New Songs You Should Be Listening To While Hibernating: Part Two
Writing the first one was just too much fun and I might just keep writing them until we’re out of this thing. Some of this music came out a few weeks ago but it was new to me when I found it and it will be new to you when you hear it. And let me tell you, you want to hear it, you need to.
SPILLER
Single Release:
“Hey You”
The studio cats that are Spiller, known for rhythmic vocals, jamming melodies, time shifts, and their Eugene smiles are a collection of talented beasts hailing from “the best state in the world”, Oregon. That is not just from their mouths! Everyone I have ever met from Oregon would describe it that way. The band consists of the dynamic vocal/guitar donning duo that is Sam Mendoza and Luke Broadbent, the drumming and mixing master, Justin Kiatvongcharoen, and mellow badass bass slinger, Aidan D’Angelo. This band is the gateway drug to funky math rock that is still on the DL but the people who do know are addicted. I am a follower of Spiller.
Spiller came across my radar when they played at Blind Moose during the summer of 2018, in Bloomfield, Connecticut with Snowpiler, Standby and Imbroglio . I got a call from Snowpiler’s writer/musician extraordinaire, Nick Restivo, while I was on a train ride home that was loud, and fuzzy, coming from the inside of the concert they had just played explaining that, “this band is unlike anything I have ever heard… they leave tomorrow for Boston,” and “you need to get them on your podcast, ElizaLeafs.” As easy as that, I saw them in Boston the next day with hometown favorites, The Most, and the next day we were back in the studio with multi-talented mixing/mastering/musician brothers Tommy and Daniel Carr at Blind Moose, and we were recording one of the coolest live sessions I have ever had the privilege of being a part of. I sat on the floor with my mic as magic happened around me. The back and forth vocalizations of Luke and Sam ping-ponging back and forth, Justin keeping time and Aidan bobbing back and forth, it was unreal. When it was finally mixed and mastered (flawlessly, I might add), I listened to it on repeat on my drive to Montreal, and it somehow, never got old. The quality that Blind Moose offers matched with the talent that is Spiller was a perfect match.
“Hey You” is a song they just released that deserves a listen, or eighteen. Spiller always create a good vibe, and this is another song added to that list. Immediately with the first guitar riff, I am taken to my VW Beetle driving down the open highway in CA on the way to the beach, and then the drums come in with the lyrics, “Wont Say It Gets Better” and a more serious tone in the mode/melody, matching the lyrics perfectly. As it opens up for their hook that you'll be singing by the second stanza, “Won't you come and save half for me?” My favorite part comes at 1:13 with a classic Spiller slide-y guitar riff. (Slide-y? I have to literally make up words to describe the epicness that is Spiller….) Anyway- this is like the song's intermission. After it starts to open up and rebuild with rising guitar tension. At 2:08 the beginning mode comes around again, just at the right time because I was starting to miss it, and it’s well worth it since the slight alteration in melodic line and driving nature of the groove makes it even more interesting. If you weren't vibing before, the crescendoing instruments along with layered vocals will have you sold. Before you know it the song ends, only leaving you wanting more songs (I hope you’re reading this Sam and Luke).
Spiller is a band I get so excited to see live because they use their studio recordings as more of a point of reference rather than a play-by-play. In front of an audience, they let their songs take on a life of their own, which takes talent, focus, and unity of the band. I can't wait until I can experience this tune live.
These level-headed, beautiful, and talented musicians should be on your radar, on repeat, and on your weekly listen rotations. Big things are coming their way, and I would keep your eyes and ears peeled.
This album was produced by Ehren Ebbage, mixed by Justin, and mastered by Joe LaPorta at Sterling Sound.
FFO: Feed Me Jack, Hikes, A Great Big Pile Of Leaves
Square Loop
Single Release:
“I C B Y S F W M”
Driving indie rock, mixed with Dave Z’s soaring voice, and the tight band of Kyle Mudge, Nate Rogers and Jordan Wright; Square Loop pulls off yet another absolute bop. I got to see Square Loop live a few years ago in Rhode Island at a concert I was singing at with Hadley, and they caught my eye. Back then with Ryan McKenna on bass, their charisma, professionalism, tight sound quality, and huge crowd pull was impressive.
I spoke to Dave, the lead singer after the show, and he was nothing but kind, hilarious, and knowledgeable.. and not just about music. Dave, and the band come from extremely bright backgrounds. Dave graduated from WPI with a Mechanical Engineering degree, and that's actually also where the band started. Other members include Kyle Mudge (guitarist), and their new bassist, Jordan Wright, and Nate Rogers(drummer). While Kyle is off in London for grad school, Tyler Ducharme from twelveyes has been filling in for live performances.
After I saw them live, I wanted to hear more and had them on my podcast, ElizaLeafs. It was an absolute pleasure and privilege hearing them live in such an intimate setting and to top it all off, Dave and I had an absolute blast singing together on one of our favorite The Front Bottoms throwbacks.. It seems like yesterday we were all cramped into a small studio space where Ben Fox, a musical genius, sat in the room nearby and mixed and mastered.
To say the least, this band is tight. They make complete bops that have you chanting their catchy hooks around the house. This new song, “I C B Y S F W M,”, reminds me of one of my favorite tunes called, “I Should Probably Admit It,” off their 2018 album, All Are Welcome. The song includes a lot of chant-like sections where audience participation is called for. After listening to it a few years back, I was singing along right away. The band definitely makes you feel involved, and that is one of my favorite parts about this new song. Coming in at around 2:22, drops the line that titles the song that is screamed out in a chorus and hits you like a ton of bricks. It’s driving, full of emotion, and makes you come around for the next listen, and the next, and so on. Plus you're singing with awesome folks like Mike Aylward, Tyler Ducharme, Dylan Ilkowitz, Evan Lamanna and Pat Ranauro (Quite a roster of guest vocalists). Where catchy melodies meet heartfelt and bold lyrics, driving sounds and awesome people- I am never disappointed when it comes to Square Loop. The production quality on this track far exceeds their past stuff (which was already amazing), and I look forward to hearing the rest of their album which drops on MAY 29TH, and you should too.
Head over to bandcamp and purchase this song.
This album was produced/engineered and mixed by Dave Zielinksi and Jordan Wright. It was recorded/mixed at Wachusset Recording (Princeton, MA), and mastered by Jake Checkoway.
FFO: Hot Mulligan
ROBERT XAVIER NEWMAN & ASHLEY MAYORQUIN
SONG RELEASE: “PLUTO”
This classically trained duo brings me back a few years to school at Boston Conservatory, where these two joined forces in Songwriting Class with the all holy Kevin Siegfried to create the masterpiece that is “Pluto.” I am so glad they found each others’ voices because it's a perfect fit. The song takes you gently gliding over galaxies, bathing in the stars, getting lost in the black and white keys. Robert’s string talent and Ashley’s trancing melodies are a match made in…..space. Get it? (hehe) God, I have to get out of this room.
I got to see this song a few years back when it premiered at Boston Conservatory at Berklee during a songwriter’s showcase, and I have been waiting for the moment that I could easily access it on my iPhone for convenient streaming when I need a fix. The talent and musicianship is uncanny and clear in this recording, which was magically produced by Berklee Alum’s own musician, Ian Michael (a former coworker of mine from my days at Trader Joe’s).
There are so many things that I love about this song, one of the major ones being that it’s primarily focused on the keys. It gives this song a different kind of feeling than the songs that have been coming out recently. Ashley's flair on the keys and vocals matched with Robert’s soaring violin, vocals, guitar, and bass. Their harmonies take me on a ride through space; weightless, with nowhere to go yet everything to see.
Immediately when this song begins I feel like I am an astronaut slowly spinning through the black galaxies looking over earth and its tiny beings, pleasant but with a slight uncertainty as to what will happen to me. Am I safe? Am I exploring? Am I tethered to safety or drifting alone into the unknown? This excitement and uneasiness takes us directly into the harmonies that sooth me and put me at ease, “I’m all I need, though I’m nothing to you. There's nothing to fear, if there's nothing to lose. No I'm not afraid of anything, invincible can't you see? I'm out on the edge of the universe. Pluto’s got nothing on me.” We float a little more and as the theme comes seamlessly back at 2:35 it takes on a new meaning. This time the violin soars as we spin through the galaxies once more, becoming one with the sun and dancing with the moon. This section has a definite folky vibe and I can even see an animation of the sun and moon wearing cowboy boots and running off in the green pastures together. One of the coolest parts of this song is the choice of timing when it comes to layering their voices. It happens a few times in the song but my personal favorite comes at the end, and it is well worth the wait. At around 3:02, just while the song is coming to a close, the chorus comes in for one last round. The harmonies, haunting and beautiful are not exactly rhythmically matched. Robert takes the lead and Ashley's voice trails closely behind, and then vice-a-versa. This leading partnership goes back and forth until the very end, voices getting caught in each other, beginnings tumbling into ends (much like two astronauts floating in opposite directions from the ship, but tethered to each other). The slight uneasiness created while floating through the melodic galaxies are eased in the connection and reliance that there is always someone to lead the way in the darkness. I hope this song takes you on a journey, I can’t wait to hear all about where you go.
This is flawlessly produced by Ian Michael.
FFO: Elliott Smith, The Civil Wars
Ryan Yingst
Album Release: Bar Rings
Ryan Yingst is a multi-talented musician/producer/bassist and guitarist coming out of Pittsburgh, PA. If that weren’t enough, he tops off these skills with a mean set of pipes. I have never met a person who didn’t like and respect Ryan, and he has the most loyal friends I have ever known.
I met Ryan in by far the weirdest circumstances. I was working as a singer in a band at Kennywood Theme Park in Pittsburgh when our lead bass player dropped out a few days before opening. Our guitar player, Tim Fulton who hailed from Hershey (where my dad is from, hi Grandma <3), said he knew of a guy he grew up with in Hershey that now lived in Pittsburgh who might be able to help out. The next day we had Ryan, off book, playing in the band with us, blending in seamlessly. He has always added his own flair to everything he does, and has never half-assed anything. This album is no different. Long-awaited, well produced, and full of talented musicians, Bar Rings comes to life.
One of my favorite songs off the album is a bit of a throwback for me and probably many people who have followed the musician. I feel like everyone who knew about this song was awaiting the moment that we could finally listen on streaming services worldwide. Ryan has been working on his musical skills for years, graduating from a music high school and going on to heighten his guitar playing and record producing skills at Duquesne in Pittsburgh where his debut single “Don’t Go (So Easily)” came about (dating back to almost five years ago). It’s super jazzy and groovy with a mean trumpet line. For a long time, “Don't Go (So Easily)” was one of the only things you could find online regarding Yingst’s musical skills. His songwriting has grown exponentially and that can be shown in the way the new version of this song has expanded in this album release and on the rest of these songs. Although this song is extremely memorable, “Benzedrine” shows Ryan's full potential as an upcoming musician. It begins with a driving guitar line, giving a feeling of determination, pushing through. It kind of reminds me of driving through the rain, a little bit pissed off, away from a fight and rehashing it in my mind over and over again. His voice cuts through like a knife, with an emotional growl and interesting raspy quality, knowing no start or end in range. At 2:13 you can see a snippet of the powerhouse that is his voice when he really lets loose, but my favorite part comes right at the end coming in at around the four minute mark. The chorus has been sung a few times and you and I will be singing along at this point. Just as he has hooked us in, the music drops out and the a cappella blend of beautiful, unique voices surrounds us in full-bodied sound. It’s beautiful, haunting, and worth the wait.
Ryan has nationally toured with big bands like The Justin Fabus Band and Jungle of Thieves. He has traveled up and down the east coast and hit big cities like NYC as a solo artist. He has plans to transition from a Pittsburgh singer-songwriter to a new city very soon. I’m sure I am not alone when I say, I can not wait to see what Ryan puts out next if this is his first album release.
Head over to bandcamp and purchase this album.
FFO: Jacob Collier, Jeff Buckley
Thank you for reading. Please listen and comment your favorite songs below!!! If you know of some amazing releases that I looked over, don’t hesitate to send them my way. As always, stay safe and sane.