Young Galaxy: "Blown Minded"

[mp3] Young Galaxy: "Blown Minded"

We'd almost forgotten how great Young Galaxy's February release Shapeshifting is... luckily, they just released the video for "Blown Minded" and announced tour dates with the ever-amazing Junior Boys. Solid tour. Unfortunately for us, there's no NY date. Happy Friday y'all.

Young Galaxy World Tour Dates:
September 11 - Minneapolis MN - First Avenue *
September 12 - Winnipeg MB - West End Cultural Centre *
September 14 - Edmonton AB - Starlite Room *
September 15 - Calgary AB - Republik *
September 17 - Vancouver BC - Commodore Ballroom *
September 18 - Victoria BC - Sugar Nightclub *
September 20 - Seattle WA - Neumos *
September 21 - Portland OR - Doug Fir Lounge *
September 23 - San Francisco CA - Mezzanine *
September 24 - Los Angeles CA - El Rey Theater *
September 25 - Tucson AZ - Plush *
October 13 - Reykavik IS - Iceland Airwaves
October 15 - Stockholm SE - Strand
October 19 - Oslo NO - Mono
October 20 - Göteborg SE - Pustervik
October 21 - Malmo SE - Debaser
October 22 - Hamburg DE - Indra Club
October 23 - Berlin DE - Comet Club
October 25 - Cologne DE - Elektroküche
October 26 - Amsterdam BE - Paradiso
October 27 - Paris FR - Flèche D’or
October 28 - Lille FR - Ground Zero Festival
October 30 - Manchester UK - The Deaf Institute
November 2 - London UK - The Lexington
* w/ Junior Boys

Twin Sister - Bad Street

[mp3] Twin Sister: "Bad Street"

Really interesting watching this band develop from the loose, pretty off-key group I saw a year and a half ago at Webster Studio. Jury still out on the new stuff, but it's nice to see what a little A&R and glam can do! I'm still a fan.

In Heaven out on September 27th is now available to pre-order on CD and LP through Domino

New Joe Henry

Joe Henry - Odetta by antirecords

Joe Henry is one of the best American songwriters of our generation. From his more experimental jazz albums, to crisp autumnal Americana, to dark brooding songwriting and a litany of A-list production credits - Henry has done it all. We had the privilege of working with him in a professional capacity several years ago, and on top of being the amazing musician he is, he is hands down one of the best and most professional people we've ever worked with. Ok - that all being said - here's his new tune "Odetta" from his forthcoming, all acoustic, Reverie dropping October 11th on Anti.

Video of the Week: Theme Park

Wax by Theme Park

Another unsigned gem from the UK, who we don't know that much about... Theme Park. Honestly, after a few emails w/ their publicist, there isn't a whole to know other than the fact that this video is great, the band recorded an awesome song- and they're fixing to record some more. Check out the few songs they have at their Soundcloud. Nod to the always reliable Jeff and KDR for this one.

Tonight: Marissa Nadler at Mercury Lounge

[mp3] Marissa Nadler: "Baby I Will Leave You in The Morning"

Tonight, Marissa Nadler plays her first major New York show since the release of her excellent, and self-funded/released eponymous album. It's been exciting to watch Ms. Nadler as she has honed her craft over the course of several albums; refining her songwriting and moving away from (but not abandoning) a dark noir-folk style, while embracing a more lilting and crisp form of country-tinged balladry highlighted by an excellent band and always, Nadler's unique haunting and gorgeous vocals. She hits at 8. See you there.

Kill It Kid "Pray On Me" Video

The UK's Kill It Kid hasn't made so much as a dent in the US blogosphere and that, in my ever humble opinion, is bullshit. With a world of bands influenced by the White Stripes and Black Keys, it's rare to find a group pulling something original out of the deep well of blues-rock.

Frontman/songwriter Chris Turpin has, however, managed to find the sweet between snarling riffs, wailing vocals and, ya know, actual songs that you can remember. It's a rare triple threat in a genre loaded with guys wielding atomic guitar rigs but playing BB-gun songs.

Kill It Kid's sophomore release Feet Fall Heavy is do out on September 19 via One Little Indian.

Kill It Kid - Heart Rested With You

Metric to Release Charity Remix Album

Fantasies, released back in 2009, was like a plague, but in a good way. This, the band's forth and most recent/successful record, slowly permeated our beings, fully saturating us with all that is holy about these pop-rockers. Hailing from New York, LA, London, Montreal and more, Metric are the perfect blend of indie-grit, synth rhythms and frenetic, female-fronted vocals courtesy of Emily Haines. Now, on October 11th, the band is set to release a fan-curated mixtape aptly titled, Fantasies Flashbacks. Comprised of the best-of-the-best fan submitted remixes for tracks off of Fantasies, the record will then be packaged with a slue of other goodies; these include exclusive vinyl, digital downloads, glossies, and more, all housed in what we can image would look something like the AC/DC boxset (maybe not.) All proceeds from this deluxe release will be donated to the Center for Addiction and Mental Health.

Buy it here while you can!

Awesome of the Month: The Shakes

[mp3] The Shakes: "You Ain't Alone"

Out of all the things that people are saying about Amy Winehouse - the one observation that rings most true, was her uniqueness. We have a hard time picturing Adele succeeding how she has, without the existence of Back to Black. Isn't true unique talent what we all look for in new music? All that aside - because we have Amy on the mind - we were immediately drawn to The Shakes, and how this could've been Amy had she been born in Athens, AL and into a different musical linage. The track above is one of the best things we've heard in a bit, and we thank Aquarium Drunkard for turning us on to it. Not sure what's up w/ the unsigned Shakes, but we're sure to keep you updated as we hear more.

Classic Yanni: "Rainmaker"

This is a deep Yanni cut. Very little relevance to anything else on the blog. Check out the dude doing "the elephant walk" while ripping a funky didgeridoo. Also look at all of Yanni's keyboards. That's how you know it's good. Enjoy/deal with it.

Love,
Winston Legthigh DDS

This Just In . . . Alex Winston 'Velvet Elvis'

 Alex Winston - Velvet Elvis

As a fellow Winston, it's easy for me to get behind Alex Winston's new Velvet Elvis EP. On September 13, the 22-year-old Detroiter will offer a taste of what's to come from her forthcoming 2012 full-length release through Island UK.

Winston has a baby-doll squeak in her voice they could be cloying if it wasn't hoisting lyrics like "slice my starry eye / light his coat in turpentine / kill the bitch that bats an eye / at Elvis." The arrangement on the EP's title strike a similar balance. She pays off a few potentially tired indie-pop tropes  (glock, side sticks) with some groovy `70's horns and . . . is that a banjo in there?

Well played Winston.

Yours,

Winston

Artist To Watch: The Kopecky Family Band

Kopecky Family Band // Birds

Continuing this week's trend of featuring bands bands with five or more members . . . we bring you the Kopecky Family Band. This Nashville-based six-piece met while attending Belmont University and made fans in some very high places at CMJ and SXSW. Recently inked to Dave Matthews' Red Light Management, they are currently touring is support of their most recent EP Of Epic Proportions.

The Kopeckies strike a nice balance between guitar driven alt. energy and twee guy/girl pop levity. With such a focused image (above video was actually shot at an Urban Outfitters) and powerful team behind them, don't be shocked to see this band on some big stages in coming months.

Check out for "Howlin' At The Moon" (Of Epic Proportions) and "Birds" (from 2010 EP The Disaster).




*Correction: This post originally said that band attended Butler University, which they did not. Apologies to the band and thanks to them for the heads up. I'm retarded.

Neon Indian Era Extraña Album Art And Tour Dates

NEON INDIAN - HEART : DECAY

Following the widespread praise splashed out in Neon Indian's Alan Paloma following his 2009 debut Psychic Chasms, it's little wonder he decided to hole up in an efficiency studio in Helsinki to write and record his new LP Era Extraña. The tracks were penned during Finland's short solstice days and the desolate surroundings were certainly not lost on Paloma.

The sessions yielded album-defining the three-part instrumental "Heart: Attack, Heart: Decay, and Heart: Release." It's a cinematic blend of liquid washed guitars, 8-bit bleeps and looped conversation that seem like the may have fallen right out of Paloma's head and into his laptop.

Era Extraña drops on September 13, live dates and cover art after the jump.

The Flaming Lips & Neon Indian - Is David Bowie Dying

Meet Spain's Guadalupe Plata

[mp3] - Guadalupe Plata: "Pollo Podrio"

I've been catching up on Sons of Anarchy this week and so it only seemed appropriate to share a few tunes from Ubeda, Spain's Guadalupe Plata. No, founders Pedro de Dios Barcelo and Carlos Jimena are not Spanish Americans who grew up in 1980s Detroit. They are, ya know, real Spaniards. How they ended up trolling the depths of psych/garage/blue rock is anyone's guess. 

I'm not guessing these three are headed for a Brothers-like eruption but I'm always keen to bump a band keeping the flame lit by Flat Duo Jets, Dirt Bombs and Blue Explosion. 

You can buy some shit of theirs here.

Featured Release: We can Take Care of Ourselves

[mp3] Roadside Graves: "Love Me More"

We were careful to not retell the plot [of The Outsiders] in song as bad broadway; rather we focused on making more nuanced allusions to characters, themes, feelings, and settings. We tried to emphasize the sensitive, frightened sides of the characters, instead of showcasing their thick skin and greaser toughness. Musically and sonically, we avoided a retro sound and kept it thick and modern, with only occasional glimpses of melodies and tones that might have pumped out of their radios at night.

The common gripe among critics of bands that fall under the of the golf-umbrella sized genre of "Americana" is that their music is often stale - rehashing the same old themes, sounds, clothes and attitudes. In many ways, we haven't come very far from what Uncle Tupelo and the Old 97s refined - or what Gram Parsons and Beggars Banquet-era Rolling Stones pioneered.

Perhaps what makes The Roadside Graves' new release We Can Take Care of Ourselves (July 19, Autumn Tone) so admirable, transcends the music they play and lies in the core idea of the album and the concept behind the band. Since the first time we saw them, the Graves were a bunch of disparate musicians who looked like they had no business all being on the same stage together. From there, they carefully honed their varied influences into the sound we get on We Can Take Care of Ourselves.

All intermingled between the narrative snippets and plot lines of The Outsiders lies shades of progressive rock, traditional alt-country, straight ahead vintage rock, and hard-lined pop-melodies. In terms of pure window-rolled-down blasting country-rock earworms - this may not be the most accessible Roadside Graves album - but godamned if it isn't a refreshing concept and an ambitious step forward for a band that isn't content to make the same album over and over. For true listeners of that amorphous "Americana" music, all we can ask for are new sounds, girls in tight wrangler jeans, cheap beer, and please, a few songs about trains thrown in the set somewhere.

Typhoon's "The Honest Truth"

[mp3] - Typhoon: "The Honest Truth"

Typhoon's video for their current single "The Honest Truth" has been one of my favorite finds of the summer. I'd like to think this Portland 12-piece (yeah dude 12) actually lives in this house and sits together gaming, reading and doing homework. That's how they sound to me . . . like an extended family with brothers and sisters and cousins that have been playing together for so long that they know where each guitar, horn, voice and key fits in.

Their latest, the 6-song A New Kind of House, is available on limited edition maroon vinyl through Tender Loving Empire. Swap your email address for a free download of "The Honest Truth" here. Catch them on the road with the Decemberists this month.

Tour Dates after the jump.

New Luke Temple Solo Album Due August 30

[mp3]  - Luke Temple - "Ophelia"

Here We Go Magic's Luke Temple has returned to his solo days with his upcoming new release Don't Act Like You Don't Care. The new collection is set for release on August 30 through Western Vinyl and brings Temple back to his mid-00's folk-y roots.  

For Don't Act Like You Don't Care, Temple enlisted handful of seasoned live musicians (with credits including Jeff Buckley and HWGM) and churned out all nine tracks in two four-hour sessions using only two mics and a four track. It's a stark contrast to the atmospheric tones of Here We Go Magic, sounding more like a blend between Bon Iver and The Sadies. 

It's a gutsy move penning an Americana track called "Ophelia," (who doesn't know a really possessive The Band fan?) but from the first swelling vocal harmony Temple shows that this track's got a life all it's own. 

Live Wrap-Up: tUnE-yArDs at Pier 54

From beat one, the face painted, feather clad Merrill Garbus co-opted the crowd at New York’s Pier 54 last night, forming a sort of afro-urban tribe moving wildly below a fat full moon. Sticking largely to tracks from her March release w h o k i l l, Garbus made it apparent that she’s far more than one of the many tourists dabbling in the current afro-pop trend.

If you only read her bio, it’d be easy to mistake tUnE-yArDs for another quick burning Pitchfork buzz band blending layered sounds over poly-rhythms and dance beats. But it’s Garbus’ chameleon of a voice takes it to another level. Whether yowling like a tribal call from an Amadou and Mariam track, crooning ala Nina Simone or spitting rhyms, there’s no question who is the boss (of everyone) when she’s at the mic.

With the crowd in perpetual motion, Garbus also showed her growing experience level, holding just enough head room to kick the energy up one more level. This was no where more apparent than during her current single “Bizness.” After layering in her improvised marimba (made of beer bottles) and vocal riffage, the audience bought in for the four-minute ride, savoring the anticipation provided by the culminating drop out.  Even the crusty “seen it all, heard it all” NYC sound guy jumped.  It was that good.

Tune-Yards - Bizness by snipelondon

New Video: Black Lips -- "New Direction"

Scion A/V Presents: Black Lips - New Direction from Scion A/V on Vimeo.

I, persoanlly, really enjoy this new Ronson-produced, Vice Records released, Black Lips LP, Arabia Mountain. The song constructions are more fleshed out, mature feeling and the record is fun. The video above for one of the stand out tracks, "New Direction," is pretty much standard fare for these dudes.

Happy Friday.

Army Navy Last Place Today

[mp3] Army Navy: "The Long Goodbye"

Tip of the hat to eMusic Selects and to Big Hassle for working this great new band Army Navy who just released their second album Last Place Today err... Tuesday. This is power pop in its purest form, yet, the album is scuzzy enough for rock fans and a touch more downtrodden than your usual LA-based fare. What we have here is pure and simple enjoyment in its most basic form, an album that if you can't find something to enjoy inside it, you've probably got broken ears.

New Video: Cults - "Go Outside"

Go Outside, by Cults from Boing Boing on Vimeo.

[MP3] Cults - "Go Outside"

Following the release of their video for "Abducted," recent Pitchfork 'Best New Music' winners, the Cults, just dropped the above video for "Go Outside" off their self-titled debut record (out now.) Shown are pieces of real primary source footage taken during the Jim Jones sermons, founder of the Peoples Temple in 'Jonestown.' Creepily, the band has been superimposed over these images -- as many know, Jonestown was the site of the largest mass suicide to date, later hailed the 'Jonestown Massacre.' Happy Thursday.

Gem Club Sign to Hardly Art

[mp3] Gem Club: "Breakers"

Gem Club's 6 track Acid and Everything, was amazing. It was haunted, sad and beautifully well written. So good it almost hurt. In our lust for bright sunny Brazilian tunes, the fantastic news that this talented group (Christopher Barnes and his collaborators, cellist Kristen Drymala, and vocalist Ieva Berberian) had signed a solid label deal and announced their debut, slipped by in the unrelenting glut of press releases. While searching our inbox for another band (the excellent I Break Horses) we stumbled upon this press release, and we're so glad we did.

As soon as the above track "Breakers" finished, we replayed it, and we're not the repeating type. It's that good. After the promise of their EP, and this new song, we're sincerely hoping that Breakers (September 27 Hardly Art) is in our top albums of the year list.

New Track from Real Estate -- "It's Real"

Dig the new track, "It's Real" from Domino Records' Real Estate -- the tune is the first single off their forthcoming sophomore album titled, Days, due out on Sept. 27.

Thoughts?

New Video: Bag Raiders - "Not Over" + Tour Dates w/ Ellie Goulding

Bag Raiders - Not Over (2011) from Modular People on Vimeo.
Bag Raiders - Sunlight (feat. Dan Black) by modularpeople

There is still plenty of summer left, meaning there is plenty of time to continually listen to one of Stark's 2011 Artist to Watch, Bag Raiders. Above is the video for their most recent single, "Not Over" from their fantastic self-titled debut record out now on Modular People. This video will not trump the one for "Sunlight," but puts up a good fight. These Australian electro-poppers made their way on to an amazing tour with Ellie Goulding kicking at the end of July in Atlanta, GA. Check out more tour dates after the jump -- they will be in NYC on July 29th playing Terminal 5.

Devon Williams: "Your Sympathy"

[mp3] Devon Williams: "Your Sympathy"

Devon Williams dropped his "Your Sympathy" 7 inch way back on June 28th, which really feels like yesterday - but here we are, marching on into the second week of July. Devon Williams has been quietly crafting some pop gems out in LA, and has a new album coming later this year on Slumberland. This song is quite strong and hinges around what seems like a cringeworthy vocal moment at a key point in the hook. The first time you hear his seemingly off-key "oooo" in the chorus, it sounds awful. Yet, like a good martini, the pain softens over the course of the track - resolving itself into the jangly 80s-tinged melancholy of the track, that we're genuinely enjoying.

To Ramona

[mp3] Lissie: "Everywhere I go"

While we're the 179,016th person to discover this 2009 video - it's no less charming. Looking forward to more from Lissie soon. She hasn't been on the site for a bit now. Thanks to When You Awake (great blog) for this.

Gross Magic: "Sweetest Touch"

[mp3] Gross Magic: "Sweetest Touch"
[mp3] Gross Magic: "I Don't Care"

This awesome little tune, and sufficiently psyched out video from Brighton's Gross Magic aka Sam McGarrigle, comes to us once again from our in-house Anglo guru Jeff, and is crisp and refreshing - breathing a breath of fresh air into a pretty stale music week. It's fuzzed out, sounds like more crunchy and well rehearsed Ariel Pink - and is generally fucking great. Indie publicists and labels - here's one to get on early. They will be on Fat Possum soon enough.

New Video: War On Drugs -- "Baby Missiles"

The War on Drugs "Baby Missiles" from Secretly Jag on Vimeo.

[mp3] War on Drugs: "baby Missiles"

Enjoy this new video from Philadelphia's War On Drugs -- a favorite of Stark. "Baby Missiles" is off the band's upcoming sophomore effort, Slave Ambient, releasing on Aug. 16 via Secretly Canadian. The trippy kaleidoscopic visuals should make for a nice Friday morning.

Happy weekend.

PopShop Tonight!

See you all there!

12:00am: Captain Cuts (DJ)
11:00pm: Penguin Prison
10:00pm: K. Flay
09:00pm: Spacecamp

Tickets.

GIRLS: Father, Son, Holy Ghost 9/13

[mp3] Girls: "Heartbreaker"

You wouldn't think we'd be huge Girls fans. But, we're discerning bloggers. We don't feel it's fair that, for awhile at least, Girls were lumped in the same beach/lo fi movement that exploded last summer, and is essentially a death sentence for any band looking to make a lasting impression on the music world. It remains to be seen if Real Estate can make it, despite their new signing to Domino. Girls debut was solid, with three or so standout tracks. Yet, their most recent EP Broken Dreams Club is what intrigues us the most. The tracks on that EP are mature, well thought out, and a real step forward for the band. We love this new focus and direction, and have high high hopes for this talented group with an upward trajectory.

New My Brightest Diamond

[mp3] My Brightest Diamond: "Reaching Through to the Other Side"

Very exciting news. While it's hard to say something negative about such a talented artist, Shara Worden's work since her startling debut, has been consistent only in its inconsistencies. From her second record to numerous high-end and fantastic collaborations, Worden's career path seemed a little unfocused, and her own work questionable at times. Yet, Worden has proven a true experimenter and artist - which is more than we can ask out of musicians most days. Here's to hoping her new album lives up to, at least our own, lofty expectations. Press release:

In the new My Brightest Diamond chamber pop album entitled, All Things Will Unwind (due October 18 on Asthmatic Kitty), Shara Worden sings from her Detroit homestead about class differences, the complexity of the atom, the beginning & end of time, and the experience of becoming a mother. Composed exclusively for the chamber ensemble yMusic (who you may have seen with Bon Iver, Antony & the Johnsons, The New York Philharmonic & Rufus Wainwright), My Brightest Diamond reaches into a wide range of influences including Roberta Flack, Edith Piaf and Tom Waits. Collaborating with visual artist Shoplifter (MOMA, Bjork, Nico Muhly), the album art captures Worden celebrating neutrinos flying from the sun.

New Video: Icona Pop - "Manners"

Top Rated by IconaPop
Manners by IconaPop
Still Don't Know by IconaPop

Dig the newest video for Icona Pop's highly addictive hit single, "Manners" directed by Johanne Sring. We have been exicted to see this ever since we had a chance to catch up with this Swedish duo a few months ago! Enjoy. Dare we reference K$'s "Your Love is My Drug" video here? #Koolaid.

Toro y Moi Remixes Cut Copy

Blink And You'll Miss a Revolution (Toro Y Moi Remix) by cutcopymusic

Cut Copy and Toro y Moi both made excellent records this year. Here at the midway point, we're going to give the edge to Cut Copy on this one, but Toro is due for another spin or two as we reach the apex of the summer.

All competitions aside, this is a great remix of an even better tune, Cut Copy's "Blink and You'll Miss a Revolution." Zonoscope, the Australian band's recent full length didn't initially hit as hard as In Ghost Colours, but what it lacked in visceral gut-punch-power, it gained in subtle melodies and well-crafted tunes that have sustained their potency over the span of several months - not an easy task. You can grab Zonoscope for $5 at Amazon mp3 right now, and the "Blink..." 12" single coming soon.

Maricel Ysasa

Every year, as soon as the weather turns warm our tastes automatically migrate to South America. Jorge Ben, Gilberto Gil, Marissa Monte, David Byrne's Rei Momo etc. So, when our eyes caught a random twitter from the ever-more reclusive and globally focused Vincent Moon about a South American folk artist, 17 year old Maricel Ysasa from Buenos Aires, we immediately clicked. While, this is not the type of music you're going to be blasting out of your speakers on a balmy 4th of July weekend - it's perfect for late night walks home on humid August nights or for any other moments of quiet summer retrospection. Of course, it's shot beautifully, and the music is haunting and equally gorgeous. We're trying to track down some more music for you guys, but for now - just enjoy the above.

Penguin Prison Signs to Downtown! Tour Dates!

We have always had a place in our hearts for Penguin Prison, yet another fantastic product coming through the Neon Gold machine. It makes us happy to know, after a few fits and starts, that the band has found a home on Downtown Records. They will be taken care of there, joining a laundry list of the indie-music elite; their highly anticipated self-titled debut record is due out this Fall. PP has not been lacking in the buzz department managing to stay on the scene without a full-length record simply by playing great live shows and releasing a myriad of singles. Grab your copy of the Shook Remixed 'Multi-Millionare' above and check out these great upcoming shows below. We'll see you out there! Go get em boys.

7/7 - Popshop @ Tammany Hall NYC
with K. Flay, Spacecamp and Captain cuts (DJ)

7/9 - Jelly NYC @ Rockbeach Aviator Sports Complex Brooklyn
with Wild Yaks, Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang and Monogold

7/15 - Officially Unofficial Pitchfork After Party @ The Mid Chicago
with Jessica 6, Hey Champ, Midnight Conspiracy and Broken Disco 1980

7/21 - All Things Go + Neon Gold Records Present: All Things Gold @ U Street Music Hall DC
with RAC DJ's, Brenton Duvall DJ, Reptar (live)