Beauty in Chaos have officially released ‘The Storm Before The Calm‘ on May 22, 2020. It would appear that Michael Ciravolo, the curator of Beauty in Chaos, is in the midst of a clear stylistic shift with ‘The Storm Before The Calm’. On some levels, this is not surprising. With the roots that were ‘Finding Beauty in Chaos‘, and the almost extreme re-interpretations that were ‘Beauty Re-Envisioned‘, the remix album that followed.
What we get here, in turn, is a project that is in transition. The title track, for example, is an exotic and captivating and almost operatic, and sometimes erratic, soliloquy featuring Adrienne LaVey. That in itself is a bold move. And it works. It works so well that the album, in some ways, steers clearly into the post-modern and art-concept realms. That can either work or backfire, but here, it works in such a way that it becomes the third act of the concept that is the album and even defines the title of that album.
While the title track can be considered the peak of the crescendo that is the album as a whole, what we get within that perceived buildup is songs that reveal themselves as chapters of a grand story. Each with contributions of characters that we meet along the way. And, to me, that is what Beauty in Chaos is. A celebration of music and the people within it and what makes music universal.
‘The Storm Before The Calm’ will be released on CD and digitally tomorrow (May 22, 2020), with June for a 180g-vinyl release (black & blue duo-tone numbered limited edition vinyl). CD and digital orders come with an 8-page digital booklet with lyrics and a 25+ minute title opus not found on the vinyl version. The CD and vinyl release also come with the full digital download. ‘The Storm Before The Calm’ can be ordered here.
WE HAD A CHANCE TO ASK MICHAEL A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT ‘THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM’ TO GET A CREATOR’S INSIGHT!
How did the concept for The Storm Before the Calm form and how do you feel it is different from the last album?
I certainly set out to do a darker, starker EP. Both of our other records, ‘Finding Beauty In Chaos’ and ‘Beauty Re-Envisioned’ were such ‘big’ listens, that I felt a more easily palatable release was in order! I had delved back into some of my favorite vinyl from the ‘80s. ‘Pornography’, ‘Disintegration’, and ‘First and Last and Always’.
I loved that those records evoked a ‘mood’ … wanting you to take the top-to-bottom listen journey. And for the most part, forsaking the big grand ‘hooks’. This was what I set out to do. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell which 4 songs would have been the EP! In typical BIC fashion, we expanded a bit with a few curve balls to end each side of the vinyl … which is my preferred listening medium.
The songs are a bit of a departure from the last album. What do you feel was the biggest stretch or derivation from the previous music in your opinion?
I think I had more of a ‘sonic’ concept going into this one that I had on ‘FBIC’. The music, at least to the first 4 songs were written over a 2-week period. It really was just me in a room with a drum machine and guitar, recording the ideas on my iPhone. Pretty low tech, huh! I think the stretch comes in the last 2 songs written, ‘Temple of Desire’ and, my personal favorite, ‘Stranger’.
Both are a bit of a departure from the other darker songs, but I think they help round this out as a pure album listen. To me, ‘Stranger’ is the perfect lead-in to where we take BIC next. The CD only 29-minute ‘title’ track, which I feel is an odd mix of David Lynch, Pink Floyd, and Trent Reznor, is a departure unto itself!
What are your plans for the next video?
This COVID shutdown has certainly thrown a bit of a wrench into our video plans, but things are opening up a bit here in Los Angeles. Currently, we are planning to shoot a video for ‘Stranger’, which features the amazing Kat Leon from Holy Wars. I think she has an amazing voice and is an extremely talented lyrist, which is very important to me. If my memory serves me, I think you did a feature interview with her a few months ago? Our concept, as always, is to be different from any previous BIC videos.
We both want to do something very somber and cinematic. Hopefully, this will be out in late June… and that it won’t be the last video from this record.
How have recent events reshaped how you are getting the music out there?
Other than delaying us completing a video to go with the album launch, we have probably been affected less than most other bands and artists that depend on touring. The downside to what BIC is at the moment is doing the Zoom concerts that are so popular right now are all but impossible. Each singer involved with this record is each in the midst of dealing with things with their own projects.
Although each singer would have probably done something, I just didn’t feel right about asking them or honestly taking the time it would take to do this on the scale I think that BIC should be done at. Instead, I chose to focus on new videos as well as laying the groundwork for another ‘remix’ record that I would like to release on Halloween. I also have started working on new material … with the first involving Cyn M. from Silence In The Snow.
ABOUT ‘THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM’
Recorded at Ciravolo’s own SAINTinLA Studio, this album was recorded, mixed, and produced by Michael Rozon, Grammy-nominated for his work with Ministry.
Earlier, Beauty in Chaos previewed several tracks from this record, including ‘A Kind Cruelty’ featuring Curse Mackey (Pigface, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Evil Mothers), ‘The Delicate Balance of All Things’ featuring The Mission frontman Wayne Hussey, and ‘Almost Pure’ featuring Steven Seibold of industrial-synth-punk legends Hate Dept. and the Martin Atkins-led Pigface. This album also features collaborations with Ashton Nyte (The Awakening), Rafe Pearlman, Kat Leon (Holy Wars), and mezzo-soprano Adrienne LaVey.
Beauty in Chaos is the brainchild of guitarist Michael Ciravolo. Originally from New Orleans and now based in Los Angeles, he is best known as President of Schecter Guitar Research. He also played guitar in Human Drama for 30 years, in addition to playing live and recording with Michael Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel since 1998.
“Undaunted and unscathed by the studio software/hardware meltdowns and the unprecedented global pandemic shutdown, here is our new album. I am in complete awe of the amazing artists; some returning, some new that have lent their voices and words to make this record possible. And I‘m eternally grateful to our growing BIC FAMILY that continue this journey with us,” says BIC curator mastermind Michael Ciravolo.
“To me, ‘The Storm Before The Calm’ represents a rewind and a fast-forward. Rewind to the ‘80s and the great albums that lived on my turntable, that set a mood, a vibe… even the feeling of temperature.. as well as a crystal ball, look into the next evolution of Beauty In Chaos. Beauty wrapped in chaos. Dark, but always, with a light”.
In 2018, Beauty in Chaos released their acclaimed debut album ‘Finding Beauty in Chaos’, followed by the ‘Beauty Re-Envisioned’ album (2019). Other BIC artists include Simon Gallup (The Cure), Al Jourgensen (Ministry), Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Pete Parada (The Offspring), dUg Pinnick (Kings X), ICE-T (Body Count), producer Tim Palmer, guitar icon Zakk Wylde, Ashton Nyte (The Awakening), Kevin Haskins (Bauhaus, Love & Rockets), Rolan Bolan, Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Michael Aston (Gene Loves Jezebel), Paul Wiley (Marilyn Manson), Michael Aston and Dirk Doucette (Gene Loves Jezebel), Pando (A Flock of Seagulls), UMMAGMA, Evi Vine, Johnny Indovina (Human Drama), Danny Lohner (Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson), Betsy Martin (Caterwaul / Purr Machine), Kevin Kipnis (Purr Machine) and KITTY LECTRO, among others.
Featured image photographer: Anabel DFlux.
LINKS:
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/beautyinchaosmusic
https://www.instagram.com/beauty.inchaos
https://twitter.com/MichaelCiravolo
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/music-store
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/bic-blog
https://soundcloud.com/33-3-music-collective
https://beautyinchaos.bandcamp.com
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First Aid Kit – Live from The Palace Theater 1/30/2018
With head-banging, strobe lights, and electric guitar solos, First Aid Kit brought a new energy to the Palace Theatre in January.
Sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg just released their fourth album, ‘Ruins.’ The album features songs that fit the texture we’ve come to expect from First Aid Kit — folksy sounds with beautiful harmonies — as well as expanding the group’s palette to include a harder-rocking sound.
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The Jade Assembly – Got My Star
Whilst Manchester is brimming with indie-rock bands, The Jade Assembly’s colossal rock and roll stands out from the crowd with raw charisma and determination.
With energetic rock to lift your feet off the floor, the Bolton hailing group perform with fearsome energy and zealous honesty.
Recently releasing a single with Ugly Man Records the band have worked with the prestigious label responsible for Elbow’s early success.
Lead singer John (Foz) Foster passionately performs with enough charisma to give former rock-gods from the Gallaghers to Dave Grohl a run for their money.
His honest lyrics bare a strengthening and poetic truth with the magnetic flare of an assured front man. Andy Watson and Danny Hayes keep a formidable rhythm section whilst Gareth (Smed) Smedley strikes raw vigor on lead guitar.
Due to their compelling commitment, The Jade Assembly formulate a magnetic sense of purpose.
Acclaimed by former Inspiral Carpet’s member and XS Manchester DJ, Clint Boon as “the best guitar band since Kasabian”, The Jade Assembly foster ample verve with forceful conviction.
With their latest singles the colossal ‘One Last Time’ and romantic yet enflaming ‘Nothing Changes’ receiving radio play on BBC Introducing, The Jade Assembly are set to cause a stir at another round of UK festivals this season.
Having already demonstrated a commotion at Kendal Calling to Playground festival in the past, The Jade Assembly is the perfect vivacious soundtrack to summer antics, warm festival beers and sunshine.
With an infamous loyal following dubbed ‘The Jade Army’ the group gather ‘the best fans in the world’ for their hedonistic live shows. And there’s always amiable room for more fans to join the uplifting raucous.
Taking influence from the legendary classics The Stones and The Who to Oasis, The Jade Assembly are the spawn of Britpop.
Flying flags and empowering crowds The Jade Assembly’s stadium worthy sets are not to be missed.
According to the band, Got My star is… “written about striving for something in your life for so long but then you meet someone and nothing else really matters cause you’re happy to be with that person”.
Foz writes the lyrics and the melody and then brings the tune to the rest of the band and we add our bits to create the full sound, which is the normal process for us.
We’ve recorded this song with Gavin Monaghan – legendary producer at his Magic Garden Studio in Wolverhampton – where we had a great weekend and came away with something we’re really happy and proud of – we’re also releasing the single with Magic Garden vinyl which we’re really excited about.
It’s a song that came together very quickly in a few days and was recorded and mixed in 2 days. The song is upbeat and always gets the crowd going when we play it live. We’re really buzzing for everyone to hear it”.
LINKS:
https://facebook.com/thejadeassembly
https://twitter.com/thejadeassembly
https://soundcloud.com/thejadeassembly
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGOuoGmw_wX3t2Ae7eAKRQA -
Goldnwolf – Lone Wolf
Goldnwolf was created in a city that keeps you indoors and breeds creativity. Seattle, Washington. Home to fresh coffee, sarcasm and a desire to step away from the norm to create a unique path that one may call their own. Inspired by all different aspects of life and sound, the group brings an emotionally anthemic vibe to each song with an undeniable aggression that carries its message even through their most upbeat avenues.
The band was formed in 2016, when Austin Robert (formally of Girl on Fire), Nicholas Wiggins (formally of Aiden) and Jake Jones (formally of New Years Day) wanted to start a fresh outfit that could bring life to a new generation of music. Not only to appeal to their broad spectrum of already devoted listeners but to release something from their own creativity that resides where there are no wrong answers. By removing all limitations one would find while attempting to fit into one of many boxes of genres, Goldnwolf decided early on to break the mold and go with what they felt, creating a completely unique sound of their own.
All of the members bring a broad musical sense and experience to the table in order to form a well thought out musical blend ranging from rock, blues, electronic, and pop. Their willingness to learn and grow has been part of their philosophy since the beginning, never second guessing where the next sound may take them. The group had accidentally stumbled on its recipe to give each song its own personality by removing any fear of mistakes. Being in the moment and allowing the music to carry the listener to its destination is how each song finds its place. Like a small piece to an incredibly beautiful, yet unsolvable puzzle.
Having released their first single, “Lone Wolf” that was mixed by Jean-Marie Horvat (Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, The Weeknd etc.) and mastered by Dave Kutch (Bruno Mars, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Whitney Houston etc.) on April 20th, 2017 and the music video soon after, Goldnwolf was ready to debut via live performance. On May 13, 2017, at the Columbia City Theater in Seattle, Washington, working with local craft beer giant, Elysian Brewery the group did just that. Promoting themselves and their show every way they can from guerrilla tactics on the street, creating a heavy online presence on various social network platforms, to an appearance on Seattle’s alternative radio station, 107.7 THE END’s podcast “So You’re in Seattle” with Gregr. The group performed their debut headline set in front of a sold out crowd at the one hundred-year-old theater, featuring their recent release along side a whole other hours worth of material. Smiles ruled while folks in the audience sang along to songs they were hearing for the first time, not to mention the groups acoustic cover of John Lennon’s, “Imagine”.
The Wolf is often symbolic of creativity, intuition, compassion, intelligence, and loyalty, while gold has been associated with the Devine principles, wisdom and both good and evil. Influenced by their love for their own truths, their music speaks to awareness, acceptance and enjoying life with everyone around us. Even during their heaviest moments, the group is able to maintain a light heart after throwing the listener into the fire. These are artists that are forever driven, passionate, and focused on their ultimate goal of a graceful and endless potential.
SOURCE: Official Bio
LINKS:
https://www.goldnwolf.com
https://www.facebook.com/goldnwolf
https://twitter.com/goldnwolf