http://www.thegeekcouch.com Music. Movies. Random Geekdom. Wed, 28 May 2014 13:27:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.8.10 Fiercely Independent Music. Artist interviews. Hosted by Sean C. Duregger. Sean C. Duregger no Sean C. Duregger [email protected] [email protected] (Sean C. Duregger) Sean C. Duregger Fiercely Independent Music. music, independent, rock, alternative, post rock, interviews, art, culture http://www.thegeekcouch.com/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/geekcouchbp.png http://www.thegeekcouch.com http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2013/01/28/music-review-the-end-of-america-shakey/ http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2013/01/28/music-review-the-end-of-america-shakey/#comments Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:00:54 +0000 http://www.thegeekcouch.com/podcast/?p=176 http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2013/01/28/music-review-the-end-of-america-shakey/feed/ 0 Band Of Horses,Shakey,The End Of America,Wilco Artist: The End Of America Album: Shakey Label: Self Released RIYL: Band Of Horses, Wilco When I heard their debut album Steep Bay I knew the band The End Of America was something special. That album was recorded in 2010 in upstate New York... Artist: The End Of America Album: Shakey Label: Self Released RIYL: Band Of Horses, Wilco When I heard their debut album Steep Bay I knew the band The End Of America was something special. That album was recorded in 2010 in upstate New York at an isolated cabin. Founding members Brendon Thomas, James Downes and Trevor Leonard recorded the album live using only a two track, battery powered recorder. What they recorded was an impeccable achievement and still one of my all time favorite albums. Fast forward to 2012, the band is still focused on organic songwriting and recording. The album title “Shakey” is a homage to Neil Young, who recorded most his albums live, with minimal rehearsal. Following in his footsteps, The End Of America did the same with this album. Over 7 days the recorded live, to tape with minimal rehearsal and as few takes as possible. The result is yet another astounding recording from the band. This process gives an immediacy to the songs, beautiful imperfection and a snapshot of a true creativity. While the songs don’t grab me as much as their debut, Shakey is still a stunning achievement. The album consists of 5 full length songs broken up with an intro and interlude. Each song has it’s own personality and before you know it the album is over. Which brings me to my main complaint of both albums...when it’s over I wish there was more! The End Of America are a true example of artistry in an industry that has very few pioneers left. The are proving that creativity can go a long way and, when used correctly, analog recording is far from being extinct. The band is mulling over releasing their music on vinyl and that seems to be the only way I’d want to experience their music. Until then, both albums from The End Of America are top notch, inexpensive and well worth your time and money.   Sean C. Duregger no 10:19 http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2013/01/25/the-geekcouch-backstage-pass-episode-07/ http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2013/01/25/the-geekcouch-backstage-pass-episode-07/#comments Fri, 25 Jan 2013 23:05:00 +0000 http://www.thegeekcouch.com/podcast/?p=170 http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2013/01/25/the-geekcouch-backstage-pass-episode-07/feed/ 0 Derek Webb,Parlour Tricks and On Being Human,Signals Midwest,Spoken,The End Of America This week, discover Spoken, Signals Midwest, Derek Webb, The End Of America, Parlour Tricks and On Being Human. - Band #1: Spoken Album: Illusion Song: Through It All Release Date: February 12, 2013 Label: E1 http://www.spokenmusic.com/ - This week, discover Spoken, Signals Midwest, Derek Webb, The End Of America, Parlour Tricks and On Being Human. Band #1: Spoken Album: Illusion Song: Through It All Release Date: February 12, 2013 Label: E1 http://www.spokenmusic.com/ Band #2: Signals Midwest Album: Latitudes and Longitudes Song: The Quiet Persuader Release Date: Out Now (Digital, Vinyl) Label: Tiny Engines signalsmidwest.bandcamp.com Band #3: Derek Webb Album: Ctrl (Acoustic)* Song: I Feel Everything Release Date: Out Now (Digital) Label: self released http://www.derekwebb.com *I was mistaken about CTRL (acoustic) being free at noisetrade.com. That was apparently a limited time run and has expired. You can get it as a packaged deal via Derek Webb's website, though. Band #4: The End Of America Album: Shakey Song: Cemetery Release Date: Out Now (Digital) Label: Self Released theendofamerica.bandcamp.com Band #5: Parlour Tricks Album: Parlour Tricks Song: Cathedral Release Date: Out Now (Digital) Label: Self Released http://www.facebook.com/prlrtrcks Band #6: On Being Human Album: eVe Song: Dream Garden Release Date: Out Now (Digital) Label: Self Released http://onbeinghuman.bandcamp.com   Sean C. Duregger no 37:38 http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2011/02/05/bands-you-should-know-the-end-of-america/ http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2011/02/05/bands-you-should-know-the-end-of-america/#comments Sun, 06 Feb 2011 01:09:30 +0000 http://www.thegeekcouch.com/?p=4998 http://www.thegeekcouch.com/2011/02/05/bands-you-should-know-the-end-of-america/feed/ 0 Music,Steep Bay,The End Of America I just discovered the band The End of America and they've quickly become one of my favorite bands recording right now. Their debut album, Steep Bay was recorded over 9 days in and around a remote cabin on Schroon Lake, I just discovered the band The End of America and they've quickly become one of my favorite bands recording right now. Their debut album, Steep Bay was recorded over 9 days in and around a remote cabin on Schroon Lake, located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. The result is 9 songs with an energy and fire you can't get from a studio. Steep Bay has jumped to the top of my "Best of 2011" list (yes, I know it's early in the year) and is very much worth checking out. You can buy the album digitally for $4.99 or buy the CD w/ a poster for $8.99 HERE. Hear a song, watch 2 videos and read the press release after the jump. MP3: "Fiona Grace" - Running - The End of America from Chris Newhard on Vimeo. These Things Are Mine - The End of America from Chris Newhard on Vimeo. THE END OF AMERICA Steep Bay LP (Forest Park Recordings-12/14/10) RIYL: Elliott Smith, Rocky Votolato, Ryan Adams, Iron & Wine -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The End of America is not some grand political statement. Instead, it is an honest attempt between three friends to return music to its purest form. After years on the road with numerous bands, James Downes, Brendon Thomas, and Trevor Leonard found themselves all searching for meaning within the chaos of present day America. In the past the trio had discussed recording music in remote locations where they could distance themselves from the trappings of modern life. From these conversations sprung the concept of The End of America: to travel to the ends of the continent in search of inspiration and to write and record on the spot in unique locations. The End of America’s debut album, Steep Bay, was recorded live in a cabin on Schroon Lake, located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. The album is named after the cove on which the cabin was built: a beautiful bay surrounded by rock cliffs and towering pine trees, beyond the reach of power lines, accessible only by boat. One mid-July afternoon the trio made the drive up to the family cabin and paddled across at dusk. The old canoe that carried them could barely hold their weight let alone the gear, but they made it over safely just as the sun was setting. Their first recording was by the light of campfire that night, guitars on the shore under a sky full of stars. Using a small battery powered recording device with two mic inputs, the group set up everywhere - in the cabin, on the porch, even out on the water. In the course of one week the trio wrote and recorded the album live, unedited, 9 tracks in all. The takes that were kept are from performances that felt the most honest, regardless of minor imperfections. Steep Bay is as much a documentary as it is a record; an intimate snapshot of three friends living off the grid, trying to reconcile and understand life the only way they know how, through the emotions of music. Buy the album here: http://theendofamerica.bandcamp.com/ Sean C. Duregger no