New Linfinity Record & Residency at Piano's

[mp3] Linfinity: "Molly Mar of Rome"

We accidentally caught Linfinity a few months ago opening for Lissy Trullie, and with no back-story they stopped us in our tracks. It was mostly the weird Nick Cave-esqe fashion and vocal style emanating from sweat-drenched lead singer Dylan Von Wagner. (He's even got a creepy name). Linfinity cultivate a Beirut-cum-Tom Waits cum-Cave style of balkan rock: strange and dark, yet melodic and captivating. It's all in the songs and the stage show here. They take care to dress for their roles and convey a powerful performance centering around Von Wagner and violinist Megan Leach. It has shtick potential, but the musicians and songs are strong enough to keep the group from looking, well, silly. Linfinity have just finished recording a full set of new songs, and will be performing them tomorrow night, the first night of a three-week residency at Pianos. Check out their Myspace for new tunes. See you there.

Stark Artist to Watch: Mercy Arms

Mercy Arms' self-titled and self-released debut came out 8/16 worldwide. The Sydney, Australia band has a sound that suggests the early days of Creation records – all noisy, fuzzy and highly melodic. On first listen, I felt like I'd discovered a lost Ride album (love for Andy Bell? Anyone…). The record was produced by fellow Australian Tony Cohen; Tony has produced fellow Aussie's The Birthday Party, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, and the Dirty Three. Mercy Arms have toured in their native land with The Pixies, The Strokes, Cut Copy, and Editors. Not bad company. Definitely a band to keep an eye out for when they come stateside. There's a host of Cut Copy remixes available on iTunes and their entire album is streaming on their myspace.

Check out the video for "Half Right" - it has the look and feel of those early Jesus & Mary Chain videos.

Band website

-Mike Bailey Stark Contributing Writer

Happy Old 97s Release Day

We haven't had one of these in awhile. Since 2004, to be exact. That year's release Drag it Up did little to quench the thirst we all have for this Texas band's blend of desert country rock and soaring pop hooks. So really, it's been since 2001's Satellite Rides since we have gotten a truly worthy Old 97s record. Widely hailed as a return to form and possibly one of the band's best yet, today's Blame it On Gravity (New West) is absolutely at the top of my Other Music shopping list.

Also on that list is the new Vetiver, Nick Cave's Murder Ballads, and possibly the Dosh record Wolves and Wishes. Until I get to digest Blame it on Gravity or post any tunes from the album, enjoy the video for the classic song "Over the Cliff" from Wreck Your Life. Yes, it's the album track overdubbed over live footage, but shit... who's got money for a real video?



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