at least don’t say we told you to do it. Blame Killing California instead.]
our soul’s journey find purpose.
Engineered and Produced by Chuck Dietrich
Engineered by Vanessa Parr, David Martinez and
Recorded at Basement Studios, La Habra, CA
Ethan Carlson
www.KillingCalifornia.com
Mastered by Joe Gastwirt
-Ben Nine-K
www.markbatesmusic.com
TOP PICKS
Produced by Eric Lijerstrand
-Shawn M Haney
Mark Bates
Measure
Night Songs
The Air Inside Our Lungs
Los Angeles, CA (Self-released)
Brooklyn, NY (Self-released)
“Glorious, calming Americana melodies in the realm of Beck, CSNY” In his new Americana-style LP Night Songs, Mark Bates delivers the goods with a feast of Bruce Hornsby pianos to savor, a pinch of the Eagles lyrical wit, and a twist of Crosby, Stills and Nash-like harmonies. “Ghost Tonight” opens up with a stirring intro of winds and percussion, bringing the listener feelings as if he or she is being transported out West. Singing of brick layered streets and old oak trees, Bates remarks of “holding hands with a ghost tonight.” This song is very eerily reminiscent of the tunes on Beck’s Sea Change. Soothing, mellow sounds of violin, cello and pianos are found in “No One There,” displaying Bates’ artistic wisdom and ability to craft strong instrumental parts with graceful f lair and utter ease. Similar sounds are found in bands such as the Avett Brothers and Mumford and Sons. “Simple Love” features brilliant percussion and gorgeous jangly guitars, with a touch of colorful bass. There is a great wealth of textures and melodic colors on this album, such as those found in the ballad “Smile,” a tune of country charm. The faithful “Coming Home,” which sings of the winds and the feeling of finding home “one day at a time,” is an ever-present theme on this record. Its slide guitars and scintillating pianos help us touch the stars with a sentimental longing for one’s family. Each song is a mountain to climb, knowing that if you do so, you’ll find peace of mind, fulfillment and a sense of happiness when finally reaching the winds and cooling rains at the top. As the music plays, you can truly sense Bates’ remarkable gift for writing songs with clarity, works of art that have beautiful, detailed imagery and enchanting, brooding melodies. Night Songs is a strong effort, with a combination of his inf luences shaping the record’s sound, complete with arrangements that are simple, yet captivating. The rhymes and images are delightful and fruitful. Night Songs is a dynamite album to savor and ref lect upon, to help heal and build the heart, to help
“Textured, layered electronics; gorgeous cinematic indie pop” The Air Inside Our Lungs is ethereal, rich with a tapestry of indie sounds and instrumental colors. An album highlight, the riveting “I Want to Know You” explores musical textures of delightful percussion, charming indie guitars, and powerful, brooding pianos. Lead vocalist Laura DiStasi displays her scintillating and sonorous vocals with great flair and grace. She writes most of the material on the album with the help of producer/guitarist David Little. “Down Easy” is a painting of melancholy sadness, yet DiStasi seems to bring these darker songs to life with an immediate longing of new life and the chance of renewal and hope. The opening track, “Somewhere Outside,” is a collective of more jangly, indie rock guitars and a lush, cinematic bass and percussion. It’s here that DiStasi and Measure bring about the album’s reoccurring theme of “being better off outside, better off with one’s head held high.” A theme of hope and grace shines as victory over the powers of darkness and depression. Measure brings their entire arsenal of sound, instrumental color, lyrical wit and wisdom to deliver a superior album. Certainly a band of passion that savors the chance to deliver a message to their audience, you can likely find them performing live in Brooklyn. Mastered by Matt Azevedo, Cambridge, MA Mixed by Ryan West, New York, NY www.measuremusic.com -Shawn M Haney
Mike + Ruthy The NYC EP Woodstock, NY (Humble Abode Music)
their newest release, The NYC EP, featuring a combination of thoughtful lyrics and beautiful harmonies that capture the essence of American music. In the two years since Performer last featured Mike + Ruthy, the duo has continued to evolve and refine their sound into this summer’s must-hear acoustic album. The EP starts off with a nostalgic arrangement of the Woody Guthrie song “My New York City.” From there they kick up the tempo with “On My Way Home,” with its driving banjo backdrop and lyrics full of lost faith and homesickness. Mike + Ruthy draw the listener in with the sultry number “Romance in the Dark,” complete with an accompanying harmonica and lyrics like “I get such a thrill when he presses his fingertips upon my lips and he begs me to please, please be still.” Other noteworthy tracks include “Oh Mama,” with powerful vocals from Ruthy and the smart addition of saxophone to round out the bluesy sound, as well as “Raise Your Glasses High” featuring seamless harmonies and beautiful fiddle work to close out the record. Reminiscent of lemonade and front porches, Mike + Ruthy’s The NYC EP is an excellent addition to any summer soundtrack. Recorded and Mixed by Robin MacMillan and Jacob Silver
“When clever lyrics, beautiful harmonies, and two hearts combine”
Mastered by Doug Krebs, Seattle, WA Design by Bison Bookbinding + Letterpress, Bellingham, WA www.mikeandruthy.com
Folk duo Mike + Ruthy are back again with
-Ashley Amaru
AUGUST 2012 PERFORMER MAGAZINE 37