[Piano Session] Mario – Let Me Love You (Jack Garratt Cover)

As we continue on our month of Jack Garratt’s residency, we’re continually reminded why we’ve developed a sincere adoration for this UK-based musician. Today continues our ever-growing infatuation, as we get a glimpse at an entirely new side of this quickly-rising star.

Set against the backdrop of nothing more than powerfully cascading piano chords, we’re offered an intimate listen at the simplistic beauty and raw musical finesse from Garratt. Showing some love for the early 2000’s R&B hit “Let Me Love You,” we’re instantly taken away to another place, being helplessly consumed with each memorable lyric.

Originally played at Huw Stephens BBC Radio 1 show at SXSW, this cover (originally sung by Mario), accompanied a piano ballad-style version of his  song “The Love You’re Given.” If you’re unfamiliar with that one, take a gander at the original version below.

’Jack Garratt – Let Me Love You (Live Cover @ SXSW – BBC R1)’
’The Love You’re Given’
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[TMN Exclusive Interview] Get to Know: Kid Astray

Kid Astray
It's Alright

Norwegian six-piece, Kid Astray, don’t represent a single genre but rather a distinct state of mind–one of youthful energy. Through a string of singles, the up ‘n coming band have shown us everything from indie rock on tracks like “No Easy Way Out” to Passion Pit-inspired electro pop like “Still Chasing Nothing.” Their latest single, “It’s Alright,” lands squarely in the center of that spectrum mixing airy guitar-driven verses with an undeniably catchy chorus powered by an addicting electronic melody. That juxtaposition is one they masterfully toy with, reimagining and transitioning between different styles all within one track. We had a chance to chat with a few members of Kid Astray–get to know them below and give their infectious latest single a spin above. Kid Astray’s debut album drops this June!

TMN: Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions! Starting from the beginning, can you tell us how you all first joined forces and the story behind the first song you all wrote together?

Jakob: No problem! We are currently stuck in our rehearsal space, preparing for our upcoming scandinavian tour, so it’s nice taking a short break. And talking about ourselves, haha.

We first met back in high school, where we were all studying music. Everyone but Even and myself knew each other from secondary school, and had already been playing together. Personally, I didn’t know anyone else on the school, but I really wanted to play in a band. I just played with anyone who wanted to play with me. I was the only drummer in our class, so Benjamin and Elizabeth didn’t really have many people to choose from, haha. We had our first rehearsal the same day we met. We played our first show after one week, playing cover songs. The first track we wrote was called ‘Eternal Gifts’ and was written in our rehearsal space at the time, Benjamin’s basement. That song is very different from what we do now, it’s pretty much a guitar based rock track without any synths. It’s still a bit nostalgic thinking about the song, since it was the track that earned us our first manager. Who knows, maybe we will use the core from the track again in the future!

TMN: Who were some of the artists you listened to growing up that you feel have inspired your sound?

Benjamin: Michael Jackson has been a huge inspiration! As a child I learned all the dances and songs by watching the videos and live DVDs. I have definitely brought elements from him into the KA sound. For example the pluck funk guitar. My whole family is a bunch of musicians, so it’s hard to name some specific artists. It’s everything from jazz and synthpop from the 80s to mums punkband! It’s all a part off our sound in a way.

TMN:Kid Astray has more members than most contemporary bands. How do you all approach studio time and how does that collaboration process work? Does it make things easier? more difficult?

Alex: There are definitely up-sides and down-sides of being six people. Traveling becomes more expensive, but also becomes more fun. Cause we’re six good friends, so we’re never bored! And even though we’re unusually many people, we’ve got more than enough to do on stage. We even have to be multi-instrumentalists to successfully get through the new album. The studio part of things works very well. We have our little mastermind Benjamin who starts on an idea, and then we all kinda get together and finish it off. I’m not really sure if things are simpler or more difficult, cause it’s the only way we know. But it definitely gives a lot of variety since so many of us have different musical preferences. Continue reading

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[Alternative] Toro y Moi – Run Baby Run

Toro Y Moi
Run Baby Run

The latest single from Toro y Moi solidifies the direction of his highly anticipated upcoming album, What for?. Continuing in the vein of dreamy indie rock, “Run Baby Run” features a breezy guitar backdrop, with the lightest touch of funk and psychedelia, teamed with Chaz Bundick’s vocals, which feel like they could soundtrack a 90s movie. It’s yet another showcase of versatility adding to Toro’s many successful musical pivots. The results make for as enjoyable and pleasant a listen as any Toro track and, similar to “Buffalo,” grows on you with every play. Enjoy above–What for? drops on April 7th. Pre-order here.

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Jack Garratt talks about SXSW, Blunderbuss, and Secrets of Beard Culture [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

TMN: Hey Jack! Thank you for taking some time to speak with us. First up, let’s talk about the upcoming SXSW shows. Are you getting excited?

JG: Thank you very much. I’m so excited for it. I’ve known about that festival for so long and have always wanted to come and experience it, either as a fan or a musician. To be able to come out and do it as a musician is a real honor.

And, I’ve never been to Texas either, so I’m really looking forward to that.

TMN: How many showcases are you playing?

JG: I’m doing four.

TMN: You’re also doing a few shows in the states after that, correct?

JG: After SXSW, I’m doing two shows in New York. I’m doing support with Kate Tempest, which will be great. Then I’m doing Babies Alright with Communion, which is – for some strange reason – sold out.

On top of that, I’m flying out to LA for a show there, then after that I’m flying to San Francisco for a show, as well. They’ve all sold out as well, which I don’t understand. It doesn’t make any sense.

After that, I have a few weeks off, and I’m hopefully going to stay in LA and do some work. I’ll keep my head down, see what happens, and try to look out for what’s going to happen for the rest of the year.

After that, I head to Europe for, I guess, my proper European debut tour.

TMN: When can we expect a full US tour?

JG: I don’t know! We’re looking at the possibility of it, and trying to make sure we can come over and do some good shows at great venues. We’ll look to do a lot of US dates before the end of the year, and hopefully sooner than I think.

We will definitely, definitely be doing one before the end of the year though.
Continue reading

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[Video] Will Joseph Cook – Message

Will Joseph Cook, just 17, has been cooking up a mini-storm over the last few weeks with his track “Message.” That tune landed him the coveted number one position in Hype Machine’s popular chart, and also reached third on Spofity’s Global Viral Chart.

It’s very early days for this up-and-coming indie act, but there’s nothing immature about his delivery, both lyrically or vocally. If you aren’t convinced just yet (which you definitely should be), check this roof video of him performing “Message” below. Under that are his first two offerings from new EP You Jump I Run, out via Duly Noted Records.

’Message’
’Streets Of Paris’
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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (March 2015 Round #4)

indie-dojo-music-ninjaSpring, spring, spring. For us lucky folk, it’s here. And for the not so lucky folk, we’re so very sorry. So, we made you this indie dojo full of sunshine and rainbows (or what we think could replace the real thing). We hope it makes up for the lack there of.

’Michael Rault – Nothing Means Nothing’
’Compny – Lovers’
’Will Joseph Cook – Message’
’j.viewz – We Moved (ft. Benja Lyman)’
’Lola Marsh – Sirens’
’Pigpen Theatre Co. – We Won’t’
’Glass Ghost – Sound Of Money’
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The Eiffels – More [TMN PREMIERE]

The Eiffels
More

With a vividly playful and melodic start, “More” delivers an energetic yet nostalgic approach to post 80’s synth rock, something this Los Angeles trio knows how to execute. A follow up to their previous single “I Did It Now“, this second release containing thriving power chords and anthem like lyrics, builds on top of their current momentum. Some people have described their sound to be somewhere between Phoenix and The Killers, and while there is an absolute truth to that, I like to believe they came from the Breakfast Club soundtrack.

The Eiffels is set to release their debut EP this spring, having worked with producers Ethan Kaufmann (Wild Party) and Will Brierre (The Killers, Neon Trees, Walk The Moon, Imagine Dragons). And with a massive U.S. tour starting this May, it is obvious you will hear more of them in 2015.

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