Spring 2010 Music Sampler

Fresh Listening

Compiled by Pete Dulin.

Published: Saturday, April 24, 2010

The Dead Girls

The Dead Girls Out of Earshot

Lawrence, Kansas band The Dead Girls' first full-length release, Out of Earshot, could be considered the penthouse built on the foundation of two EPs released in 2009, The Hair Trigger and Te Quiero. Like their previous work, the band’s muscular yet melodic rock laced with power pop is on full display. Ringing guitars, chiseled riffs, bright melodies, and bold vocals sweetened with harmony comprise their signature sound.

“What’s Another Day” jumps from the ledge with free-spirited guitar and reaches for the horizon with unadorned vocals that are sincere and full of conviction. Colby's bass gives the song a subtle swagger once the rhythm section kicks in.

Download: The Dead Girls - What's Another Day

www.myspace.com/deadgirlsruineverything

http://thedeadgirlsproject.com/

The Nightgowns

This quartet out of Tacoma, Washington released Sing Something in May 2009. They deliver sparkling electro-pop with a touch of brooding post-punk as on the poetic "Buoy," a song that could be a kissing cousin to Eighties singles from Echo and the Bunnymen.

Download: The Nightgowns - Buoy

www.myspace.com/thenightgowns

Pro & Contra

In May of 2009, Kansas City-based Pro & Contra packed their music gear into a pick-up truck and set off for La Cygne, Kansas. On a vacant country estate, they wrote and recorded songs for three days and two nights. The La Cygne EP shows the promise of this trio. "Blood to Blue," the most polished track on the EP, throws open the window to shed light on ringing guitar, cool, airy vocals, upbeat drumming, and a sprinkle of keys. James Hoskins' vocals weigh in heavily as a distinctive feature of the band's sound, pleasing and familiar as '90s-era indie rock at times and haunting and weary at others. Pro & Contra is currently writing and recording their full-length album to be released in spring 2010.

http://proandcontramusic.com/home/Pro_%26_Contra.html

http://www.myspace.com/proandcontra

Ryan States

With Strange Town, released in February 2010 on Drooling Class Records, Ryan States made the first album recorded and mixed on a circus train, where he lives and works in a train yard. The record pays homage to influences such as The Eagles, Ben Folds Five, and Fleetwood Mac. Modern pop-rock songcraft with adult contemporary appeal comes into play on these sparse guitar-driven songs with flourishes of piano and horns for more lush numbers. "Immigrant (Fish Out of Water)" is a prime example of States' earnest vocals cast over a rollicking beat, nimble guitar, and piano. Bill Leary's sax was recorded on the train in Lexington, Kentucky.

Overall, the album has an Eighties feel and sound by design. States wanted to make an out record that shined a light on a time when Out Music wasn't necessarily that 'out.' He explains, "The 'out' lyrics paired with the 1980s sound fill a void for anyone who grew up at a time when gay music was very closeted."

States left the University of Texas three years into a music degree and joined the circus. Now he performs for 60,000 to 120,000 circus fans each week, while on the road forty-eight weeks per year, as the keyboard player for the Ringling Brothers' Circus Band. Strange Town was recorded and mixed on the circus train between 2007 and 2009, in dozens of U.S. train yards and on dozens of train runs. Download the 17-page digital booklet for Strange Town here.

Download: Ryan States - Immigrant (Fish Out of Water)

Purchase: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/RyanStates

www.ryan-states.com/