Emerson College's ONLY student run record label @waxonfelt - Tumblr Blog

Here Comes Your 2013 Holiday Album Round-Up

By, Dylan Manderlink, Wax on Felt Blogger

Although we're accustomed to the classic Bing Crosby, Mel Torme, and Judy Garland holiday music, there's some new music traffic that is already making some waves. Although it's only December 3rd, we have some holiday hits for you to download in preparation for the gift wrapping, snow falling, tree-decorating, and cookie-baking!

Song list can be seen at - http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2013/10/hark_your_2013_holiday-album_r.php

1. Bad Religion Christmas Songs (Epitaph)

2. Bright Eyes A Christmas Album (Saddle Creek)

3. Mary J. Blige A Mary Christmas (Verve)

4. Kelly Clarkson Wrapped In Red (RCA)

5. Kool & the Gang Kool For the Holidays (ATO)

6. Mindy Smith Snowed In EP (Giant Leap/TVX)

7. Straight No Chaser Under the Influence: Holiday Edition EP (Atlantic)

Classical Music and the Age Gap

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a complimentary Boston Philharmonic Orchestra concert at Harvard and couldn't turn down the chance to see a free performance of theirs. Although it's assumed that classical music is something our parents only listen to, I'm 21 and have always had a strong appreciation for classical music, specifically chamber orchestra and large symphonic music. It may be my love for NPR and other public radio stations that have bolstered my admiration for the sounds of a symphony, but regardless, I was surprised to see that no one my age was in the audience at this Boston Philharmonic concert, which has prompted me to look at the age gap that exists in some genres of music. Specifically looking at classical music, the age gap may exist because of the cost-prohibitive nature of symphony tickets for our younger generation (one ticket is equivalent to one of my job's paychecks) or the gap may exist for the lack of socialization, youthful energy, and trendiness that is associated with this specific genre. A classical music concert isn't exactly the epitome of a high-energy, dancing/jumping up and down, and young-spirited kind of musical environment. However, after spending a few hours of my Sunday sitting back and enjoying the placid, soothing, and riveting sights and sounds of a full orchestra, I couldn't help but wonder why more people my age didn't take a little time to appreciate this genre a bit more. It may be a genre we listen to while we do our homework to enforce concentration, or a genre that our parents listen to while we're in the car with them, or something we associate with the ballet. No matter, classical music has a rich musical history that underlines much of the music that exists today and I think the age gap that's often associated with this genre can be refutable if we just expand our musical comfort zone a little bit more.

Falling Into a Fall Playlist

What’s on Your Fall Fun Playlist?

By, Dylan Manderlink

As the seasons change and so can our music. This fall we’ve got some seasonal music suggestions that will spice up your playlist. And no, we don’t mean “Ghostbusters”, “Thriller”, or any Halloween-themed music...we’re suggesting songs that will add a little kick to your Starbucks Pumpkin Spice-drinking, leaf crunching, over-sized sweater wearing season. Here are a few autumn-inspired songs we suggest you add to your music listening this season:

“September” by Earth, Wind and Fire

“Change” by Tracy Chapman

“Rise” by Eddie Vedder

“These Photographs” by Joshua Radin

“October Road” by James Taylor

“California Dreamin” by the Mamas and the Papas

“Autumn Leaves” by Ed Sheeran

“Harvest Moon” by Neil Young

“October” by U2

MORE WAX!

Hello everyone! Wax on Felt is proud to announce the arrival of Wax's first newsletter. By signing up, you will receive the latest news surrounding our winning bands from the battle as well as all the events hosted by Wax on Felt Records. It's not an opportunity to miss! Look for the subscribe button and just provide your email. We promise not to spam you or share your email with a third party.

...or you could sign up right now, right here!

// <![CDATA[ (function () { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.type = 'text/javascript'; e.async = true; e.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https' : 'http') + '://btn.createsend1.com/js/sb.min.js?v=2'; e.className = 'createsend-script'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(e, s); })(); // ]]>

#music #waxonfelt #waxonfeltrecords #emerson #emerson college

The Ballroom Thieves EP Review

By Carl Lavigne

Three glasses of amber whiskey sit among mic stands, guitars, and an eclectic assortment of percussion instruments. The lights go low and three shadows take the stage. Over the monitors booms a bass drum beat. One shadow begins hammering a drum on stage. The lights flash and The Ballroom Thieves erupt into song.

Based right here in Boston, the trio, consisting Martin Earley on guitar, Devin Mauch on percussion, and Calin Peters on the cello, play what their Facebook calls “rock disguised as folk.” Last Thursday, October 4th, they performed at The Sinclair in Cambridge, to celebrate the release of their new, eponymous EP.

They opened their performance with the EP’s first song “Down by the River,” a foot-stomping rocker, with a sing-along chorus. The song, like all four tracks on the EP, features a certain smarminess to its lyrics, “Don’t need faith and I don’t need money cus the two are best of friends, so won’t you please stay away from me honey, and I’ll hold down my end.”

The magic of the Thieves’ music lies in their impeccable ability to weave haunting cello howls, pounding percussion, and three-part harmony vocals together into a funky blend of sass, sorrow and seriousness. For instance, “Droves,” the EP’s second track, opens with only cello, before the rest of the band rumbles in, guitar first, followed by bells, intertwined with Earley’s silver tongued singing. “I’ve got a hummingbird heart, too quick to hold, I’ll trade the money in my pocket for the marrow in your bones,” Earley sings, before the cello descends into the chorus.

During the live show Peters switched readily between sawing on her cello with a bow and plucking the strings like an upright bass. Mauch’s drum kit consisted of a heavy floor tom, a djembe drum laid on its side, a crash cymbal, and a band of bells wrapped around his thigh. Earley soared from singing with a smile to crooning songs so sad the whole club went silent.

The EP’s third song, “Coward’s Son,” which Earley dedicated to his parents, who had driven all the way from Maine for the show, is a triumphant ballad that begins with some quiet, careful guitar work, eventually rising up to the deciding line: “I am not some kingless throne, I am not a coward’s son.”

The final track, “Armada,” is the CD’s most upbeat tune that sounds like it came right out of an old timey pub. “Armada” was the last song the Thieves played before taking a short break. For their encore the Thieves closed with the song “Save Me,” off their 2011 EP “The Devil & the Deep.” All three members abandoned the stage and, with one acoustic guitar, they stood among the crowd and sang totally unplugged.

Their outstanding performance, coupled with a four song EP stronger than many artists’ full-length albums, promise a bright future for this band. The Ballroom Thieves may be the next Mumford and Sons.

Listen to “Down by the River” here: http://www.ballroomthieves.com/

And check the Thieves out on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/ballroomthieves

#music #boston #wax on felt #the ballroom thieves #carl lavigne #wax on felt records #folk #rock #the devil & the deep

What would you like to see on our blog?

Send us a message with your suggestions!

#wax on felt #wax on felt records

Everyone should attend CollegeFest at the Hynes Convention Center and see rapper Chris Collins perform live at 12:40 on Saturday, October 12th!

#collegefest 2013 #collegefest #chris collins

Battle of the Bands Recap!

FIRST PLACE:

Juneva

SECOND PLACE:

Chris Collins

THIRD PLACE:

Vundabar/ The Rolling Coasters

Wax on Felt would like to extend a large Thank You to all the bands that participated this year! We encourage everyone to apply again for next year's Battle!

#wax on felt #wax on felt records #juneva #Chris Collins #Vundabar #The Rolling Coasters

If you attended this year's Battle of the Bands, complete this survey so we make next year's Battle even BETTER!

#battle of the bands #wax on felt #wax on felt records

#wax on felt #wax on felt records #battle of the bands #pre-battle

#battle of the bands #wax on felt #wax on felt records #pre-battle

#wax on felt records #wax om felt. battle of the bands.

FLASHBANG! is about to play! Come down to the Cabaret!

#flashbang #battle of the bands #wax on felt

Pre-Battle Bio: Cody Masters

By Chantelle Bacigalupo

English Major Rock.” Being an Emerson Writing Literature &Publishing major, it only makes sense that he uses that buzzword as a description for his music style. Cody is inspired by the writers he studies in class: Allen Ginsberg, William Balke, John Keats. His lyrical music has, “a lot of punk influence… but it’s a lot more accessible or generally more palatable than punk music.” How did he get started? He grew up with a mother as a theatre director, and a dad as a writer. The connection between lyrics of songs and the drama of the story caught his attention. “ It just seemed like a natural development to go from writing prose to writing songs. The inclusive aesthetic of punk rock made me think, oh I can do this.” He listens to all genres of music, even country. But the bands most similar to his genre are Eve 6, Jawbreaker, Ben Kweller, and Alison Weiss. Cody writes his best while on public transportation. I was shocked to find that he doesn’t use any device to record his spur of the moment ideas. His motto is, “if the melody doesn’t stick with me, its probably not that good anyway because the goal is to write something that sticks with the listener.” He has performed in the Boston Area acoustically at open mic, Regular Radio, and WERS. He is, ”excited to share the stage with other local bands.” Battle of the Bands will be the first time he performs with a band behind him. Good Luck Cody Masters! Check out his mix tape “Goodies” at http://codymasters.bandcamp.com/album/goodies-mixtape Or follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/codymastersmusic

#battle of the bands #wax on felt #wax on felt records #cody masters.

Pre-Battle Bio: Chris Collins

By Dylan Manderlink

Wax on Felt: When did you start performing?

“I started producing beats in 7th grade. I started rapping late freshman year of high school. My first performance was on Mass Ave. during my senior year and I opened up for a rapper at a venue in Rhode Island. It’s called the Met. These past few years I’ve been taking time to practice and working on my flow a lot more. I’ll be performing at Collegefest soon, so I’m really excited. I mix my own music.”

Wax on Felt: What inspires your music/lyrics?

“I’m really just inspired by other artists, like Drake. I like the way his music sounds, but I put my own spin on it. Other things that influence my music are my family life and love life. I don’t really make party or club songs. I can’t force anything, it just comes to me. I’m inspired by versatility in hip-hop songs and raps. I saw Logic, an artist...he’s up and coming. I saw him live in June and he really inspires me.

Wax on Felt: Where you you like your music to take you (career wise, etc.) ?

My life plan...I do want to be a famous rapper, like most kids do. But, I’m studying marketing right now. I love Boston, I’ve grown up here, so I’m glad to be at Emerson. My back up plan - I want to work for a label, eventually I’d like to start my own. Basically, in whatever I do I want to have music in my life.

Wax on Felt: Plans for the future?

This performance is a good first step in getting myself out there. I like to collaborate with other local artists and perfect my craft while I’m here at Emerson.

Wax on Felt: What’s been your favorite venue to perform at?

The Met was great - it doesn’t look like much from the outside. It used to be an old candy factory but they converted it. The crowd was awesome though. I’d love to perform at The Wilbur and Orpheum.

Wax on Felt: Explain a little about your genre/how the inspiration came about to perform this specific type of music.

I feel like you can do so much with hip-hop/rap. You can even take a jazz sample, mix it, and make it into a hip-hop beat. The way it stands out to me is because it’s relatable. It has evolved so much from its beginning. I think you can find elements and ideas in gangster rap that’s relatable, like even Macklemore, even though he’s not gangster rap, that’s relatable. It can be very simple and complex too. Kind of like Nas versus Kanye.

Wax on Felt: What has had the biggest influence on your music?

“Really just my love for hip-hop and other artists. I’ve been listening to it for so long for the lyrics.”

Wax on Felt: Do you have any other interests/hobbies?

“I like shoes a lot. If I see a nice pair of shoes, I’ll just buy them. I love shopping. I also used to play sports in high school, but hated it.”

Wax on Felt: How much music collaboration have you done with other local artists?

“I’ve done a lot of collaboration with other artists on the South Shore. I’ve worked with a rapper named Prodeje - he’s how I got started. He’d record me and give me tips. Easty is my hype-man for the Wax show, I’ve collaborated with him too. I’ve also collaborated with a lot of kids from Connecticut and New Jersey. I collaborated with a rapper from New Jersey and now he’s signed to a record label.

Wax on Felt: What motivates you to keep doing this?

“Other than the fact that I love making music. I’m also in it for the money though. It’s a realistic motivation. I want to be able to live the celebrity life, it may be far-fetched, but it does mean a lot to me.

Be sure to come and catch him tonight at 7pm at the Cabaret!

#wax on felt #wax on felt records #chris collins #battle of the bands

Pre-Battle Bio: The Rolling Coasters

By Brooke Larson This Tuesday is the Battle of the Bands. The battle will be featuring The Rolling Coasters, a punk band with ska influences from Watertown, MA. Featuring Danny Austin-Manning on the drums, Zac Buchanan o the lead guitar and backup vocals, Calvin Cox on the bass guitar, and Patrick Dawson as the lead vocalist, The Rolling Coasters really know how to work. I asked The Rolling Coasters some questions via email and here are their responses: Wax on Felt: How did your band form?: The Rolling Coasters: The current vocalist was not always the vocalist. The Rolling Coasters existed for two years prior as 'Almost Exactly'. Other activities stepped in the way of Dan (the old lead singer) being able to regularly practice and perform with everyone else, so Pat (current lead singer) jumped in, and the rest is history. Wax on Felt: What's the origin of your band's name, The Rolling Coasters? The Rolling Coasters: We were going to perform in a Battle of the Bands when we were all freshmen in high school. The day rolled around where we were going to perform, and they didn't tell us we needed a name. Some quick brainstorming over some slices of pizza from the place around the corner from the school, and several horrible puns later, we decided on The Rolling Coasters. We just sort of, uh, rolled with it. Wax On Felt: Who are some of your biggest influences? The Rolling Coasters: Oh gosh. Justin Bieber is without a doubt our biggest influence. Miley Cyrus is another huge inspiration to us all. That guy who thinks he's very deep and introspective and interesting who just learned his first four chords playing guitar in Harvard Square I know strikes some chords in each and every one of our hearts. Seriously though, I think we all as individual musicians are influenced by a huge range of different bands, but when we all get together and try to create, what we think it boils down to are the likes of bands such as Joyce Manor, The Flatliners, Operation Ivy, Bomb the Music Industry and Against Me!. Wax On Felt: What inspired your band to make music? The Rolling Coasters: You ever just get an itch to do something? You ever just get the feeling like, hey, I want to go for a walk. Or hey, I feel like writing something down. Or hey, I feel like drawing something. Or hey, I wonder what some A-List celebrity is up to right now? Or hey, I that mosquito bite is really itchy. Our itch to make music is sorta like that, we just, we love making music, and we love playing music, so we all just got that itch to make some music. Wax On Felt: Describe the best show you have played. The best show we've played, experience wise, was probably our first one at the All Asia. We played with a lot of really awesome ska bands (Poor Jeremy, Hobo Chili, The Sea Bees) and made some permanent friends that we've played with on numerous occasions since then. Quality of our sound wise, we think every newest show is our best one yet, because we're always getting better. Wax On Felt: Describe the worst show you have played. The Rolling Coasters: We played at this little bar in Boston and it was on like a Thursday night. We were playing first and the headlining act was a man on the mandolin. No one showed up. We didn't play our best. It was weird. Wax on Felt: What has been your biggest challenge as a band so far? The Rolling Coasters: We are all still in high school (senior year). The biggest challenge, was at first, getting shows. We were all pretty young, but trying to get shows as 15 year olds was very difficult. We had our first big-ish show at the All Asia and from there getting shows got a lot easier. Now however, the biggest challenges are getting something professionally recorded, and finding time to practice. We all have school, sports, clubs, homework, social lives, and on top of it all, being in a band. Sometimes things get in the way, and it's super frustrating and aggravating, but so far we've been able to work around almost every issue, so it's all good. Biggest challenge as of right this instant is getting something recorded. Wax on Felt: What are your hopes for the near future? The Rolling Coasters: To put a full album out. We just want to get that done. You can check out The Rolling Coasters live at Battle of the Bands this Tuesday. They are also playing this year’s annual Skalloween show on November 1st at Roggie’s Pizzeria in Brighton. Featuring A Guy Named Guy, Poor Jeremy, and Short Handed Goal, it is surely going to be an awesome show. Even more awesome, if you show up in a costume it is only one dollar to get in. RSVP to the event here on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/164666047069106/ You can like the The Rolling Coasters on Facebook here: facebook.com/therollingcoasters You can watch live video of The Coasters here: www.youtube.com/therollingcoasters And most importantly, check out some free mp3s that The Rolling Coasters recorded here: therollingcoasters.bandcamp.com Skank On!

#wax on felt #wax on felt records #battle of the bands #the rolling coasters

Come to BATTLE OF THE BANDS tomorrow (Oct. 1st) at 7pm!

#wax on felt #wax on felt records #battle of the bands

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Emerson College's ONLY student run record label