D4RKSTAR - Sparks [PREMIERE]

D4RKSTAR, the musical project of Gothenburg musician Andreas Lindh, made his debut in June 2018 with the album Black Hearts. 
The follow-up to last year's amazing album is Dystopian Nightmare/Revolutionary Morning, an EP, which will be released this spring via Modernshortcuts. 
FP2T is stoked to be premiering today the first single 'Sparks'. It is an absolutely powerful introduction to a very promising upcoming EP. 
Enjoy!

Interview: Static Daydream

Fredericksburg, VA's Paul Baker (ex-Skywave and Ceremony) and Jamie Casey are not only a couple in life but also a couple in music. Their debut self-titled album was released on August 28th via Saint Marie and Moon Sounds Records. If you're into taking a dive in noise pop waters dipped in distorted guitars and reverb, then don't hesitate to jump! Static Daydream's album has just the thing for you. And if you're interested in getting to know them better, then read on!
After not being in Skywave and Ceremony, did you ever consider stopping making music?
Paul: I considered not releasing any music after each of those groups, but I never imagined not making music. It's what I enjoy, despite the inspiration coming and going sometimes. That's okay with me, though. I don't feel the need to force it, and I'll never release anything that I don't really believe is worth releasing.
How did 'Static Daydream' come about? And what was your reaction when you realized Jamie can sing so well?
Paul: I left the band Ceremony for various reasons and I wanted a name that wasn't so confusing, for one thing. It was wonderful to realize that Jamie can sing so well, for sure, but I already had a lot of music that I was working on when her abilities were made obvious to me. I guess that's why she doesn't appear on so many songs we've released so far, but I hope she'll contribute a lot more in the future.
Jamie: Thank you! I've always liked to sing, but had never considered singing on any recordings until I met Paul. I'm naturally kind of an introvert so I think it was hard for him to talk me in to doing it at first, but it's gotten easier every time. We support each other and he is able to put me at ease. I'll keep contributing as long as Paul keeps writing great songs! If daydreaming requires 'a short-term detachment from one's immediate surroundings', why is yours 'static'?
Paul: I just liked the sound of it, it describes our music, and maybe in retrospect it's a slight nod to The Misfits.
Who else helped you in the making of the album?
Paul: Jake Reid helped immensely in the making of this album. I think I've said it before, but without his help I don't think it would have ever happened. He's got the great combination of knowledge and creativity that I would think anyone would want to have on their side. I consider myself very fortunate to have him as a friend and a collaborator, without a doubt.
Would you say that one of your dreams has come true with the release of your debut album?

Paul: I think I feel good about this album, but it doesn't feel like a debut, really. Even though it is sort of a "solo album," I really don't like to think of it that way. I'd rather give thanks to Jamie and Jake for making it something much better than anything I could have done alone.
Jamie: This was never something I envisioned myself doing before I met Paul. I lost my father to pancreatic cancer about 7 years ago and he loved to sing, so he always wanted me to pursue this. I think he would be very proud of me for stepping out of my comfort zone and I owe Paul a great debt of gratitude for encouraging me.
Do you have a favorite song on the album?
Paul: No, I really can't answer that. Each song has its place, I think.
Jamie: I think the album is best experienced as a whole, but "The Only One" is extra special to me for obvious reasons. What are your music influences? And what have you been listening to lately?
Paul: I would guess my influences are fairly obvious, like Slowdive, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and The Cure. There are other things, though, like Hank Williams Sr, Lee Hazelwood, Dusty Springfield, and Bo Diddley, as examples. I'm a huge fan of girl groups like The Crystals, The Shangri-La's and The Ronettes. I also listen to Kraftwerk a lot, and The Misfits and The Ramones. I don't know, it's all over the place. I recently found out about We Miss The Earth, and I'm enjoying their music a lot. Really, there are too many to name, and I don't want to run down a list and forget anyone. Just go search for things, there's a lot of good music out there.
Jamie: My taste in music is all over the place, too. I would say that my two greatest influences as far as female vocalists are Rachel Goswell from Slowdive and Sharin Foo from The Raveonettes.
I know a lot of people (myself included) would like to see you play live. Do you see that happening any time soon?
Paul: Thank you, but I'm not sure. Jamie and I have a long way to go before we start playing shows. The first thing I'd have to do is remember how to play our songs. I'm working on new songs now, and I can barely remember how those go.
How hard do you think it is for young musicians to become successful and (maybe) make a living out of their music?
Paul: I have no idea, but I'd imagine it's quite difficult, especially given that music seems to be the form of art or entertainment or whatever that is considered fair to be stolen online. It's just the reality, and it's unfortunate, but clearly some groups or artists are thriving, so maybe there's a way. I don't rely on it, so maybe I'm not the right person to ask.
Do you have a motto that guides you in life?
Paul: "A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members." ~ Mahatma Ghandi
Jamie: Mine is a poem by Walt Whitman- "The untold want, by life and land ne'er granted, Now, Voyager, sail thou forth, to seek and find." 

 You can stream Static Daydream's album on Bandcamp or Soundcloud and buy it here. 

Static Daydream - Until You're Mine

One of the year's long awaited albums is finally becoming a reality! After releasing the brilliant EP The Only One , Paul Baker and Jamie Casey had been working on songs for an album. Static Daydream's self-titled debut album is set for release via Saint Marie Records with Moon Sounds Records on August 28th. The first single 'Until You're Mine' was premiered a few days ago and it seems like a reflection of the album's divergent character; noisy, distorted guitars and hazy vocals suddenly give way to a calmer pop outro. When asked to give us a few words on the album, Paul Baker said: "I think the album is sonically a bit more varied than the EP, but the overall musical sensibility remains pretty constant. We have some songs that are noisier than what was on the EP, and some that might be considered prettier, or softer, I suppose. The constants are the songwriting and the elements of distorted guitars, reverb and delay effects. I think the album flows really nicely, and if someone sits down and listens from start to finish, everything will make sense. Every song is in its proper place, I believe. I've really enjoyed making it, recording Jamie's wonderful vocals, and working with Jake Reid mixing, mastering, and co-writing and playing on 'When I Turn Around You're Gone'. It's been a great experience, and I hope people will enjoy it!" 
You can check out 'Until You're Mine' below and pre-order the album on limited edition vinyl here.

Interview: Future on 'Horizons'

We first heard of Future in 2013 when they released their EP Abyss and had since been looking forward to their next work. May 2015 was finally the time for the French trio's debut album 'Horizons' to come out. A stunning debut that was totally worth the wait. Yann Canévet (bass + voice), Brice Delourmel (guitar) and Pauline La Chaceray (keyboard) know how to mix cold wave with noise pop, fractured drums with sharp guitar riffs, hazy vocals with acute lyrics. Although Yann is also a member of Maria False and Venera 4 and Brice also plays in DEAD and Giirls, 'Future' have managed to create a sound that is unique and proper to them. So, it was normal for us to be intrigued and want to know more about them and they kindly agreed to answer some of our questions. Here's what we asked them:
Yann and Brice, you're both on other projects and yet 'Future' have a distinct sound of their own. How do you manage to keep that distance?
Yann : Our projects are really distinct, we work with different persons. I think it's more about what we want, we really follow our desires, we are free. If we have different projects it’s to explore different sounds. When we have to focus on a sound or texture to please someone, we can't be bothered.
Brice : Yes, you're right, each project is really different, with different style even if we are all focused on shoegaze and wall of sound.
Your debut album is called 'Horizons'. What does the word mean to you?
Yann : To look beyond.
Brice : Haha, this word means to me that the horizon is so far away that we cannot see it. It's like we are walking in an unknown place, in a blurry future.
Where do you find inspiration to write music?
Yann : It just comes like that, it's in my head.
Brice : I think it's just feelings. You know each sound is fully realised when we play together even if we record alone at home.
Do you have a favorite song on the album?
Yann : Not really I guess.
Pauline : I think it's 'Horizons' and 'Try it'. 'Horizons' for the fuzzy and vibrant sound. And 'Try it' for the smooth and chilled vibe, like the opening credits of a 90’s TV show. It kinda reminds me the atmosphere of the song 'How soon is now?' from The Smiths. I love this song. No comparison with it obviously!
Brice : I think it is 'Side Effects'. It's like a trance as if you couldn't control your body when you're listenning to it. Your songs are in English. Have you ever been 'tempted' to write in French?
Yann : I don't know, I don't write the lyrics most of the time. Then it's really hard to sing in French and write in French. I don't think I would be able to do that.
Pauline : I might like to try once, we'll see. English is a really expressive language, and I like to play with it. Our songs would probably be really different if they were in French.
Do you follow the current French music scene?
Yann: Yes, mostly bands from the indie french scene for me. We have a collective called "nøthing" regrouping many cool bands who are so motivated to evolve, even without money, help, knowledge but in an ethical way.
Pauline : Yes, I really do. There are so many good bands and good french labels, such as Teenage Menopause Records with Jessica 93, Ventre de Biche, SDZ records with Armure, Spectrometers, In Paradisum with Extreme Precautions, Low Jack, Roger West... The list is too long, but it's great.
How do you write music?
Yann : I don't think we write it. It's the result of a mix of feelings, it depends on the place I am, the moment, the desire, the mood... Our unconscious tells us what to do when someone is playing. We all have our own personality. Then, for me, you might say I'm an asshole, but the best thing is not to be able to write it, not to be able to play the same thing again, and to be looking for the same sound, and at this moment you wish you had someone around to record it.
Pauline : Yann is really inspired, he always has something in mind. Sometimes it's just the result of improvisations when we are all playing in the studio.
Do you prefer the writing process or performing in front of an audience?
Yann : To play our songs in front of an audience.
Pauline : I like both. But performing is really the best time.
You recently played with The KVB and you have a show coming with The Underground Youth. What other bands would you like to meet on stage?
Yann : Not on stage, we couldn't talk to them, they play too loud. But I'd like to play with Kevin Shields. Yeah, I really would like to, to know what is his vision of music, what do they think about all of that.
Pauline : I don't really know. To play with Jessica 93 would be fun. Then PC Worship, Metz, Spray paint. Yes I would love to play with them.
Brice : With the Soft moon again, I guess.
If 'Horizons' were a color, which one would it be?
Yann : Grey.

'Horizons' is available on white virgin vinyl via Requiem Pour Un Twister.

DEAFCULT - DEAFCULT EP

Hailing from Australia's Brisbane DEAFCULT are a six-piece band that makes some gorgeous shoegaze/noise pop tunes. Their self-titled debut EP just dropped today on Bandcamp and it contains seven tracks brimming with reverb and beautiful boy/girl vocals. 'Turing' will also be included in the upcoming Beko's Oz Do It Better Vol. 2 compilation. Listen to the EP below. 

The 0ffering - I Wasn't Built To Fall Apart

Virginia's Andrew Cooke and Charles Pinto, aka The 0ffering, already have a full-length LP and an EP under their belt. They recently announced the release of their upcoming album 'Re' and offered us a few samples of their music. With Static Daydream's Paul Baker's contribution to the mastering, the album is not likely to fall short of our expectations. Here's 'I Wasn't Built To Fall Apart', an excellent sample of fresh sounding, magnificent noise pop. 

Gleemer - No Goodbyes EP

Colorado's Gleemer are back with a new EP. 'No Goodbyes' is about a party that happened at a young college guy's parent's lakehouse. Each song is about a different person that attended. Mingle with them listening to Gleemer's noisy pop tunes and you will not want to say goodbye.