Sweet Lights, Sweet Hooks

[mp3] Sweet Lights: " Handle with Care"

[mp3] Sweet Lights: "Are We Gonna Work It Out"

Philly's Sweet Lights (aka Shai Halperin) dropped us a line a few days back, that we didn't get because we weren't so great about checking our new email accounts. We've since fixed that problem, and luckily have been loving these new tunes. Check out their video above, and their cover of the Wilbury's "Handle with Care." Sweet Lights' self-titled album comes out Oct 1, and is free for the entire day at their bandcamp. Sweet Lights purvey gauzy, nostalgic, acoustic guitar-tinged pop songs, that display a clear songwriting talent and a penchant for writing delicate and memorable hooks. They also have a song titled: "Ballad of Kurt Vile #2" - how great is that?

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WIN: Handmade Jonsi Mixes

[mp3] Jonsi: "Go Do"

We don't usually do many giveaways. Yet, this offer seemed just a little too special to pass up. Jonsi, who has had an incredible year behind his fantastic XL release Go (Sigur who?) has made (what looks like on paper at least) a pretty stellar mixtape with his boyfriend and bandmate in Riceboy Sleeps Alex. Yet, anyone can make a mixtape. What makes this special is not that it includes a track from John Jacob Niles (kickass), but that each CD is handmade and designed by Jonsi and Alex. We have THREE handmade copies of these little gems for you. Email me at starkny at gmail and we'll pick three names at random. Contest ends Thursday morning. These are super limited edition, and we're psyched to have them ourselves. Tracklist after the jump.

NPR rewarded Jonsi's groundbreaking live spectacle yesterday with an All Things Considered piece which you can listen to HERE. Let's all watch that needle move!

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Rain Down My Favorite Songs

Jonsi & Alex

1. “The Celebrated Polish Carillon using only the upper three keys of the piano” - Natalia Janotha

2. “Ave Maria” - Alessandro Moreschi

3. “Voggubarnsins Mal”- Smarakvarttinn A Akureyri

4. “Mother’s Last Word To Her Son” - Washington Phillips

5. “Donx Sourire” - Django Reinhardt

6. “The Gypsie Laddie” - John Jacob Niles

7. “I Can’t Believe You’re In Love With Me” - Billie Holiday

8. “Parlez-Moi D’Amour” - Lucienne Boyer

9. “Marche Funebre” - Raoul Pugno

10. “Moon River” - Audrey Hepburn

11. “John Cassavetes (2)” - Ekkehard Elhers

12. “A Candy Coated Slow Down” - John Somers

13. “When You Wish Upon a Star” - Cliff ‘Ukelele Ike’ Edwards

Canyons: My Rescue

Canyons: "My Rescue"

Continuing with our love for... Australian dudes and naked chicks (?) we wanted to share another amazing track from the folks over at Modular, this time in the form of the new single "My Rescue" from Western Australian duo Canyons. Along with guys in Bag Raiders, there seems to be an amazing amount of quality content coming out of Australia right now (more than usual). "My Rescue" certainly has more of a radio-friendly pop bent to it (dare we make a Bono reference?) but the diverse instrumentation, deep-ringing piano chords, and yes, pulsing synths keep this track well to the left of middle of the road radio fodder. The 'My Rescue' digital bundle and 12", featuring remixes by Eric Duncan (Rub N Tug/Still Going), Stallions & Wooden Ships, will be out November 9th in the US with a full length in 2011. Definitely a lot to be looking forward to from this duo. Hear the track above.

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Exclusive Stream: Bob Dylan The Bootleg Series Vol. 9- The Witmark Demos Stream

For this week only (ending 9/30), we are able to offer you an EXCLUSIVE STREAM of Bob Dylan's newest bootleg release, Vol. 9 - The Wimark Demos sponsored by Thumbplay Music. The widget below gives you access to 15 tracks from the new record which are currently unavailable for preview anywhere else outside this widget. The full album will be available at all sales retailers on Oct. 19.


For the full album track listing plus more information about Thumbplay Music, continue after the jump.

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Album Tracklist:
1. “Ballad for a Friend”*
2. “Man on the Street”
3. “Blowin in the Wind”
4. “Long Ago, Far Away”*
5. “Tomorrow Is a Long Time
6. “Long Time Gone”*
7. “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”
8. “The Times They Are A-Changin’”
9. “Paths of Victory”
10. “Guess I’m Doing Fine”*
11. “Farewell”*
12. “Bound To Lose”*
13. “I Shall Be Free”
14. “Girl From the North Country”
15. “Only a Hobo”

"Thumbplay Music has more than ten million tracks under license from all major labels and more than 35,000 independent labels.  In addition to an in-app media player, Thumbplay Music boasts several compelling features, including:

• Unlimited, on-demand access to any artist or album; choose from millions of songs.
• iTunes^® Playlist/Favorite Artist Import within Thumbplay Music’s companion desktop app.  With a few clicks, recreate iTunes playlists and have them available on your smartphone and PC/Mac.
• Genie for music discovery: Instantly generate customized recommendations from select songs – it’s a great way to quickly build playlists that you know you’re going to love while discovering new music.
• Favorites and effortless Playlist creation to quickly build your personal collection; auto-syncs between smartphone and PC/Mac.
• Online and offline access: No connection? No problem!  Listen to music on the subway or in-flight.  Available anytime, anywhere for Android, BlackBerry and iPhone.
• Music Sharing – Stream songs live on Facebook from PC/Mac:  Select “Share” by right-clicking on any of the millions of songs within Thumbplay Music’s desktop app. Share music with specific friends or with everyone in your Facebook network – also coming soon for Twitter^™;
• Search: Find music by artist, song, album or genre; includes free previews of all songs
• Free, “no strings attached” three-day trial; subscriptions are then available for $9.99/month."

New Video: LCD Soundsystem - "Home"

LCD Soundsystem "Home" from FUNWUNCE on Vimeo.

[MP3] LCD Soundsystem -- "Drunk Girls"

It's just a sad robot trying to find his way home... (via Vulture / Some Kind of Awesome)

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Cheyenne Marie Mize: Friend

Friend by Cheyenne Marie Mize from Crash Avenue on Vimeo.

[mp3] Cheyenne Marie Mize: "Friend"

Cheyenne Marie Mize is poised to drop a fantastic little gem of an album in Before Lately on October 12th. Marie Mize's new video for the track friend is above. MOKB tipped us off to a guest appearance from local Louisville stars, and throwers of one of the best house parties we've ever been to, Wax Fang. What's up guys? New music soon? For now, enjoy Marie Mize's intimate, rustic, noir-folk sounds, and keep your eye out for the album on 10/12.

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Last Whisps of an NSFW Summer

[mp3] El Guincho: "Bombay"

El Guincho helps us hold on to those last trails of summer weather here in NY, even though it's technically Fall. His bizzare, engaging, and boob/fetish filled video for "Bombay" (NSFW) off of his excellent sophmore album Pop Negro (out now Young Turks/Xl) is actually a trailer for larger film. Enjoy, and watch where you put your vacuum cleaners. (Via the awesome IFC)

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Bag Raiders. Yes.

Bag Raiders - Way Back Home from Modular People on Vimeo

[mp3] Bag Raiders: "Way Back Home"

It's not often we're moved to instantly post something. Most of the time it's like pulling teeth. We're digging deep here tonight, because we're fucking loving this new track from Aussie duo Bag Raiders, discovered (of course) on Neon Gold. Getting the hint you should be reading their blog? Anyway, Bag Raiders have an album dropping October 1 on the always amazing Modular, and this track "Way Back Home" is on it. As Neon Gold says, you would do well to check out the track "Shooting Stars" as well. Hope to be hearing more of this album as soon as possible. Bag Raiders are dropping the best synth-pop this side of Cut Copy, but there is something darkly melancholy about their music that sets them apart from a wild-drunken-dance-party band...in this case, that's absolutely perfect.

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Dominique Young Throws it Down, Tours with Dirty Projectors

[MP3] Dominique Young - "The World is Mine"

Dominique Young from Tampa, FL. We got to this one late, but there is something super appealing going on here -- maybe it's her badass swagger, or that Stevie Wonder sample, either way, we are digging this video. Can you believe that she will be joining the Dirty Projectors on the road for a select set of dates? You go girl. She currently has a mixtape out titled, Domination.

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Peep the dates after the jump.

23 Sep - The Glass House Pomona, CA
24 Sep - Wiltern LosAngeles, CA
25 Sep - The Fillmore Auditorium San Francisco, CA
26 Sep - The Fillmore Auditorium San Francisco, CA
28 Sep - Aladdin Theater Portland, OR
29 Sep - Aladdin Theater Portland, OR
30 Sep - Showbox Seattle, WA
1 Oct - Fortune Sound Club Vancouver, BC, CANADA
3 Oct - Lawrenceville Moose, Pittsburgh, PA

After the jump.

Caged Animals and The Power of Social Media

[mp3] Caged Animals: "Floating Underground With The Stars"

We never heard of Caged Animals before. Then, they twittered something witty at us. We clicked, we liked. We searched the inbox, found a misplaced press release from their publicist, downloaded their new self titled album, and loved their fuzzy, highly melodic, tasteful songwriting even more. Now, we're writing about them, and are damn glad to have the album in our possession. Yes, it's that easy kids. Keep telling yourself twitter is lame and doesn't work. Not to take anything away from this solid band, it's just that in the age of 200 blog emails a day (to STARK of all places) it takes a little extra sugar to get noticed sometimes. Grab their album HERE.


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Remove Not The Ancient Landmarks

[mp3] Missincinatti: "A Hundred Years Ago" Stay with it. Let it build.

Pretty much anyone who has had a passing contact with me, ever, will read this post and say "of COURSE you would post that." Well, you're damn right I am. Can anyone buy me that painting?

Admittedly, I have an extremely tenuous relationship with Altered Zones. Not in the way Chris Weingarten does -- most of the music on the site, just isn't my speed. Maybe after smoking a fat bowl of opium at 3am I could get down on some of the bands, but, it's just not in my current purview. Music is subjective. I say godspeed Altered Zones, I wish you all the best.

I digress. Today, 20JazzFunkGreats posted on AZ about this fascinating LA band Missincinatti who's album Remove Not The Ancient Landmarks is available now HERE. I just downloaded it. I have no desire to learn more about the band. I just want to listen to the music, and let my brain draw its own conclusions. How Altered Zones of me. Their songs are described on their site as:

"Forgotten tales of shipwrecks, fantastical crocodiles, a suicidal captains mistress, and the various hardships and sorrows of a life at sea. These seasoned stories are told through chamber-esque compositions, field recordings, and timeless arrangements of old melodies created by Jessica Catron, Jeremy Drake and Corey Marc Fogel.

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Emil & Friends: Remixing Everything

Emil & Friends // D.E.EP Teaser from Cantora Records on Vimeo.

[MP3] Little Boots "New In Town (Remix)"

[MP3] Passion Pit "Sleepyhead (Remix)"

[MP3] Phoenix + MJ "Girlfriend on Girlfriend (mashup)"

[NEW MP3] Emil & Friends"Joshephine"

Little Boots' "New In Town," Remixed. Passion Pit's "Sleepyhead." Remixed. Phoenix + Michael Jackson "Girlfriend on Girlfriend." Mashedup. Needless to say, Massachusetts' Emil & Friends have been busy picking the buzziest bands to remix at the right times. The above tracks didn't just come out...they came out well before these band's became popular, proving Emil has the right ear. While remaking other's pop-gems has put Emil on the map, his newest EP titled, Downed Economy (see album teaser video above,) which drops on Sept. 28 via Cantora Records, is where he hopes to make his mark. The lead single of this record, "Joshephine" shows how much of a sponge this electro-artist has become. Emil knows what others do right, attempts to recreate those scenarios, then attaches his signature beats and samples; he is the PBR-soaked Dr.Luke of the indie world and a must watch artist of 2010. Careful, or you'll get remixed.

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NME Debuts Sleigh Bells' "Infinity Guitars"

[mp3] Sleigh Bells: "Rill Rill"

Since the NME embed code didn't work, here is the link to the new video for "Infinity Guitars. Sleigh Bells play TONIGHT at Webster Hall Studio at 8, and open for LCD Soundsystem later this week in Jersey.

Also, we had to post this, one of our faves!



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Junip's Lush 'Fields'

Things have ramped up. It's 4th quarter. The big guns are coming out. Time to hit the numbers. Albums are going to be coming fast, and you might not catch em all. Junip's album Fields, should not be an album you let fall through the cracks though. We've never really been die hard Jose Gonzalez folks. I mean, he's good and all, we just never were as gung-ho about the guy as others were. Admittedly, when we first heard the band name Junip, we had no idea dude was even in the band. We heard Sharon Van Etten was playing some dates, so we checked the record out, and shit, it was damn good. THEN, we realized that Gonzalez was in it. That's a round about way of saying, don't check out Fields because you heard Jose Gonzalez was in the band; check it out, because you heard it was a solid listen. Speaking of: there is a WIDGET (don't we all love those, sorry SW) - that allows you to stream the full record below, which is indeed very cool. Junip's Fields is out now on Mute.

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New Sharon Van Etten: Don't Do It

[mp3] Sharon Van Etten: "Don't Do It"

[mp3] Sharon Van Etten: "Love More"

As with the Tallest Man, there is not much more for us to say about our love for Sharon Van Etten's music, other than go buy Epic, her new album, right now. Certainly a contender in our race towards year end album supremecy. The other day, SVE released her new single, "Don't Do It" which you can grab above. Really though, don't just settle for these two tracks, go get the whole thing, and see her live -- it's the real deal. Check out Sharon's tour dates after the jump.

SHARON VAN ETTEN TOUR DATES:

Tuesday, Sept. 14 - Atlanta, GA @ 529 w/ Marissa Nadler

Friday, Sep. 17 - Durham, NC @ Hayti Heritage Center at Duke University

Saturday, Sep. 18 - Durham, NC @ Hayti Heritage Center at Duke University

Sun,day, Sep. 19 - Durham, NC @ Hayti Heritage Center at Duke University

Saturday, Sep. 25 - Los Angeles, CA @ Echo/Echoplex - Waved Out Festival

Friday, Oct. 8 - Brooklyn, NY @ Rock Shop w/ Julianna Barwick, She Keeps Bees – Record Release Show

Saturday, Oct. 9 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge w/ Kyp Malone – Record Release Show

Monday, Oct. 11 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat Backstage w/ Bowerbirds

Wednesday, Oct. 13 - Ithaca, NY @ Castaways w/ Bowerbirds

Thursday, Oct. 14 - Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse w/ Bowerbirds

Monday, Nov. 1 - Philadelphia @ World Café w/ Junip

Tuesday, Nov. 2 - Boston @ Royale w/ Junip

Wednesday, Nov. 3 - Winooski, VT @ Monkey House

Wednesday, Nov. 4 – Montreal, QC @ Belmont w/ Junip

Thursday, Nov. 5 - Toronto @ Lee's Palace w/ Junip

Friday, Nov. 6 - Chicago @ Lincoln Hall w/ Junip

Saturday, Nov. 7 - Minneapolis @ Cedar Cultural Center w/ Junip

Wednesday, Nov. 10 - Seattle @ Neumos's w/ Junip

Thursday, Nov. 11 - Vancouver, BC @ Venue w/ Junip

Friday, Nov. 12 - Portland @ Doug Fir w/ Junip

Saturday, Nov. 13 - San Francisco @ Independent w/ Junip

Sunday, Nov. 14 - Los Angeles @ Music Box w/ Junip

Tuesday, Nov. 16 - Phoenix @ Rhythm Room w/ Junip

Thursday, Nov. 18 - Austin @ Mohawk w/ Junip

Friday, Nov. 19 - Houston @ Fitzgerald's w/ Junip

Saturday, Nov. 20 - Baton Rouge @ Spanish Moon w/ Junip

Monday, Nov. 22 - Carrboro @ Cat's Cradle w/ Junip

Those Darlins Back in NYC

[mp3] Those Darlins: "Night Jogger"

There's not much that can keep this band down. After a debilitating arm break (when's the last time you broke a bone? It sucks. Check out the X-ray above.) Those Darlins have rebounded with a new 7" and a slew of tour dates with The Strange Boys, and Gentleman Jesse. The gals, and Linwood, return to NYC undaunted this Thursday for a headlining slot at Bowery followed up by a return engagement on Saturday at Brooklyn Bowl, where Stark will be on-hand to partake in the revelry. The 7" features two live staples, "Night Jogger" and "Funstix Party." We've only seen "Funstix Party" played live once though -- an impromptu opener at Mercury Lounge while waiting for a lost Darlin', perhaps Nikki, to make her way to the stage from the bar. Fun times always, Funstix, hopefully not. At least for these editors.

Ravi Coltrane Signs To Blue Note Records

Bruuuuuuce

Another one of my career highlights, (though probably my least vivid memory, for several reasons) remains introducing Ravi Coltrane on stage before his appearance at Bonnaroo in 2007. Being in Coltrane's presence, is simply put - eerie. His distinct resemblance to his father, not to mention his severe talent, will stop you cold in your tracks. Being John Coltrane's son, is pretty much the equivalent to being the son of Jesus in the Jazz world. An overstatement maybe, but not by much. Faced with challenges and expectations that no musician should bare, Coltrane has managed to navigate the tricky modern jazz world, create his own sound, and truly mature as a player and band leader in his own right. It's no surprise then, that Blue Note would sign Coltrane at this point in his career, rather than many years previous, where the move would've been based solely on the name, rather than his playing and compositions - something neither Coltrane would have respected.

Ravi Coltrane is poised to enter the studio in December to record his Blue Note debut due this Spring. From the press release:

This Fall, Coltrane will be going out on a short run of U.S. tour dates with his quartet to prepare material for the new recording, including engagements at the Village Vanguard in New York (Sept. 21-26), Yoshi’s in Oakland (Dec. 3-5), The Dakota in Minneapolis (Dec. 6-7), and the Jazz Showcase in Chicago (Dec. 9-12). In addition to a European tour with the Saxophone Summit in November, Coltrane will also be heading to London this month where he will be doing a BBC Radio 1 session and performing at the London Institute of Contemporary Arts with his cousin, the experimental hip-hop and electronic music producer Flying Lotus (born Steven Ellison), on whose acclaimed new album Cosmogramma Coltrane also appears. For a complete tour schedule please visit www.ravicoltrane.com.

New Warpaint: "Undertow"

[mp3] Warpaint: "Undertow"

By far one of our most anticipated albums of the Fall, Warpaint's The Fool drops 10/25 on Rough Trade. Check out the new tune "Undertow" above. Depending this record, these West Coast gals from way back, could be massive. Will be an interesting rest of the year! They're hitting the road w/ the XX in a few.

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Rudresh Mahanthappa: Apex

It's hard to find another angle to Alto Sax playing these days. Fast, slow, precise, sloppy, bright, cloudy, breathy, wild - they've all been covered. Somehow the extremely talented Rudresh Mahanthappa has found something new and miraculous to say with his horn. Blending elements of straight Jazz with melodies from southern India, Mahanthappa creates an intoxicating, challenging, and beautiful synergy of past and future Alto legacies. His new album, Apex (9/28 Pi recordings), features Mahanthappa upping the ante further, by teaming with the legendary saxophonist Vernice 'Bunky' Green, a 75 year-old unsung hero of the instrument. Also included in the amazing band are (of course) Jason Moran, alongside of Jack DeJohnette, Francois Moutin & Damion Reid. Mahanthappa's last record Kinsmen remains an unexpected highlight of 2008, and here's to hoping Apex which: "features originals by both Mahanthappa and Green specifically created for this collaboration... highlighting a collective vision of using traditional forms as a launching point for contemporary improvisation and interaction at its highest level" dominates our stereo in the same fashion. (Quote from the PR).

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Lissie: Billboard Tastemakers / US Tour Dates

[MP3] Lissie -- "In Sleep (Live)

Rock Island, IL-native, Lissie, has been a slow burn on the US music scene. Her debut LP, Catching A Tiger, was released almost one month ago and has found placement on all the major media outlets. Critics are confused albeit highly intrigued -- the record is a mix off old, introspective, highly-angelic ballads and fresh, new, well-crafted mainstream pop songs. We aren't that confused though. We're one hundred percent on board with all that Lissie touches. While Tiger wasn't the record we expected after our introduction via her EP, Why You Runnin (which has sold almost 40K copies according to Neilsen Soundscan,) we are nonetheless thrilled to watch this campagin take off. What's missing right now? Lissie -- she is touring in the UK. What are we pumped for? Her US tour kicking off on Oct. 6 in LA. Meanwhile, you will need to satisfy your desires via this fantastic Billboard Tatsemakers piece. Dig "Bully" above. Follow the Billboard link for two more Lissie live videos.

US TOUR DATES AFTER THE JUMP!

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OCT. 6 SAN FRANCISCO, CA GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL

OCT. 7 LOS ANGELES, CA TROUBADOUR

OCT. 9 AUSTIN, TX AUSTIN CITY LIMITS FESTIVAL

(12:15-1pm, ZYNC Card stage)

OCT. 10 HOUSTON, TX HOUSE OF BLUES - Bronze Peacock

OCT. 11 DALLAS, TX GRANADA THEATRE

OCT. 13 DENVER, CO BLUEBIRD THEATER

OCT. 15 MINNEAPOLIS, MN TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB

OCT. 16 DAVENPORT, IA REDSTONE ROOM @ RIVER MUSIC

OCT. 17 CHICAGO, IL LINCOLN HALL

OCT. 20 WASHINGTON, DC 9:30 CLUB

OCT. 21 PHILADELPHIA, PA JOHNNY BRENDA'S

OCT. 22 NEW YORK, NY HIRO BALLROOM

OCT. 23 BOSTON, MA T.T. THE BEAR'S

After the jump.

Megafaun and Tallest Man Cover Gillian Welch

[mp3] Megafaun: "Carolina Days"

How can we not post on something that includes both the Tallest Man and Gillian Welch. (Where are you Gillian??) This is not to take anything away from Megafaun though, who are a great band in their own right, with a new mini album on the horizon: Heretofore drops Sept 14th on Hometapes. Check out "Carolina Days" above and feast on the video joy of Welch's "Everything is Free."

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Jason Moran: Ten

Listen to music from Ten Here

One of the highlights of my career to-date has been working with pianist Jason Moran. Besides being an outstanding human being, he is one of the most understated musical geniuses I've come across in any genre of music in my years of listening. His new album Ten (out now, Blue Note) finds Moran in full control of his varied influences, and playing with the mature confidence of a musician well aware of his own (and band's) talents, but not willing to play their full hand all at once. Moran, along with bassist Tarus Mateen, and drummer Nasheet Waits toy with listeners, offering 20 seconds of straight swing, before pulling it back into syncopation, or disjointed rhythm; 30 seconds of beautiful classical chord structures, then transitioning back to powerful minor keys, and dissonant intonation. Ten is a snapshot of one of music's current greats, at the height of his powers. The album as a whole plays like a larger composition in and of itself, rather than a collection of smaller pieces; a composition that seems, at times, larger than the "Jazz" genre - this is simply great music, whatever you want to call it. Jason Moran, and The Bandwagon play The Village Vanguard October 5-10. Do NOT miss it.


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Jazz Round-up

As many of you already know, I spent my formative music industry life working for the amazing Blue Note Records. It was a privilege working within the legacy of such a famed label, and its fantastic staff. In the years since, I've fallen off the Jazz writing train, but certainly not the listening train. My next three or so posts will be thus dedicated to RECENT Jazz that has been dominating my ears.

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New Edward Sharpe "Home" Remix -- Party Supplies

[MP3] Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes - "Home (Party Supplies Remix)

Edward Sharpe and the Magnet Zeroes' infections track "Home" has garnered an insane amount of remixes over the past few months. And here's another. This one, a bit more obscure, from Brooklyn's own up-and-coming producer, Party Supplies. We have no idea who this is either so don't worry. This is an obscure post even for us, trust me -- it landed in our inbox at the right time, we listened to it and it didn't suck. The most surprising part is the production quality, hence why it is getting a post from us. You could puke on this song and it would still sound good.

Dig it -- download above.

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Black Angels Rocking Our World

[mp3] The Black Angels: "Telephone"

Yes, all the cool kids already love this band, shit even Letterman has already jumped on board. Good thing we don't write for just the cool kids. Moms love us too. Don't know how much our Mom (who sometimes is a guest writer) would like the thumping, blues-infused, psychedelic hammer that Austin's The Black Angles drop on their new album Phosphene Dream but it is destroying us right now upon first listen, prompting this here post. UPDATE: Destroying "me" Vince thinks it sounds like "power pop." Sure. -- Check out the damn fine single "Telephone", no not that "Telephone" above. Phosphene Dream hits stores next week via Blue Horizon, but the album is streaming in full today on MySpace Music. In case you're wondering: "A Phosphene is an entoptic phenomenon characterized by the experience of seeing light without light actually entering the eye." So, like, trippy guys. (via)

Wanda Jackson Announces New Record

Wanda Jackson: The Party Aint Over January 25 (Nonesuch/Third Man)
Produced by Jack White

We've been waiting forever for this one to surface after the long rumored sessions. Looks like we'll have to wait even longer. From the PR

Tonight, Jackson was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2010 Americana Music Awards in Nashville. The award – in the category of Performance – was presented to her by Jack White... The Party Ain’t Over was recorded in Nashville at White’s studio, where he brought together a formidable band, including himself, Jack Lawrence (The Dead Weather/Raconteurs), Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket), Patrick Keeler (Raconteurs), Ashley Monroe, Jackson Smith and Karen Elson, to name a few, and hand picked the songs – 11 tracks dating in origin from the early 1900’s to 2007. The result: a retro modern collection of music that showcases Wanda, now in her seventh decade and sounding as wickedly charismatic as ever. Tracklist after the jump.

1. Shakin All Over
2. Rip It Up
3. Busted
4. Rum and Coca-Cola
5. Thunder on the Mountain
6. You Know I’m No Good
7. Like A Baby
8. Nervous Breakdown
9. Dust on the Bible
10. Teach Me Tonight
11. Blue Yodle #6

New Video & MP3: Caitlin Rose "Shanghai Cigarettes" / "Sinful Wishing Well"

Caitlin Rose // Shanghai Cigarettes from Stay Loose on Vimeo.

[BRAND NEW! MP3] Caitlin Rose - "Sinful Wishing Well"

Pardon all the video posts, but who cares.
Caitlin Rose has been a staple on this blog since its inception. We have shared live reviews, videos, Daytrotter Sessions and much more. Ms. Rose's career has been a joy to watch and it is now very quickly culminating in the release of her debut LP, Our Own Side -- US release date still TBA; she is currently touring in the UK. The video above is for a standout track from the new record titled, "Shanghai Cigarettes" and let's just say it came along way from THIS. We're excited that Ms. Rose was able to hunker down and finish what we know, was a long and meticulous record writing/recording process. This song does the body good and we look forward to Caitlin's state-side release and hopefully, a great tour to follow (NYC please.). Play the above on repeat and all will be right with the world. Can you find our friends? Jordan? Tristen?

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Crocodiles: "Hearts of Love"

[mp3]Crocodiles: "Sleep Forever"

Since its arrival yesterday, Crocodiles' new album Sleep Forever, has been a bright spot in what has been a fairly boring few days in the blog world. Admittedly, we'd been looking forward to this for awhile. Yet, aside from the new Tallest Man and Sharon Van Etten music, we've been pretty underwhelmed the past few weeks. Perhaps the promise of Sleep Forever bodes well for the next slew of stacked releases. Sleep Forever is out 9/14 on Fat Possum - again - is there anything Fat Possum puts out that we don't post on? We're such suckers.

New Kings of Leon Single / Video - "Radioactive"

[mp3] Kings of Leon: "Radioactive"

Kings of Leon's new album, Come Around Sundown, drops on Oct. 19 via RCA Records. Dig the video for the first single, "Radioactive" above. Pre-order the record here.

Koolaid!

Album cover art after the jump!

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New Tallest Man EP

[mp3] Tallest Man on Earth: "Like The Wheel"

What can we say that we haven't already said about The Tallest Man. You love him, we love him, and now he's got a new EP - Sometimes the Blues Is Just a Passing Bird. We would probably say, the Blues ARE Just A Passing Bird, but um, whatever, English is his second language. No one really saw this EP coming, but hey - we love surprises. Here are the facts from the press release:

The Tallest Man On Earth's new EP, Sometimes the Blues Is Just A Passing Bird, will be for sale exclusively on iTunes until its official release date. CDs, LPs and digital copies will be available at all othe retailers on November 9th, 2010 (8th in UK)... “Like the Wheel,” along with four other new songs, make up Sometimes The Blues is Just a Passing Bird, an EP written entirely after The Wild Hunt. Recorded during a quick break from touring in the summer of 2010, “Like the Wheel” is joined by “The Dreamer,” which Matsson performs on electric guitar. Sometimes the Blues Is Just a Passing Bird is an open and shut chapter in the Tallest Man On Earth’s songbook – five new additions to those magical performances.

New Zola Jesus Video: Sea Talk

[mp3] Zola Jesus: "Sea Talk"

UPDATE: Seems like NME's shitty embed code doesn't work. Go HERE to watch, then kill yourself NME for wasting my morning.

Zola Jesus is definitely not the type of artist we would be immediately attracted to. She get's slapped with this awful "goth" label frequently, and well we just don't get that. She has compelling melodies, unique and interesting production, and yes - what can be considered dark and otherworldly vocals. Labels don't matter - Zola Jesus makes great music. We can't stop listening. Her video for "Sea Talk" permiered on NME.


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Karp Does Funeral Party and Chris Shiflett

[mp3] Funeral Party: "Finale"

As our good (and newly engaged - congrats guys!) friend Max put it: "everyone loves stuff in the key of free." So, to say thanks, we're dedicating this post to our equally good friend, and amazing photographer KARP. She's shot countless shows for us, and we haven't even been able to come close to posting all of her shots. So, from us to you Karp - thank you! We'll keep you well hydrated with fresh Loisaida. Promise.

The Stark team recently caught some stellar sets from Chris Shiflett (and his amazing guitars) and Funeral Party with their devastatingly passionate lead singer Chad Elliott. From the epic weeping pedal steel of Shiflett's set, to Funeral Party's jagged and aggressive guitar attack, both sets more than satisfied. We hope you enjoy the photos after the jump.


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