Music
Eighties Fan: A Conversation With Camera Obscura’s Tracyanne Campbell
“I think I’m always optimistic,” says Tracyanne Campbell from her flat in Glasgow. “It might not seem like that, but I think I’m always, ultimately, trying to look on the bright side.” As the leader of the Scottish group Camera Obscura, Tracyanne Campbell needs hardly any introduction at all—she’s one of the brightest-shining indie stars of the last decade. From a diverse body of influences, ranging from classic country to melancholic British indie-pop, Campbell and her bandmates have built a stellar body of work, replete with catchy tunes and supremely bittersweet, sardonic lyrics. … read more
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Written in Random: Parquet Courts
To me, “songwriting” usually evokes an image of deadbeat longhairs dinkin’ around on their instruments and crushing PBR cans one after the other, as any vestiges of the “creative process” dissipate into trite stereotypes of punk or indie musicians. Parquet Courts, however, generate images of notebooks and struggle. Guitarist and vocalist Austin Brown says, “[Andrew Savage (guitar/vocals) and I] both just write a lot … Through the practice of writing, sometimes, on those good days, I can sit down and a song will come out or a lyric will come out that I can feel inspired by later.” … read more
Full of Hell: Beautiful Mutilators
Rudiments of Mutilation, the sophomore album by Full of Hell, to be released on June 11, is not an easy listen. It begins with harsh, piercing noise, slowly followed by wails from vocalist Dylan Walker and shambling, rumbling drums. An explosion of crusty blastbeats and hardcore riffs break the tension before the band delves deep into a downtrodden doom sound, with Walker’s voice channeling chaos all the while. This is intentionally ugly music—music that is designed to make you feel the worst of humanity. “We want to make really harsh, negative music that induces pain,” Walker said in a recent phone interview with SLUG. “It’s kind of beautiful in a way.” … read more
Pink Lightning Strikes Again
I realize that Eli Morrison isn’t like most people, let alone other musicians. He’s someone who doesn’t give a fuck about trying to make music that will be a hit on the radio, or even something that all the hipsters will talk about incessantly over coffee. Morrison’s goal is to push the musical boundaries of genres like blues, punk and rock, to create a unique, brand new sound, which he dubs “avant-retro.” With his band Pink Lightning, Morrison is staying on the same path he’s always been on, where there is no defined path, or as Morrison puts it, “There’s still beach sand that has not been walked on yet.” … read more
Up in Palms: Palms Interview with Aaron Harris
When Deftones singer Chino Moreno’s name becomes attached to your band, the level of anticipation jumps the scale from a niche genre to many worlds of music lovers. Moreno isn’t backed by just any musicians in Palms, though: Three members of the now-defunct ISIS (drummer Aaron Harris, guitarist Cliff Meyer and bassist Jeff Caxide) have the musical chops and experience to make any musical project stand out, and are far from a backdrop to let Moreno’s well-known croon or scream play the keynote. Palms’ self-titled debut album drops on June 25 via Ipecac Recordings, with tour dates in the wings. SLUG caught up on all things Palms with drummer Harris. … read more
Interview with Casualties Bassist Rick Lopez
The chaotic punk rock of The Casualties baptized the Salt Valley in sweat on May 25, and SLUG Magazine got the opportunity to speak with Rick Lopez (bassist) before they walked onstage at the Salt Haus. … read more
Diving Deep with Baths
Obsidian reveals a much more mature side of Baths that fans might not be used to. When you first turn it on, you hear the same poppy, indietronica beats, similar to Cerulean, but there is a Trent Resnor inspired darkness about it that looms heavily throughout the entire album. … read more
Anamanaguchi: A Room Full of Misfits
The Brooklyn-based instrumental band Anamanaguchi has risen to Internet fame over the past few years with their retro video game style sound, and garnered even more attention after performing the soundtrack for the Scott Pilgrim vs. the World video game. Last month, the band released their first official full-length album, Endless Fantasy, and has embarked on a tour to support the album. Before their stop in SLC at the Shred Shed on June 1, SLUG spoke with drummer Luke Silas while the band was on the road. … read more
Ever After – A Love Story – Interview with Marianas...
My daughter, Lindon, is 14 years old, and in the last few years, she’s started to become just as big of a music junkie as her dad. Lindon, whether she may want to admit it or not, is obsessed with Canadian pop-rock band Marianas Trench. And with that same skeptical or curious eye my parents had when I started listening to Metallica almost religiously, I’m curious as to why there is that hint of obsession or just over-zealous curiosity and fascination she has with the band, and in particular, it’s singer/songwriter Josh Ramsay. … read more
Outer Blues: Akron/Family Discuss Travel and Location
Sub Verses, Akron/Family’s seventh studio album, is best viewed through a wide lens. It is busy, incorporating their signature three-part harmonies, buzzing electronics and complex guitar lines. It is also really, really heavy. Sub Verses takes in travel, aging and a sense of place shot with an IMAX-level widescreen. Its reference points are the locations filmmakers use as alien planets. I had a chance to email vocalist/bassist Miles Seaton from my place in Swaziland about their latest album and how traveling and location have impacted this album. … read more