SOUNDTRACK: OH PEP!-Tiny Desk Concert #479 (October 16, 2015).
Oh Pep! is a four piece from Melbourne, Australia. As My Bubba was named for its two members, Oh Pep! derives its Oh from Olivia Hally (vocals, guitar) and its Pep! from Pepita Emmerichs (violin, mandolin).
“The Race” is indeed about a race: “You started skipping in a running race.” It’s a fast upbeat song–almost punky but for the fact that they are playing acoustic guitar and plucked violin (the violin really adds some great sound to this song). I love her fast delivery and that delivery that reminds me in some way of The Smiths. I love the ending of four quick drum hits.
When the first song ends, they are adorably star struck. They say that they saw Bob in front row of the crowd at the showcase and were glad “he was someone important.” They’ve watched tons of Tiny Desk shows online an are excited to be there.
“Doctor Doctor” is pretty straightforward folky rock song, but the plucked violin (held like a guitar) works as a great accent. The melody is familiar and you can almost hear it in the lyrics: “I went to the psychic and the psychic said he wanted to, but it’s up to you….” I love the repeated refrain: “I know what I want and it’s not what I need.” Even better is midway through the song when the unexpected bowed violin kicks in–and the fact that it is a little wavery and not a “clean, sharp” sounding solo really works as the song propels toward the end.
As Oh tunes her guitar she says it doesn’t know where it is: They were in Australia, then Halifax. It was hot in Louisiana and now it’s raining–her guitar won’t stay in tune.
For the third song “Tea, Milk & Honey,” Pepe plays the mandolin. The song starts with just guitar and voice and seems likes that’s all it will be because this section lasts pretty long–two and a half minutes of the total 5 and a half). When the bass and mandolin eventually come in, the song really blossoms. The chorus of “tea, milk and honey never satisfied me” is clever and fun. Another surprising moment comes near the end when there’s a violin solo and the sound of the violin is almost like a flute-like. It’s very cool.
Oh Pep! is a fun band that I’d like to hear more from.
[READ: July 7, 2016] Adventures in Cartooning Christmas Special
What series would be complete without a Christmas special?
This Christmas story is even told in rhyme!: “Santa is grumbling that traditions are crumbling.” Quality toys are a thing of the past. But the elf points out that kids don’t want old-fashioned gifts–all the elves do is “write code and upload.”
I rather enjoy that the premise of this books is that video games and TV are bad (but not really). The point is that books and drawing are pretty awesome and great uses of your imagination.
Santa imagines a comic book which will be exciting for kids and then *poof* here comes the Magical Cartooning Elf. He says they’ll make an exciting, outrageous comic. And *poof* here is the knight (who is mad that everyone is speaking n rhyme). (more…)
I Just Read About That... 