We all have them — musical enablers, people whose musical suggestions we trust. When these enablers tell us to check out a band because they’re really great, we tend to believe them because these folks usually know their music. We also have musical de-enablers — yes I just made up a word — the folks who when they say “Check out this band!” you run the other way.
A few of my most trusted musical ears told me about From East to Exit, including Dean Marino (Chemical Sound producer and Papermaps singer/guitarist) and Mike Walter (co-founder of Show Gopher and member of Krupke). So naturally I booked them in for a show expecting a great set — which they absolutely delivered on. What was a nice added bonus, however, was that they’re also all-around cool guys who truly have a drive and a passion for what they were doing.
That’s why when I got a message today from band member Jon letting me know their album Lowlands was set for release at the beginning of June, with a link to some sample tracks, I dove right in. I suggest you do the same. I might be wrong, but I am quite certain that none of you are too busy to spare eight minutes and 40 seconds to hear these tracks. They blow by in a dizzying, jangly, toe-tapping assault on your musical senses. While I wouldn’t compare the two bands musically, it reminds me of the debut Whale Tooth EP I helped release a few years back. You blink and it feels like you missed it, as the songs have been done in such a way that they manage to make nine minutes feel like three.
Knowing that this recording stands to be one of the final releases from the now-closed Chemical Sounds studio adds to my excitement to hear the record. They are even going to be putting it out on limited-edition vinyl! Do the math on that one folks: tight post-Strokes indie rock + Dean Marino’s Chemical Sound Studio + the incomparable sound of sexy wax = an explosion of musical awesomeness.
Busy schedules on my end and the band’s has postponed their Toronto celebration of this album release until July 14th, but please do save the date and make a point of coming out and hearing for yourself what I’m all worked up about! The band has been nice enough to allow us an exclusive stream/download of one of their songs “(Oh No!) Ghosts” which can be found below!
From East To Exit – 01 Oh No! (Ghosts)
Cheers,
Dan
