Five bands, five genres: Local bands release albums

CANDI AND THE STRANGERS

Candi and the Strangers released their second album, 10th of Always on Feb. 5.

Edgar Rodriguez • Lead Photographer

After the group lost one band member, they gained a new member in the form of a producer in early 2009 forming the current line-up: lead singer Samantha Constant, organist John Constant, vibraphone player Angie Rose, drummer Greg rose and the producer Erik Wofford.

The newest album 10th of Always is a change from the previous album.

"When we did the first record, we were just getting our sound together, and that was really important. We actually figured that out as we were recording. Whereas with this new record, we knew exactly how we were going to lay the songs out," said John Constant, organist.

Despite the established sound the band has become known for from their first EP, Candi and the Strangers is not afraid to experiment with new sounds and fans can look forward to just that on their newest album.

"I mean yeah, you're never done. We like to experiment, who knows where we are going to go from here, but there is no point is saying all right, this is us were going to keep doing the same thing," said Wofford.

The new direction the band is taking in 10th of Always is inspired by a movie they wrote music for.

"We worked on a movie…last year, we did a lot of orchestration in that, and so when we were recoding this new record (10th of Always), we wanted to integrate that.," said John Constant. "It was something different we were doing on the side, and as we brought it into the studio we figured we liked electronic strings for this particular record more than real strings. That happened just naturally because of other things we were doing, so I imagine more sounds will come along too."

When asked about an online comment describing the band's music as "[something] you could totally trip balls on acid to, while hanging out with your kids," band members laughed and explained how it was a very ironic statement.

"None of us do drugs. The way I see it is, if you can, make music to evoke the feeling of…being in another world and not on drugs," Erik said.

Candi and the Strangers' sophomore album 10th of Always takes a more psychedelic approach in comparison to their self-titled EP.

However, fans needn't worry too much as the change in musical styling is minimal and only reflects how Candi and the Strangers is experimenting with their sound.

Immediately upon listening to "Still A Star," the first track of the album, the group's psychedelic approach shows as you get taken away by a soothing melodic voice backed by electronic sounds. Songs such as "Children Of The Tone" and "Nico Regrets" really shows what this indie band is: a mix of  wondrous electronic sounds and bliss.

It's just the kind of music you can just sit around and chill to after arriving to your apartment, tired from working an all-day shift. Putting on some Candi and the Strangers, you instantly escape as the music captivates and transports you to another world. A brief four minutes of escape leave you wanting for more.

You can't just give one song a listen without wanting to hear the rest of what the album has to offer.

DREW SMITH

Drew Smith from Drew Smith's Lonely Choir released a side project album Ted Songs on Feb. 5.

Pete Perreault * Staff Photographer

Smith began a new side project from his other band Drew Smith's Lonely Choir with different members, differently arranged songs, and a different sound. He was raised on folk music, but he focuses on what is considered Americana pop. Those that have heard Drew Smith's Lonely Choir know of the more electric instruments and bigger band sound.

"It's different people, and that's exactly how I picked them, to get some new blood on some brand new songs," said Smith. "I wrote all the songs. Then we got together and worked out all the arrangements and who was playing what and when."

Ted Songs introduces different characters and tells their stories that can be somewhat uplifting like in "Squeezing The Elephants."

Then there is a whole different turn in the heartbreaking "Bending Like a River Flowing."

"I wrote (that song) to get something off my back. It's about just everyday anxieties, and meditating your way out of it. That's why there aren't very many words in the song. It focuses more on the instruments," said Smith.

The band got together around this time last year and played during 2010's South by Southwest. Ted Songs was recorded during a snow storm last winter at Shabby Road Studios in Brooklyn, New York.

Even though Drew Smith and this band won't play live any time soon, Drew Smith's Lonely Choir can be seen at one of the other venues around town.