Fresh Track: Dent May “Best Friend”
I always find it fascinating to find musicians that make themselves relevant in non-typical geographic locations. I think that it is safe to say that the cities of Brooklyn, Austin, and San Francisco are responsible for providing home base to nearly half of the bands that I am currently listening to. While it is nice to sit back and watch these hotbeds produce talent, it is almost more enjoyable to watch musicians rise from areas with less resources. Often, it takes an artist or two build up a scene and then put that city on the map as a producer of independent music. I immediately of think Guided By Voices in Dayton, Ohio or Built to Spill in Boise, Idaho. These are situations where these great bands help to establish a scene and make it relevant for years to come.
Taylor, Mississippi’s Dent May has taken a small town in the South and made it the latest location to contribute to my musical enjoyment. Dent May did not let an unfamiliar scene hinder his way on to many blogs like this one and that makes me appreciate him even more. Most notably May was able to catch the eyes of Animal Collective while they were recording Merriweather Post Pavilion, Capitalizing on this connection he released his debut The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele in 2009. Track, “Eastover Wives” was my introduction and I have been a fan of him ever since. I have yet to identify whether it is May’s music, personality, or story that compels me most.
Nearly three years later, Dent May is set to release follow up Do Things on June 12 via Paw Tracks. This is a record has been on my list and can’t wait for it to drop. Until then, check the album’s single “Best Friend” and quickly realize that great music can come from anywhere.
Connect with Dent May via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Brett McGrath
Fresh Track: Dusted “(Into The) Atmosphere”
Dusted is the new project of Brian Borcherdt and Leon Teheny. Borcherdt spent the better part of the last decade braving new territory with the Toronto electronic outfit Holy Fuck. Before joining Holy Fuck, Borcherdt was part of a little-known band named By Divine Right featuring Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning and some chick named Leslie Feist. Taheny is better known for his work as a producer than a musician, working with Final Fantasy, Rituals and Bruce Peninsula among others.
The duo came together to record their debut LP Total Dust in a converted garage, breathing new life into songs that Borcherdt had penned while on the road. Listen to Dusted’s debut track “(Into The) Atmosphere” below. Atmosphere is the operative word here, as this song is shrouded in jangling guitars, contrasting percussion and layers of lo-fi vocal tracks. Pre-order your copy of Total Dust, due out July 10 on Polyvinyl Records.
Connect with Dusted via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Rob Peoni
Fresh Track: Purity Ring “Obedear”
A while back, and one of my first posts for Thought on Tracks, I featured electronic duo Purity Ring in a Band to Watch post following their two big hits “Belispeak” and “Lofticries”. After these two singles dropped, a long silence period came with the hope that we would be given a debut LP shortly. The wait is no longer. Purity Ring released the presumed latest single from the album entitled “Obedear” this past Monday along with the details for the album. Shrines will be released 7-24-12 via 4AD Records. “Obedear” follows the precedent set of ridiculously good simple electronic beats and with Megan’s vocals drawing the listener in. Simply put, this is one of my most anticipated releases of 2012 and it’s everything I’m into listening to right now. For those in the Midwest or willing to travel, you can catch Purity Ring this July along with me on Friday of Pitchfork Music Festival.
Connect with Purity Ring via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Greg Dahman
Thought on Tracks 