A-Sides with Jon Chattman: A Music Site Minus The Pretension

Jamming with Assembly of Dust and the ‘Rhodes’ Scholars of Isle

Jon Chattman — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:31:47 +0000

“And now for something completely different…”

Look, I’m not about to – although I probably wish I could – debut a new video of someone dancing around while slapping someone in the face with a fish (if you don’t get that reference, I suggest you Google “John Cleese”), but there’s definitely a different vibe on today’s A-Sides . The two artists featured today are refreshingly refreshing in that they bring a unique sound – a blend of genres – and don’t sound like anyone else that’s currently in the music industry.

Roots rockers Assembly of Dust, the brain child of Reid Genauer, just dropped their fourth full-length album Sun Shot after a two-year process that included a Kickstarter campaign. Not only did the campaign succeed on a financial level (they more than doubled their $25,000 goal ), it worked on a deep, personal level as well. As Genauer explained in an interview at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester last week – the campaign gave them/him an opportunity to engage with their fans socially – so much so he and the band are not charging fans or anyone for that matter for the album so long as they log onto an APP and share it on their respective social networks. Anyway, before he played a show at Garcia’s, a bar/music venue within The Capitol Theatre, Genauer took time out to perform with his band mates and chat for A-Sides. Watch two ditties and the interview below. It’s kick butt.

“Weehawken Ferry” and “Arkansas Down Live”

Reid Genauer

Before entering a studio within the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains, NY, a destination where A-Sides regularly films its sessions at, Robert Farren and Colin Behram seemed a little concerned – perhaps curious is a better word. “How loud can we get in here?,” Farren asked nonchalantly. My reply? “As loud as you want.” A sigh of moderate relief came before the front man of the two-man band explained, “we can get pretty loud for just two people.” He was right – especially when you consider they use only two instruments (an electro-mechanical Rhodes – hence their band name – and drums).

The Brooklyn duo just dropped a self-titled EP and performed two tracks from it for A-Sides last week.
Watch the dynamic “Shoulders” below followed by an interview, and catch “Perfect Operation”as well. Love them a lot. Love me a little.

A-Sides “Delve Into Twelve” Countdown
Each week A-Sides unleashes its Top 12 tracks of the week AKA the “Delve Into Twelve”based on the following contributing factors: songs I’m playing out that particular week NO MATTER WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED (think overlooked songs, unreleased tracks, and old favorites), songs various publicists are trying to get me to listen to that I did and listened to and liked (phew), posts and trends I’ve noticed on my friends’ Facebook walls, and – most importantly – the songs my 16-month-old son gravitates toward. Yeah, you read that right. This weeks follows below (LW= last week’s rank):

12. “Heartbeat” (LW 11)- The Kopecky Family Band (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)
11. “Breed” – Nirvana
10. “Waves” (LW 7) – Blondfire
9. “Trying to Be Cool” (LW 4) – Phoenix
8.”Silhouettes” – Avicii with Salem Al Fakir
7. “Believer” (LW 5) – American Authors (Watch A-Sides Performance Here.)
6. “Doin’ It Right” – Daft Punk with Panda Bear
5. “Buffalo Stance” – Neneh Cherry
4. “San Francisco”(LW-3) – The Mowgli’s (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)
3. “Out of My League” (LW-2) – Fitz and the Tantrums
2. “All the Faces” – Creed Bratton (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)
1. “Don’t Swallow the Cap” (LW-1) – The National

About asidesmusic.com
Jon Chattman’s “A-Sides Music” series usually features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometimes humorous) way. No bells, no whistles — just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, I’m hoping this is refreshing. Support A-Sides’ Kickstarter campaign here!

Igniting Blondfire; Joshua Radin’s “Wings” Take Flight

Jon Chattman — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:58:38 +0000

Blondfire’s new alt-rock single “Waves” sounds like something Olivia Newton John would be singing in the 1980s, and a song I’d be pumping through my Walkman back in the day at Jones Beach. It’s that retro cool. Putting out dreamy, catchy alt-rock is something we’ve come to expect from the California band. Their previous single “Where the Kids Are” scored big in alt-rock, and propelled them to touring gigs opening for everyone from AWOLNation to Foals. Speaking of which, two weeks ago I caught up with the band’s Erica Driscoll and Steve Stout right after they performed at Terminal 5 in New York City (opening for aforementioned Foals and Surfer Blood) and asked them about their upcoming full-length album, the current involvement of “Blondfirer” Bruce Driscoll (yes, it’s Erica’s bro), and Olivia Newton John of course. Watch. Listen. Love.

Official “Waves” Music Video

Even if you don’t own any of his albums or never heard him on the radio, chances are you’ve heard at least one of Joshua Radin’s songs. It’s pretty unavoidable, and you should be thankful for that. The singer/songwriter’s poignant tracks have been heard on a variety of TV shows and film – ranging from Grey’s Anatomy to The Bachelor. In all, he’s had over 75 placements over the years, which is pretty nuts when you consider he’s been playing music for less than a decade (he used to be a screenwriter). Anyway, the Cleveland-born star who’s sold 1.5 million singles has a new album, his fifth, called Wax Wings that recently dropped, and stopped by the Primary Wave Music’s Listening Room to perform a few tracks off it, and talk about them. Below, watch him perform “When We’re Together.” Catch the interview and another exclusive performance on asidesmusic.com next week!

12. “A Real Hero” – College
11. “Heartbeat” (LW 8)- The Kopecky Family Band (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)
10. “Lullaby” – The Dixie Chicks
9. “Run to the Water” – Live
8. “Magic Beanz” – Atoms for Peace
7. “Waves” (LW 7) – Blondfire
6. “Blue Orchid” – Rockabye Baby Rendition of The White Stripes
5. “Believer” (LW 6) – American Authors (Watch A-Sides Performance Here.)
4. “Trying to Be Cool” (LW 5) – Phoenix
3. “San Francisco”(LW-2) – The Mowgli’s (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)
2. “Out of My League” (LW-1) – Fitz and the Tantrums
1. “Don’t Swallow the Cap” – The National

“Come Back Anytime” – Fitz of Fitz & The Tantrums Discusses New Single and Album

Jon Chattman — Fri, 10 May 2013 02:23:30 +0000

Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I watched Dance Party U.S.A. with my older sister and pretended not to like it. The series was sort of an American Bandstand for the New Kids on the Block generation so street-cred wise, I’d lose everything with any admission. See, the show was a chick magnet in the ratings arguably because of a dancer named Bobby (Catalano) who rarely took his sunglasses off, and I couldn’t admit to deep down wanting to be able to break out some fresh dance moves. Now in my 30s, I can honestly say I still can’t dance, but can say with full confidence that I’ll shamelessly break out some of my own moves any time I hear the featured guest on “A-Sides” today.

Fitz and the Tantrums evoke the era of Dance Party U.S.A. in that their sound throwsback to those cheesy decades as well as 1960s pop and 1970s Motown. The nature of this business is all about comparing artists to the past, but while they’re retro cool, FATT sound utterly original and contemporary. Perhaps it’s best to just say their music make me want to dance (even though I can’t) because it’s catchy, fun, and everything that’s good about music these days.

With the release of their sophomore album More Than Just a Dream this Tuesday (May 7), the Los Angeles-based sextet (Fitz, Noelle Scaggs, James King, Jeremy Ruzumna, John Wicks and Joseph Karnes) have further established themselves as music masters. Like the tracks off 2010′s Pickin’ Up the Pieces, which spent 73 weeks on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and spawned the mega-hit “Moneygrabber,” the new stuff is infectious. Their new single “Out Of My League” is being played on pop and alt-rock stations already, and makes terrible dancers like me cut a rug (not literally… who cuts a rug?) The band, whose chemistry on stage is just as infectious as the songs they churn out, are currently on the road headlining some shows before jumping on Bruno Mars and Dave Matthews Band respective tours this summer.

Moments before his band headlined a special birthday show for Westchester radio stationThe Peak Life The Place To Be in Ardsley, NY, front man Fitz (Michael Fitzpatrick) and his Pepe Le Pew took time out to discuss touring and how they approached their new album. Interspersed in the interview are clips from the band’s soundcheck that night, which I should mention, took just about one-and-a-half run throughs. They’re crafty. They don’t need no stinkin’ soundchecks. Anyway….

Watch. Listen. Love.

12. Take My Hand – Dido
11. “Bleeding Out” (LW-10) – Imagine Dragons
10. Hey Jupiter – Tori Amos
9. “You Ha Ha Ha” (LW 8) – Charli XCX
8. “Heartbeat” (LW 4)- The Kopecky Family Band (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)
7. “Waves” (LW 6) – Blondfire
6. “Believer” – American Authors (Watch A-Sides Performance Here.)
5. “Trying to Be Cool” – Phoenix
4. “Recover” (LW 3) – CHVRCHES
3. “She’s On It” – The Beastie Boys
2. “San Francisco”(LW-2) – The Mowgli’s (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)
1. “Out of My League” (LW-1) – Fitz and the Tantrums

“The Office’s” Creed Bratton Performs and Talks Series Finale!

Jon Chattman — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:44:57 +0000

When I was in my very early teens, I played with G.I. Joe action figures like most kids my age did. But, I took it to a very different level – think Sid from Toy Story. Instead of a typical battles of good guys taking on bad guys in shoot outs, I’d pit them against each other in wrestling matches on… wait for it… my stove. Whenever my parents left me home alone, I’d put on the burners, and have them fight around it. Let’s just say the loser – whether it was a “Joe” or Cobra – fell into the flame. Whenever my parents came home, and questioned what smelled like burning rubber, I deflected with precision. I share this dangerous story from my childhood, because our A-Sides guest this week has made a career of sorts with sharing wacky personal items from his past. For over nine years, Creed Bratton has been the unsung hero of NBC’s The Office – playing a character loosely based on his own life with a much more enigmatic weirdo vibe.

“The only difference between me and a homeless man is this job. I will do whatever it takes to survive. Like I did when I was a homeless man.”

That’s just one line the comedian actor uttered deadpan during the series run, and there are tons more where that came from. But, Bratton is much more than the creepy kookster he’s played on television. As referenced on the show with hilarity (the back story obviously differs from his fictionalized TV character’s retelling), long before Bratton became a comedy star on arguably one of the best comedies to ever grace the tube, he was a founding member of 60′s rock band The Grass Roots whose hits included “Let’s Live for Today” and “Midnight Confessions.” And, the music didn’t stop there. Actually, Bratton along with his band The Rubbermen just dropped his sixth album Tell Me About It, a concept album that doubles as sort of an “audio-biography” as the press release about it appropriately states. The album’s actually in “three acts,” but I’ll let Bratton tell you about it in the two-part interview below.

That’s right Creed fans – and I don’t mean Scott Stapp groupies – Bratton stopped by the Primary Wave Music Listening Room in New York City last month to film an A-Sides session. There, he performed two tracks, discussed his new album, and – of course- the upcoming finale of The Office. Enjoy it with some mung beans…um…now.

“Heart of Darkness”

“All the Faces”

Interview Part One

Interview Part Two

About asidesmusic.com

Jon Chattman’s “A-Sides Music” series usually features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometimes humorous) way. No bells, no whistles — just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, I’m hoping this is refreshing. Support A-Sides’ Kickstarter campaign here!

Exclusiveness: Tim Noyes Covers Tupac Shakur & Dr. Dre

Jon Chattman — Wed, 01 May 2013 23:36:40 +0000

Folk singer Tim Noyes appears on asidesmusic.com with Jon Chattman at the Primary Wave Music Listening Room in NYC.

Three to Watch (Courrier, Daniela Brooker, and Mission South)

Jon Chattman — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:40:53 +0000

They say good things come in three’s. Actually, maybe it’s celebrity deaths but I forget. In any event, today’s A-Sides presents three artists who are each bring something awesomely different to the table. Austin’s Courrier reminds me of Coldplay but with an indie sensibility. Daniela Brooker is being called a cross between Taylor Swift, Shakira and Sheryl Crow, but this British teenager sounds far more original than to be blended in with those three vastly different artists. Lastly, D.C.-based band Mission South have been compared to Dr. Dog and will no doubt get thrown into The Black Keys genre-bending game, but the roots-rock band sound more like Mission South to me. Hearing is relative so forgive all my convoluted thoughts. Watch and hear these artists for yourselves in a series of A-Sides sessions all filmed within the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains, NY. I feel in all of my loins you’ll be hearing a lot about this triple threat no matter what you think.

Courrier released their sophomore album Cathedrals of Color in March, and already had a top 50 radio single with their debut “Love is a Fire.” That song, by the way, has appeared on numerous TV shows include Gossip Girland The Vampire Diaries. At an A-Sides filming two weeks ago, the band performed that track as well as current single “Inch of Rope” and spoke about each. Watch below, nephews!

Courrier Perform “Inch of Rope”

Courrier Perform “Love is a Fire”

Courrier Interview:

Everyone from MTV Buzzworthy to Telemundo have covered Venezuelan British Pop artist Daniela Brooker. Have a listen to her distinct voice, and it’s really not surprising why the 19-year-old musician is gaining more traction than a kidney stone inside Ronnie Ortiz’s body. Watch her perform two tracks back-to-back off her soon-to-be released album, followed by an interview with this guy (pointing to myself here.)

Daniela Brooker “Heartbreaker” & “Wind Me Up”

Daniela Brooker interview:

Mission South finish up today’s trifecta. Fresh off shows at SXSW, the trio of Dan Miller, John Beck, and Max Harwood are on the road in support of their new EP, Migration Vol. 2, which dropped like it was hot earlier this month. The band comes equipped with not just a unique sound, but a very unique back story. Wrote a song about it… like to hear it? Here it go: Miller, Beck, and Harwood have known each other essentially since embryos. They lived next to each other, wrote music in middle school, played together in high school, and despite going to different colleges, continued to make sweet-ass rock music together whenever they could.

Since graduating college a year ago, Mission South have wrapped up the aforementioned EP, and already performed in such hot spots as the 9:30 Club in D.C. and The Fox Theatre in Denver. They’re currently in the midst of a 50-date national tour in support of the EP. Let me remind you – they graduated college last year. Where were you a year after college? I know where I was, and it wasn’t living out my dreams and playing music to the masses! I substitute taught at a school in the Bronx, and worked at a day camp. Jealous? Anyway, respect these guys below.

Mission South – “Helicopters”

Mission South Interview:

Coheed & Cambria’s Frontman On Comics & “The Soundtrack to My Imagination”

Jon Chattman — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:04:37 +0000

Back in the day, I collected baseball cards so much more than comics. I remember getting so excited when I unopened a pack of 1986 Donruss in 1992 and found the ever-so-valuable “Rated Rookie” card of Jose Canseco like it was yesterday. Clearly, it wasn’t. There’s little value the card has now except for the fact it finds one-half of the “Bash Brothers” with a Todd Bridges-esque mustache. Anyway, cards always resonated more with me than comics. As a matter of fact, of the limited comics I collected, I never even bothered to read them because my friends told me they’d decreased in value if I creased them while scrolling through the pages. With that in mind, I placed them each into a plastic sleeve and forgot all about them. To a lesser degree, Coheed and Cambria frontman Claudio Sanchez’s childhood followed a similar blueprint. “I played Little League, and always looked for the rookie cards,” he said. That said, the fanboy at heart noted “I definitely collected a lot. Each Wednesday, I went to the shops and scrolled through the new [releases].” This should come as a surprise to absolutely nobody – at least no one who knows even a tiny morsel about the band.

Sanchez has always delved into his mystical and fantastical mind. Since 2000, the prog-rock master has been producing comic books and graphic novels. His series The Amory Wars was arguably a turning point for the artist, because its events are chronicled each album. It also inspired a novel in which he co-wrote called The Amory Wars: Year of the Black Rainbow and a twelve-issue comic book series. A live-action film of the series will soon be produced by Mark Wahlberg and Leverage Productions. But, with all that said, music is still the driving creative force for Sanchez. Case in point: his band recently released the second volume of their double-album, (The Afterman:Descension followed the well received Ascension), and are in the midst of a sellout tour. Earlier this month, I spoke with Sanchez and asked him about balancing his two loves, and anything else that came to mind. Boom.

I’d imagine it’s exciting to have two careers that come together like comic books and music…
It’s really, really exciting and totally awesome to merge both of my passions. It allows me to explore my creativity.

Did you always plan on making comics?
The thing about comics for me was I was collecting more for the art. I found myself drawn to the artist more than the story like Todd McFarlane. That’s what I followed. Spawn. Spider-Man. X-Men. Whatever he did, I had to collect it because I was a fan of the art. There was a moment I thought maybe I could draw one of these, but sequential art was not my strong suit. My mind wanders which is why it works with the progressive element of my music. Drifting along for eight minutes works for me. As I started getting older, I started reading more of the books, and saw it from a different angle.

The Amory Wars was such a big deal for you creatively. News that a film is going to be made about it seems like a natural progression…
Yeah. We partnered with Leverage in making it into a feature. We’re working on it at the moment. I love so much of what pop culture offers – video games, features, comics… I’ve always wanted a hand in those things. And, music is a big deal in all of those things. I think that’s why our sound has always been a tad cinematic. I’ve always envisioned things in a different way. Whenever I’m listening to music in the car, listening to whatever is on the radio, I’m looking at what’s around me.If a building passes by, I’m envisioning things that are happening to it. I used to do that stuff as a child. Radio was the soundtrack to my imagination. It just made sense to do that. It just opened the doors to all other visual things. Music is sonic. It’s about your ears – not about the visuals. All other mediums are visuals. That was the gateway. It gave me a chance to visualize the music. This is what music sort of looks like and that’s where comics, video games, and the movie come in.

Wow, that was deep stuff man. That “radio” line alone floored me. Well, let’s move on to the music, because you just dropped your second The Aftermanalbum and are touring. Have you noticed anything different with the musical process on the road and in the studio this time out?
Having Josh [Eppard] back in the band and Zach [Cooper] new to this whole lifestyle injected some genuine excitement again. These guys’ enthusiasm is infectious. Travis [Stever] and I feel young and excited again. The band is actually spending a lot of time together as opposed to splitting off into sub-centers and doing our own thing. In a sense it feels like a revival of the old-school mentality of being four guys in a van and it’s us against the world.

The camaraderie might’ve dissipated after a few years. It feels fun again. Every time the band has had a change in the lineup, it’s always just this revival, but with Josh being an original member and coming back to the fold, it’s more like friends revisiting a time that was very important to us. It feels really good.

A-Sides “Delve Into Twelve” Countdown
Each Tuesday A-Sides unleashes its Top 12 tracks of the week AKA the “Delve Into Twelve”based on the following contributing factors: songs I’m playing out that particular week NO MATTER WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED (think overlooked songs, unreleased tracks, and old favorites), songs various publicists are trying to get me to listen to that I did and listened to and liked (phew), posts and trends I’ve noticed on my friends’ Facebook walls, and – most importantly – the songs my 15-month-old son gravitates toward. Yeah, you read that right. This weeks follows below (LW= last week’s rank):

12. “Put Me To Work” (LW=7)- Papa
11. “Fading Like a Flower” – Roxette
10. (LW-11) “Loner Phase” – Cold War Kids
9. “Time of the Season” – The Zombies
8. “Bleeding Out” (LW-3) – Imagine Dragons
7. “Now I’m All Messed Up” (LW 8)- Tegan and Sara

6. “Recover” – CHVRCHES
5. “Heartbeat” – The Kopecky Family Band (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)
4. “Waves” (LW-4) – Blondfire
3. “All Your Gold” – Bat For Lashes
2. “Out of My League” (LW-9) – Fitz and the Tantrums
1. “San Francisco”(LW-1) – The Mowgli’s (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)

Can’t Stay {Away} From Villagers, Cheatahs, or Danielia Cotton

Jon Chattman — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:43:19 +0000

Nothing kills the momentum of a good weekend more then the realization mid-afternoon Sunday that your workweek is right around the corner. Mondays suck. They always have, and always will. To help ease your “case of the Mondays” today, here’s an eclectic mix of highly-talented artists whose music will have you thinking and feeling something. Sorry Ke$ha.

Their debut EP Hollow Kind and full-length album Becoming a Jackal
made them legends in their homeland, and led to a highly-prestigious Mercury Prize nod. Their follow-up, {Awayland}, is bucking the buzzworthy trend abroad and here in the states. They’re Irish indie folk band Villagers, and if you don’t know them by now, you soon will find yourselves hearing them somewhere and wondering quietly – almost immediately – to yourself: “How did I only just hear this band now? Where have I been? Where am I going? What is wrong with me?” Anyway, you get it.

Earlier this month front man Conor O’Brien performed “Earthly Pleasures” and discussed it at an A-Sides session filmed at the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains, NY. Watch the intimate performance and interview below, and scratch your heads no more!

“Earthly Pleasures”

Villagers’ Conor O’Brien Interview

Cheatahsarrived at the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains for an A-Sides filming, and were immediately taken aback. The London-based band had expected to fully plug-in for their performance, and didn’t really know what to do with the classroom vibe I provided them. Initially they were going to just let front man Nathan Hewitt play his guitar and perform a track acoustically. But like all gifted and spontaneous musicians, they found a way to make it work – deciding instead to perform their song “Short Cuts” in – yes – acoustic fashion but with whatever instruments they could find to add some umph to their performance. The end result was so much cooler than any of us could’ve predicted. Being cool is just something that comes natural to Cheatahs. The band has garnered acclaimed in the UK with their respective EPs Coared and SANS, and are getting American audiences in on it by currently touring with Waaves. Watch the band, who will drop a full-length album this summer, perform below and talk about where they’re going, and where they’ve been. Watch. Listen. Love.

Cheatahs “Short Cuts”

Cheatahs Interview

“When life gives you lemons just say f–k the lemons and bail…”

Those are hilarious words of wisdom from a clueless stoner Paul Rudd played in the 2008 underrated comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall. At that line’s core is the antithesis of the notion that so many of us would rather bask in a pool of self pity and sorrow when times get tough. Singer/songwriter Danielia Cotton isn’t one of them. Rather than packing it in after going through heartbreak (she lost twins after five months of pregnancy and was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year), she therapeutically and courageously decided to rise above it all and continue making some sweet, kick-ass rock music. Using the life experiences that challenged her resolve, she came up with arguably her best – and most personal album – The Gun in Your Hand. Earlier this month, the musician (and NYC marathon runner) performed “Lighthouse Keeper” at an A-Sides session filmed at the Digital Arts Experience in White Plains, NY. Watch it nelow, but first listen to her story in the A-Sides podcast below!

Igniting Heaven’s Basement’s “Fire” and Introducing A-Sides’ Delve Into Twelve Countdown

Jon Chattman — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:34:08 +0000

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April 16,2013: Look, the world is turning upside down. It’d be nice if Democrats and Republicans would stop bickering like they’re 11-year-old boys on court playing a game of “off the wall A.S.S.” and focus on the real issues instead of stepping up when the fit hits the proverbial shan. It seems silly to go about “business as usual” and post a music column, but I am. Music has served as a form of healing throughout my life so I’m posting this today with full knowledge your time will (and should) be spent on superior examples of writing like this.

It’s hard to write this column since I’m making metal horns, but someway, somehow I’ll truck through it. UK rockers Heaven’s Basement have been melting faces with their unique hard rock antics in their homeland – touring rigorously and opening for such artists as Papa Roach, Shinedown and Buckcherry, but now they’re setting their sights on our city streets with the release of their debut album Filthy Empire. The band dropped their debut album Filthy Empire earlier this month, and will be on the road supporting it for pretty much the rest of the year. In addition to their own tour, which took them to NYC for the first time late last month, they’ll hit the festival circuit, including this years Rock on the Range in Columbus, OH (May 17-19). and Rocklohoma (May 24-26.) On March 26, the band filmed an A-Sides session with yours truly at the Digital Arts Experience in White Plains. Watch the infectious “Fire, Fire” and hard-charger “I Am Electric” followed by an interview. Thank you very much, Miss Lippy!

A-Sides “Delve Into Twelve” Countdown
It seems every radio and TV station has a Top 20 Countdown or “top” something when it comes to music so why should A-Sides be any different? Don’t answer that because…you know, it was rhetorical. Starting today, we’re doing it but with a twist. Instead of factoring in album sales or radio popularity, each Tuesday A-Sides will unleash its Top 12 tracks of the week AKA the “Delve Into Twelve” (hat tip to Amber Rose Crisci of Big Picture Media for coming up with that kick-fanny name) based on the following contributing factors: songs I’m playing out that particular week NO MATTER WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED (think overlooked songs, unreleased tracks, and old favorites), songs various publicists are trying to get me to listen to that I did and listened to and liked (phew), posts and trends I’ve noticed on my friends’ Facebook walls, and – most importantly – the songs my 15-month-old son gravitates toward. Yeah, you read that right. Never underestimate the power of a boy in diapers dancing to a ditty! Anyway, here’s the inaugural list!

12. “Dressed Sharply” – An Horse (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)
11. “Loner Phase” – Cold War Kids
10. “We Walk In A Dream” – Live
9. “Out of My League” – Fitz and the Tantrums
8. “Now I’m All Messed Up” – Tegan and Sara
7. “Put Me To Work” – Papa
6. “Polish Girl” – Neon Indian
5. “Minnesota, WI” – Bon Iver
4. “Waves” – Blondfire
3. “Bleeding Out” – Imagine Dragons
2. “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” – The Smiths
1. “San Francisco” – The Mowgli’s (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)

Another Story Saying Kitten’s Chloe Chaidez Is Wise Beyond Her Years?

Jon Chattman — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:07:23 +0000

The thing that sucks about writing about a band whose lead singer is a teenager is that you have to point out just that: he or she is a teenager. That statement leads one to write about how the singer may be young but are wise well beyond their years with music that resonates so much more than it should. No one likes generalizing a generation or riding a cliche, but here we are. Chloe Chaidez of the Cali-band Kitten is so much wiser, talented and articulate than you were at 18. OK, now I’m done – let’s focus on the music and her band.

Kitten are two EPs into their career, and have already opened up for No Doubt, Twin Shadow and Charli XCX and are currently touring with The Joy Formidable. They’re about to hit the road with Paramore, which should – no doubt – propel them even further into the alt-universe. Good. The band, who sound like a 1980s band fronted by a 1990s rocker chick, work their ass off to sound good and it really shows with the respective Sunday School and Cut It Out EPs. Read the interview below with Chaidez and you’ll see why they’re so buzz-worthy. In addition, check out an exclusive performance of “G#” at LA’s Bootleg Bar, which the band blessed specifically for A-Sides. Boom.

I’d imagine opening up for so many great artists, it’s forced you guys to raise your game a bit, right? I’d assume you’d be a sponge as well to pick up on what they’re throwing down…
We’ve picked up a lot of things from the bands we’ve played with subconsciously. I can listen and appreciate the aesthetics of their music, but to actually see them live, it really makes you think differently. It hits you differently than just listening to the record. And playing with them it’s really awesome. You definitely have to be more prepared. We’re trying to give everyone a run for their money. When we’re live, we go indepth – for lack of a better word. I mean we’re definitely not a jam band but we do different outros and intros.

You haven’t held back in interviews that you’re deeply inspired by the 1980s… Do you think that decade gets a bad rap?
There’s something bad about every generation. I mean I love ’60′s music but I just don’t get Jim Croce. I like Bob Dylan but Jim Croce is too niche for me. I think my friends are into “Take on Me” from Aha, but if I played “Voices Carry” by ‘Til Tuesday, they would not like it as much. I love the aesthetic of it all – the production was just a special time for pop music. The arrangements were brilliant – I mean nothing’s better than listening to a Tears for Fears album. I really respect it.

Did you grow up on 1980s tunes at all? I’d imagine you heard a lot of punk since your dad was in The Undertakers…
He played lot of punk music and stuff, but he obviously loved classic rock, which I obviously hate. I started getting into music that he didn’t understand and my friends think are cheesy. But, I really love it.

What I love about Kitten are you guys are paying homage to that decade but in a really contemporary way. It’s in no way – a rip-off of like Human League or something. Will the full-length album be more of the same?
We’re almost done with [the album]. It’s kind of heavier – a really cool, sonic sound. It’s got a more ambient sound. It’s in its final, final stages which is good. I’m really impulsive in general, and I’ve been on the road for two years. If it wasn’t almost done, of course, I’d want to go back every two weeks to it, and make a different record.

Has the songwriting changed for you with all your big life experiences taking place around you? I’d think it would have to be…
A lot of time I’ll be messing around with synth and singing lyrics. Whatever comes out I’ll usually stick with for better or for worse. I really appreciate clever lyrical hooks so if I can write one of those it’s very satisfying for me. But it comes out from messing around. “Cut it Out” – I didn’t think twice. I just sang the words. With “G#” it was a little different. It was heavier lyrically. The concept was a little bigger. It was a dreamy atmospheric mindset.

Speaking of which…Watch. Listen. Love.