April 26, 2012 by Steph
Hot off the press from one of my favorite labels, Hidden Pony brings us this great video from The Danks. It’s a kaleidoscopic, drug-hazed, fun-binge of slightly hazy indie rock and cotton candy.
Their new record Are You Afraid of the Danks is coming out on May 22nd and I have no doubt it’ll shine.
DOWNLOAD: MP3 of Automocar
Category Music Videos, News, Tracks | Tags: canadian,Hidden Pony,the danks | Comments Off on WATCH THIS: The Danks – “Automocar”
April 25, 2012 by Steph
Reptar’s new record Body Faucet will be out on May 1st via Vagrant Records, but you can hear the whole thing right here. These guys are a riot live–I saw them a few months ago in Los Angeles. The record is catchy as hell and it wouldn’t surprise me if “Sebastian” turns into the Summer 2012 “Pumped Up Kicks” phenomenon. Listen now while it’s still a voluntary decision and you can say, “I knew them when…”
@reptarathens
facebook.com/reptarmusic
Category Albums, News | Tags: album stream,Athens,indie rock,Reptar,vagrant records | Comments Off on HEAR THIS: Reptar’s Full Album Body Faucet
April 24, 2012 by Steph
I love how sweet and charming this song is. A great tribute to some of the great singing couple/duos – Emmylou Harris & Gram Parsons and June Carter Cash & Johnny Cash. Who would have thought that a Swedish duo would be making some of the best Americana today?
Category Music Videos | Tags: americana,Duo,female duo,first aid kit,swedish | Comments Off on WATCH THIS: First Aid Kit – “Emmylou”
April 18, 2012 by Steph
Kalem and I had so much fun making this video with Tic Tic Boom! I’ve gotten to know the front-duo Mike and Leilani of this dark synth pop band pretty well over the last year and they’re really great to work with.
We wanted to create something a bit more than a live session, but not quite a music video for the acoustic version of the track “The Open” from the band’s sophomore EP Reasons & Rhymes. What we ended up with is what we’re calling a “b-sides video” for this b-side track and I hope you enjoy it!
We filmed all outside of Mike and Leilani’s apartment in Hollywood, California and inside their home studio.
Category Music Videos | Tags: b-sides video,dark pop,Los Angeles,premiere,synth pop,Tic Tic Boom! | 1 Comment
April 17, 2012 by Steph
I’ve never been to Coachella, but I say with confidence that I don’t regret that. But I do suppose that I owe the festival a big “THANK YOU!” for sending this amazing co-headlining show my way. In between the Coachella weekends this year, there are amazing shows in the outskirts of LA and tUnE-yArDs and St. Vincent at The Glass House in Pomona this Thursday 4/19 is the best one.
I have been completely obsessed with both of these bands this year. My crush on St. Vincent is clear from the love I’ve been giving the project on my site (WATCH THIS: St. Vincent – “Cheerleader” / Favorite Albums of 2011). tUnE-yArDs has gotten less textual support, but I love Meryl nearly as much. I’M SO EXCITED!
Get Tickets Here: http://www.theglasshouse.us/event/91403/
@st_vincent
facebook.com/St.Vincent
@tuneyards
facebook.com/tuneyards
Category Live | Tags: glass house,St Vincent,tune-yards | Comments Off on SEE THIS: tUnE-YarDs and St. Vincent
April 16, 2012 by Steph
My feelings on Best Coast are generally mediocre at best, but this song caught me off guard–in an amazing way. This is the title track on their upcoming album The Only Place on Mexican Summer out on May 15th and I’m definitely excited to see where this record takes them. Perhaps a little less noisy, a little more poppy, and perfect for a West Coast summer!
Category Tracks | Tags: Best Coast,indie rock,lo fi | Comments Off on HEAR THIS: Best Coast – “The Only Place”
April 13, 2012 by Steph
The minimal and downbeat electronic undulating mixed with lo-fi guitar and a Karen-O like female vocalist on this track “Wait” from London’s quickly ascending star Airhead (aka Rob McAndrews) is magical. It only takes a few seconds to find yourself completely enraptured. It’s stunning. Breathtaking. Awe-inspiring, rocking you involuntarily like a puppet to its beats.
If you hear the James Blake connection, it’s no accident. They went to school together and have always written and performed together. “He’s one of my closest friends and an incredible musician to work alongside,” says McAndrews.
Wait/South Congress was released as a ten-inch single on 3/19, their first release on R&S Records. Their debut album will follow later this year and I’m anxiously waiting.
Category Features, Tracks | Tags: airhead,British,Electronic,James Blake,london,Rob McAndrews | Comments Off on HEAR THIS: Airhead – “Wait”
April 10, 2012 by Steph
My love for indie pop guy/girl duets runs deep. I can’t say that Austin’s Wild Child is the most original, but they’re charming, catchy, and adorable. They have a Slow Club vibe in the sense that the melody is happy, but the tone is sad. Their video here “Pillow Talk” depicts a sweet, dream-like work a la Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
This is the title track from their debut album released last October on Major Nation Records. Not sure why their just starting to surface, but I’m curious to see what else this band brings and if they can continue to charm!
Category Features, Music Videos | Tags: Austin,Duo,Wild Child | Comments Off on WATCH THIS: Wild Child – “Pillow Talk”
April 5, 2012 by Steph
Upbeat indie pop from London, Laurel Collective is groovy, noisy, and uber-cool. They signed with an offshoot of Domino Records, Double Six, in their infancy. A sensational introduction to the band with “They Hate Me,” I’m dying to see what these guys come up with on their upcoming debut via Tape Club/Believe.
Aside from working on their own music, they also do their part to foster the indie scene. Apparently they host a now-famous secret festival in a remotely-located forest (called In the Woods), which has featured the likes of Micachu and the Shapes, The Invisible, Pete and the Pirates, and Anna Calvi on the bill. They also hosted a regular night called ‘Hindenburg Mile-High Club’ for a short time in London.
Seems like I should have heard of these guys by now. Have you?
Category Features, Tracks | Tags: British,experimental,london,pop | Comments Off on HEAR THIS: Laurel Collective – “They Hate Me”
