sun airway

Definitely my Summer romance of albums, Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier by Sun Airway! Their rhythm and melodic sound is perfect for the traveling experience and introspective moments. The group from Philadelphia is a sound project that came from a dissolved band, A-Sides. Originally releasing a 4 song EP, called 'Oh, Naoko,' popularity called for them to produce the full length album 'Nocturne' in 2010. If you are loking for a well developed sound that will take you anywhere for the rest of the season, check them out on their website: Sun Airway, for more details.

happy labor day

In 1882 a machinist, Matthew Maguire, proposed a holiday for the Central Labor Union of New York. The same year another Maguire; Peter, proposed the same holiday in May for the American Federation of Labor, after observing the annual labour festival held in Toronto, Canada. Regardless of whom first proposed the idea, Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday on Feb. 21, 1887. By 1894 it was a federal holiday with thirty states observing. It was rushed into being a national holiday by congress, due to the Pullman strike of 1894. The Pullman strike was a bloodied massacre that occurred on the south side of Chicago, involving the American Railway Union, led by Eugene Debs, that was originally a peaceful protest where the workers refused to pull Pullman railcars, in exchange for lower rent worker housing, which George Pullman refused. The standoff became unruly and Debs ultimately lost control of the 125,000 workers who began to set fire to buildings, overturning a locomotive and spurring demonstrators across the US to block the flow of goods through the Midwest by blocking railways and job walk offs. President Grover Cleveland with US Attorney General Richard Olney originally obtained an injunction against the striking work force and its leaders from protesting, causing more boycotting, resulting in a total of 30 deaths and 57 wounded when a military attempt to control the situation failed, the total collateral damage amounted to over 80 million dollars. After Pullman's company's practices were considered "un-American," by the Illinois Supreme Court, Pullman was forced to give up the rights to his land and it ultimately became public housing ran by the US government. While labor forces were still a hot button topic, Cleveland and the US congress pushed through Labor Day as national holiday to quell the tensions between unions. Resulting in having every first Monday of September as a paid day of rest from the work force in America. Labor Day also unfortunately marks the official last day of Summer before the Fall season rolls around. So soak up what sun and fun you can get today; jump in a lake, bar-b-q outdoors, go for a hike, play a game of bocce, but just enjoy the last throughs of the season while you can! 

Happy Labor Day!

slowed down music

Time. A concept that humans sometimes loose themselves in. Days are measured in hours and minutes and years are measured in weeks and months, though even occurrences happen second by second we fail to understand its fleeting. As it passes by us we find that it can change in moments for each of us, sometimes fast, sometimes slower. The pace, rhythm, beat and melody of a song are all wrapped in time. This can make us feel different when the song is played. A fast tune with light melody may be perceived a happy or fun, while slow and heavy may feel sad or angry. These are natural emotions that we establish when listening to the song. Case in point, Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen is fast, light and full of teenage angst when giving out your number, though when it is stretched out over 30 minutes it sounds like yearning, wavering, haunting, almost sci-fi. Take a listen above, and if you want to speed things along, about 14:10 is when the chorus starts.

Above Jolene, by Dolly Parton is a song about a Woman who confront this beautiful woman who is trying to steal her man. Though, even though it is a song about standing up and making sure what yours stays yours, when slowed down by 25% the song now sounds as if she is begging this woman to not take her man away, almost pleading. It becomes more about heartache and pain versus owning love. 

What really started me on this journey was a segment on Radio Lab based on Time, and how we perceive the moments in it differently. In that segment they experienced an art happening in New York where the Beethoven's 5th Symphony was stretched out over 24 hours in a glorious expansion of time dilation in music, which feels dreamy and surreal. In the above piece Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata stretches beautifully gracefully and romantically. Each of the above stretch into an aether of slowed grace. All forming a dreamscape of sound and feeling. 

of monsters and men

Watching the preview for the Secret Life of Walter Mitty (click the link for a trailer), I became reacquainted with Of Monsters And Men and the fantastic journey that their music takes the listener through. The band hails from Iceland where they developed their sound and competed in the Músiktilraunir yearly battle of the bands which began their journey to record and produce their first single in 2011 track Little Talks. Little Talks made its way onto their only major release album My Head is an Animal. The band speaks of their music as almost isolation and seclusion that brings them to their own mischief and fancy. 

“Iceland can be a very isolated country and that translates to the music, we get stuck in our little world”, Nanna Hilmarsdóttir cosinger/guitarist.

This Summer take an adventure and listen in to Of Monsters and Men if you haven't had the opportunity. Almost every song brings uptempo pounding beats, adventure and fun. 

goldroom

Clearly I have been listening to a lot of music, since I normally don't post two pieces almost back to back. Though Goldroom has definitely captured my attention. With such a chill and calm sound they become entrancing. The band definitely has a variety of sound from pop to ethereal they potentially could be the sound track to your holiday vacation. The band has also produced remixes for artists in example, charlie XCX, Gigamesh and others. 

carousel

Hailing from Los Angeles by way of Boston the band Carousel has Summer sounds written all over their music. The bands pop sound boarders on alternative and even shoe gazing with rhythmic pacing and day dreamy and introverted lyrics. The band can stay uptempo though most of their work is rather chill and cocktail hour fell. Check out more on their website where they constantly update travel dates and preview new music: carouselmusicpage.com. 

welcome back

We are back from the spring/summer hiatus! And it feels so good to be back at camp. I know I have missed it. The regular rustic camp updates and activities will be returning to their normal schedule. Time to throw on the flip flips, grab a towel and head down to the lake for some rustic updates. 

woods

Woods, a band from Brooklyn, is multi instrumental with a focus on folk rock, jam band, and alt-country roots. The band sound revolves heavily around the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, and classic folk sounds. They have several albums out since 2006, with Bend Beyond as their most recent release in 2012. They currently are promoted under the growing Woodsist record label and follow up information can be found on their bands page. 

blood orange

Blood Orange is the MO for Devonté Hynes. He has created music of other artists spanning from Florence & the Machine to Basement Jaxx. Hynes is from NYC and produces most of his work from his home. His work is ethereal and extremely chill. Blood Orange draws his identity from blurring work of transgender icons and high-gloss nihilism. More links available on his Domino Records page. 

the war on drugs

This indie rock band from Philadelphia formed in 2005 by Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile are highly inspired by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty. The Band released their debut albaum Wagonwheel blues in 2008 and their follow-up Slave Ambient in 2011. The music is highly ethereal and dream-like. The vocals often trail off into the background, while the base line or drums overcome the music. More to see at Secretly Canadian. 

bahamas

Afie Jurvanen or better known as Bahamas, is a Canadian performer. He has a long history of being in other bands, aiding in writing and musical score, some are: The Stills, Jason Collet, Great Lake Swimmers. He preformed guitar with Feist and also did ensemble piano. He recently stepped away from other musicians to focus on his own music with his albums Pink Strat and Barchords.  His latter album is full of folk, gospel sounding, and country notes it is also highly inspired by 1950's soul and R&B. Check out his website Bahamas.

rac

Sometimes we need some background music to our busy lives. Enter: RAC, also known as the Remix Artist Collective. The collective was established in 2007 by Andre Allen Anjos with partners Andrew Maury Karl Kling. They have the mentality of redoing a song under a different structure, and not necessarily relying on the traditional club beats. They have remixed several numbers of songs all stemming from any number of genres. They tend to stay true to the original and attempt to put more emotion into the song than that which was before. 

wonderful christmastime

Jars of Clay produced and recorded this version of Paul McCarthy's classic in 2007. The version is a bit more mild and relies on acoustics versus the highly electronic original. This is a song that could softly waft though your holiday season. Even though this particular take is a bit slower and melodic it most definitely keeps a pace and cantor that is true to the original. It poses to be a beautiful remake and will be a staple for your future holiday replays. 

wild nothing

The moniker Wild Nothing is held by musician Jack Tatum, who started his career in Blacksburg, Va in 2009. His music is based in dreamscape story telling, that stays upbeat and symphonic. The songs never falter, they stay constant in beat, and only pause in the beginning and the end, as if there is always an intro and outro, literally introducing another chapter. Find out more at at their public myspace page.

penguin prison

Dramatic/Party? Penguin Prison is known for its wonderful remixes and its ability to produce a beat. The band released its album  "Penguin Prison" in 2011, the first album that actually featured original vocals. The subject matter in most of the songs is actually a bit gritty, you can hear the angst in his voice that he holds back on, which works perfectly against the rather pop back ground. 

lord huron

Lord Huron blends a mix of folk, dream pop, and hindi tones into most of their songs. While residing in California lead singer Benji Schneider went back to his roots in Michigan to visit. While there He established three songs that created his EP Into the Sun. When he came back to L.A. he established the band that would later become Lord Huron. The music is mainly polyrhythmic drums and folk guitars that creates a jam session in each song which becomes a full fledged musical realization. Check them out at Lord Huron.

strfkr

Simply cool. Starfucker's is up tempo, while the lyrics are soft and dreamy. Beautiful to drive to, the band makes it clear that you are going to enjoy the ride. Their album, Reptilians, keeps pace and keeps you listening.  Formed in Portland, Oregon carries 4 members that provide multiple talents for the band, though at this moment the band looks like they could be on permanent hiatus, with possibility of not returning. 

bootstraps

Folky, distant, and melodic is the best way to describe Bootstraps. Listening to them, has been a pleasure. I recommend Fortyfive as a great start as its slightly alternative, while OH CA and Sleeping Giant are a bit more rock with a heavier sound. Either way there is a beach side pleasure to this album that I like to enjoy.

tycho

Tycho has been in my ear for the last week. It has become an obsession to listen to. The album Dive, is incredibly synth with focus on guitars and drums. The music is uncomplicated, relaxed, and airy. When you listen you can't help but get a beat in your head, as most of the bass lines are quite catchy. The band focuses on painting an image from sound, and sound alone. There are no lyrics which may seem off putting at first, but it is easily bought into. 

youth lagoon

Beyond words. I am officially head over heals with Youth Lagoon. The last 12 hours have been fueled by The Year of Hibernation. The album is distinctly ethereal, with haunting vocals, and extremely full sound; it is definitely one to experience. He deals with dysphoria and bases his work in minimalism and ambiance. Youth Lagoon, moniker of Trevor Powers, is currently based out of Boise, Idaho.