As part of their Residency, we ask our Artist in Residence to curate a playlist to share their music taste and influences with the fans--yet another way we get to know our artists.
In this Spotify playlist, Attila Yavuzer and Tyler Gelrud share their influences, inspirations, and general obsession tracks behind their latest release, the debut Lyonn duo EP We'll Light The Sky. Read below to find out why some of these fine tracks made their list.
|
The Music Behind
|
1 Comment
If you haven’t noticed, our Artists in Residence are returning IndieBeat featured artists who we partner up with to showcase the growth in their own sound, as well as their amazing developments in the indie/alternative genres. After two successful residencies with Miss Geo and Western Jaguar, we knew without doubt that Lyonn just had to be our Spring featured artist, especially with the addition of Attila and the release of their new collaborative EP We’ll Light The Sky. Technically the Residency started back on February 20th when we reviewed the first single off their EP. What I said about Empty Bed holds true for their 4-song EP and for what we hope to capture in our residency:
"One year ago tomorrow IndieBeat introduced you to the wonderful acoustic Lyonn. One year later, Tyler Gelrud has added a new member, producer-musician Attila Yavuzer, to his formerly solo project and expanded his sound and production because of it. In our review of his second release, Promenade, I said that he had developed a “new edgy, yet seductive pop-rock element to his backgrounds, as well as a whole new layer of dynamic energy.” Incredibly with the duo’s new release, the single Empty Bed off the upcoming EP We’ll Light The Sky, Lyonn has taken the romantic songwriting roots, advanced the energetic pop-rock backgrounds, and yet again transformed into a new alternative force with more electric sounds, dance beats, and a new level of indie songwriting. "IndieBeat is focused on showcasing talent and viewing how that talent develops and progresses, and boy are we proud of where Lyonn is headed. Tyler told us in his Alt Rising Acts interview last year that he was inspired by artists such as Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Passenger, and Paper Route. Well, I’m ecstatic to say that Lyonn has reached the point of artistry where their music is comparable to those legendary groups. The duo’s production, writing, and mix of heartfelt, yearning lyrics and melodies against dynamic, complex, and entrancing backgrounds is impeccable. The best thing about these artists’, including Lyonn’s, music is that they are fitting go-to tracks that you can use to let out your emotions, or just invigorate yourselves with their grooving power." The songwriting, the energy, the emotion is all there on this EP. It’s quite an incredible feat. Starting the EP off with Empty Bed really works to introduce the listener to this new chapter of Lyonn. It sets up the incredible display of powerful emotions and encapsulating vocals and instrumentals that serve as the foundation for each of the four songs. The titular track, We’ll Light the Sky draws the listener close with a juxtaposition in song type. Going from an alt-pop love jam of Empty Bed to this indie-lullaby, we really hear how diverse Tyler and Attila’s songwriting capabilities and orchestration are. You see how crafted and thoughtful the creative process is for them. This song is more flowing with lyrical melodies and euphoric atmospherics, calling back to the more intimate and vulnerable Coldplay catalog. It also captures the nuanced production dedication, with layering of unimaginably cohesive sounds and beats. The lyrics “they come to light the way” is a little meta, in the way the duo light ups their new alternative aesthetic with familiar yet unexpected elements. When the guys gave me an advanced listen to the EP, I told them that Shining Eyes would be their next big hit after the 2014 single Dancing Machine. My reasoning behind it is that the fervent more rock-based track has intense and grooving beats that fit right into the current alternative soundscape. You’d want it on a playlist right next Matt & Kim, Walk The Moon, and Cold War Kids. The chorus is just filled with an urban edge, a pounding-the-pavement attitude, and a summer sun texture. It’s a song fit for a festival. It’s the anthem of the EP and it’s my favorite. Rounding of the incredible debut of the new Lyonn we have an updated version of an old-Lyonn staple. For followers of IndieBeat, you know that this song was featured in our original introduction to Tyler Gelrud’s music off his debut EP Knivsta. We found out then that Iceberg was inspired by Titanic. The song was great when it first was released, but it improved significantly with Attila’s production expertise. Without knowing it’s based on the film, you really feel the Titanic themes without them being explicitly conveyed. The atmospheric dynamics and the crescendo into the guitar breakdown really elevates the track aurally into the cinematic. You can envision the landscape and the serene surroundings, a concept that has always been fundamental to the Lyonn vision, stemming back to the Swedish town that inspired the then solo release. This song exhibits how Attila and Tyler collaborate so well that their partnership was always meant to be. Now, Lyonn is finishing up their first music video as a duo, have tour plans in the works, have plans for a potential Fall EP, and have just announced their new station on Pandora. They’re growing at incredible pace, and we’re glad to be partnering up with them this Spring. During the residency we’ll bring you an in-depth interview, a curated playlist, we’ll share with you their music video for Empty Bed, and much more alternative culture from Lyonn. Stay tuned my friends. For now take a listen to Shining Eyes streamed below.
Happy Record Release Day to Jeffrey Trainor, or as you all know him, your Winter Artist In Residence Western Jaguar. It was truly a pleasure and an honor to have Western Jaguar share his album journey over the last three months with us. As I mentioned in my review, Wayfarer is an incredible feat and something you're going to add to your best albums lists. I'm excited that you all get to finally hear the album that I was so lucky to get a preview of. Buy yourselves a copy on his Bandcamp.
[Editor’s Note: This is an incredible track and by far the best guitar breakdown I have heard in recent years. Jeffrey outdid himself with this surfer-rock single by bringing a new unexpected energy that showcases his abilities and genius songwriter mind.]
Today I present the second single off of my new record Wayfarer. The single is entitled Bodie, CA and I feel it is the most upbeat song in Western Jaguar’s catalogue. This is the song I have been closing shows with recently and the killer energy of this track live is something I am extremely proud of. Our Artist in Residence Western Jaguar released his first single off his upcoming albumWayfarer. As Jeffrey notes in his description of the track below, Council is very indicative of the wandering troubadour vibe of his new record. Still capturing his cerebral atmospherics and introspective lyrics, this track seems to represent his rock progression and evolution in production quality. Reminiscent of early Kings of Leon and Foals mixed with influential elements of MØ, the guitar work and breakdown shows his mastery of creative development. The song is a thought-provoking intrinsic ride into the depths of the unknown, yet non-threatening forestry: the message here is getting lost is the only way to truly be found. Where do we go? sings Jeffrey, and if this track is representative of what to expect, we’re going on quite a journey with an incredible album. Download Council at westernjaguar.bandcamp.com/ Read this week’s Residency Post below: First Single – “Council” Artist In Residence Exclusive: Western Jaguar
This is Wayfarer: Here it is everyone, the album artwork for the new record which will be released in March. The album is entitled Wayfarer and the artwork features a photo from my good friend and photographer Jaimi Wainright. Happy New Year IndieBeat Fam! Let’s start the year off right with an introduction to our resident Western Jaguar: Hello IndieBeat community, I am your Artist in Residence for Winter 2015, Western Jaguar. For those of you who do not know much about me, I will give you a quick overview about how I have gotten to this point: In January of 2013, I found myself without a band for the first time in 5 years and I was dying to get back in the music game. I had been playing around with recording in my home, but had never taken any of my ideas too seriously. The turning point came that January when I wrote my first song with lyrics. I had always been afraid to sing, but I decided to push past the fear and welcome the challenge of compiling a collection of songs that showcased my new voice. This was the birth of Western Jaguar. Over the next 5 months I mashed old ideas with new ones and created my first release, the 6 song album “Glacia.” With the release of “Glacia,” I gained a whole new confidence, as the response to my new voice and this project was so vast and positive. Now I had never planned to perform any of the tracks live, but the response was so positive, I simply had to make it happen. In June of 2014 I played my first gig as Western Jaguar at the Richmond Night Market in Richmond, British Columbia. Following that gig, I played a majority of shows throughout the Vancouver area, as well as a show in our provinces’ capital, Victoria. My most recent release “Solitary Sonics,” are tracks that are b-side tracks in style, as they do not fit well into my current sound, but contain what I believe to be quality musicianship and song-writing. Now that you are caught up, I have to say I cannot wait to share the next few months with you. The primary thing going on is the release of my newest record. Due for release March 26, 2015, this new record features 8 new tracks from me and is what I feel to be an even better representation of who I am as an artist than “Glacia” was. In the time leading up to that, I plan to dig into the process behind the creation of the record, the stories surrounding it, the content that will be on the record and available for download, as well as discussing some of the tracks in great detail as I release them in anticipation of the full release. It is sure to be a great few months and I could not be more excited to share the experience with the IndieBeat community. The first big news comes next week when I reveal the name and artwork for the new record!! Thanks for reading, stay tuned and I am glad to have on you on board for this journey / Western Jaguar IndieBeat is gearing up for a Fall full of great music and alternative culture. We’re so excited to announce that we will be partnering with a great indie band all season long to bring you many amazing treats. Almost a year ago we started Alternative Rising Acts with three groups that used social media to their advantage, including Miss Geo.
The second band that I found on the new Myspace was the stellar Miss Geo. Composed of guitarist and lead singer Abby Gutierrez, and synth player/backup vocalist Paz, the Boston duo is an amazing explosion of electro indie-pop sounds. They have a nice mix of heavenly Tegan and Sara sounding vocals, combined with innovative Ra Ra Riot type 80s backgrounds, all with an underlying layer of subtle Blondie elements. Doesn’t that sound amazing? A lot of their early music also reminds me of Beach House and Best Coast (Beach Coast, maybe?). What I’m trying to say is, Miss Geo takes the best elements of indie pop music and creatively combines them to make it a unique cohesive sound of utter perfection. Abby, Paz and I will be sharing tracks off of their latest self-titled EP, as well as other fun features throughout the year. Read our interview with them below where we discuss their background, influences, musical interests and more. |
@IndieBeatMusicIndie + Alternative Music Media. Your Online Music Venue: Introducing You To Your Next Favorite Artist. Curated by Josh Pineda
Archives
July 2016
Categories
All
|