Yawn

Hailing from Chicago, Yawn is one of those new breed of bands that have their hands in several different genres at once, but are still smart enough to concoct something interesting that's full of hooks and will refuse to leave your head for days. The band mixes Vampire Weekend and Graceland-era Paul Simon with more pedestrian sounds like Passion Pit to create an engaging, international dance party.

The band's new EP is out now.

[mp3]: "Midnite"

Radiohead Giveaway

Radiohead. What’s left to say about this seminal British band that has defined Britpop for nearly twenty years? The genre defying genius of Thom Yorke and company can be charted over the course of their seven albums, but post OK Computer (1997) releases further shape the evocative mood and style that would come to define this their sound over the next decade.

In honor of Capitol/EMI’s recent release of 2CD “Collectors Editions “and Limited Edition 2CD + DVD “Special Collectors Editions” of Kid A, Amnesiac, and Hail To The Thief, we decided to take a look back at these three influential albums.

Released in 2000, Kid A became the first Radiohead album to top the charts in the US, debuting at number one and was nominated for an Album of the Year Grammy. Transitioning to a more ambient and electronic sound with tracks like “Idioteque” and “Everything In Its Right Place” this album cemented the band’s place in music history. The stirring fluidity of “How to Disappear Completely” stands as one of the most haunting tracks of the bands catalog.

Released just eight months after Kid A, 2001’s Amnesiac features tracks “Knives Out” and “Pyramid Song,” both natural extensions of the band’s developing ambient sound. “Life In A Glass House” showcases their experimentation with jazz influences, with trumpet and trombones accompaniment.

Radiohead returned to their guitar roots, combined with other electronic influences on 2003’s Hail to the Thief. Tracks like “There, There,” “2+2+5” and “Where I End and You Begin (The Sky is Falling In)" exhibit this fusion with more prominent guitar work.

In celebration of these releases, we are giving away a limited number of the “Special Collectors Editions.” Each “Special Collectors Edition” includes both CDs and a DVD with live music performances and various video clips all packaged in a deluxe, lift-top box. Just e-mail us by this Friday October 2nd.

POST BY GUEST BLOGGER VERONICA

New Brothers Movement Video: "Standing Still"

We've had our eyes on the Brothers Movement for some time, and we're glad they've unseated the likes of Ashcroft and the Gallagher Brothers for those big, heartfelt songs drenched in reverb. This single is out 19 October in the UK on Rocket Girl, and the album follows on 09 November. Trust us on this one -- we've had this record on repeat for a year and we're glad that the world will finally get to hear it. This is truly life-changing music.

[mp3]: "Blind"

Pearl Jam Giveaway

Backspacer, the ninth studio album from Pearl Jam, was released this week on its own label Monkeywrench Records in the United States and through Universal Music Group internationally. It also marks a return to working with producer Brendan O'Brien.

To celebrate the release, we're giving away a real life vinyl copy of the record! Hit me on e-mail if you want to win. First person wins.

The Rumble Brooklyn - TONIGHT!

We've been out of commission for a couple of months back east with the Rumble, but we're coming back tonight as we move the party from the LES to Brooklyn's Southpaw. The only thing that has changed is the venue, as we will continue to bring you the best in new music, partnering with Sound Fix, WOXY, and Future Sounds.

Bands playing include Ravens + Chimes, Your Nature, Jump Into the Gospel, and Pow Wow. It all starts at 8pm tonight at Southpaw.

[mp3]: Your Nature "Traingle Eyes"

Awesome New Republic

Photo by Peter Richardson

Miami group Awesome New Republic has been knocking about for a few years, and their slated to release a new album called Hearts on Honor Roll Music on 10.27. The band counts Passion Pit, Neon Indian, and Of Montreal among their musical contemporaries. Musically, they fall in somewhere between '60s psychedelia and '80s new wave. Their hometown may often look to other genres of music for inspiration, but these guys are proving that exciting indie rock can flourish anywhere.

[mp3]: "Alleycat"

Jump Clubb

"The Love of No Dance"


Los Angeles is a big place, so sometimes it's far to keep track of all of the bands here, so it's pretty awesome when we come across a great new band. Even better, Jump Clubb hails from our backyard here in Beverly Hills, concocting a stellar mix of lo-fi indie and straight up dance, ala LCD Soundsystem. For a town that is all about being noticed, these guys would much rather remain anonymous and let the music speak for itself.

[mp3]: "A Frozen Hug"

New Manicure Video: "Another Girl"

This video is by no means new, but for a lot of you, especially those not following indie rock outside of the North American/English sphere, this will be totally new to you. Manciure is a group hailing from Moscow who sing in English, creating an excellent mix of some of the best post-punk groups of the past twenty years.

[mp3]: "Another Girl"

French Horn Rebellion Get Remixed

NYC by way of Wisconsin buzz-hipsters French Horn Rebellion will be heading off to the UK soon for their first appearances on the other side of the Atlantic, but before that, they'll be playing at Forward Fest in Milwaukee tomorrow. We're big fans of this group, even attempting to get them to play the Rumble NY. Keep your ears on these guys.

The Up All Night EP is available on 28 Sept. in the UK

[mp3]: "Up All Night" (John Bourke remix)

New Sally Shapiro Video: "Miracle"

This is the latest single from Swedish Italo-disco singer Sally Shapiro's second album, My Guilty Pleasure, which is out now.

About the video, from a recent press release, according to Sally and her producer Johan Agebjörn, "This music video is directed by Will Joines, whom we had the pleasure to shortly meet during our one and only (and short) DJ tour to North America. He photographed us during the appearance in New York and was really nice. We like his work so we had him to direct this music video together with the producer Gilana Lobel and a few more people."

[mp3]: "Miracle"
[mp3]: "Love in July"

Alaskan Summer

Los Angeles group Alaskan Summer love their pop music, exhibiting an obvious love for the sounds and textures of Burt Bacharach. The band has been creating quite a buzz around the city for the past year, and it reached a fever pitch with the release of their debut EP at the beginning of the summer. Containing six songs, it was recorded with producer Dave Trumfio (Built to Spill, OK GO, Jesus and Mary Chain), and they're already at work on their full-length debut, which should be ready to go in the next year. They have a few live dates coming up, including appearances at Hotel Cafe and the Eagle Rock Music Festival next month.

[mp3]: "Waterslide"

New Jamie T Video: "Chaka Demus"

You might remember new track "Sticks N' Stones" from earlier this summer, a pure dose of summer fun showing that Mr. Treays had not lost his step one bit. Jamie T's second album, Kings and Queens, hit UK shelves this past Monday and this is the latest single from the disc.

"Chaka Demus" is also available as a standalone EP which contains the title track and three songs not found on the album.

Win a Beatles Lithograph

For those who have not been living under a rock, you're surely aware that the Beatles catalogue remasters came out yesterday in both mono and stereo.

To celebrate, I am giving away a copy of the lithograph -- which is the picture of the band you see above. First person to e-mail me (at the address to your right) gets it. Good luck.

Stranded in Stereo v15: Download Now!

I had intended to finish this later in the week, but looks like my hard work has put me ahead of schedule. This goes out to the mailing list tonight, so those of you who read the blog get a first crack at it!

AUDIO
The Joy Formidable “Whirring” http://www.myspace.com/thejoyformidable
Minnaars “Are Lovers” http://www.myspace.com/minnaars
The Depreciation Guild “Butterfly Kisses” http://www.myspace.com/thedepreciationguild
Joe Pernice “Black Smoke (No Pope)” http://www.myspace.com/pernicebrothers
A Million Years “Suspicious” http://www.myspace.com/amillionyearsmusic
Two Hours Traffic “Territory” http://www.myspace.com/twohourstraffic
Pinky “Autumn in New York” http://www.myspace.com/thinkpinky
The Good Natured “Rose” http://www.myspace.com/thegoodnatured
Oona “Shhhout” http://www.myspace.com/oonamusic
Oh Minnows “Might” http://www.myspace.com/ohminnows
Maribel “Ecstatic” http://www.myspace.com/maribelband
Tripwires “In Apathy” http://www.myspace.com/tripwires
Cinema Cinema “I Don’t Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” http://www.myspace.com/cinematwice
May 68 “My Ways” http://www.myspace.com/may68uk
The Royal Chains “Ink” http://www.myspace.com/theroyalchains
Fitz & the Tantrums “Breakin’ the Chains of Love” (Keenhouse Remix) http://www.fitzandthetantrums.com/
The Ruse “Swallow You” http://www.myspace.com/rusemusic
Download Here: AUDIO

VIDEO
Love in October “Soft Errors” http://www.myspace.com/loveinoctober
Joel Plaskett “Through & Through & Through” http://www.myspace.com/joelplaskett1
LoveLikeFire “Boredom” http://www.myspace.com/lovelikefire
Mostly Bears “Melancholyism” http://www.myspace.com/mostlybears
Grand Avenue “Almost Gone” http://www.myspace.com/grdavenue
EMPYR “Your Skin My Skin” http://www.empyrmusic.com/
Fitz & the Tantrums "Winds of Change" http://www.fitzandthetantrums.com/
Download Here: VIDEO

The Rumble: A Full Week of Fun on the West Coast

I hope everyone enjoyed their Labor Day Weekend. I can't really say that I did much that was exciting -- I did some hiking deep in the desert and went to the shore. Sunday night I was dragged out by my fiancee to see The Time Traveler's Wife, which really wasn't all that bad, although I probably would have wanted to see something else.

This week will be my favorite type of week for a number of reasons. For one, it's shorter, and also, there's lots of good music coming through. First off, I should mention that the Rumble, a quickly growing national network of club nights, is back this week. We've been co-sponsoring these for awhile, and we're happy that they continue to get better. Some absolutely amazing music this week, and chances are you have not heard these guys yet, but we've also brought you bands like Chairlift, Apache Beat, Nico Vega, Local Natives, Band of Skulls, the Depreciation Guild, and others before anyone else cared. Come out and say you heard it here first!

Portland, OR - TONIGHT! Sept. 08


San Francisco - Wednesday, Sept. 09


Los Angeles - Thursday, Sept. 10


Listen to some of the bands here (sorry, no mp3s right now):

United States of Electronica
The Library (now know as Prayer)
The Pance Party
Hello Electric

And in further gig news, LoveLikeFire is on the road for just two more US dates before they head off to England for a headlining tour. See them tonight in Portland (Oregon) at the Doug Fir and tomorrow night in Seattle. I highly urge you to check them out -- someone on Twitter put it best today when they said that LLF is what Rilo Kiley SHOULD sound like now. Good times.

Silver Swans

Everyone has a different side, especially musicians, and it's always great to hear that. We all know Ann Yu as the vocalist for LoveLikeFire and are unique ability to create dramatic and memorable songs, but in her side project Silver Swans (with Jon Waters), she shows her keen sense of anchoring dancefloor fillers with beautifully swirling hollow vocals and intricate electro instrumentals that lift you into a dream state...a constant, yet enjoyable struggle between vocals and electronics.

Their debut album Realize the Ghost is out in January on San Francisco-based Tricycle Records.

[mp3]: "Realize the Ghost"

The Drowning Men

[Photo Credit: Jeremy MF Thompson]

With the swell of the Arcade Fire and the songwriting chops of some of the England's best, San Diego's the Drowning Men are emerging as part of the city's vibrant new indie rock scene. The band has been gaining quite a buzz, and it's apparent why with their latest album, Beheading of the Song Bird, an affair that shows a band that is comfortable in its own shoes and one that has become a live force to be reckoned with.

[mp3]: "Michelle is Getting Old"

"Disorder Here We Come"

France + the Habsburgs

The influence of the Fall's Mark E. Smith can be felt far and wide, and I've always enjoyed the bands that wear their love for him on their sleeves, but even moreso, those bands that improve upon what he created are tops in my books. Some would way that's not hard to do, but bands like Elle Milano, Hatcham Social, and Sunderland's France + the Habsburgs have done wonders with Smith's aesthetics, totally reinventing the system to come up with something entirely their own.

[mp3]: "Jenny is Connected"

New Mumford and Sons Video: "Little Lion Man"

We talked about this band signing to Island UK a few weeks back, and now they're back in the news with their first official video. Their debut album is out this fall (as of now, UK only), but the band has done some dates here in the US, so they are obviously planning a larger attack here.

Those of you who have not been won over by their music NEED to see these guys live. One of the best acts in Britain right now.