Tag: Progressive rock

Shakespearean Prog: Galahad’s Lastest Video, SEIZE THE DAY

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment
The first of several EPs from Galahad in 2014.
The first of several EPs from Galahad in 2014.

Granted, it would make far more sense to think of Galahad, at least by the band’s title, as Arthurian prog, but Stu Nicholson’s profound sense of drama carries with it a distinctly Shakespearean air.  I, for one, am completely taken with it.

Glad to see Galahad release this video today.  Very nice cinematography and sound, and it’s inspiring to witness and enjoy the energy Stu and the band bring to the stage.  Not to be missed.

The video’s release coincides with the release of the latest ep from the band, SEIZE THE DAY.  Please support this brilliant band in any way you can.

Three Major Awards for Big Big Train

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music3 Comments
This photo was rather unceremoniously stolen from Steve Llewellyn's Facebook page. Let's hope he doesn't mind!
This photo was rather unceremoniously stolen from Steve Llewellyn’s Facebook page. Let’s hope he doesn’t mind!

If you’ve not noticed before, we progarchists kind of, sort of, really, really like Big Big Train.  So. . . it’s with much excitement that we report this.

The Classic Rock Society of the U.K. has just awarded BBT with three well-deserved awards: 1) David Longdon for best vocals; 2) “East Coast Racer” as the best track of the year; and 3) Big Big Train as Great Britain’s best band.

The progarchists of progarchy hq in central Hillsdale County of Michigan are doing a little victory dance for our friends across the Atlantic.

Congratulations to Greg Spawton, David Longdon, Nick D’Virgilio, Dave Gregory, Danny Manners, Andy Poole, and Rob Aubrey.  And, of course, to Jim Trainer as well.  Amazing and brilliant and wonderful.

Brendan Foht at First Things: Neal Morse, Prog, and Christianity

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

First Things, a moderate to rightish Roman Catholic periodical, has a nice piece on Neal Morse, progressive rock, and Christianity this morning.  Foht is a great writer, and he certainly offers much to think about.

On February 9, I had the pleasure of finally seeing one of my favorite bands for the first time—a progressive rock supergroup called Transatlantic. Because all of my friends are too respectable for such things, I made my journey to the concert alone. For a progressive rock supergroup, however, Transatlantic has an excellent pedigree: The band was founded in 1999 as a side project of four progressive rock musicians from America and Europe (hence the name Transatlantic): Neal Morse, then of Spock’s Beard; Mike Portnoy, then the drummer for Dream Theater; Roine Stolt, the lead guitarist of The Flower Kings; and Pete Trewevas, the bassist from Marillion.

Neal Morse represents part of the growing movement of Christian progressive rock, having converted to Christianity (of a sort) in 2002. The overall terrible quality of Christian rock is well-known, and since progressive rock is already a somewhat disreputable genre, you might think Christian progressive rock is the worst of both worlds. But you also might be wrong.

To keep reading, go here: http://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2014/02/progressive-rock-redeemed

John Bassett–Stay Away from the Dark

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jkbbKingbathmat’s masterful leader has released his first single from his forthcoming first solo album.  It’s a must listen.  Folkish acidish proggish.

Well, however we might label it–it’s simply excellent.

Enjoy.

Hollow Branches/The Hum

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

Received this, this afternoon.  Looks great.

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Singles of “The Hum”

Hollow Branches recently released the new single “Weave Unweave” – the third single of a total of four, all of them a part of an EP called “The Hum” which are being released one track at a time.

Produced by Marius Sjøli and Robert Osgood, and with recording ongoing through the first winter months of 2013/2014 at Sjøli and Catl Prod Studios, “The Hum” is a stripped back collection of songs which the duo plan to release separately across the winter 2013/2014 – as each mix is completed.

“Weave Unweave” along with the singles “The Utopian” and “Silence so Clear” can be streamed on Bandcamp, Spotify and is also available through iTunes and Amazon.

http://hollowbranches.bandcamp.com

Line up for the EP:

Robert Osgood: Vocals, guitars, keyboards and sound design

Marius Sjøli: Guitars, backing vocals, keyboards and sound design

 

New upcoming full length album:

Hollow Branches also recently recorded drums for a upcoming full length album at IKA Studios. Contrasted with our previous full length, the acoustic driven, “Okanagana Waves”, the new album has a greater focus on electric guitar, vintage synth, and heavy, progressive arrangements.

Current line up for the full length:

Robert Osgood: Vocals, guitars, keyboards and sound design

Marius Sjøli: Guitars, backing vocals, keyboards and sound design

Mathew Kennedy: Bass guitar

Kenneth Mellum: Drums

 

Thanks for reading,

Marius Sjøli

Hollow Branches

Holy Smokes: Two of the Best of the Best Playing Around with Eugene’s Axe

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Master of all things keyboard related, Andy Tillison, has just posted this on Facebook.  Tillison and Stevens.  What form of heaven be this?!?!?!

Pictured during a 26 minute workout based on “Careful with That Axe Eugene” – the recording of the Matt Stevens/ Andy Tillison album has been taking place on an undisclosed planet this weekend. More about this as the improvisations that have taken place are knocked into shape over the next few weeks!!! We have had SERIOUS fun.–Andy Tillison, Facebook, February 16, 2014

Masters among masters: the Anglo-Saxon pantheon--gods of guitar and keyboards, respectively.
Masters among masters: the Anglo-Saxon pantheon–gods of guitar and keyboards, respectively.

Chris McGarel on the new Gazpacho at Onemetal

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music4 Comments

Demon-300x300Over at Onemetal, the always insightful Chris McGarel has an excellent review of the forthcoming Gazpacho album, DEMON (Kscope).  As far as I know, this is the very first review of the album to appear.

These Norwegian purveyors of chilled and eccentric progressive sounds have long been a well-kept secret. Their unique blend of electronic sounds, insistent Radiohead-inspired minimalist beats, dynamic riffing and European folk instrumentation is cherished by a hardcore (and burgeoning) few. Once heard it is difficult not to fall under its spell. Demon is their eighth album.

Nordic jazz has a long tradition of fusing folksong with a cinematic rendering of the vast wildness of the landscapes into which it was born. Gazpacho’s feet are firmly planted in the rock camp though their music too seems imbued with a cold pastoral majesty while facing outwards, taking influences from ethnic traditions with a global and timeless remit. Thematically they have found another story to tell worthy of their stylistic reach.

To read the rest of this (and you should!), go here: http://www.onemetal.com/2014/02/14/gazpacho-demon/

For a progarchy take on Gazpacho, go here (Birzer) and here (Heter).  Suffice it to state, we’re fans.

Happy Birthday, Billy Reeves!

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

Kscope-podcast-1000I can’t believe Billy Reeves has only been offering us the Kscope podcasts for four years.  Such great stuff–seems like Billy’s voice has been been with me always.

Happy Birthday, Billy!  And, thanks for all of the joy you’ve brought us.  Looking forward to many more years.

http://www.kscopemusic.com/Podcasts/