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I first came upon Cavalier Rose about two year ago when they were featured on an old Alt. Music site I visited regularly. After I listened to what is perhaps their most well-known track, Tidal Crusher, I wasn’t really sure of what I thought about them. Singer and keyboard player, Heather Christian has a very odd, aquatic sounding voice and something about it just didn’t click… She’s….. dolphin-y? (This is both humorous and slightly ironic because Tidal Crusher words MANY references to aquatic life… and oppression related fury. Yay, Politics!). In fact, I didn’t actually start to even enjoy them until my musical tastes had widened nearly a year later!

I didn’t catch the Cavalier Fever until I gave them another chance and listened to Atom Bomb. WHICH. WAS. AWESOME. Heather’s fishy voice was used very differently; and this time it rubbed me the right way. That was it. Game over. I’ve been listening to them ever since. Even Tidal Crusher, which is now my favourite track by far.

Some of my most beloved tracks from this band are Tidal Crusher (who knew?!), Atom Bomb, and Lamplight, which is sweeter and a little more relatable that the other two. All three are very different songs for very different tastes. I recommend them all! Figure out which side of this band you like best! I don’t find that Cavalier Rose really fits into any specific genre. Its easy to pick out both subtle and really obvious notes of Indie, Rock, Alternative, Electronica, Contemporary, and even just sweet Acoustic. They’ve got a little something for everybody, its just a matter of finding which songs your “everybody” sits with. The only thing I don’t like about this band is how little they are known. Its impossible to find lyrics, let alone tabs and chords for their music. Interveiws? Seldom. Even amounts of band information range strictly between slim and none. I haven’t heard of a tour date… well… ever…

Anyway, I really hope that you enjoy July’s band of the Month as much as we do, and that your summer proves to be as awesome as this band!

Here we are. In July. And another new band for us all to explore together. Like most of the months that have come upon us, this is the first time that I am hearing about Cavalier Rose. I honestly didn't know what to expect (like I ever do most times). Each of us here at the site have such different tastes and styles in music that I wonder how we find bands that we can all relate to. It amazes me that we manage to find something that can peek each one of our interests. I can tell you one thing, the first song I heard by this band definately peeked every one of my interests.

I sat there listening to a demo of this song called Atom Bomb from their Myspace page and I was enthralled. Litterly. I swear I just sat there with my eyes closed and was listening. The complete and utter 'emotion' of the vocals was one of the main things that drew me in. Lately, i've been very much drawn to unique voices and this one just sort of lept right into my ears and wanted to stay there. There is such a mix of sounds in their music that you can't help but sit back and enjoy the ride that they are bringing you on. When I listened to Lamp Light, I just got transported into this little world and was wrapped up in the words.

I'm going to be completely honest here and THANK our wonderful little Linzey for bringing us this amazing band. Thank you for bringing this into my life, because I don't know if I would have ever stumbled upon it myself. I'm looking forward to having these songs permantly implanted on my ipod in the near future. Someway, somehow I will make that happen. I think seeing this band life would be an amazing experience and to anyone out there who has had that chance please feel free to share your experience with us because I would greatly enjoy to hear about it.

I don't think there are many other words that I could use at this point. Just go listen and enjoy. Take a second and watch the videos on youtube. Take a second and let this music flow over you. You will NOT regret it. That I promise you.

"You're The Only Joy I'm Shy Of"

July brings the first full month of summer, and a new band! This month's pick is Cavalier Rose.

I had never heard of Cavalier Rose before Linzy picked them, and I can see immediately after a first listen why Linzy think they rock! They have a blues-y, folk-y, electronic vibe, which sounds like an odd combination, but is completely awesome in actuality. Imagine Janis Joplin vocals mixed with a blues electric guitar, and at some points, thrown in with an electronica sound. That's Cavalier Rose.

My favorites from their myspace offerings are "Atom Bomb," "Little by Little," and "Lamplight." I think that Cavalier Rose would be great to listen to mellowing out after a really, really crazy day. Especially "Lamplight." It makes me feel the way I do after listening to Mumford and Sons - mellow and content.

So, if you like a little 60s blues/folk mixed with some rocking guitar, give Cavalier Rose a listen. You won't be disappointed.

MySpace has gone completely bonkers, and their music play simply refuses to work for me, so I resorted to checking out this month's Band of the Month of YouTube. If you'll bear with me for one moment, I need to address my fellow staff-member...

Dear Linzy,
Oh. My. God. Thank you SO MUCH for picking Cavalier Rose for this month's feature! This is so exactly what my soul needed right now. You're wonderful.
Love, Caity

Ok, back to you, Sound Faction BFF's! Cavalier Rose is astonishing. The first song I came across on YouTube was "Lamplight" and I was instantly hooked! It's a soulful folk-y/blues-y song that (in my current fragile state of mind) nearly brought me to tears. Her voice is so textural and raw, and it completely gives me shivers!

The second song I listened to was "Atom Bomb" which had me tapping my toes and bobbing my head! What Doctah J said in her review is completely right on the nose: "Janis Joplin vocals mixed with a blues electric guitar". She nailed it!

All of the tracks I found on YouTube were fantastic! Cavalier Rose is fantastic, and is about to find itself on heavy rotation on my iPod! But you know the drill, give the links a click, and formulate your own opinion on the matter!

Cavalier Rose, definitely a good pick for July. I too was having trouble with their MySpace but I managed to get one song before I headed over to YouTube. "Lie To Me," was said song. Where "Lamplight," was what Caity needed, the just a bit heavier Lie To Me was what I needed.

Cavalier Rose has an incredible sound. Very strong guitar and wonderful vocals. And this is coming from someone who is picky about female vocals. Not trying to be sexist, but I feel women have the tendency to believe they can sing when they can't, more often than men, resulting in artists like Kesha. Cavalier Rose is not that case as Heather has a voice perfect for their sound.

As always, check them out. Highly recommended by me would be Lie To Me and Lamplight. Good pick, Linzy!