VIDEO PREMIERE: ‘Robert Henry’ by The Westerlies

Posted on September 23, 2019 by maestrobeats

The Westerlies take us on an upbeat journey through early childhood with their performance of “Robert Henry,” an original composition by the ensemble’s trombonist Andy Clausen.

“Written shortly after the birth of my first nephew, ‘Robert Henry’ aims to lovingly capture the vibrant energy that a new member of the family contributes,” Clausen says. At times groovy and melodic, at other times rhythmically complex and jazzy, the Westerlies capture the excitement and hopeful energy of early childhood—as well as some of its unexpected turns.

We’re proud to premiere our in-studio video of the Westerlies performing “Robert Henry.”

Want more music from the Westerlies? Click here for another video from this session.

VIDEO PREMIERE: ‘Saro’ by The Westerlies

Posted on August 16, 2019 by maestrobeats

by Maggie Molloy

The Westerlies. From left: Chloe Rowlands, Riley Mulherkar, Willem de Koch, Andy Clausen.

An old English ballad gets a brassy new spin in the Westerlies’ rendition of “Saro,” which borrows from an arrangement by Nico Muhly and Sam Amidon.

The tune, which dates back to the 18th century, is timeless in its bittersweet melody and melancholy lyrics⁠—the wrenching memory of a love just out of reach. Yet the Westerlies capture the tune’s heartache and spin it into hope without using any words at all, their radiant melodies and hymn-like harmonies telling a new tale of the poor man and his pretty Saro.

We’re thrilled to premiere our in-studio video of the Westerlies performing “Saro.”

VIDEO PREMIERE: Majel Connery’s ‘Rebeam Me’

Posted on May 24, 2019 by maestrobeats

by Maggie Molloy

Majel Connery had a rather unusual path to the world of pop music.

Originally trained as a pianist, opera singer, and eventual musicologist, she went on to collaborate with a number of wide-ranging artists both within and beyond the genre of “new music.” Among them are the art pop duo Hae Voces, the book-club-band Oracle Hysterical, and the radically experimental Opera Cabal, to name just a few.

Presently, she’s set her ears on exploring her own voice as a solo artist. Her new EP Anything Chartreuse features four original songs that layer her translucent voice over shimmering electronics. The result is dreamy art pop with the sensitivity and nuance of classical music—but none of the inhibitions.

We’re thrilled to premiere the music video for her new song “Rebeam Me.”

Majel Connery’s Anything Chartreuse is out now. Click here to listen.

VIDEO PREMIERE: ‘Silver Lacquer’ by Julian Loida

Posted on May 3, 2019 by maestrobeats

by Maggie Molloy

Julian Loida hears music a little differently than most people. In fact, he actually kind of sees it.

Loida has synesthesia, a unique sensory phenomenon in which one sense (in this case, sound) triggers another sense (such as sight), at the same time. For him, music is a full-body experience, each sound evoking a different color, texture, or even taste.

The percussionist and composer explores the full spectrum of senses in Wallflower, his debut solo album of original works coming out this fall. Shimmering vibraphone melodies are textured with piano, voice, samples, and subtly processed sounds to create immersive sensory experiences.

We’re thrilled to offer an exclusive video premiere for Loida’s first single from the album, “Silver Lacquer.”

Julian Loida’s debut solo album Wallflower is out September 6. For more information, click here.

VIDEO PREMIERE: Bearthoven’s ‘American Dream’

Posted on January 30, 2019 by maestrobeats

by Maggie Molloy

There’s a certain dissonance inherent in the notion of the American Dream—it promotes a unified ideal for a nation that feels increasingly divided. Yet there remains a fundamental hopefulness in the face of this discord; a belief that we really are all working toward the same promise of freedom and prosperity.

The paradoxical nature of this national ethos in our current socio-economic era inspired Bearthoven’s new album American Dream. The trio—comprised of pianist Karl Larson, bassist Pat Swoboda, and percussionist Matt Evans—performs three works by Scott Wollschleger that explore different aspects of the American experience: moments of true beauty and lofty idealism balanced against moments of impending crisis and despair.

We’re thrilled to premiere this brand new video for an excerpt from the album’s title track, a trio scored for piano, double bass, pitch pipes, and percussion instruments ranging from vibraphone to water crotales and vibrators. Weaving together broken melodies, competing grooves, and the pervasive white noise of everyday life, Wollschleger reflects on the modern day role of the American Dream—in all its beautiful dissonance.