Tag Archives: vok

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Iceland Airwaves (Nov 3-5, 2017) – Review

Written by Erica Andreozzi

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I’ve worn plenty of wristbands in my day, but this one I wear with MOST PRIDE. Having been accepted to my second Iceland Airwaves Music Festival as a media pass holder is an opportunity that I do NOT take lightly, and I tried my best to capture the highlights of this magical, musical mystery tour.  Not only does this “land of Ice” know know to shatter glass ceilings and defy the odds of artistic potential and possibility, but it does so in a way that is warm (“land of fire”) and welcoming, and so in the least bit pretentious. The sky is definitely the limit for this innovative, ingenious, impressive Island. The music, people, and scenery is uncharacteristic of anywhere else.  ❤ 

Here are some of the bands that left a lasting impression in my mind and made me question the boundaries of human creativity (click on names or links below to see the full reviews): Hatari, Hogni, Hormonar, Kiriyama Family, We Made God, Omotrack, Rythmatik, Captain Syrup, Arstidir, Between Mountains, Axel Flovent, Mani Orrason, One Week Wonder, GDJYB (non-Icelandic), and Mammut (a personal favorite).  Since my review for Mammut was taking a very long to write (I often find it most difficult to write about bands that move me the most), I decided to write a combined review on their 2017 & 2018 Airwaves shows. Other Icelandic bands I have written about in the past are Asgeir, VAR, Vok, Kaleo, For a Minor Reflection, Sin Fang, Agent Fresco, Lay Low, Rokvva, Samaris, etc. See my reviews on Asgeir and Low Roar. See videos below from Airwaves 2017 when Mammut performed ‘Kinder Versions,’ ‘Pray for Air in the Water,’ ‘The Moon Will Never Turn on Me,’ ‘Walls,’ and ‘What’s Your Secret‘ (these absolutely SLAY):

 

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Wake Up (Playlist: May 3, 2017)

Wake Up

Compiled by Erica Andreozzi
(photo courtesy of Ashley Hirst)

A WAY OVERDUE playlist that I CANNOT WAIT TO SHARE. For anyone that needs a WAKE UP call, this ONE’S FOR YOU! The title track (‘Wake Up‘) features an LA-based band (Magic Bronson) that was one of my FAVORITE new discoveries at SXSW this year. They have such a unique, eclectic sound that I can’t seem to bin into a certain genre, and I LOVE THAT. Elements of electronic, rock, hip-hop come alive with their emotionally-charged lyrics and unpredictable beats and tempos. Their songs truly are roller coaster rides that have you jumping up and down with bulging carotids (at least mine were) at every shocking twist and turn. Other new discoveries at SXSW include Giungla (on tour with Foals), LANY, DYAN, Charlotte Cardin, and KOLARS.  AND… after 2 years of waiting, I finally CAUGHT A GHOST at SXSW and have been smiling ever since: “HOLD YOUR HANDS UP HIGH, MY LOVE I’LL SEE YOU BY AND BY.” Yaaaaas. Can’t wait their new album to drop in a few months! This playlist also features artists from recent shows (San Fermin, The XX, Milky Chance, Bastille, Low Roar, Laura Marling, Joe Purdy, Mondo Cozmo, ARIZONA, Tow’rs) and those with recent album/song releases (Sylvan Esso, Lewis Del Mar, Highasakite, Day Wave, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, Vok, Sam Airey, Cobi, Passport to Stockholm, Father John Misty, Beats Antique). Having first discovered San Fermin last year at BottleRock Napa, I was eager to check them again at The Independent with Low Roar (who I was already a big fan of) and I’m SO GLAD I DID (in fact I went both nights in a row!). San Fermin’s previously dubbed “chamber pop” has now exploded into looser, livelier full-force operation of 8 incredibly talented musicians OWNING their instruments and having THE TIME OF THEIR LIFE doing so. It is rare to see a collection of keys, guitar, drums, trumpet, sax, base, violin, and vocals complementing each other so perfectly in deliriously infectious arrangement that keeps your head bopping all night long. SO STOKED to see them again at Outside Lands in August! Now check out this killer 50-song playlist!

(In order to access the playlist, you have to press the 3 vertical dots in the upper right hand corner and select download. You can then cancel the download immediately and still have access to the playlist. If you are still having uses, let me know and I can send you a link to download the tracks!)

*Check out full videos on my YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/eandreoz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Beatsthatsetmypulse/

Instagram: beatsthatsetmypulse

Twitter: @beatsthatsetmy
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Standing Rock (Playlist: Oct 31, 2016)

Standing Rock
Compiled Oct 31, 2016

New playlist inspired by recent shows, especially that of Trevor Hall, an amazing artist and unbelievably generous, kind (heart-of-gold) human being. In honor the Standing Rock protest in North Dakota, Trevor and his friend Aaron Edwards wrote a song called ‘Standing Rock‘ to encourage the Sioux people to continue to “stand up up like a mountain” and protect their basic right for WATER, “one of life’s most vital resources for our children’s children’s children.” Trevor was inspired by all of the warriors on the front lines laying down their lives for WATER, calling them “mountains of themselves, touching the sky with their peaks of strength, love, and selfless service.” But because these “mountains” need food, tents, blankets, and other materials in order to keep standing tall, Trevor is donating 100% of the funds raised by downloading his song to the front lines of Standing Rock. Everyone should go find their INNER WARRIOR and STAND UP HERE: https://trevorhallmusic.bandcamp.com/  *It will hammer on your heartstrings like it did Megan‘s and mine that night we first heard Trevor sing it at Sweetwater Music Hall*

“Listen close my friend
This is happening
Warrior Warrior
…
If you are a rock
Stand up like a mountain
Rise up from the earth
One Love One Message
I know that we are strong in spirit
And if you are the righteous, hear it
If you are a rock
Stand up like a mountain.”

Aside from ‘Standing Rock‘, this playlist features a other slay-worthy gems from Trevor’s tall treasure trove: The Promised Land “Sometimes I don’t feel at home
Like exodus in my own soul, And I wanna return”, Kabir, To Zion (Jen’s favorite!), Wish Man, Great Mirror, and Holy Country. It also features tracks from recent shows (The Head and the Heart, Blossoms, Night Riots, Mondo Cozmo, Ryley Walker, Kaleo, The Wind and the Wave, Bishop Briggs, Sylvan Esso, Local Natives, Bon Iver, Phantogram, Rayland Baxter, Blind Pilot, Nicolas Jaar) and upcoming shows (Cobi, The Boxer Rebellion, Kishi Bashi, Benjamin Francis Leftwich), as well as new releases from Sin Fang, Vok, Roosevelt, Saint Motel, and Solander. Check out the killer 50-song playlist on Spotify! STAND UP LIKE A MOUNTAIN. ❤

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