There's something particularly satisfying about seeing incredibly talented artists collaborate with each other.
Today, an unexpected but beautiful collaboration entered soundwaves when Leon Bridges and Khruangbin announced their forthcoming joint EP and dropped their first single.
Khruangbin is a group inspired by '60s and '70s Thai rock, borrowing from psychedelia, funk, surf rock, and Zouk, Indian, and Middle Eastern music. Leon Bridges is a soul singer-songwriter who also draws from '50s and '60s styles, but the two artist's music is most similar in terms of its emotional resonance and peaceful, expansive atmosphere.
They're also tied together by shared roots: Both groups are from Texas, which might explain their connection. There's no question that their forthcoming EP's lead single—called "Texas Sun"—is inspired by their homeland.
Cinematic and distinctly evocative of the desert landscape, "Texas Sun" feels like it could easily soundtrack the next dreamy Western or Americana masterpiece. Centering Bridges' weather-worn voice and Khruangbin's distinct beachy, reverb-soaked guitars, it's a masterful melding of talents.
Their EP, also called Texas Sun, will be released on February 7th, via Dead Oceans and Columbia Records. It will consist of four tracks, "Texas Sun," "Midnight," "C-Side," and "Conversion."
Khruangbin & Leon Bridges - Texas Sun (Official Audio)www.youtube.com
"There's something special about this song that gets me extra excited."
Although the name of Ryan Hamilton's band has changed over the years, their ability to know what makes a good song has not. An American among Brits in his band, Hamilton has not been afraid to shy away from the U.S. past when seeking out inspiration for their music, especially with their new material. He has also spent years bouncing around the music scene in bands such as People On Vacation and Smile Smile, giving him a resume worthy of producing a hit (or at least re-working one).
We have the exclusive premiere of the video for their latest single, "Bottom's Up" followed by an interview with Ryan Hamilton about everything that went into the recording plus what is coming up for them next.
Hear the new single "Bottom's Up" below!
How did you become interested in music and start recording together as a group?
I went and recorded my first solo album (Hell of a Day) with studio/session guys. It turned out really great and got an incredible reception. I don't think I was quite prepared for how well that album was going to do. After the response, I decided to try and put together a tour, and take the show on the road. Mickey (drums) and Rob (bass) were in my previous band (People On Vacation) and the 3 of us developed a really great connection as bandmates and friends.
So, they were the first people I called. It's been non-stop since that first tour. Though I recorded that first album on my own, everything we've done since then has been together. I write the songs, then they come in and do their thing (they are an amazing rhythm section), and it just works. They're old-school UK rockers. So, on paper, it shouldn't work, considering I'm from Texas and grew up on The Beatles and Country Music... and they're obsessed with 80s Hair Metal.
How might you describe your sound? What artists have inspired your music the most?
I'm not sure how I would describe it. It's just rock n roll. With some Pop. I think it's silly when bands go out of their way to describe their music as something obscure. Seemingly trying to invent a genre. The artists that have inspired me the most are Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones... and I better throw John Mellencamp in there. His album Scarecrow feels like the soundtrack to my entire childhood.
The band has taken on different names and formations over the years before reaching your current state. What have you learned from this evolution?
I've learned that it's REALLY frustrating to find a name that 1) isn't taken ... and 2) everyone agrees on. But I love our new/current name. I hope it sticks. I hope we get to doing everything we're currently doing... just as we're doing it now.
Tell us a little bit about your new song, "Bottom's Up".
I'm super proud of this song. It's a fun rock n roll song, with a fun sound/vibe. But over the top of some pretty serious subject matter. Alcoholism... and how to escape a bad relationship. Something about this song. You always hope a song is going to be a "hit" ... and it rarely actually happens. But there's something special about this song that gets me extra excited. Fingers crossed.
This is an original track, whereas one of your most recent buzz-worthy songs was a cover. How does the recording process differ for both for the band?
Yeah, this Paula Abdul cover is going CRAZY in the UK! Who knew. The recording process is the same. I'm a big believer in, "If it ain't broke...". So we recorded both songs the same. With the same producer (Dave Draper. He's amazing) and the same guys/girl. Just as we've been doing for a couple of years now.
Now that you are signed to Wicked Cool Records, can we expect to hear a full-length release in the future?
Yeah you can! Just finishing it now. 12 songs. Hoping for a release early/middle of next year. I think they're the best songs, and this is the best album, I've ever written/recorded.
What is coming up next for you?
We are currently on the road in the UK. So, we'll do this tour and all the coinciding press etc... Bottoms Up will officially drop the last day of tour here. Then back home, where I will finish the new full-length album. Then back to the UK, to support The Alarm! Then a break for the Holidays. After that it's gonna be all about the new album, and touring in support of it. We've got some great opportunities to support bigger bands in the UK and the US. Couldn't be more excited about the future. The last few years seem to be happening in fast forward... and next year is shaping up to be our busiest, biggest year yet.
Rachel A.G. Gilman is a writer, a former radio producer, and probably the girl wearing the Kinks shirt. She is the creator of The Rational Creature and suggests you check it out. Also, visit her website for more.
Ashe's alt-pop style and sunny, vintage vocals have earned her quite the buzz.
She recently released her new single
"Choirs" that has amassed over 870k streams on Spotify. Compounding her previous success, which saw her accumulate 200 million streams and nine Hype Machine #1s with "Girl Who Cried Wolf" and "Used to It" (as well as her Louis The Child collaborations "World on Fire" and "Right To It"), Ashe was recently announced as one of VEVO dscvr's Artists to Watch for 2018. Having played select dates this summer with Lewis Capaldi, Ashe recently wrapped up a tour with Lauv and previously traveled Northern America while performing alongside Big Gigantic, Louis The Child, Shawn Frank, Whethan, and the Chainsmokers. Now, her very own brand of psych-pop is poised to make a splash in 2018 with her debut EP The Rabbit Hole and the recently-released single "Choirs."
Popdust's Megan Oots got a chance to sit down with Ashe and chat about the inspiration behind The Rabbit Hole which deals with existentialism, escapism, the human condition, and love.
Ashe says her favorite song on The Rabbit Hole is "Real Love"
Real Love was also one of the first songs she finished and it blazed the way for the others. Real love is about loving others regardless of where they come from and encourages us to focus on the commonalities between all people. She was inspired to write "Real Love" by the social political turmoil that commenced after the 2016 presidential election.
Ashe hopes people that listen to "Real Love" unify in their joy, and develop more empathy and compassion for one another.
"To me, someone who doesn't behave like they are afraid to lose me is not worth my time."
Women are killing it in the music industry, and the world of song lovers couldn't be happier! In our column, #WomenCrushWednesday, we'll feature an awesome lady whose tunes are blowing up our playlists and ask them about their musical journey.
Rare is it to find a true artist like Emmy Wildwood, whose project spans across music genres and audiences. She's also adamant about her passion for women and how they are able to represent themselves in the complicated socio-political environment we currently live in. Read on to find out about her latest music and her key to finding amazing vintage styles.
How did you get interested in music?
I came from a musical family and asked to learn guitar at 10 years old. I was mostly interested in writing my own songs so I wanted to learn to accompany myself. I learned as many chords as fast as I could and wrote my first song the first week I started playing.
You perform solo as well as in the group Guns 'N Hoses. What is different for you about the two experiences?
Well the music is totally different. Playing my own music is personal and makes me feel vulnerable. I write autobiographically and it takes my heart and soul to put on my best performance. I really want to get inside people's heads. With GNH it's basically punk and HUGE party. We're mostly interested in putting on a great show and leaving people pumped!
You've also done collaborations with artists like TV On the Radio. What do you enjoy about that?
My collaboration with Kyp Malone was magical. He is such a pro and such a nice guy. He has always championed my songwriting which is the biggest compliment to me. Watching him slide in to the studio and ritualistically bang out his unique performance, direct the engineer and deliver his take on my song was watching a true artist at work.
Andrew Segreti
What's your experience been like as a woman in the music industry?
It's always been hard. The music industry is a boys' club. The percentages speak for themselves. I have always had to learn to be alone with men in an artist/producer relationship. It's a delicate dance and you can never ever relax. That is my experience. I think all female musicians are waking up right now. For a long time, we made excuses for men just so that we had a fighting chance at being heard, could be included in the jokes, the fun and rock n roll. When you are the only woman in a band you become desensitized to the bad behavior. As I matured my patience became less and less. I have a SUPER low BS tolerance. I have had more than one argument with engineers who treated me like I didn't know how sound systems work. I have had to discontinue relationships with musical partners who have mistreated my female piers and it never stops being hard. It never stops being disappointing. When a musical partner you trust disappoints you in that way it feels a whole lot like a broken heart. But there's no time for suffering at the hands of these dudes anymore. I guess what I realized is that I am valuable to them. That they should be just as nervous to lose me. To me, someone who doesn't behave like they are afraid to lose me is not worth my time.
Can you talk a little bit about the writing and recording process for your most recent album, "All My Blood?"
To me what is most important about the collection of songs is that I did not look for hits. I wanted a story and theme. I wanted these songs to be moving to listener, not to be intentionally radio-friendly. I wanted this to be all songs I could stand behind intellectually. I do feel like I accomplished that. It took almost two years to finish and I am more proud of this than anything I have ever done in my life.
Have you any favorite tracks off the album?
I think "Everything Hurts" is my favorite. It speaks to the way women condition themselves in relationships. It's honest and risky. Idk, I think it's a conversation that needs to be had. It's up next for release:)
You also have your own vintage fashion line. What inspired that and how does it connect to your music?
I have always styled myself with vintage. It's my secret weapon to looking like nobody else. I started doing that for others as well and I realized I had an audience that wanted to be able to buy the looks, so I started the store.
Since you've been called one of the most stylish New Yorkers, can you give us any tips about finding the best vintage pieces?
Vintage is about the hunt. You must have the patience to look through everything but more importantly imagine into items that aren't being styled on a mannequin. Some people just don't have the patience to do that so at Secret Weapon we do it for them.
What's coming up next for you?
We will be releasing the video for for 'Down Down' soon! It's directed by an incredible young photographer/artist Bao Ngo who is changing the game right now. Her work doesn't look like anybody else. She is amazing.
Andrew Segreti
