Adrian 5/4/12 Adrian 5/4/12

[Interview] Tanlines Talk Live Performances, Trends in Electronic Music, and Their First Concerts (Part Two)

Brooklyn duo Tanlines have come a long way since their formation in 2008. After several years of releasing remixes, singles, EPs and featuring on compilations, Eric Emm and Jesse Cohen have firmly established themselves and the name Tanlines with the release of their debut LP Mixed Emotions, which dropped this past March on True Panther Sounds. The album sees both Emm and Cohen melding their collective talents into their most gratifying and seamless release so far, with each song delivering a fantastic mix of Cohen's production and drum work and Emm's emotive vocals and captivating guitar progression. Simply put, Mixed Emotions is fun, danceable, and consistently a joy to listen to.

During their recent tour, Emm and Cohen made their way to Fortune Sound Club in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada where the three of us sat down before their show and had the opportunity to chat. In part two of our interview, we discussed their live performance and the reactions they've garnered from fans, the various trends in electronic music and where Tanlines fits into that, and the first concerts they ever went to, including mine. Check it out after the jump, and, if you've yet to do so, head here to read part one.

Adrian 5/3/12 Adrian 5/3/12

[Interview] Tanlines Talk Lyric Writing, the Creative Process, and "Danceable" Music (Part One)

Brooklyn duo Tanlines have come a long way since their formation in 2008. After several years of releasing remixes, singles, EPs and featuring on compilations, Eric Emm and Jesse Cohen have firmly established themselves and the name Tanlines with the release of their debut LP Mixed Emotions, which dropped this past March on True Panther Sounds. The album sees both Emm and Cohen melding their collective talents into their most gratifying and seamless release so far, with each song delivering a fantastic mix of Cohen's production and drum work and Emm's emotive vocals and captivating guitar progression. Simply put, Mixed Emotions is fun, danceable, and consistently a joy to listen to.

During their recent tour, Emm and Cohen made their way to Fortune Sound Club in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada where the three of us sat down before their show and chatted about their debut album, what influenced the creation of the LP, the differences between "dance" music and "danceable" music, and I surprise them with a couple of gifts from local Vancouver record store Red Cat Records. After the jump, you can read part one of my two part interview with Tanlines, with the second part set to go live tomorrow morning at 11:00am EST.

Adrian 4/19/12 Adrian 4/19/12

[Interview] Observer Drift Talks Minneapolis, Bandcamp, the Recording Process, and More

Minneapolis-based bedroom musician Collin Ward, humbly known as Observer Drift, has quickly garnered attention from music fans across the globe with his captivating chillwave sound. Beginning with the release of his debut EP Colored My Heart Red in December of last year, Observer Drift has quickly become defined for an atmospheric soundscape of guitar melodies, mesmerizing reverb-drowned vocals, and hauntingly beautiful and subtle synthesizers. Since then, Observer Drift has released his debut LP Corridors, as well as a brand new standalone track titled "Hiding Place." The attention is growing, and it's well deserved.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Collin about the Observer Drift project, how it started, how it has grown, what has influenced it, and what lies in the future. It was refreshing to hear Collin's humble take on the sudden increase in attention, as well as his perceived advantages of being a bedroom artist. After the jump, you can read my full interview with Collin Ward, and after doing so make sure to follow him on both Twitter and Facebook. As well, both his Colored My Heart Red EP and Corridors LP, along with his new track "Hiding Place," are all available on his Bandcamp page for the price of your choosing.

Adrian 4/12/12 Adrian 4/12/12

[Interview] Future Unlimited Talk their Debut EP, SXSW, '80s Appreciation, and Drop a (Great) Pun

Future Unlimited's history has been short to say the least, but every single moment of the Nashville duo's musical endeavour has been very well spent. Starting as a friendship formed through a noise complaint, to experimenting musically while working on an independent movie soundtrack, to the present moment, the synthpop duo has grown in popularity and talent incredibly quickly. Two months ago, they surprised the blogosphere with the standout track "Golden," an anthemic synth-lovers dream steeped in the sounds that made '80s synthpop so great. The crooning vocals, the pulse-pounding synthesizers, the sweeping crescendos; Future Unlimited have tapped into the 1980s and used in a way that works beautifully with the current age.

Since the release of "Golden," Samuel D'Amelio and Dave Miller have released their slef-titled debut EP, performed at this year's South by Southwest, and were even featured in NME's "Top 10 Buzziest Bands of SXSW 2012." Things are only looking up for the Nashville duo, and I recently had the opportunity to chat with them about all things Future Unlimited. After the jump, you can read what Samuel D'Amelio and Dave Miller had to say to a few of my burning questions.

As well, make sure to follow the band on both Twitter and Facebook.

kibbe 4/10/12 kibbe 4/10/12

[Interview] Example Sets His Eyes On The US, Dishes About Album Number Three

Adrian 4/2/12 Adrian 4/2/12

[SKOA Premiere and Interview] Mesita Talks Nature, His New Album, and Premieres a Brand New Track Titled "Endless Build Into Nothing"

Mesita, the bedroom project of Denver, Colorado resident James Cooley, is set to self-release his brand new LP The Coyote, a fantastic twelve-track effort, tomorrow. Each song on the soon to be released album are vibrant, sprawling soundscapes, with Cooley's vocals driving forward beautiful instrumentals. The instrumentals themselves are what makes Mesita's music stand out, as layer upon layer of diverse percussion and guitars blend seamlessly with subtle synth work. The album is the culmination of years of development and learning, and the result is something amazing.

James recently took the time to answer some burning questions of mine, as well as allowing us the opportunity to premiere a brand new track off of The Coyote. We here at SKoA are pleased to premiere the song "Endless Build Into Nothing," an engrossing acoustic guitar-driven number perfectly represents the sound Mesita has honed in on over the past few years. Give the song a listen below, and after the jump you can read my full interview with the Denver-based musician. The Coyote is available now via Mesita's Bandcamp, and will see a physical release tomorrow.

Adrian 3/23/12 Adrian 3/23/12

[Interview] Teen Daze Talks Fans, the Blogosphere, Touring and Gives Advice for Up and Coming Artists (Part Two)

Adrian 3/22/12 Adrian 3/22/12

[Watch] Nardwuar Interviews A$AP Rocky, Action Bronson and Danny Brown

Vancouver's quirky and wacky personality Nardwuar the Human Serviette was a busy man during South by Southwest, having found time to charm the pants off A$AP Rocky, Action Bronson and Danny Brown with a slew of random gifts and knowledge that no one else would have been able to get away with. Check out the Danny Brown interview above, while the Action Bronson and A$AP Rocky interviews are available to watch after the jump.