"And now for something completely different..."
Look, I'm not about to - although I probably wish I could - debut a new video of someone dancing around while slapping someone in the face with a fish (if you don't get that reference, I suggest you Google "John Cleese"), but there's definitely a different vibe on today's A-Sides . The two artists featured today are refreshingly refreshing in that they bring a unique sound - a blend of genres - and don't sound like anyone else that's currently in the music industry.
Roots rockers Assembly of Dust, the brain child of Reid Genauer, just dropped their fourth full-length album Sun Shot after a two-year process that included a Kickstarter campaign. Not only did the campaign succeed on a financial level (they more than doubled their $25,000 goal ), it worked on a deep, personal level as well. As Genauer explained in an interview at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester last week - the campaign gave them/him an opportunity to engage with their fans socially - so much so he and the band are not charging fans or anyone for that matter for the album so long as they log onto an APP and share it on their respective social networks. Anyway, before he played a show at Garcia's, a bar/music venue within The Capitol Theatre, Genauer took time out to perform with his band mates and chat for A-Sides. Watch two ditties and the interview below. It's kick butt.
"Weehawken Ferry" and "Arkansas Down Live"
Reid Genauer
Before entering a studio within the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains, NY, a destination where A-Sides regularly films its sessions at, Robert Farren and Colin Behram seemed a little concerned - perhaps curious is a better word. "How loud can we get in here?," Farren asked nonchalantly. My reply? "As loud as you want." A sigh of moderate relief came before the front man of the two-man band explained, "we can get pretty loud for just two people." He was right - especially when you consider they use only two instruments (an electro-mechanical Rhodes - hence their band name - and drums).
The Brooklyn duo just dropped a self-titled EP and performed two tracks from it for A-Sides last week.
Watch the dynamic "Shoulders" below followed by an interview, and catch an exclusive performance of "Perfect Operation" on asidesmusic.com. Love them a lot. Love me a little.
A-Sides "Delve Into Twelve" Countdown
Each week A-Sides unleashes its Top 12 tracks of the week AKA the "Delve Into Twelve"based on the following contributing factors: songs I'm playing out that particular week NO MATTER WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED (think overlooked songs, unreleased tracks, and old favorites), songs various publicists are trying to get me to listen to that I did and listened to and liked (phew), posts and trends I've noticed on my friends' Facebook walls, and - most importantly - the songs my 16-month-old son gravitates toward. Yeah, you read that right. This weeks follows below (LW= last week's rank):
12. "Heartbeat" (LW 11)- The Kopecky Family Band (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)
11. "Breed" - Nirvana
10. "Waves" (LW 7) - Blondfire
9. "Trying to Be Cool" (LW 4) - Phoenix
8."Silhouettes" - Avicii with Salem Al Fakir
7. "Believer" (LW 5) - American Authors (Watch A-Sides Performance Here.)
6. "Doin' It Right" - Daft Punk with Panda Bear
5. "Buffalo Stance" - Neneh Cherry
4. "San Francisco"(LW-3) - The Mowgli's (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)
3. "Out of My League" (LW-2) - Fitz and the Tantrums
2. "All the Faces" - Creed Bratton (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)
1. "Don't Swallow the Cap" (LW-1) - The National
About asidesmusic.com
Jon Chattman's "A-Sides Music" series usually features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometimes humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, I'm hoping this is refreshing. Support A-Sides' Kickstarter campaign here!