Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween



Get spooky, y'all!

Dead Man's Bones - My Body's A Zombie For You
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Beverly Kills
David Lynch - Ghost Of Love
Talking Heads - Psycho Killer
M83 - Graveyard Girl

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sunday Morning Soundtrack - CMJ Edition



This past week - bands of all shapes, sizes and buzz descended upon NY to bring their brand of musical heat. Below are a few artists making their case at the annual CMJ Marathon...

Tashaki Miyaki - Somethin' Is Better Than Nothin'
Guards - Silver Lining
Foxygen - Shuggie
Mac DeMarco - Baby's Wearin' Blue Jeans
You Won't - Three Car Garage

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Local Natives - Breakers



After a number of years touring the infectious tracks from their debut album, Gorilla Manor, LA's own Local Natives are back with new tunes. They debuted a number of them last night during a CMJ showcase at the Bowery Ballroom...Stereogum has a couple bootleg clips, here.

Breakers is the first single released from Hummingbird (out 1/29 on Frenchkiss). It features steely, angled guitar lines; hand claps and what would be a Local Natives jam without harmonies?

I've gotta say, it's quite gratifying to follow the success of these guys. From a monthlong 'send-off into the world' Spaceland residencey more than four years ago to selling out midsized venues across the world and playing festivals...this band deserves all the success they are garnering. They are hardworking, talented and well, you gotta love seeing local bands takeoff.

They have a CD release show at the El Rey, January 29th. Tickets can be purchased 10/26, here.

Enjoy.




Thursday, October 11, 2012

Grizzly Bear - Live at the Greek Theatre



With the loveliest of backdrops and a welcome autumn chill - Grizzly Bear brought their fitting sound to a Los Angeles crowd eager to soak it all in.

On what was their first ever show at the Greek and their last show of their North American tour - the 'vibes' as Ed Droste said, were epic ... adding, "I can smell y'all are having a great time!"

The new tracks from Shields swirled in the air and fit so snuggly into the bands repertoire, you'd think they'd been touring this setlist for years.

For a band that accomplishes intricate musical nuance so well and effortlessly, you'd never know they had difficulty coming to a consensus on the material that would ultimately comprise Shields. Lined up in a row of four (rotating fifth member tucked away in the back) - Chris, Ed, Daniel and Chris Bear moved about instruments placed throughout the stage, swapped vocal duties and orchestrated a beautiful light display behind them (think of giant bobbing jellyfish). An aural and visual overload.

Highlights from the new material included: Yet Again, Sun In Your Eyes and the rollicking, A Simple Answer. But it was the finale that left just about everyone speechless... Playing an acoustic version of All We Ask from Veckatimest; the band lulled down the lights behind them (see above) and put their finger on what everyone must have been feeling in that very moment ... "I can't get out of what I'm into with you."

They continue to prove: if you're invested, they'll deliver great returns.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Sunday Morning Soundtrack - Lord Huron Edition



LA's Lord Huron (Ben Schneider) has been buzzing around for a couple years now. He's released two excellent EPs: Mighty and Into the Sun; showcases an impressively tight live show and now the Michigan native is ready for his big debut.

Lonesome Dreams is set to drop October 9th via IAMSOUND records and the album is chock full of country-tinged folk and western Americana tunes that suit both a dusty highway and your front-porch.

During the writing process - he created a fictional character, George Ranger Johnson, whom he channeled for inspiration. This 'fella' (Schneider) writes classic western tales that ultimately provide the context for the album. Impressive huh?

He rounded out the project with childhood friends and recorded these tracks for the first time with a band. The attention to detail on this album is extraordinary. From album art to listener experience - he does his best to take you on an adventure set in the expansive, beautiful West.

Listen to the singles below, take a look at his artwork and short stories and stream the full album right now via KCRW's Album Preview.

Also, see 'em at the Echo November 2nd.

Saddle up!