Stroamata - "Dollar"

You know it's nice when a really good tune just drops right into your lap and you've just gotta pass that on to someone else. I don't know much about the scene in New York (or more specifically Brooklyn) but I have a feeling Stroamata is not as under the radar as most of the music I seek out and am exposed to, but rightly so, this band has something special going on and a wide variety of folks could relate to their groove. Their newest single, "Dollar" is certainly worthy of 3 and a half minutes of your ear time. Here's the press release type deal about the band... "With backgrounds in music and performance ranging from self-taught to classical and theater to conservatory training, Stroamata translate their skills into an edgy sound. Stroamata has been coming into their own and absorbing new vibes and inspirations since their start in 2008. Originally backing MCs and performing as a triphop/psychedelic soul band in Boston, MA, Stroamata delved into writing original material with an indie rock edge when Dorothy (Dara) Eagle (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) joined Robert (Rob) Morrison (lead guitar, vocals), Akil Marshall (bass), and Alexander Markowitz (drums/backing vocals). After releasing their EP The Phoenix in 2010, the quartet made the move to New York in 2011, continuing to gig heavily at notable venues, such as The Bowery Electric (NY), TT the Bear’s (Boston), and Church (Boston). Stroamata began releasing monthly singles starting in 2012, catching the attention of fans and press alike, receiving an Honorable Mention on Adam’s World Blog for “Best Live Band 2013” and taking the title as Harpoon Brewery’s “Best Unfiltered Band.” The future holds an upward trajectory as Stroamata continues to innovate their sound and audiences revel in the band’s newest single and accompanying video, “Dollar“. What I got outta that is that these gal/guys are multiply inspired, not novices at what they do and they're willing to go where the action is. I asked the band what made them tick and got a commendable response, "Stroamata keeps ticking and creating because we want to be on the road, touring cities all over the world for the rest of our lives! We stick to our signature style because we want to create the kind of music that we want to hear. We hope to one day be considered one of the best band's in world, but we really keep going because we all have that unnameable drive in our hearts to make music!" They have crafted a hell of a lot of tunes as you can see/listen/buy at their website (Bandcamp), but this latest tune is a masterpiece. I listened to several of the songs from the past 6 years, all pretty rockin' tunes, but "Dollar" doesn't just rock, it grooves. It has this mature sound, showing off everybody's individual talents, but as one marvelous composition. The vocals stand out to me, reminding me a bit of Siouxsie, a sultry warm voice, but in a more general sense a hopping cabaret or a lively lounge. But this ain't lounge or cabaret, the song is very much in your face and seems to have a life of it's own. I really hope this band sees the success and happiness they desire and can make a living from their art. You know they at least got their shit together enough to have a video that captures that rockin' vibe...

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBGtsX6FOlg]

...and just because one song is never enough here at the Relics, one of my favorites, a garage-y intro followed up by some funk, some folky metal, progressive jazzy-ness, maybe a little psychedelia, with those sensuous vocals throughout. I see a fog machine and a strobe light for the video of this one... "Edge of the Sky" [audio mp3="http://mustard-relics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Edge-Of-The-Sky.mp3"][/audio]