December 2016 – The SoCC Blog

29Dec

By Sam FasonNo Comments

Reviews

The 12 Best Records of 2016

2016 was undeniably rough. Lots of shit happened, and most of that shit sucked. Still, it's worth taking a look back at the year, because a lot of fantastic music came out. These are, in my opinion, the best projects of 2016. Whether you agree with me or not, hopefully this list will point you towards some new tunes. Honorable Mentions: These are thirteen fantastic records, in no particular order, that I didn't feel particularly inclined to write about. And that's on me/ But these are among the best releases of the year, and I felt that they at least deserved a mention. Holy Wave - Freaks of Nurture Anderson .Paak - Malibu Swans - The Glowing Man Preoccupations - Preoccupations Woods - City Sun Eater in the River of Light Ty Segall - Emotional Mugger Parquet Courts - Human Performance R...

Song Of The Day: Kohinoorgasm- “Azaadi Is Freedom Is Fate”

19Dec

By Maya DayNo Comments

Music, Song of the Week(end)

Song Of The Day: Kohinoorgasm- “Azaadi Is Freedom Is Fate”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuZNAjvhK7Q My friend from KALX Berkeley impulsively took a bus to Colorado Springs, surprising me on this stressful start to the fourth week. We've spent most of the day sitting on my couch showing each other songs we've been into lately. Aside from the classic "Caught In A Butt Sandwich" by The Mangfather Bob Katz, the best song she showed me happened to be by a kickass multiracial artist named Kohinoorgasm. Kohinoorgasm is a bay area artist that used to DJ at KALX, now working as a solo artist. She strives to empower people of color through her music. The music video of "Azaadi Is Freedom Is Fate" has an evident motif of hair, which Kohinoorgasm notes as a "distinct issue for femmes of color." The song itself is an exploration of the concept of freedom,...

Song of the Day: Galaxie 500 – “Tugboat”

15Dec

By Sam FasonNo Comments

Uncategorized

Song of the Day: Galaxie 500 – “Tugboat”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEwouUjDTTE After his time as the Velvet Underground's guitarist and bassist, Sterling Morrison left New York for Houston of all places, and became a tugboat captain. Galaxie 500 singer Dean Wareham seems to like that idea, too. Simplicity is a staple of Galaxie 500s music, but it never becomes boring. Reverb-soaked vocals and dreamy, distant chords are cut by gorgeously melodic riffs that make you nostalgic for something that you can't quite place. "Tugboat" is a hazy, blissful, sincere song. It makes me think of aspen trees in the fall, and I don't know why the fuck that is. And maybe thats why this whole album is so amazing. Galaxie 500 evoke vivid imagery without saying much at all. And given the sound of indie rock in the late 80s, Galaxie 500's Today ...

10Dec

By No Comments

Music, Song of the Week(end)

SONG OF THE DAY: Elenore –– The Turtles

Over Thanksgiving break, I was at home (in England) visiting a friend at her university in Sheffield. The classic way to spend your Saturday night in England if you're college-aged, is to go to a club; and so we did. I was ready to be disappointed –– personally, I don't really find much enjoyment in being in the middle of a crowded dark sweaty room of wasted strangers and subpar house music –– but then this song came on. Immediately, there was a sense of unity in the room; everyone stopped trying to impress the other drunk messes on either sides of themselves and started dancing, in whatever way they could. The club turned into a poorly-lit karaoke. I believe, with 97% certainty, that this song will make you want to sing with it. https://open.spotify.com/track/4DWFSrNnZXow1aB96gByho &nbs...

ALBUM REVIEW: Seal Eggs – “Sunday Will Be Snow”

10Dec

By Grace ForelleNo Comments

Colorado Springs, Local, Music, Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Seal Eggs – “Sunday Will Be Snow”

https://sealeggsmusic.bandcamp.com/album/sunday-will-be-snow Gwen Wolfenbarger is behind one of Colorado College’s most unique sounds. Also known as Seal Eggs, her new album Sunday Will be Snow is a beautifully ethereal collection of layered and looped tracks, she describes as “drinking Sleepytime Vanilla tea….” that truly “sounds like winter.” I remember the first time I saw Gwen perform in Cornerstone last year, I was brought to tears during her performance of “One Day”, which is featured on the new album. She drew on many inspirations during the composition process, one of the most important being the journey of understanding her transition, which expresses itself thematically through the development of the tracks. Gwen describes the progression of the tracks to reflect her transition...

SONG OF THE DAY: Them Are Us Too-“False Moon”

8Dec

By Amelia EskenaziNo Comments

Song of the Week(end)

SONG OF THE DAY: Them Are Us Too-“False Moon”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo4Y1RhqkTY I’ve been thinking a lot about the Oakland fire this week and listening to this band constantly. One of the members of the Them Are Us Too duo, Cash Askew, died in this fire. Askew was a vibrant member of the queer & trans community as well as the music scene in California. My song of the day is dedicated to Cash and all of the other vibrant humans whose life of creation was ended too soon. "False Moon" is a song off of Them Are Us Too's first album Remain.

SONG OF THE DAY: Jim James – “In the Moment”

6Dec

By Mads EngelNo Comments

Song of the Week(end)

SONG OF THE DAY: Jim James – “In the Moment”

Some songs come to you via Spotify recommendations, and some come to you by fate alone. A few weeks back, I was browsing the wine selection at a store up in Denver when I heard Jim James' new album playing over the speakers. As I stood there pretending to make an educated decision about whether the 2014 or 2012 cab sav would be a better choice, I listened to the smooth psych-fold in awe. Never before have I been compelled to actually ask a cashier what music they were playing until that moment. Turns out, Jim James, frontman for My Morning Jacket, had released his fourth solo album just hours earlier. Fast forward to now and it's already become a staple of my recent listening habits.

SONG OF THE DAY: Czarface – “Ka-Bang!” ft. MF Doom

5Dec

By David AndrewsNo Comments

Music, Song of the Week(end)

SONG OF THE DAY: Czarface – “Ka-Bang!” ft. MF Doom

MF DOOM is consistently one of the most overlooked and underrated rappers in the world of hip-hop. Czarface also joins MF DOOM in the leagues of underappreciated rap talent. The duo link up on Ka-Bang for an energetic and dynamic song. MF DOOM is a highlight of the song with his distinctive baritone and unique flow. Unlike some of the younger hip-hop talent out at the moment, MF DOOM has an endless catalogue and countless albums and EPs for enthusiasts to explore.

Song of the Day: Vashti Bunyan- “I’d Like To Walk Around In Your Mind”

4Dec

By Maya DayNo Comments

Music, Song of the Week(end)

Song of the Day: Vashti Bunyan- “I’d Like To Walk Around In Your Mind”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82xcICYq11Y Vashti Bunyan is for slow, cold Sundays like today. “I’d Like To Walk Around In Your Mind” moves in that strange flow of time that occurs this moment in the week. Vashti’s tender voice and introspective lyrics are reminiscent of lonely, reflective Sunday thoughts, but leave you warmed by the fuzzy psych-folk instrumentals that wash over them.