• Home
• Music
• Entertainment
• Design
• Books
• Technology
• Help/Environment
• Wellness
• Life Banter

Can I like a band simply due to their name? This band is fresher than a recently powdered baby bottom. Newbies in the musical world. However, Candybomb, sounds sweet enough to me.

Furthermore, the description of their band members on their MySpace page totally cracks me up.

Polly Pfonick - voice, handclaps, dolly mixtures

Toby Coleman - bass, cello, pineapple chunks

Charlie Darling - celesta, clarinet, hammond B3, drum programming, sugar mice

Andrew Pond-Comfortably - guest guitars, cola cubes

Anyway, their music is young and spirited it reminds me of my childhood and the songs we used to hear in My Little Pony episodes or Rainbow Brite and so I'm smiling because those are good memories.

Candybomb isn't going to make it on the radio anywhere around here, they are far too different and not even on the small end of the mainstream scale, but I find their music upbeat, lively and cheerful and for me that means more than radio waves.

These guys also are the band Taxipop9 and that music a little bit more Avril Lavigne, still pop but with the punk emo side. Right now however, I am digging the carnival pop, so here you go. Enjoy!

Listen:
Candybomb- "Carnival Pop" (mp3)

Labels: candybomb

Meh. I think I'm just going to have to do an iTunes shuffle and put up a track. I have plenty of albums to review, but am just not feeling it today. Is that okay? Well, it will just have to be.

Alright shuffle whatcha got for me today?

The Chapin Sisters - "Don't Love Me" (mp3)

We got lucky friends, this track is from an album which only released a couple of weeks ago. An LP from "The Chapin Sisters" which is actually quite a fantastic album called Lake Bottom.

And I made a flickr badge using the global tags "music" and "love" so we'll see what shuffled photos we'll come up with. ;oP

Labels: song shuffle, The Chapin Sisters

Signed by Fabtone in Japan and preparing for a May release of their debut Fireflies, this band is currently unsigned in the US. (Hop on it peeps).

I can picture...audibly?...the "Truth in Fiction" music in a movie like Garden State. It's got an airy, eclectic indie feel that would be perfect streaming through the Sundance speakers while girls with flowers in their hair and frayed suede jackets spin around with their arms wide open catching the breeze.

In some ways I wish they could veer off the beaten path because I feel like I've heard this before. I like it, I love it actually, but I also love The Shins, Frou Frou and the Cary Brothers. (Yes, all of which have a track on the Garden State soundtrack). So while I honestly do like what I'm hearing, I also wonder what they could come up with if they went on a hiatus somewhere in the desert where they have never heard music before. I think they would walk out of their with something outstanding and so new it hurts your eyes with the shine.

Who:
Michael Wisth: vocals, guitar
Dan Beres: guitar, vocals
Kristian Riley: bass, vocals
Tom Schmidt: drums

Listen:
Truth in Fiction - "Drunken Phone Call" (mp3)

Labels: Truth in Fiction

There are classic artists from the past whose music will never get old. Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby...these are names that will never be forgotten. Their music will touch the ears of generations to come and new musicians will always have the best of respect.

Jamie Leonhart has a classic feel. I'm not sure I would couple her with any of the aforementioned artists, but for a debut album (The Truth About Suffering) I think she's starting on high grounds. And I do feel some of her tracks will leave you nostalgic for the past. The lyrics are real and raw, the music is crisp and clear and the overall mood is just right on.

It is nice to hear a voice which isn't trying to overdo anything. She's not a diva in training. There is a certain vulnerability going on here that I find inspiring. Nothing is over driven or overproduced and I'm definitely looking forward to hearing more from Jamie and her crew.

The people: Jamie: vocals, Michael Leonhart: piano, Gary Wang: acoustic bass and Joe Strasser/Marc Dalio: drums.

Listen:
Jamie Leonhart - "Take Your Time" (mp3)

BUY THE MUSIC!

Labels: Jamie Leonhart

Teitur is returning to the US and Canada on April 22nd, for a coast to coast tour running until the beginning of June. Whoa, that is a lot of touring! And with good reason because he has a new album (his third) releasing this spring on Cheap Lullaby Records. The Singer, was released in Scandinavia on February 11th, LUCKY!

Many moons ago I got hooked on Teitur. The cd was in my car so long I learned all the songs by heart and they never got old. That was Teitur's first album, Poetry & Aeroplanes and to this day it is one of my favorites so you should click that link and buy it, you'll love it.

Though he has opened for the likes of John Mayer, he hasn't been able to grab a mainstream following. This might be a blessing in disguise because his music is unique and that is probably purely because of the independent nature. The Singer is no exception to that rule. Teitur made the album in tranquility and isolation with his usual bandmates in a Swedish hostel closed for winter. Very "The Shining" if you ask me, but whatever turns out good music is okay in my book.

"I always had the voice and now I am a singer" - Teitur

Listen:
Teitur - "Catherine The Waitress" (mp3)

For those of us in the states, "The Singer" will be available for digital download on the 8th April. The CD will be available in stores on the 13th May. The CD will also be available at US and Canada shows prior to the release.

Labels: Teitur

Yowzers Batman!

Justin Hopkins and his posse have a very bright future ahead of them. I haven't heard a track yet that I'm not head over heels for.

First of all, as we all know, I am a sucker for the piano. My heart is all but owned by the sound of those keys. But Justin is also a fantastic singer/songwriter AND guitarist. His voice is just raspy enough to show soul and oh so perfect. This is marvelous musical and vocal work with thought provoking and heart felt lyrics you'll dive right into.

Not to be left unmentioned, Jeff Bethke (guitars) and Donald Barrett (drums/percussion) add much to the overall feel of the latest album, VOL 1: HERE GOES NOTHING.

The overall sound of this band is infectiously upbeat. And quite frankly I find it refreshing when artists don't have a mixer next to their microphone. They actually sit at a piano and rock out. You know? There's no way you could ever put this in the over produced generic bin. You can find comparisons to Train, The Eagles and Marc Broussard all of which are classic in their own respects and artists I'll love forever.

Listen:
Justin Hopkins - "Why Would God Come to LA?" (mp3)

MUST BUY MUSIC!

Labels: Justin Hopkins

The Wood Brothers are expanding their musical horizons. Together they recorded Loaded and it is set to release on April 1, 2008. Their tour in support of the new album begins on April 16, 2008 in Vancouver.

Their songwriting and playing got them through some tough times for their family, Oliver says, "We lost our mom last spring to ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease. She was deteriorating over the last year or two, so we couldn't help but have that influence what we were feeling and what we were writing about. It's a unique situation because we are working together, but we're also family, so we were both hit in kind of the same way by the passing of our mom. That definitely shows up in the music quite a bit."

Two of their songs in particular "Lovin' Arms" and "Still Close" address their grief, but not without also portraying a new beginning. My personal favorite, "Pray Enough," is put together with label-mate Amos Lee joining in on backup vocals.

Even if this is a genre you don't know much about, which is probably the case because you don't find many good blues artists on the air these days, you'll find yourself respecting this music.

Listen:
The Wood Brothers - "Pray Enough" (mp3)

Preorder the album, Loaded!

Labels: Wood Brothers

Happy St. Patrick's Day from an Italian gal!

Shout Out Louds feat. The Essex Green - "Streams of Whiskey" (mp3)

R.E.M - "Green Grow the Rushes" (mp3)

Coldplay - "Green Eyes" (mp3)

Simon & Garfunkel - "Leaves that are Green" (mp3)

Animal Collective - "For Reverend Green" (mp3)

Elvis Costello - "Green Shirt" (mp3)

Gorillaz - "O Green World" (mp3)

New Order - "Everything's Gone Green" (mp3)

Miles Davis - "Blue in Green" (mp3) *this is a fave of mine*

Tom Waits - "Green Grass" (mp3)

Van Morrison - "Bein' Green" (mp3)

The National - "Green Gloves" (mp3)

Labels: st. patricks day

Cindi won the Dreaming Isabelle Giveaway! Congrats to her and thank you for everyone who entered. Don't worry if you didn't win there are many awesome giveaways coming up on Bring Me Up!

Labels: contest

Braeden and I were listening to The Barenaked Ladies this morning on the way to day care. I figured I should take Straylight Run out of the player and put on something a bit more upbeat...okay...a lot more upbeat. "Pinched Me" is a classic song, I'm going to have to dig it up and post it.

For now...I'm going to straddle the mainstream line for a minute and talk about "The Academy Is." They were originally known as "The Academy", but added the "Is..." in 2004. Apparently someone else was called "The Academy" and so legally they had to change the band's name. I think it's hilarious that they just added Is. Hehehe.

"We want to move people... to impact in them the same way we've been affected through music."

Anyway, the band has two full length albums. Santi came out in April of 2007 and there is another one coming out this year some time but I don't know anything more than that. Though I do think it must be happening this in the early summer because they have a show coming up this May in East Rutherford, Jersey. Though I don't think they'll be officially on the tour bus until June 20th with a show in Pomona, California for the Vans Warped Tour. Back to back shows are scheduled beginning then...normally this means a new release, so we'll see.

Listen:
The Academy Is - "Classifieds" (mp3)

Labels: The Academy Is

And we spent four days on an
Island at your family's old hotel
Sometimes perfection can be
It can be perfect hell, perfect...

Hours pass, and she still counts the minutes
That I am not there, I swear I didn't mean
For it to feel like this
Like every inch of me is bruised, bruised
And don't fly fast. Oh, pilot can you help me?
Can you make this last? This plane is all I got
So keep it steady, now
Cause every inch you see is bruised

Listen:
Jack's Mannequin - "Bruised" (mp3)

Labels: Jacks Mannequin

It has been awhile since seeing The National in Philly and I must say I had hoped to see them live again before now, but sometimes that is just not possible. However, I keep up with them like an addict and they have been playing one of their new songs at shows recently.

So the next best thing to hearing them live would be to hear them this way, right? And until they put out a new album we're going to have to deal with this just morsel of goodness. =o)

Listen:
The National - "Around the Bend" (mp3)

Labels: The National

When the sun came up,
We were sleeping in,
Sunk inside our blankets,
Sprawled across the bed,
And we were dreaming,

There are moments when,
When I know it and
The world revolves around us,
And we're keeping it,
Keep it all going,
This delicate balance,
Vulnerable all knowing,

Sing like you think no one's listening,
You would kill for this,
Just a little bit,
Just a little bit,
You would, kill for this

If you don't know Straylight Run then you've been missing out. I have had the great pleasure of seeing them in concert twice. In small venues where I could be decently close to the stage. They are incredible live. Totally let your hair down, close your eyes and let the sound sink into your skin.

This is one of my most favorite songs, it's one I could listen to on repeat for weeks at a time and not get old of it. It's so perfect.

Listen:
Straylight Run - "Existentialism On Prom Night" (mp3)

Labels: Straylight Run

Slacking in my "The Sound" section, mostly because it's the section which takes the most time for me. I listen, research, listen, read bios and press kits...takes time ya know. So I'm sorry for being slow, guys and dolls. I'll try and pick up my paces. In the meantime here are some Monday night freebie tunes for ya.

Listen:
Dean Martin - "Just In Time" (mp3)
Mile High School - "Punchline" (mp3)

Enjoy!

Labels: Dean Martin

This is the last week to enter the "Dreaming Isabelle" giveaway promotion. I need all interested people to comment on this contest post before noon on Friday, March 14th.

Do not comment on this one to win the giveaway. You need to comment on the original one which I linked to above.

And be excited because I have super fun promotions coming up after this one is complete. Weehoo!

Labels: contest

Is that not the coolest last name? =o)

Sarah VonderHaar reminds me a lot of Toby Lightman and I absolutely heart Toby Lightman. Sarah's music is classified as pop rock and while I can hear that I also have to say she has a motown vibe to her music, too. It's the extra little something that makes her music so VonderHaar. Hehe.

She has been a contestant on "America's Next Top Model," photographed her first Forbes magazine spread (as the shooter, not the subject) when she was 20, acted in a film and, at 21, has just completed her debut album, Are You Listening Now? She's about to release its first single, "I Got Sunshine," co-written by fellow Chicagoan Alice Peacock and VonderHaar's producer, Marshall Altman. This track is going to end up being such a teeny bopper hit, I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up in future soundtracks.

Since Sarah gets most of her writing material from real life she often has emotional lyrical content in the songs. I think it's refreshing when a singer decides to put their heart into their lyrics, it makes it more intense and passionate. I almost wish those that the production of the music was a little bit less polished because that would make it even more powerful.

Listen:
Sarah VonderHaar - "I Got Sunshine" (mp3)

If you want great music then BUY HER ALBUM it will be available everywhere on April 22, 2008!

Labels: Sarah VonderHaar

Music which fits a mood...

Fleet Foxes sing of nature and love in such an intimate and melancholy way, it is haunting. In the sadness of the track I'm including in this post you'll find a bittersweet beauty.

Their sound is soft and hypnotic. And today it fit right in.

Listen:
Fleet Foxes - "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" (mp3)

You can thank Subpop for releasing their music and be sure to BUY IT!

Labels: Fleet Foxes

Their most recent album released on January 22, 2008 titled "The Evening Descends." Following the release they began a seven week cross country tour with the opening band "Headlights."

Many of their songs will try to confuse you. Their lyrics are crazy and their track titles are gloomy. But their music is catchy and fun. Definitely head bobbing material. So if you're looking at the album cover, reading the titles and hoping for something forlorn then don't buy it.

If you like Neutral Milk Hotel or The Starlight Mints then you'll love the Evangelicals. But I'm not going to try and squeeze them into the psychedelic genre or bedroom pop or surf rock or any of the other crazy made-up indie-isms that people start spouting off to sound cool. Just listen and rock on.

Unrelated but sort of related to this post...

My cousin's son wears pajammies to daycare a lot. He goes to Braeden's daycare, actually three of the children in daycare with Brae are related to him. Awesome huh? Anyway, he has one pair of pajammies that make him look like a skeleton. And in his tiny voice he'll tell me about these skeleton pajammies. So Tristan, this one is for you.

Listen:

Evangelicals - "Skeleton Man" (mp3)

Labels: evangelicals