Bright-spots-of-2020 musicians Kelsey Lu and Yves Tumor (along with composer/pianist Kelly Moran and composer/producer/drummer Moses Boyd) released a new song on Christmas this year, called “let all the poisons that lurk in the mud seep out”. Kelsey left a major label recently and said about this new track that “…this song also marks an evolution since my departure from a major label, and the work I’ve done between then and now that’s been deconstructing the poisons that ever brought me any kind of doubt as to the power that lies within my artistry and killing it.
The song opens and closes with layers of piano, voice, and strings rising and falling, sonically creating a sense of putting broken pieces back together again. In the middle, there is a beautiful and dare I say hopeful nugget of stretching and swaying percussive joy, perhaps made even more special because of the buttressing on either side by this woven tapestry of sonic and emotional fragmentation. In a year when we have all been so broken in so many ways, this song, which is ultimately about piecing ourselves back together again, is optimistic and exciting in ways I haven’t felt in a very long time.
Fasman’s Finds – Kelsey Lu
The Midweekly – Skyzoo
Exploring new ways to approach conceptual hip-hop in short bursts, Skyzoo put out two EPs this year, both different in theme, but equal in talent. The first is The Bluest Note, a collaboration with Italian jazz group Dumbo Station. The Brooklyn born rapper took off to Rome to record this one. Though jazz sampling has always played a part in his earlier production, this is the first time he went for that full band sound. The lyrical threads are diverse, giving it a stream of consciousness flavor, but still gets specific in moments, like a track about the gentrification of his neighborhood (which pays homage to the great Mos Def). The second is Milestones. The production goes back to the boom-bap beats he’s known for, and this time Skyzoo has a particular subject he’d like to go over – dads. With poetic storytelling, every song reflects on the labors, be them joyous or stressful, of fatherhood. Tributes to both his father and his son. Two great EPs that’ll have you wishing they were LPs.
Tuesday Tip-Off: Frank Lloyd Wrong
Drain the Swan, the latest from Frank Lloyd Wrong finds the band further perfecting their brand of wry, dare we say smart-assed, indie rock and it’s an instantly enjoyable and re-playable ride. Comparisons to Pavement and Silver Jews are warranted, but not just because FLW works a similar sonic template. The songwriting here approaches the same smartly funny and surprisingly touching territory as Malkmus and Berman’s best work. Highly recommended for anyone who was a fan of the so called slacker rock movement of the 90’s.
Mike’s ‘Mericana Monday – The Parson Red Heads
Mike’s ‘Mericana Mondays is where friend of the blog, roots DJ, house show organizer, Bloomington Music Expo czar and all around nice guy Mike McAfee picks one song a week to share with the people.
How nice are those groovy-stoner-country-rock harmonies of The Parson Red Heads? Lifetime Of Comedy is the fifth studio album from this Portland, Oregon five-piece out in the states on Fluff & Gravy Records. I get this urge to drink pints of Mirror Pond, hike Forest Park, and shack up at the Crystal Hotel every goddamned time I hear a Portland band I love. No exception here.
20 Things That Got Us Through 2020 – JR McIntire’s 5
20 Things That Got Us Through 2020 is our year end recap of things musical and non that helped us navigate the undertow that was 2020. Since there’s no way anyone could come up with 20 nice things to say about this past year, we each chose 5 things for a cumulative team effort 20. But surprise! It’s an extra 5! A Christmas Miracle! JR runs the blog’s Instagram account and here’s what’s been keeping him going. Bonus positivity for you and yours on JC’s bday!
20 Things That Got Us Through 2020 – Editor’s 5
20 Things That Got Us Through 2020 is our year end recap of things musical and non that helped us navigate the undertow that was 2020. Since there’s no way anyone could come up with 20 nice things to say about this past year, we’ll each be doing 5 things for a cumulative team effort 20. Here’s Editor’s 5.
20 Things That Got Us Through 2020 – Rebecca Fasman’s 5
20 Things That Got Us Through 2020 is our year end recap of things musical and non that helped us navigate the undertow that was 2020. Since there’s no way anyone could come up with 20 nice things to say about this past year, we’ll each be doing 5 things for a cumulative team effort 20. Here’s our Fasman’s Finds columnist Rebecca Fasman’s list.
20 Things That Got Us Through 2020 – Mike Jeffers’ 5
20 Things That Got Us Through 2020 is our year end recap of things musical and non that helped us navigate the undertow that was 2020. Since there’s no way anyone could come up with 20 nice things to say about this past year, we’ll each be doing 5 things for a cumulative team effort 20. Here’s our The Midweekly columnist Mike Jeffers’ list.
20 Things That Got Us Through 2020 – Mike McAfee’s 5
20 Things That Got Us Through 2020 is our year end recap of things musical and non that helped us navigate the undertow that was 2020. Since there’s no way anyone could come up with 20 nice things to say about this past year, we’ll each be doing 5 things for a cumulative team effort 20. Here’s our Mike’s ‘Mericana Monday columnist Mike McAfee’s list.
Friday 5×5
Today we have new music from Oscar the Wild, Vinny Moonshine, MOSQUITO CNTRL, GIUNGLA and Special Touch.