Thinking of coming back….

What do you think? Should I? You miss me?
Let me know in the comments or via email then.

Jay Reatard – See/Saw video

“I feel like I have to give you something special…”

Lykke Li – Can I Kick It?

Holy Hail!

Never heard of this NYC trio? Neither had I until I happened across their music from one of the many great sites in our blogroll over there. From what I can tell, Holy Hail consists of Cat (vocals/keys), Kevin (vocals/guitar) and Michally (bass). Since this music is more in the dance/electro vein, there’s no drummer of course, but in some pics I do see a 4th member, maybe the pics are old or something?

It’s been a little harder than usual to dig up info on Holy Hail. Musically, they have their stuff together, but they need to update their links on their website and add some bio. They do have more of an official site that is kept more up to date and mentions the new album, “Independent Pleasure Club”, so that’s good.

Their first hit off of the album, “Cool Town Rock” is guaranteed to please all of the hipsters, it has all the right elements, dance, pop, etc. I’m a big fan of the song, “Cherry Street” from the album, it has a touch of Teenagers in there and the song itself always gets stuck in my head. I included the song, “Elemental” below b/c it’s one of my personal faves off of the album.

“Born Of A Star” official video

 

The songs mix it up quite nicely throughout the album, it’s a good one that is listenable all the way through. I don’t see any tour info at the moment, but if you ever hear of Holy Hail coming to your town, do yourself a favor and check them out. I have links below for you to keep up on the band and buy some tracks while you’re at it.
Myspace – Official – Buy

Holy Hail – Elemental

Watch the band perform “Luck Will Find You” on Dinner With The Band

“Cool Town Rock” official video

Let’s start a fire!

Quick post about a great band I came across called, “Sunny Day Sets Fire” (referred to as SDSF from here on b/c I’m lazy). SDSF seems to be on the fast track to total domination as they’ve been featured in many of the music blogs, magazines, Pitchfork, you name it. Yet, they still retain the innocence and charm of the local garage band wanting to sell you their demo tape.

SDSF hail from all corners of the globe – Mauro (Italy) Onyee (Hong Kong), Max (Italy), Ed (UK), Matthew (Canada). Their music reflects from a pool of wide ranging influences and runs somewhere on the plain of epic psychedelic pop. Originally a three piece (their first recordings are dated 2004), Mauro, Onyee and Max enlisted Ed in 2006 and then Matthew in early 2007 to help make their live performances and studio recordings a bigger more colourful experience.

Following intensive rehearsals and recording sessions the end results are bright, richly textured, epic recordings and explosive live performances, which see the band switch instruments a number of times. The band released their first single, Brainless, on Brikabrak Records in 2006 and followed it up with the release of Wilderness in the latter part of the year. Around the same time the band released a four tracks EP on IAmSound in the US and Etch’n'Sketch records in Australia.

The band will be touring throughout Europe and the US in 2008, supporting the release of the long awaited debut album “Summer Palace”, as well as the upcoming “Stranger – Remix EP” featuring remixes by the likes of CSS, Diplo and the Cool Kids.

Sunny Day Sets Fire video “Stranger”

Check out their videos for Brainless (below) and Stranger (above), see them if they’re in your town and buy their stuff if you haven’t already. You don’t want to miss this boat!
Myspace – Official – Blog – Buy

Sunny Day Sets Fire – Brainless

Sunny Day Sets Fire video “Brainless”

“Inspired by Pee Wee Herman”

I love bands with a neat backstory to their name, the fact that they’re from Brooklyn only adds icing to the cake! The group consists of Erika Forster (vocals/keyboard), Annie Hart (vocals/keyboard), and Heather D’Angelo (vocals/drum machine/keyboard). Forster and Hart became friends while traveling by train from Vermont to New York.

Their “official” website is one of the best I’ve seen, be sure to check it out. Here’s a news snippet from their site: “We are pleased to announce the upcoming release of REVERSE MIGRATION, a collection of our favorite remixes and covers from THE BIRD OF MUSIC. Tracks by The Teenagers, Darkel of AIR, Pacific!, Keith Murray of We Are Scientists, Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip, and many more. This is a digital-only release and will be available on iTunes, eMusic and many other online stores November 11th.”

If you get the chance, get their new album, visit their site for free tunes and see them on tour if you’re lucky enough, this group oozes of talent and beautiful music!
Myspace – Official – Buy

Au Revoir Simone – Lark

Au Revoir Simone – Lark (Ruff and Jam mix)

23 seconds of “Let The Sunshine Come” when they played Emo’s in Austin

Nice interview with the girls

Love is all

You know I can’t resist a Swedish indie pop band and Love Is All don’t prove me wrong. After the break up of Girlfriendo, Josephine (vocals, keyboards), Nicholaus (guitar, vocals) and Markus (drums), Johan (bass) and Fredrik (saxophone) formed Love Is All, and debuted in 2006 with Nine Times That Same Song. They are currently signed to the New York-based indie label What’s Your Rupture?. They also have been featured on the renowned BBC radiocast Peel Sessions 2004. Their profile was raised significantly after a string of well-received US tourdates in March 2006, culminating in a sold-out headlining spot in New York, and they supported British band Maxïmo Park on their UK tour in October 2006.

Love Is All are currently on tour and their new album, “A Hundred Things Keep Me Up at Night” comes out 11/11/08 and is available for pre-order. Pre-orders will receive the first 7″ single “Wishing Well” b/w a cover of Faith No More’s “Epic” shipped to them free of charge on 10/10 and the MP3s delivered immediately! When the album ships on 11/11, MP3s of the entire record will be emailed out to everyone who ordered the album! What are you waiting for?
Myspace – Official – Buy CD – Buy Vinyl

Love is All – Nothing To Be Done

Love is All – Wishing Well

BONUS: Love Is All performing Felt Tip at the Market Hotel in Bushwick Brooklyn, NY

Nov 16 2008 8:00P Part Time Punks Festival @ the Echoplex Los Angeles, California
Nov 17 2008 8:00P The Casbah w/ Vivian Girls and Nodzzz San Diego, California
Nov 18 2008 8:00P The Smell w/ Vivian Girls and Nodzzz Los Angeles, California
Nov 19 2008 8:00P SLO Art Center w/ Vivian Girls and Nodzzz San Luis Obispo, California
Nov 20 2008 9:00P Bottom of the hill w/ Vivian Girls and Nodzzz San Francisco, California
Nov 21 2008 8:00P The Fungarden w/ Vivian Girls and Nodzzz Sacramento, California
Nov 22 2008 8:30P Backspace w/ Vivian Girls and Nodzzz Portland, Oregon
Nov 23 2008 8:00P Nectar Lounge w/ Vivian Girls and Nodzzz Seattle, Washington
Nov 24 2008 8:00P Richard’s on Richards Vancouver, British Columbia
Dec 6 2008 8:00P The Rock and Roll Hotel Washington DC, Washington DC
Dec 7 2008 7:30P Bowery Ballroom w/ Crystal Stilts New York, New York
Dec 8 2008 8:00P Great Scott! w/ Crystal Stilts Boston, Massachusetts
Dec 10 2008 8:30P La Sala Rossa w/ Crystal Stilts Montreal, Quebec
Dec 11 2008 8:00P Horseshoe Tavern w/ Crystal Stilts Toronto, Ontario
Dec 12 2008 8:00P Magic Stick w/ Crystal Stilts Detroit, Michigan
Dec 14 2008 8:00P The Empty Bottle w/ Crystal Stilts Chicago, Illinois
Jan 10 2009 8:00P Fritz Corner / Debaser Slussen Stockholm, Stockholms län

Finally Friday!

Kanye released yesterday his 2nd single of 808s & Heartbreak in  . It is the second track that was leaked into the web, “Heartless”. I’m feeling Kanye on this new stuff!

Radiohead frontman, Thom Yorke releases Barack Obama celebration song! Check it out here!

I’m also feeling this new Wavves track, “So Bored”, loving the rip-off Natas graphics as well! Catchy, lo-fi garage is how I would describe this.


Have you voted on the NME 2008 Cool List yet? So far, Alice Klass from Crystal Castles is in the lead for #1 and I can’t say I disagree. Cast your vote when you get the chance!



Well, that’s about it for today kids, let’s keep it short and sweet waddya say?
Estelle (feat. Kanye West) vs The Ting Tings – Shut Up, American Boy

Estelle (Feat. Kanye West) – American Boy

Wavves – So Bored

Yes we can!

If you’re an Obama supporter as I’m sure many of you are, then you have to be a happy camper like the majority of the country! I’m going to leave the political talk to the million other sites out there doing it now, although, I do have to say, I love this poster:

In any case, let’s celebrate with some Kanye mashups. Why? I dunno, b/c we CAN! Oh, and if you haven’t seen Justice’s “A Cross The Universe” yet, you’re missing out big time, this is one to own asap! Here’s the trailer in case you missed it:

Buy it here (when available)
Kanye West Vs. MGMT Vs. Justice – Electric Touch

Kanye West vs. The Knife – High Heartbeats (A-TRAK Mash Up)

Bonus, I love their video for “Stress”, check it if you have the time:

Done with love…

Today’s a very important day, folks, hope you got out and voted. To help calm my nerves and keep me sane, the Whispertown 2000 do a pretty darn good job. From their bio: “The Whispertown 2000 is such a fitting name for a whole bunch of reasons. Morgan Nagler, (lead vocals, guitar) has been whispering for years before making this record. For the longest time, her songs were only heard in the most casual settings; passing the guitar in a circle in someone’s living room, barely singing above the crackle of firewood or clinking bottles.”


Check them out if you get the chance, they’re touring and have a new album that just came out!
Myspace – Official – Buy

The Whispertown 2000 – Done With Love

Nov 5 2008 8:00P Metamusic Records Santa Cruz, California
Nov 6 2008 9:00P The Bottom of the Hill 18+!! San Fransisco, California
Nov 7 2008 6:00P j-beans Merced, California
Nov 9 2008 8:00P Stillwater Ashland, Oregon
Nov 10 2008 8:15P El Corazon Seattle, Washington
Nov 12 2008 8:00P One World Cafe Moscow, Idaho
Nov 13 2008 6:00P Music Millennium Portland, Oregon
Nov 15 2008 8:00P Old Ironsides w/Silver Darling, Chris Robley(Norfolk & Western), and It’s Not An Aeroplane Sacramento, California
Nov 16 2008 7:00P House Show w/ Good Riddler & Low-Five!! Santa Rosa, California
Nov 17 2008 7:00P The Wiltern w/ The Breeders! Los Angeles, California
Nov 23 2008 8:00P The Loft at UC San Diego all ages San Diego, California
Nov 30 2008 8:00P The Troubador w/ Azure Ray and Tim Kasher!!! Los Angeles