dead oceans

Bowerbirds: Northern Lights [Video]

Andy Fenstermaker
April 15, 2010April 13, 2010

Bowerbirds create the type of folk music you could easily equate to being one with nature. It is above all the noise and shuffle of city life, just beyond the outskirts of small town life, and is that of the sustainable life. It seems to have a minimal footprint on this earth not because it isn’t popular or un-noteworthy, but because it is conscious and earthly. It is aware of something greater than the individual, something as great as a planet. Or the concept of pure love. “Northern Lights” demonstrates the culture this music radiates quite well. Read More »Bowerbirds: Northern Lights [Video]

Nurses: Winter [Video]

Andy Fenstermaker
April 12, 2010April 11, 2010

nurses

On Friday, Skagit County saw it’s first true day of winter for the ’09/’10 season, which is a bit strange as it’s now April. It hailed in between bursts of clear, sunny skies. It was also the first day of the summer barbecue at Red Apple; and it was the day I saw “Winter” by Nurses over at Sound On The Sound. Nurses should have been included in my list of 10 bands I should have checked out last year. They made several end-of-year lists, including #3 on SOTS. “Winter” aptly demonstrates what led this band to place so high. Musically it’s excellent, and the video is occasionally reminiscent of something you’d expect to see from Sweden’s The Knife. Read More »Nurses: Winter [Video]

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Albatross, Albatross, Albatross [Video]

Andy Fenstermaker
August 10, 2009August 8, 2009

It hasn’t been all too long since Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band released their first video for a track off this year’s excellent self-titled debut LP, out now on Dead Oceans. In “Albatross, Albatross, Albatross” the band alters tempo and volume for a song both erratic and astounding. Signature to Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band is the wild guitars highly infectious riffs and a vocal styling that is par none. The video takes the viewer through a similar mind-altering experience; it’s the makings of a short horror story. Read More »Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Albatross, Albatross, Albatross [Video]

Akron/Family [Show Preview]

Andy Fenstermaker
August 3, 2009August 21, 2009

Any time the words “community” or “family” to a band moniker, one gets the distinct impression that the group is an ever morphing being, consistently and regularly adding people. On one end, a keyword is variation — a live performance could feature a band leader solo or with a few select members. On the other is quantity, noting an expansive collective of individuals. And so it is with Akron/Family; the core of the band is a trio and may, at any time, feature them alone or include a dozen additional guest musicians. Read More »Akron/Family [Show Preview]

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Cheer For Fate [Video]

Andy Fenstermaker
June 23, 2009September 20, 2009

Destruction has never been so catchy, as proven by Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band in their video for “Cheer For Fate”. The song, as noted in my review of their self titled Dead Oceans LP, the song originated from the group’s debut, Weepy EP. Read More »Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Cheer For Fate [Video]

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
March 19, 2009March 15, 2009

Four of the eleven tracks on the latest release by Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, actually their debut full-length, are not exclusives. These four can also be found on their Weepy EP and include opener “Who’s Asking”, “Cheer For Fate”, “Anchors Dropped” and “Dull Reason”. But, to be honest, I could care less. Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band is a phenomenal release worthy of as much esteem as the whole world can muster. Read More »Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band [Album Review]