Loud Sounds 85
We are coming back with "Loud Sounds" to show you some of the best new tracks we've found.
The Bogmen – In My Kingdom
In My Kingdom exists on a fine fine line between deeply spiritual and wholeheartedly humorous, disarmingly sincere and shamelessly tongue-in-cheek. The song is relaxed and meditative, however its psychedelic nature promises unexpected wonders around the corner. And the wonders happen: the jangly track explodes after about three minutes, getting extremely emotional and energetic.
The composition's lyrics dealing with spirituality and utopia are reflected in the colourful music video full of engaging oddball characters gathering together on a sort of psychedelic Noah's ark.
In My Kingdom exists on a fine fine line between deeply spiritual and wholeheartedly humorous, disarmingly sincere and shamelessly tongue-in-cheek. The song is relaxed and meditative, however its psychedelic nature promises unexpected wonders around the corner. And the wonders happen: the jangly track explodes after about three minutes, getting extremely emotional and energetic.
The composition's lyrics dealing with spirituality and utopia are reflected in the colourful music video full of engaging oddball characters gathering together on a sort of psychedelic Noah's ark.
Brendan Ryan (Keyboards)
This song came together rather quickly. It started with the three of us (Billy Campion, Billy Ryan and myself) just noodling around in my studio. I think it started with us liking Billy Ryan's guitar riff. It's the kind of riff that has eastern qualities and can be repeated to give a somewhat meditative quality.
And then we built chords that change around the guitar melody to give it some movement while still keeping the hypnotic repetition. Then we programmed some temporary drums and synth bass. We liked the synth bass and thought about keeping it, but still asked Paul Frazier to replace it. Paul brought it to life, so we replaced the synth bass with his performance. It was a very similar situation with the drum track in that Mathias Bossi's performance was far better than the programmed (temporary) electronic drum track.
I'll let the lyrics speak for themselves, but will add that I think they share a spiritual togetherness with a sense of humor. What is unique about Billy Campion's vocal in this song is that he doesn't really repeat any verse or chorus melody or lyrics. It keeps accelerating to new places.
And then we built chords that change around the guitar melody to give it some movement while still keeping the hypnotic repetition. Then we programmed some temporary drums and synth bass. We liked the synth bass and thought about keeping it, but still asked Paul Frazier to replace it. Paul brought it to life, so we replaced the synth bass with his performance. It was a very similar situation with the drum track in that Mathias Bossi's performance was far better than the programmed (temporary) electronic drum track.
I'll let the lyrics speak for themselves, but will add that I think they share a spiritual togetherness with a sense of humor. What is unique about Billy Campion's vocal in this song is that he doesn't really repeat any verse or chorus melody or lyrics. It keeps accelerating to new places.
Jack Powell who made this outstanding video is also one half of the musical duo Hot Mustard. Fun fact: The Bogmen's trombonist Dave Smoota Smith is also a collaborator on almost every Hot Mustard song.
Other notable Jack Powell works include videos for SeepeopleS. Check them out (the first three below) and don't miss other SeepeopleS clips.
This Dying World video was created by Sparxsea. Here's another interesting video she has made for her own song.
Will Bradford from SeepeopleS has also co-produced Forever Love (and many other songs featured in this article). Will is also part of Freepeoples FreQuency, along with Brooke Binion from TheWorst.
Now you are probably curious about TheWorst. Check out their raw and energetic stuff that reminded us of classic 90s Sub Pop records.
The musically diverse artists featured in this article all work with ARME Group promotionally, forming a sort of musical family. They play on each other's tracks, produce them, make videos for each other. And sometimes there are even family ties. Forever Love mentioned earlier in this post was not produced solely by Will Bradford. Another producer who worked on the song is Will Holland whose credits include work with Pixies and Dead Can Dance. He also happens to be Floramay Holliday's producer and brother-in-law. Check out the recent work from the Americana-country legend.
Will Bradford also produced these two singles for Portland-based singer-songwriter Whitney Walker. And Sparxsea made the vid for Heather from Here.
Finally check out the charity single from Tim Reynolds and Nikkie Glaspie who played on a few tracks from our selection and a song from another ARME Group artist josh phillips.
Cupnoodle – Bababababy
The song's brass touches and funky guitars along with the four-on-the floor rhythm in the hook bring back the gloden disco era. And the "ba-ba-ba-baby" catchphrase delivered in Cupnoodle's paradoxically vulnerable yet commanding voice is just undeniable.
The song's brass touches and funky guitars along with the four-on-the floor rhythm in the hook bring back the gloden disco era. And the "ba-ba-ba-baby" catchphrase delivered in Cupnoodle's paradoxically vulnerable yet commanding voice is just undeniable.
Cupnoodle
This song was in my vault for more than 2 years. The writing and producing was fairly fast but the mixing process took the extra time. The bridge part/middle 8 of this song where I partly sing and partly speak was totally improvised and was the only bit that was written in the studio. Same as the opening motif that is the punch line 'bababababy', it was chopped up and was the magic touch of the producer.
Check out more music from the artist and her labelmates on Kaleidoscope.