Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Alex Minoff (Golden/Extra Golden) is not really promoting his new solo album, tentatively titled “Alex,” though he did post it to Soundcloud a few months back, and it’s getting some notice. Well from FLABmag, and this one guy here. Anyway we recognize good music when we hear it and it doesn’t hurt that we’re loyal fans of Alex’s college band, Golden.
Similar to his previous bands, Golden and Extra Golden, Minoff borrows from his influences, like Del Shannon and The Everly Brothers, to make a record that is filled with lush and breezy tunes that recall late 50s and early 60s rock-n-roll. Heavy on the lyrical and melodic guitar tropes of that era one is reminded of the soundtrack to films like George Lucas’ American Graffiti and Fellini’s La Dolce Vita in that collectively the songs are rooted in early American rock, but also possess a 60s European savoir faire that pushes them beyond the “Retro” trend found in pop music today.
Altogether it’s a highly listenable collection of songs that could easily become the soundtrack to the summer of 2012 – if only there was a record label willing to put it out! This, and a few other subjects, is the foundation of my in depth interview with Alex Minoff.
Note: There is a serious amount of cheerleading and cajoling (perhaps wheedling as well) going on in this interview. I’ll admit it’s obnoxious, but if you’re a lover of Minoff’s early band, Golden – a band that was radically ahead of it’s time and one that never truly broke up - you’ll understand. I mean, come on, if you’ve heard the Rhythm and Beat Jazz 12″, Golden Summer or Apollo Stars you definitely understand the need for them to reform the band stat! If you haven’t heard any of these records (they have others as well but those are my faves along with the Deep Skills/Violator 7″) you should email Minoff through his Facebook page to purchase whatever Golden albums he has left, which are just collecting dust in his parents’ basement.
If you enjoy his latest effort, which features Mister Theodore on drums, join me in my cheerleading efforts by “Liking” his new Facebook page, and also send him a message to let him know you are willing to purchase the record even without record label backing. After all Bandcamp and Topspin are great venues for independent artists and their potential audience to connect!
Good music, and this most certainly is, shouldn’t languish in the bin of lost dreams! So, let him (and the other members of Golden) know you are a willing supporter of their individual and collective efforts, especially if they get back together. That would be super awesome, no?
Alex Minoff on the Interweb:
Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud
Follow Us!