Welcome to Sonic Baptism with Spirit Lust and friends. Dim Things graciously gave me a platform to share my favorite recent releases and shows of the week (no shows this week). For a playlist of all the songs, and artists mentioned in the week’s article follow here (also includes our friends and releases). It’s been another tough week in quarantine, but music always helps. Without further interruption Sonic Baptism, this week with Jacob Saxton, Sergio Falvo, and Cath Spino
Choir Boy “Complainer”
Choir Boy’s frontman Adam Klopp has one of those sweet, haunting and unmistakable voices that create such depth and genuity in his music. It makes me think of a moth, a creature so delicate yet so powerfully persistent as it makes its way through the darkness. The disarmingly vulnerable synthwave band has released their second album, titled “Gathering Swans”, this month and I was immediately taken with their single “Complainer”. This bop (and yes, it is very much a bop) marries heartbreaking lyrics sung by the ethereal, enchanting Klopp with a bouncy synth beat that demands your knee to bounce, your shoulders to sway, and your head to nod in time. Klopp’s longing chorus has melodic cadences that very well could be a distant cousin of The Smith’s “This Charming Man”, making Choir Boy a band to keep an eye out for. One of Choir boy’s quicker songs off their album, “Complainer” clocks in just under 4 minutes, but it’s one to savor and to treasure. -CS
Blue Ray “Piss Truck”
Boston’s Blue Ray, never seem to let me down, and now their latest release, Blessed Fruit EP only seemed to lift me up even higher. The lofi-punk group is heavier than ever on this release, everything is extremely distorted but still as catchy as can be. On “Piss Truck” guitars are chugging along, mean, and driving as the drums charge alongside, it’s literally shaking your innards as you listen, and I like it. The vocals are beyond distorted, barely intelligible, but the energy and dynamic they bring is unmatched. A high pitched whir flutters around adding more noise to this already overdriven, noisy track. You can picture someone winding a knob on some five-dollar pedal back and forth as the abrasive noise raises and lowers in presence. Damn, Blue Ray, you’re on one with this EP, and I love it. The whole release is as hectic and powerful as this track and it should not be skimmed over. -JS
AMSAY “Timoshenko”
DIM Things takes a trip across the pond . All the way from Glasgow, we’re so happy to introduce, AMSAY. AMSAY is a newly formed lo-fi alt-rock trio trying to get on the map. We don’t think they’ll have much trouble after releasing this beautiful debut single. The track goes by the name of “Timoshenko” and has a shoegazey, dream pop, sway your head back and forth kind of vibe. But something about the vocals says, we grew up on emo. And we love that about them. Laced with twinkly chords and shimmering vocals, AMSAY very well could have cracked the code on this one. While being a new band during these times can be tough, AMSAY deserves a listen strictly because of the sounds that they’ve been able to create between just three people. We’ll be sure to keep an eye on them and keep you updated on any future releases. But for now, check out their debut track, “Timoshenko.” -SF
Spirit of the Beehive “The Door is Open”
With their first release since the absolute gem that was Hypnic Jerks, Spirit of the Beehive have now blessed us with “The Door is Open,” and it’s a, well, it’s a Spirit of the Beehive track alright. Blending the right bits of psychedelia, alternative rock, and miscellaneous noise, they have once again managed to make a track that’s absurdly catchy. The Philadelphia based band continually succeeds at layering what appears to be random sound bits with warped vocals on top of addictive melodies. Every listen through you find something new, something that can easily be passed over at first glance and that makes them an amazing listen, every time. Everything they make I welcome with open arms, and “the Door is Open” is certainly no exception, I was so excited when I saw that bandcamp email with the subject line “New Release from Spirit of the Beehive.” So much of the song is layered psychedelic perfection, it’s music Trevor Parker wishes he could write. Then they add their distorted, modulated, stretched, and squished vocals over the top. Sound effects flutter around in and out, the songs full, its hollow, its full again, Spirit of the Beehive are masters of their craft.
The new song also came along with the announcement of Found Footage Ltd, the new web store, label, and online gallery by Zack Schwartz (of Spirit of the Beehive & Draag Me). On the site, you can also check out a video for “The Door is Open.” The site is loaded with great merch, so check it out and support some great artists. -JS