Ben Sollee - Close to You

I think Ben Sollee might be gunning for the award for most music videos made in the shortest amount of time. I'm not complaining, but he's just churning them out. Here's the video for "Close to You," it's a lot of fun to watch:

Close To You from Ben Sollee on Vimeo.

Ruby Coast - Made to Change

I should have posted about Ruby Coast sooner; actually, I thought I had. They're a great band and they just released a video for one of their songs a couple weeks ago. Check it out, it's called "Made to Change:"

Imaginary Friends

 I'd like to say I knew about Imaginary Friends because of his relation to Local Natives, but I can't. I just stumbled onto his music. I'm truly delighted I did too. It's just great music:

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Paleo - Holly Wood

I caught Paleo back in Gainesville when You're so Cool opened for him. I've pretty much been a fan since. A great story behind his touring schedule if you look into it. Here's the video for "Holly Wood" off his new release:

Paleo - "Holly Would" Official Video from Partisan Records on Vimeo.

Stuart Newman - Single But Defective

I heard the Eels and Sparklehorse as I started listening to Stuart Newman. It's tastefully minimal and demanding. His album, Single But Defective, finds him matching lightly finger picked guitar with whispered vocals. Give it a listen:

stuartnewmanmusic.com

Sophie Madeleine - Song to Fall in Love to

Two things I like: a good song and a pretty girl. In that order too. Sophie Madeleine offers both. I found her about six months ago and have been a fan since. She just released a new Youtube video for "Song to Fall in Love to:"

Dr. Dog

I guess this is when Toby had a damaged voice. If you ever get to see Dr. Dog live, you're in for a treat.

Birdie Hilltop - The Sorrow

I just saw a video for Birdie Hilltop's "The Sorrow." It's an older song, but I guess I missed the video for it.

The Sorrow from Birdie Hilltop on Vimeo.

I was checking out his old website, as well, and found out there are stories behind each of his record. The Sorrow:

"This album took two years to complete, and although recorded digitally it is still decidedly lo-fi. There is experimentation with a fuller sound due to a larger number of available tracks, and a host of instruments make an appearance - electric guitar and bass, percussion, a real piano, etc. Recorded in New York and Lancaster 2007-2009"

birdiehilltop.com

Humming House - Gypsy Django

 

Justin Wade of Humming House just emailed me to let me know they've released their single "Gypsy Django." It's a ukulele driven stomper; ya, I thought it was an interesting combination too. I look forward to seeing what the album will sound like. I'd be interested to know if anyone else hears early Andrew Bird in Justin's voice. Stream it here. Buy it here. Like them here.

humminghouse.com

You're So Cool - Keep Passing the Open Windows

You're so Cool just released a new album called Keep Passing the Open Windows. It's like their older stuff met up with Grizzly Bear and finds them treading more experimental territory. Check it out, I really like "I Don't Mind."

The Love Language at The End Tonight

I'm partial to Merge bands. I think it's a mix between ethics and great taste. The Love Language are like sixties pop meets garage rock; I'm pretty sure that translates to "great live." They're playing the End tonight and you should check it out.

Check out Isaac Brock's crib

Isaac talks about his house and his record label, Glacial Pace. I think there might even be a snippet of a new song in there.

Pokey Lafarge Tonight!

Pokey Lafarge is playing Loveless Cafe tonight at 7. It's $10 for regular admission and $5 for students. It's worth and I should be there.

AgesandAges - Alright You Restless

Another recommendation from Nick. AgesandAges are what happen when harmonies and southern rock collide. They're a very enjoyable listen through and through. They're also currently on tour, so check their website to see if they're coming to your town.

Oh Fortuna - Might Mountain

These guys know how to put on a show. Their album release was the first show I caught when I moved to Gainesville. I don't know that you'll find another band that puts so much of themselves into a show on a local level. This is a post, however, to tell you about their new song Might Mountain (though you should see them live if you get the chance). It's a great pop tune! and on a nerdy note, props to Darren Solomon on the mix.

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The Glands

I started this blog as a way to talk about music that grabs me; if you know me, you know that's quite a lot of music. That means I'll pull up older bands. If you're older than me, these bands may not be news to you. It never hurts to be reminded of what's good though.

The Glands are a melodic garage rock band (I don't know how else to describe them) and their songs ruminate on some great subject matter. Either way, enjoy:

New Shins?

Remember The Shins? It's been a while hasn't it? Ya, we had Broken Bells, but my general feelings were "it isn't The Shins..." Anyway, it looks like there may be a new Shins record in the near future (say a year or two). James debuted a new song live with Joe Plummer (Shins, Modest Mouse, Mister Heavenly)the other day:

Thanks to YANP!

Ben Sollee - Electrified

Here's Ben Sollee's video for Electrified. It's pretty cool if I say so myself.

Electrified from Ben Sollee on Vimeo.

bensollee.com

Netherfriends - Angry East Coast

I blogged about Netherfriends in one of my first posts. Then it was just great ambient music. With Angry East Coast it seems to still be ambient, but with a pop focus. They're currently working on releasing 50 songs for the 50 states over the next month, so keep an eye out.

Thao & Mirah

I just heard some of the studio versions of Thao & Mirah's collaborations at WLFY. I have to say it's a departure, but a definitely welcome one. Compare and contrast for yourself:

Thao & Mirah "How Dare You" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Colorfeels

It's one of those ethereal music kind of days. I've caught Colorfeels twice live in Nashville. The first time they were kind of timid as their music indicates and maybe that was because there wasn't a big crowd, but the second time I saw them they rocked out. Either way, they were good shows. They're getting ready to release an LP, so keep an eye out for it. In the mean time, you can listen to these:

http://www.colorfeels.com/

California Wives - Tokyo

Man am I sucker for lush soundscapes! California Wives have created just that while simultaneously writing a great pop song. I'm gonna go ahead and call it my find of the day. Thanks to The Needle Drop!

CaliforniaWives-Tokyo by California Wives

californiawives.net

5 Funky, Soulful Songs for Spring

I'd rather just kick back today, but I'm gonna have to go do work. To help me through it I'm relaxing in the music sense of things. Here are five songs for just that:

Grant Green - Ease Back
Checkmates LTD - Got to See "U" Soon
The Blue Notes - Cuando Cuando
The Ohio Players - Sweet Sticky Thing
James Booker - Look What I've Got

The Inscape - The Inscape 7"

The Inscape reminded me that music can be a lot of fun. With driving beats and guitars you can't really help but nod your head (the entire crowd was pretty much dancing when I first caught them). They're great live and, fortunately, great in recorded form. You can grab their 7" for free on Soundcloud.

  The Inscape 7" by The Inscape

For you guys in Nashville, they'll be playing the Mercy Lounge this Friday.

Humming House show Thursday!

 It's pretty much how it sounds. I imagine from what I've heard of Humming House this will be well worth the five dollars (and might I add you get free download with that?). I have class until 9:30, but you can expect to see me there as soon as I get out.

The details:

April 14th
Douglas Corner Cafe
7:30 PM
$5 - Includes a free digital download
Humming House
Jessica Breanne and The Electric Hearts
The Floorwalkers
Carolina Story 

Facebook Event 

Yellow Ostrich - Hold On

I'm a sucker for pop and I really enjoy a good lo-fi sound. Yellow Ostrich has both of these goin on. They've also got some really cool vocal layering. You can head over to YANP for an interview with member Alex Schaaf.

Yellow Ostrich - Hold On

Humming House - Cold Chicago

I really enjoy finding good bands out of nowhere. That's how I found Humming House. I happened upon this video for "Cold Chicago," it's a rambunctiously playful tune. For fans of anything folky and upbeat, enjoy:

humminghouse.com

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Freelance Whales - Girl U Want

Freelance Whales did this cover of Devo's song "Girl U Want" for a touring 7" with Foals. Go to a show and get it. Thanks Nick!

Girl U Want

Telekinesis - Please Ask For Help

The new Telekinesis album is great. I've been listening to it pretty heavily lately and it's a great indie pop endeavor. Here's the video for "Please Ask For Help." All I can think is relationships weren't awkward enough without big heads:

Seekae - Gnor

Just heard this track over at The Needle Drop. It's a super chill instrumental track with slow build and layering. Enjoy.

Gnor

The Beastie Boys - Fight For Your Right Revisited

The Beastie Boys just released this short. Looks like they're gearing up for a new album release along with a 30 minute video. In the meantime let's play spot the famous comedic actor:

Time's Daytrotter Feature

Time just did a feature on Daytrotter.com:

Foxes Have Foxeholes - Whistle Blower

My buddy Kyle is in the band Foxes Have Foxholes and they've just finished working on the video for their song "Whistle Blower."  It starts soft and explodes with emotion as the song culminates. Check it out:

Grab there EP at Noisetrade.com

Death Cab For Cutie - You Are a Tourist

Here's the video for "You Are a Tourist" the single from Codes and Keys. It's like a more atmospheric, more rockin' Narrow Stairs if this is any indication of how things are going.

Alden Penner - Odes to the houses

Alden Penner was a member of the Unicorns. His new EP, Odes to the house, came out Sunday. Enjoy.

Here's a video of "Last Shelter"

Thanks to YANP

Arend of Crawfishes

Before I had this blog, I made an ill fated attempt at running one in Gainesville. One of the more fun things I got to do with that blog was record some of my favorite Gainesville acts. Here's the videos for Arend from Crawfishes. And if you were wondering, that blog was called NW4thST.





it occured to me that we recorded a lot of songs with Arend.

Life - Living & Dying

 

I have the fortune of knowing a lot of really talented people; this is something that I've been really coming to grasp with as I continue on with this blog. Life is a lo-fi post rock band from Fort Lauderdale featuring my friend Robert Edmondson and his collaborators Sven Larsen and Sir Geo III. They have a two part release on bandcamp the first part being living and the second dying. Here's what they have to say:

"We HIGHLY RECOMMEND downloading this WHOLE album so that it can be heard gaplessly. Headphones will also aid your experience."

 

Meaghan Smith - I Know

Meaghan Smith won the JUNO award for best new artist and that's how I found out about her. She has that old jazzy feel to her with a dash of contemporary sensibilities. Think along the lines of Feist. Easy listening all the way. Her song know is on it's third play in a row for me. Enjoy the cute video:

Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean

Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean from Fleet Foxes on Vimeo.

New Fleet Foxes video for Grown Ocean. I don't think I need to say more.

Port O'brien on the Laundromatinee

Hey, here's another great band. They were just featured on the Laundromatinee and it's a great session.

You may know them from this song that got them quite a bit of attention a while ago:

Thanks to MOKB

http://www.portobrien.com/

The Rosebuds - Go Ahead

The Rosebuds are a great band. They've got a new release out through Merge Records on June 7th called Loud Planes Fly Low. Here's a video for "Go Ahead." Go to MOKB for a free download.

The Rosebuds - Loud Planes Fly Low from 521studies on Vimeo.

http://therosebuds.com/

Vandaveer - The Nature of Our Kind

 

Vandaveer is a great acoustic duo with a number of solid releases under their belt. They've just released this video for "The Nature of Our Kind" in anticipation of their album, Big Down Deep, out April 26th. Thanks to YANP for this one.

http://www.vandaveer.net/

Ben Sollee - Hurting

Ben Sollee is his own category when it comes to the cello. I don't think you can find anyone else quite like him. In 2007 he released a great album called Learning to Bend and now he's set to follow that up in May with Inclusions. Here's the video for "Hurting," a track from that upcoming release. Heard about it from MOKB.

Hurting from Ben Sollee on Vimeo.

http://bensollee.com/

S. Carey at the Basement

S. Carey is playing at the Basement in Nashville on Monday. You may know him as the drummer of Bon Iver, but the man makes amazing music in his own right. My plans for Monday night are now set.

City of Music: S. Carey from MPLS.TV on Vimeo.

Casa Castile

In the wake of the Shins and lately Chillwave, plenty of people are making music in their bedroom. Andrew Nabuco is included in this category of people and he does an exceedingly good job at it. Making music under the moniker of Casa Castile his debut, Vake, is a foray into psychedelia and pop. It's a great listen clocking in at just under 26 minutes and is up for free download on Mediafire.

I first saw Andrew and his live band a few months ago at a house show. They're one of the best live shows you can catch in Nashville, so make sure you do.

   Haunted Ecstasy by Casa Castile

  Time Machine by Casa Castile