Fresh Track: Isaac Joel “If I Hear Music”
Isaac Joel, otherwise known as Isaac Karns of Cincinnati’s Pomegranates, dropped a 6 song EP on Monday entitled Back to the Bassics. An aptly named record because Isaac recorded all six tracks using only a bass guitar, it’s an experimental mix of ambient tracks with a touch of folk and gospel. “If I Hear Music”, the second track on the EP which stood out to me the most, features a repeating bass line throughout before Isaac brings his voice in softly.
If I am Singing
I’m Singing For You
If I am Loving
Help My Love Be True
What sets this track apart is that after the first verse is repeated twice, a gorgeous, almost spiritual, harmonization of vocals pierces through, inspiring an uplifting moment of zen that carries through the end of the song. “If I hear music” Indeed, if I hear music.
Written by Greg Dahman
Video: Hotfox “Esplanade”
Yesterday, Bloomington, IN’s Hotfox released the official video for their song “Esplanade” from the album You, Me and the Monster out last year. The video opens with shots from “The Stacks” at IU’s Herman B. Wells library, a scene that at once made me nostalgic and incredibly anxious – immediately thrown back into a caffeine-infused cram session that only college requires. The track is one of the milder efforts from Hotfox’s debut release, an acoustic slow-roll, meditating on the fear that comes with living in a world where the nutters have been given the keys to the nuthouse. “The asylum is waging war upon the streets…” Fortunately, amidst the chaos lies something pure – a phoenix, a burst of color. Heavy stuff for what is otherwise one of the lighter tracks on the album. Check out the video below, shot and edited by Kristine Morgan.
Connect with Hotfox via Facebook | Twitter | Bandcamp
Written by Rob Peoni
Fresh Track + Video: Palomino “Ponte Vecchio”
The New England Patriots and their fans are set to infiltrate my turf as they have earned a trip to Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI. My biggest nightmare has turned into a dark reality as Billy Cundiff decided to channel his true, inner Ray Finkle. While it is yet to be seen whether or not Mr. Cundiff goes Louis Einhorn on all of us, I struggle with finding a coping mechanism during these next two weeks. While I will opt to take cover in my downtown apartment to avoid the pain, I have decided to turn to the only thing that can possibly put my soul at ease – music.
It is my best guess that a myriad of residents from this great city will show their support to the Patriots opposition. New York Giants fans will be accepted and embraced by Hoosiers abound. What better way to leverage this new partnership than by using this blog to support the great music that comes from the Big Apple. I introduce you to New York’s Palomino.
Palomino is comprised of Elijah Campbell and Mike Sweeney. The duo is set to drop their self-titled, debut EP on at Ella in NYC on February 17. Their influences consist of Built to Spill, The Clash, and the Replacements. Not a bad set of bands to look to for inspiration. I was impressed when I saw the video for their single “Ponte Vecchio” and hope it is the first of many NYC bands I choose to cover as we lead up to the moment when all eyes are on Indianapolis. I welcome all of our readers to not only listen to Palomino, but use it as an East Coast elixir during times of despair leading up to the big game.
Connect with Palomino via Facebook | Bandcamp
Written by Brett McGrath
Thought on Tracks 