As the countdown to the end of 2013 quickly approaches we take a personal look back on familiar names, features and musicians’ best releases of the past 12 months. Circuit Sweet will be featuring the featured artists of the site with their personal top 5 releases of the year.
The past 12 months truly has been an incredible year for releases, hard to follow last year in the records produced but this year has uncovered exceptional talent- most of which discovered, promoted and featured right here on this site.
In our end of year special we let our favorites take over the site to tell us the records that have made their end of year lists, their favorite events/gigs and what we can look forward to from them next year.
Continuing our Rad Releases is one of the best bands in this world and we are thrilled to have them take over our site. We welcome Signal Hill to tell us their favorite releases of this year. Signal Hill are Tim Cooper (drums), Dave Masters (guitar), Brian Vasallo (bass/keys), and Rishi Arora (guitar). Signal Hill the band was originally constructed as a writing project for both Brian and Rishi in the first months of 2003 . Members came and went making it difficult for the project to ever gain ground, however the music was never forgotten only left waiting for the perfect additions. Across town Elegant Elephant, a solo project of Dave was undergoing similar difficulties. Good fortune was met one night at an M83/Six Part Seven show as Dave ran into old friend Tim Cooper. The likes of both groups found grace in each others music formulating by the fall of 04. Influenced by bands such as : Tristeza, Owen, Cinematic Orchestra, The Bad Plus, Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, Explosions in the Sky, The Mercury Program & The Six Parts Seven, etc. This has been an incredibly productive and rewarding year for the band following the release of their record ‘ Chase The Ghost’ which has made several Rad Releases list including from North End. The next year clearly holds a lot more opportunities for this talented band.
signal hill – top 5
wow, it really is impossible to pick just 5; even picking a top 10 per person was really quite difficult this year due to the volume of awesome stuff released in 2013! we thought the list below was a decent snapshot of the albums we listened to this year.
In no particular order.
1. Tim Hecker – virgins
Tim Hecker has once again created a sonic masterpiece. this whole album start to finish is a wide range of textures and emotions.
2. keep shelly in athens – at home
listen to this album if you are homesick or lonely. or on a train staring out the window.
3. japandroids – celebration rock
although i am fairly new to following this group, they’ve some how become my most highly anticipated album release for 2013 since they unapologetically tie in everything that I love about music that is nostalgic, which includes punk and hardcore genres while, still keeping up with the modern flow of everything that is fun and upbeat. ironically, a two piece group with out a bass player, I hope to one day catch this group live one day to witness how they manage such energy from some of the performances I’ve seen online.
4. bibio- silver wilkinson
This album is a terrific blend of the best of bibio’s various stylings.. songs such as the first daffodils or sycamore silhouetting bring back the “fi” era bibio that are nostalgic, beautiful and introspective, whereas tunes such as “À tout à l’heure” are more carefree and fun bringing some of the best elements of ambivalence avenue, or mind bokeh. each year bibio puts out a new record, we all listen.
5. boards of canada – tomorrow’s harvest.
A new boards of canada record.
the best gig you have played(or put on) this year and why:
we played only 4 shows this year, and all of them were pretty memorable, including playing 2 nights in a row with vasudeva and north end. if we had to pick 1 though, the show at public assembly (brooklyn ny) with no grave like the sea, and if these trees could talk was pretty incredible. a great turnout, in an awesome venue. we capped the night by playing a second set at a rooftop party in brooklyn. all in all probably one of our favorite nights of 2013.
the best gig you have attended and why:
we attended only a few gigs together this year. one was when we were all in NYC together working on new songs. it was a house party show for a band called the international house of funk at our friend pat’s place, where by the end of the night it turned into a full fledged jam session, including tim hopping on drums, and rishi on guitar. awesome time!
2014 plans
we have made some progress on a handful of new tunes, and hope to get a new album recorded sometime next year! additionally we hope to play a handful of shows wherever we can make it happen.
We are thrilled to have Signal Hill on our site thank you so much for the take over. We love this year’s release and if it’s anything to go by then a new album next year will be equally incredible. Signal Hill you have place to stay in the UK for any tours!!
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