Monday, February 15, 2010
The Willowz and Delta Sprit last night
The Delta Spirit + The Willowz = True Love
We just spent the past 2 weeks touring with our old friends the Delta Spirit. A grand time was had by all. The first week started off in Cambridge moving into Philly stopping off in DC and swinging it back up to New York City and then heading over the Manhattan Bridge to Union Hall. We took the weekend off to watch the super bowl and then we repeated the whole itinerary again for the second week. We had a great time and we had lots of adventure. Like the night of the big snow storm. Driving from Philly to New York after the show was one of the scariest drives ever. In DC the valet attendant wrapped our van around a poll and promised us a free hotel for the next week but only the show got cancelled because DC shut down for the storm. DC is not built for snow storms. That’s the thing about New Yorkers, they party rain snow or sunshine. The clubs are always full no matter what kind of hurricane, monsoon, or blizzard comes their way. We would like to thank all of our fans that made it to our shows and all of Delta Spirits very generous fans. We are sorry to DC for having to cancel because DC is truly one of the best cities to play. Everyone in DC really appreciates music and we love that. We would like to thank The Delta Spirit for taking us out with them and we would like to wish them luck with their amazing new record. The Delta Spirit…..the best live band in America!
This video is the last night of tour before going our separate ways.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
WILLOWZ NEW TSHIRT DESIGN
Hi Everyone:
We are thinking about maybe having one of our fans design our next tshirt.
In the past we have had many fans bring us amazing drawings and artwork. We are thinking about possibly mass producing one of these artworks as our next tshirt.
We have decided to have a tshirt contest. If you would like to submit your design for our next tshirt then please do so. The tshirt can or does not have to be this album oriented. The tshirt can include our name or doesn't have to.
So if you think that you might have our next tshirt design at the tip of your pencil please send a high quality image to follinartistmgmt@gmail.com.
The winner of the contest will be able to see their design mass produced and on people throughout the world. We will also give you a box of signed Willowz merchandise.
Let the tshirt designing begin!!!
Love
The Willowz
Sunday, December 06, 2009
EXPLODING IN SOUND
The year is coming to a close, and the world approaches the ever futuristic sounding year 2010. With the decade in its closing stages, a strange and disjointed musical era comes to an end, but not before Exploding In Sound returns with the biggest and most triumphant compilation yet… CIRCULATORY SYSTEM. Like the organ system that spreads nutrients our bodies can’t live without, helping fight disease, Exploding In Sound aims to do similar for your musical distribution network with the fourth installment of its acclaimed series. Through the nineteen track Circulatory System compilation, I aim to spread great new music to everyone interested in helping fight the disease that is tired old generic rock. It’s with the spreading of the compilation that we can combat the toxins being force fed to us with truly incredible new music that will prove beneficial for the mind, body, and soul. Featuring new music from some of the greatest independent bands in the world including The Willowz, Rishloo, Constants, Radio Moscow, Irepress, Stomacher, The Boxing Lesson, and many more, Circulatory System is a 100% FREE digital download, containing artwork, band descriptions, links for further enjoyment, and more. With a release date strategically following in the wake of Thanksgiving weekend, I am enormously thankful and humbly gracious for everyone who has helped put this record together, especially the bands, their labels, and management. Without the willingness and cooperation of these incredible artists none of this would be possible, and your cooperation is appreciated and never forgotten. To the fans of the site, thanks for your continued support and I know you'll enjoy what I truly believe to be the most spectacular compilation yet! As always, support the artists and great music will continue to be made. Thanks.
Sharing of the download link is HIGHLY recommended and encouraged to anyone and everyone you think might be interested. As this is a FREE compilation, the goal is to gain the maximum audience achievable, and the power of word of mouth is never underestimated. THE TIME TO LET THE ‘CIRCULATORY SYSTEM’ FLOW HAS ARRIVED… GET OUT THERE AND DOWNLOAD, SHARE, POST, and SPREAD the word to everyone you know. Great music is being made, and it’s up to us, the fans, to deliver it to as many willing listeners as possible. ENJOY!
Special thanks go out to all of the bands, Zachary Howard for his incredible artwork, Ty Griffin (tygriffin.net), Lindsay and Joel at The Mylene Sheath, Ben Gram, Craig Cirinelli, Mary Ghaffari, Larry Suglio, Ryan Cano (The Loyalty Firm), Casey Tipton, Alex Mohler, Tony Pennington, Jenny Tuite, Ridd Sorenson, Pete at Ernest Jenning Record Co, my family, friends, and everyone who is supporting the cause. We're only getting started.
- Dan Goldin / Exploding In Sound
G
Tracklisting and Artist Information:
1. Radio Moscow – I Just Don’t Know (from the album Brain Cycles)
Storming out from Story City, Iowa, Radio Moscow have been making an impressive name for themselves over the past few years with their raucous amalgamation of blues, garage, and stoner rock that shines pure and uncompromising. While comparisons to a heavier version of The Black Keys are inevitable, not too shockingly the band was first “discovered” by The Keys’ Dan Auerbach who produced their debut album. Radio Moscow has made an enormous leap since their debut, with their most recent offering Brain Cycles, a fuzzy, psychedelic, time shifting, jam inducing, freak-out.
BUY THE ALBUM.
2. The Willowz – Repetition (from the album Everyone)
The Willowz have been making great garage inspired alternative rock since the beginning of the decade, with each new record exceeding the previous. As the band ages, so do their musical influences, incorporating elements of blues, soul, Americana, punk, and grunge into a uniquely catchy sonic assault. Richie James Follin (singer/guitarist) oozes with a confident swagger in his voice, and the Willowz eclectic style exudes a raw coolness that can’t be manufactured. Their new album Everyone, a set of ten infectious tracks that will emblaze themselves in your memory, is now available digitally, and will be in stores December 15th.
BUY THE ALBUM.
If you just can’t get enough of these guys (and I know I can’t) be sure to check out Richie and Loren’s (drums) further musical output as Barracks. Their self-titled debut album is available for FREE download HERE!! Similar to their music with The Willowz, Barracks sound is heavier and far more psychedelic. The riffs are explosive and the rhythms pounding with a strong 90’s grunge tonal quality. Be sure to check this out!
3. Ultra Violent Lights – In Lieu of Pay (from the album Here in Filth)
The time to take notice has arrived, Ultra Violent Lights’ debut record is available everywhere, and has been restoring faith in mainstream rock with each new listener. The loaded overdriven guitars, pulsating hypnotic bass, and razor sharp drumming expertly slink through moody shoegaze, new wave, and alternative rock influences similar to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Stylish, filled with memorable hooks, accessible, and yet exceptionally loaded with artistic integrity, Here In Filth, should help make a name for the young band that one can only hope will be around for many years to come.
BUY THE ALBUM.
4. Woolgather – Wind-Up Bird (from the album Programmes: Vol. I - The Pleasure Principle)
Austin, TX has become the ultimate breeding ground for incredible new rock bands, and Woolgather may just be one of the brightest. Their progressive song structures find room for inescapable melodic beauty, crushing layered heaviness, and stunning vocals and lyrics from the extraordinary Casey Tipton. Combining the complex with the gentle, Woolgather’s dark passion is driven by expansive guitar compositions infused with gorgeous pianos and skillfully shifting rhythms. Serene and haunting beauty is never far on their debut, Programmes: Vol I, an album that sits very comfortably alongside progressive art rock luminaries such as Dredg and Wintersleep.
BUY THE ALBUM.
5. Stomacher – Police (from the album Sentimental Education)
San Francisco’s Stomacher built up a strong and loyal following as In Reverent Fear before changing their name, and fine tuning their dark and elegant sound. Their “debut” under the new moniker, Sentimental Education, is the band’s undeniable masterpiece, a stunning collection of beautiful foggy atmosphere and delicate soaring melodies. Massive ocean-sized waves of reverb and delay wash over the guitars, mixing with passionate vocals that would make Thom Yorke jealous, for a simply jaw dropping sound that is equally rich in its artistry as pop sensibility. The big grooving rhythms guide the new wave/post-rock influenced quintet, as Stomacher has created a timeless record that demands repeat listens.
BUY THE ALBUM.
6. The Boxing Lesson – Muerta (from the album Wild Streaks & Windy Days)
Austin’s The Boxing Lesson without a doubt create some of the most epic space rock performed today. Calling back to the glory days of Pink Floyd, the band draw from a wealth of genres including space, progressive, art, indie, and ambient rock, all merged together by their infatuation with swirling moog synthesizers and experimental electronic layering. Since their debut full length, the band has become a duo, due to the unjust incarceration of their drummer Jake Mitchell, arrested for growing marijuana and charged under the Patriot Act as a terrorist. The Boxing Lesson push onwards, readying an EP and full length release for 2010 with the help of their manager, Ryan Cano (The Loyalty Firm), and the support of a rapidly growing fan-base. FREE JAKE MITCHELL.
BUY THE ALBUM.
7. Gift Horse – Missionaries (previously unreleased)
Since the very first note I ever heard Gift Horse play, I knew I was a fan for life. The Athens, Georgia quartet offers an unbelievable mix of 90’s indie rock, grunge, and shoegaze for a sound that honors its influences, but roars with originality. The band’s style can be equally attributed to a love for My Bloody Valentine and Dinosaur Jr., with wall of sound blasts of noise riding side by side with carefully constructed melodies and honest hazy vocals. With an exciting year that saw the band storming SXSW to wide-spread praise and touring with the Meat Puppets and Dead Confederate coming to an end, Gift Horse prepare for an even bigger 2010. Their debut album will be released in February, while preparing to head out on a full scale national tour shortly after.
8. Tangents – Fall Asleep Again (from the upcoming album One Little Light Year)
Lush and melodic, seductive and experimental, organic and alternative... Tangents is not what you may expect from a duo containing Derek Kerswill (Unearth/Seemless), but it’s the strengths of singer/guitarist Dave Witham (Flat 12/Of The Hour) that makes this project soar in the vein of Jeff Buckley, As Tall As Lions, or even Radiohead. Witham’s magnificent voice rises over the spiraling sonic backdrop with dazzling control and splendor. Ambitious songwriting creates the catchiest music either musician has released to date, and is sure to turn some heads when the album is released early next year.
9. Constants – Damien (from the album The Foundation/The Machine/The Ascension)
Arguably the best current post rock band in the world, Boston’s Constants offer a crushing rare breed of beauty that pulls its gorgeousness direct from its heaviness. The dense as bricks layering of their The Mylene Sheath debut may very well be one of the best releases of 2009, and for good reason. Constants pummel their songs with monstrous guitar textures that draw from space, prog, art, and especially post-rock. To call these three gents a “power” trio is a vicious understatement, as so much more than sheer power goes into their astonishingly united wall of sound. The time signatures are unique and intricate, the delay effect is vibrant, and most incredibly, the vocal melodies are striking and clear. Progressive post-rock at its absolute finest, Constants deliver equal parts brain and brawn.
BUY THE ALBUM.
10. Bloody Knives – Buried (from the EP Bloody Knives)
When Austin, Texas based shoegaze/grunge band The Joy Bus announced it was breaking up, many people, including myself, were deeply upset by the loss. The fellas didn’t let that last for too long however, as two thirds of the band reemerged as Bloody Knives, a new visceral shoegaze band with a propensity for all encompassing noise blasts and bleeding textures. Preston Maddox’s woozy vocals cut through the rusty storm of guitars, drums, keys, and programming to add contrasting melodic references that will draw you in over and over again. The duo creates a riotous amount of sound, with every nuance carefully placed in the sonic landscape.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE EP HERE.
11. Rishloo – Downhill (from the album Feathergun)
Seattle, Washington has been in need of a new hometown hero since the decay of the grunge era. If any band is ready to take the city’s musical throne, it’s the mighty, exceedingly creative, and triumphant prog rock champions, Rishloo. Since 2004 the band has been one of the country’s best kept secrets, developing a devout nationwide following while staying underground and true to their visionary music. Beloved for their refusal to compromise, Rishloo have self-released two widely acclaimed albums, and will be releasing the highly anticipated effort Feathergun on December 8th. Never content on repeating their previous work, they continue to push their progressive tendencies ever further with attention to shifting dynamics and rhythms, as well as captivating hypnotic melodies and vocal structures. Signed or unsigned, Rishloo are one of the greatest progressive bands in the country.
BUY THE ALBUM.
12. The Dirty Dishes – Stolen Apples (from the EP In The Clouds)
Buzzing with hype from the local Boston rock scene, The Dirty Dishes have great reason to be excited. Singer/guitarist Jenny Tuite and company play music that can be dreamily ambient one moment and jarringly spastic the next. Their combination of shoegaze, indie electro synth pop, and progressive rhythm structures creates lush whirring backdrops for Tuite’s beautifully slow dripping vocals. Their debut EP, produced by Tuite, Keith Freund of RIBS, and Mike Thomas of SuperVolcano captures the vocals perfectly in the mix, as the band achieves a stunning combination of shoegaze atmospheric gloom and post-punk fury with dreamy pop attitude.
BUY THE ALBUM.
13. Solar Powered People – Melting Ice & Snow (from the album Living Through the Low)
Modesto, California’s space rock collective Solar Powered People hail from the much celebrated school of Failure and Hum influenced bands, adding their own unique take on the subgenre. Strong attention to atmosphere compliments the ringing guitars, floating drifts of layered sound, and expansive walls of effects pedals. The band often pushes itself into a hailstorm of thick guitars, with a sharp rhythm section serving as the backbone; keeping everything in form. Firm yet simple vocals glide through the futuristic arrangements adding catchy sing-a-long melodies that hook into your subconscious and don’t let go.
BUY THE ALBUM.
14. Blind Dog Sky – I’m Comin’ Home (from the album Blind Dog Sky)
The eclectic side project from Satellite Tragedy frontman Ridd Sorenson, Blind Dog Sky takes just about every last thing that was good about the 90’s alternative rock radio and molds it into one genre defying album. What Sorenson may lack in promotional effort, he more than makes up for in his music, whether being influenced by swampy blues, lo-fi slacker grunge, or full blown space rock. Blind Dog Sky demonstrates a clear knowledge of pop music but remains honest and free of the cookie cutter corporate machine. Nothing more than a man with genuine rock songs to sing, Sorenson uses his alter ego as a showcase for his impeccable song writing prowess. Digital copies of the album are available for FREE download HERE!!
BUY THE ALBUM.
15. Blood Warrior – Blood Letting (previously unreleased)
Don’t let the name fool you, Blood Warrior are not a heavy metal band, they’re actually not heavy at all. Spearheaded by Greg Jamie of gothic folk visionaries O’Death, New York’s Blood Warrior draw from the same roots, but with a decidedly more relaxed and psychedelic approach to their music. Old time folk music of the dustbowl era combines with gospel and Americana to create gorgeously dark vocal harmonies, rich acoustic textures, and simple staggering rhythms. The band has been gaining widespread acclaim for their live shows, including a much hyped performance at this year’s CMJ Music Marathon. Blood Warrior recently released a limited edition 7”, and will follow up with their debut record on Ernest Jennings Record Co. in 2010.
BUY THE 7”.
16. Waxhouse – Ration (previously unreleased)
Hailing from London, Waxhouse are an exceptional new alternative progressive band that should create a big impact in the scene. The band may be young in age, but don’t let that throw you off, their sound is rather mature and tastefully complex. Intricate rhythms coincide with angular guitar flourishes that derive from the same school of thought as Oceansize and Biffy Clyro. Fantastic vocals are what truly set the band apart, and together with their peers in Arcane Roots (another Exploding In Sound favorite), Waxhouse are in no short order for musical talent, ensuring an incredible future lies ahead for the UK quintet. The band will be releasing their debut EP early 2010.
17. Monument To No One – Planetary (from the album Monument To No One)
I’m not sure what it is about Austin, Texas that screams “space rock,” but Monument To No One are the latest band from the prestigious city to burst out on the scene. On their self titled debut, the quartet show their penchant for endlessly walloping guitar feedback and distortion, sharp precision snare work, and hypnotic warping grooves. The guitars shimmer off each other through lengthy compositions, proving Monument To No One’s flair for mind expanding psychedelic exploration that sets them apart from the pack. Their music is raw and corrosive, with treacherous riffs and battering drum fills that drift into another dimension.
BUY THE ALBUM.
18. Emptyself – Just Go On (previously unreleased)
Emptyself is the solo project from the elusive Cire frontman/mastermind Eric Johanson. Originally creating music from his native New Orleans, Johanson relocated after Hurricane Katrina took all he knew to Auckland, New Zealand. His music is incredibly personal and heartfelt, even with much digital manipulation there is still a driving human emotion always present. His voice is powerful and stunning, often reminiscent of Maynard James Keenan, without merely being a cheap imitation. Haunting and steeped in bleakness, Emptyself creates electronic sonic landscapes for his vital and potent vocals to sprawl over undisturbed.
BUY THE ALBUM.
19. Irepress – Adeluge (from the album Sol Eye Sea I)
The epic nature of Boston’s Irepress can best be described as monolithic. The band craft wildly shifting (primarily) instrumental progressive post-rock that delves through multiple genres within single songs, but always remains focused on their unwavering talent and attention to detail. Time signatures are maligned and contorted with their snarling contusion of hardcore, metal, and avant-garde jazz exploration. Sprawling works of art circle around thematic tension and release, consistently building while fluctuating tempos and reverberating guitars pour continuously forward. Irepress have built a solid foundation over the years, and prove to be one of Boston’s hardest working and most intelligent rock bands, looking forward to 2010 with new guitarist Ben Gram (Eroica) joining the ranks and new music in the works.
Sharing of the download link is HIGHLY recommended and encouraged to anyone and everyone you think might be interested. As this is a FREE compilation, the goal is to gain the maximum audience achievable, and the power of word of mouth is never underestimated. THE TIME TO LET THE ‘CIRCULATORY SYSTEM’ FLOW HAS ARRIVED… GET OUT THERE AND DOWNLOAD, SHARE, POST, and SPREAD the word to everyone you know. Great music is being made, and it’s up to us, the fans, to deliver it to as many willing listeners as possible. ENJOY!
Special thanks go out to all of the bands, Zachary Howard for his incredible artwork, Ty Griffin (tygriffin.net), Lindsay and Joel at The Mylene Sheath, Ben Gram, Craig Cirinelli, Mary Ghaffari, Larry Suglio, Ryan Cano (The Loyalty Firm), Casey Tipton, Alex Mohler, Tony Pennington, Jenny Tuite, Ridd Sorenson, Pete at Ernest Jenning Record Co, my family, friends, and everyone who is supporting the cause. We're only getting started.
- Dan Goldin / Exploding In Sound
G
Tracklisting and Artist Information:
1. Radio Moscow – I Just Don’t Know (from the album Brain Cycles)
Storming out from Story City, Iowa, Radio Moscow have been making an impressive name for themselves over the past few years with their raucous amalgamation of blues, garage, and stoner rock that shines pure and uncompromising. While comparisons to a heavier version of The Black Keys are inevitable, not too shockingly the band was first “discovered” by The Keys’ Dan Auerbach who produced their debut album. Radio Moscow has made an enormous leap since their debut, with their most recent offering Brain Cycles, a fuzzy, psychedelic, time shifting, jam inducing, freak-out.
BUY THE ALBUM.
2. The Willowz – Repetition (from the album Everyone)
The Willowz have been making great garage inspired alternative rock since the beginning of the decade, with each new record exceeding the previous. As the band ages, so do their musical influences, incorporating elements of blues, soul, Americana, punk, and grunge into a uniquely catchy sonic assault. Richie James Follin (singer/guitarist) oozes with a confident swagger in his voice, and the Willowz eclectic style exudes a raw coolness that can’t be manufactured. Their new album Everyone, a set of ten infectious tracks that will emblaze themselves in your memory, is now available digitally, and will be in stores December 15th.
BUY THE ALBUM.
If you just can’t get enough of these guys (and I know I can’t) be sure to check out Richie and Loren’s (drums) further musical output as Barracks. Their self-titled debut album is available for FREE download HERE!! Similar to their music with The Willowz, Barracks sound is heavier and far more psychedelic. The riffs are explosive and the rhythms pounding with a strong 90’s grunge tonal quality. Be sure to check this out!
3. Ultra Violent Lights – In Lieu of Pay (from the album Here in Filth)
The time to take notice has arrived, Ultra Violent Lights’ debut record is available everywhere, and has been restoring faith in mainstream rock with each new listener. The loaded overdriven guitars, pulsating hypnotic bass, and razor sharp drumming expertly slink through moody shoegaze, new wave, and alternative rock influences similar to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Stylish, filled with memorable hooks, accessible, and yet exceptionally loaded with artistic integrity, Here In Filth, should help make a name for the young band that one can only hope will be around for many years to come.
BUY THE ALBUM.
4. Woolgather – Wind-Up Bird (from the album Programmes: Vol. I - The Pleasure Principle)
Austin, TX has become the ultimate breeding ground for incredible new rock bands, and Woolgather may just be one of the brightest. Their progressive song structures find room for inescapable melodic beauty, crushing layered heaviness, and stunning vocals and lyrics from the extraordinary Casey Tipton. Combining the complex with the gentle, Woolgather’s dark passion is driven by expansive guitar compositions infused with gorgeous pianos and skillfully shifting rhythms. Serene and haunting beauty is never far on their debut, Programmes: Vol I, an album that sits very comfortably alongside progressive art rock luminaries such as Dredg and Wintersleep.
BUY THE ALBUM.
5. Stomacher – Police (from the album Sentimental Education)
San Francisco’s Stomacher built up a strong and loyal following as In Reverent Fear before changing their name, and fine tuning their dark and elegant sound. Their “debut” under the new moniker, Sentimental Education, is the band’s undeniable masterpiece, a stunning collection of beautiful foggy atmosphere and delicate soaring melodies. Massive ocean-sized waves of reverb and delay wash over the guitars, mixing with passionate vocals that would make Thom Yorke jealous, for a simply jaw dropping sound that is equally rich in its artistry as pop sensibility. The big grooving rhythms guide the new wave/post-rock influenced quintet, as Stomacher has created a timeless record that demands repeat listens.
BUY THE ALBUM.
6. The Boxing Lesson – Muerta (from the album Wild Streaks & Windy Days)
Austin’s The Boxing Lesson without a doubt create some of the most epic space rock performed today. Calling back to the glory days of Pink Floyd, the band draw from a wealth of genres including space, progressive, art, indie, and ambient rock, all merged together by their infatuation with swirling moog synthesizers and experimental electronic layering. Since their debut full length, the band has become a duo, due to the unjust incarceration of their drummer Jake Mitchell, arrested for growing marijuana and charged under the Patriot Act as a terrorist. The Boxing Lesson push onwards, readying an EP and full length release for 2010 with the help of their manager, Ryan Cano (The Loyalty Firm), and the support of a rapidly growing fan-base. FREE JAKE MITCHELL.
BUY THE ALBUM.
7. Gift Horse – Missionaries (previously unreleased)
Since the very first note I ever heard Gift Horse play, I knew I was a fan for life. The Athens, Georgia quartet offers an unbelievable mix of 90’s indie rock, grunge, and shoegaze for a sound that honors its influences, but roars with originality. The band’s style can be equally attributed to a love for My Bloody Valentine and Dinosaur Jr., with wall of sound blasts of noise riding side by side with carefully constructed melodies and honest hazy vocals. With an exciting year that saw the band storming SXSW to wide-spread praise and touring with the Meat Puppets and Dead Confederate coming to an end, Gift Horse prepare for an even bigger 2010. Their debut album will be released in February, while preparing to head out on a full scale national tour shortly after.
8. Tangents – Fall Asleep Again (from the upcoming album One Little Light Year)
Lush and melodic, seductive and experimental, organic and alternative... Tangents is not what you may expect from a duo containing Derek Kerswill (Unearth/Seemless), but it’s the strengths of singer/guitarist Dave Witham (Flat 12/Of The Hour) that makes this project soar in the vein of Jeff Buckley, As Tall As Lions, or even Radiohead. Witham’s magnificent voice rises over the spiraling sonic backdrop with dazzling control and splendor. Ambitious songwriting creates the catchiest music either musician has released to date, and is sure to turn some heads when the album is released early next year.
9. Constants – Damien (from the album The Foundation/The Machine/The Ascension)
Arguably the best current post rock band in the world, Boston’s Constants offer a crushing rare breed of beauty that pulls its gorgeousness direct from its heaviness. The dense as bricks layering of their The Mylene Sheath debut may very well be one of the best releases of 2009, and for good reason. Constants pummel their songs with monstrous guitar textures that draw from space, prog, art, and especially post-rock. To call these three gents a “power” trio is a vicious understatement, as so much more than sheer power goes into their astonishingly united wall of sound. The time signatures are unique and intricate, the delay effect is vibrant, and most incredibly, the vocal melodies are striking and clear. Progressive post-rock at its absolute finest, Constants deliver equal parts brain and brawn.
BUY THE ALBUM.
10. Bloody Knives – Buried (from the EP Bloody Knives)
When Austin, Texas based shoegaze/grunge band The Joy Bus announced it was breaking up, many people, including myself, were deeply upset by the loss. The fellas didn’t let that last for too long however, as two thirds of the band reemerged as Bloody Knives, a new visceral shoegaze band with a propensity for all encompassing noise blasts and bleeding textures. Preston Maddox’s woozy vocals cut through the rusty storm of guitars, drums, keys, and programming to add contrasting melodic references that will draw you in over and over again. The duo creates a riotous amount of sound, with every nuance carefully placed in the sonic landscape.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE EP HERE.
11. Rishloo – Downhill (from the album Feathergun)
Seattle, Washington has been in need of a new hometown hero since the decay of the grunge era. If any band is ready to take the city’s musical throne, it’s the mighty, exceedingly creative, and triumphant prog rock champions, Rishloo. Since 2004 the band has been one of the country’s best kept secrets, developing a devout nationwide following while staying underground and true to their visionary music. Beloved for their refusal to compromise, Rishloo have self-released two widely acclaimed albums, and will be releasing the highly anticipated effort Feathergun on December 8th. Never content on repeating their previous work, they continue to push their progressive tendencies ever further with attention to shifting dynamics and rhythms, as well as captivating hypnotic melodies and vocal structures. Signed or unsigned, Rishloo are one of the greatest progressive bands in the country.
BUY THE ALBUM.
12. The Dirty Dishes – Stolen Apples (from the EP In The Clouds)
Buzzing with hype from the local Boston rock scene, The Dirty Dishes have great reason to be excited. Singer/guitarist Jenny Tuite and company play music that can be dreamily ambient one moment and jarringly spastic the next. Their combination of shoegaze, indie electro synth pop, and progressive rhythm structures creates lush whirring backdrops for Tuite’s beautifully slow dripping vocals. Their debut EP, produced by Tuite, Keith Freund of RIBS, and Mike Thomas of SuperVolcano captures the vocals perfectly in the mix, as the band achieves a stunning combination of shoegaze atmospheric gloom and post-punk fury with dreamy pop attitude.
BUY THE ALBUM.
13. Solar Powered People – Melting Ice & Snow (from the album Living Through the Low)
Modesto, California’s space rock collective Solar Powered People hail from the much celebrated school of Failure and Hum influenced bands, adding their own unique take on the subgenre. Strong attention to atmosphere compliments the ringing guitars, floating drifts of layered sound, and expansive walls of effects pedals. The band often pushes itself into a hailstorm of thick guitars, with a sharp rhythm section serving as the backbone; keeping everything in form. Firm yet simple vocals glide through the futuristic arrangements adding catchy sing-a-long melodies that hook into your subconscious and don’t let go.
BUY THE ALBUM.
14. Blind Dog Sky – I’m Comin’ Home (from the album Blind Dog Sky)
The eclectic side project from Satellite Tragedy frontman Ridd Sorenson, Blind Dog Sky takes just about every last thing that was good about the 90’s alternative rock radio and molds it into one genre defying album. What Sorenson may lack in promotional effort, he more than makes up for in his music, whether being influenced by swampy blues, lo-fi slacker grunge, or full blown space rock. Blind Dog Sky demonstrates a clear knowledge of pop music but remains honest and free of the cookie cutter corporate machine. Nothing more than a man with genuine rock songs to sing, Sorenson uses his alter ego as a showcase for his impeccable song writing prowess. Digital copies of the album are available for FREE download HERE!!
BUY THE ALBUM.
15. Blood Warrior – Blood Letting (previously unreleased)
Don’t let the name fool you, Blood Warrior are not a heavy metal band, they’re actually not heavy at all. Spearheaded by Greg Jamie of gothic folk visionaries O’Death, New York’s Blood Warrior draw from the same roots, but with a decidedly more relaxed and psychedelic approach to their music. Old time folk music of the dustbowl era combines with gospel and Americana to create gorgeously dark vocal harmonies, rich acoustic textures, and simple staggering rhythms. The band has been gaining widespread acclaim for their live shows, including a much hyped performance at this year’s CMJ Music Marathon. Blood Warrior recently released a limited edition 7”, and will follow up with their debut record on Ernest Jennings Record Co. in 2010.
BUY THE 7”.
16. Waxhouse – Ration (previously unreleased)
Hailing from London, Waxhouse are an exceptional new alternative progressive band that should create a big impact in the scene. The band may be young in age, but don’t let that throw you off, their sound is rather mature and tastefully complex. Intricate rhythms coincide with angular guitar flourishes that derive from the same school of thought as Oceansize and Biffy Clyro. Fantastic vocals are what truly set the band apart, and together with their peers in Arcane Roots (another Exploding In Sound favorite), Waxhouse are in no short order for musical talent, ensuring an incredible future lies ahead for the UK quintet. The band will be releasing their debut EP early 2010.
17. Monument To No One – Planetary (from the album Monument To No One)
I’m not sure what it is about Austin, Texas that screams “space rock,” but Monument To No One are the latest band from the prestigious city to burst out on the scene. On their self titled debut, the quartet show their penchant for endlessly walloping guitar feedback and distortion, sharp precision snare work, and hypnotic warping grooves. The guitars shimmer off each other through lengthy compositions, proving Monument To No One’s flair for mind expanding psychedelic exploration that sets them apart from the pack. Their music is raw and corrosive, with treacherous riffs and battering drum fills that drift into another dimension.
BUY THE ALBUM.
18. Emptyself – Just Go On (previously unreleased)
Emptyself is the solo project from the elusive Cire frontman/mastermind Eric Johanson. Originally creating music from his native New Orleans, Johanson relocated after Hurricane Katrina took all he knew to Auckland, New Zealand. His music is incredibly personal and heartfelt, even with much digital manipulation there is still a driving human emotion always present. His voice is powerful and stunning, often reminiscent of Maynard James Keenan, without merely being a cheap imitation. Haunting and steeped in bleakness, Emptyself creates electronic sonic landscapes for his vital and potent vocals to sprawl over undisturbed.
BUY THE ALBUM.
19. Irepress – Adeluge (from the album Sol Eye Sea I)
The epic nature of Boston’s Irepress can best be described as monolithic. The band craft wildly shifting (primarily) instrumental progressive post-rock that delves through multiple genres within single songs, but always remains focused on their unwavering talent and attention to detail. Time signatures are maligned and contorted with their snarling contusion of hardcore, metal, and avant-garde jazz exploration. Sprawling works of art circle around thematic tension and release, consistently building while fluctuating tempos and reverberating guitars pour continuously forward. Irepress have built a solid foundation over the years, and prove to be one of Boston’s hardest working and most intelligent rock bands, looking forward to 2010 with new guitarist Ben Gram (Eroica) joining the ranks and new music in the works.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Oh No Not Boston!!!
Oh No! Please don't cancel our show in Boston!
They did.
It is out of our control and we are not going to be allowed to play on December 14th or December 18th. We are sad about this because we were going to play with the Wanda's ...a band we love. Not to mention Boston has the best writers, bloggers and people ever. If you feel so inclined and really want to see us please come to our Providence show. If you can't make it to Providence then we will see you in Boston early next year. We have been promised by our agent that he will make Boston a priority.
We are truly sorry for the cancellation.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Lyrics to Repetition
Just so we are on the same page.
Our record came out digitally on itunes last Tuesday.
You can get it right here
There is controversy over our lyrics in Repetition. We are not singing what you think we are singing. We do not sing,"we got no beef with Repeition", although those lyrics are brilliant that is not what we are saying. Our song says, " I got no beat with Repetition". You see the song is about Ted and his "Gold Boys", ( his orange drums).
This song is very simple it's about not having a beat with Repetition. It is not ironic ...we are not having a beef with Repetition we simply don't have a beat with Repetition.
I hope this clears this up for everyone and if you have any lyrical questions please feel free to ask, that's what we are here for.
Love
TheWillowz
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Get it Get it Get it NOW we are almost sold out!
THE WILLOWZ "EVERYONE" DIGITAL RELEASE CONTEST:
*Only one submission per person will be accepted.
- Buy The Willowz new album "Everyone" digitally during the first week of it's release (11/17 - 11/23 at Midnight) and email your digital receipt or a screenshot of your purchase confirmation to CONTEST@DIMMAK.COM.
- Please include the SUBJECT LINE: "THE WILLOWZ "EVERYONE" CONTEST"
- Include your name, phone number, and address in the email.
- Two winners will be randomly chosen and will receive a Willowz prize pack:
(The Willowz "Chautaqua" album, a signed Willowz poster, and other surprise Willowz & Dim Mak goodies).
BONUS
- Add a review of "Everyone" on ITunes (or any digital retailer), email us the link/ screenshot of your review, and receive a "Dim Mak Appreciation Gift" from The Willowz and Dim Mak!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
What is the real Willowz cover????
We don't know anymore.
It took our record so long to come out that the real artwork disappeared and has been bastardized so many times that we don't know what the real artwork is.
We can't show you the original artwork because it does not reproduce digitally because it is not a traditional pantone color. We originally had an all white album cover with Willowz in gold leafing.
Our album is only out digitally today. The physical release is December 15th so we will wait to see what the cover actually looks like. The gold leafing was vetoed along time ago so we don't have any idea what will appear in stores by physical release date.
So far we have had a Robert Longo designed cover that was shot down by the label. Then we moved into an all white with gold leaf logo that was approved by label. Then secondary label shot down the gold leaf. Some how along the way someone created a cover that had a dent in one of the L's. That is not our record cover. Our record cover is lost in space. Just know that if you go to itunes and download a Willowz album under the name of Everyone you are going to have our new album and that is all you can really ask for in these days of the crumbling music industry.
We are really happy with our album. So please go to itunes and get the goods!
Love Willowz
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
7 More Days
It's been a long wait for our record to come out. We finished recording our album last February 1st. We think the album is coming out next Tuesday November 17th. We firmly believe that our album will be available digitally on Tuesday November 17th. We have been informed that there is a "delay" on our physical release and it won't appear in stores until December 17th; right in time for all you last minute holiday seasonal shoppers. We are happy to see this album come out in any way shape or form. We feel Everyone is our best album to date. We are hoping everyone will be able to find our album on itunes or amazon next week. If not let us know and will try to direct you to the right place.
We are also planning a very short tour in December with a few select cities so please so please pay attention or you will miss the dates. We will post our new dates as soon as they let us in on when and where we are playing.
The interesting thing about the music industry is that you have absolutely no control over your life. We are going to refrain from complaining about the music industry or lack of music industry until our next blog.
We would also like to bring to everyone's attention how amazing the trees are in Central Park at this time of year. If you get a chance to sneak onto a roof top at Central Park South and see the autumn blaze of color it is well worth it. You can also sneak onto any roof on Central Park West but it may not have the same rolling effect as a spot on CPS. This gives us the same feeling as some people get from fireworks.
Love,
The Willowz
Saturday, November 07, 2009
THE WILLOWZ RECORD RELEASE PARTY
11/17/2009 8:00 PM at RECORD RELEASE PARTY!!! Willowz DJ set at Home Sweet Home.
131 Chrystie St, Manhattan, New York 10002
Cost: free
myspace.com/homesweethomebar
Home Sweet Home, this is where we are doing our record release party for our new album, Everyone. We are not playing a "record release" party. We are djing our record and other music that we like. This is our 4th release. We didn't have a record release party for our first album. We had a record release party for our second album, Talk In Circles. That was a really fun record release party although alot of people were disappointed that we had added a fourth member. We also had a dvd release party for our dvd, See In Squares. We had a dvd release party more for the directors than for ourselves. We just lent our music to a 27 visual geniuses and let them do what they wanted to do with our music. This was a night for all the people that worked on the biggest project we have ever attempted and actually pulled off. Chautauqua we had a record release party at Cinespace with the Horrors and Vietnam. That was really fun although Aric smashed a few bottles in the backroom and scared the Horrors. To this day they are still afraid of us. It really wasn't that big of a deal but they are proper Englishmen and we were just kids with a wild guitar player. We are in the age of polite music, polite rock n roll.
In any event our event for our record is going to be a dj party. We are going to be at Home Sweet Home in New York Djing our record not playing our record. It is free and we would love to have all and any of you come and spend the evening with us. It is sure to be a great time. We are happy to DJ our record that almost didn't come out and hopefully will come out on November 17th. We thank Paul Kostabi and Stuart Sikes for making this record possible.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Ted Affiliates With BMI
So here it is. An evening with 50% of the Willowz. A day in the life of Loren Shane Humphrey and Richie James Follin. Musicians run into the same hurdles that everyone else run into. Just a little different......
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Paul Kostabi Giving tour of Goldrush Studios
This is where we write and record our albums. We sometimes spend months on end here.
We took a whole year off from touring to write and record many albums. This is where we write, record, go crazy, do our laundry, eat alot of hummus and bagel chips, drink beer, have lots of BBQ's, Jessica planted a rose bush, Richie planted a blackberry bush, we have Thanksgiving here every year when we aren't touring.
We took a whole year off from touring to write and record many albums. This is where we write, record, go crazy, do our laundry, eat alot of hummus and bagel chips, drink beer, have lots of BBQ's, Jessica planted a rose bush, Richie planted a blackberry bush, we have Thanksgiving here every year when we aren't touring.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Because It's Fun
Most of our blogs are related to touring. We started playing music at a very early age and everyone told us you have to tour tour tour. Everyone told us we should quit school and tour so we did. We toured before we even had a record out. We toured for the sake of touring. We played music for the sake of playing music. We didn’t understand the concept of playing music for money or for playing music because we had a commercial release. We didn’t care for any of those record industry rules. We just wanted to play our music for people and the only real goal we had along the way was to beat the Ramones touring record of 2000 shows - and you know we beat that record along time ago! Our first tour was in our Jetta all the way around America. These were good times. These were times before Myspace hits and Facebook announcements and tweets on Twitter. We just simply booked a tour on the telephone , sent out posters, got in the car and drove. We would show up at every venue in every town hoping it was really a venue. Sometimes when you book tours gorilla style the shows don’t really exist. The venue might not even exist. We were pretty lucky on this first tour. They all existed with the exception of our very last show we had booked in El Paso Texas. Our second to last show was in Denver Colorado so we had to drive 11 hours to get to El Paso to play a junk yard that didn’t exist. We drove all the way to El Paso to the junk yard and there was no show. That was shitty because we were very tired, we had been on the road for near 3 months. That whole tour was great. We ended up securing Jason from Denver as our booking agent. Jason worked at the venue that we played in Denver. Jason loved us and really saw the potential in us. He fell in love with us from our picture on our tour posters. The tour sort of sucked because we were all only teenagers so we couldn’t go inside any of the clubs until it was time to hit the stage. We would do crazy things on our days off like call up indie record stores and ask if we could play their store. They would say , “sure come on down” !. Of course they would never have mic stands so we would use a broom and tape a mic to the handle and tape the broom handle to a chair and that would suffice. I remember one record store in Myrtle Beach South Carolina let us set up our gear and broom stick and play right in front of their record store. It was awesome!. The coolest guy ran that record store. His name was Michael from a band called Something About Vampires and Sluts. They are a great band . I remember for our winter and spring tours we would use Richie’s grant money to support the tours. We would always sell tons of merch on these tours because everyone wanted to buy our homemade cd and if they didn’t want our homemade cd we would force them to buy one anyway. This was before downloading so we were still able to make a pretty good living on the road. We would spend all our money we made from selling our cd’s and go to every record store in every city in America buying as much vinyl as possible. That is when our record collections grew to astronomical proportions. I must say the only person that we have seen that can beat our collection is Pelle Almquist from the Hives. This has become our new goal, since beating the Ramones touring record we now would like to own as many records as Pelle has in his library.
Oh and please if you are anywhere near Louisianna, Texas, or Oklahoma check the Toadies tour schedule and get to their shows.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Life Is Good
We tour and we tour for long periods of time. We toured for 6 years without even having a booking agent. We actually had a really cool booking agent in the early years. His name was Jason Cotter and he worked for Toast. Things went south when we took him on for a spring tour as our tour manager. That was a really bad move because no matter what we always end up destroying our tour managers. By the time we finish with our tour managers they are just shells of their former selves. Jason didn't book us for much longer after that tour. Anyway we are getting off track here. We tour for long periods of time and this photo of Will represents our last day of one of our very long tours. Our tour manager had finally had enough of us and the last day of tour he tried to take out our guitar player with another stop at Arby's. Will became incredibly sick and was vomiting all night. This was a drag because it was our last night of tour and Will was excited to go to the strippers club in Atlanta. Will was sick but he wasn't about to miss the Clerment lounge with the 72 year old strippers. That night got a little rough. Our tour manager tried to take out our drummer and manager by dropping them off at a crack hotel connected to the strip club. Anyway that is for a different blog. This blog is to focus on what is going on in this photo. Will has recovered from this tour and this trip to Arby’s. He has even been on one more tour since this tour without even one trip to Arby’s. Will is back in school and studying French at a very nice school in New York City. Will lives in Brooklyn and rides his skateboard up and down the streets of Williamsburg frequently running into Jessica hipstering around town. Will eats organic food when he gets the chance. Life is good.
Monday, September 21, 2009
CMJ
We are thinking about playing CMJ since we will be in New York City.
We prefer to usually sit this one out. SXSW is always fun to play but for some reason CMJ always feels so clinical. CMJ just doesn't work, it lacks the vibe of SXSW. SXSW is Disneyland for the music industry and for the bands. CMJ is too spread out to really be fun. We had one good showcase which was pretty fun when we played with Mooney Suzuki at Rebel. That was a good showcase. The other years they stuck us out at South Paw to fend for ourselves. We are putting together our own festival over Thanksgiving weekend in New York called The Hex Fest. Actually Richie is putting together the festival. It is an ambitious task he has taken on but we think it is going to be really cool. The festival will involve 3 clubs on the lower and lots of nice people we have met over the years in the music industry. Festivals should be festive. Some of the best shows ever have been put on over Thanksgiving weekend such as The Last Waltz. We are going to think of the Hex Fest as the First Waltz.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Thinking outloud
We started The Willowz in 2002 or something like that maybe 2003- who remembers because when you spend your whole life touring one day goes into the next and one month goes into the next and the years start rolling into one long year. Even though we are still technically kids we are not really. Because rock n roll years measure differently then normal peoples years. So we are actually older than the other people our age. We are actually older than the rock n rollers that are our age. We were on the cusp of when playing music was still playing music to play music and when playing music became something different. When we first started playing music everyone told us to drop out of school and tour. We dropped out of college to play music and tour. We didn't realize that the whole music industry was going to shut down. We didn't realize that all the magazines would fold. The new rockers of today that are our age stayed in school got their degrees and are now playing music. We skipped college dropped out of school and toured relentlessly for 5 years. Are we any better for it? No! Now to play music you have to have a college education preferably an ivy league education. We grew up in music families. Being from a music family is like belonging to the circus. You travel from town to town and everyone in your family is a freak. Don't get us wrong we are happy to have had the backgrounds we have and we love to play music. We are song people and that's what we do.
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