New Mikky Ekko - "Kids"

Premiere over at Gorilla vs. Bear.

Keep Shelly in Athens Peel Back Mystery

[mp3] Keep Shelly in Athens: "DIY"

It seems with each successive track, tour date, and news announcement the shroud of mystery that has long surrounded Keep Shelly in Athens is peeled back bit by bit. Following the seemingly same trajectory of like minded artist JJ, KSIA have grown past being just nameless, photo-less musicians from across the Atlantic. For months, they let their excellent gauzy pop-minded electronic compositions speak for the band. But now, they are developing into a “real” group, complete with a 12” release, US tour dates and photos. Long the personal baby band of Gorilla vs. Bear, the blog’s label Forest Family has paid it forward by putting out their upcoming album Our Own Dream, due Nov 8. We wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if a larger indie label picked up this talented Grecian duo for a larger release in 2012. For now, enjoy the new single "DIY" above, and catch them on their first US tour. Dates after the jump.

"Dear Les Friends"

[mp3] Hotel Mexico: "Dear Les Friends"

Tip of the hat to GVB for this Japanese summer pop nugget from Hotel Mexico. Not much you really need to know here. Press play, sit back, enjoy.

There's A Lesson Here

[mp3] Twin Sister: "All Around and Away We Go"

So, there was a big snafu over this video this morning. According to the ever reliable Twitter, Pitchfork was promised the exclusive on the new video for Twin Sister's excellent track "All Around and Away We Go" but someone in the Twin Sister camp made the video live on Vimeo this morning. Gorilla vs. Bear, being an astute (almost creepily so) follower of Twin Sister, found the vid and posted it. In the internet battle of who could [really] care less, we side with GVB. Fault lies with the band's management, producer, publicist, or the band themselves for the fuck up. Justice is served. Sorry about the Ben Folds Five reference. Now enjoy the tune and video dammit!

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Acrylics Announce Album, Debut Single

[mp3] Acrylics: "Nightwatch"

It's been a long time since we named Acrylics one of our Bands To Watch back in May, of 2009 - an eternity in blog years. We're happy to say that our instincts proved well founded as this duo have recorded, what seems on our first few cursory listens, to be a continuation of their cottony 70s pop sound, complete with top notch production and deliciously understated vocal performances from singer Molly Shea. "Nightwatch" debuted today on Gorilla vs Bear, and their debut album, so long in the making, Lives and Treasure is out January 25, 2011, on Hot Sand Records.

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New Sunset: "Moonlight"

[mp3] Sunset: "Moonlight"

[mp3] Sunset: "Late Night Dawning"

Several months ago Some Velvet Blog turned us on to the piano-driven and pleasantly distorted world of Austin's Sunset; the pop-minded but sufficiently psych-addled brainchild of the extremely talented Bill Baird. Admittedly, we fell out of touch with the band until today, we saw a new track debuted on Gorilla vs Bear. After a quick listen to "Moonlight", above, and a few emails, we're currently very much enjoying Sunset's new album Loveshines But The Moon Is Shining Too, due digitally on September 7, with a double LP to follow on October 12, via Autobus Records. Certainly an album we recommend picking up next week, if you can't hold out for the vinyl.


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New Dent May: "That Feeling"

[mp3] Dent May: "That Feeling"

Last week came news that GVB's Forest Family Records will release a new 7" from another longtime Stark staple Dent May. The ukulele wielding Southern crooner, has rare flair for crafting loungey spring and summertime jams best consumed with a cool mint julep, or something equally delicious and intoxicating. GVB reports that May's upcoming Paw Track's LP will be due sometime "next year-ish" so for now, we'll revel in two new tracks on the 7".

Happy Birthday: "Girls FM"

[mp3] Happy Birthday: "Girls FM"

Gorilla vs. Bear hit it on the head with their post unveiling the new track from Happy Birthday's self titled debut. Sub Pop is indeed shaping up to have a stellar year in 2010. While having a solid 2009, oh-ten is shaping up to be a year rivaling 2008 which saw amazing debuts from Fleet Foxes and No Age among others. Just in the first half of 2010, Sub Pop is releasing the gorgeous new Beach House album, along with the debut from the Dum Dum Girls (Mar 30), the new Ruby Suns (Mar 2) and the gem of a record from the aforementioned Happy Birthday (March 16). Domination Schedule indeed.

Happy Birthday is the full 70s-pop influenced band from Kyle Thomas of King Tuff.

No Age Keeps Busy, New EP and More

[mp3] Holy Fuck: "Lovely Allen" (No Age remix)

L.A. noise-punkers No Age, specifically Randy Randall on guitar and Dean Spunt on vocals/drums, are not for lack of work. Aside from readying to embark on a massive tour with Deerhunter and Dan Deacon (dates T.B.A.), No Age is preparing to release a still-untitled EP on Sub Pop later this fall. Randall and Spunt are ready to record a follow up to last year's highly acclaimed Nouns, which found its way on to many a Best Of 2008 list -- i.e. Paste, Rolling Stone, GVB, Vince's and Matt's. Reporting via P4K. Head there for more on No Age and their myriad of musical and theatrical pursuits. Also check out the Holy Fuck remix Matt posted yesterday above.

Time to Clear the Air

[MP3]
Vega: "No Reasons"

Not to get too Emo on you guys here, but it's been a weird one around Stark today, and with the perpetual gloom that has settled over the greater East Coast we need something to clear the air. GVB posted this new Vega track that has been floating around the intertubes of late and it does the job of curing what ails ya. Vega took some heat around the whole debacle in Texas with Crystal Castles, but they have their debut EP Well Known Pleasures coming on May 15th and if "No Reasons" is any sign of what's contained, it's gonna be great. Play it loud.

Short Handed

New video from Camera Obscura: "French Navy" off the upcoming release My Maudlin Career due sometime in April on 4AD.

Daytrotter session with Those Darlins.

Idolator report on Guy Hands and his depature from CEO chair of Terra Firma.

GVB: Gorilla vs. Booze SXSW showcase preview.

New video from the Veils via Stereogum: "The Letter" off Sun Gangs (4/7 on Rough Trade)

Pete Seeger, 90th B-Day special at MSG May 3 via Billboard.

Pop & Hiss SXSW photos and bullshit approximately.

Gorilla vs. Bear's Top 20 of 2008

Finally, a list that makes some sense. It's no shocker that I (Matt) share a lot of tastes with Chris at GVB. I don't want to speak for our other writers here, but I love a lot of the records on this list. Yet, I can't say I would put them all as high as he did, especially Little Joy. That's cool, though. There are certainly some great under-the-radar records here ( i.e. Grouper...) so if you haven't checked these out yet, make sure you do. After the jump is the write up for GVB's #1 record, the awesome Exposion from White Denim and the rest of his top 20. Texas favoritism? Wish I could say so, but the album is too good.
White Denim - "Sitting" - mp3

While Workout Holiday was garnering praise from just about everyone in the UK (the BBC, The Independent, Rough Trade, the Observer, et al.), White Denim quietly released their U.S. debut LP, Exposion, here in the states on Austin's fledgling Transmission label. To be real, I love both records immensely and either could be in this spot, but the slightly different sequencing and the addition of "You Can't Say," "Migration Wind," and the new extended version of "Sitting" (a song of the year candidate) give Exposion the slight edge, and offer a glimpse at the band's transition into slightly smoother waters without sacrificing a bit of the raw power, intensity, and sheer athleticism of the WD live show. Any and all conceivable hype aside, these guys were the best band in America in '08. [buy]

02. Grouper Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill
03. Erykah Badu New Amerykah Part I (4th World War)
04. Vivian Girls Vivian Girls
05. Q-Tip The Renaissance
06. Little Joy Little Joy
07. WAVVES Wavves
08. The Walkmen You & Me
09. Beach House Devotion
10. Paavoharju Laulu Laakson Kukista
11. Gang Gang Dance Saint Dymphna
12. The Very Best Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit are the Very Best
13. Quiet Village Silent Movie
14. Harlem free drugs;-)
15. Air France No Way Down
16. Flying Lotus Los Angeles
17. No Age Nouns
18. Department of Eagles In Ear Park
19. Lykke Li Youth Novels
20. Diplo & Santogold Top Ranking

Glass Candy - New Release

Hey all,
Take a break from all that crazy CMJing and check out GVB's post on the new Glass Candy album, Deep Gems... (love that title.) The record release party will take place this weekend in Portland.
GVB's post follows bellow:

"Glass Candy is throwing a party in Portland this weekend with their friends Nite Jewel and Plano, TX's own Farah. This is the release party for that new Nite Jewel 12" I mentioned a couple weeks ago, and Glass Candy will also be giving away a new b-sides/rarities comp. According to the band:

'...at the party we will be giving away a new Glass Candy cd called DEEP GEMS,
which is a collection of singles, b sides, and rarities. in between touring like
crazy, glass candy has been in the studio every possible moment working on a new
lp for 2009. in the meantime, deep gems is a collection of rare tracks recorded
between march 2006 and october 2008...' "

Now go forth and CMJ your lives away. Please keep us updated on acts we may pass over in our coverage.

After the jump.

More Overrated Noise Rock In January!

Please file Animal Collective under "Bands Whose Popularity I Can't Comprehend For The Life Of Me." Fresh off their underwhelming and ultimately eardrum-shattering performance at All Points West festival in August, everyone's favorite indie-noise-something-rock outfit is returning in January with a new album called Merriweather Post Pavillion, according to some clever sleuthing via Stereogum and GvB. It follows '07 LP Strawberry Jam and this year's Water Curses EP, and should more-likely-than-not come out on Domino. I gave up pretending to like this band ages ago (or, August 9, if we're getting particular), but they do claim a pretty significant following, so some kids are probably pretty stoked about this one. I just don't get it. To me, I hear loud exercises in self-indulgence. I'll take the Dodos any day.

Tracklisting for Merriweather Post Pavillion:

1 In The Flowers

2 My Girls

3 Also Frightened

4 Summertime Clothes

5 Daily Routine

6 Bluish

7 Guys Eyes

8 Taste

9 Lion In A Coma

10 No More Runnin

11 Brother Sport

(Please direct all the hate to the comments.)

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...

Stark heads to Seattle...

Hey all,
Stark is heading to Seattle, not for musical purposes, but rather to celebrate a wedding. We are hoping to perhaps meet up with a few Kill Rock Stars personnel albeit that may be easier said than done.

Please check back next week for our exclusive Ezra Furman interview. We like him. He is funny. You will soon like him too. Also we will be reviewing the Thao/Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson (MBAR) show at the Bowery next week as well.

Until then, keep your chin up and your head on a swivel.

Here are a few things we came across in this week's Hot Sheets...A.K.A blogs and such we read:

FADER - On the road w/ MBAR

Gorillavsbear - Lykke Li Remix

Brooklyn Vegan - All things Girl Talk

Pitchfork - Conor Oberst Review

Stereogum - Jenny Lewis "Acid Tongue"

Take Away Show w/ Man Man

~Best,
Stark

After the jump.