Music recommendations, like choosing your favorite Beatle, is a make-it-or-break-it tryst with fate. For friends who rely on your musical preference, one misstep and you go down the drain, with Top 40 and all. As everybody wants to be in the business of being the connoisseur of taste, I rest on the one being on the lookout; searching for new sounds and new bands that I have yet catalogued in my collection. A chanced encounter in Bandcamp I came across Matthew and the Birds while getting a tad bit turned off by all the lo-fi fuzziness going on in music lately; craving for something fresh, light and most of all fun.
“You’re like honey that never go bad,” Matthew Ariaratnam sings in “There For You” which pretty much sums up the experience of listening to the fusion of jazz, 1930s swing era, ska and modern pop in Between the Waves. For a generation that does not even know who the Beatles are, Matthew and the Birds singing about a jam with Frank Sinatra does not necessary translate to coolness unless you have been nominated at the London Music Award for Best Pop Artist or shortlisted for a Jack Richardson Music Award like they do. Between the Waves in actuality does not need these appellations to introduce the music it has stored in its quality, recommended for a continuous listening from the life of the party “Suzie Suzie” to the reflective “Ships,” Matthew and the Birds promise no rough seas ahead. The feel-good, jaunty vibe in Between the Waves transcends to ebullient occasions; just like how fun should be in its intimate sense— good times a-rolling, high-five-ing everyone while the band “make the people dance.”
Few weeks ago I tried communicating with the band to discuss their music and have more insights about Between the Waves. Here what comes out of it, enjoy.
Filed under: Musicians: Profiles & Interviews, Matthew and the Birds Band, Matthew and the Birds Between The Waves, Matthew and the Birds Between The Waves Review Interview, Matthew and the Birds London Music Club Simon Larochette, Matthew and the Birds St. Thomas Ontario Canada
September 26, 2011 • 3:53 pm 2
I Am Waiting For You Last Summer: Come Full Circle EP Finally Released
After a self-titled EP and a new single “Sleep” last July, Russian post-rock act I am waiting for you last summer return with the new Come Full Circle EP which came out yesterday, September 25. Issued independently by the band, the Come Full Circle includes “Sleep” with three more tracks, “And Nothing Changed Yet,” “Nevermore” and the hypnotic opener “Event Horizon.” Eugene, Leo and Alex, though still trying to etch their signature sound apart from their post-rock acts influences, continue to develop thicker and more densed sound than their earlier EP. Songs in Come Full Circle work in more space and in comparison to the first EP, less melodic but with greater weight (“Nevermore”) and layers against Leo’s more forward contribution in his department, hazier beats and electronics (“Event Horizon” and “And Nothing Changed”). Few surprises also polish the sound the band is heading to, effects of pouring water (“Nevermore”) and the choir-like moodiness of “”And Nothing Changed” are a step-up and affecting in total. Come Full Circle is available in the band’s Bandcamp for free.
For my interview with I am waiting for you last summer, click here. Band links: Tumblr, Soundcloud and Facebook.
IWFYLS’ “Event Horizon”
Filed under: Album Commentaries, Come Full Circle IWFYLS Review, I am waiting for you last summer Come Full Circle Review, I am waiting for you last summer Russian post-rock band, I am waiting for you last summer Ryazan post-rock band