Band to Watch: Pickwick
Great music requires feeling. It inspires. It’s turns good days into great days, and bad ones into livable ones. But the greatest music is timeless. The sounds of American music grew up in the bayous of Louisiana and traveled up the Mississippi River with different styles of jazz. As it continued its journey north into Chicago and Detroit, it morphed its way to the great rhythm, blues, and soul era of the 1950s. Everything after, whether it be disco or rock and roll, is rooted in the great American sounds of Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, and the countless other acts and personalities whose sound has and will continue to be listened to and admired.
What has been compelling over these past few years is the resurgence in this old sound, not only interested listeners amongst the twenty something crowd, but also in new acts looking to create their space and style in the indiesphere. But I don’t believe for a second that it’s come about by chance. With the economy still dragging a good majority of us through the gutter, people need something to be happy about. The backbone of Jazz and Soul music was the daily struggle and the need to have something make everything better. Something that got the feet moving and for lack of a better way to explain it, made people feel alive. And while our country still seems to be in a five-year hangover at this point, this type of music is needed now again more than ever.
“Hacienda Motel”
Seattle based six-piece Pickwick is the latest soulful pop project that seems destined for big things over this coming year. Led by the voice of Galen Disston, the band jives modern day soul with a paintbrush from 1950’s Motown. I say modern day soul because while it’s certainly clear there are some heavy influences from all the greats, it sounds like more of a pop project. More in the line of a band like Fitz & The Tantrums, Pickwick is really creating something new with some classic styles. Full of catchy hooks and emotion, it’s a sound that is unmistakably good. While we all await a full length LP, you can purchase their EP Myths HERE. Enjoy.
Connect with Pickwick via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Greg Dahman
Fresh Track: Best Coast “The Only Place”
I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Best Coast’s sophomore LP The Only Place. I fell in love with frontwoman Bethany Consentino’s surf pop, stoner vibe on her 2010 debut Crazy For You. That album along with her 7″ Make You Mine cemented Consentino as hipsterdom’s ultimate beach chick. This week, Consentino offered fans a taste of the forthcoming LP, with a debut of the album’s title track. Listen and download a copy of “The Only Place” below, where Best Coast sticks to what it does best, espousing on the glories of California. Pre-order your copy of The Only Place, due out on Mexican Summer on May 15th – just in time for beach season.
Connect with Best Coast via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks 
Slothpop Calls it Quits
Yesterday brought news of the break up of Indianapolis-based Slothpop. The musical project lasted just three short years. However, the seriousness that the band brought to their lone, self-titled LP resulted in a release with a depth and maturity that elevated the expectations for Indy’s tiny, but talented independent music scene. Regardless of what the future entails for the band’s various members, Slothpop’s contribution will have a lasting impact.
“It was like we needed something to just make it feel worth doing, something to re-inspire us and remind us that there’s a reason to be doing all of this,” bassist Drew Malott told NUVO in an interview preceding the album’s release party at Radio Radio.
The band alerted fans to the news of their impending separation in a statement via Facebook, saying:
Dearest loves,
Slothpop is officially calling it off. It has been an amazing three years and we want to thank you all for your love and support. We couldn’t have done it without you. Here’s our official video for Kokoro made by the amazing Know No Stranger crew. We love you. adieu.
The announcement comes as a significant blow to a tight-knit community of musicians that call Indianapolis home. I can only speak to my own sentiments, but Slothpop’s debut had a richness and weight that felt bigger than a local release. This was not the fuzzy clangings of your neighbor’s garage band. Kristin Newborn’s prowess on vocals is as formidable as any in this city. Her talent, blended with one helluva supporting cast and the vision of “seventh member” Andy Fry of Queensize Studios, made for a potent combination. For evidence, check out the aptly titled opening track “One”, here:
Though the album was recorded without the support of a label, its production was characterized by a boldness and ambition of a major studio release. In some ways, the writing was on the wall from the outset. Beneath the track listing on Slothpop’s Bandcamp page, songwriting credits were divided between Newborn and the rest of the band. Clearly labeled, as if outlining the prenuptial agreement for the eventual divorce.
Fellow Indy band The Bonesetters had paired with Slothpop for gigs on multiple occasions. The pair of bands served as support for each other’s album release parties. Lead-singer Dan Snodgrass had this to say about the news of the break up:
Indianapolis is filled with bright stars of talent, and one of the brightest was Slothpop. Slothpop consistently put on excellent shows, and their music still delves into the hearts of people in our fine city. I’m sad to see this pass, but excited to see where the individual members will go from here. Bruce Springsteen was “The Doctor” before he became “The Boss” in the Castiles and Earth. Waylon Jennings played bass for Buddy Holly & the Crickets before breaking out on his own. Though it saddens me to see them go down seperate paths creatively, I’m excited to see where the members channel their amazing talents from here.
Snodgrass is correct to remind listeners that nobody has died. In all likelihood, we will be seeing these musicians again in some capacity. Their talents are too bright to keep hidden for long. In fact, a handful of recordings from Newborn’s solo project KO are available via Musical Family Tree. KO will be performing live at The Melody Inn on April 8th and as part of LUNA Music’s Record Store Day line-up on April 21st. Watch Slothpop’s video for “Kokoro” below.
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Written by Rob Peoni