Meet Katie Costello!
Posted by Audio I.V. in Artists on the Rise, Music Videos, New Music, New Single on April 4, 2011
It’s no secret we love a good pop singer/songwriter here at Audio I.V. And in honor of that love today’s featured artist is none other than Hermosa Beach cutie, Katie Costello.
A serious musician from an early age, Costello has made some serious waves for a 20-year-old. Her quirky vocals and clever lyrics landed her tunes on numerous TV networks including CW and ABC, and got her featured on LA’s KCRW as a ‘Top Tune of the Day’. She’s been in Teen Vogue, Marie Claire, and Paste Magazine to name a few, and her cover of Weezer’s “Island in the Sun” is currently featured on Bilboard’s Mashup Mondays here.
Hype aside, Katies most alluring feature is undoubtedly her unique voice. A blend of Sara Bareilles, KT Tunstall and Ingrid Michaelson, Costello’s tone has the ability to pierce right through you, and then softly woo’s you over. Her control is uncanny, and her delicate vibrato brings each note to life with an effortless simplicity.
Then there’s her incredible talent for songwriting. She began putting pen to paper at just 13, and credits her music-writing as the catalyst that would ultimately prepare her for the public eye. (read the full interview on spinner.com here) Her lyrics are generally simple, but strung together with obvious intention and generous consideration for phrasing, and her melodies are anything but predictable.
The first single off her new full-length, Lamplight is “Cassette Tape” and we think it’s a perfect example of the types of songs you’ll find on the record. An homage to all those faceless friends in your social network, this quirky little ditty is reminiscent of early Ingrid Michaelson, and is quite a challenge to listen to without taping a toe or two. Another stand out from Katie is “City Scapes” which can be found on her recent EP, The City In Me. About as ballad-like as Costello gets, “City Scapes” moves delicately through arpeggiated verses and then jumps right into a punchy hook, telling darkly lit story of love and inspiration.
With three releases under her belt, Katie has a ton of music to choose from, but we recommend you start your journey with the most recent installment, Lamplight. You can find it on iTunes and anywhere else digital music is sold, or preview it on Katie’s MySpace here. The resources put into this record are obvious, and her songwriting really shines through. Especially on tracks like “Ashes Ashes” and “Out of Our Minds” where delicate melodies play with unconventional phrasing. Lamplight allows Katie’s voice to take on many forms as she bobs and weaves through the 12 tracks. She channels influences like Amie Mann and Fiona Apple, and straying only now and then from familiarity, and at times even sounding like a understated version of Katy Perry. (Think, “Not Like the Movies” or “Thinking of You”)
Regardless of influence, though, it’s clear, even upon first listen, that Katie is a true artist in every sense of the word. Her knack for word play and impressive melodic sensibilities have helped her carve a nice little niche for herself in the singer/songwriter world. In just a few short years Katie has accomplished what most musicians will only ever dream of, and her future looks nothing but bright.
We hope this little introduction will entice you to explore Katie’s world even more. Purchase Lamplight if you’re so inclined, and check out a show or two if you’re in the New York area. Until then, you can see the video for Katie’s new single, “Cassette Tape” below, and check back for more updates as they come.
Enjoy!
Big things from BIG SCIENCE.
Posted by Audio I.V. in Artists on the Rise on April 3, 2011
In case your Sunday has you looking for some new music. Shout out to MuttsMusic.com for introducing us to these guys!
West coast transplants, Jason Hendrix and Jason Richards made the move from San Diego, CA to Chicago, IL back in 2007 to collaborate with long time friend and producer Jason Clark. After months of hashing out tunes in their respective basements, and finally finding a drummer in Jeremy Pena, BIG SCIENCE was born into the underbelly of the Windy City. Three hundred and sixty-five days of writing, rehearsing and heavy drinking later, the friends embarked on a journey to record their first EP, The Coast of Nowhere, and self-released it in January of 2009.
The five-song EP is a collection of new wave minimalism, nineties alt-rock, and eighties post-punk, with a heavy nod toward shoe gaze, and distinctively artistic pop sensibilities. The title track makes for the perfect introduction to BIG SCIENCE, with it’s reverb-soaked guitars and Bono-esque vocals, and should be followed-up by our personal favorite, “DNC”, which channels more of the band’s post-punk influences, mixing a grittier vocal, ethereal ooh’s and ahh’s, and picking up the tempo just slightly.
In all sincerity, The Coast of Nowhere is an indie gem just waiting to be discovered. There’s a clever irony in the lyrics, and a familiarity it’s sound that’s comforting, like an old afghan your grandmother knitted just for you. For a self-recorded, mixed, and produced effort, it’s anything but amateur, and would have no trouble competing for a spot in any music-enthusiasts collection.
As for the men who created this incredible record they’ve described themselves better than we ever could, saying, BIG SCIENCE is simply, “another band made up of four friends, entrenched, dedicated, and in love with the act of making music that captivates and exalts the tones of being, of youth, [and] of the city.” So here’s to BIG SCIENCE, wherever they may find themselves today. It’s one thing to envision a record like The Coast of Nowhere, but to execute it with such seemingly effortless precision is quite another. To you we say, “Keep ‘em comin’!” At the very least you have a fan in Audio I.V. 
For more info on BIG SCIENCE, check out their new and improved website, BigScienceBand.com and stream tracks from The Coast of Nowhere on their MySpace here.
Yellowcard, When You’re Through Thinking Say Yes.
Posted by Audio I.V. in alternative, CD Release, General Music, New Music, New Single, pop, Punk on April 1, 2011
Ahhh Yellowcard. You supplied the soundtrack to my Senior year of high school, “Ocean Avenue” became an instant classic for emo-kids everywhere, and then you faded away into the abyss of pop-punk. When so many other bands were trying to cash in on the trend you stuck to your guns. Sure your follow-ups were never as successful, and most of America would call you a one-hit-wonder, but all that is about to change, mark my words!
With the release of their seventh studio album, When You’re Through Thinking Say Yes, Yellowcard is back in full force, and ready to dominate a genre that’s been lacking substance for a long while. Courtesy of Hopeless Records, When You’re Through Thinking Say Yes hit stores last Tuesday and has made quite a splash in a mere seven days. Channeling everything that made Ocean Avenue a smash hit, Yellowcard proves with this record, they’re nowhere close to finished making waves.
The album’s first single, “Hang You Up” is a bit of a ballad, but still manages to retain the band’s signature energy, and knack for wordplay (the hook is, “this is a black and white of you I found, I hang you up and then I pull you down”). When You’re Through Thinking Say Yes opens with the stunner, “The Sound of You And Me”, which we’re betting will be a summer-love single, and doesn’t slow down until “Hang You Up” comes in on track four. Listeners should check out “With You Around” for a poppier song complete with a shout to Audio I.V. faves, Saves the Day, and stick around for “See Me Smiling”, a deeper cut with everything you loved about Ocean Avenue, and nothing you hated about Lights and Sounds.
If you’re jonesin’ for a little video action from these guys you won’t have to wait too long. Next Tuesday you can catch the premier of the official “Hang You Up” music video on all MTV networks. But, until then, When You’re Through Thinking Say Yes should be on the short list of new releases to explore this weekend.
Happy Friday!
Dizzy Davis has us spinning!
Posted by Audio I.V. in Music Videos on April 1, 2011
New York based pop group, Dizzy Davis isn’t your typical musical outfit. They’re definitely not a boy band, nor are they traditionally ‘pop’. Instead the duo blends a mix of new-wave hipster pop with a more retro, 80′s-inspired vibe that’s surprisingly infectious. As a special treat, Dizzy Davis has just released a new music video for their song, “Home”. It’s a head boppin’, clap-tastic collection of visual stimulus with a distinctive east coast flair, and a fairly catchy melody if I do say so myself.
The video follows the duo through the streets of New York as they explore the depths of their imaginations, and culminates in a glittery explosion of dance moves as singer Thompson Davis croons, “home, ah ha ha” over and over. The creativity and imagination that went into making the video is anything but ordinary, and the quirky street style is just what the Dr. ordered for your hump-day blues.
Check out the video above, and visit the band’s website for more info on upcoming shows, and even more videos!
The Elected’s, Mike Bloom makes a solo record.
Posted by Audio I.V. in Artists on the Rise, CD Release, General Music, Los Angeles Music, Music Videos on March 30, 2011
He’s played for Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis, The Elected and others, but now guitarist Mike Bloom is ready to make waves as a solo artist via the debut of his first full-length, King of Circles. Written, performed, and mixed by Mike himself (with a few co-production exceptions) King of Circles is smooth, warm, and subtly affectionate.
Songs like “Floataway Sinner” where a scornful woman exacts revenge on her helpless victim, and “Butcher Paper”, an evocative love song with descriptive lyrics, paint vivid, emotional pictures while maintaining a certain familiarity fans of The Elected will undoubtedly recognize.
The first single from King of Circles is the acoustically driven “Anything But This”, which starts unassumingly and gradually blossoms into a bittersweet story of two lovers who just can’t seem to get on the same proverbial page. The melody is sweet, and as acoustic pop/rock tunes go, this one is more infectious than mediocre.
Check out the video for “Anything But This” below, and scope out Mike’s MySpace for more info on shows and upcoming releases.
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