#glutenhead

[kleiser]

[diz-cover]

Glutenhead Glugen Frau 2019

[thepermanentrainpress]

UNDER THE RADAR: SEPTEMBER 2019

This month’s Under the Radar is all for beating those back-to-school blues! Check out these pop, rock and folk cuts from Little Destroyer, Kelly & Gibson, SHAG, Ria Jade, Glutenhead, and Rebecca Sichon.

1) Little Destroyer - “Alpha”

“Alpha” is the latest from Vancouver grungy pop trio Little Destroyer, and it’s a banger.

Frontwoman Allie Sheldan is part siren, part dagger, her energy on par with the track’s intoxicating percussion and assertive lyricism (“You say you’re a god, man / so what? I’m the devil herself,” she proclaims). Its chorus bears resemblance to Imagine Dragons’ stadium-sized melodies yet still feels raw; blood red hues tinged with attitude and adrenaline. I’m surprised they haven’t made it big yet—they’re certainly fun to watch.

Written by: Natalie Hoy

2) Kelly & Gibson - "Why Do We Love Like This”

It may be a pop song, but “Why Do We Love Like This” is so satisfyingly light and airy, with harmonious vocals throughout. A song that you can dance to, but has so much buried beneath the surface. Heavy lyrics that detail a toxic relationship, fronted by Kelly’s sweet, smooth vocals, creates a beautiful contrast. With lyrics like, “We both don’t like to be alone / so when we’re not together we fall into the arms of another / We both don’t like to be alone / so when you say you want me it’s so easy to forgive ya,” it’s hard not to feel those emotions of longing for someone but knowing it may not be right. This duo may have originated in Montreal, but if I can speak for our city, Vancouver is more than happy to have them here. 

Written by: Liz Douglas

3) SHAG - “Megalodon”

It doesn’t have to be deep and meaningful, to be just plain fun. As is the case with SHAG’s blues rock ripper “Megalodon” – yes, it bears the name of the fierce, large shark. Born out of viewing a Shark Week documentary, the engaging (and slightly raucous) track is a “set list staple” that speaks of the shark’s fervent blood lust and existence. It also references its size and deceptive nature (“Well I thought it was a myth but maybe I was wrong”), group chants and dynamic guitar licks amping up the already high spirits.

Powerful and predatory, and a legend amongst the sea, SHAG crafts a fitting ode to the shark and its potential re-emergence.

Megalodon by SHAG

Written by: Chloe Hoy

4) Ria Jade - “Sage”

Tender vocals and sweet melodies. This acoustic, heartfelt song is about moving on from negative events and relationships of our past. “Sage” is a song Ria has been holding onto for some time now, but has finally chosen to let the world hear it, and I can confidently say that it was a fantastic choice. Her lyrics are relatable, yet so clearly personal; whether you are trying to get over a past relationship, or simply want a clean slate, this song will definitely move you. The lyrics, “I don’t wanna guide her ghost around no more / I’ve been burning sage but she’s breaking down these doors,” resonated with me.

Written by: Liz Douglas

5) Glutenhead - “Ambient Love”

If we are so lucky to feel sorrow, bliss, and wonder with love in our hearts – it may sound something like “Ambient Love.” Toronto’s Glutenhead calls the sounds off his new record Glugen Frau “surrealist psych pop,” textures that feed the mind, and play off our emotions. It has layers, depth that captures warmth and minimal friction, out of an audiovisual project. Without lyrics as a guide, it forces listeners to be present and open-minded.

Light ringing, chimes, rich buzzing like that of a sitar, an otherworldly combination of noise that works its magic. I don’t typically listen to instrumental music, but there is an intricacy that is alluring, searching for a story to latch onto.

Glugen Frau by Glutenhead

Written by: Chloe Hoy

6) Rebecca Sichon - “Poison”

Haunting and powerful, only two words (of many) that describe Rebecca Sichon’s “Poison.” Off her new EP Translucence, the Mission singer-songwriter is steadfast, dreaming (“Hold me, and we��ll be free / With stars in our eyes, and love on in our minds”), finding tranquility in her story. The young artist has a maturity in her words, the indie pop/folk cut has a cinematic feel that is enveloping, inviting. Sichon’s ethereal tone stands apart, the production serving as a good companion that allows her voice to shine. Searching for peace, meaning and a healthier love in fractured times, “Poison” is reflective but warmly, and wonderfully, anticipating.

Translucence by Rebecca Sichon

Written by: Chloe Hoy

[welovelofi]

Loves Me / Loves Me Not

We’re introducing LM/LMN as a playlist-saga for the outcasts that are having a hard time fitting in. We’re unsure, you’re unsure - together we will figure out if we love it or not. Songs will also be added to our spotify playlist of the same name -  go check - let us know what you love and what you don’t.

Here’s this round of  lovelies:

Simon Mitlid - Somewhere

This is one of the more pleasant bedroom songs I’ve heard in a long time. Simon sounds like a guy you’d love to be friends with growing up . Softspoken soul with a kind heart. There’s small gems hidden throughout the track - female vocals, organs, vocoder freshness. It’s a nice track addition to your playlists.

https://soundcloud.com/simenmitlid/10-stars-master/s-tKnfG

Glutenhead - How it Feels

More diy love from Canadian Gluten Head - really nice chorus, reminds you of a song that could be on an old Beck record. I normally do not like drums that sounds like midi-drums, but this here is my first exception. Thumbs up for the insisting guitar-noise that never rests.. I love the vocals too, female dubs goes next level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkIqu0LtD5o

Suzy Callahan - Georgia O'Keeffe

Susy Callahans voice reminds me so much of Kim Deal from Breeders & Pixies, I don’t hear many female vocalists with this kind of rawness to the voice while it feels like it’s wrapping you in silk at the same time.

The track is a slow-mover, it’s not going anywhere fast and it’s not trying to - more stumbling than walking, but it’s best this way. 

One of my favourite Breeders songs is ‘Iris’ from their POD album - this is Suzy’s ‘Iris’ I’m sure. Thanks Suzy, I hope people will enjoy this.

https://suzycallahan.bandcamp.com/track/georgia-okeeffe

open.spotify.com/track/5EiVzbzVyaiUx8PSFTuyfl

Slim Tin Fox - Molly

https://soundcloud.com/lynn-terence/molly-tapetown-re-mix/s-66EPu

We got this track from the Dublin based group a while back - it sounded way different, it was more like an accountant in need of a social life and a good night out with some kind of intoxication.  We mentioned this and some time later we recieved a new version of the track - new vocals and a new mix - carnage! No more pushing numbers on this one, solid no prisoners and no looking back.

Palm Haze - Second Round

Sloppy vocals, female ones - thats not often you hear that done well. Maybe it’s because not all too many women go  full Pete Doherty - I think the world is a better place for that though. However, I’m enjoying the vocals on this one - it’s a very chill track up until the 2.30 mark - changes into raw shoegaze - which is where the track really shines, raw diy approach to the mix.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=KSXRpblRpM8

open.spotify.com/album/67YGNWEXSZQ7M6onCuOUYY

[muchpreferredcustomers]

Glutenhead - Spinal Cord - from Palmerston

[paulosinski-blog]

What we’re listening to (Nov 2020)

CITY DANCE CORPORATION put out a great release last month called Public Freakout - it’s the kind of anxiety techno we love to bug out to!  https://soundcloud.com/citydancecorporation/sets/public-freakout-ep

Lukas is playing so many hardware sets in Toronto these days, I’ve seen him play live on several occasions since he debuted this project and it’s nutso every time.

BATTLES just put out a new album (Juice B Crypts) and it’s insane.  Can’t wait to see them soon, they’re obviously a huge influence on Microband.

GLUTENHEAD is putting out loosies like crazy on Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/glutenhead get over there and follow that project!

[thepermanentrainpress]

New Music Video: “Naked in Toronto” - Glutenhead

[thepermanentrainpress]

GLUTENHEAD: S/T

S/T – Glutenhead Release Date: July 3rd, 2020

Track Listing:

1. It's Not Really A Problem 2. Blue Day 3. Folding 4. Naked in Toronto 5. Before Goodbye 6. Goodbye

Glutenhead drops the perfect coming-of-age soundtrack for Generation Z with their newest EP.

A fusion of indie rock, disco, krautrock, 80s pop and 90s emo, Glutenhead’s sound crosses genre boundaries. The music is both melodic and inviting – but always with a dose of edge.

Glutenhead was initially created by Toronto-born Benjamin Shapiro. It is now a collaborative effort amongst six individuals, with an aim of “showcasing the eccentricities and sensibilities of both his artistic community in the heart of Toronto’s West End and his live band.” The new EP was recorded with producer Alex Gamble (Broken Social Scene, Alvvays, PUP, Fucked Up).

“It’s Not Really a Problem” serves us sarcasm and self-awareness. Birds chirp to bright, beachy guitars. Shapiro’s vocals blend with breezy feminine harmonies: “I only came out tonight / so I wouldn’t feel left out.”

The body becomes a temporary vessel for sadness in “Blue Day.” Gentle plucks and twinkling notes contrast with passive, cold vocals. The pace is slow and steady, like the pulse of a heart. Despite the melancholy message, there is a feeling of togetherness with downcast minds: “If the sinister arrive at your place / We’ll shoo them away.”

“Folding” is a fanged but fragile ballad. Horn instruments add a luminous layer to soft synth sounds. Shapiro’s vocals are energized and emo, hypnotizing in the glamour of 80s pop.

“But I couldn’t sleep / Lying, envisioning all of the things that I couldn’t do / and I couldn’t say / and expectations I couldn’t meet.”

The spotlight of genre shifts throughout the song, making it feel both nostalgic and fresh. Intensity and drama are pushed and pulled in the same process. A stand-out song on the album.

“Naked in Toronto” will have you happily yelling “I hate my life” with its contagious chorus. Sounds of an arcade and orchestra flair in a song delivering depressed but lively indie rock. “I think life is a test / I think existence is an overnight guest.”

After the murky and moody interlude “Before Goodbye,” Glutenhead sends off listeners with “Goodbye,” a stinging spoken song. Shapiro’s austere tone advocates for angst amongst glossy guitars and visceral vocal harmonies. “I’m writing in bold / and I can’t help but wonder / why sometimes I forget / the spell that I’m under.”

Glutenhead’s EP is charming and clever with its contradictions. A hodgepodge of poignant pleasantries. Dressed up and depressed, Glutenhead unmasks the mood of young people today.

Written by: Jenna Keeble

Glutenhead by Glutenhead