Australian artist Alex Cameron has announced his next album: Oxy Music is slated for release on March 11 via Secretly Canadian. He’s breaking the news by sharing a new track called ‘Best Life’, along with a video directed by his wife, the actress Jemima Kirke. Check it out below.
Cameron shared the following statement on ‘Best Life’:
The Internet. Our great Totem of information dedicated to the Gods yet to visit from a future born out of 7.9 billion online versions of human history. A tower of love and hate, passion and terror, one million retweets of ten hundred thousand total fails. America’s funniest home videos. Our best, most dope memes crowned atop the statue — our greatest achievements, the shoulders that lift the grand dome of internet glory. The view from the top is gorgeous. A stunning likeness of the most like-able content.
And holding it up, the weight bearing colossus of whisper-solid data and hollow columns of caps locked opinions and giant pillars of twisted logic. Zero Likes. Zero Comments. Zero shares. Infinitely multiplied until too mountain-like to move. The greatest show on earth performed to an audience of nobody.
One percent is what we see and what we follow drifting atop the cloud. It’s beautiful, what we’ve created. And the masses below sing into the chamber, echoes of their love songs clashing and rebounding off one another’s — the messages too distorted to discern. Received by nobody. But necessary for everybody.
Let’s face it, we’ll never make content good enough for the Gods above. Let’s leave that to the disciples. The rest of us can just stay out here, living our best lives.
Spanning nine songs, the follow-up to 2019’s Miami Memory features guest appearances from Lloyd Vines and Sleaford Mods’ Jason Williamson. “The album is a story, a work of fiction, mostly from the perspective of a man,” Cameron explained. “Starved of meaningful purpose, confused about the state of the world, and in dire need of a reason to live. This is one of those people.”
‘Best Life’ follows Cameron’s November single ‘Sarah Jo’.
Oxy Music Cover Artwork:
Oxy Music Tracklist:
1. Best Life
2. Sara Jo
3. Prescription Refill
4. Hold The Line
5. Breakdown
6. K Hole
7. Dead Eyes
8. Cancel Culture [feat. Lloyd Vines]
9. Oxy Music [feat. Jason Williamson]
Barbara Cole is an accomplished artist who has been pushing the boundaries in photography since the 1980s. Cole’s work has been exhibited worldwide and has won numerous prestigious awards in the photography field.
Just recently, Cole opened a solo exhibition named Between Forms at the Pellas Gallery in Boston. To talk about it, she joined us for an interview.
Firstly, how are you, and how is the world treating you?
I’m doing well, thank you. The first year of the pandemic was much more difficult than this one. It was the first time in my adult life when I wasn’t allowed to make photographs. Models, stylists, makeup artists and assistants were all understandably afraid to work together, which was a bit surreal. Now that the vaccine is available and I take the necessary precautions to protect my team, we can all move forward and I’m making new photographs as we speak.
You have a solo exhibition named Between Forms at the Pellas Gallery. What was the inspiration behind it?
Pellas Gallery and I have gathered photographs from throughout my career that explore my long fascination with water as a medium that naturally reshapes form. These are photographs across several series that explore transformation across time, movement, and image. I think putting them together for Between Forms creates a new dialogue in my body of work, which is always evolving and looking for both a sense of the ethereal and timelessness.
Creating an exhibition takes a lot of time, detail, and work. Do you have a specific process that you go through when preparing an exhibition?
Creating a new body of work, no matter what it’s for, always begins with excitement about an idea. I most often pre-visualize what I want to see and then I have to figure out how to make it happen. The most difficult part is putting my idea into words so I can properly define it. My process is “trial and error” until I am able to see the thing I’ve imagined. That can happen right away but most often it takes a much longer period of time. I am completely self-taught, so I often don’t understand how complex some of these ideas can be. The important thing is to keep working at it a little bit at a time until you “crack the code” so to speak.
Were there any new challenges you faced for this exhibition, and if so, what were they?
The biggest challenge is always to have people understand what they are looking at. My work is mostly done in-camera, and, for example, an underwater figure placed in a red set can be confusing. Does water have to be blue, I ask? I play around with my in-studio techniques to create something very special for my collectors. This is my first solo exhibition in New England and also Pellas Gallery’s first photography exhibition. These aren’t so much challenges as they are exciting opportunities.
London Gardens
You’re fascinated with water as a medium that naturally reshapes form. When did your passion for water come to you, and how has it shaped your pallet of work?
My passion for working in water happened because of my painterly aesthetic. I have never really enjoyed using the camera to strictly document things. Water allows me to give weightlessness to my figures, and it allows them to move in a particular way. It’s a natural fit for my imagination.
With 2022 underway, what other projects do you have planned for the year?
I am in the middle of a new underwater project called Beat that allows my figures to really, really let loose underwater. I think it’s a very cathartic time for that kind of attitude.
Also, I’m in the final stages of a studio project, called Shadow Dancing, that I have been working on for 11 years. It took me a very long time to learn the process for wet collodion photography: handmade film poured on aluminum, with a turn-of-the-century camera and lens. Once I got a handle of the process itself, I needed to take this wonderful new look and make it mine. I wanted to put my stamp on it. Instead of the usual sepia toned tintypes, I’m making pictures that look like Autochromes (the first colour film) and the delicacy of it all is blowing me away.
NFTs have become a big talking point in the world of art. As an artist, have you considered creating NFTs of your work?
I’m always up for experimenting with a new art form. I’m in the midst of thinking about what I can add to the NFT world. I don’t want to just throw something out quickly because it’s the new next thing. I’ve got some thoughts on the subject and now I’m working on the artwork.
Lastly, imagine you’re in an elevator with an aspiring photographer. You have 20 seconds. What one sentence advice would you give them?
I’d have only one question: Are you passionate about photography?
Thank you for joining us Barbara!
Between Forms exhibits at the Pellas Gallery until the 24th of February.
Pussy Riot have shared a new song called ‘Punish’, which was co-written with Tove Lo. The track comes paired with a visual courtesy of Berlin-based 3D artist Ksti Hu. Check it out below.
“‘PUNISH’ is the first audio-visual artwork from Pussy Riot’s upcoming cycle that introduces a super(s)hero character who owns magic superwoman-like qualities & uses these powers to fight sexism,” Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova explained in a statement. “She’s a strong dominatrix figure, and serves justice by punishing Weinsteins of the world. Talks about the vengeful shero are spreading, and now men are scared to misbehave, because they’re well aware that revenge is coming.”
Tove Lo added: “Getting to enter Nadya’s world and be a part of this project is my pussy power passion project! She’s an iconic artist with an incredible life story who goes into everything with a bigger purpose. I hope we all get to live in the Pussyverse!”
‘Punish’ arrives ahead of Pussy Riot’s upcoming US tour supporting MARINA in February and March.
Vundabar have shared an alternative version of their track ‘Alien Blues’, featuring additional vocals from Indigo De Souza. As a press release notes, the track, originally released in 2013, started trending on TikTok in November of last year. Check out ‘Alien Blues (Redux)’ below.
“People seem to be really enjoying ‘Alien Blues’ as of late – it’s been charting around the world the last couple months – and that is nice and kind of nutty!” singer/guitarist Brandon Hagen said in a statement. “We’ve decided to revisit the song and record an alternate version of it with guest vocals from Indigo De Souza and some new bells and whistles. Frankly I think this new version is a certified hemmy heater banger track. Additionally, there is still a global pandemic happening right now. With the rise of Omicron we’re option to move our February and March tour dates to May and June of 2022. With the recent spikes in cases and general difficulty of safely navigating live events it feels like the best option.”
Vundabar are gearing up for the release of a new album called Devil For the Fire, which has been pushed back and is now set to arrive on April 15 via Amuse. It features the early singles ‘Ringing Bell’, ‘Aphasia’, and the title track. They’ve also moved their full US tour back to May and June 2022; find the full list of dates below.
Vundabar 2022 Tour Dates:
May 16 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
May 17 – Richmond, VA – Richmond Music Hall
May 18 – Durham, NC – Motorco
May 20 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade – Purgatory
May 21 – Tampa, FL – Crowbar
May 22 – Orlando, FL – Heano
May 24 – Houston, TX – Secret Group
May 25 – Austin, TX – Empire Control Group
May 26 – Fort Worth, TX – Tulips
May 28 – Mesa, AZ – Underground at the Nile Theater
May 29 – San Diego, CA – Quartyard
May 31 – Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room
Jun 1 – Los Angeles, CA – Regent Theater
Jun 2 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
Jun 3 – Santa Cruz, CA – Catalyst Atrium
Jun 4 – Sacramento, CA – Starlet Room
Jun 6 – Portland, OR – Polaris Hall
Jun 7 – Seattle, WA – Chop Suey
Jun 9 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
Jun 10 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
Jun 13 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
Jun 14 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
Jun 16 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups
Jun 17 – Detroit, MI – El Club
Jun 18 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
Jun 19 – Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground
Jun 21 – Montreal, ON – Bar Le Ritz
Jun 23 – Philadelphia, PA – Foundry at the Fillmore
Jun 24 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Made
Sep 15 – Boston, MA – The Sinclair
Sep 16 – Boston, MA – The Sinclair
Sep 24 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
Grizzly Bear’s Daniel Rossen has announced his debut solo album. You Belong There is due for release on April 8 via Warp. Along with the news, he’s also shared a new single called ‘Shadow in the Frame’. Check it out below, and scroll down to find the album artwork and tracklist.
According to a press release, the 10-track album explores “the uncharted territory of adulthood,” as Rossen considered “what comes after the restless enthusiasm and public fanfare of your youth.” Following Rossen’s 2012 EP Silent Hour/Golden Mile, the record finds him “re-energised by the act of unfettered expression and newfound self-sovereignty.” Grizzly Bear’s last album was 2017’s Painted Ruins.
Rossen will head out on a tour of North America, the UK, and Europe this spring to support the new album. Find the full itinerary below.
You Belong There Cover Artwork:
You Belong There Tracklist:
1. It’s a Passage
2. Shadow in the Frame
3. You Belong There
4. Unpeopled Space
5. Celia
6. Tangle
7. I’ll Wait For Your Visit
8. Keeper and Kin
9. The Last One
10. Repeat the Pattern
Daniel Rossen 2022 Tour Dates:
Mar 27 – Austin, TX – Antone’s
Mar 30 – New Orleans, LA – Toulouse Theatre
Apr 1 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
Apr 2 – Nashville, TN – Exit/in
Apr 3 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
Apr 5 – Washington, DC – Miracle Theatre
Apr 6 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
Apr 8 – Somerville, MA – Crystal Ballroom
Apr 9 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Made
Apr 11 – Montreal, QC – Le Ministere
Apr 12 – Toronto, ON – Great Hall
Apr 14 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Apr 15 – Minneapolis, MN – Icehouse
May 7 – Hamburg, DE – Kulturkirche Altona
May 8 – Berlin, DE – Passionskirche
May 10 – Munich, DE – Freiheitshalle
May 11 – Zurich, CH – Bogen F
May 12 – Turin, IT – Circolo della Musica
May 14 – Paris, FR – Le Café de la Danse
May 15 – Amsterdam, NL – Het Zonnehuis
May 16 – Cologne, DE – Kulturkirche Köln
May 17 – Ghent, BE – Handelsbeurs
May 20 – London – UK, Union Chapel
May 23 – Dublin, IE – Pepper Canister
May 25 – Glasgow, UK – St Luke’s
Jun 9 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
Jun 10 – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
Jun 11 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s
Jun 14 – Big Sur, CA – Henry Miller Memorial Library
Jun 15 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel
Jun 17 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
Jun 18 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
Jun 19 – Vancouver, BC – The Biltmore Cabaret
A new trailer for the Super Bowl LVI halftime show has been released. The F. Gary Gray-directed clip, titled ‘The Call’, features appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige, who are set to perform at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Sunday, February 13. Check out a preview of the Roc Nation-produced event, which will follow last year’s the Weeknd set, below.
“Each time I collaborate with Dre, it seems to mark an important moment in entertainment history, from projects like Friday, Set It Off, Straight Outta Compton, to now the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI halftime show,” Gray said in a statement. “As a super fan, I consider it an honor and privilege to authentically build and create this moment with five of the most legendary artists in music history. It’s been a blast!”
Fred Again.. has enlisted the xx’s Romy and London-based electronic artist HAAi for a new song called ‘Lights Out’. Listen to it below.
“I started this song on my laptop on a train up to the Scottish Highlands and immediately sent it to Romy and Teneil (Haai) because it felt super special to me,” Fred Again.. said in a statement. “Romy’s lyrics and voice are just like a hug from a rave angel.”
Back in 2020, Fred co-produced Romy’s first solo single, ‘Lifetime’, which HAAi remixed. He also recruited Jamie xx for ‘Smoke’, off his collaborative mixtape with Headie One.
Nation of Language made their debut TV appearance last night, performing the song ‘Across That Fine Line’ on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Check it out below.
‘Across That Fine Line’ is taken from the Brooklyn trio’s sophomore LP, A Way Forward, which arrived in November of last year. Read about the inspirations behind the record in our interview with frontman Ian Richard Devaney.
Melody’s Echo Chamber has returned with a new song called ‘Looking Backward’. It’s taken from her upcoming third album Emotional Eternal, which arrives on April 29 via Domino. The new single is accompanied by a video Melody Prochet made in collaboration with Unreal Engine specialist 3D artist Hyoyon Paik (Chlöe). Check it out and find the LP’s cover artwork and tracklist below.
As with her previous album, 2018’s Bon Voyage, Emotional Eternal was initially recorded in the outskirts of Stockholm, with multi-instrumentalist Reine Fiske, a member of Swedish rock band Dungen who has worked with the likes of Travis Scott and Anna Järvinen, and Fredrik Swahn, the musician, producer and engineer best known for his work with Swedish indie rock outfit The Amazing.
“I hope the record has that uplifting quality,” Melody said in a press statement. “I wanted to be more grounded and mindful through the process. I guided the sessions with simplicity—a contrast with the maximalism of Bon Voyage and the wilderness of my delusions. I made some big and impactful decisions and changes to my life. It took me to where it is peaceful, and I think the record reflects this. It’s more direct.”
Speaking about the new track, Melody commented: “’Looking Backward’ is a vivid, nonchalant, poetic march to the Unknown. I wrote the lyrics on my way to Stockholm, in transit at the airport, there was a man creating light reflections with his watch and playing with light on the floors and walls. It felt like an act coming from a source of pure creativity, it made me happy to catch it and inspired me to write the song.”
Hyoyon Paik added of the video: “It was a truly joyful experience to tap into Melody’s world and use my CGI skill to visualize it. This piece demonstrates how artists can utilize digital avatars and CGI to deliver a grander and more immersive narrative in this exciting time, where the digital world and reality are integrated more than ever before.”
Emotional Eternal Cover Artwork:
Emotional Eternal Tracklist:
1. Emotional Eternal
2. Looking Backward
3. Pyramids in the Clouds
4. The Hypnotist
5. Personal Message
6. Where the Water Clears the Illusion
7. A Slow Dawning of Peace
8. Alma_The Voyage
