Band to Watch: Heavenly Beat
If 2011 was the year of a fantastic EP following a LP, 2012 is officially the year of the side projects and new endeavors. From Father John Misty to Polica to Frankie Rose, we’ve had no shortage of fantastic records from new acts with familiar faces. But perhaps no group has had better individualistic efforts come out than Brooklyn based Beach Fossils. With guitarist Zachary Cole Smith’s band DIIV about to release their fabulous debut album Oshin next week, another member of the group is stepping into the forefront with something new. Bassist John Pena, recording under the moniker Heavenly Beat, will release his debut LP Talent on July 24th via Captured Tracks.
While DIIV has taken a page out of the Beach Fossils book and gone with a reverb heavy guitar, John has ditched that sound in favor of synth filled disco pop. “Messiah” was the first single released off the album in early May which was followed up by “Tradition” late last week. His label describes the sound as “attractive music for attractive people” and I have a hard time disagreeing with that assessment. Aesthetically pleasing to the core, this is music hitting at the visceral beauty all around. And who doesn’t love smooth, soothing pop music to sink into?
Connect with Heavenly Beat via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Greg Dahman
Rapper to Watch: Boldy James
Listening to Boldy James rap is a visual experience. If his music is given the proper attention it can transport the listener not just into James’ surroundings, but straight into his mentality and thought process as well. His rhyme schemes and vocal inflections are rather straightforward, making it hard for a casual listener to pick up the subtle wordplay and detailed storytelling that he is so adept at. Boldy’s hood-kingpin persona is neither a new nor original perspective in rap music, but since the Clipse’s coke-rap opus Hell Hath No Fury was released in 2006, I haven’t heard a rapper who combines still-in-the-trap street authenticity with a love of words any better than Boldy James. His rhymes are seemingly very personal and totally detached at the same time. He’s telling his own story and reveals several details about his rough upbringing throughout his work, but it feels like he writes for people with shared experiences who treat hustling as a daily operation rather than a short term means to an end.
It seems that Boldy glorifies hustling not just because he can or to sell records, but because it’s something he’s always done and something he’s been very good at. While it might seem that he’s been desensitized to the negative aspects of hustling by the drive for success, the craftsmanship and wise-beyond-his-years insight found in his writing shows a man who revels in daily successes while keeping the big picture in focus and still being able to learn from his mistakes. His reported exploits are usually believable because of the details, whether he’s using intricate mathematical wordplay and street lingo, or revealing specific pitfalls and glories that only personal experience could bring to light.
Boldy has released two full length mixtapes in less than a year’s time, last year’s proper introduction Trappers Alley: Pro’s & Con’s and the excellent Consignment: Favor for a Favor, released in February. While he doesn’t have quite the buzz yet that those two projects and his affiliation with popular rap duo the Cool Kids should warrant, he’s been working a lot more lately, appearing a couple times on the latest posthumous J Dilla release Rebirth of Detroit, as well as a feature on The Alchemist’s upcoming producer album Russian Roulette. Expect to see Boldy James’ name more and more over the next year as he continues to expand his profile. His first official solo album will be released on Decon Records and will be fully produced by the The Alchemist. Before grabbing his free mixtapes and getting fully up to speed, check out his numerous videos on Youtube and his new single “For The Birds” produced by the Cool Kids’ Chuck Inglish.
Connect with Boldy James via Facebook | Twitter
Written by John Bugbee
Band to Watch: Jeff Beam
Jeff Beam writes the type of sleepy, psychedelia-infused jams that my mind absorbs like comfort food. His reverb-heavy vocals are reminiscent of Jim James’ trippier material, but the delivery comes across as more sinister. On his LP Be Your Own Mirror, Beam creates an environment where the familiar becomes not-so. The album is something like attending a masquerade ball where the guests are served mushroom tea. In Beam’s world, the moon won’t glow, solutions are destroyed and everyone speaks existentially.
The Portland, Maine native has released a significant amount of material for an artist only 24 years old. Be Your Own Mirror is Beam’s fourth solo effort. He is also a former member of the Boston’s The Stereo Flys and current member of The Milkman’s Union. Beam’s ability to work as a multi-instrumentalist makes him a versatile asset.
Beginning June 19, Beam will hit the road for a handful of East Coast tour dates in support of his solo record. Listen to the lead-off track from Be Your Own Mirror, “Whispering Poison in his Ear” and watch the video for single “Now” below. If you are lucky enough to be in the area, check him out in the flesh later this month.
Connect with Jeff Beam via Facebook | Twitter
Tour Dates
- June 19 @ The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, NY
8PM – $10
w/ Soft Bullets and Wintersleep
- June 20 @ Barley Pub in Dover, NH
9PM – Free
w/ Soft Bullets and Tan Vampires
- June 21 @ Church in Boston, MA
8PM – $8
w/ Soft Bullets
- June 22 @ The Firehouse in Worcester, MA
9PM – Donations Accepted
w/ Soft Bullets, Sexy Neighbors, Broadcaster & Graywolf
- June 23 @ Empire in Portland, ME
9 PM – $6
w/ Soft Bullets & Sea Level
Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks 