Tag Archives: Los Angeles

UNCORKED™ – Best New Bands of 2013 (5.24.13) Marriages

24 May

I love Marriages that's why I did it again.

I love Marriages that’s why I did it again.


UNCORKED™ – Best New Bands of 2013 (5.24.13) Marriages
Oh hey how are you? Yes we’ve been tweeting and not blogging, sorry. We got sucked into the world of twitter passing along new music, so if you’re in the mood follow us @newbandday

So you all know the Arizona Turk, right? I am convinced he’s got a basement full of candles and photos of someone, maybe even a stuffed dragon. I listen to his uncorked choices and I fear for my life. I go through this odd paranoia late at night when I hear the deep bass lines, the lack of vocals and swear someone is breathing on my neck. What is it with bands like Boris, Isis, Godspeed You Black Emperor that keeps people coming back for more? Candle lit basements or is just the age of rock. I take the latter. Marriages hail from LA, have been together for a few years now and they are the next generation of rock…don’t forget to lock your dogs, keep your dogs close and don’t look behind you.

Vitals:
Founded: 2011
Hometown: LaLa
Members: Vocals & guitar: Emma Ruth Rundle
Keyboards: Greg Burns
Percussion : Andrew Clinco
Sonic Soulmates™: feeling a lot of Isis, Godspeed You Black Emperor and of course Boris
Trackables™: “Part The Dark Again” – This is the last track of the EP and it’s so good. It’s the warm bed after a night of haunting.
http://spotify.com/track/7pAkw6Q6NOvScF38vfZ6UF

Kitsune EP – The EP that is so worth the listen

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UNCORKED™ – Best New Bands of 2012 (6.19.12) Poolside

19 Jun

Poolside bring rafting with jean shorts to a whole new level

UNCORKED™ – Best New Bands of 2012 (6.12.12) Poolside
I’ve been super busy. Not like any of you readers give a hoot about my life, but I’ve been meaning to tell all of you about our new favorite obsession…POOLSIDE. If that’s not the best summer sound band name, then I suspect you’re from Siberia. The sun is needed for happiness you pale Vitamin D—eprived ruskie. Get on a donkey and ride out to the coast with the cool sounds of Poolside. We first became obsessed with their epic rendition of “Harvest Moon”. Who knew Neil Young was a hipster pool party companion. I see dudes in jean shorts with long beards and pinner shades floating in a Silverlake pool…That’s what I envision when I hear Poolside, oh yeah maybe Beck stopped by for a little acoustic smoke-out.

Vitals:
Founded: 2010
Hometown: LA/SF
Members: Filip Nikolic, Jeffery Paradise
Sonic Soulmates™: Kenny Loggins, Toro Y Moi
Trackables™:
“Slow Down” – Kenny Loggins, Caddyshack, Danny, Chevy, Murray….that’s all I can think about here.

“Harvest Moon” – If Gilmore met Young and made an odd looking female spawn.

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Best New Bands of 2011 HUMMINGBIRD AWARD: #10 La Sera

9 Dec

Capturing that moment when an artist is about to crack the mainstream...hear La Sera now. Photo by http://www.lesphotosduphil.fr

Best New Band of 2011
#10 Hummingbird Award – La Sera

Ahhh, we love when an artist decides to step out and take a chance on their own. La Sera or Katy Goodman took a pause from Vivian Girls, grabbed a few friends flew to Seattle, recorded an album, two videos and has created one of the purest Spectorian albums of 2011. She is a beautiful specimen.

Vitals:
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Members: Katy Goodman (bass, vox), Jenn Prince (guitar, vox) and Jonathan Weinberg (drums, vox, keys)
Sonic Soulmates™: Tennis, My Bloody Valentine, Phil Spector 50′s ladies
Trackables™
“Devils Hearts Grow Gold”

“Under the Trees”

“Dove Into Love”

Click here to listen on your iPhone or iPad
La Sera “Dove Into Love”
La Sera – “Under The Trees”
La Sera – “Hearts Grow Gold”

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Original Post: Band of the Day 2.2.11

WHAT ARE THE HUMMINGBIRDS?
2011 Winners
Hummingbird Award #13: Lana Del Rey
Hummingbird Award #12: WATERS
Hummingbird Award #11: Suuns

Band of the Day (2.22.11) La Sera

22 Feb

Vivian Girls peaceful little bird creates a beauty with La Sera


Band of the Day (2.22.11) La Sera

I’m getting the sneaking suspicion that this year’s lot of new artists are falling into two camps. The female led, fuzzy Spectors and the garage rockers. There have been some outliers, but not enough to say that they have a clan of bands. La Sera falls into the Spector ladies. The Vivian Girls are fantastic and their dreamy morbid pop is always beautiful and their spin-offs are getting just as much press. Many of you probably have La Sera’s limited 7″ spinning on your iPhone or you may have picked up their self-titled LP last week. If you have, then you know that they are worthy of the Band of the Day nod. In February 2010 Katy Goodman started working on some new material that birthed La Sera. Her inspiration is part an attraction to early pop hits from the 1950’s and the other part an obsession with choral harmonies. The music of La Sera is less aggressive than Vivian Girls and has a more peaceful choir sound. Katy met Brady Hall (the director of Vivian Girls videos “Moped Girls” and “When I’m Gone”), and they immediately collaborated, flew to Seattle and the two recorded all the vocals, mixed the songs and filmed two La Sera music videos at Brady’s home studio. The albums dozen or so tracks stemmed from these sessions. Hear our three faves below.

Buy the self-titled La Sera LP on vinyl

Vitals:
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Members: Katy Goodman (bass, vox), Jenn Prince (guitar, vox) and Jonathan Weinberg (drums, vox, keys)
Sonic Soulmates: Tennis, My Bloody Valentine, Phil Spector 50’s ladies
Must Hear Tracks:
“Devils Heart Grows Gold” – Quite possibly the best track from her!

“Dove into Love”

“Under the Trees”

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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

Band of the Day (1.4.11) – No Joy

4 Jan

No Joy is All Joy to your ears.

Band of the Day (1.4.11) – No Joy

Ahhhh Day 2 of this new year and why not focus on walls of sound and shoegaze or as the band describes “doomgaze” pop. The Elizabeth Fraser layered vocals eerily remind you of the angelic voice rattling around inside your head. She’s alluring but disruptive, making you feel as if your safe in her arms, then she whispers those insane lyrics in your head. WOW, she may even be an Incubus…okay, I’m getting carried away, but you get the drift. Take a listen to our two favorite tracks below. After you listen…realize it’s only a duo. They did befriend Bethany of Best Coast and get a coattail ride on her label, so there is familial love here and you will be seeing their name on the SXSW/summer festival circuit.

Vitals:
Hometown: MONTREAL, CN
Members: The Montreal/L.A. duo of Laura Lloyd and Jasamine White-Gluz Kick your ass!!!!
Sonic Soulmates: My Bloody Valentine, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Gauntlet Hair, Eternal Summers
Must hear tracks:
“Maggie Says I Love You”

“Pacific Pride”

Another fine Daytrotter Session Get No Joy @Daytrotter now…Love Daytrotter see all the NBD bands on Daytrotter here
Ghost Blonde new album here

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Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #6 Best Coast

21 Dec

Best Coast - Hanging with Ronnie and the Hummingbird Award

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #6

Bethany Cosentino is Best Coast and she makes me feel good inside. We fell in love with her back in April. She can grind it out on her electric guitar, or break your heart with her vocals. Think Jenny Lewis with a vendetta to crush you. Her album was one of the best of the year and her summer track “All Summer” for Converse with Kid Cudi is our #1 track of the year. She will be here for a long, long time. Crazy For You is instantly likable and a good album, I love it as much as I did back in June. It’s definitely lasted the test of time. It’s shocking that 2010 was her debut year. We love you Beth and we’re so happy that you were our first BOD @New.Band.Day

Vitals:
Hometown: Eagle Rock, CA (Los Angeles)
Members: Bethany Cosentino
Sonic Soulmates: Jenny Lewis, Surf Rock and the sounds of a bad break-up
Track of the Year:
“All Summer” – Watching the video makes this even better. Who’d uv thunk that a TV commercial would bring the song of the year. Kid Cudi and Beth together the greatest XX/XY duo.

“Boyfriend” – When she’s by herself, you’ve gotta love the grind. Another Top 10 track of 2010.

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Original BOD: 6.22.10

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
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

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

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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

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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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”

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Band of the Day (8.25.10) Glasser

25 Aug

BOD (8.25.10) Glasser

Glasser is LA based Cameron Mesirow (with help from her boyfriend Foreign Born’s vocalist Matt Popieluch). She has a knack for layering world sounds under her Bjork pitch. She’s more than just a voice, she writes, creates and is the embodiment of her music. Even the name Glasser, came from a midnight vision of a figure hovering over water. Her music isn’t heart-wrenching, it’s big, bold and complex. The only comparison I can make is that of Bjork or Emily Haines maybe sometimes I hear a little Kate Bus. I hope you enjoy “Home” and “Apply” please follow her before she becomes too famous.

Hear:
“Home”

“Apply” – I even hear a bit of Siouxsie Sioux in this track

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Band of the Day (8.23.10) Ferraby Lionheart

23 Aug Be prepared for a fantastic singer/songwriter/heartbreaker

BOD (8.23.10) Ferraby Lionheart

Two albums, one EP, a stint as the lead of Telecast, an onstage call-out by Jon Brion and Ferraby Lionheart is finally about to break. It’s taken seven years for this Nashville native heartbreaker to reach the “I’m About to Break” stage of his career, but oh how lucky we are to get a chance to hear him as he’s on the rise. His new album The Jack of Hearts has been well received by the Indie press. He’s since moved to LA so I have a sense that in two years, he’ll be doing duets with Emmylou Harris, touring the Grand Ole Opry and on the “A” stage of every summer festival. I’m just glad I found him before it was too late. His sonic similarity lie somewhere between Rufus Wainwright and Travis, with a drop of Morrissey. His arrangements are borderline 50’s crooner with a mix of John Lennon tambourine/drum strokes. See him on tour with the Watson Twins.

Hear:
“Arkansas” – It’s the tragic 50’s song, kid travels back home to find his kin only to discover Dad is locked up. His voice is amazing here and I love the harmonies.

Download Three Tracks via Daytrotter for FREE! If you don’t know of Daytrotter…they rule. Great sessions of some great NBD artists.

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Band of the Day (8.5.10) Fitz & The Tantrums

5 Aug LA scensters give new meaning to 60's revivalism

BOD (8.5.10) Fitz and the Tantrums

The hipster scene is an ever evolving landscape. It’s hard to track what the speakeasy crowd is doing or following. Fedora’s were so 2008, Chuck Taylor’s were so 2009 and 60’s revival rock is so right now. I can’t escape the MP3’s in my inbox that sound like something I would have heard in 1967. Today’s BOD is no exception. I was trying to find something ironic to say about this band, but simply put, LA based Fitz & The Tantrums are good ‘ol revival rock with an authentic analog sound and vocals that come from the heart. The piano, soul/gospel backing vocals and the male throttled love songs make Fitz a classic must have for 2010. Oh how I wish I lived during this time period. I love how vocals express sadness, not drum machines or a Mac. Fitz is as expressive as they come. Noelle is the epitome of a soulful vocalist. Wicks has a way of adding authenticity and King, Phillips and Ruzumma are the glue that make the analog/vinyl crowd proud.

I’ve posted two tracks for you to enjoy.
“Money Grabber”

“Breakin The Chains of Love”

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Fitz & The Tantrums Website