In life, there are so many things I don't know for sure. That said, I do know a few solid truths. For example, I know that the recent overuse of the phrase "conscious uncoupling" has reached its end. It's this year's "epic," and it's over. Next, I know Arcade Fire really needs to stick to playing their amazing songs on their current tour rather than playing with giant Papier-mâché masks and making trying-too-hard-to-be-controversial comments. Lastly, I know Sleeper Agent, an alt-pop/punk/rock group from Bowling Green, are poised for stardom. See what I did there? I used my wit - or my self-professed wit - to segue into the story. Go me. It's my birthday. Well, not yet. Anyway, the band has been on quite a streak ever since dropping their garage pop gem of a debut - Celebrasion in 2011. Ever since dropping that, the sextet have been on the road rigorously - sharing the stage with everyone from Grouplove to Weezer. Their sophomore album, About Last Night, should very soon toss them into the headline-only category. That album's debut single "Waves" is already making, well, um, waves, and have a listen to all of the tracks on their album, and you'll hold out some hope that rock and roll is alive and well in this industry fueled with auto-tune would-be divas and boners for Bieber.
Last month, the band's front lady Alex Kandel and guitarist Tony Smith took time out from their tour sched to field questions from this guy (holding fingers off keyboard, and points to self). Catch them on the road this summer including a stop on the Warped Tour! Watch. Listen. Love.
After four years living in Brooklyn and doing shows on the regular, the band Deluka decided to pack their stuff, and move out to Los Angeles. The City of Angels move just felt right according to Ellie Innocenti, who serves as lead vocalist and guitarist. New York had run its course for them, and they'd kind of already had been through a move before - leaving their native Birmingham behind in search for greener pastures in the BK. The move changed the band's direction, and the culmination of the cramped New York style and newfound West Coast living is their new EP Bonds, which drops later this month. Ironically, the first single off that EP is called "Home," and it captures the search to find one. Like their debut album You are the Night, the EP is rich in polished electro-pop-rock with powerful vocals from Innocenti and a play-to-your-fingers-bleed approach by
guitarist Kris Kovacs, bassist Robbie G., and drummer Stevie Palmer. At Engine Room Audio in New York City, the band's Innocenti and Kovacs filmed an A-Sides session with yours truly, crushing three acoustic performances of EP tracks, and sitting down for a chat sans crumpets and tea. Watch out for them this summer. I expect big things from them, and I'm not just saying that because they're extremely nice and talented people. Boom.
For more exclusive Deluka performances, click here.
About A-Sides Music
Jon Chattman's "A-Sides Music" series was established in August 2011 and usually features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometimes humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, I'm hoping this is refreshing. Artists have included: fun, Rob Zombie, Pharrell Williams, Courtney Love, American Authors, Imagine Dragons, Gary Clark Jr., and more! A-Sides theme written and performed by Blondfire.