Big strides from Tiny Moving Parts

It has been a long time coming but 'Tiny Moving Parts' are making bigger leaps than ever, transitioning from a support act to a headline act on their mammoth nationwide tour.

Speaking of support acts this tour has two great supports both in terms of music and personality, making this tour and show one big community. First up was math rockers, 'Standards' who captivated the audience with their wild and infectious rhythms. Demonstrating that anyone can get lost in the music even if it is without a vocal layer. Ironic to their name, 'Standards' were beyond  your standard two piece as they excelled at their craft.

Likewise, second on the bill, 'Fredo Disco' were perfect at getting the crowd moving and singing along. Surprising considering this is their second only tour and first time in Madison, Wi. As we chatted to Fredo pre show for my podcast he still gets a little nervous heading to the stage but is excited to be able to do what he loves with people he loves. No one can fail to see and hear the appeal of this new band both on record and live as they shine.



'Tiny Moving Parts' deliver a huge chunk of craziness here in mad town as they have everyone on the floor moving and getting involved in this intimate pop punk explosion of hits and dips. Their sound was tight and set list long as they rattled through more tracks than a Foo Fighters discography. Overall, it was an exciting collaboration of people that love playing music for people who love being surround with music and the energy it creates.

Priceless perfection from COIN

It does not happen often that bands play the same place twice over a weekend but here in Madison we were lucky enough to have that happen with rising stars 'COIN'. Even though the band have been playing since 2012 they are just starting to get the recognition and ever growing fan base they deserve.

Welcome to Madison, Wi, 'COIN' although they are not strangers to the city this weekend was bound to be special. Saturday (19th Oct) seen the band play a session for radio station (Resistance 106.7) at a local brewery (Delta Lab). Although the band were not down for sampling the local concoctions they did marvel in the location of this new setting for a session. The band did a small interview and a four song set to a sold out audience and killed it in this intimate location, stopping to talk with fans.

The next day the band were hitting up the Majestic Theatre in Madison to an almost sold out crowd. The opening act 'WLDLFE' brought their own unique style to the stage, imagine a pop heavy 'Bon Iver' mixed with 'Sir Sly'. They were certainly an exciting band to see and hear live delivering an energetic performance, they even included a sing along moment from current fans from the audience.

Then it was 'COIN's time to shine and shine they did. The production was one of the biggest I have seen at the Majestic theatre, a huge lighting rig and sound system bathed the classic theatre into 'Coin's musical playground. The whole crowd was rolling in the golden atmosphere and energy from the band as they delivered a staple hit after hit. As the band flew through three albums worth of material they were greeted with not only applause but sheer admiration from a local and travelled audience, as more than a handful of people travelled from Chicago for this event tonight. The set was pure mintage especially when they fired out their 7 Million viewed video, 'Talk Too Much'. With the release of their new album they certain to reach the next step of their musical career and possibly into households world wide. Checkout the new chart hitting album out in January 2020.

Wondrous WUD

Another great tour rolls into this town, this time for free! Thanks to members of the WUD (Wisconsin Union) a special show took place at The Sett (University of Wisconsin) featuring a boat load of punk talent. AJJ, Kimya Dawson, Laura Stevenson and Shell Shag all came together for a joint tour, including Madison as one of the opening shows.  

Starting early was the two piece called Shell Shag, full of energy and chaotic rhythms they put on an interesting and exciting show, especially with their one piece band kit (see images online for more). Next was Laura Stevenson a much calmer performer as she introduced herself but no less powerful, as the first song made people stop in their tracks. The echoes of love and pain were delivered beautifully in her own unique style. You could feel these songs were personal to this individual, as she sang and played guitar you could not help but get lost on her poetry.

From one strong vocalist to the next as Kimya Dawson hit the stage to a rapturous applause. From the Mouldy Peaches to sea chastise, children rhymes to political poetry, Kimya covered it all in this delightful set. Being a fan of the Juno soundtrack for over ten since its release, I was pleased to meet the other half of the Mouldy Peaches, Kimya. Kimya D and Adam Green, aka the Mouldy peaches were pinnacle in setting the movie its innocent and honest tone. It has and always will be a favourite of mine so I was excited when I heard the amazing vocals of Kimya pay tribute to that part of her career. Track after track was delivered in her own beautiful way with confidence and passion.

Lastly, the night was closed by fellow punk stars AJJ, whom earlier this year sold out a big venue in the city. Tonight is no different with the atmosphere hopping and crowd growing as the guys hit the stage. Their set contains only highs in my opinion, as they become masters of their own sound, certainly ones to keep track of when they hit Madison again.

Make sure to keep up to date with events from the University of Wisconsin unions via their social media and websites. They are continuously offering great shows at either a cheap or free rate, so no excuses to check out some new and original sounds!

Seeing Red

Fierce and fiery is the perfect words to describe the debut single from new age rocker, Blake Red.

The hot ‘n’ fresh track, ‘Face It’ is burning through everyone’s playlist as one to hear and repeat. Like the songs title and lyrics suggest, you can’t resist, you must listen and face the shear passion of this marvellous artists performance.

 

Judging Blake by the debut track may leave some to question, why they haven’t heard of her before as it sounds mature and professional. But it was musical influences that shaped her; Blake grew up in the “angst-filled 90s”, developing a “rebellious spirit from her metal forefathers of Alice in Chains and Tool”. Not settling for anything short of loud Blake has started to built up a torrent of since releasing her epic single and video teaser.

 

Blake Red is just getting started and is almost ready to unleash her debut EP onto the world so watch out because this one star that will make you hear and feel the music every time.

Let the fires burn

Samantha Clemons – Burn EP

A standout and mature debut EP from fresh faced artist, Samantha Clemons. Clemons channels sorrow and years of displacement into one soulful experience from start to finish.

Being born into a military family meant that Clemons was constantly on the move before settling into her permanent home of Texas. Since staring her career as an artist Clemons has changed direction in many ways, initially starting as a good pop vocalist she realised that this wasn’t the direction she wanted to go in. Instead adopted for a more political and soulful sound, which has not only enhanced her writing style it has also raised the bar of her as an artist.

The EP not only begins with the current single and title track ‘Burn’, it is a solid statement of what is housed inside this five track ensemble, a scorched reflection into life and love as a young person in today’s America. Be willing to view and try to understand other peoples options’ and feelings is the main message, which flows through tracks like ‘No Room’ and ‘Love For Me’. Whilst the final tracks of ‘Something Special’ and ‘Blow you Down’ reflect on a more personal aspect of loosing something you love. Unfortunatly the EP ends too suddenly and is hopefully just a memo of what is to come.

Clemons title tracked EP ‘Burn’ is out now and full of exceptional highlights from one of THE new voices of the 21^st century.

From bottom to top.

From the bottom to the top is correct for the show I witnessed earlier this month. As ‘Basement’ quietly chart their rise from east to west.

The line up tonight was stretching both sides of the Atlantic, headliners Basement hail from the UK, while the rest of the line up, ‘Citizen’ and ‘Pronoun’ come from east coast USA. However, no one could feel more at home in the Madison ‘Majestic’ theater, even with the diverse fan base from age to style everyone is made to feel welcomed to this show. Opening band for the tour is the reason I was invited here, ‘pronoun’ are new onto the scene sounding out their distinct vibe. They manage to sedate the audiences gaze for the set but fail to land a punch, with an unfortunately heavy washed out vocal sound, it was hard to hear much more than the background track. They sound great online but did not transpire well live on this occasion.

Next band up and arguably joint headliners is ‘Citizen’. From the start of their set the energy is lifted tenfold, with fans screaming the lyrics back to their favorite songs from the ‘Citizen’ full discography. There was not a dull moment from their first cord to their last. Just like the latter band, ‘Basement’ takes the mood of the room up further. So much so crowd surfing and mosh pits become the norm for the rest of the set. Although they may be a long way from home, they seem to bring it with them including everyone in the room to join in with their energetic and exciting set.

That just leaves me a final note to deliver a quote from my wife, “isn’t it strange for a UK band to be called Basement, when the UK doesn’t really have them...”, too true.

http://basementuk.com/

http://citizentheband.net/

https://www.musicpronoun.com/

Long Live Vista

Vista – Long Live EP review.

This EP breathes life into a fading scene and will certainly assist in giving ‘Vista’ a long lived career as artists. The new EP drops on July 21st so save the date.

‘Vista’ is an American two piece rock act from the east coast, fuelled by the digital age of music. Think of the new band ‘Pvris’ but a 2.0 version which embraces more production. The EP launches into their best work to date, the song ‘Allegiance’ is a sing along gem, perfect for festivals. Likewise their previous single, ‘Henchmen’ & title track, ‘Long Live’ are also high octane tracks on record and exciting to see live. The criticism to come from this EP is that the production use is heavy but not in a hundred percent original way, I would like to see the duo experiment more and go wild with their ideas as it feels a bit reserved.

In a world full of online media it is simple to easy access new music, meaning it is hard for new artists to stand out in a flood of streaming sites. ‘Vista’ is just one of them acts and as a new act still in their infancy they are still finding who they are. With that said their style from music to image is streamline, captivating and feels exciting, as the buzz for this band is growing. This EP is just a tip of their musical voyage, long live ‘Vista’.