Bodies of Water

Bodies of Water are like a million bands that I listen to: I give them a listen, decide they aren’t for me, sit on the record for months or years, then give them a try and love them. It’s hard to do this, because I’m so ashamed with myself for being so wrong before, denying myself such excellent music. It’s literally been at least 2 years since I gave Bodies of Water a shot, and I am sad about myself for that.

They’ve released two fantastic record on Secretly Canadian, and I heavily suggest you check them up. It’s big, baroque roots-y folk-pop, with group sing alongs and tons of emotion. It’s great music because the band really feels like they’re giving it their all.

The website that put this video together is Swedish, so I’m still working through what they’re all about, but I’m all about Bodies of Water. Enjoy!

P.S. Quick question: Are there any Canadian bands that sound like this? I like to support my homeland, but I can’t for the life of me think of any national heroes that deliver this type of sound…

The Love Language

Stuart Mclamb of The Love Language has filled out an official DWD Questionnaire. Libraries is their new album, and it’s a damn fine blend of orchestrated-twee sensibilities, mixed with a big country kind of feeling. Also, Mclamb’s voice is something that I like to use when singing in the shower or out in the rain. Needless to say, I recommend The Love Language, and I recommend reading the questionnaire. Oh, and check out the album.

1) Live Albums: Hidden gems or waste of time?

I like some live albums but for the most part i’m not that interested. To name a few Live at Folsom Prison, Sam Cooke’s Live At Harlem Square Club, and The Velvet Underground’s Live at Maxes Kansas City. Fake live albums like The Make-Up’s Destination: Love rule as well.

2) Which of the 7 Wonders of the World would you want to play on top of?

Hmmm… In a  row on the great wall, with a 5,500 mile long string section.

3) If your band was an actor who would they be and why?

Burt Reynolds. Because you want to hate on him but you just can’t.

4) Name a record you and your parents can agree on?

Ray Charles, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

Snowed in with The Love Language from Jason Arthurs on Vimeo.

5) Who are some of your favourite bands that you’ve played with?

Lonnie Walker, Headlights, Local Natives, Phoenix

6) What happens on your commute on tour? What do you do together and what do you do alone?

we sleep. we sleep together. we sleep alone.

7) If your music could evoke a mental disorder in your listeners which mental disorder would it be?

Dissociative identity disorder

8) Who is your favourite producer (worked with or ever dream of working with)?

BJ Burton, for obvious reasons.

9) What do you read when looking for music news or criticism?

Grayson Currin.

10) Are there any countries you would love to play that you haven’t yet?

All of them. I need to get a passport.

11) Which prehistoric predator is the most dangerous? Which one better represents your band?

The Darkhorn, because it is a unicorn that isn’t afraid to party.

Motorama

Russian band Motorama released their debut album this year, entitled Alps. If you’re into New Wave revivalists with gruff voices and a love for early New Order, then I think you’ll find something lovely and charming on this record. It’s nice and light, while fully capturing that tender, emotional depth synth-pop can really nail. Maybe it’s something to do with the robotic rhythm and jangled and chiming guitars that really give you space to fall into the emotional goals of the songwriters.

You can download it for free from their website (HERE) and then you can be listening to the same thing that I am!

Doug Hoyer

Artist: Doug Hoyer

Album: Two New Songs By Doug Hoyer

Label: Old Ugly Recordings

Release Date: …soon?

Half-Life: Maybe it’s the ukulele, but this taste is inviting enough to try and find his EPs.

Coming in somewhere between Suburban Kids with Biblical Names, Jens Lekman, and Baby Dayliner is Doug Hoyer’s new 7″ entitled Two New Songs By Doug Hoyer.

Months ago Scott and I decided that we would start a label called Popsanova. The plan was to promote and distribute solely records that would fall into our invented category of post-bedroom bosanova pop. If this dream came real one day, Doug Hoyer would certainly be called. His songs are small and intimate, talking about subtle quotidian quirks that we all have lived.

“Songs From a Kind Strangers Floor (While On Tour)” is all about trying to understand where you are and where you’ve been, both geographically and in the bigger picture of your life. Surely a generation of people growing up without plans and living by the seats of their pants can certainly relate.

“Lakes of Mars” is a fanciful love song that starts off like “If You’re Into It” by Flight of the Conchords, chronicling the vast distances that love can take a person, but more serious.

Check out Doug Hoyer’s myspace — and the 7″ coming out on Old Ugly Recordings — for some pop songs that capture that sweetly naive innocent feeling that summer crushes can bring on. Recommended if you’re in need for some simple, sunny, summer fun. Kind of like a Supersicle Firecracker Double Fudge Bar.

Grown Ups

Coming out to rave reviews is Grown Ups‘ new full-length More Songs. It’s a clean, pulsating, post-hardcore record excellence. With not a dud to be heard, Grown Ups have released one of the most consistent records I’ve heard all year. So obviously I’m very happy that Doyle Martin from the band has filled out some DWD questions. So read on, intrepid readers, and take a chance on More Songs.

1) Live Albums: Hidden gems or waste of time?

I dig em. S&M: Metallica with the San Francisco Orchestra. Can’t be that shit.

2) Which of the 7 Wonders of the World would you want to play on top of?

Great Pyramid of Giza. I’d wanna commune with aliens and pharaoh ghosts. Apparently(according to Wiki) the internet is a “current wonder of the world” stupid. shitty.

3) If your band was an actor who would they be and why?

John Belushi, because he died young.

4) Name a record you and your parents can agree on?

Band of Horses: Everything All the Time

5) Who are some of your favourite bands that you’ve played with?

1994! Like Bats Cheap Girls

6) What happens on your commute on tour? What do you do together and what do you do alone?

We play Snap Scruples and Kill, Fuck or Marry. Roll blunts, draw, write, and bum Cigarettes

7) If your music could evoke a mental disorder in your listeners which mental disorder would it be?

Kleptomania, steal it all!

8) Who is your favourite producer (worked with or ever dream of working with)?

Matt Allison was a gentleman and a scholar. No bullshit, in and out of the studio. Keep up the pace, keep it simple . I liked that. I don’t really have a favorite producer per say, but that’s what I look for.

9) What do you read when looking for music news or criticism?

I check out punknews.org every once in a while, but really I’m out of the loop on a lot of the cutting edge music news. I usually hear about new bands from my friends. As far as criticism goes I don’t have look far, I just glance at our last.fm page ha.

10) Are there any countries you would love to play that you haven’t yet?

Australia, Ireland, and of course Canada. You’re so close, and since we got our passports everything seems more accessible.

11) Which prehistoric predator is the most dangerous? Which one better represents your band?

Well, if we’re going to gauge this by danger I’d have to go with the newly discovered Leviathan Melvilli. I probably didn’t spell that right. It was the biggest predatory whale in the world. A whale that eats whales. Cool. However, to better represent our band, I’m going to have to go with the Supercroc Sarcosuchus. A dinosaur eating crocodile. Plus crocodilians are one of the most ancient and well designed predators in the world. Suck it!