Grady Strange – Flowers Surround You
Similar artists: The Lonely Biscuits, French Cassettes, The Copper Children, Okey Dokey, Green Gerry, Drug Cabin
Genre: Lo-fi Rock, Indie Rock
Musician biographies are once again in vogue in the movie world. You have to have seen a bunch. While artists from different genres get the film treatment, you can bet that there’s one scene that will make it into each one of these stories.
It is, of course, the scene where the band or singer finds out that they’ve finally received a contract from a music label. From this day onward, all of their troubles will be over, they think. Queue a montage of wild parties and maverick drug-taking.
Not a lot of reality enters these kinds of productions. This one, however, is true. And it’s worrying. Think about it. The best musical minds of any generation can’t quite get their work started before a music-biz daddy tells them it’s Ok.
Fortunately, those days are gone. Grady Strange are the latest self-made rockstars and their excellent single Flowers Surround You proves this. No music lessons or management wizards were involved in the making of this. How could they be? This is brilliantly simple, unsophisticated, and absolutely amazing. Take it from the man!
Sam Wrangle – Analogy for Tar
Genre: Jangle Pop
History books will need to recall how in the early 2000s, the wardrobe of many young, ambitious guys and gals included the same outfit: a pair of blue jeans and a black sweater. It was the office that Steve Jones wore every day, a symbol of his disdain for fashion and, surely, the first step to becoming a self-made millionaire.
Entire books are still written about the leadership qualities of Mr. Jobs. And, never, does his taste in fashion fail to get a mention. His other qualities are, naturally, also analyzed. People looking for success, however, will start imitating the tech zillionaire, starting with what is most easy to achieve: the look.
But it’s worth it. This is what all ambitious, smart, talented youngsters dream about becoming, right? The world needs more and better IT products. The world also seems to need more millionaires. Not adhering to this logic is akin to spitting in the face of parents and teachers.
Fortunately for the world, there are soon putting the same kind of energy and DYI zeal into something else, namely music. Sam Wrangle could’ve been building apps right now or fashioning his own cryptocurrency. But, instead, he’s written and performed all of the instruments on Analogy for Tar. And, while it takes the same kind of energy as becoming a tech CEO, this is far cooler.
