koriakittenriot is the project of Antti Reikko, and it brings us well-crafted pop songs full of detail and ambitious instrumentation. It combines the intimacy of a songwriter and grandiose arrangements in a way that reminds us of Bright Eyes.
With ‘Songs of Hope and Science’ the Helsinki-based five piece bring their mix of Americana, indie rock and psychedelia to the fore. Their hook-laden lead single ‘The Earth Will Spin Around’ is the perfect introduction to their latest LP.
Songwriting
Songwriting is an art form that requires great skill, and it takes time to master. Many people think that writing songs is a quick and easy process that can be done in a day, but the truth is that every good songwriter has a complex songwriting process they follow carefully.
The first step is to have a clear idea of what you want the song to be about and how it should sound. Often, the best way to get an idea is to listen to other artists and their work. You can also take some time to read a short story or visit an art museum.
Once you have the main idea, you can begin to build on it by creating a melody that will fit with your words. This is a very important part of the songwriting process, and it will help you create songs that are catchy and memorable.
It’s also a good idea to start by recording yourself while you are writing a song – it will give you a chance to hear what your voice sounds like, and how the words come across on tape. You can then make adjustments as necessary.
In the end, it is all about making it easy for your listeners to remember the lyrics and melodies of your songs. This will ensure that they can relate to your songs and feel the message you are trying to convey.
In order to become a better songwriter, it is important to write regularly. If you don’t write on a regular basis, it will be difficult for you to gain the skills and experience needed to become a professional.
Vocals
Finnish indie pop quintet Koria Kitten Riot combines the gimmicks of singer-songwriter Americana with a hint of psychedelia. Their latest album, Songs of Hope and Science, fuses 60s folk rock with good old-fashioned harmony singing.
A kaleidoscope of songwriting techniques, KKR’s third album is a testament to the experiences and choices of frontman Antti Reikko. The record asserts that if you’re told to “work f*g hard, be honest and make ballsy decisions,” then you do.
The band’s third release also signals the emergence of their full-band identity, which has resulted in an uncompromising recording infused with the oomph that is a successful musical collaboration. It’s a fine example of a songwriter and musicians coming together to produce their most realised and developed work to date.
Vocals are the heart of any song, so ensuring that they’re in top condition is key. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools available to help you get vocals ready for a mix.
For example, a well-rounded vocal can be enhanced by subtle pitch-shift effects like those found in iZotope’s Nectar, or using a compressor that incorporates Opto-based compression to smooth the sound. However, it’s best to use these methods sparingly to avoid over-processing the vocal.
A similar feat can be achieved by comping the vocals before you apply any processing. This is an effective way to ensure that the vocals sit within the confines of the mix, which will save you a ton of time in the long run. iZotope’s Vocal Assistant is a great tool for the job. It can identify the most important aspects of the vocal and suggest which process will help improve them. The best part is that this tool does the majority of the heavy lifting for you.
Guitar
If you’re a fan of the kind of giddy, instrument-stuffed indie-pop that exploded in the mid-’00s, you might be interested to know that Helsinki-based quartet Koria Kitten Riot are putting out some new music. Their latest album, Songs of Hope and Science, intertwines ideas from a tumultuous year and features a sonic blend of 60s folk rock and Americana.
Antti Reikko, the group’s singer-songwriter, puts together well-crafted pop songs with ambitious instrumentation in a way that recalls Bright Eyes. Their fourth album, Songs of Hope and Science, is out on 27th January via VILD Recordings.
The band’s newest album is full of catchy guitar pop that’s infused with a 60s folk rock flavour and good-old-fashioned harmony singing. It’s thematically intertwined with hope and science, and influenced by Elliott Smith, Neutral Milk Hotel and Wilco.
A key element of their sound is Reikko’s songwriting, which is often driven by the melodic line. It’s a powerful and thoughtful approach that doesn’t shy away from the complexities of life.
Reikko also uses a range of techniques when playing his guitar, including pre-bending and slides. These are two of the most common guitar techniques, and they’re both easy to master once you get a handle on them.
While these techniques are important, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing them in a way that feels natural and exciting. You’ll be much more likely to stick with them if you’re learning them while listening to a song you like.
Another important component of your practice routine is to decorate your guitar with things that inspire you. Whether it’s colorful plants or pictures of your favorite musicians, making your guitar practice environment as comfortable and inviting as possible can go a long way toward helping you to stay committed to practicing regularly.
Bass
The bass is often overlooked as an instrument in the modern music scene, but it can be a key part of a song. It’s a way to bring the focus back to the vocals, and it can also add some much needed depth. The bass has a lot of different applications, from the low end of a guitar to the drums.
When it comes to playing bass there are so many great players to be inspired by. The first that springs to mind is Joey Makwela of South Africa, who literally invented mbaqanga (South African funk). He’s also played with the legendary funk band the Shadows and the late Bakithi Kumalo of Graceland.
In recent times there’s been a big movement to bring the bass back to its original role, as a key part of the rhythm section, rather than just a sound effect. This has led to a whole new wave of bass heroes who push the bass forward, as the heartbeat of a song.
This new album from koriakittenriot, ‘Songs of Hope and Science’ has an uplifting feel to it, a sense of purpose and confidence. The lyrics are gentle and thoughtful, poking fun at humanity while pointing us all helpfully in the right direction. It’s a great album and I highly recommend it.
It starts with a delicate guitar and strings opening, then moves on to a simple, traditional pop sound with the vocals in a really natural and personal style. Then it’s into a more upbeat, melodic tempo with bass and drums helping build the track before we get some really big climactic guitar work towards the end.
This album is a real pleasure to listen to, the vocals are so well done and the melodies are beautiful and soft. It’s a wonderful listen, it’s certainly one of my favourite albums of the year so far.
Drums
Drums are the foundation of any percussion ensemble. They play an important role in the rhythm and feel of a song, and can be a very exciting instrument to learn.
There are a variety of different types of drums, some of which are more well-known than others. For example, frame drums are very common and have a long history.
Ocean drums are also unique, as they were designed to imitate the sound of water. These drums are made with a frame and a head on each side, with metal beads inside the shell that vibrate when the drum is played.
Another type of hand drum is the bodhran, which is an ancient Irish instrument that has been around for thousands of years. This instrument can be used with brushes or various types of drum sticks.
A tambourine is a similar type of instrument to a bodhran. It is also a box-shaped instrument, and can be played with a brush or drum sticks.
Tambourines are very popular, and can be found in many genres of music. They are a common percussion instrument across Brazil and South America, and feature metal jingles attached to the drumhead called “platinelas”.
Pandeiros are a similar instrument, but have a tunable head and cupped metal jingles. These instruments are very popular in Brazil, and have a very unique sound.
The process of making a drum begins with selecting the wood for the shell. This can be tricky, as the color and grain of different woods will vary from drum to drum.
Once the shell is selected, it is sanded to smooth out any rough edges. The shells are then coated with a paint.