Currently Listening To: Thunder Jackson
So, turns out I missed this song in my inbox, but I’m so glad that the Soundcloud algorithm decided to deliver it to me recently while on the site. Take a list to the “electronically charged alternative pop behemoth”, ‘Colours’, from LA duo Thunder Jackson.
Thunder Jackson formed following a chance encounter in a Los Angeles taxi cab. Once the conversation had moved past niceties and mild suspicion, it became clear that both men were restless and searching.
Both transplants in the American west, one from Oklahoma city and the other from the south coast of Wales, a penchant for the seedy, seductive, underbelly of Californian noir had led them to this moment.
Speaking on the track, the pair said: “Man needs colour to live; it’s just as necessary an element as fire and water” – Fernand Leger. Moments of transcendence can be fleeting, full of shadows and shade, truths and non truths. Forget to dream and day to day life can seem muted. Stay limitless. Stay neon.”
For the past year, in a basement studio on the west side of the city, the duo have been working on a debut record, coming soon.
Love The Way You Are
After linking up with producer Tony Hoffer (The Kooks, Beck, Air) for their upcoming fourth album Critical Hit, out June 22 via Dine Alone Records, Yukon Blonde are aiming to show that they’re much more than just rock, incorporating elements of electronica and erratic pop with their familiar garage rock sound. The 13-track album is a deeply personal proposition on dating in the digital age. The record channels the varying emotions experienced while navigating the sometimes treacherous waters of today; It’s sometimes tenuous, sometimes depressing, and sometimes jubilant. “It’s hard to do a song by song breakdown, because as much sarcasm and wit as there is on this record, there is some intensely private shit in the lyrics too, and sometimes the vibe is just more our obsession with synthesizers and drum machines, aesthetics over lyrics,” vocalist Jeff Innes says.
After sharing the erratic lovesick synth-pop anthem “Crazy” and the surf rock tinged track “Emotional Blackmail”, Yukon Blonde returns today with “Love The Way You Are.” The garage party anthem rides low on a gritty electric guitar rhythmic strut that recalls The Strokes, with the chorus blooming in a gang-vocal sing-a-long: “if you want something baby, go out and get it.”
GUEST PLAYLIST: Yoke Lore (Canada Love)
Its no secret that I’m a huge fan of Brooklyn-based musician Adrian Galvin (aka Yoke Lore), as even in the last few months when I’ve barely find time to post regularly, I’ve at least been able to feature each new track I’ve heard from this artist. Today, I’m happy to add a playlist that Adrian put together for Indie Music Filter, of his favourite tunes by Canadian artists. Check out the Spotify playlist below.
Yoke Lore is preparing the summer release of the Absolutes EP, and hitting the road with FRENSHIP in support.
Absolutes explores the grey areas between black and white ideas while building upon the lush, sonic palette of his past works. The new music finds multi-instrumentalist, dancer, and visual artist Adrian Galvin polishing his heartfelt anthems and ruminating on finding balance amid respective oppositions by breaking through the notion that truth necessitates purity.
Yoke Lore tours to Toronto this Saturday, with a show at the Drake Hotel. More details here.
