Band of the Day (10.5.10) Miniature Tigers

5 Oct

BOD (10.5.10) Miniature Tigers

Brooklyn indie pop rock, dabbed with a little Supergrass are what make Miniature Tigers great. So they made the trek to the big slope from Phoenix, but it was worth it. You all are probably snickering saying, “Dude Miniature Tigers were so Band of the Day in 2006.” Possibly, and yest CMJ did award them the top crown in 2008, but it’s Fortress that will define this band. Tell it To the Volcano was a fine record for these boys, but they released it smack dab in the in The Vampire Weekend years and they got lumped into that genre. It’s this latest record that makes them special and worthy of the daily jeweled crown. Miniature Tigers have perfected that Brit Rock Supergrass sound and they’ll make it bigger than Supergrass did. Those poor guys released fantastic records every year, and the US just ignored them…

Hear:
“Goldskull” – You’ve heard this single by now and it’s fantastic. WIll make the NBD Top 10. It’s GREAT!

Download –>Miniature Tigers – “Goldskull”

“Egyptian Rose” – The second best track on the album, showing their love for 90’s Brit Indie rock…piano in tow!

Band:
The band is made up of frontman-guitarist Charlie Brand, Rick Schaier on drums and vocals, Algernon Quashie on guitar, keyboard and vocals, and Alex Gerber on bass and vocals.

Follow:
MySpace
MiniatureTigers.com

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Band of the Day (10.4.10) Meursault

4 Oct

BOD: (10.4.10) Meursault

Ahhhh the Scottish love fest continues for Meursault. But it’s time we take this to the US. If you didn’t know it, Meursault is a big deal in Scotland and in the UK. Their first album came out in 2008 and it was considered one of the greatest things sliced Dundee cake. Their Gaelic folk sounds are severely Scottish, but their composition is very modern. I listen to them and I hear bits and pieces of Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver, but I also hear pure Scottish harmonies. They’re a beautiful band and one that should sit on your mantle for many many years. Their second record was released a few weeks back and it doesn’t disappoint. All Creatures Will Make Merry is ripe with mandolins, acoustic harmonies and layers of vocals. Songs like “Another” are pure, simple folk tunes with layers of sound. The most surprising thing is how they blend the folk, with Animal Collective electronics, layered pianos, echoed vocals with the same purity of their acoustic sounds. I truly love this band and I know you will too.

Neil Pennycook began performing with friends from his hometown of Penicuik in early 2008. Their first record was released in the same year, then re-released by the label with a few marketing buck in 2009. The album made #16 for Scottish Album of the Decade.

Hear: Two tracks that show their diversity

Acoustic Folk
“Another”

Electronic Heavy Folk
“Crank Resolutions”

Band:
Neil Pennycook
Fraser Calder
Chris Bryant
Calum MacLeod
Phillip Quirie
Pete Harvey
Gavin Tarling

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Band of the Day (9.30.10) Sambassadeur

30 Sep

BOD: (9.30.10) Sambassadeur

I’m in a female vocalist mood this week. Stumbled on three very good bands led by females this week. Sambassadeur are a Swedish pop band formed in 2003 in Gothenburg actually in Skövde, a much smaller town in Sweden. Anna Persson has a silky voice with a twinge of attitude. The band are signed to the Labrador label, releasing three studio records. Their third album, European, was released in February 2010. I think I’ll call them The Younger Sibling of The Cardigans with a flair for the Metric, Emily Haines dramatics. Best description I have. “Albatross” is a great track and makes the album download worth the listen.

Hear:
“Albatross”

Download —>Sambassadeur – “Albatross”

Band Members:
Anna Persson, Daniel Permbo, Joachim Läckberg, Daniel Tolergård

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook
Band site

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Band of the Day (9.29.10) Lower Dens

29 Sep

BOD (9.29.10) Lower Dens

Jana Hunter, brings spaced out mid-fi, fuzzed out sounds with Lower Dens. Having worked with Devendra Banhart early in her career, Jana cut her teeth with Phosphorescent and CocoRosie. Lower Dens is the resurfacing of Jana, away since late 2007, and she is the first artist to be featured on Devendra’s label Gnomonsong.

Lower Dens is a foursome that co-habitats in Baltimore, though Jana is originally from Texas. Their sound is reminiscent of early 80’s rock, with clean guitars, fuzzy synth and awesome vocals. I won’t place them in the XX category, but they sure do cross over that sonic sound several times on this album. Jana’s voice is a combination of Mazzy Star, PJ Harvey and the gutteral sounds of Fiona Apple.

Hear:
“Tea Lights”

DOWNLOAD NOW Lower Dens – “Tea Lights”

Download their DayTrotter Session —> Don’t know DayTrotter? Go there now to get a FREE SESSION. Love the Daytrotter.

Band Members:
Jana Hunter
Bookends
Teddy
Stella

Follow:
Facebook
MySpace
Twitter

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Band of the Day (9.28.10) Mystery Jets

28 Sep

BOD: (9.28.10) Mystery Jets

It’s a miracle or a damn shame that British bands don’t break in the US. So many labels try, but the mainstream American ear is primed for processed drivel. It’s people like Arizona Turk me and our faithful listeners who understand, support and evangelize their favorite Brit rockers. I told the stories about Doves, Travis, etc. etc. etc. etc. but for God’s sake, someone please take Mystery Jets and make them big. They have 45,000 followers on Facebook, three albums and that’s not enough. They need a TV show, a big movie, an iPhone ad, a VW campaign, something. I put Mystery Jets in the UK files as “Yet Another Fantastic Example Of Sunken Atlantic Treasures.” Maybe it’s the trek across the Atlantic, but never-the-less, here is some good old fashion afternoon listening.

Mystery Jets, stormed onto the scene in 2006 from Eel Pie Island. Yes this is a real place, a tiny island on the river Thames and it was a musical haven in the 60’s. In 2010 they introduced Serotonin, their third record, and it’s good. They bring big, rock pop sounds that are complex but don’t suffer from any Northwest echoed vocals. It’s what you expect from a big bad British rock band. It’s heartfelt, and it gets right to the point. It’s synthesized with clap machines and 70’s glam riffs but it quickly delivers Rush type vocals with simple clean British guitar riffs. The 80’s synth is an accompaniment, not a detriment. I say they’re one part The Coral, a dot of Travis, a sprinkle of The Killers, frosted with Geddy Lee vocals. By the way, Mystery Jets have more Facebook followers than Geddy Lee. Go figure.

Hear:
“Melt” – My favorite track from the new record

Band:
Kapil Trivedi
William Rees
Kai Fish
Blaine Harrison
Henry Harrison

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook
Twitter

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Band of the Day (9.27.10) How to Dress Well

27 Sep

BOD: (9.27.10) How to Dress Well

How to Dress Well is Tom Krell, a Bon Iverish vocalist that accompanies 90’s R&B beats. A clever sound from a clever man. He is a daytime philosopher from Cologne, Germany and a nighttime DJ who’s created a brand new sound. His vocals are eerie, his sound is familiar but unique. I think you’ll find this album one of your favorites of the year. Love Remains came out on September 21st. Get it here. Think Jodeci with a drop of LL Cool J, a spoonful of Tangerine Dream and a pound of Bon Iver.

Hear:
“Take It On”

How To Dress Well – “Decisions (feat. Yuksel Arslan)”

“Endless Rain” – It sounds like Jodeci was hijacked by Bon Iver

How To Dress Well – “Endless Rain”

Follow:
Facebook
MySpace
Band Site

Tags: , , , , ,

Band of The Day (9.24.10) Chapel Club

24 Sep

BOD (9.24.10) Chapel Club

I heard the track “The Shore” and thought I was listening to the band The Shore. Totally f’d me up, then I realized, wow this is a great first wave rendition of what was great about post-punk LA, London and New York. Dark, desperate, alone and searching for meaning in music. The Joy Division desire to have music define your death. Then you hear the second coming or as we call The Second Wave of New Wave…no it’s not that electro-clash crap that has ruined dance music, for the most part, but it’s the combination of Interpol and now Chapel Club, tugging at your eye-lids to not dose off and have your eyes doze off to your shoes. It’s not shoegaze Indie Rock, but The Second [New] Wave, the one that makes goth music, cool. The bands that do this well, JJ72, My Vitriol, Death on Wednesday, Interpol, Chapel Club. It boggles my mind that British bands can’t break in the US. Labels literally have no idea or luck in their pursuit to break these artists. Some of our favorite bands hail from the big island, and we’re shocked to see their tour schedule or Billboard sales. I challenge you to find a better band than Chapel Club. Now spread the word and start the fire. Maybe you can make the difference.

I love the track “The Shore” because it’s heart-wrenching, while it’s uplifting. The chorus from these London boys, pull you off your feet, wipes off your Harry Potter prep school coat and keeps the Joy Division Tee intact. It’s meant to be hurt your feelings, but it wins by patching things up at the end. I love when music does that. Thanks again to our own Arizona Turk

Hear:
“The Shore”

Chapel Club – “The Shore”

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Band of the Day (9.23.10) Tamaryn

23 Sep

BOD (9.23.10) Tamaryn

Sometimes life does a funny thing. You ask the universe for something and it delivers. I was thinking that I hadn’t heard a band recently that just kicked my ass. A band that changed the way I looked at the day. I also commented a few days ago how the The Fresh & Onlys have officially brought back the SF music scene. Well, now the universe delivered the greatest gift of all. A band that blew me away and they’re from NBD’s homeville, San Francisco. Tamaryn is gazy, airy and most of all, sonically similar to the best album of the 00’s, My Morning Jacket’s At Dawn. Tamaryn met Rex John Shelverton in NYC, they relocated to Rex’s hometown of SF, kicked the goth crap and rooted themselves in a fast forward sound. It’s not as purely brilliant as MMJ’s early work, but it’s damn good. Tamaryn brings her best Mazzy Star and this album, Waves, will be a dominant force for many many years to come. I will even venture to say that Tamaryn could be NBD’s Band of the Year.

Hear:
“Sandstone” – It’s makes me feel the same as when I heard “Heaven or Las Vegas” by Cocteau Twins

Download —> Tamaryn – “Sandstone”

“Love Fade”

Download —> Tamaryn – “Love Fade”

Band:
Made by Rex John Shelverton & Tamaryn

Live Show:
Jonah Buffa: Bass
Matthew Bajda: Drums
Rex: Guitar

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Band of the Day (9.22.10) – The Black Ryder

22 Sep

BOD: (9.22.10) The Black Ryder

When Arizona Turk gets excited, my ears perk up. He sent me some new tracks from Australia’s finest rockers The Black Ryder. Sitting on an airport Wi-Fi to download three songs is absolute torture, but when they finally started playing, eleven minutes and thirty seconds later, I was in. Three tracks that blast you away, but they all sound completely different. XX/XY with a twist, they have a ton of guest artists and they really rock. Some tracks drone a bit, but the diversity is stunning. I love “Grass” because it really has the BRMC vibe due to the Leah Shapiro and Peter Hayes guest appearances. Oh and if you love Brian Jonestown Massacre with a mix of BRMC, then you’ll love the sounds of The Black Ryder. See them live now with The Cult….

HEAR:
“Grass”

“Let It Go”

Band Members:
miss aimee nash
scott von ryper

Guests:
archi read (rocker)
miss kimi recor (black flamingo)
miss jules ferrari (los sundowners)
ricky maymi (b.j.m)
leah shapiro (b.r.m.c)
peter hayes (b.r.m.c)
rob potts (hell city glamours)
kate wilson (the laurels/the holy soul)
luke o’farrell (the laurels)
adam edwards (ex-wolf + cub)
graham bonnar (swervedriver)
tim powels (the church)

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook
Official Band Site

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Band of the Day (9.21.10) The Fresh & Onlys

21 Sep

BOD (9.21.10) The Fresh & Onlys

Awhile back we were on a tear here at NBD talking about the cool SF scene that was emerging. So many cool bands, most of which were featured on our Facebook only days, visit here to see. Bands like Girls, which were Band of the Day #3 for us, or Sonny and The Sunsets have helped rekindle the cool scene here in the Upper Bay and we’re loving it. It’s been awhile since a rock band billowed from the fog. Well The Fresh & Onlys have inspired our turn-tables, iPhones, and Macs here at NBD.

Their vocals are from the new waves first wave, gloomy, dark and eerily cool, because the lyrics are brilliant, think Joy Division with a purpose to live. Their music is twangy, Indie and full of great musicianship. No overdubbing echoes, just twangy blues rock. Their production level has escalated and it’s time for this band to break. I promise these guys are fantastic and you’ll love them. One track and you’ll be hooked.

Hear:
“Waterfall”

Download –> The Fresh & Onlys – “Waterfall”

Band Members:
Tim Cohen, Shayde Sartin, Wymond Miles, Kyle Gibson

Follow:
Facebook
Myspace

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Band of the Day (9.20.10) Sweet Tea

20 Sep

BOD (9.20.10) Sweet Tea

Ahhh what Austin City Limits brings it takes away. Sweet Tea debuted back in June of 2009 on ACL and it’s been over a year since we’ve heard from them. Friends Alex Maas (Black Angels) and Erika Wennerstrom (Heartless Bastards recorded their amazing takes on classic country. A single released earlier this year from Fat Possum included the first single, the studio version of “If I Were A Carpenter,” and the Ray Price classic “Crazy Arms.” Oh Heartless Bastards, please hand Erika back to our good man Alex so we can get an album from these two….PLEASE….listen to the single below and download “If I Were A Carpenter”

Band:
Alex Maas – Vocals, Guitar, Percussion
Erika Wennerstrom – Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Jesse Ebaugh – Bass, Pedal Steel
Dave Colvin – Drums

Hear:
“If I Were a Carpenter” – In their best classic June and Johnny Cash duet form…

Download —> Sweet Tea – “If I Were A Carpenter”

Follow:
MySpace

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Band of the Day (9.17.10) Gamble House

17 Sep You will never forget them

BOD (9.17.10) Gamble House

Grizzly Bear sonic twins, Gamble House, hail from the heart of Silverlake, CA. Yeah it took Ben Becker’s stint at NYU to create this masterpiece, but the move to LA solidified them as true rock stars. They are rockers at heart, with clean guitars, classic vocals that rival Animal Collective, Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear. I am fan, because they are classically California and they maintain their own sound. Yeah they have The Pet Sound, but they pull at your heartstring in a way you don’t get from the other PSers. Ben Becker, Keith Karman, Ben Cassorla and Brian Mclaughlin make up the sound of Gamble House. They deserve to be signed and they deserve the accolades. Listen to “Bonny Doon” only because the song is beautiful and I love that part of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It’s up there by Boulder Creek and if you have time see a show at The Brookdale. It’s very memorable. See them on tour with Rogue Wave and get these dudes a label deal, they deserve it!!!

Hear:
“Bonny Doon”

Download –> Gamble House – “Bonny Doon”

“Rising Tides”

Download –> Gamble House – “Rising Tides”

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook
Twitter

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Band of the Day (9.16.10) Twin Sister

16 Sep

BOD (9.16.10) Twin Sister

Andrea Estella leads the Twin Sister sound. It’s almost a fantastic update on St. Etienne, but minus the Parisian snootiness and whole lot of NY attitude. It’s shoegazing, but you don’t get lost in a wall of sound, it has that St. Etienne kindness that keeps each track moving along melodically. I equate the music to a nice smooth train ride with your head out the window on a warm spring evening. Estella’s voice is unique, but there are times where I say, oh she sounds like….I think you’ll enjoy the music and the Long Island natives deserve your love. PLEASE LISTEN TO “LADY DAYDREAM” !!!!! It’s quite possibly the single of the year.

Band:
Andrea Estella
Bryan Ujueta
Eric Cardona
Gabel D’Amico
Udbhav Gupta sitting in a tree.

Hear:
“Lady Daydream” – This could be the single of the year. I love everything about this song!!!!!

Download —> Twin Sister – “Lady Daydream”

“Phenomenons”

“The Other Side of Your Face”

Download a Free Daytrotter Session – Don’t know about Daytrotter, well you do now!!!

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook
Twin Sister Official Site

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →