08/17 Austin, TX @ Mohawk !
08/18 Volente, TX @ Beachfront Boat Studios
08/19 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live – Studio !
08/20 New Orleans, LA @ Parish at House of Blues !
08/21 Birmingham, AL @ Bottle Tree !
08/22 Gainesville, FL @ Double Down Live !
08/23 St. Petersburg, FL @ The Local 662 !
08/24 Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits !
08/25 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade !
08/26 Asheville, NC @ Asheville Music Hall !
08/28 Raleigh, NC @ Kings !
08/29 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter !
08/30 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg !
11/01 – 11/03 Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fun Fest (exact date TBA)

* w/ Zechs Marquise
! w/ Adebisi Shank

Track list:
01. Kindergarten
02. Sisterly
03. Seek it Out
04. Make Me
05. Never Understand
06. Asunder
07. Dooney Rock
08. Regalia
09. Chompers
10. Chime Out
11. Victorinian

On the Web:
– http://www.fangisland.com/ –
– http://www.sargenthouse.com/ –

– Cliff

Indian Handcrafts – Civil Disobedience For Losers

Canadian duo Indian Handcrafts premiered their lead track from their upcoming sophomore album two days ago, July 30th, thanks to the kind folks over at SPIN.com. The song, “Bruce Lee” is available HERE or, to your liking, an alternate Soundcloud link is available HERE.

A two-piece crew that’s louder than most bands you’ll ever hear, the album was recorded while the guitarist had a broken hand, all in LA. “The doctor said if you go and record that’s your problem if it gets worse,” Allen explains. “It was a little painful some days, but because of being there in the surroundings it was easy to get around that. It healed fine.” With it’s well honed, massive melodies,  Indian Handcrafts’ drummer/vocalist Brandyn James Aikins and guitarist/vocalist Daniel Brandon Allen work beautifully with one another, featuring hints of heavy, technical bands like Big Business, Hella and Tweakbird. Still, there are also strong melodies and vocal intensity, creating obvious comparisons to artists from Death From Above 1979 to Jack White.

Formed in Barrie, Ontario, Indian Handcrafts had the fortune to finally get noticed by Cathy Pellow of Sargent House, who quickly signed the band on to management as well as the label. With a label and an opportunity, Civil Disobedience For Losers recording began featuring special guest appearances by Melvins drummers Dale Crover and Coady Willis. As Aikins explains about the chemistry of the group, “We first started this band when playing in another band that was pissing us off… We were the two who always got along. I can’t ever see us having anyone else in the band. Unless Toshi played tambourine.”

Album opener “Bruce Lee” features a blazing double-time group chant crescendo led by triple marching snare drums courtesy of Aikins and special guests Crover and Willis of the Melvins. Yet as an album opener, it only gets better. “Red Action” gives the feeling of a violent confrontation with HEALTH level effect pummeling as Aikins and Allen trade vocal-chord shredding harmonized screams. As for “Terminal Horse”, Indian Handcrafts’ blazes along on a harmonized riff while the dual vocalists spit out garbage diving-worthy lyrics. Perhaps the highlight, in my opinion, of the album though is “Centauri Teenage Riot” which pits the fury of teen angst against a wall of guitars and the dual drum attack of Aikins and Crover. Plus what’s not to love about these lyrics: prime example would be on “The Jerk”, “said you wanted a lovah, so we went down south and tried to find you a lovah/ You wanted a lovah/ You got with the other.”

Sure, we only have a brief look available publicly at the moment. However, after a viewing of Bruce Lee, you’ll know that what’s to come can only grow greater. Listen, share, and enjoy folks.

01. Bruce Lee (MP3)

02. Red Action

03. Starcraft

04. Zombies

05. Worm In My Stomach

06. Terminal Horse

07. Coming Home

08. Centauri Teenage Riot

09. Truck Mouth

10. The Jerk

11. Lion at the Door

– indianhandcrafts.net –

– indianhandcrafts.bandcamp.com –

– Cliff