Golden Cities * Brand New Hearts * Honey and Salt * Jealous Creatures

Rudyard’s presents Golden Cities * Brand New Hearts * Honey and Salt * Jealous Creatures.

Golden Cities  (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/goldencitiesmusic

Golden Cities began when the opportunity arrived for longtime friends Marcus Gausepohl, Nathan Heskia and Lance Higdon to play music together. After releasing an EP as part of John Sears’ Grey Ghost series in 2007, they released their self-titled debut album (recorded with Jeff Price of Tambersauro & Solanae) in October 2008 on Esotype records.With Nathan departed to Boston, the band recruited Brian Smyth to play guitar and Meghan Hendley to play keyboard and share vocal duties. After a two-week summer tour in 2009, Meghan departed the band to concentrate more fully on her other project, Solanae. The band has since continued as a trio, with Rehberg The Laptop assisting with drones and samples. Most recently they have been joined by Scott Ritter on percussion.At present, the band is playing local and regional shows while writing songs for a second full-length album.

“This is the perfect record for contemplating the deeper mysteries of deep earth or deep space, or for contemplating nothing at all. Either way, Recommended.” Skyline.net

“This band hearkens back to the early ’90s ambient shoegaze epitomized by My Bloody Valentine. They filled the venue with a beautiful roar of guitars and keyboards and help from the ubiquitous Apple laptop. The 30-minute set left me wanting to hear more.” Rebecca Wilson – Ear Farm

Brand New Hearts (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/BrandNewHearts

“Remember that first time you heard Weezer, and you immediately fell in love with their sound? The second time you heard them, you realized that they loved anthem rock, and the third time; you realized how complex simplicity is? Well, that’s how this Brand New Hearts EP sounds. The way the songs are structured, you immediately notice how the guys from Brand New Hearts know what they’re doing when it comes to writing. The upbeat tempo, the searing guitar fills, and the sing-song choruses; it definitely leaves you wanting more once it’s reached it’s end.

You’ll definitely be humming the opener “Drive Me Home” after hearing it, and you’ll revel in the dual vocals on the closer, “Brand New Hearts”. Hopefully, this EP is just the beginning from a band with definite promise” – DavidGarrick

“…happily, from the snippets I’ve been able to hear so far, it’s damn-near perfect in reality, as well. The band comes off like the best elements of all the component bands/musicians, all mashed together into a glorious, rough-edged, insanely catchy whole, and I can’t wait to see ‘em live.” – Space City Rock

Honey & Salt (pictured, Austin, TX)
http://www.honeyandsalt.org/

Honey and Salt play technically competent but completely unpretentious music. They seamlessly meld the Chicago sound of the 90’s, pioneered by those ubiquitous Kinsella brothers, and the British Canterbury prog scene, while sounding refreshingly like neither. Less hectic than a Friday night at the Fireside Bowl, and less dense than King Crimson’s sheet music, Honey and Salt stand on their laurels, play with intensity, and manage to escape both the redundancy and clichés linked with math rock.

Jealous Creatures – (Houston, TX )
http://www.jealouscreatures.com/

The soundtrack to all those times when we know it’s a bad idea, but we go for it anyway.

“Jealous Creatures are quite the sight to see, and their live show is pretty energetic. Their lead singer has the pipes of Chrissie Hynde, with the swagger of Patty Smyth, which comes across loud and clear on their release, ‘Bazooka.’” – David Garrick – Free Press Houston

“I caught a strong whiff of the Pretenders while watching Jealous Creatures, but that could just be because they happen to have a female lead singer. Really, I think it’s because of the tough, tuneful songs that really go somewhere, and know exactly where that is. They passed the test I give every band I see for the first time at the HPMA showcase with flying colors: Jealous Creatures made me want to go see them again immediately.” – Chris Gray – Houston Press – Rocks Off

“With “Bazooka,” Jealous Creatures may have created their own specialized musical genre. This genre could and should be called Sedimentary Rock. It’s characterized by intricately crafted, multi-layered songs with dual meanings and emotions formed over time by just the right experiences, influences and ingredients gathered from all the right places, eras and genres into an interconnected whole. You could scrutinize each of these layers in detail to get a better look at the baggage they brought to the band or you could avoid the blow to the head and just grab a copy of “Bazooka.” It will give you an ample glimpse of all you really need to know about Jealous Creatures for now.” – Bob Langham – Examiner.com

“I remember when Babyface reviewed Jealous Creatures last time he said how impressed he was, and based on what I’ve just heard of things I’m inclined to agree with him. This is an album which moves through different moods as it progresses, roving from in your face and powerful at one moment through to laid back and soothing at another, there’s twists, turns and surprises around every corner, surely presenting us with an album that is going to be returned to time and time again.” – Dave Nicholls – Loud Stuff

“Frank, freed of genre burdens, and shooting from the hip, Jealous Creatures are the tonic for the times when pop has become pitch-corrected and laden with false comforts.” – David Ensminger – PopMatters

“…they write songs that can sit up on the shelf next to some of the biggest and best classic rock songwriters…” – Jason Smith – Space City Rock