Sean Hartofilis – Mortar
Genre: Folk
Every year, more and more biographies of famous artists are added to bookstores and online shops. Each is vying for the readers’ attention. And, because of this, each one promises to shed new light on their personal light.
Most of the people for which biographies are dead. But I doubt that they’d ask them how they felt about it anyway. And I doubt there’d be very happy. It is, some will point out, a deal that they walked into the moment they exposed their deepest feelings through art.
Perhaps out of fear of what the biographers may uncover, today’s pop songs have very little to do with the writers’ actual lives. It’s all fine and dandy, but it makes some of us crave something with a bit more soul.
Sean Hartofilis’ Mortar plays out like a confession that you never thought you’d hear. It’s the song that most writers would never attempt to pen down, the one that digs deepest into their pain and their hopes. And, while it’s hard to hear something be so honest, it’s also a privilege to have been chosen to be one of the ones hearing it.
The Wans – Otherside
Genre: Indie Rock
Most successful bands are forever associated with a particular musical genre. Or, they’re always linked to an exact era. This helps paint a picture of the group. Still, it often works to detract from the merits of the artists.
Did Jimi Hendrix really need psychedelic rock? Were The Beatles a product of their times? And, surely, The Sex Pistols would’ve made at least one great album regardless of the era in which they found themselves.
Record labels and band managers are always looking for “the next big thing.” That’s how trends get their push to the top. That’s fine! Everyone’s trying to make a buck. But in doing that, the music industry insiders forget about one simple truth. People just like to hear musicians that can play and sing really well.
The Wans aren’t reinventing the wheel with their single Otherside, but why would they need to? That’s something for bands with far less talent. Singing of this quality and such a great understanding of the dynamics that make a good indie-rock tune make The Wans not have to worry about trends, gimmicks, or fashion.
Thanks dude