The Teenagers : Win Guest List Spot for Boston Show
The Teenagers are gracing us with their presence on Thursday, May 8th at the Paradise Rock Club and you could win 2 guest list spots if you are the first to send me an email with the subject: “The Teenagers in Boston”. Submit your request at kippy@hip2besquare.net. Or, you can submit a comment to this posting with the same tag line in the message. I will announce and contact the winner on Wednesday.
The Teenagers are from Paris and have developed their sound around such indie icons as My Bloody Valentine but keep it lively with added pop influences from bands like their own country men, Phoenix. Their MBV sound comparison also explains why they’ve taken a strong liking to both Sofia Coppola and Scarlett Johanssen. They’ve even written a song about Scarlett - Check out the video and download the song below.
Download: “Starlett Johansson”
Their philosophy is very similar to the concept behind M83’s recent album, Saturdays = Youth (check out music and video from M83’s new material). Just like with M83’s new album, The boys from The Teenagers love the youthfulness of the teen years, which weren’t long ago for these twenty somethings. Adolescents and all that goes with it - puppy love, awkwardness, day dreaming, etc - make up a good portion of their songs on their recent full album release, Reality Check. This teen love theme is front and center in the single, “Love, No”. Watch the video for “Love, No”.
- Also playing are Team Robespierre and local Boston favorites, Hearthrob.
- Visit Teenagers on Myspace
- Visit their Official Website
- Purchase their music: (Amazon MP3) - Best Value; (Amie Street)
Calling all aspiring music industry students:
If you’re interested in becoming a Street Team member for the Beggar’s Group, let me know as they’re looking for you. If you don’t know who the Beggar’s Group are, then head over to their website at www.beggarsgroupusa.com. They own the labels Beggars Banquet (The National, Film School, etc.), 4AD (Pixies, TV on the Radio, Beirut, etc.), Matador (Yo La Tengo, Malkmus, etc.), XL Recordings (Radiohead, The Raconteurs, Ratatat), Mantra (St. Etienne). So, yeah, take your pick on the bands you want to help out when they come to Boston plus get into all the shows for free!
Just send an email to me using the address above or leave a note in the comments and I’ll make sure you’re put in touch with the right folks over there.
Mannuals Mashup Contest - Show in Boston
I picked up Annuals‘ Be He Me a little while back and haven’t really paid much attention to them since. That happens often in today’s crazy fast past world where bands come in and out of the lime light. But there is no question the Annuals are a band that need to stay towards the front of my brain.
They play sporadic and jaunty melodies with instruments galore. It’s not often that multi-instrumental bands find it in to my regular rotation. It’s a hard gig to pull off as you have so many instruments to manage and the slightest miscalculation can ruin the experience. More well known members of this genre are Arcade Fire and to a lesser known degree, Beirut (although a recent MTV News appearance could help change the low profile). But to an even lesser lesser degree are the Annuals. The Annuals popped up on the radar around last years CMJ festival and really impressed the critics and grew a small but growing following.
They originate from Raleigh, N.C. and are currently on tour. They arrive in Boston this Thursday at the Great Scott with another young band in tow. Opening up is the Atlanta based group Manchester Orchestra, who have recently opened up for Kings of Leon and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
The two groups seem to have started a strong relationship as they have started a contest called Mannuals Mashup Contest. The rules are you have to take one Annuals track and one Manchester Orchestra track and mash them together. The bands will then pick their favorite track and the winner gets a brand new Epiphone guitar signed by both bands, a copy of the Annuals’ Be He Me and MO’s I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child, the bands’ split 7″ (only being offered at their show) and a limited edition lithograph of the 7″ artwork. Five runners up will get the CD’s, the 7″ and the lithograph.
Enter the contest HERE
Annuals also have a new EP coming out full of B-sides called Frelen Mas. There will be a cover of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, which I’m interested to hear them play. It comes out November 6th through iTunes but you can have a sneak peak with the download of “Nah Keseyi” below.
Areas of Interest -
Download “Nah Keseyi”
Stream “Nah Keseyi”
Purchase Be He Me (Annuals Music Store)
Purchase I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child (Manchester Orchestra Store)
