Von Sell – Audiofemme

TRACK REVIEW: Von Sell “Hell No”

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Von Sell is an electro-pop artist who has the genre of “bedroom pop” on lockdown. Born in New York, raised in Germany, and schooled at Berklee, Von Sell eventually moved to Brooklyn in 2012 to pursue his music career in earnest. A degree in Contemporary Writing and Production and piano studies shows itself often within the construction of Von Sell’s music; despite his modern voice and the use of electro beats, the composition of his music is often epic in form – sound that paints a landscape.

His newest single “Hell No” takes the airy, sensual quality of his earlier works and injects the kind of strut that reminds one of Kimbra à la “Miracle“. The track opens with Von Sell’s voice gently conversing with a flame: “I am for sale / but I ain’t cheap / I can’t stay but I ain’t gonna leave you / You can take me down but be gentle when you do.” The beat picks up and for a moment we’re dancing, avoiding the inevitable breakup. There is a lovely fluctuation of tone throughout “Hell No;” it toys with the ear, playing a game of tension and release throughout. It’s a tantalizing glimpse of little snippets of a lovers’ quarrel, observed through red rooms and cracked doorways.

Give it a listen below:

https://soundcloud.com/von-sell/village-records-presents-hell-no[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

EVENT PREVIEW: AudioFemme Holiday Show

Join us this Wednesday, 12/21 for the annual AudioFemme holiday party! As well as live music and drinks, there’ll be stickers, Xmas cookies, your favorite Femmes and a killer afterparty.

We’ll see you at Union Pool at 8pm. Doors are at 8pm, the show starts at 9pm and tickets are $10; Purchase them in advance and RSVP here so we’ll know you’re coming! The party will feature live performances by:

Gold Child: Created by Brooklyn musician Emily Fehler, Gold Child injects a burst of energy and melodic sweetness into country music, updating the genre by mixing it with psych-folk elements. Listen to their debut single, “Tides,” below.

Von Sell: David Von Sell is an electro-pop artist originally from Berlin. He crafts mellow yet interesting tracks draped in layers of reverb heavy vocals that range from shimmery and upbeat to bittersweet and atmospheric. Check out his track “Miss Me” below:

After the live performances, the after party begins at 11pm with DJ sets by:

BEARCAT: BEARCAT is a multidisciplinary artist whose music reaches into her Jamaican roots and time spent making dance floors shake in all corners of the world. Check out “Radar 111,” an invigorating blend of heavy rhythms.

SHYBOI: This DJ’s sets are bursting with barely-contained energy, making Yulan Grant a critical addition to the all-women NYC DJ collective known as Discwoman. Her songs will keep you on your toes, both literally and figuratively.

TRACK REVIEW: Von Sell, “Names”

Brooklyn electropop artist, Von Sell continues to keep us warm on these increasingly chilly days with a new track ahead of his debut self-titled EP coming out on Friday. “Names” is another high-gloss production masterpiece that showcases his knack for hooky, gorgeous vocal melodies paired with whimsical, inventive orchestration and electronic embellishments – features that at one point came off as novel, and which have now, after three preceding singles solidified his signature style, and placed him as a firm contender among the best of his genre. Beginning with driving drums and bass paired with his songbird vocal harmonies, the track quickly disintegrates into a perfectly chaotic, piano-driven bridge during which he asks, “Will you lose your mind for me”, before catapulting us into a chorus that showcases his vocal range, as he sings on the high and low notes of a two-octave span. For the record our answer to his question is “yes we will”.

Take a listen, and keep and ear out for his full-length on Friday.

PREVIEW: Von Sell + Human Heat @ Manhattan Inn 9/7

Electro-pop artist Von Sell and indie-electronic artist Human Heat are bringing their awesomeness under one roof at Manhattan Inn in Brooklyn on September. 7.

Hailing from Berlin, Germany, Von Sell has come to Brooklyn with his smooth voice and wondrous synths. His recently released singles “Ivan,” “I Insist,” and “Stay” demonstrate his moderately upbeat and dreamy musical style.

To get a feel for his sweet tunes, listen to his the latest of the three singles, “Stay” below.

Human Heat is the new project from Alex Schaaf, formerly in Yellow Ostrich. His new music is inspired by a more introverted electronic sound that makes listeners create their own narrative, with the use of minimal lyrics. Human Heat’s songs send out arousing vibes, given off from his well-crafted beats. Check it out his latest EP below.

https://soundcloud.com/humanheatusa/sets/ep2

This show is presented by LPR, and 21+. Doors open at 9 p.m.!

TRACK REVIEW: Von Sell, “Stay”

Our electropop wonder-boy, Von Sell, is back with a brand new single, “Stay” following his last release, “I Insist“, which came out in April to ubiquitously enthusiastic reviews. His debut EP will be dropping this fall, and “Stay” is the perfect teaser to show us what’s in store. More electronic in conceit than his previous two singles, it begins with a downtempo, glitchy synth line and smooth bass. Von Sell’s signature, attention-grabbing vocals float above the bedrock of the track striking a balance between ambient and sweltering-hot, right in time for August. In the lyrics, he beckons us to “come over, and stay…”, and we can’t help but comply. Of the new song, he waxes personal: “I remember thinking about these archaic roles men and women assign each other in relationships, emotionally, sexually, temperamentally, intellectually. We’ve evolved in every way until it comes to how our relationships actually materialize. It’s like we’re still wearing our kids clothes and they hardly fit but we refuse to buy something new in our size ‘cause of our programming.”

Take a listen to “Stay”, and catch Von Sell at his artist residency this month at Pianos in NYC on 8/10, 8/17, 8/24 & 8/31

VIDEO REVIEW: Von Sell “I Insist”

Von Sell’s official video for the track “I Insist” can best be described as strangely beautiful—and yes, that is absolutely a compliment.

The video follows a man who appears to be living in an abandoned building as he attempts to write, trying to please his companion, a stone-faced mannequin. As a seasoned explorer of abandoned buildings, so much of me envies this man’s lifestyle while being simultaneously terrified by it. And that’s a feeling the entire video radiates: It gives you chills, but in a good way.

The man takes breaks from writing to dance around his abandoned building home in a simple choreography that aligns perfectly with the synthy sounds of Von Sell. Each breakdown shows the man dancing it out, seemingly waiting for inspiration to strike. And it does, only once he breaks apart his mannequin friend and throws him piece by piece out the window. With that, the song really picks up its ethereal pace and both video and song become more trippy.

After discarding the mannequin, the man really gets into the zone and is able to finally relax—and can you actually blame him? I don’t think many people would be able to write well with an unblinking face always lurking in the shadows, appearing mysteriously in doorways and just…watching.

Check out Von Sell’s video for “I Insist” above, and keep an eye out for an upcoming tour!

TRACK OF THE WEEK: Von Sell, “I Insist”

Brooklyn electropop wonderboy, Von Sell, is back after a year-long Hiatus, with a brand new sparkling summer jam. “I Insist” is a slow-building, heart-wrenching, perfectly produced follow up to last year’s “Ivan“, and evokes, both lyrically and sonically, heartbreak and our attendant and thus perennial fascination with chaos. We’re late to the party posting about this track, as most in the blogosphere have already given their two cents on it. Therefore we needn’t say much aside from the fact that we agree with the general consensus on Von Sell: He is the artist to watch for 2016.

Catch him on 6/7 at The Rockwood Music Hall in NYC as a featured artist for Communion Presents. Details can be found here.

CMJ 2015: Top 10 Parties Not To Miss

Unless you’ve been living under a rock or completely off the grid since fall started, you know that CMJ, possibly the best festival for discovering new music, is taking over NYC next week. There’s no way to see everything, but here’s some CMJ parties you definitely cannot miss (including ours):

10/13 – 7:30 pm – Good Room – Garage Land CMJ Showcase

The Garage Land CMJ showcase features some of the best acts to perform at the Good Room this year, including Watermelon Sugar, Gods, Casey Hopkins Duo, Acid Dad, Navy Gangs, Worthless, Savants, Surfbort and Tall Juan (bands listed in order of appearance, from first to last). For a preview, check out Acid Dad:

10/14 – 7 pm – Baby’s All Right – Brooklyn Vegan + Collect Records Showcase

Baby’s All Right is turning two soon, but before they reach toddler status, they’re throwing some awesome CMJ parties. One of those is hosted by the Brooklyn Vegan and Collect Records, with artists such as No Devotion, Wax Idols, Creepoid, and Foxes In Fiction.

10/14 – 7:30 pm – Santos Party House – NME+PopGun+House Arrest Present CMJ Party

Two floors of acts, including Perfect Pussy*, Protomartyr*, Yung*, Seratones*, Hooten Tennis Club*, Dilly Dally^, Downtown Boys^, Shopping^, NICO YARYAN^, Car Seat Headset^, Yak^. RSVP on Facebook here.

(* upstairs, ^ downstairs)

10/15 – 8 pm – Palisades – KXLU FM + Burger Records CMJ Showcase

The cool California record label Burger Records is hosting the showcase with Michael Rault, Cool Ghouls, Dirty Ghosts, Slim Twig, Modern Vices, Howardian and UNSTOPPABLE DEATH MACHINES. RSVP here, and check out a psychedelic track from Cool Ghouls below.

10/15 – 7 pm – Cake Shop – Thursday Night Showcase

Featuring Robbing Millions, S, Tricot, Shopping, Diet Cig, , Sweet Spirit and Weaves at Cake Shop in the Lower East Side. Listen to all the bands quickly in the event’s creepy promo video:

10/16 – 1 pm – Palisades – Exploding In Sound Records Official CMJ Showcase

One of the best, most interesting record labels around, Exploding In Sound is throwing their CMJ showcase at Palisades. Go and see Palehound, Big Ups, The Spirit of the Beehive, Greys, Palm, Stove, Washer, Kal Marks, Dirty Dishes, Swings, Flagland, Leapling and LVL UP.

10/16 – 7 pm – Pianos – The Deli Magazine/Pianos CMJ Showcase

The Deli Magazine and Pianos have teamed up to bring you Vunderbar, The Fluids, Controller, Stolen Jars, Diet Cig, Eternal Summers, Beverly, Weaves, mild high club, ohnomoon, Paperwhite*, Yes Alexader*, MY BODY*, Solvey*, and The Golden Pony* (* means free/upstairs, the rest of the bands are in the main room for $10).

10/17 – 6:30 pm – Cameo Gallery – Audiofemme + Atypical Beasts Agency Showcase

We can guarantee this party will be amazing, because it’s being thrown by us! Come to the Cameo Gallery (which is unfortunately closing soon) to see some great acts like TOW3RS, Von Sell, The Prettiots, Lena Fayre, Beverly, and Monika. RSVP here, and get your tickets here!

10/17 – 12 pm – The Shop – Stereocure + Drunken Piano Showcase

Featuring Flamingosis, Moon Bounce, SUI ZHEN, A Sol Mechanic, Novelty Daughter, My Body, Bollywood Life, Crystal Ghost and more TBA. RSVP here!

10/18 – 3 pm – Palisades – Father/Daughter + Miscreant Records CMJ Showcase

Come to one of the last of the week’s events to hear Hiccup, Nicholas Nicholas, Bad Cello, i tried to run away when i was 6, Downies, Romp, Comfy, Vagabon, Fern Mayo, Bethlehem Steel, Diet Cig, SPORTS and PWR BTTM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BldOLNcbeGo

PLAYLIST: The Top Acts To Catch At Northside Festival

Hey Brooklyn! What are you doing next weekend? Really, the only acceptable answer is seeing at least one of these bands at Northside Festival, which runs from June 11-14 and hosts shows in venues from Acheron to Warsaw. The schedule is packed with amazing artists, and to help you choose which shows to see, we made you a list of our favorites. You’re welcome.

1. Diet Cig (6/11 at Alphaville)

This duo from New Paltz plays catchy, light-hearted pop that will have you copying the dancing in this video:

2. Beverly (6/11 at Alphaville)

This band comes with a warning: their lush, relaxing harmonies are addictive.

3. Luna (6/11 at McCarren Park)

Luna is the indie band formed by former Galaxie 500 member Dean Wareham, featuring guitar-centric, dreamy rock.

4. Drenge (6/12 at Knitting Factory)

Their name is a little challenging to pronounce, but these brothers from the UK have an amazing sound: heavy, grungy rock.

5. Leapling (6/12 at Palisades)

Just one in a long list of amazing local bands is Leapling, an experimental pop group responsible for gems like “Crooked.”

6. Vomitface (6/12 at Pet Rescue)

This sludge-pop band sounds way better than their name. If you’ve got some head-banging to get out of your system, go see them at Pet Rescue.

7. Frankie Cosmos (6/12 at Rough Trade)

Greta Kline formerly performed under the name Ingrid Superstar before settling on Frankie Cosmos. The daughter of actors Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates lists James Taylor, Hall and Oates, Liz Phair, Indigo Girls and the Moldy Peaches as early influences.

8. Mitski (6/12 at Saint Vitus)

Mitski is a stunning singer-songwriter from Brooklyn, via practically everywhere else. Go see her at Saint Vitus, where we’re hoping she’ll preview some songs from her upcoming album.

9. Von Sell (6/12 at Union Pool)

Von Sell is a relatively new electro-pop artist from Berlin who is already getting praise from indie blogs. Watch him play at Union Pool and see what all the fuss is about.

10. ONWE (6/12 at Union Pool)

ONWE’s light, catchy melodies hide something darker- just check out his song “Unpaid Internship,” his scathing opinion on “trust-fund kids.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wequcex-zXI

11. Shilpa Ray (6/14 at Rough Trade)

She plays the harmonium, and she’s one of Nick Cave’s favorite musicians: Shilpa Ray is bringing her uniquely gloomy rock ‘n’ roll to Rough Trade.

12. This entire lineup (6/13 at 50 Kent Avenue)

Celebrate the start of summer with an outdoor concert, and see four great bands in one place: Bully, Alvvays, Built to Spill and Best Coast.

Tag: Von Sell