fresh squeezed

The Harding Street Assembly Lab

Joanna & Nathan McGlothlin are mostly known for their creations in the world of arts and crafts, but expanding into music for 2010. Based in Lynchburg, Virginia, Joanna and Nathan began to notice that there was a lot of quality music in Virginia going unnoticed. With the mission of shedding light on these locals, the vinyl-based label was born. However, they aren't just content releasing music, but they are adding in their artistic touches. There first two releases have well-designed collage-based covers and are pressed on multi-colored vinyl.

Long before DJ Hero, I was deep into the world of turntablism. From Qbert to Z-trip, I found myself only listening to this unique brand of hip hop. A DJ that always stood out among the others was Rob Swift. He was a member of turntablist collective the X-Ecutioners, but he was always more on the experimental side of things. On his solo debut, Soulful Fruit (1997), he mixed jazz and scratch to create a classic in the genre. Next month he is returning to prove he can through another genre into the mix. Using his newfound love of classical music as a point of inspiration, Swift pushes the art further than he ever has before. The Architect, is a refreshing reminder that the 1’s and 2’s are an instrument in themselves.

I know part of my mission is to bring you, the reader, the latest and my uniquely original music possible, but sometimes the most rewarding and exciting music is deeply grounded in the past. In the case of Vancouver's Gigi it the knowledge and respect for what has come before mixed with the fresh and creative approach to recreation that makes their debut so special. Gigi is the recording project of songwriter Nick Krgovich and producer/engineer Colin Stewart. The story goes that in 2005, Stewart acquired two huge vintage plate reverbs, and enlisted Krgovich and other musician friends to help create a couple of tracks in the style of Phil Spector/Brill Building. The recording session went so well that they continued to record and invite other friends over the next three years.

I know it is cliche, but like many of you out there I have attempted to begin the new year and decade with a renewed sense of purpose and drive. I have begun to devise ways to organize my many projects, focus on my writing, improve my health, and finally write down the goals that have been floating in my head for years. It may be foolish optimism, but I actually feel like I am going to accomplish something substantial this year.

After ten years of creating music together the Nova Scotia based band The Heavy Blinkers set out two create a new album. The resulting album, their fifth, is called Health and is a double album with a concept. Jason MacIsaac, the bands only original member, has enlisted the help of renowned artists such as Sondre Lerche(Astralwerks) and Sean O'Hagan of the High Llamas (Drag City). However, it is his current surrounding cast that help perpetuate the bands now trademark lush orchestral sound. It's been nearly two years since the original members Andrew Watt and Ruth Minnikin left the band, but from the sound of our first glimpse of Health, MacIssac hasn't skipped a beat.

Throughout my lifetime as a passionate music fan I have only found two men that I believe without a doubt that they can do no wrong. The first is Stephen Patrick Morrissey and the second is Joseph Donald Mascis. Sweet Apple is the latest side project from the vocalist and guitar virtuoso behind Dinosaur Jr. As the story goes, the band was born by accident and friendship - out of death, after a cross-country drive. Cleveland's singer-guitarist John Petkovic (Cobra Verde) had just lost his mother and felt he needed to drive for awhile while he tried to deal with the loss. He ended up in New England, at the home of long-time friends Dave Sweetapple (Witch) and J. Mascis, who told John to start writing some songs so they could start a band.

Chicago's Ryne Estwing is a living testament to what can come from heartbreaking loneliness. A member of two local bands, Scattered Trees and Horse In The Sea, Estwing found himself alone, still in love, and surrounded by instruments and microphones. The result is a band he is calling Louis & The Hunt. Over the last year he has found simple and solitary moments to record a small collection of songs that are honest, beautiful, and hopeful yet heartbreaking. To bring these gentle melodies to like he has enlisted Justin Eisenbraun and Chresten Hyde among others, and have even brought these tearful tracks to the stage.

The only thing that is clear is that Boston's (by way of Jamaica Plain) Truman Peyote is about to release a big chunk of music upon the world. The direction and sound of the music on the hand is not as clear cut. The song that is currently lighting things on fire is called "New Wife, New Life" and is a danceable mixture of Passion Pit and Animal Collective. It's fun, sample heavy, and as pop as anything out there. Yet the further you get into their layered and complex songs the future they move away from the radio ready pop, and more they develop this experimental and densely electronic sound. Songs like "Yes.wav" and the b-side to "New Wife, New Life" 7" split single coming out on December 15, "Steelestack", are all electronic.

To say that these are "Found Songs" is to say that one can stumble across beauty, or simply find perfections or peace for that matter. These are not found, but brilliantly composed pieces of music. While these seven songs span less than 25 minutes of actual time their profound nature and thoughtful sound will consume much more of your time and energy. This is an album that will force you to listen deeply and intently in order to consume every sound. What first strikes your ear will be classically played piano and violin, but the attentive ear will begin to detect delicate electronics placed throughout the collection.

What's in a name? Well, when a bands unusual name delays their incredibly forceful sound from coming through my speakers then it may be an issue. It’s true that the Cleveland duo Mr. Gnome has rather lame name, but once their sound is floating (or pounding) through your speakers everything else fades. Nicole Barilie has one of those voices that can hypnotize, seduce, and blow you away all in the matter of seconds. Together with drummer Sam Meister, Mr. Gnome released their sophomore album today. Heave Yer Skeleton is a blend of aggressive rock, sultry vocals, and inventive percussion. The opener “Spain” floats down angelically with a graceful entrance, yet by the time track five, “Sit Up & Hum” rolls in the air charged with an electric roar.