Jammerzine has a double dose of #indie in the form of an exclusive interview and premiere from who I consider one of the unsung heroes of the unsigned scene. I am speaking of Chicago’s Microcosms.
And now, with the addition of Ronn Richardson on guitar, the sound is filled and full. And we get that in a glorious fashion in the new single ‘Better Together’ (player above). The sound is found, as is said in the interview. ‘Better Together’ will be, in my opinion, the song that could, or should, break the barriers to the masses for Microcosms.
We get an in-depth look at this new addition with an interview with both Ronn and front-man Andrew Tschiltsch about this evolution of revolution that Microcosms is in the midst of taking as well as the new music and what the future holds for the band as a whole in this world of quarantine.
Read the full article and hear the new track HERE.
‘For me its been cool because I haven’t really played with that many musicians in my life. I started Microcosms and that’s really been the only band I’ve ever been in. So, for me, it was great to get these ideas because Ronn can play bass, play keys, and more so we don’t have this issue on who should play what.’
– Andrew Tschiltsch
‘There is no ego for me in this band or any project I’ve done with Andrew. In my opinion, it’s more about friendship and fun.’
– Ronn Richardson
Check out our other features with Microcosms HERE.
Check out the new single on Spotify HERE.
Click HERE to watch Season 6 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 5 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 4 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 3 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 2 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 1 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
LINKS:
https://www.wearemicrocosms.com
https://twitter.com/atschiltsch
https://www.facebook.com/WeAreMicrocosms
https://microcosms.bandcamp.com
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Behind the Beauty: Remixing the Chaos (Supercut Edition)
Go behind the scenes of the making of the new remix album by Michael Ciravolo’s Beauty in Chaos project titled ‘Beauty Re-Envisioned’. Including interviews with the creators as well as commentary by the likes of Ashton Nyte, Rolan Bolan, Zakk Wylde, dUG Pinnick, Wayne Hussey, Evi Vine and more as we peek behind the curtains of SAINTinLA Studios in Los Angeles to get the story of the evolution from record to remix track by track to better see the beauty behind the chaos.
Now with reworked scenes as well as remastered audio and video plus bonus content!
Starring:
Michael Ciravolo
Michael Rozon
Tish CiravoloDirected by:
Ryan Martin & Sophia Ciravolo
Music video segments directed by Vicente Cordero @ Industrialism Films.Featuring musical contributions from:
Wayne Hussey
Al Jourgensen
Michael Rozon
Zakk Wylde
Ashton Nyte
Michael Aston
Robin Zander
Rolan Bolan
Pete Parada
Tim Palmer
John Fryer
Ummagma
Kitty Lectro
dUg Pinnick
ICE-T
Michael Anthony
Mark Thwaite
Evi Vine
Simon Gallup
Kevin Haskins
Sine Division
Betsy Martin
Paul Wiley
Kevin Kipnis
Tish Ciravolo
Statik
Johnny Indovina
Dirk Doucette
Roman Marisak
Alex Kretov
Sounds Of Sputnik
Tim Perry
Ulrich Krieger
Lola Bates
Danny Lohner
Marc DanzeisenLINKS:
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/the-albums
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/beautyreenvisioned
https://instagram.com/beauty.inchaos
https://www.facebook.com/beautyinchaosmusic
https://twitter.com/MichaelCiravolo
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10660966 -
Interview with Republica’s Saffron
Jammerzine has an exclusive interview with one of my personal favorite artists and an artist that helped define my younger years, both musically and personally, in the form of Saffron Sprackling from the almighty Republica. To say that Republica not only defined the 90s and electronic rock and pop music in general is an understatement. They helped create a bevy of music that came after them and have continued to fill stadiums from then to now.
Republica, consisting of Saffron, Tim Dorney, and Johnny Glue, have also released their new single and video titled ‘New York’, from their upcoming album ‘Damaged Gods’, releasing in 2024. Continuing that alt.pop magic that Republica planted those sonic seeds for, ‘New York’ is the gateway drug that will continue that special legacy that Republica is know around the globe for. Showing the songwriting within the group is a continuous evolution of revolution feels so refreshing knowing that great artists never die.
And, in this interview, we talk with Saffron about ‘New York’ and ‘Damaged Gods’ as well as everything Republica and Saffron, including her charity work as a keyworker in the mental health industry during the pandemic (BBC News video below).
This is truly as much a good conversation with a wonderful person as it is an interview. Watch the video above to check it out. Enjoy!
About ‘New York’ & ‘Damaged Gods’
It’s been a long time coming as the mighty REPUBLICA release their first new material in a decade in the guise of massive new single ‘NEW YORK’. It may be chilly outside but Republica are determined to continue the Summer mood with this stunning feel-good anthem to send souls soaring and get bodies moving. A short, sharp shot of dopamine to the heart and soul, vocalist (and cultural icon) Saffron says; “We’re so happy to be back out headlining live festivals and gigs again after lockdown and delighted at the reactions from the crowds and every audience who seemed to have taken ‘New York’ to their hearts already, as it has become a firm live favorite. So for us it means the world to have the opportunity to finally release new material through Armalyte Records.”
2023 has been a stellar year for Republica featuring a headline performance at Blackpool’s Rebellion Punk Festival, playing to 25,000 people alongside the Happy Mondays, and a sellout UK tour with The Boomtown Rats, it seems only fitting that the band close out the year in celebratory style with this joyous, upbeat anthem.
Following in the footsteps of gigantic smash singles ‘Ready To Go’ (with an incredible 42 million Spotify streams and counting) and ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’, ‘New York’ is another Republica instant alt. pop classic, and is the first single to drop following their newly inked deal with Armalyte Records, London’s leading underground alternative label.
About Republica
Republica dominated the charts in the Nineties with the band’s iconic and fiery front woman, Saffron, Tim Dorney (keyboards) and Johnny Male (guitar). They rode the Britpop wave of female-fronted rock bands like Sleeper, Elastica, Garbage and Lush, injecting it with their self-dubbed ‘techno-pop, punk rock’ sound.
Between 1996 and 1999, Republica sold an incredible 3 million albums and clinched Top 5 slots in the UK, America, South America and Europe with platinum sales across the globe, while their hit single ‘Ready to Go’ soared to Number One in many countries.
Their music has become a sought after soundtrack: ‘Ready To Go’ is currently being used on a Chevrolet advert in the US and featured in the billion dollar grossing ‘Capt Marvel’ movie, ‘YellowJackets’, Ted Lasso, Cruel Summer, Dua Lipa’s World for Vogue and Olivia Rodrigo covered it live on her 2022 world tour. It has been used in more than 300 films and adverts. Wes Craven selected their hit single, ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ for the soundtrack to his hit movie ‘Scream’ and invited them to perform at its Hollywood premiere.
Recently they have had headlining mainstage festival appearances including: the huge European City Of Culture festival in Serbia last year; Dubai, Israel, Germany, Isle Of Wight Festival, Victorious Festival, Norway’s Midnattsrocken, Little Orchard, Whychwood, Chalfest, Rebellion Punk Festival, Tom Kerridge’s Pub In The Park and a sell out UK tour with Sir Bob Geldolf’s Boomtown Rats.
Saffron also performed at two half times in Qatar for the FIFA World Cup last December and with Orchestras at the Brit Pop Festival and Back To Basics in Leeds with more coming in 2024.
Saffron has appeared on recordings by some of the world’s biggest music acts: The Prodigy (‘Fuel My Fire’ from ‘Fat of the Land’ album); The Cure ‘Just Say Yes’; Junkie XL; Gary Numan; Jeff Beck; DJ Carl Cox; Jah Wobble; N-Joi (‘Anthem’); Mark Moore, St Etienne and The Shamen.
Republica’s first album has been reissued as a Deluxe Triple CD, followed by colored vinyl reissues of both their albums: ‘Speed Ballads’ for 2023’s Record Store Day in April.
Saffron starred in a piece for the BBC for their classic TOTP documentary shows on the year 1997.
LINKS:
http://www.republicamusic.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/officialrepublica
https://twitter.com/saffrepublica
http://www.youtube.com/user/RepublicaTV1
https://republicaofficial.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1rSp8CsbPdFVq84q123pJy
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/republica/616725537 -
Kenny Roby and 6 String Drag Premiere Brasstown (The Week in #Indie Segment)
Alt-Country has always been a guilty pleasure of mine, being a guitarist myself. So when I see such a blast from the past as Kenny Roby and 6 String Drag, I get goosebumps. The band originally formed in 1993 and, essentially, disappeared sometime in the late ’90s. But, as of 2014, they are back! With one reissue already under their belt in the form of their album ‘High Hat’, they keep the reenergized momentum going with another upcoming release, this time with unreleased material in the form of ‘The Jag Sessions: Rare & Unreleased 1996-1998’.
The sessions really capture the raw energy of the band and that controlled gritty feeling with dirty slide guitars, raspy brass, and a country swagger only found in the purest of traditionalists. This will be released in only 500 copies of special vinyl so be warned, quantities are limited.
The album will be available from RSD-participating record stores on April 13 as an official Record Store Day release. The 12″ red vinyl edition of ‘The Jag Sessions’ also comes with a download card featuring two bonus tracks not included on vinyl.
About 6 String Drag
Schoolkids Records has announced the new 6 String Drag album ‘The Jag Sessions: Rare & Unreleased 1996-1998’, which will be released especially for Record Store Day. This will be issued on limited edition 12” red vinyl with just 500 copies to be made available.In the mid to late ‘90s, Kenny Roby and 6 String Drag stood out as pioneers of the nascent alt-country movement. After a leaving a mark on this, as well as the Americana / No Depression scene, the Carolinas quartet essentially broke up.
The band’s second record ‘High Hat’ was produced by Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy and was released in 1997 on Earle’s Warner Brothers imprint label E-Squared Record. This album remains an undisputed classic of its era.
In early 2014, 6 String Drag reformed with the ‘High Hat’ line-up and recorded their 2015 comeback record ‘Roots Rock & Roll’ too much fan excitement and critical acclaim.
In January 2018, the band reissued a 20th-anniversary reissue of ‘High Hat’ on CD, vinyl and digitally, following up with their fourth full-length studio record ‘Top of The World’ in March 2018. This album features 6 String Drag founding members and frontmen Kenny Roby and Rob Keller, along with new members Dan Davis and Luis Rodriguez. Both releases are available through Schoolkids Records through Redeye Worldwide Distribution.
‘The Jag Sessions’ album is a collection of unreleased rarities and record quality demos recorded by Byron McCay at Jag Studios in Raleigh, NC between 1996 and 1998. Previously, these recordings have only been circulated among fans and digitally as low flying CD releases for sale at shows.
This album represents the first time any versions of this collection and the songs found here are available on vinyl. Some of the collection are songs originally recorded for Columbia Records in 1996 for a demo deal with this label, but that ultimately never came to fruition. The songs from 1998 were recorded as pro demos and were intended for release as a new EP following ‘High Hat’.
Outside of the four 6 String Drag albums, Kenny Roby has released four critically acclaimed solo LPs – ‘Mercury’s Blues’ (1999), ‘Rather Not Know’ (2003), ‘The Mercy Filter’ (2006), and ‘Memories & Birds’ (2013), in addition to various compilations.
“The world’s a better place with 6 String Drag in it”
– Steve Earle“So thrilled to have 6 String Drag back again. They’re as great as ever. Like reconnecting with a long lost friend”
— Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)“A raw, raucous take on alt-Americana, a sound hard to put your finger on but one that wraps comfortably around your ears while it rocks your ass off”
— No Depression“In their original run in the ’90s, 6 String Drag was regarded as a better-than-average alt-country act; with Roots Rock ‘n’ Roll and now Top of the World, they’ve shown that they’re more than that in their second act, and this is mature, heartfelt, and resonant rock & roll that’s also plenty of fun”
— AllMusic (4 Stars)“A pair of deeply satisfying albums – including Top of the World, released on Schoolkids Records – that sound as though the band never went anywhere”
— Rolling Stone Country“Rootsy, authentic and heartfelt tunes with great harmonies and just enough of an Americana vibe to draw in those who claim not to dig rock. Vocal reminiscent of early Elvis Costello, and more jangle than twang”
— The MusoscribeLINKS:
http://www.6stringdrag.com
https://6stringdrag.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/6stringdrag
https://twitter.com/6stringdrag
https://soundcloud.com/kenny-roby
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4WvOP47oMCIksgyMLpiGNB?si=aMLIWwNXSFWZWNa9xlkqUQ
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/6-string-drag/924629764