Music to Hear-Jonathan Personne and Chris Wills

New Music

New music fills my inbox everyday. It is overwhelming. When the blog began back in 2013, new music came in slow, weak trickles. I literally had to seek it out. But now, it floods me. Fortunately, I eliminate many songs/albums because they are either not the right fit for my blog, or it is music I am not super hyped about.

Because I am only one person, music slips by and gets buried in the massive amounts of emails.

Going forward, the plan is to make a concerted effort to sift through the music and stay relevant and current.

Are music blogs a thing of the past?

Please tell me they aren’t. I don’t believe they are passé. I believe in my blog 100 % and in my gifted blogger friends. It is fascinating when so many voices and opinions can bubble up, based on one song, one artist, or one band. Amplifying the beauty of music is a true passion for these bloggers and not a job. The many colorful voices of music writers are valued and valid.

I hope you might appreciate mine, as I cherry pick all the best new music that comes my way. Here’s what the past week brought me.

Jonathan Personne-Alternative/Indie

Get to Know Jonathan Personne

Jonathan Personne is the solo project of guitarist/songwriter Jonathan Roberts. Roberts is also a member of the Sub-Pop signed indie rock band , Corridor. He released his second solo album on August 28th, Disparitions via Michel Records. The single I want to share, “Terre des Hommes”

“assimilates the sounds of 60s twelve-string psych, 80s jangle-pop akin to Flying Nun-signed acts, The Go-Betweens, etc and new wave. It further mines what Jonathan has described as “spaghetti western rock”, a genre given to himself that looks at dispirate themes such as loneliness, sparsity and feeling at one with yourself.”

To me, the jangle guitar and the stellar solo riffs provide such sweet listening satisfaction. The psychedelic/atmospheric vocals and french lyrics bring a softness to the perfectly timed colliding strings. There is something quite nostalgic about his clever mixing of genres and it lodges fittingly in your heart as an immediate like. Worldly, soothing, and yet boldly guitar forward, Jonathon Personne is a singer/songwriter to keep an ear out for.

The Canadians seem to have taken care of their citizens during this horrible pandemic and bands are actually securing dates to perform live this fall. He has dates on his calendar and I am so sad that I can’t see him in the states when he is out promoting this incredible album. But listening to the album on repeat will have to do for now. And, that is exactly what I am spending my time doing….

Jonathan Personne-Terre des Hommes

The Lyrics

“Seul. Seul face à l’histoire. Tremble et pleure comme un chien. Dehors, regarde les myriades. Les considérera demain. Héros devant le miroir, du sang plein les mains. Vers les nouveaux territoires, abandonnant le sien. Terre des Hommes, poussière dans l’espace disparaissant au loin. Évidemment, il est temps pour toi de quitter la planète, de fuir ta merde camouflée par les fleurs accrochées à ta veste. Évidemment, il est temps pour toi de quitter la planète, de fuir ta merde camouflée par les fleurs accrochées à ta veste. Héros devant le miroir, du sang plein les mains. Seul. Seul face à l’histoire. Tremble et pleure comme un chien. Dehors, regarde les myriades. Les considérera demain.”

Rough….very rough translation

“Alone. Alone in the face of history. Tremble and cry like a dog. Outside, look at the myriads. Will consider them tomorrow. Heroes in front of the mirror, blood in their hands. Towards new territories, abandoning his own. Terre des Hommes , dust in space disappearing far away. Obviously it’s time for you to leave the planet, to run away from your shit camouflaged by the flowers hanging on your jacket. Obviously, it’s time for you to leave the planet, to run away from your shit camouflaged by the flowers hanging on your jacket. Hero in front of the mirror, blood in his hands. Alone. Alone facing the story. Tremble and cry like a dog. Outside, look at the myriads. Consider them tomorrow. “

Chris Wills-Indie

Get to Know Chris Wills

Chris Wills packed up his car and moved from New Jersey to LA without looking back. It was a bold move because he dropped out of school, found a job, and pretty much lived in his car. It proved to be tough and a little scary, but he didn’t look back and decided to double down and lean into his passion of singing/songwriting. He was fortunate and met a community of people who were talented and inspiring. The core musicians on his first self-titled EP are Louie Diller of Holychild, Sam Stewart of Lo Moon, and Dan Sadin.

Each song is worthy of your ears, but “Carry You Home (feat. Doe Paoro)” is his most recent release. He describes it as…

” a song about faith and trust. To put your faith
in yourself and to make friends with you no matter how difficult life may be at the moment. I
placed it in the context of romance, a duet, because that’s where I feel a lot these struggles are
sussed out. But it applies beyond romance”.

It has poppy, atmospheric vocals which are catchy and hopeful. Simple guitar strumming is the focal of the music’s charm. Chris Wills’ self titled EP is a nice introduction to the range and the ability of this new talent on the alternative/indie scene. Check it out.

Carry You Home-Chris Wills (feat. Doe Paoro)

The Lyrics

“And though the road it may seem weary
And the end is still unknown
And if you can’t seem to travel on, baby
Oh I’ll be there to carry you home
And though the road it may seem weary
And the end is still unknown
And if you can’t seem to travel on, baby
Oh I’ll be there to carry you home
Oh I’ll be there to carry you home”

Who are you listening to?

So many of my friends are leaning into nostalgic tunes that are reminders of how life used to be before we were hit with the realities of 2020. I am curious if you might have any recommendations of favorites, or new music that you find particularly stunning.

Hit me up and let me know.