//TERRANOIA

we explore music, videos, fashion, art, whatever. send submissions to terranoiablog (at) gmail.com //LAWRENCE //KANSAS CITY //HOUSTON //OUTERSPACE

[graffitikansascity]

New pieces that hit the concrete on Saturday morning in Kansas City.

[terranoia]

//AUDIO == Chambers - Inner Room (Full Album Review)

//AUDIO == Chambers - Inner Room (Full Album Review)

As I've stated multiple times, bands and music that can transcend genres and combine sounds that on paper doesn't make sense is really something that hits my ears and wakes me up. I take favor in those. 

Something else that I really love, is my local music scene. With that being said, The Record Machine, the label from Kansas City that has honed some huge acts around the Midwest in the last few years hooked me up with an advance copy of Chamber's (from Denton, TX) new album Inner Room. So I thought I'd give it a few real solid listens and tell you all what I thought.

Now, I don't claim to be an expert or a big fan of lighter americana/down tempoed country, let me state this first off. I don't know who did what first, and I certainly won't act like I do. With that being said, I know enough about the style to say that the minimalism this band has implemented into this album, allows for southern roots to intertwine perfectly with some of the more vagueness that can be found in today's indie rock. We don't have huge songs here. Every single track follows a pattern. But the repetition serves a greater purpose. Everything happening in the verses leads up to this big explosion of sound that happens in the chorus. But this band orchestrates simplicity in a grand way that allows for it to blow you away when its completely necessary. Usually it comes in the form of grandiose instrumentals, and complementary male/female vocals singing the same part together. It's as if you're walking into a theater, the lights are off, you feel completely alone, its cold, but then instantly, the band booms alive, the lights flash on, and you see the room crowded with people, breathing in the cold, to the point you can see their breath, and then immediately after, the lights go off again.

All throughout the album, the band teases you with brief moments where they make you think the song is going to take off. But they have another thought. And its perfect. If any of these songs decided to grow feet and sprint away, it wouldn't fit.  That gives it this haunting feeling. 

If I had to compare this sound, I'd say you'd have to mix Braids with the melodic nature of Local Natives and then throw in the creative genius that is and was Grizzly Bear. 

The band will be touring the Midwest all throughout June, so be sure to check them out. Listen to the single "Inner Room" below. 

Inner Room will be out tomorrow, June 10 via The Record Machine

https://www.facebook.com/chambersmusic

http://chambersmusic.net/

http://chambers-music.tumblr.com/

[terranoia]

//AUDIO == TTFN - Where I Go

//AUDIO == TTFN - Where I Go

Real music transcends genres without forcing it. It’s the coalescence of people from wherever, whenever, however. 

TTFN (The Tigers from Niger) is doing that. Majestic melodies mixed with subtle but wishful rhymes. As i stated, this is real. Not all projects get away with this.

It’s almost like when Kendrick Lamar sampled Beach House, but lets be real, this isn’t sampling. 

The band is a group of teenagers from Hawaii. Being secluded on an island in the middle of the Pacific isn’t stopping them.

The song starts in a dream-pop state where we are lulled by the beautiful chorus from the female vocals. It’s instantly stopped by a “ooh ohh” chant that sets the mood. The verses are two hip hop verses, by two different artists. The rhymes are intelligent and challenging. The idea of hope and perseverance strangle the song, but its infectious. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s very uplifting, but fun. Especially with the way they end it, with the laughter, and “Redo?” line. 

The song fades out then comes back in reverse, nice little way to end it. Make sure you listen to this. Excited to hear more from this group.

Check out the rest of their tracks on their soundcloud page, this isn’t something to sleep on.

https://myspace.com/thetigersfromniger

http://thetigersofficial.tumblr.com/

https://soundcloud.com/ttfn

[terranoia]

//AUDIO == Alt/Az - Some Dazzling Stars

//AUDIO == Alt/Az - Some Dazzling Stars 

Some people say that the sky is the limit. But that metaphor is trash. The sky is no barrier. Creativity and infinite possibilities are right outside the realm to which we consider the top.

This beautiful track, sent to me by the creative duo from Seattle known as Alt/Az, makes me feel like I've stepped outside of everything that I thought was possible and started on the path to infinity. Whether it be in love, life, anything. And its a great feeling. It resonates hard in life, no matter how you think about it. 

Clearly this is a love song, and its perfect. "When I'm thinking of you, you're thinking of everything we could be." I like to think its a love song about not settling and getting comfortable. The idea that just like the conditions of the sky, whether we see dazzling stars, or its a storm of rain or shooting stars, the beauty in a relationship that has no boundaries or limits can be perfect and always getting better. And to see the perfection in even a rain storm.

I could be totally off my rocker, but that's how this song made me feel.

Musically, it's very chill, tipping its hat to electronic gods like Boards of Canada. The end throws you for a loop, but again, doesn't put the idea of love or of song structure or anything, in a box. 

Check the track out below, and the rest of their album at their soundcloud page.

https://soundcloud.com/alt-az

http://alt-az.bandcamp.com/

[terranoia]

//AUDIO == Gold Light - True Love Never Dies

//AUDIO == Gold Light - True Light Never Dies

I was sent this Mp3 link by Gold Light's label. Normally this is not something that I would have found via my methods of searching. But I'm glad I received it.

As the track starts, I instantly want to grab my girl and start slow dancing with her. Contextually, the song is of bittersweet irony. I just want to hold on to her, and look at her eyes; stand in silence and sway back and forth. But the lyrical content spells out doom for love.

Musically, you can picture it too. A slow jam in the late 50s where as soon as the band slows down, everyone gets up and dances.

But the best part comes about halfway through the song when the man behind the mask, Joe Chang, starts an almost spoken word rant about everlasting love. "I've already had a few forever loves in my life. Even though I don't know or have those lovers in my everydays anymore; the loves that we share is now suspended in the air above the lotus flower, where eternity is nestled and sleeps and dreams for the day when we all remember that everything is beautiful..." It's perfect. So dramatic and capturing. And he leaves you hanging.

Clearly as a film school student, he has an idea of what it takes to get your attention. And with this track, he did just that.

The label's Soundcloud page has another song, "Last Night (In My Dreams)", which, as mentioned prior, reminds you of the old time, dance hall music, that reminds me of the late indie fanboy-covered band, Girls.

Can't wait to hear more from Gold Light.

[terranoia]

//AUDIO == Vintage Revolver - Glaciers... Beach (Album Review)

//AUDIO == Vintage Revolver - Glaciers... Beach (Album Review)

Traditional chillwave is not dead. Ariel Pink had his 15 minutes, Toro y Moi can't make up his mind on which project to focus on, and what is Neon Indian doing?

Well, while we all forget about those big names, lets try and focus on some other incredibly talented artists that won't let us forget how much we miss that lo-fi, neo-psych, chill as hell year of 09 was. Vintage Revolver can be the start of it. 

Forrest Spellman, who is Vintage Revolver, released this album just 3 days ago on soundcloud. The lead-off "single" of the album, "Stephanie," has seen some heavy rotation via the interwebs, getting close to 20k plays since its fresh inception for this record.The track is marvelous, very uptempo, fun, and has some different synths added to the mix, which make it seem a little less traditional. The track "USM" is this haunting, mellow dramatic drone that insists upon itself, and does it perfectly, but is so chilling that you refuse to let it end or forget about it. Another huge track from the album that's getting some ears, "Chair," the second track, is that perfect nu-wave song that introduces what we're going to hear the rest of the album. The psych-electro slap in the face is incredible. "Love, Drive," which is another older track that got a reformat for the new album, has that single appeal that could possibly blow up. "Parallel Voyage" allows for Forrest Spellman to come out with his hands up and be like "Hey, I can write a dance track that starts out with a ballad-esque piano line and then make it all real chill at the same time." It's perfect. My stand-out track. "Give me a reason to live tonight," Spellman sings over his eccentric chill-pop.

Regardless, this album needs to be heard by the masses. I'm completely blown away by how good this is. Would have easily broke top 10 of the year had this come out before the list. 

Check out the track "Parallel Voyage" above, and give the rest of the album a listen. 

//CONNECT 

http://vintagerevolvermusic.tumblr.com/

https://www.facebook.com/VintageRevolver

http://vintagerevolver.bandcamp.com/

https://twitter.com/psychslave

[terranoia]

//AUDIO == IG88 - Lillypad Revolt

//AUDIO == IG88 - Lillypad Revolt

If you haven't figured it out by now, Terranoia is fond of sounds of nature, and electronic music is the head honcho for prescribing the natural and atmospheric audibles that cure our ailment. There is a peacefulness that a fresh spring rain on a river flowing steadily, but not flooding in the middle of the day, no wind, no disturbances, just a calm shower. 

This is exactly what we get from this track. The beginning percussion's sound like the temperate storm is just beginning, with random rain drops hitting the surface of the river, with its calm and sweet echo resounding among the trees. Then the bass drum comes in, and gives a little bit of repetition, but only for a minute, and relays the idea of thunder. It goes away, then comes back, a little harder, and more often. The drop wanes out the rain, but gives the feeling that its not over. Sure enough, the rain fades out with the end of the song and leaves us feeling refreshed and calmed.

Producer IG88 has quite a knack for very peaceful songs, but without being too cliche. With what appears to be influences of such big names like Hudson Mohawke or Gold Panda, he should be picked up and exposed.

Check out his soundcloud for more great tracks.

https://soundcloud.com/ig88

http://www.facebook.com/ig88music

http://www.twitter.com/ig88music

http://www.ig88.net 

[terranoia]

//AUDIO == Their/They're/There - Analog Weekend (EP Review)

//Audio == Their/They're/There - Analog Weekend (EP Review)

One of the most important moments in my life, as far as music goes, that is, involves a member of this band. It was the moment I discovered a popular 90's emo band, by the name of Cap'n'Jazz. My life, and music taste, for that matter, was never the same. Mike and Tim Kinsella single handily sculpted my music preferences, not only with that genius of a band, but with their post projects, such as American Football, Owen, Make Believe, Joan of Arc, Owls, etc.; just to name a few.

Another member of this band, Evan Weiss, sparked another important moment for me in my life last year. With the discovery of his band, Into It. Over It., I realized that I could still enjoy emo-pop and that not every band in that genre was absolute garbage.

Mix all that with a heavy metal guitarist from Loose Lips Sink Ships, Matthew Frank,  you get this perfect "supergroup," which treads grounds for all the artists involved of which they've not really approached, or at least for a great period in time. 

The first song, "Curtain Call," is so lo-fi it makes you feel dirty. Perfect syncopation between all instruments, lots of grungy, yet punk guitar riffs, mixed with tons of feedback and quick drum fills make you just want to shake your head so hard your brain turns to a crimson liquid and seeps out of your ears, just to make room for more music. 

Despite the roles within the band, the intro to the 2nd song instantly reminds one of Cap'n'Jazz or American Football guitar parts. This track, "New Blood," slows down tremendously, compared to "Curtain Call," but still has that feel that connects the listener to all the mixed dimensions and influences that this group brings to the table. 

The final song on the EP, "Travelers Insurance" is a perfect emo song. Melodic, technical and raw. Gets loud, gets louder, then chills out and breaks down. Even lyrically, the hook is as cliche as it gets, but is still exactly what the song requires, "I swear I needed more, I swear I asked for more."

With all this being said, it continues to prove that there are still superstars within the scene that are assuredly looked over too often. The collective also has another self-titled EP that came out earlier this year, that I wish I would have found prior to this.

It stands to reason why I'm excited to see Into It. Over It. in January, the work of these artists is shear brilliance, don't sleep on these guys anymore people. Check out the last track from the EP, "Travelers Insurance," at the top, and see for yourself.

//CONNECT:

http://www.tttmusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theirtheyrethere

https://twitter.com/T_T_T_music

[terranoia]

//END OF THE YEAR LIST

//END OF THE YEAR LIST

The end of the year has arrived. We've had the pleasure of hearing so many great tracks from bands that deserve to be huge. They deserve to be acquiring the #1 spots instead of artists like Kanye West. Here are Terranoia, we're still excited for what is to come. I expect artists like Sales, Gilligan Moss and Elastic Sleep to break out next year. Here's to hoping for some great music next year. With that being said, here's the list. Hope you enjoy!

Albums of the Year: Top 20

20. Volcano Choir - Repave

19. Ty Segall - Sleeper

18. Arcade Fire - Reflektor

17. The 1975 - The 1975

16. Foals - Holy Fire

15. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

14. Generationals - Heza

13. Titanics - Soft Treasure

12. Keep Shelly in Athens - At Home

11. Postiljonen - Skyer

10. Baths - Obsidian

9. Fuck Buttons - Slow Focus

8. Mutual Benefit - Love's Crushing Diamond

7. CHVRCHES - The Bones of What We Believe

6. Born Gold - I Am An Exit

5. Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP2

As an Eminem fanboy and after the last two releases, it's hard not to love this album. Despite having a few misses (The Monster, Headlights), when the album hit, it hit hard. This track still blows my mind, months later.

4. bo-en - Pale Machine

This was one of the lucky finds for Terranoia, and it was our first post. Once the brilliant album was released later in the summer, it got constant plays. Very excited to see what he has planned for a physical release.

3. Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience

Hate all you want. I have no shame in admitting my love for these two albums. Also, after seeing him live, just days ago, I have no doubts that he is the King of Pop for our generation. 

2. Kiss 1o8 - Hyperfantasy XL

Dom Kennedy, a close friend to Terranoia, gave us some huge bumps, hooked us up with some juicy details, and then put out a crazy awesome album, that shows nothing less than his ability to craft genius and technically perfect songs. This track is towards the latter half, probably doesn't get as much love as the earlier half, but its absolutely mind blowing. Don't overlook this people.

1. Autre ne Vaut - Anxiety

The "coveted" #1 spot goes to Autre ne Vaut. It came out so early, and that has to be why it's getting bumped back on other sites list. But I believe they're insane. I hear something that blows my mind each time I listen, and I fall in love with it over and over again. Not one track on this album is slow, or worth passing. It is a fantastic, complete record that will live on as one of my favorites of this decade, guarenteed.

Honorable Mention:

Thee Oh Sees - Floating Coffin Arctic Monkeys - AM Youth Lagoon - Wondrous Bughouse Savages - Silence Yourself Data Romance - Other

Just Needed Some More Time With:

Russian Circles - Memorial Blood Orange - Cupid Deluxe Miracle - Mercury Laurel Halo - Chance of Rain Son Lux - Lanterns

Most Overrated/Disappointed

Drake - Nothing Was the Same Kanye West - Yeezus Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City Boards of Canada - Tomorrow's Harvest My bloody valentine - mbv

Most Excited for 2014

Sales Elastic Sleep Gilligan Moss Raised by Swans blink 182 :) Outkast

Also, in 2014, I'm going to be doing show reviews, for smaller shows around the KC/Lawrence area. If your band is playing around the area, let me know, I'd love to come check it out, and maybe get an interview.

[domrlrt]

#HFXL now avail on iTunes, Google Play & Amazon

[terranoia]

//AUDIO - BED OF STARS - THE SPELL

//AUDIO - BED OF STARS - THE SPELL

  I'm a sucker for a piano ballad.

Bed of Stars, Canada based, sound like everything bands such as The Working Title, Augustana, etc. wish they sounded like.

This track is a rare gem, where they stray away from their alt-rock sound, and go for the throat.

The song is carried by the piano line that starts the track off, and brings in the beautifully haunting vocals of Evan Konrad which remind one of Rufus Wainwright. The painful mistress has been caught, regardless of her attempts to continue to play. Perfectly crafted, lyrically and musically, the crescendos and decrescendos flow majestically with the content and his vocals. The man proves his musicianship through the mix.

This track is one of 7, of the album "I Fell In Love With the City," which has been out for a few months, and is available on the Bed of Stars Soundcloud page. Be sure and check it out, it sounds like something of a greatest hits album. You won't be disappointed.

www.soundcloud.com/bedofstars

 www.bedofstars.com

www.facebook.com/bedofstars

www.twitter.com/bedofstars

[terranoia]

//AUDIO - KISS 1O8 - HYPERFANTASY XL (FULL ALBUM)

//AUDIO - KISS 1O8 - HYPERFANTASY XL (FULL ALBUM)

  Holy cow, folks, have we got an exciting post for you! Remember a few weeks ago when we virtually sat down with our beloved Dom Kennedy to talk about the future of Dom (now known as Kiss 1O8)? Well he played an amazing debut show on October 29th with a cast of talented friends (Pictureplane, Devin Perez of DIIV, Seth Haley of COM TRUISE), and dropped his brand new album, "HYPERFANTASY XL", at midnight on October 31st for all of the internet to experience. Fortunately, we're early birds here at TERRANOIA and we caught wind of this not long after it made its way to Soundcloud. 

So let's talk about the album itself, shall we? I know, you're probably as hopeful as we were that Dom would deliver white-hot pop perfection as he's been known to do in the past with Sun Bronzed Greek Gods and Family of Love. But with a name change and a style reboot, we knew we'd have to hear it to believe it. Luckily for us (and you the reader/listener), he was able to make these drastic changes without losing any of his ability to make music that doesn't allow you to skip to the next track. At the top of the album you're greeted with "HOT LIMIT", the teaser single track we've been hearing for a while now leading up to the release. Unlike most tracks that get dropped long before an album is released, I'm not tired of this one despite how many times I've listened to it already. The next couple of songs meld seamlessly into the ethereal dance vibes and move you along without paying attention to how much time has passed. Don't dare call this chillwave though you'll hear some reverb and luscious layers of ambiance akin to the flavors that get painfully overdone on the chillwave albums of the past few years. Dom has never been afraid to play with styles and sounds and this album is no exception. But while totally different in some ways, it's still very much an album from the man himself. You'll recognize Dom in all that you hear.

As you make your way through the middle of the album, you'll hear all sorts of funky electronic masterpieces that give accidental nods to artists like Pictureplane and sometimes even the sampled perfection of Junior Boys. The tail end of the album wraps up in such a way that allows the listener to feel closure without losing the ability to get up off their ass and dance, just like Dom wanted. Front to back, its a journey of exploration into the perfectly sleazy electronic bangers that Dom probably had in the back of his mind all along. We'd love another Dom album, but we're in no way disappointed that this is what he's been spending his time on either. This is truly an album you shouldn't listen to while sitting down. 

We don't do pointless, arbitrary rating scales or anything pretentious like that (who are we to use a rubric on something so subjective anyway?). But if we did, we'd probably give this a 5/5. Or a 9.6 BEST NEW MUSIC. or a thumbs up. Whatever, JUST LISTEN AND FEEL IT FOR YOURSELF!

//CONNECT

https://www.facebook.com/kiss1o8

http://www.soundcloud.com/kiss1o8

http://www.twitter.com/domrlrt

[terranoia]

//AUDIO == SKYWIDE feat. SEAWAVES - BALLADEER

//AUDIO == Skywide feat. Seawaves - Balladeer

The track of the year has been found. This song captures everything in music that us at Terranoia crush over.

Jacob Gomez, better known on the internet as Skywide, just released this album yesterday, and it features 3 tracks by another Terranoia favorite SEAWAVES, and this is the closer. The collab in this track is just phenomenal.

The three artists that comprise both of these projects, have brought their visions of dream pop together and have made a song that has enough atmosphere that you dream of floating through, but its so heavy at the same time that it keeps you on the ground.

The buildup is just breath taking, the echo in the vocals capture this feel of the tide coming in and out with the moon shining bright enough to capture this moment like it was in a movie. It just gets louder and louder until finally it climaxes to the point of goosebumps. The syths just take off and its on top of the world.

The rest of the album is just as brilliant. Don’t sleep on this one. It will be near the top of my year end charts, for sure.

//CONNECT

Skywide

http://citybynight.bandcamp.com/album/skywide-you-leave-with-the-tides-cbnr005

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skywide/198753383533815

https://twitter.com/skywidemusic

https://soundcloud.com/skywidemusic

SEAWAVES

https://www.facebook.com/SEAWAVESmusic

https://twitter.com/SEAWAVESmusic

https://seawavesofficial.bandcamp.com/

https://soundcloud.com/seawavesmusic

[terranoia]

//AUDIO == Gilligan Moss - Choreograph

We covered the first track that producer Gilligan Moss released, Hemlock, a few months ago. With some of the most natural sounding production that reminded us all, in the summer droughts and heat, of a peaceful day and serene morning that could calm even the most excited souls.

With his second track, he takes it up a notch. Starts nothing short of where he left off, but then within a short minute, the track takes off. This time, implementing vocal samples that quickly pick the pace up and keep the listener anticipating. The mixing is perfect, some that we could expect from the biggest names in the game. The vocal tracks push that excitement, "My heart keeps on beating" and gives us life to finish out the track, whether we needed it or not. 

With "Choreograph," Moss has just raised the bar for himself, and keeps us, as listeners, anticipating the next brilliant track he has for us. 

Check out "Choreograph" and his other track, "Hemlock," on his Soundcloud page.

http://www.twitter.com/Gilliganmoss

http://www.soundcloud.com/gilligan-moss

[terranoia]

//AUDIO PREMIERE == Rooms Without Windows - "Rooms Without Windows"

<a href="http://roomswithoutwindows.bandcamp.com/track/rooms-without-windows" data-mce-href="http://roomswithoutwindows.bandcamp.com/track/rooms-without-windows">Rooms Without Windows by rooms without windows</a>

//AUDIO PREMIERE == Rooms Without Windows - "Rooms Without Windows"

If you're in the Kansas City or Lawrence, Kansas area and hit up local shows, you've probably heard the name Rooms Without Windows at least once by now. Well, we're excited to premiere their first official track, also titled "Rooms Without Windows". They're a five-piece from KC/Lawrence and they're looking to get their feet wet and expand to playing shows out of the Midwest area as soon as they can. Consider them a good old-fashioned alternative band with an excitingly unique and soulful female lead vocalist. You'll hear the vocal quirkiness of tUnE-yArDs with the pop sensibilities of Rilo Kiley at their least mopey. It's fun, it's a touch dancey, and it's stuck in my head (and will be yours once you stop reading and hit play). I actually struggled all morning to come up with a more accessible description and I just can't. You know why? Because they're as unique and rare as a holographic Charizard card in the world of music and describing that in 200 words or less is hard. 

They've got a big show coming up on October 21st at Czar Bar opening for Grooms with Olivetti Letter, and Is Paris Burning. The show is at 7:30pm and it costs $7.00 to get in. 

//CONNECT

http://www.facebook.com/roomswithoutwindows

http://roomswithoutwindows.bandcamp.com

[terranoia]

//INTERVIEW == Exclusive Interview with Josh Berwanger of the Josh Berwanger Band

//INTERVIEW == Exclusive Interview with Josh Berwanger of the Josh Berwanger Band

We were unbelievably excited to have the opportunity to sit down with Lawrence and Kansas City area indie rock veteran Josh Berwanger of the The Anniversary, The Only Children, and now The Josh Berwanger Band fame. He's just dropped a killer new album titled "Strange Stains" and we wanted to catch up with him before they performed at CMJ 2013. 

Unfortunately for Josh and Michael, their van was broken into in Washington D.C. and they lost thousands of dollars worth of electronics and personal items. We wanted to reach out and help spread the word in hopes that someone reading this might know something about it and be willing to tip off local authorities. Computers can be replaced but photos of loved ones should be held sacred, even among thieves (right?). 

I'm a musician as well and I wanted to get inside Josh's head for partially selfish reasons. He's been a major influence on my own project, The Answer Page (Nate McKee) and I grew up seeing The Anniversary play all around the Midwest. So instead of the standard "who are your influences" and "what's so rad about your new album" type questions, I geeked out and asked him some I've always wanted to know (and a few useful ones too, I swear!).

We present to you our first Artist-to-Artist interview with the man himself, Josh Berwanger:

//INTERVIEW

In full disclosure, I've been a huge fan of your work since the early 2000s during The Anniversary era and I actually moved to Lawrence after seeing a now-legendary show with The Anniversary / Appleseed Cast / The Get Up Kids at Liberty Hall to chase a dream of being in a band like those who inspired me. What was it like being one of the pioneers of the Lawrence, Kansas early indie/emo scene?

Berwanger: To be honest, I have never looked at myself or The Anniversary as being a pioneer of any scene in Lawrence. However I can see how some people would. Bands like Boy's Life, Vitreous Humor and Butterglory were some of the bands that I looked up to and in my opinion really influenced bands like us and The Get Up Kids and developed the indie scene in KC/Lawrence. We had some really good shows in Kansas but to be honest it's where The Anniversary smallest draw was. The last show we played in Lawrence was in the basement of the Taproom that holds about 70 people. 

Your work in The Only Children after The Anniversary parted ways was pretty stylistically different from The Anniversary's albums. What prompted the change in style and presentation?

Berwanger: Glurp Records wanted to put out a solo album I had been working on. This was while The Anniversary was still together. The songs were much more singer-songwriter style and I had written parts for a few of them before "Designing A Nervous Breakdown" even came out. As I was in the process of recording this solo record The Anniversary broke up. Jim and Janko expressed interest in playing in the new band and it all just happened the way it happened. I've always been a big fan of old country and blues and of course Tom Petty and Neil Young so it was pretty natural in going that route. I never said this is what its going to sound like, it just came out that way.

I read that after The Only Children didn't get the respect it so rightfully deserved, you coached basketball in Lawrence for a bit. Fortunately for us, you returned to music. What made you decide to get the guitar back out and start rocking again?

Berwanger: I hadn't stopped writing songs, I just wasn't taking it serious and had no direction. I got really involved with coaching basketball and needed to go a different route to refresh my life and figure out what was important to me. I also enrolled in college at that time for Graphic Design and in-between that I was going through a really rough divorce. There wasn't really a decision to be made that I was going to get back into music it just happened. I coached for 7 years, I was already sick of school, and I was having many relationship problems. The only thing I knew how to do to get through it was write songs.

You worked with the original Anniversary drummer (Michael Hutcherson) on your latest album, "Strange Stains." What was it like to reconnect with someone you'd previously created music with and do you feel your approach to working with one another has evolved in the time passed?

Berwanger: Michael is the best! He is one of the top human beings I know. He is such an artist, totally legit, totally real and this band would not be able to be what it is without him. It has naturally evolved yet at the same time when we first started playing it is if nothing had changed and if no time had went by and we were still kids in my Mom's basement practicing (which ironically is exactly where we were practicing again). Michael is homeless and lives in my Mom's basement most of the time, so when we aren't working on music we are watching movies about chimps who skateboard and dogs who play basketball.

[Editors note: the dog who played Air Bud was also the dog that played Comet in the 1990's sitcom "Full House". This is marginally relevant later in the article]

"Strange Stains" feels like quite a departure from both The Anniversary's power-pop and The Only Children's folk sensibilities but at the same time very recognizably "Berwanger". What do you think makes your sound and style so unique?

Berwanger: I believe in what I'm doing, I'm not doing it for anyone else, I'm not trying to be someone I'm not. I'm fine making fun of myself yet I also take what I do very seriously. I don't care what other people say. I love music and I love anyone who can be 100 percent honest with themselves being an artist and believing that no matter how many people aren't paying attention to them that they are still going to press on and make it for themselves. Don't worry about trying to impress anyone spend that energy perfecting your craft and putting care into it.

You've got a big set at CMJ coming up this weekend and you're in the beginning of a long season full of touring. Do you like being out on the road playing for people? Anything memorable happen yet?

Berwanger: Well, our van was just broken into and over 8 grand of our stuff was stolen in DC, so that is pretty memorable. I enjoy touring, I love playing the songs live, I like meeting bands and people on the road. I totally miss my son, but I also try to break up the tour so we go for two weeks on one coast and two weeks on the other coast. That is the advantage of living in Kansas.

How do you approach building a setlist for shows like CMJ or SXSW as opposed to a headlining gig where you have a lot more flexibility with time?

Berwanger: Since we are a new band we have one set we will play no matter where. It's about 30 minutes long, short and sweet. If you go take a piss you might miss it. That is what I believe all bands who most people haven't heard should do. If I like a band and I haven't heard them yet once they go over 40-45 minutes I'm done watching.

Do you have anything exciting in the works in the coming months that your fans and supporters can know about yet?

Berwanger: We are doing an Audiotree and Daytrotter set. We play 8:30pm this Saturday for our CMJ showcase at the Mercury Lounge, a record release in KC on Halloween and the next day in Lawrence. Then a West Coast tour starting in November. Plus working on a bunch of scripts for movies about chimps and dogs.

[Editor's note #2: In full disclosure, the author of this article has requested to play "Loser Older Brother" in a future follow up to the classic, "Air Bud"]

What is the one thing (aside from musical gear, clothes, etc.) that you can't go on tour without?

Berwanger: Pens, markers, and drawing paper. I like to zone out and work on comics and goofy drawings. Also a basketball.

If you had $1000 to spend but you had to spend it by midnight tonight, what would you buy?

Berwanger: I would donate it to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). My son Ollie-Cash was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 2 years old. At our merch booth we take donations for JDRF and we have bracelets for my son that support his cause.

Anything you'd like to say to your fans and our readers?

Berwanger: DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!

[Editor's note #3: We think he means, "UNLESS IT'S TERRANOIA HYPE THEN BELIEVE IT!"]

Thanks x1000 to Josh and Michael for taking time out of their busy touring to work with us. If you're on the east coast, make sure to check the tour schedule on their main webpage and get out and see them! To whet your appetite, here is a sampler of his new album with links for purchasing it below. 

//PURCHASE

http://goodlandrecords.bigcartel.com/artist/josh-berwanger

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/strange-stains/id708381262

//CONNECT

http://www.berwangermusic.com

http://www.facebook.com/berwangermusic

http://www.twitter.com/joshuaberwanger

http://joshberwangerband.tumblr.com

[terranoia]

//AUDIO == Mutual Benefit - Advanced Falconry

//AUDIO == Mutual Benefit - Advanced Falconry

We admit it, we're a little behind the times on sharing this wonderful track from Jordan Lee and friends, otherwise affectionately known as Mutual Benefit. I had the pleasure of rough mastering a Mutual Benefit live set from SXSW 2012 for a friend and in the process fell in love his delicate sound, his passion, and his unique ability to musically emote in a way that virtually forces the listener to travel with him on a sentimental journey. 

"Advanced Falconry" dropped this summer, though it didn't get the attention it deserved until this week when Pitchfork aptly named it a BEST NEW TRACK. Not to piggyback on their own discovery, we felt that our own readers and listeners needed to stop what they were doing, pour another cup of coffee, and drown in this gorgeous example of how it feels to fall head over heels in love (albeit in musical form).

"Love's Crushing Diamond", the proper LP, was released earlier this week and is available for purchase at http://mutualbenefit.bandcamp.com in vinyl/CD/digital formats. We encourage you to listen for yourself and invest in this beautiful album. They'll be performing at CMJ next week as well so if you're in the area, be sure to catch their set.

//CONNECT

http://www.twitter.com/mutual_benefit

http://www.facebook.com/mutualbenefit

http://mutualbenefit.tumblr.com