Summer-tunes [for Litha] #2

This months cover by K.K.W,
with layout by Aleksandar Ares.

Music now: the summer-list (for Litha/summer solstice) Part 2 By K.K.W

Spring came late this year and summer is already here, as we move towards Litha, turning us right-round and cleansing our troubles. And what better compliment to the glorious season then fine music [aside from good booze, food, friends and a reasonable supply of cash or credit to ensure one hell-of-a-great ride!]?

So, in the Spirit of Apollo, Aten, & Juno, we give you a list of music to guide you towards, through & past Litha:

Life Recorder. Image courtesy of the artist.
https://soundcloud.com/life-recorder

nd_baumecker. photo courtesy of the artist.
https://soundcloud.com/ndbaumecker 

Bastille. Photo courtesy of the artists.
https://soundcloud.com/bastilleuk 

Abe Ana Choveche. Photo by K.K.W
https://soundcloud.com/v-g66/solitude-ana-hristova 
https://soundcloud.com/parussion/butterfly

Tropical Rock. Image courtesy of the artist.
https://soundcloud.com/tropicalrock 
http://www.perfectwave.org/tropicalrock

herMajesty. Photo courtesy of the band. 
https://soundcloud.com/hermajestyny

Michael Vincent Waller. Photo courtesy of the artist.
http://michaelvincentwaller.com 

Hopefully some of the music will strike a cord in you,

and you'll buy it. 'Art is the reason, art is the way'

Summer-tunes [for Litha]

This months cover by K.K.W,
with layout by Aleksandar Ares. 

Music now:the summer-list (for litha/the summer solstice) part 1

Spring came late this year and summer is already here, as we move towards Litha, turning us right-round and  promising to cleanse our troubles. And what better compliment to the glorious season then fine music [aside from good booze, food, friends, and a reasonable supply of cash or credit to ensure one hell-of-a-great ride!]?

Rachel Mason - photo by K.K.W
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RachelMason
http://www.rachelannmason.com/

Alveol https://soundcloud.com/alveol

Muriel Louveau - photo courtesy of the artist
https://soundcloud.com/muriellouveau

Jeanann Dara - photo by K.K.W
 https://soundcloud.com/jeananndara

Herzel - photo courtesy of the artist
https://soundcloud.com/herzel

Genoveva - photo courtesy of the artist
https://soundcloud.com/genoveva-1

Melis Aker - photo by K.K.W
http://www.melisaker.com/.

Anna/Kate - photo by K.K.W 
www.annakatemusic.bandcamp.com

Lily Virginia - photo by K.K.W
http://www.lilyvirginia.com/.

Along with listening to the music, purchase what you like & support the artist's. 'Art is the reason, art is the way'

@ Pianos

This months cover, by K.K.W.
Layout by Aleksandar Ares 

Female artist showcase (@ Pianos). Article & photos by K.K.W

Hours before going to Pianos on Friday for an event, I tried thinking of reasons not to go. Walking along Ludlow street I could feel the collective energy of the area, mingled with the dying light, illuminating the worn-down streets. By the end of the show, I was glad I showed up.

Melis Aker

I took a stool at the the darkly-lit bar in a medium size-room with a stage; while most of the performers mingled amongst themselves, like old friends. And as Melis Aker started her set, I slowly began to warm-up. There was certainly something pouring out of her, into the dark back-room. The lovely voice merging with poignant lyrics that obviously emanated from her passion, and some place quite private. Her compelling  rendition of "A case of you" by Joni Mitchell cemented the moment, leaving all present throughly satisfied. She's certainly as talented as she is easy on the eyes.  

Melis Aker

Anna/Kate

As soon as Anna/Kate took the stage and the first song commenced, something magical happened. The ukulele, passion of feelings through their voices, along with the rest of the band [Mark on Bass, Brian on Drums, & Melissa on Cello] made for a unique sound that could not be ignored. An upbeat, almost pop-sound quality to the music, yet never just saccharin, but from a laid-back personal source, laced with the pain of having lived. Love is a recurring theme, whether directly or indirectly, [there are a few love-songs on the EP] as is  the nature of their [Anna/Kate's] queer-sexuality - giving the feeling of raw honesty.

Anna/Kate

Lily Virginia

Lily Virginia

The wait for Lily Virginia seemed too long, but certainly worth it. Having already known her music from her self-titled EP, to see her live was a thrill. She held the crowd with the power of her sound like gentle fire, poetic lyrics that allude to something unique. The music has a california vibe, folk-rock feel; light & playful like Sara Holtzschue's "Angel (For KRS)" & "For KB". But just as easy she can change pace with a track like "Yuriko", filled with potent-verses, anguish, longing joy & regret Like Patti Rothberg.  Recently she made a cover of "Te Extrano" ["...a cheesy pop-song..." as she put's it], which she performed that night. And I have to say, it was really cool; her singing in Spanish, the vibe, the flow of the song. If its a cover of something cheesy, she made it beautiful. Her talent was flowing straight out of her, and filling up the room. 

Lily Virginia

Lily Virginia

If you would like to know more, go to:www.melisaker.com,  www.annakatemusic.bandcamp.com, or:  www.lilyvirginia.com. 'Art is the reason, art is the way'

For the summer [music]

On the cover this month, Abe Ana Choveche.
Design by K.K.W

Music now: summer mix (part 1). By K.K.W

The frost has long since melted, spring has faded in the wake of summers glaring light and euphoric inducing intensity. So on the way to, between or while your doing whatever you do, when eyes are wide or averted, sample this.

Satya Hinduja:
https://soundcloud.com/satyahinduja/d-flawless-004
Image courtesy of the artist.

Herzel:https://soundcloud.com/herzel/late-night-jam
Image courtesy of the artist. 

Omar Souleyman:
https://soundcloud.com/omar-souleyman
Image courtesy of the artist

Clinical Trials:
https://soundcloud.com/clinicaltrials/sets/devils-lp-demos
Image courtesy of the artist.

Naia:
https://soundcloud.com/noisymeditation/sets/naia
Image courtesy of the artists

Ana Hristova:
https://soundcloud.com/v-g66/solitude-ana-hristova
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Phk1HlRTH4
Image courtesy of the artist.

noon:30
https://soundcloud.com/noon-thirty-page/sets/finding-release
Image courtesy of the artist.

Pinkman:
https://soundcloud.com/pinkmanrecords/sets/released-2014
Image courtesy of the artist.

Yinka Oyewole (right). Image courtesy of the artist,
from the upcoming EP with Sabatta.
https://soundcloud.com/yinka-oyewole/told-ya-1

Antoan Kurt:
https://soundcloud.com/antoankurt/go-girl
Image courtesy of the artist.

If you would like to know more - go to, sign-up and follow me on soundcloud:https://soundcloud.com/k-k-w 'Art is the reason, art is the way'

herMajesty

On cover this month, Abe Ana Choveche.
Design by K.K.W

Music now: One By One (herMajesty). By K.K.W

Although it sounds like a cliche - one thing really does lead to another. Having come into contact with so many people in the last 3-4 years have given me so much new music to explore.

Cover to the single "One By One".
Image courtesy of the band. 

"her Majesty" is one of the best indie-bands on the scene, with an interesting sound full of intensity, ingenuity and a feel-good sensation. Their most recent track "One By One" is a clear-cut example of great emotions, and a powerful sound. The chorus-like intro seems bit strange, yet is really striking with an intense feeling. 

Valerie Kuehne. Photo by
Larufoto 

Lead singer John Pasagiannis' voice grabs your ear, bringing you along on a heart-felt sound-wave. "...gather all are pictures. One by one, the dust is useless, let me breathe..." There's a poetic sense of drama matched only by the simplicity of the words.  Genuine warmth emanates from the melody, tones and the chorus contrasted by the moody, slightly-mornful lyrics. 

John Pasagiannis & Joan Chew. Photo courtesy
of the band. 

Dayle Raymond Jellyman.
Photo courtesy of Larufoto 

From right to left: Joan Chew, John Pasagiannis,
& David Leatherwood. Photo courtesy of the band. 

And, whichever song you listen to - "Lisbon Street", "Open up your arms", "The Stranger", or "Into the light", you can't go wrong. herMajesty is arguably one of the best bands performing, and creating music in New York City, for us and the rest of the world to listen to. 

Album cover courtesy of the band. 

If you would like to know more, go to:https://soundcloud.com/hermajestyny. 'Art is the reason, art is the way'

Dream-Train

On this months cover Abe Ana Choveche,
Design by K.K.W.

Music now: Lily Virginia. By K.K.W 

When it comes to music your either ridiculously selective, or highly eclectic; both have there advantages. However, those who are eclectic get to enjoy a broader spectrum of sound and are usually a reservoir of musical interest.

Lily Virginia - cover to her amazing self-titled
EP. Image courtesy of the artist. 

Its not just her voice (which is soothing, & wonderful) but the lyrics and her passion that float straight thought into you. "...its a train track, heading home...", a somber ride through familiar territory of loss, longing and redemption. However, its not a sappy-saccharine laced tune; its depth is great, the message is individual an intricate. 

"Take the subway like some ambulance..."; the lyrical word-play is poetically clever, leading you on through to the other-side. Visions of an urban setting with a haunting melody as your guide. Feelings and nostalgic tremors reverberate, like the force and speed of a late-night train...through a city that never sleeps.  

"Yuriko" is every bit as amazing, & my 2nd fave track. The song starts off with a gritty-vibe like an engine revving-up. The seemingly obsessive lyrics are tinged with lust, as much as longing mingled with regret. "come on over lets live forever...you loved me till you hated you, you couldn't bare the sight...I wanna know if your coming home..." [www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPP7xCmJ1q0] 

The entire EP ["Lily Virginia"] has all the soul and feeling of a personal adventure; wondrous tones, melodies and excellent change-up's. Each track holds its own and feels unique, maddening, beautiful, tense with great lyrics and sound to match. 

If you would like to know more, go to: http://lilyvirginia.bandcamp.com/

Music now:"Five easy pieces"

This months cover by Aleksandar Ares,
with layout by K.K.W

Michael Vincent Waller: "Five easy pieces". By K.K.W

There's a softness thats flows and resonates from each track of Michael Vincent Waller's "Five Easy Pieces"; matched equally by a tender, somber feeling 

like cold november rain. Its pacing is an elegant mixture of seeming, languid grace, 

with subtle increases of tempo and intensity ("L'anno del Serpente").

Like rain drops on the surface of a pond (or puddle of water) turning into ripples,

"Ninna Nanna" is like the repetitious cycle of falling rain. Its beginning is slow, exuding equanimity, towards a gradual change of slight exuberance and a gentle decline - as with most things in life.

Cover for the EP, image courtesy of the artist.

A seemingly simple series of chords thats dissonant with a harmonious touch , and yet its cyclical. Like the wane and wax of the moon controlling the tides crashing against the shore. Its haunting element  is embedded in its simplicity - hiding somewhere behind the notes ("Per Terry e Morty - 1&2").

Complicated and low-key, exuding a stream of slight melancholy, altered by a brief increase in tempo. "Acqua Santa" is a light shifting storm you underestimate, its momentum reasserts itself, then dissipates - the emotional output lingering...

on the horizon.

Michael Vincent Waller.
Photo courtesy of the artist

Each piece is elegantly played by Gumi Shibata (1-4),

and Jenny Q. Chai ("Acqua Santa"), aside from their obvious skill - they seem to feel the music in an honest way. Waller's music gave me the sensation of water, of falling rain, somber moods tinged with joy. I would image its because he's born under a water sign; and is quite gifted. 

If you would like to know more, or take a listen, go to:http://michaelvincentwaller.bandcamp.com/album/five-easy-pieces. "Art is the reason, art is the way"