Bleachers

Bleachers shares new song “Don’t Take the Money”

Jack Antonoff has released a new Bleachers song, “Don’t Take the Money.” It is from the band’s forthcoming yet unannounced sophomore album. The song seems to feature vocals from Lorde, who Antonoff co-wrote the song with, he confirmed in a tweet. Antonoff left a piñata effigy of himself in New York City’s Union Square earlier today and when fans broke it open, they found USB drives with the new song. Bleachers’ last album Strange Desire came out in 2014.

It was announced earlier this month that Antonoff is set to live-score a screening of The Breakfast Club in Los Angeles which will happen tomorrow. Check out Bleachers’ upcoming tour dates below as well as his statement about the song.

“Don’t Take the Money” is a phrase I say in my head all the time. It has nothing to do with actual money. It means to follow the light. Don’t ignore a gut feeling. “Don’t take the money.” I repeat it to myself when I’m trying to stay on track. Specifically in this song I’m writing about my relationship and the verse and chorus run quickly through the past and the fight leading to the euphoria of seeing the light with someone else.

The Melodic Tree’s top 10 albums of the year

10. Post Tropical – James Vincent McMorrow: The dramatic change between Post Tropical and Early In The Morning was something that was shocking and yet extraordinary at the same time. McMorrow’s shift from folk to a more soulful sound seems to suit his voice that can hit beautiful falsettos.

9. Be Impressive – The Griswolds: Australian pop-rock rarely sounded as good. With catchy guitar riffs, such as in their hit song, “Beware the Dog,” and infectious lyrics, this is a stellar debut album from the Griswolds.

8. Sonic Highways – Foo Fighters: The concept of this album is one-of-a-kind and the way the Foo Fighters recorded it was original to say the least. Collaborating with different bands in each of the cities where they recorded, it is undoubtedly the most creative album of the year. Even with all of these collaborations, there is still the climatic sound of the band laced into it.

7. Supermodel – Foster the People: Foster the People returned this year with what feels like one of the best pop albums of the year. The dark lyrics are matched cool and bubbly instrumentals making the themes in this album virtually inconspicuous.

6. Everything Will Be Alright in the End – Weezer: The comeback from Weezer seems like a breath of fresh air from their previous two records, Raditude and Hurley. The hooks on this album return and gives the fans just want they want. It is reminiscent of their old days and yet guides us into their future.

5. They Want My Soul – Spoon: This follow-up to their 2010 Transference feels as though it’s a new era for Spoon and this is their first album with new guitar and piano player, Alex Fischel. This is a great comeback for the band after taking a few years off. There are hints of new influences throughout the album and yet, there is still the grit that has given Spoon their signature sound.

4. Sun Structures – Temples: The debut from Temples is the perfect album for anyone nostalgic for the 1960’s and 1970’s. With mellow vocals and keyboards, there is no doubt that Temples understand their abilities. The rhythms from drummer, Samuel Toms, on this album are beyond what most bands as young as they are capable of doing.

3. Singles – Future Islands: 2014 was quite the breakout year for Future Islands and it’s obvious with this album why so. The emotions in the lyrics and voice of Samuel Herring are strong and the backing instruments are just as climatic. The synthesizer on this album is one of the many elements that make this album so phenomenal. Singles is of those albums that will be on anyone’s playlist.

2. Young & Sick – Young & Sick: Artist and musician, Nick Hofwegen goes under the pseudonym of Young and Sick for both his art and music. His self-titled debut is a synth-driven R&B album with infectious bass lines. Whether or not you like R&B, Hofwegen seems to incorporate so much into the songs on this album, there is at least one element that everyone will like.

1. Strange Desire – Bleachers: Bleachers’ debut album Strange Desire can seemingly transport its listeners to a John Hughes movie. With climatic songs such as “I Wanna Get Better” and “Rollercoaster” that brings his melancholic lyrics together with intricate melodies and create something refreshing in the world of alternative rock. Frontman, Jack Antonoff creates new and exciting concepts on this album whether it is eccentric collaborations with Yoko Ono or incorporating Grace Dunham’s, Lena Dunham’s younger sister, talking about graduating college into his music.

The Melodic Tree’s Weekly Playlist

1. Seasons (Waiting On You) – Future Islands

2. Sleep – Summer Heart

3. Like A River Run – Bleachers

4. Keep in the Dark – Temples

5. Down and Out – The Griswolds

6. I’ve Had It Up To Here – Weezer

7. Do You – Spoon

8. Heartache Fetish – Young & Sick

9. Pseudologia Fantastica – Foster the People

10. Lampshades on Fire – Modest Mouse

11. Crystalized – Young the Giant

12. Honeymoon – SomeKindaWonderful

13. In the Summer – Finish Ticket

14. Through the Dark – The Mowgli’s

15. Texas – Magic Man

16. Karaoke – Smallpools

17. Kathleen – Catfish and the Bottlemen

18. Fiona Coyne – Saint Pepsi

19. Uma – Panama Wedding

20. Red Eyes – The War on Drugs

Bleachers release music video for “Rollercoaster”

Bleachers, the musical project headed by Jack Antonoff recently released a music video for their new single, “Rollercoaster.” Their new album Strange Desire was released in July and features guest on vocals from Grimes and Yoko Ono. The video was directed by Richard Shepard, the clip has the band performing standing up on top of a moving vehicle.

Antonoff said of the video:

The idea of getting on top of a car and playing on a highway felt distinctly 90s in a way that excited me about videos I saw growing up. Didn’t think it would be acutely dangerous — the breaks ended up going out and we literally almost died. There’s something special about almost dying for a video. Beyond that, “Rollercoaster” was written while I was driving home on the NJ turnpike. The song always felt like driving on a highway to me sonically. That part was perfect. Working with Richard was a dream because of his wide scale cinematic feeling. The car crash in his film Dom Hemingway is possibly the coolest thing I have ever seen in my life.

Shepard said:

Jack Antonoff came to me with the idea of the band playing on top of a van. I thought is was such a funny cool idea, and together we riffed on all the other stuff. The girl in the car, the fight at end. I was thrilled that Jack asked me to work with him on this. We shot out near Lancaster. We had a day to do everything, which was ambitious considering all the car stuff. I came up with the old ice cream truck idea, and it seemed perfect both visually and technically for what we needed to do. Of course the truck broke down while we were filming—including losing its brakes with the entire band on the roof—so we only had a few hours to get most of what you see in the video. It helps though, because we shot so much at magic hour with that beautiful lens-flaring sunset. Jack dressed Stefanie, the girl in the video, with his own wardrobe, which is why they look like doppelgängers. During editing Jack was very involved, helping set the tone and pace of the piece. It was a true collaboration, and I think the finished product is a great reflection of that.

Bleachers is also on tour currently and dates can be found below.

Bleachers tour dates:
10-28 Atlanta, GA – Center Stage *
10-29 Nashville, TN – Cannery Ballroom *
10-31 New Orleans, LA – Voodoo Music & Arts Experience
11-01 Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s *
11-02 Dallas, TX – House of Blues *
11-05 Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern *
11-06 San Francisco, CA – The Independent *
11-07 Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom *
11-08 Vancouver, British Columbia – The Rio Theatre *
11-09 Seattle, WA – Showbox *
11-12 Denver, CO – The Bluebird Theater *
11-14 Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall *
11-15 Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre *
11-16 Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater *
11-22 Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage *
11-23 Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts *
11-25 Boston, MA – Paradise Club *
11-26 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer #
12-06 Norfolk, VA – 96X Winter Meltdown
12-19 Toronto, Ontario – The Edge Jingle Bell Rock
03-13 Tempe, AZ – Pot of Gold Festival
* with Wild Cub
# with Vacationer

Top 10 Moments of Austin City Limits Weekend Two

10. The Calvin Harris set in its entirety. It was as if the audience almost shook the ground during the set. Mixing a variety of songs, such as “I Don’t Care” by Icona Pop, Harris seemed virtually unstoppable and looked as though he was on top of the world. Many fans had been at the festival since 9, or even earlier, in the morning waiting for Harris, thus making the experience all the worthwhile.

9. When Davy Havoc from AFI crowdsurfed. He went into the crowd various occasions while singing. However, this time, he climbed over the front few rows and balanced himself amongst audience members  to finish off one of the songs. Many fans were glad he had stepped over, and on, them, receiving bragging rights for the rest of their lives.

8. The absolute raw energy during Spoon’s set. The Austin natives seem to have an unwavering attitude to them that keeps crowds coming performance after performance. Their set during this festival was no exception. There is absolutely no beating watching Spoon play as the sun begins to set in the background.

7. Temples’ style and performance. The way the band dresses and sound makes their listeners and audience time travel back to the 1970’s. With that sort of early Led Zeppelin influenced style and psychedelic rock sound, there is nothing that could make Temples’ set more enjoyable.

6. Mø’s general vibe towards the audiences. It seemed as though she treated everyone as if they were on stage with her as she spent a few songs actually in the crowd.

5. How happy Fitz and the Tantrums seemed to be performing at the festival. Performing both weekends and a show in between in Austin, it seemed as though they were still genuinely ecstatic that they were able to perform three times in a row in the Austin.

4. Jack Antonoff’s energy. Playing during what felt like the hottest part of the day, Bleachers seemed unstoppable when it comes down to their energy, and maybe a part of that were a part of that.

3. When St. Vincent pulled an Eddie Vedder and climbed up on the side of the stage and began acting as though she was falling off. Her set overall was the typical wildness that she is so closely related to. At the end of her set, she stole a hat, glasses, and a crutch from various audience members in the front row and wore them until she left the stage.

2. Outkast. Currently on a reunion festival tour, Outkast seems to be just as exciting as they were when they were just starting out.

1. Finally, Young and Sick never seem to disappoint in a live setting. The feeling from listening to their music is so unmatched.

 

The Melodic Tree’s Weekly Playlist

1. Rollercoaster – Bleachers

2. Mangrove – Young & Sick

3. Victor – Prinze George

4. Mr. Quice – Wildcat! Wildcat!

5. Wings – Haerts

6. Geri – Superhumanoids

7. Silver Screen – Beat Connection

8. License to Drive – Work Drugs

9. Somewhere Else Tonight – Mansions on the Moon

10. You Can – Body Language

11. Harvest Moon – Poolside

12. Pretty Boy – Young Galaxy

13. House – Kindness

14. Better Off Without You – Summer Camp

15. Shelter Song – Temples

16. Moth Wings – Pond

17. Still Life – The Horrors

18. Mecca – Wild Beasts

19. Blue Velvet – Childhood

20. Let Down – Bored Nothing

Melodic Tree’s Weekly Playlist

Austin City Limits Day 1 Weekend 2 in Pictures

Strange Desire – Bleachers

Whether it is being the frontman of Steel Train or a member of the immensely popular band, fun., it seems that Jack Antonoff  has made a name for himself in the pop scene. Following the success of fun.’s sophomore album, Some Nights, Antonoff has written for various names in pop such as Tegan and Sara, and most recently, with his new project, Bleachers, Antonoff has drifted from the typical sound of fun. and moved on towards a very 80’s-inspired vibe to it, even when he was born in the middle of the decade. There seems to be quite of bit of compassion hiding behind the synthesizer and upbeat rhythms on Strange Desire. The buoyant sound on this album is brought with catchy guitar riffs, energetic synthesizer melodies, and moody vocals.

Even if he doesn’t have the vocal chops of Nate Ruess of fun., there is still something to Antonoff’s voice that draws listeners in. However, he seems to change his tone and even the depth of his voice throughout Strange Desire, which gives off a feeling that the album has multiple lead vocalists even though it is just Antonoff. Even with these abrupt changes in his voice, Antonoff still shows that he is a respectable frontman. Also, the one-off collaborations with seemingly random musicians on this album, like Yoko Ono, seems to collide with the other songs on this album.

Strange Desire is filled with synth-heavy melodies, reminiscent of bands such as the Buggles. With the lighthearted tracks throughout such as “I Wanna Get Better,” there seems to be much darker themes to them, dealing with loss, and the coping that comes after. There are many elements of 80’s pop throughout this record and could fit well into the soundtrack of a coming-of-age movie, with its jangly guitar riffs and upbeat rhythms and synthesizers.

This album will capture the hearts of anyone who is nostalgic for anything John Hughes and draw in a younger audience at the same time. With cheerful melodies, Antonoff seems to pass off his innermost troubles as something that is light and happy and does so in a catchy way.