It's no secret we're huge fans of Jesse Kivel's "side project" Kisses, but we're also pretty sold on Kivel's main creative outlet Princeton - the LA collective that also features his brother Matt. Princeton's debut record made a solid impression on critics and fans alike, even if it didn't fully break through to the indie "overground." Either way, we're psyched to hear some new music from these folks. They have an LP coming later this year a limited edition 7″ featuring “To The Alps.” Let's hope a little blast of LA sun can brighten up this dreary February Monday in New York.
Electro-industrial ass movers Innerpartysystem returned this week with their new six-track EP Never Be Content. It's the trio's first official offering since their 2008 self-titled debut. They've since parted ways with Island but have clearly not lost touch with the synth-geekiness that helped them get to the bigs. The lead single "American Trash" brings a thump that'll bang in the club while keeping the vintage gear nerds in the house happy.
We got our hands on Lykke Li's sophomore record, Wounded Rhymes over the weekend and since have been listening to it non-stop. This is one of the biggest sounding releases of 2011 and her second for Atlantic records. The album drops on March 1 and you will want to get it that day. It is a near perfect effort and easily played from start to finish without any hiccups. The album is produced, engineered and recorded perfectly. Kudos to her A&R team. Li's voice sounds amazing -- the songs swing and incorporate an eclectic array of instrumentation and beats. "I Follow Rivers" is the first single, but the album is full of gems. There is no denying that this record has a strong chance for a Pitchfork Best New Music release and a front-runner for the number one spot on many Best of 2011 lists.
A couple weeks ago we hit you with the new video for Gruff Rhys' new single "Sensations in the Dark" and we figured it'd just be dick to hold out on the tour dates. The Super Furry Animals frontman is headed stateside to plug his new release Hotel Shampoo, which drops May 3rd via Wichita. He'll be supported by fellow Welshman Y Niwl and the run kicks off on May 18 at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn.
While admittedly ages old in the blog world (a month maybe?) we've been enjoying the hell out of this new Dum Dum Girls track "He Gets Me High." While we've never been one for the lo-fi girl group bandwagon, this song is just too good not to share with you all. It's certainly the best thing the Dum Dum Girls have ever written. The tune appears on the new Dum Dum Girls EP of the same name, that also features an extremely well done cover of The Smiths' "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" a bold venture to be sure. Pick it up now via Sub Pop. Thanks to Rollo for the mp3 host.
Our love for past Summer Camp tunes has been fairly evident, so when we caught their new, slightly darker and more haunting tune over at GVB today, we were certainly pleased. Grab the new tune above, and keep your eye out for their debut LP, produced by Steve Mackey of Pulp, which drops at an undisclosed time, on an undisclosed label. Highly informative day, clearly.
In other Moshi Moshi news (Summer Camp's former/current? label)
The most excellent trio Wave Pictures have announced that their new album Beer in The Breakers will drop in the US April 19th. From the press release:
True to their lo-fi aesthetic the band recorded the album live to tape in one day at friend and frequent collaborator Darren Hayman's (of British band Hefner) house in Walthamstow, England... The songs featured on Beer In The Breakers embrace Tattersall's love of E Minor ("Now Your Smile Comes Over In Your Face" and "Beer In The Breakers"), bass player Franic's favorite clothing brand ("Blue Harbour" - a tale of love in Coney Island), and are inspired by band favorites like Otis Rush ("Blink Back A Tear").
Key Tracks: "Young Blood," "All of This," "Punching in a Dream," "Jilted Lovers," "Frayed."
Don't compare Auckland, New Zealand natives, The Naked and Famous, to Passion Pit, MGMT or any of the like. It doesn't work that way. Ask producer and fellow-band helmsman, Aaron Short, who we had a chance to catch up with via email.
"We always find the Passion Pit and MGMT reference an interesting one. I think most people find, as soon as they hear the album and dig further than the singles, that these comparisons disappear as songs head deeper in to different areas of our tastes. One listen to "Jilted Lovers" should sort you out," said Short.
Comparisons aside, The Naked and Famous are at the forefront of an interesting international electro-pop music movement percolating in the US. Their massive debut record, Passive Me, Aggressive You drops on March 15th in the States on Universal/Republic Records.
Short is one of five band members joined at the front by signer, co-producer and co-founder Thom Powers, singer and co-founder, Alisa Xayalith, bassist David Beadle and drummer Jesse Wood. Each of the five members in the band brings a different musical element to the table. Passive Me, Aggressive You is an eclectic mix of music genres, from fuzzed-out metal-rock, to electro-pop, to introspective, pseudo-ballads.
"We draw from a large amount of influences when making music," Short said. "I for example was completely absorbed in electronic music and collecting house records while Thom was growing up playing in metal bands. This dynamic we all have between us is what then results in the strong contrasts we have in all our music."
The band's debut single, "Young Blood" follows the guidelines of Short's more electro-friendly song constructions. With an infectious melody, an ear-worm of a chorus and a huge sound driven by vamped-up electric guitars, gang-vocals and 80s-influcened synth lines, it is ultimately Xayalith's angelically-indie-leaning voice that anchors the song. Check out their beautifully-crafted video for "Young Blood" below, directed by Joe Kefali and Campbell Hooper:
Read more from our interview with Aaron Short, see the video for smash-hit "Punching in a Dream," and check out their upcoming US and Canadian tour dates after the jump!
I came across this video recently released by UK producer Star Slinger, for his track "Mornin'" (VIA.) I've managed to listen to this about 10 times since stumbling upon it, and since have been doing some digging to find out just who Star Slinger is. What is his deal? Well, long story short, there isn't much to go on other than Star Slinger manages to craft boyant, sunny-day pop, pseudo-mash up gems like this one above titled, "Mornin'" featured on his mix tape Volume 1. These tracks make "coolness" easy to obtain, especially if dropped at the right time during a hipster-house party. Everyone will wonder, 'Who is on the Hi Fi?' and you will look cool, unless of course, you aren't cool. Star Slinger's tunes also make for great amateur DJ fodder, easily placed somewhere between a track from MIA's new shitty mixtape, or a horrible James Blake song (wait, that entire record makes me wanted to eat my own vomit.) Happy whatever day it is.
Odd Blood is Yeasayer's sophomore album, but debut record for Secretly Canadian and one that is proving to have long, sustaining legs. Rightly so. We can't speak enough to the well-crafted natured of this record from song construction, to production; the mere fact that the band and Secretly Canadian are able to roll out singles like that of a major label, is amazing. Kicking of the LP campagin with "Ambling Alp," following that up with "One" and now on to working "I Remember," you are looking at three successful singles in an indie music world. With interesting music videos, good marketing schemes such as their Valentine's Day free EP (featuring the same video as above) available HERE, well selected tours and more, it's nice to see this band doing well. Keep it rollin'. Let's see what you have next.
When you see videos of Josh T. Pearson playing, you're forced to wonder "why haven't we heard about him sooner?" Well, some very astute people DID know him from his previous band, the mythical, if little known cult act Lift to Experience, which was met with widespread critical praise. But for us noobs, Pearson's new album Last of the Country Gentlemen (out now, Mute) was our first introduction. It has not disappointed. We won't gloss over the fact that some of the songs are too long. I know, that's not the point... BUT, despite being a dead ringer for a young Stonewall Jackson, Pearson can craft a beautiful melody with sad, flowing, lyrical threads that are as thought provoking as they are emotive. Pearson is a true talent and a modest, yet legendary character in his own right. We're certainly glad Mute is on board and bringing his talent to the masses.
A day early! Let the wild rumpus begin. You can order The King of Limbs in any format imaginable HERE. The band figured, hey, if everything is set up and ready, why not put it on sale today? Good mentality.
While recovering from our post-Drive By Truckers hangover, we were able to unearth this video from Nashville's own And the Relatives (via Nashville Cream.) The video is just about our speed, somewhat mellow with vintage home videos spliced in. Dig it.
Deluka was a big winner with the Stark squad in 2010 (they even made Vince's Top 30) and they're definitely kicking some ass thus far in 2011. Right now they're co-headlining the "Girls Who Rock" tour with Fefe Dobson. It's a charity run supporting cancer research centers and selected shows are $5. FIVE BUCKS. See? Kicking ass.
They also just dropped this new vid for their single "OMFG." It was directed by John Christopher Pina (Devendra Banhart, Nico Vega, Ke$ha, Cee Lo). More kicking ass.
There's not much more we can say (or post) about how much we've been loving the new Drive-by Truckers' album Go Go Boots, out today on ATO. Just go get it. You want be disappointed. We promise. Further to that, there's not much more we can say about how excited we are for their CD release show tonight at the intimate (for 2011 Truckers' standards) Bowery Ballroom. Any chance to catch a band this loud and bold in a setting that's not T5 or Webster is a special treat. Enjoy a timeless Cooley tune in "Cartoon Gold" above.
Dig the first track released from tUnE-yArDs' upcoming album w h o k i l l dropping April 19 on 4AD. "Bizness" does not stray from the highly world-influenced, avant-garde stylings that made Merill Garbus' BiRd-BrAiNs so unique. This will take you a few listens, but if you can make it through the shrills, is ultimately worth it.
Happy Valentine's Day you sons of bitches! Here's a new Yeasayer video and a link to download their new free EP "I Remember" - which is more like 3 different versions of the same song. Oh well, when were you actually satisfied on V-day anyway? Here's a fun read from NPR on the origins of V-day which include beating women with freshly skinned animal hides! How little things have actually changed. We're planning on using otter pelts tonight. How about you?
If you are looking for a midday stress reliever, check out the newest video from Stark Artist to Watch, Lia Ices for "Daphne" above. Beautifully shot and initially, lusciously green, this video takes a turn toward creepy at minute 2:30 along with the melodic shift, but nonetheless stays captivating.
Ices' debut record for the Jagjaguwar label title, Grown Unknown was released on Jan. 25 and since, she has been turning the right heads; everyone from Spin, to L Magazine, to American Songwriter and more have weighed in and the verdict is genuine praise. Amongst the acclaimed praise, Ices managed to land a large US/European tour with Glasser and Bright Eyes. Dates after the jump!
Not sure how this one slipped past our radar. Marcellus Hall, a celebrated illustrator in his own right (see The New Yorker), has been on the scene for a good bit fronting several bands in the indie sphere, most notably Railroad Jerk. The First Line, is Halls' first solo album, and drops Feb 22. We don't usually like to make too many direct comparisons to other artists, but Hall's songs are awash in such a wide array of A-list influences, that it's impossible not to mention nods to Short Man's Room-era Joe Henry and non-whiny Mountain Goats tunes. There are some vintage post punk influences too (Modern Lovers and softer Paul Westerberg), but from what we've heard, The First Line hits at the core of emotive country-tinged balladry that's both subtle and poignantly powerful in the same breath.
Today was kind of a bummer until I caught the new video from Gruff Rhys. The Super Furry Animals front man drops his new album Hotel Shampoo on March 3 via Wichita Records and offered up this bouncy pop nugget as the lead single.
In his refreshingly non-DIY video, Rhys lives out several of my life's goals. Who among us has not longed to record shop on horseback or have a drummer dressed in scuba gear?
"Forget That You're Young" is the newest track from The Raveonettes' third record for Vice titled, Raven in the Grave -- this album drops on April 5.
We at Stark have been big champions of the band since picking up a copy of Lust Lust Lust, then subsequently fawning over their follow up, In and Out of Control(my #2 record of 2009.) The above track seems like a large departure from the goings-on of In and Out -- what we hear here is a bit more restraint and melancholy. While a far cry from "Bang!" or "Last Dance," we are super excited to hear more from this new record. Keep your finger on the pulse people.
Austra is lead singer Katie Stelmanis, drummer Maya Postepski and bassist Dorian Wolf - a Toronto collective that channel the ethereal and creepy instrumental elements of The Knife, and pair them with Stelmanis' distorted but classically trained and crystalline vocals. The press release invokes "the sleazier side of New Wave" and "the seedier sides of early 1980s British New Wave (think the dirty alleys and after-hours clubs dreamed up by Japan and Soft Cell.)" All this sounds infinitely appealing to us right now. Austra's 'Feel It Break' comes out May 17 on Domino. Dig their slightly NSFW video above (lingerie and a boob).
Check out the new video above for Foster the People's amazing single, "Pumped Up Kicks." Clearly another of Stark's 2011 Artists to Watch, Foster the People are going to explode on to the scene -- this single tells you why. Pick up their self-titled EP now.
There's not much we can say on here about Those Darlins, that hasn't already been said. From a top ranking placement for their last full length to countless drunken live shows, we've sort of run the full gamut with the gals and dude. Today, we get a look at a new tune from their highly anticipated album Screws Get Loose due March 29 on Oh Wow Dang. As evidenced at their last Brooklyn Bowl show, they all have seemed to clean up a little, and updated their sound from a Carter Family-influenced country honk to a more reverbed modern "indie" vibe. Certainly not a problem for us though. Should be interesting to hear how the rest of the album plays out! Pretty sure Linwood could be a male model or something right? We never thought we would write that line.
The Good Natured is the brain child of 20-year-old Sarah McIntosh, and though she's all sorts of muddy (?) she is starting to find a place in the jammed packed synth pop market. With growing YouTube numbers and her SXSW debut coming next month, The Good Natured may be just the group to satisfy those who love both Florence Welch and Lily Allen. She may even snag the odd emo kid who loves her Robert Smith hairdo.
It's no secret that we would rather post Yours Truly videos over vids that labels have paid thousands of dollars for. Hence why everyone wants to be "done" by Yours Truly. One of our favorite emails to send to publicists is: "If you have one band to tell me about right now on your roster, who is it?" One day, that answer came back: "Sister Crayon." We're glad it did. After spinning a series of demos we're super happy to have Sister Crayon's debut Bellow in our sights for release on Feb 22. About the above video YT writes: "...Abram Pineda-Fischer created a video for album opener, “I’m Still The Same Person” in which the embodiment of death is captured in a frail, staff-wielding girl." Come on, that just sounds really cool.
Band to watch Lord Huron recently released the fantastic Mighty EP and are currently on the road with Tennis, and the aforementioned Rural Alberta Advantage. Yesterday they debuted the new video for "The Stranger" which as the press release noted, is more of a mini-movie. Enjoy, it's great.
It's been an exciting experiment in modern social media watching Marissa Nadler progress through the process of recording her new album. After a well documented split with her previous label Kemado, and a fantastically successful kickstarter campaign, Marissa recently announced on Twitter that she has nearly completed recording the new album. Today, we get the beautiful new video for 'Little Hells' track "Rosary" which debuted on Pitchfork. We can't wait to hear some tracks from the new album. If you haven't yet, you should make sure to pick up her excellent covers CD here.
Merill Garbus (a.k.a tUnE-yArDs) has just announced the release of her sophomore record titled, w h o k i l which drops on April 19 via 4AD.
2009 marked the release of Garbus' debut release, BiRd-BrAiNs, which met mild critical acclaim due to its highly inventive nature, avant garde song constructions and lo-fi recording techniques. Some people may not get tUnE-yArDs after the first listen or even after multiple listens -- it is not for the faint of heart or the average music consumer. No, tUnE-yArDs is for the season veteran and her debut record garnered the respect and admiration of a truly passionate music collective. We expect great things from her newest release!
Alison Mosshart seems to have made it safely back to her day job with The Kills after a spin around the world on the good ship “Jack White." The duo are now prepping their fourth disk Blood Pressure as we speak and you (and we seriously mean only YOU) can dig the first single “Satellite” here, now, on the spot.
Hard not to hear a little “Get Behind Me Satan” in that uber-crunchy guitar and epilepsy inducing intro, but that’s just fine by this self-proclaimed Third Man junkie.Blood Pressure drops via Domino in the US on April 5
We recently named Detroit's own Alex Winston one of our 2011 Artists to Watch and today she offers up a new, super lo-fi video for stand-out track "Locomotive." Winston's excellent mini-album ‘Sister Wife’ comes out on March 4th (digitally on Feb 21st) through Heavy Roc (home of our other Artist to Watch, The Knocks).
While admittedly a little late to the game in posting news of this album, we're no less excited for Departing, the new album from Rural Alberta Advantage coming out March 1st on Saddle Creek. Their excellent last album Hometowns put this Canadian trio on the map, and despite their rigorous tour schedule the RAA have managed to bang out a fresh batch of songs and put them to tape for us. While we haven't heard the full album yet, the new single above "Stamp" promises more pulsing, driving, and tastefully Jeff Mangum-inflected melodic rock with tinges of harmony to round out the sound. Looking forward to it.
France's Emilie Simon has already wooed her home country: she boasts multiple music videos with over a million hits on YouTube, has earned three Victoires de La Musique (France's Grammy equivalent,) scored the hit documentary, March of the Penguins and has recently made the move to deep Brooklyn. April 12th of 2011 will herald the release of her second US album titled, The Big Machine which will drop on Le Plan. The first single off the new LP, "Rainbow" available above, premiered on PopMatters and gives the listener a good sense of what's to come.
Since her career began back in 2003, Simon has been weaving intricate soundscapes driven by her presitine vocals and unique song structures; The Big Machine is no different. Joining her on this record, Kelly Pratt and Jeremy Gara of Arcade Fire, Jon Natchez of Beirut and more. But don't be fooled, this is a mainstream-pop record. Simon manages to create electronic-infused, at times, four-to-the-floor tunes, but lays them atop delicate piano lines and again, her voice. Her voice is the selling point. Somehow, The Big Machine is successful in its entirety without ever dropping a bank-breaking chorus -- this could be the album's one main flaw, but coincidentally its appeal. It's not everyday that a record devoid of dominant choruses begets staying-ability, but she may have just done it here. With Simon's inherent good looks, her highly accessible voice and new electro-beat-pop direction, she may be one Fallon appearance away from the indie or mainstream jugular.
