NW Noise Band Briefs
Band Briefs are short, and quick descriptions of artists, bands, concerts or albums.
Six Doses of Songwriting Magic from California
Six Doses of Songwriting Magic
Hello readers of Northwest Noise! It’s about time for me to check in with all of you
and tell you about some of my favorite songs and songwriters of the last six months to a year.
Yes! I’m just going to give it to you all in one hit.
Demasiado – SHADES OF GREY
Tell me he’s better than me.”
Jon – Eric – Clayton – Damon. These young men not only are some of the coolest people I know, they are also some of the most talented musicians I know, and together, well in the world of bandland, I think they all got married and found their happy house with a white picket fence. The house happens to be purple…and my house…with a fake lawn…but we won’t go into that now. Basically – what you need to do is when you are feeling certifiably out of love, you should put on some headphones, go to their myspace page, and listen to Shades of Grey. Enjoy the lyrics, and sop up the “slightest chance to feel electric.” and I guarantee you will feel better. Demasiado on Myspace
Gayle Skidmore – HOPES FALL
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Gayle Skidmore is
A. One of the most well rounded musicians I know
B. Went to school for music/composing
C. Has an impeccable ear for harmonies
D. Writes the music for her musicians to play (Cellists, etc.)
E. Has this ethereal magical thing going for her
F. Brings back the purity of what it means to be a true musician and a songwriter’s songwriter.
I highly suggest you go to Gayle’s myspace page and listen to her songs.
My favorite is one called Hopes Fall. I am waiting for her to put up this song that goes “Turn up the radio/turn down my heart”, but maybe she will take a hint and put that one up too.
Gayle Skidmore on Myspace
The Federalists – HIT ME LOVELY
Luke Franks is a great songwriter with a knack for writing americana folk pop. Hit Me Lovely is a fine display of lyrical simplicity, great production work, playing “in the pocket”, and overall musicality. Keep your eye on the Feds. They’re young and squeaky clean and will outgrow their homeland known as The East Bay soon. See them play live – they always have fun up there. Also let it be known that you can DOWNLOAD their music on ITUNES.
The Federalists on Myspace
Cold Hot Crash – SOMEBODY MADE UP
Cold Hot Crash will (guessing?) probably tell you their favorite song to play is Dividing up Circles. That’s their favorite. But MY favorite, is one called Somebody Made Up. Mick (vocals/guitar) and Adam (backup voc/bass) when they perform this song live, do a fantastic job harmonizing. Mick always tells a cool story about the song before it plays, and this makes me happy. I also like the song Like me Too. – which should be on a TV show…I am working on that. While I am a recluse in the East Bay finishing my own silly album, I urge all SF and East Bay Residents to see Cold Hot Crash play live and learn the lyrics so you can raise your O’Douls or whatever in the air, and sing along. Now – I would tell you to “go download their song online” but really the WHOLE CD IS GOOD. You need to BUY THE WHOLE CD, and listen in quality CDA format. Ok? Ok. Cold Hot Crash on Myspace
The Associated Press – BLACKOUT CITY: POPULATION YOU
I am touring with these guys – Aaron (bass/vocal) and Corey (guitar/vocal) are notorious for “partyin”, and…I’ve gotta say, they write some pretty catchy songs. This brand-new band hails from my hometown San Diego, and will be embarking on a major, MAJOR MAJOR tour, at the end of May. You can see them in Portland at the RED ROOM on June 9th. Enjoy the chorus of this song, which sings, “There will be bloodshed.” They are dirty punk and flawlessness is not their fare, but aint that kinda the point?
The Associated Press on Myspace
Jason Moss – SEARCHIN’ FOR MY SOUL
Jason Moss is my lil’ buddy. He is age 14, and he records everything himself, he plays all his own instruments, and his technical and musical knowledge, accompanied by his songwriting prowess, will blow you away. Send him fan mail, give this talented fellow a round of applause, and watch him grow up as his songs do too. One of life’s coolest joys is watching artists stick with it for the right reasons and do what they love and…Jason Moss can teach us all a thing or two about that.
Jason Moss on Myspace
Well thank you everybody for reading. I hope you enjoyed my six doses of songwriting magic. If you have a song that you think is awesome or know somebody who does, and it’s by a band who is not yet known or discovered, send them my way. Vanja@vanjajames.com
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