A tale of two local bands: T0W3RS and Lilac Shadows

T0W3RS and Lilac Shadows are the newest sisters in the local music scene. And yes they are basically sisters. Comprised of the same crew of Triangle twentysomethings, Derek Torres fronts T0W3RS while Sam Logan takes the lead with Lilac Shadows. But like sunshine and darkness, these bands are distinctly different in sound, perfect compliments for the approaching summer season. Check out my reviews of each band's newest album and immediately put them on your summer playlist.

T0W3RS
IF 4LL WE H4VE IS T1ME
Indie pop/rock

With classes winding down, graduation impending and the sun constantly shining, summer is just out of reach. These three months of freedom generally yield limited obligations and provide days of infinite adventures. With summer, it seems all we have to be preoccupied with is time and how to best let it pass.

From the watery opening notes to the album’s funky final moments, IF 4LL WE H4VE IS T1ME seeps with warmth and extends summer’s sweet invitation. The slow, evocative swirls of sound fluctuate between short bursts of synth and lazy yet thoughtful guitar. It’s rock ‘n’ roll that maintains an experimental edge, a realm where songs come to fruition as they may, and without the pretense of fitting of a specific genre mold. 

On “Scout/,” there’s something fleeting about the way leader Derek Torres’ vocals seem to float through waves of somber instrumentation and find a way to grab the listener. In a similar vein to the fading of the season, the song effortlessly dissolves into the next track, “The Cardinal/The Finch.”

Whether it’s the members’ layered vocals, Karen Blanco’s poignant keys or the nearly perfect transitions between songs, Towers finds a way to capture meaningful experiences in just a few minutes. 

But the back-and-forth pacing of the album might leave the listener with some residual whiplash, as songs jump from just longer than one minute to nearly five. The album is imbalanced in that respect, but even this is partially excusable considering the already wavering and unchained nature of the songs. 

In the end, this is the music that accompanies sticky summer evening drives, when the windows are rolled down and your hair has taken its own course blowing in the wind. Or perhaps this is the album that best reflects the transient period of life that young 20-somethings have a hard time escaping and/or comprehending. 

With relevant and personal songs (not to mention well-crafted), Towers are endearingly empathetic to these notions. This summer, whateverbecomes for you, let it be known that you can find someone who knows exactly how you feel.

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Lilac Shadows
Shallow Madness EP

Psych pop

Bright. Dark. Quiet. Loud.

Carrboro’s Lilac Shadows chooses these simple, juxtaposed adjectives to describe the swirl of sound that comprises the Shallow Madness EP. And when considering the record’s pleasantly conflicting composition, these words encompass the band’s satisfyingly intense spirit. 

The band is led by Sam Logan and rounded out by Derek Torres, Karen Blanco and Annuals’ Zack Oden. Considered the sister band of fellow locals T0W3RS, Lilac Shadows strays away from the more bubbling synth of the latter, injecting a little bit of darkness into the musical realm. Shallow Madness requires intense broodingas it provokes, reaches deep and remains difficult to sum up.

With each of its four songs stretching to at least five minutes, the soundscapes Shadows paints are lush and intricate, a combination of psychedelic-pop crescendos and gentle waves of synth. The soundtrack of twisted whimsical fairytale, this record loops and sharply changes course time again, washing over the airwaves with an innocuous, enchanting haze. 

The genre-bending song “A Shallow Madness” delicately launches the album, as Logan’s vocals are gently accompanied by soft and bouncing synth. But it’s when the growing sound transitions to “What Dreams” that the listener becomes fully engulfed. 

Full of eerie guitar and pensive pauses, it’s this song that invites us to crawl under the rippled blanket of sound the band has orchestrated. Once hooked, there isn’t any turning back. 

Shallow Madness can require some time as each track is initially quite a labor. But although Shallow Madness is loosely defined, it doesn’t completely lack cohesion. There’s no doubt this is one multitude of musical layering that’s not for the background.

It’s the tasteful nuances and labored listening that make an album that flourishes and rewards with anticipation of what’s to come. Choose this darkly-tinged elixir of a record and prepare to find out exactly what lurks behind the shadows.

Music that sticks to your bones

Although it has been a few weekends since Winston-Salem's Phuzz Phest, I have yet to shake the incredible performance of folk artist Hiss Golden Messenger, or the project of Durhamite MC Taylor. On the covered porch of Krankie's coffee shop sat 20 or so festival attendees, ready and waiting with their ears, hearts open. In fact, it was Taylor who suggested that his set be moved to the porch, unplugged, as the sun set over the outskirts of downtown Winston. What unfolded next is one of those performances I feel privileged to have been present for, even when the rest of the show hasn't been my absolute favorite. His music draws on traditional folk stylings and he manages to work some intriguing Christian allusion in his work. It's accessible and tangible, and each time I put his latest album, Poor Moon, on the record player for a spin, I find myself finding something else excellent that I like love about it.As I continue to explore the music journalism world I find myself in, I realize that discovering gems like these are why I love what I do some of the time (most of the time?). Since my first semester here, local music has opened a door that I'm so glad I decided to walk through, not having looked backwards since.

Here's a listen similar to what my experience was like

Finding success on Record Store Day

Last Saturday, April 21, was the fifth annual national Record Store Day, a goldmine of an event for vinyl record aficionados. The Triangle and its various record stores made sure to cater to these record buying needs and planned a day full of events that were perfect for anyone on the music spectrum. As I embarked on a RSD adventure that included stops at Bull City Records in Durham, All Day Records in Carrboro and CD Alley in Chapel Hill, as well as lunch from a taco truck and a refreshing Locopop to finish it all off, I found a surprisingly large turn out. But the most important thing Record Store Day 2012 did for me was remind me how marvelous and robust the Triangle's music community truly is in these parts. 

From the lines of dedicated fans winding outside the doors of the compact stores to the special offers and familiar faces inside, Record Store Day 2012 was a success in my book, especially when considering that many stores sold out of the special releases. In some ways, it's a musical treasure hunt, like those who plan their wish lists well in advance and make sure to be first in line. I've never had the opportunity to participate in the event before, but found it to be a great experience and fun for growing my newly started record collection. And when you throw in the food treats I had throughout the day like tacos de pastor, a pomegranate-tangerine Locopop and a mini-cupcake with cream cheese frosting, my stomach and my ears found happiness on this adventure. 

Here is the final list of the records I snagged up include:


*Bowerbirds' 7" In The Yard/Always an Ear to Bend

*Gross Ghost Brer Rabbit 

Fleetwood Mac, Fleetwood Mac

*Lilac Shadows' A Shallow Madness EP cassette

*Lonnie Walker/Future Islands 7" Love Turn/The Ink Well

The Tallest Man on Earth 12" King of Spain


*denotes local band

Revisiting the classics

Although I have quite a hunger for keeping tabs on the newest music, particularly with the local Triangle music scene, I've got an enormous space in my soul for the music of a much older generation.

For some reason, every year when spring rolls around, I find myself revisiting the songs that comprised the soundtrack of my parents' coming-of-age years. However, these songs and albums also found their way into my own childhood musical education. And now, as I am listening to the NPR Fresh Air interview with Carole King, I found it the perfect time to reflect on how these classic albums have been integral in my musical development and have served as personal reminders of poignant times and individuals.

Here are just a few of my favorites:

-Carole King's Tapestry and Joni Mitchell's Blue

I wanted to group these albums together because they serve very similar roles for me. Carole King is a discovery I 100% attribute to my mother, in fact, I see a lot of parallels between this singer-songwriter and the wonderful woman who raised me. "Too Late," "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" and "Beautiful" are just a few of the gems woven into Tapestry and after listening to the Fresh Air interview with King, it was a wonderful reminder of this genuine contribution to music.

Joni Mitchell's Blue seems to strike a nerve in me every time and I simply can't get enough. On those days when things just don't seem right, I find myself returning to this album and transporting myself back to the era of the strong, female singer-songwriter. Don't be surprised if you hear me belting out "All I Want" or "Carey," its just me channeling my inner-Joni.

-Fleetwood Mac's Rumours

I found this particular album on vinyl for $4 a few weeks ago at the Carrboro record sale and I couldn't have been happier. Maybe it's the fact they are my favorite band, they have contributed songs to one of my favorite movies, Forrest Gump, or that this particular brand of 70s pop is irresistibly delectable. From "The Chain," "Dreams" and "Go Your Own Way," there are so many memories buried in each of these tracks. If I ever do a karaoke night, you can bet that there will be numerous Fleetwood tracks.

-Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's Deja Vu and Neil Young's Everybody Knows This is Nowhere

It might be safe to say that I have a thing for Canadian musicians, as Neil Young is the second on this list (Joni Mitchell being the first). While it is Neil that really gets to me, especially with his album, Everybody Knows This is Nowhere, I can't forget the mystical and infectious production he was a part of with Crosby, Stills and Nash. Deja Vu would definitely be considered a soundtrack of my father's era, a self-proclaimed hippie/rocker/folkie of sorts who romped around on this very campus for a few years in the 1960s. Deja Vu and the rest of Young's early catalog of work is evidence of solid songwriting, incredibly talented instrumentation and of course a penchant for honing in on the times. These are the albums that really make you think.

-The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds

This is another album that runs through me with nostalgia upon listening. When we took our family beach trips during my childhood, I'm pretty sure the only cassettes in rotation the entire journey were The Beach Boys and the Lion King soundtrack. There was also the point at which my younger brother proclaimed at age three, that he "wants to be a Beach Boy" when he grows up. Enough said. With summer approaching fast, I always turn back to this album, with classic hits like "God Only Knows" and "Sloop John B," this like any other Beach Boys album is an essential for any record collection.

How to break the blog slump

I've been holding on to this article link for a while and have not found a way to best post about it, but perhaps that is precisely the essence of this particular link from ProBlogger.

I know I'm not the first to admit that being consistent with a blog is sometimes quite the challenge. What usually happens to me is that I have several grand ideas for posts, but when time becomes tight, the posts sit in my edit queue and wait to be written. I think this article from ProBlogger is a great way to re-energize your blogging spirit, as it encourages writers to branch out in the way they post. Just because blogging has become quite a standard practice does not mean that it doesn't have its own helpful and creative tweaks.

In particular, I think that number two, "encouraging the reader to take action" can be an attractive way to blog. It directly involves the reader and can be a great way to gain feedback, especially when combined with number 5, asking questions. For me, I think a big downside of blogging sometimes is the notion that no one is actually reading my posts. Perhaps for my next few posts, I will begin incorporating some more of these tips.

What are some other ways that readers are drawn to blogs?