Maty Noyes releases new track "Love You With A Bang" featured in new film Mr. Right, starring Sam Rockwell and Anna Kendrick, which features end title track, “Love You With A Bang” written and performed by Maty Noyes.
VIET CONG ANNOUNCE NEW BAND NAME Preoccupations - Press Release /
Photo Credit: Alessio Boni
The band formerly known as Viet Cong have today announced their new name, moving forward they will be called Preoccupations.
In a statement released today they said:
"After finishing our latest record and taking some time off, we are excited to announce that we will be performing and recording as "Preoccupations" going forward. We will be previewing new material from a forthcoming record in a series of festivals and shows in North America and Europe in the coming months. We apologize to those who were adversely affected by our former band name. This was never anticipated nor our intent. We are artists and not politicians, we understand that the name reflected pain to some individuals and we are happy to change it and move on and focus on our music. Thanks to all our friends and fans. See you all soon."
Matt Flegel also sat down with Pitchfork to discuss the events leading up to the change last year where he explains "We were pretty naive, and pretty ignorant on the subject. We know a lot more now. If we knew what we know now then we would definitely not call the band that."
Flegel goes further saying "I don't really keep track of what people are saying online or social media. Anything I learned was face to face from people at shows, and directly from protesters, and hearing stories about Vietnamese refugees. We've never really read about that side of things; we didn't know anything about that side of the war. But it was an eye-opener, and it was great talking to people about it, hearing things directly from people who have had the experience of the terrible things coming out of the war. It was always civil, and we met some great people because of it. We talked to fans of our band who are of a Vietnamese background. It's really helpful to have a face-to-face conversation with another human being that has family, or has been directly affected by something, rather than just hearsay on the internet. It's a different thing, going out and getting a group of people protesting a show. It was something I was fully in support of the entire time. I tried to talk to people as much as I could and learn as much as I could. I was impressed that people were getting together in real life to do something about it."
Preoccupations have been hard at work recording their new album which will be released this fall on Jagjaguwar / Flemish Eye.
"We've learned a lot for sure. It was never our intention to hurt anyone, and it puts you in your place a little bit. It's embarrassing, but it's nice that we can continue on and change things and change mistakes. In a way, it's a nice way for us to come into making a new record-having a clean slate with a new band name. I think it's a little bit less pressure to make something that sounded like the last couple of records. You're less attached to certain sounds and certain ideas you might have gone with."
The band will be playing a series of summer festivals including FYF and Sasquatch and are expected to debut some of the new material at these shows. All tour dates are listed below.
5.28.16 - Sasquatch Festival - George, WA
6.13.16 - Baby's All Right - Brooklyn, NY
6.17.16 - Best Kept Secret Festival - Hilvarenbeek, NL
6.18.16 - Out Loud, Beursschouwburg - Brussels, BE
6.22.16 - Shacklewell Arms - London, UK
6.23.16 - Old Blue Last - London, UK
6.28.16 - Olympic Cafe - Paris, FR
6.30.16 - Urban Spree - Berlin, GER
7.2.16 - Castle Palooza - Tullamore, IE
7.9.16 - Ottawa Blues Festival - Ottawa, ONT
8.27.16 - FYF Fest - Los Angeles, CA
10.8.16 - Danforth Music Hall - Toronto, ON
Premiere: Unstoppable - Aishlinn Kivlighn /
With a warmth and enthusiasm that's contagious, Aishlinn Kivlighn holds a musical confidence and self-awareness beyond her 13 years.
The acoustic video for "Unstoppable" presents a vulnerable side to the originally bouncing track; as addictive as ever, but with an impressive dose of authenticity as Aishlinn delivers raw emotions in a pure state.
Sweet reminders ring out in lyrics flush with hope and persistence, sure to have the dreamer in you addicted, before slipping into a huge chorus - and even larger bridge - that Aishlinn's soaring vocals tackle with a fearless ease and natural swing; the powerful effect is one that will have you listening again and again.
Says Aishlinn of the single, "it's empowering and it's not just about empowering yourself, but also helping others ... even though I didn't personally write it, I feel so connected to it, because it so well relates to my values and things I try to do for other people and for myself".
Don't let her age fool you, the acoustic video for "Unstoppable" undoubtedly proves that Aishlinn can just as easily sing a soft and pretty verse as she can belt out a powerful bridge and we can't wait to see what she continues to do.
Watch the irrepressible new acoustic video for her single "Unstoppable" below, catch up with Aishlinn in her interview with us here, and head to all those sites below to stay up to date with this not to be missed young singer.
Killers In A Ghost Town /
We love The Magnettes because they're badass feminists with cool music and an attitude that makes it clear they just don't care: they're the big sister we always tried to emulate.
All jokes aside, with so many great pro-women/feminism pop ballads on our radar right now, the one we absolutely cannot seem to get over is Swedish pop duo The Magnettes' "Killers In A Ghost Town". It's honest without being uncomfortable and catchy without being expected and, through it all, a twinkling synth, lilting melody, and layered beats insist you lazily dance around.
Lyrics take you on a journey from childhood, preconceived gendered notions, and total self-empowerment, all in one sentence with the juxtaposition of "sweet little girls" quickly journeying to "get wasted and fuck around" over a dreamy, indulgent soundscape.
Plus, how could you not love a duo who states, "we're reclaiming the word ugly. We think speaking your mind and being weak, weird, sad, anything but perfect, and ultimately real is cool. We have no regrets. That’s the ‘Sad Girls Club.’ It’s a space for anyone who listens to our music to be who they are. Embrace the ugly."?
Check out the single below, head to all those sites, and catch the new video here.