It is surprising to hear Railcars stripped down, without the terrifying noise and Aria Jalali’s Jamie Stewart (Xiu Xiu) like shrieks. Said Sister covers a different side of Jalali’s basement noise pop outfit, featuring two early tracks each with a different female vocalist. Read More »Railcars: Said Sister (7-inch Review)
Keith Birthday’s voice possesses a quivering vibrato that plays well with Norwegian Arms‘ lo-fi experimental folk-pop. That being said, this band features a similar uncivilized nature as that of Animal Collective and tUnE-YarDs. There’s something wild and earthly about them, organic and unrefined. And that’s what makes a band like Norwegian Arms good — they’re a bit unexpected. Read More »Feature Band: Norwegian Arms
For what could safely also be dubbed as “Chelsea Nights (Part Deux)”, Kristin Stokes and Andrew Kalleen, a.k.a. Lawrence & Leigh, stick to their guns and create a beautiful doo-wopped style dream-scape pop with their latest single and video simply entitled “Glow”. And in this case, familiarity is most definitely not a bad thing. Kalleen’s demanding yet gentle vocals exude a fine sense of precariously perfected pop perfection. And, as always, Stokes’s ability to fill a room with such sweet ambiance is ever present, and ever beautiful. Read More »Lawrence & Leigh: Glow [Video]
Five years ago today, FensePost went live. In that time we have covered a few thousand bands, made some great friends, and heard some outstanding music. The site has come a long way, and I hope we can continue bringing coverage of unknown and little known artists for many years to come. Read More »5 Years Ago Today
Tied To The Branches is the latest band to release on Abandoned Love Records, headed by Jon Rooney of Virgin Of The Birds and including FensePost favorites Like Pioneers and The Lovely Sparrows. “Walls” features an echoing wall of guitars and reverb-drowned vocals. Its accompanying video is a disjointed psychedelic trip, filled with digital shapes, illustrations and a very colorful palette. Read More »Tied To The Branches: Walls (Video)
I know I said I was going to take a mini vacation for a few days, but an awesome new JEFF The Brotherhood video is enough to bring me out of hibernation. “Hey Friend” is off the band’s new LP, We Are The Champions, out soon (June 21) on Infinity Cat Records. It was directed by Lina Plioplyte and it has a bit more color than the band’s previous stuff. It fits the epic wail of distorted, greasy guitar rock JEFF The Brotherhood creates. Read More »JEFF The Brotherhood: Hey Friend (Video)
The name Grant Olsen may not ring a bell, but mention Arthur of Arthur & Yu, and that may turn on a light or two. If you’re like me, you’ve been wondering where that band went – after all, they were the honored first release from Hardly Art. The answer is I don’t know. But the good news is that we now have Gold Leaves, which is Olsen’s (aka Arthur’s) new project. Read More »Gold Leaves: The Ornament MP3
Early in May, the girlfriend and I drove out to the Pullman/Moscow area in Eastern Washington and Western Idaho. I love this drive, as you see so many distinct types of land, and the weather was near perfect. The reason for this tirade is that we must have listened to “The Honest Truth” by Typhoon about 30 times over that weekend trip. Read More »Typhoon: Summer Home MP3
The duo of Greg and Krysten Magnuson are fearless in calling themselves a prog rock band. But,they might be just a bit off the rocker on that one. Sure, they have a deserving “RIYL” nod towards Porcupine Tree and The Smiths. However, they are most definitely so much more. As they themselves would say, Magnuson tend to cram as much sound as two people possibly could into a song. And suffice it to say, they do it perfectly. With Flea-like bass lines, and thunderous drum beats backing an extremely solid and hard-hitting guitar strokes, Magnuson‘s Crash of Cassini is definitely in a class all it’s own.
Read More »Magnuson: Crash of Cassini (Album Review)
Living amidst the wheat fields in eastern WA has reminded me lately of how well small towns can be suited to particular things. Locally grown food, irresistible coffee shops, and most importantly the glory of house-shows. The independent music spectrum lends itself well to the intimacy of a house-show performance. Read More »Eternal Summers: Live in Pullman, WA
