Category Archives: Newest Love

July 1, 2014 · 9:17 am

Newest Love: The Julian Taylor Band – “Never Gonna Give You Up”

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With recent packed performances at Canadian Music Week (CMW), showcased on CTV News, an opening spot for super group Magic! at the Mod Club, and a date at The Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts, THE JULIAN TAYLOR BAND has officially release the already widely-acclaimed CD TECH NOIR.

Toronto-based award-winning singer-songwriter Julian Taylor and his band are thrilled about the reaction of their much anticipated new album TECH NOIR. The first single “Never Gonna Give You Up” has already been nominated as a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition and the video has blown up on YouTube with more than 300,000 views – the track storming the Top 40 on the Canadian Alt Rock chart.

In addition, The Julian Taylor Band’s previous member and bass player, Ben Spivak, – who now plays with the massively successful “Magic” – has several song co-writes and also plays on Tech Noir. The band is currently comprised of a group of formidable musicians – Julian Taylor (vocals and guitar), Jeremy Elliott (drums), Steve Pelletier (bass) and David Engle (keys).

A truly gifted performer, Taylor has a distinct delivery that’s raw and emotional. The sound on Tech Noir is a culmination of every musical genre that has influenced him throughout his life and his most recent reincarnation sees him moving towards the kind of music that inspired him as a child. While even more energetic in their live performances, the band’s new soul-driven pop-rock is inspired by the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers and this is reflected on the new album.

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June 12, 2014 · 3:19 pm

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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June 11, 2014 · 1:40 pm

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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June 3, 2014 · 3:02 pm

Newest Love: The Districts

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Listen: The Districts – “Funeral Beds”

Philly band The Districts are a young four-piece band who recently released their self-titled EP on Fat Possum. Since then, the band has toured North America, playing shows with White Denim, Dr. Dog, and more.  The band kicked off their summer tour dates and will continue winning people over throughout the summer, with their own headlining dates alongside big name festivals like this weekend’s Boston Calling, as well as Ottawa’s Bluesfest, Lollapalooza and Outside Lands.  Quite an impressive schedule, but the band is more than up to the task with their incredibly energetic live shows.

The self-titled EP features three newly remastered tracks off their 2012 self-released album Telephone, as well as two brand new tracks.

“Lancaster County, Pennsylvania’s the Districts serve up an impressive EP that straddles the line between imaginative indie rock and brisk blues-inflected folk.” – Rolling Stone

“on stage, with a confidence that doesn’t come easy to veteran acts, the band put across its impressive mix of raw rock-and-roll and quieter folkish elements.” – Philadelphia Inquirer

 The Districts on tour:

  • 5/19 — Charlottesville, VA — Jefferson Theater*
  • 5/20 — Washington, DC — The Black Cat*
  • 5/21 — Washington, DC — The Black Cat*
  • 5/25 — Boston, MA — Boston Calling Festival
  • 5/31 — Brooklyn, NY — Knitting Factory
  • 6/5 — Tulsa, OK — Cain’s Ballroom**
  • 6/7 — Columbia, MO — The Blue Note**
  • 6/8 — Indianapolis, IN — The Vogue**
  • 6/10 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE**
  • 6/11 — Carrboro, NC — Cat’s Cradle**
  • 7/9 — Ottawa, ON — Bluesfest
  • 7/10 — Ottawa, ON — Bluesfest
  • 7/18 — Louisville, KY — Forecastle Festival
  • 7/27 — Camden, NJ — XPN Festival @ Susquehanna Bank Center w/ Beck, Band of Horses
  • 8/2 — Chicago, IL — Lollapalooza
  • 8/2 — Chicago, IL – Metro
  • 8/8 — San Francisco, CA — Outside Lands Festival

* w/ Deer Tick, Langhorne Slim & The Law

**w/ Dr. Dog

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May 27, 2014 · 2:11 pm

Check ‘Em Out: Josh Record – “Wide Awake”

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Listen: Josh Record – “Wide Awake”

Standing on the shoulders of his musical heroes, Bon Iver and Swedish multi-instrumentalist Tingsek, Josh Record releases his stunning debut album Pillars on Virgin/EMI July 14th.
 
Having been tipped by Q Magazine, The Sunday Times Culture, iTunes, Radio 1, XFM, The Sun and VEVO at the turn of the year, Pillars does not disappoint with Josh’s joyous uplifting, melodic songs weaving their way into your very being.
 
Written by Josh (two songs were co-written with long-time collaborator Tom Prothero) and co-produced with David Kosten (Bat For Lashes), the album was recorded largely in Oxford and London, and features the Radio 1 and Radio 2 playlisted hit “For Your Love”.
 
Other highlights include “The War” the track that launched Josh when picked up by Zane Lowe off YouTube, the radio hit “Bones”, the lung busting epic “Finally”, and the new single “Wide Awake”.
 
Already a veteran on the road with shows supporting Bastille, Lorde, London Grammar and Sam Smith, Josh Record has sold out all his headline shows to date and is set to play summer festivals throughout the UK and Europe including Glastonbury, T in The Park, Rock and Park, Rock AM Ring, Wilderness and V Festival.

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May 12, 2014 · 3:01 pm

Newest Love: Jungle

London-based collective Jungle has revealed they will release their debut album in North America on July 15, 2014 (July 14 UK) on XL Recordings.  Their eponymous album is set to be one of the summer’s most anticipated debut records, building on the success of their singles “Platoon”, “The Heat” and “Busy Earnin'”.  Rolling Stone recently included the group in their “10 New Artists You Need To Know“.

Jungle are based around a core musical duo of lifelong friends known simply as ‘J’ and ‘T’, who expand to a thrilling seven piece live, and make mesmeric, kaleidoscopic modern soul that’s unmistakably born in the UK but has true global appeal (their “Platoon” video has already racked up more than 4 million views). The album was recorded between the band’s own home studio in Shepherds Bush, London and the XL Recordings studio in Ladbroke Grove.

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The album track list is:

  1. The Heat
  2. Accelerate
  3. Busy Earnin’
  4. Platoon
  5. Drops
  6. Time
  7. Smoking Pixels
  8. Julia
  9. Crumbler
  10. Son Of A Gun
  11. Lucky I Got What I Want
  12. Lemonade Lake

*pre-order Jungle Jungle here

Meanwhile, Jungle will return to North America for their first headline tour to date in the country.  The group will perform in NYC at their third sold-out show, as well as San Francisco for a sold-out show at The Independent on June 7, the day after they kick off their tour on June 6at The El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.  The group will come back in August to perform at this year’s Lollapalooza (full list of dates below).

JUNGLE North America Tour Dates

  • Fri, Jun 6 – El Rey Theater – Los Angeles, CA
  • Sat, Jun 7 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA  *SOLD OUT
  • Mon, Jun 9 – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR
  • Tue, Jun 10 – Neumos – Seattle, WA
  • Fri, Jun 13 – Fine Line Music Cafe – Minneapolis, MN
  • Sat, Jun 14 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
  • Sun, Jun 15 – Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON
  • Tue, Jun 17 – The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA
  • Wed, Jun 18 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY  *SOLD OUT
  • Thu, Jun 19 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
  • Aug. 1-3 -Lollapalooza, Chicago, IL

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May 2, 2014 · 10:37 am

Newest Love: Cheerleader

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Listen: Cheerleader – “Perfect Vision”

MTV described the band’s sound as ““A charming mix of lo-fi guitar grunge, The Beach Boys’ good vibes, and Wavves-inspired nonchalance.”

Following their acclaimed demo EP and performances at South By Southwest, Cheerleader is proud to announce the release of “Perfect Vision.”

The first official single from the Philadelphia-based quintet represents a bold step forward for the band in more ways than one. “’Perfect Vision’” is a song we actually started working on two years ago,” explains singer/songwriter Joe Haller. “But we sort of gave up on it at the time because we didn’t think we were going to be able to get it to sound right.”

Fortunately, the song received a new lease on life when Cheerleader got the opportunity to record at the renowned East/West studios in Los Angeles this past February.  Haller and the rest of the band finally had their chance to give “Perfect Vision” the treatment they always felt it deserved.  “This song was written during a period when we were listening to a lot of Robyn and Icona Pop.  Obviously, it doesn’t sound like them, but, in our own way, we were trying to capture a similar feeling, when the night is young and you can’t wait to see where it takes you.”  For Cheerleader, the release “Perfect Vision” is both the culmination of a two-year journey and the start of an exciting new chapter for the band: one full of possibilities, finally within reach.

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April 30, 2014 · 5:29 pm

Newest Love: The Peach Kings – “Hold On”

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Listen: The Peach Kings – “Hold On”P

Following the announcement of their new EP, Mojo Thunder, LA-based duo The Peach Kings have shared new track “Hold On,” which The WILD Magazine calls “a lush journey [packed] into just over three minutes.” Featuring a deep, buzzing bass line and smoky, seductive female vocals, “Hold On” is available to stream & share via Soundcloud. Mojo Thunder, which features three additional tracks and a remix, will be released on June 3rd.

The Peach Kings is made up of Texas-born Paige McClain Wood and Silver Lake native Steven Trezevant Dies, whose dark yet playful sound is influenced by everyone from Nancy Sinatra & Roy Orbison to Led Zeppelin & The Cramps.

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Mojo Thunder EP track listing:
1. Mojo Thunder
2. Hold On
3. Say What
4. Be Around
5. Mojo Thunder (Kent Rockafeller remix)

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April 18, 2014 · 2:58 pm

Listen: Night Drive – After Dark Remixes

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“Together they’ve produced some tracks that resonate with the glam that penetrated their ears.” –Prefix Magazine

“Almost as hypnotizing as a full moon, the song’s subtle vocals and vacillating beat take the night.” – MTV Iggy

After success of their stunning video for “After Dark,” Night Drive continues riding high on their musical journey. Night Drive and The Penelopes have been eager to work with one another for quite sometime and decided to do so via a remix swap. The french duo pulls no punches with this dark and sultry, disco reinterpretation. Keep your eyes open for Night Drive’s remix of The Penelopes, due out later this Spring.
 
Fellow Austin and Houston artists, Orthy and Bagheera, produced two excellent remixes of “After Dark”. Since Night Drive, Orthy and Bagheera are all part of the Red Bull Sound Select family, RBSS will be releasing the After Dark EP for free in select record stores. Look for that later this month.

For now, you can listen to the After Dark Remixes over at Prefix Mag — click here to check it out now!


 

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April 15, 2014 · 2:01 pm

Newest Love: Tapioca and the Flea

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Los Angeles electro-pop outfit Tapioca and the Flea (TATF) have premiered the brand-new video for their new single “Take It Slow”, which premiered last week and is available on iTunes. The video shot by ENDS (creative collaboration between director duo Daniel Iglesias Jr. & Zack Sekuler), who is also responsible for The Neighbourhood’s “Sweater Weather” and “Afraid”, chronicles the highs and the lows of a chaotic relationship. “Take It Slow,” which was produced by Crystal Castles’ Ethan Kath, is TATF’s contribution to Red Bull Sound Select’s forthcoming Limited Edition Split 7″, to be released as free gift with purchase on Record Store Day (April 19) at all participating retailers in the US. 

PopMatters had this to say about the track, “Just don’t let the title fool you, since “Take It Slow” is a brisk, catchy synth-driven number, a combination of old-fashioned pop-minded songwriting and a state-of-the-art vibe.” TATF will bring their high energy show to Los Angeles’s Amoeba Music (6400 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028) for an in-store performance this Saturday, April 19th at 6 PM.

Tapioca and the Flea began as a bedroom project of Samuel Jacob-Lopez, Jr. As the son of a Puerto Rican DJ and salsa dancer, the LA-based artist fell in love with rhythm at an early age. Growing up skateboarding to the sounds of artists like Syd Barret, Radiohead and Dr. Dre, Tapioca and the Flea, found its own eclectic blend of psych, indie rock, and electronic music. In 2011, he recruited three of his best friends – drummer Matt McClanahan, guitarist Ronnie Watson and bassist/keyboardist Frank Alva – and the full electro-pop band was fleshed out. Tapioca and the Flea gained momentum in their native L.A. on the strength of their psychedelic dance tracks “Mellotron” and “Home” and have opened for such acts as CSS and Young the Giant. The band has won praise and support from OC Weekly, who nominated them for Best New Artist of 2014 and The Owl Mag, who described their music as “the soundtrack to the world’s coolest underwater dance.”

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