January 2012
4 posts
4 tags
Hot Lights EP // Viper Creek Club
Hot Lights opens with a jarring and somehow symphonic bang. It is complete with an entire strings section and horns, a deep, grimy back beat, and a sky-scraping voice anxiously vociferating lyrics to its listener. The new EP starts off with “Because I Know”, a song that lets the audience know what Viper Creek Club is all about.
Though the group is heavily influenced by hip-hop, it...
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Hope is for People // Mixtapes
Cincinnati’s Mixtapes provides snippets of adolescence and angst in the form of compressed guitar riffs, direct lyrics, and modest dual vocals. The simplicity of their eleven minute EP Hope is for People is like a snapshot of youth, with the title track acting as its anthem, chanting, “Let’s cut the bullshit and get to living.” This theme continues through the rest of the EP’s six song...
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Split // Balance and Composure & Tigers Jaw
Picking favourites, whether it’s picking your preferred pet, sibling or Spicegirl (how good was Sporty Spice?), it’s something we all do but deep down tend to feel a bit remorseful about. When it comes to split releases I usually sway towards one side with a wave of guilt. This split is no different, but thankfully Balance and Composure and Tigers Jaw have weighed in almost equally, so I don’t...
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Compact Disc // SWTHRT
“Doubt and thou shalt be corrected.”
That’s perhaps not the greatest philosophy to believe in when you’re a person who outwardly advocates positivity, but you’d be surprised at how often these words have crossed my mind these days. I’ve found myself in chance situations where something that is seemingly doubtful works out for the better and the discovery of...
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Our Future Selves // Shuteye Unison
Shuteye Unison open like The Stooges would.
The opening of Our Future Selves is brash and bratty and sets one up for something they are ultimately not expecting - whether that’s a good or a bad thing is still a mystery to me. First off, I liked it. The second time around, I liked it even more. “Be Kimball” would be that Stooges-esque opener. It sounds and feels like a punchy...
December 2011
5 posts
SARGENT HOUSE: FREE Contract Advice. No More... →
sargenthouse:
I am setting up a FREE advice email for any bands out there that have been sent a written contract to sign by a label, booking agent, marketing firm, label scout, manager - whatever. I’m begging all bands to NEVER just sign without first getting some real advice and understanding of what it…
Any bands about to sign a contract should check this out. It’s an incredibly...
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Top 10 of 2011: Hailey Hill's Picks
Maybe you’ve noticed, maybe you haven’t… Positivexposure was, for the most part, in hibernation in 2011. But taking a break from sharing music doesn’t mean taking a break from discovering and taking it in! If you’ve been following Hailey’s reviews this year, this list will not surprise you, but you may discover some albums you missed this year.
...
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Raccoon Valley Recordings // The Heat Tape
From what little knowledge I have of punk, I have determined that it’s a genre riddled with hits and misses. Fortunately though, I believe there have been more hits than there have misses. From the outset, I understand that it’s quite a political music - it carries a clear message, sometimes poignant, rather than just vomiting up a lot of waffle about rebellion and anarchy. However, as...
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Under Soil and Dirt // The Story So Far
Many hailed The Story So Far’s debut full length as pop-punk record of the year, ahead of genre heavyweights New Found Glory and The Wonder Years. For anyone, let alone a band who only recently graduated high school, this call would have been quite the compliment. A big call it may be, but with just one listen praises like this can rightfully and understandably be thrown around.
Under Soil and...
October 2011
2 posts
3 tags
Man Overboard // Man Overboard
Plenty has taken place in the Man Overboard camp as of late. In the fourteen months since debut full length Real Talk was released, the New Jersey outfit experienced line-up changes, signed a deal with major record label Rise Records, and toured with some of the most recognisable bands in the genre (New Found Glory, The Wonder Years, Fireworks) at home and abroad. Despite these undoubtedly...
1 tag
September 2011
3 posts
4 tags
Of Gold // Bars of Gold
A gentle orchestral score is what sweeps you into the intro track of Bars of Gold’s LP, which is quite bravely named Of Gold. Ambitiously titled? You could say that, but once a charming melody of electronic keys begin exploding like Pop Rocks over the grand instrumental, you can’t help but feel a little warmer about their pre-perceived assertiveness. The aforementioned opening track is...
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Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! // Campaign
Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice!, the most recent EP from Atlanta’s Campaign simply conveys what I like to call, ‘the lot’. The five piece reach out and sample the best elements of several genres and thoughtfully place them together for a fun, passion-filled EP that finishes all too soon. Opener “Old Haunts” gives us an excellent taste of Campaign’s ultimate melodic punk/hardcore based...
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Don't Want To Build Coffins No More
Many times have I purchased an album on the strength of a single song I heard on the radio, only to find that it was the only song I liked on the collection; as if the artist had said, “Let’s try something different with this one,” struck gold, but then did not follow the vein. This time, as a listener, I decided to do something different. Rather than buying the album, I went to...
August 2011
5 posts
1 tag
Anonymous asked: What is the stay positive foundation interview? A lot of people are keen to read. Thanks
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Ultrapolyamorous // Montagna and the Mouth to...
I need to get something out of the way before I gush about how beautiful the sounds I just processed are.
When I recieved the press pack, I saw it included a file of lyrics for the seven inch. Upon opening it, I scrolled down a little and lo and behold was an exerpt from Night Gleam, a poem by Allen Ginsberg.
Congratulations, Montagna and your Mouth to Mouth, you’ve successfully won over...
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THE ANARCHY AND THE ECSTASY // THE WORLD/...
The idea of vaudeville is a heady concept, I believe. The term, derived from the French expression voix de ville, or ‘voice of the city’ holds a whole world of ability to its core. Obviously, it’s about expressing a message of some sort, but vaudevillians expressed their message in an overtly theatrical manner - through dance, song, vivacious costumes and make up. Through...
5 tags
Steep Bay // The End of America
In the description on The End of America’s Bandcamp site, the opening line states that, “The End of America is not some grand political statement. Instead, it is an honest attempt between three friends to return music to its purest form.”
Their debut album, Steep Bay, opens with a song titled “Are You Lonely”. Its trembling melody is an abstract anxiety...
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If a Married Lesbian Couple Saves 40 Teens from... →
Dalen and Hansen drove the boat to the island, picked up from the water victims in shock in, the young and wounded, and transported them to the opposite shore to the mainland. Between runs they saw that the bullets had hit the right side of the boat.
Since there were so many and not all fit at once aboard, they returned to the island four times.
They were able to rescue 40 young people from...
July 2011
5 posts
3 tags
Movie Review: Hanna
I have nothing but praise to sing for Hanna. Hanna is one of those rare movies that I became aware of early in development, became instantly excited to see, and wasn’t disappointed by when I was finally able to watch it. Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) is 16 years old. She is bright, inquisitive, and a devoted daughter. Uniquely, she has the strength, the stamina, and the smarts of a soldier; these...
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Single review: Downfall // Dream On, Dreamer
Occasionally a new band bursts onto the scene and each inch of you is ridiculously confident that this band will take part in something called world domination. Since the very beginning, even those who don’t necessarily get excited over fresh bands have been hyping on about Melbourne’s Dream On, Dreamer, and rightly so. In approximately two years, the sextet has achieved an admirable file of...
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Brits And Pieces - Tellison
Fresh from releasing their second studio album The Wages Of Fear last month, Brits and Piece’s Alexa caught up with one half of the intelligent and bitter-sweet rock/pop quartet, Tellison, on the last leg of their UK tour.
Okay so if you could start by giving a little introduction to yourselves Peter: Hi I’m peter and I play guitar in the band Tellison. Stephen: I am Stephen and I...
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Suburbia I've Given You All and Now I'm Nothing //...
High expectations are often nasty little things. The pressure they possess is capable of messing so much with the minds of a band that as a result, in some cases we’re given a not so amazing release. As the vicious cycle continues, they have the ability to crumble your love of a band and hit you with a lengthy bout of disappointment. Nobody likes to be let down, and due to experience I generally...
June 2011
5 posts
1 tag
Positivexposure is Officially Two Years Old!
And a new issue is coming out really soon.
We’ve listened to a lot of what you’ve been saying and we think you’re really going to love this issue. Stay tuned for details!
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Brits And Pieces - Wise Children
Last Tuesday I had the pleasure of heading to Bath to watch the wonderful Wise Children, as well as cheeky interview beforehand. I really do suggest you check them out, especially if you’re into the folky genre. You can listen to both EPs for free here.
First off, could you give us a little introduction to who you are?
Okay I’m Robin and I set up Wise Children, which is to me is a...
4 tags
Man Man, Shilpa Ray Review, Bimbo's 365, San...
I hate driving in San Francisco. We, as an intelligent collective of organisms, need to hurry up and invent teleportation, because going to the city and trying to find parking is just mind boggling. That place is not meant for automotive transportation. When we finally did find parking it was because a limo had been rendered immobile, and only our compact car could traverse around it. The limo...
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Meet Redondo Beat // Redondo Beat
If there’s any popular trend in music, it’s that of the throwback. You’ve got The Kills channeling The Velvet Underground’s raucous sixties theme, Imelda May pulling influence from rockabilly greats such as Wanda Jackson and even Lady Gaga’s more-than-obvious mirroring of Bowie’s glory days.
I find that it’s actually rarely seen in the indie scene, more...
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A Short Collection Of Short Songs // Mixtapes
A Short Collection Of Short Songs, the fourth release from Cincinnati, Ohio natives Mixtapes, shows abundant advancement from the highly impressive and distinctive quartet. The 7” has definitely not only gained them a substantial portion of fans from the masses of the pop punk community, but reached the horizons of other musical cliques. I for one am yet to recommend this band to someone who...
May 2011
1 post
4 tags
Brits And Pieces - Richard Walters
First things first, a little introduction if you please Hello, my name is Richard Walters. I’m a musician. I sing and write songs, but I’d rather not be cornered in with the singer/songwriters - they’re no fun. I’m just about to release a second full length album called ‘Pacing’ which follows up my debut ‘The Animal’ which came out a year and...
April 2011
15 posts
SPF On Tumblr !
thestayposfoundation:
Hey guys, we’ve decided to jump on the bandwagon and update news and information upon here so you can read it first hand. We’ll be updating on anything from interviews,merchandise,our current cause and the raise of funding towards it, new and upcoming causes. Any relevant and important info! We’ve got a lot in store this year, and we’d love to have you all involved. Follow...
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The Hollow // Memphis May Fire
I tend to be a little nervous, and at times harsh, when it comes to post-hardcore bands. Each time I check out a new combo, I prepare myself for little difference between the one at hand, and the previous band I listened to. It’s hard to find a unique band that blatantly stands out in the scene at the moment, apart from the ridiculously bad ones. Thankfully, with their latest effort The...
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Something Left Behind // Transit
To me, Transit and their fans are very much a tight-knit, welcoming and ever growing family. With each release the family expands but the feeling that this band is your ‘best kept secret’ doesn’t diminish in the slightest. Yet again, the Boston natives have added another solid release to the list for their legions of devoted and enthusiastic fans, only this time around...
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Sounds Loud 2011
Back again in 2011 was the free, all ages Sounds Loud Festival, which concluded National Youth Week. This year’s line-up was a departure from the heavier, more “emo” line-up of recent years and saw an influx of indie bands and use of synthesisers. It started as a beautiful sunny and warm day in Melbourne, which helped to draw a lot of the locals to head down to Queens Park to see what all the...
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The Tunnel // Ghost Heart
Ghost Heart’s The Tunnel has drawn comparisons to Vampire Weekend and Animal Collective, but a listen to the album proves that the Michigan foursome have a sound uniquely their own. At the opening of the album is “Whoever You Are”, a minute-and-a-half long introduction that left me a bit disappointed – a nicely put together instrumental track, but lacking in much imagination. However,...
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We have issues. →
Catch up on any issues you’ve missed while you await our next issue. (Coming soon, dear and wonderful readers.)
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Pomplamoose is a duo from Corte Madera, California, made up by multi-instrumentalists Nataly Dawn and Jack Conte. They’ve been around since 2008 but have only recently blown up all over the internet. You may recognize them from the recent Hyundai holiday ads, where they were featured singing “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Jingle Bells”, “Deck the Halls” and...
4 tags
Sucker Punch
Sucker Punch is the story of a young woman known only as “Baby Doll” (Emily Browning) who finds herself imprisoned in an insane asylum by her stepfather, seeking the inheritance of Baby Doll’s recently deceased mother. She, along with the other inmates, begins a plan to escape the asylum before she is lobotomized. To cope with the horrors of her environment, Baby Doll...
3 tags
Hey everyone! We’d like to introduce a new regular feature to you. Do you remember our Awesome Band Alerts? Well, welcome to Spotlight On:, an extended version of an Awesome Band Alert.
Spotlight On: will focus three days of coverage on one band. We will tell you a bit about them, give you relevant links, MP3s, videos, photos, reviews, and fun interviews.
It’s basically a great...
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The Absolute Worst // Man Overboard
This 7” has left me frustrated. Why? Man Overboard is still to visit the shores of Australia. The 4 piece from New Jersey pour out releases, and after I give each one a listen, I look forward to the day I stand in a room of pop-punk enthusiasts to belt out lyrics and admire those who chuck a punk jump of great heights. The Absolute Worst had very much the same effect. These two tracks...
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Sounds Loud 2011 (AUS)
The FREE and all ages Sounds Loud Festival is proudly returning to Melbourne’s Queens Park on Saturday the 9th of April 2011.
Last year’s event saw over 9,000 people descend on the beautiful surrounds of Queens Park in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne to witness Australia’s hottest acts and next big things grace the Sounds Loud Festival stages - and this year’s festival promises to be bigger and better...
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Sea to Sky // Carpenter
Est. 2005, Carpenter has risen from the remains of Vancouver bands All State Champion, By A Thread and Daggermouth. The four piece combine their own influences, and create a band which has that simply ‘classic’ feel, along with a DIY mentality, which are both evident in 2010’s Sea To Sky. This classic feel could be pin pointed to vocalist/guitarist Daniel Sioui’s...
March 2011
3 posts
3 tags
An Interview with Scotland's Flood of Red
Self confessed veterans of the road, Flood Of Red take a quick break in Bristol to chat to Brits and Pieces’ Alexa Jade. Now a six piece, the boys from Airdrie talk good gigs, bad gigs and Meatloaf.
Hey guys, thank you for having me! How many shows down are you now? Calum: Well this is the eighth day and I think this is the 6th show.
How’s it been going so far? Calum: Yeah...
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Push Over 2011
Push Over is Victoria’s longest running all ages festival, and even after 20 years, it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down any time soon, boasting yet another huge line up this year showcasing the country’s talented bands from a diverse range of genres.
First band for the day was Passport For Amy on the Green Stage. The Green Stage, for the most part of the day, showcases bands from around...
February 2011
1 post
6 tags
The Getaway Plan @ The Hi-Fi Melbourne 19/2/11
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM THE U18 SHOW!
After all the crypticness and secrecy (countdowns to announcements, misleading video updates etc.) regarding the band’s future which diminished a few years back, The Getaway Plan is back, maybe not better than ever but the Melbourne four piece still manage to put on a tight set. I was lucky enough to attend both Melbourne shows of the ...
January 2010
1 post
2 tags
Positivexposure Issue 4
Open publication
FEATURING: Good Old War, Wesley Jensen and the Wildcats, Help-Portrait, Harvard, Single FIle, Life on Repeat, Becca, Jonas Sees in Color, Polysics, and more!