Tagged: san francisco

[Nice In The Headphones] Modern Sounds in Science Fiction – Titles

titles modern sounds in science fictionTitles began back in 2005 as a songwriter/drummer duo based out of New England. Over the years, they gained members and a solid underground fan base. With a knack for creating cerebral alternative music, the group have released a slew of fantastic releases. This time around though, the streak is coming to a close.

Being the group’s final release, Modern Sounds in Science Fiction has a more melancholic sound. The layering effects almost feels like a bedroom project with the way bandleader, Brad Amorosino, home-recorded the album. I usually lean towards the electronic realm when writing Nice In The Headphones posts but the way each track flows into the next, there’s no doubt this would sound great between a pair of headphones.

Due out May 14th via Safety Meeting Records, stream the entire album above and be sure to check out the awesome pre-order vinyl option here that features a double-sided insert with 2,352 tiny drawings by Brad.

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[Nice In The Headphones] Splitting Branches – Tree

I’ve been a huge fan of Tree and his collaborators for awhile now. Otherwise known as Oliver Nickell, the young musician has made quite a home out of San Francisco truly pushing the underground movement on the West Coast.

Recently Nickell and his group of multimedia artists have dropped a free 9-track EP titled, Splitting Branches. It features some of the singles he’s released along the way and some new collaborations as well. What I love most is his non-traditional approach with creating music. It goes beyond simply finding various kitchen utensils to replace minor percussion, the production and layering is just completely on point.

I really enjoy the eerie, slow burner vibe in the opening track, “People,” which also has a fabulous finger-picking riff. It almost sounds like something straight out of Donnie Darko.  Other tracks like, “Artemecia,” blends female/male vocals wonderfully alongside electronic blips and bloops. I also dig the song, “From Reds to Blues,” which offers a spacey-chillwave sound over looping vocals. The entire track-listing is a diverse and experimental mix of works with various artists, it’s certainly one for the headphones with the amount of the layered details and textures.

Stream Splitting Branches below and be sure to nab your own copy here.

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Got one foot on the gas, there’s never a need for brakes.

Viceroy has been furiously putting his midas touch on summer jams as of late and simply won’t stop. Listen to his incredible remix of Wiz Khalifa’s track, “This Plane,” which lays out perfect sunny synths underneath Wiz’ persistent flow.

Perfect music for the shore, right-click and download.

This Place (Viceroy Jet Life Remix) – Wiz Khalifa

Time for you to guide us.

Hah, oh man do I love this kid.

With a couple of Game Boys, various kitchen utensils and a blend of odd synthesizers the final product is tree’s newest track, “Warrior,” which is off his upcoming album, Splitting Branches.

Like I said before, I really dig this kid’s positivity and that may seem corny but it seems to me that he seeks to make truly feel-good music. And often times, the simple lyrics are actually pretty thought-provoking. Give the latest a spin, and right-click to enjoy.

Warrior – tree

How could you think that you are lonely.

Fresh new track from the San Francisco based quasi-collective, tree.

I’m not sure what the hell’s coming out of the California music scene lately but I’m really digging it. Listen to all of the different instruments used in the track, “Universal,” that features female vocals from Ariel Theirmann and some assistance from their other friend, Shelf Nunny. There’s always a foundation of optimism found in Oliver Nickell’s music and it’s actually quite refreshing.

Grab the latest by right-clicking below. Enjoy.

Universal (ft. Ariel Thiermann) - tree

Californication

Just because it’s been bitter cold and windy (..and now add some snow) here in Philadelphia and my head is somewhere in April…

Remember to click on each individual picture to be taken back to the artist/seller’s direct purchasing page (thanks Chelsea!).

LISTEN:   California - Atherton

Vintage Surfer Boy Cufflinks

Continue reading →

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Separation can hurt though, it’s like the end of a circle.

I really dig this kid’s wordplay and mix of acoustic and electronic instruments. tree and his crew are back with two more well produced and very different tracks.

“This is Separation,” plaintively describes the end of something close to heart while acknowledging the future of something brighter. Someone’s got to throw this synth-heavy track a re-working. The other track, “An Apology,” goes back and forth between boy and girl with lyrics like “I’m honestly not perfect” that float over light piano. Very Stars-esque, have a listen.

This is Separation – tree & Shelf Nunny

An Apology – tree ft. Lena Kuhn & Haven Dlott

Right-click and enjoy.

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Is it snowing where you’re staying?

Well, it looks like we’ve got less than a week ’til Christmas folks so that means I should probably be amping up the Holiday music posts.

You all should know by now that I’m not into the ultra-traditional Holiday music but I can totally dig some indie-pop takes on the genre. San Francisco-based Ash Reiter have recorded a pair of Christmas songs (one being a Beach Boys cover) that are light-hearted and smile-provoking.

Download the free tracks and check out their latest music video at the bottom of the post.

Christmas In California – Ash Reiter

Merry Christmas Baby (Beach Boys Cover) - Ash Reiter

Minus the ice cream and add Holiday-themed cookies and that’s how I’ve felt after this weekend.

Cute, cute video though.

When it gives out so will I.

I’m all about the collective. If you follow my life way back I’ve always been about working with others to experience more. It’s natural, I’m a twin. I like to follow the philosophy that if you surround yourself with people you can learn from, overlap skills, and enjoy the occasional common interest with it makes for a much better product..outcome..experience you name it.

Meet tree. He’s 18 years young and massively beyond his years when it comes to the media industry and brings to table a great message. Otherwise known as Oliver Tree Nickell, he’s created a multimedia art collective based out of San Francisco that takes on his middle name. Last night he and a couple of his friends made this lovely electronic-pop track with effected female vocals that remind me of Stars. It’s quite impressive, I’m excited to learn more..

Stuck Down The Wrong Rabbit Hole (ft. Beat Culture & Lena Kuhn) - tree

Right-click and enjoy.

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Seventeen Evergreen – Polarity Song

If you’ve ever been in a thrift store, I’m sure your imagination can identify with this rad video from Seventeen Evergreen. Looks like we’ll see “Polarity Song” on the San Francisco duo’s upcoming Psyentist Ep to be released November 22nd. Enjoy friends!

Polarity Song – Seventeen Evergreen

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