Max Hammer – Page 45 – INDIE ROCK CAFE

The Break-Through Bands of 2010 Reader’s Poll, No. 4: Weekend, Beach Fossils, Small Black, Titus Andronicus, Tennis, Sun Airway

Posted on 12/03/201010/16/2021 by Max Hammer

It’s been a while since we published the last Break-Through Bands of 2010. So, now it’s time to play catch up. Employing a similar concept as IRC’s Top Ten Songs lists, it is in fact the readers – all of you – who are deciding the top new, or ‘break-through’, bands and artists of 2010.

For this, the fourth poll in this series, we’ve put together another playlist mix for the latest round of nominees. Each nominee has earned their place among the top new bands of 2010 due to critical and fan approval following the release of new or debut releases, relentless touring, and music festival appearances.

Cast your vote for the best new band in the poll shown below. Also, there is a complete overview of the previous poll winners. Note: The sequence of bands presented in this playlist mix is completely random.

Bikini – New York City

Nigel Diamond and Olivier Olivier met at Canada’s Glen-Lyon Norfolk School of music, and began to collaborate as Bikini. Just a couple of week’s ago, we were unable to find a MySpace page for New York experimental indie band, Bikini. But a lot has happened in just the short period of time.

Last week, right before the Thanksgiving holiday, Bikini released their debut EP, RIPJDS, which includes the awesome singles featured here, “American Mourning” and “ACheerleader.”

“American Mourning” – Bikini from EP RIPJDS

“ACheerleader” – Bikini from EP RIPJDS

Braids – Montreal, Quebec, Canada

This Montreal indie pop band shed their old skin as the Calgary band The Neighborhood Council and headed east to Quebec in 2008. They honed their skills, tweaked their sound, re-defined their image, and to complete the transition, changed their name to Braids. After a summer of touring, Kanine Records signed the band this past September, right before their premiere at the all-important CMJ in New York.

Kanine has announced that Braids’ debut album, Native Speaker, will be released in January. Their big sound, sculpted from pianos and synthesizers, glimmering guitars and ambient intermissions, is evidenced on the track featured here, “Lemonade.” Tonight the band kicks off yet another tour, this time with Sweden‘s hugely popular indie pop band, The Radio Dept.

“Lemonade” – Braids from Native Speaker (or TBA) – Jan. 12th 2011

Weekend – San Francisco, California

San Francisco’s rising indie band, Weekend, released their debut album, Sports, this month to wide acclaim, and now they are on the rip, increasing their profile across the country with touring and winning big endorsements for their debut. The LP’s lead single, “Coma Summer,” was by far, the top song of the week for the second week in November.

“Coma Summer” – Weekend from Sports

Beach Fossils – Brooklyn, New York

Last May, the Brooklyn buzz band Beach Fossils released their self-titled, debut LP to the open arms of adoring critics and admiring bloggers. The band had been building momentum in late 2009, but with their multiple, packed appearances during South by Southwest 2010, and the release of their acclaimed debut – one which has already made a number of top albums of 2010 lists – the band are on a roll. Check out these tracks if you somehow haven’t heard of Beach Fossils yet.

“Face It” – Beach Fossils from Face It/Distance 7″

“Youth” – Beach Fossils from Beach Fossils

Titus Andronicus – New Jersey

One of our favorite shoegaze bands, Titus Andronicus, released the follow up album to their widely acclaimed debut, The Airing of Grievances, earlier this year at about the same time that they were blowing away fans and bloggers and mainstream music press at shows and festivals, like SXSW, including some good ‘ole jamming rock and roll that has a clear theme related to American history, which make their songs all the more interesting.

“Four Score and Seven (Part One)” – Titus Andronicus from The Monitor

“Four Score and Seven (Part Two)” – Titus Andronicus from The Monitor

Sun Airway – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Like so many others, when we first starting hearing songs from the Philadelphia indie band Sun Airway, we thought we were hearing an Animal Collective unreleased track, even though we knew it wasn’t. Isn’t that weird? But Sun Airway do pour on the synth heavy hooks and pop psychedelics quite richly indeed.

Plus, it’s only been little more than a month (Oct. 26th) since they dropped their oddly titled debut LP, Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier, and Sun Airway are already known coast to coast for the delicious singles that came over in recent months ahead of the official street date.

“Put the Days Away” – Sun Airway from Nocturne Of Exploded Crystal Chandelier

Sun Airway is Jon Barthmus and Patrick Marsceill, both ex-members of the defunct emo band the A-Sides. They started work on Nocturne during the summer of 2008.

“Infinity” – Sun Airway from Nocturne Of Exploded Crystal Chandelier

Women – Calgary, Alberta, Canada

While Calgary‘s art rock/no wave band Women are hardly a new band, it’s fair to say that the band didn’t really start to break out until late 2009 and for much of 2010. The band’s 2008 self-titled debut LP received great reviews from Pitchfork and All Music, among other influential publications.

But it was after some heavy touring and advanced singles from their recently releases sophomore album, Public Strain, that catapulted the band into a whole other ball game, and made our Best New Releases (one of our fav BNR mixes of 2010) post for the last week of September.

“Narrow with the Hall” – Women from Public Strain

But the band, and their fans, suffered a major blow in October, when Women band members ironically lived out the title of their latest album by getting into a fight on stage in Victoria, Canada. While rumors swirled that the band was going to break up, but those rumors where squashed. However, the actual result was not much better. Women canceled the remainder of their tour. Although it is a setback for the band, we don’t think it should adversely affect anyone’s perception of Women as a break-through band in 2010.

“Eyesore” – Women from Public Strain

Yours Truly Presents: Tennis “Pigeon” from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Tennis – Denver, Colorado

Everyone likes a good love story. But this love story is a unique one that found husband and wife team Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore sailing the eastern seaboard of the U.S. for seven months. During that time, the college sweathearts began writing songs that eventually evolved into a full album worth of songs, and officially made them, Tennis, the band (helps with Google searches). The couple’s debut LP, Cape Dory, will be released on January 18th via Fat Possum Records.

“Marathon” – Tennis from Cape Dory

“Take Me Somewhere” – Tennis from Cape Dory

A letter from Patrick to Alaina while he was in Florida preparing for their seven-month excursion

“South Carolina” – Tennis from Cape Dory

Look for Cape Dory, set to drop Jan. 18th

Small Black – Brooklyn, New York

The easiest bands to like are those that connect with you within the first 20 seconds of a song, and then keep luring you in as the song progresses, so that before it even ends, you’ve already made up your mind to play it again, and again. And then you listen to a second track from the same artist, and it’s the same, if not more, intense experience. And the third single, and so on. That’s been our experience with Brooklyn band Small Black. The band’s debut single, “Photojournalist”, is joyously mellow and layered with synths, masterful vocals, and rich percussions holding it all together. Repeat.

“Photojournalist” – Small Black from s/t 7″ single

Thanks to that first ‘hit’ single, Small Black have been gaining ground and growing a fan base across the U.S. and Canada, and parts of Europe as well. Subsequent singles – like the addictive “Despicable Dogs” and the dreamy “Pleasant Experience – were released throughout the summer to wide approval. And for good reason, they’re just so damn good, easily one of the top bands in the wildly popular ‘chillwave’ movement that is revolutionizing alternative music.

“Despicable Dogs” – Small Black from 12″

Cults – New York City

When we went to see The Morning Benders in Santa Cruz, Calif. a couple of months ago, we noted afterwards that the crowd seemed more interested in the evening’s first two openers – Cults and Twin Sister – than in the headlining band. Cults is a boy/girl duo and students at a New York film school. They quickly spread on the web with the release of their debut 7 inch single, “Go Outside”, which became a favorite for plenty of summer mixtapes. Ther are a few more songs from the Cults’ BandCamp page.

“Go Outside” – Cults from s/t 7-inch

“Most Wanted” – Cults from s/t 7-inch

Pick Your Favorite Among These Ten Bands

Previous Polls Reveal Other Top Break-Through Bands of 2010

Now that you’ve taken the poll, here’s the low-down on the previous polls. Click through to the article of the poll results for more details and to stream or download songs from most of the bands in each poll.

Poll One – In the first poll, IRC readers picked the Local Natives and Surfer Blood as the top two break-out of 10 presented. Click here to see the poll, and listen to or download songs from each of the bands featured in Poll One, including Delorean, Real Estate, Sleigh Bells, Free Energy, and Crystal Castles.
Poll Two – In the second poll, readers overwhelmingly selected The Drums, followed far behind in second place by the Freelance Whales. Click here to listen to and download tracks from each of the bands in Poll Two, including Wild Nothing, Ganglians, Warpaint, Cymbals Eat Guitars, and Washed Out.
Poll Three – In the third poll, the new supergroup Broken Bells and Ireland’s Two Door Cinema Club took the top spots. Click here to view the article and playlist mix that includes 2010 songs from Tame Impala, The Middle East, Fang Island, Film School, and Suckers, among others.

In case you wanted to vote for any of the bands or artists presented in the first three polls, you will have a chance to at the end of the year. At that time, the top two winners from each poll (poll five will be published in a couple of weeks) will be included in one final poll where thousands of people from around the world will choose ‘the’ Top Break-Through Bands of 2010.

Nigel Diamond and Olivier Olivier met at Canada’s Glen-Lyon Norfolk School of music. The band have become well-known for their electro-pop dance music

Best New Releases from Surf City, Sleeping In The Aviary, Jenocide, Zac Crouse, Mr. Dream, Steve Wynn, Tristeza, El Santo Nada

Posted on 12/01/201007/22/2021 by Max Hammer

With a name like Surf City, it’s only natural for one to assume that the band’s songs will be upbeat and celebratory, or, as the chillwave revolution has determined, lazy, hazy psychedelic pop awash in layers of synth, echo-laden vocals and lyrics with themes like heat waves, day-dreaming, sun burns, beach parties, vacation getaways, and beautiful girls (and guys).

Surf City may not fit the ideal image conjured up by their namesake, but the guitars are blazing, the choruses are sunny, and the bass line thumps along quite nicely on the title track from the band’s debut album, Kudos, out now via Fire Records. We also think Surf City will be a band to watch in 2011.

“Kudos” – Surf City from Kudos

just added (12/2/10):
“Crazy Rulers of the World” – Surf City from Kudos

The band Sleeping In The Aviary just came on to our radar today thanks to Seattle‘s KEXP-FM. SITA pump out straight up post punk style rock with a hard romp, reverb-heavy female lead vocals, hard-hitting tambourines and slick surf-like guitar licks on the lead track “You Don’t Have To Drive”. We’re looking forward to listening to the other tracks on their debut LP, Great Vacation!, out today on the Science of Sound label.

“You Don’t Have To Drive” – Sleeping In The Aviary from Great Vacation!

Jenocide‘s lead track, “Beachball,” from the newly release EP, Knee Deep, has the swirling synths layered with heavy bass change-ups, dance-induced drum beats, romping keys and the vocals of Halifax, N.S. singer-songwriter electro-pop musician Willow Bell.

“Beachball” – Jenocide from Knee Deep EP

Summer-sounding tracks seem to be a dominant theme in this week’s music releases, even though it will officially be winter in a couple of weeks. While listening to Zac Crouse‘s new single, “Waiting on the Wind”, you can almost picture a sailboat on the ocean on a calm day just waiting for some wind to move it along.

The lyrics are ambiguous enough to suggest that the song is really just a metaphor for yearning and love. His soft, melodic vocals paired with bongo drum beats and an acoustic guitar are soon joined by an electric guitar and bass while Crouse repeats the chorus: “I need you now/I need you now/waiting on the wind.”

“Waiting on the Wind” – Zac Crouse from s/t debut

There’s a conglomerate of styles – from shoegaze and post punk to psychedelic and rock – employed by Steve Wynn & The Miracles‘ songs on their new release, Northern Aggression. The lead track “Resolve” will sound particularly familiar to fans of Iggy Pop and The Stooges (esp. compared to the punk favorite “I Wanna Be your Dog”). However, it’s ok; one, because it’s a good song overall, and two, it copy-cats the Stooges with a sense of respect. Steven Wynn is a long-time musician who is probably best known for his previous bands, Gutterball and Dream Syndicate.

“Resolve” – Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3 from Northern Aggression

One of the newest bands on our radar is the unsigned Brooklyn post-punk trio Mr. Dream. While Stereogum had the band in its sights before just about anyone else, we only learned of Mr. Dream after one of its members sent us the latest single, “Learn The Language” from their new album, Never Elaborate.

Earlier this year, Stereogum premiered the band’s first single, “Scarred for Life”, and also listed Mr. Dream on their “40 Best New Bands of 2010” post. The band have opened for big indie artists like Sleigh Bells and Harlem Shakes, and not surprisingly (once you hear the singles) consider their biggest musical influences to be Pixies, Nirvana, and Guided by Voices.

“Learn The Language” – Mr. Dream from Never Elaborate

“Scarred For Life” – Mr. Dream from Never Elaborate

This next instrumental track, “Gallinas Y Lagartos”, from the Italian band El Santo Nada, sounds like a perfect track for Kill Bill Vol. 3, if Quentin makes it (please do). The song is mysterious and enchanting with a style reminiscent of the exotic instrumentals that peppered the spaghetti western B flicks of the 1960s.

And of course it wasn’t an accident. The band members met in 2007, and immediately forged an eclectic identity of common interest in the iconic Ennio Morricone’s spaghetti western soundtracks, combined with Mexican traditional music, the instrumental and surf rock of the late 1950s and early 1960s, italian and balcanic popular music. The band is located in Abruzzo, about 50 miles east of Rome, a region where a number of Italian spaghetti westerns of yesteryear were filmed.

El Santo Nada have opened for Damo Suzuki, Gang Of Four, and Stan Ridgway, among others, and their musical influences include Ennio Morricone, Santo&Johnny, Ry Cooder, Marc Ribot, Calexico, Earth, and Wall Of Voodoo.

“Gallinas Y Lagartos” – El Santo Nada from Tuco

Other new singles you might like:

“Raise Your Gaze” – Tristeza from Paisajes

“Louder Than Dreams – Abby Gogo from Abby Gogo

“Friendly Fires” – Aidan Knight from Friendly Fires EP

Forgive Yr. Blood – Solvents from Forgive Yr. Blood

The Sunday-25 Mix, Vol. II: Oberhofer, Belle & Sebastian, The Beatles, Dexy Midnight Runners, Yeasayer, New Order, Aerosmith

Posted on 11/28/201001/09/2020 by Max Hammer

Last week we premiered yet another new playlist mix: The Sunday 25 Mix (aka, S-25 Mix). The mix featured 25 songs from any genre and any time in music. We were thrilled with the results; you guys just ate it up. So, it’s definitely going to be a staple of IRC, indefinitely. The S-25 Mix is a great way for us to share music we love from the archives of (mostly) rock and pop music.

As with the first volume, and what will be a regular part of the S-25, we are highlighting an indie band that we want to share. Last week, it was the Austin band Wiretree, and this week it’s Brooklyn’s Oberhofer. Originally the one man band of Brad Oberhofer, a relatively unknown indie artist as of last year, blogger and mainstream music praise, and fan approval, have catapulted Oberhofer’s success in a relatively short time span. You could say, that in a way, Brad Oberhofer is 2010’s Nathan Williams, but without all of the drama and instability. Now armed will a full band, Brad Oberhofer is taking Brooklyn by storm. You’ll just have to hear his/their music to know what that really means. But, first, we’ll kick-off this S-25 Mix with a fan fav from Belle and Sebastian.

“If She Wants Me” – Belle and Sebastian from Dear Catastrophe Waitress (2003)

“I Could Go” – Oberhofer from 7 (2010)

“Breaking The Ice” – Mojave 3 from Breaking The Ice 12 (2006)

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” – The Beatles from The White Album (1968)

“Rocket Man” – Elton John from Honky Chateau (1972)

“Come On Eileen” – Dexy Midnight Runners from Dexy Midnight Runners (1982)

“Misty Mountain Hop” – Led Zeppelin from Led Zeppelin IV (1971)

“Away From You” – Brad Oberhofer

“Sunrise” – Yeasayer from All Hour Cymbals (2007)

“Transworld IE” – Mark Appleyard from Transworld IE 7″ (2003)

“Roman History” – Pet Lions from Soft Right EP (2009)

“About A Girl” – Winter Gloves from About A Girl (2009)

“Bizarre Love Triangle” – New Order from Substance (1987)

“Satellite” – Lelia Broussard from Masquerade (2010)

“Friday I’m In Love” – The Cure from Wish (1992)

“Carrot Rope” – Pavement from Carrot Rope Part 1 (2000)

“Don’t Need Ya” – Oberhofer from ooOOoo (2010)

“Paper Switchblade” – Tommy Guerrero from Return Of The Bastard (2008)

“Walk This Way” – Aerosmith from Toys in the Attic (1975)

“Stay Close” – Delorean from Subiza (2010)

“Phones Don’t Fued” – Holiday Shores from Columbus’d The Whim (2009)

“In ‘N’ Out of Grace” – Mudhoney from In ‘N’ Out of Grace (2005)

“In The City” – Joe Walsh from Joe Walsh’s Greatest Hits: Little Did He Know… (1997)

“Chelsea Dagger” – The Fratellis from Costello Music (2006)

“Dead Girls Dance” – Oberhofer from ooOooOoo (2010)

Best New Releases – Bikini, Cut Copy, Eux Autres, Girls, The Soft Moon, Orange Juice, Home Video, Music Sampler

Posted on 11/24/201012/18/2019 by Max Hammer

We’re not clear on why anyone (unless your Kayne) would want to drop a new album two days before Thanksgiving; most people are completely distracted by the holidays. That said, there are nonetheless some fine releases you may just want to scoop up during your Christmas shopping excursions.

In recent months, the Miami duo, Bikini, have been on the rise, and this week they drop a new EP, RIPJDS. Nigel Diamond and Olivier Olivier met at Canada‘s Glen-Lyon Norfolk School of music. The band have become well-known for their electro-pop dance music, and we are lucky enough to have two singles from their new release to share.

“American Mourning” – Bikini from EP RIPJDS

“ACheerleader” – Bikini from EP RIPJDS

While we are on the electro-dance vibe, check out the just released new track from the popular Austrailian band, Cut Copy. “Take Me Over” has a decidedly funky beat and an addictive, catchy melody and rhythm; more evidence that the band continue to evolve their stellar sound, to the delight of millions of fans.

“Take Me Over” – Cut Copy from Zonoscope! – out Feb. 8th, 2011

Now, back to this week’s best new singles from newly minted records. Not by design, the next three artists are all from the wonderful city of San Francisco, which has always been a music mecca, but in recent years, has spawned a very long list of popular indie bands and artists.

Among them is the indie pop duo, Eux Autres, who have been gaining ground locally and across the country. Their debut album, Broken Bow, is out this week via Bon Mots Records. And just in time for the holidays, the band also have a new Christmas album, Another Christmas At Home. The band is comprised of brother and sister pair, Nicholas and Heather Larimer.

“Go Dancing” – Eux Autres from Broken Bow

Since the release of their debut LP, Album, San Francisco’s Girls have amassed a worldwide following. That doesn’t happen without relentless touring, so it is a bit surprising that they had time to pump out a new EP, Broken Dreams Club. We have yet to listen to it from start to end, but the single release, “Heartbreaker” is a nice little melodic pop rock track with a bittersweet message.

“Heartbreaker” – Girls from Broken Dreams Club

Another San Francisco musical artist, multi-instrumentalist Luis Vasquez, aka, The Soft Moon, dropped his self-titled debut LP this week. “Tiny Spiders,” the album’s closing track, is gripping and dark, and marked by chaotic synth notes, a rapid beat and occasional distant vocals high on reverb. With the release of his debut, and series of previous 7″ singles, Vasquez’s style is hard to describe – it’s dark synth, if you will, influenced by post-punk, psychedelic rock, and Krautrock. Vanquez calls his style “world music.” But it’s not; instead, it’s more accurate, as his record label suggested, to be tagged”post-apocalyptic.”

“Tiny Spiders” – The Soft Moon from The Soft Moon

And while we’re on the subject of San Francisco bands, you might be interested in a $1 donation to a homeless cause to get a sampler from True Panther Records, featuring tracks from SF bands like Young Prisms, Girls, Ty Segall, Fresh and Onlys, and Dominant Legs, among others.

Sometimes release dates for LPs can get pretty confusing. There’s the digital release date, in the U.S. and abroad, and there’s the physical (vinyl and CD) release date.

Last week, Home Video dropped their latest album, The Automatic Process, digitally; and this week it is out physically. Here’s a track from their new album, plus a remix from Sweden’s Montauk.

“Smoke” – Home Video from The Automatic Process

“Every Love That Ever Was (Montauk’s Vacation Mix)” – Home Video

The legendary Scottish band, Orange Juice, dropped their first album yesterday since frontman Edwyn Collins‘ 2005 stroke. Many of the band’s songs from their peak in the late 1970’s to the early 1980’s were not previously available.

With the new boxset, the band’s fans stateside now have all of the classic tracks in one place.

“Felicity” – Orange Juice from Coals To Newcastle

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The Sunday 25 Mix, Vol. I – Wiretree, Cheap Trick, Billy Idol, Wilco, David Bowie, The Kinks, Neutral Milk Hotel, Brian Eno, Talking Heads

Posted on 11/21/201007/22/2021 by Max Hammer

Austin indie rock band Wiretree are S-25's first featured band

The Sunday-25 Mix series gives us a chance to appreciate the great music that influences today’s indie musicians. Sundays are meant to be a break from every other day of the week, and so it seems appropriate to have this type of playlist mix on Sundays. The S-25 mixes will include songs from as far back as the 1950’s, and feature a wide open range of music genres, from classic rock and new wave to alternative rock and hip hop; from chillwave and folk to psychedelic rock and post punk; and jazz and blues to classical and country.

And the same time we thought it would be cool to profile an indie artist or band for this weekly feature and intersperse three of four of their songs within the mix. The first S-25 band spotlight goes to a band most people have never heard of, which is a shame. In 2009, the Austin outfit, Wiretree, released their album, Luck. Unfortunately, the LP largely flew under the radar compared to just how good it is. The great thing about this album is that it sounds even better with each spin. Luck is one of the best overlooked indie release of 2009. While not as brilliant, the band’s debut, Bouldin, is also a terrific LP.

“Back in Town” – Wiretree from Luck (2009)

“Bowl of Oranges” – Bright Eyes from Lifted or The Story Is In the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground (2010)

“Dream Police” – Cheap Trick from Dream Police (1979)

“Dancing With Myself” – Billy Idol from Billy Idol (1982)

“Any Day Now” – Jon and Roy from Homes (2010)

“Round and Round” – Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti from Before Today (2010)

“I’m The Man That Loves You” – Wilco from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)

“Rall” – Wiretree from Luck (2009)

“How It Should Be (Sha Sha)” – Ben Kweller from Sha Sha (2002)

“Angeles” – Elliott Smith from Either/Or (1994)

“Permanent Waves” – The Kinks from Misfits (1978)

“Falling” – Wiretree from Luck (2009)

“You’re Gorgeous” – Baby Bird from Ugly Beautiful (1996)

“Burning Down The House” – Talking Heads from Speaking in Tongues (1983)

“Take Me To The Riot” – Stars from In Our Bedroom After The War (2007)

“Bodysnatchers” – Radiohead from In Rainbows (2009)

“Fame” – David Bowie from Young Americans (1975)

“Crazy Train” – Ozzy Osbourne from The Blizzard of Ozz (1980)

“Should I Stay or Should I Go” – The Clash from Combat Rock (1982)

“The King of Carrot Flowers (Part One)” – Neutral Milk Hotel from In the Aeroplane Over The Sea (1998)

“Fidelity” – Regina Spektor from Begin To Hope (2006)

“St. Elmo’s Fire” – Brian Eno from Another Green World (1975)

“Blue in Green” – Miles Davis from Kinda Blue (1959)

“Everyday” – Buddy Holly from Buddy Holly (1958)

“Big Coat” – Wiretree from Bouldin (2007)

Feetz To Da Beatz, Vol. V – Dance, House, Electronic & Remix Tracks from Rifo, Tokyo Police Club, Foals, Delphic, Delorean, Tanlines

Posted on 11/19/201012/18/2019 by Max Hammer

Feetz to Da Beatz is back with ten dance, house, electronica and remix tracks. First up: Italian producer and polymath Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo has released a fresh remix of The Chemical Brothers‘ track, “Dissolve.” Rifo has transformed the shimmering, psychedelic epic into a grinding club-ready track with explosive build ups and orchestral explosions.

Rifo has chosen the moniker Bloody Beetroots which is interesting, and yet no information on the origin of the name. Following Bloody Beetroots are crazy sick tracks from Delphic, Digitalism, DOM’s Remix of Tokyo Police Club, BangaTang’s remix of Foals, Delorean, Tanlines, Raze, and Rainbow Arabia.

“Dissolve” (Bloody Beetroots Remix) – The Chemical Brothers

“Counterpoint” – Delphic

“Idealistic” – Digitalism

“Wait Up”(DOM Remix) – Tokyo Police Club

“Spanish Sahara”(BangaTang Remix) – Foals

“You Do You” (Tropics Remix) – Bear in Heaven

“Sea Sun” (John Talabot’s Kids and Drums Remix) – Delorean

“Real Life” (Basic Needs Remix) – Tanlines

“Life Magazine (Optimo Remix)” – Cold Cave

“Holiday in Congo” (MYD Remix) – Rainbow Arabia

Best New Releases from Jonquil, Girl Talk, Crushed Stars, Fredrik, Le Switch, Kisses, Mariage Blanc, Radical Face, Home Video

Posted on 11/17/201012/18/2019 by Max Hammer

Our choice picks for new releases this week include a lot of bands that most people have probably never heard of before – so hopefully, you’ll find a new favorite band in today’s mix.

Jonquil are Hugo Manuel, Sam Hudson Scott and Robin McDiarmid, three men in their early twenties living in Oxford, England. The band rehearsed and recorded their first stateside EP, One Hundred Suns, in their new east Oxford studio, having recently relocated from the House of Supreme Mathematics that they shared with Foals during the writing of Total Life Forever and Jonquil’s own One Hundred Suns.

“Fighting Smiles” – Jonquil from One Hundred Suns EP

“Get Up” – Jonquil from One Hundred Suns EP

The popular one-man remix and sampling phenom, Greg Gillias, better known as Girl Talk, has released a new album, All Day, as a free download, but a little head’s up – the servers have been clogged up since Monday. So far, the reaction to the latest Girl Talk offering is mixed. The track below, “Triple Double,” features Ludacris’ “How Low” and Phoenix’s breakthrough 2009 hit, “1901.”

“Triple Double” – Girl Talk from All Day

Crushed Stars is a Portland, Oregon indie band who made a splash at South By Southwest and CMJ in year’s past, as well as were favored on a number of high-profile music sites for their widely praised sophomore album, Gossamer Days, produced by Stuart Sikes (Cat Power, Modest Mouse, White Stripes). The band’s latest release, out this week, Convalescing In Braille, was recorded with John Congleton (Antony and The Johnsons, Clinic, The Walkmen, St. Vincent).

“Black Umbrellas” – Crushed Stars from Convalescing in Braille

By Howard Liebers

Yesterday Fredrik dropped a new three track 7″ EP titled Origami via The Kora Records on Limited Edition Vinyl. Original members Fredrik Hultin and O. Lindefelt added instrumentalist and singer Anna Moberg to the mix, but they hold on to their classic ambient folk sound. Fredrik is expected to release a new full length album in March 2011.

“White on White” – Fredrik from Origami EP

The other tracks that we are digging in this week’s lot of new releases include tracks from Le Switch, Mariage Blanc, The Notes, Radical Face, The Russian Futurists, Home Video, La Sera, Pigeons, Pink Martini, The Hours, Lavinia, The Details and more.

“Call Out” – Le Switch from The Rest of Me Is Space (self-released)

“Whatever You Say I Am” – Mariage Blanc from Mariage Blanc (self-released)

“Sheltered” – The Notes from Wishing Well

“Doorways” – Radical Face from Touch the Sky EP

“Smoke” – Home Video from The Automatic Process

“Race” – Pigeons from Liasons

“Hoeing Weeds Sowing Seeds” – The Russian Futurists from The Weight’s On The Wheels

“Never Come Around” – La Sera from Never Come Around 7

“Don’t Touch My Hat” – The Queers from Back to the Basement

“We Three Kings” – Pink Martini from Joy To The World

“A Damning Cofession” – Lavinia from There Is Light Between Us

“Bermuda” – Kisses from The Heart of the Nightlife

“The Original Mark” – The Details from The Original Mark

“Four Four Letter” – The Glass from At Swim Two Birds

The Beatles Resolve Dispute with Apple, Inc.; Entire Digital Music Catalog Now Available on iTunes

Posted on 11/16/201003/25/2019 by Max Hammer

After a 32-year legal dispute between The Beatles‘ Apple Records and the computer giant, Apple Inc., the two sides have finally resolved all issues regarding the use of the name Apple. As a result of this new settlement, officially announced yesterday, The Beatles entire catalog will now be available on iTunes.

The news would have had a much bigger impact a couple of years ago, because as The Grateful Dead lyricist John Perry Barlow told The New York Times: “Anybody that hasn’t managed to come up with a digitized version of the Beatles’ songs by now never liked the Beatles.” Well, that’s a bit strong, but the point is taken.

Ringo Star, one of two Beatles still alive, said on word of the news: “I am particularly glad to no longer be asked when the Beatles are coming to iTunes.” And Yoko Ono, the widow of the late John Lennon (who was assassinated in December, 1980), said she was glad the settlement happened during “John’s 70th birthday year.” (see our interview with Ono last spring).

But not everyone is trumpeting the news; Stereogum wrote: “For some it will be a moment of arrival and dominance for the digital format and the iTunes store; for most, though, this news is a snore.”

A press release from Apple corp. states that starting Tuesday, all of The Beatles’ original 13 albums are being sold as a special digital Beatles Boxed Set for $149, which includes the Live At Washington Coliseum (1964), an iTunes exclusive. The deal also comes right in time for the Christmas holiday shopping season.

In apparent reaction to the news, Amazon has slashed the price of The Beatles Stereo Box Set (CD-only) from $259.98 to $129.99.

All Things Digital is reporting that the deal that gives Apple Inc. exclusive rights to sell The Beatles digital catalog will extend through the end of 2011.

“We Can Work It Out” – The Beatles from Rubber Soul (1966)

In Dee Mail, Vol. VII: Setting Sun, Vicinal, Mothlight, TV Girl, Cygnets

Posted on 11/15/201012/18/2019 by Max Hammer

The quantity and quality of music piling up in the IRC mailbox in recent months is simply mind-boggling. For those of you who have followed IRC over the months, and even years, the In Dee Mail series has served as a special playlist mix feature where we spotlight relatively unknown – in most cases – artists and bands who stand out among the hundreds of tracks we receive via our submission form (see the About page) each month.

This latest batch of new and approved tracks showcases the talents of artists and bands that most of you have probably never heard of before. In some cases, the bands we spotlight via the In Dee Mail series have never been featured on any music site, blog or print publication – often times to our utter amazement.

All in all, this mix spotlights some of the best bands of 2010 that we had never heard of until now. Don’t forget to check out other In Dee Mail playlist mixes chock full of awesome music from bands you’ve probably never heard of; see the links at the end of this post for more. Plus, there are more In Dee Mail posts in the queue that will be published in the coming weeks.

Setting Sun – New Paltz, NY

With so many bands coming out in recent years with the word “sun” in their names, it can be difficult to keep them all sorted out. But for New Paltz, New York recording artist Setting Sun, (aka Gary Levitt), people are likely to remember him for the earnest, uptempo beats and psychedelic synth pop on tracks like “Driving”.

The tempo slows and the horns and acoustic guitars, accompanied by smooth vocals switches the mood on the tightly engineered song, “Make You Feel”. Both songs are from Setting Sun’s 2010 album, Fantasurreal, which was released back in June. Unlike many of the artists featured for In Dee Mail, Setting Sun has enjoyed a good deal of positive press, including NPR which called Levitt’s music “immediately alluring” and USA Today writing about his”incredibly well-crafted songs with a vocal that reminds [the writer] of Bright Eyes.”

“This was the easiest record I’ve ever made,” says Levitt. “It felt natural to come home to my studio and let these songs pour out while embracing some solitude that is so hard to find on tour. It was a big relief and a great way to ease back into my life.”

“Make You Feel” – Setting Sun from Fantasurreal

“Driving” – Setting Sun from Fantasurreal

Opened for: Mice Parade, Bellini, Dosh, Geoff Farina, Gogol Bordello, Quitzow
Influences: Fans of Beatles, Of Montreal, Grandaddy, Elliott Smith
Website: Setting Sun MySpace

Mothlight – Los Angeles, CA

Dreamy and chilled out electronic pop flows freely in a minimalistic, experimental form, embellished with hushed vocals, wavy synth notes, and a steady, medium beat that feels like you’re floating across the heavens. Mothlight began as a solo project in college by Matt Billings and his producer friend, Andrew Naeve.

After college, they split apart for a year; Billings continued Mothlight in San Diego until the two reunited in Los Angeles to finish recording and producing their debut EP, Chrysalis, and a debut LP, expected in 2011. The EP features the two songs here, “Repeater,” with its fantastic overall effect, and endless taunt to be played again and again. The second single, “Skin Graft,” keeps in step with the duo’s experimental, melody-laced electro pop-new wave sound.

“Repeater” – Mothlight from Chrysalis

“Skin Graft” – Mothlight from Chrysalis

Opened For: Weatherbox, Japandi, Snuffaluffagus
Influences: Jim O’Rourke, Animal Collective, Brian Eno, Liars, The-Dream, Why?
Website: Mothlight’s Myspace page

Vicinal – Colorado Springs, CO

With a guitar glimmering pop hooks reminiscent of Matthew Sweet, Colorado Springs alternative pop one-man band Vicinal got our attention with the track “Alone.” Vicinal is completely the work of DIY musician Christopher Jones, who wrote, recorded and played every instrument on every song for his self-titled EP, released back in March. Jones tours around his home state of Colorado with friends and session musicians.

“Alone” – Vicinal from Vicinal EP

“When You Try” – Vicinal from Vicinal EP

Opened for: Jake Allen
Influences: Third Eye Blind, H.I.M., Smashing Pumpkins, Better Than Ezra.
Website: Vicinal on MySpace

TV Girl – San Diego, CA

Over the past couple of years, there has been a steady of great new talent coming out of San Diego, including bands like Avi Buffalo, The Crocodiles, Wavves, and many others. Now, the latest incarnation of the prolific, Brad P, has teamed up with fellow San Diego artist, Trung Ngo to form TV Girl, a project they left their previous endeavors for; Brad P and The Son of Sam, and Da Bears, respectively. In October, TV Girl released the self-titled album featuring the chillwave loop mix with Todd Rungred‘s “Hello It’s Me” serving as the sample for the track “If You Want It, You Got It.” The second single, “It’s Not Something,” is a catchy little tropical-tinged track that would be best on a summer mixtape. Unfortunately, however, the song ends abruptly as if it were cut short by accident, or on purpose; either way, it would have been cool if it went a bit longer with its sunny, beachy groove.

“If You Want It You Got It” – TV Girl from TV Girl

“It’s Not Something” – TV Girl from TV Girl

Influences: The Velvet Underground, the Shangri-La’s, Ariel Pink, Leonard Cohen, Harry Nilsson
Website: TV Girl on MySpace

Cygnets – Edmonton, AB, Canada

Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the indie new wave band Cygnets perform energetic, infectious songs with a strong influences of electronic dance, post-punk and Britpop, all combined to create a decidedly new wave sound – a style that seems to be oozing out of every nook and cranny of the Canadian indie music scene in recent years. The band is the culmination of many years of work, with songwriter and musician Logan Turner privately writing and recording hundreds of songs before deciding to explore a group dynamic. This collaboration was realized in close friends Chris Bruce and Dan Snow. Contributing textured, inspiring guitar work and bright, catchy synthesizer hooks, Bruce and Snow’s styles compliment and enhance Logan’s colorful songwriting style and singular, melodic voice.

The musical and lyrical dynamics of the band blend nicely Cygnets’ new wave-style supported by synthesizers and steady pop beats are the centerpiece of the band’s sound, as evidenced on the fantastic track, “Telepaths”. On the equally upbeat song “Bleak Decades,” Turner seems to be channeling early Smiths’ era Morrissey crooning, but without sounding like a tacky rip-off.

So it was no surprise when we learned that the band list among their biggest influences The Smiths, Joy Division, Depeche Mode and New Order. Both songs featured here were picked by the band as standout singles from their debut album, Bleak Anthems, which dropped on September 21st. If you like what you hear, the LP, and their debut EP, are available as free downloads via their official website.

“Telepaths” – Cygnets from Bleak Anthems

“Bleak Decades” – Cygnets Bleak Anthems

Opened for: You Say Party, Apoptygma Berzerk
Influences: The Smiths, Joy Division, Depeche Mode, New Order, You Say Party, Radiohead
Website: Cygnets on MySpace

In Dee Mail 2010, Vol. VI – Whisperlights, Snuffaluffagus, Wonderflu, Kate Martin, Photosonic Orchestra, Light For Fire, DZ

Fresh Tracks Mix: Crystal Castles & Robert Smith, Radio Dept., Club 8, Smith Westerns, Twin Shadow, Woodsman

Best New Releases: Weekend, The Radio Dept., The Concretes, Botany, Nightlands, Valleys, Neitzer Ebb, Gary Wilson, Violens

50 Indie Halloween Songs from Beach House, Radiohead, The Kinks, Pavement, Beck, The Kills, The Black Keys, The Smiths, Atlas Sound

Artist of the Week: San Francisco’s One-Man Band, Nicholas Ng, aka, Fiveng

Posted on 11/12/201012/18/2019 by Max Hammer

The brilliant bliss pop compositions by San Francisco one-man band, Fiveng, are immediately infectious, especially for fans of Animal Collective and the long, long list of artists and bands that have made a name for themselves in the so-called chillwave genre; a genre that has quickly become one of the most popular and innovative styles of ‘new’ music in the latter half of the first decade of a new century.

But Fiveng, who is actually Nicholas Ng, is not merely one of the artists along for the ride; he is quickly establishing himself as a respected and amazingly talented artist of his own right. After listening to the five tracks that he has made available so far, Ng is easily one of the stand-outs in “chillwave revolution.”

Despite a much-earned, glowing endorsement from Pitchfork, and positive reviews on other blogs, Ng hasn’t really ‘hit it’ yet. The fact that none of the music junkies we know have ever heard of him is one indicator of that. Therefore, it’s our bet that a lot of people that come to this page over the next week or so are likely to be in for a pleasant surprise.

Ng’s musical arrangements are absolutely genius – from the blissed out synth key playing, xylophones, and Nature samples to shimmering guitars, exotic percussions and glorious vocal harmonies on par with Panda Bear‘s. It just blows our minds that this guy no one ever heard of before comes out of nowhere and throws down such brilliant and unforgettable music. Ng’s songs are pop jems that should be in every bloggers mixtapes and on every pop lovers iPod. The best place to start is with the track “Jonah”, a watery, summertime glo-pop masterpiece. That, and the glistening synth pop gem, “Easy”, are two of our favorite songs of the second half of 2010.

“Jonah” – Fiveng from debut 7″

“Give Me A Taste” – Fiveng from debut 7″

Check out his Bandcamp page and Fiveng’s MySpace page.

Best New Releases: Weekend, The Radio Dept., The Concretes, Botany, Nightlands, Valleys, Neitzer Ebb, Gary Wilson, Violens

Posted on 11/10/201012/18/2019 by Max Hammer

San Francisco indie trio Weekend release their debut this week

This week’s Best New Releases is an eclectic mix of new albums and EPs from a wide variety of artists and genres. Among the best new drops this week include San Francisco’s newest rising band, Weekend, Sweden’s indie rock outfit, The Radio Dept., plus new music from Swedens’ The Concretes as well as Philly’s Nightlands. Each of those releases we have double-shots from; hopefully, they’ll help some folks to want to buy these three recommended releases.

But that’s not all: we have fresh tracks from new releases by Neitzer Ebb, Last Year’s Men, The Parting Gifts, Gary Wilson, Botany, and many others. You may want to check back with this post tomorrow as we’ll be adding some other artists and doing a free album giveaway. Enjoy.

San Francisco’s Weekend Is One of IRC’s Best New Bands of 2010

First up, is the debut LP from San Francisco‘s rising indie band, Weekend. Right off the bat, we were smitten with this band. As you may have figured out, searching online for information about a band named Weekend is a difficult task. But we think the music says all you need to know for right now.

“Coma Summer” – Weekend from Sports

Double shot: “End Times” – Weekend from Sports

Sweden’s The Radio Dept. Drop New EP; Announce Singles Collection

The Radio Dept. have been one of the most popular indie bands to come out of Sweden in the past decade. This week, the band drops a new EP, and announced the release of a singles collection, Passive Aggressive: The Singles. Only 1,000 12-inch vinyl EPs have been pressed. The EP contains five tracks.

“Follow Suit” – The Radio Dept. from Never Follow Suit EP

“The New, Improved Hypocrisy” – The Radio Dept., unreleased single

New Moonlight Band, The Parting Gifts, Drop Debut LP

Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound, Oblivians) & Coco Hames (The Ettes) teamed up to form the musical project, The Parting Gifts, featuring appearances from members of The Black Keys and The Raconteurs.

“Keep Walkin” – The Parting Gifts

Sweden’s The Concretes Drop First Album in Three Years

After a three-year break, the popular indie pop band and residents of Stockholm, Sweden, The Concretes, drop their sixth studio album since forming in 1995. Starting out with just two members, over the years the band’s fan based has grown in multiples as the band added more members for a total now of eight musicians.

“Good Evening” – The Concretes from WYWH

“All Day” – The Concretes from WYWH

Botany’s Sound is Anything But Organic

Texas musician Spencer Stephenson, who plays drums for the band Sleep Whale, is moonlighting as the one-man band, Botany. On his debut EP, Feeling Today, Botany cleverly weaves rich instrument infusions with programmed drum beats and almost robotic musings.

“Feeling Today” – Botany from Feeling Today EP

Philadelphia’s War On Drugs Drummer Drops Solo Debut as Nightlands

One of our favorite new ‘bands’ in recent weeks is Nightlands. This week, Nightlands, which is the moniker for Philadelphia musician Dave Hartley, releases the debut LP, Forget The Mantra. Hartley is the drummer of the indie band, War On Drugs.

“Suzerain (A Letter to the Judge)” – Nightlands from Forget The Mantra

“300 Clouds” – Nightlands from Forget The Mantra

Nitzer Ebb Break 15-Year Hiatus With Industrial Complex

Industrial-electro pioneers Nitzer Ebb are returning from a 15-year hiatus with a new album – Industrial Complex – that, upon listening, reaffirms their unique signature of hardcore industrial-electro-pop mixed with a variety of different genres to create a musical melting pot of powerful rhythms, minimal sequencer bass and hook lines, and fierce, chanted vocals. After originally reforming in 2006, the band’s increasingly active profile included 2010 European tour with Depeche Mode.

“Promises” – Nitzer Ebb from Industrial Complex

Valleys Drop 3-Track EP, Stoner

Following the acclaimed debut album Sometimes Water Kills People, Valleys’ members Matilda and Marc return with a new, three-song EP Stoner. While still rooted in their haunting dreampop world, Valleys continue to experiment with the jagged textures and silent power that have always crept in the shadows of their sound.

“Ordinary Dream” – Valleys from Stoner EP

“The Cold Cold Skinny” – Valleys from Stoner EP

Blending the ambient synth sounds of Cocteau Twins and Sisters of Mercy with blistering guitar textures evoking Crass and Minor Threat, Violens‘ Amoral presents psychedelic sonic collages layered with 60’s vocal harmonies. The New York trio first broke through in 2008 and have finally released their debut LP.

“Violent Sensation Descends” – Violens from Amoral

“Acid Reign” – Violens from Amoral

More Worthy Singles from New Releases

“Paralyzed” – Last Year’s Men from Sunny Down Snuff

“Like A Wheel” – Tallest Man on Earth from Sometimes The Blues is Just A Passing Bird

“4312” – Tyvek from Nothing Fits

“If You Must Follow Me” – Jonah from The Wonder & The Thrill

“Electric Endicott” – Gary Wilson from Electric Endicott

“Manhattan Project” – Jesse Payne from Nesting

“Landscapes” – Gregory & The Hawk from Leche

“You Don’t Know Me” – Gross Relations from Fuzzy Timelines

In Dee Mail 2010, Vol. VI – Whisperlights, Snuffaluffagus, Wonderflu, Kate Martin, Photosonic Orchestra, Light For Fire, DZ

Posted on 11/09/201012/18/2019 by Max Hammer

Phoenix band Whisperlights are making noise in the southwest

Over the next several weeks, and probably into 2011, there will be an uptick in the number of In Dee Mail playlist posts; the latest one was just published last week.

We’re excited because IRC readers and visitors traditionally love the In Dee Mail series. But most of all we’re amped to share with you even more relatively unknown bands creating interesting, eclectic, creative, unique and quality music. Almost every artist or band in this series were new to us (and just about everyone else) until they sent in some of their music via our submission form. There is something uniquely special about hearing good-to-great music for the first time from an unknown band.

Dozens of artists and bands have told us they got their first ‘big’ or ‘real’ exposure via In Dee Mail. The majority of bands that are featured on the In Dee Mail series are unsigned, or signed to a small label, and usually completely DIY. Hidden gems await you.

In June, the locally popular Phoenix, Arizona band Whisperlights released their debut EP, Wake Up Dead, and we’re just getting around to it now. Apologies. Whisperlights is a group of multi-instrumentalists and individual songwriters that coalesced in early 2009 around the ideas of writing folk-inspired pop music that didn’t lose itself in endless noodling. The band, consisting of Illya Riske, Owen Marshall, Wasef El-Kharouf, Tobie Milford, and Dave Gironda, quickly became known in Phoenix for their chaotic and energetic live shows with seemingly sporadic instrumental changes, vocalist changes and full-throated choruses.

Since then, the Whisperlights have invaded the Phoenix music scene, played festivals all over Arizona, Nevada and Colorado, as well as touring the west coast in the summer of 2010, after releasing their debut EP in June. In between nearly non-stop tours and gigs, the Whisperlights managed to complete recording their first full length record, Surfaces, to be released in mid-2011. The band has already opened for Josiah Wolf, Common Loon, Parachute Musical, and Slang Chickens, and include among their biggest musical influences, Akron Family, All Elephant Six Records, Andrew Bird, Walkmen, and Broken Social Scene.

“Death” – Whisperlights from Wake Up Dead

“Guillotine” – Whisperlights from Wake Up Dead

Snuffaluffagus – Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn band Snuffaluffagus‘ musical influences range from big hitters of indie rock, such as Animal Collective and Dirty Projectors, to earlier eras of creative music from artists like Caetano Veloso, Jorge Ben, and Astrud Gilberto. The band’s penchant for diversity in music is evident on their newest album, Brazil Wood Poetry, which features mixes of styles like tropicalia and indie.

Snuffaluffagus has toured on and off since 2007, and have moved around a bit – from San Diego to Portland, Oregon – before landing in New York. The band has previously opened for Hosannas Finn Riggins, Japandi, Boomsnake, Weatherbox, Ah Holy Famly and others. Although they don’t say so, we’re guessing this artist must have some fondness for the early work of Sufjan Stevens, based on the flourishing and ambling compositions filled with brass and strings, various stop and starts, and supplemental instruments, like a wood knocker – quite appropriate for a song called “Brazil Wood Poetry.”

“Brazil Wood Poetry” – Snuffaluffagus from Brazil Wood Poetry – June 23rd

Wonderflu – Paris, France

Accessible, melodic pop rock songs, with a touch of Pavement, on the single, “Travel,” and to a lesser extent via the track, “Running Faster,” from the indie pop-rock band Wonderflu have definitely put this band on our radar for 2011. Wonderflu’s debut LP, Lota Schwager, was released in Europe in September. Not surprising, this Paris, France band include Pavement and Dinosaur Jr. among their biggest influences. That’s pretty much all we know about Wonderflu at the moment.

“Travel” – Wonderflu from Lota Schwager

“Running Faster” – Wonderflu from Lota Schwager

Banjo or Freakout – London, England

Lefse Records is running a series called Way Slow, in which some of their artists will record a track that falls outside their normal sound and style. In the first track of the series, released a couple weeks ago, the lads of indie group Banjo or Freakout, recorded, “Over There”.

“Over There” – Banjo or Freakout

The Beautiful Music is a strange name for a rock band, but we like the UK post-punk feel of the song, “Pop is Falling Apart.” The only part we don’t like about it is the obvious rip-off riff from The Who’s anthematic classic, “Baba O’Reilly.”

“Pop is Falling Apart” – The Beautiful Music from single, October

If you like female singers of the folk pop genre, then chances are you’ll enjoy the track “Lua” a gentle ballad that exhibits the beautiful voice of Kate Martin. The song is from her self-titled, debut LP, out now.

“Lua” – Kate Martin from Kate Martin

Dublin, Ireland alternative rock band Photosonic Orchestra (although there’s nothing orchestra about their sound; so that’s a bit strange) include musicians from Ireland, Poland and Italy, and recently performed at the Body & Soul Festival in Ireland. The Drink Me EP was released in August.

“Drink Me!” – Photosonic Orchestra from Drink Me EP

“Birthday Song” – Photosonic Orchestra from Drink Me EP

From Washington, DC, the indie band Daddy Lion were featured on NPR‘s Song of the Day series and opened for popular band Evangelicals. Their debut EP, Divine, was released on 24 Hour Station Records back in June.

“Morning” – Daddy Lion from Divine

Other Songs In Dee Mail We Like

These are songs we like but we don’t have really much information on the artist, and for some songs, like “Let It Go” we don’t even know the artist name (although another song in this mix by the same name does have an artist name – weird, huh?), so if you know any of the artists listed as ‘unknown,’ speak up please. Also, not enough time to write about the other songs here from Michael Doyle, Mean Creek, Keith Canisius, Goodtimes Goodtimes, and DZ.

“Big Spoon” – Michael Doyle

“Let It Go” – Unknown

“The Green Life” – Light For Fire

“The Comedian” – Mean Creek

“People’s Faces” – Keith Canisius

“Fortune Teller Song” – Goodtimes Goodtimes

“Gebbie Street” – DZ