The Silver Sun Pickups

It has been a few weeks since something was posted on here. The reason being that there is no new news from the Silversun Pickups camp. It is the close of the year and the band has toured almost non-stop for a year and a half. The bad news is, the gang is going to be taking a much needed break for a few months, the good news is they will be returning to the studio once they have taken the break. The news at this point is very scant, but it has been confirmed that the band does have some new material, and will continue to write after the close of the break. As soon as any new info is posted I will let you know, until then, stay in the Sunshine.

-Ty

So since there hasn’t been much news from the Silversun Pickups camp, I thought I would do another artist review on a band that I have been in love with for the last few years. Now I love getting new music in my mailbox, or have someone recommend a band that I need to hear, call me a snob but I have a pick of music that I always keep close to me, and is always a safe pick. I first heard about Portugal. The Man when I was working at a record store. There debut CD came in the stack of promo’s. From the first time I heard them I was hooked. To peg them as just another Indie act would sell them short. Most of there critics have labeled them as Indie, but after giving there albums a spin you will find yourself questioning what subset of music they fit best in. The band consists of former members of Anatomy of a Ghost, and hail from the small town of Wasilla, Alaska.

There music has been best described as a groove driven with hip-hop influences as well as Indie hooks all on top of Falsetto delivery. Before Portugal. The Man was formed, founding members of the band moved from Alaska to Portland Oregon, with the intent on writing music and touring with Anatomy of a Ghost. The band only lasted about 2 years and released one album through Fearless records. After the break up, the two founding members, John Gourley, and Zach Carothers starting playing with Wesley Hubbard, Nick Klein, and Harvey Tumbleson. With a solid line-up the band released there first EP through Fearless Records called Under Waves of the Brown Coat. The EP slipped under the radar, but helped to build steam for there first full length release, Waiter. “You Vultures!”. The album followed with a nationwide tour with such acts as The Fall of Troy, HORSE the band, and Action, Action. In the later part of 2006 the band released The Digital EP, Devil Say I, I Say Air. The EP contained two new tracks as well two tracks from there full length and was released through iTunes and there website.

With the close of 2006 Portugal. The Man returned to the studio to work on there second full length. During this time Wesley Hubbard, Nick Klein, and Harvey Tumbleson, departed the band and would no longer be part of the touring line-up. Jason Sechrist took over drum duties, and the band stated that the touring line-up would be varied and not set in stone, except for the three members. In July of 07 the band released The Church Mouth. The album was more Indie rock inspired and had less of a sample sound then there previous full length release. The band toured the US as well as in Europe is support of the album. With each release the band is getting closer to dialing in the sound that has set them apart in the Indie world. Church Mouth showed that the band, while still in its infancy, is able to produce music that is filled with emotion as well as a good listen and easy to digest. If you haven’t heard of them or picked up any of there albums or EP’s, I highly recommend that you do.

Purevolume Site
Offical Website
Myspace Site

Tonight SilverSun Pickups will be guest hosting on Loveline. If you want to check out what local station will carry it go to the Loveline website. Keep checking in for updates on The SilverSun Pickups and everything Indie.

If we haven’t learned anything from 50 cent or any rapper with a hit song on the radio, it’s that without a doubt there will be a remix. Wikipedia defines a remix like this:

“A remix is an alternative version of a song, different from the original version. A remixer uses audio mixing to compose an alternate master recording of a song, adding or subtracting elements, or simply changing the equalization, dynamics, pitch, tempo, playing time, or almost any other aspect of the various musical components. Some remixes involve substantial changes to the arrangement of a recorded work, but many are subtle, such as creating a “vocal up” version of an album cut that emphasizes the lead singer’s voice. A song may be remixed to give a song that was not popular a second chance at radio and club play, or to alter a song to suit a specific music genre or radio format. Remixes should not be confused with edits, which usually involve shortening a final stereo master for marketing purposes.”

Well chances are you won’t hear Timberland make a guest appearance on this Remix, but you will hear some good remixes from a few well known producers and artists. The 6 song EP features Jimmy Tamborello of Postal Service fame as well as one man sound machine Brian LeBarton. The EP only features “Lazy Eye” and “Little Lovers So Polite”, but each remix is so different it won’t make you feel like your listening to the same song again and again. The EP will be released as an iTunes exclusive on December 11th to the US and will be released worldwide on December 18th.