It's time for another swing into the sweet sounds of the spaces here at aloft Portland, and for this edition we have the rising folk-rock stars Grizzly Bear!
Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, Grizzly Bear are part of an increasing tide of indie folk rock to hit the mainstream airwaves as of late. Along with other talented groups (such as local stars Blitzen Trapper and Seattle's Fleet Foxes), Grizzly Bear has gotten their also-woodsy name out there and garnered wide acclaim in the process.
Some of that acclaim has been local, with noted radio DJ Greg Glover of 94.7 Alternative Portland selecting Grizzly Bear's album "Veckatimest" as one of this Top 40 albums of 2009, for his "left of the dial" Bottom Forty program.
Grizzly Bear puts in their "Two Weeks" here on a regular basis, with their Beach Boys-esque harmonic hit frequently catching the ear of our mix-and-minglers in re:mix and W XYZ. Also a favorite of our savvy mixologist Larry, Grizzly Bear represent some of the absolute latest of great to be hitting the music scene.
Check out their sounds streaming online for free at their official Myspace page, and keep your ears perked during your next stay for the next time they come on...
Showing posts with label sweet sounds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sweet sounds. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
sweet sounds: Tori Amos!
For our latest swing into the sweet sounds that play here at aloft Portland, we have a look at the excellent (and often eccentric) piano songtress, Tori Amos!
Having been booted from music school as a youth largely due to her alternative methods, those leanings proved valuable as she emerged onto the music scene in the early 90's. Arriving with Little Earthquakes, Tori soon started topping the charts with songs both unusually personal and heavy in subject. Her bold, heartfelt style has built her a strong, loyal following, as she approaches 20 years of success (despite the occasional butting of heads with studios).
Her independent, if idiosyncratic nature is the soul of her music, propelling both hits like "A Sorta Fairytale" and unusual projects like her later concept albums (including a cover album of songs by men reworked to female perspectives, and a "sonic novel").
Tori is one of the most frequently played artists here in our spaces (I've heard at least 4 or 5 different tracks here) so next time you come on by to stay or visit W XYZ, keeps those ears peeled for a taste of her sound...or, in the meantime, you can always sample many of her latest efforts streaming free at her official Myspace page! :) '
'Tis the season, too---her latest album (Midwinter Graces, barely a month old) is a seasonal Holidays album!
Having been booted from music school as a youth largely due to her alternative methods, those leanings proved valuable as she emerged onto the music scene in the early 90's. Arriving with Little Earthquakes, Tori soon started topping the charts with songs both unusually personal and heavy in subject. Her bold, heartfelt style has built her a strong, loyal following, as she approaches 20 years of success (despite the occasional butting of heads with studios).
Her independent, if idiosyncratic nature is the soul of her music, propelling both hits like "A Sorta Fairytale" and unusual projects like her later concept albums (including a cover album of songs by men reworked to female perspectives, and a "sonic novel").
Tori is one of the most frequently played artists here in our spaces (I've heard at least 4 or 5 different tracks here) so next time you come on by to stay or visit W XYZ, keeps those ears peeled for a taste of her sound...or, in the meantime, you can always sample many of her latest efforts streaming free at her official Myspace page! :) '
'Tis the season, too---her latest album (Midwinter Graces, barely a month old) is a seasonal Holidays album!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
sweet sounds: Fleet Foxes!
For our latest swing into the sweet sounds of our spaces here at aloft, we have a look at an indie folk fivesome, Fleet Foxes, whose finesse sound is fueling a meteoric rise in popularity.
Hailing from the Seattle area, Fleet Foxes has brought a very unique and sophisicated style to the scene. Describing themselves as "baroque harmonic pop jams", the group carries an electric, charismatic quality to their music while harkening back to the spirit of folk bands like America and Crosby, Stills, and Nash.
Fresh off their eponymous first album (released in 2008), Fleet Foxes has already began selling out shows and has built an unusually passionate fan base---they've struck a unique chord among many, and it'll be exciting to see what this young (I was amazed, given the almost Medievally-old fashion to the sound, that vocalist Robin Pecknold is only 23) band comes up with next after theit hot start.
To listen to their first album and all of their songs (including their well-played EP single, "Mykonos") free, check out the official Fleet Foxes Myspace page! And keep your own fox ears perked for the next time "He Doesn't Know Why" comes wafting along again into the vibe...
Hailing from the Seattle area, Fleet Foxes has brought a very unique and sophisicated style to the scene. Describing themselves as "baroque harmonic pop jams", the group carries an electric, charismatic quality to their music while harkening back to the spirit of folk bands like America and Crosby, Stills, and Nash.
Fresh off their eponymous first album (released in 2008), Fleet Foxes has already began selling out shows and has built an unusually passionate fan base---they've struck a unique chord among many, and it'll be exciting to see what this young (I was amazed, given the almost Medievally-old fashion to the sound, that vocalist Robin Pecknold is only 23) band comes up with next after theit hot start.
To listen to their first album and all of their songs (including their well-played EP single, "Mykonos") free, check out the official Fleet Foxes Myspace page! And keep your own fox ears perked for the next time "He Doesn't Know Why" comes wafting along again into the vibe...
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
sweet sounds: Death Cab for Cutie + The Postal Service!
For our second dip into the sweet sounds of aloft, I'm going to be looking at the twin successes of Northwest-local singer Ben Gibbard: Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service!
Gibbard had the unusual feat of having two successful bands operating at the same time: Death Cab since 1997, and The Postal Service from 2001-2005. His trademark voice is easily recognized with either, and both turned out a series of hits with lasting appeal.
While Death Cab has been together and completed six albums, The Postal Service came about after a brief remix collaboration between Gibbard and producer Jimmy Tamborello. They clicked so well they decided to start a band, of which most of their creations were done through the mail---hence the name. ("Death Cab for Cutie", one of the more memorable band names out there, comes from the title of a song in the 1967 Beatles' film Magical Mystery Tour).
The relaxing electro- and rock-pop sounds of both acts waft through the aloft on a very regular basis---rarely a night goes by where Gibbard's voice isn't heard here. The selection has impressed some important guests, too; an exchange between a VIP singer and a bandmate as they were sliding over to the lifts here:
"Hey, dude..."
"What?"
"Listen to what's playing."
"What?"
"The Postal Service!"
"Oh, awesome!"
:) The aloft sounds apparently have the huge-band seal of approval (a song by Bon Iver excited the VIP even more later).
---
To hear a wide sampling of Gibbard and his bands' works, quick-click through here to the Death Cab and Postal Service Myspaces (the Death Cab page having entire albums streaming free!), and keep your ears peeled while lounging away here... :)
Gibbard had the unusual feat of having two successful bands operating at the same time: Death Cab since 1997, and The Postal Service from 2001-2005. His trademark voice is easily recognized with either, and both turned out a series of hits with lasting appeal.
While Death Cab has been together and completed six albums, The Postal Service came about after a brief remix collaboration between Gibbard and producer Jimmy Tamborello. They clicked so well they decided to start a band, of which most of their creations were done through the mail---hence the name. ("Death Cab for Cutie", one of the more memorable band names out there, comes from the title of a song in the 1967 Beatles' film Magical Mystery Tour).
The relaxing electro- and rock-pop sounds of both acts waft through the aloft on a very regular basis---rarely a night goes by where Gibbard's voice isn't heard here. The selection has impressed some important guests, too; an exchange between a VIP singer and a bandmate as they were sliding over to the lifts here:
"Hey, dude..."
"What?"
"Listen to what's playing."
"What?"
"The Postal Service!"
"Oh, awesome!"
:) The aloft sounds apparently have the huge-band seal of approval (a song by Bon Iver excited the VIP even more later).
---
To hear a wide sampling of Gibbard and his bands' works, quick-click through here to the Death Cab and Postal Service Myspaces (the Death Cab page having entire albums streaming free!), and keep your ears peeled while lounging away here... :)
Sunday, October 4, 2009
sweet sounds: Duffy + Adele!
Here at the aloft Portland, we have an unusually savvy selection of songs that play in our re:mix, w xyz, re:charge, and other spaces. New, hip, and fresh, our groovy and on-the-cusp tunes are a highlight of the "aloha!" experience.
Starting today, I'm going to be featuring different artists each week that play here on our musicologist-mastered house channels.
First up is a pair of youthful UK soul maestros whose sounds grace our spaces regularly: Welsh singer-songwriter Duffy, and Grammy-winning Londoner Adele!
Having overcome some unusual childhood challenges at home, the 25-year-old Duffy has risen with her voice to the top of the charts, and to the forefront of the new wave of across-the-pond soul. All her success comes after just one album (Rockferry)---so Duffy's just getting started :)
Adele is a similarily spectacular serenader, that has taken the world by storm...at the ripe old age of 21 (and that's only as of May!). Winning a Grammy before she could buy a drink in the U.S. gives you an idea of the kind of talent she has :)
Both are amazing acts who have hit the world scene together (and with mutual respect), and it's a highlight of my night when either's voice comes soaring through our sound system.
A-quick-click here for Duffy and Adele's Myspace pages, respectively, which each stream their albums free...and next time you're here, keep those ears tuned for hits of theirs like Duffy's "Stepping Stone" and Adele's "My Same"! :)
Adele is a similarily spectacular serenader, that has taken the world by storm...at the ripe old age of 21 (and that's only as of May!). Winning a Grammy before she could buy a drink in the U.S. gives you an idea of the kind of talent she has :)
Both are amazing acts who have hit the world scene together (and with mutual respect), and it's a highlight of my night when either's voice comes soaring through our sound system.
A-quick-click here for Duffy and Adele's Myspace pages, respectively, which each stream their albums free...and next time you're here, keep those ears tuned for hits of theirs like Duffy's "Stepping Stone" and Adele's "My Same"! :)
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