Lycia

Lycia, for those who were in coma in the last couple of decades, is one of the most influential Darkwave/Ethereal bands, if not the one. It was funded at the burning lands of Arizona, USA, in 1988 as a solo project of Mike VanPortfleet. Back then, Lycia followed a somewhat different sonic style, a lo-fi-esque Dream Pop-meets-Post Punk reminescent of the early days of Cocteau Twins and 4AD bands of the early-mid '80. But was not until the first full-length, the 1991's Ionia, that the band signed with the legendary label Projekt, the main reference when it comes to Ethereal, Dream Pop, Darkwave and related. After that, Lycia joined forces with David Galas (who left the band circa 1995) and vocalist Tara Vanflower, developing their "classical" sound which made them a cult reference among the dark siders of this planet thanks to amazing works like the double-album The Burning Circle And Then Dust (1995), Cold (1996) and Estrella (1998). As of 2003, the band entered in a hiatus that wasn't broken until 2010, with the release of Fifth Sun. Not too long after this album, Lycia re-surfaced again announcing a new full-length, Quiet Moments, to be released later in August. Those who enjoy their classical stuff will surely be pleased with this one, as every element that made Lycia so famous and beloved are there: hazy, pagan,  deep dark atmospheres, swirling dream-like melodies, the ethereally bittersweet vocals of Mrs. Vanflower... a perfect album to be appreciated in a mountain house, or somewhere in the woods, where you can communicate with the nature and vice-versa.

For those who are still unaware of Lycia's work, that's the ideal chance to dive in their blurry microcosmos. If you're into Cocteau Twins, Love Spirals Downwards, lovesliescrushing, Dead Can Dance, or Post Punk, Gothic Rock and Folk as a whole, there's no way you can go wrong with this album that I really hope you all enjoy the way it deserves. ;)

get it

Depression

Depression is the solo project from Jason Ellis, original from Philadelphia, USA. According to his own words, that's what Depression is all about: 

"Depression is basically the music i write thats too cold/dark for Under the Wire. I am 24 years old and besides these 2 projects ive only been in 1 other band when i was 16 and it was garbage. so growing up i didnt really have music as an outlet i was just your average teenage lost soul. did alot of things im not proud of and i decided to make music that reflected on those bad times(i.e. the name depression),  so The ep is called " Out of Medication" which is coming out on patetico recordings (shishi,stellarscope,panophonic,drowning dreams, the playing fields) "Out of Medication' is basically stating the obvious... im out of medication and this is my cold version of life."

That's an excerpt of an interview he did with the majestic blog The Blog That Celebrates Itself in this post. And the description couldn't be more accurate, as anyone can feel the gloomy dementia that surrounds all his songs. However, Depression is not all about utterly opressive music, as one should be wondering by now. Instead of making quasi-static forms of Doom Metal, or extremly lo-fi bathroom-demo of Black Metal "songs", he explores the realms of Dream Pop, Electronica, Darkwave and Witch House with a Lo-fi-esque flavor. Those who admire the likes of Fever Ray, Alligator Indian, Gazelle Twins, new gazers like Disappears or "oldskull" juggernauts such as Bauhaus, New Order and Siouxsie and The Banshees will surely dig Depression's work with a great smile in their faces (no, I don't mean do be ironic...)

Finally, you can take a listen to his music at the link right below, which directs you to the bandcamp page of his EP, Out of Medication, which is also part of the Fund for Danny Lackey beautiful iniciative by the gazers around the globe. It's only 6 bucks the whole EP, a more-than-reasonable price for the big talent of Jason. So, Depression is defintevly a name worthy paying attention to in the near future, because we'll surely hear a lot about it in the following months and years, and that would be more than deserved.




//Upping this post to drop here Jason's latest work, Smashed Teeth EP. It's as amazing as his previous effort, or even better than it! The lyserigc electronic vein is even thicker now, developed in a more refined aesthetics, and it will surely please the fans of the afore mentioned bands. I hope you enjoy it too! :)

enjoy!







enjoy!