English funky electronic band KATVALY are optimistic in an age where it is not exactly fashionable on their new single Stained but free. Singer Glenn O'Halloran is well-versed in human rights and the need for protest to keep them safe and in the public's eye. Against all odds, he is convinced that love will persevere in the end. It is a heartfelt plea on top of a slow dance beat and swirling synths.
English funky electronic band KATVALY features some familiar names from Glenn O'Halloran's Dogzen Zendog project. The debut single Paper Scissors Stone finds them exploring the middle ground between Krautrock, jazz-infused post-rock, and early 80s art-rock.
O'Halloran's devil may care vocals pushes the song gentle forward, giving it a relaxed kind of swing that will appeal to dressed in black music fans of all ages.
HCTF's annual list of the 20 albums that will be in regular rotation for many years to come. As per usual many genres are represented. Here Comes The Flood covers a lot of ground and it shows in this eclectic, final tally.
Today: countdown from number 15 to 11.
Please shop at your local record store. The folks who work there know their stuff. And most of the stores have a pretty good website where you can order your stuff. It might even be cheaper than the big ones on the 'net.
Buy directly from the artist, attend live shows and stop by the merch table. And be sure to tell your friends about that great new act you discovered. Word-of-mouth can't be beat as the prime source to discover new music.
Right from the get-go English musician Glenn O'Halloran makes it clear that the pigeonholing defying music of his Dogzen Zendog project shows no signs of slowing down. On the new album Petals Nails there is room for dub and Sophie Knöchelmann's violin in the opening track The Box and Godley & Creme receive a well-deserved pat on the shoulder in Where Lovers Go. O'Halloran has a firm on things, but there is plenty of room for improvisation. All saxophone parts by Joe O'Halloran are first takes recorded during the first play back of the track. That is nothing short of amazing and can only be accomplished by listening carefully
Recording with both and without a safety net gives the tracks an edge - the spoken word in One by One (The Wallet) serves as a nice contrast for the soul-tinged chorus. The mid-tempo Laura (in the Rainstorm) should strike a chord by Roxy Music fans.
Dogzen Zendog have released Where Lovers Go, the second single from the forthcoming album Petals Nails. The project led English musician Glenn O'Halloran, is a genre-crossing outfit, and one this one they serve up a mix of ambient, dub, jazz and spoken word. “Big Tenor" Joe O’Halloran is all over it, sprinkling well-placed short bursts of saxophone. A melancholic late night song that keeps lingering in your head long after is finished.
Dogzen Zendog has released Laura (In The Rainstorm), the lead single from the forthcoming album Petals Nails. The project is the brainchild of English musician Glenn O'Halloran, who has put his avant-garde post-rock leanings on the back-burner for this track, going for a more subdued early Roxy Music vibe. Take note “Big Tenor" Joe O’Halloran channeling Andy Mackay. It is the perfect soundtrack for a gloomy day, with the clouds gathering in the distance.
The album version will be nearly twice as long, giving it more room for the ominousity that appears to be lurking in the shadows. The video was made by Astrid Bärndal.
HCTF's annual list of the 20 albums that will be in regular rotation for many years to come. As per usual many genres are represented. Here Comes The Flood covers a lot of ground and it shows in this eclectic, final tally.
Today: final countdown from number 5 to 1.
Please shop at your local record store. Most of them have a website where you can order your stuff. Buy directly from the artist, attend live shows when it's safe to do so again. Tell your friends. Word-of-mouth can't be beat as the prime source to discover new music.
Watch the Dogzen Zendog video for Hi-Fi Story, the radio edit of a track from the Walking Quickly Standing Still album: "O'Halloran wants to move forward, but he has second thoughts about where to go next. If anything, it makes him an artist with an open mind, not giving a fuck about boundaries and genres. Listeners are welcome to join him, but if not, that's fine too".
HCTF review of Walking Quickly Standing Still.
Experimental post-rock is a genre that can the kill a mainstream party in less than a minute, but English musician Glenn O'Halloran can steer the adventurous listener to the dance floor with some of the songs on Walking Quickly Standing Still, the latest album by his Dogzen Zendog. Dub, Krautrock, a bit of jazz all come together in tracks like Bill's Great Day and Hi-Fi Story.
The music is gnarly, eccentric, stubborn, knee-deep in effects, with his longtime friend, collaborator and fellow multi-instrumentalist Blake Leyh as his partner in crime. O'Halloran's aloof vocal delivery will be pigeon-holed as an acquiered taste - think Ivan Doroschuk (Men Without Hats) in a pissed off mood. The atmosphere of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop is brought back with Outbound, when technology acts up as he tries to get his email to work. Relying on appliances with a mind of their own apparently has gotten him into trouble more than once - there is a broken fridge in Carlisle. Anger and anxiety are powerful emotions and he uses them to create harsh but alluring melodies that keep lingering for quite awhile after a track has finished.
