19 August 2022- Homemade Haircuts has just released their first full length album called, Sun Showers. Released back in February, “Jasmine”, was the first single to be released out of the four. “Oslo”, “Ghost Town” and “Hourglass” were exciting previews to the completed album, and we were certainly not let down by the rest of it.
Sun Showers is a remarkably enjoyable album. While not only drawing you into its effortless flow, the “Oslo” band takes you on a whirlwind of emotions. The flow itself and the mixing don’t drown out or remove from the vocals and incredible song writing.
The lyricism on this album compliments each song so well, taking each verse into a brilliant and well-balanced flux. Songs like “Imposter” and “Sorbetto” are filled with so many great and unique moments, such as the bridge in “Imposter”, they beg the question, “Can I be someone you would want? Can I be someone you would love?”. It is impossible to not hang onto every line in each of the songs.
Final Thoughts
Being a self-produced band, Homemade Haircuts has really come into their own over the course of this year, and this album proves they are going to do nothing but excel.
They have two album release shows this evening and tomorrow where you can enjoy all of these amazing songs in both of their split native cities, Columbia, SC and Charleston, SC.
You can stream Sun Showers and the rest of their discography on all music streaming platforms, as well as follow them on Instagram to stay up to date on shows and future releases.
Nashville’s newest rock band, The Criticals, just stepped onto the ‘touring band’ scene. Formed by Parker Forbes and Cole Shugart in 2019, the band has already reached multitudes of success with their songs, “Treat Ya Better” and “High Life Clinic”.
We had the opportunity to get a glimpse into their start and new life as a touring band. Forbes and Shugart invited us to sit down with them at their show in the small but forgiving town of Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Photo By: Jenna McGuff
What were your major influences growing up vs. now?
Shugart: Ultimately Parker and I had parents that had very good music collections and we grew up in the era of iTunes so our records are all over the place. The record that really brought Parker and I together was The Stone Roses’ self-titled album.
Forbes: I used to go to the library in Nashville and check out as many CDs as they’d let me. It would go from hip-hop to pop to rock to country, I loved it all honestly.
What was the first concert you went to?
Shugart: Mine was James Taylor at Starwood when I was 3. It was an amphitheater that used to exist in Nashville.
Forbes: Mine was in Memphis and I saw Justin Timberlake and Timbaland in 2006.
If you could go to any concert, which one would it be?
Shugart: Plant and Page, I would love a Led Zeppelin reunion.
Forbes: Elton John, he’s probably my favorite artist ever.
Desert island bands?
Shugart: Jane’s Addiction, David Grey, and U2, that’s a big catalog.
Forbes: Elton John, LCD Soundsystem, The Beatles.
Shugart: (laughing) Wait, I change mine from U2 to The Beatles, that’s a pretty good one.
Can you explain a little about tour life and how it’s been for you guys on the road?
Forbes: We’re finally just starting to do it. We thought when we were 18 we’d be doing it right out of high school. It gets tiring sometimes but we’re all best friends so that’s very nice and we always hang out with each other in Nashville when we’re not doing stuff so it’s not a business transaction when we go on tour. It comes down to the experience of all of it.
Shugart: I’ve had a pretty good time honestly, no complaints.
Forbes: At the end of the day, you’re out there to play shows and spend time with people.
Any favorite cities that you’ve played in?
Both: New York, baby!
Shugart: Yeah that was a pretty surreal moment for us.
What are some artists that you would want to work with in the future? Music-wise? Tour wise?
Shugart: The dream producer for me is obviously Rick Ruben and probably Mark Ronson. As far as other artists, I would love to do a feature with Lil Yachty or Playboi Carti or someone like that. Like a disco track with Travis Scott or something would be sick.
What is the progression of your band?
Forbes: We played in a bunch of different bands together and we practically grew up together. I’ve known him (Shugart) for over half my life.
Shugart: We met at a camp called ‘Kids on Stage’ in Franklin, TN when we were 11.
Forbes: I originally started out as a drummer, I didn’t start singing until I was 15 or 16. After going to school in LA for two years, I decided my goal when I got home was to start a kick-ass rock band. I hadn’t spoken to him (Shugart) in a while so I hit him up and we began playing together again.
How did you come up with the band name?
Forbes: I was watching tv late at night and a Life Alert commercial came up with the flashing words critical, critical, critical. And I worked with that.
What does your songwriting process look like?
Both: It’s different every single time.
Forbes: We’ve had songs where we sit and record it all in one day and others we’ve worked on tirelessly.
Shugart: Sometimes the idea happens and it takes a while for the rest of it to come together.
Forbes: Like with (the song) “1952”.
Shugart: Yeah that was originally two songs that we framed inside together.
Final Thoughts
Nashville has been long overdue for a solid rock band, and The Criticals are more than anyone could have hoped for. Their music takes you back to a generation that younger rock fans wished they lived through.
They have perfected the craft of mystery, sex, drugs, and rock & roll. Each song leaves you with a craving for more of the sound they have created.
When it comes to a live performance they are nothing short of entertaining. With a timeless edge and alluring energy, The Criticals are bringing back rock one gig at a time.
You can stream The Criticals on all streaming platforms as well as follow them on Instagram to stay up to date with their music and upcoming shows.
11 February 2022- Local SC band, Homemade Haircuts, released a single today titled, “Jasmine”. This is their first release since the release of their single “Golden” in 2021. “Jasmine” was one of the first songs they finished since the addition of their new drummer, Blake Hunter.
Bob, one of the lead vocalist and guitar players told us that this was the first song they wrote together as a band after making the move to Charleston, SC. He describes it as “trying to capture that summer-y feeling”. He stated that the song describes a longtime friendship that turns romantic and then “fails royally”. He also states, “the song is also about jasmine green tea…lol”.
The song starts off with a short and smooth guitar intro that quickly moves into soft vocals that rise and fall throughout the song. Reminiscent of sweet and salty ocean air- “Jasmine” is the feeling of early summer warmth.
“Jasmine” begs you to ask the question, “Where do we go from here?” A hanging onto a relationship by a thread feeling throughout each verse, Homemade Haircuts has outdone themselves by creating a song that touches on such a sore subject in such an upbeat and fun way. It is a track that you can listen to on repeat and find something new to love about it each time.
This single is a promising preview to what the newly Charleston natives have in store and we look forward to future releases from them. You can stream “Jasmine” on all streaming platforms and you can follow them on Instagram to stay update on new releases and upcoming shows.
After recently making the move from Nashville to Washington D.C, The Dune Flowers released their first single of the new year, “Tired of Being Nothing.” Here is our breakdown and review of the new single out everywhere January 28th, 2022.
Elijah Johnston has made a name for himself in Athens, Georgia following the release of his four studio albums. On Friday January 14th, Johnston released his fifth album, Day Off and performed it for Athens to hear live for the first time. Here is our review and breakdown of Day Off.
9 April 2020- Nashville native, Briston Maroney, just released his debut album called, Sunflower. Since his EP release in 2019 titled, Indiana, this album has been long awaited. Sunflower consists of ten tracks produced by John Congleton and recorded via Atlantic Records. His four singles, “Deep Sea Diver”, “Freeway”, “It’s Still Cool If You Don’t”, and “Sinkin'” had been a promising preview on what was to come from his debut album.
The album opens with the earnest, “Sinkin'”—the last single Maroney released as the preview for the album. Heavy on guitar and unique vocals, this song sets the tone for the album’s noteworthy depth as it speaks on “emotional violence” and getting the hell out of a bad situation.
Next is, “Bottle Rocket”—a completely fresh sound from Maroney. Featuring a tasteful delay, he creates space for a rich bass unlike we’ve ever experienced from the artist. This song is all about taking your time and putting your life into your own hands, bellowing the emotions you experience while coming to accept yourself for who you are. With genuine expression and relatable lyrics, Maroney guides us through the ups and downs of this track.
Next up is, “It’s Still Cool If You Don’t”, Maroney stated that this song is about “awkward teenage crushes” and finally getting the courage to confess your feelings. Reminiscent of the jitters and sweaty palms that come with high school crushes, this song will transport you to a time you tried to forget. The next song, “Freeway”, is a confession about being caught up in being in love with someone and wanting to shout it from rooftops. This track features fun riffs and Maroney’s soft vocals, giving this this one a sense of nostalgia.
The album transitions into the first single released in August of 2020, “Deep Sea Diver”. This song is nothing short of wonderful—with passion from the guitar and Maroney’s soulful vocals, it tugs at your heart strings. It then dives into, “Why”, a familiar vibe from Maroney’s previous work. The build from the first verse to the chorus is flawless and affective. The song is about wanting to be someone else in order to fix a situation; an all too familiar feeling.
“Rollercoaster” is next, and it starts with a heavy guitar and fades into the first verse. Maroney takes you on an emotional rollercoaster throughout the song. Much like, “Bottle Rocket”, This song is much different than his previous releases, and it is a very exciting change of pace. Next is the sweet and simple, “Cinnamon”, which is all about missing the simple parts of a relationship, like singing songs in the car together. In the chorus he lists off some sing-along tracks that everyone has belted in their car at some point, making the song a tender love ballad.
The pace picks back up with the second to last track, “The Kids”, a feel good song. This song feels like a June night in the car with your friends; the sun is setting and this song is blasting. The lyrics and music are beautifully written and blended. The chorus is mantra worthy: “All for one and one for all. Together we rise and together we fall. Because other than loving, there’s nothing that matters at all”.
Sunflower closes with the quiet and innocent, “Say My Name”. We’re taken back to his 2017 EP, Big Shot, with a similar but more mature tone. The simplicity of Maroney’s fervent vocals and soft guitar strums make this track exactly what he’s aiming for: beauty. Maroney never fails to paint you a big picture in such a short amount of time. This track is the definition of longing and trying to grasp onto fading memories, but also coming to grips with reality.
Overall, Sunflower is Maroney’s best work yet. It captures heartfelt emotions from parts of your life you thought you had forgotten about (or tried to at least). This is an album that can stand by itself and be listened to from start to finish without getting bored. With this album, Briston Maroney, manages to embody summer time and asks you to take a stab at beauty. He encourages you to embrace not only the sweet but also the bittersweet travelogues of life.
The Film
Sunflower: The Visual Film
Along with Sunflower the album, Maroney released a 42 minute film titled, Sunflower: The Visual film. The film was envisioned by Maroney himself, and directed by his long time friend and visual collaborator, Joey Brodnax. The film is a moving portrayal of beauty and the components of how one views it.
Throughout the film we are reminded that “there are five ever present sources of beauty that we see everyday (landscapes, human enchantment, skilled displays, art, and the ineffable spirit) that allow us to come to know beauty”. For the last five songs we’re introduced to the inverses (meaninglessness, trash, hidden internalizations, failed alchemy, and digital spaces) that allow us to perceive beauty.
Each song off of Sunflower is represented by the resources and their inverses. Giving the songs from the album personality, the film is a visual representation of Maroney’s complex thoughts on beauty. Visually, this film is bright and full of aesthetically pleasing landscapes. The cinematography combined with the score, Sunflower, offers a safe space for the viewer to ponder their own concept of beauty.
Overall, this film illustrates a beautiful visual of life’s “ever present sources of beauty”, and encourages us to take our own “stab” at beauty. It is a delightful depiction of how people can differentiate when recognizing beauty throughout their everyday life, and it also allows them to see it through Maroney’s eyes.
Final Thoughts
Both the album and film are conceptual and breathtaking. Maroney has outdone himself—Sunflower accomplishes an incredible altitude of success when it comes to finding his sound and creating an album that is both emotionally-rich and transcendent.
You can listen to Sunflower, and Maroney’s previous releases on all streaming platforms. You can find him on all social media platforms to stay up to date on future releases.
The trio, Baby Boys, consisting of longtime friends: Jake Luppen, Nathan Stocker, and Caleb Hinz released a new single last week called, “Desperado”. In February, the Minneapolis, MN natives also announced their highly anticipated debut album. The album is called ‘Threesome” via Transgressive Records and it will be dropping on March 12th, 2021.
I had the opportunity to chat with Hinz about what we can expect from this upcoming album and the “Cannonball” artists in the future.
HB: ‘I’m Set’ really set the tone for not only your “free-for all” sound but also your brand. So, we have all anticipated this album. What can you tell us about ‘Threesome’ that differs from ‘I’m Set’ in terms of the recording process as well as the branding?
Hinz: “I think the biggest difference is that with ‘I’m Set’ it was us figuring out that we could make music together as three friends and there wasn’t a whole lot of intent with the release part of it. So, we made the EP and released it and then, Hippo Campus went on tour for forever and I started producing music, so not much happened after the release.
But with this one we made a cool website with all of these cool easter eggs and fun games. And we put a lot of intention into it with the music videos and we made (the album) it a real thing, not just an EP. It’s not a joke anymore,” Hinz laughs “Well I mean it is.”
HB: We got a small taste of the new album with the recent single releases. Why did you guys choose to release “Cannonball”, “Duke and the Cash”, “Gone”, and “Desperado” as the preview for ‘Threesome’?
Hinz: “Well, ‘Cannonball’ is definitely one of a kind on the record -but sonically, the intention and spirit of it pretty much sums up the record really well. It became the thesis of Threesome during the process of making it. We were just spit-balling lyrics and having fun, it was a great time.
But, ‘Duke and the Cash’ had sort of the same vibe as ‘Cannonball’, so we felt that one would be cool to release as a single. But ‘Gone’,” Hinz pauses and laughs “well, ‘Gone’ is a fucking banger.”
(We definitely agree.)
HB: You guys are well known for your “free-for all” sound, what exactly goes into an album that is free of the usual structure that is normally used for Hippo Campus, Happy Children, Lupin, and brotherkenzie?
Hinz: “The role that Baby Boys plays for us is that it provides a service for like our life more so, instead of like ‘hey we’re gonna make this band and people are going to like it’ ya know?
I think we discovered very early on that there was something that we had chemistry wise with the three of us that allowed us to forget all of the stuff we normally go through when you are creating stuff as well as all of the stuff you’re worried about when making something. Like, all of the ways you hope people take it and the ways you don’t want people to take it.
There is such a whirlwind of emotions that goes into making an album that just didn’t really happen with Baby Boys at all because, we just didn’t really have intention. Originally, we weren’t even gonna release it. But it’s like improv, in the way that it is just saying ‘yes’ to everything and being fearless constantly. And if something feels like it’s not working, we don’t get bummed about it, we just keep pushing and odds are it’s going to end up working.”
HB: Going off of that, because that truly is a very interesting and unique approach to making an album- I really would like to know if there was ever a moment where you put too much pressure on yourselves to not overthink?
Hinz: “During the process of making this record we didn’t put too much pressure, but maybe I worry about that going forward. But, we all trust each other a lot. Nathan is the best musician we’ve ever known and Jake is an idea machine, so there really ever isn’t much pressure between us. If someone isn’t feeling it, odds are another one of us will pick it up.”
HB: The lyrics in your songs have always fascinated me. Is it a collaborative effort when it comes to the writing process or does someone write something and the rest of you just build music after that? Or both?
Hinz: “Surprisingly, 95% of it is all collaborative. We’ll all be in a room, notepad in hand, and we’ll just spit shit out and whichever one makes us laugh the most gets the torch.”
HB: Okay , picture this: you’re completely stranded on an island, but there are three other bands or artists with you. Who is there with you and why?
Hinz: “Woah,” he takes a deep breath “God, I don’t even know, what if whoever I pick is annoying and then I’m stuck with them? Jeez,” he laughs “I think I would really want Flying Lotus there I really would like to pick Flying Lotus’ brain.
This isn’t really a music person but, Mark Gonzales, he’s a skateboarder and is such a creative mother fucker. I definitely want him there.
And shit, I guess Barbra Streisand has to be there too!”
HB: What is next for baby boys? Do you think we’ll ever see Baby Boys on the road when this pandemic is over?
Hinz: “Oh hell yea, Baby Boys will be on the road. Jot it down in capital letters because that is definitely happening when this is all over.
But, we do have a lot of stuff coming in terms of the Threesome release, like a bunch of videos and cool stuff.”
HB: And finally, what special message would you like to give your listeners and our readers?
Hinz: “Just stop caring what people think about you, it’ll only make things worse.”
Final Thoughts
Baby Boys is changing the game with their care free and convivial sound. The singles they have released so far are a promising preview of what Threesome will bring. We should continue to expect the unexpected with this trio.
You can stream “Cannonball”, “Duke and the Cash”, “Gone”, and their newest single “Desperado” as well as their other songs on all music streaming platforms. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and their website for more info and updates.
Charleston-based band, Daddy’s Beemer released their highly anticipated first full-length album Denmark on July 24th. We have been eagerly waiting for the drop of this album since hearing sneak peeks of new songs when seeing them perform live. Consisting of just three members, Brady Sklar, Wesley Heaton, and Dan Fetterolf, did not disappoint. The eclectic songs on Denmark portrays the band’s ability to experiment with various sounds and genres. Here is our take and review of Denmark.
“California”
Denmark opens with a melodious song called “California”. Staying true to their defined sound, Daddy’s Beemer’s use of guitar riffs and the upbeat rhythm make this song recognizable as theirs. With lyrics about finding a place in this world and the fears that come with that, “California” is a song that just about anyone can connect with. The promise of sticking around and facing worries alongside someone makes this catchy tune relatable and is a great song to kick-off the flow of the rest of the album with.
“Dancer”
The first released single off of Denmark, “Dancer” is a song that makes you want to dance around the kitchen or the dance floor (whichever one you prefer). The song opens with soft vocals and guitar, but proceeds to pick up pace when the drums escalate. The song fluctuates between upbeat drumming and guitar and an almost acoustic, gentle sound, which is what makes this song very admirable.
“Flowers”
The dreamy sound of “Flowers” makes this song very unique to Denmark. Sklar’s mellow and tender vocals mixed with the very distinguishable guitar solos gives this song a feeling of serenity with lyrics that describe a longing and yearning for something that may have faded away. Ending the song with a piano solo symbolizes the feelings that still linger and it ties the entirety of the song together.
“Seigh i” & “Seigh ii” & “Seigh iii”
Interludes in albums are always one of our favorite things and these very gentle songs fit into this album perfectly. Breaking up the ebb and flow of Denmark with these three songs creates a story that this band wanted to convey.
“Seigh i” begins with the quiet sound of a TV blended with what sounds like a busy road or ocean waves. It builds up to a slow tempo and peaceful serenade. “Seigh ii” continues with a sweet and slow rhythmic tune. “Seigh iii”, the last of the three interludes ties the previous interludes together to make one sweet sounding song. Imagine that you’re sitting on the beach or laying on the grass staring up at the sky and the whole world is quiet, and you’re almost in a dream-like state. That’s what these songs sound like.
“Amethyst”
Unlike anything that Daddy’s Beemer has ever released, “Amethyst” combines very sick instrumentals and harmonies to make this special song. Jamie Gray, the lead singer of another Charleston based band, Crybaby and other solo projects has a feature on this song that helps to transform the sound. Adding a feminine sound with Sklar’s deep vocals makes for some seriously beautiful harmonizing.
“it’s best not to ask you why”
The second single released off of Denmark, “It’s Best Not To Ask You Why” incorporates the classic Daddy’s Beemer sound. Beginning with a rhythmic beat and deep vocals and gradually adding in their recognizable guitar riffs, this song is the perfect dancing song. The back and forth of the upbeat chorus and toned down prior verses creates an extremely captivating tune.
“Boxes”
The third and final single released from Denmark, “Boxes” emanates an edgy energy. The song takes on almost a distorted sound throughout the end of the song and eventually ends with gentle vocals. We got chills when listening to this song for the first time. The versatility of instruments and raw emotion in this song easily makes it one of our favorites off of Denmark.
“Somewhere warm”
Beginning with a toe-tapping drum solo and gradually adding in other elements, “Somewhere Warm” is an ode to time passing just a little too fast and wanting to be in the warmth but being stuck in the cold. Using weather as a metaphor for love and it’s ups and downs creates such a deeper meaning to this easy-going song.
“Come around”
We’ve seen Daddy’s Beemer perform live quite a lot and they always play this song and we could not wait for it to be released on this album. Heaton’s bass throughout this song is very captivating and is an integral part of this song. This is one of our favorite song on Denmark because it’s very slow yet it picks up in some parts, it maintains a nice balance throughout the duration of the song.
“Poisonous Mind”
The final song on Denmark is “Poisonous Mind”. Keeping the fierce energy that was portrayed in “Boxes”, this song and it’s distinct heavy guitar riffs creates a memorable song to end the album off with. In the middle of the song, an acoustic guitar is incorporated only to pick back up with harmonizing and finally ending with an amazing piano alongside Sklar’s vocals.
final thoughts
Overall, Denmark is an amazing album! You can hear all the time and thought that went into the making of this album. We are super proud of the Daddy’s Beemer boys and we can’t wait to hear these song live! We hope you all go check out the album (linked below) and make sure to follow Daddy’s Beemer (@dadsbeem on Instagram) to keep up with future tours and releases! Stay Groovy!
Tennessee native, Austin Mathis, is releasing his first single, “Acting Out” under a new name: Macho Planet.
What can you tell us and your listeners about this debut single?
It’s a song called “Acting Out” that I started writing in September 2018 and probably finished later that year. It went through a lot of different phases because I kept writing parts of songs that I wasn’t happy with. One night, I realized a couple of the separate parts fit together really well and that inspired me to finish the rest of the song. But it wasn’t until late 2019 that we (my brother Alex and I) actually recorded it with some musical chops from Gabe Sexton (bass), Sam Killian (drums), and John Bynum (keys).
What does this song mean to you?
For me, it can take months after finishing a song for the meaning to reveal itself to me. This was one of those. It’s summarily a song about getting yourself stuck in a self-destructive loop as a reaction to feeling isolated. If I believe I’m sliding down a dark slope, I’m going to act like it. And that only intensifies the sense of isolation. That’s the loop. Those are the “twin engines” mentioned in the song.
Of course, the song touches on more specific and symptomatic details of my life at the time – strange and regretful interactions with an ex, frustration with
still being in college (I was a year away from graduating at the time), finding it difficult to establish new relationships in a new town, and a general sense of doom related to the big life decisions I was making/had recently made.
The song ends on a note that’s hard for me to put into words. It feels both triumphant and desperate – like I’m saying what I’m saying for me to know it as much as for the listener to know it. It’s saying, “I’m still kicking, and if that’s all I can claim for now, then I’ll take it.”
I’ve always been really drawn to writing that demonstrates a sort of sober mindedness in the face of defeating circumstances. This song feels like it’s written from a place where that mindset was long overdue and the speaker (who is me, or a certain narrative of me) finally finds some determination to step out of or at least critique the cycle.
Where did inspiration come from for this song?
There’s always some specific song or album I’m listening to when I’m writing a song. I’m not sure if I remember what that was for this song.
Thematically, however, all my memories of writing this song have this overwhelming sense of feeling frustrated and stuck. Listening to the song even now, it’s shocking how viscerally those feelings come through, more than my other songs.
As far as the recording and production process goes, I remember Great Grandpa had just released their “Four of Arrows” LP and I remember feeling really inspired by that whole album. But that whole side of it is almost entirely in Alex’s hands — I mostly just describe the sound I want and we’re usually on the same page.
Why did you choose this particular song to be the first song you want to share with the world?
That’s a great question. We recorded this song as a project for a class that Alex was in at the time, and we were so happy with how it turned out that we immediately started talking about it being my debut release. It’s definitely one of my heavy-hitters, so I’m hoping it’ll make people want to rock ‘n’ roll and maybe cry at the same time.
Does this song reflect what is to come of your music in the future?
I would say so. If you like this one, you’ll probably like the others. And if you don’t, you probably won’t.
What can we expect from you in the near future? An EP or an album in the works?
I am planning to release maybe another single or two before an EP. It’s still really up in the air which songs are going on the EP, or even how many. Alex and I are currently brainstorming ways to keep recording music during this global crisis.
When you were writing and recording this song, what was the creative process?
Just like every song to date, I wrote this on my acoustic guitar during some alone time. It existed that way for almost a year before we started messing around with different parts.
When we finally got into the studio with it, Alex and I spent several 8-hour sessions just laying down the rhythm & lead guitars and vocals. We had a very specific vision for the song and were determined to get it right. I remember at one point, we had nine different mics set up pointing at three different amps, and we just recorded a bunch of guitar takes through all nine mics using different pedals, pre-amps, and even switching out guitars each take. It was an intense process. I couldn’t tell you what from that ended up on the song, if any of it. I think we quit music altogether at least 4 or 5 times. But once it started coming together, it was such an enlivening feeling, and it became a lot easier to build on sounds and come up with new ideas.
It was awesome getting Sam and Gabe to come and play on the song for me (it was our first time reuniting since Hyp-Fest!). From having practiced and played this song together live, recording with them was such an easy part of the process.
Bynum was the new addition. He reached out to me on Instagram and told me that he was in Alex’s class and had heard the demo for the song and offered to play if I ever needed a keys player. I don’t know if he expected me to take him up on it so quickly but I was stoked. I was like, “yeah actually, we have a session booked this week, can you come into the studio?” He showed up and killed it. He’s such a fun guy to collaborate with because he’ll entertain any creative idea anybody throws out. I was so thrilled with how well his tones and style of playing fit with the music.
What message do you want to convey to our readers about this release?
It’s certainly not a mode of thinking I would prescribe, but I would hope that it might strike a chord with those of us who are feeling particularly isolated in these times of social distancing and self-quarantining. In more ways than one, I think people are having to consider what it means to survive. And I hope listening and singing along to this song can work to expel some of that anxiety in the way that writing it did.
Final Thoughts
Luckily, we have had the privilege of seeing Mathis live and we could not be more excited for the rest of the world to hear his music. Mathis proves to be an artist who makes thought provoking music with soulful sounds and influencing lyrics/vocals. This release gives a sense of relief in such a hectic and odd time.
You can follow Austin on Instagram for more updates!
Stay safe, wash your hands, and support your local bands.
Originating from Clemson, South Carolina, Tayler Bucich of Paper Daisies released his first album In and out the Window on March 30th. We had the opportunity to ask Bucich questions about his new project and this album.
What inspired you to move to this stage of your music career?
I got into music and recording when I was 20 because it gave all of my emotions a very clear therapeutic outlet. Nothing makes me happier than writing and recording, so I guess that would be the inspiration for all of this. Chasing happiness.
With this being your first release under Paper Daisies, what is the significance of this album?
It’s the start of something fresh and new. With purpose. I have a big plan for how my Paper Daisies albums will feed off of each other.
Can you tell us a little bit about your songwriting process for this album? Where did you find inspiration to write these songs?
The songwriting process for In and out the Window was extremely personal. I filled an old black notebook front and back with thoughts, questions, statements, poems, conceptual ideas. I’ve been at odds with myself recently. The last year has really stressed me out and made me feel purposeless. But no matter what I always have music. So I decided to make this project about just that. Having a therapeutic outlet to go to.
A little passage from that notebook says: “These eyes are windows. Press play and listen to my soul. Go in and out the window.” In and out the Window is also a reference to a children’s book that teaches kids how to play music. I liked that because I feel like a child in the world of music.
Major musical influences for In and out the Window?
I found a lot of inspiration from the existentialism that Loving spews out in every song. I loved the raw recordings and genuine lyrics of Elliot Smith. I was extremely inspired by the late 60s sunshine pop movement. And of course, forever and always, Brian Wilson.
How is this album different from anything else you’ve released?
I think there is a conscious effort to present these songs with more concrete structure. I had access to an actual drum kit for the first time in my life. So really, long story short, I had the ability to do whatever I wanted when I wanted. I could truly create with no boundaries for the first time.
How would you describe your music to someone who has never listened to you before?
Hahaaa! I have a lot of practice doing this. I usually say something like “I hunker down in my bedroom and I write songs about being alive, the ups and downs.” And then I usually give a little disclaimer “Could be kinda weird! I don’t know what you normally listen to!” If they need a genre I usually say “Experimental bedroom pop” which sounds like a lot of fun things.
What message do you want to convey to our readers about this album?
I’m always at odds with wanting to tell what my albums are about…but if I had to say something real short and sweet I’d say: You never know what someone is going through, or who they might end up growing into. People have an incredible capacity to change, or to be shaped by their surroundings, both in a positive and negative way. Be kinder. Smile more. The world is like a mirror, you’ll feel it come right back to you. I promise!
Final Thoughts
Bucich released this album when the world needed it the most. During a time of uncertainty and confusion, the songs on In and out the Window offer a sense of calmness and security about where we are and where we can go from there. It’s like a big hug from someone you love and you know that they’ll never let go. This album is reminiscent of warm drinks, dried flowers, and baked goods. A cozy feeling, ya know. Like everything is going to be alright.
We’ll link the album on Spotify below and make sure to follow @daisiespaper on Instagram for any future updates! Thank you again Tayler!
Hypnotic Bolt 