Japhy's Descent

This morning on KWSS 106.7 The Morning Infidelity played their top twenty for 2012 based on spins, requests and feedback throughout the year. SoundsAroundTown loved the list so much that we thought we would share what our favorite morning radio show picked as the best and brightest sounds of 2012.You can click on the band names below to lead you to each ones Facebook profile, then you can like them, love them, do what you want with them.

Thanks so much to KWSS 106.7 and the crew at TMI for rocking local–2012 would not have been the same without your amazing and continuous support of the local music scene. - TMI Radio Show

This morning on KWSS 106.7 The Morning Infidelity played their top twenty for 2012 based on spins, requests and feedback throughout the year. SoundsAroundTown loved the list so much that we thought we would share what our favorite morning radio show picked as the best and brightest sounds of 2012.You can click on the band names below to lead you to each ones Facebook profile, then you can like them, love them, do what you want with them.

Thanks so much to KWSS 106.7 and the crew at TMI for rocking local–2012 would not have been the same without your amazing and continuous support of the local music scene. - TMI Radio Show

The combination of Travis’ brilliant vocals, Martin’s searing guitar, Brian’s amazing bass and the unworldly drumming of James has become something that my soul, spirit and ear are literally addicted to. For one thing it’s rock’n'roll, for another it’s just sheer fun to enjoy love, to let loose and have a good time to, but this has been said of many a bar band, but this bar band has an edge and that edge is a magical charm in the sense that the lyrics they sing, the music they play, the crowd they draw is all enamoring stuff. Maybe what it really means is that they’ve now played hundreds of shows and they know what works, what doesn’t, what’s perfect, what isn’t, they are wizened by time and for that they are brilliant. Lately, in the weekends I’ve been out, I’ve been happy to catch them twice each time and I’m always thankful for each moment I do.

The recording below we captured, unexpectedly, one night on the SoundsAroundTown feature on Wednesday’s during the Driving With Gass show on KWSS 106.7. This was a magical experience. I had caught the debut of “The Owl” at the Rogue a week or two before and as Martin Sugg recalls, “I remember you were drunk as hell going on about that ‘See You In The Air’ song.” He was not wrong and I was, but honestly, not that intoxicated, I was, if anything, liberated by a long awaited new song by Japhy’s Descent. And for its debut in that venue, I was simply stunned. I was even more stunned to hear it shortly thereafter played with such eloquence, off the cuff in front of radio station microphones, acoustic and coming out that well. “The Owl” is the first song to emerge from their next record concept which is based around The Tao of Pooh in which Benjamin Hoff assesses the character universe created by A. A. Milne within the realm of Eastern Philosophy and the various archetypes of which each character defines. Brilliant, then, with any understanding, that Japhy’s Descent would choose good old Owl. In recent shows they’ve been adding trumpet and harmonica to their tunes with some extra players, that I honestly hope stick around because it makes their sound that much more exciting, but for right now you can enjoy this–sit back, put on the headphones or blaze it through your speakers, for here is “Owl” from Japhy’s Descent.

If you want to check this out in real life with your own ears, you have two very amazing places to do so this weekend, oddly both on Saturday, March 2nd as they pull double duty, first performing at the Huckleberry release show at The Sail Inn on the inside stage at 7:30pm, then at 9pm at at Lawn Gnome Publishing during the SXSR festival in downtown Phoenix. Pick a show, pick both, either way you win. - Sounds Around Town

The combination of Travis’ brilliant vocals, Martin’s searing guitar, Brian’s amazing bass and the unworldly drumming of James has become something that my soul, spirit and ear are literally addicted to. For one thing it’s rock’n'roll, for another it’s just sheer fun to enjoy love, to let loose and have a good time to, but this has been said of many a bar band, but this bar band has an edge and that edge is a magical charm in the sense that the lyrics they sing, the music they play, the crowd they draw is all enamoring stuff. Maybe what it really means is that they’ve now played hundreds of shows and they know what works, what doesn’t, what’s perfect, what isn’t, they are wizened by time and for that they are brilliant. Lately, in the weekends I’ve been out, I’ve been happy to catch them twice each time and I’m always thankful for each moment I do.

The recording below we captured, unexpectedly, one night on the SoundsAroundTown feature on Wednesday’s during the Driving With Gass show on KWSS 106.7. This was a magical experience. I had caught the debut of “The Owl” at the Rogue a week or two before and as Martin Sugg recalls, “I remember you were drunk as hell going on about that ‘See You In The Air’ song.” He was not wrong and I was, but honestly, not that intoxicated, I was, if anything, liberated by a long awaited new song by Japhy’s Descent. And for its debut in that venue, I was simply stunned. I was even more stunned to hear it shortly thereafter played with such eloquence, off the cuff in front of radio station microphones, acoustic and coming out that well. “The Owl” is the first song to emerge from their next record concept which is based around The Tao of Pooh in which Benjamin Hoff assesses the character universe created by A. A. Milne within the realm of Eastern Philosophy and the various archetypes of which each character defines. Brilliant, then, with any understanding, that Japhy’s Descent would choose good old Owl. In recent shows they’ve been adding trumpet and harmonica to their tunes with some extra players, that I honestly hope stick around because it makes their sound that much more exciting, but for right now you can enjoy this–sit back, put on the headphones or blaze it through your speakers, for here is “Owl” from Japhy’s Descent.

If you want to check this out in real life with your own ears, you have two very amazing places to do so this weekend, oddly both on Saturday, March 2nd as they pull double duty, first performing at the Huckleberry release show at The Sail Inn on the inside stage at 7:30pm, then at 9pm at at Lawn Gnome Publishing during the SXSR festival in downtown Phoenix. Pick a show, pick both, either way you win. - Sounds Around Town

Japhy's Descent

Moon Noon

Japhy's Descent seems to epitomize Tempe Rock: wailing guitars, songs ranging from rockers to ballads, and a true blue hippy sensibility. Released one year ago this past 4/20, Japhy's latest album Moon Noon is a two disc monster released into a world of singles and EPs. Not every song is new, some can be found on prior works, however, the re-imaginings are wonderful. The first disc, Noon, is Brian, James, Martin and Travis doing what they do best. Searing guitar work and skipping bass lines all on top of that funky shuffle drumming combine into the soufflé of rock the band is best known for. Moon, the second disc, certainly is something special. Gathering artists from around the Valley, each track showcases special guests. Tracked at STEM Recording by Mr. Curtis Grippe (who also did the aforementioned Banana Gun album and a whole host of other great records we love), there honestly is probably no one else who can capture the "Tempe Sound" as well as he. However, personally I feel the music of Japhy's Descent must be seen live. The album, while a truly solid recording, can't match the band's live performance. Japhy's Descent is a communal experience meant for lawless crowds full of turbid energy ready for release. Go see them now. - YabYum Music

Japhy's Descent

Moon Noon

Japhy's Descent seems to epitomize Tempe Rock: wailing guitars, songs ranging from rockers to ballads, and a true blue hippy sensibility. Released one year ago this past 4/20, Japhy's latest album Moon Noon is a two disc monster released into a world of singles and EPs. Not every song is new, some can be found on prior works, however, the re-imaginings are wonderful. The first disc, Noon, is Brian, James, Martin and Travis doing what they do best. Searing guitar work and skipping bass lines all on top of that funky shuffle drumming combine into the soufflé of rock the band is best known for. Moon, the second disc, certainly is something special. Gathering artists from around the Valley, each track showcases special guests. Tracked at STEM Recording by Mr. Curtis Grippe (who also did the aforementioned Banana Gun album and a whole host of other great records we love), there honestly is probably no one else who can capture the "Tempe Sound" as well as he. However, personally I feel the music of Japhy's Descent must be seen live. The album, while a truly solid recording, can't match the band's live performance. Japhy's Descent is a communal experience meant for lawless crowds full of turbid energy ready for release. Go see them now. - YabYum Music

This is a rock song, in the best way possible. The melody explodes with passion and intensity. - Echocloud.tv

This is a rock song, in the best way possible. The melody explodes with passion and intensity. - Echocloud.tv