EIC'S10Q'S w/Forest

"..a unique way of mixing "classical" Oldies/Surf Pop sound with "Calypso/island" themed synths, soothing/slow moving drum machine beats, a bit of Folk (just a tad) and "that sound" that makes almost every SRVC band standout from the rest. With this release it's the vocals, to me they glow. Very unique, sweet, and somewhat cinematic. Overall, there isn't one sound I disagree with.."


Forest
Pacified Pacific Sound

Forest Bio:
Forest is a new Swedish three-piece from Stockholm, pioneering a distinct and romantic sound. From the snowy John Bauer forests just under the polar circle, the sounds of someone, or something, making music of loneliness on dew-covered harps of a spider web.


Hello, how are you?
Just fine.

What are you currently listening to?
I mostly listen to Beach Boys, Ramones and Abba. The past year or two I have also listened a lot to Yellowman.

Why the name "Forest"?
It was very difficult coming up with a name, I think forest was just the least bad name. Now i think its ok, it fits.

How did you get connected with SRVC?
Through Myspace. Ola Borgström heard us there, I think someone that we know told him to look us up.

Care to shed some light on "Soon Be Over"..?
Its about getting old. That it will soon be over.

Any side projects we should know about?
Not that i know about.

If you could collaborate with any artist of your choosing whom would it be with?
That's a difficult question. I think it would be any early eighties reggae producer, maybe Junjo Lawes (if he's alive?). I always imagined that the early eighties reggae sound would be perfect for Forest. On the other hand they probably couldn't reproduce that sound today.

What was the best thing that happened to you last year?
I reunited with a very old friend, we had a great time, it felt important.

You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
A Beach Boys compilation with their biggest hits.

Are you living your dream?
Not yet.

Thanx Jeff & Forest!

Forest are currently (hopefully) working on a follow up to this year's s/t album, look for that in the future...

REVIEW: Forest - Forest

7.75 out of 10

Find it here.

Forest are a terrific new band off of the terribly overlooked SRVC label. Their debut self-titled album is melancholy, chill, and somewhat sunny/happy sounding/feeling. To put it simply, Forest's debut is an "easy-going" album filled with a plethora of guilty pleasures.

As far as comparisons go, the best pairing I can think of is El Perro Del Mar's song structures meets Flotation Toy Warning's (<-Do you guys remember them?) whimsical musings, only more "tropical". Forest have quite a unique way of mixing "classical" Oldies/Surf Pop sound with "Calypso/island" themed synths, soothing/slow moving drum machine beats, a bit of Folk (just a tad) and "that sound" that makes almost every SRVC band standout from the rest. With this release, it's the vocals, to me they glow. Very unique, sweet, and somewhat cinematic. Overall, there isn't one sound I disagree with. Pop this one in next time you're in the mood to relax with a smile on your face.

I like Forest quite a bit, it's soft, calming, and charming. A forest can be an easy thing to get lost in given the right mood. Recommended.

Standout Tracks: They're all pretty good; Just One Day, I Like Your Dreaming (sounds like a "modern day" Beach Boys track), We Can Go Away, Soon Be Over (love the "estranged/endearing" vocals on this one)

REVIEW: Evan Voytas - Tomorrow Night We'll Go Anywhere

7 out of 10

Find it here.

It was about a year ago when I first stumbled across Evan Voytas. He's got quite a few free singles/EPs on the web, but it was the song "I Run With You, Spirit Animal" that truly spoke to me, I listened to it back to back to back to back to etc. Since then, I have made it a point to find, follow, click, and download everything involving this up and comer's blossoming career. Flash forward about 4 months later, and a new label was born, Cascine. Cascine is a cousin label to SRVC (which you may or may not know releases some of the best "across the pond" Electronic Pop/Kraut music today). Since it's birth, Cascine has gone on to release some of the finest EP's of any present young internet label out there. Naturally, when I heard Cascine would be releasing Mr Voytas' (official) debut EP I knew it would be a match made in ear heaven.

"Tomorrow Night We'll Go Anywhere" is a more than promising debut, it could (maybe) be the future of Indie Electro music. Evan Voytas has a way with melding 80's Electro Pop with Dream Pop (just a tad) and modern sounding Bedroom Pop. I am somewhat reminded of a "jangle-ier/poppier"/more nostalgic M83 ...sometimes. What I like the most about Evan's sound is it's care-free apathetic approach towards itself. He only asserts himself as much as needed, and that works. Sometimes simple just works best with albums like these, and as long as Evan keeps to it he could end up being one of the leading innovators of today's Internet music scene. I imagine "Tomorrow Night We'll Go Anywhere" working well as a soundtrack for a road trip to the beach. You'll want to spend the day at said beach, relax & truly absorb it's grandeur. Worry about that moment only, tomorrow night you can do more and go anywhere. Only, I don't live near a shoreline, so I'll just have to assume this, as well as remain hopeful through my long and grey "stuck in the middle of the country" Winter nights that I will one day utilize this album for said venture. -sigh- At least I do feel a little warmer now, now that I've got Evan by the sides of my head..:)

If you like your Indie Electronic music with a dash of hermetic intellect and touching bits of cool human emotion Evan's got what ales ya. Can't wait for the debut LP! Til then.. Recommended.

Standout Tracks: Tomorrow Night We'll Go Anywhere, Astro, We'll Go Far

Congrats on the new label..

EIC's good friends SRVC are starting a new cousin label called Cascine. The first release on this already exciting label is from the artist Shine. Think of a cross between Pet Shop Boys and PM Dawn. Sound's a little weird? It's amazing. Fans of Lo-Fi-Fnk, The Tough Alliance, Jj, etc.. This one's for you..

Shine's "Associates EP" comes out September 1st (just a few days away!!) via Cascine...

The same day as this release:(I think it's destined for EIC to cross paths with this label a lot more in the future ;) --thanx Jeff)