Based in Portland, Oregon, The Mutineers are a rock n roll husband-wife duo with country leanings and punk rock tendencies. With Brian Mathusek on guitar and Merry Young on drums, the couple shares vocal duties. Sounding like a cross between Johnny and June with John Doe and Exene, and a bit of Nick Cave and PJ Harvey, their sound esthetic is influenced by such artists as Bruce Springsteen, X, Nick Cave, Loretta Lynn, and Elvis Presley.
“This was written specifically for Merry’s voice. I wrote the first draft of lyrics and she sculpted it to fit her style. Her world-weary delivery is the perfect backdrop to the story. The song contemplates the dual feelings of helplessness and power inside a co-dependent relationship,” says Brian Mathusek.
“The singer is struggling with self-confidence and self-consciousness. She cannot decide if she has been too open or not open enough. I think everyone has someone in their life that they can’t stand, but also can’t live without, whether it’s a lover or a family member or a friend. Knowing when to cut someone off is very difficult. By the end of our song, the narrator has given up and given in to this cycle of love and hate, another lost soul.”
Co-produced alongside Raymond Richards (The Parson Red Heads) at B-Side Recording Studio in Portland, this is the band’s third EP and fifth significant release. Originally founded by Brian Mathusek and Michael Astudillo in 2007 and joined by Merry Young soon afterward, The Mutineers debuted with their ‘Tidal Wave’ EP in 2008, followed by the ‘Nihilisteria’ EP (2009) and ‘From the Dirge to the Dance’ LP (2011). The new fully-arranged recordings diverge from the duo’s previous release ‘Live at B-Side’ (2016), which was recorded without any overdubs.
With this latest effort, The Mutineers have begun a new chapter, collaborating more closely in their songwriting process. Their latest songs feature characters who are flawed, stubborn and struggling with their demons. They wander confused, obsessed, addicted and envious, through the microcosms of Threshold in search of happiness, understanding, and love.
The Mutineers will be touring nationally through the fall. In the past two years, they have given over 120 performances in 30 states. They have shared the stage with such notable artists as The Tallest Man on Earth, Langhorne Slim, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Larry, and His Flask, The Devil Makes Three, The White Buffalo, and Murder by Death. When not touring, the couple runs a graphic design and screen printing business, Mutiny Studios.
In collaboration with Clovis IV, a visual storyteller, The Mutineers have continued exploring the visuals associated with their song themes, helping express their music, in still images and now on a music video. Clovis started working in the visual arts in the early 90’s. Connected to the worlds of music and media, he has continued to express the stories of artists & individuals in still and moving images. Be it as a photographer or designer, Clovis has worked with many artists, including New Model Army, Thievery Corporation, Faith and the Muse, Concrete Blonde and Flesh For Lulu.
LINKS:
http://www.themutineersmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/mutineersmusic
https://twitter.com/TheMutineers
http://mutineersmusic.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/themutineers
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Small Town Titans – Dragonfly
York, PA heavy rock band Small Town Titans have released the Official Music Video for their heartrending single, “Dragonfly”. “Dragonfly” is vocalist Phil Freeman’s celebration and memorial of his mother’s life and tragic passing.
“This song was written for my mother. She passed away in February of 2017 after a three-year battle with cancer. She loved dragonflies which happen to have deep spiritual significance in many traditions and cultures, representing love, freedom of spirit and compassion. She embodied all of these qualities…The intent of this song is to celebrate her life and bring a little light and love to anyone who may be dealing with the grief of losing someone to illness. She was and is an amazing soul, and I hope this song captures a tiny glimmer of her spirit for the person listening to it.”
– Phil FreemanThe Small Town Titans are a power trio from York, PA who love to constantly create, as well as play live. Gone is the notion that a rock band should only release 10 songs at a time every 2 years. In a world where music fans crave new content constantly, the Small Town Titans aim to deliver their brand of art all of the time, drawing inspiration from a new wave of rock bands such as Highly Suspect and Royal Blood, and rock legends such as the Foo Fighters, Audioslave, and Deep Purple. Thanks to their efforts at assembling their own studio in a basement, STT can create and release songs, podcasts, live online concerts, and more with no rules. This artistic change in attitude stems from touring for the better part of 2 years, and realizing how difficult it really is.
After coming home from their last 30-day run, the band had made $4,000. After repairing their vehicle, restocking their merchandise and more, the band was left with $1,000. After putting most of that back into the band’s funds, as usual, each member took home $150. This startling reality made STT take a step back and evaluate themselves as a band, a brand, and a business. After firing their manager, the boys soldiered on with the help of their team at Round 2 Records. They began to truly treat Small Town Titans as a legitimate small business more than ever before. Unnecessary expenses were cut, and more creative and innovative sources of new revenue were explored, such as utilizing the direct to fan creation platform Patreon, where the band is currently making $200 every time they release a new song on YouTube.
Instead of trying to make a million fans, STT is focusing on the fans they already have. With a love for playing live, a Small Town Titans show has evolved into more than a concert. It’s an event, with a setlist that’s decided right before the show, and plenty of stage banter in between songs. The band simply hits the stage to deliver an energy driven show using guitars, drums, and their voices. Nothing more, nothing less. This approach to their live performances has led to them sharing the stage with acts such as Highly Suspect, Papa Roach, Black Stone Cherry, Pop Evil, and more.
By focusing on their engagement with social media and managing themselves, Small Town Titans are growing like never before and having more success as a business and a brand. The band just wrapped up a weekend-long recording session at Hybrid Studios with friend Kevin Soffera, drummer for Seether on the 5x platinum selling record Disclaimer II, and who STT also recorded their last album Reflection with. Six brand new songs were recorded live in the studio, as well as professionally filmed by Springwood Productions at the same time. These new songs and videos will be released throughout the rest of 2017 and 2018. Songs range from the hard-hitting “Me, Myself, and Monster” and “Wreck” to the ballad “Dragonfly”, an emotional song written in memory of Phil’s mother, who passed away earlier this year due to cancer, performed live with just one voice and an acoustic guitar.
Small Town Titans are actively forming a team of like-minded individuals in the new music business who are just as driven and passionate as they are, rather than waiting to be discovered. As the band continues to grow their fan base online this year, they will also hit the road, this time with a smarter game plan, a stronger fan base, and a passionate team behind them.
LINKS:
http://smalltowntitans.com
https://www.facebook.com/smalltowntitans
https://twitter.com/smalltowntitans
https://www.instagram.com/smalltowntitans
https://www.youtube.com/smalltowntitans
https://www.patreon.com/smalltowntitans -
Beauty in Chaos – The Delicate Balance Of All Things (Rapid Reiteration Mix)
Beauty in Chaos has today released their new video for the remix track titled ‘The Delicate Balance Of All Things’ (Rapid Reiteration Mix).
We also have an exclusive interview with Michael Ciravolo, Wayne Hussey, and Cinthya Hussey on how the video came to be and how it was filmed while staying safe in the age of COVID.
Check out the entire interview HERE.
‘The Delicate Balance Of All Things’ (Rapid Reiteration Mix) and video is clearly a massive departure for BIC in both video and audio realms. The video, for one, was shot remotely using an entirely different crew in Brazil and, besides the obvious that Beauty in Chaos’ Michael Ciravolo is not in the video, the departure is in the style and execution.
The track is even more of a complete departure stylistically from what has come before. Now featuring Cinthya Hussey on lead vocals, Wayne on background vocals, and astonishing guitar work by Nick Johnston, is a stellar mix of darkness, suave, and the world, in places you would never expect. The bass gives off an almost ‘Peter Gabriel’ vibe at times before snapping into place in lockstep with the beat that, at times, drags you into the hook but in a good way.
To me, this is an almost Pink Floyd level shift sonically and visually that gives a hint that Beauty in Chaos is becoming comfortable at being different.
Check out our other features with Beauty in Chaos HERE.
ABOUT BEAUTY IN CHAOS & ‘THE DELICATE BALANCE OF ALL THINGS’ (RAPID REITERATION MIX) FT. CINTHYA HUSSEY
The original version of this song, penned by BIC curator Michael Ciravolo and The Mission’s Wayne Hussey, appears on ‘The Storm Before The Calm’ album. Along with BIC producer Michael Rozon, Ciravolo set out to strip down the ominous tone of the original especially for this remix release. After hearing Wayne’s wife Cinthya’s rendition of The Smith’s ‘Everyday Is Like Sunday’, the idea emerged for her to sing this new version along with Wayne.
This remix was created by legendary producer Tim Palmer (David Bowie, The Mission, U2, The Cure). BIC main-man, Michael Ciravolo says “Tim has always been one of my favorite producers … and one of the silver-linings of this lockdown is that he has time to do this and two other remixes for our new album”.
Far from being a typical band, with its revolving/evolving lineup, videos are truly the ‘face’ of BIC. Ciravolo’s goal is to make each visually different from its predecessor and this new video certainly checks that box!
“When we returned the track, the delicate balance of all things, to Michael with Cinthya’s newly-completed vocals, Michael’s reaction was to declare he loved it and that we had to shoot a video for this version, remixed by the redoubtable Tim Palmer,” said Wayne Hussey.
“With the option of traveling to LA to shoot out of the question due to current Covid-19 restrictions, Cinthya, being in the trade somewhat, contacted a few of her colleagues to ascertain who exactly might be interested in helping us shoot a video in Sao Paulo. Enter the Antipodean Mark Bromilow. Mark and Cinthya had previously acted together on a Kit-Kat advert and had remained friends. The many credits to his name include time spent as artistic director for Cirque De Soleil, where he met the Brazilian Natalia Presser, the featured aerial artist in this video.”
“Locations were scouted, Cinthya having the idea of filming in an old theatre or abandoned warehouse – somewhere strange – while Mark came up with the idea of filming in a currently-closed-down-due-to-Covid circus in Sao Paulo. So the Big Top it was. Using David Lynch as inspiration, we aimed for the video to evoke something otherworldly and magical. So, how did we do?”
The full 27-track collection of the ‘Out Of Chaos Comes…’ LP (available on CD) is deep and diverse and comes with a few surprises, including Ashton Nyte’s gorgeous acoustic version of ‘The Outside’, and an acoustic/mellotron drenched ‘Memory Of Love’ from Human Drama’s Johnny Indovina. There are also some new and fantastic guitar moments from Simon Hinkler (The Mission), Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses), Mark Gemini Thwaite (Peter Murphy. The Wonder Stuff), and Nick Johnston.
‘Out Of Chaos Comes… is now available on vinyl (8 tracks), CD (14 tracks), and digitally (27 tracks). The full digital version is included with an LP / CD purchase. Limited-edition colored vinyl also includes an exclusive cover-art poster, signed by many of the artists involved. It can be ordered in its various formats HERE.
SONG CREDITS
- Cinthya Hussey – vocals
- Wayne Hussey – background vocals
- Michael Ciravolo – guitars, textures, and percussion
- Michael Rozon – synth and percussion
- Mike Mallory – bass
- Nick Johnston – outro guitar solo
- Tim Palmer – synth, drum programming, guitars, and co-production
- Additional recording and production by Michael Rozon and Wayne Hussey
- Written by Wayne Hussey and Michael Ciravolo
VIDEO CREDITS
- Cinthya Hussey – the beauty
- Wayne Hussey – the beast
- Natalia Presser – aerialist
- Video concept by Mark Bromilow, Cinthya Hussey, and Wayne Hussey
- Produced by Cia do Polvo
- Directed by Mark Bromilow
- Assistant director: Natalia Presser
- Photography: Nico Serrano
- Camera assistant: Fabrício Cezario
- Production assistant: Patricia Rizzi
- Make up by Marcio Merighi
- Edited by Cinthya Hussey
- Filmed on location in Sao Paulo, Brazil
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
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/finding-beauty-in-chaos/1436694940
https://open.spotify.com/album/7cmbwIpDm9aAXS4vVjcq4U?si=LZ_9_Bi1SzaZyN7wOIRCvw -
Pinhdar – Too Late (A Big Wave)
Pinhdar has released their new video for the track titled ‘Too Late (A Big Wave). I must say that the lockdown is producing some really good music and that is none the more true than with Pinhdar’s newest release titled ‘Too Late (Big Wave)’. Pinhdar has been a duo of artists that seem to be on an energetic quest to find their sound and perfect it on multiple levels.
‘Too Late’ is the latest in the evolution of revolution that Pinhdar is on a quest to said perfection. That haunting intro that transitions into an almost Laurie Anderson-inspired chorus is brilliant in so many ways. This is a song that goes left when you think it will go right, musically.
Add to that the cinematic scope of the video and you have the reverse effect of a film where that film’s score compliments the film itself. Here, you have the opposite. The cinema is here to complement the music. And that music is bold.
Check out our other features with Pinhdar HERE.
About Pinhdar
Since exploding onto the music scene in 2019 with their self-titled debut PINHDAR has further refined their brand of Psychedelic dark Pop on this latest album. The duo has made a name for themselves on both sides of the Atlantic when in the band Nomoredolls; relentlessly playing New York venues like CBGB’s, Knitting Factory & Arlene’s Grocery and established a loyal US fanbase before moving on to establish PINHDAR. Under the new name and armed with a new sound it wasn’t long before they’d won over the ears of legendary British critic and Rock Music Biographer Kris Needs.
So impressed with the bands unique sound, Kris invited them to play at the launch of his new book in London, all the while ‘TOY’ was starting to gain critical acclaim across the world with VICE/Noisey listing it in their top 10 tracks of 2019 and legendary station KEXP adding it to their repertoire.
Recorded Entirely during the lockdown in their Milan-based studio alongside Scottish producer Howie B (U2, Bjork, Tricky, Massive Attack, and many others). The musicians initially contacted their producer hero without expecting a reply, Instead, his response was enthusiastic and at a level, they had never expected offering to not only mix the raw tracks but also to contribute creatively as the album’s producer. The bewilderment felt during the months of lockdown while recording and writing led PINHDAR to seek refuge in a parallel reality, a universe of surreal and alien sounds and concepts encapsulated by the Albums cover; a house miraculously floating on the water’s surface.
The record is a dream-like journey and trip through existential anxiety exasperated by the current social environment and dangers both to humankind and our environment. Exploring themes such as solitude, social indifference, environmental threats, and our fear of mortality. These elements are interwoven in dreamy imagery capturing a mixture of emotions against a backdrop of hope. A rollercoaster of uncertainty Parallel is a snapshot of life experienced in 2020.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/Pinhdar
https://www.instagram.com/pinhdar
https://twitter.com/pinhdar
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dyLnwsbDsTfxa6qPi7LjF