AP:
Cleveland based visual artist Ted Feighan creates these awe inspiring collages. He has a sharp eye and steady hand and his cut and paste masterpieces have a colorful sense of chaos that will either make you feel slightly anxious or serene depending on you personality, the way you view things. Never mind you all who are into puzzles, you might have an oddly rewarding time just deciphering all the pieces that make the collage.
In 1959, American actor and comedian Hans Conried and American actress Alice Pearce put out a zany children's novelty album called "Monster Rally" and while I don't know if Ted Feighan named his musical project from that vintage bit of craziness, I suppose, I would like to think so. In any event, as Monster Rally- Feighan's musical moniker, he, like his collages, takes vintage records, cutting and pasting in amazing ways. His track Sister Owls, from the upcoming "Adventures on the Floating Island" (on Gold Robot Records) dropping on September 20th (2019) is a chill time transporting imagining that makes me want to grow a pencil moustache and saunter around (with drink in hand) at some tiki bar in a hand painted Hawaiian shirt and linen slacks. Sister Owls and other Feighan creations sound obviously vintage and sampled but that is the point. I mean, every one can do this type of thing but only a few can do it well and Feighan creates dives in deep. So deep that you can (after a few umbrella decorated drinks) actually see mini-movies in his songs. Word has it that the songs are inspired by his amazingly artful collages (or vice versa).
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Robb Donker
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:
On September 20 Monster Rally, the musical project of Cleveland based visual artist Ted Feighan, will release Adventures on the Floating Island on Gold Robot Records (pre-order). Today Monster Rally revealed "Sister Owls" the latest single from the upcoming release. About the song, Brooklyn Vegan says, "It’s a little like The Avalanches, but more laid back and perfect for sunset listening as the tiki torches get lit and frozen drinks get poured." Today Monster Rally also released a non-album track "Grand Poobah" which can be shared at Spotify. Monster Rally will be performing this weekend at Outside Lands and next week in Los Angeles at Echo Park Rising. All upcoming shows are listed below.
"Sister Owls" and "Grand Poobah" follow up the release of "Menagerie" and "Ginger on the Wind" featuring Mira Cook from the forthcoming release. About the songs Ted Feighan says, "'Menagerie' acts as the jazzy opening credits to the newest Monster Rally album. Inspired by the swinging smooth horns of 70s club jazz, the track explores a more upbeat and funky direction. The vocal edit of "Ginger on the Wind", which appears on the LP in instrumental form, is a collaboration between Monster Rally and label-mate Mira Cook. The beat is imagined to have been created by a hawaiian slide guitarist and soul drummer after hours in an empty night club."
Producing music that is sampled-based tropical pop, Monster Rally began with the goal of assembling a bunch of old records into a completely different beast. Feighan began crafting tracks from his collection of records, combining his interests in Hip-hop, Exotica, Tropicalia, and Soul. Monster Rally creates tracks that manage to maintain a surprisingly organic sound, as if they were recorded by a full band on analog tape. There is something inherently nostalgic about the sound.
Monster Rally's new album scores a journey through a lush, exotic, dangerous, and alluring paradise - the Floating Island. The lounge-influenced collection of songs guides the listener through an instrumental narrative inspired by themes of amnesia, discovery, exploration, and mysticism.
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