Golden Bloom Covers Wussy’s “Magic Words”

Choosing a song to cover is an art. Golden Bloom’s Shawn Fogel is quite adept at it, as shown by his choice of Wussy’s “Magic Words,” a track from the Cincinnati quartet’s celebrated self-titled album. “Magic Words,” a mid-tempo rocker, and his favorite, is transformed lovingly by Fogel into a poppier version of itself. Still present are the droning guitars, but added are the shiny synth touches that are a Golden Bloom trademark. All of this adds up to a unique approach to Wussy’s well-crafted phrases and lyrics. “I heard a lot of possibilities in my head, different directions I could take the song, says Fogel. “I ended up trying to inject a little more power into the pop and had a lot of fun reinterpreting this song in the studio.”  Fogel is not alone in the desire to reimagine Wussy. This Will Not End Well, a remix album that was digitally released in September, is filled with tracks from Wussy, but does not include “Magic Words”.

Shawn Fogel is no stranger to the art of the cover. This past summer and at CMJ 2010, he and members of Golden Bloom and The Motion Sick embarked on the ambitious task of playing Neutral Uke Hotel’s In the Aeroplane Over The Sea live on ukulele, melodica and trumpet as Neutral Uke Hotel. The shows were well received, filling venues with fans singing, clapping and stomping along to the beloved album.

Fogel is back in the studio with Peter Katis (Frightened Rabbit, The National, Interpol and Tokyo Police Club), to produce some tracks on the follow up to Fan the Flames, which was compared favorably to Summerteeth-era Wilco, The New Pornographers, and Big Star and loved by critics and fans alike. 
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Spotlight: Reno Bo

Reno Bo's Big Star-influenced pop rock is not what you'd normally expect from a Nashville singer/songwriter. He came to my attention thanks to two other power-pop musicians I know (one of them being GLG's Neil Nathan). And I couldn't be happier about this new discovery. I'm almost ashamed I wasn't already on board. Reno Bo's latest album Happenings and Other Things is a nod to classic rock done with power-pop sweetness. Todd Rundgren with fuzzed guitars, a Brendan Benson from the 1970s. R.I.Y.L. Sloan, Neil Nathan, Paul McCartney, Emitt Rhodes, Rooney, etc. etc. So good! Enjoy the adorable and cool video for the album's single "There's a Light."



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Golden Bloom Returns to Studio with Producer Peter Katis

Wooooooooooooooooo! We are shouting at GLG! Golden Bloom (OK, well, Shawn Fogel) is finally working on another album, which will not doubt be stellar. We seriously can not wait for his next work of pop genius.

Fogel has begun recording new Golden Bloom material, once again with producer Peter Katis! If you haven't heard, Katis is an uber producer who has worked wonders on records for The National (their last five records), Frightened Rabbit, The Swell Season, Interpol and Tokyo Police Club, to name just a few. The magic began this month when Fogel returned to Tarquin Studios with the prolific pop-maker Peter Katis. Golden Bloom's last full-length, Fan the Flames, which was compared favorably to Summerteeth-era Wilco, The New Pornographers, and Big Star and loved by critics and fans alike was recorded by Katis

So what can we expect from Fogel this time? Power pop? Rest assured. Intelligent lyrics? Certainly. The best music Golden Bloom has ever made? Absolutely. Fogel says, “[The experience] is similar to Fan the Flames in that I'm trying to make the best music I can in the moment, but I'd like to think whenever you work on something new you're in some way trying to out-do your previous work. I think the songs are really strong and more mature than the last batch of songs that comprised Fan the Flames.”

Wait, it's going to be even better than Fan the Flames? That's serious. Someone is going to need to fan us.



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Magnet Magazine Salutes Grand Atlantic

Indie mag bible Magnet Magazine has paid close attention to our favorite Aussies Grand Atlantic. Magnet had great things to say about the band's style and their U.S. release of How We Survive.

“Coast Is Clear,” which opens How We Survive (Laughing Outlaw), is a heavy bit of Catherine Wheel-style stadium shoegaze that meets its guitar-overdub and painkiller-softened-vocals quota." -- but the magazine's website offers up two bonus tracks to the band's new CD. Take a listen to "She's a Dreamer" and their gorgeous take on Big Star's "September Gurls." Click Here to Read More..

We can't help ourselves; watch a live performance of "September Gurls" by Grand Atlantic.

During their week at SXSW in Austin, our favorite Aussies Grand Atlantic played a live version of Alex Chilton's "September Gurls" during their set at Sonny's Vintage on March 18 (the day after Chilton passed away) and we've got it on video! Yeah! The video consists of the band performing the song live mixed in with random video footage of the group, turning it into a short film-style video. Enjoy!

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Grand Atlantic covers Alex Chilton's "September Gurls," Just Months Before His Death

While many are or have, Grand Atlantic is certainly not jumping on any sort of bandwagon to tribute iconic pop singer/songwriter Alex Chilton. Eerily enough, roughly two months before Chilton's death, Grand Atlantic had recorded one of Big Star's most memorable "hit" songs "September Gurls."

When Chilton's sudden passing on March 17 came to press, many of his biggest fans and followers were at SXSW in Austin, Texas. If they weren't planning to attend the SXSW-scheduled show of Big Star on Saturday, March 20, it was only because the fans themselves were probably playing in their own band, influenced by this seminal power-pop group. It was a shock heard around the indie rock world, one that still stuns us today.

Grand Atlantic singer/guitarist Phil Usher was one of those people. An honor of Chilton's past work both in Big Star and The Box Tops, and eerily enough, just about two months before Chilton died, Grand Atlantic recorded a cover of Big Star's understated and powerful love song "September Gurls." We get chills as we tell you this.

After SXSW and Chilton's passing, we asked Usher to tell us about his personal experiences with the music of Alex Chilton.

"The music of The Box Tops and Big Star have resonated with me in a unique way. I am a sucker for great rock n roll with inspiring melodies and Alex had it pulsing through his veins. I actually discovered Big Star through the recommendation of friends, after they mentioned that they thought my music reminded me of the band. I have always been a big Teenage Fanclub fan and have now realized what a huge impact Alex had on their music as well. I had hoped to catch him perform at SXSW along with many others, but unfortunately it was not to be. As with many great artists, he may have been under-appreciated and under-rated during his time here, but his music will live on and continue to inspire and encourage others like myself. I feel so fortunate to have found his music and feel as if the musical landscape would not be the same without Mr. Chilton. Rest easy Alex."

Take a breath, close your eyes and listen to Grand Atlantic's stunning version of "September Gurls." Click Here to Read More..

Einsten and Alan Cohen Experience Join Big Star Tribute in Spirit

Musicians and fans were saddened upon the news that Alex Chilton of Big Star passed away March 17. The shock hit hard, and especially made an impact at this year's SXSW. Rolling Stone reports Big Star's remaining members Jon Auer, Ken Stringfellow and Jody Stephens were joined by several musicians who wanted to help celebrate Chilton's memory and allow Big Star to still perform a show at Antone’s Night Club. Performances included Curt Kirkwood on "In the Street," M. Ward of She & Him on "Big Black Car," Mike Mills of R.E.M. on "Jesus Christ," and John Doe of X on "I'm In Love with a Girl."

An array of musicians continued to provide musical support in order to honor the legacy of Chilton. Other performers included Sondre Lerche, Chris Stamey, Chuck Prophet, Evan Dando, Amy Speace, Susan Cowsill, and the Watson Twins. Original Big Star member Andy Hummel even traveled all the way from Lithuania in order to show support for his fallen band mate.

Even bands and fans that were not in attendance at SXSW have the memory of Chilton in their minds and hearts. Although they didn't perform at SXSW, Alan Cohen Experience was there in spirit as the new song "Einstein" was even played at Antone’s during the set break before the Big Star tribute.

Although the news of Alex Chilton's passing created heartbreak all throughout Austin, and throughout the music world, his legacy and Big Star's music will certainly continue to live on.

Visit http://www.alancohenexperience.com to download Alan Cohen Exerience's song "Einstein."

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