Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen: A Funeral for Rock & Roll

 

FZB usually doesn't post on holidays, but today we use Thanksgiving here in the US to tell you about something special. Our friends at NYC label/collective Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen are have a special show... A Funeral For Rock N' Roll. Here are some very prescient words from them:

Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen has read the writing on the wall, and has decided to throw a rowdy and joyous Funeral for Rock & Roll on December 6 at Aviv. Don’t miss this one!

2014: A hobbled record industry. A spectacularly diffuse and confused audience spread evenly across the imponderably vast internet. A music culture that is both increasingly marginalized and segregated by genre and social grouping. The ultimate commercialization of SXSW and CMJ, with no new avenues to discover and support new music. It’s enough to make the music-makers tear their hair out!

Recording studio, musician’s collective and all-around anarchic force Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen has an idea: Let’s kill rock & roll as a concept once and for all, and flush the baby out with the bathwater, so that as musicians, listeners and people we can finally be free of all its attendant limitations, cliches and hang-ups. Let’s trash the bloated bag of bones, so that we may finally be reborn. Let’s usher in a new age of innocence, where music can be worshipped as the infinitely complex beast it is, and the only impediments to our musical explorations and experimentations are at the walls of our own imaginations!

Mama Coco’s will be throwing a New Orleans funeral for that beloved but mortally wounded old master on Dec 6 at Aviv, Brooklyn’s newest and finest DIY music venue. Headlining the show is psychedelic-folk legend and lawless force of nature PETER STAMPFEL, revered for his electrifying performances and for his groundbreaking work with the Holy Modal Rounders. Rounding out the bill are 5 more of MCFK’s finest: the riotously thrilling THE BROOKLYN WHAT, post-R&B weirdos THE GRAVEYARD KIDS, psychedelic rabble-rousers GOD TINY, neo-folk nomad LIAM and scuzz-rock heroes SKINNYBONES.

There will be a communal, moaning jazz freakout to close the night, and much pomp and circumstance throughout. We humbly request your attendance at the funeral. 

A Funeral for Rock & Roll

with Peter Stampfel, the Brooklyn What, the Graveyard Kids, God Tiny, LIAM and Skinnybones

@ Aviv (496 Morgan, Brooklyn NY)

$7 at the door

https://www.facebook.com/events/1571900943031969/

Low Country Hill: Low Country Hill

 

Low Country Hill is the self-titled debut from Hamilton, Ontario singer/songwrtiter Paul Hogeterp. The nine tracks evoke comparisons to such stalwarts as Hey Rosetta and Bon Iver, but yet really does not sound particularly like either. The tracks stand on their own as testaments to superlative songwriting and an album produced to showcase haunting, beautiful music. The album was a joint effort between Hogeterp and a cast of friends and guests, including Pat Sansone (Wilco) and Bill Dillon (Joni Mitchell, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Robertson and Sarah MacLachlan), and was produced by Dave King at his barn studio on the outskirts of Hamilton. This is a definite must have. Stream and buy Low Country Hill at the link below.

 

Rllrbll: Bathing Music

 

Bathing Music is the latest release from experimental outfit Rllrbll, on North Carolina's Silber Records. Blending a plethora of genre influences from post-rock to shoegaze, to jazz, to ambient, the nine tracks are a sonic exploration of depth and texture. Weaving together melodic elements with minimal rhythms, the effect is one of a dream state, where sound forms internal images that will be unique to each listener. This is one that everyone needs to give a listen, whether you're into ambient music or not. Stream and buy Bathing Music at the link below.

 



Bitter Fictions: Derelict Drift

 

Canadian label Shaking Box Music has released Derelict Drift, the new album from Calgary based artist/producer Bitter Fictions, aka Devin Friesen. The six tracks are an experimental exploration of guitar based drone and ambient music. The album features Friesen on solo guitar with plenty of tape loops and feedback, all drifting and droning to create a unique sonic landscape.  The 15 minute long track Dream Negation was written when Friesen opened for noise great Merzbow last May. This album is a fine example of the depth of artistry that can still be found in ambient based music. Stream and download Derelict Drift at the link below.

 

Whitewash: Fraud In Lisbon

 

NYC shoegazers Whitewash have released their debut EP, Fraud In Lisbon, on Atlanta based label Human Sounds Records. The six tracks are reverby, atmospheric affairs with a nice post-punk edge. The production is not up to par, which is disappointing for an otherwise fine debut. The band of

Sam Thornton, Evan Glazman, Jonathan Ben-Menachem and Aram Demirdjian have a sound that is somewhere between Ariel Pink and GBV. Stream and buy Fraud in Lisbon at the link below.

 

Christopher Reilly: Lies Told From Under The Cocoa Tree

 

New Jersey singer/songwriter Christopher Reilly has released his latest EP, Lies Told From Under The Cocoa Tree. The five tracks are indie folk stories from a troubadour in the same vain as Colin Meloy and other fine story tellers. What really sets this EP apart from the typical folk foray, is its huge sound. With big production, hot mastering and towering vocals, this is a folk album that will also appeal to those more interested in rock. This is a must have. Stream and buy Lies Told From Under The Cocoa Tree at the link below.

 

The Fisherman: Drawing Suns

 

Drawing Suns is the sophomore album from Greek singer/songwriter The Fisherman, aka Tony Panou. The thirteen tracks are a forceful romp through straight up indie rock n roll. No pretense, no genre bending, just strong songwriting, strong performances and catchy tracks. This album is a breath of fresh air in a world of too much reverb, too many effects and a multitude of sound alike artists. This album is a definite must have. Stream and buy Drawing Suns at the link below.

 

The Moon Apes: Plastic Preacher

 

Plastic Preacher is the debut EP from The Moon Apes, the London, UK duo of Elias Elgerud and Daniela Trojmar. The three tracks are not your everyday post-punk. The EP is marked by a dissonant approach to songwriting, which requires a bit of a sonic leap from the listener. While highly experimental and unique, the constant dissonance make the three tracks a difficult listen. Without the respite of any resolved chord progressions, the EP takes on a vibe that is disconcerting and leaves one with the tension expected from such a musical aesthetic. Not our cup of tea, but worth a listen. Stream and download Plastic Preacher at the link below.
 

Angela James: Way Down Deep

 

Way Down Deep is the debut album from Chicago singer/songwriter Angela James. Taking Americana influences from such stalwarts as Patsy Cline and Rosanne Cash and blending them with alt-country touches ala Neko Case, James has crafted an album of superlative style and grace. Featuring contributions from members of Califone, Pillars & Tongues, Iron & Wine and Whirlpool, James has shown that she is an artist to expect great things from. Get in on the ground floor. Stream and  buy Way Down Deep at the link below.

 

FZB Top 5 Of The Week

Here are this weeks top 5 artists based on readers pageviews.





#5 - Venus In The Dust

 

#4 - Rayning



#3 - Mark Martyre



#2 - My Drunken Haze



#1 - Heroin Chic

the ORIGINS: deepnet.

 

deepnet. is the new album from Melbourne's the ORIGINS. The duo of Andrew Wright and Michelle Balestrat make very retro sounding, 80's electronic music. The eleven instrumental tracks are darkish, with simple melodies, fleeting guitar rhythms and minimal production. The tracks conjure up a sense of listening to music meant for background to the various scenes of a sci-fi movie. No grand synthesizer excursions or indie pop statements here. The album lacks cohesion and while enjoyable for what it is, the album fails to engage with a meaningful sonic vibe. Stream and download deepnet. for free at the link below.

 

Small Bear Records: Never Mind The Baubles

 





UK indie label Small Bear Records, gives us a twist on the Sex Pistols' first album cover with their cover for Never Mind The Baubles, the label's third annual holiday album. This year's album is a more international affair with artists from our Manx homeland (Nanaki, Phil Reynolds and the Dearly Departed, Postcode, Harmony Dischord) joined by acts from Sweden, Norway, Belgium, America, France and the UK.

 

The album features established Small Bear acts such as The Bordellos, Matt Bouvier and Dog, Paper, Submarine alongside new recruits to the Small Bear cause. As usual there is a variety on offer here, from post-rock to indiepop, lo-fi, garage rock and more. Of course, this being a Christmas album, it can be streamed and downloaded for free at the link below.

 

Venus In The Dust: Cage of Bones

 

Cage of Bones is the debut album from Metz, France's Venus In The Dust. The duo of Stéphanie Maon and Fabien Pilard combine bohemian influences with industrial textures and a theatrical rock bent to create tracks of rare originality. Dark, yet accessible, the songs have a varied feel that keeps the listener closely tuned to the musical journey being traversed. Stream and buy Cage of Bones at the link below.







Heroin Chic: Future Planz

 

Future Planz is new EP from Chicago post-punkers Heroin Chic. The six tracks find the band searching more for the right tones and textures to give life to the recording, but at the same time keeping the roughness brought by their live act as well.  The band's influences range from Deerhunter and Dirty Projectors to Minus the Bear, to the Bronx, something the band like to call "melancholirock" because of the crooning lyrics mixed with punk beats and reverb-soaked guitar.  Something, psychedelic, something poppy, sometimes hard, sometimes soft.  Stream and download Future Planz at the link below.

 



My Drunken Haze: My Drunken Haze

 

 Greek indie label, Inner Ear Records, have dropped another catchy release, the S/T debut album from Athens based My Drunken Haze. The band make 60’s psych-tinged melodies with fiery pop flourishes. The album was produced by King Elephant, best known as the drummer of Baby Guru, and focusses on the character of a woman in search of love, longing, separation and redemption, set against a backdrop of daydreaming, drugs and the hot sand of a summer beach. Stream and buy My Drunken Haze at the link below.

 

Rayning: Rayning

 

Detroit based shoegaze artist Rayning, aka Gerald McKay, has released a new self-titled EP on Hacktivism Records. The six tracks are dense works with a liberal expanse of noise, heavy reverb and towering instrumental riffs. The vocals are buried a bit too much in the mix, but the EP is none the less a masterful work, that offers an immersive listening experience. Stream and download Rayning at the link below.

 

FZB Top 5 of the Week

Here is this week top 5 posts based on readers pageviews.



#5 - Mark Martyre



#4 - Obscura Hail



#3 - Yellow6



#2 - Cestine



#1 - Dead On TV

Obscura Hail: Thrown Into The Sea

 

Thrown Into the Sea is the new EP from Australian singer songwriter Obscura Hail, aka Sean Conran. Taking the path of folk troubadour, Conran builds five tracks of lush acoustic guitar, tasteful instrumental flourishes and superlative vocals. With a each song the story of life plays out across the melancholy and the uplifting. This is just a stunning EP that needs to be enjoyed by everyone. Stream and buy Thrown Into The Sea at the link below.

 



Empathy Test: Throwing Stones EP

 

Our friends at Stars & Letters Records in Brooklyn, are on their way to becoming the premier synthpop label on the planet. Their latest release is the EP Throwing Stones, by London based Empathy Test. The duo of  Isaac Howlett and Adam Relf  are all about finding emotion in the machine, with soaring synthetic chords, precision beats, and jubilant 80s melodies; all coated in soft, irresistible melancholy textures. Rather than sounding like a mere update of 80s’ electro, Empathy Test produce a mesmerizing and immersive identity which sets them apart from pretty much everything else currently on the scene. Stream and buy the Throwing Stones EP at the link below.
 

Cestine: Level

 





Michigan based experimental ambient outfit Cestine, have released the sumptuous new album, Level, on Australian label Twice Removed Records. The duo of Dominic Coppola and Theodore Schafer deliver over 45 minutes of music across 5 tracks. Laced with dark soundscapes that are layered in lush synth pads, the album provides an immersive sonic experience.  These ambient auteurs continue to plow new ground since there 2013 debut release. Steam and buy, Level, at the link below.

  

Lykanthea: Telos Video

FZB favorite Lykanthea, aka Lakshmi Ramgopal, has released a video for the track Telos, from her FZB reviewed debut EP Migration. The video was filmed in Chicago by filmmaker/director E. Aaron Ross and styled by acclaimed Chicago designer Laura Prieto-Velasco of Hunter Gatherer jewelry.

Lykanthea - Telos from Lykanthea on Vimeo.