Minks - By The Hedge (2011)

   "In April of 2010 Captured Tracks released a 7" single by an unknown new york band called Minks. On the date of release, few people knew any information about the musicians behind the music. Most writers and listeners assumed that it was a one man bedroom music project, like many other artists on the label, and were confused even more when six musicians appeared on stage to perform songs at the first Minks concert. 

  The first single, titled "Funeral Song" was quickly praised by music journalists and publications like Pitchfork, Stereogum, and Fader. Fader said that it sounded like "If Robert Smith gave birth to a baby, and the baby was actually a cassette of Cure demos that had a lot more staying power than actual Cure demos." Seasons changed, and MINKS returned with a follow up 7" single titled "Ophelia," which continued to shadow people's minds with curious thoughts and open ears.

  The uniqueness of these early singles showed the ability to balance the feelings of joy and sadness, as well as a door to past and present worlds. 
  For these songs were less about the songs themselves, but the ability to make you feel a certain emotion when listening to them. No element alone would stand out, but as a whole, the swirling waves of sound which Pitchfork would describe as "all texture and drift," would drive you away to a nostalgic place in your mind.

  With the release of "By The Hedge," MINKS further the ability to make you feel eternal autumn.

  
   Frontman and songwriter Sean Kilfoyle's ability to capture the raincoat grey Boston mornings of his youth, have the desire to make you feel like you are listening to a dream while awake and standing in the pouring rain. put on your raincoat and enjoy the splendor."

Tracklist: 

1. Kusmi
2. Out of Tune
3. Life at Dusk
4. Indian Ocean
5. Funeral Song
6. Our Ritual
7. Cemetary Rain
8. Bruises
9. Boys Run Wild
10. Ophelia
11. Juniper
12. Arboretum Dogs

Minks - By the Hedge 

The Opiates - Anatomy of a Plastic Girl

   The Opiates is a collaboration project between Billie Ray Martin and Robert Solheim that began 3 years ago when they performed songs together (including Anatomy of a Plastic Girl) at the Rough Trade record shop.
   They are set to release their debut album, Hollywood Under the Knife, next month. Anatomy of a Plastic Girl is the second single and explores the devastating consequences of a hopeful Hollywood starlet who is scarred emotionally and physically by a botched facelift. 
   The Opiates are radical because they do not shy away from the rare match of songwriting and cutting-edge beats and bleeps.
  The Opiates will boldly go where the best of electronic duo crossover albums have gone before and will appeal as much to the charts as to the underground, to film and television as much as radio and beyond.
  Their debut album "Hollywood Under The Knife" will be released on Disco Activisto Records on 21st October 2011.

  Directed by Jörn Hartmann

Billie Ray Martin 

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The Knife

  The Knife are a Swedish band made up of siblings Karin Dreijer Andersson, who also performs solo as Fever Ray, and Olof Dreijer.

   As a group the Knife seem to operate in an interesting space. I would venture to say their more electro-pop style of music has situated them within particular audiences.

The band announced that, in collaboration with Mt.Sims and Planningtorock, they would be writing an opera for the Danish performance group Hotel Pro Forma. The opera, titled Tomorrow, In A Year, is based on Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species.

‘Colouring of Pigeons’ is an 11 minute frequently-discordant opus featuring operatic squalls, much percussion and Karin’s unique voice along with Kristina Wahlin Momme and Lærke Bo Winther.

   For the project, Karin and Olof researched Darwin literature and opera in general;seeing as they had no idea about it beforehand. Olof even attended a field recording workshop in the Amazon to record sounds.

The Knife announced that they were recording a new album to be released in 2012.

   While meanings are subjective and the work of the Knife is particularly cryptic, the content of their music addresses issues of gender and social inequalities.

 

  On stage they often wear neon Blue Man Group-esque jump suits and surround themselves with gothic video projections. In their press photos they have donned bird beak masks, known to be worn by medieval doctors.Their most recent album, and masterpiece, Silent Shout is a fantastic voyage into the heart of darkness that reveals it’s magnificence slowly over time. 

Check out this live clip of the band and enjoy!!