CD Review: Anne Castellano and the Smoke - Electric


Published November 5, 2013
CD Review by Adam Wujtewicz

Anne Castellano and The Smoke are releasing their debut LP entitled Electric.  Recorded by the band’s drummer, Tony Castellano, (also Anne's brother), Electric is 13 tunes of swirling melancholy with an early alternative backbeat.

Front and center is Anne’s voice - whether strong and scornful like on the opening track “Enough” or calm and learned on “Listen”, she makes you believe every word she sings.  Right behind her is a mist of chorus and flanger soaked guitars.  Vince’s icy lead lines leans towards the right speaker and Anne’s steady rhythm in the left.  The separation spreads the sound out and allows the rhythm section to anchor the songs in a very direct way.

CD Review - When the Deadbolt Breaks - Drifting Towards the End of the Earth

Published September 26, 2013
CD Review by Adam Wujtewicz
 
2013 has been a pretty good year for metal of all kinds in my humble opinion.  The new Inter Arma, Kvelertak and Vhol records make that a true statement.  There is, however, another band that is putting out an album that I think is on par with, but completely unlike any of those records.  Drifting Towards the Edge of the Earth by Preston/Norwich natives When the Deadbolt Breaks, is a masterful 120 minute voyage into the depths of the darkest parts of the human psyche.  Sprawling doesn’t even come close to doing this album justice.  Doom cannot begin to encompass the feeling you get when you listen to this album.

The album’s opener “The Woods are Full of Killers” begins with a dark, minimalist (though thoroughly fuzzy) guitar lead that drones through the entrance of a super melodic and lyrical bass line.  The hints of feedback between the hanging notes add tension until about 3 minutes in when the lead line turns into a torrent of distorted guitar chords.  The song moves at a glacier’s pace; adding in more pronounced feedback between chords and morose vocals that are reminiscent of Nick Cave on “Red Right Hand” or Layne Staley on “Angry Chair”.  When the original lead line returns, this time more menacing and with full band behind in tow, it is offset by unearthly howling that is bound to make you look over your shoulder.  Eight minutes in, the whole song hits the wall and completely breaks down to nothing but feedback and guitar that sounds like a car made of evil concrete revving its engine in slow motion.  After another minute the bass and drums join in the assault further grinding your spirit into the dirt.  Some more melodic notes are peppered in between the chords, drums come in and out along with layers of guitar to give you a slight reprieve and then take it away.  Finally, at 12 minutes the beast collapses into feedback and allows the next song to start.

Having by this point possibly prepared yourself for another slow motion assault of deceivingly melodic funeral doom, “The Scavengers Daughter” kicks in with a solid stoner rock riff, complete with wah pedal and driving up tempo rhythm section.  This is no Fu-Manchu, dune-buggies-in-the-California-desert stoner rock, this is more Acid Bath style, NOLA sludge.  This song just throws you over its shoulder and runs away with you.  Nothing like the first song but after a verse and chorus you are completely on board running right alongside, rather than letting it carry you.  Then about halfway through, the song halts back to a stuttering crawl, this time with death metal growls and dissonant and unsettling guitar leads.  That ugliness is only multiplied when they turn around into a straight ahead hardcore breakdown to carry the song out into samples of random and scary conversations.

 After my play by play of the first 2 songs you might be thinking to yourself that this album is going to sound disjointed somehow.  You’d be wrong.  Through careful building and deconstructing of layers, the use of space and the sheer patience of the rhythm section WTDB are able to pull together an incredibly cohesive album.  The variety of sounds both in the music and in the tone of vocalist Aaron Lewis’s voice, allow them to move seamlessly between sub-genre’s of metal and beyond.  “Sleeps in the Burning Hills” has splashes of Isis and Mogwai, “Gunswallower” has shades of early 6 Feet Under, and “California Comes Rain” hints at Tool as well as Mark Lanegan’s solo work.  The entire second disc, a 5 part single song entitled “My Coffin is Loaded with Sand and Fire”, plays the more ambient moments of Wolves in the Throne room against the progressive and story conscious elements of …And you will know us by the Trail of Dead.

Despite the comparisons and genres that I’ve hinted at, Drifting Towards the Edge of the Earth is a devil like I’ve never seen before.  It comforts you with one hand while the other picks your pocket and its foot kicks you square in the ass.  The places between quiet and loud, fast and slow, melodic and atonal is not where WTDB live but they are well traveled paths they use to get from one extreme to another.  Whether it’s during the crushingly heavy parts or the mellower interludes the musicians are working at creating a mood and atmosphere.  This is something that metal by and large was missing for a very long time but that WTDB are doing like pros.  They are leaving no stone unturned and are putting their all into every second.


I AM Festival Info & Schedule




*Last Updated September 6 - 8:22pm

One day. Five stages. Over 25 bands. Dozens of DIY and indie craft vendors. One of Connecticut's biggest indie music festivals returns to downtown New London on September 7th. The festival is FREE for all to attend. Acts will take over five stages throughout downtown New London on the Parade, at Hygienic Art Park, and Oasis Pub, 33 Golden, and The Telegraph with music running from 1pm to 2am. Our INDIE MARKETPLACE will return extending up the Parade along State Street. Please note that performances at Oasis Pub and 33 Golden are 21+ only.
Make sure to tag your twitter & facebook posts and pics #iamfest2013

LIVE VIDEO COVERAGE

The Day will be streaming live video from The Parade,
Hygienic Art Park, and The Telegraph!
http://theday.com/section/iamfest2013

MORE INFO


SCHEDULE

PARADE PLAZA
12:30 The WTO Dance Crew
1pm Anderson Family Picnic
2:15 Straight To VHS
4pm Fatal Film
5:30 Camp
7pm Echo & Drake
8:30 Cymbals Eat Guitars
10pm DEATH (headliner)

OASIS PUB (21+)
6:25pm Slander
7:30pm Slim Wray
11:15pm Pretty & Nice
12:20am Ava Luna


33 GOLDEN (21+)
6:30pm Camacho / Skobie Won / Erik Lamb
11pm Empty Vessels
12am New Highway Hymnal
1am Horns of Ormus

Save this stage schedule to your smart phone
OR print it out!!







Finalists Announced For CT Music Awards




Finalists for the Connecticut Music Awards have just been announced! LOTS of New London acts!!! Camacho, Daphne Lee Martin, Suicide Dolls, Chumzilla, Bedroom Rehab Corporation, John Fries Band, Frank Lo, Hempsteadys and MORE!!!!! Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday September 17th at the Bushnell in Hartford. Tickets go on sale Monday August 5th at 10am.
 
Check out the list of finalists here:
http://www.ct.com/entertainment/music/connecticut-music-awards/wtxx-2nd-annual-connecticut-music-awards-the-finalists-20130801,0,4659198,full.story



Sailfest Info & Schedule



 This article will continued to be updated as new information becomes available.
Check back often!
Last updated July 13- 12:01pm

Sailfest Hours:
Friday - July 12  (5pm to 11pm)
Saturday - July 13  (10am to 11pm)
Sunday - July 14  (10am to 6pm)


Street Closures: (Sat & Sun ONLY)State Street
(from Eugene O'Neill Drive to Bank Street)
Bank Street
(from Tilley Street to State Street)



Slander Releases Video for "Device"

Stereogum premeired Slander's newest video "Device" earlier this week - directed by Serena Reynolds. Stereogum recently named Slander "band to watch" and describes the video as: "ditching black-and-white and opting to use a similar dingy locale for something a little saucier, splicing select scenes of salaciousness with ones of the band playing a sunny outdoor set". The video has also been tagged "NSFW" or "Not Safe For Work" in internet slang... steamy!






2013 Whalie Award Winners


PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

 

BEST ALTERNATIVE
The Suicide Dolls

BEST ALTERNATIVE FOLK
Folk Y'all 

BEST BLUES / COUNTRY ROCK
John Fries Band

BEST DJ
DJ Chumzilla

BEST FOLK / BLUEGRASS
Raise The Rent

BEST GARAGE
Brazen Hussy

BEST HARD ROCK / METAL
Bedroom Rehab Corporation

BEST HIP HOP / R&B
Camacho

BEST INDIE POP
 Pocket Vinyl

BEST INDIE ROCK
 Straight To VHS

BEST MUSIC THEMED SERIES
Live Lunch Break / The Day

BEST PUNK
Wrist Like This

BEST REGGAE / SKA
The Hempsteadys

BEST ROCK
Anderson Family Picnic

BEST ROOTS ROCK
 The Weird Beards

BEST SOLO SINGER / SONGWRITER
Steve Elci

 BEST URBAN ALTERNATIVE
N.M.E. The Illest

BEST MUSIC VIDEO
Pocket Vinyl "I Hear Colors"


TOP CRITICS AWARDS

 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Daphne Lee Martin “Moxie”

ROCK / POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Straight To VHS “Rewinder”

AMERICANA ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Good Sponge Sampler Volume 2

HIP HOP ALBUM/MIXTAPE OF THE YEAR
Alumni “First Day Back”

RECORD OF THE YEAR
Street People “Dreams”

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Slander

SONG OF THE YEAR
Slander "Magnets"


CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS

 

BEST ALTERNATIVE / GARAGE PERFORMANCE
Burnouts From Outer Space “Queen Of The Angels”

BEST INDIE POP PERFORMANCE
Daphne Lee Martin “Belly”
  
BEST INDIE ROCK PERFORMANCE
 Straight to VHS “It's Not The Money”

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE
Gone For Good “Marvelous Liar”

BEST PUNK / SKA PERFORMANCE
Dead City Riot “Before The Dawn”

FOLK / BLUEGRASS   PERFORMANCE
Dirt Road Radio “Cold Hearted Man”

BEST ALTERNATIVE FOLK PERFORMANCE
 GraveRobbers “Buried In Burgundy”

BEST BLUES / COUNTRY ROCK PERFORMANCE 
The Rivergods “When Times Were Good”

BEST HARD ROCK / METAL PERFORMANCEG
Bedroom Rehab Corporation “Gone By The Boards”

BEST URBAN ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE
The 17th “No Name”

BEST HIPHOP / R&B PERFORMANCE
Camacho featuring Erik Lamb “Hip-Hop-Don't-Stop”

BEST SOLO SINGER / SONGWRITER PERFORMANCE
Josi Davis "Ivy Grows"

CRITICS CHOICE BEST VIDEO 
 Street People "Street 103"



FEATURE WHALIE INTERVIEW: Sean Murray - Producer & Host of the Whalies

Sean Murray
Producer & Host of the Whalie Awards

Interview by Corrine Jensen 
May 25, 2013

WC: So, it’s the 4th years of the Whalies! Can you believe it? What do the Whalies mean to you? Why do you keep putting them on every year?
SM: I cannot believe it's the fourth year. Seems like yesterday when I was talking about how much I'd love to throw an award show. Now, it's a reality. And a four-year one at that! The Whalies were created with one goal in mind: fun. I didn't start the Whalies to stroke egos or to have a mass pat-on-the-back session. I did it because I love award shows, plain and simple. I'm starting to find a routine of doing things that I love, even if they stress me out for a considerable part of the year. I love New London Main Street. I love marketing this city. I love having a music festival that benefits the city. I love award shows. It's taken me a long time to carve out a niche where I can truly say I'm doing stuff that I love and I think that's a momentous thing for any person to say. I understand why people see this as self-righteous and somewhat masturbatory and, frankly, I'm not offended. There will always be those that think there's some kind of buddy-buddy system going on here. Well, there's not. I nominate the bands and songs based on a few things: how much they promote themselves, the quality of the music, the production value and various other criteria. I double and triple check release dates and other things with Meghan at Wailing City (the greatest local music site ever!) and a few other locals that may be more knowledgeable in other genres.

WC: If you could walk down the Red Carpet with anyone/thing who/what would it be?
SM: Well, I don't know if I'd want to walk the red carpet with her, but I might actually say my mother. She's a Seventh Day Adventist, so her Sabbath falls on Saturday. That means she's never been to an event I've thrown in over a decade. I'm not religious at all, but I'm glad that her religion makes her happy and who am I to stand in the way of that. Not to mention, she is a pretty fabulous dresser (but don't tell her I said that).

WC: Are there any surprises in store for the audience tonight?
SM: The only surprise I'm ever concerned about is how surprised I'll be if we pull this thing off again. There will be a big surprise at The Oasis afterwards, but that's for me to know.

WC: Are there any favorites you’re rooting to win tonight?
SM: I try not to play favorites. I think you could make a case for any of the bands nominated to win something. That said, I will say that I'm a fan of bands and artists that are smart and know how to keep people interested in them - something that's very difficult to do at the local level.

WC: Where will you be celebrating post-Whalies?
SM: The Oasis Pub is a pretty obvious answer. The biggest surprise of the night happens there. But I tend to get in a weird headspace after an event I've put my heart into is over, so maybe a beer and shot at Ernie's is in store before the Oasis.

WC: You do so much for New London but is there anyone you’d like to thank?
SM: Wow, where do I start? Oh yeah, Meghan and Joe! Meghan and Joe from WailingCity are the unsung heroes of the entire event. Joe is the man behind the people's choice voting system and Meghan is basically the backbone of this thing. Any time there's a conflict, question, anything... Meghan has a solution. Rich and Daphne, the other unsung heroes. They are the ones that push me to get the job done. Rich and I have been partners on events since 2003, when Station 58 was around, so he knows all my quirks and hasn't killed me yet. Daphne is the one who has mastered how to deal with my ADHD. She will call with the sweetest voice ever saying "Hey Sean, we should grab a bite... annnnd finish the Whalies schedule." I don't know. Somehow it works. The list just goes on and on though... Andrew Camacho, who is busting his ass to make the video montages this year. Val, who selflessly dedicated her time to design the beautiful stage. Todd, who does an amazing job doing all the audio and visual displays at the event. You, Corrine, for taking the time out to interview so many artists and bands. My bosses for understanding the level of pressure I'm under. All the volunteers. All my friends who tolerate my frustrating moments. And all of you that support an event meant to be lighthearted and fun. Thanks. Also, to Rogue Hazelnut Brown, Jameson and the haters. Couldn't have done it without you.

WC: If you could say anything to the fans/voters and the NL scene, 10 words or less, what would you say?
SM: Thank you. I love you. Stop hatin. New London forever.






Chris MacKay and the Toneshifters Nominated / Representing New London in NEMA

Chris MacKay & the ToneShifters based in New London County have just been nominated to represent the state of Connecticut at the upcoming New England Music Awards to be held April 13th at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, MA. All nominations can be found here: http://www.nemusicawards.com/vote/

Formed in 2009, the ToneShifters energetic live show melds their individual musical tastes into a danceable freestyle fusion of blues, rock, swing, rockabilly and honky tonk, otherwise known as “Swinginrockabluesabilly.”  They released the single “Lena” on the Good Sponge label “Good Sponge Volume 1” compilation in March 2012 followed by a full length debut “Picture on the ‘Fridge” in April 2012, which will be re-released in a new format this spring. Most recently their single “Go Speed” was released on the Good Sponge label “Volume II” compilation, which is now available for download and will be available as a hard copy shortly.
Anyone interested in casting a vote or checking the band out can follow the links to both websites at www.nemusicawards.com  and www.toneshifters.com.

The Telegraph Celebrates Record Store Day Sat April 20

The Telegraph
19 Golden Street
Open 10am-10pm
Live music starts at 2pm

Saturday April 20th is Record Store Day, which celebrates the culture of the independently-owned record store! The Telegraph will be open from 10am to 10pm and will have very special limited releases, special in-store performances, and lots of free stuff while it lasts!

2pm: Sam Perduta (of Elison Jackson)
3pm: Goodnight Blu Moon
4pm: Isaac Young Dup
5pm: John Fries & Corina Malbaurn
6pm: Sidewalk Dave
7pm: Horns of Ormus
8pm: Fatal Film
9pm: Bedroom Rehab Corporation