On the Griddle is a monthly A&R column offering a buffet-style spread of sapid tracks discovered through the music platform, Groover. Every 30 days, expect an array of songs, diverse and delicious, served hot off the flat-top and waiting to be wolfed down.
Fever Fields – “Love, Life, and Tragic Comedy”
Feels like: Reaching the last page of a gigantic, bittersweet book – but shutting it just before the final line. Fear and hope entwined. Resolve and regret alchemized. The result: acceptance.
Tell us about your artist/band name…
I compiled a list of a good few hundred names. In the end, it came down to our lead guitarist Rob suggesting “Fever Fields” from the title of my song “Tulip Fever Fields.” Our bass guitarist, Matt, immediately agreed by saying, “I’d go and see a band called Fever Fields.” And, that was enough. That song, lyrically, encapsulates so much about life – the absurdity and search for meaning. So, Fever Fields it is. For better or worse, that name is here to stay.
Which other artists/bands would appear on a playlist with you? What would that playlist be called?
Elliott Smith, Father John Misty, Sufjan Stevens, Bright Eyes, Pinegrove, Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners, Fleet Foxes, Wilco, The National, Manchester Orchestra, Alex G, Lord Huron, Big Thief, The Shins, The Beatles, Twin Peaks, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Rex Orange County, Leon Bridges, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Iron & Wine, Ezra Furman, Bon Iver, The Backseat Lovers, Mt. Joy, Ray LaMontagne, Fruit Bats, Dr. Dog, Hozier, Cigarettes After Sex, Cage The Elephant, The Avett Brothers, The Decemberists, Damien Jurado, Gregory Alan Isakov, Jack Symes, Whitney, Briston Maroney, Houndmouth, Keaton Henson, The Brazen Youth, Heartless Bastards, Caamp, Sumbuck, Bob Dylan, Rodriguez, Andrew Bird, Modest Mouse, Neutral Milk Hotel, Adrianne Lenker, Pedro The Lion, Phoebe Bridgers, flipturn, Palace, Joy Oladokun, Shakey Graves, The Lumineers, The Paper Kites, Oracle Sisters, Death Cab for Cutie, R.E.M, Lana Del Ray, Sharon Van Etten, Fountains of Wayne, Blind Melon, Vampire Weekend, Radical Face, Yo La Tengo, Mojave 3, and Damien Rice.
Current releases and future releases of ours would tie it all together into a playlist called: “In Strange and Beautiful Company”
What’s the most exciting thing happening in music right now?
It’s exciting to see artists taking control of their music and blending genres in such a fluid and new way that makes music feel more relatable. Music seems to be connecting with people on a deeper level, outside of the mainstream even, and there’s a lot of freedom to create more authentically. Also, the growing nostalgia by fans as it relates to the increasing interest in vinyl and other physical formats, offering something tangible, also highlights that desire for more authenticity in music.
Would you rather have the ability to talk to animals or talk to the dead?
Talking to the dead would be powerful, I mean imagine the wisdom we could gain from past artists and leaders, and for people, the chance to connect with lost loved ones could be invaluable for mental health and healing. But talking to animals could change everything in conservation and our relationship with nature. Honestly, both could make a huge difference for society. Whatever has the greatest positive impact.
Pythies – “I Pythie You”
Feels like: Heat haze – that shimmering water mirage like melted silver on hot asphalt. A ransom letter written with magazine clippings addressed to a perverted politician. Atropa belladonna.
Describe your sound/aesthetic in three words…
Grungy, provocative, political.
Tell us about your artist/band name…
Pythies comes from the Pythia, who is an ancient Greek oracle/high priestess of the Apollo temple in Delphi and who’s name also comes from the python snake. In French, we pronounce Pythies like the word “pity” (adding the “s”) so it’s also linked to that.
Which other artists/bands would appear on a playlist with you? What would that playlist be called?
If we were on a playlist, I would love to have L7, PJ Harvey, 7 Year Bitch or Veruca Salt, and the Lambrini Girls or cumgirl8 on it, and I wish that playlist would be called “f*uck the patriarchy.”
What’s the most exciting thing happening in music right now?
In general I think what’s exciting is the way more and more women feel comfortable doing music and putting themselves out there, and how the whole rock scene is getting more angry and violent, probably because of all the disgusting things happening in the world right now.
Would you rather have the ability to talk to animals or talk to the dead?
I think I can already talk to the dead to be honest, so I would want to talk to the animals, I’m pretty sure they have a lot to say.
Hannah Glavor – “The End is Near”
Feels like: Living inside a bead of morning dew, dripping down the edge of a flower petal. Riding the county-fair sky swing alone at night. An atom-bomb sunset in suburbia.
Describe your sound/aesthetic in three words…
Harmonium, sympozium, pandemonium
Tell us about your artist/band name…
I don’t know that I have the most marketable project name, but more than anything, sticking with it had to do with believing that my personal name was enough. I could easily pick a trendy band name, and honestly that would have been clearer branding considering my former folk music or affiliation with old chapters of my life. I looked at other artists I admired like Sufjan Stevens, Andy Shauf, Madison Cunningham, Julia Jacklin – and if their names were enough and represented more than their former catalog for better and for worse – maybe my name was enough as well. My past made me who I am today, so why not take back my name and let it be my present project.
Which other artists/bands would appear on a playlist with you? What would that playlist be called?
Julia Jacklin, Kate Bollinger, Tops, Slow Pulp, Soccer Mommy, Hand Habits, Faye Webster, Lucy Dacus, Caroline Rose, Feist
Playis Namet: “Feminomenal Indie”
What’s the most exciting thing happening in music right now?
I am loving the rise of diverse voices in music. I grew up listening to mostly white men, and assumed I didn’t have a place playing music within genres I enjoyed. Today we have so many heroes for people to look up to that represent so much more of the population who create such incredible art. It changes the entire industry as well as the cultural landscape for our generation.
Would you rather have the ability to talk to animals or talk to the dead?
I’d like to talk to animals. Jennifer Love Hewitt and Haley Joel Osment are the only Ghost Whisperers I trust.
Family of Light – “Hurt Me Smile”
Feels like: Sheer curtains languidly billowing into a liminal space. Desolation, isolation, determination. Flickering fire and dancing shadows in a dark cave.
Describe your sound/aesthetic in three words…
Space, experimental, melodies
Tell us about your artist/band name…
The band name was created in reflection of unity, togetherness, and becoming a genuine family. We’re all best friends and do everything together. Birthdays, dinner, hanging out all the time. We have a band van and we always ride together to shows.
Which other artists/bands would appear on a playlist with you? What would that playlist be called?
Starflyer 59, Radiohead, and Los Angeles Negros. The playlist would be called “La Familia Radio Star de Los Angeles.”
What’s the most exciting thing happening in music right now?
The most exciting thing in music right now is live shows. Real people exist behind the curtains of a plastic screen. We love people. We love art. We love the human element of music. We got asked to do some festivals coming up soon and also a month-long residency in LA at a great venue on Fridays in November. Looking forward to that. We got to pick some of our favorite bands in LA and some of them are super close friends of ours.
Would you rather have the ability to talk to animals or talk to the dead?
Talk to both. We’d love to talk to the dead so that we could listen to our musical heroes’ stories and pick their brains. Take advice and learn from them. Would love to talk to animals so we can better understand their nature, motives, and how they interpret sound. We would definitely apply their knowledge and sounds to our records.
distraction4ever – “belong (another place)”
Feels like: What’s playing in Patrick Bateman’s Walkman while on his way to work. The clean brown leather of a businessman’s briefcase. Taking a call on the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X during an ‘80s rainstorm.
Describe your sound/aesthetic in three words…
Post, Punk, Work
Tell us about your artist/band name…
Being distracted is fun but you can lose yourself in a world of distractions.
Which other artists/bands would appear on a playlist with you? What would that playlist be called?
“What is Real Life” featuring Otto benson, Spookystack, Buerak, King Krule, Depresion Sonora, Vegyn, L.F.T., Jonatan Leandoer96, Carlo KARACHo, delroy edward
What’s the most exciting thing happening in music right now?
My cellphone ringtone, jingle from local vacuum shop ads on YouTube, AI.
Would you rather have the ability to talk to animals or talk to the dead?
Animals, I feel like it would be more useful
Trolleberg – “Anyone but You”
Feels like: Setting out to sea in a small sailboat. Drifting further from land as a whale swallows the sun whole. Delicious solitude & deep breaths.
Describe your sound/aesthetic in three words..
Eclectic, vibrant, melodic.
Tell us about your artist/band name…
I used to call myself Weather Music but later on I stopped feeling connected to it. My real name Susanne Trolleberg felt too long so I ended up calling myself Trolleberg. I felt it’s a unique name and that I might as well use it in a creative context.
Which other artists/bands would appear on a playlist with you? What would that playlist be called?
On the same playlist as “Anyone but You” maybe bands/artists like The Cardigans, Mac Demarco, Cate Le Bon, Madison Cunningham, Eggstone, David Bowie, Siouxsie and the Banshees, LA Priest, Unknown Mortal Orchestra. And I would call it “Evening Wonder.”
What’s the most exciting thing happening in music right now?
Having access to various platforms to learn about music production and music history, which weren’t available in the ‘90s and early 2000s when I grew up. And how easy it is to record and release music now. I’m also excited to finally release new music after spending years dealing with personal challenges. Being able to create music has helped me through very difficult times. And I find that the more I create, the more ideas I generate. That’s a powerful thing!
Would you rather have the ability to talk to animals or talk to the dead?
If talking to animals means understanding every animal all the time it would get too overwhelming. Same with dead people. I wouldn’t want to have any of the abilities if I weren’t able to turn them on and off. While talking to pets could be enjoyable, speaking with deceased loved ones and historical figures is somehow more compelling.
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