Spirit Fingers

Kent Odessa describes his music as a mix of Sade, George Michael and Prince, but the Detroit Echo Boomer definitely has more of his own spirit floating skyward. Far more removed than his influences suggest, his music is less accessible and more ambitious in the instrumental department. This is 21st century indie R ‘n’ B, not ’80s hit-making pop music. His claim to Prince is fair enough – his soul styled R ‘n’ B is similarly eclectic and flows through an electronic discourse that displays his skills as a producer as well as a talented vocalist.  There’s also a nod to Toro Y  Moi, and the post-Motown sound that is flooding through into indie R ‘n’ B.

Kent Odessa is currently working on his debut album ‘Silverdome’ and has placed a couple of tracks, ‘Cruise N’ Kidman’ and ‘Bo Jackson’, up on his Soundcloud page for free streaming. Below you can listen and download his new single ‘Getaway’.

Kent Odessa – Getaway: MP3

Kent Odessa on Facebook

Posted by Nick Fulton under Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A
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Under A Microscope

Last night we watched The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights, a film by Emmett Malloy documenting the Detroit duo’s extensive escapades in Canada in 2007. The incredibly detailed documentary intersperses live footage with intimate interview sequences with the band, mainly Jack, whose upfront character is brought to light in a particular scene where he basically forces Meg to say his outspokenness doesn’t cause her to be mute. Meg laughs awkwardly and says, “It has nothing to do with you, Jack.” The glaring light Malloy casts on his subjects brings out their true qualities. Here, Jack comes across as a Dylan-esque figure, spewing forth a constant rambling narrative; he’s both consistently composed and spontaneously fiery. Meg, meanwhile, is her typical diminutive self, arching her back and tilting her head to the side, there are brief moments where she opens up, but largely she is overshadowed by the huge personality that is Jack, the firecracker, true blues performer, abruptly poetic and unapologetically abrupt. The music itself, on DVD and CD, boasts the breadth and depth of their catalog, featuring outstanding performances of the ramshackle jig ‘Little Ghost’, the fiery garage rock of ‘Black Math’, the downward blues of ‘I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself’, the wickedly rambling ‘The Union Forever’; their best songs, basically. Of course there’s the live staple, too: the cover of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’. On CD, UGWNL swiftly and succinctly moves through these highlights from their various live shows, but it’s on DVD that the material really comes alive. The pair, still doggedly insisting (well, Jack anyway) their brother-sister status, traverse the great North, visiting Inuits in a retirement home to trade performances of traditional songs, playing major shows in beautiful theatres and, best of all, odd little side shows in such un-tread turf as a tiny square, a school, a bowling alley and a fishing boat. Malloy’s camera work is dignified and clear, reminiscent of old school film making. The recording and editing is brilliant, rekindling the love of a band who left an immeasurable impression on the last decade of music.

 The White Stripes- Ball And Biscuit (Live, Under Great White Northern Lights): MP3

The White Stripes- Website

Posted by Sarah Gooding under Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A
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Intergalatic Pop

Twenty-two-year-old Randolph Chabot first began writing songs when he was a pre-teen, in an attempt to construct the sounds of his dreams. Superheroes, lost souls, star-crossed lovers and aliens all inhabit his fantasies, so naturally his stagename creates a kind of alter ego for his performances. Famously flamboyant on stage, Deastro’s colourful, ambient, avantguarde pop symphonies come to life with his emotions and endless energy. You may recognise his song ‘Parallelograms’ from bnet radio, and the more recent ‘Vermillion Plaza’ and ‘Toxic Crusaders’ are both criminally catchy. Those sonic booms on his recordings are actually fireworks. “Of course everyone’s hanging out, and I’m nerding out with headphones and a field recorder on the fourth of July,” Chabot said of it in an interview.

Deastro’s dreamy pop sounds like an interstellar collision, like Bright Eyes meets The Radio Dept., The Postal Service or Phoenix. It’s mostly constructed with synth but it sounds like there are conventional instruments in there at times. Switching between bouncy subterranean pop, atmospheric dream folk and synthetic dance shoegaze, Deastro’s sound is vast, daring and really pretty.

By the time Chabot was 17 he purportedly had hundreds of songs but didn’t like any of them. Then one day while praying and says he heard a “space symphony”. “It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard. That initial sound has never left me. It’s always there, giving me enough hope to write.” Chabot has self-released a myriad of records with his own hand drawn covers and soon gained attention from creative label Ghostly International. His latest album, Moondagger, came out in June, and he’s doing a UK tour in September to celebrate.

This ‘day in the life’ video diary directed by James P. Morse is how I first found out about Deastro. Watch below to get a glimpse into Chabot’s character and sparkling personality. P.S. I would have put up his song ‘Daniel Johnston Was Stabbed in the Heart with the Moondagger by the King of Darkness and His Ghost Is Writing this Song as a Warning to All of Us’ just on the name alone, but I couldn’t find it.

Deastro- Toxic Crusaders: MP3

Deastro- Vermillion Plaza: MP3

Deastro- Myspace

Posted by Sarah Gooding under Detroit, U.S.A
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