Free Mp3 of the Week: Sister Cities "The Wait"
This week's free mp3 comes from a relatively young indie-folk-rock band from Tempe, AZ - Sister Cities.
I have seen Sister Cities perform a few times within the two years they've been in existence. With each performance, I gain more love and respect for them. In 2007, they converted from a co-ed duo into a well rounded power trio which both improved their stage sound AND helped disqualify all the annoying White Stripes comparisons.
2008 saw the threesome work in the studio with stylish producer Bob Hoag on four songs that would eventually become their first EP. Titled Handprints, Sister Cities have chosen to burn copies and give away as many as possible for free at their live shows.
Dismissing the lack of retail packaging that I usually feel is important, I can't think of any CD-R from an unsigned band that I have been waiting more eagerly for than the paper labeled disc bassist Spike gave me last Sunday night. At every Sister Cities performance, one song in particular ("The Wait") has always stuck out and I felt rewarded in some way when I found that song as the EP's third track. It only took me five minutes to get home that night, but I sat in my car for an extra ten minutes so I can hear the song two more times. Then I brought it up to my bedroom stereo and heard it three more times. It was one of those A-HA moments I have had with only a few unsigned bands...that "Holy Shit! This is good enough to be... (fill in the blanks)".
Both lead and backing vocals are smooth, melodic, and mildly passionate. If you know anything about Bob Hoag's skills as an analog producer, you'd know there is not a morsel of any Pro-Tools or digital auto-tune technology involved with the vocal tracks. I am impressed with the work of vocalist/guitarist Brett including - not only his crooning - but his string work as well. It's an appropriate reverbed layer of slightly over-driven jazz chords similar to the recorded works of Outrageous Cherry or The Ponys, but without the retro-esque vibe of the former or the noisy ambiance of the latter.
As I glow in my new "Holy Shit" moment, I did manage to sit down with a few friends and practically force them to hear this track as if I had manifested into some sort of agent for the band. I am just a fan, however...now a huge fan. And I want everyone to hear. And that is why I pleaded to the band to let me give this track away for free (payoff? Alot less CD-Rs to burn, guys). They agreed.
Download "The Wait" here: http://www.vodkatonicmedia.com/music/mp3w/SisterCities-TheWait.mp3
To find out show information so you can pick up a free CD or to hear more music from The Sister Cities here: http://www.myspace.com/sistercities
I have seen Sister Cities perform a few times within the two years they've been in existence. With each performance, I gain more love and respect for them. In 2007, they converted from a co-ed duo into a well rounded power trio which both improved their stage sound AND helped disqualify all the annoying White Stripes comparisons.
2008 saw the threesome work in the studio with stylish producer Bob Hoag on four songs that would eventually become their first EP. Titled Handprints, Sister Cities have chosen to burn copies and give away as many as possible for free at their live shows.
Dismissing the lack of retail packaging that I usually feel is important, I can't think of any CD-R from an unsigned band that I have been waiting more eagerly for than the paper labeled disc bassist Spike gave me last Sunday night. At every Sister Cities performance, one song in particular ("The Wait") has always stuck out and I felt rewarded in some way when I found that song as the EP's third track. It only took me five minutes to get home that night, but I sat in my car for an extra ten minutes so I can hear the song two more times. Then I brought it up to my bedroom stereo and heard it three more times. It was one of those A-HA moments I have had with only a few unsigned bands...that "Holy Shit! This is good enough to be... (fill in the blanks)".
Both lead and backing vocals are smooth, melodic, and mildly passionate. If you know anything about Bob Hoag's skills as an analog producer, you'd know there is not a morsel of any Pro-Tools or digital auto-tune technology involved with the vocal tracks. I am impressed with the work of vocalist/guitarist Brett including - not only his crooning - but his string work as well. It's an appropriate reverbed layer of slightly over-driven jazz chords similar to the recorded works of Outrageous Cherry or The Ponys, but without the retro-esque vibe of the former or the noisy ambiance of the latter.
As I glow in my new "Holy Shit" moment, I did manage to sit down with a few friends and practically force them to hear this track as if I had manifested into some sort of agent for the band. I am just a fan, however...now a huge fan. And I want everyone to hear. And that is why I pleaded to the band to let me give this track away for free (payoff? Alot less CD-Rs to burn, guys). They agreed.
Download "The Wait" here: http://www.vodkatonicmedia.com/music/mp3w/SisterCities-TheWait.mp3
To find out show information so you can pick up a free CD or to hear more music from The Sister Cities here: http://www.myspace.com/sistercities
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I must say I share your EXCITEMENT about this up and comming band!
As much as I like THE WAIT - and I do - I must say that whenever I hear BACK HOME I can't help but think that it sounds like a smash hit you would hear on the radio! SISTER CITIES has a broad appeal - young and old alike - can be found at any of their concerts!
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