Back Into the Woods

Reviewed by Michele Zipkin

The sixth studio album by the very accomplished Ed Harcourt, Back Into the Woods, is a collection of very honest songs that pull back a curtain onto a personal landscape of his thoughts and experiences.  He is a skilled pianist and songwriter, truly an artist.  His previous records, the first of which has earned him a Mercury award, have lead him to share a  bill with artists like Wilco, Norah Jones, Sondre Lerche, and Feist.

Drawing influence from the likes of Tom Waits, Jeff Buckley and Nick Cave,  Harcourt’s latest release, apparently recorded in one fell swoop over the course of six hours, showcases charmingly sparse instrumentation in contrast to some of his previous work.  Vocals paired with piano or guitar are the main components of this group of songs, but that’s not to say that a couple other instruments don’t peek through.  Beautiful  single-line violin makes its voice heard in “Hey Little Bruiser”, the chords of which paint very beautiful colors with their slight tonal ambiguity and simple arpeggiation.

A bit more complex piano work can be heard in “Wandering Eye”, quite a revelatory song in which Harcourt just reveals everything that’s going  on in his head (or in the head of the character of the song), admitting his adversity in having a wandering eye and resorting to violence.  An  unexpected and slightly haunting chorus (perhaps of Harcourt’s multi-tracked voice) comes into play after a couple verses, pleasantly surprising since there has been no hint of a background vocal so far. But surprises in music are warmly welcomed.  The piano evokes a bit of Rufus Wainwright’s steeze with the keys.

“Murmur in My Heart” slows it down to a downtrodden pace with very poetic, albeit tragic lyrics like “…she is the mist that (steals) the forests, she is the beartrap around your leg, and when she pulls you from the  wreckage, just pretend that you are dead”.  Stream-like and achingly  forlorn guitar-playing supports the vocal melody.  “Brothers and  Sisters” features some more extravagant vocals and piano; the reverb on  Harcourt’s voice makes it sound as if he were playing in a vast church  hall.  It’s reminiscent perhaps of one of the Beatles’ more simple and  piano-driven tunes, and might even stand to benefit from some percussion or bass.

The title track is perhaps the most loveable of the nine songs that compose Back Into the Woods.  Its beautiful and almost jazzy main melody is quite possibly the most  melodically straightforward so far.  It serves as the vehicle through  which Harcourt recounts a tragic tale about the unforgiving elements of  mother nature, and maybe the unforgiving elements of man.

This oeuvre ends up on a fairly somber note with “The Man that Time Forgot”, a tune about the desire for renewal or redemption, but also severe  guilt from past wrongdoings.  Here Harcourt sings down in the eerily low register of his voice, exposing his Tom Waits tendencies.

Back Into the Woods proves intimate and raw, personal, passionate, and very real.  Harcourt sings of struggles and longings that most everyone encounters.  While  these songs sadly may not reach the top of the charts, they provide invaluable commentary on what it means to be human. 

The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Stories) is Steven Wilson’s third solo album, as well as the artist’s most definitive creative statement to date. Though experimental songwriting, meticulous sound production and elaborate packaging have long defined the typical Wilson release, Raven sees these elements uniformly utilized like never before. In interviews, Wilson is candid about his opposition to the digitization of music; Raven, then, is Wilson’s proposed alternative. It stands in diametric opposition to iTunes, Spotify and Pandora, and makes the argument: this is what music could be.

What were you doing when you were 16? Cheerleading at football games? Studying for the SATS? If you were Nick Perri, you were touring all over the world with some of the biggest rock and roll bands of all time.

Perri, a Philadelphia native, dropped out of high school to play lead guitar with his band Silvertide. They opened for legendary artists such as Van Halen, Aerosmith and Motley Crüe, and their 2004 album, Show and Tell, helped cinch their place as one of the best new rock and roll bands. Despite their talent and success, they were on the losing end of business and record label drama, which ultimately led to their hiatus in 2005. Eight years later, Silvertide is giving it another go.

In addition to recording a new EP, Silvertide is playing a sold-out show at the Theatre of Living Arts on Saturday, March 9th. The show sold out in just five days, but don’t be distressed if you didn’t get tickets—on Saturday, March 2nd, Perri will be playing at The Legendary Dobbs with what Perri calls  “some of the best Philly musicians ever.”

He’s not kidding—it’s a veritable Who’s Who of Philly musicians:  Silvertide’s Walt Lafty and Brian Weaver; Michael and Anthony Montesano of Pepper’s Ghost; Paul Keen of Pawnshop Roses; Jealousy Curve’s Shane Rozum; and “quite a few special guests” will be playing together. Perri, who is now based in Los Angeles, said the idea stemmed organically from his itch to play with his old friends.

“I started calling all my buddies, saying ‘Hey, let’s get together’, and have been playing non-stop with [them]. Some of these jams I’ve been doing have been so bitchin’ that I was like ‘We should do this for fun, we should do this live’…[the show is] basically me and all my best friends in Philly jamming onstage and playing a bunch of the songs that really inspired me growing up.”

While fans are benefiting from Perri’s productive use of his downtime, he remains focused on his original purpose for visiting Philly. Silvertide will be entering the studio to record their EP the day after their TLA show.

“We’re not putting any expectations on it,” Perri clarifies. “We’re doing it just for us because we love to create new music together. We’ll put it out and see what the reception is…I think we’re gonna continue at a pace that feels right for everybody. We’re gonna put the music first and see what happens, and go with the flow.”

After Silvertide’s initial break, Perri moved to L.A. and began touring as a lead guitarist for artists such as Perry Farrell, Shinedown and Matt Sorum of Guns N’ Roses. He continued to write and record his own music, and even briefly returned to Philly in 2010 to start another band.

“Walt [Lafty] and I put together a band called SINAI. It was a great band and a great experience, but the timing wasn’t right…we gave it our best shot, but shit was not aligning for us.”

Back in L.A., Perri focused on new projects such as developing his business, Perri Ink, and writing and playing with his sister Christina, known for her monster hit “Jar of Hearts.” Despite all of the creative projects he was pursuing, Perri felt something was missing.

“The truth is, of all the things I’ve done, nothing moved my soul and my creative being like Silvertide. Silvertide was my baby; I wrote or co-wrote all those songs and really got to be me in that role. I’ve never felt that in any other project I’ve done.”

He decided to reach out to his band mates and see if they shared the same sentiment; fortunately, they did.

“These guys and I, we shared life experiences that [we’ll] never have with anyone else. To drop out of high school at 16 years old, then be in Japan playing for 15,000 people? Only us five who lived it can relate to each other the way that we can.”

The band made plans to get together in 2013; now Perri, along with fellow L.A. transplant and Silvertide alum Brian Weaver, are ready to rock with their Philly brothers again.

(credit Jared Polin,
FroKnowsPhoto.com)

While Perri is here, his wife remains in L.A. taking care of their store, Perri Ink. The company started in 2009 as an online store selling custom guitars; however, Perri always envisioned having a space that reflected all of his interests. In 2011, his dream came to life as Perri Ink opened its doors on Hollywood’s Melrose Ave. It’s a one-of-a-kind retail store that sells custom guitars, motorcycles and clothing; additionally, they perform tattoos and piercings. You can even get a trim at the in-house barber shop.

“The response has been overwhelming,” Perri says. “The people who’ve been there—it’s their favorite store in the world and they come back almost every day. It’s a super chill environment, which is what we wanted out of a store; to have the vibe of a place you’d wanna hang out at. It’s really been an incredible experience and, honestly, I couldn’t do any of it if it wasn’t for my wife. I also have two business partners that are based out of Philly; it’s a good team, and I believe in it. Every month it grows, so I just look forward to growing and developing.”

Notably, everything in the store is American-made, something Perri feels passionately about. “We need to support small businesses and American-made products. I take great pride in having an American establishment that sells solely American-made products.”

Although he misses his family, Perri is thrilled to be playing with his old friends and band mates during his hometown visit. “I’m proud to be from Philly. There’s a heart and soul and very distinct character about Philly, and it’s in me no matter where I go.”

He’s certainly thrilled to have the chance to honor his inspirations at The Legendary Dobbs.“It’s actually a tremendous opportunity because I’ve never really had the chance to play the songs that inspired me to start playing. What this night is really about is just jamming on all my favorite tunes. I don’t wanna give anything away too much, but if you’re a fan of Silvertide or Pepper’s Ghost or Pawnshop Roses or any of those bands, then I would definitely be at the show.”

They’ll be playing songs by artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. As far as hearing original tunes? “Come out and find out!”

Nick Perri and Friends are playing at The Legendary Dobbs this Saturday, March 2nd. For more information on Silvertide and Nick Perri, check out www.facebook.com/nickperrimusic. For information on Perri Ink, check out www.perriink.com.

The music industry rarely gives independent artists the recognition they deserve, but the 2^nd annual Tri State Indie Awards gave those unsung heroes just that.  The awards celebrate artists who do phenomenal things throughout the year, most of them without the help of major record labels or companies. The TSI Awards are really about the affirmation of the biggest, smaller acts in the tri state area.

The attire was not “black tie” and not quite tie-dye, but somewhere in between with some very stylish interpretations of formal wear. That is what happens when you get a congregation of crazy musicians in one room.  Well that, and one big party.

World Café Live, one of Philadelphia’s most beautiful venues, launched the festivities upstairs with pre-show activities and sponsored drinks by Vitamin Water and Star Hill brewery. While mixed drinks and craft beers flowed, Aaron Brown, The Lawsuits, Kuf Knotz and Cheers Elephant kept the crowd entertained.

Guests were later ushered down the red carpet to the main event downstairs. Hosted by Toy Soldiers singer and apparent part time comedian, Ron Gallo and with performances by Cold Fronts, Levee Drivers, Nicos Gun, New Sweden and Sweet Leda, the show was non-stop entertainment.  Official house band, The Dirk Quinn Band, transitioned each award fantastically.  A personal highlight of the night was when ThatMag and ThatRadio’s own Brian Cronin and Jodie Saueraker presented the award for Best New Venue to Underground Arts, in a way only the duo could- with wit and class.

The crowd was fantastic all night, the cheers were loud and the waiters and bartenders were friendly and fast.  After all the winners were awarded, hands were shook and bands had rocked, everyone motored over to Ruba Club, which was the moment this writer had to tap out!  The event was not only inspiring for independent artists, but also one Hell of a good time. It goes to show that these people know how to throw an awards ceremony and make it fun.  The Tri State Indie Awards are an inspiring event for all bands that are on their way up and finally have an avenue to be recognized for all their hard work and sacrifices. Congratulations to all the nominees and the much deserving winners.

Winners

REGIONAL GENRE CATEGORIES:

INDIE ACOUSTIC ROCK ARTIST/BAND OF THE YEAR-  MIZ

INDIE ELECTRONIC/DANCE BAND OF THE YEAR- REVOLUTION, I LOVE YOU

INDIE PUNK BAND OF THE YEAR- SLUTEVER

INDIE HIP HOP ARTIST/GROUP OF THE YEAR- GROUND UP

INDIE JAM BAND OF THE YEAR- FLUX CAPACITOR

INDIE POP ROCK BAND OF THE YEAR- TURNING VIOLET VIOLET

INDIE FOLK/AMERICANA BAND OF THE YEAR- THE LEVEE DRIVERS

INDIE ROCK BAND OF THE YEAR- TOY SOLDIERS

GROUPIES CHOICE- SWEET LEDA

REGIONAL CATEGORIES:

NYC METRO INDIE BAND OF THE YEAR- LUCIUS ( BY 1 VOTE! – OVER THE DIG)

MARYLAND/DC INDIE BAND OF THE YEAR- SWEET LEDA

NEW JERSEY INDIE BAND OF THE YEAR- BRICK + MORTAR

DELAWARE INDIE BAND OF THE YEAR- NEW SWEDEN

PHILADELPHIA INDIE BAND OF THE YEAR- THE LAWSUITS

CENTRAL PA INDIE BAND OF THE YEAR- THE DISTRICTS

FESTIVAL / VENUE CATEGORIES:

REGIONAL INDIE FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR- FIREFLY MUSIC FESTIVAL

VENUE OF THE YEAR (+500 CAPACITY)- WORLD CAFE LIVE – PHILA, PA

VENUE OF THE YEAR (-500 CAPACITY)- JOHNNY BRENDA’S

NEW VENUE OF THE YEAR- UNDERGROUND ARTS

EMERGING GENRE CATEGORIES:

EMERGING INDIE FOLK/AMERICANA BAND OF THE YEAR- HOOTS & HELLMOUTH

EMERGING INDIE ELECTRO EXPERIMENTAL BAND OF THE YEAR- CITY RAIN

EMERGING INDIE PUNK BAND OF THE YEAR- TITUS ANDRONICUS

EMERGING INDIE JAM BAND OF THE YEAR- LOTUS

EMERGING INDIE POP ROCK BAND OF THE YEAR- JUKEBOX THE GHOST

EMERGING INDIE ROCK BAND OF THE YEAR- J. RODDY WALSTON & THE BUSINESS

NATIONAL CATEGORIES:

NATIONAL INDIE LIVE PERFORMER OF THE YEAR- MY MORNING JACKET

NATIONAL OVERALL INDIE BAND / ARTIST OF THE YEAR- THE BLACK KEYS

NATIONAL INDIE RECORD (SINGLE) OF THE YEAR- LUMINEERS – “HEY HO”

NATIONAL INDIE ALBUM OF THE YEAR- DR. DOG – BE THE VOID

For seventeen years, the Millennium Music Conference has helped directly connect music industry professionals with up-and-coming acts through a variety of educational avenues.  Bands have the opportunity to and spend their time learning the tricks of the trade at panels, trade shows, clinics and workshops at the Radisson Hotel & Convention Center in Camp Hill, PA.  The Millennium Music Conference provides those opportunities and even offers one-on-one mentoring giving bands the chance to get honest feedback on their music and career choices.

During the day, the convention center plays host to all of those educational aspects and gives the artists a fantastic chance to network.  At night, Harrisburg, Camp Hill and the surrounding town’s 30 venues transform the area to a hub of music, featuring over 300 bands from the convention.

The conference, which started on February 14^th and concluded on the 17^th, had one particular showcase for Best of Philadelphia bands.  Sponsored by ThatMag! And hosted by ThatMag!’s radio show (ThatRadio) personalities Brian Cronin and Jodie Saueraker, the show took place at an amazing venue called Gulllifty’s Underground.  Ten minutes away from the Radisson, the bands absolutely rocked the house in front of fans as well as industry professionals.  The bill included The Great Socio, The Lux, The Parsnip Revolt, Song Dogs and The Standing Cinema.  Needless to say, Philly was represented very well.

The extended weekend was filled with fantastic opportunities and even better music.  If you are an artist or in a band that is ready to take it to the next level, you need to do some research on the Millennium Music Conference.  It very well could provide you with the guidance to get from the garage to the main stage.  The MMC is a necessary stop along the road to success

Thanks to some crafty kitchen work and the advancement of social media, mobile eateries are on the rise in Philadelphia. Whether you’re looking for a creative bite to eat on your lunch break or for something new to do at night, local food trucks are making their aromatic presence known. From gourmet cupcakes and desserts to the mac n’ cheese of your dreams, lunch trucks and food carts are quickly forming their own culinary subculture.

You can usually spot them on the city’s college campuses or around some of the up-and-coming neighborhoods. They’re quite literally everywhere and serve everything. Near North Philly for lunch? Join Temple students at The Creperie or Sexy Green Truck. A little farther west? See what has Drexel students beside themselves with at 33^rd and Arch, an apparent destination for some of the most delicious food to come from a four-wheeler. On any given day you can find nearly ten food trucks, including Spot Burger, Say Cheese, Rival Brothers and their coffee, Street Food Philly’s take on classics, and Kami’s Korean fusion on this single corner. And if that isn’t enough, a whole rotation of other specialty trucks make their way over at least a few times a week.

One of the more noticeable trucks on the corner is the bright pink newbie Mac Mart. This buzz-worthy truck opened less than two months ago and is already being cited by local publications as the place to dine. The owner is a recent Drexel University graduate, Marti Lieberman, who decided to make the risky switch from PR to food trucking after casually making mac ‘n cheese for party guests.  After lots of thought and nine months of hard work, Mac Mart now supplies some of the most imaginative mac ‘n cheese dishes around to over 75 customers a day. (In under three minutes!) There really isn’t a bad choice at Mac Mart, but the top three customer favorites are the Return of the Mac Grilled Cheese, BBQ-in-a-Bowl and Little Italy. As if macaroni and cheese wasn’t already flawless.

Just a few streets over you’ll find even more students at the Thai you must try, Cucina Zapata, and crepes worthy of their one-at-a-time wait at La Dominique.

Drexel and Temple are just two foodie epicenters in this citywide takeover. Almost every neighborhood in the city boasts its own array of truck du jour. In Northern Liberties? Try Foo Truck, serving Asian-style wraps, or the Dapper Dog, sufficiently named serving hot dogs the likes of which Philly has never seen. Fortunately for those of us stuck across town during the day, Northern Liberties is also often the site of late-night trucking.

Most recently, eight of the city’s greatest met up at the Piazza to share their take on moonshine appetizers. Jimmies Cupcake, Cupcake Carnivale, Foo Truck, Farm Truck, The Cow and the Curd, Ka’Chi Truck, Mac Mart, and Chewy’s Philly were all there Saturday evening, February 23^rd, offering free Spodee infused treats! Spodee was a moonshine popular during the Depression and the Spodee Spiked Food Truck Round Up certainly gave this Prohibition-era drink a kick. Look out for more food truck events that are always taking place – especially with the summer months fast approaching.

“Sometimes you have to take a chance”.

We all at some point have taken a chance to get what we want out of life. The quote represents the moment when Jeff Todd, the lead singer of Meadows Fortune, stood in Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Tennessee with his self-recorded demo, talking to music producers Scott Phillips and David Hall. Now Meadows Fortune has a debut album, music videos and countless fans on ReverbNation and Facebook and many things to come in the near future.

Long before Todd took a chance, his music career started with piano lessons. “It’s definitely been a long journey, but I know it’s still only the beginning. I have to credit my mom for starting me in piano lessons when I was young. I wasn’t a big fan of practicing, but looking back now, I’m so grateful that she kept pushing me to better myself,” says Todd.

It wasn’t until many years later, that Todd had his Aha! moment at a Creed concert. The moment he realized music would be his career happened like this:  “The guitarist, Mark Tremonti, was playing the opening riff to the song “One Last Breath” and there was a closeup of him on the big screen. I just remember looking around and seeing how mesmerized everyone was by just a few notes. I actually got a little choked up, and it was such an overwhelming feeling. I knew then that I wanted to be the guy on the big screen some day and move people emotionally with my music.”

Jeff Todd (credit Jake Harsh)

On the Meadows Fortune Facebook page, a long list of musical influences are mentioned- Staind, Matchbox 20, Gavin Degraw, The Fray and John Mayer. But one band may catch readers off guard- Hanson. Nine times out of ten, they’re made funof because of their long blonde hair and boy band roots, but they have come a long way since then and Todd agrees. “Regardless of whether you like the song (MMMBop) or not, I have yet to meet someone who has never heard it. To me, that is pretty impressive. I think it’s kind of baffling that artists who actually write their own songs, play their own instruments and sing live sometimes get so much negativity. As Hanson matured as a band and broke free from the corporate mold of the record industry, they became a really solid indie rock group. They have a great sense of melody and a knack for great hooks and song structure. They’re able to blend rock and pop music together but still make it cool and fun. Trust me, that’s not easy to do,” says Todd.

Todd’s next project is his sophomore album which is in the making for the coming year. “I’m currently finishing demos and pre-production for my next record, Shadows of the Fall, with Grammy winning engineer/producer, David Hall and in the late spring I’ll be heading back to Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Tennessee to start recording.  I’m really excited about this new album. It’s more uptempo and rock oriented than Reckless Believer. I truly believe it’s the best set of songs I’ve ever written and they’re going to be a blast to play live.

A lot has happened for Meadows Fortune in the past year thanks to ReverbNation and Guitar Center. ReverbNation announced they would be partnering with various charities and Todd jumped at the chance to give back to Love Hope Strength, because it hits close to home. A father of a high school friend is battling cancer and they use contributions to purchase medical equipment, build cancer centers and raise awareness. “When you purchase “Last Goodbye” through ReverbNation, 50% of the proceeds go directly to Love Hope Strength. I chose that song because it was dedicated to a friend who passed away in a drunk driving accident. It’s about finding strength in moments of sadness, and I felt like it really represented the underlying message of Love Hope Strength. I would love to continue supporting the cause, so hopefully some of the readers can head over to ReverbNation and join me!”

Recently, Guitar Center started their second season of Singer Songwriter which is their search for America’s next great songwriter. Todd read about it in a magazine, realized his strength is songwriting and melody and decided to enter. Artists connect their social media accounts with their entry and their fan base online determines their ranking. Thanks to his fan following, he started jumping up the leader board. By the end of the competition Meadows Fortune was third. “It was a really indescribable feeling and I’m incredibly blessed to have such loyal fans.  The contest is still ongoing, and it’s up to a panel of judges to pick the finalists. I’ve got my fingers crossed!” Meadows Fortune didn’t make the finalists for the competition, but that won’t stop them from making amazing music.

Todd would like to send the following message out to readers, “I want to say thank you to That Music Mag for this great opportunity. To the readers, please support local and unsigned artists. If you enjoy their music, take a minute to visit their website, like them on Facebook, subscribe on YouTube, join a mailing list and buy a song or two. All of those things are noticed by record labels, managers and promoters. It really can make the difference in an artist getting discovered.”

To find more information about Meadows Fortune, it’s obvious where to go- iTunes, Amazon or at meadowsfortune.com! Todd personally respond to everyone who messages him and enjoys hearing from his fans.

Todd said something that was even more profound than the first quote about taking chances, some advice that every musician should take and learn from. The following quote will represent his future after taking chances. “I wish I could say it was all luck, it would have been a lot easier! In reality though, it was a very thought out plan. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and slightly stubborn, but I think that’s what it takes to be a musician.

“You have to know what you want, roll with the punches, and constantly try to out do what you did before.”

Band Practice (credit Sarah Harsh)

Photo By: Thomas Pieczkolon

On a Wednesday night you wouldn’t think to see a packed crowd out for a band that plays Philly regularly. However, Gunner’s Run (the rock and roll bar of the Piazza) had a surprising turn out. There were drinks flowing, fueling a lively crowd who were getting down to one very special up-and-coming band. That band didn’t have an opening act, nor did they have the need for one. That band is Mo Lowda and the Humble.

Mo Lowda is very difficult to classify and put into a genre. They have similarities to bands like Kings of Leon, Airborne Toxic Event, and Incubus, but their song structure and composition go so much deeper. They have the vocals to make your girlfriend’s heart melt, provided by Jordan Caiola, the groove to keep you dancing from bassist Nate Matulis and change more than your underwear courtesy of drumming phenom Shane Woods. Mo Lowda has absolutely mesmerizing rhythms combined with perfectly placed reverb that take you into a trance, only as long as they want to keep you there, and before you know it, you are hit in the face with a wall of sound.

Jordan hunched over the mic with eyes closed like he is singing to a loved one, Shane slammed the cymbals in rhythmic mastery and when Nate got moving the crowd followed suit.

Playing two 40 minute sets would be difficult for any band, but they had the catalog to do it. The thing that really shocked me was in their break between sets, no one left. These guys have a serious following.

The bassist took a few seconds to talk with me in between sets. I asked him for help describing Mo Lowda and the Humble. His responses were both comical but deep.

To elaborate on the band members he told me, “It’s more louder, and it’s humble, it’s awesome songwriting, jazz funk bass, and a progressive drummer who loves to sit back in the pocket.” Nate told me that when writing he tries to “slow down time” through the articulation and dynamics of each note, while adding, “If it doesn’t make a moment for me, then it doesn’t make a moment for you.”

Our conversation went over an assortment of analogies to describe the band, but my absolute favorite was when Nate got on the subject of building a song, “the groove is like planting a seed, every note is a leaf, the verse grows into a branch, and eventually, over time, you get a beautiful solid structure.” He continued on his visual representation to music by saying that with each song in their set, they want to keep the audience guessing, “It’s like you walk into a room. After you become acquainted with the room, the door locks, the lights go out and you fall through a trap door. Its like…where am I now?”

He would later add that the band never does much thinking on stage, they just play. That is something that comes with years of practice and a solid connection amongst band members. To be as young as they are, as fluent as they are, and have such a catalog like they do, is an incredible testament to the talent in Mo Lowda and the Humble. Not just Philly, but the nation needs to keep an eye (and ear) on these guys. Mo Lowda and The Humble could be the next band out of Philly, and are the least limited by genre. They are the band to watch for in 2013.

For a free download of their EP, check out Mo Lowda and The Humble’s bandcamp. New album “Curse the Weather” to be releases May 2013

Australian retro-dance pop band Gold Fields brought their show to the TLA last week as part of their February-March US and Canada tour.  The tour came through Philadelphia as a pit stop on its way to SXSW to promote their single “Dark Again”  off their album Black Sun– due out February 26^th.  The band, which was formed in 2010, is a five-piece ensemble that came to the TLA solely to rock the bill.  I was lucky enough to get a chance to talk with Mark Robert Fuller and Ryan D’Sylva, the lead singer and drummer of the group respectively.

Although Gold Fields have been classified as New Wave Dance Pop, a genre made popular in the 80’s by bands like Flock of Seagulls and My Bloody Valentine, the guys never try to box-in their synth-pop sound.   “We usually tell people to listen to it, it’s hard to explain, and bands sound wanky when they describe their own sound” says Fuller.   An unexplained sound that came to fruition only after re-recording their first album three times, admitting that they only had a vague idea of where they were taking their sound.  “It was getting pulled in a lot of different directions by a lot of different forces.  By the end of it, we had found our sound for this album. It sounds cohesive,” Fuller explains.  “We have found our sound for now” adds D’Sylva, pointing out that Gold Fields are consistently growing individually and evolving as a band.

Taking their influences from some very interesting places, Field’s drummer cites Detroit-based Hip Hop producer J Dilla, “I am a fan of everything he produced and I didn’t even know he produced for some of my favorite artists”.  From Hip-Hop to House Music, Gold Fields name current House DJs that are dipping into the style of 90’s as some of their particular favorites.

The night prior to the interview, Gold Fields played the Bowery Ballroom in NYC to a sold out crowd with MTV taping the show.  The band, who plays the majority of their set under blue/black lighting with a light show and a wall of smoke, was concerned that they would have to change their stage show for the performance.  However, much to their elation, MTV was able to cover their set without affecting the performance in any way. “It didn’t even feel like we are being filmed” says Fuller, with D’Sylva adding that the “Bowery is one of our favorite venues”. The show was a success and one of Gold Fields favorite acts to play with is Diamond Rings. “Awesome guys, great time, and the most interesting crowd I have ever seen,” says Fuller. “All the freaks came out!”

Gold Fields have spent most of their time in the USA working, but that is not too upsetting to them.  They are a hard-working group of guys that enjoy getting to see a new city each day.  Unfortunately, when they have been in Philadelphia they were only able to see the areas where they played.

With the release of Black Sun, the video for their single “Dark Again” was released ahead of time to get the buzz going and “wild” is the best way to explain the video.

“The concept was created and directed by Stephen Schuster from New York, who came up with the treatment after we told him we wanted to incorporate our artwork. The album is darker than the EP so the video progresses from a white world with Sean Ross, the African American albino, kind of like the prophet/painter and it transitions to the dark world,” says D’Sylva of the video.

The band insists that people take their own meaning from the video but wanted to stress the artistic creativity in it.  “The whole album has element of darkness and an element of light, we wanted to create something that looked like the music sounds.” The band was able to do that through the mind of Stephen Schuster, “before we even thought of the concept for the clip we wanted to work with him”.

On tour now, and with the intense work ethic never halting, Gold Fields are excited to keep the ball rolling.  They are already looking forward to writing the next album and are focused on creating a whole new sound for it too.  On their way through America, and down to SXSW, Gold Fields is steadily bringing back the New Wave.

Gold Fields: Dark Again