#DOWN THE LEES

[thepermanentrainpress]

UNDER THE RADAR: APRIL 2023

April's Under The Radar brings new releases from Porteau, The Evan Williams Project, Grace Chiang, Hotel of the Laughing Tree, Down the Lees and Odum Abekah.

1) Porteau - “Split Screen Eyes”

Sometimes, it takes a hurtful dynamic to uncover quiet strength.

“Split Screen Eyes” is helmed by inner monologue—an emotional push and pull from “caring for someone with mental illness and concurrent substance use.” Victoria Williams and Craig Stevenson acknowledge the codependence and create distance with some whimsical, less orthodox language. The single combines Williams’ winsome vocals, relaxed guitars, synths, harmonies, and a hint of harmonica. “Aberration is uncomfortable but it’s what I need,” Williams sings, setting boundaries and deepening the sentiment simultaneously. Porteau’s sophomore album What I Need is out June 2, 2023.

Written by: Natalie Hoy

2) Hotel of the Laughing Tree - “Faraway Friends”

“Faraway Friends” is a fun and throbbing melody despite isolating emotions. It was lyrically inspired by the majority of their band members moving away from New York, and is sung from the perspective of vocalist AJ Estrada, who remained in their home state. “No need to let go, please keep me in your world / Back in your old back seat / Time never slows when I want to leave the scene...” Time can be unforgiving when you’re going through a period of change and uncertainty. The result is woozy, beautiful, bracing—vocals, drum machines, keys and guitars trying to shake the rearview mirror.

Hotel is comprised of Estrada, Brandon Peterson and Jonathon Streker. “Faraway Friends” is the title track off their fifth full-length album, out now.

Faraway Friends by Hotel of the Laughing Tree

Written by: Natalie Hoy

3) Grace Chiang (featuring Rebecca Sichon & Amanda Na) - “Played”

A modern day love triangle that leans on the shared experiences of women is at the core of “Played.” Encapsulating the manipulation and betrayal of a lost lover, the song’s use of two female vocalists plays on the misplaced anger and fraught emotion. It’s a sublime debut single from producer/songwriter Chiang, creating notes and tones that are sultry, distracted and resentful. The harmonies and vocal runs between Sichon and Na are sweet to the ear – a division and predicament that reaches an understanding towards each other. In the pop/R&B realm with a soulful lining, soft piano is richly elevated by punchy hip hop beats.  

I couldn’t be more thrilled to hear that Chiang is collaborating with other female artists and creatives from underrepresented communities, in a project set for release later this year. “Played” celebrates the strength of emerging women in music and encourages us to let go of those who don’t show us the same loyalty and respect.

Written by: Chloe Hoy

4) The Evan Williams Project - “Contact”

“I know that prison in the palace of a demagogue / Is ever better than the curse of being free.” 

Scott McGowan’s struggle with his spiritual belief is heard in “Contact,” omnipresent thoughts that err on regret and a looming end. They bring a new definition to raw—creating music while going through an honest bout of questioning one’s faith and mental health. It is less of the heavy, hard rock found in past releases, instead having a progressive, ambient feel built by vocal layering, clean guitar leads, and reverb. McGowan and his sister Launey have a perpetual quality to their voices that linger in the weight of Christianity and desperation. They have a mysterious, almost vigilant sound rooted in questioning reception and our existence; a very compelling listen and a story far from its conclusion.  

The Evan Williams Project is fronted by McGowan, with Allayne (Launey) McGowan (drums), Isaac Robinson (keys) and Jaxon Russell (guitar). Their new album Willpower is out now.

WILLPOWER by The Evan Williams Project

Written by: Chloe Hoy

5) Down the Lees - “Dead and Over”

Oh so bleak and penetrating as they veer into frustrating territory in “Dead and Over,” a release of negative emotions felt over the course of the past few years. Laura Lee Schultz fronts the post-rock/shoegaze act, carrying a piece of her soul and a jaded energy to elevate the single. Her voice is tired and anxious, angry and embattled in a losing fight. I love the mystifying sound, it’s both biting and tormenting as instruments crash in and out. In addition to the general overcast of the pandemic, they address artist mental health struggles and ageism in the challenges faced by older female musicians (“No one gives a f*ck about aging women”). 

For any creatives who have faced doubts about ability, recognition, assumed retirement or expiration, the band carves out the best of what is left—which is plenty of passion and perspective. Something to remember. Down the Lees is Schultz, Chris Carlson (bass) and Andy Ashley (drums).

Dead and Over by Down the Lees

Written by: Chloe Hoy

6) Odum Abekah - “GOOD FOR YA”

Odum Abekah’s “GOOD FOR YA” started with a sinuous beat, and blossomed into a dancefloor special with its lush layers and persuasive tone.

Originally from Fredericton, NB and now based in Calgary, Abekah is a graduate of both Humber College and Mount Allison University music programs. His sound is uplifting and put-together—retrowave mixed with modern rock guitars and sturdy drums. Abekah’s slick vocals play the part of wooing a potential lover well (“But the world they capture's digitized black and white / You deserve some colour”). “GOOD FOR YA” is a song with no regrets; leaving everything on the line for a shot at something special.

Written by: Natalie Hoy

[thoughtswordsaction]

Down The Lees Released "Dirt" EP

Okanagan Valley-based noise rock / post-rock trio Down The Lees released “Dirt,” their highly anticipated extended play release. You can check it out below.

[isatohlee]

Everyone deserves the comfort of another

[chiptrillino-art]

(ID in ALT text)

I know posting vice this year was a bit meagre. not every year is the same but at the end i am kinda happy by the drawings i managed to do this year. compared to last year its funny how sokka got into the spotlight more often this year. and even suki was more prominently featured. zuko watch out who knows if i even draw you next year~

i guess my main goal for next year is to finish wips... like every year. oh my -starts sweating-

recap 2022 . recap 2023

also tried out again to make the characters turn around.

very wonky far from the smoothest animation. but still fun to see.

thanks for sticking around for so long and happy new year. let's kick ass in the next year!!! -battle cry-

[masacatki]

"you are in other dimension right now also how tf did you do that!?" - Robotnik, probably....

[johnnyspells]

Downfall: Part Two

[home-of-the-squirmle]

Boyfriends of Progress

[yourfatherjustinmcelroy]

Rewatching the first few episodes of fhjy because i guess i have nothing better to do and the way you can see how kibblespilly was supposed to be a counter to riz is so fucking funny. Its all there from the very beginning- the attitude, the tactics, the way she interacts with the party and everything- this is supposed to be riz's counterpart to run against him for student body president and have a terrible battle of wits and barbs

But in a twist that is perhaps THE most befitting to her ideal story of running against the boy she chose to be her antagonist, the intrepid heroes just straight up not taking the bait resulting in her instead having to go toe to toe against her idealized perfect rival's aggressive near-flunkie unsubtle chaotic friend is SO FUNNY.

Like I know some people are disappointed we dont get the riz vs kipperlily presidential whatever, I know it doesnt make tons of sense in that specific narrative way. But the fucking hilarious meta that even this didnt go her way is so funny. Because instead of rogue sneaking and behind the shadows plays and spy vs spy shit, we have just outward schoolyard taunts and shit like kristen exploding and jumping over the school and the exact kind of play that baits kipperlily into rage every single time and its so fucking funny. Kristen runs naked through the school and does party stunts and is STILL BEATING HER. She even clearly constructed her party to mirror the bad kids perfectly and craft each of them their own nemesis/counterpart and for the most part it like kind of worked EXCEPT FOR HER.

It must drive her fucking crazy that her cute little plot of rogue vs rogue didnt pan out at fucking all despite ALL the signs pointing to that making the most sense. This was something she just couldnt predict, couldnt mastermind. She got up onto that metaphorical stage for a debate and instead was met with a clowning act. Its so funny. I love fantasy high. Nothing you could have done would have changed this, fourdogs. You never had any power at all.

[kyeomic]

in the soop 2.3

[faunandfloraas]

dirty dog.

[stormandsparks]

Poll

(because of something my sister told me and I’m confused so)

*but it’s fine as a word/thing for others to call themselves

Oh yeah and pls reblog for sample size!

Edit: uhhhh so votes have more than doubled in the last like hour and a half??? Thanks @fuckyeahasexual (i think) 0-0

[thegunslingerletmedrop]

[thoughtswordsaction]

Down The Lees - Douse

“Douse” is the latest single by Down The Lees, a superb Canadian trio. It’s their first single in 2024 and an adequate follow-up of “Christmas Tribute,” “Since La Vie En Rose,” and “Dead And Over,” three exceptional tracks released in 2023. Soundwise, Down The Lees combines many different but complementary music genres to illustrate such rich and luxurious sonic imagery. Perhaps grunge comes to…

[wolfchans]

Nothing can stop you at this moment I feel your free spirit alright ♪

[strayklds]

241208 / dominATE in Japan

[luciathcv]

anything for you - psh

summary: down-bad!sunghoon does anything to make you happy || warnings: none || genre: fluff, established relationship || word count: approximately 330

Sunghoon would do anything for you. Whether it be something more minuscule or something more substantial, he was doing it for you. He wasn't really like that with anyone else besides you. He simply loved you too much and it was rare for him to ever tell you "no".

Sunghoon let you play with his hair, even though he hated when it got messed up and never let the members even slightly mess with it. He also let you fiddle with his clothing, even though he hated when people touched his clothes. Of course, at work, he had to let the stylists fix his clothes but he never let anyone do that to his own clothes.

Sunghoon also did skincare with you even if he had no interest in that sort of stuff. Countless times, the members would walk into his room when you were there to find not only you, but him as well, wearing a face mask and a cutesy fluffy headband to keep his hair out of his face.

He even let you paint his nails to practice. You were trying to get better at is since you always somehow mad a mess when doing it so you asked if you could practice on him and although he didn't really want nail polish on his nails, especially the bright pink one you were planning on using, he let you since it made you happy.

So, it was nothing new when the other members came back from a dinner together and found the two of you on the couch together, his hair tied up and braided in a million different ways, cute clips and hair ties clad in his hair.

Sunghoon glanced over at them as they started laughing and tease him which annoyed him a bit, but only because it was them. He didn't feel embarrassed though. As stated previously, he'd do anything for you, even if it meant his friends made fun of him for it.

ᥫ᭡ link to my masterlist