Click image to go have a listen to “Work Around It”
Category Archives: Check ’em Out!
Listen: Them Swoops – “Work Around It”
Click image to go have a listen to “Work Around It”
Filed under Check 'em Out!, listen
West End Motel – Only Time Can Tell
Click image to go listen to songs from West End Motel’s album Only Time Can Tell
Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds is receiving praise for his side project West End Motel’s newest release Only Time Can Tell, out now on Warner Bros/ADA. The album is streaming in its entirety at AOL Spinner in addition to PASTE Magazine, who applauds its “acoustic-driven, country-twinged tracks.” Similarly, MTV declares it “hypnotizing,” praising the “brittle guitars and hushed, husky vocals,” while Alternative Press states, “rockabilly and surf rock with strong flavors of Stax and Motown soul prevail, yet a smorgasbord of disparate influences also insinuate their way into this mix, ensuring no two songs are alike.”
The 8-song set is now available to purchase on iTunes. Rolling Stone is streaming the album’s first single “Burn It Down,” praising its “brightly shout-out-loud vocals, warm and soulful textures, swooning funk melodies and a breezy beat that’s downright feel-good music.”
West End Motel will kick off a 3-week tour on November 28 in Washington, D.C. – making stops in New York, Boston, Chicago, and more – wrapping up December 15 in Hinds’ hometown of Atlanta. See below for more details.
Only Time Can Tell is the highly-anticipated follow-up to Hinds’ acclaimed 2011 debut Don’t Shiver, You’re A Winner which SPIN proclaimed “a welcome departure from Mastodon’s thrashy, progged-out fare…sounds like Tom Waits and Tim Burton co-hosting the creepiest vaudeville show ever,” and Pitchfork praised for its “playfulness and off-the-cuff amiability.”
West End Motel began in 1993 under a bridge in Atlanta, where Hinds first met longtime friend Tom Cheshire. Describing themselves as a “conglomerate of losers, poets and hobo-sexuals,” the pair write acoustic-guitar driven songs enriched with horns and keys, with the end result sounding like Nick Cave fronting Gogol Bordello. The project pre-dates Mastodon and offers an important glimpse into Hinds’ musical influences.
“I grew up listening to Chet Atkins play guitar, and I grew up listening to Brian Setzer play guitar,” explains Hinds. “Jimmy Bryant, Speedy West, all these country-chicken-pickin’-flying-’round-the-guitar-neck guitar players. I got really inspired by it. I’m from way down in the country. It was pretty common to have the interests I had when I was that age. MTV had some hair metal on there, but I was more interested in this rockabilly vibe. Stray Cats were really big at the time, in the ’80s. It was epic.”
Only Time Can Tell Track Listing:
- Burn It Down
- El Myr
- Witch Is Dead
- If I Only Had Tomorrow (Second Chances)
- Bite
- Forgiveness
- Only Time Can Tell
- Valentine
WEST END MOTEL TOUR DATES
- Nov 28 – Vienna, VA @ Jammin’ Java
- Nov 29 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
- Nov 30 – West Chester, PA @ The Note
- Dec 01 – Winooski, VT @ The Monkey House
- Dec 02 – Allston, MA @ Great Scott
- Dec 04 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool
- Dec 05 – Cleveland, OH @ The Grog Shop
- Dec 06 – Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop
- Dec 07 – Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club
- Dec 08 – Chicago, IL @ Double Door
- Dec 09 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
- Dec 11 – Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room
- Dec 13 – Knoxville, TN @ Pilot Light
- Dec 14 – Birmingham, AL @ The Nick
- Dec 15 – Atlanta, GA @ 529
Filed under Awesome, Check 'em Out!, listen, new albums, Shows
New Music: The Living Sisters – “Can You Get To That?”
L.A.-based indie supergroup The Living Sisters —Inara George (The Bird and the Bee), Becky Stark (Lavender Diamond), Eleni Mandell and newest ‘sister’ Alex Lilly — have followed up their critically adored 2010 album Love to Live with the standards collection Run for Cover. The six song EP, with its intricate retro harmonies and righteously old-school instrumentation from the likes of drummer Don Heffington (Lone Justice, The Jayhawks) and pedal steel master Greg Leisz, provides listeners with some perspective as to the various sources of The Living Sisters’ zesty musical recipe, which “weave[s] together ’40s pop vocalizing, ’50s doo-wop, jazz, folk and country elements in a seamless mélange,” according to the L.A. Times’ Randy Lewis.
The six selections on Run for Cover range from a sublime a cappella take on Dolly Parton’s folk classic “Jolene” to a wildly imaginative reinterpretation of Funkadelic’s “Can You Get To That?” The harmony-laden EP, which also contains covers of songs associated with Jo Stafford “Make Love to Me” and Doris Day “Que Sera, Sera,” features two songs made famous by Patsy Cline “A Poor Man’s Roses (Or a Rich Man’s Gold)” and “Sweet Dreams.” In 2011, The Living Sisters hosted ‘A Tribute to Patsy Cline’ at Los Angeles’ Disney Hall as part of the L.A. Philharmonic Songbook Series.
Run for Cover is the latest in a string of accomplishments for these all-stars, who have been collaborating off and on since 2006 while conducting their respective individual careers. Mandell’s sultry voice and inventive songs have made her a modern-day L.A. treasure, and she has once again captivated the critics with her latest LP, 2012’s I Can See the Future. Stark’s mix of pop and chamber music in Lavender Diamond has been described as “effortless [and] timeless-sounding.” As The Bird and The Bee, George and her partner Greg Kurstin have built a cult following with their heady fusion of jazz, pop and tropicalia. And singer/multi-instrumentalist Alex Lilly’s band Touché has been cited as “scintillating pop music that tickles and rolls all over the flesh with a blend of beats and guitar and keys that feels fresh and new.”
Run for Cover will be available on January 8th, 2013.
Filed under Awesome, Check 'em Out!, listen
Download: PAPA – “Put Me To Work”
Check out this song from PAPA who are working now on their album for 2013.
Listen/download: PAPA – “Put Me To Work”
Upcoming tour dates (all w/ Grouplove):
- Mon-Nov-5 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre
- Tue-Nov-6 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
- Thu-Nov-8 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
- Sat-Nov-10 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
- Sun-Nov-11 Columbia, MO The Blue Note
- Tue-Nov-13 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theater
- Thu-Nov-15 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom
- Fri-Nov-16 Santa Ana, CA Observatory
- Sat-Nov-17 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
Filed under Awesome, Check 'em Out!, downloads, listen, Newest Love
Video: Toucan – “Mr Television”
Check out this Sydney duo named Toucan. They just put out their debut video. They’ll be at Big Day Out 2013 alongside Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Sleigh Bells, Foals and Crystal Castles among many more! Check out Big Day Out 2013 here.
Filed under Check 'em Out!, video
Download: Hank & Cupcakes
Flush with simmering sexuality and irresistible dance pulse, Brooklyn-based Hank & Cupcakes are the coalescence of rock without guitars and pop without synthesizers. Hailing from Tel Aviv, the duo consist of powerhouse vocalist/drummer Cupcakes and bassist/pedal board magician Hank. Named in reference to Charles “Hank” Bukowski and one of his real-life lovers “Cupcakes,” they have been honing their explosive live performances in front of US audiences since they arrived in 2008. Fully realized now, the show is a raucous bash, where the mesmerizing Cupcakes stands to bang her drum kit only breaking the beat to catalyze a dance party with the crowd.
Hank & Cupcakes recorded their debut album with Swedish producer Ludwig Boss at the legendary Hansa Studios in Berlin where landmark records from U2, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Depeche Mode, Nick Cave, R.E.M. & many more were made. First single “Sweet Potion,” which premiered today with MTV Hive, is the perfect balance of Hank’s cool progression on the bass and Cupcakes’ lyrical hooks and percussive assault. They are offering it as a free MP3 in advance of a brand new EP release October 22nd on BMG Rights Management.
Don’t miss the duo when they take their magnetic live show on the road this month in anticipation of a 2013 album release that will further showcase their postmodern brand of disco pop.
Download: Hank & Cupcakes – “Sweet Potion”
10/18: Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy
10/19: Pittston, PA @ The Rattler
10/20: NYC Wreckroom CMJ showcase @ Fontana’s
10/23: Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
10/24: Charleston, SC @ The Sparrow
10/25: Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits Live
10/26: Miami, FL @ The Stage
10/27: Tampa, FL @ Czar
10/28: Sarasota, FL @ Shamrock
10/31: Saratoga Springs, NY @ Putnam Den
11/1: Buffalo, NY @ Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar
11/2: Rochester, NY @ Bugjar
11/3: Harrisburg, PA @ HMAC
11/6: Cleveland, OH @ Mahall’s
11/7: Bloomington, IN @ Bluebird
11/8: Indianapolis, IN @ Melody Inn
11/9: Chicago, IL @ Schubas
12/8: New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
Filed under Awesome, Check 'em Out!, downloads, Shows
Interview: Heavy Glow
Listen/Download: Heavy Glow – “I Almost Prayed”
Who is Heavy Glow, and why are you guys the next big thing in rock?
Heavy Glow is a rock AND roll band. Plain and simple. We’re about being loud and soft. We’re about being heavy and loud but with a sensual swagger. It’s primitive swagger. We’re Heavy and we’re glow…
I think there’s a great future for us because we’re real. We put out music that moves us first. If it doesn’t move us then we assume it won’t move anyone else. Every song means something to us. There’s no gimmicks really. It’s a group of guys playing raw, honest music with substance. Hopefully it’s fun for everyone along the way.
Heavy Glow is a rock AND roll band. Plain and simple. We’re about being loud and soft. We’re about being heavy and loud but with a sensual swagger. It’s primitive swagger. We’re Heavy and we’re glow…
I think there’s a great future for us because we’re real. We put out music that moves us first. If it doesn’t move us then we assume it won’t move anyone else. Every song means something to us. There’s no gimmicks really. It’s a group of guys playing raw, honest music with substance. Hopefully it’s fun for everyone along the way.
What made you decide to play 70’s style rock and roll?
I don’t think there was ever a conscious decision to play any particular style of music. We play what moves us. Rock moves us and the best rock tends to come from artists with a 60s and 70s flair. To me it’s about using the language of rock music and making your own sound…which is what we’re looking to do.
Any albums/projects on the horizon?
Absolutely! We’ll be releasing our follow-up album early next year. No title as of yet. We spent the summer working with Michael Patterson and Nic Jodoin couped up in an L.A. studio. Michael is pretty well-known and has worked with Beck on “Midnite Vultures,” Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Trent Reznor etc. Nic is a recording genius. He’s currently working on the new Black Rebel Motorcycle Club album. Super excited. 10 new songs. They have an air of very confident energy…It was a very emotive and physically demanding album to record.
Absolutely! We’ll be releasing our follow-up album early next year. No title as of yet. We spent the summer working with Michael Patterson and Nic Jodoin couped up in an L.A. studio. Michael is pretty well-known and has worked with Beck on “Midnite Vultures,” Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Trent Reznor etc. Nic is a recording genius. He’s currently working on the new Black Rebel Motorcycle Club album. Super excited. 10 new songs. They have an air of very confident energy…It was a very emotive and physically demanding album to record.
Any tours/shows we should be on the lookout for?
Yes we’ll be doing a West Coast Tour from L.A. to Seattle and back in January. We’ll be hitting up as many cities along the way as possible. Putting out a single on vinyl…probably 10″ so we’ll be promoting that on the tour. It’s really a “buy it at the show only” kinda thing.
Yes we’ll be doing a West Coast Tour from L.A. to Seattle and back in January. We’ll be hitting up as many cities along the way as possible. Putting out a single on vinyl…probably 10″ so we’ll be promoting that on the tour. It’s really a “buy it at the show only” kinda thing.
Got any shout outs? Where can we find you?
Hi Mom. Just joking…Come say hi on our facebook. facebook.com/heavyglowband
Fun to chat with fans all over the world on that there Internet.
If we’re not there we’re probably watching B movies and thinking of Jameson…sometimes at the same time:)
Hi Mom. Just joking…Come say hi on our facebook. facebook.com/heavyglowband
Fun to chat with fans all over the world on that there Internet.
If we’re not there we’re probably watching B movies and thinking of Jameson…sometimes at the same time:)
Filed under Check 'em Out!, downloads, Interviews
Video: Smith & Thell – “Kill It With Love”
Meet Mary Jane Smith and Victor Alexander Thell. Also known as Smith & Thell for short.
Some time ago they met and fell completely head over heels in love with each other’s musical urge, ambition, vision and passion for the art. After joining forces the outcome of their musical marriage has taken many turns and looked and sounded very different and members of the collective have come and gone. At a certain point Mary and Victor decided to replace them all with machines and somewhere in this electro acoustic landscape inspired by strong influences such as Björk, Chemical Brothers and Bat For Lashes they´ve managed to give birth to something we like to call unique and very promising.
Filed under Awesome, Check 'em Out!, listen, video
Download: Royal Canoe – “Show Me Your Eyes”
Winnipeg-based six piece Royal Canoe have released their latest digital 7″, Purple and Gold. The digital release features two new songs, “Show Me Your Eyes” and “Summersweat.” The release also features remixes from Ryan Guldemond of Mother Mother and Tim “DJ Co op” Hoover. The 7″ is now available for purchase on the band’s official Bandcamp website as well as iTunes and will be available in physical form on October 8.
Listen/download: Royal Canoe – “Show Me Your Eyes”
Royal Canoe is a group of musicians on a mission to construct ambitious, inventive music. The songs are thick with catchiness, rich in rhythm and are consistently pushing against the boundaries of pop music separating them from the standard indie music makers invading the internet. Having already been featured on the cover of Verb and with two singles charting on CBC Radio, Royal Canoe’s genre-defying arrangements and sharp lyrics has continued to garner the attention of media such as The Uniter which stated that “Royal Canoe have established themselves as musical mad scientists, throwing rock, pop and hip hop into a blender to create catchy-as-hell, dance floor-ready songs with odd time signatures and distorted vocals.” All the while, Indie Shuffle stated Royal Canoe have “an expertise in energetic psychedelic pop…deconstructed, slithering, intriguing.” Listeners can check out exclusive new music teasers, studio footage and music and performance videos found on their official youtube channel.
PURPLE AND GOLD NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
Sept 20 @ Hotel Utah – San Francisco, CA **
Sept 21 @ Fulton 55 – Fresno, CA
Sept 22 @ The Satellite – Los Angeles, CA
Sept 23 @ Soda Bar – San Diego, CA
Sept 27 @ The Broken City – Calgary, AB !!
Sept 28 @ The Artery – Edmonton, AB !!
Oct 9 @ Knitting Factory – Brooklyn, NY #
Oct 11 @ Club Lambi – Montreal, QC # !!
Oct 12 @ Cafe Dekcuf – Ottawa, ON # !!
Oct 13 @ Rancho Relaxo – Toronto, ON & !!
Oct 14 @ Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA &
Oct 16-20 CMJ Music Marathon (performance details TBA)
Oct 17 @ BAR – New Haven, CT &
Oct 19 @ Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus – Philadelphia, PA&
Oct 20 @ Rock N Roll Hotel – Washington, DC &
Oct 22 @ Mayday Northside – Cincinnati, OH &
Oct 23 @ Garfield Artworks – Pittsburgh, PA &
Oct 24 @ Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH &
Oct 25 @ Township – Chicago, IL &
Oct 26 @ First Avenue (7th Street Entry) – Minneapolis, MN ^^
Oct 27 @ The Rathskeller @ Madison, WI ^^
Nov 23 @ The Artful Dodger – Regina, SK !!
Nov 24 @ Amigo’s – Saskatoon, SK !!
** w/ Lost Lander
# w/ Savoir Adore
& w/ Savoir Adore and Santah
^^ w/ Savoir Adore and Sun Airway
!! Headlining
Filed under Check 'em Out!, downloads, listen, Shows
Musically Amusing 