BRAIDS: Deep in the Iris album review

On April 28th the Canadian three-some, BRAIDS, released their third studio album, Deep in the Iris. Since releasing their debut LP, Native Speaker in 2011 the band, who have been collaborating together since their high-school days, have released an album every two years.

Their dreamy allure has noticeably matured into orchestral pop from an experimental indie beginning layered with sparkly nautical chimes gushing with chic piano and stylish guitar hooks.

A tinge of sadness masquerades within the blend of intricate yet carefree melodies as beautifully truthful lyrics bring the excruciating feelings of heartache and desire to life with a formidable tenderness. Raphaelle Standell's vocals ring expressive as the nine tracks explore intense topics including porn ("Sore Eyes") and slut-shaming ("Mini-Skirt") among other strong themes such as abuse. 

Recently trudging through some emotional turmoil of my own, the songs that personally struck big chords bookend this album: the title lyrics of first song, "Letting Go" gently tug at my healing heart strings every listen, because, as the songs says and as I am painstakingly learning, "the hardest part is letting go." "Warm Like Summer" wraps up the album with eclectic percussion, imaginative synths and simple, cascading lyrics, " you're always in my heart" easily connecting it's sentiment to the likes of  the first track.  If eyes are windows to our souls, Deep In The Iris is a warm invite inside the inner most thoughts of the band, BRAIDS. 

Touring this summer with another band from Canada, Purity Ring, BRAIDS is sure to perform some of their new material live! With similar, whimsical sounds, BRAIDS opening for Purity Ring will be a magically memorizing  show you won't want to miss if you're a fan of either band, or both bands like I am!  

Tour Dates: 

May 24th: House of Blues, Houston, TX

May 26th: Republic, New Orleans, LA

May 28th: Amos Southend, Charlotte, NC

May 29th: 9:30 Club, Washington, DC

May 30th: Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA

June 2nd: Terminal 5, New York, NY

June 3rd: Terminal 5, New York, NY

June 4th: Higher Ground, Burlington, VT  

June 5th: Metropolis,  Montreal, QC

June 7th: Royal Oak Music Hall, Detroit, M

June 8th: Riviera Theatre, Chicago, IL 

June 9th: First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 

June 10th: Garrick Centre, Winnipeg, MB

June 12th: MacEwan Hall Ballroom, Calgary, AB

June 15th: Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, BC

June 16th: Shobox SoDo, Seattle, WA

June 17th: Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR

June 19th: Fox Theatre, Oakland, CA

June 20h: Fox Theatre, Oakland, CA 

  

Deep In The Iris 
track-listing

1) Letting Go
2) Taste
3) Blondie
4) Happy When
5) Miniskirt
6) Getting Tired
7) Sore Eyes
8) Bunny Rose
9) Warm Like Summer



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MS MR @ Popscene 5/7/2015

MR MS @ Popscene May 7th, 2015 Photo by Carlos Rodriguez

Fans chatted about what color Lizzy's hair was the last time they saw MS MR live as the sold-out crowd waited for the show to start at Popscene last week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking as svelte as ever  with long locks the color of a blazing fire, fish-nets, seriously short booty shorts and go-go boots, Miss Lizzy hit the stage with her signature smile as she and the band jumped right into the set with a brand new song, "Reckless". I couldn't help but wonder if the retro, light up prism-esque MS MR marquee behind them and the  heavy disco feel the new song delivered acted as innuendos to what's to come on their sophomore album due out this July.

 

MR MS @ Popscene May 7th, 2015 Photo by Carlos Rodriguez

 

Undoubtedly very receptive to the new highly dance-able track, the enamored crowd reacted even happier when the moody jam, "Fantasy" was qued next. Banter was kept short and sweet as it usually is at their shows as Max (also sporting longer locks these days) kept a cool demeanor  introducing almost every song, old and new. Songs from Secondhand Rapture were equally matched with debut tunes off of their next album and it was awesome to see them perform new material!

 

 

 

 

 

 

While the new songs  have more of a disco party vibe with a dance tempo, the unmistakable sound of 80's angst MS MR is known for is still there. I wouldn't be surprised if the second single off the up-coming album is "How Does It Feel" do to the fact that  Max directed fans (how) to sing the chorus along with them before playing it.

 

MR MS @ Popscene May 7th, 2015 Photo by Carlos Rodriguez

MR MS @ Popscene May 7th, 2015 Photo by Carlos Rodriguez

Fans filled the club with heartfelt boos when Lizzy announced a short 45 minutes into the set that the next song, "Painted" would be the last song of their set. Layered with emotion driven lyrics MS MR fans are use to ,the new single carries less of a doom gloom mood and more of dark dancey appeal on the instrumental end.

Before the band started their en core, Max announced that it was the leading lady's birthday and seeing as the band knows that she isn't big on sweets but loves pizza, Lizzy was given a slice of Birthday pizza as her SF fans sang "Happy Birthday" to her. After seeing MS MR a handful of times over the years all over this city, the last being last Spring at one of their two sold out shows at The Fillmore, being able to see MS MR at Popscene was really special.
 

MR MS @ Popscene May 7th, 2015 Photo by Carlos Rodriguez

 

 

Characterized by a truly charismatic air, MS MR generates a genuine connection with their fans at every show, there is no way you could see them perform and not be positively engaged from the start all the way through to the bitter sweet finish.

Now I am even more excited to hear the sophomore album from MS MR this summer!

MS MR set-list 5/7/2015

1) Reckless

2) Fantasy

3) No Guilt In Pleasure

4) Salty Sweet

5) Think Of You

6) Leave me Alone

7) How Does it Feel

8) Dark Doo-Wop

9) Painted

En-core

- Bones

- Hurricane

Cupcake from Victoria Bakery

My friend Amy is so sweet, she totally surprised me by giving me a cupcake after we had dinner with my Aunts Molly and Teresa in Mill Valley. She handed me a little white box from Victoria Bakery and let me know that she thought it was Peanut Buttercup but wasn't sure what flavor it was. Of course I didn't care what flavor it was, I was simply touched by her gesture, plus it was a cupcake!

I had no idea that the famous Bakery from SF's North Beach had expanded until Amy told me that she got the cupcake from the Victoria Bakery location in Marin. With a heap of chocolate frosting atop a chocolate cake I could see that it was a Chocolate cupcake of some sort but wouldn't know what variation until I took my first bite. The white disc balancing on top of the frosting was creamy white chocolate, not fondant like I thought and should have been an indication of what flavor this cupcake was. My first bite was mostly frosting; velvety, chocolate butter-cream frosting and so much of it! It's chocolaty-ness was definitely decadent but it wasn't overwhelming. A couple more bites in I found that the fresh chocolate cake was filed with a sweet cream, like a Hostess Cupcake only way better! The cream filling wasn't as rich as the frosting, so I knew it wasn't butter-cream but it was really sweet and the dollop of it in the cupcake's center was a perfect amount. 

Victoria Bakery makes everything from scratch and if an ingredient isn't available in the U.S they import it from Italy so the original recipes that they've used for the last 100 years are never altered. Most of the goodies are baked daily and this is freshness you'll taste when you indulge in one of their cupcakes! 

It was really nice of Amy to give me a cupcake to cheer me up, it worked. I am so thankful to call these three beautiful, strong, inspiring, encouraging women my friends! 

Debut EP from Iva Dawn: The Only One

At the ripe age of 18,Whitney Mower left the Mormon way of life in Utah to  mess around with music in Texas where she found her voice in the depths of creative writing.  She emerged recreated as Iva Dawn and early this Spring, the now 27 year old singer/songwriter released The Only One on the Austin indie label Triple Pop Records. Swimming in soft chords and graceful percussion her vocals croon sweet love induced songs on her 6 track debut EP. Her singing style whispers hints of Lana Del Rey while hybrid sounds of modern doo-whop and sixties surf-rock evoke a retro feel as she soulfully harmonizes with melodic hymns.

Introductory title track, "The Only One" greets us with rich, swirling guitar and playful inquisitive lyrics eluding to the possibility of jealousy before they are quickly brushed off as the tempo gives way to  the track's upbeat undertones. Iva has fun with the fact that she is not someone's only one, as the title suggests and that fun, flirty flare sets the mood for the rest of the EP. 

The mellow tempo is pretty consistent, picking up a bit on a the heavily surf-rock strewn "Laugh Until I Cry" and the very loungey sounding, "Officer".The overall vibe carries a pleasant aesthetic though sullen at times, like on the poignant track "Heavy": weighing in the most on the sadcore sound, Iva sorts through a flood of emotions in this beautifully heartbreaking song. It's beachy appeal and relatable lyrics makes for easy listening from start to finish on this indie-pop EP from Iva Dawn.