#Rubblebucket Sun Machine

[bonbriver]

Rubblebucket | 1.25.19 | Paradise Rock Club | Boston, MA

[thebowerypresents]

Rubblebucket Put on a Spectacle at Brooklyn Steel on Saturday Night

Rubblebucket – Brooklyn Steel – January 26, 2019

Sometimes you go to a concert and see a performance and sometimes you get to go to a party, but sometimes you get lucky and you get to do both. Rubblebucket’s show at Brooklyn Steel on Saturday night was a full-on spectacle: a nonstop celebration of life goes on as well as a set of profound art. The show was sold out, which at first felt a little wow!, but about 30 seconds into the opener, “What Life Is,” everyone was jubilantly bounding in all directions, the band swaying back and forth in time, drums pounding, luscious bass filling the room, guitar squealing, Kalmia Traver—commanding the stage with a life-size baritone sax wearing a fez—singing, “What you’re feeling, what you know/ What your life is, where to go,” it quickly felt very of course it is!

The set was largely Rubblebucket’s newest record, Sun Machine, played in full, and if not quite in order, then close enough. But it was much more than just those songs of love, loss and beyond. The band was in constant motion as were the rainbow lights, a choreographed feast for the eyes. On some tunes, including “Party Like Your Heart Hurts,” some of the group played and danced behind screens, creating jittery silhouettes to match the music. Traver felt like a lovechild of David Byrne circa 1982, Peter Gabriel circa 1972 and James Brown circa 1962 (Traver somehow successfully imploring the band to “take it to the bridge” without irony), but the music, with its bits of art rock and prog, Afrobeat and jazz, stood abreast of more contemporary artists like Of Montreal, Broken Social Scene and Antibalas.

Traver’s counterpart, Alex Toth, added equal doses of hype-up energy, and his trumpet solos abound in “Lemonade” and “Habit Creature” were a so-much-going-on highlight. If Rubblebucket had a message to send, it was definitely one of love, “On the Ground” repeating that one word, the audience taking a knee (quite a sight to see) and then getting down in a full-room dance party. “Came Out of a Lady” was dedicated to moms and any dads with a “nurturing, loving energy” and ignited the most jumping-up-and-down dancing of the night, pockets of popcorn-popper hoppers appearing all the way in the back of the club, a space typically reserved for those fans who don’t care to move.

The encore featured two songs from 2014’s Survival Sounds, opening with “Young and Old,” perhaps the only chill song of the night. While the set-closing “Carousel Ride” felt like it might never end, which would have suited everyone just fine. The synth-funker seemed to spontaneously release gigantic balloons that aptly bounced around the crowd, then the band flowed into the audience, a parade of horns and drums before setting up in the back, continuing to play for a few more minutes. As if to catch people before they left for the night—or maybe to follow them to the next party or even to their homes—Traver, Toth and the rest of them then marched into the Brooklyn Steel foyer continuing to blow and bang and dance. A spectacle indeed. —A. Stein | @Neddyo

[half-man-half-lime]

Yooooooo

[fortherecordpodcast]

For the Record #95: Rubblebucket's "Sun Machine"

On the surface, Rubblebucket's fifth LP is a fun, energizing dose of electro-funk to which you can't help but dance. But dig a little deeper and you'll find a thoughtful meditation on finding joy and personal growth in the aftermath of major health and relationship setbacks. We discuss "Sun Machine" in-depth on episode #95 of "For the Record." Photos above are from when we saw the band perform at Slim's in 2015.

Episode link: http://fortherecordpodcast.com/podcasts/media/2018-11-11_ftr-episode-95-rubblebucket-sun-machine.mp3

Subscribe to the podcast by clicking here for iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/for-the-record-with-gg-and-adam/id943710156, or by copying and pasting this XML feed into your favorite podcatcher’s "subscribe" field: http://fortherecordpodcast.com/podcasts/feed.xml

Stream the episode via your browser here:

Or tune in to BFF.fm to hear us every other Thursday at 9:30am!

[grandjurymusic]

undefined

New Rubblebucket song out today, accompanied by one of our favorite animated videos in a really long time. Available in full here via Apple Music, the video was directed by Amanda Bonaiuto, and wrestles with concepts both big and small. "The idea behind the music video for 'Annihilation Song' began with the feeling of being in control and learning to trust yourself,” says Bonaiuto. “The plot was initially inspired by a negative experience with a ride share, and after fleshing out the idea it broadened into being more generally about situations where women are forced to relinquish control. I wanted to create a narrative where the protagonist regains or discovers control that she didn't think she had; control that she thought belonged to technology, two mind control pelicans, and nature itself."  

The album from which it came, Sun Machine, will be out oh so soon. Pre-order your copy before its 8/24 release date over in the GJ shop. And then head to the tour section to check out the new dates freshly announced for later this year. 

[indie-addict]

fruity by rubblebucket from their album sun machine (2018).

“i said i’d make it to the party

but i’ve got a lot goin’ on

the lioness gave a feast for forty

of her body

and slept on the ground till a flower grew out

yeah

i said we’d walk around the city

catch a cab at exactly dawn

i’ve promised with my eyes, and i know that

a peach tree skipped to you, fruity

and the next spring dropped her flowers on the ground

la la la la la la la la la la la la

let’s not wait, or let’s wait

no hurry to fall in love

la la la la la la la la la la la la

let’s not wait, or let’s wait

no hurry, we’re all in love”

rubblebucket is a band from brooklyn, new york. the band is made up of musical duo kalmia traver and alex toth, who were previously in a longtime relationship until they both agreed to end the romance in recent times. even though it was a breakup, they honored this decision by tattooing matching triangular daisies on one another. the design of the tattoos were special, as their 2010 EP was titled triangular daisies. sure, the breakup still hurt the both of them – but no amount of pain would stifle their creativity, and the two continue to write music together. thank goodness they decided to keep making songs together, because fruity and sun machine were born shortly after the breakup. but, as you may hear from this song, this doesn’t sound like a breakup track – in fact, it’s light, beautiful, and transcendent, filled with images of peach trees, flowers, and adventures with a loved one. here’s what bandcamp says about the nature of this ‘breakup’ album: “sun machine documents the pain of ending their romantic relationship, yet emerges as an unbridled and often-euphoric celebration of their lasting connection. while the breakup inspired much of the album, sun machine is deeply informed by several other life-changing occurrences in recent years: kalmia’s diagnosis with ovarian cancer in 2013 (followed by a round of surgeries and chemo treatments), alex’s decision to get sober after a long struggle with alcoholism, and the couple’s three-year-long attempt at maintaining an open relationship. the result is a strange and beautiful paradox: a party album rooted in radical mindfulness, a breakup record imbued with each partner’s palpable love for the other.” clearly, there’s a special connection that gets developed over an eleven-year relationship like kalmia and alex’s that doesn’t just go away after calling off a romance. a couple listeners on bandcamp described their support for this album. user rubble-ruckus says, “the energy, the rhythm, the horns, the wonder, everything. my favorite track is all of them, i would never be able to choose just one. i felt like i had left this earth and was transcending into another plane of existence before the sheer force of the music struck me back down to the ground in an explosion of light and color. another amazing masterpiece, well done.” this user definitely described how i still feel everytime fruity comes on. it really makes you feel like you’re floating in some kind of nature paradise. user luke wilson says, “this is the most intimate album of 2018, and it's so catchy to boot. it’s weird to think that a joint breakup album could sound so uplifting, but it's a joyous testament to the strength of their friendship and their willingness to salvage it. absolutely beautiful.” the event notes for rubblebucket’s 2018-2019 tour say “the wistful but breezy ‘fruity’ was built from a beat supplied from kalmia’s cousin.” fruity features kalmia on sax and alex on trumpet, as well as kalmia’s intimate, whisper-like vocals over a hazy soundscape. the revue says about fruity, “shimmering synths, tingling guitar riffs, and groovy rhythms meet the low bellow of sax, trumpet, and trombone. together, they form an intimate dance tune. traver’s vocals are deft and soft, as she recounts the multiple ways that people can fall in love even when they’re following separate paths. some of her lyrics are poetic and imaginative, sounding like she’s laying in a meadow and creating a story out of the clouds that float above.” rubblebucket also has 6 other albums than sun machine, including rubblebucket (2010), triangular daisies EP (2010), omega la la (2011), oversaturated EP (2012), and survival sounds (2014).

FRUITY MUSIC VIDEO

[bonbriver]

Rubblebucket | 1.25.19 | Paradise Rock Club | Boston, MA

[thejoyofviolentmovement]

New Audio: JOVM Mainstays Rubblebucket Release a Genre Mashing and Bittersweet Single

New Audio: JOVM Mainstays Rubblebucket Release a Genre Mashing and Bittersweet Single @rubblebucket @grandstandhq

Throughout the course of this site’s eight year history, I’ve written quite a bit about the Brooklyn dance pop act and…

[esseffo]

did I make you mean? or were you always that way?

[theheavyrotation]

Party Like Your Heart Hurts - Rubblebucket

[grandjurymusic]

Today marks the release of Rubblebucket’s tremendous new record, Sun Machine. 

The 13-song album is an enormous leap forward for the Brooklyn duo, slipping between bedroom-pop dance, horn-laden funk and kaleidoscopic rock with a remarkable ease. Coming on the heels of bandleaders Kalmia Traver and Alex Toth’s romantic breakup, a bout with cancer and another with alcoholism, the record is a testament to the redemptive power of an unbreakable musical connection. 

Get your copy of the record in the GJ shop right now, or stream it wherever you stream. Tour kicks off this Fall, with support from the endlessly enjoyable Diet Cig - tickets in the tour section.

[trackunknownblog]

Last Month In Review_0818

Moon King - Apartment Fire

Disclosure - Moonlight

Rome Fortune & Toro y Moi - Hoodrich Disco

Bas Feat. J. Cole - Tribe

BØRNS - Tension (Noah Breakfast Remix)

Santigold - Valley of the Dolls

Robyn - Missing U

Mitski - Washing Machine Heart

Colleen Green - I Wanna Be Ignored

SALES - Off and On

TV Girl - Birds Dont Sing

Yumi Zouma - In Camera

Blood Orange - Charcoal Baby

Diana Gordon - Wolverine

Moon Boots Feat. Nic Hanson - Keep The Faith (Lifelike Remix)

Nation of Language - I’ve Thought About Chicago

Wild Nothing - Shallow Water

Jungle - Cherry

The Marías - Cariño

The Sha La Das - Open My Eyes

Phantastic Ferniture - Fuckin ‘n’ Rollin

Rubblebucket - Annihilation Song

Mr Twin Sister - Echo Arms

Klaus Johann Grobe - Discogedanken

Jamie xx Feat. Four Tet & Romy - SeeSaw (Club Version) *08/19 @ All My Friends Fest

LCD Soundsystem - oh baby (lovefingers remix)

Ed Schrader’s Music Beat - Riddles

Mac Miller - Ladders

The Internet - Look What U Started *08/10 @ Outside Lands

Petite Noir - Blame Fire

Bells Atlas - Be Brave

Derek Simpson - Nothing

HalfNoise - She Said

Ariel Pink Feat. Jorge Elbrecht - Hang on to Life

Lawrence Rothman - Wolves Still Cry (Tennis Remix)

Christine and the Queens - 5 dollars

Empress Of - When I’m With Him

Kacy Hill - Dinner

Cat Power Feat. Lana Del Rey - Woman

Michael Rault - Sleep with Me

Andrew Combs - Reptilia

Gold Star - Dani’s In Love

The Drums - Days *08/04 @ Social Service

Amber Arcades - Where Did You Go

Saltwater Sun - Hot Mess

Black Belt Eagle Scout - Soft Stud

Pinky Pinky - Robber

The Cry - Starting Again

Samia - 21

Rituals of Mine - I’ll Always Be in Love With You *08/18 SheSaid.So Radio Show Live on Dublab

Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus (boygenius) - Bite The Hand

Amen Dunes - L.A. *08/04 @ Social Service

Soccer Mommy - I’m on Fire

Our Girl - In My Head

Beach House - Drunk In LA *08/04 @ Hollywood Forever Cemetary 

Arcade Fire - Mind Games - Recorded at Spotify Studios NYC

Anna Meredith - Being Yourself (Eighth Grade)

[azaleatown]

Sun Machine by Rubblebucket is a good album I like

[iheartmoosiq]

We’re on a roll with that fine new music out of Brooklyn, and we continue that exciting sojourn right now by visiting Rubblebucket’s latest song and video. The indie quartet brings us a peppy yet smooth dose of brass infused indie pop and lustrous spiraling synthrock on What Life Is, which builds its way to a very exhilarating, robustly squiggling crest. The single is a captivating and endearing second preview off the band’s new album Sun Machine, due out August 24th via Grand Jury Records. Rubblebucket shared its first single Fruity last month. Revisit the dreamy buoyant gem via our feature, here. Pre-order Sun Machine, here.