#flashbulb fires

The State Of Music

What do you get when a UK based blog publishes a blog series that took nearly a year to complete, becomes its own label to release The State Of Music featuring indie artists from 50 US States, donates the proceeds to a non-profit fighting for social change and ending homelessness through soccer? We are about to find out because last week my internet friend Dom Paczko announced that Choose My Music Records will donate all of the proceeds from The State Of Music to the non-profit I work for Street Soccer USA.

For the past year I have been in New York living the NY grind to pay rent with up to 4 jobs at one time but I have never been closer to finding true fulfillment in my life. Three nights a week I traveled from Brooklyn to Randall's Island to a homeless shelter where I coach a soccer team of homeless and formerly homeless men and women. Soccer is what brings us together. Community, Family, Self-Esteem, Mental/Physical Health and Love is what binds us. Now our program is expanding to East NY to take soccer to the youth in the community. Buying one or all 5 of these volumes will support SSUSA as we continue to grow the game and the power to change!

My other dream job is working for Paper Garden Records where I met Dom and Choose My Music Records. He is always showing our bands and PR projects some love. His taste in music and passion for helping others is right in line with mine so here we are. Connecting my passions in soccer and music to make a positive impact is a dream come true.

Now to the music! (well just a taste because there is too much good music to handle at once)

Flashbulb Fires

<a href="http://choosemymusicrecords.bandcamp.com/track/flashbulb-fires-colorado-dark-ghost-ive-got-arms" data-mce-href="http://choosemymusicrecords.bandcamp.com/track/flashbulb-fires-colorado-dark-ghost-ive-got-arms">Flashbulb Fires (Colorado) - Dark Ghost (I've Got Arms) by Choose My Music Records</a>

Cars & Trains

<a href="http://choosemymusicrecords.bandcamp.com/track/intimidated-by-silence" data-mce-href="http://choosemymusicrecords.bandcamp.com/track/intimidated-by-silence">Intimidated By Silence by Cars & Trains (Oregon)</a>

DEERPEOPLE

<a href="http://choosemymusicrecords.bandcamp.com/track/deerpeople-oklahoma-new-dance" data-mce-href="http://choosemymusicrecords.bandcamp.com/track/deerpeople-oklahoma-new-dance">DEERPEOPLE (Oklahoma) - New Dance by Choose My Music Records</a>

Ports Of Spain

<a href="http://choosemymusicrecords.bandcamp.com/track/ports-of-spain-connecticut-winters-teeth" data-mce-href="http://choosemymusicrecords.bandcamp.com/track/ports-of-spain-connecticut-winters-teeth">Ports Of Spain (Connecticut) - Winters Teeth by Choose My Music Records</a>

Dog & Panther

<a href="http://choosemymusicrecords.bandcamp.com/track/dog-panther-michigan-on-my-friends" data-mce-href="http://choosemymusicrecords.bandcamp.com/track/dog-panther-michigan-on-my-friends">Dog & Panther (Michigan) - On My Friends by Choose My Music Records</a>

The Duke Of Norfolk

<a href="http://choosemymusicrecords.bandcamp.com/track/the-duke-of-norfolk-arkansas-a-mortal-ballad" data-mce-href="http://choosemymusicrecords.bandcamp.com/track/the-duke-of-norfolk-arkansas-a-mortal-ballad">The Duke Of Norfolk (Arkansas) - A Mortal Ballad by Various Artists</a>

Canon Blue

Flashbulb Fires - "Dark Ghost (I've Got Arms)"

Flashbulb Fires revel in that brand of breezy, sugar-coated indie pop that is near impossible to dislike. "Dark Ghost (I've Got Arms)" is, on its surface, a buoyant, aerated piece of chamber-esque rock, pristinely produced and inoffensive, easily set on repeat. But bubbling beneath the surface is something more mature. Frontman Patrick McGuire's sardonic, disillusioned lyrics touch on a variety of topics throughout Gasconader, and "Dark Ghost (I've Got Arms)" finds him dealing with religion. "I've got arms that are reaching for the sky / With reverent hands and a soul that's said to never die," he sings at the song's beginning, only to immediately throw his character in an existentially painful light with the next line: "And I know that you will lift me up / Oh my god when will you lift me up?"

Structurally, the song is impeccably crafted. Bright guitar licks are accompanied by rolling percussion, interspersed with quiet breaths of near silence. McGuire's voice is at times slightly reminiscent of The Walkmen's vocalist Hamilton Leithauser, but McGuire is equipped with a higher register and wider range, making him come across as somewhat innocuous and, as a result, serving to make his lyrics particularly incisive.

"Dark Ghost (I've Got Arms)" is available for free download from Flashbulb Fires' Bandcamp page, where you can also check out the rest of Gasconader (which I highly recommend!). The Denver-based band is soon to be en route to New York City for a CMJ showcase, playing several shows on their way there and back (dates here).