Showcase: TONIGHT

STARK ONLINE
I ROCK I ROLL
JINNERS
PRESENT: UNSOLVED MYSTERIES, HIGH HIGHS, TELETEXTILE
TONIGHT: UNION HALL

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You Only Live Once. Band to Watch: Unsolved Mysteries

Unsolved Mysteries "You Only Live Once" from Ryan Dickie on Vimeo.

[mp3] Unsolved Mysteries: "Foolin Yourself"

We don't really play songs "on repeat." We like pleasure delay. Only give us that one song when we really need it, or want it. Further, Stark gets a lot of music. Most of which gets a good listen, before being relegated to the scrap bin with the thousands of other hook-less wonders out there right now. I swear one of these nights we're gonna get super super super blazed and see if the music on Altered Zones sounds any better then.

We digress. "You Only Live Once" by Unsolved Mysteries. despite having that whistle a little too high in the mix, is an undeniably catchy and hook-filled song -- the power of which has helped propel them to quickly rising prominence on the NY live scene...and yes, repeat listens on Friday afternoons in the office. With connections to the fashion world, and we're sure, a pretty damn good looking fan base, Unsolved Mysteries have worked hard to promote their latest full length Tragic Trouble and have a new EP on the way soon. They will headline the Stark/Jinners/I Rock I Roll party this Friday at Union Hall with Teletextile and High Highs. See you there kiddies. Gonna be a great one. Thanks Xav.
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Forest Fire "Survival" CD Release Party

[mp3] Forest Fire: "I Make Windows"

[mp3] Forest Fire: "Fortune Teller"

We're newcomers to the sounds of Brooklyn's Forest Fire (dig their myspace URL!). We're glad we made it though. Forest Fire's debut record Survival saw a limited release last year, but those who found it praised it quite heavily. The most notable outlet to do so, the venerable La Blogotheque, named Survival their number one record of 2008. The album will finally see a proper release on Infinite Best Recordings, which will include a limited edition vinyl, of which only 300 will be produced. We've been listening to Survival over here for the past week and enjoying every minute. It's a ramshackle collection of genres ranging from country, to folk, to more straightforward jangly rock and roll. Yet, all of it mashes together into a tasteful melange of tambourine, guitar, campfire vocal harmonies and lo-fi drums. You can almost see the various musicians wandering into the makeshift studio (see above) to record their takes, relax, have some drugs and hang out. To make the deal even sweeter, one of our 2009 favorites, Sharon Van Etten sings back up on many tracks and takes the lead on track "Sunshine City."

One of our favorite blogs, Chocolate Bobka will be hosting Forest Fire at Union Hall on Monday, August 10th for their CD release party. The show also features Shilpa Ray and Holograms. According to the band "there will be an overall sense of danger in the air" there will also be cookies. You can win free tix on Chocolate Bobka by naming your favorite tree in the comments section. Check out the flyer for more details after the jump.

Norway vs. Sunday?

[mp3] I Was A King: "Norman Bleik"

We're glad to hear one of our favorite Norwegian acts is playing a few NY shows as part of a pretty huge tour. It gives us good occasion to revisit a great, but slept on record, I Was A King's self titled album that came out in March. Tara gave it a rave review a few months ago, but since then we haven't heard much about these folks. Guess what just made it back on the new release playlist? They have a show Saturday at Mercury Lounge and one Sunday at Union Hall. They will be joining The Constantines and Crystal Antlers next week for more dates. Check their myspace for the full run.