Keluar... My Current Music Obsession...

Well, as of the last couple of days, I've been listening to the band Keluar! Keluar was the project of Zoe Zanias (vocals, lyrics) and Sid Lamar (music composition, and production)... I guess lately, it's been my current obsession... I'll turn it on at work, I'll listen to it at home... and I can't seem to get enough of it! I just love the way it sounds... I've been pretty much having it on repeat the last couple of days! I'll even turn on their live performance videos and such (I prefer live performances over just studio produced stuff... Aaaand, out of all honesty, I'm really curious what gear they used for their live shows, as it looks quite minimal [Lot’s of live inspiration! We are retiring some pieces and trying to pair down our live kit... to something small and really quick to set-up, but also fun and interesting to play with live too])!

(You can see some of their gear here... so I guess my above question was answered, lol!)

I'm not really sure how to describe their sound, it's definitely darkwave(ish), with elements of EBM and minimal synth, and maybe some industrial elements thrown in there as well! Whenever I hear the various songs, it kind of reminds me of old 80's television... there's an aesthetic to the way it sounds, and the way it is presented... and whenever I listen to it, for some reason I feel like I'm looking at an old 80's TV show or something... not sure if that really describes it very well, but that is what the music evokes in me. Like, a distant memory, but I can't quite place it for some reason... I love their sound because of that! Whenever I see their live performance videos I'm trying to understand what they are getting across, and I feel kinda like they are trying to drive that "distant memory, old 80's TV show" aesthetic... I will be honest, I almost feel they are living in the past, but it's modern times... and maybe that is the point of what they were trying to get across in their videos and performances, they loved that older sound and aesthetic... and that they were trying to live in it... but that's what I get from it, it's not a criticism, just an observation of what I see... Like I said, I love their sound because of the images it evokes in me! I think my favorite song of theirs is "Instinct" off their EP "Panguna", don't know why... just love this song! Love the way it sounds, love the "distant memory that I can't place" feeling I get from it!

(Instinct)

(Surface)

What do you folks think of Keluar? What images and feelings does the music evoke in you?

Industrial Music Monday - TOTEM

Well, haven't done one of these in a couple of weeks, but we are back at it! It is Monday, and that means... Industrial!! This week we are featuring a band out of Copenhagen, Denmark. The music is in the vein of dark wave, with elements of industrial rock, and witch house. The band consists of two members: Christoffer Bagge and Trina Echidna. They are called TOTEM! Check them out!!






T0tvm on Facebook

t0tvm on bandcamp


P.S.: I came about finding this band from a feature on the I Die You Die magazine website! I figured I would give this band a bump as well! It's decent stuff!

Terminus Override 2019

It's been another year, another festival... this year there wasn't a lot I wanted to see, but I do feel it's important to support these things! Here were some of the bands I was looking forward to seeing:

Freak Dream:

They were the surprise for me for this years festival. Wasn't too sure what to expect, actually hadn't heard very much of their music previous to their set. Although, I had heard a podcast (if I'm not mistaken) with an interview of the lead singer and main songwriter Elliot. Their performance was excellent! Their music is a mix of indie rock with industrial elements.

Neuroticfish:

I've never seen Neuroticfish before, but I've generally enjoyed their music (my favorite song is their cover of "They're Coming to Take Me Away!"). Their performance was excellent!

RabbitJunk:

I walked in part way through RabbitJunk's set, but their performance was excellent! I really dig the digital hardcore sound and the breaks! I did see them a few years ago at a previous Terminus (can't remember which one), I didn't really enjoy them all that much at the time, but this time I though their set was good!

Haujobb:

Everyone knows, Haujobb puts on excellent performances! This one is no different! Excellent performance!!

HEALTH:

This was the main band I wanted to see this year! Their set was excellent! Although, I did find it a little mellow, but maybe that's how their music translates into the live spectrum, mellow and cerebral.

Standalone:

Standalone was another band I wanted to check out this year, I really enjoyed when he brought his other project Hate Dept. here to Calgary for one of the Terminus's (there's been so many now, that I can't remember which one he was at), and I was interested to see what this particular endeavor is about! It was just him on stage, with some synths and some percussion instruments, and him doing vocals! It was an excellent set!

OHMelectronic:

I originally heard OHMelectronic on a podcast interview, by IDie:YouDie, and was interested cause Craig Huxtable used to be in a project (not sure if he still is) called Landscape Body Machine which has some history here in Calgary, as that particular project was signed to a label here called: Interdimensional Industries! So, after they were announced to play Terminus, I knew I definitely wanted to check out their set! They put on an excellent show!

Covenant:

I didn't take any photos/videos of Covenant... but Eskil and crew were in top form and put on an excellent show! The last time they rolled through here Eskil was pretty drunk and fumbled the lyrics for some of the songs, but it seemed this time he was sober and pulled off the set flawlessly!

That's it for this year!! I will be honest, I did find this year a little mellow and lackluster lineup-wise (not a lot of the harder acts), but there were still some things I wanted to check out! I will also say, I was a little anti-social this year, really didn't want to communicate unless it was my close social circle of friends, so I do apologize if I didn't chat with you, or was in a party mood (not really drinking all that much these days right now)... These last few months I've been really reflecting on what is going on with my life and where I want to be in life... and looking at the time I have left with it (yes, who know's when an individual is gonna die, but I turned 41 this year, and I'm really trying to put the right steps forward, to a long and good future)! I guess the other part that affects this is, I'm waiting on some stuff to get finished for this next album I'm working on, and I find it really difficult to stay fucking mentally healthy when there is really nothing I can do musically (doing music stuff is basically my sanity), and I've done everything I can for now, for this upcoming stuff... so just trying to find stuff to occupy my time with, to stay mentally healthy... I'm managing, but yeah, sometimes it's difficult, cause I'm used to constantly working on music, or music related stuff all the fucking time (within reason)... Anyway, love you guys, and thank you Chris and Ambor for putting this on for it's 8th year now! I'm glad I have a home with like minded people, and a place where I can feel safe!

Industrial Music Monday - Odonis Odonis

Well, it's that day... and you know what that means... Industrial!! This weeks Industrial Music Monday comes courtesy of Facebook friend "Tommy Westphall". This week we have a project out of Toronto, Ontario. The music is in the vein of electronic/darkwave/industrial. The band consists of 3 members: Constantin Tzenos, Jarod Gibson, Denholm Whale. They are called: Odonis Odonis! Check them out!!






odonisodonis Facebook

odonisodonis.com

Industrial Music Monday - Solemn Shapes

You know what day it is!! And, that means... Industrial!! This week we have a band out of Charlotte, North Carolina. The music is in the vein of experimental/industrial/darkwave. The project consists of three members: Sco Sunset (synthesizers, drum machines, sequences), Melanie Foxfire (samples. synths), Candy Durant (vocals, lyrics). They are called: Solemn Shapes! Check them out!!!






solemnshapes bandcamp

solemnshapes.com

solemnshapes twitter

solemnshapes Facebook

solemnshapes Soundcloud

solemnshapes tumblr