Category Archives: Check ’em Out!

Stream NONONO’s DEBUT Album!!!

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Swedish alt-pop trio NONONO have made their debut album We Are Only What We Feel available to stream now on Hype Machine today, one week before its July 1st release.

The album follows on last year’s Pumpin Blood EP, which spawned the Top 40 hit of the same name. “Pumpin Blood” was featured in a commercial campaign for Garnier Fructis, Universal Pictures’ film Endless Love, Glee, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Dancing With The Stars, American Idol, Revenge, Cougar Town and Vampire Diaries, among others.

The band describe We Are Only What We Feel as “dark and beat-oriented.” Songs such as “Down Under” and “Like The Wind” capture various styles, genres, and moods. “There’s something that ties the sound of the songs together but they’re all a little bit of different,” Wappling says. “We never wanted to decide upon a genre or what the NONONO sound was. We just always go with what we felt like and what inspired us that day. You go from being happy to being sad to being shallow to being deep, so whatever mood we’ve been in that’s what song will emerge.” Adds Michel: “We would really like to make an emotional impact on people. All the songs come from the heart.”

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Stream: NONONO – We Are Only What We Feel (on Hype Machine)

NONONO on Tour

(all shows w/ Foster The People except Lollapalooza)

8/3   Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL

8/4   Myth – Maplewood, MN

8/5   Harrah’s Hotel & Casino,Stir Cove – Council Bluffs, IA

8/6   Red Rocks Amphitheater – Morrison, CO

8/9   Edgefield – Troutdale, OR

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Check ‘Em Out: The Hawks (of Holy Rosary)

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San Antonio pop-punk outfit, The Hawks (of Holy Rosary), recently announced the release of the sophomore album, What Team Am I On?, out July 22 via Texas Is Funny Records. The band has shared “catchy, messy” track, “Robert DeNiro” which you can listen to below. The band originally started as a two-piece, made up of childhood friends Frank Weysos and Chuck Hernandez, and takes its name from the local academy they attended together. Now with six members, the band creates high-energy, exuberant garage-pop tunes delivered with a cheeky punk attitude!

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Listen: The Hawks (of Holy Rosary) – “Robert DeNiro”

Track Listing for What Team Am I On? 

1. Robert Deniro
2. It’s Just Work
3. F#ck My Way To The Top
4. Freak Of The Week
5. Dizzy
6. Zack & Jack
7. EZ PZ
8. Who Is Myself
9. Snakes & Hawks
10. Panda Buffet
11. First Punch
12. It’s Just Work (lounge version) (Hidden track)

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New Album: The Cold And Lovely

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Listen: The Cold And Lovely – Ellis Bell Deluxe Edition EP

With celestial backing vocals and hard-hitting lyrics, The Cold And Lovely previously revealed the highly percussive EP track “Radio” (posted here). Today they share a full stream of the Ellis Bell Deluxe EP.

 

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Listen: Jimmy & The Mirrors – “Hailstorm”

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Jimmy & The Mirrors, Adelaide’s always-grinning, colour loving 6 piece release new single “Hailstorm”. The song delves into relatively new territory for the band, further exploring the soul and blues influences in their recent writing.

Mostly stemming from their intent to “have fun over being cool,” Jimmy & The Mirrors have built a reputation as a unique presence on the Adelaide scene. Comparing their vibe to “your dad in the 70s”, the band don the quirkiest, loudest shirts they can find, whack on smears of colorful facepaint and throw flower parties around their gigs.

With word of the band spreading thanks to their infamous flower parties and support slots for everyone from Flume and Art Vs Science through to Jonathan Boulet and Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes, the band have also spent a fair bit of time on the road. Jimmy & The Mirrors have brought their charisma to punters all over, playing in coastal towns, pubs in the desert and the streets of Berlin as well as wineries, snowfields and inner city cocktail lounges.

Despite what the name may suggest, Jimmy & The Mirrors is a collaborative effort with songwriting shared among all six members. Bound together by a deep appreciation for music, they currently share members with Jesse Davidson, Timberwolf, Kaurna Cronin, Brokers and the Banjo Jackson Trio while also moonlighting as a cover band under a different name.
A classic tale of sudden love lost, “Hailstorm” is “pretty much the biggest departure from the sound that people are beginning to know us for” tells Jimmy Meegan. The single is out now through Mirador Records as the band edge closer to unveiling a new EP later in the year.
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Listen: Jimmy & The Mirrors – Hailstorm

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Newest Love: Favored Nations

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“It’s a joy; it’s a breeze. Blast it”  – Stereogum

“With a sound that’s ideal for hazy afternoons spent spinning in the sun or warm nights with the wind in your hair, Favored Nations deserves a prominent spot in your summer playlist.”  – BlackBook

“Musically it’s as smooth as the flesh on a lady’s inner thigh—100% Steely Dan vibes on a kicky nu-disco tip. We love.“  Noisey

The product of a night out in the city of angels, trans-Atlantic trio Favored Nations has accomplished quite a bit since they cut their first demos in early 2012. They release of their first EP, Blame Game, was met with critical acclaim. Then, Rockstar Games used their song “The Setup” for the finale in their hugely popular video game Grand Theft Auto V.

Their accomplishments thus far aren’t too surprising since the trio is made up of some very familiar and beloved men on the dance music scene. James Curd is one of the most sought after remixers in the genre and he founded the group with singer Morgan Phalen, whose voice will sound familiar to anyone who listened to Justice’s psychy second LP Audio Video Disco. Curd then added Surahn Sidhu, touring bass and guitar player for Empire of the Sun, to the mix.

For the past few months the three have been working through touring commitments, solo projects, and the space of an ocean to construct a new EP. On July 1st Favored Nations will be releasing their second EP Amazon via Jupiter Clique. Yesterday, Stereogum premiered the lead single “Amazon,” which they deemed “a joy” and “a breeze.” This lead single will soon be receiving a music video before the EP is released.

Listen: Favored Nations – “Amazon”

“Amazon” is an energetic track, built on frantic rhythms and soaked in catchy guitar riffs. The song blazes its way through the fun-filled three minutes fifty leaving you with no other choice than to play it again. If “Amazon” is L.A, then “That’s Not Who We Are” is definitely the Bahamas – sun soaked rhythm guitar accompanied by sample heavy drums and an infectious summer vibe. The EP is then finished out with “The Setup,” a track familiar to those who were able to play their way through Los Santos. All in all, the whole EP is cause for a cold drink and a good time.

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Video: Alice Boman – “What”

Alice Boman’s EPII is out now!

“Alice Boman makes beautiful, lo-fi recordings that are both intimate and lonesome, with a captivating voice like ether.”

– NPR’s All Songs Considered

“Your new Swedish obsession” – New York Times: T Magazine

 

” She sings, practically forcing you out of your slumber and into her perfectly imperfect world.” – Portals

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Newest Love: Slaptop

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Listen: Slaptop – “Sunrise”

Slaptop was born in the abandoned buildings and forgotten beaches of the Northern California Coast. His music evokes feelings of wandering through sun-soaked adventures and chasing a wild youthful spirit. His debut single, “Sunrise,” is about a group of friends embarking on an all-night adventure that culminates in watching the sunrise together. They call it a “Sunsquad.” The single was fittingly written and produced over the course of one night in Slaptop’s college dorm room.

“Filled to the brim with a cluster of melodic elements such as subtle drum and xylophone patterns, sexy saxophone solo’s, and lyrics that bring chill vibes to the production…will have you hitting the replay button repetitively” – This Song Is Sick

Slaptop DJ Set:

6/27: San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge (w/ STRFKR) (tix stage 10pm / all ages)
7/26: Los Angeles, CA @ The Standard Downtown (stage 1-2pm)

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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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Listen: Noosa – “Wildfire”

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Listen: Noosa – “Wildfire”

Check out “Wildfire”, my favorite track from Wonderland, the debut LP from Noosa. Wonderland is a collaboration with producer Mickey Valen, recorded in Noosa’s hometown of Long Island. The inspiration of Wonderland comes from Noosa’s long desired departure from New York and fascination with life’s possibilities on the west coast. Noosa finds a place to portray a sense of lightness, honesty, and wonder in her music coined by her as “fairy-pop”. It is an arrangement of nature interspersed with pop music that gives Noosa her free-flowing and memorable sound. “

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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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