There are so many teen stars these days in essentially every genre it seems like a gimmick to mention it in any story about any of them. If I'd write a piece on Lorde, I'd naturally talk about how she's dominating music and she isn't even a high school graduate yet. But, why bother? Good music is good music whether you're 17 or 71. Chloe Chaidez, for example, is just 19 but the last thing I think about when I listen to her music is her age. I'm struck by the Kitten lead singer's gravitas as a performer, songwriting skills, and authenticity. Who cares if she's 19?
Anyway, Kitten dropped their self-titled LP late last month, and it truly puts Chaidez at the forefront of an impending female-rock revolution. Charli XCX is another name you can throw in there. She's so much more than "Fancy," but this isn't a story about her. It's about Kitten, and boy does this Los Angeles-band purr. The band has been on the rise ever since they released two acclaimed EPs a few years back. It's fairly easy to see why they stick out from the pack. Kitten mix the best of various '70s, '80s, and '90s genres with a contemporary rock feel. And there's weight here, too. The lyrics matched with the music make it no wonder they've already shared stages with everyone from No Doubt to Paramore. Anyway, enough with all this Kool-Aid I'm drinking. Chaidez filmed an A-Sides session last week, where she performed a pair of songs off the debut record, and sat down for a chat with this guy (pointing to myself and decked out in a Threadless tee of course). Watch all of the videos below (the songs are purposely shown in extreme close-up Wayne's World style to see the raw emotion of the performances), and catch the band on the road all summer long. Boom!
"Like a Stranger"
"Apples and Cigarettes"
A-Sides "Delve Into Twelve" Countdown
Each week A-Sides unleashes its Top 12 tracks of the week AKA the "Delve Into Twelve"based on the following contributing factors: songs I'm playing out that particular week NO MATTER WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED (think overlooked songs, unreleased tracks, and old favorites), songs various publicists are trying to get me to listen to that I did and dug a bunch, posts and trends I've noticed on my friends' Facebook walls, and - most importantly - the songs my two-year-old son gravitates toward by stomping his feet in approval. Yeah, you read that right. This weeks follows below (LW= last week's rank).
12."Stop Motion" (debut) - Vinyl Thief
11."Get Hurt" (LW-12) - Gaslight Anthem
10."Out of My Mind" (debut) - Magic Man
9. "Reverse" (reentry) - SomeKindaWonderful
8."Chandelier" (LW-6) - Sia
7."Glory" (LW-2) - Wye Oak
6."Like a Stranger" (debut) - Kitten
5."Let it Burn" (LW-5) - The Orwells
4 "Seasons (Waiting On You) - (LW-3) - Future Islands
3."Would You Fight For My Love?" (LW-4) - Jack White
2."Shadow" (LW-7) - Bleachers
1."Stolen Dance" (LW-1) - Milky Chance
_________
About A-Sides Music
Jon Chattman's "A-Sides Music" series was established in August 2011 and usually features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometimes humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, I'm hoping this is refreshing. Artists have included: fun, Courtney Love, Air Supply, Birdy, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Pharrell Williams, American Authors, Imagine Dragons, Gary Clark Jr., and more! A-Sides theme written and performed by Blondfire.
Anyway, Kitten dropped their self-titled LP late last month, and it truly puts Chaidez at the forefront of an impending female-rock revolution. Charli XCX is another name you can throw in there. She's so much more than "Fancy," but this isn't a story about her. It's about Kitten, and boy does this Los Angeles-band purr. The band has been on the rise ever since they released two acclaimed EPs a few years back. It's fairly easy to see why they stick out from the pack. Kitten mix the best of various '70s, '80s, and '90s genres with a contemporary rock feel. And there's weight here, too. The lyrics matched with the music make it no wonder they've already shared stages with everyone from No Doubt to Paramore. Anyway, enough with all this Kool-Aid I'm drinking. Chaidez filmed an A-Sides session last week, where she performed a pair of songs off the debut record, and sat down for a chat with this guy (pointing to myself and decked out in a Threadless tee of course). Watch all of the videos below (the songs are purposely shown in extreme close-up Wayne's World style to see the raw emotion of the performances), and catch the band on the road all summer long. Boom!
"Like a Stranger"
"Apples and Cigarettes"
A-Sides "Delve Into Twelve" Countdown
Each week A-Sides unleashes its Top 12 tracks of the week AKA the "Delve Into Twelve"based on the following contributing factors: songs I'm playing out that particular week NO MATTER WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED (think overlooked songs, unreleased tracks, and old favorites), songs various publicists are trying to get me to listen to that I did and dug a bunch, posts and trends I've noticed on my friends' Facebook walls, and - most importantly - the songs my two-year-old son gravitates toward by stomping his feet in approval. Yeah, you read that right. This weeks follows below (LW= last week's rank).
12."Stop Motion" (debut) - Vinyl Thief
11."Get Hurt" (LW-12) - Gaslight Anthem
10."Out of My Mind" (debut) - Magic Man
9. "Reverse" (reentry) - SomeKindaWonderful
8."Chandelier" (LW-6) - Sia
7."Glory" (LW-2) - Wye Oak
6."Like a Stranger" (debut) - Kitten
5."Let it Burn" (LW-5) - The Orwells
4 "Seasons (Waiting On You) - (LW-3) - Future Islands
3."Would You Fight For My Love?" (LW-4) - Jack White
2."Shadow" (LW-7) - Bleachers
1."Stolen Dance" (LW-1) - Milky Chance
About A-Sides Music
Jon Chattman's "A-Sides Music" series was established in August 2011 and usually features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometimes humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, I'm hoping this is refreshing. Artists have included: fun, Courtney Love, Air Supply, Birdy, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Pharrell Williams, American Authors, Imagine Dragons, Gary Clark Jr., and more! A-Sides theme written and performed by Blondfire.