Tag Archives: Hear

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.

Follow:
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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:
MySpace
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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

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“>

Follow:
Official Site
MySpace
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Facebook

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.

Follow:
Official Website
MySpace

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #2 The Pomegranates

28 Dec

It's All Yours Pomegranates, go get the Hummingbird

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #2 The Pomegranates

Seriously, in November we all thought the #3 best new bands were set. The Pomegranates had a nice single hitting the college radio charts and so we profiled them. Then I spent a few weeks with the new album One Of Us and I was impressed. I spent time with them on my headphones on BART, on my car stereo, on my home stereo. Every time the shuffle pulled up one of their tracks, I stopped to check who it was. It hit me on a trip to Columbus, I listened to “Prouncer” and realized that these guys are worthy of the #1 spot for our Hummingbird Awards. What about The Radio Dept? What about Jim Jones Revue? Well The Pomegranates hit #2 and we’re confident in saying that they are that good. The album is a collection of fuzzy surf sounds, 90’s Brit Rock and early 80’s new wave. They’re Surfer Blood mixed with Blur with a dash of U2 Boy. These guys are GREAT and they are one of the Best New Bands of 2010.

Vitals:
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Band Members: Joey Cook – Vocals, Guitars/Keyboards, Isaac Karns – Vocals/Guitars/Keyboards, Jacob Merritt – Drums, Daniel Lyon – Vocals/Guitars
Sonic Soulmates: Blur, Oasis, U2, The Radio Dept. and of course Surfer Blood
Tracks of the Year:
“Prouncer”

“One of Us” – Spacey, shoe-gaze love track. Might be my fave. A little U2 bass line

Daytrotter Session: HERE

Original BOD Post: 11.4.10

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2010 Hummingbird Awards
Hummingbird Award #20: Crocodiles
Hummingbird Award #19: Miniature Tigers
Hummingbird Award #18: Gamble House
Hummingbird Award #17: Tame Impala
Hummingbird Award #16: Paper Crows
Hummingbird Award #15: Perfume Genius
Hummingbird Award #14: The Fresh & Onlys
Hummingbird Award #13: Tennis
Hummingbird Award #12: Memoryhouse
Hummingbird Award #11: Karkwa
Hummingbird Award #10: Lord Huron
Hummingbird Award #9: Sleigh Bells
Hummingbird Award #8: Crystal Fighters
Hummingbird Award #7: Efterklang
Hummingbird Award #6: Best Coast
Hummingbird Award #5: Jim Jones Revue
Hummingbird Award #4: Chapel Club
Hummingbird Award #3: The Radio Dept.
Hummingbird Award #2: The Pomegranates

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #4 Chapel Club

25 Dec

Things are looking up for Chapel Club photo by Ben Rayner

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #4 The Chapel Club

Okay so this was my Christmas present for Arizona Turk. I had them at #10, but moved them up to Christmas Day as a gift to him and all of our fine fans. For the love of the baby Jesus, this band is quite good. They have the Interpol, Joy Division, mood rock down. They’re gonna be very big having just signed to A&M and they can write a great song. Really love their style, it’s new but classic sounding. Listen with pleasure…Merry Christmas

Vitals:
Hometown: London, UK
Members: Lewis Bowman, Michael Hibbert, Liam Arklie, Alex Parry, Rich Mitchell
Sonic Soulmates: Interpol, JJ72, My Vitriol, Joy Division
Tracks of the Year:
“The Shore” – It’s so darn good, you’ll listen to it twice.

Original BOD Post — 9.24.10
Follow:
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2010 Hummingbird Awards
Hummingbird Award #20: Crocodiles
Hummingbird Award #19: Miniature Tigers
Hummingbird Award #18: Gamble House
Hummingbird Award #17: Tame Impala
Hummingbird Award #16: Paper Crows
Hummingbird Award #15: Perfume Genius
Hummingbird Award #14: The Fresh & Onlys
Hummingbird Award #13: Tennis
Hummingbird Award #12: Memoryhouse
Hummingbird Award #11: Karkwa
Hummingbird Award #10: Lord Huron
Hummingbird Award #9: Sleigh Bells
Hummingbird Award #8: Crystal Fighters
Hummingbird Award #7: Efterklang
Hummingbird Award #6: Best Coast
Hummingbird Award #5: Jim Jones Revue
Hummingbird Award #4: Chapel Club

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #7 Efterklang

20 Dec

Hey Efterklang...Hummingbird Award just look up

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #7 Efterklang

Efterklang isn’t new, actually these Danish boys have been making music for some time. But it’s us stubborn Americans who choose to ignore anything not from Brooklyn or Silverlake. I’ve spent the better part of 2010, talking about bands from everywhere, not ignoring the 50 states, but exposing you to music all over the world. Crystal Fighters are Basque, Tame Impala is from Perth, but two regions have dominated the music scene this year, Canada and The Nordics.

Efterklang is upbeat, pianos, horns, strings and just great 80’s modern rock with a twist. It’s hard for me to believe that these guys aren’t from Canada, but they’re not…The Danes rule today and we love them a TON!

Vitals:
Band Members: Mads Brauer, Casper Clausen, Thomas Husmer & Rasmus Stolberg, Rune Mølgaard has also been a member for many years, but he has taken a more secluded role the recent years.
Hometown: Copenhagen, Denmark
Sonic Soulmates: Stars, The Dears, Broken Social Scene (Must be obsessed with Canada Rock)
Tracks of the Year:
“Modern Drift” – Quite possibly the best song of the year. It’s mind blowing how good this song is!

Original BOD Post: From our Facebook profile on 3.1.10
Efterklang was also part of our Best of 2010…So Far

Follow:
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Band Site

2010 Hummingbird Awards
Hummingbird Award #20: Crocodiles
Hummingbird Award #19: Miniature Tigers
Hummingbird Award #18: Gamble House
Hummingbird Award #17: Tame Impala
Hummingbird Award #16: Paper Crows
Hummingbird Award #15: Perfume Genius
Hummingbird Award #14: The Fresh & Onlys
Hummingbird Award #13: Tennis
Hummingbird Award #12: Memoryhouse
Hummingbird Award #11: Karkwa
Hummingbird Award #10: Lord Huron
Hummingbird Award #9: Sleigh Bells
Hummingbird Award #8: Crystal Fighters
Hummingbird Award #7: Efterklang

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #8 Crystal Fighters

18 Dec

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #8 Crystal Fighters

We fell in love with them back in the summer, and in October we profiled them. Emails and comments followed, because Crystal Fighters are probably the most inventive NEW sound of the year. Este de Navarre, Spain and their Basque blood-line inspires the eerie flavor of traditional Basque folk music with catchy energetic dance tracks with MGMT style vocals, resulting in an uplifting sound unlike any other. We really wanted to put them higher on our Hummingbird list, but you be the judge. If you haven’t heard them, well CONGRATS, because today is going to be a great day. I know we will see them in our Top 3 next year. Thank you to our Music Excavator, Arizona Turk for finding this gem.

Vitals:
Members: Sebastian, Gilbert, Graham, Mimi, Laure
Hometown: Navarre, Spain
Sonic Soulmates: MGMT Gogol Bordello, Traditional Basque sounds
Tracks of the Year:
“Swallow” – This is the raddest track of all.

“Xtatic”

“Follow” –

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook
Band Site – Hear the full album streamed here!

2010 Hummingbird Awards
Hummingbird Award #20: Crocodiles
Hummingbird Award #19: Miniature Tigers
Hummingbird Award #18: Gamble House
Hummingbird Award #17: Tame Impala
Hummingbird Award #16: Paper Crows
Hummingbird Award #15: Perfume Genius
Hummingbird Award #14: The Fresh & Onlys
Hummingbird Award #13: Tennis
Hummingbird Award #12: Memoryhouse
Hummingbird Award #11: Karkwa
Hummingbird Award #10: Lord Huron
Hummingbird Award #9: Sleigh Bells
Hummingbird Award #8: Crystal Fighters

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #10 Lord Huron

16 Dec

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #10 Lord Huron

I’ve never been more proud then when I read the year end reviews of Lord Huron. We’ve been spreading the Lord Huron love since the summer. We’ve seen him all over LA and we’re even on his MySpace page as the originals to spread his work. Leading our Top 10 Best/Most Important Bands of 2010, is our favorite hometown crush Lord Huron.

Vitals:
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Interesting note: Huron Lake shore, in Presque Isle, Michigan
Sonic Soulmates: Ariel of the Little Mermaid meets Grizzly Bear and they create the best summer soundtrack ever!
Buy the EP: Buy it here.
Tracks of the Year:
“Into the Sun”

Lord Huron – “The Problem With Your Daughter”

Original Band of the Day Post 8.2.10

Follow Lord Huron:
His site
MySpace
Facebook

2010 Hummingbird Awards
Hummingbird Award #20: Crocodiles
Hummingbird Award #19: Miniature Tigers
Hummingbird Award #18: Gamble House
Hummingbird Award #17: Tame Impala
Hummingbird Award #16: Paper Crows
Hummingbird Award #15: Perfume Genius
Hummingbird Award #14: The Fresh & Onlys
Hummingbird Award #13: Tennis
Hummingbird Award #12: Memoryhouse
Hummingbird Award #11: Karkwa
Hummingbird Award #10: Lord Huron

Best New Bands of 2010 HUMMINGBIRD AWARD: #15 Perfume Genius

10 Dec

Best New Bands of 2010 HUMMINGBIRD AWARD: #15 Perfume Genius

Perfume Genius, Mike Hadreas, built a huge buzz and following on NBD back in August. He was the third most listened to artists on the site and we absolutely love him.

He is a Seattle native with a soft, fragile voice backed simply by a piano and lo-fi echoes. His songs stammer in minor chords and reflect on suicide, depression and loss. The amazing thing is that through the gray, you see his ability to spray one ray of sunshine. I think you’ll find that he stands above a ton of our favorite bands and gets a well deserved Hummingbird for making us reflect and stammer a bit.

Vitals:
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Members: Mike Hadreas
Sonic Soulmates: Bon Iver, Bright Eyes and a little Kate Bush
Track of the Year:
“Learning”

Original BOD Post: 8.16.10

2010 Hummingbird Awards
Hummingbird Award #20: Crocodiles
Hummingbird Award #19: Miniature Tigers
Hummingbird Award #18: Gamble House
Hummingbird Award #17: Tame Impala
Hummingbird Award #16: Paper Crows
Hummingbird Award #15: Perfume Genius

Best New Bands of 2010 HUMMINGBIRD AWARD: #16 Paper Crows

9 Dec

Best New Bands of 2010 HUMMINGBIRD AWARD: #16 Paper Crows

This is our first fan driven Award. Paper Crows had the 5th largest audience views in 2010. That’s amazing for a band that has very little out there. We love Paper Crows here at NBD.

They met at music college in Killburn and they started recording in hidden session in Duncan’s bedroom. If this is what they create hidden in a loft, what will we get with a studio recording? Their first single was only released on October 11th, 2010, so these chaps are VERY, VERY new, so let us be the first to say…They will be your new favorite band starting today and all of 2011.

Vitals:
Hometown: London, UK
Band Members: Emma Panas and Duncan McDougall
Sound Soulmates: Kate Bush, a bolder XX and Portishead

Track of the Year:
“Stand Alight” – I posted the SoundCloud tracks because the original is sooooo good. Please listen.

Here is “Stand Alight (Monsieur Adi Remix)” MP3

Follow:
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Read the Original BOD Post HERE

2010 Hummingbird Awards
Hummingbird Award #20: Crocodiles
Hummingbird Award #19: Miniature Tigers
Hummingbird Award #18: Gamble House
Hummingbird Award #17: Tame Impala
Hummingbird Award #16: Paper Crows

Best Bands of 2010 HUMMINGBIRD AWARD: #18 Gamble House

7 Dec

Best Bands of 2010
#18 Hummingbird Award – Gamble House

Gamble House is what rock has become. Clean guitars, layered vocals and whole lot of So. Cal vibe. I love Grizzly Bear and the like…but there’s something clever and simple that Gamble House provides that I miss when I’m listening to the others. Maybe it’s the California plucking harmonies, no matter what it is, these guys deserve the love and that’s why they are #18 on our Hummingbird award list. The 18th best new band of 2010. Thanks boys.

VITALS:
Hometown: Silve Lake, CA
Members: Ben Becker, Keith Karman, Ben Cassorla and Brian Mclaughlin
Sonic Soulmates: Animal Collective, Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear. Yeah they have The Pet Sound
Tracks of the year:
“Bonny Doon”

“Rising Tides”

Follow:
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Read the original post: 9.17.10

2010 Hummingbird Awards
Hummingbird Award #20: Crocodiles –>
Hummingbird Award #19: Miniature Tigers
Hummingbird Award #18: Gamble House

Best Bands of 2010 HUMMINGBIRD AWARD: #19 Miniature Tigers

6 Dec

Best Bands of 2010
#19 Hummingbird Award – Miniature Tigers

From Phoenix, AZ to Brooklyn’s Park Slope, Miniature Tigers have been on the edge of major stardom for 4 years. This years Fortress could qualify as the record of the year. It’s a beautiful mesh of Supergrass and minimalistic electronic beats. At times the band vibes like it’s 2006, then at times they pluck and prod their way like Panda Bear or Toro y Moi.

Vitals:
Hometown – Brooklyn, NY
Members – Frontman-guitarist Charlie Brand, Rick Schaier on drums and vocals, Algernon Quashie on guitar, keyboard and vocals, and on bass and vocals.
Sonic Soulmates – Supergrass, Panda Bear, Toro y Moi and Vampire Weekend
Track of the Year:
“Goldskull” – I told you it would be on our list of top for 2010.

Follow:
MySpace
MiniatureTigers.com

Original Post: 10.5.10

2010 Hummingbird Awards
Hummingbird Award #20: Crocodiles –>
Hummingbird Award #19: Miniature Tigers