The boys from Athens, Georgia are extremely excited “to let this song out into the wild.” A newly shared track off Sugar, “Run From The Gun” sounds like a noticeable departure from its previous ventures. Dead Confederate – Run From the Gun Their sophomore album, Sugar, is out now via TAO/Old Flame. Stream it in its … Read more
“Everytime I go, I give my heart to you…” Sarah Sample’s voice is vulnerable, her words simple. Together, they create an air of invincibility, a shield that makes you think that everything will be okay in your life. Hard to do, but, smartly, Sample holds nothing back on today’s PJOTD, “Everytime I Go.” Sample’s songs … Read more
Oryx and Crake, a nine-person band anchored by husband-and-wife songwriting team, Ryan Peoples and Rebekah Goode-Peoples, is named after Margaret Atwood’s novel. Their lyrics, of real life and “overactive imaginations” honors their literary namesake and weaves together musical elements of past, present, and yes, the future. The Atlanta, Georgia ensemble, steadily gaining exposure and acclaim … Read more
At the beginning of the month, we were pretty psyched when the fine folks at PLAYBACK:stl announced its fourth annual PLAY:stl line-up. Taking place September 16-18, once again in Saint Louis’s beloved Delmar Loop, the three-day music fest provides musicians with networking and education opportunities, along with plenty of inspiring moments of musical discovery for festival … Read more
Speakers in Code Monday Morning Listener Proclamation: “I, [Insert Name Here], am not happy it is once again Monday morning, and my weekend is officially over. It sucks – and I know everyone else feels the exact same way. However, I will rise above this dreary and forlorn feeling by using my relationship with this … Read more
We’re pretty sure this cover of Hedy West’s “500 Miles” will make your day. And if it doesn’t, hey, we tried! Catch a Josh Ritter show, and it just might change your life. Josh Ritter and Dawn Landes – 500 Miles
San Fran trio Weekend have released the lead track of their upcoming November 9th debut LP Sports, and it is quite a rocking tune. The first ninety seconds of the post-punky “Coma Summer” build with pounding percussion to reach the grinding core of the song that flirts with being acerbic but never crosses the line. … Read more
The inaugural Hopscotch Music Festival is almost here, party people of the Triangle, and while laying out the official Speakers in Code endorsed track, this guy just got officially giddy for the festivities to begin. I even geeked-out enough to give you a back-up plan just in case the show of your choice is all … Read more
Native Floridian singer-songwriter John Vanderslice (now based in California), has chased his latest LP, Romanian Names, with a lovely (and $FREE.99) six song EP entitled Green Grow The Rushes. Since starting his solo career about eleven years ago, Mr. Vanderslice has consistently carved out expertly crafted, somewhat “lo-fi” tunes that tend to be characterized lyrically … Read more
Supergroups can really suck sometimes. Velvet Revolver proved that without a shadow of a doubt. But they can also produce something that is at least equal to the sum of its parts; please see Traveling Wilburys for reference. I come into each with a healthy dose of skepticism, but given my tall-man man crush on Joseph … Read more
A good New York story can do so much for a song. It frames the music and melody, giving it credibility and context that no other city can provide. And to further refine the experience by drilling down to Brooklyn, the coolest and most productive of the five boroughs, certifies any song that dares take … Read more
Photo Credit: Jon Gitchoff “And lately you don’t make sense to me.” I can’t stop listening to this song from singer-songwriter and fellow Saint Louisan, Beth Bombara. There’s something about it that makes me think of my favorite albums I like to play in the fall. Albums like Neko Case’s Furnace Room Lullaby and Kathleen … Read more
Well, this just made my morning. I’ve been waiting to hear this one ever since Jessie Baylin and Courtney Jaye rocked it at Bonnaroo. That was, literally, a hot day. Today, though, is kinda like a dream. Head on over to Spinner to have a listen to “Hurry, Hurry.”
Chicago duo Houses recorded the upcoming LP All Night in Hawaii, where they lived for a brief stint in a little cabin, practicing sustainable living, until the money ran out. While there, the two “melted into one person,” and that melding of souls is apparent on today’s PJOTD, “Soak It Up.” I am a total … Read more
Portland’s Y La Bamba is fronted by Luzelena Mendoza, the only daughter of a Mexican immigrant. A complex character who draws inspiration from her strict Catholic upbringing and also the debilitating illness that led to her crisis of faith, Mendoza’s signature vocals weave magical threads of both the traditional and contemporary. It didn’t take long … Read more
L.A.’s Warpaint is just about the buzziest buzz band out at the moment. And “Undertow,” the first single from the band’s ridiculously anticipated debut album, The Fool, calls to mind pretty much every great alt-rock female group known to man. Its all-lady harmonies twirl between kick-ass guitar breakdowns to make a JOTD that is both down AND … Read more
Mon Khmer have been playing shows around New York and gaining a ton of under-the-radar attention the last few months, but now frontman Hammarsing is going back home to India for a while.The band name is taken from a family of languages, one of which Hammarsing spoke growing up in India. Before leaving for India, … Read more
Dignan’s been compared to big names such as Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, Cursive, and Manchester Orchestra, and the unsigned McAllen, Texas band is definitely one to watch. The band self-released its debut full-length, Cheaters and Thieves, last year, and it spent the better part of 2009 relentlessly touring in support of the album. Dignan’s … Read more
Don’t you hate when a band’s name throws you for a loop? Meaning, maybe, perhaps, you might overlook a particular band for, you know, just a moment in time because you think it’s a ’70s classic rock group trying to make a millennial comeback? Alas, I got to Steel Train too late because of my … Read more
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the first single from Philly rapper, producer, and mixtape master Gilbere Forte’s upcoming LP, 87 Dreams. It’s entitled “1st Floor,” and it samples one of the best tracks from one of the best albums of the year by SIC faves Freelance Whales. Add the fact it’s produced by … Read more
Ladies and gentlemen, I invite you to consider the Reebok pump. Created in 1989, this shoe was designed to make young boys run faster, jump higher, eff around and get triple doubles. I saw my brother go through pair after pair, hoping that maybe he’d finally be able to palm a basketball. Cut to 2010, and … Read more
Since the age of four, Will Wiesenfeld has lived a musical existence – from convincing his parents to enroll him in piano lessons, to mixing and recording his own tracks at thirteen. It was then that he decided to learn more instruments. The viola. The guitar. The contra bass. Inspiration struck, and Baths was born. … Read more
Folks, we at Speakers in Code are totally on board with Admiral Radley. Pun completely intended. With members of California’s Grandaddy (Jason Lytle, Aaron Burtch) and Earlimart (Aaron Espinoza, Ariana Murray) coming together to make 2010’s epitome of a irresistible summer album, we just can’t get enough, just can’t get enough. I was wowed by the … Read more
The Brooklyn four-piece, The Drums, claims that part of making music is actually chasing the perfect pop song. I think that sentiment indicates that they haven’t found it yet. But, after listening to today’s JOTD, I might beg to differ. And so might you. I can prove my point with three very rational and objective arguments. … Read more
Pegi Young has had many accomplishments throughout her life – she co-founded the Bridge School, she has toured as a backup singer with her husband, Neil Young, and she’s now released her second album, Foul Deeds. Sure, it’s easy to simply call her “Neil Young’s wife.” But, I promise you, she’s more than that, as … Read more
After spending some quality time on the West Coast last week and then stepping back into the blazing inferno-heated sauna that is the East Coast, I’ve been in dire need of something to mentally teleport me back to the land of mild summers and relatively no humidity. Call it divine intervention, but our Jam of … Read more
If you’re any sort of devoted reader of Speakers in Code, you know that around these parts, we are pretty amped about the first annual LouFest taking place in Forest Park, Saint Louis on August 28th and 29th. We are devoted to promoting Saint Louis as a viable music city, whether that be on a … Read more
And you never did learn to let the little things go And you never did learn to let me be And you never did learn to let little people grow And you never did learn how to see I heard this song for the first time last night. I immediately thought that it made a … Read more
Saint Louis local bands, take notice. Our friends, The Blind Eyes, have concocted a clever and (very) welcome way for us to simultaneously celebrate two of our favorite aspects of summer: live music and potluck dinners. Taking place at Off Broadway on Saturday, July 31th, the first annual Popluck afternoon affair will feature food for sale … Read more
I remember hearing Kristian Matsson’s — aka The Tallest Man On Earth — voice for the first time. It was early. It was Saturday. And I really needed a good song. What I got was a great album, Matsson’s first — Shallow Grave. His second offering, The Wild Hunt, was released earlier this year, and … Read more