GUEST POST: Rosy, with another found gem.
Peter Pants- Beaker
They’re a four piece from L.A. and I came across them while reading a list of badass female drummers and I immediately became obsessed. Their music is fast/fun punk, and I really hope people start to take notice of them soon because they really know their shit.
GUEST POST: Kayla is a photographer, writer and grad student studying sociomusicology. Check out her material at her website here.
Austra - Beat and The Pulse
When I saw this video, I really wanted to hate Austra.
And, admittedly, I still kind of do. I mean - look at this video. I am pretty sure Katie Stelmanis and her friends from the acting program at Ryerson University got together and decided to have a minimalist synth-sex dance party and film it in the name of art. In the name of art and for someone’s final project for Interpretive Dance 101.
I digress. I digress because as much as this video is pretentious, American Apparel, art school fodder, the entire Feel It Break album is fantastic. Austra’s classical training is evident throughout the album, but never in an inaccessible, ostentatious way. I saw her perform on a live taping of Q last night and during the interview she said that the transition from classical opera to synthpop allowed her to abandon the lofty goal of reaching a level of perfectionism that is sought by opera singers. By performing as Austra she could be a bit messy and make mistakes and that it all came down to connecting with her audience. By combining two very distinct sounds, electronica and opera, Austra manages to stand out from the other electro-pop acts that have surfaced in the last year by creating music that is both ethereal and fun to dance to.
Feel It Break is currently nominated for a Juno, a Canadian music award, for Electronic Album of the Year. Fingers crossed, everyone. Fingers crossed.
GUEST POST: Rosy is a film student and part-time comedy writer.
Watusi | Heavy Cream
Heavy Cream are a four piece band from Nashville with three girls and a guy on bass (!). They’re signed to Infinity Cat who also handles the music of JEFF the Brotherhood so you know you’re in good hands. Watusi is the first single off their debut album ‘Danny’ and it’s all I’ve ever wanted from a gritty-dancy punk song (that’s how I’m attempting to describe how good it is). I heard this song two days ago for the first time because I’ll be seeing them open for Hunx and his Punx later this month and it’s been on repeat ever since. It’s safe to say I’m obsessed.
GUEST POST: Rayne runs the online multi-collaborative zine, Colours Fade. Issue #2 is up now. Contributions are being welcomed for the third installment.
Christina Hun (also called Christina The Hun) is a musician from Fort Collins, Colorado. I was introduced to her music during punk rock choir rehearsal, when the instructor brought a copy of Hun’s CD for us to hear. I was completely mesmerized by the music and her unique sound. Her music is made up of only two instruments: loud, crashing drums, and her rough vocal chords. Her songs are short, aggressive, and the combination between her often-off-key voice and pounding drums creates a beautiful cacophony perfect for fans of noise rock and riot grrl music. Christina Hun’s music can be found on MySpace.
