Author: Max Hammer

Discovering and sharing the best DIY/alt/indie/underground music you've never heard. I've been writing about music and other topics since the mid-1990s. We are also music industry professionals - PR; promotion; management; branding; etc.

Recent Releases We Almost Missed, Vol. XIII: Ghosty, Josiah Wolf, Jim Bryson & Weakerthans, Suns, Perfume Genius, Blonde Summer

Posted on by Max Hammer

We’ve been running a playlist mix series all year that many of our regular readers are probably familiar with by now – Almost Missed Recent Releases. The purpose of this series is to play catch-up in a way. All of the songs in this mix were picked from singles, EPs and albums released in a time span that ranges from the early months of 2010 to just last month. None of these MP3 songs were previously featured on IRC for one reason or another. All of the songs featured here were either sitting in email folders, four or five-starred in iTunes playlists, hiding in CD and vinyl stacks, or recently revealed.

So far this year, there have been more than a dozen Almost Missed mix tapes published on IRC containing a total of approximately 150 songs. A friend brought up a good point, asking: “What do you consider recent?” As a practical matter, most people would to disagree that a song from March is considered ‘recent’. We concur. However, for the purposes of consistency, we are going to use the word ‘recent’ very liberally to apply to any 2010 release we haven’t yet shared with you. Hopefully, some of the songs in this mix will be as enjoyable – and as nice of a surprise – to you as they have been for the folks here in the cafe.

Recorded in Falcon Lake over six days in the winter of 2010, The Falcon Lake Incident brings Jim Bryson, one of Canada’s most engaging voices, together with the passionate work of Canadian rock heroes The Weakerthans. In this collection of songs, we are treated to our best songwriters and musicians enjoying making music together in a place with few interruptions other than the occasional four-legged visitor at the door. Expertly woven together by Darryl Neudorf (Neko Case), this is a musical close encounter that transports us to a place where it is just friends and music under constellations—and it really doesn’t matter where in the hell we’re calling from. The original Falcon Lake Incident in 1968 revolves around a UFO close encounter of the third kind.

“Wild Folk” – Jim Bryson & The Weakerthans from The Falcon Lake Incident – Oct. 19th

“Team Love Again” – Ghosty from Team Love Again – April 13th

For fans (like us) of indie band WHY?, you may not have known that band member and multi-instrumentalist Josiah Wolf released a fairly impressive solo debut album back in March. Josiah, whose the brother and fellow WHY? band mate of Yoni Wolf, wrote all of the songs and performed all of the instruments (which means there was a lot of mixing too) on the album, including guitar, kalimba, organ, synthesizer, xylophone, bass, drums, and so on. The single, “Ohio,” is a great example of Wolf’s many talents. On a side note, make sure to watch out for the upcoming latest volume of the State of Music Mix Tapes – a playlist series of songs about states and the people, places and things that make them special and unique.

“Ohio” – Josiah Wolf from Josiah Wolf – March 15th

“Four Winds” – Suns from The Howl and the Many

“The One Light” – Ned Oldham from Let’s Go Out Tonight EP – Sept. 7th

Even though he is only in his twenties, Mike Hadreas, aka Seattle’s Perfume Genius, has a story with the twists and turns of a person who has seen a lot of darkness. This extraordinary debut album explores that world through home-recorded songs that bring to mind early Cat Power, Elliott Smith, Sufjan Stevens and Pink Moon-era Nick Drake. Mostly simple vocal and piano, the minor-key melodies work their way into your brain and stick there.

“Learning” – Perfume Genius from Learning – Aug. 31st

“Ultrapolyamorous” – Montagna and The Mouth-To-Mouth from 7′ single – Sept. 21

“Cathode” – Blonde Summer from Eleganza EP – Aug. 2nd

“Schlitterbahn” – Sleep Good from Skyclimber – June 15th

“New York City Blues” Cobrac Amanda from Buzzard – Sept. 22nd

“Reunion” – Tears Run Rings from Distance – Aug. 24th

“Chosen Seed” – Sacred Animals from Welcome Home EP – Oct. 1st

“Northern Islands” – Blank Dogs from Land and Fixed – Oct. 12th

“Vilseslutet (Remake)” – Symfoniorkestern, single – Sept. 23rd

“Blackpool” – Vic Godard from Blackpool EP – Aug. 8th

“Psykbryt” – Slutet from single – Aug. 12th

“Freedom Calling” – Cecile Doo-Kingué from Freedom Calling – May 25th

“Gently Gently” – Christopher Smith from The Beckon Call – May 11th

“Aching” – Erick Friedlander from Alchemy – June 8th

“Fly Mama Fly” – Moondoggies from You’ll Find No Love Here EP – June 8th

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

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Now that the celebration of the San Francisco Giants’ World Series victory and parade have passed, it’s time to catch up with a bundle of sweet new songs, including free and legal MP3s from Crystal Castles, The Radio Dept., Club 8, Woodsman,  Smith Westerns, Twin Shadow, Woodsman, Junip & Run Roc.

During the past two years, the Ontario, Canada experimental electronica duo Crystal Castles, comprising of Ethan Kath and Alice Glass, have exploded in popularity on the indie scene and beyond. Their 2008 self-titled debut LP was voted one of the top 50 albums of the 2000’s by NME magazine. In this awesome new track, “Not In Love,” the duo collaborated with The Cure‘s frontman Robert Smith.

“Not In Love” (with Robert Smith) – Crystal Castles

Labrador Records’ Recording Artists Drop New Singles

The Swedish indie pop band, and Labrador recording artist, The Radio Dept., have dropped a new single single, the title track to Never Follow Suit, a new “dub” EP from the band that will drop next week. Only 1,000 12-inch vinyl EPs have been pressed. The EP contains five tracks. We’ve also included “The New Improved Hypocrisy”, a single not on the EP that the band quietly released this past September.

Plus, their label mates, Club 8, have a new MP3 single for the Nov. 23rd release of a limited edition seven-inch, Closer Now.  The track, “Closer Now,” is a melodic fusion of psychedelia, Stone Roses‘ guitars, West African chants and rhythms mixed with Club 8’s special blend of Swedish pop hooks.

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

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

“Closer Now” – Club 8 from Closer Now 7″ – Nov. 23rd

Denver’s Smith Westerns Announce Debut LP for January Drop

This past summer was a grand one for Denver’s rising band, Smith Westerns, whose name recognition and fan following grew by leaps and bounds, due in part to a wildly successful cross-country tour and blogger love. Just the other day, the band announced the official release for their sophomore album, Dye It Blonde, and provided the track listing and album art (pictured above). Chris Coady (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Beach House), produced the new LP. Although we do not yet have an official single from Dye It Blonde, the short film, Friends Forever, features a performance of the band playing “All Die Younger”.

The film was shot by popular indie artist and photographer, Ryan McGinley, who captured Smith Westerns’ performance at this year’s Pitchfork Festival. In addition, the film also features footage from San Francisco rising indie band, Girls‘, gig at Pitchfork. Interestingly enough, both bands will be featured in IRC’s Best Bands of 2010. Don’t miss the Soundcloud stream for the fabulous track, “Weekend.”

Smith Westerns – Weekend by forcefieldpr

Twin Shadow Does The Drums and Hooray for the Earth

Nowadays in the indie music mixers world the name George Lewis Jr. is immediately connected to one-man outfit, Twin Shadow, another break-through ‘band’ of 2010. In the past week or so, Twin Shadow have remixed  Hooray for the Earth’s “A Place We Like” and The Drums “Me And The Moon.” Twin Shadow’s terrific debut, Forget, is out now in the U.S., and for the rest of the world (ROW), on November 15, 2010.

“A Place We Like”- Twin Shadow vs. Hooray for the Earth

“Me And The Moon” (Twin Shadow Remix) –  The Drums

Woodsman Release Single Ahead of Debut Album

Earlier this year Lefse Records released Woodsman’s Mystery Tape EP, and will follow it up in January with their Rare Forms full length from which the track below, “Insects”, is taken. Woodsman is an experimental ambient post-psychedelic band based in Denver. Influenced by hazy mountain passes, the cinema of Stan Brakhage, and early 1970’s improvisational recordings by Miles Davis, Woodsman has crafted aural offerings that are uniquely one of a kind.

“Insects” – Woodsman from Mystery Tape EP

Junip’s New Material Remixed By Run Roc

After some years on hiatus,the band Junip returned in September with the awesome LP, Fields. Junip was formed in the late 1990s by drummer Elias Araya, singer and guitarist José González, and organ and moog player Tobias Winterkorn. The band is now on tour stateside through Thanksgiving, and are sharing a Run Roc remix of one of the best songs on the EP, “Always.”

“Always” (Run Roc Remix) – Junip

Anya Marina Preps New EP To Drop Nov. 15th

California-bred and now Portland, Oregon-based singer Anya Marina will release her Spirit School EP on November 15, providing the first glimpse of new material from Marina since her 2009 single “Satellite Heart,” which was featured on The Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack. The new EP features guest appearances and mixes from Courtney Taylor-Taylor (Dandy Warhols) (featured below), Sam Fogarino (Interpol), and Michael Lerner (Telekinesis), among others. Marina says Spirit School is “a collection of similarly misfit songs that are very dear to me.”

“Whatsit”– Anya Marina from Spirit School

…and Big Phony, La Sera, John Hill and Electrolightz

“Short Intermission” – Big Phony

“Never Come Around” – La Sera from Never Come Around 7″ – Nov. 16th

“Does It Still Hurt” – John Hill

“The Future” – Electrolightz from It Happened Over Night

Amy Heffernan’s “Being Awesome”

Posted on by Max Hammer

Raised in the Canadian Rockies region of Alberta, songwriter and musician Amy Heffernan never doubted that she was born to make music.

From the moment she saw the music video for No Doubt’s song “Just A Girl,” Heffernan was hooked: “that’s what I want to do!” she exclaimed.

Her new album, and debut L.P., Being Awesome, features the radio-friendly party anthem and the title track, “Being Awesome,” and a cover of Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance.”

Interestingly enough, Heffernan’s first big break was as a drummer touring Canada and the U.S. with Juno-nominated artist Janelle.

When she returned two years later, Heffernan packed her gear and left her oil city home base of Fort McMurray, Alberta for Los Angeles. There she teamed up with her older brother, Doug Heffernan, an accomplished singer and songwriter.

Following her debut in California, she returned to northern Alberta to share what she had learned with local fans and family.

After playing over 100 shows in six months, including her so-called ‘Johnny Cash Prison Tour” – playing to countless work camps across the region – Heffernan decided to move back to sunny California to begin writing her first full-length album.

 

 

Best New Releases from Bear Hands, 1900s, Brian Eno, Ray Davies, Violens, Matt & Kim, Horse Feathers, The High Dials, Impossible Hair

Posted on by Max Hammer

Election Day in the U.S. coincides with the release of dozens and dozens of new albums, EPs and singles from bands and artists around the world. This week we recommend newbies from indie favorites like Bear Hands, 1900s, Violens, Matt & Kim, Horse Feathers, The High Dials, plus new releases from bands and artists you’ve probably never heard of, like, Lelia Broussard, Bjorn Torske, Impossible Hair, Depth & Current, Nightlands, Rubber, One Hundred Flowers, Glass Vaults, Amy Bezunartea, and The Autumn Defense.

Perhaps the most exciting release of the week here in the cafe is Ray Davies‘ new LP, See My Friends, which features covers and collaboration of classic Kinks’ songs with Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Mumford and Sons, Metallica, Spoon, Paloma Faith, Alex Chilton, Bon Jovi and many others. Ironically, though, if you’re in the U.S. you can’t get the album until next March. WTF?! Anyways, in the meantime, the only sampling from the album is a fairly rough audio (and video) clip of Mumford and Sons performing “Days/This Time Tomorrow” with Davies on the UK music show, Later with Jools Holland.

Also included in today’s mix is a single from Brian Eno, the father of electronic indie rock. Eno’s new LP, Small Craft on a Milk Sea, is out now. The album features stand0ut tracks – among many – like “2 Forms of Anger”, and “Emerald And Stone”. We are displaying a different type of  track, “Bones Bomb.”

In addition, we just had to include the Eno song, “Strange Overtones,” with former Talking Heads‘ frontman, David Bryne. The song is absolutely amazing, and incredibly upbeat, full of tropical influenced percussions, high-note mini guitar riffs, Eno’s synths and Bryne’s solid gold vocals.

You may also be interested in a special compilation of one of the forerunners of acoustic indie music, the late, great, Elliott Smith. This CD features a collection of Smith’s best songs. Just had a random, but beautiful, thought: Imagine Ray Davies, Brian Eno, David Bryne and Eilliott Smith recording an album together – wow.

But first, let’s kick-off this mix of the Best New Releases of the week with fresh tracks from new albums by Bear Hands and 1900s.

“What A Drag” – Bear Hands from Burning Bush Supper Club

“Babies” – 1900s from Return of the Century

“Bone Bomb” – Brian Eno from Small Craft on a Sea of Milk

“Strange Overtone” – Brian Eno (with David Bryne) (2008)

“Satellite” – Lelia Broussard from Masquerade (self-released)

“Violent Sensation Descends” – Violens from Amoral

“Days/This Time Tomorrow”(live) – Ray Davies and Mumford and Sons*
* The official studio version of this collaboration is featured on See My Friends, due March 2011 in U.S.

Here’s the original version of “This Time Tomorrow” from The Kinks‘ 1970 LP, Lola Vs. Powerman and the Money Go Round

“Twilight” – Elliott Smith from An Introduction to Elliott Smith

“Versjon Wolfenstein” – Bjørn Torske from Kokning

“Drain You” (Nirvana) – Horse Feathers from Drain You 7”

You Can Own” – Impossible Hair from Toast a Dozen (On The Outside) (self-released)

“Don’t Go Away” – Depth & Current from Don’t Go Away/Calm To The Sea 7″

“Auto Pilot” – Weezer from Death To False Metal

“Block After Block” – Matt and Kim from Sidewalks

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

“Rubber” – Yuck from Rubber 7″

“Chinese Boxes” – The High Dials from Anthems for Doomed Youth

“All The Things We Were Supposed to Be” – Amy Bezunartea from Restaurants & Bars

“Rat Trap” – One Hundred Flowers from Mechanical Bride

“Forget Me Not” – Glass Vaults from Glass EP

Other Releases This Week:

Destroyer: “Archer on the Beach” b/w “Grief Point” 12” [Merge]

Diplo: Blow Your Head Volume 1: Diplo Presents Dubstep [Mad Decent]

Elliott Smith: Introduction to…Elliott Smith [Kill Rock Stars]

Games: That We Can Play [Hippos in Tanks]

The June: Green Fields and Rain [Rainbow Quartz]

N.E.R.D.: Nothing [Star Trak/Interscope]

Sharron Kraus: The Woody Nightshade [Strange Attractors]

Best New Releases: Avey Tare, Andrew Bird, Sun Airway, Small Black, Diamond Rings, Cashes River, Gospel Claws, Pepper Rabbit

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Animal Collective member Avey Tare has released his new LP,  Down There, today.  The lead single,  “Lucky 1″, sounds, surprisingly, like a new AC song. Tare also followed the release of that track with a new video for “Lucky 1″.  Also, this week, we’re enjoying the latest release from indie instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Andrew Bird, whose lead track, “Hot Math” is an extraordinary mix of lofty indie music and Orient-influenced infusions. Plus, check out new releases from The Octopus Project, Pomegranates, Bermuda, Seeland, The Phantom Band, Broken Records, Paleo and more.

This is a huge week for debut indie LPs from some of the best break-through and new bands of 2010. Some of the best debut albums we recommend this year are out this week, including Sun Airways debut, Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier, plus Brooklyn’s Small Black; Toronto’s Diamond Rings; Los Angeles’ Warpaint; Des Moines’ Cashes River; Brooklyn pop band Elizabeth & The Catapult; Phoenix’s Gospel Claws; LA pop band, Pepper Rabbit.

Don’t miss Active Child’s remix of The School for Seven Bells, plus a new single from Crystal Stilts, and two new EPs from Telekinesis and The War on Drugs.  Also, to make big new release playlist mixes more digestible, we’re breaking up releases of the Best New Releases posts into sub-sections, including New Releases from Established Artists; Anticipated Debuts From Break-Through Artists; Releases from New Bands to Watch, and Singles, Remixes and Reissues. Our favorite sub-section this week is Anticipated Debuts simply because it contains some of the best debuts for the entire year.

New Releases from Established Artists

“Lucky 1”– Avey Tare from Down There

“Hot Math” – Andrew Bird from Useless Creatures

“Fugefat” – The Octopus Project from Hexadecagon

“Walls” – The Phantom Band from Wants

“Create Your Own Reality” (download) – Pomegranates from One Of Us

“Local Park” – Seeland from How to Live

“A Leaving Song” – Broken Records from Let Me Come Home

“King James Fakebook” – Paleo from A View of the Sky

“Kisses” – Bermuda from The Heart of the Nightlife

Anticipated Debuts From Break-Through Artists

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

“Older Brother” – Pepper Rabbit from Beauregard

“Avenues” – Gospel Claws from C-L-A-W-S

“Same Dream China” – Gold Panda from Lucky Shiner

“As I Drift” – Cashes Rivers from Cashes Rivers

“Something Else” – Diamond Rings from Special Affectations

“You & Me” – Elizabeth & The Catapult from The Other Side of Zero

“Undertow” – Warpaint from The Fool

Singles, EPs, Remixes and Re-Issues

“Dirty Thing” – Telekinesis from Parallel Seismic Conspiracies EP

“Heart Is Strange” (Active Child Remix) – School of Seven Bells from Active Child/School of Seven Bells split 7″ 

“Shake the Shackles” – Crystal Stilts from 7 inch single

“The History of Plastic” – The War on Drugs from Future Weather EP

More Releases [compiled from PFM]

Saint Etienne: Good Humor [Heavenly/Universal] [Deluxe Edition Reissue]

Brian McBride: The Effective Disconnect [Kranky]

The Concretes: WYWH [Something in Construction] [UK Release]

The Orchids: The Lost Star [Pebble]

Saint Etienne: Good Humor [Heavenly/Universal] [Deluxe Edition Reissue]

Saint Etienne: Tales From Turnpike House [Heavenly/Universal] [Deluxe Edition Reissue]

Angelo Spencer et l’Orchidee d’Hawai: “L’Argent” 7” [K Records]

Apparat: DJ-Kicks [K7]

Coliseum: Goddamage [Temporary Residence Ltd.]

Comic Wow: Music for Mysteries of Mind Space and Time [Asthmatic Kitty] [Library Catalog Music Series]

Gary Wilson: Electric Endicott [Western Vinyl] [digital release]

Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger: Acoustic Sessions [Chimera]

K.C. Accidental: Captured Anthems for an Empty Bathtub / Anthems for the Could’ve Bin Pills [Arts & Crafts]

Kylesea: Spiral Shadow [Season of Mist]

Lesbian: Stratospheria Cubensis [Important]

Lyrics Born: As U Were [Decon]

Pop. 1280: The Grid EP 12” [Sacred Bones]

R.E.M.: Live From Austin, TX [New West] [DVD]

Seeland: How to Live [LOAF Recordings]

Sun City Girls: Funeral Mariachi [Abduction]

Systems Officer: Underslept [Temporary Residence Ltd.] [Deluxe Vinyl Reissue]

Timmy’s Organism: Rise of the Green Gorilla [Sacred Bones]

Various Artists: Wah Do Dem OST [Factory 25]

Viktor Sjoberg: Breakfast in America [St. Ives]

William Ryan Fritch: Music for Honey and Bile [Asthmatic Kitty] [Library Catalog Music Series]

Wolf & Cub: Science & Sorcery [Last Gang]

Wooden Wand: Death Seat [Young God]

“Hell, Heaven” – Parlovr from

new record from jazz-fusion band the Bombastic Meatbats featuring Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers & Chickenfoot drummer). Their 2nd record ‘More Meat’ is set for release next week, October 19th on Warrior Records.

“Greasy Louise” – Bombastic Meatbats from More Meat

The Philistines Jr.: If a Band Plays in the Woods…?

Other Releases 10-19 [compiled by Pitchfork]

A Sunny Day in Glasgow: Autumn, Again [self-released] [Digital Release] Arthur Russell/Allen Ginsberg: “Ballad of the Lights” 10” [Presspop/Audika] Belfi/Grubbs/Pilia: Onrushing Cloud [Blue Chopsticks] Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series Vol. 9: The Witmark Demos 1962-1964 [Columbia] Darkstar: North [Hyperdub] [UK Release] Dwarr: Animals [Drag City] [reissue] Erland & The Carnival: Trouble In Mind EP [Full Time Hobby/Yep Roc] Eskmo: Eskmo [Ninja Tune] The Extra Lens: Undercard [Merge] Joan of Arc: “Meaningful Work” 7″ [Polyvinyl]

Liars: Proud Evolution EP [Mute] Liz Phair: Girlysound + Funstyle [Rocket Science Ventures] [2xCD] Mt. Desolation: Departure [Cherrytree/Interscope] Mount Eerie: Song Islands Vol.2 [P.W. Everum & Sun, ltd.] [Physical Release] Panda Bear: “You Can Count on Me” b/w “Alsatian Darn” 7” [Domino] The Phantom Band: The Wants [Chemikal Underground] The Philistines Jr.: If a Band Plays in the Woods…? [Tarquin Records/Embarque] The Soft Boys: A Can of Bees [Yep Rock] [Reissue] [Bonus Tracks] The Soft Boys: Underwater Moonlight [Yep Roc] [Reissue] [Bonus Tracks] Various Artists: Radioclit Presents: The Sound of Club Secousse [Crammed Discs]

Indie Rock Cover Songs, Vol. VIII: The Kills, The Harvey Girls, Telekinesis, Little Girls, The Morning Benders, Nada Surf

Posted on by Max Hammer

Cover songs are only worthwhile when they put a different spin on a great original song, and do so with respect and admiration for the original song. Cover songs are not easy to do, and there are more bad to downright hideous covers in the world of music than there are good to magnificent cover songs.

Hopefully you’ll find this mixtape of indie cover songs falls into the good to magnificent covers.  It’s been a while since we’ve put together a covers mixtape (the last was the first Covers Uncovered 2010 back in June). Over time, more and more awesome covers have surfaced that we want to share with you.

Recently, Alison Mosshart took a break from The Dead Weather and joined up Jamie Hince, the other half of the awesome UK rock duo, The Kills, to do a cover of Velvet Underground‘s “Pale Blue Eyes” for Levi Sessions. Other great covers include The Harvey Girls (covering The Flaming Lips), Little Girls (Beach House), Telekenesis (ELO), Nada Surf (Bill Fox), The Morning Benders (The Smiths), Amazing Baby (The Raveonettes), The Laureates (The Breeders) and The Mae Shi (Mates of State).

“Pale Blue Eyes” (Velvet Underground) – The Kills

“Take Meta Mars” (The Flaming Lips) – The Harvey Girls

“Can’t Get It Outta My Head” (ELO) – Telekinesis

“10 Mile Stereo” (Beach House) – Little Girls

“I Won’t Share You” (The Smiths) – The Morning Benders

“Electrocution” – (Bill Fox) – Nada Surf

“Heart of Stone” (The Raveonettes) – Amazing Baby

“Do You Love Me Now” (The Breeders) – The Laureates

“You Are Free” (Mates of State) – The Mae Shi

Check out more Cover Songs on IRC

Stay tuned for Covers III with covers of Phil Collins, The Decemberists, Brian Eno, Tom Petty and others.


In Dee Mail 2010, Vol. VI: Paperfangs, The Smiles, Voxhaul Broadcast, Loon Choir, Stormy Mondays, Transmission Fields

Posted on by Max Hammer

In Dee Mail is an ongoing, and wildly popular, mixtape series that focuses on artists and bands who often fly under the radar but demonstrate remarkable talent, skill, depth and promise, and therefore need to be heard by more DIY and indie music lovers. Sometimes the best music is that which you have yet to hear.

Over the years, we have profiled thousands of incredibly talented artists and bands, many of which were DIY and sent their music in for review using the submission form on the About page. It through this submission form that millions of people have heard and enjoyed some of the best DIY, small label and under the radar artists posted on the web from 2007 to the present day. This latest mix of In Dee Mail is a fantastic, enthralling and heartfelt playlist of songs from promising bands like Paperfangs, Voxhaul Broadcast, The Smiles, Loon Choir, Olina, The Shape of the Earth, Stormy Mondays, Pretty Birds That Kill, Transmission Fields and Motive for Movement. This mix includes music that you don’t want to miss.  Let us know what you think in the Comments section; do you have a favorite song or band? Tell us and win a CD or a special drawing.  We often pick our favorite comments as winners.

[zbplayer]

Paperfangs – Finland

Paperfangs, a new indie electro-pop trio from Finland, is shooting arrows at our lil’ indie hearts thanks to a splendid cover of Kiss Kiss Fantastic‘s “Violet,” not to mention a couple of sweet originals as well, especially the track, “The Vastest Plains.” Paperfangs dreamy, synth-oozing sound, with its hazy vocals, xylophonic pop infusions, jangly guitars and mysteriously comforting reverb is a perfect fit for fans of the “chill wave” and “glo-fi” movements. But Paperfangs deliver a more minimalistic product that allows the brilliant simplicity of their music to shine.

“Violet (Kiss Kiss Fantastic)” – Paperfangs from Eardrum Pop

“The Vastest Plains” – Paperfangs from Eardrum Pop

The Smiles – Los Angeles, CA

While none of the band members grew up close by the ocean, The Smiles, like to call their sound “beach rock.” Along with the chill wave craze, the more pop-oriented ‘beach surf’ or ‘tropical’ rock movement (i.e., The Drums) is also a hopping scene these days. So, in one sense, The Smiles are just another beach rock band, but in reality they could be a break-through band in 2011 with the right management.

The four band members are Los Angeles area college students who began performing together last year. In a relatively short period of time, the band became the most popular band on the campus of the University of South California. Last fall, the band raised $2,000 on KickStarter to record their debut EP, Hermosa.

The Smiles have opened for Thee Oh Sees, Sherwood, and The Entrance Band, and not surprisingly, count among their main influences, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Strokes and Vampire Weekend.

“Swimming” – The Smiles from Hermosa Beach EP – May 14th

“Cala Cola” – The Smiles from Hermosa Beach

Voxhaul Broadcast – Los Angeles, CA

Voxhaul Broadcast, a totally DIY, unsigned rock band from Los Angeles, have been making waves lately beyond LA, where they are pretty dang popular. They were featured a number of times in NME, as well as Daytrotter, KCRW and the BBC. Still unsigned, the band stands out not just for their memorable rock and soul sound, but the fact that their MySpace page has almost one million views. However, we do know that they recently hired a big agency to book gigs for them.

“Leaving on the 5th “ – Voxhaul Broadcast

The Shape of the Earth – Los Angeles, CA

From the moment we heard the track, “You Can Only Get So Lonely,” Los Angeles band, The Shape of the Earth, founded by singer/songwriter Gavin Bascom, have been candidates for this playlist series. This little slice of indie folk brilliance is easily one of the best new indie folk songs of 2010, in a year where the whole ‘chillwave/bliss pop’ or whatever you call it thing has dominated the indie airwaves. We’re also featuring another song from the band’s 2009 debut LP.

“You Can Only Get So Lonely” – The Shape of the Earth from The Romantics EP

“Separate Lives” – The Shape of the Earth from Do I Dare Disturb The Universe?

loonchoir-expansionforces

Loon Choir – Ottawa, Canada

Ottawa, Canada indie rock synth pop band Loon Choir released their impressive debut album, Expansion Forces in May, but have yet to be featured on a popular blog or music site, until now.  been and have been slowly rising in the eyes of bloggers, critics and fans. The band blends high 0ctane snyth notes, reverb and percussions to create addictive power pop, especially on the track, “Bricks”.  Keep ears and eyes out for Loon Choir.

“Bricks” – Loon Choir from Expansion Forces

“New Forewarnings” – Loon Choir from Expansion Forces

olina

Olina – Portland, OR

Why this Portland, Oregon band, Olina, are not more well-known is a bit of a head-scratcher. After listening to a number of songs from Olina, we are definitely impressed. The lead track here, “Madness and Methods,” is the one that we’ve been listening to the most. It starts out with a mysterious gloom accomplished with a few guitar and violin notes and then paces into a verse-heavy, melodic stage that eventually builds up and breaks out into an almost spooky chorus, followed by a slow down, and then, to finish it off, a 20 second little jam.

The next track, “As If You Cared” is essentially a love song of the broken heart sort, accented with minimal instrumentation, allowing the band’s fine vocals, and the lyrics, to stand out. By the end of the song, you’d swear you were listening to a hybrid of Pearl Jam and Radiohead.

“Madness and Methods” – Olina from Olina

“As if You Cared” – Olina from Olina

Stormy Mondays – Oviedo, Spain
From Oviedo, Spain, singer/songwriter and guitarist Jorge Otero is the heart of the band Stormy Mondays. The band released their newest album, Nothing On My Radio, on June 17th. The title track is uptempo pop rock song about the frustrations of not being able to find anything good to listen to on the radio. It’s not really as relevant a song that it would have been 15 years ago before the Internet, iPods and 99-cent downloads changed everything. The second track, “Weathermen,” is a whimsical story about a weatherman with a catchy, syrupy hook and a full horn section – whether true flesh and blood performers or a horn tracking created by a synthesizer.

Otero’s biggest musical moment, he told IRC, was playing on stage with Bruce Springsteen at New Jersey’s 2006 Light of Day Festival, and what turned out to be a disaster (rioting, food shortages, vandalism, violence) of a 30th anniversary for the original 1969 Woodstock music festival – the seminal outdoor music festival of a generation lost in space. Stormy Mondays entered a fan-voting competition for AMP3.com’s Emerging Artists Stage at Woodstock ’99, and won. Stormy Mondays has also toured Europe with Elliott Murphy, Willie Nile, Cindy Bullens, and Joe Grushecky.

“An indie band with a record released on a tiny label was the first Spanish band to ever play [the] Woodstock festival,” Otero said. “We went on right before John Entwistle [The Who’s bassist] and we killed. We had the time of our lives!”

“Nothing On My Radio” – Stormy Mondays from Nothing On My Radio – June 17th

“Weatherman” – Stormy Mondays from Nothing On My Radio

Pretty Birds That Kill – Anchorage, AK

From Anchorage, the biggest city in the American tundra of Alaska, the recently emerging musical duo known as Pretty Birds That Kill, serve up a sweet blend of electro pop and new wave mixed with garage rock and blues. On the track, “Anarchy in the AK”, the band unleash an organ-infused bluesy rock jam with spoken vocals and raunchy guitar rthyms.

“Telephone” has a spacey 1960’s psychedelic lo-fi vibe that floats along for the entirety. Not many bands can pull off an instrumental with so few instruments, and hardly any note variations, but PBTK nails it with “Telephone.”   The duo are currently on their first cross-country tour. PBTK’s latest EP, Freedom For Freaks, features six tracks with an eight-page lyrical booklet.

“Anarchy in the AK” – Pretty Birds That Kill from Freedom for Freaks – released June 18th

“Telephone” – Pretty Birds That Kill from Freedom for Freaks

Transmission Fields – Charlotte, NC

Indie rock band Transmission Fields is a rock/powerpop collective of musicians from Charlotte with members from Chicago, Atlanta, and St. Louis. The band released their debut self-titled album on August 10th. The band has opened for Athenaeum, The Verve Pipe, and Marcy Playground, and include among their biggest influences Radiohead, Wilco, REM, and Ben Kweller.

“Did It Wrong” – Transmission Fields from Transmission Fields

“Air/Lungs” – Transmission Fields from Transmission Fields

Motion for Movement – Tulsa, OK

Motion for Movement is a Britpop, shoegaze, ambient and progressive indie band from Tulsa, Oklahoma who have opened for bands like Copeland, Eagles of Death Metal, Sparta, and The Ataris. Motion for Movement are completely DIY, unsigned, and were named one of the best hard rock bands in Oklahoma by The Tulsa World.

“Cast” – Motion For Movement from Our Concrete Neighbors – July 13th

“Of Priests And Presidents” – Motion For Movement from Our Concrete Neighbors

Best New Releases: Liars with Thom Yorke Remix, A Sunny Day in Glasgow, One In A Googleplex, Houses, Soars, Oh Land, Ben Weaver

Posted on by Max Hammer

Right off the bat, we can say that this is not anywhere as near a big week for new releases as other weeks so far this month have been. But one of the exciting new releases is the official drop of Liars‘ new EP, Proud Evolution. The title track was remixed by no other than Radiohead‘s very own Thom Yorke.

“Proud Evolution (Remix by Thom Yorke)” – Liars from Proud Evolution EP

The new EP also features a live version recorded at Music Hall Of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, plus three exclusive new b-sides “Come Now”, “Total Frown”, and “Strangers”.  Liars said about the EP: “A triumphant processional piano part is hijacked by something more lurid and tempting. The clicking and gurgling of what’s kicking. Soon a large rolling mass of bass displaces the equilibrium and redirects it into a groove. The tempting wave reminds you that misplaced confidence can be frightening.”

Liars has been all over the indie map in the past year or so, and for good reason. In a nutshell: they “get it”. The Los Angeles Times said: “Bands that do what they want to do because they believe in it – and trust the intelligence of their listeners – are the future. That is the brave new world of Liars”.

Autumn Again, from Philadelphia/Sydney’s celebrated indie dream pop band, A Sunny Day in Glasgow, is strongly recommended, not only because we freaking loved their previous releases over the past two years, but also because we love their newest LP, Autumn, Again.

“Drink Drank Drunk” – A Sunny Day in Glasgow from Autumn, Again

The next release we want to feature this week, The Dropout Cats, came to us via email from the Cologne, Germany. Sebastian Zimmer is the one-man band behind One In A Googlepex. His first two albums garnered critical praise for their blend of excellent song-craft, spacey production and genre busting boldness.

From the get-go, we were struck by the beauty and freshness of the song composition and minimalistic instrumentation on the 8-bit folk (as the band calls it) track, “Monolith.” The song is dreamy, melodic, accented perfectly by soft, harmonic vocals and a piano – a nice mellow surprise from Germany. It’s no surprise that Nick Drake is such a big influence on the band.

“Monolith” – One In A Googleplex from The Dropout Cats

We’re not sure, however, what to really make of the very different, electro-pop track, “Just Like You,” but we are including it for good measure anyhow. To be fair, we haven’t yet heard any of the other tracks on the band’s new debut album, but if there are a lot of streams/downloads of one or both of the songs below, we’ll be compelled to find another track on the album to share with all of you.

“Just Like You” – One In A Googleplex from The Dropout Cats

Among the other debuts out this week, and worth considering, are Houses, Wow & Flutter, Soars, and Oh Land. Plus, there are some mellow indie folk tracks below from more new releases.

“Soak It Up” – Houses from All Night

“Endless Spring” – Houses from All Night

“Scars” – Wow & Flutter from Equilibrio!

“Figurehead” – Soars from Soars

“Son of a Gun” – Oh Land from Oh Land

“Silver State” – Sleep-ins from Songs About Girls & Outer Space

Here are three chilled out acoustic folk songs from Belfi/Grubbs/Pilia, Ben Weaver and The Extra Lens. Plus, we included other releases we think you might want to check out the full album streams from Violens, Girl in a Coma, Kings of Leon and The Phantom Band.

“Onrushing Cloud” – Belfi / Grubbs / Pilia from Onrushing Cloud

“East Jefferson” – Ben Weaver from Mirepoix and Smoke

“Only Exiting Footage” – The Extra Lens from Undercard

Violens‘ Amoral (stream Amoral via Spinner)
Girl in a Coma‘s Adventures in Coverland
Zach Hill‘s Face Tat
The Phantom Band‘s The Wants
Kings of Leon‘s Come Around Sundown
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion‘s Orange + Experimental Remixes EP

Great New Songs from The Freelance Whales, Motorifik, The Postelles, Oh No Oh My, Unsolved Mysteries, Yuck, La Sera

Posted on by Max Hammer

freelancewhalesenzymes

After a triumphant 2010, that included the release of their acclaimed debut LP, Weathervanes, Queen‘s popular indie band, The Freelance Whales, are keeping fans engaged into the waning months of 2010 with a new song, “Enzymes.” At first, it doesn’t really sound like the FW; the sound is more heavily infused with an indie pop sound coupled with a bit of darkness found in the nearly opposing lyrics. Good tune. What do you think?

“Enzymes” – The Freelance Whales, new single, released 10/15/2010

New Musical Project of Phil Kay and Idrisse Kehlifi

The next two tracks are from a new musical project that we’d never heard of until getting an email from the “band”. And now we’re hooked. Motorifik is a side project of Phil Kay, songwriter/producer of indie band, Working For A Nuclear Free City, and French songwriter Idrisse Khelifi.

The pair met in Manchester, England in 2006 during the recording of WFANFC’s second album. Kay was drawn to Khelifi’s direct style and pop aesthetic. Before long, Kay and Khelifi began writing and recording the music for Motorifik’s debut, Secret Things, due to drop next month.

According to Kay, “At the time of compiling the album, I was revisiting one of my favorite records, Nas‘ Illmatic. I was struck by how concise it was. So I forced myself to cut the album right down to the essence of what we were trying to achieve – a sort of twisted cinematic pop record.”

“Secret Things” – Motorifik from Secret Things – Nov. 9th

Also check out “Sleep Forever” via Spinner

New York’s The Postelles Debut Out Now; Co-Produced by Albert Hammond Jr.

The Postelles are a garage rock-pop band from New York City which has made a lot of buzz this year with their Strokes-sounding, guitar-riffing style. The catchy post-punk track, “White Night,” a lead single from their debut,  got a good number of comments on IRC Facebook.  Sean said the track ” has good 50’s-60’s rock sound with a modern retro feel”; Joshua said it reminds him of The Kooks and Amy said it’s a “super sellable single.”

Not surprisingly, The Strokes‘ band member, Albert Hammond Jr., “discovered” The Postelles, and co-produced their debut.

“White Night” – The Postelles from The Postelles – Oct. 12th

Austin’s Oh No Oh My Set to Release Sophomore LP

Four years after their widely praised debut album, Austin band Oh No Oh My, has completed recording for their sophomore album, People Problems, set for release in January on Koenig Records. Oh No Oh My collaborated with sound engineers Jeff Byrd (Spoon, John Vanderslice) and Brad Bell (Spoon, Meat Puppets) in recording People Problems, the follow-up to 2008’s Dmitrji Dmitrji EP.

The album was recorded in the studio of Spoon drummer Jim Eno and at Hoxmeier’s Sugarcube studio (named after the Yo La Tengo song). ONOM kick off a two-month U.S. tour on Thursday in Shreveport.

“Walking Into Me” – Oh No Oh My from People Problems – Jan. 11th

Pink Floyd Engineer Co-Produces LP

The band Scalding Lucy worked with Pink Floyd‘s legendary engineer of 27 years, Andy Jackson (left), to produce its new album, In The Sky With Diamonds. Despite the corny title of the album, there’s a couple good tracks in there.

“Kerplat” – Scalding Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds

Poison Tree Announce March Debut; New Single

The King of France‘s frontman Steve Salett will release a self-titled debut in March 2011 under the moniker The Poison Tree.

As a singer-songwriter, Salett has a feel that is apparently influenced by Leonard Cohen and Fred Neil. The album was recorded with a number of collaborators culled from the Elephant 6 styled Saltlands music collective Salett co-founded, including musicians Thomas Bartlett (Doveman) and Dawn Landes.

“Come On Come On” – The Poison Tree from The Poison Tree

Unsolved Mysteries Officially on the Radar

Unsolved Mysteries, who have opened for artists like Dan Deacon and Matt & Kim, have a new full-length album, Tragic Trouble, The album is a collection of warped pop songs with tints of The Radio Dept’s hazy electro, New Order’s synth-rock and the Cocteau Twin’s dream pop.

“Pen 15” – Unsolved Mysteries from Tragic Trouble


SeafarerBy Katy Betz

“Noise Floor” – Seafarer

New Songs from The Ascetic Junkies, Elizabeth Catapult, La Sera and Others

This next set of sweet new songs include tracks from The Ascetic Junkies, Elizabeth Catapult, Cock and Swan, La Sera and Backwards Quilt. Let us know in the Comments, on Twitter or Facebook what songs you like the most from this mix; your comment/review might just be included in our year-end lists.

“Get What You Want, Get What You Need” – The Ascetic Junkies from This Cage Has No Bottom – Nov. 16th

“Water From Wine” – The Ascetic Junkies from This Cage Has No Bottom

“Stash” – Cock and Swan from Unrecognize

“Georiga” – Yuck from band’s forth-coming 2011 debut

“Never Come Around” – La Sera from 7″

“You and Me” – Elizabeth Catapult

“Quarters” – Mystery band – do you know?

“Quilt and Then Sigh” – Backwords Quilt

One Man (and Woman) Bands: Amanda Jo Williams, Doctors & Dealers, ARP, Alex Floor, Blimp

Posted on by Max Hammer

The sheer number of one-man bands sprouting up all over the map during the past few years is mesmerizing. The diversity of one-man bands range from musical prodigies who craft fuzzy, lo-fi dreamscapes and Beach Boys‘ tinged bliss-pop on synthesizers and MacBooks in bedrooms and basements, to incredibly talented multi-instrumentalists who write their own music, sing, AND play all – or almost all – of the instruments – from guitar and bass to drums and keys, from harmonica to violin and piano to clarinet. Plus, many one-man bands do their own recording, distribution and promotion.

That’s not to say that anyone with some or all of these abilities can create a buzz with their music.  As with all music, the end product is what matters, especially in the saturated marketplace of DIY indie music.  A good many one-man bands that we’ve encountered over the years are smart enough to keep their day jobs. That’s not said with any intent to be cruel, just got to keep it real. The marketplace will continue to become even more competitive, because nowadays it is so much easier – and entirely more affordable – for any striving musician to produce and distribute their music. Thankfully, the many layers of filtering that the web provides does a good job at leaving us with only the best of the best; the one-man bands who make a name – often by way of a moniker – for themselves.

Often, one-man bands get their first break from a positive review of a song or EP via popular music blogs like The Brooklyn Vegan, Pitchfork, Stereogum, and even right here on IRC. Then, if they’re lucky, they get slated to play CMJ in New York, or SXSW in Austin; if they kill it at one or more shows during these critical music festivals, doors will open.

The one-man band phenom has turned out to be a boon for indie rock, in general; as well as, for solo artists, record labels, venue owners and music lovers. Anyone who spends a few hours a week checking out indie sites and blogs knows just how big the one-man band craze has become.

In recent months, there seems to be an increasing number of one-woman bands surfacing, including Computer Magic (who we’ve featured twice now, and to enthusiastic response), and today’s first two featured artists, the impressive Amanda Jo Williams, and Sparrow of Doctors & Dealers.

Lured to New York City by a modeling agent making a lot of promises, Williams, at the age of 19, dropped out of college in Columbus, Georgia, to head to the Big Apple. In 2008, she moved cross-country to Los Angeles to pursue writing and recording her very own style of music, a type of “freak folk” mixed with elements of rock, rap and country.

Williams has opened for an impressive variety of artists, including Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, Avi Buffalo, Leslie and the Badgers, Henry Wolfe Gummer, and Rio En Medio. Her album, Yes I Will Mr. Man, came out March 17th on White Noise Records.

“Ohio” – Amanda Jo Williams from Yes, I Will Mr. Man

“The Bear Eats Me” – Amanda Jo Williams from Yes, I Will Mr. Man

Earlier this year, the acclaimed producer Gordon Raphael (The Strokes, Regina Spektor) began work on an EP with Swedish artist, Sparrow, the one-woman band with the moniker, Doctors & Dealers. After a month in the studio, the two have emerged with the new Trouble EP, and a full length, Every Sinner Has A Future, to be released Dec. 10th, 2010, and sometime in 2011, respectively.

Since the release of her two previous albums, Raphael was interested in collaborating with her for Doctors & Dealers‘ third album. Apparently, the pair agreed to record an album that “sounded like Chicago, if it were directed by Tim Burton“. Along with collaborator Anders Lager, Sparrow and Raphael played and recorded every instrument themselves, from 12-string guitar to tuba.

“Trouble” – Doctors & Dealers from Trouble EP

“Backstabber” – Doctors & Dealers from Trouble EP

ARP – New York, New York

New York City cosmic wayfarer and analog fetishist, ARP, the moniker of Alexis Georgopoulos, kicked off a six-city tour with Caribou Thursday night in Austin and will end next week in Miami. Focusing primarily on new material from his just-released album, The Soft Wave, Geogopoulos’ performances will be back-dropped by a dreamy, psychedelic film he created with Paul Clipson.

On the track, “White Night,” from The Soft Wave, Georgopoulous layers and pieces together random sound effects,and discordant tweaks and grinds that can only be described as an audio acid trip. We think that this type of music in and of itself does not belong in a musical genre, simply because it’s not really music – it’s experimental, free verse collages of synth sounds and effects. Not to say we don’t like it, but just to make a point. Experimental sonic art is a good way to think of it. Chances are it will never have mass appeal, which in it’s own way is good for the art form. Underground is cool, right?

“White Night” – ARP from The Soft Wave

But, Georgopoulous also has a knack to spin out sweet, dreamy songs in which he gets to show off his songwriting and singing skills, particularly on the synth-heavy, glistening track “From A Balcony Overlooking The Sea.” And for the cherry, the song ends with the always soothing sound of waves lapping the shoreline.

“From A Balcony Overlooking The Sea” – ARP from The Soft Wave

Via SoundCloud, Geogopoulos is sharing a brand new track, “The Past,” from the forthcoming Symphony 12″ , which will dropped on Nov. 15th.

Alex Floor – Brooklyn, New York

The gentrified neighborhoods of Brooklyn have become a mecca of sorts for indie musicians over the past few years, so it never surprises us to receive songs in the mail from a Brooklyn artist. More often than not, lately, we are impressed, almost enough to suggest they move somewhere else to stand out more – half-joking, of course. That said, singer/songwriter Alex Floor sings heady and playful music with a genuine voice. He dropped his newest album DIY-style last May.

“Borrowed Earth” – Alex Floor from American Peasant

Blimp – Ventura, California

From his home in Ventura, California, composer and musician Dave Girtsman records music under the moniker Blimp – which of course makes it difficult to find information about his music project in Google searches. In addition to writing, recording his music, Girtsman sings and plays all the instruments – guitar, bass, drums and so on. His music is clever, quirky and fun, drawing from influences like Tom Waits, Nino Rota and Vic Chesnutt. Girtsman lists among his biggest musical influences Elvis Costello and XTC.

Girtsman has played with many local bands over the years, and even worked with Susanna Hoffs and the Primitive Radio Gods. He also contributes to the XM Radio program, Musician’s Radio, and has been composing for animated short films.

“Tiny Tiny” – Blimp from Vertical Hold

“The Saint” – Blimp from Vertical Hold

You Made This Mix, Vol. I: Recommended Indie Songs to Test A Stereo System With

Posted on by Max Hammer

Do you have a new stereo system in your home or your car and want to test how good it is? Well, with a little help from our friends, we’ve put together a mix of songs from various indie rock bands. Last week we sent out a message to IRC readers to suggest songs to test a stereo system with, and we received over 50 suggestions, mostly via our Facebook page.

So many people liked this idea, that we have decided to make it a new playlist mix series called “You Made This Mix”. Now we know why you keep coming back! :) You guys and gals have great taste in music. We’re excited by this new experiment – as far as we know, no other music sites are doing this type of publishing – where the readers and visitors actually play a major and direct role in picking the songs for a mix.  With the next You Made This Mix, we want to know what are you favorite songs of 2010. You can use the Comments below, Facebook or Twitter to make your recommendations.

This mixtape is composed of the original person who recommended the song (usually from FB), the song itself, and the artist or band. Still, keep in mind that in no way can this mixtape itself, as far as sound quality of MP3s, possibly substitue for the sound quality of vinyl and CDs. Therefore, if  you really are serious about testing the sound quality of a stereo system with the songs in this first-ever You Made This Mix, do it with the vinyl or CD versions of the songs. It’s no wonder vinyl is making a comeback; the secret is out – you haven’t heard music until you’ve heard vinyl on a spectacular stereo system.

Note:  If you are one of the contributors below, and wish to say in 30 words or so why you picked you’re song, it’d be interesting to hear. As a total compilation, this mix created by contributors is impressive. If we had more time, we’d love to find streams for all of the songs suggested.

[zbplayer]

Sarah Norris: “Rocco” – Arcade Fire

Lena Rathnam: “Elephant Gun” – Beirut

Luke Land: “Crystal Visions” – The Big Pink

Evan Hartstein: “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd

Buddy Tyree: “The Summer Ends” – American Football (this song was also on one of IRC’s summer mixtapes series.)

David Hollenbeck: “I’ve Got Friends” – Manchester Orchestra

Abe Yospe: “1999” – Shout Out Louds

Richard Bivens: “Tough Love” – Regrets & Brunettes

Jenna Wilkinson: “My Will is Good” – Port O’Brien

Sean Poppert:   “Beach Comber” – Real Estate

Chris Tuton: “First Day of My Life” – Bright Eyes

Christine Joy Torres: “Hannah” – Freelance Whales

Kevin J Weel: “Turn a Square” – The Shins – Track not found; recommend instead:

“Phantom Limb” – The Shins

Amy Hughes Kearns: “Entrance” – The Black Angels – Track not found; recommend instead:

“Doves” – The Black Angels

Juan Chavez Theme Song – Screaming Females – Track not found; recommend instead:

“Boyfriend” – Screaming Females

Kenan Spear: “Foreign Room”– Telekinesis

Shawn Beaulieu ‎“Whirring” – The Joy Formidable

Eventually we’re going to publish our own version of songs to test a stereo with that will include more genres than just indie rock.

Other Recommendations:

John Caignet: “Sundown Syndrome” – Tame Impala

Kelly Murray: Two Headed Boy – Neutral Milk Hotel

Amanda Ciampolillo: “When I’m Up” – Great Big Sea

Zachary Holland: “Same Dream China” – Golden Gold Panda

Buddy Tyree Actually –  just stick the AF EP and LP in and just play that.

Dave Johnson Honestly: “Whisper” – Evanescence’s Whisper

Victoria Nordgren Lay me down – Emory Joseph

Jack Klempay: “You! Me! Dancing!” – Los Campesinos

Serena Lauren The Golden Age – The Asteroids Galaxy Space Tour : http://www.thesixtyone.com/s/vmRTpeFnm7e/

5 Anticipated Albums for Autumn: Sufjan Stevens, Belle & Sebastian, The Tallest Man on Earth, Avey Tare and A Sunny Day in Glasgow

Posted on by Max Hammer

It’s already time to look forward to autumn music releases, even though we’re still getting acquainted with the flood of awesome new releases that have dropped in the past couple of months. Sure, many of them have been featured in the weekly Best New Releases, and via other regular mixes like In Dee Mail and  Recent Releases We Almost Missed, but there are still others, especially from bands most people have never heard of, that we’re still listening to – determining if they should make the ‘final cut’. Those that do will be published over the coming weeks.

One of the most talked about upcoming releases is Sufjan Stevens‘  The Age of Adz, which is streaming free on NPR until it’s release date, October 12th. Fans of Sufjan will soon discover yet another side to the prolific musician – his tweaked-out, electro-experimental pop side. We’ll have more to say about Adz next Tuesday.

“Too Much” – Sufjan Stevens from The Age of Adz – Oct. 12th

Belle and Sebastian – Write About Love

You can bet that a lot of Belle and Sebastian fans will be happy Tuesday to finally get their hands on the duo’s first album in four years, Write About Love. The Scottish band, led by singer-songwriter Stuart Murdoch, has built a cult-like following over the years, gaining more fans after two B&S songs were  featured in the hit 2007 indie film, Juno. Those songs came from the band’s most successful LP in their 15-year career, 2006’s The Life Pursuit. That album was produced by Tony Hoffer, who guided the band’s music towards a more progressive pop sound. And, just in case you don’t know about Murdoch’s innovative film project, check it out at his God Help The Girl website.

“Write About Love” – Belle & Sebastian from Write About Love – Oct. 12th

For the memories:  “There’s Too Much Love” – Belle & Sebastian from Fold Your Hands Child You Walk Like a Peasant (2000)

The Tallest Man on Earth – Sometimes The Blues Is Just A Passing Bird

On November 9th, Swedish musician Kristian Matsson, better known by his moniker, The Tallest Man on Earth, will officially release his second EP, Sometimes The Blues Is Just A Passing Bird. Matsson has often been compared to one of our favorite musicians ever – Bob Dylan. Whether by design or coincidence – or a dash of both – Matsson’s raw, nasal voice is strikingly similar to Dylan’s. Since his brilliant 2008 debut LP, Shallow Grave, and this past April’s follow-up, The Wild Hunt, it’s been a wild ride for The Tallest Man on Earth. He’s enormously popular in Europe, and increasingly so in the U.S. and Canada. We love TTMOE, and he’s getting stronger, but not taller, with each release. By the way, Matsson is 5 feet, 7 inches tall.

“Like The Wheel” – The Tallest Man on Earth from Sometimes The Blues Is Just A Passing Bird – Nov. 9th

Avey Tare (Animal Collective) – Down There

The members of Animal Collective have been keeping busy this summer with solo recordings, releases and tours. Panda Bear (Noah Lennox) was on tour on the heels of his latest release, Tomboy, and now, Avey Tare, has released a new track from his upcoming LP,  Down There, set to drop Oct. 26th on Paw Tracks.  The new Tare single,  “Lucky 1”, sounds, surprisingly, like a new AC song, which you can probably guess is a good, and maybe no-so-good, thing for him. However, until we’ve heard the entire LP, it’s hard to pass judgment. Hard-core AC fans will buy just about anything anyone from the band puts out. Avey also followed the release of that track – which has been trending at No. 1 on the Hype Machine over the past few days – with this silly video for “Lucky 1”.

“Lucky 1” – Avey Tare from Down There – Oct. 26th

A Sunny Day in Glasgow – Autumn Again

The next release we are looking forward to is not likely one that many other bloggers or indie fans have marked down as an anticipated fall release. And yet the upcoming new album, Autumn Again, from Philadelphia/Sydney’s celebrated indie dream pop band, A Sunny Day in Glasgow, not only because we freaking loved their previous releases over the past two years, but also because it will be a free download (freeload)   starting Oct. 19th, the official release date of the LP. The band will sell 500 vinyl copies via Carrot Top Distribution.

“Drink Drank Drunk” – A Sunny Day in Glasgow from Autumn, Again – Oct. 19th

And then there’s this: Current tourmates Active Child and School of Seven Bells have remixed each other’s tracks on a limited edition 7” project. This collaboration will be available from Lefse Records on mixed color vinyl October 26. Listen to Active Child’s remix of “Heart is Strange” here: