again in the reeds and the rushes

Hand it to John, Jack and Heather of S4LEM: what they are most concerned with is using their music to create a mood. This video, for their standout track "Sick" (or "S!CK" or "SICKX" or whatever you want to call it), could have been many things. What it is: a mood of urban/southern violence. Gangs fight, girls dance, it's grainy and uncomfortable and basically the exact word this song exists in. If the song is evil, the video is a snuff film. And while I've had the song on repeat since the record came out, I've no desire to watch this clip again. 

wide and glassy eyed

So there's a new SALEM remix, of Charli XCX's "Stay Away". We don't know the original, but this rejigger is moving more towards the "RAVER STAY WIF ME" mindset of beautiful, broken post-ecstasy comedown emo torture. And it's fucking lovely. 

dragswag.

s jusssss a teeenaaaage wazteland.

SALEM - MOTHER ALWAYS - CHECK YO' PONYTAIL 3.29.2011 MIXTAPE by Check Yo Ponytail

S4LEM, Santos Party House 3/19/11

 

doctorzachary:  haha

hmm i like how this is my only photo that i snapped last night

http://twitpic.com/4bc2kz

it's how i want to remember it

me:  can i put that on soldout

doctorzachary:  of course

 i wish i had a great photo of john

so we could call the article "GANDALF SWAG"

Salem: Getting To The Root

 It's been what feels like ages (but is in fact a year) since we sat down with Salem during 2010's South By Southwest festival. In that time, they've released a stunning debut record--one of our favorites of the last year--and continued to amass controversy.In anticipation of their forthcoming NYC show at Santos Party House (if we were into labeling things in a fashion akin to Lil' B, someone who actually finds a kindred spirit in the weird earnestness of Salem's Jack Donoghue, John Holland and Heather Marlatt, we'd call this a #rare #based performance), we caught up with Jack, John and Heather via email to discuss music critics (particularly Chris Weingarten), song lyrics and being the poster children for a scene. And what we found out...was amazing. These guys, after everything, are just three friends who enjoy making music. Sharing it with the world? They're cool with that, also. The fact that some people like it? That's just a plus. Strip away the ascribed image and you'll find what we did: there's no manipulation, no metaphor, no ulterior motive behind these words. Read them for yourself and realize: S4LEM: they're just like you and I.

Click to read more ...