by Kay-Alana Turner
When you’re happy, free, confused and lonely at the same time, spin:
“Catch 22”
Jaye Madison
Twin duo Jaye Madison offers reassuring grit on the first single from the band’s upcoming debut record. Produced by Mikal Blue, the mastermind who brought us One Republic and Colbie Caillat, “Catch 22” is deeply rooted in the Texas country tradition but has been washed with the glossy sheen of early aughts production. It answers the question: what if Guy Clark wrote a song for the Indigo Girls but The Chicks sang it instead? It’s promising – driving and earnest, an anthem for the frustrating ambiguity of youth. In listening, I was transported to simpler times watching the CMT Hot Twenty countdown over six oreos and a glass of milk.
For fans of The Wreckers, Stevie Nicks, Jessica Andrews
When you’re discombobulated by your situationship, spin:
“All My Petals”
Sancho Baker
Fearing arrest should I pirate music but having no money myself, as a child I listened mainly to free mp3s (looking at you, Limewire). Sancho Baker’s latest single, accompanied by a video produced by local media outfit Burned Out Studio, takes me back to the first time my goody-two-shoes ears heard a Chromeo song online. The track starts humbly, but quickly crescendos into an absolute bop – a toybox of sounds glitching, winding, and whirring. Lush electronic production accompanied by distorted vocals, à la Bon Iver, delivers palpable yearning. And what does Sancho Baker ask of us? Simply to come home.
For fans of Cut Copy, James Blake, Francis and the Lights
When you’re overintellectualizing your dissociative spells, spin:
“It Feels Like”
Pamphlets
Okay, this one may be a cheat — Pamphlets is based in Brooklyn. However, many of us know and love the drummer. For years, Daniel Pemberton wove around town as a local scene organizer, media writer, TASI rager attendee, sometimes DJ, LU grad, and all around Southeast Texan. “It Feels Like” is essentially a CAKE revival in the best way. If you can’t help but belt out “short skirt and a loooooong jacket,” you’re going to fucking love this jam. Pamphlets cuts to the core of depersonalization and the inadequacy of language to communicate feelings. When words don’t work, they say, a great beat and compelling hook often does the trick.
For fans of Beastie Boys, Soul Coughing, Weezer
When you’re downright downhome, spin the 409 Y’ALLTERNATIVE JAMS playlist on Spotify!
All y’all yee-yee musicians looking for an audience? Hit send.
Attach your soon-to-be-released jams (that means tracks and albums) to kayalanat@gmail.com for a chance to be featured here or on the playlist. And don’t forget to apply for a chance to play your original tunes at TASI’s Band Nite. Find the application at tinyurl.com/2p8wupjn, and get on stage!