Here are some music suggestions by Fall '15 Weenie Daisy Holland. Enjoy the selections, and be sure to check them out!
1.
BØRNS
This
guy. What a god. Contrary to popular belief, BØRNS consists of just one guy who
writes his own songs, plays several instruments, and also sings like an angel. Garrett
Borns (stage name BØRNS) is a musical artist from Michigan, although his EP Candy and most recent album Dopamine give off the sweet, sunshiny
vibe of his new home in Los Angeles. His songs utilize elements of synth-pop
and indie alternative to create an upbeat backbeat that somehow fits perfectly
with Born’s smooth falsetto. Lyrically, most of his songs focus on the deliriously
blissful helplessness of falling in love, although my personal favorite “The
Emotion” focuses on the intensity of one’s feelings and the ways they manifest
themselves. After watching several acoustic versions and live performances of
his songs on YouTube, one can’t help but fall prey to this man’s sheer talent.
Notable songs: Electric Love, Seeing Stars,
Dopamine, Past Lives
2 Jukebox
the Ghost
If
there was ever a band that could low-key pass for a musical troupe, it would be
Jukebox the Ghost. With a peppy use of piano and clever lyrics, the catchy
tunes of Jukebox the Ghost could pass as songs from a musical. The band
consists of a trio of three guys (Ben, Tommy, and Jesse) who formed a band
during their time in college. Interestingly, Jukebox the Ghost often plays on
the contrast of its upbeat piano-backed instrumentals with its tragic, forlorn,
and frustrated lyrics. A good example is their song “Victoria” which centers on
the “poisonous”, unrequited love of the singer towards his love interest,
Victoria. Between the theatrical cries of frustration from the main singer,
Ben, and the effortlessly coordinated piano and guitar instrumentals it’s hard
not to love that song (or the band, for that matter).
Notable songs: Hold It In, Girl, Sound of a
Broken Heart, The Popular Thing, Hollywood
3
Saint
Motel
Quickly
gaining fame after the release of their EP My
Type, Saint Motel has acquired a mass following of fans who enjoy their
retro, yet indie rock sound. The band is led by lead singer A/J Jackson, whose
smooth, lulling tone and sleek falsetto perfectly complements the highly
organized use of instruments. Saint Motel maintains a clean, calculated sound
through its expert command of its instruments—and while the traditional
guitar/drums/piano combo is noted in their songs, there is also a heavy
presence of brass instruments, especially trumpets. Aside from their music, the
band is also very gracious towards their fans—holding “Fan Appreciation
Fridays” to feature weekly fan artwork on their social media pages.
Notable songs: Benny Goodman, My Type, Cold Cold
Man, Feed Me Now
4 The
Zolas
Based
in Vancouver, the Zolas are headed by Zachary Gray and Tom Dobrzanski, who have
been creating music together since they were teenage boys in the school choir.
Two main things stand out about their music: their masterful use of multiple
instruments, especially the piano; and the depth and originality of their
lyrics. The pianist in the band, Tom Dobrzanski, is especially talented in the
way that he “demands” recognition through his masterful piano solos without
taking over the whole song or drowning out his bandmate, lead singer and main
guitarist Zachary Gray. Gray, for his part, possesses the rawness and sheer
passion needed to match the mood of his lyrics, which utilize imagery and
first-person reflection to comment on themes like romance, loneliness,
vulnerability, and the frustration of unrequited love. While their sound has
evolved over the years, their masterful use of varied sounds and
thought-provoking lyrics still remains.
Notable songs: You’re Too Cool, Invisible,
Strange Girl, Cab Driver, No Talking
~Daisy Holland
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