Incoming: Marnie Stern, Woom & Waxx Maxx
(Marnie Stern photo via Kill Rock Stars)
Marni Stern has a unique ability to effortlessly straddle the line between virtuoso and becoming a hot mess, and no more so is this evident than with her new single “For Ash.” Stereogum aptly describes the song as having “a wild, pummeling beat and plenty of her bright guitar leads and echoing vocal chants,” which is pretty dead on. When you get down to it though, “For Ash” is closer to a savage eruption that takes the occasional break for a chorus between outbursts. Whatever you call it, it’s good, and will appear on Stern’s forthcoming eponymous album which will see release in October via Kill Rock Stars.
In reviewing Woom‘s recent show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn Vegan‘s Rachel Kowal reacted to the duo’s performance, emphasizing that with their “thumping bass line, unconventional beats, and irresistible male-female vocals, WOOM’s music manages to be both confrontational and unassuming.” Very true. Rising from the ashes of their previous band Fertile Crescent—or evolving from Fertile Crescent, rather—Eben Portnoy and Sara Magenheimer take a broad approach to recording with their debut album Muu’s Way. The end result is anything but a standard indie-rock affair, however, as the sounds wade far beyond the point of familiarity. The minute-long “OK” opens with Magenheimer wailing into the microphone before a moody loop fades the track out, accompanying sporadic whispers of “OK.” “Foggy Dew” adds a chorus of frogs echoing in the background which stands as the only “musical” support given to the angelic vocals. The three and a half minute “Under Muu” layers an airy horn and acoustic guitar. Kowal later compared the duo to a “poppier tUnE-yArDs” while commenting on their “undeniable chemistry” and their use of guitar, tambourine, wooden blocks, and vocals to fill out the backing of programmed tracks. From her description, the performance did well in reflecting the depth of Muu’s Way, which can only spell good things for the duo as they move ahead.
MP3 Woom “Foggy Dew”
The Minneapolis* Maniac** Mark Mallman recently debuted a new group with sisters Nicole Godiva (vocals) and Alyssa Brenny (drums) who are collectively performing under the name of Waxx Maxx. LOL/OMG describes the trio’s sound as “pure synthpop pleasure with a French twist,” and any Midwestern band who can juxtapose lyrics like “Save a French kittie tonight” with a francophone narrative—and actually come off as unpretentious—deserves a bit of dap. The group’s debut EP will see its release this November via Kindercore Records, but in the meantime Waxx Maxx will be releasing a new song every month via their website.
* Mark Mallman is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
** While his reputation as a wildly charismatic performer precedes him, various reports have confirmed Mallman’s sanity.
MP3 Waxx Maxx “Celine and Julie Go Boating”
