Category: 2016 Bands to Watch

When we first heard the opening tracks to Champaign, Illinois indie pop band Headlights, we thought, ‘wow, this is great stuff.’ The more we play it here in the cafe, the more we like it. And so do many other people.

We are guilty of not knowing about Headlights prior to their latest 2008 release, Some Racing, Some Stopping, the follow-up to their 2006 debut Kill Them With Kindness.

But it wasn’t really until this year’s album that the band got on serious mojo from not just the blogs, but the mainstream music press as well. Spin magazine recently hailed the band’s new album: “”Calling Headlights “nice” sounds like a backhanded compliment, but Some Racing wears the tag proudly: It’s charming, but never boring.”

That’s so true. Headlights are definitely one of the ‘break-through’ bands of 2008. Their inspired sound is full of blissful choruses that are uplifting coupled with pop jams that seem relentless. The talented band members include Erin Fein (vocals and keyboards), Brett Sanderson (drums) and Tristan Wraight (vocals, guitar and bass).

Headlight’s sound is unquestionably pop. But there are variances of interwoven elements that add extra layers of flavor and richness to their songs. The songs feature all kinds of instruments, including organs, keyboards, bells, tambourines and an array of strings, as represented on tracks such as “Towers” and “Get Your Head Around It,” the latter song having been featured in the thirteenth installment of this blog’s Best Indie Rock Songs of 2008 series.

The song “School Boys” exemplifies indie pop in a celebratory orchestra-infused fashion, moving along merrily while maintaining a discipline that ultimately makes it one of the best songs on the album. The pace livens even more in the next upbeat song, and one of their standout tracks, “Cherry Tulips” (watch video below).

Some people have said that Headlights is comparable to bands like Arcade Fire, Stars, Rilo Kiley and Belle and Sebastian. While true in some respects, it is still far from pinning the essence of a sound that is pretty much original.

An example of this would be the tracks “Get Year Head Around It” and has a driving, jangly feel that you want to keep going on and on. “Catch Them All” is one of the album’s best tracks (listen below). If there is one downfall it is that the songs could be longer. Headlights makes awesome pop tunes full of personality, excitement and hooks that we find ourselves wishing would keep parading for five or six minutes.

You know that feeling, when you’re listening to a great song and it winds down sooner than you want it to and you are like, “no man, keep that shit going.” And if you are like that when you listen to Headlights, there’s a remedy. The band has released a clever album of remixes, oddly titled Remixes, a few months ago featuring some of their best songs from their latest album and previous releases.

Headlights is the real deal, especially for fans of indie pop who enjoy the ‘feel good’, dreamy type of sprawling and enthusiastic music that has become so popular
in recent years.

Music critic Tim Sendra of the All Music Guide put Headlights up near the top, writing recently: “There are a lot of bands playing indie pop in 2008, but very few do it as well as Headlights do on Some Racing, Some Stopping.”
There are albums that get spun over and over again at the café. Some Racing, Some Stopping is definitely one of them. Even more, it is likely to become a must-have release for indie pop music enthusiasts in the years to come.

“Get Your Head Around It” – Headlights

“Catch Them All” – Headlights

Visit Headlights’ MySpace page

Buy Headlights’ records and merchandise from their label site at http://www.polyvinylrecords.com/store/

It’s a risky assumption to some degree, but chances are most of you have seen or heard of one of YouTube’s biggest ‘indie’ hits – the guitar video by South Korean teenager Lim Jeong-Hyun (aka, funtwo).

In the self-made video, viewed on YouTube alone over 52 million times since its December 2005 debut, all you see at first is a guy with a guitar and a hat covering his face as bright light shines through a window behind him.

Then you see and hear the first few seconds and realize something rare and sensational is happening. Immediately recognizable as one of classical music’s masterpiece works – “Canon” by Pachelbel – Hyun does it justice by playing guitar along with a pre-recorded up-tempo rock rendition.

It’s electrifying, for sure. The style played by Hyun is reminiscent of 1970’s and 80’s guitarists like Dwanye Allman, Jeff Beck, Eddie Van Halen and Jason Becker.

There’s an interesting revival in recent years of a classical music inclusion in modern rock music. Bands such as Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Ra Ra Riot, Vampire Weekend and many others are integrating classical instruments into their songs and shows to great success.

Part of the rising popularity of classical music influences on modern rock music, most especially in the so-called ‘indie rock world’, is due in large part to the Internet, as will continue to be the case for years to come.

Against Me! singer Tom Gabel will hit the road for a solo tour at the end of October accompanied by Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music), Ben Nichols (Lucero), and Tim Barry (Avail) on the Revival Tour.

MP3: “Thrash Unreal” by Against Me!

The frontmen will trade off playing solo sets of their own songs as well as collaborating on each others material, according to a press release from Earshot Media. Gabel is launching the tour in support of his upcoming seven-song solo EP, entitled Heart Burns (see track listing below), which will be released on CD, digitally and on vinyl by Sire Records on October 28th.

The centerpiece of the EP is “Anna Is A Stool Pigeon,” which Gabel wrote after reading about environmental activist Eric McDavid who was convicted in 2007 of conspiring to use explosives to damage corporate and government property after being implicated by an undercover FBI informant who posed as an activist. McDavid’s defense has argued that he was the victim of entrapment. He currently faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

“What struck me most about the story was a sense of familiarity,” Gabel says. “I know the scene he was a part of, I used to be a part of it myself. I’ve thought the same thoughts, talked the same talk. I’ve hung out with the same people, gone to similar protests. If Eric could have become the target of an FBI sting operation, then so could I. This could have been me.”

Gabel’s solo tour will begin once Against Me! complete their upcoming U.S. tour with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, which begins on October 1st. Against Me! have been touring non-stop in support of their current album, the Butch Vig-produced New Wave, which was released by Sire Records in July 2007.

Called “the most invigorating, zeitgeist-capturing rock album in years” by Spin Magazine, New Wave was named the magazine’s “Album of the Year,” and also appeared in the Top 10 on Rolling Stone, Blender, and MTV.com’s year-end “Best Album” lists. New Wave has spawned two singles, “White People for Peace” and “Thrash Unreal,” which became the band’s first single to chart in the U.S. when it climbed to No. 11 on the Modern Rock chart.

Gabel has announced plans to post every Wednesday on his MySpace page, a video for each song on Heart Burns. These videos will not feature the album audio, but rather exclusive live audio of Gabel singing on camera.

The first (for the song “100 Years of War”) is already up. View it at http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=43422974.

He is also keeping a blog at http://www.ifeelsicktomystomach.blogspot.com where fans can check in to get the latest info about the upcoming tour and EP.

Track-listing for Heart Burns:

“Random Hearts”
“Conceptual Paths”
“Cowards Sing at Night”
“Amputations”
“Anna Is A Stool Pigeon”
“Harsh Realms”
“100 Years of War”

Tom Gabel’s upcoming solo dates on the Revival Tour:

10/31 Pomona, CA, The Glass House
11/01 Hollywood, CA, The Knitting Factory
11/02 San Diego, CA, The Casbah
11/04 Las Vegas, NV, The Beauty Bar
11/05 Tempe, AZ, The Clubhouse
11/07 Lubbock, TX, Tequila Jungle
11/08 Dallas, TX, The Door – Prophet Bar
11/09 Austin, TX, Waterloo Park
11/10 Houston, TX, Walter’s on Washington
11/13 Little Rock, AR, Juanita’s
11/14 Memphis, TN, Hi Tone Café
11/15 Birmingham, AL, Workplay Theatre
11/16 W. Columbia, SC, New Brookland Tavern

Headlining:

11/20 NYC, NY – The Knitting Factory

Tom Gabel’s MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/tomgabelmusic

Norway’s Hove Festival was held a few weeks ago featuring a powerful three-day line-up of musical acts, including Panic at the Disco, Beck, Foals, The Kooks, MGMT (formerly Management), The Raconteurs, and a rare performance by indie rock legends the Brian Jonestown Massacre (photo, above).

The BJM, who were featured with The Dandy Warhols in the compelling rockumentary film, DiG!, was, by all accounts, and considering a history of brawling and drug and alcohol abuse, awesome. This is how you want to see BJM in concert.

We’ve all seen enough low-quality, hand-held videos of music concerts and festivals on YouTube and other popular social media networks. But it is rare to find high-quality video and audio, not to mention full sets, from some of indie’s biggest groups and artists for free.

The videos are hosted by NRKP3 in Norway. There is no information listed about how long the shows, complete with thrilling crowd shots, roaming camera cranes and top-notch production, will be available for unlimited, free viewing. See ’em while you can.

Artist of the Month, Black Kids is set to release a new, full-length album (albeit for Columbia Records) called Partie Traumatic on July 22.

With danceable, catchy songs reminiscent of a mix between The Cure and Arcade Fire, Jacksonville, Florida’s indie outfit Black Kids have received a heavy dose of critical acclaim, blogger buzz, and the inevitable backlash over the past year.

The band, who made it on to the indie music map with the singles “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You” and “Hurricane Jane” (see link below) is now under enormous pressure with the upcoming release of their debut album, and fans and critics will be expecting more than just a hurried release containing a set of mediocre songs.

However, it is important to note that the band’s ‘debut’ only contains three new songs. That is not something that works in the band’s favor or will necessarily sell more records than an album that contains a full set of new songs.

It’s always amusing, and somehow pretentious, for the naysayers of indie rock ‘sensations’ – as Black Kids have become – to conveniently praise a talented new band and then turn around and bash them for becoming popular, which is sort of what I’m doing here, but not really, because overall, their music speaks for itself – and does a fine job at that.

If they were pretentious and in-your-face about their indie stardom, as some musicians are, that would be a different story. So far, all indications point to an amazingly creative and exciting band with catchy sound and name.

If you are not familiar with Black Kids, you can listen to this free MP3 from Black Kids and also following some of the music links to stream their music, get more information about the band and access their playlists on various social networking sites.

MP3: Hurricane Jane by Black Kids from the upcoming debut album, Partie Traumatic

The following is the song and video – “I Don’t Want To Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You” – that put the band into the spotlight (especially in the U.K., where the band has a large, loyal following):

Black Kids Links

Black Kids MySpace page

Black Kids official website

Black Kids profile on AllMusic.com

Black Kids on Imeem, Last.fm and MTV

You can pre-order Partie Traumatic now.

(Disclaimer: IRC has no affiliation with any of the links provided above; links are provided as additional resource for our readers)

Black Kids’ 2008 Tour Dates:

Infusing elements of dance, hip-hop and funk, Spokane, Washington’s one-band and DJ James Pants (born James Singleton) has released his debut album Welcome.

MP3: James Pants – “We’re Through” from the album Welcome on Stones Throw Records

If you like what you hear, purchase Welcome from iTunes.

After meeting Stones Throw Records head Peanut Butter Wolf, Pants’ recording of “Do A Couple of Things” was included on Wolf’s compilation Chrome Children.

Pants has a penchant for recording humorous and fun mixtapes, which have been the catalyst behind much of his popularity in the indie music underground.

In 2007, Pants has released a 12″ EP titled Kash and a follow-up single track “Murder” on Chrome Children, Vol. 2.

Recently, Pants has toured as a DJ with Peanut Butter Wolf and Jamie Lidell.

The above video is a promotional vid for the 2008 10K Lakes Festival in Minnesota.

With two months and three weeks left until the festival gates open for the 2008 10,000 Lakes Festival. The following artists have just been added:

Deep Banana Blackout
Lotus
Extra Golden
Papa Mali
New Primitives
God Johnson
Lynx
Ultraviolet Hippopotamus

You can purchase your tickets now before the May 15 price increase. Get the full details on camping tickets. Tickets for the four-day general admission and camping fee are now selling for $130.

The festival takes place on five stages starting Wednesday, July 23 through Saturday, July 26 at the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival official line-up features:

Phil Lesh and Friends
The Flaming Lips
Michael Franti and Spearhead
Leftover Salmon
Mickey Hart Band feat. Kimock & Porter
George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic [Late Night]Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood
Slightly Stoopid
Dark Star Orchestra
WookieFoot
TR3 featuring Tim Reynolds
The Bad Plus
JJ Grey & MOFRO
Deep Banana Blackout [Late Night]Lotus [Late Night]Extra Golden
Bonerama
Papa Mali
EOTO
Panjea with Michael Kang
Everyone Orchestra
The Waybacks
Secret Chiefs 3
The New Mastersounds
Dub Trio
The Wood Brothers
Cornmeal
God Johnson
Family Groove Company
U-Melt
One Under
New Primitives
Kinetix
Redux
Lynx
Pert’ Near Sandstone
The Rhinestone Diplomats
WBPN
Ultraviolet Hippopotamus
The Hue

After much anticipation, the official line-up for the 2008 Virgin Mobile Festival has been announced (see below).

Tickets for the two-day festival sponsored by billionaire Richard Branson start at $175 for the full two days, however, single day tickets have not been released, which is the norm when festivals first announce the official line-up.

This year marks the third year of the Virgin Mobile Festival held August 9-10 at Pimilco Race Course in Baltimore, MD.

Here is the official VMF line-up:

August 9
Main Stage

Bloc Party
Cat Power
Chuck Berry and The Silver Beats
Citizen Cope
Duffy
Foo Fighters
Gogol Bordello
Jack Johnson
KT Tunstall
Lupe Fiasco
The Offspring
Paramore
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
The Swell Season
Wilco

Dance Tent

DJ Dan & Donald Glaude
Erol Alkan
Ferry Corsten
Soul Wax
Steve Lawler
Underworld

August 10
Main Stage

Andrew Bird’s Bowl of Fire
The Black Keys
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Bob Dylan
The Go! Team
Iggy & The Stooges
Kanye West
Lil Wayne
Nine Inch Nails
She & Him
Shudder to Think
Stone Temple Pilots
Taking Back Sunday

Dance Tent

Armin van Buuren
Chromeo
Deadmau5
Moby (DJ Set)
Pendulum
Richie Hawtin

Coachella is just about over for another year. Here are some video highlights from the festival.

Prince – Little Red Corvette – Coachella, Saturday night

Jack Johnson “Waiting For You” performed Friday night at Coachella 2008.

The Verve performing Friday night at Coachella (not sure song title)

Vampire Weekend performing “A Punk” at Coachella 2008

Quick Clips

Prince – Jammin

The Raconteurs

The National (song title anyone?)

Pendulum – Voodoo People – raving at Coachella – short clip, but good sneak preview

Serj Tankian