Ryan has said that no matter what he does muscially, “the long pale arm of Goth” reaches out to touch him. He doesn’t understand the phenomenon. He thought that making a Jazz/Flamenco/Folk/Rock album would clear him, just as he thought making a Drum n Bass/Trip Hop/Ambient Electronica album would, but it seems he would have to do something much more radical than he’s done so far to duck that association.
Who knows, maybe “Ryan Lum” will be forever associated with Goth?
An insightful review of Windblown Kiss went up on High Bias. (“Consistently beautiful treatise on romantic expression.”) The Montclair Times is carrying a nice review, as well. (“Dreamy songs of love and spirituality are perfect for cool summer nights.”) Belgian site, Le Fantastique has written a glowing review, in French. [click links for full review]
Lovespirals and Audra will each perform a short acoustic set at Ipso Facto counter culture boutique on September 29th. Both bands will also be on hand to sign autographs and meet fans. This is a free show! Ipso Facto | 517 N. Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, CA . | 714.525.7865
Just picked up a couple new CDs; Violet Indiana’s “Casino,” and His Name is Alive’s “Someday My Blues Will Cover the Earth.” I’m happy to have “Purr la Perla” now, as well as another song or two that I really enjoyed at V.A.’s live show. I guess this album is actually just a compilation of EP and single material, but I didn’t have any of it yet.
The HNIA album is a really nice surpise. I fell in love with “Nothing Special” when I downloaded it off of epitonic.com the other day, but now that I’ve heard the whole album, I think the title track might be even better! I swear, it gave me shivers when I heard it. Ryan noted that our most recent song is reminiscent of this album. I am amazed that Warn should be moving in a similar direction as us! I used to practically worship the ground he walked on, and have enjoyed the many twists and turns HNIA has taken, though I kind of fell out of touch with his work the past few years. Lovetta has a really great voice, and I have to admit that I have a special weakness for soul singers!
Haven’t posted much lately… Been too busy with promotions and tour travel plans, I guess. We also wrote and recorded a new song. Ryan cut his hand and had to get stitches last week, so that’s slowed him down a bit, but he’s almost recovered now.
We’ve been toying with a new version of “Ring” for the live set, which is kind of interesting. We didn’t do any LSD songs at ProjektFest. Ryan thought they were “kinda boring” compared to the material from the new album. He’s addicted to Jazz chords now! I think he’s also going to work up backing tracks for the new song, which we’ve been calling “Walk Away.”
Still no final word from any of the 3 people who want to set up shows in Mexico. We got a new request this week, too. Eventually we should have something settled, though.
Last night Ryan and I went to Violaine’s one year anniversary/Dew Drop’s Cocteau Twins tribute CD release party out in L.A. The club they have it at, Vertigos, is really cute! I wish it hadn’t been quite so loud though… Local legends, The Von Trapps, featuring Rodney Rodriguez (who played the Flamenco guitar lead on “Alicia” as well as second guitar for LSD’s last live performance) performed. They are really, really good. I wish to heck that they would finally put together a full length CD. The new 3 song demo they gave us last night is pretty amazing. Jenny sounds even better than ever!
Well, at least they have given in and made an mp3.com page, so people can check them out there: http://www.mp3.com/thevontrapps
Website and radio station, Gothic Paradise, announced in their latest newsletter: “Added a review and information on the debut album from the newly formed Lovespirals, featuring almost legendary, multi-talented Ryan Lum of Love Spirals Downwards fame. Combined with Anji Bee‘s musical talents and beautiful voice, they’ve managed to create a very captivating sound. Their style reflects only vaguely Ryan’s previous work with Love Spirals Downwards and takes on a more Jazzier tone with touches of Flamenco, Folk and other genres. I like to compare them to the latest release from The Cranes, dreamy and experimental and Julee Cruise, Ethereal and Jazzy. Great stuff and one of the latest releases on Projekt Records!“
Here’s the full review written by Jacob Bogedahl:
I’ve been waiting for this release for a long time and it’s been well worth the wait. I, like other fans of Love Spirals Downwards wasn’t sure of what to expect with this release. I had heard a little bit about it and had a listen of “Dejame” early on before the release. Also being a fan of Julee Cruise and hearing that similarity, I knew I was going to enjoy this album.
Combining so many instruments, different guitars, various styles including Flamenco, Jazz and a bit of Ethereal, everything comes together almost perfectly. The beginning track “Oh so long” really sets the somewhat melancholic yet jazzy mood for the album. The follow-up track “Dejame” is my favorite from this work of art. The Spanish lyrics are pensive and Anji’s vocals are beautiful and thought-provoking. There are some upbeat tracks that have an overall happy mood to them such as “He Calls Me”. “Windblown Kiss” is probably the track that can most closely be compared to the more Gothic Ethereal style with the acoustic elements and the overall dreamy feeling you get while listening to it, another favorite of mine.
Some other great points about this album are the additions of saxophone by Doron Orenstein. Also, the addition of male vocals by Sean Bowley on several tracks. There are other contributions by these artists and others with the entire production, including mastering by Robert Rich. Such a combination of musical styles and instruments along with the talents of this duo is just outright innovative and enjoyable. I think a wide audience will really enjoy this album. I give it a 4 1/2 out of 5 rating, not quite perfect more for my own tastes than for any flaws in the music.
See the Gothic Paradise band bio for Lovespirals at: http://www.gothicparadise.com/lovespirals.htm
Also be sure to check out Gothic Paradise’s Ethereal channel radio programming!
Tom Schulte will interview Anji for the Outsight Radio Hours on Sunday August 4th. You can listen to the Outsight Radio Hours streaming live Sunday from 6 to 8 pm EST (3 to 5 PM PST) via LUVeR Underground Radio; just enter the following URL into your Real Player: http://64.23.9.139/luver/luver.ram. Outsight is also a featured archival broadcast of the Music Sojourn site and Live 365.com.
Tome Wilson, of Tragick Arthouse, recently launched a comprehensive website dedicated to ProjektFest 2002, called News From the Frontline. Included are photos, mp3s, video and more, collected over the 2 and a half day festival.
Just got off the phone with Bryan. Boy oh boy, did Ryan and I TALK! We were so impressed by how well Bryan had done his research; he seemed to know a lot about us. We just blabbed and blabbed… I think I had a little too much coffee beforehand. I bet you can hear me slurping it down over the phone, too — heh heh.
Its really cool that Bryan’s going to send me a mini disc of the interview, so I can edit a chunk out and put it up on our mp3.com page. I love doing stuff like that! I haven’t had anything new to include on our page in awhile, either, so this will give folks a reason to visit that site again.
I think I’m addicted to providing Internet content…
Well, the album reviews are trickling in now. Now I have a few for Projekt to send on over to Borders, in order to convince them to grant us a listening booth for the release. Projekt had no problem in the past getting listening booths set up, but apparently now Borders are clamping down on the more obscure artists, like us. Bah! Those booths actually brought in a lot of the new listeners for Flux, and I definitely think they could do the same for Windblown Kiss.
A windblown kiss
Carried over the sea
On sunlight’s rays
Dreams of delight
Dance their way to me
Einen luftkusse
Uber die meere
An eninem sonnenstrahl
Reizende traume
Tanzem mir zu
One can cry only so many
Sea salty tears
Oceans of missed kisses
Over the years
— By Anji Bee (BMI), German translation by Kristiane Joy
