By Keith Walsh Spring is busting out all over with an array of wildly different sounds from across town and across the globe. With GRLwood, The Division Red, 51 Peg, The Flowers Of Hell, Darwin, Lost Hearts, and Fences.
GRLwood “Keep It Average”
I’m a sucker for songs from songwriters who wear their heart on their sleeve. Rëj Forester started GRLwood as a solo project, bringing in her friend Mia Morris on drums. Their latest video “Keep It Average” is self-produced and shows that imagination is more valuable than a big budget. There’s a reason personal songs are so important – “Keep It Average” tackles the issues of low self-esteem and the risk of losing oneself to conformity, as a cautionary message that’s timelier than ever.
GRLwood dot com
GRLwood IG
The Division Red “KIDS”
There’s a mix of electronica (Ultravox) and commercial rock (Journey, Styx) in this single by The Division Red. Located in Los Angeles, this duo just released their album Chroma Compute. It’s all very skillful, playing it safe to reach a wider audience. Daniel Houlemarde does instruments and vocals, Colin Frazier does beats and electronics.
The Division Red dot com
The Division Red On IG
51 Peg “The Distance Between”
Hailing from Washington, D.C., 51 Peg are in the right place to protest musically, which “The Distance Between” does quite well. “You think you’re consequence free?/You choose to disregard me?/I found a way to reach out to you/Despite the distance between.” The song works on many levels, interpersonally as well as socially. Singer/songwriter Jeff Sargent has a voice suited for the electronic metal sound, and the balance of guitars and synths are perfect. “The Distance Between” is from 51 Peg’s new album A/Version.
51 Peg dot com
51 Peg on Bandcamp
The Flowers Of Hell “Atmosphere”
Despite the band’s dark sounding name, this tune is a lovely, lilting piece of psychedelic folk pop, reminiscent of not only the Velvet Underground, but great new wave bands like REM (who certainly borrowed elements from The VU) as well. “Atmosphere” is a cover of the song by Joy Division, taking it into sweet new territory. Lisa Conway joins The Flowers Of Hell on vocals, and it’s produced by the brilliant producer Peter Moore (Cowboy Junkies). With roots in London and Toronto, The Flowers Of Hell create songs that are a satisfying contrast to the facile simplicity of much of today’s music engineered for the radio. “Atmosphere” is a new video from their cover album Odes.
Flowers Of Hell dot com
Flowers Of Hell IG
Flowers Of Hell Bandcamp
The Flowers Of Hell “Journeys Through Keshakhtaran”
This modern classical tune is a single version of the longer form album from The Flowers Of Hell. Filled with orchestral sounds, and ethereal vocals, it’s as mysterious sounding as the emotional state named in the title. This is band that dares to do things differently.
Darwin “Drive In Saturday”
Asked by his friend and colleague Julian Shah-Tayler to contribute to his 5oth Anniversary Aladdin Sane David Bowie Tribute album Forget That I’m 50, California-based singer/songwriter Darwin found it hard to say no. There’s no percussion to speak of on this cool and mellow cover; in fact the interpretation’s strength lay in its ability to amplify the tender side of Bowie’s song. The electric piano is by Mike Berg and sweet background vocals are by Ash Reyes. For my album review, it’s here.
Darwin dot com
Darwin On Facebook
Julian Shah Talks about ‘Forget That I’m 50’
Lost Hearts “Hate Yourself”
This four-piece from Nashville has commercial moves: skillful songwriting and performances, and production polish by Johnny K (3 Doors Down, Disturbed, Plain White T’s) It adds up to a song engineered for radio play. The four members – Max Frye (vocals and guitar), JT Shea (guitar and bass), Victor Adriel (guitar and bass) and Mitch Arnholt (drums) are all skilled guitarists so when starting the band, they flipped a coin to decide who would play what and who would sing. It’s a strong debut from a band that will be releasing more music this year.
Lost Hearts dot com
Lost Hearts on IG
Fences “Thin Legs”
Led by Christopher Mansfield, this tune from Fences is a slightly upbeat, warmly pleasant tune about wanting a fresh start after a period of exhaustion. It’s in the Americana ballpark, with lovely vocals and guitar, and refreshingly introspective and honest lyrics. A new album coming in August will be titled Bright Soil, and features performances by Mansfield’s dream band including Felix Pastorius (son of Jaco) on bass, Jeremiah Green (Modest Mouse) on drums, and production by Wesley Schultz (The Lumineers) and Ryan Lewis (Macklemore and Lewis). Maxine Mansfield, wife of Christopher also features on the album. The video is directed by Spencer Sease.
Fences dot com
Fences On IG
finis