Monday, September 30, 2013

First/Last-Heavy Hearts Will Anchor


"In 2007 I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder and Depression. I was transitioning into college life and not really handling that transition very well. Also at this time my first true long-term relationship had ended and I was left feeling very empty and sad. In my free time I would play guitar and try and write songs but without having the intent to share them with anyone.
In 2009 while still learning how to cope with depression and anxiety one of my best friends tragically passed away. It was the most difficult period of my entire life. I didn't pick up my guitar for a long time after that.
After many months of coming to terms with my friend no longer being with me as well as a few failed relationships I finally began to start picking up my guitar and found it very therapeutic to write about all the sad and more difficult things in life. I came up with the title for this music project, Heavy Hearts Will Anchor, with the notion that the songs I write would be a way for me to deal with my depression and that by singing about them it would help me come to terms with them and help my heart to maybe not be so heavy.
I recorded my first (and only) EP in 2010 with the help of a college friend and my Audio Production Class's studio. The EP was a concept album about a man dealing with the loss of a friend, his struggle with his faith, and his ultimate decision to go out to sea and leave all his loved ones behind.
Since then I've continued writing songs about a myriad of topics around relationships, depression, religion, friends, death, and most recently my first and only love song. This year I have began doing recording sessions with my dear friend and fellow musician Ryan Walker and will probably continue to release those recordings through my bandcamp as I write them.
Although Heavy Hearts Will Anchor is never gonna have a record deal or be my main source of income I think I'll always continue to write music as long as I can still sing and hold a guitar."

Check out the band on Facebook, Tumblr, ReverbNation, SoundCloud and BandCamp. HHWA is the moniker for songwriter Christian Freeberg. He is originally from Indiana, PA but now resides in Lawrenceville and is quietly putting out some beautifully understated music. His latest single, 'Little Sticks' was released a few weeks ago and I really want to thank Christian for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Backstreet Boys (self-titled from 1997...sigh).

Your last album bought?
“Moving Mountains” (self-titled and my AOTY for 2013).

Favorite album of all time?
Way too hard to pick one but if I had to, it would have to be a Thrice album and that would probably be “Vheissu”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Not sure really but I think there are is a lot of harmful music out there in the mainstream.

First concert attended?
My first show was at a local Chevy Chase Community Center in my hometown of Indiana, PA and all I remember was a Pittsburgh punk band called The Last Hope played last, my brother got knocked out briefly, and it was the first time I had ever moshed or saw a circle pit. I was in love.

Last concert?
I recently just saw Sigur Ros at Stage AE and they were amazing.

Favorite concert ever?
Thrice/La Dispute/O' Brother/Moving Mountains at the Rex Theatre in 2011. The last time I would ever see Thrice live. It was an amazing concert and afterwards the singer Dustin Kensrue played an acoustic set on the basketball court outside by the venue and stayed to talk to any of the kids that came to see him do his acoustic set. It was one of the most amazing nights of my life. Not many people get to personally meet and thank their hero for everything they have done.

Least favorite concert?
Any concert I've been to where the band clearly were taking themselves too seriously. Not trying to put anyone on blast, but there are definitely some bands that just need to play their instruments and not worry about people adding them on twitter.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
The local music scene and the musicians I've met through it and the friendships that bloomed from it. In particular my friends in Run Forever, Dandelion Snow, Crash City, Guests of Guests, Ryan Walker, Nevada Mountains, William James (slam poet), and lots more.


Thanks, Christian. I love your last bio line, man. Making music for the love of it and not the record deal. That's what it's all about.

Friday, September 27, 2013

First/Last-Psychic Friend


"Los Angeles based Psychic Friend has been winning fans over with their winsome brand of "new Californian pop" (SF Bay Guardian). They played their first-ever show at San Francisco’s Noisepop Fest in February, and have since been charming west coast fans at venues like the Silverlake Lounge, and Largo, where they recently shared a bill with Sarah Silverman. When pressed to describe their sound, Schwartz offers the following: “big orchestrated pop songs about [my] transitory life, depression, love, food service, and trying to function without a twitter account. Kind of like the Brill Building re-imagined, or Carole King via Serge Gainsbourg.”

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook and Twitter. The 'piano-pop' band's latest album, "My Rocks are Dreams" was recently released. Just this week, the cool video for the song, 'We Do Not Belong' starring Sarah Silverman was debuted. I want to thank songwriter Will Schwartz (Piano/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
The first album (cassette tape) I ever bought was probably "Free to be You and Me" or the "Annie" soundtrack. Such an edgy little kid.

Your last album bought?
The last album I bought was the Cocteau Twin's "Heaven Or Las Vegas" because I heard them on the radio and wanted to revisit it. Newer stuff would be the new Daft Punk.

Favorite album of all time?
That's tough. I love "Rumours" by Fleetwood Mac. John and Yoko's "Double Fantasy", My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless".

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I don't have a least favorite album, but it's most disappointing when you're so excited for one of your favorite band's or artist's album and you get it and you don't love it.

First concert attended?
Kool and the Gang with my parents in Vegas.

Last concert?
The Isle of Wight Festival (I also played it).

Favorite concert ever?
Bjork at the Warfield for the "Post" album, Bjork at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for "Vespertine".

Least favorite concert?
For some reason The Tindersticks at Bimbo's was so boring that it was hilarious to my friends and me. We were pantomiming different methods of suicide and laughing inappropriately. So it actually was a lot of fun. Does that count?


Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Andy Warhol.

Thanks, Will. Diggin' the video, man. You are quite the thespian!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

First/Last-Young Lyons


"Young Lyons is a four piece alternative pop rock band from Tulsa, OK. The band was formed in spring of 2012 when John Lyons (vocals/guitar) recruited bassist Paul Cristiano and producer Brad Mitcho to collaborate on a new batch of songs. After some quick success writing, John and Paul decided to further their association under the name Young Lyons (a name suggested by Brad) and subsequently added drummer James McGowan and guitarist Brian Gresh. While the band takes it's cues from the modern electro-pop recipe, Young Lyons certainly isn't afraid to take chances and has a sound that is solely their own. Their debut EP 'Crash Course' was released April 2nd, 2013."

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and BandCamp. The band's latest effort is the "Crash Course" EP. I want to thank John Lyons (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Simon & Garfunkel “Bookends”.


Your last album bought?
Smashing Pumpkins “Aeroplane” Reissue.


Favorite album of all time?
Man so, so tough... The Beatles “Revolver”.


Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Smashing Pumpkins “Machina 2” and it’s because it was so disappointing. I was expecting something great from my fave band.


First concert attended?
Bob Dylan.


Last concert?
Aranda a great band from Oklahoma who recently signed with a major label and are getting great national exposure. They so deserve it. My buddy Jason Ferguson opened the show along with the David Castro Band.


Favorite concert ever?
Man this is so tough, LOL! Either Imogen Heap or Paul Simon.


Least favorite concert? The Dingees.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I had a friend recently move there for his job so hopefully I get to visit soon. When I read your question I did a quick Google search on Pittsburgh and saw that Sigur Ros is playing tonight so I'm kinda wishing I was there right now. Also looks like you have a Andy Warhol Museum which sounds really cool. I hope to visit soon whether it’s just me or on a future tour.
 
Thanks, John. We do have an Andy Warhol Museum. I must say, it is quite fantastic! You should definitely come see it.