"Alienation" isn't just a term that best describes what it's like to be a New York Mets fan. It's also the title of one of this year's best tracks by one of alt-rock's best rising acts. Nearly two years ago, Morning Parade burst onto the scene faster than a cliched phrase like "burst onto the scene" appears in print. Their single "Headlights" (off their self-titled debut), was an alt-rock hit, and stayed on the Billboard alternative radio charts for an amazing 37 weeks.
Following the success of that LP and a tour that took them all over the world like Carmen Santiago, the UK five-piece are back their second full-length album, Pure Adulterated Joy, which features ten songs that sonically and lyrically hit your heart in its gut. How's that for a visual? Their aforementioned first single, "Alienation," is an inspirational albeit slightly ironic track which alt-rock radio has already embraced and iTunes recently selected as a "Single of the Week." The band will tour extensively for the better part of the summer and will be making the festival rounds as they did in support of their first record. The band returned to A-Sides at the Music Conservatory of Westchester to play two songs, and sit down for a chat. Enjoy it you will.
For an exclusive A-Sides performance of "Reality Dream," click here.
Like Morning Parade, Matrimony make music that doesn't just get stuck in your head, it stays with your heart and soul a bit. The band's Columbia Records full-length debut - Montibello Memories - came out this month and it's - in a word - folkin' fantastic. OK, that's two words and a terrible pun. Anyway, these North Carolina folk rockers are poised for stardom and will probably achieve it by the time you've finished reading this. Fronted by husband and wife Jimmy Brown and Ashlee Hardee Brown along with Ashlee's brothers Jordan and CJ Hardee (cue Sly & the Family Stone's "Family Affair"), the band blend many genres together for a cohesive, unique sound that comes off as folk, country and rock at the same time.
Matrimony will be on tour all summer long, and will continue to build on their past EP successes, which propelled them to NPR Mountain Stage, Music City Roots, and landed them on the Carrie soundtrack last year. Before their show at Mercury Lounge in NYC, the band performed a pair of tracks and sat down for an A-Sides chat (filmed by shootmepeter.com). It was rad. You are rad for reading and watching. Let's all be rad together, and afterwards, let's stop using the word "rad" because it was played out in the 1980s and is again now. Boom.
For an exclusive performance of "Lucky Man," click here.
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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.