ISSUE 5
FEATURING
COIN
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Playlist
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2016 Favorites
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Young Rising Sons
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Kid Bloom
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MAINLAND
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Bad Suns: Album Review
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Bad Suns Gallery
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Armors
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FEATURE: COIN
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William Beckett
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PWR BTTM
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WARPAINT
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Thrice
Interested in contributing? Send your ideas to uncovermusicmagazine@gmail.com!
Thank you to those who contributed to this month’s issue! Kiana Alirezaie Diana Porat Makenna Magdaleno-Mague
CATCH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @uncoveronline
Find all of our playlists on Spotify: uncovermusicmag 4
JAMS FOR YOUR NEW YEAR! Playlist by Kiana Alirezaie
The Less I Know The Better // Tame Impala Look At Where We Are // Hot Chip Somebody Else // The 1975 Tessellate // Alt-J Annie // Neon Indian Season 2 Episode 3 // Glass Animals Redbone // Childish Gambino Cold Cold Cold // Cage the Elephant The Gospel of John Hunt // Alt-J No.1 Party Anthem // Arctic Monkeys Ivy // Frank Ocean Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa // Vampire Weekend Wiped Out! // The Neighbourhood Crawlersout // Purity Ring Cherry // Ratatat Stolen Dance // Milky Chance Genghis Khan // Miike Snow 5
2016 faves Written by Diana Porat
Now one of its most popular songs, Young the Giant blends a calm voice and nice melodies to produce the soft rock hit, "Amerika." The intro is calm and inviting, mimicking garden chimes and then spurring itself into a catchy sing-a-long. It's a way to top off the new year that serves as a reminder that every year is a mix of good and bad, but that shouldn't take away from the fun of things.
Their second studio album, the 1975's "I Like it When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful But So Unaware of It" is packed with their interesting fun sound. The song "She's American" possesses the a lighthearted, 80’s vibe that’s is a perfect way to top off the new year. 6
Judah and the Lion sparked interest in thousands with “Take it All back,” and “Take it All Back 2.0” was another hit. This single carries over the similar instrumentation from their 2016 album, “Folk Hop N’ Roll.” It takes the sadder memories of the past year and fuses them with hopefulness of the new to create a bittersweet, but uplifting, song.
“Monsoon,” off Hippo Campus' 2017 album “Landmark," has a heartfelt and beautiful sound that sweeps the listener up in melancholy nostalgia. Every year brings trials and tribulations, and this song serves as a reminder that sadness is a part of the year. Though somber, the sound still possesses a triumphant vibe.
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“Fountain of Youth” by Local Natives has righteous, spirited sound that brings the listener determination in the new year. It talks of change and the youth’s ability to see that change through, giving encouragement to new generations to shape their world. Their 2016 album “Sunlit Youth” is home to
Coin’s “Talk Too Much” is the upbeat and fun sound perfect for celebrating the new year ahead. This song, released as a single in 2016, gained a lot of popularity through alt 18 this year. This song displays a different sound compared to its debut and pre-sophomore album, though retaining Coin’s distinct style.
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Its first album in two years, Weezer's 2016 White album possessed a popular single called "Thank God For Girls." As a band who has always mixed humor and rock seamlessly, this song exhibits that ability in its fun yet interesting sound. Beginning with Cuomo's clear voice paired with a piano solo, the song transitions to Weezer's familiar clash of drums and heavy bass. It's almost satirical lyrics remind the listener of their innate ability to tell a whole story in a 3-minute song.
“Life Itself,” a 2016 single by Glass Animals, displays their interesting and lively sound extremely well. It’s been gaining traction on alternative radios as more and more people begin to appreciate Glass Animals’ unique but really good sound. This song tops off the new year in the way it should be celebrated.
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YOUNG RISING SONS Photos by Makenna Magdaleno-Mague
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Kid Bloom Photos by Heather Zalabak
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MAIN LAND Photos by Makenna Magdaleno-Mague
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SoCal’s Hidden Gem An album review written by Erin Christie Bad Suns, a brilliant four-piece consisting of the ever- lovely and talented vocalist Christo Bowman, bassist Gavin Bennett, guitarist Ray Libby, accompanied by Miles Morris behind the kit, have taken the world even further by storm upon the release of their longawaited sophomore LP, Disappear Here, on September 16th through Vagrant Records, marking the beginning of an era like no other for them and the start of a musical revolution to withstand the test time. Following high school and within the early years of college only a short four years ago, Bad Suns came into coalition, their passion for their craft and fervor to mesh their musical capability together in a beautiful harmony and manner that would eventually provoke audiences to fall under their trance for years to come already rising to the sur-
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face. Upon releasing their first EP,
more, their newest release, Disappear
Transpose, in early 2014, their talent
Here, marking their place among the
was already brimming at the seams,
best, over the cusp of erupting into a
soon followed by their debut album,
major commercial breakthrough.
Language & Perspective, that same
Upon discussing their lead single
year, establishing a clear place for them
“Disappear Here” from which the LP
within the ears and minds of all those
gained its title, front man, Christo Bow-
who took the time to listen and absorb
man notes, “We wanted to capture the
their radiance. Ranging from their ma-
emotion of a crossroads in life being
jor appearances and performance on
suddenly interrupted by the ground
talk shows such as Conan and Jimmy
collapsing beneath your feet,” mention-
Kimmel Live!, as well as opening for
ing the clear emotional heartache pre-
well- recognized and commendable
sent within the melody, the feeling of
groups such as The 1975 and New
utter betrayal upon discovering that
Politics as well as the ever- lovely Hal-
someone you thought you knew is truly
sey, it was already clear that this Cali-
unrecognizable, the world beginning to
fornian super- group was destined to
crumble before your very eyes. Each
gain the recognition that they certainly
track following carries that emotion
deserve. Even then, it was incredibly
forth, Bowman’s wonderfully captivat-
evident that Bad Suns would soon rise
ing lyrics accompanied by the band’s
to a stardom highly sought after, their
sweet, relentlessly catchy hooks and
success and utter talent clearly having
up-beat, summer-y melodies that man-
paid off as we view their journey to the
age to draw audiences in and keep their
top of the charts a short two years
minds spinning and feet tapping along
later. Now, in 2016, the guys have
to Morris’ beat. That momentum is
taken to the top of the charts once
kept throughout, especially through
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tracks such as the distinctly beautiful
The album comes to a close with the
“Defeated,” coming on top of the pack,
glorious “Outskirts of Paradise,” remi-
describing the manner through which
niscent of the stand- out track that
one may seek to find their true self and
blares at the close of a magnificent film,
where they fit in the world despite the
one where the protagonist gets the girl,
trials and curveballs that life often
saves the day, and peace is restored.
throws in their path. In contrast, the
This track, managing to exhibit Bow-
slower “Maybe We’re Meant to Be
man’s other-worldly vocals and Miles
Alone” is a definite highlight, it’s som-
Morris’ upbeat percussion in unison
ber, melancholy mood being a definite
with an incredible bassline from Bennet
risk for the band among the high-
and melodic riffs from Libby, is the per-
tempo, heart- quickening pace of the
fect close to a perfect album, maintain-
rest of the album; in their case, this risk
ing a hopeful tone throughout until the
certainly paid off, creating a track like
music finally fades and the audience
no other, one that is sure to become
must press repeat and start listening to
“our song” for couples everywhere. Ef-
the album from the first track all over
fortlessly combining elements of indie,
again. In maintaining the ability to
alternative rock, and new wave sounds
keep listeners bobbing their heads
of the late 70’s and early 80’s with
along to the beat, tapping their toes,
swirling, angst- ridden lyrics concern-
and singing along on the top of their
ing life and love, Bad Suns’ Disappear
lungs, Bad Suns establishes their place
Here has certainly shone brightly
among the front- runners in their
among other recent releases, their in-
genre, making it clear that with their
credibly unique, Cali-pop sound capti-
future considered, it is only a moment
vating and drawing audiences from all
of time before they elevate to total star-
over the globe into their embrace.
dom, that time certainly being on the
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brink of occurring. Being so energetic, musically gifted, ingenious, and generally incredible, Bad Suns is truly the total package and Disappear Here only establishes that fact even further! Currently, Bad Suns has taken to the road with another amazing group, COIN—Make sure to check them out on social media through the handle @badsuns on Twitter, Instagram, and various other platforms to keep up with what they’re up to and see which city they’re going to be performing in next!
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Photos by Heather Zalabak
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Armors Photos by Makenna Magdaleno-Mague
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Interview and photos by Heather Zalabak
COIN Start off by telling me your names
played that one show, and then we got
and what instrument you play.
offered to play another show, and an-
My name’s Chase and I am the person
other, and now we’re here in Santa Ana
who sings primarily and I play synth as
and it's kind of crazy.
well.
R: To answer the beginning question it
I’m Ryan and I play drums.
was just like figuring out how to start a
I’m Joe I play guitar and I also sing.
band and make it work.
I’m Zach and I play the bass.
What would you say are your biggest
How did COIN start and what was it
musical inspirations?
like in the beginning?
C: The band The Cars, we really like
C: Joe and I met in a music theory class
The Cars, The Cure, Talking Heads, 80s
on day 1 at Belmont University and the
new wave music. We also like bands
beginning was really carefree and we
that we listened to in high school like
just did what we wanted to do. We just
MGMT.
wrote songs that we wanted to write
R: Yeah like The Killers and Arctic Mon-
J: We were recording one EP just so
keys
that Chase could play one show
Out of any artists who would be your
C: The whole premise of the band was
guys’ dream collab and why?
centered around me playing one show
R: Selfishly Pharrell would be awesome
at a real venue because I had never
for me, because he’s a drummer and he’
played a club show before. So we
s done so much awesome stuff in his
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career
questions and casually chat with people
C: Mainly like pop producers would be
on a level you wouldn’t normally be
fun because our brains don’t exactly
able to.
exist there, so it's fun to imagine what
There’s a lot of show related things
we could create with their minds.
coming up for you guys- this tour
You guys did a COIN Hotline this
with Bad Suns and you're playing
past summer t o engage with fans,
some shows with the 1975, the
what were some of your favorite ex-
Struts, and Radio Show later this
periences with that?
year. What are you most looking for-
C: The voicemails were crazy because
ward to f or this tour and those
you never know how much someone’s
shows?
thinking about the music or how much
R: I think, honestly, seeing how people
we really mean to the person until they
react to the song that we put out [Talk
tell us. And we don’t really get the op-
Too Much] because we haven’t really
portunity to meet that many people be-
played it for anyone and we’ve only
cause we haven’t been touring much
played a handful of shows since we
this year, and we’ve watched our fan
haven’t been on tour.
base grow specifically this year. So it
C: We put out a song, Talk Too Much,
was just really neat to watch the thou-
about 6 months ago and we haven’t
sands and thousands of voicemails and
been able to play it in many cities,
text messages pile up onto this hotline,
where we’re finding that it’s playing on
and people telling us how they’re ex-
the radio and people are connecting
cited to see us somewhere or how we’
with it on a level that we’ve never had
ve helped them through a tough time
before. So I’m excited just to show up in
with a specific song, or a specific mo-
cities that we haven’t been to in a year
ment in a song. It's cool to just answer
plus and play it in that city and see how
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people resonate with it.
J: My favorite thing about tour is never
Who would you say you’ve enjoyed
having to make my bed because you
touring with the most?
sleep in hotels!
C: Oh, we’ve never had a bad experi-
C: I also love playing in a city you’re not
ence touring. The most memorable tour
from.
for us that was just a great time and big
R: We also just love eating food, Zach is
for our career was with Walk the Moon.
our in house Yelp star and he always
That was just really awesome and a
finds us the best coffee shops and stuff.
great experience. I was a big fan and I
C: For tour traditions we pray every
went to one of their very first shows in
night before we go out. Sometimes if
Cincinnati right before I moved to
we’re having disagreements we’ll say
Nashville and met Joe, and Ryan’s be-
one nice thing about each other.
come really close friends with Nick
You’ve been experiencing a huge
[Lead singer of Walk the Moon]. Look-
amount of success lately with your
ing back on it, the crew was so nice and
single “Talk Too Much” and it just hit
it was like a family and I just think that
#1 on Alt Nation for the second time.
was a great example of what a tour
How does it feel to have a #1 song?
should look like.
R: That is one example of something
R: Totally, we’ve been lucky to not have
that when we were listening to that sta-
a bad experience.
tion earlier we figured that wouldn’t be
What are your favorite things about
a possibility like very early on.
tour and do you have any tour tradi-
C: It’s crazy. If you told us that was a
tions?
possibility that that would happen
C: Our favorite thing about tour is see-
when we started this band, I mean obvi-
ing new places. For instance today we
ously the optimistic part of me would
went to Joshua Tree.
think that’s awesome, but I don’t think I
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ways the next step on the ladder. But I
could’ve thought that was true. Now
think it would be really awesome to just
watching it unfold before us it’s like, of
headline shows next year at some
course that happened. It’s such a bum-
point. It would be really awesome to
mer because it’s not this ‘a-ha’ moment
just be on our own tour, which we’ve
you thought it would be.
done on a pretty small level before but
Z: You know when it’s your birthday,
that’s one immediate thing I can think
and you’re like “This birthday is the one
of, having the freedom of our own tour
where I’m going to feel old” but then
and our design of it.
your birthday comes and you don’t feel
Would you rather live in an ordinary
old? That’s kind of how it feels.
house in an extraordinary place or an
R: We always have to keep ourselves in
extraordinary house in an or dinary
check... It’s all about the little victories.
place?
Can you tell me anything about any
R: I would rather live in an ordinary
upcoming music?
house in an extraordinary place. I think
J: We’ve actually spent the past few
we’d all agree.
weeks recording our second record be-
If you could only wear one color for
fore this tour. That’s kind of what we’ve
the rest of your life what would it be
been doing all year. We’ve been writing
and why?
and recording our second album.
R: I would say shades of blue
C: The new music is kind of effortless. I
C: That’s like a million colors.
hate to use the word effortless again
R: Fine then I would say blue, because
but we’re trying not to over think stuff.
growing up that was my favorite color.
What are your current goals as a
C: I could never get sick of blue. I’ll say
band?
blue too.
R: It sounds like the ladder any time
J: I’ll say white.
you get this question, because it’s al-
Z: I’m going with black
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William Beckett Photos by Makenna Magdaleno-Mague
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PWR BTTM Photos by Makenna Magdaleno-Mague
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WARPAINT Photos by Heather Zalabak
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THRICE Photos by Heather Zalabak
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