James Blake is our modern day soul singer. Saying that, so is Bon Iver. It’s heavy electronic chillwave background instead of, let’s say, Ray Charles’ piano. Nicholas Jaar takes it up a notch by adding some international flare. He was born in NY, then quickly moved to Santiago, Chile. His love of electronic experimentation started at the ripe age of 14 and now he’s perfected the sound on Space is Only Noise. The latest fare from Jaar sounds a whole hell of lot like James Blake a sprinkle of Roger Waters’ Pink Floyd and a dash of Bon Iver. It’s brilliantly produced and it’s what will make 2011 a stand-out year.
Vitals:
Hometown: NY and Santiago, Chile
Members: Nicholas Jaar
Sonic Soulmates: James Blake, Bon Iver and Roger Waters’ Pink Floyd
Trackables: “Colomb”
“Too Many Kids FInd Dust In The Rain”
“I Got A Woman” – Crazy way to give us Ray Charles..Jamie Foxx free…thank God.
Chet where are you? We love these Victoria, BC natives
Band of the Day (3.14.11) Chet
It’s been two years and this vote is more of a call to action. Four albums and Chet has been in hibernation. It was CBC3 that reminded us of their brilliant folk sound. It’s part Devendra, part Nick Drake and a little MMJ. Where the hell have you gone Chet? We’re so sad but yet we hold out hope. Four albums, and two years of hiatus. Their last album Chelsea Silver, Please Come Home was a brilliant record, addressing love lost, heart and soul. From what I know and have read, Canada’s greatest living song writer is a vineyard field hand and postal worker living in rural Western Canada. Ryan Beattie, the lead dog of Chet writes from the heart, with a similar approach to Conor Oberst. He can articulate heartbreak and acceptance of flaws so well. Just listen and help bring Chet back to us!
*****UPDATE******
Spoke with Ryan last evening and he mentioned that their priorities have shifted and Ryan is focused on Himalayan Bear. His second record Attacks The Brilliant Air was just released and it’s quite good. Check it out here:
Follow:
Hometown: Victoria, BC
Members:
Patrick Beattie vocal, organ, guitar
Issac Flaag drum
Ryan Beattie guitar, vocal
Megan Boddy viola, vocal
Thomas Sheilds bass guitar, trippy shit
Matt Skillings piano/wurlitzer, head banging
Sonic Soulmates: Devendra Banhart, Nick Drake, Neutral Milk Hotel
Trackables:
“The Night The Night”
“By Night Into Paradise”
Buy Chelsea Silver, Please Come Home on VINYL Now!
Best new band from Baltimore shows why Rock is Back
Band of the Day 2.28.11 Arbouretum
I’m not going to let it die. There are more rock bands than ever this year. Yeah sure, there are always rock bands, but the genre is filling up nicely with bands that have the right sound and it is the right time. Arbouretum is Baltimore’s best rendition of 70’s hard folk rock. Jethro Tullish, but more down the line of Black Mountain. The heavily distorted electric guitar is coupled with the poetry of vocalist Dave Heumann and the sonic similarity of Ian Anderson’s wailing. It’s Bad Company meet’s Jethro, meets Richard Thompson. Clever interludes and a great use of deep vocals and smoke screened guitars. Love these guys and they probably will love you when you become a fan. Their new record The Gathering, their 4th full length was released on 2.22.11 and it’s a beauty. Pick it up on Vinyl. Swear to you that Rock will rule this year.
The Gathering as described by Heumann:
“The album is inspired by The Red Book by Carl Jung, or more specifically, Jung’s pursuit of the inner images that led to the book’s writing. Dave Heumann, the singer, guitarist and main lyricist of Arbouretum, has long been a fan of experiences that surpass comprehension and describe the numinous. The narrative of ‘losing one’s way and finding it again’ resonated deeply and it was in this context that the songs that comprise The Gathering came to be.” Just listen.
Vitals for Arboretum:
Hometown: Baltimore, MD, USA
Members: Dave Heumann (Guitar // Vocals), Corey Allender (Bass), J.V. Brian Carey (Drums), and Matthew Pierce (Keyboards and Percussion).
Sonic Soulmates: Warren Zevon, Richard Thompson, Jethro Tull, Kyuss, Black Mountain, Bob Seger
Must Hear Tracks:
“The White Bird” – Just what the Tull ordered! Makes me want to protest something!
“The Highwayman” – Their cover of Jimmy Webb’s The Highwayman is a great track, probably the best on the album.
“Song of the Nile” – Mood track with Kyuss overtones!
SF Fuzz rockers bring it with 22 new tracks on their new record!
Band of the Day (2.23.11) Sic Alps
Following-up on my theory that this year’s music babies are from two distinct camps…the ladies of fuzzy Phil Spector and garage rock…Where La Sera was the former today Sic Alps is the latter. I can’t say enough about the vibe from Sic Alps. They crush it and they’re not embarrassed to own it. I the fact that they grind out the catchable hooks and they repeat what they love. Arizona Turk has a hidden rock love underneath his electronic skin, so I know when I get rock bands from him, they’re going to be quality. There isn’t a rock genre that he’s missed. What I love most about Sic Alps is their ability to combine their fuzzy garage rock vibe with classic sounds, strong hooks and harmonies that rival some of the best and they’re unforgiving with 22 tracks. 22 tracks and I can’t find one that sucks. Really! Give em a whirl and admit that you love them. When they slow it down, they’ve got a little Elvis Costello vibe.
Grab Napa Asylum now on a 2X Vinyl set…came out on 1.25.11
Vitals:
Hometown: San Francisco…THE PLACE IS RULING THIS YEAR!
Members: Mike Donovan and Matt Hartman
Sonic Soulmates: Lou Reed sometimes, Elvis Costello sometimes, Thee Oh Sees, 90’s fuzz rock (Pavement), Ty Segall and 60’s Bay Ares Psych rock
Must Hear Tracks:
“Jolly” – Opening track gives you the hint!
“Nathan Livingston Maddox” – Slow it down Lou Reed style
“Meter Man” – My favorite track….not so lo-fi, but fuzzy and brilliant!
Iceland produced this chilly rendition of the Deftones
Band of the Day (2.21.11) We Made God
This high throttle Icelandic rock monster takes the best of 90’s Deftones and sprinkles in some Sigur Rós to tease you, then crushes your sole with are you missing a word here?. The band was honored in 2008 as the Must Hear band of the year with it’s debut As We Sleep. Since then, the band has toured and created a second record, It’s Getting Colder, that takes you on a new adventure. The album was released on 1/21/11 and is an epic journey for these boys. Their tortured Icelandic souls are on display as they lure you in with English lyrics and a musical flair for the Deftones. If you loved White Pony, then you’ll love the mastery of We Made God on this record. It’s the closest comparison I can find, but it suits them well. At times the band can be incredibly terrifying, but they make good when they turn up the throttle
and crush it.
Vitals:
Hometown: Kópavogur and Hafnafjörður, Iceland
Members:
Arnór-Guitar
Magnús-Guitar/vocals
Stúni-bass
Birkir-drums
Sonic Soulmates: Explosions in the Sky, Stabbing Westward, Sigur Ros, Deftones
Must Hear Tracks: “Oh-Dae-Su”
Föllakzoid will take you to places you never thought you could go!
Band of the Day 2.14.11 Föllakzoid
Chile is due. With coal miners, earthquakes and just pure bad luck, it was time for something brilliant to happen. Well, it’s our belief that Föllakzoid (pronounced foll-ack-zoid) are the reason to believe. If they’re the tip of some Chilean psych scene, then we are in for a friggin’ treat. Stumbled on these bad boys last year and I’ve been waiting for a new release to announce their loveliness. They’re part Verve, part Dungen, part Tame Impala. Their groove is harder though. They have a vibe that helps them pull away from that Sabbath rip-off sound. They started playing together three years ago in Chile when they were twenty years old. The first time they jammed together they played nonstop without speaking for two hours and were seemingly over taken by a trance without any clear reference point. The music is big and deep. It will definitely envelope you. I read somewhere that they called it Krautrock…maybe, I call it fantastic.
Vitals:
Hometown: Santiago, Chile
Members: Domingo Garcia-Huidobro on Guitar, Diego Lorca on Drums, Juan Pablo Rodríguez on the bass, Francisco Zenteno on Guitar and Gonzalo Laguna as a Lead Singer. Since 2008 Ives Sepulveda is also playing keyboards and shakers.
Sonic Soulmates: Dungen, Tame Impala, Verve
Must Hear Tracks: “IV, III, II, I” – One track is enough. 9:00 minutes of grooved out bliss. I like to play Gran Turismo to this, but it’s just me.
Portland deliver's the XX/XY duo of John Heart Jackie
Band of the Day (2.9.11) John Heart Jackie
I was in the for some moody female vocals today. Nothing depressing, just something sweet and moody. I received an email from John Heart Jackie with their new album and it fit my pleasantly perfect day. They’re an XX/XY trio from Portland. It’s folk driven music that brings light through your ears. Pleasant song structure and lyrics that are nice…couple that with Jennie Wayne’s Jenny Lewis vocals and a Peter Murray’s best attempt at Beck’s Seachange vocals. Kinda love Jennie Wayne’s voice when it’s solo….I listened to the record and was begging for a little more Jennie. Love Peter’s vocals on the track below, but it’s angelic airy layers of Jennie’s interludes that make it sound so much better. Really love these guys and I know you will too.
Vitals:
Hometown: Portland, OR
Members: Jennie Wayne and Peter Murray
Sonic Soulmates: Beck, Jenny Lewis
Awards: NPR Song of the Day
Must Hear Tracks:
“What Came Before” – This is the money track. Peter’s Seachange moment…
“You’ve Been on My Mind” – Jennie wow’s me here…Love this track and it make me want to surprise her with a doorstep appearance and a couple of daisies.
Chillwave was a 2010 phenom, at least it was the talks of the blogs. Our faves in the category, Washed Out and Toro Y Moi, were chilly and wavy, but they had a flavor of groove. Both captured the airy space sound, but they coupled that with beautiful harmonies and layered sounds. MillionYoung, of Ft. Lauderdale, So Florida, captures the finest of chillwave but he adds in a layer of clean guitar that really makes for a great sound. Where he may get a little out of tune on some tracks, he makes up for it on the tracks where he stays on track, in tune. MillionYoung is a pseudonym for South Florida’s Mike Diaz. His first EP was released in 2009, “Sunndream”. His second EP was released in early 2010, entitled “Be So True”. He’s potentially got the chance to dethrone our chilled leaders…you be the judge, listen below…
Vitals
Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, South Florida, FL, USA
Members: Mike Diaz
Sonic Soulmates: Toro Y Moi, Washed Out,
Must hear tracks:
“Gravity Feels” – Wow there is a lot going on here. At around 3:00 minutes the song hits a new level, love this track.
“001” – Very Toro Y Moi…really like this track as well
UK boys on the rise...Best New Band of 2011? The Vaccines
Band of the Day (1.26.11) The Vaccines
Buzz buzz buzz, well sometimes bands just deserve it. The Vaccines have been buzzing through London on the backs of two quality singles. The first, released in August, 2010 “If You Wanna” — hear below — quickly gave The Vaccines the air coverage they needed. It’s a 50’s diner track coupled with Surfer Blood vocals. It’s a GREAT track. The second single, “Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)” was released in November. A fast paced track that gets from here to there quickly. Much like the career arch of The Vaccines. Traditionally we wait on these so called buzz bands for do something impressive before we feature them, but these may just be The Strokes of this decade. Their songs are anthems, not just power pop punk, but 1:50 anthems that beg for you to hit repeat. With DNA attached to The Horrors and Jay Jay Pistolet, the band has the world a buzzin’ so we’re in, count us one of the many who believe the hype. I personally believe that this band will rise to the top and get the US recognition it deserves. We have to make it our duty to help these GREAT London acts make a name for themselves in the US. IT’s TIME. So we say “Today you just found your favorite new band.” 2011 is Rock Heaven
Did we mention that this is the Year of Rock? Well check this out…see Coachella line-up, three rock headliners, see Wolf People, see Black Pistol Fire…we believe The Vaccines will lead this charge! It’s time.
Vitals:
Hometown: London, UK
Members: Justin Young, Árni Hjörvar, Freddie Cowan, Pete Robertson
Sonic Soulmates: The Strokes, Chapel Club, Surfer Blood
Must Hear Tracks:
“If You Wanna”
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.
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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