Paying tribute to his words the best way we know how, at the legendary Arlene's Grocery. Our full rendition of Dream Brother is now up on the YouTubez. It was a pretty powerful night, as I've previously explained. I'm just glad we've got something to remember it by, and to ultimately share with you.
Remember how I told you we'd be posting a lot more YouTube videos and that you should subscribe to our channel? Well I wasn't kidding! Here's the first of many Gig Vlogs we took. It's just a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put on a Spells and Curses show, featuring venues all over the country! The first episode features The Bowery Electric in NYC! So step inside the rabbit-hole, sweet Dorothy.
Let us jump-start your February 14th with a healthy dose of "umph"! Catch us as we return to The VNYL Vintage New York Lifestyle to celebrate all matters of the heart, starting @ 7:30pm! This one's for the lovers and the lonely hearts, all the same.
Stop by for a special performance from the man himself, Durieux!
Cya there! 💘
Free Entry
Sweet Drinks
Tasty Vibes
This Sunday is probably going to be the most intense, stressful, magical, important show that I've ever played. Anyone who knows me well enough can tell you the impact Jeff Buckley has had on my life. It was only a few years ago that I was watching Gary Lucas perform at a Jeff Buckley tribute show. It was one of the most moving shows I've ever been to in my life. Now I'm on the other side of the stage, and on the same bill as him. That's so weird...
Here is photographic evidence of that time I totally invaded Gary Lucas' personal space for a picture (on a very old phone, obviously)
You see, Jeff's music found me at an interesting time. I was experiencing and feeling things that I perhaps should not have been feeling. Without getting into any specific details (so as to avoid hurting anyone's feelings), I was feeling so many contradictory things that you'd never think I'd feel on the outside looking in. It all stemmed from not feeling understood and having limitations. That stifles people in a big way, I feel. Long story short, finding his music was a purifying wave that completely swept me away. You know that scene in the Justice League trailer where Aquaman is being splashed by waves? Yea, like that only more colorful. Here was a guy who made whatever kind of music he wanted, light or heavy, and did it with so much honesty that you couldn't help but fall in love with him. I became obsessed with the guy to the point where I knew a lot of very odd points of trivia about him. I never saw him perform live, but seeing a tribute show that featured nothing but his music was so incredible. It was the closest thing I coulda gotten, and it did not disappoint.
Believe it or not, I had a vision board. Yes, your read correctly. I had a vision board, and on that vision board was a picture I took of a performance from that night. It was one of those performances were you can totally feel something in the air. You can feel a thickness that permeated throughout the space, that it almost warped space and time in such a manner that you can't help but fall under a trance. For a moment, you coulda swore Jeff himself was in the room, or to the side of the stage at least. It was such a powerful night of emotions for me. Everyone there was amplified on the same frequency, and were all there with the common purpose of celebrating the life and work of this true artist. It was only 2 months ago after showing someone new my vision board, that it was pointed out to me that I had achieved yet another goal from said board. I was so caught up in the hurricane of events that comes with being in a band that I didn't even have time to notice it myself. It was at this moment that I stopped and realized the gravity of the situation, and the importance of this moment for me.
I can't begin to tell you how seriously this is being taken. Not just by me, but everyone in the band. This Sunday, 7pm at Arlene's Grocery, I'm gonna do what I've basically been doing in my bedroom since 2010; play some of the most healing music I've ever come across in my life. All to thank the guy who wrote them. All to thank him for giving me the courage and the license to create how and what I wanted to create. Drop by if you can 😇
- theRave
GET TICKETS HERE: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1572698
UPDATE:
How's this for a story book moment?
From being in the audience to sharing the same stage. Yowza...
After many requests, I've finally given in! All of the song lyrics to our songs are now made available via our site (this VERY site right here, actually)! Check up on our toolbar/menu, select the "Lyrics" tab, and then select whichever song from whichever album your heart fancies!
We enjoy keeping busy and the rest of 2017 is no exception! We've got new tunes, gizmos, and gadgets all ready for when we come see YOU! So buckle-up if you're in the TriState area, because we plan on taking you for a ride!!
As you may have already heard, we're keeping quite busy these days. One of the many things we have coming up is a LIVE interview happening over the interwebZ this Friday @ 7:30pm with the All Around Music Podcast! We'll be talking all things Spells and Curses so drop by, listen in, ask a question, and get a little reckless with us ;D
FRIDAY, September 1st @ 7:30 pm
https://www.twitch.tv/allaroundmusicpodcast
UPDATE (9/4/17)
Watch The Full Episode:
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/172212273
Listen in as we discuss our live shows, the power of meditation, the pros and cons of music streaming, the mentality behind writing and performing, dinner plans, being a musician in the 21st Century, and more!
Listen in as Territorial Noise's very own @isadamonfire travels all the way to New York to talk shop with theRave! Hear them discuss Spells and Curses' newest album Sinful Things, it's purpose + meaning + story, the band’s unique genre-bending style, live shows, the story of both albums, how to cover songs the right way, and make a bid for a collaboration with Kanye West!
Don’t forget to tweet #KanyeAndCurses!
LISTEN:
http://www.sparklivestream.com/territorial-noise/episode-2-spells-and-curses/
We recently were interviewed by New Jersey's very own Aquarian Magazine! You can click that link for the internet friendly version, *OR* you can scroll down and see what it actually looks like IN THE MAGAZINE! Ugh, that layout is so damn fine, if I do say so myself (and yes this is how we really speak):
Pick it up in newstands now! #CollectorsItem
Hear theRave have a nice chat with the boys over at Ain't Talking Bout Pop to discuss his earliest memories of his musicianship, singers who've influenced his approach, guitar gear geekdom, favorite music videos, the collaborating nature he has with theProfessor, live show memories (as both performer and fan), lessons he learned from Prince (obviously), the creation of Sinful Things, and more...
A narrative prequel to their debut album SUADADE, Sinful Things is Spells and Curses creating a sonic representation of their live sound, with a twist of lemon. The result is a rock album, full of unabashedly epic intentions. The perfect companion for floating through space.
theRave: Vocals, Guitars, Synths & Bass
theProfessor: Drums & Percussion
Ben Schigel: Mixing
Mitchell De Koning: Editing
Calvin Edwards (FY Agency): Front Cover Photo
Oh Dorothy, sweet Dorothy,
Did you truly think I'd leave you?
Simply put, I was merely getting a hold of my bearings. It's a new age my dear, and with it comes a new sense of purpose on my part. I've learned so much in the past few months; both about myself and about the world I wish to leave behind. All I can say for now is this is only the beginning...
I've developed quite a storm coming your way. Forecasts says you'll be dripping wet, but knowing you, you won't mind much. That's good. It's good that at least some things haven't changed. Everything else seemingly has. That's not a bad thing, though. I feel there's a great liberating feeling that occurs when one sheds away the past and embraces new skin. I think you of all people will come to appreciate this most of all.
New spells and curses.
More questions and answers.
ALL
IN
Time
Love and nothing but,
theRave
This is the first single off our newest Sinful Things (In Stores June 2nd).
It's a compilation of live footage from a handful of shows from our first tour.
When we were wee wittle guppies. #AhMemories
You could also listen to it via:
\\ Spotify //
\\ iTunes //
\\ Google Play //
\\ Apple Music //
and EVERYWHERE ELSE music is sold + streamed.
Like most of the CYAF tracks, this cover is an experiment of sorts. It's more or less an indicator of what I'm trying to do with regards to the vocal production for some of the tracks on the upcoming EP (particularly the vocal harmoniessss!). It was also really fun going crazy with the guitar to get some the "out there" sounds you hear on this track (yea, that's not an orchestra sample I got there, tehe!)
Initially, this cover was only going to be vocals and guitar. But then it gave me "Little Wing"-vibes and I decided to throw on a mallet instrument too. After that came the guitar solo and all the crazy aural experimentation that comes along with it. Everything sounded great, but then I figured it could use some drums to make it more trap-soul-ish. I didn't even want bass on it to be honest, but after some more experimentation, I figured why not and VOILA:
Things have been kinda quiet here, haven't they?
Well I assure you, that's perfectly normal.
This is what's to be expected when new music is being made 😉
Though we're recording our next batch of EP's, we still can't seem but miss playing live for you. That's why back in April we made our (somewhat) surprise announcement that we'd be playing the opening night of the 2016 Queens Night Market (which had 10,000 PEOPLE in attendance! YIKES!).
A few months of recording later and we're still getting that itch.
So here's the scratch:
We'll be returning to Desmond's Tavern's to introduce you to some of the new songs! So drop by and join the party as we set forth a night filled with new melodies, riotous jollity, and tasty libations.
Desmond's Tavern 433 Park Ave S, New York, New York 10016
Sat. Aug 6th / $8 / 7:30pm / 21+
cya then
Here's a clip of us "putting on the lotion" at our show The Bitter End.
Special thanks to Marsin Digital for capturing this beautiful moment!
Join Spells and Curses on YouTube ► http://goo.gl/gG53G2
At long last, here we are.
After almost 6 months of playing, we're about to embark on the most defining moments any artist or band can ever go through. We are very proud to announce that we're taking the show on the road, but will first take baby steps. In addition to playing New York, we're hitting up Connecticut and New Jersey for the first time!
Also, if you haven't noticed... we're ending the show at the ever legendary Bitter End. So you can bet your bottom dollar that we'll cap it all off with a bang. Mark your calendars and get your tickets!
*Any additionally added dates will be included in our live section*
Be sure to follow up on our facebook, twitter, instagram, and newsletter to keep up to date on any additional (and secret) shows!
To celebrate SUADADE's 1-year release, we decided to give the acoustic treatment to 3 songs off the album. Each song was done in one take, re-arranged, and put together to be brought to you.
The third and final video of the series, features "If Only You Knew".
Shot by Rey Santiago Cut by Alfred Ying
Dearest Dorothy,
In celebrating 6 months since the release of the Blackbird music video, I've decided to once again give you a peak behind the curtain.
Here it is, the very informal (and crudely written) video treatment for "Blackbird". This final revised treatment was written on July 13th, 2013. That explains why some of the links included are dead today.
It's about as detailed as you'd expect from me. This was written directly for the video's director, Alex S. As you can see, I had Kanushree Jain in mind for the lead, and boy am I glad she joined the project.
Enough chat. Without further ado, here is a small peak into how my mind works, I guess:
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
"Blackbird" Music Video Treatment
↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
To celebrate SUADADE's 1-year release, we decided to give the acoustic treatment to 3 songs off the album.Each song was done in one take, re-arranged, and put together to be brought to you.
This is the second of the series: Illunga [Acoustic]
Shot by Rey Santiago Cut by Alfred Ying
