sound, phrase & fury 1.1

1 Jan/Feb 2013 • Sound, PhraSe, & Fury

2 Sound, PhraSe, & Fury • Jan/Feb 2013

DEBUT ALBUM from Pop-punk band, Sail To NorthAvailable on Bandcamp


Editor-in-ChiEfJanet adamana

Art dirECtorSpencer Marr

Contributors & PhotogrAPhy CrEdits

Laurie HeathSpencer Marr

sPECiAl thAnksbobby MeaderTravis brown

Joe CrutchfieldTyler Heath

Maggie Heath

Sound, PhraSe & Fury is a Canadian music magazine and website

out to help promote musicians not usually covered in mainstream media. all music, photos and articles used are for the sole purpose of spreading the knowledge of

these artists and their music.

We always encourage readers to support every act through purchasing releases, merchandise and attending live shows.

[email protected]@soundphrasefury

Sound-Phrase-Fury.com

Jan/Feb 2013

Sound-PhraSe-Fury.com

For more newSIntervIewS

IndePendent actS audIo & vIdeo

SPF It Was all a dream 4 Words from the editor-In-Chief oh, hello There! 6 The Oh Hellos takes us Through The Deep, Dark Valley.

The Pursuit of Positivity 8 StayPosi Records is setting a good example.

singing the blues 12 bobby Meader and his debut album, We Are The Blues We Write.

Sweet Symphony 16 Spotlight on the sweet sounds of the month.

&


It waS all a dream...edITor’S noTe

Someone great once told me, “It would be a waste not to try.” This came to me at the most perfect time. It was said by a young man as we spoke about chasing dreams. He was a musician practically living in his van with his two best friends. 24 years old with barely a cent to his name, yet, he was happy. The happiest chap I think I’ve ever met. When we spoke he was in the midst of running after the one thing he wholeheartedly believed was out there for him. a desire so many of us hold: to create something, be something, experience something that will make our lives so much more than what we simply see. The dream of fulfilling ones biggest dream.

That’s how anything great starts doesn’t it? a simple idea, fuelled by undying passion and the infectious idea that nothing is impossible. Giving in to the unceasing desire to just try and try, despite the sacrifices, the troubles and tough times.

Creating this magazine was my dream. as a young aspiring music journalist, sprouting in a time when magazines and newspapers were taking backseats to blogs and twitter feeds, I tried my best to adapt my aspirations to this computer-ized world. and to be honest, I’m still trying. This magazine is a result of years of defining what it was I truly wanted, finding a way to achieve it and taking the advice of Mr. anonymous, and “just do it.”

and this is why Sound, PhraSe & Fury focuses on men and women who share this same boat. Musicians who paddle their little ships of hope, through the sea of unforgiving audiences and far from frequent bouts of optimism, to reach as many people as possible, share their art and someday get to where they had set out to go.

From an independent label whose goal is to inspire, to a folk singer who’s paving his own road, I hope the stories within these pages speak to you in the way you need it the most.

Cheers and Happy Chasing.

Janet adamanaEditor-in-Chief


ever find that one song in a cyber sea of a trillion others, that seems to fix every single calamity and emotional ailment thrown in your direction? One song, that, through some miraculous binding of strumming, bashing and thumping of noisy inventions, shakes every cell in your system and wakes a part of your existence that felt so stagnant yet fleeting like a hazy childhood memory? The one song reminiscent of late summer nights with good friends, running wild and free. The one song that reminds you what it means to be young, hopeful, and naive.

This is an ode to those songs and an ode to the ones who have created them. The ones who write, dream and hope that, with the little song they wrote in their bedroom they could someday reach someone. That somewhere in the simplicity of minimal lyrics, soft pretty keys, or a poignant honesty in a singer’s voice, a stranger can find their footing and all becomes right in the world again. Somewhere in the divine chaos of that beautiful noise a stranger can find their old impassioned self and regain their old unwavering composure.

Headphones in, the whole world out.

This is what it feels like to get lost in sound.

Sound, PhraSe Fury&


Oh, hellO There!Love and loss. Faults and forgiveness. The dirt, water and sun which helped sprout, Through The Deep, Dark Valley, the debut album from Texan folk duo, The oh hellos. as the spiritual folk project of siblings, Tyler and Maggie Heath, the two delve deep into their Christian upbringing and shine a light on the tribulations of human life to create an 11-song musical gem.

sPf: the band began in 2011. Was this the first musical project you two have done together?Tyler: It is!Maggie: To be fair, though, we’ve played plenty of music together over the years.

sPf: What took so long for you to finally work together?T: I guess it never really occurred to us before that we should write music together. I mean, I had my solo project that I was working on for a few years, and Maggie had her own projects that she was preoccupied with.

SPF: how has your upbringing helped form your music?

M: We grew up in a family that encouraged us to be creative. Tyler mostly made music, and I mostly made crafts out of tissues and tape.T: as we got older, we both branched out into other creative outlets, like drawing.M: at some point, our mom made us take piano. There was a lot of grumbling involved, and neither of us took it very seriously. but we took piano up until high school, which was when we got to choose our own electives. Tyler continued to pursue music in the marching band, while I juggled choir and art.

SPF: Tell me about your debut album, Through The Deep, Dark Valley. how and where was it recorded? how was that process different than recording your self-titled eP?

Photos by Laurie Heath


T: We recorded it in what we generously call our “home studio”, which is actually just a room in ourhouse in angleton.M: Honestly, there wasn’t much that we did differ-ently this time around, at least in regards to the re-cording process. We did co-write a lot more on this album, and we spent about a week in San Marcos recording with some of our good friends as guest musicians.

SPF: your eP was about the challenges that come with love. Through The Deep, Dark Valley is heavily based on Christian teachings. What made you decide to take inspiration from religion this time around?T: We grew up in a Christian home, and that up-bringing helped shape our world view. When we re-corded the eP, we were coming from that Christian background, so from our perspective we didn’t really shift our focus for the album so much as expand on it. We used a couple of biblical stories for the narra-tive’s framework, but it’s an album about universal themes like love, loss, making mistakes and finding forgiveness.

M: Which, coincidentally, is what Christianity is about. So it happened kind of organically.

SPF: you’ve been compared to bands like Mum-ford & Sons, and The head and The heart, do you see yourselves going in that direction and breaking into the bigger music markets?T: Probably not. It’s awesome that they’ve found so much success that way, but we’d rather keep kind of a low profile.M: We’re more interested in connecting with our audience directly, and we feel like the best way for us to do that is to stay independent.

SPF: What are your plans for the new year?T: We want to tour, so, for the first part of the year, we’ll probably be taking the time to put it all together!M: I’ve also been working on some merch designs that I’d like to print: shirts, posters, that kind of thing. &

Grab Through The Deep, Dark Valley at TheOhHellos.com

Q&a

Photos by Laurie Heath


InduSTry

the Pursuit of

When veteran punk rocker, Travis brown, and the Captain hates the sea guitarist, Joe Crutchfield, saw a flaw in the ever-chang-ing and often vicious music industry, they sought to change it. In 2012 they teamed up to launch StayPosi records, creating some-thing more meaningful, inspiring, and overall beneficial to musicians and fans.

With their confidence-boosting guidance, down-to-earth approach, and using the power of music to help those in need, StayPosi Records is, not only set out to create a better label, they’re also set out to create a better world.

positivity

+


SPF: What’s the story behind StayPosi records?StayPosi records: We wanted to create a new style of relationship between bands and our label. The band/label dynamic needs a makeover. Obviously the way people con-sume and interact with music has changed drastically. Why shouldn’t labels adapt? Helping our bands empower them-selves to become self-sufficient businesses is very important.

sPf: Can you elaborate on how you guys are doing things differently and how that ultimately helps your musicians and the music scene. SPr: We’re creating a partnership with our bands. We don’t spend money or make decisions on our bands behalf. bands are always a part of every decision we make. We also don’t do contracts. We want to keep indie bands independent. In my mind, the only reason to have a contract is to lock someone in and then have something to argue about. We simply want bands to be successful and have their music heard by as many ears as possible. Sometimes young musi-cians get taken advantage of, all for the opportunity to be on a roster. We’re trying to educate and arm our bands with the knowledge they need to be successful, regardless of be-ing on a label or not.

SPF: you sound like you guys know the ins and outs of the music biz. Can you tell me about your history in the business?SPr: both Joe and I (Travis) have music business degrees. We are both musicians. I played in a pop punk band called Split habit which was signed to Double Zero Records, owned by alkaline Trio/Smoking Popes drummer, Mike Felumlee. We did a record called, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, produced by Sean O’ Keefe (Fall Out boy, Motion City Soundtrack). Split Habit also won the ernie ball Warped Tour battle of the bands and got to play a few summers on that tour.

Joe is currently in the Captain hates the sea and is also a DJ in the Chicago area. He is young enough to have many more successes in the industry.

SPF: explain the whole inspirational movement that StayPosi records is based around.

“we want bands to be successful and have their music heard by as many ears as possible.”

InduSTry+


SPr: The movement of SPR is to use music as a vessel to help those in need. Our bands are like-minded people who want to help raise money for less fortunate people around the world. Music is a very powerful gift. We want to make sure we are making a difference.

SPF: on your website, StayPosi.com, you have a section dedicated to showcasing some very positive mantras. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? SPr: The best piece of advice I have ever heard is from Jack Canfield. He explains in his equation, e+R=O that an event + Response = Outcome. basically, events are just things that happen, and it’s our response to them that determines the resulting outcome.

SPF: not only do you guys help and inspire musicians but, like you mentioned, you guys also help the less fortunate. Tell me about the Music with Meaning project you are working on.SPr: Music With Meaning is a campaign to help provide clean drinking water to third world countries. The organization is called Charity Water. We are releasing a compilation early this year and every penny is going to Charity Water. Hopefully people can feel good about donating to charity while discovering new music. We are hoping to get 100 bands to donate a track to this cause. We already have some amazing bands, like real Friends, The Captain hates the sea, this is our year, knuck-lepuck, and many more.

sPf: is this the first fund raising campaign you guys have done, and do you have any plans for others down the road?SPr: This is our first campaign as a label. We also have campaigns planned for Starkey Hearing

Foundation to give deaf children hearing aids as well as the northern Illinois Food bank to provide food for families in need.

SPF: all right, let’s talk about music. Tell me a bit about the bands you’ve got on your roster.SPr: Our current roster is small but growing rapidly. There’s This Is our year, a pop punk/hardcore band. the Captain hates the sea plays hardcore/electronic. and pop punk bands, avenues and lights over bridgeport.

SPF: What are some of the big things you look for in a band?SPr: We look for music and musicians who are passionate, dedicated, and have a positive outlook on life. We look for music we believe in and for great bands who don’t get the attention they deserve.

sPf: Can you tell me about the two releases

you have coming out this year? SPr: This Is our year just finished their full length with Matt Dalton (These Hearts). It’s seriously a great record we cannot wait to show the world. The Captain hates the sea also has a full length coming out. as usual, they’ve pushed the envelope and created an amazing collection of material. avenues is recording with Matt allison (alkaline Trio) in February and we’ll be releasing the eP this summer. and lights over bridgeport is also gearing up to hit the studio and release a summer eP. &

For more information on StayPosi Records, their bands, and Music With Meaning/Charity Water visit StayPosi.com

“music is a very powerful gift. we want

to make sure we are making a difference.”

InduSTry

11 Jan/Feb 2013 • Sound, PhraSe, & Furyaplaceintime.bandcamp.com


That’s the philosophy behind, We Are The Blues We Write, the debut album from Las Vegas folk singer/songwriter, bobby Meader. “You’re basically in control of how shitty or how great your life is,” explains Meader. “You want a shitty life, you’ll make a shitty life. You want a great, productive and cheery life, then you’ll make a great, productive and cheery life.”

Since his start in music back in the 4th grade, learning the saxophone, and later picking up the bassoon and guitar in high school, he seemed to always have his eye on achieving greatness all by himself, studying and working hard to pave his way and find what it is he really wanted. “I learned all mu-sic theory, how to read music and improve my ear throughout high school,” says the 24-year-old. “I got a scholarship to Uni-versity of nevada, Las Vegas but declined it because I didn’t want to have a career in bassoon performance, so I paid for school myself.”

although his vast musical background stretches as far back as his childhood, it wasn’t until his early twenties did he finally find the inspiration to pick up the guitar full-time and really start shaping his life the way he wanted it. “I had an incredi-bly good job as a food server at The bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. I was making about 70k a year, so as a reward I wanted to get a really nice guitar,” says Meader. “I bought my Martin and once I got that guitar I started writing songs for

Life.

it is what it is, and it is what

you make of it.

ProfilE


the first time. I realized I couldn’t give it up, no matter what. So I quit my job, recorded an album and went on tour. It was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Despite his relatively optimistic outlook on life, Meader’s debut album, We Are The Blues We Write, packs a dark, depressing and lonesome sound. a lyrical amalgamation of his feelings about aban-donment, hate, anger and fear, all woven over top of soft strumming, harmonica and Meader’s raw and raspy whispers. With songs like “On Tri-al” and “I’ve Lost”, one can easily hear the darkness from which he pulled his inspiration. “I hope people take from it what I put into it: my cold, hard, truthful feelings about society, regret, disgust, death, being scared of being poor, being frightened of thinking you drink too much, and ultimately, learning from all of these.”

The 12-song album was recorded with brandon Fleisher at Fleisher Productions in Henderson, ne-vada. This was Meader’s first shot at recording, and

an experience he calls ridiculously fun and difficult. “If you listen to We Are the Blues We Write, you can clearly tell it was a novice album. I had never record-ed anything before, let alone having separate guitar tracks from the vocals and harmonica,” he explains. “I had to teach myself exactly what I wanted as time and money were wasted away in the studio. I had a blast, but the album is still not up to my par. I’m still

learning.”

The last few months of 2012 saw Meader hitting the music scene hard, releas-ing his debut in Septem-ber, opening for pop punk band, Face to Face, ska troupe, authority Zero, and Meader’s own per-sonal favourite, old Man Markley. after embark-ing on his own mini tour with good friend, singer/songwriter Jesse owen, he

began writing material for his next release, experi-menting with his voice, the tuning of his beloved Martin, and the possibility of expanding to a full-stage band. “I’m not sure what will come in the fu-ture. I can tell you though, the next record is going to be so fucking awesome. I can hardly wait.” &

Be sure to check out BobbyMeaderMusic.com

“I quit my job, recorded an album and went on tour. It was the

best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

we are the BLues we write is

avaiLaBLe on Bandcamp, itunes,

amazon & spotify.

ProfilE


January 2013The new ep from melbourne, AusTrAliA’sHudson


Sweet SymPhonyel

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Folk

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during cold dreary nights of winter, what better discovery to stumble upon than an album that exudes the fun-loving essence of hot sum-mers, that instantly lights a figurative fire in the depths of your frozen bones.

XO, the latest release by Vancouver’s bear Mountain, has done exactly that. With their skillfully crafted electro-pop, fused with minimal lyrics and sweet calming vocals, the group has produced an undoubtedly catchy record, with a hint of tender emotion. Reminis-cent of those wild, memorable nights of youth, XO, has certainly won me over and claimed a spot on the repeat list.

Clap your hands and stomp ‘yer feet, Shred kelly’s latest album sure is sweet.

The sophomore release from Fernie, british Columbia’s 5-piece folk wonders, packs some dance-inducing melodies, raspy punk-eque vocals, and insane banjo riffs; all-in-all creating the soundtrack to a damn good time.

With knee-slapping playful jams like “new black”, “Time Is Passing” and “White River”, In The Hills is set to ignite any crowd, from underground pub dwellers found in every Canadian town to the sun-kissed folk festival goers from coast to coast.

sound sPotlight


sound sPotlight

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Fast, fiery, and full of fight. Sail to north is pop punk at its fiercest.

Pictures From Youth, the latest release from the France-based pop punk group, has rapid-fire verses, killer melodies and suitable gang-vocals, all mixed in with a tinge of emotion and youth-ful ideologies. STn nicely melds elements of the hardcore and pop punk genres, into a catchy musical treat that's oh-so-addicting.

It's Set Your Goals circa 2009 with a bit of a French accent. &

Londoners, Victoria Coghlan & Luke Oldfield, come together as experimental-folk group, gypsyfingers, and create a remarkable sound with their debut eP.

The duo, dig their way into your brain with unusual yet pleasant melodies, mixing every-thing from soft claps and snaps, to violins, acoustic and electric guitars layered with Coghlan’s ghostly vocals and spoken word raps. Whimsical, lively, and sometimes eerie, the 7-song limited edition eP, is a teaser for the tal-ent these two have packing.

From an electric dance party stationed in vancouver, to fiery pop punk passion all the way from France, we’ve scoured the world wide web to Bring you the sweet, sweet sounds of the month.

haun

tIng

-Fol

k

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