The Sixth Wave
Dedicated to the memory of Matthew Seligman
Time is a healer, and it will take a lot of healing to put things right after this pandemic. Society has lost its focus, and we lost friends, loved ones and idols. But as humans we struggle through with the hope of succeeding. Thank whoever-you-believe-in that we have music. Whether it is lockdown sessions, or even new sounds to bring us on a new adventure, we need that escapism. This set, dedicated to the innovative bassist Matthew Seligman acts as a 23 gun salute, with 23 memorable tracks. In truth he is an example of the loss music has suffered, we as society have always rebuilt, but we cannot resurrect the ones we lost only honor them.
As I tend to follow labels more so than trends, Big Stir is one which I pay close attention to. Mainly because of these unique samplers, as they always serve a dual purpose. The Sixth Wave not highlights some respectful talent, 25% of all proceeds also going to the Sweet Relief’s Musician Assistance Fund. So it’s a win-win for fans of music and musicians.
There are some familiar faces across the set. The absolute definition of gentleman, Dolph Chaney appears with two tracks, “The Handling” and “Automatic Caution Door”. The first from his mammoth, and recent album Rebuilding Permit, the second a non-album B side. In truth he pulls his inspiration from his own personal experiences, transforming them into beautiful but stark songs pulled from his gut. Furthermore there is Joe Normal and his band The Anytown’rs. The man who is the promise Bruce Springsteen made, the working class hero who echoes the streets entertains with “Living With Me” and “Home”. Of course minus the acoustic bohemian vibe as The Anytown’rs provide a healthy backbone of rock and roll.
Tracklist:
1.Librarians With Hickeys – Until There Was You
2.Popdudes – Ridin’ In My Car
3.Dolph Chaney – The Handling
4.Jim Basnight – This Is Where I Belong
5.The Walker Brigade – No
6.Paula Carino – Door
7.Glowbox – Earn Enough For Us
8.Tom Curless And The 46% – I’m The Man Who Murdered Love
9.The Well Wishers – We Grow Up
10.Joe Normal & The Anytown’rs – Living With Me
11.Trip Wire – Katie Says
12.The Corner Laughers – The Accepted Time
13.Spygenius – Spite
14.Librarians With Hickeys – And Then She’s Gone
15.Popdudes – Daytime Nighttime Suffering
16.Dolph Chaney – Automatic Caution Door
17.Jim Basnight – Big Bang
18.The Walker Brigade – Fallout
19.Paula Carino – Welcome, Spiders
20.Joe Normal & The Anytown’rs – Home
21.Trip Wire – Go For A Ride
22.The Corner Laughers – Queen Of The Meadow
23.Spygenius – Heaven Is Blue
To order
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The Quarantine Sessions
Wait until you hear about this. As I stated we find ways to survive, and these musicians have found an inventive way to continue making music with this isolation. Many articles were written over the past few weeks asking How will music survive?, the fact is we have to have faith in musicians and their ability to adapt. There are no borders when it comes to making music. Again, 25% of all proceeds are going to the Sweet Relief’s Musician Assistance Fund, connecting both these sets.
The lowest of lo fi reaps high rewards on “Believe Your Art” by Os Tyler. Set beside “(This Is Not) A Holiday” by Gregory Vaine. A track that springs to life with echoes of mournful guitar and a chanting harmony, before the whole instrumental detonates with a dramatic tension. The album closes with the built-for-purpose “Dystopian Future”, an uplifting alt-rock cracker by Kevin Ridel.
Music should always be created like this. The approach is a statement of roots music colliding with distortion. It is raw and unpolished, it is the sound of rock and roll.
Tracklist:
1.The Suitesixteen – The End Of Something
2.Jeff Whalen – Magic Of Love
3.The Wandering Jews – You’re Somebody Else’s Headache Now
4.The Armoires – Ghost Of Fall Singer In Depopulated Griefscape
5.Jason Cutthroat – Yer Hell
6.Trampoline Playdate – Blue Whale Tranquilizer
7.Jason Pontius – December 31, 2019
8.Justeven – Remedy
9.Os Tyler – Believe Your Art
10.Gregory Vaine – (This Is Not) A Holiday 11.Kevin Ridel – Dystopian Future
To Order
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