Intelligentsia Coffee

For those of you who aren't familiar with one of the most well-crafted coffee houses in the States (maybe even the world for that matter), check out this video. These dudes take their coffee/beans seriously. Two locations in the LA area... Silver Lake and Venice.

Thanks to LAist for posting this fine vid...

Espresso, Intelligentsia from Department of the 4th Dimension on Vimeo.

KCRW Pledge Drive

KCRW's Winter pledge drive begins today... I suggest you become a member. Listen to Morning Becomes Eclectic to find out how you can help.

Odds and Ends

Just a little Thursday morning update...

- Memory Tapes remixed the fabulous 1901 by Phoenix - Download below
- You can now pre-order the outstanding Gorilla Manor by Silver Lake's finest up and comers Local Natives - Video for single Airplanes below
- The National are playing the Wiltern 5/22. Tix on sale 1/29
- Received a tweet from The Henry Fonda Music Box that Broken Social Scene will be gracing us with their presence 5/3. The info has since been taken down, so awaiting further details.

Phoenix - 1901 (Memory Tapes Remix)



Airplanes

Local Natives | MySpace Music Videos

For the Record: Beach House - Teen Dream

Quite simply, Baltimore duo Beach House reach new heights with Teen Dream. Consisting of vocalist Victoria Legrand and multi-instrumentalist Alex Scally, together they weave a beautiful album comprised of lilting guitar lines, humming organ/key melodies and Victoria's haunting croon.

The band's first album on Sub Pop records truly showcases the growth and consistency this act has managed over the course of three albums and six or so years. All the while, delivering and surpassing any buzz or expectations that were laid before them to date. The band's critically acclaimed second album, Devotion, vaulted them to the indie pop spotlight. And with a relentless support tour schedule in 2009 with heavyweights like Grizzly Bear and The Walkmen, the band has been afforded (deservedly so) the all anticipated lime-light of 2010.

The album itself isn't a terrible departure from what you would expect of them, it's just that it could be considered near perfect for the niche they have created within themselves. Easily accessible for those that are not familiar and beyond pleasing to those that already enjoy.

The lyrical theme of the album seems to be that of heart break or emptiness, although these themes can easily get lost in the dreamy, atmospheric melodies these two create. In one of many stand-outs, "Used To Be" questions those that have changed and grown apart from love. Painstakingly familiar to all those that listen and so pleasurable to the audible senses, it can still manage to bring a smile to your face.

The album is accompanied by a DVD with videos made for each track. Various directors take on the task of creating a visual scenery to match the sunny haze that are laid before them, and for the most part, they succeed.

Beach House has an extensive tour itinerary this spring, taking them around the world and back again. A brief headlining stint through the States (with lo-fi minimalist Washed Out to open) and a Saturday date at Coachella provides ample opportunity to catch them display their beautiful soundscape on stage.

This dream only gets better with time and it's quite possible that this album will lilt it's way into album of the year status.

They have provided a free download of first single Norway and be sure to view one of the many beautiful clips that accompany the album.

Beach House - Norway

Beach House "Silver Soul" from Sub Pop Records on Vimeo.

For the Record: Surfer Blood - Astro Coast

Surfer Blood is a young band that hails from West Palm Beach, Florida. At first glance you would think that they are riding the "wave" of 2009s hazy lo-fi surf-core, but they bring something a bit more to the table.

Take one part Built to Spill one part Pavement and add a bit of Modest Mouse's quirkiness and more or less you have a recipe for these guys.

I highly suggest a listen and with an extensive tour itinerary (including a stint in Austin for SXSW), I suggest you hop on board (get it?).

Peep these cuts:

Surfer Blood - Floating Vibe

Surfer Blood - Take it Easy

The bands debut album Astro Coast is out now on Kanine records.

Man oh Man!

It's been a bit of time; for which I apologize.

I still need to write up a proper insightful post; but in the interim, a few things I am looking forward to.

1/19

- Today the Coachella line-up was announced. The word outstanding comes to mind, but doesn't tip the iceberg.
- Spoon dropped a solid album today. Stream one of my favorite cuts here.
- I enjoyed this article on the All Songs Considered blog. Read it if you have some time.
- Also, in the category of "do we already have an album of the year" ... stream Teen Dream by Beach House (courtesy of NPR).


Yes, that is a river that has stumbled its way upon one of our area freeways. Here's to hoping it didn't find it's way into my living room. Ughh, leaky ceilings blow.

And So It Starts...

What’s in a song? Certainly its more than fluid notes, instrumentation and vocal accompaniment combining to form melody and harmony… right? As I was lying in bed the morning after a night of NYE revelry, I asked myself; ‘What will be the first song I listen to in Twenty-Ten?’ Obviously, there is more (at least in my mind) importance placed upon the art of song, than well, its actual contents.

A song or album for that matter, can form a memory, represent a specific moment and quite possibly can set the tone to the start of a new year and in this case, a decade.

Although, the moment to which I will look back will just be a blip of my life here on earth... I will be able to tell you with absolute certainty how 2010 all started. Kings Road soy latte, banana, driving on Beverly blvd with the windows down (as it was a near 70 degrees out), company by the same person I rang the New Year in with a kiss and this, my first musical listen of the year and decade.

I hope you all had a successful start to the new year and I look forward to hearing from you.

best,

T-Hale