Band of the Day (1.19.11) Smith Westerns *****

19 Jan

Smith Westerns bring 70's dream rock Bowie style with a great new record


Band of the Day (1.19.11) Smith Westerns *****

Together as a group since 2007. These Chicago boys, all under the age of 21, have a big label deal, two LPs and the momentum of downhill big rig with no brakes. They’re rock poppy like Girls or The Soft Pack, even a little Supergrass in em. They have 70’s melodic guitars and synth rock coupled with the breathy vocals of Bowie. T-Rex would be proud of these boys. I love the new record and I can pretty much guarantee that this will be the year of SMITH WESTERNS. Hands down. The record is good enough to catapult them over any other record that’s been released this year. If they get the right festival schedule then, you’ll definitely see this record selling through-out the summer. Dye it Blonde was released earlier this month and the tracks are GREAT…and when we say GREAT in all caps, WE MEAN IT. Hear two of them below. I haven’t smiled this much since I first heard the Tallest Man on Earth record. Time to buy some tickets, get a t-shirt and claim this band as your favorite. By the way, if you don’t do it quickly, you’ll be hating them in a few months when you see them in he iPad 2.0 commercial.

Vitals:
Hometown: Chicago, IL, USA, that’s two days in a row. See The Ponys…is there a new scene in Chitown?
Members: Cullen Omori, Cameron Omori, Max Kakacek, Colby Hewitt
Sonic Soulmates: T-Rex, Bowie, The Soft Pack, Wavves, Kiss (Ace guitars), Supergrass, Girls
Label: Fat Possum
Must Hear Tracks:
“End of the Night” – 70’s dream rock Bowie style. Supergrass style and now Smith Western style.

“Weekend” – This was the single released back in October of 2010. It’s quite good.

Hear the NPR Stream as HERE

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Coachella 2011 – 22 New.Band.Day Artists YOU MUST SEE! @ COACHELLA

19 Jan

That’s right, 22 New.Band.Day featured artists are playing Coachella this year. Did you see Saturday’s line-up? Tallest Man on Earth, Cults then The Radio Department. Hells yeah…The Muse, The Turk and I will be going! By the way our all-time fave Death From Above 1979 is back! F’ YAY!

1. The Tallest Man on Earth
2. The Radio Dept.
3. Tame Impala
4. Sleigh Bells
5. Best Coast
6. Foals
7. Joy Formidable
8. Mariachi El Bronx
9. Here We Go Magic
10. Glasser
11. Love Language
12. Morning Benders
13. Phantogram
14. The Drums
15. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
16. Mumford & Sons
17. Lightning Bolt
18. Delorean
19. Trampled By Turtles
20. Cults
21. Warpaint
22. Jenny and Johnny
WTF! Death From Above 1979 reunion…no guitars all bass. Awesome!

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Band of the Day (1.18.11) The Ponys

18 Jan

It's time for the break-through. The Ponys become Colts Photo By Colin Smith!

Photo by Colin Smith!

Band of the Day (1.18.11) The Ponys

Why? Because 2010 was the comeback EP year and 2011 is the year where The Ponys break-through. Much like Pepper Rabbit yesterday, these great bands get overlooked because there are so many other bands doing similar things. The cream doesn’t necessarily rise to the top in the music industry. It’s those that have the right PR and marketing folks that make them or break them. In today’s music environment, it’s impossible to get enough attention to make an impact. There are no retail shelves or radio stations to make your mark. So it’s really all about social influencers, can you find those people that connect you to great music. Since 2002, The Ponys have been touring. In 2007 they hung it up with Turn the Lights Out but it was really the 2004 release Laced With Romance that made The Ponys a band to watch. Their recent Deathbed Plus 4 EP was comparable if not better then anything they’ve released to date. Maybe it was the time off the road, who knows, but the maturity of the band is obvious. Thank you to the Arizona Turk

Vitals:
Hometown: Chicago, IL, USA
Members: Jered Gummere, Melissa Elias, Brian Case, Nathan Jerde
Sonic Soulmates: Joy Division, Interpol, Thee Oh Sees, Black Lips, Coachwhips
Label: Matador
Must Hear Tracks:
“Deathbed” – So many bands wish they had this swagger.

“Is It Working” – Coachwhips wish they were this cool. Sounds like they’re 16 again.

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Band of the Day (1.17.11) Pepper Rabbit

17 Jan

Pepper Rabbit is our Laney Boggs

Pepper Rabbit is our Laney Boggs


Band of the Day (1.17.11) Pepper Rabbit

New album alert from one of the big buzzes of 2010. Not that we weren’t watching, we were distracted. Well a secret little friend of mine sent a new track, can’t post it yet, but it’s brilliant. Then I went back and re-listened to Beauregard and I realized, F#$K, I didn’t give Pepper Rabbit what they deserved…A HUMMINGBIRD. Wow, it was a great record and they deserved our love here at NBD. We apologize for the lack of recognition. It’s like that girl…you’re friends..you talk to her about the empty souled hot blond twit. She tells you that the blond is a bitch. You ignore her for a year, the blond breaks your heart by hooking up with your best friend, then as you’re embracing that helpful friend, she removes her glasses and you realize, wow, she was sitting right next to you the whole time. Not that we’re re-writing another teen romantic comedy, but you are our Laney Boggs…who is Laney Boggs you ask? Well Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook in She’s All That should answer that question. Laney Boggs just made our Glossary….

I know they’ll be in our final year’s list when the new album is released. They’ve reached that moment for us…The moment when you realize that that band is THAT band. Not one of the bunch, but the band that will be remembered. Listen with love to the haunting, yet ironically upbeat tunes of LA’s Pepper Rabbit.

Vitals:
Hometown: Silverlake CA
Members: Xander Singh + Luc Laurent
Sonic Soulmates: Grizzly Bear, The Pet Sound, Nurses, Animal Collective
Label: Kanine Records
Must Hear Tracks:
“Harvest Moon” – From Beauregard and probably the best track from it.

“Babette!” – It was 2:00am and I re-listened to the track, and I thought….”thank you for taking off your glasses” haha

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On the Road with Pepper Rabbit:
Upcoming 2011 Tour Dates
1/22 – Harlows – Sacramento, CA*
1/23 – Gundlach Bundschu Winery – Sonoma, CA*
1/25 – WOW Hall – Eugene, OR*
1/26 – Hawthorne – Portland, OR*
1/27 – Neumos – Seattle, WA*
3/23 – Low Brow – El Paso, TX**
3/24 – The Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ**
3/25 – The Casbah – San Diego, CA**
3/27 – Rickshaw Stop – San Francisco, CA**
3/29 – Holocene – Portland, OR**
3/30 – Crocodile Cafe – Seattle, WA**
4/1 – Filling Station – Bozeman, MT**
4/2 – Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT**
4/3 – Hi Dive – Denver, CO**

* w/ Ra Ra Riot
**w/ Miniature Tigers

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Band of the Day (1.14.11) Gypsy Death and You

14 Jan

Gypsy Death and You XX/XY duo from Philly bring big nose for two folks.

Band of the Day (1.14.11) Gypsy Death and You

Wow I was having a tough time picking the Band of the Day today. So many bands in 2011 and so little space, but I’m drawn to the female singers…AGAIN. Ha, well Gypsy Death and You is the XX/XY indie shoegazers from Philly. Oh Philly, when was the last time we saw a band from the City of Brotherly Love…Free Energy? Dead Milkmen? Well Gypsy Death and You are brilliantly good. I mentioned earlier this week that this is shaping up to be the year of the female lead, Gypsy Death and You take Puro Instinct from yesterday and add My Bloody Valentine’s wall of wailing layered guitars. Not sure if you guys are familiar with My Vitriol from 2003ish, well Gypsy Death and You have that guitar sound nailed. The vocals are pure and while taking you up to the shoegaze cloud, Emily Cahill comes crashing down with Alex Wilson’s screeching Skinny Puppy guitars for the landing heard by the masses. They rock and Emily’s vocals are so alluring, I just can’t get enough. The Arizona Turk is doing his work.

Vitals:
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Members: Emily Cahill, Alex Wilson
Sonic Soulmates: Skinny Puppy, My Vitriol, My Bloody Valentine, Yuck
Must Hear Tracks:
“Crocus” – A little Pumpkins guitar in there…love the clean guitar and her vocals…great retro 80’s track

“Something I Can’t Have” – Wall of guitars and Emily’s female vocals

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Band of the Day (1.13.11) Puro Instinct

13 Jan

Dreamy ladies from LA make Puro Instinct our Fave

Band of the Day (1.13.11) Puro Instinct

Spent the night trolling through tracks and was sent this from my friend Chris. Unbelievably great track…Mexican Summers signed these lovely ladies and they are truly going to be HUGE. Here are my guarantees:
A. They’re from LA, so hearing this track in a commercial will almost certainly be a YES
B. Puro Instinct will be playing at Coachella…why do I know this, because Pearl Harbor was a great band and Puro Instinct is even better.
C. They’re all ladies and the rise of the lady bands is the 2011 full tilt year…see No Joy for our commentary
D. If the album is as good as this track w/Ariel Pink then you can call it off because Puro Instinct could be winning the Hummingbird this year.
So to recap – Puro Instinct is dream pop skull soothing, rock from Los Angeles. the band is (mostly) made up of blondies who like to break little boys hearts. Now read the vitals and please pre-order their new record.

Vitals:
Hometown: Location LOS ANGELES, California, United States
Members: Piper & Skylar + Codhi, Dodi Porter, Jessie Clavin, Mike Baum, and Crazy Murray
Sonic Soulmates: Fleetwood Mac, Best Coast, Sleigh Bells….No Joy…etc.
Must Hear Tracks:
“I’ve Got Some Happiness” (Leland Cover) – So you broke up with a guy, this track is so brilliantly perfect for the imperfect kind of days.

“Stilyagi feat. Ariel Pink” – Might be the Gem of 2010, what a f’n great track.

Buy The Album Here“>

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Band of the Day (1.12.11) Dirty Beaches

12 Jan

early eerie creepy Elvis crooning creates Dirty Beaches

Band of the Day (1.12.11) Dirty Beaches

Can this really be true, this is our first Canadian band of 2011. WOW! Doesn’t matter, because we have a slew of them slated for January and February. Dirty Beaches is rock-a-billy mood music. I swear these are recent recordings. We didn’t find them buried in our stax box, or at some used record store in The Haight. Alex Zhang Hungtai is a solo performer who’s made homes in all parts of the world, primarily the Far East and Canada. The Eastern influence coupled with the chill of Canada, helps create a very unique classic early 60’s Elvis meets the Devil sound. He is my Lord Huron of 2011…so far. Once again, Mr. Arizona Turk was doing his work. Great find

Vitals:
Hometown: East Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Members: Alex Zhang Hungtai; solo performer, sound-smith, and trans-Pacific nomad. Born in Taiwan, Hungtai has made Toronto, Honolulu, Montreal, and Vancouver his homes.
Sonic Soulmates: Lou Reed, Roy Orbison, Misfits, if Depeche Mode came from the 60’s and early 60’s beat bands…
Must Hear Tracks:

“Lord Knows Best” – This is by far his best track.

“True Blue” – I think my mom was dumped in high school when this song was playing in her Chevy. Alex nails it here.

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Band of the Day (1.11.11) Wolf People

11 Jan

Be prepared for some rock from Wolf People


Band of the Day (1.11.10) Wolf People

I miss metal. I miss hard rock. I miss it all. I’ve admitted to my hessian days, my obsession with Maiden, Slayer, Danzig, etc. I’ve grown up but what I appreciate the most is the more jammy metal. Not Phish, but jam hard rock like our 2010 Hummingbird Faves Tame Impala or Dungen. It’s just timeless music that transcends all of it. Zeppelin long-term standing Sabbath’s recent hipster revival all stems from the fact that it’s just good music. Good music rises and rarely falls. The derivative does. So when you look at trail-blazers like Sabbath you find one quality that stamps them as “legend” great musicianship. Iommi plays guitar very well, Ozzy can belt it, etc. Wolf People may be that bands that carries the torch for 2011. 2011 is shaping up to be the ROCK HEAVEN. Where Tame Impala road the Swedish coat-tails of Dungen, I think Wolf People may be riding a whole new sound. Fine they use a flute on some tracks, Jethro Tull would argue they ripped them off, but where The Tull goes all renaissance fair, Wolf People stays put and really keeps the mood rock going. I’m obsessed with them. I liked Black Mountain and The Sword, but I love Wolf People. Just give em a try and I’ll bet you kick up the volume to 11. They’re brilliant. The new album Steeple was recorded in a converted barn studio in a 17th century Welsh mansion. They stayed in the servants quarters and recorded the album in the barn to create a sound that is so earthy and vibrant.

Vitals:
Hometown: Bedford/London/North Yorkshire, Midlands, UK
Members: Jack Sharp (vocals/guitar); Joe Hollick (guitar); Dan Davies (bass) and Tom Watt (guitar)
Sonic Soulmates: Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath, Dungen, Tame Impala, Kyuss
Must Hear Tracks:

“Morning Born” – Jack Sharp shows us his chops here. Hollick just plugs it in and destroys the guitar on this track. It’s smooth and has a great vibe. At about 1:45 it just kicks ass.

“Tiny Circle” – Jethro Tull for the new millenium

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Band of the Day (1.10.11) The Monday Mornings

10 Jan

Cleanliness is Godliness for The Monday Mornings


Band of the Day (1.10.11) The Monday Mornings

Seattle is home to our Monday morning enthrallment. The name isn’t the most inventive, but it’s their music that does the trick. The use of strings with acoustic guitars will always get my attention. It gives a slight nudge to the twangy folk…think Edward Sharpe, but it’s coupled with a Conor Obert vocal that makes it sound a lot like the Bright Eyes Casadega record. They have two LPs under their belt, a lot of touring, a lost bass player and whole lot of momentum. Their sound is familiar, but it’s also strong enough to give them their own place. They have some diversity and they can bring it down or up when necessary. Thanks to the Turk for his late night upload of The Monday Mornings!

Vitals:
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Band mates: Michael Mearns, Brett Berger, Andrew Forsman, Jim Petosa, Ian Williams, Katie Mosehauer
Sonic Soulmates: Bright Eyes, Weakerthans, Cursive, most Saddle Creekers
Must hear Traks:
“Ideas Alike” – Conor with a female counterpart make this my fave track from the album.

“Shift the Sea” – Strings accompany this pretty little tune.

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Band of the Day (1.6.11) Widowspeak

6 Jan

Widowspeak's mesmerizing vocals and simple riffs lull you into obsession


Band of the Day (1.6.10) Widowspeak

Is it Widow’s Peak or Widow Speak or Widowspeak, amazing how one space makes such a difference. The third version is my favorite, Widowspeak is a band of slow grind female led dreary rockers from Brooklyn, NY. Their music belongs in the 60’s with dream space vocals layered by a single amplified guitar. Garage rock with an air of creepy Misfits guitar strumming. Love hearing EPs from bands that have the sound, but not the overproduction. Get these cats in a studio and they’ll crush it. Your chance to hear em first and own em. Grab their EP from BandCamp below. Maybe I’m just obsessed with Cape Dory from Tennis, but I can’t help but play these tracks on repeat.

Vitals:
Hometown: Chicago, IL or Tacoma, WA or Brooklyn, NY
Members: Molly Hamilton, Michael Stasiak, Robert Thomas
Sonic Soulmates: Cloud Nothings, Eternal Summers, Mazzy Star
Must Hear Tracks:
“Harsh Realm” – so simple, but yet incredibly effective. She frightens me.

“Burnout” – The night is over, your bed is spinning and you need sleep, put on “Burnout”

Download The Widowspeak EP for free now….

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Band of the Day (1.5.11) The Builders and The Butchers

5 Jan

The water in Alaska grows fresh folk sounds from The Builders


Band of the Day (1.5.11) The Builders and The Butchers

The diversity of great music is mind-boggling. Yesterday we posted No Joy, a female shoegaze duo, today we’re posting a band of five men who create fantastic folk music from Alaska. Yeah, that’s right Alaska. The Butchers and The Builders have garnered an amazing following as they blaze their trail, now centered in Portland. The Great Northwest creates such amazing cozy melodic music, it’s hard not to enjoy the bearded man sound. Where Trampled By Turtles may break speed records for their turbo-charged folk sounds, The Builders and The Butchers plod away, in a tempered, melodic pace that gets your toes tappin, conjuring up the roots of American folk sounds. Their songwriting is like a Louis L’Amour novel addressing God, the Devil and the brothel where you might not leave. The new album, quietly their 3rd, will be released on 2.22.11…we’re waiting to debut a new track. I love this band and I thank The Marina Machine for this great recommendation.

Vitals:
Hometown: Portland, OR via Alaska
Members: Alex Ellis, Harvey Tumbleson, Paul Seely, Portland, Ray Rude, Ryan Sollee,
Sonic Soulmates: Trampled By Turtles, Langhorne Slim, Murder By Death, Heartless Bastards
Must Hear Tracks:
“Barcelona” – The new album is coming in February 2011, but this is my favorite from the Salvation is a Deep Dark Well album.

“Golden and Green” – This was the big single from the last album and it’s the one we rattle around here at NBD.

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Band of the Day (1.4.11) – No Joy

4 Jan

No Joy is All Joy to your ears.

Band of the Day (1.4.11) – No Joy

Ahhhh Day 2 of this new year and why not focus on walls of sound and shoegaze or as the band describes “doomgaze” pop. The Elizabeth Fraser layered vocals eerily remind you of the angelic voice rattling around inside your head. She’s alluring but disruptive, making you feel as if your safe in her arms, then she whispers those insane lyrics in your head. WOW, she may even be an Incubus…okay, I’m getting carried away, but you get the drift. Take a listen to our two favorite tracks below. After you listen…realize it’s only a duo. They did befriend Bethany of Best Coast and get a coattail ride on her label, so there is familial love here and you will be seeing their name on the SXSW/summer festival circuit.

Vitals:
Hometown: MONTREAL, CN
Members: The Montreal/L.A. duo of Laura Lloyd and Jasamine White-Gluz Kick your ass!!!!
Sonic Soulmates: My Bloody Valentine, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Gauntlet Hair, Eternal Summers
Must hear tracks:
“Maggie Says I Love You”

“Pacific Pride”

Another fine Daytrotter Session Get No Joy @Daytrotter now…Love Daytrotter see all the NBD bands on Daytrotter here
Ghost Blonde new album here

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Band of the Day (1.3.11) Playfellow

3 Jan

The Deutschland delivers something special

Band of the Day (1.3.11) Playfellow

Well we’re back and 2011 is already starting off with a bang. We’ve had some great feedback on our 2010 wrap-up from labels, bands and of course our readers. So who will top 2010’s The Tallest Man on EarthBest New Band Honors of 2010 honors, well we start the year off with quite possibly our best new band in a while, Playfellow. You probably saw them on the Turks Best of 2010 Gem (Album) List well here they are in all their glory.

The German boys and a lady, probably our first band from the Deutschland, are moody rockers with a hint of the Karkwa boys. Maybe it’s the cold weather, but their songs harken, cold moody indoor days, where you contemplate everything. Their solid Brit Rock sound, is very similar to early Snow Patrol, before they were gobbled up by The OC, and I was actually shocked to see they weren’t from London. I love their sound and their use of echoed, layers of sound with whining guitars, and piano plucking. They are a nice more homey version of Muse with a dash of Radiohead’s experimentation.

Vitals:
Hometown: Brandenburg, Deutschland
Band members: Toni Niemeier – Gesang / Gitarre, André Dettmann – Orgel / Synthesizer, Katharina Mey – Bass / Gesang / Piano, Robert Laeßig – Gitarre, Tom Herberger – Schlagwerk
Sonic Soulmates: Muse, Snow Patrol, Radiohead even early Soundgarden, Midlake
Tracks to hear:
“All’s Asleep” – Ever heard “Full on Kevin’s Mom” by Soundgarden? Well this track is a much better version.

“Another Weird Place”

Pick-up their new album which was released on 11.26.10 Carnival Off

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