Tag Archives: rock

Newest Love: Ha Ha Tonka

HHT_promo_shot_lo_res_1
“ …deep-fried vocals effortlessly ride a bright, pinched melody” SPIN

“stripped-down, rustic instrumentation to provide the bedding for an immersive listening experience” – Paste Magazine

“southern rock meets The Cure.” – My Old Kentucky Blog

Ha Ha Tonka is an unmistakable indie-meets-Southern rock band comprised of Brett Anderson, Lennon Bone, Lucas Long and Brian Roberts. Sitting at the crossroads of Americana and indie- where Alabama meets Arcade Fire- the quartet are primed for the release of their highly anticipated fourth full-length album, Lessons, on September 24th via Bloodshot Records. The album was recorded at Bright Eyes’ ARC Studios in Omaha, Nebraska and in NYC with producers Dan Molad (Lucius) and The Ryantist.

With the previously revealed album title track described by ELLE as “a steady, rhythmic rocker”, the band has just shared new album track “Rewrite Our Lives” with Paste Magazine. An upbeat, energetic cut containing a runaway chorus & an atmospheric, massive sound akin to that of the great American railroad dream, you can hear the track below (and download it for free in exchange for an email address).

Sonically, Lessons marks a departure from Ha Ha Tonka’s more stripped down style to one that is filled with lush instrumentation. As the title implies, the inspiration behind Lessons stems from life’s biggest ones. Motivated by late illustrator and renowned children’s author Maurice Sendak’s musings on the creative process and what it means to be an artist, the band captured this message and the fragile, oft-irrational comedy of life in sonic form.

Ha Ha Tonka has become renowned for its authentic, effortless brand of indie-Americana, seamlessly fusing the traditional with modern, contemporary elements. Having played alongside the likes of Old 97s, Murder By Death, Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin & more, Ha Ha Tonka will take to the road this fall on a full North American tour (check out the dates below)!

artworks-000052264700-o36ufu-t500x500
Listen: Ha Ha Tonka – “Rewrite Our Lives” (and free download in exchange for email)
Ha Ha Tonka on Tour:
9/26: Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Music Festival
9/27: Columbia, MO @ Forrest Rose Park
9/28: Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
10/2: Las Vegas, NV @ LVCS
10/3: San Diego, CA @ Casbah *
10/4: Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite *
10/5: San Francisco, CA @ Thee Parkside *
10/7: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir *
10/8: Bellingham, WA @ Wild Buffalo House of Music *
10/9: Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern *
10/11: Salt Lake City, UT @ Garage On Beck *
10/12: Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive *
10/18: Springfield, MO @ Lindberg’s
10/19: Ozark, AR @ Mulberry Mountain – Harvest Music Festival
10/22: Iowa City, IA @ The Mill *
10/23: Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry *
10/24: Green Bay, WI @ Crunchy Frog *
10/25: Milwaukee, WI @ Club Garibaldi *
10/26: Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall *
11/8: Columbus, OH @ Rumba Cafe *
11/9: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern *
11/11: Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
11/13: Cambridge, MA @ TT The Bears *
11/14: New York, NY @ The Studio *
11/15: Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy *
11/16: Washington, DC @ Rock N Roll Hotel *
11/18: Knoxville, TN @ Barleys *
11/19: Atlanta, GA @ The Earl *
11/20: Nashville, TN @ High Watt *
11/21: Little Rock, AR @ Stickyz Rock n Roll Chicken Shack *
11/22: Dallas, TX @ Club Dada *
11/23: Austin, TX @ Stubbs Jr *
11/29: St. Louis, MO @ Plush
* Samantha Crain supporting

Leave a comment

Filed under Awesome, new albums, Newest Love, Shows

Download: Peelander Z – “Ride On The Shooting Star”

image001

Check out the new song from Peelander Z, “Ride On The Shooting Star” which is described as an uplifting, coming-of-age, “get-the-girl” song. It’s from their upcoming new album Metalander-Z.

Listen/download: Peelander Z – “Ride On The Shooting Star”

The group bills itself as a “Japanese action comic punk band” and dresses like characters on a toddler TV show. (Members’ names include Peelander-Purple, Peelander-Yellow, Peelander-Green and Peelander-Pink.)

During a concert, the guys are known to run around onstage, engage with the audience and do pretty much anything to pump up the crowd.

The album (the band’s eighth studio recording) is set for release on September 10th, 2013 via Austin’s Chicken Ranch Records. Some of the albums that inspired Metalander-Z include AC/DC’s High Voltage, Cinderella’s Night Songs, Def Leppard’s Pyromania, Iron Maiden’s Number of The Beast, Motley Crue’s Too Fast For Love, Van Halen’s 1984, and ZZ Top’s Eliminator.

 

09/11 Pittsburgh, PA @ 31st St. Pub
09/12 Toledo, OH @ Frankie’s
09/13 Canton, OH @ The Auricle
09/14 Buckland, OH @ Buckland Community Center
09/15 Chicago, IL @ Riot Fest 1:10PM
09/15 Chicago, IL @ Emporium Arcade Bar
09/17 Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium (Dempsey’s Upstairs)
09/18 Sioux Falls, SD @ Billy Frog’s
09/19 St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
09/20 Ames, IA @ The Maintenance Shop
09/22 Denver, CO @ Riot Fest 1:10PM
09/26 Norman, OK @ Opolis
09/27 Dallas, TX @ Three Links
09/28 Austin, TX @ Mohawk
09/29 Houston, TX @ Super Fun Happy Land
10/01 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks w/ Mudhoney
10/02 Mobile, AL @ Alabama Music Box
10/03 Atlanta, GA @ The Drunken Unicorn
10/04 Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall
10/05 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
10/11 Boston, MA @ Church of Boston
10/12 Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar
10/15 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
10/16 Charlotte, NC @ Tremont Music Hall
10/17 Knoxville, TN @ The Bowery
10/18 Nashville, TN @ The Mercy Lounge
10/19 Chattanooga, TN @ JJ’s Bohemia
10/20 Orlando, FL @ Orange County Convention Center Nerdapalooza
10/22 Lake Worth, FL @ Propaganda
10/23 Gainesville, FL @ High Dive
10/24 Ybor City, FL @ The Orpheum w/ Casulties, Negative Approach
10/25 Jefferson, LA @ House of Shock Haunted House
10/31 Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands

 

Leave a comment

Filed under downloads, new albums, Shows

The Fratellis Announce New Album!

the fratellis

The Fratellis are back! After a 5-year release hiatus, the band is thrilled to announce their third full-length album We Need Medicine, slated for release on October 8 through BMG. An 11-track record of bluesy rock anthems, it was recorded in Glasgow’s West End and produced by Jon Fratelli and Stuart McCredie, who also mixed the record.

Lead by driving percussion, “This Old Ghost Town” is an upbeat summer-perfect track, while the darker “Rock n Roll Will Break Your Heart“ tells a tale of regret and love lost. “Seven Nights Seven Days” is a rousing jam with a deliriously catchy guitar hook, pounding keys and classic Fratellis snarling vocals. Check out “Seven Nights Seven Days” now!

Listen: The Fratellis – “Seven Nights Seven Days”

Renowned for their electrifying live show, The Fratellis are planning to take the US by storm this fall. Stay tuned for more news & tour details coming soon!

albumcover

 

We Need Medicine Track List

1. Halloween Blues
2. This Old Ghost Town
3. She’s Not Gone Yet But She’s Leaving
4. Seven Nights Seven Days
5. Shotgun Shoes
6. Whisky Saga
7. This Is Not The End Of The World
8. Jeannie Nitro
9. We Need Medicine
10. Rock n Roll Will Break Your Heart
11. Until She Saves My Soul

 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Awesome, listen, Lists, new albums

Check ‘Em Out: Raccoon Fighter

RacoonFighter

Brooklyn trio Raccoon Fighter has announced the release of their debut LP, ZIL, out October 1st via Papercup Music. The band, comprised of three guys from Southern New Jersey, has spent the past two years quietly infiltrating Brooklyn’s music scene with their not-so-quiet brand of bluesy rock ‘n’ roll. For a taste of their infectious sound and a sneak peek at ZIL, you can listen to track “Santa Tereza” below.

Packing a mean punch with the gritty, raw vocal stylings of lead singer Sean Gavigan, the hypnotic basslines of Gabe Wilhelm, and a steady, driving foundation set by Zac Ciancaglini, Raccoon Fighter’s sound is as much razor-sharp as it is in-your-face . All hailing from the same small Jersey town, it wasn’t until close friends Sean and Zac, who had played together in previous bands, met Gabe (who contributed bass parts to Ryan Adams’ Easy Tiger, among other albums) through a mutual friend that everything fell into place. While the three tend to be soft-spoken off stage, their raucous live shows burst with passion and raw energy.

zil

Listen: Raccoon Fighter – “Santa Tereza”

ZIL Tracklist:
Delivered
Santa Tereza
My Ticket
Street Urchins
Down and Out In a Diamond City
In My Pocket
Wolf At Your Window
Pyramid Scheme to Heaven

Leave a comment

Filed under Awesome, Check 'em Out!, new albums

Debut: Team Spirit

TEAMS

Team Spirit are thrilled to announce their US Spring tour with Peace. The Brooklyn rock band, fronted by former Passion Pit member Ayad Al Adhamy, just wrapped up select dates with The Joy Formidable. Starting April 30th, Team Spirit will be supporting UK buzz band/NME cover darlings Peace for dates across the US in support of their self-titled debut EP, which came out last week on VICE Records / Warner Bros. Records. Check out the band’s new video for “Jesus He’s Alright” below.

Click image to check out the EP on iTunes

Click image to check out the EP on iTunes

‘Team Spirit’ EP Tracklisting:
  1. Jesus He’s Alright!
  2. MRDR It’s Ok
  3. Fuck The Beach
  4. Teenage Love
  5. Phenomenon

Confirmed Tour Dates:

EP Release Party:

04.25 – Swat Bar, 59 Canal St – New York, NY 21+, $10 at the door; doors at 9pm.

With Peace:

  • 05.30 – Brick & Mortar – San Francisco, CA
  • 05.31 – Echo – Los Angeles, CA
  • 06.01 – Constellation Room – Santa Ana, CA
  • 06.03 – Larimer Lounge – Denver, CO
  • 06.05 – Turf Club – Minneapolis, MN
  • 06.06 – Schubas – Chicago, IL
  • 06.08 – Rock & Roll Hotel – Washington, DC
  • 06.10 – Johnny Brendas – Philadelphia, PA
  • 06.11 – Knitting Factory – Brooklyn, NY
  • 06.12 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY
  • 06.13 – Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA

Leave a comment

Filed under Awesome, Check 'em Out!, listen, Shows, video

Download: Hollis Brown – “Down On Your Luck”

Lo_Res_Press_Photo_1_4

After releasing their debut EP last year, the NYC-based band is gearing up to put out their first full-length album, Ride On The Train. Full of gritty jams and soft, sweet ballads, Ride On The Train will be released March 5th via Alive Records.

Despite its title, album track “Down On Your Luck” sets a bright, hopeful tone with twangy guitars and a playful vocal melody. “Doghouse Blues” is a straight-up bluesy rock song with rollicking melodies and dirty guitar licks. “Walk On Water” kicks it up a notch with raw vocals and screeching guitar solos. Tracks like the melancholic “If It Ain’t Me” and the powerfully optimistic “Faith & Love” showcase the band’s vulnerable side. The album closes on a sweet note with “Nightfall,” fading out with smooth, crooning vocals drifting above light, dreamy instrumentation.

Having already performed alongside Deer Tick and Caveman, Hollis Brown will hit the road for a mini East-coast tour this month. Be sure to catch them live in your city, and stay tuned for more from Hollis Brown coming soon!

Download: Hollis Brown – “Down On Your Luck”

Hollis Brown on Tour:
1/11: Annapolis, MD @ Metropolitan
1/16: Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
1/17: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
1/18: Columbus, OH @ Rumba Cafe
1/19: Frederick, MD @ Cafe Nola
2/01: Burlington, VT @ Red Square
2/02: Boston, MA @ Great Scott
2/16: Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy

Leave a comment

Filed under Check 'em Out!, downloads, new albums

Video: The Money Go Round – “YAYAYA”

Check out this video from Sydney, Australia’s The Money Go Round.

The Money Go Round is a means of expression for five Sydney artists who have all had a passion for art and music throughout their lives. It is the product of years of experimentation, to develop a nucleus that promotes creative collaboration. Their debut single “YAYAYA” is about wanting something you can’t have. It sounds like falling down a waterfall into a bucket of rainbow paint. “YAYAYA” was produced by TMGR and Tracked/Mixed and Mastered through 301 Studios, Sydney.

The Money Go Round would very much like to embody the rock/psychedelic genre, TMGR are set to achieve a sound with longevity that is both modern and vintage, and drive their music with strong and memorable live performances.

For fans of: The Black Keys, Tame Impala, Kasabian, Black Lips, The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys.

AND, if ya fancy, you can go download “YAYAYA” for free, too.

Download: The Money Go Round – “YAYAYA”

Leave a comment

Filed under Check 'em Out!, downloads, listen, video

Check ‘Em Out: Automagik

Automagik is a five-piece rock n’ roll outfit from Cincinnati, OH. With a sound inspired by the sunshine-y tones of the Beach Boys, the grizzly groove of the Gorillaz, and the upbeat party pop of Weezer, Automagik aims to arouse feelings of pure candy-coated jubilation and fuel all-night parties of the piñata-smashing variety. Since it’s inception at the end of 2010, the band has made great strides, seeing a few of their signature tunes featured in television programs such as MTV’s Battle of the Exes and ABC’s Rookie Blue, as well as being featured in two levels of the All-Nighters “Pokemon Snap” inspired iPod/iPhone app called “Rock Photographer.” With a new album nearing completion and a tour currently underway, Automagik is hard at work providing the essential soundtrack to anyone’s good time.

Leave a comment

Filed under Check 'em Out!, video

Newest Love: Oceanics

Rock-pop four-piece, Oceanics have a brand new video for their single Jukebox. Simply put, the video is a video about making a video, directed by Genki Yamasaki and starring actress Cleo Massey of television show H20: Just Add Water. The single is the first from their recent EP, Bright People, recorded with Aria award winning engineer Wayne Connolly (Josh Pyke, The Vines, The Living End). Bright People has seen success in the US and was featured on MTV, MSN and AOL music, and even had a Glee moment, receiving acclaim on the blog, You, Me & Charlie (Dianna Agron of Glee’s blog).

Oceanics are on tour in July with shows along the east-coast of Australia with Hey Geronimo, Velociraptor, and Rockets.

Leave a comment

Filed under Awesome, Check 'em Out!, downloads, listen, Newest Love, video

Video: New Manic Spree – “Sangria”

NEW MANIC SPREE have released their first single Sangria from upcoming EP; delivering the full package of catchy melodies, strong rock vocals, pumping bass, and maniacal guitar that the Brisbane-based four-piece is known for.
Accompanying the single is a new video clip, working in collaboration with Oomph! Studios, and continuing the collaboration on from their last release, Hollywoods and Galaxies. The concept behind the clip was conceived by guitarist, Ed Hiew, and will eventually become part of a short film to be released in full later this year.

Leave a comment

Filed under listen, video