Fresh Track: Esta Vivo “We Do the Skies”
Está Vivo is the project of Chicago native Ryan McMahon. As his former band disintegrated in 2009, McMahon has used Está Vivo as his sounding board. His tropical pop filled guitar riffs look to fight the frigid conditions us Midwesterners are surrounded with right now. Song, “We Do the Skies” allows me to teleport to a sunny solace. As I avoid the brisk winter, I listen to this song while reflecting in my apartment. The brackish stained hardwood floors of my apartment show their winter wear. As I peel back the blinds my imagination takes me south. It feels like a sandy beach replaces the salty streets. Each guitar note in this track allows me to look for my castle in the sky. Hallucination or not, this fantasy is not only accepted, but also mandatory for my raw winter blues. This is a remedy to help me find my rapture. For a moment this song provides me a warming relieve that even my heat vents can’t match. Join my comfort by pressing play. It is your change to let this figment scrape away your slush.
Connect to Está Vivo via Facebook | Twitter | Bandcamp
Written by Brett McGrath
Fresh Track: Frankie Rose “Know Me”
Frankie Rose is at it again. The Outs are gone. As a former founding member of Vivian Girls along with stints as a drummer/vocalist in prominent Brooklyn garage rock bands Crystal Stilts and Dum Dum Girls, Frankie has never been shy about trying new ways of making music. Her most recent project began in 2009 as Frankie joined forces backing band The Outs to release the first single under Frankie’s name as Frankie and The Outs before a full length LP in 2010. So while we probably shouldn’t be all that surprised to hear she is now recording and releasing records under her own name, what you may be a bit surprised to hear is the style of her newest single.
The first released single from her solo album Interstellar is entitled “Know Me”, and it is not your average Vivian Girls/Frankie and The Outs garage rock girl-pop single. Instead, it pays homage to 1980’s new wave/shoegaze pop, and I must say that personally, this is my favorite Frankie Rose track to date. Perhaps most impressive is the prominence of Frankie’s voice in this new style. Not only does it stand out and shine with a confidence not heard on previous records, it grabs a hold of you and leads you with emotion through a dream-like atmosphere of sound.
Know Me, Don’t Know Me
I Hear What They Said
It Doesn’t Own Me, I’d Rather Be Dead
Know Me, Don’t Know Me
I Know
Frankie has undeniably been honing her artistry at each various stop in her musical journey. Hopefully she’s ready to show us all exactly what her own personal sound is, because I can’t wait to listen.
Interstellar is out 2-21-12.
Connect with Frankie Rose via Twitter | Facebook | Slumberland Records
Written by Greg Dahman
Video: Jessie Baylin ‘Little Spark’ Trailer
To put it mildly, I have been head over heels for Jessie Baylin since the release of her free Pleasure Center EP in late November. The EP, of mostly covers, has been a weekly listen and my go-to before bed spin. January 17th will serve as the release date for her full length album Little Spark. My guess is that you won’t find Baylin gaining much coverage across the indie blogosphere. Her pop music upbringing and marriage to Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill make her too un-hip for the likes of Pitchfork. This is an outright shame, because Little Spark has the potential to contend for one of the top releases of the first half of 2012.
Baylin reached out to some seriously talented folks to add their touch to the album. Richard Swift, of The Shins, served as multi-instrumentalist and played an integral role in Little Spark‘s arrangements. (Pleasure Center EP was recorded in a single day on a four-track in Baylin’s living room, with Swift at the helm.) Legendary composer and three-time Grammy winner Jimmie Haskell played the role of conductor, while Kevin Augunus rounded out the squad as producer. Augunus has worked with a wide range of artists from Sinead O’Connor to Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. Watch the trailer for the album below, and prepare yourself for one of the pleasant surprises of 2012.
For a limited time, Amazon is offering a FREE DOWNLOAD of the track “Hurry Hurry.” Stream below.
Connect with Baylin via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks 