Make it easy—and fun—to pick which shows to see this week. The newest Do604 x Vancouver Is Awesome Weekly Playlist kicks off with “Figuring It Out” by SWMRS and goes out with bangin' “Waiting To Ignite” by Goldroom. Twelve solid tracks, all by bands playing in Vancouver this week.
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SWMRS "Figuring It Out"
The band emerged in early 2015 through the dissolution of previous project Emily’s Army. In the grand tradition of punk rock, Cole Becker and friend Joey Armstrong formed the band before even learning to play their instruments, after watching the movie School of Rock at age eight. Drawing influence from seminal pop-punk acts like The Ramones and The Clash, the Beckers and Armstrong released two full-length records and a handful of EPs before graduating high school.
PWR BTTM "Sacramento"
The band was formed at Bard College where Bruce and Hopkins bonded over a mutual interest in bringing elements of performance and drag artistry into DIY culture. While at Bard the duo recorded a demo, Cinderella Beauty Shop, and the Republican National Convention split EP with Jawbreaker Reunion.
Yung Lean "Yoshi City"
Swedish rapper and record producer, Yung Lean released his debut mixtape in 2013 (entitled Unknown Death 2002) and multiple singles to YouTube under his label Sad Boys Entertainment, including "Ginseng Strip 2002", "Kyoto", and "Yoshi City".
Mild High Club "Windowpane"
"A stone in the zen garden of LA slack funk psychedlia"- KCRW
Gang Signs "Tonight"
Gang Signs are ready to show the world how the best way to exorcise the demons is on the dance floor. The album is an experience in cinematic new wave, taken as a whole each song builds and flows into the next carried along by Fink's percussion, punctuated by Matea's melodies and Ricq's almost spoken narration.
The Boom Booms "You Know" (ft. Don Felder)
The bands’ roots soul sound draws heavily from artists including Bill Withers and Damian Marley.
Little Green Cars "My Love Took Me Down To The River To Silence Me"
Taking a cue from the amiable rural rock of the Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, and First Aid Kit, Dublin five-piece Little Green Cars offer up an Emerald Isle take on Americana, employing generous five-part harmonies over a bed of R.E.M. Fleetwood Mac, and Woody Guthrie-inspired country-folk-pop goodness.
The Frights "You Are Going To Hate This"
The Frights’ birth in December 2012, was an accident that now unites moms worldwide. One mom in San Diego has called the band, “Great! A fun mix of the rock n’ roll I used to love with the 50’s sounds MY mom used to love!” Another mom in Los Angeles praises the band, saying, “I hire a babysitter to go to all their shows. They just have so much youthful energy, they make me feel young too!”
Five Alarm Funk "Robot"
Five Alarm Funk is a horn powered, percussion fueled sonic and visual assault.
Atlas Genius "The Hills" (The Weeknd Cover)
Another example of how influential blogs can be in a band's career, sharp-edged Australian indie rockers Atlas Genius experienced a massive surge in their popularity when their song "Trojans" was featured by the site Neon Gold, resulting in offers from record labels and over 45,000 downloads in the U.S. alone before they even signed a deal.
Cullen Omori "Cinnamon"
Cullen Omori knows it’s a false cliche to say there are no second acts in American lives, but after the 2014 breakup of his acclaimed band the Smith Westerns, living that cliche was his greatest fear. His solo debut New Misery, out March 18 on Sub Pop Records, is a direct challenge to that anxiety: an album that goes beyond the glam punch of the Smith Westerns to new sounds, new sources of inspiration, and greater self-awareness.
Goldroom "Waiting To Ignite" (ft. Ren Farren)
Under his professional nom de plum Goldroom, Legg’s found considerable success as a producer. But at heart, he’s a songwriter. His influences (the non-electronic ones) veer toward the likes of Tom Petty, Al Green and Ryan Adams. In his own music you can hear hints of French disco, bass lines inspired by New Order and angelic vocals layered over (as Legg describes) his “nostalgic production tones.” It’s sonically grand, sure. But at heart: real songs, with real emotions, evoking loneliness, the ocean, the West Coast.
Have an awesome week! And come back Monday April 4th for the next Do604 x Vancouver Is Awesome Weekly Playlist.
