The Decemberists sound check at The Pageant / All photos by Katie Guymon Last Wednesday, I attended my first ever sound check. Yes, I, along with approximately fifteen others, had the privilege (courtesy of my favorite indie radio station, KDHX) to witness The Decemberists, along with Nickel Creek’s Sara Watkins, gear up for that evening’s … Read more
Photo by Jennifer MacConnell The sounds of Summer Fiction (Philadelphia singer-songwriter Bill Ricchini’s new band) have been buzzing in and out of my ears since, well, last winter. That’s when I first heard the lead single, “Chandeliers.” Oh yeah, sure. It’s catchy enough. It has this despondent sock-hop vibe that reminds me of Weezer going … Read more
Is the American South the global epicenter of chillwave? Georgia’s Ernest Greene AKA Washed Out (along with South Carolina’s Toro y Moi) is certainly making a compelling argument with the release of the lead single, “Eyes Be Closed” from his upcoming debut LP Within and Without (July 12th on Sub Pop). Building on the coruscating … Read more
Long time coming But now The snow is gone How’s this to warm you up, live music fans? In what should be a can’t-miss show, Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band will be making their return to Off Broadway in Saint Louis on Friday, July 22nd. This will be Ritter’s first appearance in Saint … Read more
I’m not sure I can take it I’ve nothing strong to hold to I’m way too old to hate you My mind is full of razors To cut you like a word if only sung But this is my song Those are lyrics from “My Song,” the first Brandi Carlile song I ever heard live, … Read more
I know you’re fine God, I studied all the lines Of the dress, you know, your lover bought you And these drinks turn into maps Of places we will never go But for once, don’t get sentimental on me “Ah, shit. It’s gonna be one of those nights,” Ryan Adams mutters into the microphone before … Read more
For the second day in a row, we’ve opted to feature a track from a band on the Jagjaguwar roster. We swear: we’re not trying to suck up. We just can’t help but be blown away by first, the badass The Cave Singers and now by the return of Bon Iver, the band that knocked … Read more
The first line of today’s Jam of the Day gives it away — these dudes are Canadian. I mean, if you’re singing about being unable to find a station on the radio while driving through North Ontario, you’re either a Canuck, or you just got really lost. Luckily, The Trews aren’t lost. They’re just Candian … Read more
When England electropop outfit Metronomy released its debut record in 2006, they seemed a little more electro and a little less pop. With the release of the quartet’s third album, The English Riviera (Because Music), and a change in the band’s members, the tides have turned, at least for the time being. Metronomy’s sensibilities now … Read more
WU LYF (World Unite/Lucifer Youth Foundation) has been on the Speakers in Code radar since way back in days of April, when a cloud of excitement and speculation collided like those atoms do, but instead of nuclear fission, buzz was created. No one really knew what the hell they were dealing with. Between cryptic pictures … Read more
Speakers Rating: 89/100 In 2010, LA’s dance/pop/rock outfit Foster The People sparked onto the scene with a tight three song self-titled EP. That EP featured “Pumped up Kicks” and “Helena Beat,” two tracks reviewed (and much beloved) by this very site, and “Houdini” another upbeat piece of synth and drum driven excellence. On the strength … Read more
Listening to San Diego’s The Donkeys, it’s easy to focus on the geographic backdrop that frames the music. The jagged cliffs of La Jolla, the rolling hills further inland, the perfect weather, and of course, ocean views are all detectable. But subtract location from the equation, and you’re left with a sort-of slacker/surfer vibe that … Read more
Photo by Katie Guymon Last Tuesday, this here little blog hosted its first show at Off Broadway and welcomed Clare Burson and Peter Bradley Adams to Saint Louis from Brooklyn. Before the show that night, both musicians played in-stores at Vintage Vinyl. To see the entire photo set of Burson and Adams at Vintage Vinyl, … Read more
“Take a walk with me, you know which way I’m going,” sings Jill Andrews on “Sound of the Bells,” the opening song on her full-length solo debut, The Mirror. Andrews’ 2009 self-titled EP started with a declarative statement (“Take your hands out of your pockets and hold me”); The Mirror is more like a gentle … Read more
Back in May, we made Lindi Ortega’s “Little Lie” our Jam of the Day, and since, the tune has been featured in USA Today’s playlist, and been talked about all over the blogosphere. We aren’t surprised. Ortega’s a sassy and talented artist, one that is going to win over plenty of fans in 2011. The … Read more
I don’t remember how I found Clare Burson’s music, I just know I kept listening to it when I did. I do remember the song — yes, that was “Love is Snow,” off the album Thieves. I remember it being sometime late last year, on a day when the wind howled outside. “I would give … Read more
Photo by Jason Gonulsen I am a child I’ll last a while You can’t conceive of the pleasure in my smile For me, Buffalo Springfield was the ultimate highlight of Bonnaroo. They played just about everything — “On the Way Home,” “Burned,” “Bluebird,” and “I Am a Child,” which you can listen to/view below. You … Read more
Look the heck out. We have a doozy of a giveaway for you all starting t-t-to-day, junior. In celebration of the new Arctic Monkeys‘ album, Suck It And See, coming out tomorrow, we are really excited to give away an exclusive Arctic Monkeys UK Record Store Day white 7″ that’s never been available in the … Read more
A few years ago, my friend Anthony sent me a text message that simply read: Hayes Fuckin’ Carll. Couldn’t have said it better myself, really. When I listen to Carll’s music, I feel like I’m listening to one of the best country/rock/folk musicians of our time. I’m being serious — name another artist who writes … Read more
Photo by Vanessa Heins The voice is unmistakable – immediately identifiable by those who know it and intensely intriguing to those who don’t. It belongs to Dallas Green, perhaps better known as the man who writes, records, and performs under the moniker of City and Colour. Already renowned across Canada and the UK, thanks to … Read more
Photo by Cary Norton Is there a void in your analogue-nomadic-folk record collection? Heralded as a cross between Bob Dylan and The Violent Femmes (and we’re thinking a slightly tripped-out The Tallest Man on Earth), Paleo (aka David Strackany) is the answer to your foot stompin’, midnight ghost conjurations in addition to your early summer desert … Read more
Speakers Rating: 89/100 Kiss quick I got a line out the door Who all think they can save me When I interviewed Matt Nathanson a few years ago, I remember him telling me that he wanted his newest album at the time, Some Mad Hope, to be the one that defined him as an artist. … Read more
Photo by Jason Gonulsen Bonnaroo is, among other things, sort of like boot camp. There are going to be times when you feel like calling it an early night, or maybe just giving up altogether. But then, there are times when you’re standing in the front row for Buffalo Springfield, right in front of Neil … Read more
We just celebrated the first anniversary of knowing Common Prayer. Yeah, it was just a little over a year ago when we first laid ears on the single, “Us Vs. Them” and made that sucker a Jam of the Day. Then, lo and behold, we went on to put There Is A Mountain, the … Read more
In addition to their Speakers in Code-sponsored show with Dots Not Feathers at Off Broadway on June 14th, we are excited to announce that Brooklyn songwriters Clare Burson and Peter Bradley Adams will be playing a special in-store performance at Vintage Vinyl in Saint Louis at 5:00 PM that day! Burson’s last album, Silver and … Read more
Well, friends, it’s that time again. Time to drive to that farm in Manchester, TN, to wait a few hours in my car so I can then struggle to set up a tent in 90-something degree heat. It’s time to leave the comforts of my home, my awesome dogs, and my laptop for four days … Read more
Austin, Texas trio Ringo Deathstarr has been creating waves on the live front for quite some time now. The name alone sticks in your head like Crazy Glue, and their combination of head-splitting volume and short, energy-filled, enthralling performances, has become the currency of indie-rock bragging rights for those who have caught them at their … Read more
Tomorrow is the big day. Dots Not Feathers will release its brand spankin’ new EP, Come Back to Bed, at Off Broadway for the Speakers in Code-hosted party. And, you are all invited. Today, we’re excited to premiere the title track off the band’s new collection of tunes. Dots Not Feathers – Come Back to … Read more
Photo by Aggie Donkar/Brand New Kind of Photography There were two possible directions we could have gone with this post, and not being totally sure which is best, we’re including them both. A) Like an aged bottle of Château Lafite Rothschild, Future Islands is one of those bands that gets more complex as you allow … Read more
Speakers Rating: 90/100 On “Hermetically Sealed,” track number three off The Blind Eyes’ upcoming album, With A Bang, vocalist Seth Porter sings: “I’ve been hermetically sealed/ In a room that’s too cold to feel/ Keep my head down, summer is coming soon…” These lines, intermixed with sun-soaked “bah bah bahs” hailing from the heyday of … Read more