Washed Out is a blow out – “Belong”
I have a new obsession and it’s called Washed Out. The man behind the music is Ernest Greene and he hails from Macon, Georgia. I spent some time traveling to Savannah, GA during my college years and I can tell you that the slow grooves felt throughout his music is a perfect back drop to the Georgia lifestyle.
As noted in his Pitchfork interview, he grew up in a very rural part of Georgia where peaches flow like wine. This rustic environment may have led to one of the strong points on his songs which is the muffled production that creates a lo-fi, muddled sound. Like a tape that’s been sitting in the back seat of your car for too long, melting in the sun.
Speaking of tapes, he’s releasing a cassette-only release on a small label from Charleston called Mirror Universe. As of his interview with p-fork, they were only set on releasing 100 copies. By the sounds of the voices calling out from the online universe, that is not nearly enough.
But do not fret, most of his music is available digitally and also on vinyl. I highly recommend you check out his EP, Life of Leisure, which is available in places like eMusic.
A track not found on the latter EP, “Belong”, is what first beckoned me to learn more about this southern musician. It encompasses all that is great with 80’s synth-pop and then some. There’s so much reverb and echo on his vocals that there’s no helping your mind from being pulled into submission. From there, the beats and bass pound away till your legs, feet and arms subconsciously flow in unison.
Download & Listen: “Belong”
Buy Washed Out music: (eMusic) (Amazon)
Washed Out is on the Mexican Summer label which is an off shoot from Kemado Records.
Introducing Galaxy Smith Records
They’re currently home to five bands but two that I’ll highlight here are The Scandinavian Half Breeds and the part Boston part NYC, Turkuaz.
The first is a modern day hot jazz group that might as well be playing on some hot and humid row boat floating down the Ole’ Miss while the boys play a round of five card. Great mandolin and guitar plucking is provided by Mat Davidson and Jordan Hyde. Ben “the” Fox provides the walking talking bass lines on the upright and Pete “the blur” Pezzimenti is stationed on the trap set.
Mat also provides vocals and upon first listen you might be thrown for a loop to wonder just who is singing? Is this really a young, bearded hipster looking kid from Brooklyn? Is the soft spoken indie vocal really a sultry hot-jazz era knock off? Wild how music spans across different styles in unexpected regions.
What is most impressive are the Django inspired lines he plays on the mandolin as well as the lines played by his counterpart, Jordan Hyde.
Listen to their music on their myspace page and peep this live footage.
As for Turkuaz, these guys have a Scissor Sisters meets Tower of Power thing going on. Their sound screams, “come see me live and dance your shades off”. From the Budos Band to these cats, the cross pollination of funk from one culture to another is taking hold. I may not be a funk master, but this sounds good to me.
I’d introduce the members but it would exceed the length I was shooting for in this post so instead, just head to Galaxy Smith to learn more about both bands and to listen to some more of their artists (Editors note: They have a new site coming. For the time being they have this annoying FLASH version up).
New music alert: Discovery Ft. members of Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot
A new collaboration between one heavy weight indie band member, Rostam Batmanglij (Vampire Weekend) and one semi-heavy weight, Wes Miles (Ra Ra Riot) are causing some waves. As my one friend put it, “this discovery album is effen serious”.
The album is called “LP” (clever boys), and is due out on July 7th off of XL. Not only is the album the work of these two indie kids, but some guest vocals are provided by Ezra Koenig, the lead singer of Vampire Weekend and Angel Deradooria from the recently transcended Brooklyn based group, Dirty Projectors.
This is some really fantastic electronic pop melodies. If you were lacking in tunes to jam late night this summer time, don’t fret. Below you can give the songs a test drive on YouTube.
“Orange Shirt”
“Osaka Loop Line”
“I Want You Back” (Jackson 5)
“Swing Tree”
“So Insane”
“I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend (ft. Angel Deradoorian)”
Saber Bytes Ft. Zanderdanz from Brooklyn
Danny Saber is a veteran of the music industry and currently resides in L.A. where he’s had his hands in several types of music from pop artists such as Madonna, rock legends Bowie or the Rolling Stones and even metal such as Ozzy and Marilyn Manson. Danny’s also a well respected DJ in the L.A. scene.
So I’m excited that a good friend who recently got back into making music was tapped on the shoulder to be included on Danny’s latest compilation, Saber Bytes, which is out now and can be found on Amazon.com.
Their song, “Fountain Girl”, was selected to be the third song on the album. They go by Zanderdanz and have been tearing it up at the Mercury Lounge for the past few months on a regular basis and don’t even have an official album! They’re working on some new music now and the drummer from the Mars Volta has been providing some drum fills for the recordings.
Their sound is reminiscent of shoegazer, indie legends Jesus and Mary Chain as well as the Cure but with an electronic flare so in no way is their music meant to be stared at – it’s meant to make you move. “Fountain Girl” is a great showcase song and I’m pumped cause I know kids are going to pick up on it’s catchy melody and groovy vibe. Give it a whirl over on their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zanderdanz
New Song: “Le Flying Saucer Hat” by Chairlift
It would be interesting to run a report on the origins of bands currently inhabiting both the island of Manhattan and the various neighborhoods of Brooklyn. If you were to tell me that Chairlift were recent transplants from Boulder I wouldn’t have believed you. This sound doesn’t come from any where else but NYC, Brooklyn, Paris and London. Right? Wrong.
Truth be told, Chairlift are recent transplants from their native home town of Boulder and are riding a wave of hype fueled by the appearance of “Bruises” on an iPod Nano ad and the recent signing to Columbia Records, who have a tendency to jump on newly hyped bands that have electronic dance traits (MGMT, Passion Pit).
Columbia is re-releasing their album, Does You Inspire You, on April 21st. It will feature two new tracks, one of which was produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear, “Dixie Gypsy”. The other, “Le Flying Saucer Hat”, is an original tune written by lead female vocalist, Caroline Polachek.
“Le Flying Saucer Hat” opens with Caroline counting off in French and leads into a Chinese chopsticks style synth line accompanied by a Joe Strummer like guitar. The song is sung entirely in French and was inspired by her Italian neighbor who once told her that her beret looks like a “flayin sausah hat”.
I’m a sucker for 80’s synth sounds and an even bigger sucker for female French sung vocals (see Nouvelle Vague). So it’s no surprise that this track struck a chord with me.
Listen
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Bonus Listen – “Flosstradamus Feat. Caroline Polachek of Chairlift
Hush Records says you better recognize Peter Broderick before it’s too late
Peter Broderick from Portland and beyond is getting a big push from his label to be better recognized by both their local community (Portland, OR) and the community at large in our country cause if we don’t act fast, Europe may take credit for his success. Read the outcry from Chad Couch of Hush Records at www.hushrecords.com.
We have a chance to see Peter in action before the predicted explosion of Peter arrives, whether here or Europe, it’s for you to decide.
Download:
“Home – sample mix” – Download & Listen
Tour Dates:
03.05.09 – Seattle, WA @ Nectars
03.06.09 – Vancouver, BC @ Richards on Richards
03.07.09 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
03.08.09 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
03.09.09 – Visalia, CA @ Brewery
03.10.09 – Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
03.11.09 – Tucson, AZ @ Plush
03.13.09 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
03.14.09 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
03.16.09 – Norman, OK @ Opolis
03.17.09 – Denton, TX @ Hailey’s
03.26.09 – Washington, DC @ DC 9
03.27.09 – Philadelphia, PA @ Sanctuary
03.28.09 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
03.30.09 – Boston, MA @ TT the bears
03.31.09 – Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rosa
04.01.09 – Toronto, ON @ El Mocambo
04.02.09 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Garfield Artwork
04.03.09 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
04.04.09 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas
Matthew Tow brings us The Lovetones
I must confess, I’ve never listened to Brian Jonestown Massacre. However, I’m very intrigued to learn more about The Lovetones, the side project of Matthew Tow, a former member of BJM.
They’ve already released three albums (2002, 2005 and 2006) and will add their fourth here in the states on February 24th called “Dimensions”, which already saw a release in the UK in November 2008.
For those who aren’t familiar with Matthew Tow or Brian Jonestown Massacre for that matter, he’s considered one of Australia’s most underrated songwriters. Not saying that I know everything about music, but I do spend a lot of time listening and learning about new music, so the fact that I’m just getting into him now is a good sign of his underrated status.
Brian Jonestown Massacre is a group that has creeped around since the early 90’s in the indie rock realm. Matthew played guitar for a short while and has contributed to their recordings ever since. The Lovetones have also supported the BJM on their tours.
After my first listen of “Journeyman”, the first single off of “Dimensions”, I think it may be the year Matthew’s song writing skills break out.
Download:
“Journeyman”: Listen & Download
The Antlers on tour and mp3’s – “Bear” and “Two”
The Antlers are a new outfit from Brooklyn and the brainchild of Peter Silberman. Back in 2007 Peter created a solo album in his bedroom called “In the Attic of the Universe”, which he passed around as a free download. It gained traction, helped by the bloggers, and eventually led to Peter building a band around The Antlers sound.
Their second album, Hospice, is due out March 3rd and will remain a self-release. However, they are now taking pre-order’s and will ship at the end of February: Pre-Order the Album
Listen and purchase “In the Attic of the Universe”
Downloads:
They released their first single, “Two”, back in September. The recently release their second single, “Bear”. Both are worth your time to hear.
“Two” - Download & Listen
“Bear” – Download & Listen
Tour Dates:
They’re heading out on tour this spring (they forgot Boston).
3/5 – ‘HOSPICE’ RELEASE SHOW at UNION HALL – Brooklyn, NY
3/9 – M ROOM – Philadelphia, PA
3/10 – METRO GALLERY – Baltimore, MD
3/11 – BLACK CAT (BACKSTAGE) – Washington DC
3/12 – NIGHT LIGHT – Chapel Hill, NC
3/13 – TIN ROOF – Charleston , SC
3/14 – tba
3/15 – ALABAMA MUSIC BOX – Mobile, AL
3/16 – SATURN BAR – New Orleans, LA
3/17 – BOONDOCKS – Houston, TX
3/18 – 3/22 - SXSW – Austin, TX
3/24 – tba
3/25 – NORTHSIDE TAVERN – Cincinatti , OH
3/26 – CAFE BOURBON ST – Columbus, OH
3/27 – BRILLOBOX – Pittsburgh , PA
A.A. Bondy at Great Scott Tomorrow (11/18)
For those Ryan Adams fans, keep on reading.
Listen to “Witness Blues” by A.A. Bondy
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A.A. Bondy has surrounded himself with good company. For starters, he’s on the label Fat Possum. Home of the blues rock duo, Black Keys, the virtuoso Andrew Bird (who just announced his new album, “Noble Beast”, will be available on January 27th through Fat Possum) and a hip2besquare favorite, Gil Mantera’s Party Dream.
He also toured with the likes of Bon Iver and a recent favorite of the square, Delta Spirit out of San Diego.
On his debut release, “American Hearts”, The Felice Brothers make an appearance and if you know me you know how much I dig these cats off of the Team Love label. To put it simply, A.A. Bondy is someone worth checking out. I’ve been giving him a few listens. He’s got a Ryan Adams vibe and a dash of Dylan when he brings the harmonica out to play. Althought unlike Ryan who writes a thousand songs a minute and lets records fly like they’re going out of style, A.A. has a nice collection of songs on American Hearts and all are worthy of the deep American singer/songwriter tradition.
Tomorrow A.A. Bondy makes an appearance at Great Scott in Allston, MA: http://www.greatscottboston.com/
Purchase American Hearts
Listen to his Daytrotter Sessions: http://www.daytrotter.com/article/1287/aa-bondy
Some top videos for you to peruse: TVOTR, Annuals, Team Love…
The following are some really cool videos from some really cool artists that if you don’t already know of, you should.
TV on the Radio – “Dancing Choose”
This is the second video for TVOTR’s new album, Dear Science[comma]. The first to appear was for their lead single, “Golden Age”. While the latter is a great song, I wasn’t too keen on the video. The video for “Dancing Choose” on the other hand is much more entertaining. It has this 1980’s MTV video vibe going on. I think of Peter Gabriel when I see this. The song reminds me of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” with it’s rushed vocal stream (don’t believe I’m the first to mention this).
Buy Dear Science
Annuals – “Confessor”
Annuals sophomore album, Such Fun, is set for an October 7th release on Canvasback. I haven’t heard the album yet but this video for “Confessor” has sure peaked my interest. The song itself is quite uplifting with rollicking rifts. For the making of the film, Daniel Auber, long time special effects designer for Terry Gilliam, decided to give his directorial skills a shot. Gilliam is one of my favorite directors. He did Time Bandits, Brazil, Adventures of Baron Munchausen and several others. If you’ve watched any of these films, you’ll know that they’re stooped in fantasy. So it seems fitting that Daniel decided to translate Zach’s script. The video is made of a series of still, animated drawings set in midevil times. The characters are actual Annuals band members. As the scenes emerge, we’re shown flashes of story lines across the screen to tie the story together.
http://www.myspace.com/annuals
New album, Such Fun, out on October 7th on Red Int / Red Link. Preorder from Insound.
Download: “Sore”
Team Love – “Felice Brothers”, “Tilly and the Wall” and “McCarthy Trenching”
I’ve been digging on some Team Love bands as of late such as Felice Brothers and Tilly and the Wall. Felice are the perfect bar room rock band with big burly dude playing accordion and Dylanesque tinged vocals to boot. Tilly are the rhythmic happy pop crew that use tap shoes instead of snare drums for their beats. And the latest intrigue to hit my musical tastes, McCarthy Trenching. The video for “The Most Attractive Disguise” off of Calamity Drenching, McCarthy’s latest release, is deceptively interesting. You would think that a lonely man cruising around on a row boat alone singing to himself would make you reach for the remote. The smart lyrics such as, “some folks are better off single cause they’re always falling in love” and “lonliness aint half as bad then being with someone who’s making you sad cause no matter how dark it gets at night at least your the one who turns out the lights“, keep you wanting to hear the next line and the piano lulls you further into the story as you join our hopeless romantic along his boat ride.
Download: “Mormon Girl Blues”
Download: “Roasting Song”
Download: “Cassette Tape Massacre”
The Felice Brothers video is a live version of “Frankie’s Gun”. Come on, don’t tell me you won’t be at their next show in your hometown after watching. This, my friends, is what you call a good old fashion American hoedown.
Download: “Wonderful Life”
Download: “Frankies Gun!”
Tilly and the Wall bring us “Alligator Skin”, a video that sums up their style, persona and sound perfectly. You can’t help but love these guys (in my opinion at least).
Download: “Cacophony”
Learn more and buy their music over at www.team-love.com
McCarthy Trenching – The Most Attractive Disguise from Team Love on Vimeo.
The Felice Brothers – “Frankie’s Gun!” from Team Love on Vimeo.
TILLY & THE WALL – ALLIGATOR SKIN from Team Love on Vimeo.
About Editor
Name: Luke "Kip" Owen
Location: Boston, MA
Contact: kippy[AT]hip2besquare[DOT]net
Twitter: twitter.com/kipdog
Youtube: youtube.com/kipdog
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