#michael bain

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Apartments by Sun June, live on Audiotree

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4/29/20.

Jon Mckiel is a Halifax, Nova Scotia musician who has released several albums.  This appears to be his second for You’ve Changed Records (Toronto, Ontario), who have also released several Nap Eyes albums.

I’d never heard of Jon Mckiel, but this records has a pretty cool back story according to the Bandcamp page: 

“True story. In September 2015 Jon bought an old Teac A-2340, a reel-to-reel tape recorder, tapes included. He exchanged a few emails with the online seller while negotiating a deal, but they never met. The first time Jon tested out the machine at home it disclosed a beautiful dream. A single tape of astounding samples from an unknown source. He nicknamed it the Royal Sampler. They began to jam together.”

While there are experimental moments on this record, most of it is beautiful chamber pop that goes in a few directions.  One is the Jacco Gardner and Maston direction.  Another is a sound influenced by The Velvet Underground and The Beach Boys.  And finally, some of his songs sound like they could be found on a Chris Cohen, J Fernandez, or Michael Bain release.  So good.

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Slow Rise II by Sun June

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NYC by Sun June from the EP Younger

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Young by Sun June

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1/18/20.

You had me at Crystal Stilts.  Kyle Forester (New York) used to be in one of my favorite bands - Crystal Stilts.  He’s also been a member of Ladybug Transistor (whose leader Gary Olson) produced this release. 

This doesn’t really sound much like Crystal Stilts - this is more up-front and orchestrated.  There are many touchstones - Jim Guthrie, Deerhunter, Michael Bain (criminally neglected “Tidal Ways”), and even Lee Hazelwood in places.

That a lot of name dropping, but if you’ll listen I think you’ll hear it all.  I even think if you listen to the Michael Nau post from yesterday (well played Micah) you’ll hear a few similarities (although Forester doesn’t use so many different cool instruments).

Bonus...Kyle Forester’s new release, “Hearts in Gardens” is set for release next month.  From what I can tell both albums are self-releases.

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6/3/19.

Michael Bain’s songwriting is impeccably crafted.  His piano chops recall some of Joe Jackson’s best work in the 1980s.  The overall feel of the music reminds of the Chris Cohen or J Fernandez.  And it looks like he may share something else with these two aforementioned songwriters:  Bain appears to be criminally unknown.

Frankly, this kind of music makes me want to hang out with my friends and throw some horseshoes. 

Bain is from Austin, Texas and he plays lead guitar in the Austin, TX based regret pop (don’t know what that is) outfit, Sun June. This appears to be self-released.