Artist to Watch: Haim

[mp3] Haim: "Forever" 

There's not a lot to know about Haim. Maybe there is, and we don't know it - but what we do know is that these three LA sisters have songs good enough to make us stop our day and take full notice, immediately. While sharing that same west coast / big hat / jorts look as numerous others (see Bleached), Haim's single "Forever" writes any like-minded song under the table. With flashes of full-bodied 80s synth and drum tracks, Haim's few songs are outright fully formed pop tunes, transcending any lo-fi style-over-substance flash-in-the pan blog hits with ease. Download their FREE EP HERE. Yet, much is still to be determined here. We're hopeful for the promise of a good live show, and we'll be crossing our fingers that these singles are the real deal, and this band can come through on the back of a few solid tracks. Here's to the potential of a great new band.

Ryan Adams Announces iTunes Session, Plays with Haim

It's major label Tuesday here at Stark I guess. Ryan Adams today announced the April 24th release date of an iTunes session to follow up his excellent Ashes and Fire which he released to great acclaim in 2011. There are 8 solo performances by Adams, "recorded at the historic Capitol Studios in Hollywood. The track listing features a mix of Adams classics from his 2000 solo debut Heartbreaker, the Whiskeytown era “Houses On The Hill,” and songs from his acclaimed new album Ashes & Fire. The session also includes a cover of Bob Mould’s “Black Sheets of Rain.”

In other fantastic news, Adams joined our good friends Haim last night on stage at The Echoplex in Los Angeles for a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well." Haim will be in NY May 4 and 5 for two shows. Movin' on up.

Haim: "Forever" Video

[mp3] Haim: "Forever"

This morning Stark Band to Watch Haim drops their new video for EP standout "Forever" complete with bikes, gas powered and analog, as well as, what must be some home video footage of the LA sister trio. Cute. Still a lot of debate in the Stark camp, and the NY music scene at large, over what the next year will hold for these gals, but given the ground breaking journalistic talents of your Stark writers, we're sure to have it all for you live, as it happens. Back to you Vince. VIA

5 Unsigned SXSW Winners

Haim
Haim: "Forever"

Our artist to watch, Haim, dominated over a series of 5 (maybe more?) shows down in Austin, eventually leading to a packed house finale on Saturday night, and an inclusion in The New York Times over the weekend. The three sisters just announced a Glasslands show on May 5 here in NY. See you there.


Wild Belle


Django Django


NO


Savior Adore

New Haim: "Falling"

Today Zane Lowe premiered the massive new Haim track "Falling." What more can we say that we haven't already said about them?

New Haim: "Don't Save Me"

Saw this one subtly pop up around the internet today... hadn't heard much from the usual sources, but apparently this new Haim jam is getting some play over on Radio 1. Fantastic tune. Gonna be a great year! VIA I II

Savoir Adore Announce 'Our Nature'

Today, Paul Hammer and Deidre Muro aka Brooklyn's Savoir Adore, announced the release of their new record Our Nature, which drops October 16th On Red Eye / Popular Recordings; an album of alluring throwback pop hooks and stellar vocal performances. Their first single, "Dreamers" is the clear album standout, and you can check out their vid for it below. Savoir Adore, join Stark faves Haim and Pop Etc (ex-Morning Benders) Thursday night at Santos. Should be a stellar night. You can check out Haim's cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Hold Me" below as well, from the upcoming tribute album: Just Tell Me That You Want Me, coming August 14th via Concord.

Welcome Back: New Haim and Allah Las

Gone To Texas

Anyone who complains about going to SXSW is full of crap. I did buy some really sweet arch supports for my chucks though. Pretty old. So, apologies to all the bands, managers, and publicists I DON'T see but want to, and hello to all the new folks we're sure to run into on the trail down there. We owe a few posts to some bands, but those will have to wait till we get back. Real life's a bitch. Also, I just spilled my General Tso's chicken on my entire SXSW folder. True story.

Here are some bands we can't wait to see, in no order at all:  
Haim, Superhumanoids, Robert Glasper, Tristen, Ezra Furman, Kindness, Nikki Lane, NO, Cory Branan, Barr Brothers, Mr. Dream, Fort Lean, Ume, The Minutes, Django Django, Radiation City, Dry The River, Tops, Hanni El Khatib, Incan Abraham, Little Willies, Electric Flower, Snowmine, Savior Adore, Charli XCX, Danny Brown, The Men, Princeton, 2:54, Dent May, Grimes, Wild Belle, Todd Snider, Blitzen Trapper, Polica, Little Hurrican, Young Galaxy, Jonny Corndawg, Walk the Moon, and about 9 million more.