Uncover Music Magazine- Issue #6 by Uncover Music Mag

ISSUE 6

NIGHTAIR

FOUNDER Heather Zalabak EDITOR -IN-CHIEF Heather Zalabak CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Erin Christie Adele Sakey PHOTOGRAPHERS Makenna Magdaleno-Mague Heather Zalabak LAYOUT Heather Zalabak SPECIAL THANKS TO Our staff Nightair Jolene Ung of Quirks & Smirks SOCIAL MEDIA IG & Twitter: @uncoveronline Spotify: uncovermusicmag

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Playlist

Urban Cone

2017 Music Preview

Roar

Vinyl Theatre

Amber Run Review

The Griswolds

Hippo Campus

26 Great Good Fine OK 28

FEATURE: Nightair

Espresso

40 Dashboard Confessional

You Go, Girl! Playlist by Erin Christie Art by Jolene Ung of Quirks & Smirks

Suggestion // Fugazi Independent Woman, Pt. 1 // Destiny’s Child Big Girls Gry // Sia This Is What Makes Us Girls // Lana Del Rey rebel Girl // Bikini Kill Girls Like Girls // Hayley Kiyoko Girl // The Internet Bad Girls // M.I.A. Run The World (Girls) // Beyonce None Of Your Business // Salt-N-Pepa Unapologetic Bitch // Madonna You Don’t Own Me // Lesley Gore Just A Girl // No Doubt Proud // Tegan and Sara Q.U.E.E.N. [feat. Erykah Badu] // Janelle Monae Thank God For GIrls // Weezer 6

URBAN CONE

Photos by Makenna Magdaleno-Mague

2017 MUSIC IN THE MAKING Written by Erin Christie

2017 has certainly already been a wild ride, despite the fact that only just about 2 months have passed. Though it has been such a brief amount of time, it has already been established that the next few months are bound to be filled to the brim with beyond incredible releases from many amazingly talented and dedicated artists such as Lana Del Rey, Sky Ferreira, Lorde, Mac Demarco, Dua Lipa, and so many more. With this year already having such a star- studded repertoire for no doubt chart- topping hits and in bracing ourselves for the mind- blowing tracks that wait in the wings, let’s take the time to examine what is in store and where 2017 is headed in terms of musical genius:

Since late last year, many different bands and solo artists have announced additions to their respective discographies, a trend that is continuing with each passing day, ensuring that 2017 is destined to be a year marked by iconic tunes made by killer talent. Of these incredible artists, including the ever- wonderful COIN, whose second LP is bound to be released sometime

this year, Hippo Campus, whose latest record, Landmark, hit the radio waves and stole our hearts on the 24th of February, and so many more, 2017 is destined to redefine the state of the music industry forever. Beginning in January, we were ambushed (in the best way possible) with a wave of instant- classics as well as stellar announcements from artists resurfacing from the shadows and back into the lime-light: January 6th: English rockers, You Me at Six, released their highly anticipated fifth record, Night People, notable for incredible tracks such as “Spell It Out,” “Can’t Hold Back,” and many more, adding to their already amazing repertoire.

a suitably stellar manner through a limited- edition vinyl release under the title, No Plan. This four- track EP includes tracks such as “No Plan,” “Killing a Little Time,” “When I Met You,” and “Lazarus,” a remarkable set which is to be released on standard vinyl on April 21st. Even in death, Bowie still manages to steal hearts (including mine). January 13th: After a long, but worthwhile wait, The XX came to release their groundbreaking record, I See You, a brilliant testament to their talent, artistry, and general ability to amaze and completely dominate.

Indie newcomers, Sundara Karma, released their debut album, Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect, marking a huge milestone in their short, yet incredibly fulfilled, career. January 8th: Just short of a year after we lost our dear starman, David Bowie’s final recordings were released in

January 20th: Cherry Glazerr, Los Angeles’

own indie powerhouse, released their LP, Apocalipstick, a sip of cool water that touches on important topics such as individuality, life- changing choices, the state of the world, sexuality, and so much more in the most mesmerizing manner possible January 27th: Cloud Nothings, hailing from Cleveland Ohio, released their album Life without Sound. Kehlani, a powerful black woman holding her own within the music industry, released her long- awaited studio LP, SweetSexySavage, which is, just as Kehlani herself describes, a compilation of the three. February 3rd:

Surfer Blood, another absolutely iconic group of musicians, released their record, Snowdonia. February 10th: Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness released their spunky, upbeat, and extremely pleasant record Zombies on Broadway, a true listening experience. February 17th: The Orwells released their third album, Terrible Human Beings, comprised of tracks heavily influenced by the iconic Pixies, lined with powerful guitar hooks, entrancing choruses that draw you to sing along, and much more, making it an immensely joyful listen through and through.

February 13th: Spontaneously, Passion Pit frontman, Michael Angelakos, released what seems to be the first incredible single, “Inner Dialogue,” for his upcoming album, Tremendous Sea of Love (release date TBA). Following, he has slowly been releasing more and more tracks including the bright, angelic “You Have the Right,” the shimmery synthetic “Somewhere Up There,” and the melancholy, yet beautiful “Hey K.” Each track has been released through the YouTube page for his newly launched artist advocacy company, The Wishart Group, a project dedicated to supporting musicians by providing them with legal, education, and healthcare services (with a large focus on mental health). With each passing day and with each release, fans have become more and more enthused and eager to hear more of his new record, which is sure to be a

“...the next few months are bound to be filled to the brim with beyond incredible releases from many amazingly talented and dedicated artists...”

An iconic day for music- lovers everywhere, to say the least. RCA Records’ new wave super-group, MUNA, dropped their record, About U, and left listeners completely blown away and craving more

Depeche Mode, ‘80s superstars and current legends, released their first single in what seems like decades (four years, to be exact), “Where’s the Revolution,” the first single of their soon-to-be-released 14th album, Spirit, leaving fans, honestly, clinging on for dear life at how wonderful it is

Spotify and other music- streaming services for the first time, it has been announced that Universal Music Group is to release the material hidden away in the artist’s private music vault after an agreement made with his estate. This vault includes pieces of his music recorded post1995, 25 previous LPs that had not been released through his record label, NPG, outtakes, live recordings, demos, jams, and more, content that fans of the artist and music- lovers alike will certainly appreciate and cherish.

Barns Courtney, newcomer to the scene, released his debut EP, The Dull Drums, a mellow, yet enchanting, compilation of tracks that hints at only greatness

Though February is just coming to a close and March is on its way, the music scene has been anything but inactive, churning out countless classics and stars-to-be, certainly setting the tone for the rest of the year. Many artists and bands have announced the releases of their upcoming albums and EPs as of late, including… February 9th: Following the legendary Prince’s discography being added to

stunner. February 19th: Another infamously lovely woman within the music industry, the mesmerizing Lana Del Rey, is headed on the fast-track toward the release of her fifth studio album (name and release date TBA) with the surprise release of her first single, “Love,” earlier this month by an unfortunate leak, leaving fans craving for more and rejoicing at the return of such a legend to the scene. The following day, the music video for said track, a mesmerizing cinematic experience where Lana enters the stars, was dropped on her VEVO page, establishing the excitement around her return even further. March 7th: The jaw- dropping young powerhouse, Lorde, whose album, Pure Heroine (of 2014), is to be accompanied by her long- awaited, yet to be named, second LP which is due on March 7th. Following her rise to fame with tracks such as “Royals” and “Team,” it is clear that listeners are confident that the 20-yearold will knock all of our socks off yet again. April 7th: Father John Misty’s newest release, Pure Comedy, is to come this spring, marking his return in a very big way following his highly- acclaimed sophomore album, I Love You, Honeybear. This 75- minute, two- LP follow-up is to be accompanied by

a 25- minute documentary on the making of the album itself, this being the “peak of Tillman’s enigmatic musical powers” as director Grant James described. May 5th: Mac Demarco recently announced his newest record (the long- awaited sequel to 2014’s class- act, Salad Days), This Old Dog, which is set to be released on May 5thas well as two new singles, “This Old Dog” and “My Old Man,” and upcoming US tour dates for later this year. Despite the long gap since we’ve heard new tracks from the infamous Demarco, his same charm remains. The original punk- rockers, Blondie, have returned to the scene with the announcement of their fifth studio album Pollinator, to be released on May 5th through BMG Rights Management. “Fun,” the high- energy, enthralling first single of their tobe-released album was released on February 1st accompanied by an other- worldly video starring Raja as an psychedelic, intergalactic alien who is sent back to earth, in true Blondie fashion.

June 2nd: Newcomer, 21-year-old Dua Lipa, hailing from London, has gradually come onto the scene, stealing hearts and entrancing countless fans, as Lana once had and still does. Despite a slight delay in release, her self- titled debut album is to be released on June 2nd, including singles such as the dreamy “Thinking ‘Bout You,” her first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, “Blow Your Mind

(Mwah),” and more, each track establishing her secured place among the stars even further. It is certainly clear that 2017 is bound to be ruled by powerful women and men in the industry, their passion and love for the craft being clearly evident. With the line-up that has already been established and the no- doubt amazing additions that are surely to come, it can be said that 2017 will truly be an iconic year for music- lovers and musicians alike, the soundtrack for this new (and in some ways, terrifying) year being one of the most star- studded and notable yet.

Photos by Heather Zalabak

R O A R

VINYL THEATRE Photos by Heather Zalabak

FOR A MOMENT I WAS LOST

Album review by Adele Sakey

The past few years have presented many challenges for Amber Run. Not too long after the release of their debut album, 5AM, in 2015 the Nottingham-based rock band was informed that they had been dropped by their record label. Following this, and despite the respectable success of 5AM, Amber Run’s drummer decided to part with the group. However, in their highly anticipated sophomore record, For a Moment, I Was Lost, Amber Run channels their inevitable frustration and emotion into twelve mature tracks. The record launches into the high-energy sound of crashing piano chords with the opening song “Insomniac”. Through this song, Amber Run introduces more strength and intensity than was heard in their 2015 record. The record’s central theme of resentment is also placed at the forefront, as singer Joe Koegh interrogates an anonymous acquaintance who is no longer recognizable. The lyrics are paired with soft yet passionate vocals, reminiscent of Local Natives’ Taylor Rice. Amber Run’s experimentation in percussion and guitar riffs across For a Moment, I Was Lost are an integral part to the passion the record delivers. However, “Haze”, which utilizes none of this, is a pure stand out. The track, released as the record’s first single in 2016, appears simple yet the focus placed upon the emotion-packed vocals is what makes it complex. In its entirety, For a Moment, I Was Lost harnesses the feelings that accompany the insecurities of human failure, resentment, and loss, and reproduces it in a form that is easily digestible to the masses.

THE GRISWOLDS Photos by Makenna Magdaleno-Mague

HIPPO CAMPUS Photos by Heather Zalabak

Photos by Makenna Magdaleno-Mague

NIGHTAIR Interview and photos by Heather Zalabak

Nightair, a band based out of Orange County, CA, is made up of members Tony Davia (vocals, guitar), Lucas Connor (bass), Brandon Miranda (guitar), and Michael Davidson (drums). Nightair’s infectious sound has recently been growing throughout the local scene, including a sold out show at nearby venue OC DIY. We caught up with members Tony and Lucas to chat about their recent activity and what they appreciate most in their musical process.

What would you say has been the most influential artist in your music? T: Kanye for real. I think you’ll see it in our new music because everything we made on the first EP we put out was something we wrote in high school. Kanye embodies being experimental and being brave so I think for us he’s our biggest inspiration musically.

If you were to go on a national headlining tour where would be the first place you’d want to play and why? T: We have a lot of ties to San Francisco and I really like the scene up there. An outdoor festival in Berkeley would be really fun too. If you were to switch around roles in the band who would take what role? T: Lucas would sing, I would be the producer guy. L: Michael as the singer, I’ll be on the drums because I’ll be the Travis Barker where I’m skinny and never wear a shirt and I’ll tie my hair up in weird ways. Brandon would be bass.

What is your favorite memory as a band? T: Waters when we opened for them and [the crowd] was chanting our name before we even got on stage. L: Growing up in OC every show you see is going to be at the Observatory. It just felt legendary to be a guy who sees shows at the Observatory all the time and actually get to play there and have it be such a successful night.

What is your favorite part about creating music? T: Just the feeling that takes over your body when you have something really good. Well there’s different kinds of creating music, it’s either on the computer or in the rehearsal room together and both are really special in their own way. Once you catch a vibe in a room and you all get what you’re writing about, it writes itself.

How did you guys meet/form? L: We met in middle school and formed toward the end of high school. T: We were in band in 6th grade together and eventually we were just like “let’s be in a band”

How has developing in OC influenced you musically? T: I think Orange County doesn’t have a scene that we want to be associated with. Just because Burger and pop punk are the only scenes here and that’s not our sound. The cool thing about living in a suburb is that we’re detached because there is no solid sound like if you go to LA. We’re so isolated that we’re just making what we want to make and it’s been freeing in that way because we’re not locked in.

and why? L: I want to play some straight up funk and soul. T: I’d be down to get funky. What is your dream outcome for Nightair? T: Working with Kanye for sure. L: Featured song with Kendrick Lamar.

Can you tell me about your new single “Jamie”? T: It’s about people being interested in people for not what they are but who What is the most important part of they are. It’s the idea about social media making it obvious what was already making music for you? L: I love when we’re all in a room togeth- there with people loving things for face value and being superficial. If we’re geter at rehearsals. I feel like that’s when the band is most present, when we’re all ting more specific it’s about a girl who is dating one guy and then notices anothbouncing off of each other. er guy that’s a jock and it’s automatic T: I wouldn’t have it any other way. attraction, all she sees is that, and she If you weren’t a musician, what would obsesses over that image in the social your dream job be? L: Probably an actor, I still act and do the- food chain. atre shows all the time. T: I’d be more interested in being a direc- What can fans expect off your new EP this summer? tor. I think that would be fun. T: It’s gonna be different. It’s not going to sound like the old one. Don’t hate it Can you tell me anything about please. your upcoming plans as a band? T: Not really, just keep playing music. We L: I think people are ready. Be ready for a change up. have other stuff stirring in the pot but I T: The goal for this EP is to take “Jamie” don’t want to spill that yet. and make a little universe around that. If you guys were to play a different It’ll be more real. genre of music what would it be

ESPRESSO Photos by Heather Zalabak

DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL Photos by Heather Zalabak

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