Free Association Debuts Their Self-Titled Album

Free Association is a new-ish rock band from Tulsa that began in January 2018. The band formed as an outlet for songs Joshua Ricks had written and grew from there with the addition of the rest of the band.

The name “free association” was picked because it emulates the freedom and lack of instruction in their songwriting. Rather than simply playing the song how it was originally imagined by one member, the layout is introduced and each member adds their own spin.

“I like to just play what I have written and let everyone in the group run with the feelings or impression the song left with them,” says Ricks.

“It [is] incredibly beautiful to see everyone in the group interpret the emotional message and feeling of each song and express that back in their own way.”

Free Association started recording their first album in August of last year, which they finished by the end of September. However, fans still had awhile to wait before any of the songs were ready to stream. It wasn’t until last month that the band officially shared their music on streaming sites.

The first song the band released off the album that unveiled today (August 16) was “Old Man” on July 1st. It was followed shortly after by “Circles” on July 26th. According to Ricks, the singles were chosen for their upbeat sound and ABAB format.

The record itself is apparently a collection of songs that don’t have a traditional format and blend between genres. The first description given to me was “retro psychedelic rock vibe” – a spot on description, in my opinion.

The first on the list is “Groovy Blue.” A light song, “Groovy Blue” comes across as positive and upbeat. The beat is steady and repetitive, the lyrics are relaxed and positive; every instinct while listening is to sway and “groove” along.

Next up is the previously released “Old Man.” Though this one continues a similar sound, the vibe is much different. Rather than coming across as relaxed and upbeat, the song sounds like it just came out of an old-time-y mystery film.

“Hurricanes and Floods” is third on the tracklist. Anxiety is at its highest with this song as the music flutters through, lyrics denoting a blue tale. However, the tone shifts about halfway through this almost-six-minute song from nervous to something akin to resignation.

The next six songs follow similar styles and themes. Each song is carefully crafted. By blending styles, the band achieves a dreamy sound – the kind of sound that lulls you into feelings, good and bad. Whether it’s the slower “First Friday” or the foot-tapping “Omniscient,” there’s a song for everyone in this album.

As if the songs themselves don’t span different styles,”Circles,” “Six Long Years,” and “Loving You” all feature a female singer in stark contrast to the other male-fronted songs. It’s a testament to their “free association” that different vocalists take lead in different songs; each member of the band gets to do their take.

Check out Free Association on all social media and music streaming sites and make sure to listen to their debut album below:

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OKC Band, Westering, Debut Their Talents With Self-Titled EP

Westering, a five-piece indie rock band from OKC, is on the cusp of releasing their debut EP, Westering – and everyone should be excited.

Earlier this month, the band released a single off of the collection called “1976.” The song is soft and riveting with rock elements supporting their self-proclaimed alternative status. Listening to it feels like finally exhaling after holding your breath for a long period – it starts tense, like the buildup to a sob, and then the emotions spill out in a swirling, relieving manner.

The band, Westering, was initially a side project for members Jamie Bramble, Stephen Brand, Andrew Dolman, Bryan English, and Dalton Farr, as most of them are currently involved with other bands (Gall, And In The Darkness, and Chris Jones & the Flycatchers). For the past three years, the group has been writing music for the project, allowing it to “grow organically.” When they appointed Bramble as their singer about a year ago, the course of their songwriting altered and the EP was made.

The upside to this being a pet project for the members is that they have the freedom to experiment and just be creative with the music. It’s because of this that, when I asked them to describe their music, they had a tough time doing so.

According the band, Westering has been flexible with the different genres. Rather than staying in between the lines, they’ve chosen to let the music escape its confinement and color what it wants. This freedom makes for an exciting sound, to say the least.

The upcoming self-titled EP, set to come out on July 27, has five tracks – which is meant to be representational of their five-piece band. It is self-titled because they felt that their band name is their “initial offering” and that it makes sense to stick with it for their initial record.

The collection begins with “Seven-Eight.” To use the band’s words, “it’s an exciting and kinda epic opener, with hints of math-rock and weird time signatures.” You can currently find it on here; unable to wait until July 27, the band posted it on Reverbnation and shared it on their social media on July 15.

Second on the list is “Dark Seas.” Again, to quote the group, the song “is very reminiscent of early 2000s pop punk delights.” Much like the flood of emotions that spins the tone around in “1976,” this track takes a “90 degree turn at the bridge” and almost turns it into a whole new song. The change is nice; it keeps the listener on their toes and makes the experience exciting.

“Spiraling” follows “Dark Seas,” and this one apparently has “nerdy Easter eggs” – and they will be especially evident for musicians. Time signature changes in almost every section makes it a fun play for the group.

The next to last track is “Sound of your name,” and this one supposedly had a whirlwind composition. Earlier demos would be barely recognizable, says the band. Their singer ended up remaking the song into what it is now; a steady buildup to a big ending that eases into the final song, “1976.”

“1976” was intentionally placed as the finale because it was the last song they had written for the EP – and therefore, it is closer to the sound of the songs on their next record, which they are currently demoing.

Westering has recently amped up their self-promotion and activity on social media in preparation for their new music. What was formerly a side project has now been shoved to the forefront of their brains, and they are more than happy to push it to the forefront of our brains as well. It bodes well for the group that the message coming across is one of determination and drive. The very least any of us can do is give the record a complete listen and voice what will undoubtedly be our approval.

Check Westering out on all social media and music streaming sites, and make sure to listen to their EP on July 27.

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Kat Lock’s Debut EP, “You Again,” is the Hit of the Summer

Tomorrow, July 12, marks the release date for Kat Lock’s debut EP, You Again. Consisting of five songs, the EP is part one of two, with the second half set to release later this year. All of the songs were written in 2017 or earlier, so anyone who has been to one of her performances has probably heard at least one of them.

According to Lock, the concept is recognizing faults and attempts at self-growth. With hints of relationship drama and self-exploration, You Again is both powerfully emotional and a light listen. You don’t have to analyze the music to enjoy it or get the concept. There’s no flurry of instruments to back her up – just melodies that perfectly complement the strong vocals of Lock.

There were no specific influences, but she did mention that Jenny Lewis probably slipped in a little. (Quote: “She always does.”) She also wasn’t aiming for a specific genre; the EP is just her. Everything in it reflects a bit of her personality and thoughts – and it clearly comes across.

Each song is explained in Lock’s words below:

“Art: is about dating another songwriter.

Biggest Mistake: is an upbeat self sabotage bop. Sometimes you gotta do something stupid just to feel something.

Demitrius: was written for a friend that passed away a few years ago. (Guitar solo is played by Sam Wegryzynski of Ben Quad, formerly of St. Basic, forever my love.

Embarrassed: is that moment when you realize you’re over somebody and just how pathetic they actually are.

Someone Else’s Future (studio version): is an alternative version of the thematic song, one of the first songs I ever wrote! Helping myself get over someone by saying maybe it’ll work out in another life, cause I believe in stuff like that.”

“Biggest Mistake,” the single put out earlier this summer to give a taste of You Again, was actually not Lock’s favorite. In fact, she hated it. However, after reworking it, she eventually grew to love it; it was this tenacity that made her turn it into the summer bop it is.

The title, You Again, apparently comes from a line in “Someone Else’s Future” – “I’ll see you again in someone else’s future.” It stems from the feelings associated with certain people popping back up in life again and again.

Each song is well-written and personal. From start-to-finish, it is a beautiful record. When asked for final words on the EP, Lock claimed that “listening to this EP will clear your skin.”

So, you heard the lady; make sure you listen to You Again when it comes out tomorrow and check out Kat Lock on all social media and music streaming sites.

Join Kat Lock, One Two Ten, and Matt Jewett in celebrating the new music at 89th Street in OKC at 7 pm tomorrow, July 12, and make sure to listen to You Again.

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Golden Ones Attempt to Revive Rock ‘N’ Roll with “Hot Lunch”

Golden Ones, a rock band from Tulsa, released their debut EP, Hot Lunch, on Bandcamp earlier this year (April 19th) and it’s definitely one for the books.

The EP is electrifying; pure rock combined with punk attitude make for an invigorating listen from start to finish. It’s familiar in that their influences are recognizable (elements from David Bowie, Alice Cooper, etc. are very much evident in the songs), yet every bit of it is refreshingly original and new.

This EP isn’t for picking apart. There are no meanings to piece together and decipher. Everything is fairly straightforward. Instead of toying with elaborate metaphors, layered melodies, and clean vocals, the band implements clashes and growls and rebellious behavior – everything that can be found in a classic rock song.

For Golden Ones, it’s all about how the music makes you feel; surface deep lyrics that give Sarah Dickenson an excuse to show off her powerful and wailing voice find themselves unable to measure up to the electric instrumentals. Instead, the music rains down on the listener, a wave that refuses to be denied; and yet, upon its abrupt departure, it leaves the listener gasping for more with parched ears.

Each song is pure rock’n’roll. There’s a flair to the grinding and growling of the instruments, a hint of drama mixed in the melodies, that brings out the rebel in the artists. From grizzly discussion of the underbelly of glamorous rock in the opening track, “Cycle,” to the glitzy love song that is “Ain’t Nothin’ Better,” the collection relates to every aspect of a dream rock star life.

The EP consists of five songs. The band released one of them, “Ain’t Nothin’ Better,” earlier in the year as a single to give us a taste of their chosen sound. The five are all that the band has released as of yet since their conception in 2017. However, despite their shallow catalog, the band admitted in an interview with Preview 918 that they have a decent arsenal at their disposal but were choosing to work on live shows while slowly releasing a couple of singles before actually recording new music.

Golden Ones will be playing tonight, June 14th, at Soul City in Tulsa at 9 pm. Check them out on all social media and music streaming sites and make sure to listen to Hot Lunch.

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The Sweet Talkers Break Out with “Electric Affair”

Oklahoma City band The Sweet Talkers released their debut EP, Electric Affair, today, May 31st. It was recorded with Johnny Manchild, who will be making an appearance to play keys for one of the songs at their next performance. The band describes themselves as Alt-Rock and New Wave with influences from The Killers, New Order, and Joy Division.

Continue reading “The Sweet Talkers Break Out with “Electric Affair”” →

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