Essential Sounds: 7.06.19
June 7, 2019
A bit later than usual (sorry!) but here’s the Essential Sounds playlist for this week. Enjoy your weekend and enjoy these tunes.
If you want to seek out these tracks elsewhere, here’s the info that you’ll need:
Jambinai – Small Consolation (Bell Union)
Torche – Times Missing (Relapse)
Jeromes Dream – Drone Before Parlor Violence (Microspy)
Vonnis – Into the Hive (Hypertension Records)
Murg – Strävan (Nordvis)
Josephine Wiggs – The Weeping of the Rain (The Sound of Sinners)
Just Mustard – October (Pizza Pizza Records)
Virgin Pool – The Wanderer (Holodeck Records)
Terravï – Sheep (Self Release)
TENGGER – High (Beyond Beyond is Beyond Records)
Laughing Eye – Florian (Self Release)
Elephant 9 – I Cover The Mountain Top (Rune Grammofon)
Chris Robinson Brotherhood – The Chauffeur’s Daughter (Silver Arrow Records)
Nivhek – After its own death: Side A (Yellowelectric / Liz Harris)
None – It’s Painless to Let Go (Self Release)
Essential Sounds: 31.05.19
May 31, 2019
After catching up with ourselves last week and creating a bumper playlist of over two hours worth of new music, this week we’ve been a little more selective, choosing tracks that have sat with us for a few days and received multiple plays. With releases coming thick and fast and the relentless speed at which new music becomes old news, it’s nice to quality time with releases.
Maybe now is a good time to cut yourself off from distractions and immerse yourself in some new music. This week’s playlist contains familiar favourites such as Sleater-Kinney and Darkthrone, as well as relative newcomers such as MØL. Feel free to join us over at our Roadburners Facebook group and let us know what you think of this week’s playlist.
If you want to seek out these tracks elsewhere, here’s the info that you’ll need:
MØL – Airy (Holy Roar)
Cherubs – Sooey Pig (Relapse)
Earth – The Colour of Poison (Sargent House)
Sleater-Kinney – Hurry On Home (Mom+Pop)
Gliss – Sister Moon (Kraftwööd Musik Fabrik)
Show Me The Body – Not For Love (Lomo Vista)
Departure Chandelier – Life Escaping Through the Candle’s Smoke (Hospital Productions)
Vale – Beyond The Pale (The Flenser)
Darkthrone – Duke of Gloat (Peaceville)
Pinkish Black – Concept Unification (Relapse)
Essential Sounds: 24.05.19
May 24, 2019
There is such an incredible amount of great music out there that we consider to be essential, that it’s been quite a challenge to whittle it down for a playlist. So… this week’s is something of a bumper edition of the Essential Sounds playlist; we hope you enjoy it!
The cover photo for this page is a beautiful image captured by Sabine Linemeyr at Roadburn this year of Kristin Hayter AKA Lingua Ignota. Based on the first track from her new album alone, we’re convinced that 2019 is going to be her year. But she’ll be in good company if the insane amount of high quality music keeps coming at this rate…
If you’d like to seek out the songs elsewhere, here’s the info you’ll need:
Lingua Ignota – BUTCHER OF THE WORLD (Sargent House)
Sannhet – Short Life (Profound Lore)
Russian Circles – Arluck (Sargent House)
Pelican – Cold Hope (Southern Lord)
Steve Moore – Your Sentries Will Be Met With Force (Temporary Residence)
Tanya Tagaq – Toothsayer (Six Shooter)
Uncanny Valley – Drowning (Owen Pratt)
Batushka – Polunosznica (Metal Blade)
Dreamcrusher – Fever (Dreamcrusher)
False – A Victual For Our Dead Selves (Gilead Media)
Vile Creature – Harbinger of Nothing (Vile Creature/Adult Swim)
Stonefield – Sleep (Flightless Records)
Black Mountain – High Rise (Jagjaguwar)
Sunwatchers – Greeneyed Pigmen (Get the Blade) (Trouble In Mind Records)
Alber Jupiter – Martin à la Plage (Atypeek Diffusion)
Constant Smiles – Five Feet and a Hammer (Cold Moon Records)
DJINN – Le Jardin de la Morte (Rocket Recording)
Tim Hecker – That world (Sunblind Music)
Efrim Manuel Menuck, Kevin Doria – Do The Police Embrace? (Constellation)
Anna von Hausswolff – The Little Boy and the Glowing Globe (Waxploitation)
Essential Sounds: 17.05.19
May 17, 2019
You may have seen a teaser from Douwe Dijkstra for Roadburn 2020‘s artwork (if not – it’s that great big green banner above!), or perhaps you even met the man in question at Full Bleed this year. We’re delighted to have him and his considerable talents on board for next year’s edition of Roadburn.
He can be something of an elusive creature, but we asked him to put together a playlist of what’s providing the soundtrack to his current work so we can get a glimpse into what makes him tick.
Presented here is that very playlist – one that includes some Roadburn alumni, and some bands that Douwe has created artworks for himself already. We can’t wait to see what magick is conjured up for the 2020 poster, but with these bands as the soundtrack to its creation, we’re even more excited than we previously were!
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – Fishing For Fishies (Flightless Records)
Minami Deutsch – Don’t Wanna Go Back (Guruguru Brain)
Chad VanGaalen – Molten Light (Sub Pop)
Oathbreaker – Second Son of R. (Deathwish Inc)
Cattle Decapitation – Manufactured Extinct (Metal Blade)
Deafheaven – Black Brick (Anti)
Thee Oh Sees – C (Castle Face)
Skegss – L.S.D (Self Release)
The Chats – Pub Feed (Self Release)
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Planet B (Flightless Records)
Big Ups – Goes Black (Mr Stephen Pietrzykowski)
Wand – Blue Cloud (Drag City Inc)
Kikagaku Moyo – Orange Peel (Guruguru Brain)
Essential Sounds: 10.05.19
May 10, 2019
Today is Walter’s birthday – which is a cause of celebration for all Roadburn-lovers. Walter will no doubt be celebrating by deservedly indulging his sweet tooth – so in that respect at least, it’s really no different to any other day! Whilst he is being whisked off on a surprise birthday trip by his other half, I am here holding the fort and putting together the playlist – so I thought I would kick it off with a trio of Walter-related tracks.
Walter and I talk several times a week (sometimes several times a day), and what starts as a conversation about logistics or artwork can often slide effortlessly into a conversation about new music. Just yesterday we were both extolling the virtues of the likes of Foie Gras and Ragana, but Centrum was his stand out of the week. So what better way to get things started?
Second, is Weyes Blood – a track taken from what Walter has eagerly declared the album of the year. “Are you sure? That’s a bit bold – it’s only April!” I said when he informed me of this a couple of weeks back. “Of course I’m sure!” he replied… so here we are!
Third is Daughters, who probably don’t really need much introduction to most Roadburners to be fair. But for me, this represents the moments when Walter and I cross paths at Roadburn and share a knowing look, or the times I have caught him unashamedly banging his fists in the air (G.I.S.M for one) and otherwise losing his shit, to put it bluntly. We bumped into each other at the end of the Daughters set this year and exchanged a “holy shit!” moment, hence their inclusion here.
The rest of the playlist is made up of tracks that have caught my ear over the last week or so – so business as usual. You may have your own reasons for wanting to give three cheers for Mr. Roadburn – so today is as good a day as any to do just that. Without Walter, Roadburn wouldn’t be what it is today, so raise a glass – or a sticky bun – to the man who can.
-Becky Laverty
(Cover photo: Daughters by Peter Troest)
If you would like to seek out the tracks elsewhere, here’s the info you’ll need:
Centrum – Sjön (Rocket Recordings)
Weyes Blood – Andromeda (Sub Pop)
Daughters – Guest House (Ipecac)
Big Brave – This Deafening Verity (Southern Lord)
VR SEX – Surrender (Dais)
Death Hawks – Scent of Life (Svart)
Holly Herndon – Frontier (4AD)
Wear Your Wounds – Rust on the Gates of Heaven (Deathwish Inc)
Yellow Eyes – No Dust (Gilead Media)
Aseethe – Throes (Thrill Jockey)
Cult of Luna – The Silent Man (Metal Blade)
At The Gates' Tomas Lindberg & Walter Roadburn's Q&A Panel: Video
May 6, 2019
At this year’s side-programme, Roadburn curator Tomas Lindberg (At The Gates) and artistic director Walter sat down with journalist José Carlos Santos to discuss the art of curating, the difficulties of putting the running order together, and much, much more. Thanks to Metal Injection filming the Q & A! Take a look to get the ins and outs of organizing Roadburn 2019.
Essential Sounds: 3.5.19
May 3, 2019
Thou made such an incredible impression on Roadburn 2019; each of their four sets showcased a different element of the band and kept us all enraptured. Not quite ready to let them go for this year, we asked Andy Gibbs if he would put together a playlist for us – and happily he agreed.
Below you will find a run down of the tracks he has picked – and why. We hope you enjoy this little glimpse into Andy’s musical world as much as we have!
Ô Paon – Fleuve (P.W. Elverum & Sun)
“Thou had the pleasure of playing two shows with Geneviève before she passed. Bryan and I had been big fans since the first record, and her live show was just mesmerizing as the records. Rest in power.”
Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood – Some Velvet Morning (Boots Enterprises Inc)
“There’s a late night dive in the French Quarter that I find myself in from time to time. The bartenders are extremely surly but if you can find and play this song from one of the many homemade mix CDs on the jukebox, they will crack a smile and warm up to you.”
Laboratorium Pieśni – Vecherai rado (Soliton)
“A local New Orleans vocal group called Trendafilka does a beautiful rendition of this Balkan standard, but since they aren’t on Spotify you’ll have to settle for this version. I still love it.”
Tamaryn – Hands All Over Me (Kemado Records)
“I listened to Tamaryn’s album Tender New Signs obsessively on tour, and then I realized I hadnt checked this record and now it’s on constant repeat at my house, along with her excellent new record Dreaming The Dark.”
Stuart A. Staples – The Fuck Box (Lucky Dog)
“I just saw High Life in the theater last week and immediately looked up the soundtrack. The “fuck box” scene was uhhh an experience let’s say. Perfectly executed mood on this track!”
Jesse Ruins – A Bookshelf Sinks Into The Sand (Captured Tracks)
“One of two tracks on this mix that my friend Melissa (MJ Guider) showed me. The best part of this track is when the drums kick in and obliterate that dreamy intro.”
Silent Servant – Optimistic Decay (Hospital Productions)
“Silent Servant put out one of my favorite records last year. I once attempted to see him in New York with my bandmates, walking a couple miles in the snow, even. At 2:30am he still hadn’t taken the DJ booth and after a long travel day I was wrecked and ready for sleep. Next time I guess.”
MJ Guider – Triple Black (Kranky)
“If you missed MJ Guider at Roadburn this year then you definitely fucked up. One of the best records to come out of New Orleans, and a truly dear friend of mine backed live by two other dear friends including longtime Thou collaborator Emily McWilliams.”
Miles Davis – Nem um Talvez (SONY/BMG)
“Live Evil was one of my go-to records in high school. I loved all the acid jazz freakout tracks but this cerebral jam is a hidden gem.”
Norma Tanega – You’re Dead (Rhino)
“I really don’t know much about this artist aside from her hit “Walking My Cat Named Dog” but her nihilistic take on capitalism in the lyrics is right up my alley.”
Saåda Bonaire – The Facts – 1984 Version (Self-Release)
“The other track that Melissa showed me. This band has a cool backstory and I recommend you take a break right now to google it.”
FKA Twigs – I’m Your Doll (Young Turks Recording)
“This EP is absolutely flawless future R&B. I remember jamming this on repeat in The Body’s van when it came out.”
Holly Herndon – New Ways To Love (4AD)
“Holly’s rise in visibility occurred when I was living in the Bay Area and I deeply regret not seeing some of her local performances at DIY venues. She is, to me, a weathervane for the future of electronic music.”
SRSQ – Only One (Dais Records)
“Hands down my favorite new discovery of last year. Kennedy’s voice and passion are truly unmatched. She played a Mardi Gras parade afterparty this year and had a crowd of drug-addled psychos completely awed, totally under her spell.”
Second Woman – Apart I (Tresor Records)
“More forward thinking electronic music from some local heroes. As wild as this track is, it’s possibly their most straightforward song to date!”
Boy Harsher – Underwater (Self-Release)
“This is that “coming home from the bar and dancing alone in your living room” music. Real freaks know.”
Rachel ‘s – Air Conditioning / A Closed Feeling (Quarterstick Records)
“This is what I put on when the whole world feels heavy.”
Vanessa Amara – 3/3/2016 (Posh Isolation)
“Soothing sounds from the cool Danish label Janushoved. I put this on before bed all the time.”
George Jones – Cup Of Loneliness (Gusto Records)
“A great track from the jukebox at the bar down the street from me. Every time I go I put this on, along with Roy Orbison and T. Rex.”
The Cranberries – Hollywood (The Island Def Jam Music Group)
“For all the Roadburners who made our collaborative set at Koepelhal feel so special, and for my friend Emma, for turning another typical non-metal Thou cover into something actually beautiful.”
Roadburn 2019: Through the lens of Sabine Linemeyr
May 1, 2019
A few days before this year’s festival kicked off we received a request for a photo pass from an unknown to us photographer called Sabine Linemeyr. A quick glance at her Instagram let us know we were dealing with a phenomenal talent and we immediately invited her to capture Roadburn in her own unique way. Many of her subjects are doused in an almost inexplicable femininity and softness, whilst other images seek to highlight the sharp edges and the imperfections of human nature.
Follow Sabine on Instagram, and check out the full gallery on Facebook HERE.
Roadburn 2019: Through the lens of Teddie Taylor
April 30, 2019
We were already deeply enamoured with the photography of Teddie Taylor; so much so that we invited her to exhibit at Roadburn 2019. But as well as having her photos on the walls of the 013, and participating in a panel discussion about music and visuals, Teddie was also roaming around Tilburg capturing this years’ festival too.
In what is quickly becoming her signature style, Teddie captures a rawness in the bands she shoots, exposing both their gloriousness and their vulnerabilities. We’re thrilled to show off some of the images that Teddie shot at Roadburn 2019.
Check HERE for the full gallery of her images.
EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE: Heilung - 'Othan'
In the lead up to the release of their upcoming album, Futha, HEILUNG have been gracing a select number of stages in celebration. Among them, of course, was the main stage at Roadburn Festival just a few short weeks ago. The spectacle has left a mark on us, and quite possibly you too if you were fortunate enough to bear witness to the magic of their amplified history unfolding.
HEILUNG’s ripples have turned into almighty waves over the past couple of years, with devotees to their tribal, soul-wrenching rhythms being swept along by the tide. Here at Roadburn HQ, we count ourselves proudly in that number, firmly along for the ride wherever it may take us. On the strength of their soundcheck alone, Roadburn’s Walter Hoeijmakers was declaring it one of the best sounding shows in Roadburn’s history; the full production show more than lived up to the hype.
Whilst the dust is still settling, and our minds are still adjusting to the digital glare of the modern day we inexplicable find ourselves in, we’re thrilled to take a step back into the HEILUNG hinterland with the premiere of a new track. Othan is taken from the album Futha which will be released on June 28 via Season of Mist (pre-order here). A few lucky souls have already heard the full thing during the listening session at Roadburn, but the rest of us will have to wait another couple of months before it is set loose on us.
You may have caught Othan live during their set at Roadburn, but at the time, we were in the dark about the context behind the track. HEILUNG’s Maria Franz explains all:
“Othan is one of the compositions that, in a Heilung context, might appear as a relaxed song. Nevertheless, it contains ancient combat protection spells and Odin, the highest northern god, appears as the lord of war.
The first part is a combination of spells from bracteates (see also: Futha explained) which is very hard to grasp or translate. These pendants or coins were produced mostly during the migration period up until the 7th century AD in northern Europe. They were mostly made from Roman gold, which the Germanic tribes received as peace money. The inscriptions are still discussed controversially amongst rune researchers. Some clues that hint towards the words leek, ale or a cuckoo can be traced, but most of the time it seems to be very difficult to grasp a meaningful sense in the inscriptions.
Although the High One enjoys war, he also indulges in poetry. Othan therefore has a second part where the white mistress of incantations recites the words that the High One gave to man: A spell sung under the shields to bless them and protect the warriors. (Hávámal, stanza 156)
In the third part the mood gets darker and we have now reached the point of an active combat spell. The power to stop an arrow in its flight is invoked. (Hávamál stanza 150)
After that the name of the highest Nordic god is repeated in a wolfish, barking mantra, partly to transport the feeling, that the ancient Nordic warrior groups often perceived themselves as animal packs. This is for example described by Ibrahim Ibn Yaqub, a 10th century traveller and merchant, who writes that the people of Hedeby were singing in a barking manner.”
Imagine for a moment that you’re not reading these words on a modern device, hit play below and transport to somewhere otherworldly, courtesy of HEILUNG.
–Becky Laverty
Cover image: Heilung & Walter, courtesy of Niels Vinck