In Chemicals by Postdata
Who: Postdata again.
What: I couldn’t help but tip another great song from the self titled, self released debut of Postdata. Paul Murphy of Wintersleep and his brother recording deeply personal songs in their family home. Currently on the road in Europe with David Bazan.
Song: In Chemicals.
Love More by Sharon Van Etten
Who: Sharon Van Etten from Brooklyn, NY.
What: The most beautiful song I’ve heard this year. A new track from Sharon Van Etten called ‘Love More’, the first artist of 2010 for the Shaking Through project (brought to us by Weathervane Music). Recorded at Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia in December, this song shines with drones, reverb and Sharon’s soft harmonies. Check out the videos of the making of.
‘Shaking Through’ is a curated series of audio and video recordings featuring our favorite independent artists, their music, and artfully produced video of the recording sessions that went into making that music. Each selected artist has the opportunity to record a new song in a high-end studio with noted engineers and producers. The sessions take place over two days including the recording, mixing and video. The process is shot with cinematic flair in HD video, giving the audience an exciting and intimate window on the artist’s process, and giving the artist a powerful showcase for their artistic vision. ‘Shaking Through” is a collaborative effort of Weathervane Music and WXPN radio in Philadelphia.
Song: Love More.
Lowlight by Fez
Who: Fez from London, England.
What: A four-piece who I’ve just been introduced to, starting to get some reactions online. I couldn’t really find a bio online, or more about the band instead of listing the four players. Perhaps we should just start with a killer tune (in the one below)?
Song: Lowlight.
Fishsticks by The Heligoats
Who: The Heligoats from Bellingham, Wash.
What: Today is one of those days where there’s just too much good music out there. From the new album Goodness Gracious (out today, Greyday Records), this Chris Otepka (formerly of Troubled Hubble) in his tenth year with The Heligoats. Always using the moniker as a separate songwriting outlet, even while touring and recording with other full-time well-acclaimed bands, he’s steadily created a record ever year since the beginning. Impressive and a great song below.
Song: Fishsticks. Reminds me of Mumford and Sons, meets Wintersleep, meets Bishop Allen.
One Was A Lie by The Soft Province
Who: The Soft Province from Montreal and Regina.
What: From two music minds and longtime friends (and Besnard Lakes co-founders), Jace Lasek and Michael Gardiner are The Soft Province and this in an introduction to their new body of work, 45 atmospheric minutes in their self-titled debut. ‘Drawing on Mike and Jace’s love of the pop song and long repetitive drones, the album spans the distance between the concise pop song structure of Francoise Hardy and the psychedelic organ drones of Broadcast’.
The press release could have just said original Besnards…. and I probably would have posted it…
Song: One Was A Lie.
O.N.E. by Yeasayer
Who: Yeasayer with single #2 of Odd Blood.
What: I’ve gotta admit that their first single (Ambling Alp) didn’t make me run to iTunes to put on the record, but now that I’ve become acquainted with the party song ‘O.N.E’., my interest is rekindled. P4k has some video of them recording the record.
Song: O.N.E.
Subtractions by Dosh
Who: (Martin) Dosh from Minneapolis.
What: Returning with his fifth album Tommy (out in April, Anticon), Dosh is back creating his ‘unique brand of maximalist, rhythmdriven post-rock sweeps lilting beauty, serious beats and even airy moments’. Collaborating with longtime musical co-worker Andrew Bird (among many others), Tommy manages to stay organic and never becomes too cluttered. Try out the ‘dark assembly of grunts, buzzing, and kalimba transitions into marimba plunks and note-hopping electric guitar’ in album opener Subtractions below. Tourdates below that.
Song: Subtractions (from xlr8r).
01.28.10 Duluth, MN Pizza Luce *
01.31.10 Missoula, MT The Palace *
02.02.10 Calgary, AB Republik *
02.03.10 Edmonton, AB Brixx Bar *
02.05.10 Vancouver, BC The Biltmore Cabaret *
02.06.10 Seattle, WA Nectar Lounge *
02.07.10 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theater *
02.08.10 Eugene, OR WOW Hall *
02.10.10 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill *
02.11.10 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex *
02.12.10 Scottsdale, AZ Chasers *
02.13.10 Flagstaff, AZ Green Room *
02.15.10 Albuquerque, NM Launchpad *
02.16.10 Denver, CO The Marquis Theatre *
02.18.10 Lawrence, KS Jackpot Saloon *
02.19.10 St. Louis, MO Firebird *
02.20.10 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon *
03.17 – 03.20 Austin, TX SXSW
04.09.10 Minneapolis, MN 7th St. Entry
04.10.10 Minneapolis, MN MacPhail Center For Music
04.11.10 Minneapolis, MN Bedlam Theatre
* = w/ Eyedea & Abilities
King Of Spain by The Tallest Man On Earth
Who: The Tallest Man On Earth from Sweden.
What: The Tallest Man On Earth (aka Kristian Matsson) is looking to follow up 2008’s Pitchfork praised Shallow Grave with his new record The Wild Hunt. Doing what he does best, simple yet commanding vocals with an acoustic guitar or banjo to accompany, this guy continues to write a true success story of an energetic, passionate songwriter whose music spreads with great word of mouth. The Wild Hunt will be released on April 13th (April 12th in the UK) via Dead Oceans.
Song: King Of Spain.
A North American tour is slated for spring (updates are forthcoming). Other scheduled European dates:
2/20/10 Blois, FR The Velvet
2/21/10 St. Malo, FR La Route Du Rock
2/26/10 Stockholm, SE Debaser Slussen
3/04/10 Hamburg, DE Astra Stube
3/05/10 Berlin, DE NBI Club
3/07/10 Den Bosch, NL fabrlQ Den Bosch
3/08/10 Amsterdam, NL Bitterzoet
3/09/10 Brussels, BE Botanique
3/10/10 Paris, FR Le Scopitone
3/11/10 Puerto de Santa Maria, ES Teatro Municipal Pedro Munoz Seca
3/12/10 Granada, ES Centro Cultural
3/13/10 Barcelona, ES Sidecar
3/14/10 Mallorca, ES Teatre Lloseta
3/15/10 London, UK Bush Hall
3/17/10 Copenhagen, DK Klub Shh at Din Nye Ven
She Was A Vision by Active Child
Who: Active Child from Los Angeles.
What: Daydreaming to the sounds of the hypnotic electro-pop project of Los Angeles-based musician Pat Grossi, aka Active Child. Pairing chilly falsetto and synth washes, the debut single is “She Was A Vision” b/w “Voice Of An Old Friend,” which was just released on 7″ vinyl through the record label of UK blog Transparent. For fans of Ed Droste (Grizzly Bear) or Owen Pallett style delivery.
Song: She Was A Vision. Potential pair for a mashup with Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares To You’. Anyone else hear that (from intro).
He Was Worse Than The Needle He Gave You by Delta Mirror
Who: Delta Mirror from Los Angeles.
What: New signee to Lefse Records (Neon Indian, Phaseone), here’s LA’s gothtronic Delta Mirror with a shoegazy psych trip off the upcoming release of ‘Machines That Listen’ in March. Merging brooding vocals (reminding me of Interpol’s Paul Banks) with boom bap production, the debut sounds haunting, full of ear-tickling electronics, psych layers, and foreboding storytelling. Keeps your eyes peeled for spring touring, with a stop at SXSW.
Song: He Was Worse Than The Needle He Gave You.