Oct 30, 2013

Gem Club - Polly (Single, 2014)



I wrote this song late one night several months ago for a demo I was working on for the new In Roses record. By that point I had become real tired of writing with the piano, so I dialed up some organ + poly synth combos on an SK20. The end of the song came before anything else. Over and over again and I kept thinking about why--in that sort of automatic writing state, in the late hours--was she coming through? Together we went into these landscapes, her trajectory, and that unbearable notion that sometimes these forces barrel through and rob us of ourselves. Thank you to everyone who helped transition this song into reality. I could have never imagined it's final form.

Oct 27, 2013

RIP Lou Reed (1942-2013)



Never short of an opinion, the Velvet Underground star's most memorable quotes make for fascinating reading.

Here are 14 of the best:

1. "I think that everything happens for a reason, everything happens when it's going to happen."

2. "I don't like nostalgia unless it's mine."

3. "I don't believe in dressing up reality. I don't believe in using makeup to make things look smoother."

4. "I tried to give up drugs by drinking."

5. "The music is all. People should die for it. People are dying for everything else, so why not the music?"

6. "These are really terribly rough times, and we really should try to be as nice to each other as possible."

7. "It's depressing when you're still around and your albums are out of print."

8. "I always believed that I have something important to say and I said it."

9. "I don't know anyone actually who does care what a critic says."

10. "I don't know what goes on in the crowd. I've had them show up and throw beer cans at me. I caused riots in most of the major cities."

11. "I'm in this business for too long to be half-hearted about anything."

12. "Me, I've concentrated on music pretty much to the exclusion of other things."

13. "I don't really think about what the subject of my next album will be. I just know that I'm going to make another album."

And of course...
14. "One chord is fine. Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you're into jazz."

Monuments and Statues - Red Dress - (Single, 2013)



Monuments and Statues, based in Kingston, ON, combine traditional folk/classical instrumentation with quirky songwriting to produce an eclectic yet familiar hybrid-genre sound. Many of M&S's songs center on compelling multi-vocal harmonization with banjo/cello lines in both supporting and featured roles, fleshed out by a revolving door of accompanying instrumentation and rhythmic variety. 


Banjo anchors “Red Dress,” with animated cello and vocals alternately assuming lead status. M&S’s overall sound owes much of its influence to vintage Mother Mother, Sufjan Stevens, romantic era classical music, and Simon and Garfunkel.

Oct 26, 2013

Tyler Burkhart - Halloween Ep - 2013



This little two song ep is as stark as the Fall landscape that surrounds.


One for the People Compilation - 2013


Checkout the artists track by track....



01. Yoofs - It's Been Fun

Bournemouth come Londoners Yoofs are all set to show off their debut LP in the not too distant future. Recorded on an offshot during a writing session, the demo's results happen to be near perfect. "Well it's been fun", and yes, yes it has.

02. SALES - EZ

Florida duo SALES are Jordan Shih and Lauren Morgan. One with sparse, clever drum loops and quaint effects, the other with a voice that is of Purity Ring (Megan James) perfection. Less is more, and SALES are more or less pretty great.


03. Horsebeach - Cold Hands

Mancunian Ryan Kennedy and his band Horsebeach know their expertise. With recent tracks showing off the groups ability to craft classic song writing skills that flow and bounce with rhythmic ease. 2014 better take note.

04. Diane Halls - Rupture

Japan is probably the last place you'd might expect this exhilarating, Jack Tatum-like beauty to come from, yet here we have it. We don't know much about young Diane (an alias, naturally), but he's on a roll, and here's hoping he keeps it up.

05. Swiss Alps - I'll Tell You Later

Now with two EP's under their belt, Philadelphia's Swiss Alps are ever dependable, and ever liked. "I'll Tell You Later" is another dose of their quite delectable 'cassette-wave' aesthetic; absolutely perfect for this compilation in every way.


06. Sunny - The Cabin

Sunny - the solo-project of Sean Anthony of Braves - never fails to lighten the mood. In homage to Arrested Development, "The Cabin" is as lo-fi but also as enlightening as it gets. On a side note - Braves will be releasing new material any day now.

 07. Gorgeous Bully - 5am

When Thom Crang, aka Gorgeous Bully, follows up his previous couple of EP's it's going to be something special. Please quote us on that. From one of the best efforts on last years '3.', he's seemingly 'done it' again on '4.' 5.'? Just wait & see...

 08. Flyying Colours - She Leaves 

Melbourne's Flyying Colours' take on MBV-like, reverb drenched shoegaze could possibly be one of the best things we've heard in a ages. This version of "She Leaves" is the scrappy little brother of the EP cut, with every element sounding harder, heavier and altogether more fun.

09. Fallow Deer - Vision 

Brighton's Fallow Deer are raw. But brilliantly raw. This rugged, muddied nugget is the latest (third, actually) from the mysterious south coast dwellers. It's bold, ballsy and brash. Do repeat, many times.


10. Wild Smiles - Ghost Rider

Wild Smiles are like a breath of fresh air. After releasing an impressive EP earlier in the year, they now offer us "Ghost Rider", and it's outright stupendous. Heavy, wild, outrageous and borderline ludicrous. We love it.

11. Blood Palms - Your Scent

The very first outing anywhere in the world wide web for Leicester soloist Blood Palms. A side route for songs that 'don't really fit with his other projects', "Your Scent" is influenced by the likes of The Fall, Sonic Youth & some early Sepultura, and it's pretty mean.

12. Sun Machine - Sadistic Dreams

Part of Aussie 'One's To Watch' Au.Ra, Sun Machine is Tom Crandles' solo-project. "Sadistic Dreams" isn't what the title wants you to believe, although it does possess a rather sadistic undercurrent. It's everything we've come to expect from Tom; psych/shoegaze bliss at it's best.

13. The Death Of Pop - Last

The Death Of Pop, besides having a great name, are clearly a band who are getting better with time. Making hits is becoming second nature almost, with their ever glittering pop melodies and twisted shoegaze flavoring.

14. Joel Hood - Follow The Fool

North Yorkshire's finest returns with his first material since 2012, when "Getaway Car" was buzzed upon like a beacon from the dales. Rest assured, Mr. Hood lives up to all those early expectations with "Follow The Fool", a majestically ambient creation.

15. Motherhood - Hikkimori

From Oxford's (well, ish) factory line of wonderfully talented musicians comes Joe Robinson, aka Motherhood. This sultry peach was recorded at Safe House studios with the helping hands of Trophy Wife, remember them?

 16. Heathers - Fear (acoustic)

L.A upstarts Heathers may be better known for their bursting guitar-pop, but on new song "Fear", they embrace a subtler, more elegant side, proving that there's far more cannons in their arsenal, just in case you were wondering.

17. Sutcliffe Catering Co. - Femme Gut

Straight from Tuscon, Arizona, Sutcliffe CC bring a certain grace to the whole compilation. A demo recorded around the same time of their debut 7" single,  it's a fine way to fade us out, we're sure you'll agree.

Oct 23, 2013

Bo White - Adornment - 2013


Bo White where chamber pop meets glam punk. Very nice release.


Snow Mantled Love - conversations - 2013


a fan said,
Dan DeMarco : Snow Mantled Love have created yet another collection of ambient, soothing bedroom pop lullabies. Full of dreamlike extended jams, Conversations draws you into its world and doesn't let go.

Oct 22, 2013

Buster Keaton in Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)


John Gill - Growing Things - 2013


Some Canadiana folk from Cape Breton Island... Sultry songs work well over acoustic ramblings.

L O M - Salt - EP - 2013


L O M are a Brighton three-piece that formed at the end of 2012. They combine folk and soul, layering the vocal harmonies of two sisters over instrumentation.


The Young Republic - Thank You And Good Night - 2013


Young Republic play a nice folk rock sound, definitely influenced by retro music of the day... Reminds me a lot of Edward Sharp, quite a good release.


Oct 16, 2013

Low - PLAYS NICE PLACES - 2013


Sub Pop Records is excited to announce that Duluth, MN, trio Low are releasing their 10th record, The Invisible Way, on March 19, 2013 (the 18th in the UK). The record was produced by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, engineered by Tom Schick and recorded in Wilco's studio in Chicago, IL, during the fall of 2012. 
Coincidentally, the release marks Low's 20th anniversary as a band.

free download here


Bradley Hathaway - How Long - (single, 2013)



a perfect amalgamation of folk sensibility, rustic roots and dusty passion. excellent release.



Astro Children - Nora Barnacle



This is an interesting album. It is at times so smooth and sweet, but then its' balls come out and pushes the envelop. Female vocals build relentlessly towards noise; cute erupting energy, excellent.


Oct 15, 2013

Lorde - The Love Club - 2013


I have been loving Lorde's new album, what a voice, what a song-writer! If you haven't listened to the whole thing from start to finish WhatZ Up!!! Get to it you will only thank me. Beautiful songs.


Tessa Turns 8


My beautiful daughter turns eight today - she wanted to be on the "internets" on this joyful occasion, so here you go!

Fall is Here


that's a double rainbow people!




Fall has been spectacular this year in Canada; the trees, the air, the sun all have given us a fall to remember; here are a few captures from the month of September.

Oct 14, 2013

The Junior Mints - Alison and Lily - 2013


bandcamp

Female harmonies play so well together on this four folk song release from Chicago's finest tweet pop performers The Junior Mints. Four bucks for four songs, pretty sweet deal from these mints


mariposa - Blame - 2013



part tribal, part mysterious, part lovely... mariposa stream touches of melody, echoing over haunting  voices on Blame. Bandcamp awaits


this one too, rather good



Oct 13, 2013

TuneGlue - Music Map


Great site for exploring musicians and connecting the dots...

DenMother - Moon - Deluxe Edition, 2013



Inspired by:
warrior drums
haunting chants
distorted synths.


The Gentle Stunts - Beg The Question - 2013



The Gentle Stunts is a made up of the subconscious, nostalgia, and drive of Cal McNamara. With two LP's out in the open, and a new one "Beg The Question" , Cal continues to create impulsively with an ever-growing understanding of production and songwriting. The music starts upstairs and makes it's way from his mind into the garage where his studio exists to serve as a pylon for the end result. 


Great Hare - Singles - 2013

 
 


A few incredible singles coming out of Sweden's indie scene... All free, all awesome!

Facebook: Great Hare is an indie rock band started by four friends in Gothenburg, Sweden. We formed a few years ago to escape jobs in psychology, architecture and advertising, bills, commuting and other responsibilities of modern life. In the 90’s all of us had been playing in band with varying degrees of ambition and success, from basement gigs to John Peel sessions for the BBC and videos on MTV’s 120 Minutes. 

Oct 8, 2013

Dean Wareham - Emancipated Hearts - 2013




Produced by Jason Quever (Papercuts), musicians include Dean, Britta Phillips, Anthony LaMarca, Gillian Rivers.

Oct 7, 2013

tindersticks - across six leap years - 2013



An incredible album, they are at the top of their chamber sway. So incredibly perfect.

There will be streams of “Across six leap years” on the following sites starting on Monday 7 October at 12.00 UK time (13.00 CET)
UK – The Quietus
Ireland – RTE
Germany – Zeit Online
France – Deezer
Spain – El Pais (streaming starts Tuesday 8 October)
Portugal – Blitz
Austria – Kurier
Italy – Sentireascoltare
Sweden – Nöjesguiden
Belgium – De Standaard

Concerts

October:
19 – Hérouville-Saint-Clair, Big Band Cafe
20 – Rennes, Carre Sevigne
21 – Paris, Olympia
22 – Brussels – Cirque Royale
24 – Dublin, Vicar St
25 – London, Barbican
27 – Copenhagen, Koncertsalen
28 – Berlin, Admiralspalast
29 – Amsterdam, Concertgebouw
31 – Barcelona, BARTS – Barcelona Jazz Festival

November:
02 – Lisbon, Coliseu Dos Recreios


Oct 5, 2013

Facts



Amazing no? 

KEXP Presents: Eleanor Friedberger - 2013


September 30, 2013, the singer-songwriter, known for her work in Fiery Furnaces, recently brought a batch of hummable songs to Seattle's KEXP for an in-studio performance. Watch Friedberger and her band perform "Stare At The Sun."


Sea Wolf - You're a Wolf - 2008


I like these sessions from backstage Sessions... simple acoustic, campfire delivery.
find more over at It's Hard To Find A Friend

Oct 4, 2013

Go Home - Dorm Room Sessions #1 - 2013



this is a bunch of sessions / home recordings... they are quaint, simple songs that don't ask much, but a few hidden gems throughout the sessions. To get them all check out their bandcamp page, there are four of them up there for free.

Crow Quilled Confessions - Spill My Guts: A Collection of Love Letters, Hate Letters, and Other Such Drivel - 2013




Slightly interesting music with a very interesting delivery... Not for everyone, but cool home recordings.

These are some songs that I've written over the past few years that I've compiled here as a way of sort of sending them off. I originally planned for there to be more, but during the recording process I realized how few of them I still like. So here are the ones I can still tolerate, making up something awkwardly in between an EP and an album. I know all of these cuts are flawed in one way or another, but at this point I've been working with them so long I just wanted to have them down so I can move onto other things. 
Regardless, hopefully someone will enjoy this.