Category Archives: Newest Love

Check ‘Em Out: Typhoon

typhoon

Portland, Oregon’s Typhoon - one of the most talked about new bands – is proud to announce the August 20th release of their new album White Lighter on MapleMusic Recordings and Roll Call Records.

White Lighter is the follow up to the bands acclaimed EP A New Kind Of House that caught the attention of countless music critics and listeners for what NPR’s Bob Boilen calls “absolutely stunning” and “so beautiful, it make’s me want to follow every single thing Typhoon does.”

Recorded at Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, Oregon, Typhoon isolated themselves from outside distractions to arrange and record this collection of songs with an impressive emphasis on storytelling and melody.

“On the farm, we were living inside the record” says songwriter Morton. “I had one place in the woods where I would write and rewrite one song, and a different place for working another. The whole thing was laid out spatially over so many acres. I built a small fort in the wood barn where I kept my books and guitar.  Slept a couple feet away from the recording desk.  When it was cold, we built wood fires, when it was warm we went swimming down the road.  Friends came and went, sometimes recording with us.”

Produced by the band along with their in-house engineer Paul Laxer, Typhoon created a dynamic recording – full of horns, strings and group vocal crescendos – that will establish the band as an immensely creative force.

An inspiring hybrid of literate lyrics and wide ranging pop music – new songs such as first single “Young Fathers,” “Possible Deaths,” “Prosthetic Love” and “Hunger And Thirst” – take listeners on a journey through the experience of having it all, fighting to keep the dream and accepting your fate.

“There are several layers to this new record” says Morton. ”It’s definitely the most autobiographical record I’ve ever done. I’m also trying to reconstitute disparate experiences into something like a meaningful sequence in the pale light of truth.”

Along with Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Alternative Press and more, Paste Magazine raves “Music critics throw around adjectives like ‘orchestral’ and ‘expansive’ all the time these days. But here’s a band that actually deserves such labels. Portland’s Typhoon is an indie rock geek’s dream: a dynamic 12-piece with a seemingly unending reservoir of energy, emotive vocals, arpeggiated guitars, horns, multiple drum kits and strings … Ladies and gentlemen, meet your new critical darlings.”

Typhoon spent most of 2011 on the road – sharing the stage with The Decemberists, The Shins and Explosions In The Sky and performing at festivals such as Lollapalooza, Osheaga and the Newport Folk Festival – winning over concertgoers with what KEXP calls an “awe inspiring” live show.

Already confirmed for this year’s Austin City Limits Music Festival, Typhoon will set out on a US headlining tour this fall. Stay tuned for more news!

Songwriter Kyle Morton caught up with The Wall Street Journal to talk about the new record, to have a read – click HERE.

Listen/download: Typhoon – “Dreams of Cannibalism”

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Listen: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – “If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t On The Dancefloor)”

Dancefloor

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. are back! The Detroit duo of Josh Epstein and Daniel Zott are currently putting the finishing touches on their sophomore album, which will be out later this year. In the interim, DEJJ will offer a taste of what’s to come. Patterns, a brand new EP, will be released by Warner Bros. Records in the US on April 16th digitally and April 20th physically as a vinyl only Record Store Day piece. The physical version of the EP will include two exclusive remixes. The band just premiered their new song, “If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t On The Dancefloor)” on their website. “Dancefloor” will be available on iTunes April 2nd.

Listen: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – “If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t On The Dancefloor)”

The band will be celebrating the release of Patterns with a select number of headlining shows, including a special hometown Record Store Day show in Detroit at The Majestic Theater for the second year in a row. They’ll also be performing in NYC, Austin, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. All confirmed dates are below.

PatternsEP

Patterns EP Tracklisting

1. If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t on the Dancefloor)

2. Dark Water

3. Hiding

4. Habits

Tour Dates:

4/20 – DETROIT – MAJESTIC THEATER (Record Store Day Show)

4/26 – BROOKLYN – MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG

5/11 – AUSTIN – THE PARISH

5/16 – LOS ANGELES – EL REY

5/17 – SAN FRANCISCO – THE INDEPENDENT

5/24 – CHICAGO – LINCOLN HALL

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Dillon Francis – “Messages”

Dillon Francis, master of cats and crowned prince of Moombahton, is taking a momentary breather from hair styling to release his new track, “Messages” feat. Simon Lord. BBC’s Zane Lowe called the track “a whole step up for one of dance music’s most talented producers and greatest characters.”

Listen: Dillon Francis – “Messages”

Messages

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Video: HAERTS – “Wings”

HAERTS is a band from New York hailing from Germany, England, and the United States. The group consists of Nini Fabi, Ben Gebert, Garrett Ienner, Derek McWilliams, and Jonathan Schmidt. The band’s first single “Wings” was produced in collaboration with Jean-Philip Grobler (aka St. Lucia). HAERTS’ debut album is due to be released this year.

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The Royal Concept Covers Daft Punk

digitalloveroyalconcept

Check out The Royal Concept taking on Daft Punk. With a brand new cover, the Swedish lads add their patented rock ‘n’ roll swing to the legendary French electro duo’s classic from Discovery, “Digital Love.”

Given the quartet’s penchant for danceable grooves and massive hooks, it’s an undeniable interpretation worth spinning again and again. It’s also the perfect tune to hold over fans until the release of the band’s forthcoming full-length debut for LAVA Records/Republic Records later this year.

In addition, after unveiling “World on Fire” online last month, the single is available on iTunes and other digital retailers. The group continues to stir up buzz stateside after cultivating a fervent and faithful following in Sweden. Their song “D-D-Dance” hit No.2 on Hype Machine, while “Gimme Twice” reached No.3.

Download: The Royal Concept – “Digital Love” (Daft Punk Cover)

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Download: Lana Del Rey – “Summertime Sadness” (Adam Freeland Vox Mix)

ssldr

Download: Lana Del Rey – “Summertime Sadness” (Adam Freeland Vox Mix)

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Stream: Caught a Ghost – Nightworks

caught-a-ghost-nightworks

Now, Nightworks, the debut EP from Caught A Ghost, is released today via +1 Records. As the songwriter, producer and lead singer of the band, Jesse Nolan is a devotee of music from bygone eras. With Caught a Ghost, he’s created a sound that eagerly expounds upon his affection for vintage soul, delta blues, and 90s rap alike.

The band has been producing and releasing content on music blogs and their social networks over the past few months. “Time Go” was premiered by Paste Magazine. “Hold Out” was featured here on Musically Amusing as well as on Rolling Stone, and the video premiered on NYLON. This week, the EP is being streamed on AOL Spinner.

As the band now releases their debut EP, they’ve already garnered over 500,000 YOUTUBE views.

The momentum has started to perk up people’s ears around the industry. “Time Go” was featured on the NBC’s SUITS, and “Connected” was featured on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy.

Jessie Nolan describes the name of his band Caught A Ghost as referring to the sensation of being filled with the spirit of the past. “It’s an old expression” he says, “musicians used to say you caught a ghost if you gave a good performance. Like you were possessed.” It is this sort reverence for the music of bygone eras combined with Nolan’s musical dexterity that makes Caught A Ghost so unique, and on the cusp of something great.

Nightworks is the precursor to their debut album, due out Summer 2013 on +1 Records.

Stream: Caught a Ghost – Nightworks

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Newest Love: The Rubens

therubens

Warner Bros. Records is pleased to announce that it has signed Australian rock sensations The Rubens to its roster. The band – which is brothers Sam Margin (vocals/guitar), Elliott Margin (keyboards), and Zaac Margin (guitar), plus their longtime friend Scott Baldwin (drums) – hail from the tiny rural town of Menangle in New South Wales (population 327) and have been on a whirlwind journey since forming in 2011. They have gone from being total unknowns to enjoying strong support from Australia’s influential radio station Triple J and playing the main stage at one of Australia’s biggest music festivals, Splendour in the Grass, alongside Jack White and Bloc Party. The Rubens also opened for The Black Keys in New Zealand and have been selected to support Bruce Springsteen during his tour of Australia this March.

The Rubens’ self-titled debut album, which was recorded in New York City with producer David Kahne (Paul McCartney, The Strokes, Regina Spektor), has already won over a legion of fans with its rich, soulful take on blues rock. The album debuted at No. 3 on the ARIA chart and sold more than 10K its first week, shooting to No. 1 on iTunes Australia. The album’s first single, “My Gun,” as well as the album itself, has been certified gold in Australia and has spent multiple weeks at No. 1 on Triple J.

The Rubens will make their U.S. debut performing at SXSW and touring here in March. Prior to that, the band will tour the UK and Europe with Walk The Moon beginning February 20th. The band are pleased to announce their first-ever headlining shows outside of Australia as follows:

  • Feb 19        Sebright Arms London, England
  • Mar 11       Mercury Lounge New York, NY
  • Mar 20      TBC San Francisco, CA
  • Mar 21       The Hotel Cafe Los Angeles, CA

Warner Bros. Records will release The Rubens’ album on June 11th.

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Newest Love: Caught a Ghost

Caught a Ghost is a new project from LA-based songwriter and producer Jesse Nolan, features a classic Motown and Stax sensibility mixed with modern samples, synths and beats. In its live incarnation, Caught A Ghost features an 8-piece band including a 3-piece horn section and visual projections tailor-made for each song.

Jesse describes the name of his band as referring to the sensation of being filled with the spirit of the past. “It’s an old expression” he says, “musicians used to say you caught a ghost if you gave a good performance. Like you were possessed.” It is this sort reverence for the music of bygone eras combined with his musical dexterity that makes Caught A Ghost so intriguing.

On and off the stage, Caught A Ghost is quickly gaining new fans. “Connected” recently premiered on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and My Old Kentucky Blog. “Time Go” was featured on the NBC show SUITS and by Paste Magazine. And “Hold Out” was praised by Rolling Stone and it’s music video by NYLON.

Nightworks, the debut EP from Caught A Ghost, will be released via +1 Records on February 12th, 2013.

Listen: Caught a Ghost – “Time Go”

Listen: Caught a Ghost – “Connected”

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Newest Love: Conquistador – “With a Love Like That”

“Conquistador slays the stage…mad lights…Love Boat disco beats, Zappa-flaired psychedelia and Bowie glam rock… Let Conquistador conquer your heart.” –Los Angeles Weekly

“Edwardian Ziggy Stardust goes to Transylvania,”–Los Angeles Times

“An amalgam of Bowie, Queen, synth-pop, disco, psych… -and the introspection of a sensitive oddball who’s been told many times he doesn’t fit in, but is actually more normal than most people.”-BLURT magazine

The site of Conquistador has an immediate impact. A staple of red carpets, festivals, and Los Angeles nightlife – Conquistador has been sparking interest worldwide and leaving “Who is THAT?!” on everyone’s lips. Conquistador is an LA based musician and artist. A champion of true freedom, his work champions individualism and is defiantly eccentric. His presence alone has a transformative effect on any space. His signature look consists of cat suits, a Ushanka Russian hat, and most notably his award winning moustache which made him the first American, first Jew, as well as the youngest competitor in history to win the title of “World Imperial Moustache Champion” at the World Beard and Mustache Championships, held in Brighton, England in 2007.

Conquistador’s playful and daring image is just one facet of his work; his music exhibits the same freedom, abandon, and rebelliousness. Conquistador grabbed national attention this fall when he unwittingly became one of the highlights of MTV’s 2012 VMAs and caused a sensation on the red carpet. The infectious spirit in his music and performance art has lead to Madness and the Afghan Whigs inviting him onstage at festival performances. The image and music have always been inseparable for Conquistador. He grew up with Sparks as neighbors and was inspired to wear lycra catsuits by Todd Rundgren and Alice Cooper. The glitter movement inspired him to be exactly who he wants to be at all times and Conquistador is paying the inspiration forward. He has already won a pair of Latin GRAMMY nominations for his co-writing with Kinky.

Conquistador may have the most recognizable moustache in Los Angeles. It’s landed him in the LA Times and tabloids on countless occasions. He has been able to use his moustache for humanitarian work and is a supporter of Movember, an international charity event where men are encouraged to grow a moustache for the month of November to raise awareness and money for prostate cancer research. He has recently traveled to Australia and New Zealand to promote the event.

Stream: Conquistador – “With a Love Like That”

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