Grooveshark

The Helio Sequence is a Portland based band that takes pride in performing incredibly exuberant live shows. So imagine their disappointment when singer Brandon Summers so thoroughly obliterated his vocal chords that even speaking became an exceedingly painful endeavor. When Summers was ordered by his doctor to cease singing for 2 months he began to rethink his outlook on both his help and the band in general.

Summers and best friend/drummer Benjamin Weikel returned to the studio in 2007 to record what would be their 4th album Keep Your Eyes Ahead. With a newfound discipline and keener ear for pop melody, Keep Your Eyes Ahead symbolized a startling breakthrough for the band. The result of a prolonged stint in the studio, Keep Your Eyes Ahead finds The Helio Sequence delving into extraordinary new arenas of sound. Their signature layers of keyboards and massive guitars are still there, but the songs feature a restrained quality not yet seen in a Helio Sequence album.

We caught up with Brandon after The Helio Sequence performed a phenomenal set here in Gainesville. With their incredible cover of The Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows” still ringing in our ears, we spoke to Brandon about Keep Your Eyes Ahead, the pain that came from shredding his vocal chords, and a litany of other subjects. The transcript comes after the drop…

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As you may have read in the Rothbury post, Conscious Alliance is placing a bid at the Rothbury Festival for the largest can structure with the 40,000 cans that Whole Foods has donated to give to local food pantries. However, Conscious Alliance’s involvement at music festivals is not new. Their presence at concerts and festivals on a national level actually began with the support of The String Cheese Incident and Sound Tribe Sector 9. These philanthropic bands supported their cause and they soon began touring with them to all their concerts. Then when Hurricane Katrina hit, they were able to respond immediately by raising emergency relief with the help of Dave Matthews Band.

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Being in a touring rock band can be a dangerous occupation. Musicians have been known to suffer from freak accidents, alcohol related injuries, and even treacherous falls from atop coconut trees. One doesn’t hear too often about band member’s falling from a ladder while setting up a projector. Such is the case for Caribou drummer Brad Weber, who plummeted to Earth in Boston a few weeks ago rendering the band without a drummer. Luckily, the band found quick relief in the form of Sinkane drummer Ahmed Gallab.

Weber’s accident wasn’t for naught, as the projector plays an integral role in a Caribou live show. Psychadelic images swirl evocatively in the background as the band’s propulsive and poignant music provides the perfect soundtrack that effectively thrusts the audience into a giant kaleidoscope. Led by Dr. Don Snaith (he has a doctorate in mathematics), Caribou has been touring behind their phenomenal album Andorra for the past several months. A combination of Snaith’s trademark electronic experimentation and a deft knowledge of freakout psychadelica, Andorra sweetly rollicks along with a beauty supplied by Snaith’s keen sense of melody.

We caught up with Dr. Snaith after Caribou’s show in Orlando last week to talk about a litany of things ranging from tacky souvenirs to a possible live album.
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As a music writer, you tend to listen to somewhere in the vicinity of 7,000 records a week. Many of these albums are relegated to glorified doorstops, while the others are often forgotten about several hours later. A lot of the music you listen to tends to combine into one large cacophonous noise, making it almost impossible to find an album that truly resonates. Of course, there are the exceptions that are so unique and provocative that they manage to take up residence in the cold, unforgiving wasteland of your headphones.

Home Video’s No Certain Night or Morning falls into the latter category. The album seems inauspicious at first, but repeated listens reveal an intricately detailed and wholly enjoyable album. No Certain Night or Morning almost seems like an oxymoron; It’s comfortable, yet ripe with paranoia. The songs are steeped in minimalism, yet undeniably explosive. It sounds like the soundtrack to the strangest dream you have ever had.

We caught up with David Gross, Home Video’s multi-instrumentalist to discuss the band’s forthcoming record, their frequent comparisons to Radiohead, and their relationship with Warp records.

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When most people graduate from college they are met with daunting task of attempting to locate gainful employment underneath the ominous shadow of student loans. Initially started as an experiment spawned in the basements of Syracuse house parties, Ra Ra Riot garnered critical acclaim at a rapidity that made becoming a touring band the most viable, and even sensible career option.

Two years later and Ra Ra Riot have developed legions of fawning critics to coincide with their rabid fanbase. Their debut self titled EP was a breathtaking combination of insightful lyrics and invigorating string arrangements, a sound that translates perfectly to their astounding live show. They have since wrapped production on their debut EP which will noisily announce the arrival of an incredibly talented band.

We caught up with the band’s drummer Cameron Wischon to discuss the band’s new album and their breathtaking live performances.

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Bringing an incredible new sound to the world, Kevens is a man with a message: Positivity is a Necessity. Originally from Miami, he combines his experience both as a dub DJ and as front man for the rock band, Le Coup (with Richard and Anthony Booker Marley), to create a musical experience capable of stopping riots.

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