App News 2014 | idobi

Photos: Chain Fest in Santa Ana

Maysa Askar — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 16:10:36 +0000

idobi photographer Gaelle Pitrel covered Chain Fest at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA. Check out some shots from the festival below!

Circa Survive

Underoath

Citizen

The Story So Far

Anthony Green

Elder Brother

Basement

Turnover

Movements

Follow Olivia Grace’s “Blackbird” into Elegant Madness

Emillie Marvel — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 15:00:32 +0000

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Melanie Martinez and Halsey might have to make room for another queen of dark pop. Baltimore songstress Olivia Grace crafts immersive tunes that'll turn the world around you into a foggy forest or a castle of secrets... And that's just the beginning.

Most recently, Grace has released "Blackbird", an equally eerie and intrepid track that borrows qualities from madness and elegance. Check out the track below, and be prepared to hit the repeat button a few times.

SPX, Yo! [Part 1 of 2]

ryan.wapner@idobi.com — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 15:00:01 +0000

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Well, SPX 2016 is over and Lauren (my lovely lady-friend) and I are back home and enjoying all of our loot. We’re both feeling what many who attend each year likely feel afterward; loads of inspiration, lingering excitement from the convention floor, and an overwhelming happiness for a community that supports, accepts, and appreciates all kinds of independent artists and fans.

This was my third year, and Lauren’s second attending SPX in Bethesda, MD. Our own Cindy Tenicela actually introduced me to the convention back in 2012. My touring schedule doesn’t always allow for things like this, but when the stars align I take full advantage and dive in headfirst. The line up this year had a great mix of names and titles we recognized and a plethora of the new. One thing I love about SPX is finding those new artists; one print or comic catches your eye and you want to know everything and get your hands on the whole back catalogue.

Once you get on the floor, you really just have to give yourself an initial lap or two to get a feel for everything. It’s overwhelming; there so much going on, a flurry of people bouncing from table to table, cool art everywhere, it’s a total sensory overload! We started at one corner and zigzagged the isles to the other side of the hall trying not to miss a table. There is always a list of must-finds for me when attending SPX, people I know about and things I want to track down first. The stuff I know I’m after! SPX is kind enough to release the table layout in advance so you can plan accordingly for stuff like that. It just so happened that three of the artists on my list were all sharing tables next to each other, and they all had new work too!

If you follow me on the internet at all, chances are you have seen me mention some of these guys in some way before, Ben Sears maybe more frequently than others recently. He has recently released an incredible book published by Koyama called Night Air; a full color adventure set in his ever-growing Double+ universe. I seriously can’t get enough of it, and I love that it now has the full color treatment! He also debuted a new self-published mini this weekend called The Shadow Vs. The Crust, which is about a quirky crime fighter. I picked up a copy of that and Ben’s shiny new pin, Bird Watch too. Did you know Ben also plays in the band Xerxes? I hear they have new stuff in line! Go see them on tour when they come to your city and/or town!

Dustin Harbin has two new self-published minis, Persons Of Interest and a new instalment in his Diary Comic series. I have slight regret in not picking up an original piece from Diary Comic 5. Also, can I mention Dustin’s prints for a second? They are so intricate, and the linework is insane! My buddy Andy got me Dustin’s spaceman print last year for my birthday. I followed along online as he posted progress shots of that piece. I’ll have to show all of you once I get that framed and hung in the new house.

Last of my initial three, and an artist I was most excited about this year, Mason Dickerson. I discovered Mason online last year and was instantly intrigued and excited by his work. He fills every panel with big flowing shapes, overlapping background and foreground, there’s no space wasted. I snatched up one of everything he had at the convention; he debuted a wild new self-published mini this weekend called Hello, Pot-Pot! Go! Go! Go! and another called Eggs On Bread which had me smiling and laughing from cover to cover.

One of my favorites is the lovely Natalie Andrewson. We discovered her at the 2015 Small Press Expo when she was sharing a table with Ryan Cecil Smith and had her Peow Studio debut Lemon & Ket. She had two new nostalgic slice-of-life mini comics this year, Big Sister and Swim Team SuperStar. Her table was a must visit this year as we knew we wanted to snatch those up! Much of Natalie’s work is risograph printed and that makes for gorgeously vibrant end products for all of us I to ogle over. Colors set differently on different types of paper, and with riso printing, she gets it just right! I think she likes the combo of blue and orange almost as much as Ryan does too!

Speaking of riso printing and Peow Studio! Sweden's comic overlords have had a packed booth all weekend long. Everything we've been able to get our hands on the last few years is incredible, and Ryan is always on the hunt for their long out of print limited run titles. Some of those titles are the only things released in English by the artists they work with. Peow had a very successful Kickstarter earlier this year to release 4 new titles, and in choosing that route, they really broadened their (and their artists!) international reach. Internal Affairs III by Patrick Crotty is the third release in that list, and copies were flying off the table as Patrick was in attendance to sign the SPX debut. Guillaume Singelin’s amazing (and huge!) JUNKY, Elliot Alfredius’ Three Blades, and Valentin Seiche's The World are some of our favorites, and we can’t wait for more!

Come back tomorrow for more from SPX 2016!

Photos: Anthony Green in LA

Maysa Askar — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 16:07:12 +0000

idobi photographer Gaelle Pitrel covered the Anthony Green show at Teragram Ballroom in LA. Check out some shots from the tour below!

Anthony Green

Mat Kerekes

Secret Space

Premiere: Break Out Your Ugg Boots, Captain Morris’ “White Girl” Is Here

Emillie Marvel — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 14:00:41 +0000

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Whatever you were doing when you graduated high school, it probably wasn't what Daniel Neiman was doing. You'd probably know him better by his stage name, Captain Morris, the guy offering up tracks that are more fun than anything on your playlists right now.

Today, we're bringing you a song unlike any other from the 18 year old music mogul. "White Girl", his latest track, is streaming exclusively below—just in time for pumpkin spice season. Check it out, and let us know what you think on Twitter!

Adapt These Comics and Take Our Money

idobi Staff — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 13:30:32 +0000

[caption id="attachment_262550" align="aligncenter" width="2592"] Photo credit: The Comic Book Shop[/caption]

For a number of years now, comic books have all-but taken over our big and small screens. From the Chris Nolan Batman trilogy to the fully-integrated Marvel Cinematic Universe, from shows like Daredevil and Jessica Jones on Netflix, to DC’s Supergirl and the recent Lucifer, it’s tough to look at a screen without seeing something comic book-related.

Of the recent successes, The Walking Dead is a little bit different. While all of the aforementioned titles belong to one of the “Big Two” (Marvel or DC), The Walking Dead is an Image Comics property. The only other Image character you might have heard of is Spawn, thanks to a 1997 movie that didn’t do justice to the awesome stories told in print by Todd McFarlane. The people behind TWD broke the mold by taking characters previously unknown to the masses from an indie book (admittedly a very popular indie book, but an indie comic all the same) and creating a smash.

Moving forward, we know that both big houses have a lot of new movies and shows in the works. Marvel’s Luke Cage will be on Netflix soon, followed by Iron Fist and Punisher shows, and ultimately a Defenders team-up show. We’ll be getting another Agents of SHIELD season, with Ghost Rider involved, plus movies for Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man & Wasp, Spiderman, Thor, the Guardians 0f the Galaxy, and, of course, the Avengers.

DC will be giving us more Gotham, Supergirl, Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow on the TV, and their own cinematic universe will be expanded with Flash, Shazam, Wonder-Woman and Justice League movies, with more to be confirmed soon.

BUT, if you look outside of those two, which smaller properties have the potential to be the next Walking Dead? Which characters, perhaps unknown right now, would make for a great movie or TV series? Let’s take a look…

Crossed

Man, would this ever be controversial. Garth Ennis’ infamous horror comic series has been mentioned, albeit usually under the breath, as a possible “next Walking Dead,” but most seem to think that’s it’s practically un-filmable. Without diluting it to death, a hard R-rated movie seems the most realistic platform. The plot deals with a virus that turns people into homicidal maniacs. While that might sound very zombie-like on the surface, the difference is that the infected retain a level of human intelligence—they can speak, set traps and use firearms, for example, but they give in to the most evil thoughts imaginable. In Ennis’ own words on the Avatar Press website, “The Crossed are people who—through infection—have given in to the absolute worst instincts that human beings can: murder, rape, torture, cannibalism, all of the most cruel and inventive kind imaginable. They are out of control, really. Their number one urge is to get their hands into normal people and commit every ghastly act they can think of—they can't fight it, and they don't want to.”

Crossed is cleverly written and the art, by Jacen Burrows, is incredibly powerful. It’s only fiction, and as such can do no harm. However, whether anyone would take the chance of green-lighting a live-action show or movie is a longshot at best, although Ennis’ Preacher title had an AMC show this year and there’s an adaption of his The Boys coming soon. Still, even if Crossed was given the go-ahead, it would have to be watered down. If you have a strong stomach, check it out online to see why. If you don’t, just avoid.

Savage Dragon

Like Spawn and The Walking Dead, Savage Dragon is an Image property and is probably their most popular after those two. Created by Erik Larsen, this book is unusual in that Larsen has been writing and drawing it since the very beginning in 1982. The basic plot involves a green, muscular, dragon-like humanoid who doesn’t remember anything other than waking up in a burning field, and later joins the Chicago Police Force. Much of the plots since have seen the title character trying to figure out who he is, while simultaneously fighting masses of super-villains. Loads of fun to be had in live-action form, probably as a Hellboy-esque movie, especially with this character created by a man who calls comics “funny books.”

Invincible

Another Image property, and notable because Invincible, the name of the main character, is a superhero dreamed up by Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman. That, in itself, puts it straight into the hands of the execs perhaps looking for the next big thing. Drawn and co-created by Cory Walker, Invincible, like many other superheroes, possesses great strength, plus speed and flight, though, as his name suggests, he’s best known for his fast-healing ability. This is useful, as he’s been beaten to a pulp on many occasions. He’s the son of superhero Omni-Man, so has a fascinating backstory as well. Lots to play with if done in a Heroes-style TV show.

Mouse Guard

Actually, plans have already been announced to turn this property into a film, with 20th Century Fox producing. That’s a huge deal for this bi-monthly publication, put out by Archaia Studios Press, and written and illustrated by Michigan’s David Petersen. It’s worth looking out for; Mouse Guard features a bunch of sentient mice in medieval times, and the stories often echo real historical events. The Mouse Guard of the title are a brotherhood sworn to protect their fellow mice. The writing is intelligent, managing to balance often serious events and storylines with the sweet nature of the concept.

Dan Dare

In Great Britain, Dan Dare is a household name, much like fellow British creation Judge Dredd. Dare, created by illustrator Frank Hampson, was the main character in the comic book Eagle, which ran from 1950 to 1969, and then again in 1982 to 1994, published by Hulton Press. Dare, the “Pilot of the Future,” has been tossed around by film execs for a while, and in 2010 Variety even announced that Warner Bros would be making a Dan Dare film with Sam Worthington in the title role. However, we’ve heard nothing since. It’s a tough sell, especially because it would require a big budget for the necessary sci-fi scenes. UNLESS, a leaf was taken from the Dr. Who book and they made it in a very English campy, deliberately B-movie style. Manchester-born Dare is a chief pilot with the Interplanet Space Fleet. So, you know, he flies around and has a bunch of adventures, all the while his English stiff upper lip and square jaw remaining in place and immaculate. Either a low-budget TV show or a movie could work, depending on the team working on it.

(Un)Covered: Since U Been Gone

Sam Devotta — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 13:00:53 +0000

“Since U Been Gone”
Writers:Max Martin, Luckasz Gottwald
Original Release Date: November 16, 2004

Even if you’ve never watched an episode of American Idol in your life, you’re probably aware that some of the winners actually went on to have moderately successful careers. Kelly Clarkson, the original Idol, is one of the few winners to still consistently put out music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7UrFYvl5TE

I think we’re all guilty of belting this song out at least once in our lives. According to a Blender article from 2006, It was originally written with Pink in mind, but after she rejected it and the second choice, Hilary Duff, couldn’t hit the high notes, writer Max Martin offered it to Kelly Clarkson who accepted it on the condition that she could give it more of a rock edge, by introducing a heavier guitar and percussion. I can’t imagine what the original sounded like, but I don’t think it would have been as effective if it had been poppier. The guitars and drums really boost the amount of angst and bitterness in the lyrics, though Clarkson’s vocals are what really carry the song (there’s a reason she won Idol, you know).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy4Uq86QbaE

Speaking of angst and bitterness, A Day to Remember took the song and turned the anger dial all the way up in their cover. It’s loud and aggressive and in your face, and I’d argue that it’s just as good as the original, if not better. If Kelly Clarkson makes you want to stand in front of a mirror wailing into a hairbrush, then ADTR will make you want to start a circle pit. Jeremy McKinnon’s screams in the second verse really make you believe that he’s not just upset by the breakup, he’s straight-up furious. The instrumentation is also turned up: the emotions roil off the drums as the band crashes through their rendition, giving you the sense that not only are they over their ex, but they’re ready to burn all their memories and forget the relationship even happened.

P.S. Please stop what you’re doing, and watch both videos—the original and the cover—back to back for a truly immersive experience.

Premiere: Emily Afton’s New Album ‘Archetype’

Emillie Marvel — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 15:20:24 +0000

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Emily Afton is an indie pop artist. An indie pop artist from the Bay Area. An indie pop artist from the Bay Area that's gearing up for the release of her latest LP, Archetype. Today, we're offering you an exclusive stream of the collection.

Produced by David Earl and Lila Rose, Archetype explores the ghosts of life, love, and death, and more specifically Afton's five year conversation with them. Lively tracks are paired with driven lyrics, making for a hard hitting collection. Check it out below, and let us know what you think on Twitter!

Get more indie rock with the best indie radio station in the world, idobi Anthm.

Photos: Day In The Life of gates

audreylew — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 14:00:31 +0000

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Most people don’t get to see the process a band goes through in order to get to where they are right now. I’ve been privileged enough to watch gates grow as artists the past few years. I’ve photographed them in rooms built for 200 kids and venues that could hold 1200. But I never really had the chance to see exactly what they’ve had to do in order to accomplish all they have. I finally had the opportunity to spend two days with them as they prepared for their Parallel Lives album release show at Mercury Lounge in New York City, where I got a glimpse into where gates started, their preparation process, and their chemistry as a band.

My weekend with gates started when I met up with vocalist Kevin Dye at his Brooklyn apartment before we headed to Jersey for band practice. We had a few minutes to catch up on all that they’ve been up to the past few months, from releasing their newest album Parallel Lives to touring with La Dispute and Thrice. There were nothing but positive things being said about Kevin’s experience on the road but his real feelings about touring with these two influential bands came out throughout our drive to Jersey with their sound engineer Dan. I listened as Kevin raved about doing guest vocals for Thrice, “I couldn’t not do it. Nobody was stopping me.” Playing with Thrice was much more than just a cool experience to Kevin: “I never thought that when I was in high school trying to be like Thrice that I would be touring with them.”

It was nice to see how giddy Kevin was about being able to share the same stage as a band he grew up listening to. It reminds you that the individuals in bands are people too. The rest of the night was spent listening to gates run through their set. Before we took a break to have dinner, I grabbed a minute with them to chat about all the attention they’ve been getting. Over the past few months I’ve watched more and more of my friends post about them on social media; even naming Parallel Lives as one of their Albums Of The Year. I wanted to know what it was they did this time around that people really responded to. While being more prepared and learning from the release of their previous album contributed to the success of their latest release, as a whole they couldn’t pinpoint exactly why people responded so well to this record. “Bloom & Breathe was the first record we did so when we did Parallel Lives, we knew exactly what we were going to do. We were planning out posts when we were still in the studio,” guitarist Dan King says to me as he reorganizes his gear.

As we sat down for dinner I took a minute to really take in the entire evening. I watched as bassist Mike Maroney’s parents put together a phenomenal dinner and dessert for us (shout out to the executive chefs for gates) and learned that these family dinners have been happening since gates started. The band has always practiced at Mike’s house and they’ve stuck to it over the years. I can’t really describe what it was like to witness everything first hand but it made me realize that all of their time spent together and having an environment that encourages their music to thrive contributes to why they’re so down to earth and grounded.

I met up with gates the following day during load-in for their album release show. Most of our time before the show was spent moving equipment around like a game of Tetris, soundchecking, and grabbing a bite to eat. But before they took the stage, I asked Mike and Dan for some advice on what they do to keep motivated, what to remember when someone feels like giving up, and how to deal with haters. Mike’s thoughts on the topic were, “Just stay humble and always prepare for the worst.” As far as dealing with haters Dan said something that really resonated with me, “If somebody has the time to form an opinion about you, you’re doing something right.” With that said I headed up to the stage where gates was set play to a packed Mercury Lounge. After hearing them rehearse the set twice I was excited to see the crowds reaction. Without fail, fans loved every second of their set as they sang along to each track. Their guitar work is instantly recognizable and you can’t help but get excited. There is something about gates’ music that is so soothing yet it still packs a punch. To have such contrasting feelings working so cohesively together is a feat yet somehow they execute it beautifully.

For the longest time I saw gates as the band that was smart enough to bring flood lights for their live performances which helped me achieve great photos. But now, I see them as so much more. After my time spent with them, I saw why everyone including myself gravitates toward this band; they’re a family that loves their cheesecake and dulce de leche. They still get giddy about playing with their favorite bands. Needless to say, they’re living the sweet life, but above all else, they are a group of humble and talented musicians making music that they want to make. Bottom line is that the honesty and integrity of this band are what make them stand out among the crowd.

Craving “Cherry Cherry” & Rock ‘N’ Roll Vibes? Check Out The Sore Losers’ Album Announcement

Emillie Marvel — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 13:00:19 +0000

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If you're craving modern hard hitting tunes and a rock 'n' roll attitude, look no further than The Sore Losers. The Belgian band is channeling some of rock music's greatest (Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin) into indie rock sounds that'll feel right at home in your music player.

The group has just announced the release of their new album Skydogs. Being released through Ultra Elektric records, you can expect the album to hit stands on November 4th—just in time to treat yourself to an early holiday present.

To hold you over for the next month or so, the band has released the lead single from the collection, titled "Cherry Cherry". Crank the volume and hit play on the track below!

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Premiere: Iconique’s “Sitting Pretty” LUXXURY remix

Emillie Marvel — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 11:00:09 +0000

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If you dug Iconique's track "Sitting Pretty", we have good news. The Los Angeles electro pop group has brought us the exclusive premiere of the LUXXURY remix of the track.

Bringing together 80s sounds and today's technology, Iconique is able to create a sound that'll get everyone on the dance floor—whether you have the skill to be there or not. Turn on "Sitting Pretty" below, and be prepared to dance at your desk all day.

Photos: Ghost in NY

Maysa Askar — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 19:04:54 +0000

idobi photographer Taylor Rambo covered the Ghost show at The Armory in Rochester, NY. Check out some shots from the tour below!

Ghost

Small Operation, Big Dreams, and a Whole Lotta Love: Take This To Heart

hines.hannah@idobi.com — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 18:00:30 +0000

Welcome to a playlist with a plot! Hannah Hines spoke with Take This To Heart Records owner Joe Urban to outline his journey and get some great insider advice, but she took some stops along the way to make song recommendations; so you’re not just going to meet Joe and the label, you’re going to hear them too.

In a brainstorming session years ago Joe Urban said the simple but powerful words, “I really want people to take these records to heart.” Now it’s 2016 and Take This To Heart Records is more than just an idea, it’s an impressive indie label based in Massachusetts supporting bands around the country. Joe had been in touring bands before with a DIY ethic allowing him experience in managing and booking. Eventually Joe moved into a different area of the music industry by working at Zing Recording Studios (Killswitch Engage, Underoath, The Devil Wears Prada) which sparked a desire to manage bands and help them put out material they were all proud of. Even though Joe has gone through times where he’s contemplated quitting music, he knows he found what he truly loves doing.

Running a record label isn’t all colorful vinyl variants and big release days. “I want every band to create their art and get paid properly so that they can attempt to make it their ‘full time job’,” explains Joe on his goal to grow the bands TTTH signs.

► Beck and Call by Sundressed

Sundressed is instrumentally infectious and vocally vibrant; the combination will leave you feeling like you’re in an internal summer when listening to their jams (especially this one).

[embed]https://soundcloud.com/t3hrecords/beck-and-call?in=t3hrecords/sets/sundressed-the-same-condition[/embed]

“I’ll even actively hit up bigger labels for my bands when I feel they have a plan/release that makes sense to do at a bigger label. I want to grow with every release but, it’s crazy to think that I can do everything a band may need to be successful.” It’s certainly a daunting task but Joe understands he does need other people to succeed. “I get to work with cool managers, agents, publicists on my bands now and honestly I haven’t really had any bad experiences yet (cross my fingers) as the teams we’ve assembled have been pretty rad.”

While all record labels are run differently, we may mistakenly assume that they control their bands to have a certain sound or image.

“I really don’t have any say in what type of sound my bands are creating. There is a reason I signed them and believe in their music,” says Joe, having been on the band's side himself gives him a better insight into how to handle them. “I do have a passion for songwriting and always give constructive suggestions on where a band can take a song/album. I got to work hand in hand with Traditions on their album as they were super receptive on my ideas, so I’m pretty proud of how their album “Cycles” turned out both sonically and in the songwriting department.”

► You Looked Better at the Party by The Other Stars

If you’re looking for an indie band that tackles the theme of growing up, look no further than The Other Stars. Bonus point: their album artwork for the release “We Were Kids” features an adorable pup.

[embed]https://soundcloud.com/t3hrecords/you-looked-better-at-the-party?in=t3hrecords/sets/the-other-stars-we-were-kids-1[/embed]

While Limewire may be a thing of the past, music lovers now have access to YouTube and streaming services that might or might not directly support artists monetarily.

“If you don’t have money, SHARE MUSIC. Whether it be through word of mouth, posting on social media, adding your personal friends to a band's facebook, etc,” says Joe. “It’s also important to create a community by attending shows and just letting people know that you care about what you are listening to. I’ve found so many good friends through music and mutual interest in bands. It’s really a win/win when you’re a fan of a band and you start seeing how many people really enjoy that band also or even COULD enjoy that band if they just heard their songs.”

► I Was Once an Extrovert by Dead Leaves

Dead Leaves is an emotionally provoking band with their transparent lyrics and often soft to loud song structure; a great addition to any autumn playlist.

[embed]https://soundcloud.com/t3hrecords/i-was-once-an-extrovert-1?in=t3hrecords/sets/dead-leaves-dead-leaves-1[/embed]

Starting a record label is a lot like that The Office episode when Michael Scott declares bankruptcy by screaming, “I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!”, but actually running a record label takes a lot of commitment and good intentions. “Before you start, realize that it is a partnership with the bands you put out. You can’t go in and do a half-assed job because that just hurts the art that the bands create. Be ready to work as hard as the band does, if not harder.”

Joe also suggests researching other indie labels. “See what they are doing and what works and doesn’t work. Don’t expect the first release to blow up and don’t get discouraged either if it doesn’t. After you start it, don’t quit and know that you can work 24 hours a day and never get what you want accomplished.”

► Preoccupied by Save Face

Self-proclaimed “dad rock”, Save Face is one of most energetic bands you’ll encounter—from their constant touring to their upbeat tunes.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPOf56tsI9I[/embed]

The bands on TTTH all have their own unique sound from punk to post-hardcore to alternative rock and everything in between.

“We’ve put out great albums this year by The Other Stars, Save Face, Locket, Sundressed and more! Lots of tours this fall too from those bands. The Other Stars already have a brand new full length recorded and it’s going to really blow people away. They are from Worcester so I get to see them all the time/heard all the demos/know all the words to the album already. If you’re a fan of Piebald, Modern Baseball, The Mountain Goats, Front Bottoms… do yourself a favor and check them out!”

► Sitting in a Spinning Room by Fossil Youth

Fossil Youth brings a darkness to pop punk that comes organically, as if they’re not even trying. With a new release on the way this is definitely a band to watch.

[embed]https://soundcloud.com/t3hrecords/sitting-in-a-spinning-room?in=t3hrecords/sets/fossil-youth-a-glimpse-of-self[/embed]

Right now there’s one band Joe (and myself) are especially excited about. “YES! Fossil Youth! We are putting out their new full length “A Glimpse Of Self Joy” on November 4th and it’s a banger. I’ve got to work with Fossil Youth on a split, an EP and now a full length. So really we’ve been on the same page building this band for the most part. Every tour they do gets better and every release sells more, so that’s a good way to gauge if what we are doing is working. It’s rad to get a phone call from a band on tour and have them ask you for more vinyl/CDs because they keep on selling out at shows.”

[caption id="attachment_262395" align="aligncenter" width="1378"] Fossil Youth. Photo credit: Audrey Lew[/caption]

Take This To Heart Records may be a small operation but they have big dreams; dreams that can’t be accomplished alone. Every band you love once was playing basement shows and working on EPs just to get their music out there. There’s something undeniably special about discovering an artist in their beginning stages and TTTH makes it simple to discover a bunch in one place. It’s inspiring to find people in the music industry like Joe who didn’t necessarily have an opportunity handed to them, but created an opportunity for themselves. Take This To Heart Records is more than just a label; they’re people, a dream, and a message that it doesn’t matter where or how you start as long as you do it with your heart completely in it.

Premiere: Cameron Walker’s “Just Come Home”

Emillie Marvel — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 21:58:32 +0000

Where's the best place to find new tracks on a Thursday night? Gone Fishkin, of course, and our fearless pop punk leader didn't let you down this week. If you've been listening, you just heard the premiere of Cameron Walker's new track, "Just Come Home".

The song comes from the music mogul that you've heard in Weatherstar, Nekokat, and The Ready Set. His solo work is just as good as you'd expect it to be, proven by the song below. Check it out again, and let us know what you think on Twitter!

[smart_track_player url="http://i.ido.bi/assets/post/2016/09/Just-Come-Home-feat.-Elena-Coats.mp3" title="Just Come Home Ft. Elena Coats" artist="Cameron Walker " social="true" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_gplus="true" ]

To hear more from Cameron you can head to his Spotify.

Premiere: mary lynn’s New Album, ‘My Animal’

Emillie Marvel — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 15:00:30 +0000

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If you're wondering what mary lynn is all about, her influences say it all: life, cats, and outerspace. The Columbus, Ohio artist is full of sounds that'll get your heart soaring and your feet tapping—so feel free to blame any spontaneous dancing on the tunes you'll hear on her upcoming album My Animal.

[blockquotefull] "My Animal is about going through something that pains you, but forces you to grow. It's about the moments of hope and despair in between, and about learning to trust your inner instincts. It's about what's inside all of us. I spent years making it the force of rock-pop energy I dreamed of it being, and I am absolutely thrilled that I can finally share it." [/blockquotefull]

The collection doesn't officially launch until tomorrow, but we're here to assure you it is fun. Not that we have to, because we're offering you the first listen of it below. Check it out, and let us know what you think on Twitter!

Stranger Things are Happening in Panic! At The Disco’s “LA Devotee” Video

Sam Devotta — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 12:45:21 +0000

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Not many bands can pull off crop circles and a brainwashing cult in a video, but Panic! at the Disco can.

After two days of teasing, Brendon Urie and co. released the video for “L.A. Devotee”, the latest single from this year's Death of a Bachelor. Featuring Noah Schnapp aka Will from Stranger Things, the video sees Urie working his considerable charm in ways that have to be seen to be believed.

Watch the video now and then scroll down to see when and where you can catch Panic! at the Disco early next year on the Death of a Bachelor Tour with MisterWives and Saint Motel! Pre-sale starts this Monday September 26th at 10am local time, and general sale starts Friday, September 30th at 10am local—see the dates below, and pick up your tickets here.

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DEATH OF A BACHELOR TOUR
w/ MisterWives & Saint Motel

- 2/24/17 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun
- 2/25/17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
- 2/26/17 - Portland, ME @ Cross Insurance Arena
- 2/28/17 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Petersen Events Center
- 3/2/17 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
- 3/4/17 - Worcester, MA @ DCU Center
- 3/7/17 - Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
- 3/8/17 - Cleveland, OH @ Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University
- 3/10/17 - Auburn Hills, MI @ Palace of Auburn Hills
- 3/11/17 - Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena
- 3/12/17 - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
- 3/14/17 - Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena
- 3/15/17 - Omaha, NE @ Baxter Arena
- 3/17/17 - Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
- 3/18/17 - Orem, UT @ UCCU Center
- 3/19/17 - Boise, ID @ Taco Bell Arena
- 3/21/17 - Seattle, WA @ WaMu Theater
- 3/22/17 - Portland, OR @ Moda Center*
- 3/24/17 - Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay Events Center*
- 3/25/17 - Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena
- 3/26/17 - San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
- 3/28/17 - Inglewood, CA @ The Forum
- 3/29/17 - Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Arena
- 3/31/17 - Allen, TX @ Allen Event Center
- 4/1/17 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
- 4/2/17 - Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center
- 4/4/17 - Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
- 4/5/17 - Saint Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center
- 4/7/17 - Birmingham, AL @ BJCC Arena
- 4/8/17 - Memphis, TN @ FedEx Forum
- 4/9/17 - Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Center
- 4/11/17 - Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum Complex
- 4/12/17 - Duluth, GA @ Infinite Energy Center
- 4/14/17 - Orlando, FL @ Amway Center
- 4/15/17 - Sunrise, FL @ BB&T Center*

*Panic! At The Disco and MisterWives Only

Photos: Young Guns in NYC

Maysa Askar — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 13:39:19 +0000

idobi photographer Audrey Lew covered the Young Guns show at Gramercy Theatre in NYC. Check out some photos from the tour below!

Young Guns

(Un)Covered: Comfortably Numb

Sam Devotta — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 13:00:51 +0000

“Comfortably Numb”
Writers: David Gilmour, Roger Waters
Original Release Date: June 23, 1980 (as a single); November 30, 1979

I often find that people who say Pink Floyd is their favorite band are either stuck in the seventies or are trying to impress someone. Or maybe you’re like me and you grew up listening to Roger Waters and David Gilmour without quite realizing how big an influence their band has had on modern music over the last fifty years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FrOQC-zEog

One of the longest songs on their 1979 concept album, The Wall, “Comfortably Numb” is considered one of the band’s most renowned (and is actually pretty sure, considering the length of some of their other offerings). There are no less than two guitar solos that take up at least a minute (each), which wash over the song—and you—like a psychedelic wave. Since The Wall is a concept album, it’s only fair to assume that “Comfortably Numb” is part of the narrative; in fact, it tells the story of the album’s protagonist, Pink, who compares his adult feeling of being empty to a childhood sickness. It’s actually really depressing when you consider the lyrics, especially the last few lines: “The child is grown / The dream is gone / I have become comfortably numb.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn5cvK-hL3A

For their most recent EP, Dust & Bones, Cambridge alt-rockers Lonely the Brave recorded a cover of the Pink Floyd track. It can be hard to do justice to a song that’s so intricate, not to mention worshipped by countless fans, but Lonely the Brave pulls it off with style, delivering a rich, brooding version that is at once timeless and modern. The guitar solos are still present and impressive, and singer David Jakes’ smooth voice lulls you into a complacent silence before punching you in the feels as he croons the story of becoming numb.

While purists will scoff at a “new” band tackling a classic, I say they did an impressive job of mimicking the original, and it’s a great way to introduce new fans to the classic rock band.

Photos: I Prevail in Valparaiso

Maysa Askar — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 13:04:10 +0000

idobi photographer Megan Leetz covered the I Prevail show at Big Shots in Valparaiso, IN. Check out some photos from the tour below!

I Prevail

Callwood at the Cooler #2

idobi Staff — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 17:00:50 +0000

It’s been a busy couple of weeks since my last column, and protests and causes seem to be getting everyone in a tizzy.

[caption id="attachment_262229" align="aligncenter" width="1400"] Right: Colin Kaepernick. Photo credit: Mike Morbeck. Right: Kid Rock. Photo credit: Chelsea Lauren Photography[/caption]

Kid Rock in racially insensitive shocker…

This week, Kid Rock stopped a concert at Boston’s Fenway Park during the song “Born Free” to yell at his baying crowd, “F**k Colin Kaepernick.” Because, you know, the whole world was wondering what Kid Rock had to say about a young black man protesting institutional racism. We saw this athlete putting himself and his reputation on the line for a cause that he, and millions of other people, feel is just, and we all thought, "I wonder what that rapper-turned-country singer thinks of this". Now, of course, Bob Ritchie has a right to an opinion, the same as the rest of us. He can stand in front of his crowd, many of whom would have been sporting confederate flag shirts because, SKYNYRD, and protest the anti-racist protest if he want to, because he’s right—Americans are free to do so. My point is, “Well, DUH.” Of course Kid Rock thinks that. Did anybody think he was going to be sensitive to Kaepernick’s reasons? Nope, despite the fact that, as the father of a biracial son, Kaepernick’s reasoning should have been crystal clear. As a friend of mine recently said, if more people were concerned about the reason for Kaepernick’s protest than the protest itself, there’d be less to protest. So well played, Kid Rock. You pandered to your crowd beautifully. And while you might not have played in front of a confederate flag in a few years, they are visible all over your concerts on shirts and bumper stickers, and you’ve never stood against it. So your “I love the flag” rhetoric is falling on deaf ears here.

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[caption id="attachment_262234" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Photo credit: Getty Images[/caption]

Drake takes HOW much jewelry on tour?

About a week ago, a suspect was arrested for stealing $3 million worth of jewels from Drake’s tour bus, leading the rest of the world to wonder, “Who travels in a tour bus with $3 million worth of jewels.” Not to victim-blame at all—the guy who did this is a terrible person. Stealing is wrong, kids. Don’t steal. Etc. But I worry when I’m traveling with only my phone and passport. Couldn’t Drake have left, like, $2.675 million worth of jewels at home?

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Getting ahead in business… when you’re a punk

Maybe Drake should have read Punk Rock Entrepreneur, literally a business guidebook written from the perspective of somebody in the music industry by artist Caroline Moore. This thing landed on my doorstep this week, and I haven’t been able to stop reading. The message that runs throughout seems to be, “Hey, you don’t have to be ashamed of wanting to earn a dime just because you’re a punk.” Which is fair, and important, because musicians, artists, writers and the like have been weighed down with the concept of “selling out” for as long as music has been a thing. “Care about your work,” Moore says, while also hammering home the virtues of working harder than anyone else. It’s all common sense at the end of the day, but sometimes the obvious needs to be stated and Moore does it in an amusing fashion. Fun read.

Janet Devlin is hitting back at cyberbullies.

Janet Devlin’s name should be familiar to idobi readers thanks to the attention we’ve given her in the past. The Northern Irish singer prompted a few column inches to be written for all of the right reasons this week when it was announced that she would be releasing “Outernet Song,” which deals with bullying and online obsession.

“This song has long history,” says Devlin. “I started writing it on my ukulele when I was 19. Too many mornings spent watching TV and being told how to dress, how to look, and what to eat had worn away my confidence.”

After appearing in the UK version of The X-Factor, when she started getting some attention across the Atlantic, she noticed a disturbing trend. “I discovered negative remarks about my appearance, unkind assessments of my talent and apparently being over the hill (at age 20!). I soon became pretty desensitized to it all and learnt to ignore them; but not before writing down how I felt to help me process my feelings and move on.”

Good for Devlin. It’s great to hear that a talented young woman is standing up to bullying and inspiring others to do the same. She’ll be coming to the US to tour soon, so look out for the dates.

Pet Shop Boys to cross the Atlantic…

One British band that has just announced US dates is pop veterans the Pet Shop Boys. New album Super is out now, as is single “Say it to Me,” and both are receiving some hefty critical acclaim. Quite right too—there aren’t too many pop bands from the 1980s that are still making music of this quality (Duran Duran maybe), and PSB have always been known for a spectacular live show despite the a deliberately dry, deadpan approach. The US tour opens in Vegas on October 21, and the band plays Miami Beach on November 16 before going to Mexico and then back to Europe. Should be special.

Yoko Ono? Oh yes…

Maybe Janet Devlin has been reading up on Yoko Ono, another strong woman who has done plenty of work for women over the years, including her 1964 performance art piece Cut, which saw her kneeling in front of women in her audience and asking them to cut pieces off their clothes with scissors, in protest against violence towards women. This week, she put out a plea on her Facebook page asking for contributions from the public towards a new project, called Arising. She said:

"WOMEN OF ALL AGES, FROM ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD: YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A TESTAMENT OF HARM DONE TO YOU FOR BEING A WOMAN. WRITE YOUR TESTAMENT IN YOUR OWN LANGUAGE, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, AND WRITE HOWEVER OPENLY YOU WISH. YOU MAY SIGN YOUR FIRST NAME IF YOU WISH, BUT DO NOT GIVE YOUR FULL NAME. SEND A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUR EYES. THE TESTAMENTS OF HARM AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF YOUR EYES WILL BE EXHIBITED IN MY INSTALLATION ARISING, OCTOBER 7, 2016 – FEBRUARY 5 2017, AT REYKJAVÍK ART MUSEUM. I VERY MUCH HOPE FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION."

Ono is one of the most polarizing figures in music and art, and has been for many years. But few could argue that her cause is worthwhile.

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“Callwood at the Cooler” is a new bi-weekly column which will see me waxing lyrical about events in the news, pop culture, and the etc. Sometimes it’ll be light, other times not-so when the rant/monologue demands. The subject matter will vary dramatically so expect anything and keep coming back.