Category Archives: Check ’em Out!

August 31, 2011 · 11:15 am

Check ‘Em Out: Gung Ho

Gung Ho are a three piece indie surf-pop band from Brisbane.  After spending much of 2011 writing and working on new songs they are ready to release their first single.

The band are just about to commence their first east coast tour in support of their first single, Twin Rays, from their forthcoming EP.

Gung Ho have been playing for a little over six months, and feature members Michael McAlary, Oliver Duncan and James Wright (Millions, Young Men Dead).

In their short time as a band they have supported rad, up and coming acts such as The Holidays, Papa vs. Pretty, Bleeding Knees Club, Comic Sans, Kids of 88, Jinja Safari, and Velociraptor.

Their debut EP is due out in early 2012.

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August 30, 2011 · 11:57 am

New Music: Caveman

After revealing tracks with Fader and Pitchfork, the rising New York band Caveman exclusively premiered two new tracks with Stereogum and Nylon Magazine.  Stereogum calls Caveman’s “Decide”  “breezy, infectious folk-pop / Heavy Rotation” and Nylon Magazine described the luscious “Easy Water” as follows: “newcomers Caveman, the Brooklyn band that’s gaining massive buzz despite the fact that the group is only a little more than a year old. With lullaby vocals and woozy melodies.”

  • Download “Decide” HERE
  • Download “Easy Water” HERE

Mark your calendars for more new track premieres: “A Country’s King of Dreams”via MTV Hive on 8/31 and “My Room” via Rolling Stone on 9/5.

Opening with “A Country’s King of Dreams,” the band explores honey-sweet, country-tinged vocal melodies over tribal drumming. “My Time” is a slow-building pop gem, with lead singer Matthew Iwanusa’s vocals weaving in and out of band’s backing vocals. Caveman’s lush four-part harmonies, spaced-out guitars, and inventive percussion come together perfectly on the tracks “Easy Water” and “My Room.”

The band puts on a must-see live show; as you can read in this amazing Consequence of Sound live review HERE from the Chicago show last week (and I will be going to see on Thursday 9/1). Currently on tour with The War on Drugs, they’ll be back in New York for their digital album release show at the Mercury Lounge on Thursday, September 15th.

In honor of the New York five-piece’s debut release, Pitchfork revealed another stand out track from Caveman’s debut CoCo Beware “Thankful” HERE. The band has already made “Old Friend” (my favorite!) available as a free download, premiering the track with Fader Magazine. Click HERE to hear the track.

Caveman is:
Matthew Iwanusa (lead vocals, guitar, drums)
Jimmy “Cobra” Carbonetti (guitar)
Stefan Marolachakis (drums, vocals)
Sam Hopkins (synthesizer, vocals)
Jeff Berrall (bass, vocals)

Upcoming Caveman Dates:
* w/ The War On Drugs
08/30 – St. Louis, MO @ The Biliken Club *
08/31 – Lexington-Fayette, KY @ Cosmic Charlie’s *
09/01 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe *
09/02 – Washington, DC @ The Red Place *
09/15 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge (Digital Album Release)

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August 24, 2011 · 2:00 pm

Check ‘Em Out: Micke Lindebergh

Micke Lindebergh, a unique sound from Stockholm, pop meets retro synth, violins, bells and dreamy arrangements. The London based Scandinavian is about to release his debut album (September 5) Dynamite Boy, described as a mix of exquisite vocals and alternative melodic pop stylings.

The album was recorded in Micke’s past four flats, studios and friend’s houses, mixing up sounds from different times and spaces.  This 10 song album, Dynamite Boy, has strong melodies inspired by dreams, toys, films, daily thoughts and feelings. As a musician and designer Micke likes doing it all himself, including the cover art.

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August 19, 2011 · 11:23 am

New Video: VHS or Beta – “Breaking Bones”

VHS or Beta’s upcoming album, Diamonds & Death, is a journey full of thrilling moments and unexpected turns. The album’s electronic foundation is a byproduct of the many nights VHS OR BETA DJs have manned the decks and remixes they have done in the last few years. The self-produced album travels spectacular heights to gut-wrenching plunges and is an emotional rollercoaster. The songs unfold and mutate in unpredictable ways that will transfix dance floors and bedrooms alike. Diamonds & Death will be released September 27 on Krian Music Group/Chromosome Records.

The “Breaking Bones” MP3 was released a few weeks ago and now the band has revealed the stylishly colorful and slightly risqué new video for the track. With a skittering beat, keyboards stabs and a transfixing vocal melody, “Breaking Bones” immediately submerges you into the album and explodes into a guitar-fueled chorus.

Title track “Diamonds & Death” transforms from a minimal synth track into a dance floor behemoth. “I Found a Reason” is a pulsating summer anthem with a soaring refrain built on a foundation of rubbery bass, swooning synth and housey piano chords. Diamonds & Death is an unpredictable journey full of breathtaking epic song-scapes.

The two main creative engines behind VHS OR BETA’s decade-long career, Craig Pfunder and Mark Palgy, relocated to Brooklyn from Louisville over the last two years. Be sure to catch them live on a national tour with Ladytron if you’re able!

VHS or Beta Tour Dates
* = w/Ladytron

8/25: New York, NY @ The Studio at Webster Hall
10/4: Chicago, IL @ The Vic *
10/5: Toronto, ON @ Phoenix *
10/6: Montreal, QC @ Telus *
10/7: Boston, MA @ Paradise *
10/8: Philadelphia, PA @ TLA *
10/11: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club *
10/13: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade *
10/15: Miami, FL @ Grand Central *

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August 19, 2011 · 11:16 am

New track: Clock Opera – “Lesson No. 7”

In contrast to their previous release, “Belongings,” the band’s new single “Lesson No. 7,” is an intense and aggressive cut that portrays Clock Opera’s depth and diversity in their song craft.  Along with Guy Connelly’s powerful vocals, the ferocious synths, punchy bass, explosive machine-gun snare and frenzied guitars give “Lesson No. 7” a contagious and relentless energy that makes standing still impossible.

Clock Opera will release their Lesson No. 7 EP on October 3rd on Moshi Moshi / Island Records.

Included on the EP is “Seven Hours,” having already given a glimpse of their varied influences and abilities with their singles to date, “Seven Hours” heads in a completely new direction again and displays a gorgeous, emotive beauty that is becoming a signature in their sound.

Alongside these 2 new songs, there is a very special world first to complete the package.  After the critical acclaim of his long awaited 2nd album, Tom Vek lends his unique production expertise to remix another artist for the very first time.

Tracklist:

1. Lesson No. 7
2. Seven Hours
3. Lesson No. 7 (Tom Vek’s Tripping Mix)

Clock Opera has been steadily building a reputation as purveyors of cerebral, original and utterly captivating music over the last year.  Alongside their single releases on Kitsune and Moshi Moshi, they have supported the likes of Yeasayer and Everything Everything on their UK tours and received rapturous acclaim from their live performances at SXSW and most recently Field Day festival in London.

Listen: Clock Opera – “Lesson No. 7”

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August 19, 2011 · 11:02 am

Newest Love: ANR

Click image to go listen to "It's Around You" and "Blood on Blood"

On August 29th, apocalyptic synth-pop purveyors ANR will release the 7” single for “It’s Around You” on Neon Gold Records (Passion Pit, Marina & The Diamonds, Ellie Goulding).  The duo are also sharing the single’s B-Side, “Blood On Blood,” a frantic rave-up complementing the slow-building majesty of the A-Side.  Click HERE to purchase the 7” and click HERE to head over to Neon Gold’s general record shop.

For “Blood On Blood” the gents of ANR enlisted the golden touch of Ben Allen (Animal Collective, Deerhunter, Gnarls Barkley) to mix the song.  The result is an anthemic track armed with the group’s trademark quirky pop hooks and psychedelic sonics.

North American Tour Dates:

08/25:  Washington, DC @ U Street Music Hall
08/29:  Philadelphia, PA  @ Kung-Fu Necktie
08/30: New York, NY  @ Milk Studios
08/31:  New York, NY  @ Mercury Lounge
09/01:  Boston, MA  @ Brighton Music Hall
09/02:  Montreal, QC  @ Casa Del Popolo
09/03:  Toronto, ONT  @ The Drake
09/05: Detroit, MI  @ Lager House
09/06: Grand Rapids, MI  @ Pyramid Scheme
09/07: Chicago, IL  @ Empty Bottle
09/09: Urbana, IL  @ Canopy Club
09/10: Minneapolis, MN  @ 7th Street Entry
09/12:  Seattle, WA  @ Crocodile Lounge
09/13:  Portland, OR  @ Doug Fir
09/15: San Francisco, CA  @ Bottom Of The Hill
09/16: Fresno, CA  @ Audie’s Olympic
09/17: Los Angeles, CA  @ The Satellite
09/20: San Diego, CA  @ Soda Bar

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August 11, 2011 · 10:45 am

Free Download: ANR – “New Armor”

“the driving beats of TV On The Radio blended with the psychedelic sweetness of Passion Pit” – MTV.com

Miami’s psychedelic synth-pop duo ANR released the brand new track “New Armor.”  The song is the latest example of the group’s constant evolution as well as their prolific songwriting.  It begins with a lone acoustic guitar before falsetto vocals and lush, sparkling keyboards join the mix.  ANR’s reverb-laden vocals are anthemic and continue in the introspective, earnest direction of the previously released tracks from Stay Kids Deluxe Edition, their forthcoming album out September 13th on 10k Islands.

ANR consists of merely two members – Brian Robertson (Keys, Vocals) and Michael-John Hanock (Vocals, Drums) – but they create a powerful sound filled with layered melodies and bountiful hooks.  It has already earned the duo praise from RCRD LBL, The Fader, MTV.com, and Nylon, among others, and have landed them shows with bands like Animal Collective, Neon Indian, No Age, and Fucked Up.  The band kicks off their North American tour later this month.

Listen/download: ANR – “New Armor”

North American Tour Dates:

08/25:  Washington, DC @ U Street Music Hall
08/29:  Philadelphia, PA  @ Kung-Fu Necktie
08/30: New York, NY  @ Milk Studios
08/31:  New York, NY  @ Mercury Lounge
09/01:  Boston, MA  @ Brighton Music Hall
09/02:  Montreal, QC  @ Casa Del Popolo
09/03:  Toronto, ONT  @ The Drake
09/05: Detroit, MI  @ Lager House
09/06: Grand Rapids, MI  @ Pyramid Scheme
09/07: Chicago, IL  @ Empty Bottle
09/09: Urbana, IL  @ Canopy Club
09/10: Minneapolis, MN  @ 7th Street Entry
09/12:  Seattle, WA  @ Crocodile Lounge
09/13:  Portland, OR  @ Doug Fir
09/15: San Francisco, CA  @ Bottom Of The Hill
09/16: Fresno, CA  @ Audie’s Olympic
09/17: Los Angeles, CA  @ The Satellite
09/20: San Diego, CA  @ Soda Bar

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July 15, 2011 · 3:29 pm

Video: Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears – “Livin’ in the Jungle”

Really cool video compiled from the band’s trip to Vegas earlier this year.

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July 14, 2011 · 2:24 pm

Free Download: The War on Drugs – “Come to the City”

Just a few days ago, I posted the video for The War on Drugs song “Baby Missiles.” Now I’d like to share with you album centerpiece “Come to the City,” where Adam Granduciel takes things to the next level. “All roads lead to me/I’ve been moving/I’ve been drifting,” Granduciel howls and moans over its constant beat, and his epic phased Firebird guitars. It’s a modern American outsider miracle; a straight up jam – inducing fist pumps and goose bumps.

Download: The War on Drugs – “Come to the City”

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July 12, 2011 · 11:27 am

New Video: The War on Drugs – “Baby Missiles”

Click image to watch the video for "Baby Missiles"

Philadelphia’s The War On Drugs’ sophomore album of mile-high rock anthems, Slave Ambient, is due out August 16th on Secretly Canadian. We’ve shared with you the album’s instant classic, part Springsteen, part motorik anthem, “Baby Missiles,” and now you can watch that song come to life with its video. Like the song itself, and much of Slave Ambient, for that matter, the video has the same steering wheel-tapping movement, windows down, feeling the breeze on a summer day vibe.

The “Baby Missiles” video is culled and edited from The War On Drugs’ main man Adam Granduciel’s collection of super 8 film footage. The kaleidoscopic work throughout finds its raw source material in Granduciel’s experimental medium format photography, the very same exposed film featured on the artwork for Slave Ambient. The video is directed by Labour and produced by Greencard Pictures.

Lovin’ this song!

Listen/download: The War on Drugs – “Baby Missiles”

Check tour dates (Pittsburgh Show included in list!)

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