Concrete Vehicles was known until recently as Computer. One listen to the six-piece Vancouver band’s debut album, Station on the Hill, makes it clear that humans, not machines, are behind its restless experimental rock: noisy guitars, moody synths and songs that sound like they’re trying to fight their way out of an office job.
Here are three local artists the band thinks you should listen to next.
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1. The Maximal Noise-Rock Pick: Worrywart
Vocalist-guitarist Ben Lock first saw Worrywart at Red Gate four years ago and was “blown away by the eccentric live performance.”
LISTEN IF YOU’RE A FAN OF: Maximal noise-rock, art-punk feelings, and songs that sound like they’re grinning with all their teeth.
SIMILAR TO: Deerhoof, Wednesday, Mannequin Pussy.
BEST SOUNDTRACK FOR: Nervously pumping yourself up to walk into a party and then leaving 40 minutes later with three new best friends and a vague commitment to join a band.
ESSENTIAL TRACK: “Ala”
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2. The Lo-Fi Rock Pick: Still Depths
Lock met Justin Perdomo from Still Depths years ago at a vintage store where they worked, while they were playing their music “hella out loud” in the shop. “I was immediately hooked,” says Lock.
LISTEN IF YOU LIKE: Noisy, lo-fi rock, mathy turns and songs with sharp-edged guitars.
SIMILAR TO: Daughters (if they smiled more), early Liars, Death From Above 1979.
BEST SOUNDTRACK FOR: An aggressive run to “solve all your life’s problems” only to realize you’re just dehydrated and the problem is capitalism, again.
ESSENTIAL TRACK: “Basshead”
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3. The Immersive Alt-Rock Pick: 06 Automatic (Cameron Blake D’Eith)
“I’ve been friends with Cam for a while but his most recent record, which is coming out later this year, has been inspiring me recently.”
LISTEN IF YOU LIKE: Immersive alt-rock, folk-rock tendencies, synthy textures and big feelings.
SIMILAR TO: Alex G, Big Thief, The War on Drugs (but more caffeinated).
BEST SOUNDTRACK FOR: Staring out the bus window like you’re in a sad A24 breakup movie while on your way to buy oat milk.
ESSENTIAL TRACK: “Start From Scratch”
LISTEN ALONG
Concrete Vehicles, “Now in a Vacuum”
Worrywart, “Ala”
Still Depths, “Basshead”
Cam Blake, “Start From Scratch”
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