Category Archives: downloads

September 6, 2011 · 11:32 am

Newest Love (+ free download): Pikachunes

The recording of New Zealander Miles McDougall’s debut Pikachunes album came about after he fractured his ulna while skateboarding, an injury that required reconstructive surgery. At the time, McDougall was majoring in Jazz performance on drums and the injury left him unable to play. Instead, he created Pikachunes, a first person account of the turmoil of moving to a new city to build a name as a musician. “All you have to do is write a bass line and then everybody wants to know your name,” McDougall sings in the single “Nervous,” sounding like he may know plenty about the US music scene already.

Producing and performing pulsing electro beats that are both groovy and awash with heavy club thuggery, Pikachunes makes a splash with songs that make you move, think and laugh with their stinging social commentary.

The self-titled debut album is available today from Lil’ Chief Records. Click here to preview and buy Pikachunes.

Listen/download: Pikachunes – “Nervous”

Track Listing:

01. Holiday

02. Just A Boy

03. Disco Baby

04. New Fiend

05. Nervous

06. Tonight

07. Metronome

08. You’re Alright

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September 6, 2011 · 11:08 am

Free Download: Strange Talk – “Climbing Walls” (Van She Tech Remix)

Coming off like the perfect hybrid of Friendly Fires and Phoenix with a bit of that Down Under electro touch thrown in for good measure, Strange Talk are one of the most polished and exciting new acts to emerge. Fully equipped with an arsenal of stadium-ready anthems, “Climbing Walls” is all shimmering synths, cascading bass surges while next single “Eskimo Boy” shines as the bands flagship anthem, churning synths and heavy basslines slowly building up to the kind of dancefloor-swallowing breakdown Neon Gold dreams are made of. Elsewhere, “Is It Real” and “We Can Pretend” beg to be blasted with the top down on the open roads of summer as producer Eliot James (Two Door Cinema Club, Bloc Party), earns his 2011 Music Producers’ Guild Breakthrough Producer of the Year award with some of his finest work yet.

Next is a trip to play at New York’s CMJ Music Festival, after Strange Talk have been flexing their musical muscle as a live act, opening for the likes of The Rapture, Neon Indian, Marina and The Diamonds and Art vs Science.

Strange Talk
Strange Talk EP
(Neon Gold, out now)

1. Climbing Walls
2. Eskimo Boy
3. Is It Real?
4. We Can Pretend

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August 31, 2011 · 2:12 pm

Unlikely BUT Awesome Collaboration

Check out this rather creepish video of a song featuring Matt and Kim, Soulja Boy and Andrew W.K. — yeah, you heard me right.

It was made for this year’s Converse music collaboration: Three Artists, One Song. First, there was “My Drive-Thru” featuring Pharell, Santigold and Julian Casablancas. Then last year there was “All Summer” with Kid Cudi, Bethany from Best Coast and Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend. This year we’ve got “I’m a Goner.” Soulja Boy looks like a possessed zombie at the end of the video. Ewwie.

Download: Matt and Kim, Soulja Boy and Andrew W.K. – “I’m a Goner”

 

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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 · 11:14 am

Free Download: Dearling Physique – “Up All Night”

“Up All Night” is the first single from Dearling Physique’s upcoming new EP, “Tracing the Alphabet Part 1.” The EP will be the first of three to be released. Their debut album, Deadeye Dealer, mixed afropunk and funk with an industrial, electronic edge.

“Tracing the Alphabet Part 1” will be released October 14, 2011. But, you can download the first track “Up All Night” now for free.

Listen/download: Dearling Physique – Up All Night

Track Listing for “Tracing the Alphabet Part 1”

  1. Up All Night
  2. Liar’s Cry
  3. Medicine
  4. Terrible Mind

 

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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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August 8, 2011 · 2:15 pm

Free Download: CSS – “Hits Me Like a Rock” (Depressed Buttons Remix)

CSS’ infectious, tropical-flavored single “Hits Me Like a Rock” (featuring Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie) has become a summer favorite, perfect for both backyard barbeques and all night dance parties.  Now, the track has gotten the remix treatment from Depressed Buttons, a new outfit consisting of three members of The Faint, who are signed to Diplo’s Mad Decent label.  CSS will kick off their North American tour this fall, and the Brazilian crew will release their new album La Liberacion on August 22nd through V2/Cooperative Music USA/DowntownRecords.

Listen/download: CSS – “Hits Me Like a Rock” (Depressed Buttons Remix)

CSS Tour Dates:

10/1:  Vancouver, BC @ Vogue
10/2:  Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
10/4:  Seattle, WA @ Neptune
10/6:  San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
10/8:  Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex
10/9:  Los Angeles, CA @ Filter Culture Collide Festival
10/13:  Denver, CO @ Bluebird
10/15:  Mexico City, Mexico @ Curva 4 Race Track at Foro Sol
10/17:  Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave
10/21:  Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
10/22:  New York, NY @ Webster Hall
10/23:  Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
10/24:  Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
10/26:  Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club
10/28:  Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
10/29:  Houston, TX @ House of Blues
10/30:  Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa

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August 8, 2011 · 2:02 pm

New Download: Afrobeta – “As Long As You Like”

Next week, Afrobeta embarks on their first nationwide tour in support of their debut- they’re hitting the road with the inaugural Identity Festival tour, which will see them performing at some of the nations’ biggest outdoor amphitheatres. Other big names that will be on the road w/ the traveling festival include Holy Ghost!, Pretty Lights, Rusko, DJ Shadow, The Crystal Method, Hercules and Love Affair, and many more – see all of them here, and check out all the tour dates below!

Listen/download: Afrobeta – “As Long As You Like”

Afrobeta, comprised of lead singer Cuci and producer extraordinaire Smurphio, are arguably the king & queen of Miami’s dance scene, as evidenced by the Miami New Times. Their diverse & unique sound transcends genres- Cuci’s rapid-fire delivery, combined with Smurphio’s funky synths and head-bopping basslines, will keep you moving from start to finish on Under The Streets. You can head over to Afrobeta’s soundcloud page to check out a bunch of original tracks and remixes, including Larry Tee’s rework of “Play House.” The band also released an awesomely futuristic video of the track, which you can check out here.

Identity Festival Tour Dates (w/ Afrobeta on all dates)

08/11 – Noblesville, IN – Verizon Wireless Music Center
08/12 – Detroit, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
08/13 – Pittsburgh, PA – First Niagara Pavilion
08/14 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
08/16 – Charlotte, NC – Verizon Amphitheatre
08/18 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
08/19 – Philadelphia, PA – Susquehanna Bank Center
08/20 – Boston, MA – Comcast Center
08/21 – New York, NY – Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
08/23 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
08/24 – Tampa, FL – 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre
08/25 – Miami, FL – Bayfront Park Amphitheatre
08/27 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
08/28 – Dallas, TX – Gexa Energy Pavilion
08/30 – Albuquerque, NM – Hard Rock Casino Presents: The Pavilion
09/02 – San Diego, CA – Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
09/03 – San Francisco, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
09/04 – San Bernadino, CA – San Manuel Amphitheatre
09/05 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay
09/10 – Seattle, WA – The Gorge Amphitheater

Under The Streets Out August 30

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July 29, 2011 · 11:03 am

Free Download: Holy Ghost! – “Some Children”

Holy Ghost! are ready to kick off an extended touring schedule for the next few months and what better way to say bon voyage than by sharing their track “Some Children” featuring the lord of Yacht Rock, Mr. Michael McDonald.

And this fall marks Holy Ghost!’s FIRST EVER headlining tour in the US in support of their recently released and much-adored debut album Holy Ghost!. Having spent the last year supporting friends LCD Soundsystem, Chromeo and Cut Copy on the road, they are now topping the bill. The group will be joined by two very dynamic acts: Jessica 6 and Eli Escobar, who are going to be a perfect start to the party. A select handful of dates are below and more will be announced shortly!
You can also see them this summer on the Identity Festival Tour, which kicks off on August 11th and features artists as diverse as Booka Shade, Skrillex, Modeselektor and DJ Shadow. For the full list of cites and dates, and all other info please check out Identity Festival’s site.

Download: Holy Ghost! – “Some Children”

Watch the Adult Swim video

Holy Ghost! Headlining Tour
October 30 – Orono, ME @ University of Maine
October 31 – Montreal @ Belmount on the Blvd.
November 1 – Toronto @ 69 Bathurst
November 4 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
November 5 – Chicago, IL @ Double Dour
November 8 – Vancouver @ Fortune Club
November 12 – Mexico City @ One Music Festival (DJ Set)
November 17 – Austin, TX @ The Parish
November 19 – New Orleans @ The Parish at House of Blues

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July 26, 2011 · 10:46 am

Free Downloads: Shiny Toy Guns

YAY! Remember the fuss a few years ago when Shiny Toy Guns replaced their beautiful siren-sounding vocalist Carah Faye Charnow with Sisely Treasure? And we were all oh-so-sad because she just didn’t sound quite as right as Ms. Charnow? Well…Carah has reuinited with the band to record their first song in 3 years!!!

Download: Shiny Toy Guns – The Sun

Also — check out and download the remix by Mackintosh Braun.

Shiny Toy Guns – The Sun 2.0 (Mackintosh Braun Remix)

 

 

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