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Talos – Far Out Dust

I had a conversation with someone recently about the Irish band Talos and found myself going back to their latest album, Far Out Dust, for a listen. It has been a week since that conversation, and the album is still on repeat. Eoin French, known by the moniker Talos, has an uncanny ability to create music that heightens my senses. The music flows through me, painting beautiful imagery in my mind by intermingling sounds that put my neurons into overdrive. I honestly do not know if it is his cadence, tone, lyrics, music, or a magical perfect mixture of all those things, but I am drawn to his art like a sailor to a siren. 

I heard about Talos in early 2018 from a tweet by a member of another band I love, which you can read about here. I had the first Talos album, Wild Alee, on repeat for several months after and still go back to it often. When I need inspiration I listen to Talos. The end, dot com. Their music opens my mind and surfaces deep thoughts and emotions for me to think more freely. Far Out Dust will take you on the best emotional roller coaster you have ever experienced. Fair warning though, it may leave you crying in a corner. I am most connected to “The Flood,” “Let Go,” and “Far Out Dust.”

Track 6 on the record is a song called “The Flood.” The line I always come back to is “The scent of you dies, a threat of a dream absorbs it.” As always with Talos, I am blown away by how perfectly they bring feeling into words. I find it terribly difficult to describe feelings and emotions, and it seems to come so natural to them. “Let Go” is another stand out tune for me and is my favorite track. There is so much passion in this song, and it gives me similar feelings to “Tethered Bones” from their first album. The last and title track, “Far Out Dust,” was the first song written for the record and set the tone for the whole album. Brendan Canty directed the music video for the song, and it is mesmerizing from the start as the actor begins signing “death.” By the end, I honestly felt like my heart was ripped from my chest.

I have said it before and will say it again, go listen to this band. You will not regret it. I cannot wait for the world of music to get back to normal so I can see Talos live.

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December – Ivory Layne Single

In December of 2019 I went to an Andrew McMahon show for his Winter in the Wilderness tour. I had an extra ticket and asked a friend to go with me very last minute, like an hour before the show last minute. Why? Well, that is what happens when your seemingly healthy child gets sick right before it is time to leave the house, especially when you have had something  planned for several months in advance. So, my husband took one for the team and stayed behind so I could go to the show. I felt bad leaving, but would later come to know that fate had come to the rescue that night. The friend that I invited was having a tough time working though a relationship and had a lot of uncertainty hanging over her head. Little did she know, the answers she had been looking for would manifest themselves in song via the stunningly soulful gig opener, Ivory Layne. I remember looking to my friend after Layne finished her first song, and we both had an understanding of the importance of her coming to that show with me. 

Layne just released her latest single “December,” a comforting song about acceptance and hope during darker times. It is so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when we are going through a difficult time, but Layne assures us that “nothing lasts forever.” We will have amazing, beautiful moments in our lives that fade, sometimes leaving us full of sadness where our worst fears control our thoughts. In those moments Layne encourages us to stay strong with the lyrics “It’s hard to remember, lows can make me whole, it’s only heavy for so long.”

I cannot stress enough the importance of a song like this, especially in the year 2020. I feel like we are all in the same “December” together. As Layne so eloquently puts it “We all have seasons to help our hearts reset.” You can find out more about Layne here. Please add her to your must see bucket list. She is brilliant!

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Taylor Swift – folklore

While I was in quarantine, barely able to keep up with which day it was, Taylor Swift was busy writing her eighth album.  Folklore is a moody, indie-folk record containing a series of sacred stories that have been buried deep in her soul, until now. It feels personal, like Swift was checking off boxes of unfinished business with the creation of each song. 

Catching attention with the opening line, “I’m doing good, I’m on some new shit,” Swift guides the listener through stories with airy vocals, floating over each track as if she is narrating a dream filled with tales of truth and inspiration. When the announcement came out for the album, I was most intrigued by the track “exile” featuring Bon Iver, and it exceeded my expectations. The contrasting perspectives of the complicated aftermath of a relationship was so open, honest, and raw. “This is me trying” is another song that stood out to me because of its vulnerability in admitting faults and asking for help, and “illicit affairs” holds my favorite lyrics with the line, “You showed me colors you know I can’t see with anyone else.” Making my way further down the track list,  I was hit emotionally hard by “epiphany.” If you look at the album as a tale of someone’s life, this song is the part of the story where things get uncomfortably serious, exploring the reality of helplessness in the face of death. Luckily, “betty” follows the somber track giving the listener a lighthearted feeling of being young again and navigating through mistakes. My favorite track is “my tears ricochet.” I love the eerie production of the song and its lyrics are perfection. 

Folklore left me with the thought of not taking life for granted, and in the moments where you feel lost, to trust yourself enough to have the strength to move forward, carrying your stories as a torch lighting your way. I am really looking forward to listening to this one on vinyl on a rainy Sunday and allowing my imagination to run wild. 

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Giants – New Dermot Kennedy Single

Rumors of a new Dermot Kennedy release started swirling around earlier this month within the DK community, and fans began sifting through every snippet the Irish artist has shared over the past couple years in an attempt to uncover which song would make its highly anticipated debut. The mystery was finally solved today with the release of his new single “Giants.” Remember the Lacoste video released back in September 2019? If you do, then you were probably quick to recognize the lyrics, “I knew of its worth” and “You know I never forgot.” I know I did because I have been singing them for months.

In a world currently full of confusion and uncertainty, “Giants” propels you forward with a youthful sense of wonder and hope. You feel the push immeadiately by the forgoing of an intro as the song guides the listener along with handclaps of encouragement. Finding beauty during difficult times is not easy, but Kennedy reminds us that it exists with the lyrics “I still love you though” encircling the question “Will you remember those times?” In our current state of limbo, let this tune be a reminder to us that our growth is still important, that time is fleeting, and that there is strength in the stillness. 

Give “Giants” a listen. It is an absolute banger and perfect in helping us look to a brighter future. 

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Cold Air – New Acceptance Single

Seattle based band, Acceptance, wrote this tune after reuniting from a 10 year hiatus a few years ago, putting their feelings of individual and collective growth within a song. I am grateful for its release and the inspiration it gives to be better humans, to recognize that we need connection and that we must work together. 

From the first note, ‘Cold Air’ feels like awaking to a hazy state of confusion and clarity. The line “Can you see the end of this, it’s closing in” followed by anthemic shouts of “We don’t belong here…We can’t survive here” hits particularly hard in the current wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, embodying the mixture of hopefulness and fear being felt around the world. The tune also serves as a pleading call to the current division the world is facing due to systemic racism within the lines, ‘Don’t it feel like the frontlines…Wait for a time when I’m listening.’ The world is in chaos. We are all worried. We are all fighting. It is time to worry and fight as one, a united front, ensuring everyone is heard and everyone belongs.

Please give this one a listen folks. Following this single, Acceptance plans to release their new EP, Wild, July 24, 2020. Mark your calendars, I’ve got a good feeling about this one. 

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City of the Sun

While scrolling through Instagram, I found myself entranced when I came across a post shared by Sofar Sounds of City of the Sun performing their song “W. 16th St.” from the album To the Sun and All the Cities In Between.  Since then, I have been listening to this instrumental trio made up of guitarists John Pita, Avi Snow, and percussionist Zach Para, and I am honestly finding it hard to listen to anything else.

Individually and uniquely talented, these former buskers come together to create something extraordinary. I never thought I would be a fan of an instrumental band because lyrics are so important to me, but this New York based band has forever given me a new perspective on how amazing instrumental music can be. I quickly found myself singing along to the melodies of each song, imagery entering my mind filling the space where vocals would normally be found. 

The feeling I get listening to them reminded me of a trip I took overseas in my early twenties. My friend and I met an older Italian couple while traveling on a train through Italy. The couple did not speak English and we did not speak Italian, but the husband saw us playing poker and was familiar enough with the game to join in. Finding enough common ground to communicate with a deck of cards was one of my favorite moments on that trip. I feel the same way about City of the Sun. They do not relay their messages with words, but I am able to find common ground through the emotions evoked when they play their instruments. I always say music is magical, and these guys could almost single handedly prove that fact. 

Give City of the Sun a listen. I cannot get enough of them. Their latest project, Chapter II, is available now, and my favorite track is “Barcelona.” You can also catch them on tour soon. Click here for more information.

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Walk On – Single by John Hiatt

When I was younger, sharing songs with friends was not a simple click and share via text message. While I am grateful for the simplicity of it now, I do miss the time and effort put into making someone a mixed tape or CD. When I was in high school a friend of mine made me a mix. Out of all the songs on this carefully crafted playlist, Walk On by John Hiatt was my favorite. I had never heard the tune before, and I fell in love with it immediately. About a week ago, it popped up in my random shuffle, and I felt instant comfort and a longing for simpler times.

It can be hard to describe why certain songs stand out and are more meaningful to you than others, and I remember thinking back then that I had no clue why I loved this particular song so much, other than the eerie imagery. In listening again, 18 years after first hearing it, I finally figured out what makes it so special to me. It is like the song knew me before I really knew me, a foreshadowing of how I would react to future events in my life.

This tune embodies who I am. The fear of not wanting to look back and the need to keep moving forward, and being able accept losses and deaths quickly while in search of redemption. “Walking on” is not always an easy thing to do and may even make me seem detached from emotion at times,  but it is the only thing that helps me look ahead to a hopeful future. 

If you have not heard this song, give it a listen. It is one of my favorites. John Hiatt is a brilliant storyteller, and makes you feel like you are walking with him through the streets of New Orleans, being pushed forward by fear of evil lurking around you. 

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2019 Year End Review

I was unsure if I wanted to do an end of year post for fear of sounding redundant, but I have come across so much music this year that has inspired me that I thought it would be a disservice not to share a couple highlights and a few of my favorites. 

So first, the highlights. I had the opportunity to see The Rocket Summer and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness live this year. I have been following them for over a decade, and being able to see BOTH of them live in the same year left my heart as full as it could possibly get. The music created by both of these artists got me through many ups and many downs over the past decade, and the love I have for every song they write is infinite. 

Another highlight from the year is so simple, yet has been so fulfilling. I started this blog with no intention of starting a social media page. I am glad I went against my better judgement and took Tunes and Tapes to Instagram. It has allowed me to share so much more than posts on a webpage every month. Lyrics are huge for me, but I did not want to make an entire blog post about one line in a song. The Instagram page allows me to do this on a smaller scale. It makes sharing concert experiences and information about artists so much easier. If you have followed, liked, commented, or viewed the Instagram page, THANK YOU SO MUCH. 

Picking a top five this year was less overwhelming than usual because each of these artists have inspired me and are on constant repeat. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have and that you have a wonderful new year. 

  1. Dermot Kennedy: Without Fear 
  2. The Rocket Summer: Sweet Shivers 
  3. Jack Gray: Nights Like This
  4. VÉRITÉ: New Skin
  5. TAVIA: A Walk in the Madness 
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VÉRITÉ- New Skin

The lyrics, “I’ve got new love, new skin to wrap myself in” open this incredible body of work and is the perfect set up for the story VÉRITÉ is about to tell. New Skin infinitely illustrates the cycle of relationships in which the end provides a means to a new beginning and self discovery. The honesty shared throughout the album had me muttering things to myself like, ‘Oh wow, this is bold’ and ‘Is she about to go there? Yep, she went there.’

While hanging on to a sliver of hope for a lasting relationship, VÉRITÉ grudgingly takes you on an emotional journey of a pairing that is burning out. The story comes to a bitter end, touching on infidelity with the track “Think of Me.” Then, seamlessly, moves into “Gone,” admitting that the relationship is over in a way that is freeing.  The album is like a giant therapy session where nothing is held back. Everything is laid out raw and real. The truth hurts and the truth is liberating. 

New Skin is the sophomore album for this New York native and is the type of gem I love finding. I admire vulnerability, and this album is full of topics so personal it is borderline uncomfortable. My favorite tunes are “Ocean,” “Think of Me,” and “Gone.” Go listen to this now (I have at least 5 times today). You will not regret it! For upcoming shows and info click here. 

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Dermot Kennedy – Without Fear

Dermot Kennedy’s career has been steadily moving forward since gaining online recognition with his 2016 single “After Rain.” He was the NPR Slingshot artist of 2018, and he made his American TV debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in early 2019 followed by The Ellen Show a couple months later. He snagged slots at popular festivals like Coachella and Glastonbury this year and practically sells out every tour he announces. This 27 year old Irishman has shown no signs of slowing down, and we can attribute his ever growing success to his hard work and dedication to his craft and his incredible team that helps him along the way.  

I first heard Dermot Kennedy when one of his songs was added to my Apple New Music Mix playlist in 2017. I remember being in my kitchen washing dishes when the vocal loop to “Moments Passed” started playing. My vigorous, angry scrubbing began to slow as my head turned towards my phone’s black screen, intrigued by the sounds emitting from its speakers. When Kennedy started singing, I was standing at my sink, elbows deep in dish water, completely stunned. Once out of my trance, I quickly finished my dreaded chore and listened to every song I could find by the Irish artist. After having two EP’s and a handful of singles in heavy rotation, Kennedy has finally released his debut album, Without Fear (cue heavens opening and trumpets sounding).

I am really impressed with how dynamic this album is. Kennedy continues to venture out in production, including hip-hop elements with tracks like “Outgrown,”but still manages to give us traditional acoustic sounds with songs like “Rome.” He even shows us that he can go a little more pop with a tune like “Power Over Me” while maintaining the authenticity that drew in some of his earlier fans. When I saw that “Moments Passed” made the cut, I was pleasantly surprised. I had trouble pinning down my favorite DK tune until I saw this song live, and I may have had an out of body experience during its intro. We may never really know what he shouts to us at the beginning of that tune, but fans will show up every time and give it right back, wrong or right. New versions of “An Evening I Will Not Forget,” “All My Friends,” “Dancing Under Red Skies,” and “Without Fear” were recorded for the album, and what I learned from this is to always have faith in Dermot Kennedy. His vision for what these songs needed to become to carry the story for the album is transcendent. Of the true debuts, “Redemption” leaves you feeling alive and free while “Outgrown” really stands out as a tune that may see itself backing a blockbuster movie in the future (fingers crossed for a Creed III). “Rome” gives you that longing to hold on to the most precious moments in your life, and “What Have I Done” depicts beautifully the way in which falling in love happens unexpectedly. Lastly, “The Corner” is like an old wound that Kennedy rips open to bare his soul so that none of his story is left untold. 

I have been asked what it is about Kennedy’s music that has me completely enamored, and the only answer I can muster up is that it is as if he takes very personal thoughts of mine from a journal that does not exist and creates music that paints vivid pictures of so many memorable moments of my life. It is a sense of nostalgia that I have not experienced through any other artist. My mentality is to keep going, to keep moving forward to whatever is next, and sometimes my past thoughts and experiences are locked away for fear of being distracted. Kennedy’s music is the key that frees my mind.  Sometimes a little distraction is what I need.  Sometimes a little distraction helps me remember who I am.

Give him a listen and let me know what you think. If you are lucky, there still might be some tickets floating around for his upcoming fall and winter tour. Click here for more info.