February 27, 2014 · 2:28 pm

Check ‘Em Out: DWNTWN

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DWNTWN signs with Jullian Records and will be releasing their new self-titled EP on April 29.  This marks the first EP release through a label for the LA based indie-pop band.

In celebration of the announcement, DWNTWN debuted the first track, “Til Tomorrow” from above mentioned EP, on USA Today’s Pop Candy. “We need all the sunshine we can get right now, and DWNTWN has it in spades,” Pop Candy glows.

French tastemaker label, Kitsuné, first put DWNTWN on the map in 2012 after they debuted the band’s first single “See My Eyes”, and in 2013 they included a collaboration track (with Giraffage and Jhameel), “Move Me” on another compilation album.  Both songs reached #2 on Hype Machine’s popular chart.

DWNTWN first formed in 2010 when Jamie Leffler and Robert Cepeda, both dealing with bummer breakups (Jamie, from Robert’s brother!), spent their weekends getting drunk and writing depressing folk songs, which they recorded onto their iPhone. It wasn’t long before Jamie and Robert recovered from their heartbreak and transformed those early demos into full-fledged, indie-pop songs, which were all written and produced themselves.

While their last EP, The Red Room, was very synth heavy and reminiscent of the Drive soundtrack, their forthcoming EP has a lot more guitars and live instrumentation.  Their new single “Til Tomorrow” feels more closely related to the Garden State soundtrack.

Over the years, the band has expanded live from a duo, into a trio, and now fills the stage as a foursome.  Having just completed a successful LA residency with over 400 people in attendance each week, and having toured previously with some heavy hitters, Capital Cities and Gold Fields, DWNTWN is excited to get on the road again next month with El Ten Eleven.  

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Tour Dates with El Ten Eleven:
3.12 @ Strummers, Fresno, CA
3.13 @ Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, CA
3.14 @ Constellation Room, Santa Ana, CA
3.15 @ SLO Brew, San Luis Obispo, CA

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February 27, 2014 · 2:14 pm

Download: Strange Talk – “Young Hearts” (The Chainsmokers Remix)

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Download: Strange Talk – “Young Hearts” (The Chainsmokers Remix)

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February 26, 2014 · 10:43 am

Brand New: Coldplay – “Midnight”

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February 25, 2014 · 2:16 pm

Brand New: O.A.R. – “Peace”

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Rock band O.A.R. are well known for their incredible live performances that have seen them play to sold out audiences in iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden and Red Rocks. The band has built their following off of extensive touring as well as a string of hit singles such as “Love and Memories,” “Shattered,” and now their current single “Peace.” “Peace”–the brand new song from their upcoming album–is a first for the band’s new label Vanguard Records.

“Peace” is the kind of anthemic song that has made O.A.R. a successful recording and touring band for well over a decade, garnering immediate major market airplay at radio stations across the country. Beginning today, fans can purchase the single on iTunes.

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Listen: O.A.R. – “Peace”

O.A.R. is currently finishing up the new album which was written and recorded in Nashville, Maryland, and New York City. It’s the band’s first studio album for Vanguard and their 8th overall. O.A.R. has also released five live albums, including their acclaimed CD/DVD from Red Rocks Amphitheatre outside of Denver.

O.A.R. SPRING 2014 SHOWS

Thursday, April 24                   Las Vegas, NV            Brooklyn Bowl Vegas
Friday, April 25                        Las Vegas, NV            Brooklyn Bowl Vegas
Saturday, April 26                   Las Vegas, NV             Brooklyn Bowl Vegas
Monday, April 28                     Solana Beach, CA      Belly Up
Tuesday, April 29                    Solana Beach, CA      Belly Up
Friday, May 2                          Los Angeles, CA        The Troubadour – SOLD OUT
Saturday, May 3                     Los Angeles, CA        The Troubadour
Sunday, May 4                       Los Angeles, CA         The Troubadour
Tuesday, May 6                      Anaheim, CA              House of Blues
Wednesday, May 7                 Ventura, CA                Majestic Ventura Theatre
Thursday, May 8                     Reno, NV                    Knitting Factory
Friday, May 9                         San Francisco, CA     The Independent – SOLD OUT
Saturday, May 10                   San Francisco, CA     The Independent – SOLD OUT
Sunday, May 11                     San Francisco, CA     The Independent
Wednesday, May 14               Portland, OR               Roseland Theater
Thursday, May 15                   Seattle, WA                 Neptune

Welk Music Group President Kevin Welk stated, “I have been looking to work with O.A.R. for a long time. Everyone at Vanguard is excited to partner with them on one of their best recordings to date.”

To celebrate the new single “Peace” and upcoming album, the band is kicking off “O.A.R.’s Extended Stay” club tour, playing special intimate shows, multiple nights at club size venues in April and May.

“This year we are bringing our Extended Stay tour out west so we can see fans we’ve missed for a long time,” said O.A.R. lead singer Marc Roberge. “We’re going to play some cuts off the new album, but really digging deep into the catalogue to make up for lost time.”

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February 25, 2014 · 12:48 pm

Must Hear: Ghost Beach – “Without You”

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“Ghost Beach are the Venn diagram of their influences—Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, The Police, and Daft Punk—and then some, thanks to a shitload of synths, some nostalgic 80s sonics and even the occasional reggae groove. The sound is unmistakably their own.” – VICE’s Noisey

“If you can get people dancing as early as noon. You’re good. They did.”–NPR’s All Songs Considered

“…a radiant and catchy cut fit for a tropical island dance party.” – Consequence of Sound

VICE’s Noisey just unleashed another unmistakable Ghost Beach hit in the form of Blonde album cut, “Without You.” Showcasing their love for influences Ace of Base & UB40, the track features a full-on reggae vibe complemented perfectly by the duo’s distinctive, cutting-edge contemporary touch.

Listen: Ghost Beach – “Without You”

Ghost Beach, consisting of Josh Ocean & Eric “Doc” Mendelsohn, has set the Internet ablaze with upbeat anthems, a preference for ’80s synth, and consistent number ones on Hype Machine. The band has performed alongside The 1975, ASTR, Betty Who & St. Lucia. They have just announced a Firefly Festival appearance and national tour dates supporting RAC & The Sounds, teaming up to command dance floors across the continent! Full dates below:

Tour Dates w/ RAC
3/27: Montreal, QC @ Theatre Corona
3/28: Toronto, ON @ The Hoxton
3/29: Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
3/31: Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
4/1: Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
4/4: Seattle, WA @ Neumos Ballroom
4/5: Vancouver, BC @ Celebrities
4/6: Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
4/8: San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
4/9: Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory

Tour Dates w/ The Sounds & Blondfire
4/10: New York, NY @ Webster Hall
4/11: Providence, RI @ Fete Ballroom
4/12: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
4/14: Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
4/15: Tampa, FL @ State Theatre
4/16: Miami, FL @ Grand Central
4/18: Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
4/19: Austin, TX @ Emo’s
4/21: Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s
6-19-22: Dover, DE @ Firefly Festival

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February 25, 2014 · 12:10 pm

Kid Cudi’s New Album: Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon

Click image to head over to iTunes and get the new album!

Click image to head over to iTunes and get the new album!

Album Stream: Kid Cudi – Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon

Kid Cudi wowed fans with the release of his full-length new album, Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon [Wicked Awesome / Republic Records], at midnight on iTunes and all other digital retailers in North America.

Surprising countless fans worldwide, the Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, producer, and actor uncovered the album today without any prior hints or notice at all. It’s also only available in its entirety for one week as a full album purchase.

Cudi has been secretly preparing his latest work since wrapping up his last tour supporting 2013’s critically regarded chart-topper, Indicud, which was the #1 hip-hop album in the country upon release.

Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon once again sees the artist steering hip-hop to another galaxy altogether. Already, he gave listeners a taste of the set with the transfixing “Going To The Ceremony”. The album also includes a detour into “space” soul with Raphael Saadiq entitled “Balmain Jeans”, marking their first collaboration. Tempering otherworldly production with his inimitable vocal hooks and divine flow, it’s another entrancing and enigmatic vision from the rap auteur.

Tracklisting:

  1. Destination: Mother Moon
  2. Going To the Ceremony
  3. SATELLITE FLIGHT
  4. Copernicus Landing
  5. Balmain Jeans feat. Raphael Saadiq
  6. Too Bad I Have To Destroy You Now
  7. Internal Bleeding
  8. In My Dreams 2015
  9. Return Of The Moon Man (Original Score)
  10. Troubled Boy

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February 25, 2014 · 11:37 am

Listen: Annie Eve – “Southern”

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With an impressive résumé that includes supporting the likes of Daughter, Fionn Regan, Little Green Cars, and more recently Matt Corby on his sell out UK tour, 22 year old singer songwriter Annie Eve from London will be bringing out her second EP, entitled Feversome on March 17th via Young and Lost Club.
Annie’s new Feversome EP will feature 3 tracks all written and performed (except slide guitar and accordion) by Annie and produced by Jolyon Vaughn Thomas (British Sea Power, Daughter), with the lead track “Southern” released on March 17th. An emotive and bewitching song, “Southern” is driven by Annie’s haunting vocals, resulting in a sound that manages to be simultaneously powerful, intimate and beguiling, immediately drawing the listener in.
Annie’s self-titled debut EP, which was released last year, picked up support from the likes of Radio 1’s Huw Stephens, 6 Music, XFM, Drowned in Sound, This Is Fake DIY and The 405, to name a few. Delicately and respectfully blending the mystical magic of Bon Iver with the raw sensibilities of the likes of Cobain and Regina Spektor, Annie Eve pours sugar and bitter spice into her angelic compositions with disturbing ease and sincerity. Annie’s unusual grasp of language and awkward perspective bleeds into her lyrics and fuels a style of music that is both enchanting and haunting.
At 13, Annie’s brother taught her to play on their father’s Spanish guitar, from there they both shared a love of old blues artists like John Lee Hooker and Robert Johnson. As Annie entered her late teenage years she was especially influenced by artists like Patti Smith, Amy Winehouse and “ women who wore their hearts on their sleeve and weren’t afraid to write wildly!” 
Following a sold out headline gig at St Pancras Old Church last year, Annie Eve will be embarking on the 2014 Communion New Faces tour with Luke Sital-Singh, Eliza and the Bear and Farewell J.R from February 2014.
24th February – The Bullingdon Arms, Oxford
26th February – St Stephen’s Church, London
27th February – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
1st March – The Leaf, Liverpool
2nd March – The Ruby Lounge, Manchester
3rd March – The Cluny, Newcastle Upon-Tyne
4th March – The Electric Circus, Edinburgh
5th March – King Tuts, Glasgow
7th March – Holy Trinity Church, Leeds
14th March – Blacks, London

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February 25, 2014 · 11:08 am

Newest Love: Bleachers – “I Wanna Get Better”

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“Bleachers’ ‘I Wanna Get Better’ Is Basically the Song Of the Summer In February.” – HUFFINGTON POST

““I Wanna Get Better” is a great first effort; it’s exciting to imagine what else Antonoff has up his sleeve.” – TIME

“…heavy-hitting pianos, pulsing percussion and grandiose vocals…” – ROLLING STONE

“…the song is 100% anthemic alt-rock gold with some major production value, as well as a chorus that will have you singing along by your second listen.” – HILLY DILLY

“…bright bit of retro-futuristic pop-rock…” – STEREOGUM

Bleachers live: 
3/12 – Austin, TX @ Palladia’s EPIC. AWESOME. SHOWCASE
3/13 – Austin, TX @ 2014 mtvU Woodie Awards and Festival – info HERE
3/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour – info HERE
3/27 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
6/ 6-8 – New York, NY @ Governor’s Ball – info HERE
6/19-22 – Dover, DE @ Firefly Music Festival – info HERE
7/5-6 – London + Birmingham, UK @ Wireless Festival – info HERE
7/1-12 – Bilbao, Spain @ Bilbao BBK Live Festival – info HERE

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February 20, 2014 · 3:02 pm

New Shizz From French Horn Rebellion

Photo Source: Baeble Music

Photo Source: Baeble Music

French Horn Rebellion has released their latest EP, The Fire. The EP features alternate versions of the title track “The Fire”, which is a collaboration with Savoir Adore. The two bands, related by marriage for the last few years, have finally collaborated to keep you warm all season long. Make like David of FHR and Deidre of Savoir Adore and cuddle up under the disco ball, dancing the night away.  Winter is here. As the snow falls and icicles form we need to keep a fire in our hearts. We pack into cozy bars to get warm and dance by the firelight to remember we’re alive. In “The Fire”, Savoir Adore’s forest fantasy pop blends with French Horn Rebellion’s hot dancefloor beats.

Listen: French Horn Rebellion & Savoir Adore – The Fire (Rubber Ross Remix) 

Robert from FHR said the following about the “Beaches & Friends” video:

 “As we were watching HBO’s Girls on our couches, hearing our song ‘Beaches and Friends’ from 2009, we suddenly came to think about that long lost music video we did…. And so we went searching for it. This never came out because we made a decision to release a video for ‘The Twelves Remix’ of the song instead, so this one was put on the shelf. We hope you enjoy watching our younger 2009 versions, as much as we are (and laughing a lot at David’s conquistador ‘stache)!”

French Horn Rebellion Live Shows:
Thu 2/20 – St. Louis, MO @ The Coliseum Music Lounge
Fri 2/21 – Denver, CO @ Bar Standard
Sat 3/1 – Medellín, Columbia @ Capital
Thu 3/6 – Brooklyn, NY  @ Glasslands Gallery
Sun 3/9 – Allston, MA @ Great Scott
Fri 3/14 Austin, TX @ The Green Room SXSW
more dates to be announced!
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The Fire EP Tracklist:
(iTunes HERE)
1. “The Fire” ft Savoir Adore
2. “The Fire” ft Savoir Adore (Autograf Remix)
3. “The Fire” ft Savoir Adore (Dan Solo and Future Friends Remix)
4. “The Fire” ft Savoir Adore (Rubber Ross Remix)

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February 20, 2014 · 2:25 pm

Listen: Classixx – “A Stranger Love” (De Lux Cover)

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LA duo De Lux have covered Classixx’s pop gem “A Stranger Love” off of their breakout debut, Hanging Gardens by adding a funky bass line and dance-punk urgency to track.

Listen: Classixx – “A Stranger Love” (De Lux Cover)

 

 

 

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