Category Archives: Spanking New Music

Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride

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Artist: The Black Ryder
Album: Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride
Homeland: Australia
Genre: Shoegaze
Label: Mexican Summer
Track: “Let it Go”

Australian shoegazers, The Black Ryder, released their debut LP “Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride” on Mexican Summer earlier this year. A great title that conjures up the work and ethos of Hunter S. Thomspon. A good parallel because both are deliciously distorted. The band is scheduled to make their live debut in San Francisco Thursday, December 2 at 330 Ritch as part of Popscene. It’s a free show so get there early!

Jim Noir – Zooper Dooper EP

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Jim Noir – “Cars”

Yes, I know you all think @indierockgirl is a one trick pony with my never ending array of garage rock recommendations, but I do dabble in a little indie pop now and then. Mostly the British variety (don’t ask me why) and Jim Noir is one of those artists, much like The Bees and The Beta Band, that I have a big soft spot for. Jim is a quirky, eccentric, bowler hat wearing guy that does an excellent job of making psychedelic pop. Eanie Meany, My Patch and Tower of Love are some of my favorites. His new EP, Zooper Dooper, is out now and available for mere 4 quid. Buy it here.

Sexy Neighbors – “The Chain”

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Sexy Neighbors – “The Chain”

Sexy neighbors. I can tell you a thing or two about that because, hands down, my neighbor brings home THE hottest guys I’ve ever seen in San Francisco. Sigh, too bad he’s gay. (bah dum bum). True story, but I digress. In all seriousness, I almost chalked this album up as my beloved mystery album of 2010. It’s been on rotation in my car for months now but I lost the one sheet, lost the CD cover and the files on the album were not encoded with any information (shame on you Sexy Neighbors)! It wasn’t until I found the album cover wilting under a pile of used Blue Bottle coffee cups that discovered the identity of this band. Sexy Neighbors are Brooklyn-based group that bring me back to the debut days of Violent Femmes. Their messy sound teeters on the verge of completely falling apart. And just when you think it will, they pull it back together into something altogether different, compelling. It’s brilliant and full of surprises. I love it.

BRAINSTORM – “Beast in the Sky” 7 inch [Free Download]

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Brainstorm – “Beast in the Sky”

This duo from Portland came to me by way of another OCMD fav, Buke and Gass. With both of those bands being friends and Buke and Gass being friends of my friend, I feel we’re all just one big happy family now thanks to the Internets. BRAINSTORM have just released a 7″ for free download called Beast in the Sky, which, in their words, is “a flurry of sounds referencing Colombian Cumbia, African High-Life, and noisy prog.” Download it for free here.

The Bees – “I Really Need Love”

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Artist: The Bees (A Band of Bees in the US)
Album: Every Step’s a Yes
Track: “I Really Need Love”

I’ve been a fan of the UK-based band known as The Bees (UK) or A Band of Bees (US) since their inception in 2002 with Sunshine Hit Me. They’re back after a three year hiatus from Octopus with the release of Every Step’s a Yes. The 6 piece are known to experiment –  mixing reggae, funk, and Simon and Garfunkel folk-like harmonies into one groovy, hazy meltdown of 60s and 70s pop. Works for me. What’s even better is they were on the first round up of artists announces for SXSW 2011. Yay!

Bastard Lovechild of Rock ‘n Roll [Free EP]

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Bastard Lovechild of Rock ‘n Roll – “Booty Makin’ Baby Shakin’”

Meet the Bastard Lovechild of Rock ‘n Roll. Need I say more? Well, alright. This Florida-based duo have just release their debut EP, Bim Bom. A gritty, raunchy, psychedelic (and oh-so-satisfying) dose of rock ‘n roll. And with band members calling themselves Cookie Sugarhips (vocals,guitars, keys) and Hot Damm Sweet Huckleberry Winn (percussionist, blues harp, keys), what’s not to love? Grab their EP for freeeee here.


One to Watch: Lia Ices – “Grown Unknown”

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Artist: Lia Ices
Album: Grown Unknown
Release Date: 1/25/11
Label: Jagjaguwar
Featured Track: “Grown Unknown”

When my friend told me about his girlfriend the musician from Brooklyn I didn’t think much about it. When he said she has an album coming out on Jagjaguwar I thought…hold up, I need to check this out. Because when a label with that kind of reputation signs an artist it’s for a good reason. And listening to this track it’s clear what that reason is. She’s quite the talented songstress and could easily follow the same trajectory of Feist and Cat Power. Her debut album, Grown Unknown, is slated to be released on 1/25/11 and includes a track with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon.

One to Watch: New Mexico – “Have You Met My Friend?”

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Artist: New Mexico (formally Apes of Wrath)
Album: Have You Met My Friend?
Genre: Garage Rock
Release Date: November 16, 2010
Label: Unsigned
Track: “Abused and Amused”

There’s nothing about this San Diego-based trio (formally Apes of Wrath) I don’t like. Their music gives me that warm, tingly feeling. The kind of instant love I felt when I first heard White Denim. In fact this track ‘Abused and Amused’ kinda has a little White Denim going on in there, no? Recently nominated ‘Best Local Act’ in their hometown, they are gearing up to release their debut EP under their new moniker on November 16 via iTunes. Hot, hot, hot.

One to Watch: Cloud Control

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Artist: Cloud Control
Album: Bliss Release
Track: “Meditation Song #2”

Yet another outstanding band hailing from Australia, this four piece from the lovely Blue Mountains seem to be on par with buzz makers Tame Impala. Soooo good. Their much anticipated debut album, Bliss Release, hit Australia earlier this year and is slated for the rest of the world in 2011 (though you can get it on iTunes now). This track, “Meditation Song #2”, will be released as their single in November 22. With their 60’s era boy/girl harmonies and psychedelic jams, what’s not to love? And they keep good company too. The band is currently on tour in Europe with the likes of Tame Impala, Local Natives and The Temper Trap. Yeah, it’s that good.

One to Watch: The Vaccines – ‘Wreckin’ Bar/Blow it Up’

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The Vaccines –  Blow it Up –

‘Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)‘ 

London buzz band, The Vaccines, are officially ‘On the Verge’ with demo that caused a sensation, a debut record now in the making and their first UK tour underway. It’s all happening so fast for them they don’t even have a MySpace page, or website. Described as the Mary Chain on happy pills, their first single ‘Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)/ Blow it Up’ will be available on November 29. But you can get it here now.