the rhythm section: great drum beats – a mix by california wives

When I first heard California Wives, I thought I was in love. Then I went to see them live, and I knew it. After their excellent set I hit up singer Jayson Kramer and guitarist Graham Masell and chatted about touring, communicable disease, and the excellence of hair metal. Since we got on so well I thought I’d invite them to make a mix, and with the help of their lovely manager Tom got this love letter from the band to the rhythm section in return. Ranging from sleek new wave to shimmying soul, this mix has wide appeal. If you get the chance to see California Wives on tour, do, but until then check out their SoundCloud page to see how their musical tastes influence their own work.

The Rhythm Section: Great Drum Beats
01| Human by Human League

02| Race: In by Battles
03| Rosanna by Toto

04| Jazz (We’ve Got) by A Tribe Called Quest

05| He Would Have Laughed by Deerhunter

06| Solitude is Bliss by Tame Impala

07| Peg by Steely Dan

08| Myxomatosis by Radiohead

09| Pictures of You by The Cure

10| I Will Possess Your Heart (Album Version) by Death Cab For Cutie

11| I Wanna Be Adored by Stone Roses

12| The Payback by James Brown

all the city’s left for you

I’ve been digging on California Wives since we first heard them this summer. On January 25, 2013 I finally got a chance to check them out at the High Noon Saloon as part of FRZN Fest in Madison, Wisconsin. Playing a bulk of their album, Art History, California Wives evoke the 80s without being kitsch. Their sound is firmly planted in the present but one immediately knows the familiar landscape of the band’s upbringing.

Art History‘s songs are well-crafted, but they take on a new urgency and depth live. “Better Home” was the set’s apex, crashing relentlessly over the crowd during the song’s last two minutes. The band smartly reserved their self-proclaimed danciest songs for the end, knocking out “Marianne”, “Purple”, and “Blood Red Youth” in quick succession. Combined with charming banter and visual panache, California Wives gave one of the most solid performances I’ve seen in awhile.

Click on any of the photos below to see more pictures of California Wives, or click here.

Jayson Kramer

Graham Masell

Joe O’Connor

Dan Zima

july mp3 roundup

We’ve really been slacking on giving you free downloads. Here are twelve to start making it up to you.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Black Marble – A Great Design
Animal Parts – King of Kings
Junk Culture – Oregon

VISIT SITE TO DOWNLOAD
Blood Red Shoes – Stop Kicking
Dignan Porch – Picking Up Dust
Martin Eden – Worker
California Wives – Purple
California Wives – Marianne
Sweet Valley – Total Carnage
Cate Le Bon – What Is Worse
Junk Culture – Growing Pains
Anywhere – Dead Golden West