Make sure to grab tickets to the band’s show on Tuesday. It’s a do not miss concert and with any luck, we’ll be able to put a show review up.
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Rogue Wave front man Zach Rogue is proud of his band’s newest release, Permalight, and stands behind the balance of upbeat, life-affirming melodies and quiet pulsing songs heard on the release. Rogue also worked to create an album that was more cohesive and could “capture one moment at a time.”
While the music may be cheery and playful at times, it draws from a group whose time between albums was tainted by loss and heartbreak. The transition into 2007 brought the loss of good friend, and former member Evan Farrell who passed away in an apartment fire. As if that loss weren’t enough, Zach Rogue went on to face months of bed rest, recovering from slipped discs in his back. The leap from being told that he could never play music again to finding himself in a recording studio playing guitar and writing music created an exciting feeling. Rogue recalls how it felt as though he was reliving his youth and learning to play music again, ultimately writing the song “Permalight” as his first full song after his injury. Overall, the experience taught Rogue that life truly is a gift and that movement and self-expression can be humbling.
As an album, Permalight comes across with a sound slightly different from previous work. As mentioned before, the album seems to have more of an upbeat sound. Everything falls more in line and certain songs have a bit of a dance feel to them. Rogue mentions that a few tracks have this dance feel and that some incorporate the use of a drum machine. Yet in the long run, it seems as though most critics focus on the introduction toward this new sound without really holding on the fact the Rogue Wave feeling can still be heard on the entire album. On some songs, the album has this slightly different, new sound while other songs maintain the sound that perpetuated Rogue Wave to the masses.
Production for the new album found the band in Oxford, Mississippi, working with Dennis Herring, whose past production credits include Elvis Costello, Modest Mouse, and MUTEMATH. For Rogue, the push to work with Herring came out of respect and admiration. The two shared a mutual vision and Rogue feel in love with Herring’s studio in the south. After an initial meeting, Rogue determined it would be a good match and he recognized Herring’s sometimes brutal honestly as something that would help the band in the long run. The final result is a product that will not only satisfy long-time Rogue Wave fans but will also appeal to listeners who might have previously dismissed the band before.
Keep on the lookout for this EP.
Before his show last Monday at San Diego’s very own Casbah, Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Samuel Stewart was kind enough to swing by our studio. Stewart has gained quite a bit of attention in the L.A. indie scene and is being recognized as an artist about to break through on a national level. After numerous live shows, Stewart has made a name for himself while developing a newfound love for a different type of music. His recent endeavors into gypsy punk have mixed with the refined alternative sounds of his previously famed band, London-based The Blondelles, to create a wonderful fusion of indie music. As we look down the road at Stewart’s future, we see the upcoming release of a new EP (The Beginner) and, undoubtedly, the soon to follow success that Stewart deserves for his solo work. If you’re a fan of artists such as Gogol Bordello or Devendra Banhart, Samuel Stewart should be the next name on your radar. Our live session was broadcast a week ago, but in true USD Radio spirit, we’re posting it here for those of you who missed it. Tune in to the whole thing to hear Stewart yap about his experiences in the London and L.A. scenes and to hear about the influence of having two parents as music stars, or just hit play on the individual in-studio tracks. Whatever you do, if you like the music (as I’m sure you will), make sure to grab the EP for free here.
Full Set:
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Devil Music:
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Medicine:
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For more information on Samuel Stewart, make sure to check out his website.
1.) February – The Appleseed Cast
2.) Save My Soul – The Whip
3.) We Started Nothing – The Ting Tings
4.) Hunting For Witches – Bloc Party
5.) Beyond Right Now – STS9
6.) Mr. Blue Sky – ELO
7.) Sound is Vibration – Atmosphere
8.) I Get Around – Dragonette
9.) Night on Fire – VHS or BETA
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Some of my favorite covers:
1. Deadmau5 (Daft Punk) – Harder Better Faster Stronger
2. Lykke Li (Kings of Leon) – Knocked Up
3. WHY? (The Cure) – Close to Me
4. Ben Gibbard (The Postal Service) – Recycled Air (acoustic)
5. The Welcome Wagon (The Smiths) – Half a Person
6. She & Him (The Miracles) – You Really Got a Hold On Me
7. Cat Power (The Rolling Stones) – (Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
8. Tyler Ramsey (Nico) – These Days
9. Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins (Traveling Wilburys) – Handle With Care
10. Rufus Wainwright (The Beatles) – Across the Universe
11. Modest Mouse (David Lynch’s “Eraserhead”) – Workin’ on Leavin’ the Livin’ (“In Heaven” cover)
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An acoustic introduction of sorts – songs from records of importance or significance to me over the years…
Fitter Happier – Radiohead
Tired of Sex – Weezer
Apartment Story – The National
No Cars Go – The Arcade Fire
Come As You Are (Unplugged) – Nirvana
The Plan (Live) – Built to Spill
The State I Am In (EP Version) – Belle & Sebastian
When U Love Somebody – Fruit Bats
Your Old Street – Cub Country
Running To Stand Still – U2
Gravity/Falling Down (Live) – Alejandro Escovedo
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“I Love You More” Boise Cover Band
“I Should Have Known Better” She & Him
“How Deep is your Love?” The Bird and the Bee
“Love Hurts (Live)” Jenny Lewis
“Star Man’ Seu Jorge
“Let’s Dance” M. Ward
“Trailer Trash” Iron Horse
“Bizarre Love Triangle” Frente
“Heartbeats” Jose Gonzalez
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“I’m Good, I’m Gone” Lykke Li
“Cold Lunch” Why?
“Charmer” Kings of Leon
“Digital Love” Daft Punk
“Quiet Houses” Fleet Foxes
“Nevada” Scout Niblett
“Keep the Streets Empty For Me” Fever Ray
“Roll On” Dntel
“Rubber Band Man” T.I.
“WARP 1.9″ Bloody Beetroots feat. Steve Aoki
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“Crayon Angels (Judee Sills cover)” Fleet Foxes
“Old Man” Neil Young
“Alabaster” Rocky Votolato
“Seaside” The Kooks
“Welcome Home” Radical Face
“In My Room” Albert Hammond Jr.
While touring for the “Fleet Foxes” debut LP, Robin Pecknold always performed Judee Sills song “Crayon Angels”, which lead into “Oliver James”. Here’s a beautiful (albeit low-quality) version from a show in London. Ben Cooper recorded in a tin shed in his backyard to create what would become Radical Face. “Welcome Home” is a stellar track to taste. And the harmonica hits on “Alabaster” are too good to pass up.
Enjoy
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“King of Carrot Flowers (pt. 1)” Neutral Milk Hotel
“Obstacle 1″ Interpol
“Flume” Bon Iver
“The Funeral” Band of Horses
“The Gloaming (Live in the Basement)” Radiohead
“West Coast” Coconut Records
“Lost Cause” Beck
Basement version of The Gloaming is ridiculous. +10 Awesome points Mike Sinodis…
Plus everyone needs a daily dose of Band of Horses. And is there anyone who doesn’t like Bon Iver? I haven’t actually met that person yet.
In case the story wasn’t good enough yet, he’s going back to play a benefit concert for the jazz band at his high school (http://www.memorial.ecasd.k12.wi.us/). So they’ll have cash to travel to NY for a festival.
+230 Karma Points Justin Vernon
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“Young Bride” Midlake
“Gin and Juice (Remix)” The Gourds
“Neighborhoods #1″ The Arcade Fire
“Fire It Up” Modest Mouse
“Glosoli” Sigur Ros
“Stability” Death Cab For Cutie
My fave on this one is the country remix of “Gin and Juice”. Snoop, but improved.
Plus “Stability” is an epic closer to any night.
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Make sure to grab tickets to the band’s show on Tuesday. It’s a do not miss concert and with any luck, we’ll be able to put a show review up.
