Earworm of the Week: Catfish and the Bottlemen, “Homesick”

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Krissie

A few weeks ago, Daytrotter’s top music muscle, Sean Moeller, sent out a tweet that said, “Catfish and the Bottlemen are going to be huge. Trust me.”

My immediate response: WHO ARE CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN?

I’m a Daytrotter subscriber, and get a ton of cool sessions from them, but they do lean a little to the indie hipster side. So imagine my surprise when I Google this band and hear screaming guitars. I must know more.

I may talk quite a bit about singer-songwriter types, but it’s not much of a secret that I have a “thing” for rock n’ roll bands. These four young’uns – and I do mean babies – fill my need for “MORE GUITAR!” Plus, bonus, they hail from Wales (Llandudno, to be exact), homeland of my mentor of fun, Mrs. G., and the Stereophonics. I do love the Welsh! Aged 18 – 21, these kids are already earning their stripes, playing over 100 shows in the UK in 2012 and currently gigging some pretty major festivals across the pond.

Their song “Homesick” has been stuck in my head for the last two weeks. And don’t let the sparse opening fool ya…hang on for the chorus and you’ll see what I mean about the rock n’ roll.

There’s no full-length album yet, but you can pick up the “Homesick” single, a two-track blistering rock n’ roll feast, for less than two bucks on Amazon or iTunes. Their new single, “Rango” is due out on Sept. 17 in the U.S., but if you just can’t wait, they debuted the official sperm-filled video this week.

Going to have to agree with Mr. Moeller on this one…this band is going to be huge. (Grab their Daytrotter session here, by the way.)

More Catfish and the Bottlemen: Web | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Earworm of the Week: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, “Firecracker”

Posted on August 29, 2013 by Krissie

I was torn this week. I have a couple of songs that have been on non-stop repeat, but I’m going with the one that makes me most happy it is almost the weekend.

Canadian Michael Bernard Fitzgerald – referred to often as just MBF – first caught my attention on The Sixty-One a few years back (Sidebar: oh, I miss The Sixty-One! I’m sure Jess and Brad will lament its demise with me.). His unique voice grabs you straight away, but it’s his humorous and effortless mix of singer-songwriter and hip-hoppy style that will keep you smiling.

His new album, YES, dropped this week and the crazy addictive, drum beat heavy “Firecracker” opens it up with a bang. It was actually released on a pre-album EP a few months back first, but in those few short months, MBF’s name has been popping up everywhere…even on my beloved Rock Boat, where he’ll be one of the performing acts this year. The new album is a guaranteed happy…check it out.

P.S. What I may love most about this fella is his social media consistency. Everywhere from Twitter to Facebook to his website, he’s ilovembf. If that isn’t worthy of a follow, I don’t know what is.

More Michael Bernard Fitzgerald: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Yes on iTunes | Yes on Amazon

Earworm of the Week: The Wild Feathers, “Hard Times”

Posted on August 22, 2013 by Krissie

Confession: Every two out of three days, I wish I was William from Almost Famous.

There’s something wildly intoxicating about the idea of living a life on the road, being immersed in music every day from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep. (Aside: The reasons I identify with William, other than the obvious writing connection, over the band-aids are another blog post for another day.)

So it should come as no surprise that I have fallen madly in love with The Wild Feathers, a band that sounds and looks like they could have walked straight out of the movie. Reverb-y electric guitar mixed with acoustic strumming; road-weathered vocals peppered with assurances that no matter how crazy life gets, you’re always going to come out on the upside; and multi-part harmonies that will make you swoon. It’s an iconic sound in a style reminiscent of The Band, but with its own little modern-day charm.

I have been listening to their debut album non-stop for a week now. Dear readers, this is going to be one really awful musical crush.

This particular number, “Hard Times,” has a magnetic pull on me, so it claims Earworm of the Week status. I seriously have played it 100 times. One of those songs that I hit repeat on like six times in a row. My god, the harmonies. Love, love, love.

The Wild Feathers are playing in Charlotte next month, opening for ZZ Ward with James Bay (who also has my little musical heart pitter-pattering these days). I have pretty high expectations of them. If they are as good as they expect them to be, I’m going to quit my job and follow them on tour. Fair warning.

(A giant hat tip to The Good Groupie, who has talked about The Wild Feathers for months and inspired me to go check them out, finally.)

More The Wild Feathers: Web | Facebook | Twitter

Earworm of the Week: Bad Suns, “Cardiac Arrest”

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Krissie

Decided to start a new segment here on jrzygyrl.com, in hopes of re-inspiring myself to write more often. Meet the Earworm of the Week – a piece where I’ll give you a new song that will get so stuck in your head that you’ll end up playing it compulsively.

So…the debut Earworm, “Cardiac Arrest” by The Bad Suns out of Los Angeles. Recently signed to Vagrant Records, this guitar-driven four piece just wrapped up recording their debut EP, expected out sometime this year. It’s hard to find much about them online, as is typical with the scrubbing o’ the web that goes on once a band gets signed, but here’s what I know:

The Bad Suns (Chris Bowman – lead vocals/guitar, Ray Libby – guitar, Gavin Bennett – bass, Miles Morris – Drums) formed sometime in 2012 in Woodland Hills, CA. The fellas are super young – Bowman is only 18! – which makes the next bit totally ballsy. They sent a demo of their song “Transpose” into make-or-break-you LA radio station KROQ, where it got picked up on the Locals Only show and generated some big buzz. Just last month, they shared the bill with the new Brit hotshots, The 1975, giving them some even bigger exposure as that band has taken off here in the States.

Their first single, “Cardiac Arrest” is insanely catchy and has some big chops – the lyrics are a little green, but at 18 years old, what do you expect? With the right team around them, I have a feeling this band is going to make a huge splash. Without further adieu… your new Earworm.

Pickup “Cardiac Arrest” on Bandcamp for $1.

(Credit where credit is due: Thanks to Sara, The Gallery’s manager, for turning me onto this band!)

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