Independent Record Label | Est. 2009
Wilmington, North Carolina

 
 

EVENT CALENDAR

Sunday, October 3, 2021

INTERVIEW: Lauds Gets Close to a Bell

[Repost from Laid Off New York; by Andrew Burton, September 24, 2021]

Lauds are a band from Wilmington, NC centered around three friends: J. Holt Evans, Boyce Evans, and McKay Glasgow. They released their first project, a self-titled EP, in late July on Fort Lowell Records. A mix of straight-ahead indie rock songs and longer, exploratory pieces, the tracks on Lauds are united by their hazy qualities. Staccato guitar lines interlock throughout, sounding restless or ethereal but never in between. The rhythm section, depending on the moment, is either trying to keep up with the guitars or sitting happily in the pocket, providing occasional accents. Vocals drop in and out, always blurred, always airy. In just 15 minutes, Lauds hit the sweet spot between dream pop, post-punk, and shoegaze.

I had the pleasure of conducting Lauds’ first ever interview, speaking with McKay, Holt, and Boyce together over the phone. We covered a lot of territory, discussing how the band formed, their songwriting process, and how they plan on performing these songs live. Birds, beaches, and The Cure came up too

Andrew: Could you tell us about Lauds’ origin story?

Holt: My dad has a little studio where he's been recording artists in Wilmington for about 10 years. One of them was McKay’s folk band, Tumbleweed. In January 2019, I was living in Charlotte but would come back periodically to my parent’s house in Wilmington, which is when McKay and I met in passing one day at the studio.

McKay: Holt’s dad has kind of given me a music education, slowly converting me into more of a rocker. Already I was wanting to write songs that weren’t strictly folk.

Holt: I think our first convo was about Zuma by Neil Young and what a great record that is. McKay had a few songs he wanted to record that were more spacey and atmospheric that didn’t fit with Tumbleweed’s style, and I’ve been sitting on a backlog of guitar music I’ve made through the years since college. We started hanging out and writing songs together. Boyce was the natural fit to start playing drums, and then we added one of our friends to play bass. That’s how Lauds took shape. We liked the songs we were writing so much and we liked the sound we were angling toward, and it took off. We played an early show in April which people liked, and we had a really good time. We’ve been all in on this project ever since.

How does the songwriting process work? Do you each bring individual songs to the table or is it more collaborative?

McKay: Both Holt and I had a number of demos from the past. Mine were just acoustic guitar with vocals; Holt had a lot of lo-fi, reverby stuff he recorded on his phone he played me that I could tell was good. We ended up moving in more of a dream-pop/shoegaze direction than my songs, but “Sandpiper” from the EP was one of the demos I sent Holt. It was a finger-picking acoustic guitar song we turned into a spacey, very sentimental, “Cure-on-the outro” rock song.

Basically, we had a number of songs, we rearranged them because of Holt’s ideas or my ideas. Holt wrote the song “Don’t Mind” and I was like “it needs a bridge,” but basically all those riffs were already the original ones. I don’t even know how long Holt had those.

Holt: The process varies song-to-song now, which I think is a good thing. If anything, we’ve become a lot more collaborative. We’re proud of the EP because it represents different avenues for us as songwriters. “Sandpiper” was a McKay song he was sitting on for a long time, “Never Was” was a song I was sitting on since probably my senior year of college.

Who sings and plays which instruments on each song on the EP, and how are they going to come together live?

McKay: [Laughs] We’re hoping they do come together live because we have quite a few shows coming up.

Boyce: To be determined. I’ve moved to third guitar to cover some of that and we’ve recently added Ross Page [of Color Temperature and Seeking Madras] to the band to play drums.

McKay: Our good buddy, who’s probably the most overall talented artist in town…

Holt: Shoutout to Ross Page.

McKay: Yeah, Ross Page is the man. I kind of said, “I’m not going to play in a band without Ross Page.” He plays drums in Tumbleweed and now he plays drums in Lauds. We’ve got him, Boyce, and Holt’s friend Gavin Campbell on bass. That’s what our live show is: me and Holt playing interlocking riffs or me playing rhythm and Holt playing lead, and then Boyce going in between.

Holt: Regarding who is doing the majority of what, it really depends on the song and how it’s written. McKay is kinda obviously the singer and frontman of the band, but it just depends on what the song calls for. All of us can jump in and do background vocals. “Never Was” is a song I wrote that I always wanted to sing, but McKay and I actually sang that in unison in the studio to round out the timbre of the vocals. We’re fortunate too that all three of us can play guitar, bass, and sing to varying degrees, and then Boyce and I can drum. I’m sure McKay could drum if he tried to.

McKay: [Laughs] I’m staying away.

On the EP, the instrumental quality of the vocals seems more important than the lyrics. They’re smothered in reverb like the guitars. How much does it matter what you say versus how it sounds?

McKay: That’s an important question within the band itself. [All laugh]. Because I’ve played in folk bands, I always think it’s not that lyrics need to have a literal meaning, but they need to convey something. We’re all about conveying the emotion of the song. The lyrics have definitely taken a back seat to that in Lauds, but I think we all agree that’s what our music is about. I spend a lot of time writing lyrics and making sure they feel right, and I know Holt does the same. Sometimes we argue about lyrics, sometimes we don’t.

Holt: Boyce ends up being a really good third party mediator whenever McKay and I have different opinions.

McKay: Coming up with song titles is our biggest difficulty. Probably the most important lyric is the title because people aren’t necessarily going to read the lyrics. But if they do, we want to give them something good to listen to that can be congruent with the sound of the music and what the song is about.

Holt: McKay can really take a topic. “Sandpiper” is a song about McKay living in this neighborhood that has a dock that he is able to use and spend tranquil time there.
McKay: Yeah, it’s about that place. It’s about growing up on the Cape Fear River. I ended up moving back there when I was in grad school. It’s not directly about sandpipers, which are the birds that hang out on the shoreline, but it’s about that kind of place. Writing a song about a small part of a place or a relationship you’ve thought about―that’s how I think.

Holt: All my lyrics are pretty much straight-up stream of consciousness. The actual words themselves are important, too, but I’m more into the syllables and melody.

The first two singles you guys self-released—“Don’t Mind” in 2019 and “Consolation” in 2020―have a cleaner sound than the new songs. Was there a conscious decision to make this EP sound rougher?

Holt: We wanted to make it a little bit murkier. Not so much meddling with the fidelity, but on songs like “Wait Forever” you hear some guitars kind of clinging around in the background. We are big fans of bands where the production is almost like another instrument. When you listen to Closer or Unknown Pleasures, you really get this sense of atmosphere in a small place. We tried to evoke a similar space with these songs. “Don’t Mind” was bright, summery, and optimistic. To convey those emotions, we wanted to make sure everything was really crisp.

McKay: The music is very melodic, so we don’t want to make it go too far in that direction. That’s not who we are. In the scene we’re in, we look really clean cut and want to muddy the waters a bit more.

Holt: Some of my idols from a guitar-texture standpoint are bands like Iceage and PreoccupationsPornography by The Cure is one of my favorite records. I don’t think I can quite get these guys on the same page with me about that, but I’m trying. Disintegration is an album we all cherish. I think if we didn’t consciously try to break out of the confines of playing clean, melodic lines, we could end up just doing that for all our songs.

McKay: We’ve jokingly called it mid-fi. It has lo-fi production, but it has this more upbeat kind of sound. “Don’t Mind” was from a happier time, too.

Holt: Yeah, it was a really “boys of summer” type period; we had a lot of fun nights on the town. We still have a few of those, but maybe not as many, for a variety of reasons. One thing that these guys are probably so sick of me for is talking about not wanting everything to be on the nose. They’ll ask me, “well, what do you want it to sound like?” and I’ll be like “I don’t know, that’s just too on the nose for that idea.”

When you’re assembling a full record where you have forty-two minutes or so, you definitely want to establish a flow, but on an EP like this, there are only four tracks. Was there a lot of thought about how the songs worked together or which order they went in?

McKay: We had three songs―“Wasted Hours,” “Never Was,” and “Sandpiper”―and decided to start with a fast song. “Wait Forever” was the last one we finished recording for the EP. It gave us another fast, upbeat, rocky, post-punk kind of song. We decided it would make sense to throw it in the middle.

Holt: We always thought of “Sandpiper” as a show-closer or record-closer, given that…

Boyce: It’s as close to a bell as our music gets.

Holt: It has those two big parts, a spacey middle part, and a grand outro with keyboard, strings, and all that good stuff.

McKay: It definitely took the most work. The drums in the end went in so many different directions, and then we had to figure out what to do with the background vocals.

Holt: It took a lot of walks around my parents’ neighborhood―if that tells you anything―thinking about how to get it right.

Do you think everything on the EP builds up to “Sandpiper”?

Holt: 100 percent. We think it’s the perfect encapsulation of what Lauds is trying to do. We’re trying to communicate sonically through the project with the guitars, with the shifting drums, with the tape delay all over everything, but also with McKay's very intentional lyrics. We love the pop songs at the beginning of the record―that's a really crucial part of what we're trying to do as well. But we were really proud of what we were able to achieve with “Sandpiper.” We thought it melded the distinction between the more subdued and meditative energy and the more heady and upbeat energy. We’ve been calling it the New Order guitar part at the end.

When you’re assembling a full record where you have forty-two minutes or so, you definitely want to establish a flow, but on an EP like this, there are only four tracks. Was there a lot of thought about how the songs worked together or which order they went in?

McKay: We had three songs―“Wasted Hours,” “Never Was,” and “Sandpiper”―and decided to start with a fast song. “Wait Forever” was the last one we finished recording for the EP. It gave us another fast, upbeat, rocky, post-punk kind of song. We decided it would make sense to throw it in the middle.

Holt: We always thought of “Sandpiper” as a show-closer or record-closer, given that…

Boyce: It’s as close to a bell as our music gets.

Holt: It has those two big parts, a spacey middle part, and a grand outro with keyboard, strings, and all that good stuff.

McKay: It definitely took the most work. The drums in the end went in so many different directions, and then we had to figure out what to do with the background vocals.

Holt: It took a lot of walks around my parents’ neighborhood―if that tells you anything―thinking about how to get it right.

Do you think everything on the EP builds up to “Sandpiper”?

Holt: 100 percent. We think it’s the perfect encapsulation of what Lauds is trying to do. We’re trying to communicate sonically through the project with the guitars, with the shifting drums, with the tape delay all over everything, but also with McKay's very intentional lyrics. We love the pop songs at the beginning of the record―that's a really crucial part of what we're trying to do as well. But we were really proud of what we were able to achieve with “Sandpiper.” We thought it melded the distinction between the more subdued and meditative energy and the more heady and upbeat energy. We’ve been calling it the New Order guitar part at the end.

Saturday, October 2, 2021

Soda Sun's "Grape Juice" joins Calexico and Amos Less in 'Luz de Vida II' Compilation

[Repost from PopMatters; by Jonathan Frahm, September 22, 2021]

Tucson’s Soda Sun contribute their heartfelt folk tune, “Grape Juice”, to Luz de Vida II: A Compilation to Benefit Homicide Survivors.

Luz de Vida—or, “Light of Life”—was music’s response to the 8 January 2011 mass shooting that claimed the lives of six and injured 19 more, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Featuring acclaimed artists like Neko Case, Jimmy Eat World, and Brian Lopez, the compilation album gathered national attention and raised more than $20,000 to benefit the victims and their families.

A new iteration of Luz de Vida is on the horizon. Due 6 November via Fort Lowell, the project’s full name is Luz de Vida II: A Compilation to Benefit Homicide Survivors and benefits Tucson’s Homicide Survivors, Inc.

Its release date falls in line with the city’s All Souls Procession weekend and the tenth anniversary of the 2011 shooting. The album is made in partnership with original members of the Luz de Vida production team, Homicide Survivors, Inc., and JFCS of Southern Arizona. The album boasts 13 tracks once again recorded by both Tucson-based and nationally acclaimed artists including Gabriel Naim Amor, Calexico, Amos Lee, and rising indie rock outfit Soda Sun.

Following the release of their debut LP, this is Soda Sun’s second major release of 2021. “Grape Juice” is the tune that they are contributing to the fundraiser. Calling back to John Goraj’s roots as a South Dakota singer-songwriter, “Grape Juice” is more of a stripped-back folk affair than the textured rock that the band has become known for. Goraj’s sweet vocals step front-and-center, joined by subtle acoustic performances—gentle percussion, a pulsing bassline, and reflective guitar.

The group say that “‘Grape Juice’ is a new iteration of an old song that John wrote when he lived in South Dakota. It’s about relationships — all kinds. It’s about the feeling of being connected to someone and the feeling that you don’t deserve that love. Which, of course, is never true because we all deserve love. It’s about letting someone love you in spite of seemingly countless flaws. There is also a humble underpinning of the song related to one of John’s jobs as a healthcare worker in his early 20s. Anyone who has worked in healthcare knows that there is always a fridge of goodies, drinks, and snacks for the patients — the theme of grape juice plays into that.”

Regarding Luz de Vida II, they state, “We were asked to be involved, and are so happy to be a part of it. Luz de Vida is an important, meaningful project that speaks to what musicians have always done: standing up against hate, bigotry, and violence.”

Luz de Vida II: A Compilation to Benefit Homicide Survivors is a fundraiser. All proceeds raised from Luz de Vida II album sales will go to Homicide Survivors, Inc. to provide services for advocacy, support, and emergency assistance for families impacted by homicide. The album is available for digital pre-order on Bandcamp, and vinyl preorder via Zia Records.

Friday, September 24, 2021

OUT NOW: Soda Sun "Grape Juice" [Digital Single]

The second single from the Luz de Vida II: A Compilation to Benefit Homicide Survivors titled "Grape Juice" by Soda Sun is out now and available on all digital music platforms.  Listen to the song below, and then CLICK HERE to pre-order Luz de Vida II on vinyl through Zia Records, or the Digital LP via Bandcamp and receive the first two singles today. All proceeds raised from Luz de Vida II album sales will go toward services for advocacy, support, and emergency assistance for families impacted by homicide provided by Homicide Survivors, Inc.

Monday, September 20, 2021

Can't wait, can't wait!

In case you missed it, sound engineer Joseph Tradd McBurton just finished mastering new music for MindsOne & DJ Iron, which will be released by Fort Lowell Records as part of a very special series of 12inch Split EPs we are excited to share with you.  More to come!

Sunday, September 19, 2021

Punk rock outfit Neon Belly unleash their potent debut EP

[Repost from Rebel Noise; by Jen Dan, September 17, 2021]

The North Carolinian band are using the sales the help fundraiser school supplies and hygiene products.

Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, punk rock group Neon Belly are helping to support a fundraiser for school supplies and hygiene products in New Hanover county. They’re doing so through the sales of their debut self-titled EP, which arrived in early September via Fort Lowell Records.

They were inspired by another fundraiser/project, GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter, that also came out through Fort Lowell.

The fundraiser that Neon Belly is involved with is being managed by Wanda’s Creative Hair Salon in Wilmington.

Neon Belly is made up of Lacie Jay (vocals) and PMattitude (guitar, bass), who are recently married to each other, along with Nice Derek (drums, producer).

The EP comprises original tunes plus a cover of “Don’t Hide Your Hate” that was originally recording by Filth. Jay, however adapted the lyrics by Dick Bakker, giving them a Neon Belly twist.

Listeners can donate to the fundraiser by purchasing the EP digitally at Bandcamp (name-your-price) and/or on 7” vinyl from participating record stores and specific local markets in Wilmington.

Saturday, September 18, 2021

Happy Birthday, Andrew Collberg!

Friday, September 17, 2021

Here's a blast from the past: Tracy Shedd concert photographs from 2002!

Tracy Shedd, live at Freebird's; Jacksonville FL ~ May 16, 2002
Tracy Shedd, live at Rock N Roll Pizza; Jacksonville FL ~ December 28, 2002

Thursday, September 16, 2021

Happy Birthday, Winston Watson!

Happy Birthday to Winston Watson of Saint Maybe, XIXA, and not to mention Bob Dylan!  Fort Lowell Records is very excited to be working with Winston once again, this time as his band XIXA shares a brand new song, titled "Crystal Road", with is absolute 🔥 on our upcoming album Luz de Vida II: A Compilation to Benefit Homicide Survivors.

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

In Conversation with Tracy Shedd

[Repost from Modern Soul Records; by Carly Marcoux, September 13, 2021]

We recently had the opportunity to speak with indie recording artist Tracy Shedd. Shedd's fantastic debut album, "Blue," first released in 2001 on Teen-Beat Records, is a slow-burning indie-pop gem.

Celebrating its 20 Year Anniversary and officially released this past August, we're now seeing the album (again) for the very first time on beautiful 140g striking blue vinyl (an obvious but wonderful play on the album title--the original was only released on CD format) courtesy of NC-based record label, Fort Lowell Records (run by Shedd's longtime musical collaborator, and husband, James Tritten).

Teen-Beat Records' Mark Robinson (in partnership with Fort Lowell) has revisited the beautiful original 2001 design for the new album pressing (repackaging it for vinyl, including a lyric sheet and photographer and musician Emily Wilder's original images). This limited edition of the "Blue" pressing captures a remarkable beginning for Shedd who has gone on to amass five other full-lengths (including her most recent release, 2019's "The Carolinas"), an EP (2010's "EP88"), and an abundance of additional single tracks and others (digital singles, unique pressings, live sets, and tracks on compilations) throughout her lengthy career.

Read our interview with Shedd, below:

Carly: First: congratulations on the 20th Anniversary release of your debut album, "Blue" on vinyl. What can you tell us about the early days of leading up to the release of the album (recollections/memories) on CD in 2001? Second: how did signing to Teen-Beat and working with Mark Robinson come about?

Tracy Shedd: Blue was originally meant to be a demo, but Mark Robinson of Teen-Beat felt otherwise, and thankfully so. Mark is a friend of ours, and wanted to get the recording released right away as a debut album. My favorite moment on Blue comes right around the 3:04 marker on "Something Good", where you can hear the local Somerville, MA, MBTA Bus put the brakes on as it pulls up to a bus stop which was located right outside the recording studio.

With the remaster and repackaging of "Blue" on vinyl--were there any particular pain points or celebrated moments along with way (especially while completing the project during a vinyl manufacturing shortage)? Was the reissue planned very far in advance and are there plans to reissue and remaster "Red" or any others (early releases not currently available on vinyl), next

We were very fortunate with "Blue," and able to have the vinyl back in just a short few months. The entire project was executed within the 2021 calendar year. Yes, Red (Teen-Beat; 2003) and Louder Than You Can Hear (Devil In The Woods; 2004) will both receive 20th Anniversary vinyl reissues via Fort Lowell Records in their respective years ahead. As we continue to write new music, we will likely release songs individually one-by-one as digital singles, as we did last year with "Mantra."

Do you have any favorites among your releases (throughout your career)?

I cherish all of my work for what it is for the time in which it was created.

You've been friends with Emily Wilder (Photographer, Video Artist, and musician in Wet & Reckless) for years now--how did you first meet and work together?

We met on the dance floor at Einstein A Go-Go, a legendary all-ages alternative/indie-rock dance club and live venue that used to exist in Jacksonville Beach, FL.

What was your favorite track to revisit from the remaster of "Blue"? Would you have changed anything about your setup from that time period?

Most of those songs were written on my vintage Micro-Frets 'Golden Comet' guitar. It's great hearing all of those songs now on vinyl for the first time.

Tell me more about your businesses (Petite Bonfire/No. 1 Supply) and the DJ night that you do with your husband/creative partner and bandmate James' Tritten (of Fort Lowell). It sounds like you are busy! Out of necessity comes creativity! I particularly love that all items made by No.1 Supply are named after album tracks (a definitive number one selling point for me, always)! 

Petite Bonfire has been in existence since our years in Tucson, AZ; 2006-2013. Let's Dance actually began pre-COVID as 'Manic Monday,' but we've been hosting DJ nights since we started Fort Lowell Records back in 2009; this is just the first time we've branded the events as their own thing. I became a certified Health Coach in 2020, something I set out to accomplish the year prior, which ultimately led to No. 1 Supply launching at the end of 2020; but there are roots that run deep as well with No. 1 Supply.

"Luz de Vida II: A Compilation to Benefit Homicide Survivors," (out November 5th, 2021, on Fort Lowell) will benefit homicide survivors looking for assistance and support groups (for Spanish and English speaking community members) via the organization, Homicide Survivors, Inc. in Tucson, AZ (your former home, and I'm sure a place you still feel near and dear to). Can you tell us more about the upcoming compilation and a little about your track that will be featured on that?

Luz de Vida II is a compilation album that features artists such as Dr. Dog, Calexico, L'Orange, Amos Lee, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and a personal friend of mine, Gabriel Naïm Amor, as well as many other great musicians. "Chasing Time" is the title of my song that will be included on Luz de Vida II. It is written from a perspective of empathy towards those who have survived homicide.

Another benefit compilation, released in October 2020, was "GROW," a benefit to support and act in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. Proceeds from this album support your local agency, NHC NAACP (New Hanover County and Wilmington in North Carolina). It sounds as if all of the resources were a team effort involving not only musicians, but pressing plants, and artists, and that both you and James really do grow within any community that you've moved to and created your home in over the years, which is wonderful. It must have been a salve, in effect, getting you back in touch with musician friends and makers (to release this) also?

Yes, GROW proved to be very healing for a lot of people, but more importantly (5) students were granted scholarships from the sale of GROW, and there will be more recipients as we continue to sell GROW through digital outlets indefinitely.

What are your thoughts on where we're at right now--and what keeps you positive and inspired

My love for life, family, and my friends continue to inspire me, and it gives me the strength to continue to write music.

Any upcoming dates, other events, or projects that you would like to mention?

I will be performing live in concert at the Tiki Bar in Carolina Beach, NC--on Thursday, September 23rd, along with Pinky Verde, who was part of GROW as well.

Purchase the 20th Anniversary Limited Edition of Tracy Shedd's album, "Blue," in our shop, click here or on Fort Lowell Records, or other limited shops, where available.

Find more of Tracy Shedd's music on the following websites:

The artist, Tracy Shedd

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

SONG PREMIERE/LP Announcement: Tucson’s Gabriel Naïm Amor Displays Jazzy Regional Flair On “La Nuit Pour Nous Deux” Off ‘Luz de Vida II: A Compilation To Benefit Homicide Survivors’

[Repost from Glide Magazine; September 7, 2021]

Benefit albums often truly dont get their due: 2009’s Dark Was The Night for instance that featured a plethor of original music from Bon Iver, Beiurit, Cat Power, Spoon & more, while raising a million and a half dollars for AIDS relief. Maybe its the mixture of artists or they arent sexy on vinyl, but nonetheless, its about time these compilations get a revisit and the new ones get rightfully examined. The southwest area has a new one on tap, that blends a unique balance of regional musical flavors and experimental indie bands that include Calexico, Dr. Dog, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Amos Lee.

Luz de Vida II: A Compilation To Benefit Homicide Survivors is out November 5th on Fort Lowell Records. Vinyl release in partnership with Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas area based Zia Records. 100% of proceeds will go to Homicide Survivors, Inc. In conjunction with the album’s announcement, Glide is premiering the jazzy overtones of  Gabriel Naïm Amo’s “”La Nuit Pour Nous Deux” (below). The song featuring Calexico‘s drummer, John Convertino, who is also Gabriel Naïm Amor’s drummer, radiates with a lo-fi warmth and stunning simplicity that conveys an enlivening mood soundstrack. With a mix of Latin, rock and jazz, this benefit album provides a kaliedoscope of signicant genres for the purpose of an even more meaningful benefit. 

The original Luz de Vida project began in the days after the January 8, 2011 shooting that took the lives of six people and injured 19 others, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and shook the Tucson community and nation. Luz de Vida – Spanish for Light of Life – is an expression of community, love, healing, grace and hope, a positive response from Tucson musicians and national artists. More than $20,000 was raised to provide aid and comfort to the victims and their families.

The original Tucson Together Fund ceased in 2013 and since then, funds have been donated to Tucson’s Homicide Survivors, Inc., which has a mission to help meet the crisis and long-term needs of families of murder victims through support, advocacy, and assistance.

For the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, members of the original Luz de Vida production team (a coalition of Tucson writers, recording engineers, musicians, and artists) are partnering with Homicide Survivors to release a second compilation record. Again, featuring Tucson and national artists and released on Fort Lowell Records, Luz de Vida II will be released in November to coincide with the All Soul’s Procession, an annual community ceremony in celebration and mourning of the lives of our loved ones and ancestors.

The original record sleeve included a quote from composer Leonard Bernstein, his November 1963 response to the assassination of President Kennedy, and Luz de Vida II continues in the same spirit: “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.”

Homicide Survivors Inc. is a non-profit organization that’s helping meet the crisis and long-term needs of families of murder victims through support, advocacy, and assistance.

PREORDER Luz De Vida II


LUZ DE VIDA II TRACK LIST: 

1 .Calexico — “Wash (La Luz Brillante)”
2. Tracy Shedd — “Chasing Time”
3. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah — “Thousand Oaks (Luz de Vida)”
4. Juarez — “Ghosts in the Room”
5. L’Orange — “A Rich Life & Longing”
6. Dr. Dog — “Loneliness”
7. Gabriel Naïm Amor — “La Nuit Pour Nous Deux”
8. Acorn Bcorn — “Scraps”
9. XIXA — “Crystal Road (Luz de Vida)”
10. The Resonars — “It’s the Same”
11. Hannah Yeun — “All That Matters is the Wind”
12. Soda Sun — “Grape Juice”
13. Amos Lee — “El Camino (Solo Acoustic)”

Monday, September 13, 2021

Dr. Dog Share New Song “Loneliness” from Homicide Survivors Benefit Compilation: Exclusive

[Repost from Consequence of Sound; by Ben Kaye, September 7, 2021]

Luz de Vida II: A Compilation to Benefit Homicide Survivors also features Calexico, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and more

As part of a new compilation benefiting the family members of homicide victims, Dr. Dog have shared a previously unreleased song called “Loneliness.”

The track is featured on Luz de Vida II: A Compilation to Benefit Homicide Survivors. Ten years ago, Tucson, Arizona and the nation were shaken by a mass shooting that claimed the lives of six and injured 19 others — with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords amongst the latter. In response, Fort Lowell Records launched the Luz de Vida benefit project, with 100% of proceeds going to aid and comfort survivors through the Tucson Together Fund. Now, to mark the 10th anniversary of that tragedy, they’ve put together a second charity compilation.

Due out November 5th to coincide with Tuscon’s All Soul’s Procession community ceremony, Luz da Vida II features contributions from Calexico, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, L’Orange, Amos Lee, Tracy Shedd, Juarez, and more. In what could be one of their final releases ever, Dr. Dog also added to the comp with “Loneliness.” The song is being exclusively premiered today, and you can stream it [here].

Pre-orders for the limited edition Luz da Vida II vinyl are going on now through Zia Records. Again, 100% of proceeds will benefit Homicide Survivors, Inc., which provides families of murder victims with support, advocacy, and assistance. (Proceeds from the 2011 compilation have been going to Homicide Survivors, Inc. since the Tucson Together Fund closed in 2013.) Find the artwork and complete tracklist ahead.

In addition to the album, a Luz da Vida pop-up silent auction will take place on Friday, September 10th. Featuring collaborations with U-Turn Audio and local artists, the auction will feature custom designed turntables and speakers. There’s also a raffle that includes a deck painted by Dr. Dog’s own Scott McMicken; check out his design below. Other items include Tucson-based activities, artwork, and more. You can bid in person between 5:00-9:00 p.m. MT at the MSA Annex, or online via DonorView.

Luz de Vida II: A Compilation to Benefit Homicide Survivors Tracklist:
01. Calexico — “Wash (La Luz Brillante)
02. Tracy Shedd — “Chasing Time”
03. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah — “Thousand Oaks (Luz de Vida)”
04. Juarez — “Ghosts in the Room”
05. L’Orange — “A Rich Life & Longing”
06. Dr. Dog — “Loneliness”
07. Gabriel Naïm Amor — “La Nuit Pour Nous Deux”
08. Acorn Bcorn — “Scraps”
09. XIXA — “Crystal Road (Luz de Vida)”
10. The Resonars — “It’s the Same”
11. Hannah Yeun — “All That Matters is the Wind”
12. Soda Sun — “Grape Juice”
13. Amos Lee — “El Camino (Solo Acoustic)”

Sunday, September 12, 2021

Saturday, September 11, 2021

LISTEN: the Good Graces Craft Colorfully Curious Indie Folk On “capital R”

[Repost from Glide Magazine; September 7, 2021]

Singer, songwriter, and drummer-turned-guitarist Kim Ware of the Good Graces is known for her unique brand of raw, folk-leaning “southern indie” music. Performing with a rotating cast of musicians, Ware has been crafting tracks with both guts and heart since picking up her first guitar in 2006. 

“capital R” is the new impassioned and cathartic single from the Good Graces. Ware’s voice curates a raw vulnerability atop a tried and true indie rock formula recalling the candid flair of Liz Phair. There is a sense of timelessness to the track though it effortlessly defines a generation of 90’s angst with beautiful openness, creativity and sense of self-worth. 

“Compared to most of my other songs, this song came about in a pretty interesting way. It was the result of an assignment from my therapist. I was dealing with some complicated feelings and she urged me to write a letter, to myself, from the feelings. At first I thought, “hmm… what?” But a few days later I was journaling and the letter just came out, and a few days after that the song followed. I recorded my acoustic and vocals at home and Jerry Kee did the rest in his studio in Mebane, NC. This is one of the most fun ones to play with my band, and it’s really cathartic to sing that chorus,” says Ware.

Friday, September 10, 2021

OUT NOW: Gabriel Naïm Amor "La Nuit Pour Nous Deux" [Digital Single]

The first song from Luz de Vida II: A Compilation to Benefit Homicide Survivors titled "La Nuit Pour Nous Deux" by Gabriel Naïm Amor, featuring Beth Goodfellow, John Convertino of Calexico, and Thøger Tetens Lund of Giant Sand is out now and available on all digital music platforms.  Listen to the song below, and then CLICK HERE to pre-order Luz de Vida II on vinyl through Zia Records, or the Digital LP via Bandcamp and receive the first single today. All proceeds raised from Luz de Vida II album sales will go toward services for advocacy, support, and emergency assistance for families impacted by homicide provided by Homicide Survivors, Inc.

Thursday, September 9, 2021

Tracy Shedd + Pinky Verde concert at Tiki Bar has been rescheduled

Tracy Shedd + Pinky Verde at Tiki Bar in Carolina Beach NC; Thursday, September 23, 7pm

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Five years ago today...

Electronic synth-pop duo Band & The Beat released their third Digital Single for the track "Sweet as Honey".

Monday, September 6, 2021

Neon Belly - The Boys Are Alright

[Repost from Just Some Punk Songs; by Mick Fletcher, September 4, 2021]

So, today's song. It's by a band from Wilmington, North Carolina called Neon Belly. They feature a line up of Lacie Jay (vocals), PMAttitude (guitar/bass) & Nice Derek (drums/production). They've just released a Self Titled 5 track ep which is available on Bandcamp as a name your price download https://fortlowell.bandcamp.com/album/neon-belly and on 7" vinyl from Fort Lowell Records. It's on an assortment of coloured variants and limited to 100 hand numbered copies. You can get it here: https://www.thefuzzyneedle.com/shop/neon-belly-neon-belly 

It's a fundraiser release, 100% of the sales from this record will be used to provide School Supplies & Hygiene Products in New Hanover County as part of a charity drive managed by Wanda's Creative Hair Salon at 1001 Castle St, Wilmington, NC 28401 [Phone: (910) 297-1745]. 

Their sound is straight up shouty, enthusiastic punk. Female vocals, rough and ready production all performed with great gusto. One of the highlights is a cover of a song released as a single in 1978 by Netherlands band The Filth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81c_T42rx-8). I think it's better than the original. 

This however is the lead track, it's called The Boys Are Alright...