Weaves (EP)

Last updated

Weaves
WeavesEPcover.jpg
EP by
Weaves
ReleasedMarch 26, 2014
StudioDobbstown North, Echo Valley
(unknown location)
Candle Recording
(Toronto, Ontario)
Genre Indie pop
Length18:46
Label Buzz
Producer
Weaves chronology
Weaves
(2014)		 Weaves
(2016)
Singles from Weaves
  1. "Hulahoop"
    Released: April 30, 2013
  2. "Motorcycle"
    Released: July 23, 2013
  3. "Take A Dip"
    Released: September 23, 2013
  4. "Buttercup"
    Released: February 18, 2014

Weaves is the debut extended play of Canadian indie pop group Weaves. Two-thirds of the record was produced by guitarist Morgan Waters with GarageBand, the other third produced by David Newfeld. Praised by music journalists for its varied style and Burke's vocal performance, Weaves combines elements of high-quality recording common in pop music with lo-fi noise music styles to create a "disgusting" yet "catchy" feel. Released for streaming on March 26, 2014 and in stores on April 1, 2014 by Buzz Records, the EP was promoted with four singles ("Hulahoop", "Motorcycle", "Take A Dip" and "Buttercup"), with music videos for the latter three, a two-month tour and a remix record. Weaves was ranked number eight on Popmatters' list of best indie rock albums of 2014.

Contents

Production and composition

Jasmyn Burke and Morgan Waters, who first met each other in a bar, started Weaves in 2012 when the two made demo songs based on files of song ideas Burke recorded on her iPhone. [1] [2] In 2013, bassist Zach Bines and drummer Spencer Cole joined the project and started recording their self-titled debut EP immediately after. [2] "Motorcycle", "Take A Dip", "Do You See Past" and "Hulahoop" were produced by Waters in his bedroom using GarageBand, while "Buttercup" and "Closer" was produced by David Newfeld in his church studio of Dobbstown North. [3] [4] Waters described Newfeld's production contributions as "music lessons and artist lessons in a way," given that he knew what he was making. [5] He also said, "That open mindedness and visibility to capture what happens in the moment and allow mistakes and encourage them brings you out of your comfort zone." [5]

The indie pop album [6] combines elements of high-quality recording common in pop music with lo-fi noise music styles, leading to a complicated sound of "bombast and confusion" and a feel of the tracks being "disgusting" yet "catchy" as the band described. [5] [3] Now 's Carla Gillis gave style descriptions such as "soul-grunge" and "sludge-pop" to label this sound. [6] Elements from a big number of genres are present on Weaves, such as neo-pop, R&B, soul, art rock, and psychedelic music. [1] [7] The lyrics on the songs are filled with sexual innuendo such as "Won't you ride my motorcycle / Take a ride", which Gillis wrote "can turn into both amusing nah-nah-nah insolence and wailing, dead-serious desperation on a dime." [6]

Promotion

Four songs were released as singles before Weaves was issued: "Hulahoop" on April 30, 2013, [8] "Motorcycle" on July 23, 2013, [9] "Take A Dip" on September 23, 2013, [10] and "Buttercup" on February 18, 2014. [3] "Take a Tip" was a premiere by Spin magazine. [11] The blog BrooklynVegan premiered Weaves for streaming on March 26, 2014. [12] A tour in Ontario and New York promoting the EP last from April 10 to June 22, 2014. [12] On July 21, 2014, Noisey premiered the remix EP for Weaves, [13] which features a re-edit of "Hulahoop" by Bram Gielen. The video for the remix was released by Chart Attack on July 29, 2014, and in the video, Burke "drinks from straw glasses, waves torches and sparklers and performs some lounging, laconic dance moves." [14]

On August 12, 2013, a music video for the song "Motorcycle" was released. Chart Attack noted the video's "weird, wrong-handed sketches, which divert from the Badlands 4 Kidz plot with lots of delightful non-sequiter cutaways to make it a junky feast for your rapidly deteriorating attention span." [15] On March 24, 2014, Rookie magazine premiered the video for "Buttercup". [16] The weird, crazy look of the video is meant to match the pretty-looking yet poisonous aspect of a buttercup, a flower the song is named after. [16] Both videos were directed and created by Jason Harvey, who Waters described as "a really talented guy" with his own "strong voice". [5] On October 15, 2013, the video for "Take a Dip" was released; it depicts Burke dressed in a white-colored shawl in a dark-lit church. The other band members appear near the end of the video, where she grates cheddar cheese onto their heads as they bow to her. [17]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Exclaim! 8/10 [7]
Now NNNN [6]
Popmatters Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [18]

Response towards Weaves from music journalists upon release was generally favorable. Critics from publications like Exclaim! and Noisey praises included the record's combination of numerous musical styles to the point where the overall genre the EP could be labeled its own category or could be very hard to pin-point. [1] [7] [19] Noisey said that the EP "experiments and dips across genre lines in a balancing act between of laxity and concentration, without all of the pretension and exclusivity that normally accompanies a buzzing indie band". [1] A more mixed review came from Liz Fox of Popmatters, finding most of the aspects of Weaves typical of indie music released in the previous fifteen years but praising Burke's "sultry" vocal performance that "improve the elaborate backdrop, allowing for some simplicity among the chaos". [18] Now called the EP an "excellent introduction for new fans", writing that its only downfall was the track "Do You See Past" due to its "more sophisticated, less interesting electro-pop sound". [6] In a list by another Popmatters journalist of the best indie rock albums of 2014, Weaves ranked number eight. [19]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Jasmyn Burke and Morgan Waters [4]

Weaves – Standard version [4]
No.TitleProducerLength
1."Buttercup"David Newfeld3:37
2."Motorcycle" Morgan Waters 2:52
3."Take a Dip"Waters3:04
4."Do You See Past"Waters3:14
5."Closer"Newfeld3:08
6."Hulahoop"Waters2:51
Total length:18:46
Weaves – Remixed [13]
No.TitleLength
1."Hulahopp" (Bram Gielen remix)4:24
2."Motorcycle" (Beta Frontiers remix)3:50
3."Closer" (Babe Rainbow remix)3:48
4."Do You See Past" (J FM remix)4:20
5."Take A Dip" (David Newfeld remix)4:51
Total length:21:13

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes of Weaves. [4]

Locations
Credits

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label
Worldwide [4] [20] April 1, 2014
 Buzz Records

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broken Social Scene</span> Canadian indie rock band

Broken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band and musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members, formed by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning in 1999. Alongside Drew and Canning, the other core members of the band are Justin Peroff (drums), Andrew Whiteman (guitar) and Charles Spearin (guitar).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girl Talk (musician)</span> American DJ (born 1981)

Gregg Michael Gillis, better known by his stage name Girl Talk, is an American disc jockey who specializes in mash-ups and digital sampling. Gillis has released five LPs on the record label Illegal Art and EPs on both 333 and 12 Apostles. He was trained as an engineer.

<i>Sticking Fingers into Sockets</i> 2007 EP by Los Campesinos!

Sticking Fingers into Sockets is a compilation EP released by Welsh indie pop band Los Campesinos! in 2007. It collects their two previously released 7-inch UK singles onto one CD. It was released through Arts & Crafts, being the band's first release with the label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Am Who I Am/Secret Love</span> 2010 single by Lee Ryan

"I Am Who I Am" / "Secret Love" is a double A-side single by Lee Ryan. The single is Lee Ryan's first new solo material since 2007. Secret Love was initially set to be released by itself on 3 May 2010, however, after being postponed from a later release, was cancelled. However, after being packaged with a further new song, "I Am Who I Am", the single was released on 4 July 2010. "I Am Who I Am" was originally written and recorded by British indie band Ben's Brother for their 2007 album, Beta Male Fairytales. The music video for Secret Love was filmed in LA in March 2010. The video premiered in April 2010. In the UK, the single debuted at #33 in its first week and fell to #69 in its second week, making it Ryan's third consecutive single to miss the top twenty. The single spent only two weeks inside the UK Top 100 Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zambri</span>

Zambri is the New York City based experimental music project of sisters Cristi Jo and Jessica Zambri. The duo write and produce the entirety of recorded material. Drummer Seth Kasper and multi-instrumentalist Will Spitz complete the group's live lineup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooke Candy</span> American rapper and singer

Brooke Dyan Candy is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and tattoo artist. Raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, she rose to prominence after starring in Grimes' music video for "Genesis" (2012). Following its success, Candy's status in the underground scene rose as she began to release her own music, including the songs "Das Me" (2012), "Everybody Does" (2013), and "I Wanna Fuck Right Now" (2013). In 2014, she signed a recording contract with RCA and released her debut major label single, "Opulence", with an accompanying EP of the same name. Later, she joined Columbia's UK roster.

<i>Beach House EP</i> 2014 EP by Ty Dolla Sign

Beach House EP is the debut extended play (EP) by American singer Ty Dolla Sign. It was released on January 21, 2014, by Atlantic Records. Ty mostly produced through the entirety of this EP, alongside the variety of the other record producers such as DJ Mustard, D'Mile and Young Chop, among others. The EP features guest appearances from Wiz Khalifa, B.o.B, French Montana, Trey Songz, Twista, Jay Rock, Travis Scott and Fredo Santana, among others. The EP was supported by three singles: "Paranoid" featuring B.o.B, "Or Nah" featuring Wiz Khalifa and DJ Mustard, and the remix to the first single entitled "Paranoid (Remix)".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrabel</span> American singer, songwriter, musician

Stephen Samuel Wrabel (born January 7, 1989), known mononymously as Wrabel, is an American singer, songwriter and musician based in Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Or Nah (Ty Dolla Sign song)</span> 2014 single by Ty Dolla $ign featuring Wiz Khalifa and DJ Mustard

"Or Nah" is a song by American singer Ty Dolla $ign featuring American rapper Wiz Khalifa and American record producer DJ Mustard. Written alongside Lemmie Crockem and Mike Free, the latter of whom produced the song with DJ Mustard, the song was released on January 7, 2014, as the second single from the former's debut EP Beach House EP. The song has since peaked at number 48 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. On April 29, 2014, it officially impacted rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States. The song samples the signature "bed squeaking" from the 2004 hit single "Some Cut".

<i>I Am What I Am</i> (Mark Morrison EP) 2014 EP by Mark Morrison

I Am What I Am is the second extended play by English hip hop and R&B musical recording artist Mark Morrison. It was released in the United Kingdom on MackLife Records on 7 July 2014. The EP has received mixed to positive reviews from critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garden City Movement (band)</span> Indie pop band

Garden City Movement is an electronic indie pop band based in Tel Aviv, Israel that formed in 2013. The band consists of Roi Avital, Joe Saar and Johnny Sharoni. They have released one album under the label BLDG5 Records as well as three EPs, two under the label BLDG5 Records and one under The Vinyl Factory and BLDG5 Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tei Shi</span> Canadian singer, songwriter and record producer (born 1989)

Valerie Teicher Barbosa, best known by her stage name Tei Shi, is a Colombian and Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer based in New York City. She released her first singles and music videos in 2013, also performing live for the first time at CMJ. Tei Shi released her debut extended play, Saudade, in November 2013, which Noisey described as a "layered masterpiece of melodies... expertly entwined vocal loops, and shivery sonics."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tacocat</span> American feminist pop punk quartet

Tacocat is an American punk rock band from Seattle, founded in 2007 and consisting of Emily Nokes, Bree McKenna, Lelah Maupin, and Eric Randall. They gained popularity in 2014 following the release of their second album NVM, engineered by Conrad Uno. The album received positive reviews in the music press, including from Pitchfork, AllMusic, and PopMatters, and also reached the CMJ top 10 college radio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lena Fayre</span> American singer-songwriter

Lena Fayre, is an American singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vérité</span> American singer-songwriter

Kelsey Regina Byrne, known professionally as Vérité, is an American singer and songwriter based in Brooklyn, New York City. Her first single "Strange Enough" was self-released in July 2014, reaching number one on Hype Machine and becoming the #1 Most Viral Twitter Artist the week of release. Described variously as indie pop, electropop or alternative pop, Liza Darwin of Noisey wrote that her 2014 Echo EP is "packed with crisp, delicate vocals, soaring melodies, and glistening production." Her second EP, Sentiment, was self-released on June 8, 2015. The EP was praised by Time, who called her vocals "rich and ethereal". She has toured internationally and performed at events such as Neon Gold Popshop, South by Southwest, The Knitting Factory, Brooklyn Bowl, the Firefly Festival and Lollapalooza.

Zak Waters is an American musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. Born in Los Angeles, California, he is also prominently known by the stage name Pretty Sister. Waters began his music career forming the band Blueskyreality. After the group disbanded, Waters started his solo music career, releasing his debut extended play (EP), New Normal (2011).

<i>Nemesis</i> (EP) 2016 EP by Bridgit Mendler

Nemesis is the second extended play by American singer and songwriter Bridgit Mendler. It was released on November 18, 2016, through Black Box Media Agency. For the release of Nemesis, Mendler partnered with Fanjoy Co to create a box set of the EP, including an exclusive physical copy signed by Mendler as well as other items.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do You Miss Me at All</span> 2016 single by Bridgit Mendler

"Do You Miss Me at All" is a song recorded by American recording artist Bridgit Mendler. It premiered via Noisey on November 3, 2016, and was released on November 4, 2016, as the second and final single from her extended play, Nemesis (2016).

Weaves is a Canadian indie pop band from Toronto, Ontario, consisting of vocalist Jasmyn Burke, guitarist Morgan Waters, drummer Spencer Cole and bassist Zach Bines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kat Meoz</span> American singer-songwriter

Katherine "Kat" Alexandra Meoz is a Venezuelan-American singer-songwriter, composer, soundtrack and record producer.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Kwong, Evelyn (May 6, 2014). "Weaves: Pulling Tracks". Noisey . Vice Media . Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Weaves". Buzz Records Official Website. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Gillespie, Blake (February 18, 2014). "Weaves, "Buttercup"". Impose. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Weaves (2014). Weaves. Buzz Records. BR009.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Feng, Tiana (April 1, 2014). "Interview: Weaves" Archived 2016-08-19 at the Wayback Machine . Ride the Tempo. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Gillis, Carla (March 27, 2014). "Weaves". Now . Now Communications . Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 Lau, Melody (April 1, 2014). "Weaves Weaves". Exclaim! . Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Hulahoop". Buzz Records Official Bandcamp Page. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Motorcycle". Buzz Records Official Bandcamp Page. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Take A Dip". Buzz Records Official Bandcam Page. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  11. ↑ McGovern, Kyle (September 23, 2013). "Hear Weaves' Menacing, Seductive Art-Rock Outburst 'Take a Dip'". Spin . SpinMedia . Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  12. 1 2 Pearis, Bill (March 26, 2014). "Weaves ready debut EP, playing shows, including two in NYC, one with Prince Rama (dates, EP stream)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  13. 1 2 "Premiere: Get 'Remixed' With the New Weaves Album". Noisey. Vice Media. July 21, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  14. ↑ Trapunski, Richard (July 29, 2014). "VIDEO PREMIERE: Bram Gielen gives Weaves' "Hulahoop" a sparkling, propulsive remix". Chart Attack. Channel Zero. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  15. ↑ Darville, Jordan (August 12, 2013). {{usurped|1="[video]}} Weaves, “Motorcycle”. Chart Attack . Channel Zero. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  16. 1 2 Lau, Melody (March 24, 2014). "Weaves: Buttercup". Rookie . Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  17. ↑ Hudson, Alex (October 15, 2013). "Weaves "Take a Dip" (video)". Exclaim! . Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  18. 1 2 Fox, Liz (April 2, 2014). "Weaves: Weaves EP". Popmatters . Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  19. 1 2 Beasley, Corey (December 2, 2014). "The Best Indie Rock of 2014". Popmatters . Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Weaves (EP)". Buzz Records Official Bandcamp Page. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.