Blog Coincides with Jul's Progkast Podcast - Underground Prog Rock from around the world. Here, I review the albums and artists from the Podcast, artist Q&A, lyrics and translations of songs from the Podcast, as well as list concert dates and post new releases from these Independent artists (own "label" releases and small independent label releases). To listen to Progkast see links on right. Also available free on itunes for listening, download and auto RSS feed.
1) Melody Fields - Morning Sun - :35(2016) 2) Dosch - Village of the Idiots - 6:30(2002) 3) Spampipe - Mameking - 12:40(2016?) 4) Dixie Cannon - Close to the Sun - 16:32(2016?) 5) Dyr Faser - His Dreams Are Connected - 20:25(2016) 6) West of the Sun - Fountains of Fire - 25:40(2016) 7) At the Head - September Electric - 29:20(2016?) 8) Big Red Panda - Arrival Part II - 33:47(2016) 9) Zoliborz - Roland Garros 2048 - 38:44(2014) 10) Onirica - Self Portrait of Time - 42:11(2016) 11) Birds of Avalon - Microinfinity (Live at WFMU)- 50:26(2011)
Band Spotlight
Melody Fields - This is a band I just happened by on Facebook. All I can say is.. more, more, more!! Looking forward to what comes next for this band from Gothenburg, Sweden. Featuring Thomas Widholm, Ramo Spatalovic, David Henriksson, Jonnie Tall, and Henrik Backstrom, Melody Fields starts off "Morning Sun" with a throw back to the Byrds' 12 string "ringing" guitar sound. They follow up with pleasant harmonies and in this catchy tune interlaced with short catchy guitar riffs. This is definitely one of my faves. Can't wait for more!
Dosch (aka Louis Dosch) - Another artist I found on Facebook, Louis Dosch recorded "Village of the Idiots" in 2002 playing all the parts himself. He has been in many bands in the Orange County, CA area through the years including the heavy metal band, Maiden, Progressive bands, Eden, Magic, and Hex, as well as a few others.
My apologies to Mr. Dosch for misspeaking of Mixcloud as a place to find his music, it is actually Soundclick - Dosch on Soundclick
Louis Dosch (keyboards) with the band Eden (also featuring Kris Kellog, Terry Adamo, BJ Edinger, and Mitchell James) in the early 80's.
At the Head - Found on Soundcloud, this band from Moscow consists of Arseny Gorodov (drums), Arseny Davydenko (lead guitar), and Ivan Utkin (keys, bass guitar). "September Electric" is one of those songs that really grows on you with time. I've said that anyone who listens to one of my Podcasts,... once will like a song or two... listen again and you will like some more... listen a third time and songs you heard before and just though "eh... ok" start churning round and round in your head and soon become one of your favorites. It is sort of the nature of Prog music. Hope to hear more in the future.
Big Red Panda - These guys have become one of my favorite modern Prog/Psych bands (well, every artist I play are one of my favorites! ;). This release, "Arrival Part II" once the vocals begin, quickly reminds me of one of my all time favorite Prog bands, Armageddon. With smooth and pleasant vocals of Keith Relf, Armageddon blazed one of Prog Rock's most iconic anthems in "Silver Tightrope". Like Keith Relf, Pedro Ferreira's voice just floats along with the music. Yes, there's some Psych effects there, but it's got that same quality sound. With catchy riffs, swirling drums and synth, this band from Portugal has a bright future in Prog Rock.
Fancisco Dantas - Drums Gonçalo Palmas - Synth Hugo Quintela - Guitar Kevin Pires - Guitar Nuno Silva - Bass Pedro Ferreira - Vocals/Guitar
Big Red Panda can be found on Facebook, youtube, soundcloud, and on Bandcamp
And.... just for fun, here is "Paths and Planes and Future Gains" from Armageddon.
Onirica - Another artist I found on Facebook, Onirica are Massimo Santi and Nicola Rigato. On "Self Portrait of Time" Massimo and Nicola get help from Davide Rigato on Violin.
From their youtube video they describe the song as such:
"'Self-Portrait Of Time' is an attempt to grasp the essence of our inner
thoughts, in a world where speed alienates us from ourselves. With
millions of outside stimulations, we go through life losing focus and
centre. We like to think of it as a dive into the maze that our brain
is, and emerge with the core of our dreams, made of scrap, as depicted
in the structure of our sculptor friend: the Onirica."
Pretty cool. I really like all the changes in this song. That, to me, is one of Prog's greatest graces.
Special thanks to Melody Fields, Louis Dosch, Spampipe, Dixie Cannon, West of the Sun, At the Head, Big Red Panda, and Onirica for special permission to play their songs on Progkast. Also thanks to WFMU and the FMA for Dyr Faser, Zoliborz and Birds of Avalon music.
