The last post was for my 101 in 1001 list and was all about a series, but this one is focused entirely on music. Specifically for the goal:
075. Listen to 5 bands beginning with every letter of the alphabet
I also specified that at least two of the bands for each letter should be new to me, so I chose 3 bands I've heard before (ASP, Aliene Maφriage, Austra) and two that were "new" (Ashbury Heights, Assemblage 23). Either I don't listen to a lot of bands/artists beginning with the letter A, or I just can't remember them right now, but this was quite difficult!
For the recommended music, I've tried to choose a few of my favourites by each - not necessarily the videos - and then some that demonstrate a slightly different sound. I don't really care about genres, so sorry if I get them wrong here! It's just so you know vaguely what to expect. Not being a music critic, there won't be an analysis of their technical merits or flaws. This is just what I like (or don't, in some cases). Biased personal opinion all the way.
For the recommended music, I've tried to choose a few of my favourites by each - not necessarily the videos - and then some that demonstrate a slightly different sound. I don't really care about genres, so sorry if I get them wrong here! It's just so you know vaguely what to expect. Not being a music critic, there won't be an analysis of their technical merits or flaws. This is just what I like (or don't, in some cases). Biased personal opinion all the way.
Letter A
1. ASP
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| Asp the vocalist of ASP |
About: ASP (said like the name of the snake) are a German group that was formed by Asp (AKA: Alexander Spreng), in 1999, in Frankfurt am Main. They've released 11 studio albums, 2 live albums and 4 compilation albums to date, plus various EPs and singles. Their lyrics are mainly in German, but they do have the occasional song in English as well.
Website: https://www.aspswelten.de/
Thoughts: I don't listen to ASP that often, but enjoy their music when I do. They combine the harder sounds of alternative rock with NDH and electronic elements. They also add in other instruments such as violins/fiddles and even bagpipes to give a more unusual sound. Generally, they have a fairly melodic sound - both music and singing - but there are times when the vocals get a little harsher and the accompaniment faster and heavier too. They're a group that are able to pull off both styles well.
More songs:
20.000 Meilen (2017)
Panzerhaus (Plakat Mix) (2013)
Ich will brennen (2012)
2. Ashbury Heights
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| Ashbury Heights: Tea F. Thimé & Anders Hagström |
Genre: Synthpop / Futurepop
About: Ashbury Heights are an electronic duo from Sweden, originally formed by Anders Hagström (vocals, programmer, music, lyrics) and Yasmine Uhlin (vocals) in Sundsvall, Medelpad in 2005. Uhlin left in 2008 and was then replaced by Kari Berg until 2010, when she also departed from the band. Due to a dispute between Hagstöm and the band's label, Ashbury Heights disbanded in 2011 before reforming again in 2013 with the present line-up. The current female vocalist and co-lyricist is Tea F. Thimé, who had no previous vocal experience, but was formerly a burlesque performer and has a PhD. in English Literature. As of 2017, the band have released 3 studio albums, 1 EP, and appeared on a compilation too.
Websites:
Thoughts: This is one of the bands I hadn't heard before a few months ago, so I'm still not that familiar with all of their music, but I do really like most of what I've listened to so far. They have a completely synth sound to them - not something I mind - and are very poppy, but still interesting. They remind me a little of 80's bands like The Human League and also the Pet Shop Boys (I'm aware both bands are still going), but with a more modern feel.
More Songs:
I wanted to find videos for their songs 'Phantasmagoria' and 'November Corrosion' because they're from AH's most recent album (The Looking Glass Society) and I like them a lot, but couldn't find any (that link is to the album on Spotify if you want to listen though).
3. Aliene Maφriage / Aliene Ma'riage
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| Aliene Maφriage |
Genre: Visual Kei / Rock / Metal
About: Aliene Ma'riage were a Japanese Visual Kei band (in the music genres: Metal/Industrial Metal and Hard Rock/Rock) who were originally from Kansai, formed by Kyouka (vocals), Mast (guitar) and Ray (bass), under the name Autism in 1997. However, after being picked up by the label Key Party in 1998, they relocated to Tokyo and continued activities under the name Aliene Ma'riage until 2001. During that time, the band released 3 studio albums and 2 singles.
Thoughts: Despite my love of predominantly electronic music, at the end of the 90's, Visual Kei stole a piece of my heart as well, and Aliene Ma'riage was one of the groups responsible for that. VK isn't a music genre as such - at least it wasn't back then - but rather a "movement" characterised by the use of make-up, styling, costuming and sets, combined with androgynous and/or theme-specific aesthetics (bit like a very elaborate form of glam rock...but different). Having said that, the VK bands I like do often fit broadly into the metal, alternative rock and gothic rock genres.
The music in VK and its sub-genres can range widely; going from light pop-rock to heavy metal to hard rock and "screamo". I always preferred the bands with darker, heavier, music and looks, with the exception being Malice Mizer - my absolute favourite VK band - who often had darker or more horror/gothic horror-influenced visuals and themes, but would also sometimes pair them with lighter music of varying genres (rock, pop, electronic, classical, opera, metal... sometimes a mixture of all of those). But I'll save more about them for M!
Anyway, Aliene Ma'riage were on the heavier, darker side of the spectrum of VK, both in look/theme and musically (though there were a few softer, more melodic songs like the one below) and it's something I found wonderful. I had a penchant for the horror genre and theatrical metal/rock bands with a gothic influence (from other countries) already though, so it was hardly surprising that I was drawn to them. Also, as a side note, I didn't know, but the internet has informed me that as of 2016 their vocalist, Kyouka, has been in a band called Insanity-Injection, who I quite like as well. But again, maybe I'll write more about them when the right letter comes up.
More Songs:
4. Austra
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| Austra vocalist Katie Stelmanis |
About: Austra are an electronic band first formed by Katie Stelmanis in 2009, in Toronto, Canada. However, Stelmanis was producing music under her own name and other pseudonyms with fellow Austra member Maya Postepski directly before that. The name Austra is taken from Stelmanis' middle name, but is also the name of the goddess of light in Latvian mythology. The other band members are: Dorian Wolf, Ryan Wonsiak and there were two former members, Romy Lightman and Sari Lightman who were backing singers as well. The band have released 3 studio albums, a remix album, 2 EPs and multiple singles to date.
Website: http://www.austramusic.com/
Thoughts: I first heard Austra in 2010/11 when I listened to the song 'Spellwork' and, though they've never become one of my favourites, as they have songs I'm not that keen on, I do listen to them quite regularly. They remind me of what a gloomier version of Florence + The Machine (who I don't really like) and a little Björk and Gazelle Twin, with some politics mixed into some of lyrics, would sound like. It sounds good! However, if you don't like Katie Stelmanis' somewhat distinctive voice, you'll probably have a hard time listening to this group, even if you appreciate the music and/or lyrics. Luckily for me, I enjoy it a lot.
Other Songs:
Home
Lose It
Hurt Me Now
Identity
The Beat And The Pulse
I Love You More Than You Love Yourself
Change The Paradigm
Utopia
5. Assemblage 23
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| Tom Shear AKA Assemblage 23 |
About: Assemblage 23 is from the US and the project of Tom Shear, who has been making music under this pseudonym since 1988. All the lyrics and music are written by Shear and he is also the vocalist and programmer. Paul Seegers and Mike Jenney join the project during live performances. Assemblage 23 has released 8 studio albums, a remix EP, two "unreleased & early works (pre-1999)" collection albums, and a handful of singles, as of 2017.
Website: http://www.assemblage23.com/
Thoughts: I have often heard Assemblage 23 mentioned, but had never heard or even seen a picture of him until a song (the one in the first video) popped up on an EBM playlist I was listening to recently. He's just one of those artists that I'd never got around to listening to, even though I'd had multiple opportunities to do so.
His vocals remind me a little of Dave Gahan from Depeche Mode, whose voice I love, though Assemblage 23's lyrics are certainly a lot more interesting than most of DM's (sorry, - I like them too, but it's true!). This is an artist that I definitely want to listen to more of, as I've only heard bits and pieces from every album so far. Lesson learnt: in future, don't take so long to listen to bands!
Other songs:
Smoke
Collapse
Awake (Imperative Reaction Mix)
Damaged
Angels & Demons
Well, that's it for the letter A! Any suggestions for the other letters are welcome.
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☆Thank you for imagining another part of this paracosm☆