Category Archives: Check ’em Out!

February 11, 2013 · 3:38 pm

Download: Lucius – “Turn It Around” (Live version)

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“luscious, leonine, ’60s-indebted indie-pop” – SPIN

Since releasing their self-titled debut EP last year, NYC’s Lucius has toured with the likes of JD McPherson, Milo Greene, Pearl and the Beard and more, stopping to perform a breathtaking NPR “Tiny Desk Session” along the way. Fans will have more chances to experience the band’s intertwining vocals and lush, danceable instrumentation as they continue their US tour. Starting in Boston on Valentine’s Day, they will bring their explosive live show to SXSW eventually making a valiant return to NYC at Knitting Factory.

In celebration of it being featured on Grey’s Anatomy (first 2 minutes) last week, the band has released a special LIVE version of Lucius’ single “Turn It Around” as a free download.

Download: Lucius – “Turn It Around” (Live)

Lucius Headlining Tour Dates

2/14: Boston, MA @ Great Scott
2/15 Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy *
2/16 Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java *
2/17 Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Café *
2/18 Toledo, OH @ The Ottawa Tavern
2/20: Mechanicsburg, PA @ Messiah College
2/21: Kingston, NY @BSP Lounge
2/22: Hamden, CT @ The Outer Space
2/23: Williamstown, MA @ The Log
3/13: Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/14: Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/15: Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/16: Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/18: Little Rock, AR @ Juanita’s Cantina Ballroom #
3/19: Birmingham, AL @ Workplay Theater #
3/20: Nashville, TN @ The High Watt %
4/5: Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory

* co-headlining w/ Hannah Georgas
# supporting The Mowgli’s & Family of the Year
% supporting Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers

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January 23, 2013 · 2:45 pm

Newest Love: The Rubens

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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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January 11, 2013 · 9:50 am

Download: Hollis Brown – “Down On Your Luck”

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After releasing their debut EP last year, the NYC-based band is gearing up to put out their first full-length album, Ride On The Train. Full of gritty jams and soft, sweet ballads, Ride On The Train will be released March 5th via Alive Records.

Despite its title, album track “Down On Your Luck” sets a bright, hopeful tone with twangy guitars and a playful vocal melody. “Doghouse Blues” is a straight-up bluesy rock song with rollicking melodies and dirty guitar licks. “Walk On Water” kicks it up a notch with raw vocals and screeching guitar solos. Tracks like the melancholic “If It Ain’t Me” and the powerfully optimistic “Faith & Love” showcase the band’s vulnerable side. The album closes on a sweet note with “Nightfall,” fading out with smooth, crooning vocals drifting above light, dreamy instrumentation.

Having already performed alongside Deer Tick and Caveman, Hollis Brown will hit the road for a mini East-coast tour this month. Be sure to catch them live in your city, and stay tuned for more from Hollis Brown coming soon!

Download: Hollis Brown – “Down On Your Luck”

Hollis Brown on Tour:
1/11: Annapolis, MD @ Metropolitan
1/16: Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
1/17: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
1/18: Columbus, OH @ Rumba Cafe
1/19: Frederick, MD @ Cafe Nola
2/01: Burlington, VT @ Red Square
2/02: Boston, MA @ Great Scott
2/16: Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy

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December 20, 2012 · 10:28 am

Video: Total Warr – “Where Is My Mind?” (Pixies Cover)

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French duo Total Warr formed when longtime friends Kiki and Guigui joined forces with the goal of creating fun, energetic pop songs. Since then, they’ve made their mark with a handful of singles and EPs that have earned praise from Stereogum, FADER, RCRD LBL, and more. Now, Total Warr is back with a new three-track EP that includes guest vocals from The Death Setand an electrically-charged Pixies cover. Packed with irresistible hooks and sing-along choruses, the Loisy EP will be released digitally on January 29th.

Total Warr’s “Where Is My Mind” (Pixies cover) turns the hit into a buzzing, beat-driven jam complete with a sample from “Empire State of Mind.” The video, which premiered with PAPER Magazine earlier today, builds from a simple live performance of the classic into an all out house party full of entertaining characters.

“Bambastard,” which features guest vocals from The Death Set’s Johnny Siera, opens the EP with a rich blend of electric guitar, synths, and layer upon layer of harmonies, all set to an infectious beat. “Always Me” slows things down with a swirling foundation of vocals and instrumentation that builds to an explosive climax.

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December 17, 2012 · 12:16 pm

Video: C2C – “Happy”

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C2C will unveil their first full-length album, Tetra, on February 11, 2013 via Casablanca Records. It’s preceded by the eclectic electro, jazz, blues, and dance gumbo of the invigorating track, “Happy” [featuring Derek Martin].

The phenomenal French electronic producers also recently dropped the digital EP, Down the Road, firmly planting their feet in the U.S. scene in the process. On “Happy,” these four turntable sorcerers—20Syl, Greem, Pfel, and Atom—mix a myriad of styles into a downright sizzling stew. Combining an organic swing with intricate scratching, the track bridges boundaries in a manner that electronic dance music has never seen before.

Since debuting on December 12, the music video has already racked up almost 100k views and counting. Boasting immense turntable talent and an adventurous knack for experimentation and production, this album will surely introduce the world to C2C.

This isn’t their first time around the block though. C2C initially came together in 1998, formed by the four high school friends. From 2003-2006, they conquered the DMC Championship, winning four times in a row and garnering a rabid worldwide fan base. However, 2006 marked the beginning of a four-year break for other projects, Hocus Pocus and Beat Torrent, before these four musicians would reform. Now, C2C have returned, and they have their sights set on dance floor domination uniquely mixing live instrumentation and turntable fireworks.

C2C is not yet (see: yet) a household name in the US for electronic and urban music enthusiasts, but the three-letter name is synonymous in the world of “turntablism,” a highly technical yet intensely musical discipline, with performers using turntables as a bona fide musical instrument.

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December 13, 2012 · 11:58 am

Video: The Echo Friendly – “Same Mistakes” LIVE

Brooklyn duo The Echo Friendly just did a live session for ‘Honey I’m Home’, a live session series made by The Wild Honey Pie. Each episode has a different band perform a couple songs at Sounds Like a Fire home studio in Brooklyn. Then, they give ’em away for free on their website!

This episode is The Echo Friendly which is Jake Rabinach and Shannon Esper, singing tracks “Same Mistakes” and “Worried” which will be on their upcoming debut album.

Download them from The Wild Honey Pie here.

 

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December 12, 2012 · 12:04 pm

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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November 30, 2012 · 11:01 am

Check ‘Em Out: The Rebel Light

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Check out this video for a song called “Goodbye Serenade” from LA band The Rebel Light.

You can also check out their EP and get download it for free here. Listen to “My Heroes Are Dead”, that’s my jam.

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November 28, 2012 · 12:20 pm

Download: The Last Bison – “Switzerland”

THE LAST BISON want to bring you to “Switzerland.” The Virginia “mountaintop chamber” ensemble is currently giving away its first single, “Switzerland,” as a free download now. The song also comes on their four-song debut EP for Republic Records, Inheritance, available through iTunes and all digital outlets.

Boasting a vivid and fascinating tale of travel on a snowy evening, the track functions as an appropriate introduction to the group’s unique amalgam of rustic folk and roots-y rock. They’ve also already drawn critical praise for this sound. Noise Trade commented that the band is “based far more in inspiration than imitation,” while Folk Hive claimed, “The Last Bison is a welcome respite from all that is manufactured.”

With seven members connected by family ties and lifelong friendships, there’s truly no group out there quite like The Last Bison. At the forefront is singer and songwriter Ben Hardesty. His father Dan and sister Annah comprise this collective as well as Andrew and Jay Benfante, Teresa Totheroh, and Amos Housworth. When they all get together, magic happens, yielding music that’s as immediate as it is inspirational.

Following up a successful jaunt supporting Langhorne Slim, The Last Bison is currently roaming across the United States on a headline tour. After almost a lifetime of playing together, they’re truly in sync on stage, making for an unforgettable experience.

Download: The Last Bison – “Switzerland”

Catch The Last Bison On Tour Now:
11/28 – Norfolk, VA – WROX Radio Show
11/29 – Charlottesville, VA – The Southern
11/30 – Vienna, VA – Jammin Java
12/01 – Toledo, OH – Headliners (free show, all ages)
12/03 – Chicago, IL – SPACE
12/04 – Pittsburgh, PA – Smiling Moose
12/05 – Philadelphia, PA – World Café Live
12/07 – Brooklyn, NY – Knitting Factory (w/ High Highs)
12/08 – Annapolis, MD – Ram’s Head On Stage (all ages matinee)

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November 14, 2012 · 11:14 am

Video: Non Tiq – “Love Machine”

Her new single is a fun and playful tune yet has some adult undertones that gives its sweet production a bit of a crunch.
– ArjanWrites

Non Tiq, this talent is a quiet storm waiting to explode and “Love Machine” is like a ticking time bomb, rife with tension throughout for an original sounding song.
– Europopped

The song holds the aesthetic electropop-line of Non Tiq, it’s a bit colder and fragile than “Quietly” but it’s as carefully produced and obviously treated by creators like a piece of pop-art.
– Swedishstereo

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