This Week In Music: 7th October 2021

A weekly update on all things music, advertising, and technology coming straight to you from Anthony Vanger at MassiveMusic. #TWIM

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: SNAIL MAIL”VALENTINE”

It’s unusual to hear pop songs rolled out as rock songs these days, where real guitars rip into the chorus instead of synths and loops. Snail Mail is an intriguing prospect. They sound like the finished product, a nice shiny rock/pop outfit that could go global. They clearly have an ear for hooky structure and melody, which is why this latest release, “Valentine”, is getting so much attention. Sonically they touch on Fiona Apple, Liz Phair, and Cat Power, but they have enough of a character to step away from pastiche into blue sky originality. The main creative force of the band is musical prodigy Lindsey Jordan, who became an indie rock phenom after she released her debut album, Lush, at 18. But she was burnt by fame and spent time at a recovery facility. It was during her confinement that she charted out arrangements for what would become her second album, Valentine. Perhaps the most striking aspect of this new release is her voice. It is soft and confessional in the verse, but in the choruses, it morphs into a hoarse growl that rips your heart out.

WARNING: The video contains graphic scenes of violence and deals with adult

“Valentine” is the title track from the upcoming album by Snail Mail, out November 5th on Matador Records.

#lindseyjordan #snailmail #valentine #lush #matadorrecords #fionaapple #lizphair #catpower #pitchfork #rollingstonemagazine

AD OF THE WEEK: CHICKEN LICKEN’S ROCK MY SOUL

This ad is funny. It is a slow burn, but the payoff is really worth it. Brilliantly acted and scripted, the action follows the life of a young boy who is unable to smile or show any kind of emotion. We see him in all kinds of situations – dire, light and euphoric – but the expression is always the same. He often looks at his own reflection and uses his index fingers to point the corners of his mouth upwards, but nothing gives. I am not going to give away the punchline, but it is expertly delivered. Scored to the magnificent Feeling Good by Nina Simone.

Film advertisement created by Joe Public, South Africa for Chicken Licken

THE MAN WHO GAVE US THE IPOD: APPLE SHARES MEMORIAL TO STEVE JOBS ON 10th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH

Apple is commemorating its co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs’ death with a new short film and a personal statement from the visionary tech executive’s family. Jobs passed away 10 years ago on October 5th, 2011, after a difficult battle with pancreatic cancer.

The short film — which has currently taken over Apple’s landing page — commemorates Jobs’ life in photos, videos, and some of his most iconic quotes, from “the computer is a bicycle for the mind” to the introductions of the iMac, the iPod, and the iPhone.

BURNING MAN IS AUCTIONING OFF ITS ICONIC ARTWORK TO RAISE FUNDS

Burning Man is auctioning off some of its iconic artwork at Sotheby’s New York.

The festival’s organisers are auctioning off artwork with the aim to raise funds as cash runs low for the festival, with worries there may not be enough funds for the desert festival to run in 2022.

In a feature called Boundless Space: The Possibilities of Burning Man, Burning Man announced the auction on September 30.

Boundless Space will use the funds earned to support participating artists, secure the nonprofit’s long-term viability, and fund its Arts and Civic Engagement initiatives.

The auction contains an array of sculptures, paintings, collectables, mutant vehicles, NFTs, and one-of-a-kind experiences.

To find out more about the exhibit and to see the full catalogue of artwork available for auction, visit the Sotheby’s feature here.

UA ANNOUNCE VOLT, NEW AFFORDABLE SOUNDCARDS WITH BUILT-IN FX

Universal Audio has unveiled a new range of audio interfaces that feature their own modelled preamps and compressors. The new Volt range starts at an affordable $139 for one input and two outs, all the way up to four ins and outs for $369.

The new interfaces feature built-in UA preamp modelling as part of the input, which means you can get access to the same UAD sound of their plugins, inside the interface, without a computer. UA has also added a ’76 modelled compressor, which we assume is a model of the legendary 1176, to some of the Volt models for an extra price. When active, anything running to the input of the Volt will be automatically compressed using the highly-respected UAD sound.

Round back there’s MIDI I/O and a USB-C cable to connect the interface to your computer. Unlike other UAD interfaces, the Volts don’t have any DSP power of their own to run the suite of UAD plugs you might have heard of before, you’ll still need an Apollo or other UA interface for that. But this is by far the cheapest way to access the UAD sound. There’s also a software bundle included with the Volt that features cutdown offerings from Ableton, Softube, Celemony, Relab, Plugin Alliance, UJAM and Spitfire Audio.

Visit the UA website for more on the Volt interfaces here and watch the video below for more info.