Tag Archives: Best New Bands 2011

Band of the Day (1.26.11) The Vaccines

26 Jan

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”

“Blow it Up”

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Band of the Day (1.25.11) Ex Libras

25 Jan

Three peeps making complicated music - London Boys Ex Libras

Band of the Day (1.25.11) Ex Libras

A three-piece that formed in a Hounslow library, in Hounslow, London are often compared to the “apocalyptic” nature of Radiohead, with Thom Yorke vocals. They describe themselves as “post-backbeat” — a term more associated with hip-hop, but you can hear their slow tempered beats derived from hip-hop DNA. Their most current release, “Cut(s)”, is a re-deux of their 2010 “Suite(s)” album, stripping down 5 tracks, adding loops, cello to create a self-coined “blood-relative” to the aforementioned “Suite(s)”. Ex Libras is a like a bottle of great bordeaux, their sophisticated, deep, dark, emotional and built for those who are aware. If you know your wines, then a bottle of bordeaux tastes so much better. If you know your music, Ex Libras sound so much better. Their sophisticated, mature and so worth the listen/fanhood! Follow them now and you won’t regret it.

Vitals:
Hometown: Hounslow, LONDON, UK
Members: Amit Sharma / Kieran Nagi / Ross Kenning
Sonic Soulmates: Suede, Talk Talk, xx, Radiohead,
Must Hear Tracks:

FROM “Suite(s)”
“Underachievers (Live)” – Add the drums and guitar riffs and you see a complete band…hear stripped down versions below…

FROM “Cut(s)”
“For Us, For Me” – Minimalistic xx/Talk, Talk stylings bring a soulful moody track from London boys.

“Teenage Eyes” – Swell Season meets Thom Yorke, meets the xx in an alley way, I think Thom Yorke wins…great track

Buy Cut(s) — Released in November 2010

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Band of the Day (1.24.11) Whitesand/Badlands

24 Jan

Minneapolis is home to 2011's well crafted Whitesand/Badlands

Band of the Day (1.24.11) Whitesand/Badlands

Well before we even profiled the band, Mr. Arizona Turk surprised us all by adding Whitesand/Badlands to his Gem list. Well they deserved the honorable mention honors, and now they have been granted the Band of the Day trophy. They recorded their new LP, Seeding the Clouds, at Sacred Heart Recording Studio, a 19th century cathedral now a beautiful recording studio. The band has been a band since 2008 and this, their second LP, is a beauty. It’s meticulously crafted and mixed. The songs are expansive and offer a great listening experience. This is not power pop, or 2:40 odes to loved ones, they’re complicated, airy and dreamy. Their one part Band of Horses, one part Radiohead and whole lot of Verve. Their tracks are on a mission, you just need to join up and listen.

Vitals:
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Members:
Holly Habstritt – fender rhodes, piano, guitars, vocals, trumpet
Casey Holmgren – bass
Ryan Parsons – drums, saxophone
Andy Larson – guitars, vocals, drum, fender rhodes (LEAD DOG)
Sonic Soulmates: Band of Horses, Radiohead, Verve
Must Hear Tracks: (These are expansive tracks that are full of nuances and beauty. Take your time and give them a chance to blossom)

“Syntax Trees” – Layered guitars, pianos and airy earthy vocals. Great track. A little Band of Horses

“Angels on a Pinhead” – Lovely shoegaze vocals with horns, Verve guitars and a kick ass ending.

Buy Seeding The Clouds now and you won’t regret it!

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Band of the Day (1.21.11) Black Pistol Fire

21 Jan

Rock is back and it's under the name of Black Pistol Fire


Band of the Day (1.21.11) Black Pistol Fire

Ahhh yeah, two rock bands in one week. Maybe just maybe we’re onto something. Rock music is dead and it’s time for a revival. Jack White tried, Tame Impala was lead dog in 2010, but I think this might be the year. I read that the only rock band to even have a Top 10 Hot 100 Billboard track f’n TRAIN. Just garbage. What happened to our rock bands? Well 2011 is Rock Heaven. The Austin, TX via Toronto, CN duo of Black Pistol Fire, rock just as hard as Meg and Jack. Black Pistol Fire features Kevin McKeown on Guitar/Lead Vocals and Eric Owen on Drums. Kindergarten bros have been crushing it for two decades. They’ve got the chops, the guitar riffs, the country swagger and the blistering drum beats to make this summer one to remember. I love these dudes and I hope this is a 2011 trend. It’s time for the GODS of ROCK to rise from the ashes and let Black Pistol Fire be your first.

Vitals:
Hometown: Austin, TX via Toronto, CN
Members: Black Pistol Fire features Kevin McKeown on Guitar/Lead Vocals and Eric Owen on Drums.
Sonic Soulmates: Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, Creedence Clearwater, The White Stripes
Must Hear Tracks:
“Your Not the Only One” – We’ll let the typo slide…because this is the best ROCK SONG OF THE YEAR! Kings of Leonesque.

“Sort Me Out” – These dudes can do the blues similar to The Black Keys.

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Band of the Day (1.20.11) Boy Friend

20 Jan

Austin, TX thank you for delivering our new fave Boy Friend


Band of the Day (1.20.11) Boy Friend

I think we’ve mentioned before that this is the year that female leads will dominate. Another XX/XX duo. We’ve already profiled 5 this year and Boy Friend might be the front runner. Their space age, chill wave is very 2010, but it’s the moments when Moon Safari takes over and the
chill turns into a nice groove. Really love the new EP and I appreciate how deep the Arizona Turk had to dig to find this Gem of a band. The vocals of Christa Palazzolo and Sarah Brown (formerly of Sleep∞Over). Playing together since tweenage-years has led the two ladies to this current project, started in December of 2010. New album is coming this year. It’s the track “Spirit Burner” that is the clincher…

Vitals: Hometown: Austin, TX
Members: Christa Palazzolo and Sarah Brown (formerly of Sleep∞Over)
Sonic Soulmates: Air, Sleep∞Over, Beach House, Cocteau’s Elizabeth Frazer
Must Hear Tracks:
“Spirit Burner” – Just a beautiful track. WOW!

“The False Cross” – I remember early Siouxsie Sioux and I think the ladies of Boy Friend do too.

Buy the new EP on BandCamp:
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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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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

Follow Pepper Rabbit:
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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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