zotapine.com

Funkin' Wagnall's Music Round-Up

Every issue, we will feature mp3s from some of our favorite bands &mdash with their permission, of course. This month, we have a lot of material, including freak-jazz from Amsterdam, Japanese avant-garde, not one but two silver-voiced singer-songwriters, and ruckus music from Walnut Creek, California. We welcome all types of music at all times of the year.

Hey you! Start your own band! Do you want us to hear your musical output? Send a link to an mp3 at: submit@zotapine.com.

Elizabeth and the Catapult

Elizabeth and the Catapult craft sophisticated piano-driven pop tunes in a similar vein as Fiona Apple or Rufus Wainwright &mdash but with more fun and catchier melodies. The Catapult always have something up their sleeves, whether it's Pete Lalish's deliciously sloppy guitar improvisations, Dan Molad bypassing the drum kit for a collection of pots and pans, or an unexpected Daniel Johnston cover. That playfulness combined with Elizabeth's powerful vocals and effervescent stage presence make for an unforgettable show.

In October 2006, Elizabeth and the Catapult were named Billboard's Underground Artist of the month. This year they were featured on WNYC's Soundcheck with John Schaefer and PRI's Fair Game with Faith Salle. WFUV named them one of the Best Discoveries of 2006. Currently, Elizabeth and the Catapult tour extensively through the Northeast.

Their self-titled EP, Elizabeth and the Catapult, is available from cdbaby.com, Rhapsody and the iTunes music store.

Music:
Momma's Boy
The Apple Tree
My Goodbye
Website:
Official Website
Myspace
Buy Elizabeth and the Catapult EP
Contact:
elizabeth at elizabethziman dot com

Shakey Bones

Shakey Bones is based in their van, also known as the Shakey Bus. While on a date, Sean and Zack met Tilton, who was then working as a cocktail waitress. The rest is history. The Shakey Bones play many different instruments and sound like nomads.

You can buy their latest release, The Soup EP, from PayPal or for $4-6 from the mailing address below.

Music:
Boringtown
Swampwalk
Tilton's Song
Website:
Myspace
Live Video on Youtube
Contact:
shakeitorbreakit at gmail dot com

Address checks to:
Sean Skaife
1200 Newell Place #209
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Clare Muldaur Manchon

Clare Muldaur Manchon grew up in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, listening to Bessie Smith, Sam Cooke and Dinah Washington. While at Berklee College of Music, Muldaur started her own band. Her songs can be heard on "Arrested Development," "American Psycho 2," and an Epic Records compilation. She opened for Melissa Etheridge in 2002.

Her second album, "Bentley Circle," was released in July 2003, and March 2004 in Japan. Currently, she tours with her band, the Reasons (and sometimes others), in New York and California. Both of her albums are available from cdbaby.com and the iTunes music store.

Music:
You Are A Star
Better Without You
Website:
Official Website
Clare & the Reasons Myspace
Buy Sweetheart
Buy Bentley Circle
Contact:
info at claremuldaur dot com

Troglodytes

At the core of Troglodytes are Andrew Bergmann (bass/composition) and Tyler Wood (keyboard/production), with various other musicians lending a hand to performances and recordings. Their debut album, Ria, was recorded in Amsterdam over a period of three years and features the multi-reedist Michael Moore as a special guest. The album peaked at #26 on the CMJ Jazz Radio charts over the summer.

Currently, they are based in Brooklyn, NY and Jamaica Plain, MA. Ria is available from cdfreedom.com.

Music:
Piss Freaky
Speck
Website:
Official Website
Myspace
Buy Ria
Contact:
info at floatingoperarecords dot com

Kumiko Okamura

As a child, Okamura's father, "famous drinker in my town," inspired her through his unskilled, drunken singing. In addition, she listened to her parents' records of japanese enka, classical music and latin jazz. This music gave her the only escape from her parent's constant fighting and her mother's hysteria.

When asked why she started playing music, Okamura said "my expression of the sound can express more than words." As she grew older, Okamura discovered her own voice, began to listen to the sound in the world and inside herself.

She is now a solo artist living in Tokyo, Japan. She also collaborates with Shigehiro Tsubota to make the experimental noise duo Ortea.

Music:
Intro
Nakid04
Nakid03
Website:
gegestudio
Myspace
Contact:
gegestudio at gmail dot com