Diminishing Returns
Rotary Club

Diminishing Returns - Rotary Club

Though they’ve been in existence since the mid-2000s, Rotary Club is an NYC based indie rock band that possess a ragged sound that makes you feel as if you’ve known them your whole life. They recently released their second LP entitled Second Year In Swine, and I can assure you, it did not disappoint.

Rotary Club has done a fantastic job of establishing their own personal musical style. This is particularly embodied in “Diminishing Returns” and the title track “Second Year In Swine.” The mandolins wonderfully blend with the six-stringed electric guitars and finger-plucking. There is a fair share of instrumental tracks, which is always appreciated to be able to hear their skills.

You can listen to the entire album on Bandcamp and either buy it there or on iTunes!

-Bianca Shamim

Gotta Be You
One Direction

One Direction got their start on X Factor last year. Although they did not win the competition, they have been growing in popularity all over the world. Especially by stealing the hearts of many teenage girls with their voices.  

Their debut album “Up All Night” comes out tomorrow (November 21^st, 2011) in the United Kingdom and features their chart topping single, “What Makes You Beautiful” as well as many other captivating songs like their second single, “Gotta Be You”.

The voices of Harry Styles (17) Niall Horan (18) Zayn Malik (18) Liam Payne (18) and Louis Tomlinson (19) make up One Direction. Their unique voices are distinguishable throughout every one of their songs, making their album very addictive.

This adorable group of guys is sure to be a success in both the UK and America so catch them on their United States tour with Big Time Rush in 2012!

-Hana Selly

Turn Into Feathers
Truman Peyote

Truman Peyote - Turn Into Feathers (featuring Emily Reo)

Truman Peyote are what most of you would call an experimental band hailing from Massachusetts. The band was formed in 2007 by Caleb Johannes, Eric Farber, and Jeff Joyal, when they had just graduated High School. Over the past 3 years the group’s line up has grown and shrunk. As of now the members are Caleb Johannes along with drummer Orion. Past members include;  Eric Farber (Now part of easyboy), Jeff Joyal (Now part of new yoga/bleached), Motoki Otsuka (Now Part of vitamin seed/dog dog bark dog/psychedelic family), and We Kaplan (Now Part of the craters). Over the years Truman Peyote has toured in countless cities in the USA, bringing their sound to eager ears all over. And now they are heading out on a journey across the Atlantic, to bring their music to people in Spain, France, The Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom. If you like what you hear, and are from any of those places, try and catch them on tour.

• Sep 16 2010 8:00PM @ El Perro Club in Madrid, SPAIN
• Sep 17 2010 8:00PM @ Festival Hoteler @ Bar INSITU in Vic, SPAIN
• Sep 18 2010 8:00PM @ Miscelanea in Barcelona, SPAIN
• Sep 19 2010 8:00PM @ Garua in Valencia, SPAIN
• Sep 22 2010 8:00PM @ L’Espace B in Paris, FRANCE
• Sep 23 2010 8:00PM @ house party w/ many mansions and herrek (Kats! & Samling-Recordings) in Utrecht, NETHERLANDS
• Sep 24 2010 8:00PM @ Winston Kingdom (future pop showcase) in Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS
• Sep 25 2010 8:00PM @ damensalon in Berlin, GERMANY
• Sep 26 2010 8:00PM @ Cafe NOL in Waarland, NETHERLANDS
• Sep 27 2010 8:00PM @ old blue last (vice magazine party) in London, UK
• Sep 28 2010 8:00PM @ oporto bar  in Leeds, UK
• Sep 29 2010 8:00PM @ the basement (ducked tapes III) in York, UK
• Sep 30 2010 8:00PM @ Night and Day in Manchester, UK
• Oct 1 2010   8:00PM @ The Harley in Sheffield, UK
• Oct 3 2010   8:00PM @ Start The Bus in Bristol, UK
• Oct 4 2010   8:00PM @ CLUB FANDANGO @ THE BULL AND GATE in LONDON, UK

So if they’re coming to your area, be sure to check them out, you will not be disappointed. Truman Peyote are signed to the record label, Breakfast of Champs. Which was actually started by Caleb in October of 2009. The label was made in order to expose all the music Caleb and his friends had been creating over the years. One of the label’s main focuses is reviving the cassette/vinyl listening experience. All of Truman Peyote’s music is available to buy in vinyl or cassette format, as well as free/paid for downloads HERE, HERE and HERE. Be sure to spread the word to your friends if you dig what you hear. And as a special treat to those who have read up to here, here are downloads to Truman Peyote’s two most recent “singles”: Turn Into Feathers and New Wife New Life. Share with your friends, acquaintances, loved ones, even share with your ~*enemies*~. Everybody can use some new music.

Keep your eyes peeled here at L.I.F.E. Press for updates, as well as the band’s Myspace for upcoming tour dates and album releases.

~Sara Feigin

Little Lovin'
Lissie

Little Lovin’ - Lissie 

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT - LISSIE (ALBUM: CATCHING A TIGER) 

Since the dawn of time, the summer season has brought forth great albums by various artists. Ok so, maybe not since the dawn of time.. but usually summer time comes with feel-good and care free tunes. Lissie, an American folk rock artist, has provided her fans with the perfect summer music. Her debut album, Catching A Tiger, is a journey you should definitely partake in. Many of her songs (from this album and her ep) are featured in popular American television shows such as The O.C., One Tree Hill, House, and Grey’s Anatomy. Although many of these shows are mainstream, Lissie’s sound does not fall into the mainstream category. Her sound is described as “folk” but there’s more to it. Each song has a different experience and sound behind it. There’s country in the single “Little Lovin”, there’s soul in the single “Everywhere I go”, there’s jazz and blues in “When I’m Alone”, and many other sounds in the remaining songs on the album. Some songs are incredible catchy while others are more in depth in lyrics and passionate. My personal favorite song on the album, “Cuckoo”, is catchy but tells us of a story of reckless youth (“We didn’t care, we never did what we were told/They couldn’t break us/They could never turn us cold/You and me well we were never growing old”). Lissie’s voice is unique in many ways and draws you in with it’s pureness and beauty.  “Oh Mississippi” is one slow and soulful single that will amaze you. 

Summer time means freedom and adventures, something that Lissie can definitely provide the soundtrack to!Drive somewhere, let the car windows down, relax a bit, and turn up Lissie. The album won’t disappoint so ENJOY! 

Recommended for fans of : Alessi’s Ark, Marina & the Diamonds, and Florence & the Machine. 

Recommended songs for Lissie virgins : Little Lovin’, Cuckoo, Stranger, Needle Starts to Fall, and Oh Mississippi

- Sara Azoulay