Category Archives: Awesome

Check ‘Em Out: BL_NK SP_C_S

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“Equal parts chilly krautrock majesty and proto-synthpop menace  – NME MAGAZINE

New York based one man project, BL_NK  SP_C_S has released his debut album on the fledgling You Records label.

Memory Man, recorded with producer Martin Dubka (Aeroplane / Kitsune), features ten tracks including the recent critically acclaimed and BBC 6Music,  XFM and Amazing Radio endorsed download single “The Great Shark Hunt”. A special video single of the “Memory Man” track, which was inspired by David Bowie’s “The Man Who Fell To Earth” and Maya Deren’s classic  “Meshes Of The Afternoon” short, can be viewed here:

BL_NK  SP_C_S began making his own take on electronic pop music last year and records everything on tape in his bedroom based analogue studio. His synth laden melodies, krautrock guitars and pop sensibilities draw influence from Eno, Neu, Morricone and The The, but there is something truly new and exciting about his sound. Soaring and uplifting there are too may highlights to mention, but album opener “A Parting Gift”, “Sneaking Back In”,  “No Sleep”, “Start”, “Heavy The Lay The Crown” and the eponymous album title track are as diverse and catchy as any great songs you will hear this year and beyond.

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Buy it now on iTunes

Album Tracklisting:

01. A Parting Gift

02. Too Far Gone

03. Sneaking Back In

04. No Sleep

05. Start!

06. The Great Shark Hunt

07. As Good As It Gets

08. Heavy Lay The Crown

09. Memory Man

10. Talk The Talk

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Newest Love: The Districts

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Listen: The Districts – “Funeral Beds”

Philly band The Districts are a young four-piece band who recently released their self-titled EP on Fat Possum. Since then, the band has toured North America, playing shows with White Denim, Dr. Dog, and more.  The band kicked off their summer tour dates and will continue winning people over throughout the summer, with their own headlining dates alongside big name festivals like this weekend’s Boston Calling, as well as Ottawa’s Bluesfest, Lollapalooza and Outside Lands.  Quite an impressive schedule, but the band is more than up to the task with their incredibly energetic live shows.

The self-titled EP features three newly remastered tracks off their 2012 self-released album Telephone, as well as two brand new tracks.

“Lancaster County, Pennsylvania’s the Districts serve up an impressive EP that straddles the line between imaginative indie rock and brisk blues-inflected folk.” – Rolling Stone

“on stage, with a confidence that doesn’t come easy to veteran acts, the band put across its impressive mix of raw rock-and-roll and quieter folkish elements.” – Philadelphia Inquirer

 The Districts on tour:

  • 5/19 — Charlottesville, VA — Jefferson Theater*
  • 5/20 — Washington, DC — The Black Cat*
  • 5/21 — Washington, DC — The Black Cat*
  • 5/25 — Boston, MA — Boston Calling Festival
  • 5/31 — Brooklyn, NY — Knitting Factory
  • 6/5 — Tulsa, OK — Cain’s Ballroom**
  • 6/7 — Columbia, MO — The Blue Note**
  • 6/8 — Indianapolis, IN — The Vogue**
  • 6/10 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE**
  • 6/11 — Carrboro, NC — Cat’s Cradle**
  • 7/9 — Ottawa, ON — Bluesfest
  • 7/10 — Ottawa, ON — Bluesfest
  • 7/18 — Louisville, KY — Forecastle Festival
  • 7/27 — Camden, NJ — XPN Festival @ Susquehanna Bank Center w/ Beck, Band of Horses
  • 8/2 — Chicago, IL — Lollapalooza
  • 8/2 — Chicago, IL – Metro
  • 8/8 — San Francisco, CA — Outside Lands Festival

* w/ Deer Tick, Langhorne Slim & The Law

**w/ Dr. Dog

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Listen: Monogem – “Follow You”

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Listen: Monogem – “Follow You”

“Jen Hirsh’s indie pop outfit is a groovy blend of funky beats, dreamy melodies, and a stirring, soulful center.”  – NYLON

“Our indie fever spiked when we first heard the second track off of Monogem’s debut EP, The Glow” – Elle.com

“With a fully blossomed hook and whimsical atmosphere, “Wait and See” is a charming new addition to Monogem’s small catalogue” – Billboard

“…Will renew your love for arm-warmers, high-waisted athletic pants, leotards and fierce-ass moves.” – Paper Mag

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Video: Black Lips – “Funny”

Fresh off a US tour with a plethora of sold out shows from coast to coast, Black Lips are once again preparing to hit the road in support of Underneath The Rainbow this fall with The King Khan & BBQ Show. This pairing has a storied history, from KK & BBQ’s chaotic introduction as support on Black Lips’ first European tour to the amalgamated supergroup of both acts as psych-gospel sextet The Almighty Defenders in 2009, and the resulting shows are certain to be legendary.

Underneath the Rainbow further demonstrates Black Lips’ 15 year evolution from underground hellions to international ambassadors of rock-n-roll (via tours that have graced the likes of Iraq, Lebanon, Thailand, India, Mexico, and dozens more). While production credits from Patrick Carney of The Black Keys and Tommy Brenneck (Cee Lo, Dap Kings) help to spotlight the band’s songcrafting, at their heart Black Lips are a vibrant and invigorating live act who thrive on getting a room moving.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES

  • 7/17/14 – Nashville, TN – Exit / In
  • 7/18/14 – Louisville, KY – Forecastle Festival
  • 7/19/14 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
  • 9/06/14 – Lafayette, GA – Cherokee Farms
  • 9/10/14 – New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s*
  • 9/11/14 – Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s*
  • 9/12/14 – Austin, TX – Ghost Town*
  • 9/13/14 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater*
  • 9/15/14 – St. Louis, MO – Ready Room*
  • 9/16/14 – Iowa City, IA – Blue Moose Tap House*
  • 9/17/14 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue*
  • 9/18/14 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon*
  • 9/19/14 – Chicago, IL – Logan Square Auditorium*
  • 9/21/14 – Columbus, OH – The A&R Music Bar*
  • 9/23/14 – Cincinnati, OH – The Southgate House Revival*
  • 9/24/14 – Detroit, MI – Magic Stick*
  • 9/25/14 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre*
  • 9/26/14 – Montreal, QC – Club Soda*
  • 9/27/14 – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall*
  • 9/28/14 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club*
  • 9/30/14 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza*
  • 10/01/14 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg*
  • 10/02/14 – Washington, DC – Black Cat*
  • 10/03/14 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle*
  • 10/04/14 – Atlanta, GA – The Goat Farm*
  • 11/08/14 – Austin, TX – FunFunFun Fest

 

* w/ The King Khan & BBQ Show

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Video: The Van Doos – “Speak Up”

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Check out the video for “Speak Up”, which was filmed right in the band’s own living room! This is their first official single from their debut album and it’s now available to buy on Amazon! Released last week, “Speak Up” has already been featured on NME, ShortList Magazine and loads of other blogs!

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Check ‘Em Out: Josh Record – “Wide Awake”

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Listen: Josh Record – “Wide Awake”

Standing on the shoulders of his musical heroes, Bon Iver and Swedish multi-instrumentalist Tingsek, Josh Record releases his stunning debut album Pillars on Virgin/EMI July 14th.
 
Having been tipped by Q Magazine, The Sunday Times Culture, iTunes, Radio 1, XFM, The Sun and VEVO at the turn of the year, Pillars does not disappoint with Josh’s joyous uplifting, melodic songs weaving their way into your very being.
 
Written by Josh (two songs were co-written with long-time collaborator Tom Prothero) and co-produced with David Kosten (Bat For Lashes), the album was recorded largely in Oxford and London, and features the Radio 1 and Radio 2 playlisted hit “For Your Love”.
 
Other highlights include “The War” the track that launched Josh when picked up by Zane Lowe off YouTube, the radio hit “Bones”, the lung busting epic “Finally”, and the new single “Wide Awake”.
 
Already a veteran on the road with shows supporting Bastille, Lorde, London Grammar and Sam Smith, Josh Record has sold out all his headline shows to date and is set to play summer festivals throughout the UK and Europe including Glastonbury, T in The Park, Rock and Park, Rock AM Ring, Wilderness and V Festival.

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Drum Challenge Between Will Ferrell and Chad Smith Tonight!

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Much has been made of the uncanny resemblance between Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and comedian Will Ferrell. The dopplegangers have been taunting each other on social media for months – Ferrell provoked the iconic drummer during his Reddit AMA, which resulted in a hilarious Instagram face-off between the two (watch HERE). Finally, the look-alikes have agreed to battle it out in a drum-off challenge held live TONIGHT on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon!

Musician’s Friend was privy to this resemblance way back in 2009, when Smith posed as Ferrell’s popular character Buddy the Elf on the cover of the guitar retailer’s Holiday catalog. Check out the hilarious behind-the-scenes video of the cover shoot HERE!

Smith and Ferrell are definitely keeping their eyes on the prize; the winner of the battle will receive a giant golden cowbell. Check it out tonight to see who wins!

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Video: Midnight Faces – “Hold Tight”

“Crisp, synth-lined pop drama.” – SPIN

“This record is solid from start to finish.” – Nylon Guys

“Full of air and catchiness.” – The Onion A.V. Club

Matt Doty, one half-of LA based duo Midnight Faces with Philip Stancil says of the “Hold Tight” video ,“it was pretty impulsive overall.” The clip is a joyous tour of Los Angeles that sees the Midnight Faces guys dancing in the Saddleback Butte State Park desert, the fields of Mugu State Park, the Angeles National Forest mountains, downtown, and at the Santa Monica beach.

“We set aside a few days to shoot it and headed out to the desert,” Doty says.  “After a few shots, we decided we were having more fun dancing than walking around.”  It’s fun for the viewer, too.  The clip perfectly captures the humanity behind the insular circumstances of the album’s creation.

Midnight Faces new album, The Fire Is Gone, is out now.

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Tracklist for The Fire Is Gone

  1. Wake Me
  2. Over Again (Stream)
  3. Shadows
  4. Hold Tight (Stream)
  5. This Time (Stream)
  6. Give It Up
  7. Animal
  8. The Fire Is Gone

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Video: Milky Chance – “Stolen Dance”

In 2013, the Kassel duo of Clemens and Philipp independently dropped their debut Sadnecessary. Its first single “Stolen Dance” amassed over 500,000 views on YouTube in less than a month’s time (31million to date!) and HypeMachine named them “most blogged about act” that month. Soon, they’d become a sensation beyond Germany, rising the top of charts in numerous European countries. Musically, they strike a fresh and fun balance between danceable electronic grooves and artful alternative folk with the right amount of reggae. The song is already soaring up the iTunes alternative chart, get ready to dance with Milky Chance this year!

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Ella Eyre – “If I Go”

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Sophisticated, powerful and smart with a voice that’s raw strident and seducing 2014 is primed to be Ella Eyre’s year. Not only has this 20 year old Londoner already bagged a BRIT Award for her killer soulful vocal on Rudimental’s drum and bass stomper “Waiting All Night” but she was also named runner up of the Brits Critics Choice Award, No.2 in the BBC Sound of 2014 as well as being tipped across the board by everyone from Vevo, MTV, Billboard and 1Xtra.
 
Now she’s about to release her debut single, “If I Go”, a big sexy rousing stormer of a track, asking a lover, “If I go, will you love me when I come back?”. Produced by Jarred Rogers (Lana Del ReyTinie TempahMark Ronson), it’s got stomp and it’s got swing, her all – conquering massive vocal with its gravely rich tone taking centre stage. The single follows the release of Deeper, a collaboration with producer Two Inch Punch made available for fans to download last December. The track went straight to #1 on Hype Machine and has since notched up over 4 million views on Youtube.

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Listen: Ella Eyre – “If I Go”

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