I’ve been somewhat infatuated with Jenny Lewis since she went solo with 2006’s Rabbit Fur Coat. I know she was making music with Rilo Kiley long before her foray into her soul-stirring, The Watson Twins-backed alt-country dazzle, but nothing RK put out made me wanna keel over and die like “Rise Up With Fists!!” and “Born Secular” … Read more
True to the euphoric state their name conjures, Electric Tickle Machine has earned a reputation for exuberant live shows punctuated by Flaming Lips-style blasts of confetti and impromptu naked, dancing bodies. The music – a mix of classic “psychedelic-tinged” rock and happy garage pop luckily transfers perfectly to tape, topped off with one of the … Read more
With just a little over six weeks until the release of their third full-length, Warp Riders, The Sword are finally giving us a little nugget from their eagerly awaited new material. Needless to say it freaking rocks – and I’m using “rocks” as a verb here people, not a sissy adjective. “Tres Brujas” is a … Read more
Alt-country is the one genre of music that I understand completely. It’s strangely familiar after growing up in the south, but when executed properly, it takes me to new places that challenge the definition of the category. True to form, I connected instantly with Athens-based alt-country newbies, Futurebirds the first time I queued up the … Read more
Making lush, beautiful, but serious music that reaches well beyond simple “Wall of Sound” comparisons is truly an art – and our Jam of the Day does this seemingly with no effort. That’s because Frankie Rose is more concerned with maintaining a specific mood than rehashing the hooks your parents lost their virginity to. Sometimes … Read more
First things first, let’s spend a moment contemplating the awesomeness of this band’s name: The Goodnight Loving. Who doesn’t want some of that? Next, let’s discuss the Milwaukee band’s slick and souped-up garage rock. Taking cues from The Strokes (without the cynicism) and pulling together a cocktail of rock ‘n’ roll genres (surf, honky tonk, … Read more
Last Saturday night, after fourteen hours of traveling, I finally got into a taxi headed home from the airport. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing the world. But after a week of sleeping in someone else’s bed and an entire day of clusterfucks, a taxi from the airport feels almost as good as the … Read more
Described as a cross between Neil Young, Gillian Welch, and Martina McBride, singer-songwriter, Jennie Arnau, mixes her down-to-earth Appalachia upbringing with the gritty New York City, her current home. On the surface, “Bouncing Ball” is a refreshingly simple bit of alt-country, given the plucky banjo and Arnau’s cheerful doo-wahs. But dig a little deeper, and … Read more
Two nights ago, I went to a concert at The Old Rock House in Saint Louis to see We Were Promised Jetpacks. However, The Lonely Forest, one of the night’s openers, stunned me with its frenzied enthusiasm and indie rock purity. One of my favorites of the night happened to be today’s JOTD, “We Sing … Read more
As you read this, I am lying on the beach in St. Lucia, enjoying the second full day of my long-awaited honeymoon. I do not feel bad about rubbing this in your face. I am so in need of a week with nothing but a beach, a book, and an umbrella drink in hand at … Read more
Almost a year ago, Laura Burhenn, one half of the now-defunct Georgie James, traversed the country, set up shop in Oregon, and recorded the debut album of her new band, The Mynabirds. Burhenn, “always want[ing] to make a record that sounded like Neil Young doing Motown,” does the blue-eyed soul genre proud on “Numbers Don’t … Read more
Photo credit: Mads Perch Photography Let’s get serious. After Jason and I started our music blog in January, cyberspace then needed another music blog like I currently need a hole in my head. While we’re totally positive that Speakers in Code fills a distinct void in your life, the Interwebs is now on a strict … Read more
“As if I didn’t know that/ As if I didn’t know my own bed…” I heard this song for the first time in years last week, and damn, it hit me hard. I thought of how great a songwriter/musician Paul Simon is, and how he might even get overlooked at times. I thought of how … Read more
Ok, I realize that Yeasayer’s “Ambling Alp” is not a new song; it’s been out for almost six months. But, I think it deserves a spring reincarnation after a long, hard winter. It’s just so freaking good. Yeasayer has become my MGMT substitute over the last few months, mixing synth, catchy melodies, and world beats … Read more
Usually when I listen to David Ford, I want to spend some time in deep thought. The British singer-songwriter has penned some of my favorite heartbreakers in the past few years — tunes like “I Don’t Care What You Call Me,” “What Would You Have Me Do,” and “I’m Alright Now.” I could listen to … Read more
This is never going to stop, so I might as well just embrace the fact that I’m in love with 5,498 female singer-songwriters. Nicole Atkins is the latest, and boy, can she belt out a tune. It’s safe to say I’m looking forward to January 25th, when her new album, Mondo Amore, hits the Internets/shelves/Starbucks/etc. … Read more
Aaaaah, December. It’s a magical time of the year, filled with tinsel and lights, cider and cookies, eggnog and the bathroom floor. Yes, it’s pretty much everyone’s favorite time of the year, especially for those Bing Crosby junkies who love to watch Holiday Inn over and over and over while listening to White Christmas as … Read more
Oh lawd, this new Active Child has the beat of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” but, per usual, has the vocals of an angel! It’s doing weird things to me ya’ll — my body doesn’t know whether to gyrate inappropriately or stand still and mind my manners! I’ma opt on the side of gyrate and pray … Read more
Slow and hazy — it’s not a bad mix for a Monday. There’s a reason why this sound works when it’s done well, and Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers perfect it on their latest track, “High Neck Lace,” which is taken from the forthcoming Loved Wild Lost, out April 21. Bluhm & the Gramblers will … Read more
Photo by Kristen Abigail Nashville artist, Liza Anne, is getting ready to release her second record titled, Two. With the anticipation of Anne’s new writings, she has released “Take It Back”, which will be featured on her upcoming record. Pre-orders will start May 5. I’m excited to see what Liza Anne has in store since … Read more
Happy Monday! We’re cutting the sad-bastard tunes for hot second to bring you “Savages” by Five Knives. It’s for the best, trust us. Get outta your chair, fill your coffee mug, turn it up. It’s gonna be good. DANCE, PEOPLE. Five Knives will release Savages on June 2nd via Red Bull Records.
via Stereogum Now here’s something you don’t see everyday. Brand New’s first new studio recording since the release of 2009’s Daisy is about to rip your head off. The track is called “Mene” and it deftly combines the band’s furious pop-punk roots with the visceral emotionalism that has characterized their post-2003 albums. This band handles stylistic … Read more
An incomplete list of things your Friday was missing before now, but is no longer: shiny horn lines; hand claps; insistently hooky keyboard lines; David McMillin’s compelling and aching vocals. “Anonymous”, the first single from Fort Frances’ new EP No One Needs To Know Our Name, has all those things for you, and it’s exactly … Read more
We’re starting to gear up for our chance to see Matt & Kim in Nashville later this month. They’ve released a large handful of videos over the last few months to hold us over until May 9th at Marathon Music Works. If you’re into fun dance parties, be sure to see them live and pick … Read more
Today I’m thrilled to premiere a track from Nashville’s Willie and the Giant for the Jam of the Day; “On The Corner” draws from the same retro soul influences that “Ain’t Gonna Wait” (a JOTD last October) did, but it also brings some serious rock and roll guitars that wouldn’t sound out of place on … Read more
As a blog that features the saddest of sad-bastards more frequently than occasionally, Conor Oberst has been a staple for us over the years, mainly through his non-side-project Bright Eyes. But with the revival of his other project, the refreshingly upbeat Desaparecidos, we’re happy to bring you “City on the Hill” as our Jam of … Read more
Courage is the ability to do something that frightens you. It’s also the strength you draw upon in the face of pain or grief — and right now that pain and grief for this here blogger is a wife that’s getting ready to drop a baby like any day now, as well as an insane … Read more
Good news for your Monday: Dawes will release All Your Favorite Bands on June 2, and have dropped its first single, “Things Happen,” on the interwebs today. Have at it below.
Photo by Jon Karr The amount of young talent coming out of Nashville right now is rather impressive, but the artists that stick out the most are the ones that are hustling to craft their sound and keep the true nature of their music alive and well when they’re performing live. Ellery Bonham, who’s stage … Read more
Singer-songwriter Julie Mintz will be releasing her debut EP, The Thin Veil, on May 5th, and today’s Jam of the Day is the fantastic and mesmerizing “Til She Disappears.” Dreamy stuff for your Monday.