Heilendes Potpourri

Musik, die aus einer Krise heraus entstanden ist und sich doch vor allem optimistisch zeigt: Das ist „Paradise“, der vierte Longplayer von Healing Potpourri. Hinter dem Namen verbirgt sich der Kalifornier Simi Sohota. Seine bittersüßen Songs sind Balsam für die Seele – auch für seine eigene, die unter dem Lockdown litt. Dass es in der kaleidoskopischen Klanglandschaft so viele Feinheiten zu entdecken gibt, ist u.a. dem irischen Songwriter und Arrangeuer Sean O’Hagan zu verdanken. Der High Llamas-Kopf hat die neuen Aufnahmen von Healing Potpourri aus der Ferne als Co-Produzent betreut. Und darauf geachtet, dass es eine zeitgenössische Platte wird, die aber wie ein vertrauter Klassiker klingt.

Weitere Beiträge gibt es in der heutigen Sendung von Sunbeam Sound Machine, Panda Bear & Sonic Boom und Florist. Sie alle erinnern daran, dass manchmal auch in schwierigen Momenten Schönheit und Freude zu finden sind.

Heilendes Potpourri war zu hören am Mittwoch, den 24.08.22 – 17:00-19:00 Uhr.
Wdh.: Donnerstag, 25.08. von 7:00-9:00 Uhr und Samstag, 27.08. von 15:00-17:00 Uhr

Stream online here: ByteFM
Hamburg UKW: 91,7 & 104,0 MHz & DAB+
Berlin DAB+: Kanal 7B


ArtistTrackLabel
Stella DonnellyHow Was Your Day?Secretly Canadian
Sunbeam Sound MachineI Promise That I'll Try To Give You All My LoveDot Dash / Remote Control
Healing PotpourriTruly GoodRun For Cover
The High LlamasThe Sun Beats DownV2
Healing PotpourriFireworksRun For Cover
Healing PotpourriThink About UsRun For Cover
Luke SweeneyArgentine MorningsRoyal Oakie
FloristOrgan's DroneDouble Double Whammy
DungenOm Det Finns Nagot Som Du Vill Fraga MigMexican Summer
Tony MolinaNot Worth KnowingRun For Cover
Tony MolinaBurn EveryoneRun For Cover
Sorry GilbertoThe BeachSolaris Empire
Hologram TeenVHS NemesisRansom Note
TelexPakmovastSire
Dear Norascrolls of doomOrindal
Nick HakimHappenATO Records
DinersTried To TryLauren Records
---------
Panda Bear & Sonic BoomEdge of the EdgeDomino
The Persian LeapsMaybe Time Will Let Me ForgetLand Ski Music
The ZombiesBeechwood ParkRhino
Beachwood SparksSomething I Don't RecognizeSub Pop
TriptidesMidnightCuration Records
GwennoTresorHeavenly Recordings
David Helgi JohanFireflyGreywood Records
CheekfaceYou Always Want to Bomb the Middle Eastself-released
CheekfaceVegan Waterself-released
B-52's6060-842Warner
TchotchkeDizzyTchotchke Records
Macie StewartMaya, PleaseFull Time Hobby / Orindal
Max GowanOrnamentalSound As Language
Fenn is coolOoh Yeah! (I Don't Know Why I'm So Depressed)fenniscool.bandcamp.com
C. RossWrong Side of the SkyEchodelick Records

Best of 2018

I listen to an awful lot of music every day, it’s my job and responsibility as a radio presenter. But most of all, it’s a labour of love digging out interesting stuff, making new discoveries in all directions. The end of the year makes me think of my ultimate favourite tunes, which is never an easy thing to do. However, here’s some kind of a Best Of list with some records and artists I especially enjoyed in 2018.

Adrianne Lenker – “Abysskiss” (Saddle Creek)

Some of you are probably familiar with Lenker as a guitarist and vocalist in Brooklyn-based indie rock band Big Thief. Her full-length solo record is a stripped-down singer-/songwriter approach and with this, she’s covering intimate emotions on her stroll along the abyss. In a way it’s hauntingly intense, but nevertheless comfort for your soul. Adrianne Lenker shows a subtle, otherworldly brilliance with her light fingerpicking on acoustic guitar while her songs are thoughtful, deep and poignant. And with this combination, there’s a true affinity to other outstanding artists like Judee Sill or Connie Converse.

 

Ari Roar – “Calm Down” (Bella Union)

Sometimes it’s true: great art comes from great pain. Adrianne Lenker has quite a history with being born into a religious cult and she almost died, when a railroad spike crashed her skull as a kid. And she managed to create something special in the wake of the tragedy, just like Caleb Campbell alias Ari Roar. The Texan singer-songwriter struggled with panic attacks from early on. As a late teenager, he had an operation on the spine, which left him bed-bound for months. Of course, these experiences have an impact. And in this case, he’s doing the best by channelling it into beautiful melodic lo-fi pop. The sweet miniatures on Calm Down might sound effortlessly in the first place, but there’s something else underneath the surface, with traces of doubts and fear. It’s a glorious debut for repeat listens.

 

Clearance – “At Your Leisure” (Topshelf)

This band provides a compelling sound by picking up familiar indie rock in a modern way. They create something fresh and interesting and already got a lot of praise here in my blog. If you like passionate, bright guitar music from the 80ties and 90ties, you should listen to this one.

 

Field Music – “Open Here” (Memphis Industries)

Whenever there’s a new Field Music record, it always ends up in my top ten of the year. Again, the spacious production on Open Here is exquisite, the compositions are intricate and classy. Field Music are ambitious, but they have all the knowledge and the talent to follow their visions. It’s a beautiful and well-crafted record that needs to be heard, because it has something to say. Maybe it’s all a bit too smart to reach the big crowd – but I’m sure the time will eventually come and Field Music get all the praise they deserve.

 

Lake Ruth – “Birds of America” (Feral Child Records)

They like to go under the banner “baroque pop”, but there’s so much more to discover in the music of Lake Ruth: from folk to jazz to avant-pop. I’m a fan of Matt Schulz since his days with Enon – he’s an excellent, versatile drummer. And singer Allison Brice, she has a way of phrasing her poetic lyrics in meandering harmonies like no other. All backed-up by a multi-layered smooth texture with a slight vintage touch. Lake Ruth are quite unique doing their own thing, and Birds of America is nothing less but an awe-inspiring masterpiece.

 

Shy Boys – “Bell House” (Polyvinyl)

Undeniably, these guys know how to sing! And the harmonies all perfectly meld together. It’s a special quality that only happens, when siblings start a band. The family sound is so intriguing because the harmonies are amazingly organic. Music history is filled with such examples and just like Field Music, the Shy Boys are band of brothers, supported by a couple of best friends. I summoned up a rave review earlier this year in my little blog here.

 

Stephen Steinbrink – “Utopia Teased” (Melodic / Western Vinyl)

This singer-/songwriter is a terrific talent. And again, we have an artist here, who knows a lot about the dark stuff in life. Stephen Steinbrink was left devastated after a fateful fire during a warehouse party in Oakland, California that killed 36 people in December 2016. After a couple of months stunned with grief, Steinbrink quit a minimum wage job, locked himself up in a shipping container with all sorts of music equipment, stimulated by a daily diet of LSD. And the songs started pouring out of him. Utopia Teased sounds a bit different, less perfect than his previous records. It’s a bit more daring with field recordings and synthesizers, but again it’s a collection of beautiful songs with substance and a hidden treasure for eternity.

 

Still Parade – “Soon Enough” (Feel Flows)

This is a very fine piece of work from Berlin, but made with love in LA. It feels like Niklas Kramer had a very clear vision for his new Still Parade album and he obviously put a lot of effort and thought into it. It sounds warm like a cozy blanket and puts the listener at ease. Of course, the Beach Boys influence is evident, but in a clever way. Smart harmonies combined with a startling sense of intimacy, and the formidable production brings out a nice vintage flair. It’s the kind of music that makes the world a better place. Sometimes, that’s just what you need.

 

The Fernweh – “The Fernweh” (Skeleton Key)

Yes, I am repeating myself here – I already picked this album for my Best Of list two years ago! Back then, I received a promotional copy from the band directly. Thankfully, it just got a proper release via Skeleton Key because this sublime debut is really exceptional. It’s a beautiful collection of hazy late 60s, early 70s inspired folk and pop, combined with a gentle nod to British psychedelia. Treat yourself & give it a listen, if you’re not already familiar with this. The Fernweh demonstrate an exceptional level of song craft and the record deepens with every listen.

 

Tony Molina – “Kill The Lights” (Slumberland)

Tony Molina is deeply rooted in 60s songwriting and DIY aesthetics. With Kill The Lights, he created a truly glorious pop record by offering 10 tracks in under 15 minutes. His sensitive songs are infectious and short to the point. Just like Ari Roar, Tony Molina is able to put it all into a 60-second song and I never get tired of listening – again and again. This really is a lovely, but as well soul-baring record.

 

Teenage Fanclub – Vinyl-Reissues (Sony)

Why should I be interested into these reissues when I already have all the vinyl of Teenage Fanclub in my collection? Well, guitarist and singer Raymond McGinley of the band explained to me: back in the 90s, the vinyl was just a copy of the CD. But if you want the best vinyl sound, you need a special mastering. That’s basically, what Teenage Fanclub did: they took the original master tapes, worked through all of them at Abbey Road Studios and improved the mastering for this new vinyl edition. And it really does make a difference, especially the new pressing of 1993s Thirteen is now more immediate and has a much better dynamic. Also, each essential album includes a bonus seven-inch single, mostly of tracks which originally appeared only on CD singles and EPs. To promote all these reissues from the Creation era, Teenage Fanclub played a very special concert series in Great Britain. Here’s my review of the nights in Birmingham and London, which also marks my concert highlight of 2018.

 

SUPER 8 – T-T-T-Technicolour Melodies/Turn Around Or…/HI LO (Futureman Rec)

Frequent listeners of my radio show already know about SUPER 8 – Paul Ryan a.k.a. Trip got a lot of airplay in 2018. Not only, because he put out a lovely mix of guitar pop as a one-man-band with all sorts of instruments like cello and trumpet. He also managed to surprise again and again with new top material. Three homemade full lengths were released this year on Futureman Records and it’s hard to pick a favourite album really. Each release is kind of special and filled with a laid-back and sunny charm. Backed up now and again with some thoughtful songs and well-curated cover versions. It looks like SUPER 8 will be back in 2019 with a more acoustic-based album – a thing looking forward to!

23th December 2018

Reeperbahn Festival Expanded

Wer zeitgenössischer Unterhaltungsmusik zugeneigt ist, bekommt beim anstehenden Reeperbahn Festival so viel geboten, dass die Orientierung schwer fällt. Sandra Zettpunkt hat die Lage (Länderschwerpunkt Frankreich!) vorweg sondiert und gibt Tipps zwischen Kaschemme und Kirche.

Abseits davon das Golden Glades-Tagesgeschäft – neue Veröffentlichungen aus aller Welt: Agit-Pop Veteran Ian Svenonius meldet sich zurück als Escape-ism, extrem reduziert und versponnen. Der scheue Songwriter Tony Molina liefert schillernde Popminiaturen im Westküstenstil der 60ties. Außerdem gibt es experimentelle und elektroakustische Klänge von Tunng & Pram.

Diese Sendung war zu hören am Mittwoch, den 12.10.18 – 20:00-22:00 Uhr.
Wdh.: Samstag, 15.09. von 15:00-17:00 Uhr & Montag, 17.09. von 08:00-10:00 Uhr

Stream online here: ByteFM
Berlin: 91.0 MHz // Hamburg: 91.7 MHz

PlaylistGG_KW37


ArtistTrackLabel
Iron & WineLast of Your Rock 'n' Roll HeroesSub Pop
Trip WireAct Fasttripwire1.bandcamp.com
Okay MondayReady For Love62TV
Anna BurchIn Your DreamsHeavenly
Soccer MommyBloody Honeysopharela.bandcamp.com
Michael NauCan't Take OneFull Time Hobby
The Babe RainbowSupermoon30th Century Records
Men I TrustI Hope To Be Aroundmenitrust.bandcamp.com
SageUs AgainSony France
Melissa LaveauxTolalitoNo Format
Bad SoundsWagesInsanity Records
Darwin DeezSay It FirstLucky Number
The ChillsLord Of All I SurveyFire Records
Tony MolinaNothing I Can SaySlumberland
Tony MolinaJasper's ThemeSlumberland
Good MorningFor a Little WhileBedroom Suck Records
---------
John SouthworthHuman CryTin Angel Records
Steady HolidayNobody's WatchingBarsuk
MUNYAHotel DelmanoLuminelle Recordings
Honey BucketArt Of LivingSee My Friends
Escape-ismBodysnatcherMerge
Escape-ismNothing PersonalMerge
Anna HillburgLet It Breatheannahillburg.bandcamp.com
Patrick Siegfried ZimmerSilhouettePSZ Recordings
Our GirlLevelCannibal Hymns
Bill Ryder-JonesMitherDomino
EERAChristineBig Dada
MitskiOld FriendDead Oceans
TunngCrowFull Time Hobby
PramMayflyDomino
Alexander TuckerSisters And MeThrill Jockey
TomberlinSeventeenSaddle Creek

Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial