RFC Article: Love For The Ladies - Hesta Prynn

The following is an excerpt from my article for Radio Free Chicago.

Sometimes hip-hop, sometimes electro, Hesta Prynn is a true millennial artist whose sound is a mashup of influences making her genre undefinable. Her sound evokes many of her female contemporaries such as M.I.A., Amanda Blank or Santigold. The sound is thick, with actual drums, guitars and bass rather than samples that is a bedrock for Prynn to stand upon firmly while her vocals take off in any direction she chooses. Whether she coos like a disco diva, rocks either a Butthole Surfers or Neon Indian cover or croons a duet with Les Savy Fav's Time Harrington, Hesta Prynn chameleon ways can seemingly do it all. But let me veer off course, if only for a moment... We have a everywoman here that is as smart as a whip, as sweet as they come, an obvious open arms approach to music AND digs a good horror flick. Place that within the stunning package as viewed in the given pictures and you have what my Daddy would call "marriage material". If only she bothered to listen to your overtures. Her digital EP Can We Go Wrong hit the Internets back in July. Give it a listen on her website or purchase the EP here.

Read the entire article at Radio Free Chicago.

Hesta Prynn - Can We Go Wrong


Hesta Prynn - Can We Go Wrong (RAC Extended Mix)


Hesta Prynn - Easy Bear (Feat Tim Harrington)

New Levek 7" Available November 16

It is hard to put into words an accurate critique of music from an artist that shuns any singular genre. Such are the first moments spent listening to part time artist/full time busdriver Levek. The brainchild of Orlando, FL David Levesque is nevertheless an intriguing code of influence ready to decipher. Is it channeling Philadelphia Soul? Folksy chamber-pop? Southern Gospel? Nouveau Afro-beat? All of these labels apply and yet are much too limiting. Even Levesque himself spun his own description concerning his music: "Mickey Mouse Tribal Sounds". To that answer I say, sure, why not? Levek has a 7" coming out on Father/Daughter November 16. After the first dozen listens or so, that purchase a turntable you have been putting off seems all the more reasonable now, doesn't it?

"Look On The Bright Side" starts like a lost studio outtake from Curtis Mayfield, making you wonder if you heard this before. Yet, the sexy, moving vocals step in and the song truly takes shape. It is when single violin is cued that "Look On The Bright Side" becomes so much more than the sum of its parts. It is this kind of promise that makes you feel that you were chosen for a VIP spot on Levek's bandwagon. There may not be much room in the near future, so don't go anywhere.

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Purchase the "Look On The Bright Side" 7 inch here and get the digital download with extras as well.

Right click to download "Look On The Bright Side" here.

Levek - Look on the Bright Side


Bonus: Enjoy Levek's song "NW 4th St." set to Disney Animation. What else is there to say other than it works.

Cloud Nothings Unveil New Track, Album Out January 24

The origins of Cloud Nothings is really just one guy. Actually, a 19 year old kid. Clevelander Dylan Baldi began writing songs under the nom de plume just a short time ago from the comfort of his own bedroom.Through the wonders of technological distribution, the tracks grabbed the attention of tastemakers with their earnest, no frills style. In about a year's time, Cloud Nothings is now a full time band, playing on the same bill with bands such as Wavves, Titus Andronicus and Parts & Labor. After releasing Turned On as a compilation of his lo-fi home recordings earlier this year, Baldi and Co. have been hard at work (in an actual studio) on the new album. Due out in January on Baltimore's Carpark Records, the public is now given it's first taste of what the young man do in a professional atmosphere.

The new track "Understand At All" is 100% quirky punk energy. Baldi definitely is tailored fit for today's indie scene, pumping out a grabber that reminds me of some of the best of 80's alt-rock. It is singable, danceable, accessible and above all, a great start. Congratulations buddy, welcome to the minors.

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Purchase Cloud Nothings Turning On here.

Right click to download "Understand At All" for free here.

Cloud Nothings - Understand At All

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart Drop New Track, Album Due In March

I have a soft spot for all things shoegaze. When I first heard the bluster and bliss that is The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart self-titled first album last year, I was immediately reminded of the fuzzy melodies and dissonant beauty of so many musical forebearers that this New York quartet has jumbled together for their full length debut. In 2010, The Pains have been setting up for a big release of their latest LP Outside in March on Slumberland Records. Back in the summer, they dropped the 7" vinyl single "Say No To Love" to much fanfare. Now they have provided their first official taste of Outside with new track "Heart in Your Hearbreak". The song is pure sugarcoating that features much of the characteristics of great noise pop from the 90's. The sweet male/female duet floats along a cheerful bass while guitars and keys poke through at points to add some punctuation. All in all, it is a good start and a promising holdover until next year. Give a listen to both new tracks below. Bonus: enjoy the video for "Say No To Love" as well.

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Purchase The Pains of Being Pure at Heart here.

Right-click to download "Say No To Love" for free here.

Download "Heart In Your Heartbreak" by clicking on the down arrow on the player below.

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Heart In Your Heartbreak


The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Say No To Love

Cut Copy Set Release Date For February 8, Free Single Available

Electronic Aussie party makers Cut Copy truly enjoy what they do. Their second full length In Ghost Colours  was a definite grower for me. After catching their set at this year's Lollapalooza, I truly began to appreciate the combo of long lasting hooks, disco bass thump and 80's revival vocals that translated seamlessly to the stage. Their details on their upcoming LP Zonoscope just hit the internet, including an arty album cover and a release date of February 8 on Modular Recordings. The first single from the album "Where I'm Going" was released as a freebie back in the summer.  According to SPIN, the early release will differ from the LP mix, keeping the mystery level high. Nevertheless, the new track is a summer jam that tones down the synths in favor of a big beat, hand claps and a joyous chorus. Listen and grab it for free below.

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Purchase Cut Copy In Ghost Colours here.

Cut Copy - Where I'm Going