Month: September 2016

Nick Jaina’s Brutal Lives Now Available

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Nick Jaina’s “broken-hearted chops once again shine” (Vortex Magazine) on what is easily his most daring record to date. The 14-track album primarily features work that he originally composed for a contemporary dance piece in the summer of 2014. These pieces were all rejected by the choreographer, often with no other explanation other than that they were “too sad.” Nick thought the recordings had some value in them, so he refashioned them into songs, adding vocals and choruses and found sounds to give them a different life.

Due to the unusual provenance of the recordings, almost every instrument was played and recorded by Nick himself. He gave the collection of songs the title that he proposed for the original dance piece, which was also rejected: Vies Brutales, orBrutal Lives.

Available streaming or digitally at on-line retailers right now. Settle in and give it a listen.

 

 

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Find Brutal Lives Here

 

 

 

 

Check out the new single “Make A Life“, from Nick Jaina. It’s the lead track from the digital album, Brutal Lives, which will be released on September 16.

Brutal Lives (Fluff and Gravy Records, Sept 2016) is easily Nick Jaina’s most daring album to date. And that is saying a lot when you consider that Nick has made a career out of re-inventing himself. The 14-track album primarily features work that he originally composed for a contemporary dance piece in the summer of 2014. Though the songs were not used, Nick thought the recordings had some value in them, so he refashioned them, adding vocals, choruses and ambient sounds to give them new life.

Stylistically, the album jumps from the indie-pop standout “Make A Life”, to the haunting “Co-Creators”, to the jarring “Saw You On The Train Last Night”. And I swear, “Fell Too Much In Love” would be right at home in a John Hughes film.  Due to the unusual provenance of the recordings, almost every instrument was played and recorded by Nick himself. He gave the collection of songs the title that he proposed for the original dance piece, which was also rejected: Vies Brutales, or Brutal Lives.

This is Nick’s second release on Fluff & Gravy Records, a follow-up to 2013’s Primary Perception. It will be available digitally on September 16, and coupled with a limited-edition printing of an essay that Nick wrote for people who are new to dance, How To Enjoy Dance. 150 copies of the essay will be released in October.

It’s hard to believe, but this November will mark  the 5th anniversary of the first official Fluff and Gravy release!  To celebrate, we will be hosting a series of 4 concerts, over 3 days, featuring 13 bands (11 Fluff and Gravy artists + guests).  Venues will include The Star Theater, Dante’s, and Fluff and Gravy Studios. In addition to the concert series, we will be releasing “5 Years of Gravy” – a compilation cd featuring unreleased tracks from our artists recorded throughout our 5 year history. The cd will be included in the price for a weekend pass ($35)

Keep your eyes peeled over the course of the next 2 months, as we will be releasing tracks from the cd and a pair of “Legacy Videos” for classic singles.

 

Check out the FULL 3-DAY LINEUP!

FRIDAY, 11/11, 8pm (STAR THEATER)

Hillstomp
Cedar Teeth
Mike Coykendall

SATURDAY, 11/12, 1pm (house show)

The Evangenitals
Catherine Feeny and Chris Johnedis

SATURDAY, 11/12, 8pm (DANTE’S)

Richmond Fontaine
Vacilando
Nick Jaina
Jeffrey Martin

SUNDAY, 11/13, 8pm (STAR THEATER)

Fernando Viciconte
The Hill Dogs
Dan Stuart (of Green on Red) with Thomas Heyman
Kevin Lee Florence

GET YOUR TICKETS!

The ticket link for the festival can be accessed here.

Thank you so much for making the last 5 years possible, We can’t wait to begin our next 5. Hope to see you in Portland this November!