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Were you one of those awesome people who traveled to Austin, Texas for South by South West? Neither were we. To get over the “I didn’t get to go to SXSW” blues, we chatted with some of our favorite bands we missed last week. Click the links to see our reviews or interviews.
First up, big, dark, and determined Canadian pop music playing quartet, Les Jupes.
To show our love for Pennsylvania folk-rock group Good Old War, we’re reviewing all three of their full lengths, starting with their second album, Good Old War. Their most recent album, Come Back as Rain, is a big hit on the iTunes chart and we love it too!
Brisbane Australia’s The John Steel Singers was a shame to miss, but luckily we got an interview!
Canadian duo Cannon Bros. has a soft nostalgic sound that we wish we could have caught on the road, but luckily, they’re going to be touring again soon.
Los Angeles based Tic Tic Boom! were a bit easier to miss since they’ll be touring this summer, but we’re dying with anticipation here.
The D.A., an El Paso quintet, took some time to talk about their brand new album, You Kids!
All of the members of The Mowgli’s, a southern California septet with hearts of gold, took time out of their day to talk about music and love.
Busby Marou has been making waves in Australia and finally brought their gorgeous tunes to American ears with a US release of their self-titled album.
To close out the SXSW special just as it began, a final review: Good Old War’s debut album, Only Way to Be Alone.
(L-R & top to bottom)
Here’s a new feature we’re trying out intended to hopefully give you a better look into the people behind Positivexposure and to share with you some cool stuff you may or may not know about.
1. Ecosystem notebooks.
Sunny: I love Ecosystem notebooks because they’re just as stylish and convenient as Moleskins, but they are completely eco-friendly and a lot cheaper. Plus, I doubt there is a debate on how to pronounce “ecosystem.” They come blank for artists, lined for writers, and in a grid for those who prefer it.
2. New Girl
Hailey: I’m not much of a TV person but three days ago I began and finished all episodes of New Girl thanks to some phantom sickness that left me in my comfy bed. Seeking residence after a break up, Zooey Deschanel plays lead character Jess Day, who moves into an apartment with three very different male housemates. Jess is super quirky, bubbly and fun and tends to see the good in just about everyone. When she’s not teaching at school or singing about mundane activities in an upbeat and dorky manner, Jess is teaching her new little family little life lessons. A day in the life of Jess Day also involves wearing ridiculously cute outfits which I wish would miraculously appear in my own wardrobe.
3. Through the Rough EP // Merriment
Sunny: I completely fell in love with this EP as soon as I heard the first song, and I’ve been listening to it non-stop ever since. Merriment is Christie and Collin DuPree.
4. On The Impossible Past // The Menzingers
Hailey: I’ve always liked what I’ve heard from The Menzingers, but their latest release on Epitaph Records leaves me confused and amazed after each listen – how do four dudes write something so perfect? A combination of On The Impossible Past and seeing them twice at Soundwave Festival has upgraded the quartet from my ‘rad bands’ list to ‘favourite bands list’. I’m just about certain I will not hear a song as good as “Gates” this year.
5. Psych
Sunny: Psych is a TV show that airs on USA. It’s about a slacker named Shawn Spencer and his uptight best friend Gus, who convince a police department that Shawn is psychic. Shawn is now head psychic for the Santa Barbara police department. It’s a fun show with good one off stories and likable characters. It’s really entertaining. I’ve been a fan since the pilot aired, but I prefer to watch TV online after the whole season is over… I just can’t take cliff hangers! Because of this, I am catching up on all 5 seasons of Psych on Netflix so that when I start season 6 everything is fresh in my mind.
6. “These Lights” // Your Demise
Hailey: Your Demise has gotten a bit of hate for their latest single (from their upcoming record The Golden Age) but “These Lights” clearly shows the English lads writing music they want to hear and not giving a damn about it – for that, I applaud them. The track is far less heavy and much catchier than previous efforts and presents a skater punk feel with a huge H2O and Pennywise sound, rather than their traditional hardcore punk style. The track simply rules, regardless of a genre change or the band that released it. High hopes for the new full length.
Are you into this feature? Let us know if you want to see it again.
Here is a quick blast from the past.
In issue 4, we asked Christie DuPree what flavor of ice cream best describes her.
A: I think I would probably end up being coffee flavored ice cream because I think I drink more coffee than I do water. Plus, I love coffee ice cream. That or mint chocolate chip.
Christie and her brother Collin DuPree are playing together under the name Merriment and they just released their EP, Through the Rough. Merriment is on tour with Eisley through April.
Photo © Christie DuPree
Question of the Week!
Let us know… your answers will help us plan some new features! If you’re on our website, the banner across the top left will take you to this same survey.
Someone That’s Not You // I Call Fives
New Jersey appears to be the capital of pop punk as of late with a plethora of thriving young groups, most noticeably led by the genre “defenders” Man Overboard. Not to be forgotten however, is five piece I Call Fives. After several solid releases and international tours, the polished group are well and truly in the NJ pop-punk clan. Their newest contribution out this month, Someone That’s Not You provides yet another burst of pure fun to an impressive back log of releases.
The 7”’s title track begins with a characteristic guitar riff which leads the way for the majority of the track. Vocalist Jeff Todd introduces his polished and pristine abilities in what creates an up-tempo track, certain to be a hit at this summer’s Warped Tour. Gruff vocals add a welcomed depth to the track after the first chorus, highly contrasting with the work of Todd. Fast paced drumming transfers steadily to “Backup Plan” which sports the catchiest chorus on the release, perfect for sing-a-longs with your bros.
With a change of pace, “Lakeview” offers the softer side of I Call Fives which we know the band is more than competent at due to 2010’s acoustic EP Gives Bad Advice. Despite the purer sound, Todd sings with spite as he announces that he’ll “save revenge for another day.”
The highlight of the EP’s 12 minutes comes via last track “How’s It Gonna Be”. The song is a unique addition to the quintet’s previous material, showcasing their ability as great songwriters and presenting a more mature and passionate effort from what is still a young band.
I Call Fives aren’t exactly reinventing the wheel but if you’re looking for a pop-punk band sticking to the genre, then this one’s for you. With each release, the band develops and progresses, yet stays true to themselves and as a fan, you can’t ask for much more than that.
Spring 2012 Letter from the Staff
Hey everyone,
We’re back! Spring is on its way so we’ve been doing some spring cleaning. We have decided that a new year means a new Positivexposure. We are making a few small changes that will make a big difference in the quality and quantity of the works we publish. We’re just minimizing our mediums to maximize our output, discontinuing the magazine to focus on the website in order to publish a higher quantity of content. Positivexposure’s inception launched as a magazine, despite intentions of beginning as a website. Today, through growth and development, we have reached that goal, which will allow us to cover a wider range of all things creative while keeping our concentration on photography and music. We’re keeping the bits you love, making them easier to access, and giving them to your more often!
The top 10 songs I discovered in 2011
Ever feel like you’re always playing catch-up? So do I. But the great thing about music is that it’s timeless. While these songs may not be new in 2011, they’re new to my ears, and maybe to yours, too!
#10 “Into the Shadows of My Embrace” - Eskimo Snow // WHY?
#9 “Distraction #74” - Four Thieves Gone // The Avett Brothers
#8 “Ginger” - Vampires with Dreaming Kids // Twin Sister
#7 “Reasons” - There’s Nothing Wrong with Love // Built to Spill
#6 “Bear Bones” - Heatwave EP // Total Babe
#5 “He War” - You Are Free // Cat Power
#4 “Gay Human Bones” - Hippies // Harlem
#3 “When I Grow Up” - Cover // First Aid Kit
#2 “Marie, Tu Pleures” - Les Chemins de verre // Karkwa
#1 “Fatalist Palmistry” - Alopecia // WHY?
This Is Our Concern Dude // Banquets
When it comes to modern day blue collar punk rock, Banquets are steadily rising to lead the pack. The four piece appear to take influence from fellow New Jersey locals, the more experienced The Gaslight Anthem, and are putting their own spin on the genre and its distinct city influenced culture.
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Thurrock International Film Festival 2012
From 24 -30 June 2012 the Thurrock International Film Festival will take place at Thameside Theatre in Grays, Essex. It is the exciting new venture of Natalie Williams and Benjamin Scarsbrook, two film studies graduates interested in bringing their area’s filmmaking related history to the forefront, as well as allowing a wonderful opportunity for amateur and professional filmmakers alike to have their films screened and showcased publicly. Here, Positivexposure speaks to Natalie and Benjamin about the festival and what to expect during the week-long event:
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THE ANARCHY AND THE ECSTASY // THE WORLD/ INFERNOFRIENDSHIP SOCIETY
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 vision, motion and sound. And that’s a little bit akin to the movement of punk rock, don’t you think?
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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 communicated via guitar. It insinuates the feeling of isolation which is, as we know, a very frightening feeling at first. The song is very frightened, it is very timid… it seems to prey upon the childlike uncertainty of the unknown and all the emotions it can trigger. This is a very strong connective element that the album carries throughout, though it fades as the tracks gradually grow with confidence.
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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 the clutches of the killer.
This is not related to art or music but it is worth your time and attention. Sexuality aside, this was a great feat and these two were very brave and deserve to be recognized. In the wake of a tragedy it always seems to be the killer(s) who get the attention rather than the amazing stories of victims, survivors, and heroes. Please take one moment to read about the bravery of Hege Dalen and Toril Hansen.
(via kcalron)
Suburbia I’ve Given You All and Now I’m Nothing // The Wonder Years
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 ensure I don’t get carried away and have neutral expectations when it comes to upcoming releases. Things were a little different a few months back for the lead up to The Wonder Years’ Suburbia I’ve Given You All and Now I’m Nothing… with confidence, I’d never set my expectations so high.
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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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