NYC-based Japanese-Russian duo The Dayoffs have announced ‘Next To Nothing’ as the second single from their forthcoming self-titled debut album. The Dayoffs are Vladimir Komarov and Atsuo Matsumoto – both are producers, having met in the studio while working on other artists’ output. Always busy working on other people’s music, Vladimir and Atsuo recorded some instrumental improvisations during studio downtime, gathering enough material for a debut LP. Hence, their name The Dayoffs – from constant lack of studio time for their own music.
The Dayoffs is a rock duo with an elastic, transparent and multilayered sound and catchy riffs and hooks due to some solid pop sensibilities. ‘Love Love Love’ is a prime example of this, oscillating between winning elements of Teenage Fanclub, Ash, The Boo Radleys, Ultra Vivid Scene and Pet Shop Boys. Slated for release on November 10 via German boutique label Emerald & Doreen Recordings, their debut offering is comprised of 11 refreshing tracks.
Coming to their praise immediately was James Atkin of EMF fame. “I’ve been so looking forward to this musical offering from The Dayoffs, having followed their progress from the fruition of this new project. The track ‘Next To Nothing’ ticks so many boxes for me from the off. Opening with a low-tech acid synthesizer that tells you something serious is going down and to hold on tight for the ride. The distorted bass makes you actually feel dirty with the drums pounding like a sweaty amphetamine episode.”
“I’ve always been a fan of Vladimir’s vocal delivery, weaving non-committal but with acute emotional conviction. I love the way the guitars crash into the chorus, creating beautiful textures and dynamic highs. These guys have seriously got their songwriting and production skills nailed, Vladimir and Atsuo have created a truly stunning album that will no doubtable be on everyone’s turntables by the end of the year.”
The new video for ‘Next to Nothing’ presents clips of skiers from yesteryear, a DIY style that pays homage to American punk, skate, and snowboard videos of the 90s. In contrast, the videos for earlier tracks ‘Love Love Love’ and ‘State of Madness’ focus on the duo, their life, and environment in New York City, the latter even filmed by prominent Russian movie director Fedor Lyass.
Atsuo is Japanese and Vladimir is Russian. Despite living in different parts of Manhattan and supporting opposing soccer teams, these two have much in common. Not only are they born on the same day, but they are both musicians and recording professionals. The two met in 2012 at the legendary Stratosphere Sound Studios, when Vladimir was tracking for a project and Atsuo was engineering the sessions. During the first recording hour, both realized that their recording methods and musical tastes are similar. Soon they teamed up to produce a bunch of records, including the debut album ‘Country Mile’ by James Atkin (EMF) and ‘Voshod’ by Russian post-punk heroes Manicure.
Vladimir Komarov is a musician, sound producer, DJ, and journalist and otherwise known as a pioneer of Russian shoegaze and indietronica. While his Russian music projects Hot Zex and Punk TV became staples of the nascent Russian indie rock scene, they also were well-received abroad. Atsuo Matsumoto is a Japanese musician and sound engineer and, apart from The Dayoffs, he is a member of Andy Chase’s Camera2 band.
The Dayoffs sound seems to gravitate towards Teenage Fanclub, which is interesting considering that it was at the band’s Manhattan’s gig in the summer of 2014 that Vladimir and Atsuo decided to jointly explore this sound further.
“This is a rock album. Speedy, noisy but lyrical – as guitar as could be. We did this on purpose. It was like playing with old toys – sweet, nostalgic and big fun. Maybe too sweet sometimes – but I don’t mind. These songs came out of nowhere, uncalculated and with a lot of improvisation,” explains Vladimir Komarov. “It took us more than two years to complete this 30-minute record as we are perfectionists. Every time I listen to it, I have nothing I’d like to add. This means that it is off the table and I’m very excited to know that our next record will follow different direction”.
The Dayoffs debut LP will be made available across all the regular digital sales and streaming platforms.
LINKS:
http://www.facebook.com/The-Dayoffs-707158302724188
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7t1WCdY8RgIHGf0iIgtRgQ
http://soundcloud.com/thedayoffs
http://www.instagram.com/thedayoffs
http://twitter.com/thedayoffs
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Stone Temple Pilots @ Rock on the Range 2018
Wicked Garden
Vasoline
Down
Meadow
Big Empty
Plush
Interstate Love Song
Roll Me Under
Dead & Bloated
Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart
Sex Type Thing -
Heat Of Damage – The Gift
California Rock/Metal Band Heat of Damage has released the Official Music Video for “The Gift,” the debut single off of their upcoming sophomore LP, due out next year. “The Gift” was shot and directed by Ethan Parilla of Atrocious Works Productions.
Heat Of Damage consists of four talented young musicians who write, produce and perform an edgy and eclectic mix of hard rock and metal music. Their self-produced EP, Orenda, debuted in 2013.
Since then, the band has performed at numerous venues in the Northern California area. The group released their second EP, Lifestyle, in September 2014. The title track was featured on 98 Rock’s Local Licks program for three weeks running. Lifestyle’s “Apocalypse” was released soon after and earned a spot on 98 Rock’s Local Licks Most Liked Song of 2014 Countdown Show. The song came in at #2 for the year!
Following the successes of Lifestyle, the band entered the studio with Sacramento engineer and producer Matt Thomas to record their first full-length album, Open Fire, which was released in October of 2015.
Open Fire was well received following its release, garnering overwhelmingly positive reviews from a wide variety of writers and music critics. The song “Heaven” was the #6 Most Liked Song of 2015 for 98 Rock’s Local Licks, despite only having two months of airplay during the year.
The group is well known for their musicality and showmanship. Shows are high-energy, engaging, and memorable. Their musical range is impressive, with an ability to provide anything from an incredible rock show to an unforgettable metal experience, for any venue’s style and the crowd. Heat Of Damage never disappoints!
LINKS:
http://www.heatofdamage.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heat-of-Damage/135160809846382
http://twitter.com/heatofdamage
http://www.youtube.com/user/HeatofDamage -
Aura Davis – Die Alone
Aura Davis has today released her new single and video titled ‘Die Alone’. A solid mix of electronica, power-beat, piano, and that original something that Aura has within her voice. Her voice is captivating on many levels. A combination o angelic and experience. Add to that a solid monster of a hook and you have her new single ‘Die Alone’. Beautifully crafted in its dark and somber overtone, the song is clearly a stylistic evolution for Aura. She will be one to watch…. and listen to.
About Aura Davis
Aura Davis is an up-and-coming artist hailing from Switzerland. Davis has had an interest in music and arts from a very young age, with experience in casting auditions and live shows. She wrote poems and novels already at the age of 9. Around the age of 13, she found herself on a rollercoaster of feelings, such as being bullied and being confronted with family issues, which lead her to put down art and music. Soon finding back to it, to deal with the struggles of finding her own way at the age of 15.
Aura is a big fan of the Nashville scene. When asked about her songwriting process, she explains: “like a lot of other songwriters I usually sit with my guitar, pen, and paper. It could start from anything, like a melody that is stuck in my head that day or even a few words or a phrase that I have heard or said to someone. …and then I come up with whatever the moment throws at me.”
Her first two singles ‘Secrets’ and ‘Keep Running’, both released in 2020, were door openers in many ways. “It was me, trying to find my sound I guess,” she says, “I have been trying to sound like my idols for quite a long time, instead of focusing on my own strengths and magic moments. I worked hard on that in the past months.” The result of that mental change is a song called “Die Alone”.
There’s no doubt Aura is back. She’s darker, stronger, more honest, and a lot more herself than ever before. And there’s a lot more to tell in 2021.
LINKS:
https://www.auradavis.com
https://www.facebook.com/thisisauradavis
https://twitter.com/thisisauradavis