New Tuesday Vids

[mp3] Fleet Foxes: "The Shrine / An Argument" 

Fleet Foxes' fantastic new video for "The Shrine / An Argument" directed by Sean Pecknold. Helplessness Blues is out now.



Porcelain Raft debuts their new video today for "Put Me To Sleep" off of their new album Strange Weekend dropping Jan 24 on Secretly Canadian.
Put Me To Sleep by Porcelain Raft

Fleet Foxes Detail New Album + Free Download & Tour Dates

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues by subpop

It seems like ages since the Fleet Foxes released their self-titled debut record...well I guess it was 2008. A band can afford to take an approximate three year recording and touring hiatus after dropping such a perfect album. The wait is over as the Foxes just announced the release of their sophomore record, Helplessness Blues which comes to us on May 3rd (I know...a long wait.)
In order to sufficiently whet our musical appetites, enjoy the new title track, "Helplessness Blues" above. This sounds like a promising start.

In addition, the band have announced a slew of North American and European tour dates beginning in April. Full dates after the jump.

Recordings of the Middle East

[mp3] The Middle East: "Blood"
[mp3] The Middle East: "The Darkest Side"

Australian bands burn fast and bright. Let's hope The Middle East stick around for awhile. Their EP Recordings of The Middle East has been around since 2008, and we were first introduced to it by a friend almost a year ago. It's a haunting little gem of a record that exists in a realm somewhere between The Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver and even channels Arcade Fire-style vocal harmonies at times. The EP has found new life in 2010 and comes with fresh (and more compelling) cover art. Here's to hoping this band can gain enough traction in the US to warrant some more touring, and the eventual release of a full record. They've opened for the like-minded Grizzly Bear and Cat Power in Australia and will be playing Coachella in the states. The video for their most compelling track "Blood" is after the jump.

New J.Tillman mp3: Though I Have Wronged You

[mp3] J.Tillman: "Though I have Wronged You"

The new J.Tillman record Year in the Kingdom (9/22 Western Vinyl) has been a staple around here over the past month or more. While at times recalling the better parts of Ray Lamontagne, Tillman is able to retain a soft darkness to his songs, which keep them out of the straight ahead "singer songwriter" vein and in the more mysterious hard to pin down, "indie" genre. Being in the Fleet Foxes helps a lot too. Yet, Tillman was a well established songwriter in his own right, before being tapped to diddle the skins for the Foxes. He's a prolific musician that is well deserving of the attention he's been garnering of late. Let's hope it keeps up.

Belated Glastonbury Reporting From a Real Live English Person!

Photo: WENN.com via

[mp3] Fleet Foxes: "Blue Spotted Tail" (Live on BBC 6)

We got a great email a few days ago from a good friend of Stark, Anna Watkins, summing up her Glastonbury experience. We decided to share it with you all this morning.

"Bonjour, I am back from Glastonbury with mud on my wellies, sunburn on my face and a smile in my stomach. If ever ever you do come to England then time it for the last weekend in June and hotfoot it to a dairy farm in Somerset for a weekend of joy. Saw some ace music but the bad thing (which is actually a pretty good thing) was that there was just so much going on that I couldn't see everyone I wanted. But here are my highlights:


Friday morning it was raining and we were all freaking out that this was going to be another wash-out Glastonbury, but at about 4pm the sun came out and so did the Fleet Foxes harmonies. Just beautiful. The sun stayed out pretty much the rest of the weekend as well which was brill. Neil Young on the main stage Friday night... I wasn't getting my hopes up but Oh My Good Lord he absolutely rocked it! Guitar solos aplenty, he smashed his guitar up at the end but not before "Needle and the Damage Done", "Heart of Gold", "Down By the River", "Rockin' in the Free World" (with about 5 false endings) "My My, Hey Hey"... He showed some of the young whippersnappers we'd seen earlier what it was to be a true rocker. So many instruments, such a voice, so talented.

Saturday began with Dizzee Rascal who was a lot of fun and then we climbed the hill behind the main stage to watch Crosby Stills and Nash play an uber-chilled late afternoon set. Kasabian were a bit too agro after that so we headed to a smaller dance tent to watch Deadmau5 DJ (he wears an oversized robotic mouse hat the whole time which is great.) Then we made the controversial decision to sack off The Boss and go and watch Bon Iver instead. He was playing twice but this was going to be the winner - a really small intimate stage, hardcore fans, night falling - and we didn't regret it for a second. His voice transported us, people cried real tears, and for a finale he lead us in a exulted singalong of "Wolves."

The rest of Saturday night gets a bit blurry but I definitely watched the sun rise in the stone circle. Needless to say Sunday was a slow starter... I started with the Yeah Yeah Yeah's at around 5pm and Karen O won my heterosexual heart. They were amazing and if ever I needed a pick me up, they were it. I'm ashamed to admit that I forfeited Bat for Lashes to fill my empty stomach with mac and cheese but we returned to see Bon Iver play his second set (and although still amazing, it confirmed that we'd made the right decision the night before - the atmosphere then was just unmatched.) By 10pm, exhausted but happy we managed to drag ourselves back to the main stage for Blur. I don't know if you guys ever listened much to Blur but they and Oasis were basically the soundtrack to an English 90s childhood. They split up about 6 years ago and this was the first time they'd played since. Wow, what a comeback, they played a greatest hits set that reminded us just how many great hits they had. I was on my friend's shoulders for "Tender" and "Song Two" and I just saw this sea of people. We sang along to every word for 2 hours. It was a pretty perfect ending to a pretty perfect weekend.

Wow, I didn't mean to go on such a ramble. If you managed to read all that well done you! I think I just had to get it off my chest, it was seriously amazing.

-Stark Guest Reviewer Anna Watkins

We Proudly Present....

We are thrilled and honored to announce our first sponsored show, happening May 2nd at Union Pool in Brooklyn with three of the blogosphere's biggest bands: Animal Collective, Fleet Foxes and Wavves. The staff has worked tirelessly to plan the show for close to a year -- and we'll all be in debt for approximately the next five -- but believe us, it's going to be worth it. This is just the beginning! For more information, and how to get tickets, click on the flier above. You're welcome!

Goldenvoice Is Trying Its Hardest To Avoid An All Points West Sophomore Slump

...But the jury's out whether or not they'll have succeeded by the time the last throng of Coldplay fans exits Liberty State Park at midnight on August 2nd. We attended Saturday's go around last summer, and listen, there was a lot to love about the inagurual soiree -- namely, Radiohead -- but there was also a lot to kind of bitch about too. The beer thing was a fiasco for a lot of people, as was the ill-conceived matter of getting everyone out of Liberty State Park at festival's end. But mostly, the heart of the festival (read: the bands) was undeniably lackluster. (Choosing to decide who to see between Alberta Cross and Sia was the most boring dilemma ever, you guys.)

So Goldenvoice has certainly attempted to add a bit more shine to this year's lineup. Beasties, Fleet Foxes, My Bloody Valentine, Mogwai and MGMT are all worthy of shelling out enough cash for at least one day. And there's comedy this year, an inclusion that makes Sunday an automatic must-see (SHOWALTER!) But Coldplay? Come on. Replacing Jack Johnson with Chris Martin and Co. does not a successful improvement make. But whatever. Chances are, we'll still be riding the Light Rail at least one of the days. 

All the info can be found at APW's official site. 

First Aid Kit - "You're Not Coming Home Tonight" - mp3s

First Aid Kit "You're Not Coming Home Tonight" - mp3

First Aid Kit "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" - mp3

Try listening to this song only once. It's like Lay's potato chips, you are always coming back for more. We posted on First Aid Kit, a long time ago. They first appeared on the scene and became a viral video sensation with their amazing take on the Fleet Foxes' "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song." Fleet Foxes were breaking at the time, and these young women, in some long gone Swedish forest, distinctly captured the essence of the tune. Their voices were perfect, and everything lined up just-so for First Aid Kit to become minor internet celebrities. Now Klara & Johanna Söderberg, now ages 16 and 19, have returned to the forest to film a more professional take on their lovely song "You're Not Coming Home Tonight." Somehow, these Swedish sisters have managed to channel the rural south, (much like our fave Tallest Man) through their music. Yet, again, it's all about their harmonies. Much like Gram and Emmylou, or Gillian and David, their voices seem to meld into one, at once arresting and addictive. First Aid Kit will release their EP Drunken Trees (which is great) stateside soon. More details to come.

Origami Is So Hot Right Now

Featured:

FLEET FOXES "Mykonos"

DAN AUERBACH "Trouble Weighs A Ton"

Those Pecknolds can do just about anything. Head Fleet Fox Robin Pecknold, he of the majestic voice that's totally inappropriate for a 22-year-old (read: we're jealous), has again enlisted his brother Sean for directing purposes, and it turns out that he's pretty damn talented too. Sean and team spent the last four weeks working on the stop-motion video for "Myknonos,"from the band's Sun Giant E.P. from last year, and it keeps in theme with recent On The Blog Reels in that it's, you know, pretty and stuff. I would love to see what the rest of that family is like.

Meanwhile, Dan Auerbach, he of the Black Keys and very recent Short Takes adoration, is letting us inside his Akron, Ohio studio for an intimate performance of "Trouble Weighs A Ton," the first track on the brand new Keep It Hid. He's also keeping it in the family by playing the song with his uncle James, who it turns out taught young Dan how to play guitar and sing! Thanks, Uncle James. Check out both videos and a special behind-the-scenes feature about the making of "Mykonos" after the jump.



Mykonos from Grandchildren on Vimeo.


Mykonos making of from Grandchildren on Vimeo.


(Okay, you have to click here to see the Auerbach video. Damn non-embeddable videos. Catch up with technology!)

Fleet Foxes Finally Take Away

Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.
It seems as though Vincent Moon's Take Away Shows were made for Fleet Foxes. The music videos highlight a band's raw, acoustic, vocal and playing abilities, of which the Foxes have plenty. Songs such as "White Winter Hymnal," "Ragged Wood," and "Heard Them Stirring" off their self-titled debut, capture the pure vocal and harmonica talents of the band members -- this Take Away Show must have been simple for them: just play a live show.

"Blue Ridge Mountain" is the song of choice. Here, the breathtaking A Capella harmonies are accentuated by the cavernous sound of high ceilings and the barren landscape in which they recorded: Grand Palais, in Paris. The reverberations transform the performance into an attention demanding romp, all the more mystical at times when coupled with the setting. The five band members become an unrestrained, musical force at the hands of the room's resonant features -- their sound populating the empty space. Moon's circular camera work around frontman Robin Pecknold gives the feeling of being spellbound, rightly induced by this performance.

Wilco + Fleet Foxes + Bob Dylan Cover - Get it Now!

Get it here.

It is a simple point-and-click here, people. Type your name and a valid email address, pledge that you will vote (for the right person hopefully) and download away. The tune you receive, a cover of "I Shall Be Released," (Stark feature anyone? Ha!) conjures up images of a packed Winterland Ballroom, a stage full of music icons, and Bob Dylan in all his glory. Wilco and Fleet Foxes do the tune justice -- layered harmonies seem to be this year's big cheese and both the aforementioned artists know how to produce. Enjoy the seemingly unmatchable, The Band-driven performance in the video above. THIS FILM SHOULD BE PLAYED LOUD!
Fist pump to GVB on this one.


After the jump.

First Aid Kit - "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" - Video and mp3

First Aid Kit - "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" - mp3
First Aid Kit - "You're Not Coming Home Tonight" - mp3

We at Stark never really like to just regurgitate posts, but this one from GorrilaVsBear is too nice to pass up. Everyone knows what sort of charm Swedes hold over us Americans (see: Lykke Li, Tallest Man, Peter Bjorn & John, Robyn... the list goes on.) Here are two Swedish sisters, Klara and Johanna ages 15 and 17 respectively, who go by the name of First Aid Kit. In this video, they present "a little gift" to the Fleet Foxes: a cover of their tune "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song." Just sit back and let this gem of a track make your morning, (Mp3 above.) First Aid Kit have an EP for sale on their myspace called Drunken Trees released by the Knife's label Rabid Records - we're checking it out now...

Up Coming Featured Bowery Presents Shows

Bowery Presents is bringing a few Stark favorites to NYC in the next few months. We chose a few choice dates that you should mark on your calendar, iPhone or maybe on some crazy new electronic device we don't even know about yet.

8/27 (Wed) - DR. DOG - Bowery Ballroom *SOLD OUT*
8/28 (Thu) - XIU XIU - Bowery Ballroom
8/30 (Sat) - DOES IT OFFEND YOU, YEAH? - Bowery Ballroom ** Make sure to check out the opener Zambri
8/31 (Sun) - JAMES JACKSON TOTH (Wooden Wand) - Mercury Lounge
10/4 - FLEET FOXES - Grand Ballroom...(*tickets on sale today)
10/19 - WHITE DENIM - Mercury Lounge
11/29 - THE KING KAHN & BBQ SHOW - Music Hall of Williamsburg
11/30 - THE KING KAHN & BBQ SHOW - Bowery Ballroom

After the jump.

Start Your Day Tripping w/ Bradford Cox

Pitchfork TV posts the exclusive Bradford Cox behind the scenes look at this year's Pitchfork music festival -- for those without the means to make it to said festival (cough Stark), Cox does well to transport viewers back in time, and back stage. Enjoy Pitchfork TV's whimsical camera work as they pan the chests of HEALTH band members revealing their homemade T-shirts. Also take note of the multitude of hoarse voices surrounding the Khan camp, tour manager Kristen Klein included. I recently read that Fleet Foxes plans to adopt the new Khan-established moniker of the "Fleet Somethings..." You're better than that Khan. Watch Dean Spunt of No Age's face as Cox provides a warm embrace asking about the new Batman movie -- so awkward. Bon Iver also makes an appearance here. Just enjoy the craziness of it all -- this is just part one. Check out part 2 and 3 on Pitchfork as well.

Review: Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (2008/Sub Pop)

Today, it has become increasingly rare to have all of the disparate opinions of music critics line up behind one artist or band. In most cases, that band is new, and proceeds to have a very big year. I give you Fleet Foxes.

This Seattle band's press file includes raves from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Blender and Fader. The list is seemingly endless. The blog world embraced them early, and more mainstream critics quickly followed suit as well. Fleet Foxes released an excellent EP earlier in the year which caught the attention of a very inviting critical pool. Subsequent tours followed, as buzz grew leading up to their LP-release-day last week. They landed the highly sought after 9.0 from Pitchfork, and sold 8,000 records in their first week. Sub Pop has found the formula for breaking new bands and Fleet Foxes are reaping the benefits.
MORE AFTER THE JUMP.

The first and most important step is, clearly, to make an excellent record. Fleet Foxes have. Their eponymous debut often lives in several worlds at once. At times it sounds like a distinctively modern "indie" rock album, with its reverb-drenched vocals and haunting Grizzly Bear harmonies. Yet, what makes this album so fantastic, is its ability to draw from old sounds and styles, as well as new. Not just old as in the '60s-influenced baroque pop their sound echos, but old as in dusty Alan Lomax field recordings. Yeah. That kind of old. There's an ancient aura at play throughout the record, drawing from rural America and medieval sounding instrumental lines. Somehow Fleet Foxes mix the country with the city, the old with the new and create a potent and highly enjoyable record.

So what happens next? In the past, when the critical cosmos has aligned in such a way, it meant big things for that artist. Small "indie" rock artists have become household names: Feist, My Morning Jacket, Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse come to mind. Will Fleet Foxes be selling out Radio City Music Hall this year? No. The record lacks that one hit to land them the coveted iPod commercial or prominent TV placement. Ultimately though, they are not that kind of band. Fleet Foxes have made a complete album that, thankfully, is not a passing sweetness; it is long lasting and stays with you even after it's gone. In that way, listeners will keep coming back to Fleet Foxes, and in turn, the band will find ample amounts of success.