Monday Threesome has been revamped with the simplest, yet most genuine of intentions. The continuous flow of musical content is hard to follow, and sometimes really great bands are left behind, smothered by those who have come before them. Other times a band’s potential is recognized but neglected when something new appears the next day. This is why Monday Threesome will focus on music without a timeframe restriction. Does the quality of a song suffer if it’s from three years ago, rather than three hours ago? I find that hard to believe. Whether a song is new or old, the most important part of music is that it makes you feel something, right? This is what Monday Threesome aims to do. To capture the sounds of bands, new and old, as long as their music is great and they’re overdue for exposure. To make this more of a challenge for myself, and of greater interest for you, the reader, each post will include three bands with a shared characteristic or trait. The inaugural post, which follows this long introduction, is focused on three bands that have released music through Burger Records.
Under-hyped in its own right, Burger Records is a game-changing record store/label in Fullerton, California. The label has grown rapidly from its early days of $6 cassette tapes, and even holds a festival called Burgerama each year dedicated to showcasing their artists. Interestingly, the label does not sign bands, allowing artists to keep full control of their music. This artistic freedom makes Burger Records an extremely desirable outlet through which to release music. Some major names have released music through Burger Records including Ryan Adams, Ty Segall, The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Growlers. However, this label is about more than name recognition. Read on and catch a glimpse of all that Burger has to offer.
Michael Rault
A Wild Honey Pie favorite, Toronto-based multi-instrumentalist Michael Rault has found a home in the garage-rock mecca Burger Records underground. Unbeknownst to me prior to the writing of this article, Michael Rault is nothing short of a badass. The mystifying power-pop pays tribute to the early Beatles yet Rault defines himself with a unique brand of contemporary psych. Rault is able to produce tight guitar riffs that feel anything but organized. Rault’s 2015 LP Living Daylight received incredible reviews, and a Burger Records spotlight would be remiss to neglect featuring a Michael Rault post. Standouts like “I Wanna Love You” and “Too All My Friends” will have Rault’s music in constant rotation.
Tracy Bryant
The holiest of matrimonies is the pairing of Tracy Bryant and Burger Records — they were made for each other. Tracy Bryant released his lo-fi masterpiece Subterranean in February 2016, and it feels as if the term “garage-rock” was created specifically for him. Bryant’s LA roots are prominent throughout the album, as evidenced in the song “Start The Motor,” an aggressive piece of surfer rock that seems to represent the soundscape of a summer beach party full of Burger Records followers. The harking sadness and despair of this album are two of its greatest qualities. Tracy Bryant’s Subterranean is the groovy goth-pop album you always wanted but never knew about.
Curtis Harding
Atlanta’s Curtis Harding released his much anticipated debut album Soul Power in 2014. Upon first listen, there is no way to deny the incredible gift that Curtis harnesses in his vocal abilities. Possessing awe-inspiring vocal range, on “I Need A Friend” Harding dazzles with his best falsetto, while on “Drive My Car,” a more rock infused tune, Harding’s voice goes as deep as the earth’s core. Although soul is the dominant theme of the album, a few rock numbers make an appearance, and Curtis Harding, just like Leon Bridges, is here to inject new life into old soul. Whether on the dancefloor, in the car, or at a venue, Curtis Harding’s music will comfort you anywhere, anytime. His voice wraps around your soul like a warm blanket on your coldest of days.
