Author Archives: the OCMD

SXSW Preview: Jeff The Brotherhood

Posted on by

Hell yeah. These guys made the short list of my Best Albums of 2009 with their debut album, ‘Heavy Days’. I will definitely be paving a path to one of their gigs in Austin. Their live shows are reportedly not to be missed.

3/17 – the Longbranch (12:15am Impose Magazine & Famous Class Showcase)
3/18 – Emos Annex (1:20pm Soundcheck Party)
3/18 – Pizza Guys Pizza (TBA at The Best Damn Day of Duo’s Ever)
3/19 – Karibu’s (3pm)
3/19 – Club 1808 (5pm Chaos In Tejas Party)
3/19 – Club 1808 (7pm Texas Size Headache)
3/20 – The Mohawk (9:30pm Panache Booking Showcase)
3/21 – Beerland (TBA Panache Finale Party)

LCD Soundsystem Debut Song at YSL Fashion Show

Posted on by

Nirvana!  Fashion and music…from LCD Soundsystem nonetheless. By way of @Pitchfork, I came across this video of LCD Soundsystem spinning a new song for the Yves St. Laurent Fall 2010-11 fashion show.  There is no word as to whether or not this track will appear on their forthcoming album expected to release May 17. So until then all we can do is speculate what they have in store for us and how this Flying Nun look those YSL models are sporting will work for me. What do you think?

SXSW Preview: Nive Nielsen – “Room”

Posted on by

Wow, check out this enchanting songstress from Greenland, Nive (pronounced Nehvee) Nielsen. The Inuk will perform at SXSW with an all-star cast of stellar indie musicians for this special occasion. Expect members from Giant Sand, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Ralph Carney (Tom Waits, Pixies, Black Keys) to be part of this unique set up.  Later this year, her debut full-length album “Nive Sings – as played by Nive Nielsen & The Deer Children”, will be released featuring an all-star list of collaborators, including John Parish (PJ Harvey), Howe Gelb (Giant Sand), Ralph Carney, Patrick Carney (Black Keys), Eric Craven (Godspeed You! Black Emperor), Lisa Gamble (Hrsta, Evangelista), Alden Penner (Clues, Unicorns), Matt Bauer (Alela Diane) and Arlen Thompson (Wolf Parade). I think some people are banking on her to be big, no?

3/17/10                                  Austin, TX @ Gibson Room  @ 4PM (Crossing Border Event/SXSW)
3/18/10                                  Austin, TX @ 18th Floor at Hilton Garden Inn @ 10PM (SXSW)
3/21/10                                  Austin, TX @ tbc

Codeine Velvet Club – “Hollywood” [MP3]

Posted on by

Codeine Velvet Club – “Hollywood”

The Fratellis’ Jon Lawler (AKA Jon Fratelli) and singer/songwriter Lou Hickey have a new project called Codeine Velvet Club.  It’s an interesting collaboration with a throwback sound that features an orchestral score written by Mick Cooke of Belle & Sebastian, backing vocals by the Gospel Truth Choir and an array of renowned classical musicians, including legendary trumpeter Derek Watkins. Their self-titled U.S. debut will release April 6th on Dangerbird Records. The album will be available for digital purchase on March 16th. A host of SXSW shows are planned as well followed by a West Coast tour supporting Metric. Check it out.

3/17  The Parish (SXSW)                          Austin, TX
3/18  Austin Convention Center (SXSW)   Austin, TX
3/19  Rusty Spurs (SXSW)                        Austin, TX
3/20  Cedar Street (SXSW)                       Austin, TX

Album of the Week: Serena-Maneesh, “Abyss in B Minor” [Ticket Giveaway]

Posted on by

Artist: Serena-Maneesh
Album: No. 2: Abyss in B Minor
Release Date: March 23, 2010
For Fans Of: The Velvet Underground, MBV, Norwegian metal
Featured Track: “I Just Want to See Your Face”

Very few bands evoke a visceral reaction in me but Serena-Maneesh is one of them. There’s something about their music that touches a place deep and primal within me.  It’s dark, it’s scary and it takes you to the inner recesses of your cobweb-filled mind. Listening to their forthcoming sophomore album, “No.2: Abyss in B Minor”, is a sonic thrill ride like that of a horror movie.  And I mean that in a good way. It’s heart-racing, sit on the edge of your seat music that at times makes you want to cover your eyes and peek through your fingers because it’s so terrifying yet irresistible.  And just when you think you can’t take anymore, when you’ve come to your absolute edge, Elvira comes on with a sweet, soothing ballad to rest your weary nerves. Few albums leave me so emotionally spent, yet satisfied. Cigarette, please.

Serena-Maneesh is the brainchild of Emil Nikolaisen, who is in his own right Norwegian rock royalty. The new album features a variety of collaborators including Sufjan Stevens who plays vibraphone, flute and piano and his own sister, Elvira, who is a pop star in their country . The band is set to embark on a US tour in support of the new album this month and will land at San Francisco’s Bottom of the Hill on March 23.  I’ve got a pair of tickets to giveaway for the show, along with a 12″ vinyl copy of the single “Ayisha Abyss” to the first reader to hit me via email at theocmd@gmail.com. Come and get ’em!

First Listen: Leopold & His Fiction – “Golden Friends”

Posted on by

Leopold and His Fiction – “Golden Friends”

If you don’t already know about the San Francisco-based vintage rock trio, Leopold and His Fiction, you soon will. The band, who is working on their third album with the help of producer Thom Monahan (Vetiver, Devandra Banhart, Beachwood Sparks, Little Joy), gave us a sneak preview of their first single “Golden Friends”.  And boy, do I like what I hear. The song oozes that 70s era blues-rock vibe I love so much. And if the rest of the album is as good as this track, we’re in for a treat.

So enjoy the first listen to “Golden Friends” here, and be sure to grab the singles vinyl release of this and b-side “Throne” on April 29th. If you’re headed to SXSW, be sure to catch them at one of these gigs.

Mar 16 2010 8:00P
Art Disaster no.10 Austin, Texas
Mar 18 2010 1:00P
Bay Area Takeover @ Beauty Bar Austin, Texas
Mar 18 2010 4:00P
Gueros -Mike Galaxy Presents Austin

SXSW Preview: Warpaint

Posted on by

Warpaint – “Elephants”

I’ve really been enjoying this recent (mostly) girl band discovery from Los Angeles, Warpaint. And by the looks of their SXSW schedule, so is everyone else.  Seeing that they are on the showcase line up for the biggest tastemakers on the Internet – including WOXY, Aquarium Drunkard, My Old Kentucky Blog, Pitchfork and Gorilla vs Bear – I’d say the future looks bright for this group who’s debut LP will be released later this year.

Mar 17 2010 2:00P
SXSW: AUSTINIST/WOXY DAY PARTY @ THE MOHAWK Austin, Texas
Mar 17 2010 3:30P
SXSW: PURE VOLUME PARTY @ PURE VOLUME HOUSE Austin, Texas
Mar 17 2010 11:45P
SXSW: ROUGH TRADE SHOWCASE @ EMO’S JR. Austin, Texas
Mar 18 2010 1:00P
SXSW: URBAN OUTFITTERS BACKLOT PERFORMANCES Austin, Texas
Mar 18 2010 3:00P
SXSW: MOKB / GORILLA VS. BEAR’S BIG BLOG PARTY @ THE SPACE Austin, Texas
Mar 18 2010 4:30P
SXSW: AQUARIUM DRUNKARD PARTY @ LAMBERT’S Austin, Texas
Mar 19 2010 12:00P
SXSW: WINDISH / PITCHFORK PARTY @ EMO’S JR. Austin, Texas
Mar 19 2010 3:15P
SXSW: LITTLE RADIO DAY PARTY @ RED EYED FLY Austin, Texas
Mar 19 2010 5:00P
SXSW: DICKIES SOUNDS SHOWCASE @ LUSTRE PEARL Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2010 2:30P
SXSW: 40 WATT DAY PARTY @ THE SIDE BAR Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2010 5:00P
SXSW: DO512 DAY PARTY @ THE COMPOUND Austin, Texas

Ty Segall & Mikal Cronin – “I Wear Black”

Posted on by

How do I love thee, Ty Segall? Let me count the ways. Here’s a new video that cropped up for the track “I Wear Black” from the duo Ty Segall and Mikal Cronin (of Charlie and The Moonhearts) off their album Reverse Shark Attack. Whatever that means.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

The Holloys + Dengue Fever – “Eyes” [MP3]

Posted on by

The Holloys + Dengue Fever: “Eyes”

LA-based, Holloys, have released a new limited edition split 7 inch with Dengue Fever featuring cover art by the visual artist and singer, Jim Brown.  The first in a series of three split singles, each will feature a painting by Jim Brown.  Collect all three to reveal the full artwork.

SXSW Preview: The Pack A.D. – “Crazy” [MP3]

Posted on by

The Pack A.D. – “Crazy”

If these girls are going crazy, then sign me up.  The stripped down Vancouver duo, calling themselves The Pack A.D., packs a real rock and roll punch with their ferocious brand of bluesy garage rock. Their new album, “We Kill Computers”, comes out April 27.  They’ll be hitting SF en route to Austin.  So catch them March 10 at Thee Parkside or at one of the SXSW showcases. All aboard the crazy train.

SXSW Schedule
Mar 18, 2010: AFM Canada/ACTRA RACS Party @ Canada House – on at 12:30pm
Mar 18, 2010: Mint/Six Shooter Hootenanny @ Headhunters – on at 3:55pm
Mar 18, 2010: The Best Damn Day of Duo’s ever @ Pie Guys Pizza – on at 6pm
Mar 19, 2010: Showcase show @ Jaime’s Spanish Villa w/ Grand Analog – on at 12am