New Music

Let’s Take a Journey without Going Anywhere

your tuesday afternoon alternative New Music , , ,

We Met in Paris‘ “Mont Blanc Massif” is a shock wave that leaves you gasping for breath in the rarified air of musical transcendence. This track is like a rollercoaster ride through the turbulent landscapes of human emotion, an exploration that takes you to the summit of musical ecstasy. It’s a song that grabs you by the ears and doesn’t let go until it’s wrung every drop of emotion from your soul.

From the opening notes, “Mont Blanc Massif” is a relentless force, like a raging river carving its path through the mountains. The driving rhythm section — including driving bass lines — provides the foundation for a cascade of sound that crashes over you like an avalanche, sweeping you up in its turbulent flow. The guitars roar like thunder, and the drums are the thunderclaps that punctuate this musical storm.

And then there’s the voice of Ruth Fawcett, a voice that’s simultaneously haunting and full of longing. It’s a voice that cuts through the noise and reaches into the very core of your being. It’s a voice that tells a story, a story full of depth that does not shirk yearning and despair. It’s a voice that doesn’t just sing the words; it embodies them, living and breathing every syllable.

The lyrics themselves are powerful, a raw and unfiltered outpouring of emotion about the sensation of being surrounded by natural beauty. They paint a picture of action that’s as majestic and treacherous as the Mont Blanc Massif itself. It’s an experience that soars to dizzying heights and plummets to unfathomable depths, a journey that feels fast, beautiful, and possibly destructive.

But it’s not just the individual elements of the song that make it so intense; it’s the way they come together in a perfect storm of sound and emotion. The arrangement is a masterclass in dynamics, building and releasing tension with expert precision. It’s a song that takes you on a rollercoaster of emotion, from the quiet introspection of the verses to the explosive release of the choruses.

“Mont Blanc Massif” is not just a song; it feels full of movement and that is appropriate since it is a song written about being within the Mont Blanc Massif mountain range. The song is a reminder that music has the power to touch us in ways that words alone cannot. It’s a testament to the enduring power of rock and roll that, even in our darkest moments, there is beauty to be found all around us.

In a world filled with disposable music whose only concern is staying with formulaic pursuits in both style and content, We Met in Paris‘ “Mont Blanc Massif” stands as an impressive achievement of the enduring power of rock and roll to move us, challenge us, and remind us of the beauty and complexity of the human experience. It’s a song that demands to be heard, and once you’ve heard it, you’ll never be the same.

Rock and Roll Lives!

your tuesday afternoon alternative New Music , , , , , , , , , ,

Elephants and Stars have put out an impressive array of albums in a few short years — Recovery (2020), Dreamland (2021), Last Chance Power Drive (2022) and Get Your Own Army (2023) — and have already made a meaningful impact to rock and roll with their incredible body of work. This Toronto-based band is like a supernova in the making, bursting onto the scene with a sound that’s as expansive and enthralling as the night sky. Elephants And Stars is the third project formed around the long-running creative partnership of Manfred Stittmann and bassist Mike MacMillan, both of whom also formed the core of the late-90s/early-2000s groups Soap Opera and The First Time. The band has consistently delivered well-crafted songs with catchy melodies and thoughtful lyrics.

In the tradition of the great melodic rock and roll and New Wave bands of the ’70s and ’80s, Elephants and Stars takes us on a voyage of emotional release through their latest ‘Get Your Own Army‘. Their sonic palette is a rich tapestry woven with elements of rock, new wave, power pop, psychedelia, and folk, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly contemporary, a task that is hard to do in an authentic way. From the opening chords to the final fade-out, this album is a rollercoaster ride of musical nostalgia and contemporary innovation that illustrates that a music group can be versatile while delving into various musical styles. The band’s name itself suggests a blend of the colossal and the celestial, and their music lives up to this cosmic promise in perfect melodies that sway around deep storytelling and powerful lyrics.

The album kicks off with a thunderous guitar riff that immediately grabs your attention, setting the tone for what’s to come. “Gimme Ketamine,” is a true rock and roll track that grabs the listener and refuses to let go. Lead vocalist Stittman’s voice is a force of nature, akin to the gravitational pull of a black hole, drawing listeners into the band’s orbit. The instrumentation, featuring muscular guitar work, bouncing rhythms, and Cars-like synths, provides the perfect sonic backdrop for the band’s passions.

Throughout the album, the musicianship is outstanding. The guitars shred through parts large and small. The solos are played with precision and passion, while the rhythm section provides a solid foundation that keeps the songs grounded. One of the standout tracks is “Green Lights to Pasadena,” a sprawling epic that stretches the boundaries of the rock road song. It is a reflection on travel, perhaps personal, that takes the listener on a sonic adventure through landscapes of longing for effort and feeling lost: “We try until we don’t / Just die a little more.” The band’s musicianship shines here, with each member contributing to a propulsive and immersive sonic gestalt, everything mixed together with just a pinch of chaos. And you may find yourself swaying despite your resistance.

While Elephants and Stars draws inspiration from the past, they infuse their music with a modern sensibility and directness that keeps it from feeling like a mere nostalgia trip. Tracks like “Bled Out at the Scene” and “How Can It Be?” blend vintage influences with contemporary production techniques, creating a sound that’s both timeless, cutting-edge and so damn catchy. How often do we want to sing along to the slow realization of the death of a relationship?

“Get Your Own Army” is not just an album; it’s a sonic voyage through the heart of relationships viewed through a rock and roll lens. Elephants and Stars have crafted another fantastic record that showcases their immense talent and promises even greater rock and roll adventures in the future even while singing about the end, “On Your Deathbed (I wonder what you’ll think about).” With their captivating sound and down-to-earth vision, this Canadian band is poised to shine brightly in the ever-expanding universe of rock music with the simple realization that rock music lives.

How do you find music?

your tuesday afternoon alternative New Music ,

Today it seems that keeping up with new music is like trying to take a drink from an open fire hydrant. One of the consequences of music streaming and related online tools is the geometric increase in music widely and — most importantly — easily available to us at any time, for any reason. But a single snowflake can be lost in a snowstorm. How do you find music given the wide variety available? Of course, this assumes that people want to find music. One of the possible outcomes of so much music being so accessible is that the experience of music becomes less important to some of us.

The constant torrent of new songs, re-releases, remixes, live recordings, and more can feel like a whirl of glimpses and phrases. While few bands and artists are as prolific as Guided By Voices/ Robert Pollard, there are over 2,000 albums released every week. And that does not measure the backlog of older music and more.

On the show yesterday, we discussed the different tools that we use to try and keep up with music releases. We use a mix of streaming services, music aggregators, emails from song pluggers, magazines, blogs, and newsletters. We also find that social media can be helpful in trying to expand what we play on YTAA. What are people interested in music talking about? What new music are the artists we admire excited about? What are they listening to at the moment?

On YTAA, we are trying to avoid the ‘big’ artists who are on the major record labels or who comprise what Alan Krueger called “The Superstar Economy” in concerts and music releases. The “Winner Take All” assumption of the music industry overlooks thousands of artists who have good qualities that deserve praise, support, attention, etc. Since the beginning of the show in 2004, we have focused on indie, alternative, and local music that we believe deserves more support than it gets. This is just as true today as it was when we started almost 19 years ago.

So, the question remains: What do you do to keep up with new music releases? How do you track down new music? What tools, services, and approaches help you find new music that you love? Send us any thoughts you would like to share at drjytaa at gmail.com.

How do you find music?

Video of The Day: Nicholas Johnson – New Vampire

your tuesday afternoon alternative New Music, Video , , , ,

Nicholas Johnson has not only released a new incredible record, Shady Pines Vol. 2, but played an incredible record release show at Urban Artifact in Cincinnati that we were able to see! Damn, what a good show. The celebration of new music from Nicholas included stellar sets from The New Old-Fashioned’s David Payne and Kent Montgomery (longtime listeners of the show will know that TNOF is a big fave of YTAA) and The Pinkerton Raid. He is coming back to Dayton on Thursday, March 23rd at Blind Bob’s and you should make plans now to catch that show (again with The Pinkerton Raid and Dayton alt-country heroes, Age Nowhere joining the bill).

I cannot pick a favorite song from Shady Pines Vol. 2 but the latest video from Mr. Johnson is a standout on the record. New Vampire is lyrically deep and musically rich. The song is propelled with a gravity of its own that explores the idea of how we experience evenings. The rhythms on this song are deceptively seductive. Nicholas does not have to scream to create an inescapable emotional impact. When he sings “The west is calling, the west is falling” — you believe him because you have felt the same way.

To say that he has a gift with a clever turn of phrase is a sincere moment of understatement. Nicholas takes the anomie and alienation that swells around us that feels like we are being pulled under the surface by a current of our own creation and makes it a statement that does not have the hollow ring of melancholy. The words reveal the power and passion of inescapable frenzy and yet surprisingly tantalizing prospect of loneliness of the current age in which we find ourselves:

Premonition and the prophet screams
Rage into the void of a restless dream
Phone screen burns like man makes fire
Ushers in the age of the new vampire

New skin
Paper thin
Don’t you feel the new age dawning
I can feel it move through my bones
All the places I call home
Yeah we crawl into the unknown
Ah the west is calling
The west is calling
The west is falling

Video of The Day: Joe Anderl of The 1984 Draft with ‘Last Summer’

your tuesday afternoon alternative Dayton, Dayton Music, New Music, The 1984 Draft, Video

One of the new albums we are excited about in the new year comes from Dayton, Ohio’s The 1984 Draft. This is a band that combines the twin guitar attack of Eli Alban and Joe Anderl, with some of the most intense bass runs from Chip Heck and the pounding machine on drums of Justin Satinover. On January 19, 2023, The 1984 Draft is releasing their latest full-length group of songs entitled ‘Best Friends Forever’ on Poptek Records. You can hear the band’s fusion of ’90s rock and punk shaped by the love of Elton John, Smoking Popes, and Bob Mould.

The eleven-track album features collaborations with Susie Ulrey (Pohgoh), Todd Farrell Jr. (Benchmarks, Two Cow Garage), and Sean Gardner (Kopaz, The Reciever, Winter Makes Sailors, Minnows) and the addition of Dayton-based artist Cherry Fullam on vocals. These collaborations help elevate the music of The 1984 Draft to another level.

The 1984 Draft celebrates the release of their new record “Best Friends Forever” with special guests including Paige Beller, Shane Sweeney, Josh Arnold, Josh Goldman, Narrow/Arrow, Abiyah, and very special guest Josh Caterer of the Smoking Popes. Pre-order tickets are available at Poptek Records! The energy, enthusiasm, and emotion of a ‘Draft show is not to be missed. Wear your hearts on your sleeves and believe that rock and roll can change the world because this band certainly embodies this idea.

You can pre-order the record now from Poptek Records, Sell the Heart, and Engineer Records (in the UK).

Phil Yates Best of 2022

your tuesday afternoon alternative 2022 Faves, Best Of, Music Books, New Music, Radio Show , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Every year we ask some of our music friends to share some of their thoughts on some of the albums/singles that were released in the past year.

Our pal, Phil Yates of Phil Yates & The Affiliates released a terrific record, A Thin Thread, on July 15th of this year, and much to our joy, he agreed to share his thoughts.

Do you ever tire of hearing people say that there is no good new music nowadays? The music released in 2022 should silence those fools, but you and I know nothing will silence people who think that way. My wallet wishes that I was one of those fools who did not care about new (and old) music this year. Other than what is in the top spot, the rest of my top ten albums of 2022 is in no order.

Wet Leg – Wet Leg. No new release in recent memory has given me as much joy as Wet Leg’s debut record. My actual age is quickly approaching my spiritual age, meaning that I am probably more prone to embracing my inner curmudgeon these days. When a band has so much buzz behind them, my instant reaction is to dismiss them. I am glad I did not do that with Wet Leg.

The record is so much more than the singles released in 2021, “Chaise Longue” and “Wet Dream”. The rest of the record is full of hooks. It feels like the best music from the ’90s but is not a retro record. One of my highlights of the year was seeing them in March at Chicago’s Thalia Hall. It was absolutely thrilling to see a band clearly in its ascendancy yet still figuring things out. I cannot wait to see what Wet Leg does for an encore!

Cate Le Bon – Pompeii. This record contains probably my favorite song of the year, “Remembering Me”. The video to it is incredible. Cate is one of those musicians that I will follow any weird or challenging path she happens to forge.

Elvis Costello & The Imposters – The Boy Named If. I had to check the calendar again. This album came out in January 2022. I am a huge Costello nerd. Huge! This record made me so happy. It is his best since 2004’s The Delivery Man. It is closest to Brutal Youth with respect to the sound of the record. If that does nothing for you, we probably cannot be friends.

The Beths – Expert in a Dying Field. Have The Beths made a bad record yet? Do they even know how to make a bad record? I embrace our new Kiwi rock overlords.

Young Guv – GUV III & GUV IV. I’m cheating by combining both Young Guv records as one record. It is full of jangly goodness. These songs sound even more rocking live. One of the highlights of going to England this summer for me was catching Young Guv in Bristol. Great show!

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – Endless Rooms. This Australian band constantly hits my sweet spot.

BOAT – No Plans to Stick the Landing. I’ve been a fan of this Seattle band for a long time since probably 2009’s Setting the Paces. I get the feeling they have the same influences as I do: Guided By Voices, Elliott Smith, Teenage Fanclub, and Pavement.

Spiritualized – Everything Was Beautiful. This is a mild upset. When asked to do lists in the past, Spiritualized normally takes the top spot if they released a record in that year. That to me is weird because I never think to name them as one of my favorite bands. I should rectify that and start name-checking them every chance I get.

Angel Olsen – Big Time. Angel Olsen sounds like a country-leaning Roy Orbison on this record. It is “big” and well worth your “time”. Angel Olsen is another artist I will follow on whatever creative path she takes.

Sloan – Steady. Has Sloan made a bad record yet? Do they even know how to make a bad record? Long live Canada’s answer to The Beatles!

I should have an addendum to the list. I also put out a record with my band, Phil Yates & The Affiliates, called A Thin Thread on Futureman Records. If I was feeling particularly cocky, I would have put it in the Top Ten of 2022. For now, let’s leave it as a nice little footnote for this year.

The year 2022 was great for music books, too. I need to get my hands on Bob Dylan’s latest book. Christmas is coming, so family members reading this, consider that a hint. My favorite book from a musician was Jarvis Cocker’s Good Pop, Bad Pop. It is a great reflection on the memorabilia we collect and what makes some of it keepable and other portions of it more disposable. I could hear Jarvis’ voice whilst reading it.

For those of you wanting to give yourself a bit of a challenge, PJ Harvey’s Orlam should be on your reading list. It is a novel-length poem written in the old Dorset dialect. Don’t worry. There is a glossary of terms at the back of the book.

Thanks for reading! May all of you have a wonderful, music-filled 2023!

YTAA Recommends: Nicholas Johnson – Back Upstate

your tuesday afternoon alternative New Music , , , ,

Ever hear a record that you did not know anything about and were completely surprised, enamored and then drawn into a new musical world? Well, that has happened to us here at YTAA.

We are currently listening to the new record from Nicholas Johnson and to say that we are impressed is an example of classic understatement! The music he makes sways from sounding like Whiskeytown (‘Come Around’), smooth LA sounds of the ‘70s (‘I’m a Ghost’, Night Ride’) to rocking like a midwestern Lucero (‘Lonely Girl’), the story closes on a bluesy swirl about getting out and embracing experience (‘Nashville’). The record explores a music space that is reminiscent of the past and stands squarely in the present. For us the standout track is the shimmering vulnerability of ‘Sinner’

‘Sinner’ is a powerful, convincing and decisive tune. If you hear that song and do not feel the naked emotion, then you have some work to do. This song captures heartache, emotion and the soul ache that is part of living. In addition, the backing vocals from the always stellar Amber Hargett are just simply perfect and compliment the contemplative delivery of Johnson. Their voices together elevate the song. When Johnson sings: “I’m a sinner, ’cause I hate myself, I’m a sinner because I want to be” — you feel it because the Ryan Adams like patience in Johnson’s delivery makes it matter, you have felt this way too. You may not want to embrace your brokenness but it is there inside us all, just the same.

We would not be doing our job if we did not complement Rich Reuter’s production on this album which allows each song to shine on its own and as part of the collection. Reuter is a musical chameleon on this record playing guitar, bass, lap steel, mandolin, keyboards, drum programming, background vocals and percussion in addition to producing, engineering and mixing the songs. We have no doubt that the gathering of musicians who worked with Johnson on this record including some powerhouse alums of the Dayton Music Scene Khrys Blank, Jenna De Gruy, Amber Hargett, Patrick Himes, Eric Reith, Sara Gomes and Rob Spahr who all share a musical companionship and vision. Johnson not only has ties to the Dayton area but also has interesting stories from being a touring musician in Italy and throughout Europe. Some of those connections are demonstrated through the contributions of Lorenzo Testa on banjo and Lorena Vezzaro on violin.

Johnson draws on his music and storytelling influences while showcasing his unique focus on the textures of each song. While the songs stand on their own, the assembled music together paints a narrative that is relatable and meaningful. This approach should occur far more often than it does in music. And Johnsons voice is perfectly authentic as he sings across forms and styles in this incredibly catchy collection about human foibles and insecurities without sounding downtrodden.

Nicholas Johnson has crafted a fantastic record that has strong Dayton Music Scene connections both behind and in front of the microphone. Our compliments to Ninja Jam Records. Get this record! Get it right away!

V4Velindre: A Collection with Heart and Purpose

your tuesday afternoon alternative New Music , , ,

Our good friend, journalist, music fan and writer Kevin McGrath has curated an amazing collection of alternative and independent music that includes some of our favorite musicians from his native Wales and beyond. What started as a few tracks continued to develop and grow into a vast mixtape like experience of compelling music that makes for hours of sonic adventures. The project grew to include 50 songs! The word impressive does not do this initiative justice.

This collection is not only an ambitious songscape but it is a project with heart. The proceeds for this initiative is a thoughtful effort to raise funds of the Velindre Cancer Center in Cardiff, Wales where McGrath himself received care for his own challenge with cancer. Money generated from the sale of this ‘Charity Mixtape’ are also being shared with the UK’s National Health Service which has been involved in a heroic struggle with the Covid-19 virus which claimed nearly 900 employees in that fight. In true community spirit, McGrath’s music collection draws attention to bands and musicians that we would all do well to explore in more detail and at the same time raise funds for a cutting edge cancer treatment center.

The music on this compilation includes newly recorded songs as well as music that has been out for a time. There are also some incredible reworkings of past music. When McGrath began contacting musicians for possible inclusion in this effort, he was overwhelmed with positive responses far exceeding his expectations. Community is built through commitment, involvement, attachment and demonstration of shared beliefs and this collection draws upon all of those characteristics of healthy community creation.

The music in this compilation includes several genres that we appreciate here at Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative such as folk/singer songwriter (Jodie Marie), catchy indie (The Grief Brothers, Bandicoot), indie rock (Walter Etc. – one of the few American bands to be included), lo fi (Armstrong), thoughtful melodic pop (Super 8), punk (Turin), surf rock (Eggs on Mars), orchestral pop (the criminally underappreciated Peter Hall) and rock and roll (Burning Furns, oh let’s just be honest and say… far too many artists to mention here).

John Harris, who we all should know called the collection a ‘brilliant, lovingly compiled album that showcases a lot of superb new music from Wales’. Pete Paphides (The Times, Mojo) labelled this musical experience ‘a magnificent anthology’ and The Welsh Music Podcast claimed it as a ‘Who’s who of Welsh Music’. There have been a variety of celebrity endorsements from Billy Bragg, Andrew Collins and Ian Rankin.

More details can be found on McGrath’s excellent blog, RedSoapBox.

Or better yet, purchase a copy of this fantastic collection at the bandcamp page for the project and support this effort.

Kurt Lee Wheeler’s On Our Way

your tuesday afternoon alternative New Music ,

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Kurt Lee Wheeler melds rock and roll, alt-country, Americana and folk into something vibrant and captivating. The lyrics draw a picture of precarious life on the edge through no one’s fault. In the best tradition of storytellers who do not shy away from raw, challenging life experience, Wheeler explores what it means to lose no matter how hard you try. Wheeler comes from Cherokee County, Georgia. The son of a cattleman and homemaker, he is a self-taught guitar player who began experimenting with sound at an early age. Between his chores tending to cattle, playing sports and his school work, Wheeler recorded songs on any tape he could find whether it was reel to reel, cassette or 8-tracks.

‘On Our Way’ is a record of experience and life that explores sonic textures that move across genres. Equally at home with country, alt-country, bluegrass, folk and rock and roll, Wheeler weaves stories in a manner that regardless of your musical taste, you will enjoy that tale. And not to mention his cover of Billy Idol’s ‘Rebel Yell’ is worth the price of admission.

Take a moment and check out Wheeler’s music, social media, videos and more!

Joey Beach’s new song with a purpose

your tuesday afternoon alternative New Music, Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative , , , ,

On the Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative program today we are playing a terrific new song ‘Come Outside‘ from the forthcoming ‘Horrible World’ album from Manray’s Joey Beach courtesy of the fine folks at REALLYREAL RECORDINGS. We are excited about new music from Joey but are especially moved that he is taking the opportunity to support the family of Simon Kingston who was taken from us far too early.

Joey is running a preorder on his two-track 7” (‘Come Outside’ and ‘Horrible World’ and all profits are going straight to the Simon Kingston Memorial Fund. So, listen to the program today and get a peek at new music from Joey and consider supporting a most worthy cause!

Dr. J’s Singles Club at Off Shelf

your tuesday afternoon alternative New Music , , , , , ,

106799389_605906167029120_7523683373463049191_nEvery month Dr. J write a run down of 8 to 10 singles that came out the previous month.

The latest Singles Club column covers some pretty spectacular releases from June! Do yourself a favor and go check it out over at OffShelf.net!

Many thanks to the fine folks over at Off Shelf for giving us the opportunity to share some exciting new music every month! And you can listen to these selections by going to the spotify playlist each month as well. Its truly a win-win!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7IFZG7Tl8rLWz1CA7i3g8Z?si=VvyGFuryQ7K4Hmr96VwlLA

The Vapors Return After Almost 40 Years of Waiting!

your tuesday afternoon alternative New Music , ,

LP-Cover-Large-768x768After a nearly 40 years wait — 39 years to be precise — we have a brand new album from The Vapors. This is not wishful thinking or a joke. The last album from one of the finest new wave groups was 1981’s Magnets. The hook-filled third album was released to the world this past Friday (May 15, 2020)!

And after listening to this record repeatedly, we have to say that it is indeed “12 chunks of pure Vapors goodness” as the band puts it on their website. These songs are catchy, melodic, and driving guitar riffs. The songs feature fresh sounding choruses that remind you of David Bowie while they make you want to sing along. The UK band that we all know from “Turning Japanese” can write some terrific indie pop.

Perhaps no one would have expected this record but following some brief touring a few years ago, the band re-caught the recording bug and put together this excellent collection. Let’s hope it is not another 40 years before the fourth record.

your-tuesday-afternoon-alternative-color copy