It has come to my attention that I have yet to actually write about a Chicago band on here, which has made be kind of feel out of touch with the local scene a bit. So, I guess it is just my luck that I’ve recently been turned onto Castevet, who were actually recommended to me by a fan of the site. After a few listens of their debut full length Summer Fences, I was hooked on their unique, interesting style. If Castevet’s sound was a cocktail, it’d be a pretty easy recipe to follow:
The Castevet
2 parts 90’s Emo (Cap’n Jazz, American Football)
1 part Beardcore vocals (Small Brown Bike, Hot Water Music)
Shake well. Served best in a crowded basement or art space.
Despite the simple ingredients, the four piece’s sound is complex as Summer Fences is quite instrumental based and all but one song exceeds the 5-minute mark. Their sonic dynamic was enough for Deckfight.com to called them “the balliest band in punk rock”.
Read more…
No, not the animal! While browsing in staff picks at the listening station at the Lakeview Reckless Records, I came across Fruit Bats’ newest album, Ruminent Band. My reaction: “Fantastic! This sounds like a lighter version of The Shins with a brighter outlook!” Turns out, my ears haven’t betrayed me because Fruit Bats started out originally as a side project for many of the members of The Shins. They are signed to Sub Pop and Ruminent Band is their fourth album released through the label. The album it self was recorded with Graeme Gibson at Clava in Chicago and makes a great addition to your indie Autumn playlist!
Is it the long, dark winters I’ve heard rumors of that make Danish bands so prone to such weighted and heart longingly filled music? I always feel like the sounds that come out of this region are intensely perfect for certain moods, like in January when you’re looking for a body to cling to for warmth. There’s a unique loneliness and fulfillment they bring me that I’ve rarely found in bands outside of this region, and I love them more than others for this emotional duality.
Danish quartet Chimes & Bells create music that suggests they’re going to strip you down and bring you into their mesmerizing world, and it doesn’t sound at all bad there. From the beginning of Into Peices of Wood (U.S. debut on Chicago indie label Minty Fresh) I am swept up and lost in their sound. The EP opens with Stand Still, a heavy and emotionally exhausting track. I’m most attracted to this song on the EP for a couple of reasons. To start, there’s the elegant instrumentals and soothing vocals, which are breathtaking and momentous. Also, there is one line that strikes a particular chord with me, “I still have your jacket and you still have my heart, my heart, my heart…” It sounds so familiar and still it’s never comfortable. And at some inevitable point we all tend to find ourselves there- thinking and feeling that same quote while damning that jacket.
The remaining three tracks are just as intense and charged yet they too remain poised and as crisp as autumn evenings. I have been listening to the four songs on repeat for nearly two weeks now without tire. I’ve often found that I eagerly wait months (sometimes years) and count the days for ordered imports or U.S. release dates and American tours from my beloved foreign bands. I can only anticipate a spectacular full length, as suggested by this promising start. With that said, Chimes and Bells will not be the exception to this as I try to maintain my patience despite my want for more Now.
Enjoy.
We have a lot of love at FYW for Dangerbird Records. Not only does Dangerbird release some amazing music, but Matt Solodky – general manager of Dangerbird Records was nice enough to kick-off our interview section at FamiliarizeYourself and answer questions about his college life, the current music industry, and offer some advice to future music industry entrepreneurs.
(FYW)What were your former occupations before entering into the music industry through Dangerbird Records?
(MS)I was born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and believe it or not, it is home to an amazing local music scene. I was lucky enough to be involved in many facets at a young age. I worked at a local guitar shop, recording studio, independent record label and nightclub. During college I street repped for Mercury and Virgin Records, then moved to Los Angeles to work in music at the William Morris Agency.
(FYW)Did you attend college? Which college and what was your degree?
(MS)I attended the University of Pittsburgh. We had the option to create our own majors – which I did. It was a hybrid of business and communications.
(FYW)What is your role/title at Dangerbird?
(MS)I’ve been at Dangerbird for nearly five years. I was the first full time employee – a general assistant / jack of all trades. As the company expanded, my role grew and become more focused simultaneously. I took a product manager position, which lead to head of marketing and I am now the general manager. The best part about working at a small, tight knit label is that roles are never totally defined. I am able to have a hand in nearly everything – from pre-production, to recording, to manufacturing, marketing, sales, licensing, touring, radio, etc…I am constantly learning new things because of this.
(FYW)Is this where you thought you’d be when you were younger?
(MS)Yes. I feel very fortunate to say so. I played in a band in high school and was the one booking shows, studio time and Read more…
We have now entered a time where starting, running, or working for a record label may not be in your best interest. Chicago just experienced this firsthand when veterans Touch & Go Records began downsizing, and it is extremely visible in the majors as people are losing their jobs on a daily basis.
One label, and an independent label in particular, is riding this economy out andmaking news headlines all over the world. Dangerbird Records began in 2004 by founders Jeff Castelaz and Peter Walker. In 2006 they put themselves on the map when (one of my favorites) the Silversun Pickups released Carnavas which made it onto the Billboard Top 100. Now, with their 2009 release, Swoon, the Silversun Pickups have once again put Dangerbird Records on the map, but this time they have made history.
After 11 years of the major label artists dominating the top of the charts, “Panic Switch” the newest single from the Silversun Pickups hit the #1 spot on Billboard’s Modern Rock Songs chart in June. This is only the 3rd independently distributed artist to ever to hit the #1 spot on the modern rock charts in history. I guess it’s true when they say the 3rd times the charm!
So congrats Dangerbird Records for making it into the history books, we now expect more great things from you! Check out the impressive Dangerbird Roster, including Sea Wolf, Darker My Love, The Dears, and many other great artists at www.dangerbirdrecords.com
-AB
After posting this entry it has come to my attention that co-owner of Dangerbird, Jeff Castlaz, recently lost his 6 year-old son, Pablo, to a battle with cancer. Our hearts and prayers go out to Jeff and his family. Learn more about Pablo’s cancer and how you can donate to help cancer research.
