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Emerging on Merge Records in two weeks will be Oakley Hall's fourth full length album, I'll Follow You. Their tour in support of the new album begins next week on September 4th at Maxwell's in New Jersey.

This album is their debut with Merge and the label tells us to "Ditch your stereotypes about the urban and the rural, the traditional and the modern - none apply to the Hall." Imagine me now throwing said stereotypes out a metaphorical window.

The band consists of Greg Anderson (drums), Jesse Barnes (bass, vocals), Rachel Cox (vocals, guitars), Claudia Mogel (fiddle, vocals), Patrick Sullivan (vocals, guitar, organ) and Fred Wallace (guitar, lap steel).

It's sun-soaked music if I ever did hear it, with an intricacy that really can't be described. I mean at times it has the smoothness of jazz and at other times it boasts a certain alt. country twang.

Listen:
Oakley Hall - "No Dreams" (mp3)

Tracklist
Marine Life
No Dreams
Rue The Blues
Angela
Free Radicals Lament
All The Way Down
I'll Follow You
Best Of Luck
First Frost
Alive Among Thieves
Rogue Revelator
Take My Hands, We're Free

Labels: Oakley Hall

Currently on tour with The Great Lake Swimmers, Jenn Grant is a Canadian singer/songwriter that needs to get a write up from me, because I love her music and her style. And I believe she has gone understated for too long.

She reminds me a little bit of Ani DiFranco both in the quality of her music and in the passion her lyrics exuberate. Her melodies and acoustic arrangements meld into an indescribably beautiful piece of folk-pop goodness.

Her label is Maple Music and they say her debut album Orchestra With the Moon is, "a lush album of textured pop that puts her honeyed voice front and center."

Listen:
Jenn Grant - "Dreamer" (mp3)

Labels: Jenn Grant

Starting on September 1st at the Minneapolis, MN Soap Factory, Sleeping in the Aviary will be touring the US throughout mid-October.

Their debut album released in February, Oh, This Old Thing? and has proven they deserve national acclaim. But in more recent news, band member Elliott, has composed a spacey collection of songs which he recorded himself at home over the last few years entitled "She is so Beautiful/She is so Blonde." Copies will be ready by the time they head out on tour. Some copies will be for sale, but an official release date has not yet been scheduled.

SITA - "Another Girl" (mp3)

Labels: music news, Sleeping in the Aviary

I'm going to start a new thing...I get new music e-mailed to me all the time. Sometimes I hear directly from bands, other times I hear from their fans. It's difficult to get to everything so I figure if I create a label for this then I'll be forced to focus on adding new bands at least a couple times each week.

To start please allow me to introduce you to "Red Collar" with a thank you to one of their devoted fans for tipping me off on their sound.

Led by front man and guitarist, Jason Kutchma, the band consists of Michael Jackson on guitar, Andrew Blass on keyboards, Beth Kutchma on bass, and Paul O'Keefe on drums. Michael, Andrew and Beth provide supporting vocals.

The band performed this past March at SXSW. Every review you read will tell you how energetic they are and really energetic isn't strong enough of a word. Even with a punk sound the inventive and insightful lyrics are not lost and add a fantastic depth to the overall music.

"Got your new ride, the company ride!
And oh boy you'll get your rhythm
But are you driving? Were you ever driving?
Or are you being driven?"

Don't go ahead thinking this music will me like other post punk bands, because there is an evident experimental twist to many of their tracks which hails to a unique flair that shouldn't go unnoticed. I'd have to say "Red Collar" has re-written the rule book on this genre.

Red Collar - "Hands Up" (mp3)
Red Collar - "Witching Hour" (mp3)

Labels: From The Inbox, Red Collar

Every ones favorite British sardonic rock band teams up with every ones favorite Brooklyn-based bar band to create a night of rockin' debauchery throughout the US.

After a slew of US dates this September, Art Brut barely have time to rest and will set out across America with The Hold Steady on NME's "Rock 'N' Roll Riot Tour 2007".

---AND---

The release of Matt Costa's second album, Unfamiliar Faces, has been changed to January 15, 2008, which will be supported by a headlining tour early in the year. In the meantime fans can catch Costa when he joins Modest Mouse on select US tour dates over the next month.

Matt Costa - "Sunshine" (mp3)

Labels: Art Brut, Matt Costa, music news

We're all moved into the new house. Not much is unpacked, but the heavy lifting is done. It figures that the day we moved the most of our stuff it was 80% humidity and 96 degrees out. Thank God for everyone who helped out, I'm really grateful!!!!!!!!!!

Manatella just released their debut full length album, Fashionable Neighborhood.

The brief on them from their website is. "Chase and Leonard began playing together at sixteen. Along with bassist Nell Roland and drummer Mark Hubbard of Julius Airwave, they formed Isabella Parole in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2000, they self- released album Mutha America and toured the East Coast in support of it. Soon after Chase, Leonard and Roland moved to Tallahassee, Florida to attend Florida State University and adopted musicians Caleb Selman, Johnny Pemberton, and Nick Underwood of Tallahassee band Plastic Mastery. For three years the group recorded several EPs, became multi- instrumentalists and played many shows in the depths of Tallahassee, Florida. In 2004, Chase and Leonard relocated to Chicago, Illinois and were introduced to drummer Shelly Uehara through fellow Chicago musician Mark Janka of The Lesser Birds of Paradise and formed Manatella."

Manatella are currently playing shows in support of Fashionable Neighborhood and are planning a tour for fall 2007

Listen:
Manatella - "Cherry Red" (mp3)
Manatella - "Apocalyptic Owl" (mp3)
Manatella - "Eye Spy" (mp3)

Labels: Manatella

My fiance and I closed on our house yesterday. So this weekend we're moving everything and will be meshing into one unit. It's time to make this house our home and grow as a family together.

It's all very exciting, though I must admit very tiring. Just packing up everything has left me feeling incredibly sore. It is definitely all worth it, but I'm sore all the same.

So here we have The Cinematic Orchestra. The band is signed to the Ninja Tune independent record label. Six members and fun electric-jazz music. The song below is from their latest record which released on May 7th. Ma Fleur, the record was written as the soundtrack to a specially commissioned screenplay for an imagined film (which may or may not yet be made).

The rest of the songs are all themed of course and I hope you enjoy the mix.

Listen:
The Cinematic Orchestra - "To Build a Home" (mp3)
A-Ha - "Hurry Home" (mp3)
The Lemonheads - "Baby's Home" (mp3)
Aerosmith - "Home Tonight" (mp3)
Frank Sinatra - "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" (mp3)
Billy Joel - "You're My Home" (mp3)
Tim McGraw - "Sing Me Home" (mp3)
The Cure - "Home" (mp3)

Labels: mix, The Cinematic Orchestra

Perez Hilton wrote about the new Britney Spears song, but I have it for you to download and pine away over.

It's very mellow, a lot of slow bass, but there is a music box feel to it, I can picture a ballerina slowly spinning dancing in front of a mirror.

This is definitely an emotional one for her, apparently Brit feels deserted. I actually like the song and imagine it was therapeutic for her. The only thing I could do without is the middle portion where she is just talking.

Take a listen:

Britney Spears - "Gimmie More" (mp3)

I'm guessing to the track name, I don't know what she will call it.

Labels: Britney Spears

Louise Zagoras was the first Chicago rock artist ever to be signed by the legendary Bill Graham Management (Santana, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Neville Brothers, Joe Satriani, etc.

Zagoras songs have been used for TV shows (Nash Bridges, Spelling Productions etc...) and movies (Lost and Confused) For the last 15 years he has been writing songs with Roy Marinell. Roy co- wrote “Werewolves of London,” “Excitable Boy,” and other hits with the late great Warren Zevon.

After three CD's and countless tours with his band "ROLLOVER," Zagoras is now solo. And his debut solo record, Twenty Fingers, is out now. You'll find the music reminiscent of greats like the Byrds and even label mate Lynyrd Sknyrd.

Listen:
Louie Zagoras - "Waiting for the Sun" (mp3)

Labels: Louie Zagoras

Liner notes about their upcoming album? Sure, why not. Recorded in 11 days in March, 2007, at Prairie Recording Co., Winnipeg, and 4 days in April, 2007, at The Junkshop, Toronto.

15 days later we have The Weakerthans fourth album, Reunion Tour, and it will release on September 25th in the US, a day earlier elsewhere. Their label says, "The Weakerthans have long been known for their lyrical ingenuity, but they are, after all, a rock band, and Reunion Tour is a musical triumph."

And yes, "Tournament of Hearts," is a song abuot the Olympic sport of curling. Hehehe, I'll dedicate that one to my brother.

They will begin touring on September 25th in Minnesota and at least through the beginning of November with a date scheduled for the Paradise Rock Club in Boston, Massachusetts.

Listen:
The Weakerthans - "Night Windows" (mp3)
The Weakerthans - "The Last Last One" (mp3)

Track List:
01. Civil Twilight
02. Hymn of the Medical Oddity
03. Relative Surplus Value
04. Tournament of Hearts
05. Virtute the Cat Explains Her Departure
06. Elegy for Gump Worsley
07. Sun in an Empty Room
08. Night Windows
09. Bigfoot!
10. Reunion Tour
11. Utilities

Labels: Weakerthans

Little bit jazzy, little bit alt. country, Joe Henry should be a legend.

He has been releasing music and producing music since the mid-80s, but it has been four years since his last album. So on September 11, 2007, when Civilians is launched by ANTI-, it will be a long awaited record.Henry produced it himself and had it mixed by Ryan Freeland at The Garfield House.

"I wanted these songs to operate in a way that was clearer," Henry explains. "I set a goal to be sonically, lyrically and vocally lucid."

Listen:
Joe Henry - "Time Is A Lion" (mp3)
Joe Henry - "Sold" (mp3)

Sidenote: Henry has been married to Madonna's sister Melanie Ciccone since 1985. Madonna has a sister? Hehe, poor girl, such a big shadow.

Track List:
01. Civilians
02. Parker's Mood
03. Civil War
04. Time Is A Lion
05. You Can't Fail Me Now
06. Scare Me To Death
07. Our Song
08. Wave
09. Love Is Enough
10. I Will Write My Book
11. Shut Me Up
12. God Only Knows

Labels: Joe Henry

Okay so we all know that the Goonies rule and they were able to get to a treasure that even Professor Copperpot couldn't reach. =o)

And now onto a newer Copperpot, born Daniel Kuypers in Chicago in 1979 has been producing hip hop and hip hop-ish beats since 2000. Now in 2007 he has released his second album WYLA?, taking a slight twist and bringing in other artists to experiment with the sound. "In the Mix" says, "Copperpot combines an eerie flute sample with live guitar-strumming sounds on album opener Come Back Home." I couldn't agree more. This isn't music I would normally lend an ear to, but I do like the sounds and I think this Copperpot fellow might know what he's doing. =o)

Listen:
Copperpot - "Come Back Home" (mp3) [ft. KRS One - additional guitar by Rodney Anderson]

Labels: Copperpot

On this day in 1967, the New York Times reported on a new noise reduction system developed by R. and D.W. Dolby. It was first used by a subsidiary of Elektra Records.

Hahaha, yes, I know this means the extra noise. But when there is music playing it should always be turned up!

The Anniversary - "Sweet Maria" (mp3)

Waking Ashland - "Counting the Stars" (mp3)

The Boy Least Likely To - "Be Gentle With Me" (mp3)

Labels: history mix

This might have been the best show I have ever been to...and I've been to many.

Though the Wachovia is my least favorite venue because of the expense and the seating (even narrow for my small self) this show was amazing. Keith Urban gave one of the best performances I have ever seen. He was so into it, smiling and jamming and saying he felt like he was home. He spent a lot of time in the center of everyone, walking down from the stage and down the runway. He may very well be the best guitarist I have ever seen perform live. The entire show was so comfortable for him, you could tell that music is his passion and just the fact that he was on stage thrilled him. Even the standing people and drunk girl in the rows in front of us couldn't ruin this performance.

Of course it looked almost sold out in that huge venue and so the crowd sang loud and true when asked. We did a "fun wave" in which we went around the whole place twice, waving our arms up while holding our lit cell phones. I have to say it looked pretty freaking cool.

Brian got us pretty good seats and so when Keith was in the center we were able to see him really well. Oh my gosh he is so gorgeous. (Reminds me of my Bri in that way). Except Keith has tattoos and earrings and I am such a sucker for both of those extras. ;o)

The Wreckers opened and they are cute, but unfortunately I couldn't hear them very well while they were singing. It was difficult to get into it when I couldn't understand what they were saying. But they were also very pleased at the crowd and loved what they were doing.

Keith's set included an enormous amount of songs...including "Making Memories Of Us," "Who Wouldn't Want To Be Me?," "I Told You So," "Stupid Boy" (which I cried through), "Got It Right This Time," "Faster Car," "You'll Think of Me," "Better Half" gosh I can't even begin to list them all.

After they left the stage and we all clapped and screamed for one more song, Keith topped off the night by saying he had no intentions of leaving because we are the best (drunkest) crowd he has ever played for and he didn't want to go. He stayed up on stage both at the piano and with his guitar for another 40 minutes. Phenomenal, I am telling you, absolutely phenomenal!

And when he sang "Got It Right This Time" he dedicated the song to Nicole Kidman (his wife) and said he wouldn't be here today if it weren't for her. Awwwwww, I so love Keith Urban. Such a great person, singer, husband, guitarist, pianist...etc.

I know a lot of people reading this blog are not into country music. But I must insist you give Keith a listen. He totally rocks out, it's not that hick, twangy country music you may be used to hearing. This is awesome, awesome music and he is so freaking talented!

Listen:
Keith Urban - "(Baby, You're My) Better Half" (mp3)
Keith Urban - "Days Go By" (mp3)

Labels: concert, Keith Urban

Good morning everyone!

There are tons of reviews I need to write up, and I'm sorry for those of you waiting for one. Times have been busy!

For this lovely Saturday morning I'm just going to share a quick mix with you.

Enjoy!

Aberfeldy - "Heliopolis By Night" (mp3)

The Battles - "Saturday Night" (mp3)

Loney, Dear - "Saturday Waits" (mp3)

Port O'Brien - "I Woke Up Today" (mp3)

Labels: saturday mix

"Pash is one of the most exciting and hardworking bands playing on the east coast right now. Its live show is not to be missed. The band will tour much of the US throughout the rest of 2007.

Pash has shared the stage with many national acts such as Be Your Own Pet, Tilly and the Wall, The Comas, Rainer Maria, Ambulette, Travis Morrison and The Hell Fighters, The Muffs, Beauty Pill, Joe Lally of Fugazi, and Georgie James."

Pash - "ABCD" (mp3)
Pash - "1,000 Cranes" (mp3)

Buy their music!

Labels: PASH

Their new album, Andorra, is going to be released in the states, on Merge, on August 21st. It will be Dan Snaith's fourth album.

Merge says, "He marries the kaleidoscopic grandeur he's known for with pop melodies and harmonies crammed densely together."

In this song there is some pretty intense drumming that I think you'll dig.

Caribou - "Sandy" (mp3)

Buy the album!

Labels: Caribou

My little boy asks me to make him mixed CDs so he can listen to the music on his "singing things" which are his disc man and his new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles CD player.

So I'm always looking for songs that would be okay for him to hear. Since he seems to memorize them all within an hour. =o)

If you guys have any ideas or suggestions please, please let me know.

As for right now, I just found a song called "Watermelon" by The Boxer Rebellion.
Brae loves watermelon, so perhaps this song will make the cut.

The Boxer Rebellion - "Watermelon" (mp3)

Quick update, Brae has informed me that he very much likes Hot Hot Heat's song "Middle of Nowhere" in fact, we sang it..oh about...284 times today. ;oP

Hot Hot Heat - "Middle of Nowhere" (mp3)

Labels: brae mix, the boxer rebellion

For all you folks out there who rise above your sorrows and obstacles, for all of you are are intelligent beyond your years and stand tall even when it hurts.

My song pick for you today is from the Mendoza Line.

Listen:
Mendoza Line - "Tougher Than The Rest" (mp3)

Unfortunately...this band was not tougher than the rest and they have recently split up. They decided to go on an indefinite hiatus after the break up of song writers Shannon McArdle and Timothy Bracy.

Labels: The Mendoza Line

They have grown. At least to my ears, Yellowcard's last album shows such musical development. It's not all rushed or urgent like I felt some of their older tracks have been. It seems more comfortable. These lyrics have more depth and their music has more texture.

When I wrote about their new album, Paper Walls, back in June the post was quick and meant to announce their latest album which launched on July 17th.

Now that it's out in full swing, it has become one that I listen to repeatedly when I'm sitting at my desk at home. I love it. Each track. If you haven't given it a chance then I'm hear to tell you DO IT! If you like Lifehouse, Sum 41, Rooney..you get the picture, if you like that line of alternative emo music you will absolutely love what Yellowcard has grown into. Don't toss it aside.

Yellowcard - "Shadows & Regrets" (mp3)

Buy Paper Walls!

Labels: Yellowcard

That alt. country rasp is nearly seductive. And I love the acoustics. Ray LaMontagne I'm perfectly okay with you singing Till The Sun Turns Black. You need to know this guy, he is an amazing singer/songwriter.

Ray LaMontagne currently lives in Maine and I do believe that would be a beautiful area to write great music and free your mind. So the album was released on August 29, 2006 in the US.

"On the eleven songs that comprise Till the Sun Turns Black, all of this is audible -- the demand for meaningfulness, the requirement of emotional relevancy, the struggle of working through material in the form of songs that refuse, until properly recorded, to leave the artist alone."

Ray LaMontagne - "Barfly" (mp3)

Buy the album!

Track List:
1. Be Here Now
2. Empty
3. Barfly
4. Three More Days
5. Can I Stay
6. You Can Bring Me Flowers
7. Gone Away From Me
8. Lesson Learned
9. Truly, Madly, Deeply
10. Till The Sun Turns Black
11. Within You

Labels: Ray LaMontagne

I always say that when Braeden is older he is going to say "Mom, you're so old. You were like born in the 1900s." Haha. And it's true, because he was born in 2003 and so I'll always seem ancient.

But anyway, that's not what we're talking about.

The 1900s are releasing their debut record on October 2nd, Cold & Kind. I can already tell you it is flippin' fantastic and I'll be on the pre-order list because this one is going to be gifted to all my closest friends at least sporadically as I can afford to buy them. Yes, it is THAT good. =o)

A seven piece group from Chicago! Can't beat that. Parasol Records says, "As old friends, lovers and ex-lovers, The 1900s harness the resulting fury to build psychedelic pop music!" All-in-all their music is just phenomenal.

The 1900s - "Georgia" (mp3)

Pre-order the album now!

Labels: The 1900s

It is no secret that I love Waking Ashland. I'm very upset to hear they will not be staying together. Jonathan Jones says, "We've been touring for 3 years non stop and, to state the obvious, thats a long time. Over the course of the band some irreconcilable differences developed."

Such a great band. We need more bands that create music like Waking Ashland. It's good, heartfelt music that expresses values and love. It wasn't about hype or mainstream or producing a platinum single while forgoing the rest of the album.

Needless to say I am very much bummed.

Listen:
Waking Ashland - "Counting The Stars" (mp3)

Apparently now they are splitting and will be working on their own projects.

Here are some links to the new stuff:

www.myspace.com/jonathanjonesmusic
www.myspace.com/thehonorroll

Labels: Waking Ashland

It's Wednesday, we're halfway there folks. Hump day!

This morning I'm listening to Octoberman. My three-year-old loves to play music. He is pretty good at even the harmonica. He loves Jens Lekman and all this intricate music. Octoberman reminds me of Jens in a way because of the trumpets and the harmonica. The music is unique and folky which is not so much Jens, but I have a feeling Brae would love Octoberman. I may have to include some of these tracks on the next mix CD I make him.

Who is Octoberman? Marc Morrissette. And his fantastic backing band...Rob Josephson (drums), Graham Christofferson (bass), Leah Abramson (vocals), and CL McLaughlin (guitar, vocals).

On August 21st their album, Run From Safety, will release and I highly recommend it.

Listen:
Octoberman - "Run From Safety" (mp3)
Octoberman - "By the Wayside" (mp3)

Buy their albums!

*The photo is from their MySpace page.

Labels: Octoberman

Superphonic Records will be releasing the new AA Bondy album, American Hearts, on September 18, 2007.

Wanna know why the AA is shortened? Because his name is Auguste Arthur. Hehe. But no, that is a very charming name, although AA Bondy is much easier to say and type for that matter.

The label says, "Recorded and mixed in a month at The Red Barn in Palenville, NY in January 2007, American Hearts is dark and sardonic but it’s not as claustrophobic, tortured nor troubled as you’d expect from the former Verbena frontman. The record is actually quite beautifully stark and stripped-down and well played, filled with great melodies and warm production."

AA Bondy - "There's A Reason" (mp3)

Buy it!

Labels: AA Bondy

Releasing on October 2, 2007 is the new Bring Back the Guns album, Dry Futures.

"Bring Back The Guns is a messy experiment in taking pop and punk tropes to the classical museum hoping to get thrown out." Their label, Feow Records, says the band is "Ignoring rules whenever possible and coming up with songs that obey their own whims."

Listen:
Bring Back the Guns - "In Piles/On File" (mp3)
Bring Back the Guns - "Dry Futures" (mp3)

TRACKLIST

No More Good Songs
The Art of Malnutrition
Let's Not
Dry Futures
Take It Like A
Face Smear Pt. 1 (All Right Now)
The Family Name
The Season for Treason
Radio Song '04
I Am the Voice of Sarah Strickland's Rage
In Piles/On File

Buy their albums!

Labels: Bring Back the Guns

Seems like Lily Allen is constantly getting in trouble.

Her US visa cancelled after being held at a US airport, locked in a cell and strip searched. Oh gracious! She flew in from Australia for the MTV video music awards and was taken into an interrogation room for questioning on an arrest from March...? I'm not sure that seems kosher, but I wasn't there so what can I say?

"I am trying everything I can to sort this out. I don't like letting my fans down," explained Allen. "It is my intention to play my American dates in September. This depends on authorities granting me a new work visa."

I wonder how long it will take to sort this out.

Labels: Lily Allen, music news

They might not be feeling the heat wave up in Golden Horseshoe, Ontario, but I'm stilling thanking them for their song of winter. "Winterize" can be found on their Bitter Hands Resign album. A Northern Chorus is on the Sonic Unyon Records label and they have been playing together since early 2000 though their debut record, before we all go to pieces, didn't actually release in the US until March of 2006.

They are underrated to say the least, but it might be due to lack of promotion in the States, I'm not sure. Because they have incredible harmonies that beyond being great sounding, they're just plain respectable. I mean this shows how music is an art form.

They just finished a minor tour in the US in conjunction with their latest album release, The Millions Too Many. Their label says this album is "undoubtedly the best A Northern Chorus album to date." So why no hype? Again, I don't know. But I don't want this to fall by the wayside.

Listen and love the strings:
A Northern Chorus - "Skeleton Keys" (mp3)

Buy the albums!

Labels: A Nothern Chorus

On August 21st, The Hair the TV the Baby & the Band will be released by the rockin' folks of Imperial Teen. Will, Roddy, Jone and Lynn have come out of hibernation and let me tell you this record makes it worth the wait.

Merge Records assures all golden fans and newbies to come, "It's a career defining album for sure. On first listen you can just feel how much fun these guys and gals are having making music together."

If you like Blur, you'll like Imperial Teen. Do not fear Indie Pop, it should so be embraced. Everybody needs to add a little-bit-o-fun music to their shuffle.

Listen:
Imperial Teen - "Shim Sham" (mp3)

Tracklist
Everything
Do It Better
Shim Sham
The Hair the TV the Baby & the Band
One Two
Room With a View
It's Now
Fallen Idol
Sweet Potato
Everyone Wants to Know
21st Century
What You Do

Labels: Imperial Teen

Do you find yourself fixing for some new music? Do ya, do ya?

"Walls are coming down, ceilings are caving in, so be careful what you wish for..."

The States are an impressive band from New York City. Not afraid to belt out lyrics about "liberty being such a b*tch" they sing it real and they sing it loud. Progressive rock not unlike The Killers, these guys are a pleasure to listen to and should not be underrated. Having previously self-released Multiply Not Divide in 2006, their newer music shows much development from sound to content. In only a year's time they have grown into a band with great depth and range.

Catchy and intelligent = The States

The States - "The Architect" (mp3)

Buy it!

Labels: The States

No....it sounds like L M N O P, but it's really Elemeno P.

This has got to be one of my favorite band names. That is just so awesome. Takes me back to kindergarten. Oh those were the days of simplicity.

This band is the epitome of emo. And though saying the word "emo" irritates me, it fits Elemeno P very well and I feel good about it. =o) They have been charting in New Zealand for a few years now, even climbing up to the number one spot from time to time. It's time to build up the buzz over here in the US!

Band Members:
Dave Gibson (vocals)
Scotty Pearson (drums)
Lani Purkis (bass)
Justyn Pilbrow (guitar)

If you don't enjoy this song, "11:57" at first, just keep listening because there is a catchy guitar riff right about 2 minutes and 30 seconds...that will definitely hook you.

Elemeno P - 11:57 (mp3)

Labels: Elemeno P

Friday morning and we're almost done the work week. Woohoo!

Megan Hamilton has a track to help us reflect. She is a classic singer/songwriter that sounds like a folky Sheryl Crow, but plays music like the lovely Joanna Newsom, throwing in what I can only describe as a flitty island sound about a minute and a half into the track.

Megan Hamilton - "Saint Francis" (mp3)

Another one to add to the theme...

The Ark - "Prayer for the Weekend" (mp3)

Labels: Megan Hamilton

After successfully releasing their own debut album, All the Gory Details, which was mixed by Rodney Mills, Last November was signed by Southern Tracks Records. Now they are back in the studio and working on their second album with producer Steven Haigler (Fuel, Pixies).

Luke Pilgrim, Tyler Ayers, Taylor Woodruff and Chris Jones are an ambitious group of guys. At the age of 17, Pilgrim produced their previously mentioned debut album. The album because a quick success and was featured on MTV shows like "The Real World."

Their sound is like old school Jimmy Eat World, the stadium rock sound that came before "Futures."

Take a listen to their first single:

Last November - "Sniper" (mp3)

Buy the album!

Labels: Last November

Peter Searcy has gone solo. "After fronting the seminal punk band, Squirrel Bait in the late 80s, and alt-rockers Big Wheel in the 90s, he's finding his stride on his 4th solo record, Spark."

No stranger to the stage, Searcy has performed with Bob Dylan, Train, 7 Mary 3, Evan Dando, Bob Mould and Cowboy Mouth.

There is a true gift for song craft in this artist and his sound continues to develop and mature. His music reminds me of the Replacements or perhaps a harder Gavin DeGraw.

Listen:
Peter Searcy - "I Believe" (mp3)

Labels: Peter Searcy

Maritime decided to post their first two singles from their upcoming album, Heresy and the Hotel Choir.

The album won't be released for purchase until October 16th.

It seems like more and more labels/artists are leaking music well in advance these days, which is good for us. Hearing these two tracks definitely built anticipation for me. "Guns of Navarone" is an awesome song I love how the pace changes so smoothly. These tracks are just bursting with energy, I love them!

For those of you not familiar with Maritime, I'd say they are slightly comparable to "At The Drive-In," but really, they're in an element of their own. So take a listen!

Maritime - "Guns of Navarone" (mp3)
Maritime - "Science Fiction" (mp3)

Labels: Maritime

The latest news from Laura Veirs was in my inbox this morning.

Laura Veirs releases her new single 'Saltbreakers' on limited-edition coloured 7" vinyl and download this week. 'Saltbreakers' is the second single to be taken from Laura's new album Saltbreakers, and includes the new non-album track 'Shape the Swarm'."

Sweet.

If you haven't bought her third album Saltbreakers, than you're really missing out. Every song on this record could be a single. Nonesuch Records struck gold with this artist.

Laura Veirs - "Don't Lose Yourself" (mp3)

Labels: Laura Veirs, news