Pocket Hoarders//Episode 2

Adam Shaljian's "Pocket Hoarders" returns for a second installment. We're proud to be a part of this!

"I'm A Wolf"//OFFICIAL VIDEO

Directed by our good friend Adam Shaljian. Check out his YouTube channel here.

Blog review//The JangleBox

Spanish-language music blog The JangleBox has a review of the Better People EP (warning: broken English via Google Translate, but you'll get the idea):

...For a little over a year that appeared on the balcony of The JangleBox, Ry Smith and Meg Bayley have been giving us a tremendous bunch of songs once describe as "gems" in the hands of "goldsmiths of Pop." I believe that with Better People (Ep, 2012), the New York duo has reached one of its top creative moments. Their love of simple pop, free of large arrays, but refined and elegant, has resulted in an EP of six songs that did not spare any. A sort of pop mini-operetta in the good sense of humor, love of the everyday and the feelings have been erected in a magical album that reminds you of the same Belle and Sebastian Olivia Tremor Control that pass through the sieve the Beach Boys and The Zombies. A great disc in a small form of six themes.

A band too little known, cooking over low heat album in its own studio, in their own way and that every so often gives us the opportunity to go tasting their wonderful dishes to modern cooking style, in small quantities to the delight can be increased.

Original Spanish review can be found here.

Blog review//Wordkrapht

The music lovers of Wordkrapht have reviewed Better People. Here's what they have to say:

The beauty of music is that every person in the world can find at least one style that appeals to them because of the wide variety that’s being created every day. Eastern Phoebes are not a typical band for many reasons. They record all of the music in their lakeside cottage on Long Island, and everything is homemade. While some musicians spend a lot of time writing and producing music, Eastern Phoebes like to record as quickly and simple as possible. This technique is enjoyable to them and they want to release as much music as they can to the fans.

When listening to the six tracks on their latest EP, Better People, you will get the impression that this is fun for Eastern Phoebes and they just want you to enjoy and not take the music too seriously. The EP consists of harmonizing vocals and a strong presence of the piano and keyboards. A lot of the lyrics may seem a bit obscure to some listeners, but music lovers with an open mind will enjoy the fact that Eastern Phoebes produce a different kind of music that’s not commonly heard.

The second song on Better People “I’m A Wolf,” could take place in the sixties era with the band displaying a sound similar to some Beatles songs. At one point, there’s a haunting sound that enters halfway through the song that resembles part of The Doors’ “Light My Fire.”

Their lack of serious, deep lyrics shines through on “We Can’t Have A Cat,” when vocalist Meg Bayley sings about wanting various pets and asking why they can’t get the pet. Then the other vocalist Ry Smith, answers her requests with a selection of reasons why they can’t get a pet. The music on this track could be played in a movie or musical when an evil character enters because of the haunting, dramatic quality.

Eastern Phoebes’ EP Better People is perfect for the music lover who is looking for something outside of the box and isn’t trying to find the next best thing to hit the radio stations. The band takes pride in making their music on their own, and as long as they’re enjoying themselves, they will continue to release as much music as they can in the quickest way possible. As long as they’re releasing this experimental music, there will always be the unique music fan who will continue to listen and support.

Read the article here. 

Eel Pot Alley//"The Sickness of Sound"

Ry made a 5-minute song. Yikes.

http://eelpotalley.bandcamp.com/track/the-sickness-of-sound

Interview//Electrogent

Check out Ry's interview for Electrogent.

Blog review//The Deli (NYC)

The folks at The Deli continue to show their love with a review of Better People:

Is the Elephant 6 Collective arriving in New York, or has a new arts commune sprung up unexpectedly in the otherwise serene waters of Long Island? Meet the fascinating arts collective/loft apartment recording project of Eastern Phoebes. While the band has already released several records, the band has now arrived at a larger juncture with their latest EP 'Better People.' An ensemble including the large, inviting personalities of Ry Cooder [sic!] and Meg Bayley, it's amazing they've been able to come together to create such a cohesive statement. Like the way Olivia Tremor Control took an analog sensibility and coupled it with an appreciation for all things Beach Boys, Eastern Phoebes is extending the noble tradition of Weird Old Americana to yet another generation. And on their latest record 'Better People,' the band delivers. From the psychedelic protest of 'Yer Dollar is a Dead Spore' to domestic dramas like the back and forth of "everyone here is allergic it seems..." off 'We Can't Have a Cat,' this record covers its subjects with a wide brush and fills in the lines with immense detail. Here's a group exploring all the ups and downs associated with life lived among family and friends. And the humour, pain and joy of this kind of life lights up every shooting harmony and floating guitar riff off 'Better People.' Check out the record on their Bandcamp.

Article.

The Deli NYC Artist of the Month?

We've been nominated by The Deli as a candidate for Artist of the Month! Please help us maybe win this thing by voting on their website:

http://nyc.thedelimagazine.com/

Voting ends November 18th. We appreciate your support!

RY'S NEW SIDE PROJECT//EEL POT ALLEY

Check out "Minnowfish," the debut tune from Ry's new side project Eel Pot Alley.

Stop by his Tumblr site, too.

Adam Shaljian's "Pocket Hoarders"

Our good friend Adam, who directed the video for "I'm A Wolf," has a new web series called "Pocket Hoarders." Here's the first episode, featuring a couple of our tunes!