Zak Mering makes it possible for music crushes to exist. So Post is a 13 track album that he slipped my way yesterday morning and, at this point, I can't even tell you how many times I've listened to it. This is just another reason to grab Raw Thrills' 14 track Shakedown LP a little early. Like I had mentioned before, the first 50 copies of this LP will also recieve a cassette with these 13 unreleased tracks. So get down, Shakedown and grab it early over at Sixteen Tambourines (and it looks like Olde English Spelling Bee will be carrying some of his records in the future, too).
So, I honestly love all of them but I figured I'd leave a few for you to discover on the tape. Are you as excited as I am to see that he covered Nilsson? (!!!)
Waves gently tickle my feet as I walk along the smooth wet sand. There are no footprints for miles. I am alone. The setting sun causes my eyes to squint while I try to make out the colors of the buoys in the distance. The low sea abandons much to be discovered along the shoreline. Iridescent light reflects off of broken shell surfaces, while inside, my heart aches.
Ireland's Low Sea released a full-length and an EP this year. You can grab both on iTunes or their latest on Lefse. Here's my favorite track from each, as well as their so-very-addicting, so-very-sweet cover of Sweet Jane.
In honor of the Winter Solstice, here's Golau Glau's celebratory track off of the Myrrh & Myth EP. Now out on The Pin Factory label and currently available for free download on Bandcamp.
Here's a new video from Fabien aka The Tearist. This features scenes from Meshes of the Afternoon by Maya Deren, and The Dante Quartet by Stan Brakhage.
OK, it's TIME! Time for what you ask? Well, my friend, it is now time to feature one of the bestest bands around; one that I fell in love with a very long time ago; one that is no secret to Boston (but still, somehow, remains to be a secret to Boston) and one that I cannot wait to share with you (AGAIN!).
You remember ...the new unreleased record! from back in August? Well, that album now has a name, and it's called Wholesome and it's as delicious and nutritious as that bowl of bran flakes you have in front of you this morning...but unlike what you've got there, what these guys have here will have you singing and "dancing around the kitchen and whistling like a foolish old man!"
Here are some of my favorites from this newly mastered album (that they will be releasing next month) but you can stream the entire thing in the last post or over at Bandcamp.
Also, can I be honest with you? When their sophomore album Et Tu, Fluffy? came out, I looped some of these tracks (especially "What Ever Happened to That Beautiful City?) for HOURS. Obsessed would be an understatement. So, I figured I'd share some of my favorites off of that album, as well, just in case you want to obsessively do the same.
In the spirit of the Holidays, here is a jingle jangle for you from their latest double-sided Holiday 7". This, along with their other holiday number The Biggest Snowflake, can be purchased for two dollahs on their James Brown Died on Christmas Day Bandcamp page. This video is from their Holiday pre-pre-release party earlier this month in Cambridge, and if Joe O'Brian's performance doesn't make you smile then I don't know what to tell you; you might just be a grinch...OK, HIT ME NOW!
Also...(yes, there's MORE!) these guys (and gal) are as sweet as their music is so if you ever get a chance to see them live, please do. They are such lovely people, they're fun to talk to and they're loud and rowdy onstage just like a Boston band should be!
Probably not the most appropriate song to throw on here for a Friday afternoon, as you should be revving up for your weekend but here's a short thrill to get you hyped-up for Raw Thrills' 14 track Shakedown LP that will be out by February on Sixteen Tambourines Records. This is the solo work of our beloved Zak Mering (of The Sweethearts, Greatest Hits and Outer Limits Recordings, etc.) Pretty much anything this guy does, I am way into and it will end up in my library.
Pre-order this up at sixteentambourines.bigcartel.com (along with so many other awesome records). Limited 300 colored vinyl with first 50 copies to include an extra cassette with 13 unreleased songs.
WHOA, I didn't get out much today but even if I had I'm pretty sure this would still top most things I could have seen today.
Did you get to see a shark?? Or...?? Or...??
These three dudes recorded this in their New York practice space on Dicta Tape. You can download this jam for free on Bandcamp, along with their sssecond track Second Sunday, if you ssso desire.
The sun has left, the clouds have returned and the rain has washed the snow away. Somehow, the hands of time have reversed overnight — leaving behind mid-summer warmth and late-autumn-like surroundings. With the change of weather, came a 'typhoon', that splashed and crashed against my windows for hours. A sudden disruption to my night occurred — one that kept me awake and thinking; much like the unexpected surprise of a vicious storm that nails you a like a typhoon, everything you know around you can change just as suddenly — a good night's sleep, the change in weather or a shift in life events. Luckily, as fast as the storm may appear, it can fade just as quickly — and with its trail, follows a time of stillness and a moment to reflect; or, in some cases, just a mellow Monday. In honor of this almost catastrophic weather event (joking), I thought I'd share a tune from the very appropriately named band, Typhoon.
This is a 16 (sometimes 19) member band from Portland, Oregon — a place that is very familiar with the moody weather patterns of this earth. These guys have a bunch of great tunes coming out (some of which you can check out on their site and through the form of video on the web) but here's one from their May release Hunger and Thirst, that I absolutely love.
This is a video from Matthew Ross for the same track. This was shot with a Bell and Howell Super 8 and Canon 7D. It takes a few twists along the way. Enjoy.
Here's Drew Diver's official video for his and Maria Usbeck's charming indie pop track Farewell, which was featured back in November. If you missed it, want to hear more or would like to read about their upcoming 7", you can check it out here.
Your day just got a little meaner and stranger but don't worry, these super chill, fuzzy, lo-fi tunes won't hurt you or bite you...but there's a good chance California's Will Marquis will (if he's as mean as he claims to be).
These tracks appear on his Probably Not EP, and up until recently, you were able to bank it for a buck on Bandcamp but now it's only available for your listening and sharing pleasure (what a bitter/sweet deal that is). Who knows? Maybe he'll change his mind and his name to The Nicest Boys and make it available for download again...but, then again...Probably Not...
This is one of the Strangest Things you'll ever hear.
This is I Won't Bite (you should sink your teeth in this one until second 47 before you decide to call it quits).
You should Probably Not listen to this EP on Bandcamp and you should Probably Not go to his MySpace page either. Be mean! Fight fire with fire! No, don't do that. Be nice. Hugs and kisses for everyone.
Here is their video for it, which features clips from the 1970 classic En kärlekshistoria. You may also recognize this footage from Paddy Power's video for Around the Moon by Summer Camp (which I featured back in September).
Over a year ago, we were all taken on our first Neon Indian mind trip (and what a trip it was!); now, after much play and much rest, Neon Indian has suddenly surprised us with our first mind drip — one that allows us to explore the trippy results of the LZX Visionary.
"Lars Larson and partner Edward Leckie of Sydney, Australia have been developing an analogue video synthesizer called the LZX Visionary in the tradition of esoteric video art tools used in the 1970's. The LZX Visionary manipulates and creates images in the same way a normal synthesizer does for sounds. Mind Drips is the first music video to utilize this unique synthesizer, and all of its visual effects are recorded in real-time using techniques such as abstract pattern synthesis, video feedback, and analog compositing."
Lace up those lollerskates, here's some indie pop from brooklyn that will get ya spinning those wheels around the rink...or your living room...or your office! Do it. You won't do it.
It's Monday, just tell them you're still drunk...
I'm actually a velcro kind of gal myself, and always will be. How 'bout you? Do you prefer the security of a long, luxurious lace or the convenience and comfort of a strap?
PS: If you La La La Live in LA or CA (or the US), then I've got some news that you'll La La La Like: these Parisians are currently on their US tour, so if you can catch them, you'll be one of the La La La Lucky ones (but you better hurry!).
Oh, yes...yes, yes, yes. Here's an awesome video for Wise Blood's STRT SRNS by Pat Vamos. He used some filthy footage from the Adventures of Filthy Harry trailer, which you can check out here but you might want 1:39 of your life back.
Saw these guys play in Cambridge Wed. night and they totally blew me away. After losing power at my place from a wild storm, I headed over to Middlesex Lounge to watch one of the most mind-blowing performances I have seen in a while. I really just want to say F#%K yeah! This is some crazy good indie rock that isn't just noisy but has substance, soul and sweat.
What they contribute together as a live band is a sound and an energy that is completely different from what you'll hear from them on these few tracks (yes, I know that's usually the case with live music, but theirs is ridiculously good); the talent that pours (floods!) out of these guys makes me weak and woozy...and short of breath (evidently).
Here are a few tracks from their self-titled '08 LP. If you haven't yet, get after these.
Also, these Dedham dudes just released their second LP What Ever Happened to Monday Nights? It's pretty mellow compared to their first release and what they are currently working on now but if you're in the mood for mellowing out here are a few Songs for Toons.
Hi friend, I just thought I'd tell you that the stars in the sky have never shimmered as bright as the ones I see in your eyes tonight. Are you blushing yet?
Here are some/all of my favorite Shimmering Stars tracks from the last few months. I thought I'd cluster them all together—kind of like the M 31 cluster (aka the Andromeda Galaxy) that will be visible during this month of December; but in actuality, you don't really need that, there's more than enough here to get you to stargaze for daze.
