Tag Archives: Hear

Band of the Day (10.20.10) Crystal Fighters

20 Oct

Band of the Day (10.20.10) Crystal Fighters

Congrats to the Arizona Turk, he officially has a baby Turk and we’re so happy for him. To celebrate the birth of his baby girl we’ve chosen one of his favorite bands of this year. They officially put him in a good mood…for the Turk, that’s saying a lot.

Crystal Fighters este de Navarre, Spain. 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. There sound is so inventive and unique, we can’t wait to share. They’re MGMT wrapped up with Gogol Bordello and ancient instruments that make their sound worthy of Band of the Day. Give them a listen.

Here is the background from their Facebook:
‘Crystal Fighters’ is the name of an unfinished opera written by singer Laure’s deceased grandfather during his final months of insanity. She came across it while clearing out the reclusive old man’s remote abode in the Basque countryside, and quickly became obsessed with the scrawls contained within it. Captivated by its seemingly prophetic contents, the band took on the name which all, in their way, attempt to expand upon the wild and deranged spirit of the old man’s writings.

Rad right?!?!?! They’re a creative bunch of dudes and I hear their live shows are second to none. So tape up the windows, invite over 1000 of your closest friends, take off your shirts, put on Crystal Fighters and your night is made.

Hear:
“Swallow” – This is the raddest track of all.

Download — Crystal Fighters – “Swallow”

“Xtatic”

Download — Crystal Fighters – “Xtatic Truth”

“Follow” –

Download — Crystal Fighters – “Follow”

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook

Band:
Sebastian, Gilbert, Graham, Mimi, Laure

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Updates:NEW EP The Tallest Man on Earth

19 Oct

So you know we love Kristian Matsson and we’ve followed the trajectory of his career. In 2010, he’s taken off and we couldn’t be happier. Us NBDers who’ve been following the Band of the Days since the beginning know the brilliance of The Tallest Man on Earth. We even voted him the #2 band for the first half of 2010. Well a few weeks back, he released his newest EP — Sometimes the Blues is Just a Passing Bird on iTunes. A few tracks you already know, but a few brand new ones…they’re posted below for you to hear. Also posted a bonus track for you to enjoy.

Hear:
“The Dreamer”

“Little River”

“Tangle in This Trampled Wheat”

BONUS!!!

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Band of the Day (10.18.10) The Phantom Band

18 Oct

Band of the Day (10.18.10) The Phantom Band

I spent the weekend sifting through mounds and mounds of MP3’s from some of my finer friends and labels. Arizona Turk sent me some good stuff but the best of the bunch is The Phantom Band. The best news is that their LP comes out today in the UK. I have a few tracks for my loyal NBDers to hear. So jump ahead if you can’t wait. A little background on these Glasgow dudes. Together since 2006ish, in other interestingly named bands like Robert Redford, these boys concocted a style that is pure. They’ve released an album, several singles and after 18 months, fans can breathe a sigh of relief, the new album The Wants is here….today! They sound like a nitrous oxide induced Fleet Foxes, with a flare for The National and a whole hell of a lot of the 80’s Ian McCulloch. They will not fall into the bin of failed UK bands in the US. They will succeed. Give them a ride and I guarantee you’ll love the new album.

If you do anything today. PLEASE LISTEN TO “WALLS” IT’S LIKE LISTENING TO YOUR EMOTIONS!

Our 2 Favorite tracks. UPDATE!!! A third track added
“Walls”

“The None of One”

“A Glamour”

Band:
Duncan Marquiss (guitar)
Gerry Hart (bass)
Andy Wake (keyboards)
Rick Anthony (vocals)
Damien Tonner (drums)
Greg Sinclair (née Yale, guitars)

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Band of the Day (10.14.10) Carl Broemel

14 Oct

Band of the Day (10.14.10) Carl Broemel

Do you hate it when your favorite band’s guitar player decides to step out and make a solo record? Most of them make crap, I have no idea why, maybe it’s the comfort of your family band, or the fact they hire less talented musicians to play with them. I’ll use a few examples of crap. James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins recorded a big fat smelly dud with Let it Come Down. Or how about Main Offender by Keith Richards? Slash has tried, but failed, Ace Frehley, bomb? Nine times out of ten, the experiment goes awry. Except with one obvious one….John Lennon. But that doesn’t count. He was the soul of The Beatles and when the soul leaves he can create a masterpiece with or without Paul. Though I will say, there are big piles of steaming crap on some of those records. Maybe it’s just the Gestalt theory that the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Each of these parts only works as part of the whole.

So you’re asking what is your point NewBandDay? Well I have for you Carl Broemel of Nashville, TN. Yes the lead guitarist of My Morning Jacket, that Carl Broemel. His new solo record All Birds Say was released in September and it’s good enough to separate itself from the crap mentioned above. Yeah sure an MMJ record is great and it’s only great because Broemel is lead guitarist. He’s inventive but clings to the roots of Kentucky plucking. He has the bluegrass down, coupled with piano and a good voice. He’s no Yim Yames, but he’s not trying to be. He brings the steel pedal, horns and the like to a quality record. You’ll find a Broemel and Broemel on the liner notes, that’s because Carl got a chance to collaborate with his father who is a former member of the Indianapolis Symphony who provides clarinet, baritone sax, and bassoon. This record has been on my turntable for days and I keep hearing more and more each time I listen. It’s a little Ron Sexsmith, Andrew Bird even a little 60’s Bread. I think you’ll find it pleasant and a record to enjoy in the dampening fall climate indoors.

Hear:
“Carried Away” – My Favorite Track. slide guitars, piano, great vocals, etc. etc.

MP3 – Carl Broemel – “Carried Away”

“Life Leftover”

“In The Garden” – Probably the closest thing to a MMJ track.

Follow:
CarlBroemel Site
Facebook

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Band of the Day (10.13.10) Eluvium

13 Oct

BOD (10.13.10) Eluvium

It’s really late and I’m having one of those dive deep into my head nights. I needed some ambient music, so I scurried through my care package from my good friend Arizona Turk and our newest excavator and noticed the new Eluvium record. Similes is the fifth album from Portland, Oregon ambient musician Matthew Cooper, under the name Eluvium. The record includes, for the first time, vocals from Matthew. It’s an amazing record and it should be THE record that get’s Eluvium to a place of stardom. It’s not just a sound noise experiment, it melodic, death defying and melodic. Matthew’s voice is similar to another haunting late evening favorite Matt Berninger of The National. It’s not often we write about bands that have 5 records, but it is often that we dream of deserving, hard working musicians getting their day in the sun. Matthew deserves much love for his beautiful records and it’s so worth taking a Saturday night and deep diving into his catalog. For now, I have two tracks for you and I know you won’t be disappointed.

Hear: (I uploaded the two best vocal tracks because they are the best tracks. I love them both…spread his love)
“Making Up Minds”

Download — Eluvium – “Making Up Minds”

“The Motion Makes Me Last”

Download — Eluvium – “The Motion Makes Me Last”

Follow:
Facebook
MySpace
Eluvium.Net

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Band of the Day (10.11.10) Little Children

12 Oct

BOD (10.11.10) Little Children

Today is a huge day, a day we celebrate because we have a new music excavator. Someone to own The Nordics, digging ever deeper to find us the best new music from the great North. Bristian comes to us from Lund in southern Sweden, he’s a music junkie and he’s been introducing us to new music for sometime now. Please read his bio here

With Little Children, Linus Lutti’s musical alias since early 2009, the tone is the quiet, emotional and sincere. He’s from Stockholm and his voice is soft. The low-key style is his thing, it’s an unmatched tone, but the arrangements of sparse guitar, horns and woodwind instruments could rival that of Bon Iver. Add a jazzy touch like that of John Legend or Jamie Cullum and you have the perfection of Little Children. See Little Children touring London in November…

Hear:
“Hold On” – This song will make our top 25 for the year.

Download now: Little Children – “Hold On”

“Salvation”

Download now: Little Children – “Salvation”

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Facebook

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Band of the Day (10.7.10) Warpaint

7 Oct

BOD: (10.7.10) Warpaint

All girl quartet Warpaint has been on the LA scene for some time now. Over three years of hard core touring, and a few EPs, the band has really found their groove. With a new LP hitting stores this fall, we’ve find the cherokee ladies of Silverlake perfectly mixing electronic sounds with layered vocals. As Cat Power goes retro cover chic, Warpaint smashes it live with the likes of John Frusciante mixing new tracks. Time to make Warpaint your favorite female artists of 2010.

Hear:
“Elephants”

Download — Warpaint – “Elephants”

“Billie Holiday” – Arranged by Red Hot Chili Pepper John Frusciante, this track is vocals first and very pleasant

Download — Warpaint – BillieHoliday

Band:
Emily Kokal /// vocals, guitar
Theresa Wayman /// vocals, guitar
Jenny Lee Lindberg /// bass, vocals
Stella Mozgawa /// drums, keys, vocals

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MySpace
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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

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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:
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MySpace
Twitter

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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:
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Facebook
Twitter

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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

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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

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MySpace
Facebook

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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

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