.new stuff

I always feel like I am so far behind on music. There's so much to explore it can be very overwhelming. Here's a post that doesn't bombard you with new sound, just some things to take a listen to...

Chastity Belt has a new album out in June. Their new song "Different Now" and video go in tandem. I found myself drawn to the overcast pacific northwestern beach as the ladies set up their equipment. Julia's portrait surrounded by wind-blown greenery singing about finding yourself and not having the answers you want. As the song transitions from uncertainty to self-realization the darkness falls in as the band is surrounded by one another's company around a bonfire. The song hits a chord about self-discovery. Personally it reminded me of your 20s vs. your 30s. Figuring out your place in the world but surrounding yourself with positive energy / good people.

Tank and the Bangas on Tiny Desk

On Twitter I follow NPR and love their "Tiny Desk" series. When they tweeted about an emotional performance by Tank and the Bangas I clicked to watch. This group is dynamic hailing from Louisiana. They use spoken word and different voice inflections to get the point across. My favorite song was "Roller Coaster." The feeling of sickening butterflies and the exhilaration of being seated in an uncontrolled cart. When people can articulate so clearly emotion into words or voice that is a gift. Check them out. Their outfits are also A+ (banana pants?! C'mon!)

Finally VMP features Tennis as their "Album of the Month." My copy came in the mail yesterday (I see them on Saturday in concert). It's a pretty bubblegum themed blast of coral and powdered blue. The album comes with a booklet (haven't read it yet) of how the songs and theme of the new record came about with photos nicely decorated on each page. My local indie radio station played "Ladies Don't Play Guitar" on loop. I have heard "In the Morning I'll Be Better" but cannot pinpoint where for the life of me. It sounds like something that would be played during the season finale of Orange is the New Black. The songs are an eclectic mix. One in particular sounds a bit Cocteau Twin-ish. It's a good album to listen to on a rainy day or like today, a rainy snowstorm.

So that's about it for new listens. What have you been listening to lately? Please share in the comments below!

.chastity belt

God bless these bands from the Pacific NW or West Coast coming to the East Coast to tour. First Tacocat, then Peach Kelli Pop, now Chastity Belt. I feel like this is a new wave of riotgrrrl bands even though we are in a different decade and that's probably not what they are going for. Still. All female bands rule in my book.

Time to Go Home is their most recent album which I dig. I really liked what I heard and how the band switched it up with different members singing a few songs even though Julia sang most of the songs. The funniest thing was their banter between songs. Some guy yelled out "I love your Jag" (referring to her guitar) and the band sarcastically said "We love talking about gear. All kinds of gear." Most of their set was more recent songs. Julia said their new album would come out in 2017. Gretchen commented on the wall graffiti in the bathroom and said more people need to add tally marks to "Number of people chillin." She also commented on bulletin boards she noticed on her ride here that were pretty deep. The most annoying thing were the bros. I mean this guy near me was so annoying. After every fucking song he had to do an annoying "Yeeeee-aaaahhhh" I mean, they get it. I don't know what is worse, that or the guys moshing to Peach Kelli Pop's "Princess Castle 1987." 

After the show the band was preoccupied with friends so I didn't have a chance to say "Hi." Bro grabbed the set list and two others grabbed the remaining ones as well. Since my friend missed the show I picked her and myself up tee shirts with a caricature of the band posing in front of the Space Needle. Can't wait to sport it!