Category Archives: Spanking New Music

Codeine Velvet Club – “Hollywood” [MP3]

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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]

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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”

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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

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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

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

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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

Stuck in My Head: Portugal, The Man – “The Dead Dog”

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Portugal, The Man – “The Dead Dog”

Portugal, The Man has a new album coming out this week (digitally), March 2, called American Ghetto. It’s a tall order to follow on the success of The Satanic Satanist, but one listen to this track leads me to believe this one will be just as good as their last. Get the digital version here.

The Radio Dept. – “Heaven’s On Fire”

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The Radio Dept – “Heaven’s on Fire”

Sweden is at it again.  Stockholm’s The Radio Dept. is scheduled to release their first full length LP in four years, Clinging to a Scheme, on Labrador Records April 21. “Heaven’s on Fire” is the first single from the album. Enjoy.

SXSW Preview: Lawrence Arabia

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Lawrence Arabia – “Apple Pie Bed”

Lawrence Arabia is the alter ego of New Zealander James Milne – a former member of bands like The Ruby Suns, The Brunettes and The Reduction Agents as well as a touring member of Okkervil River. James is stepping into the limelight with his debut album, Chant Darling, and is currently touring Europe in support of Beach House. He’s expected to unleash his pop magic to the US masses starting in Austin next month at SXSW. One to watch for sure.

SF Spotlight: The Morning Benders – “Excuses”

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The Morning Benders – “Excuses”

Every year San Francisco unleashes a break out band on the indie music scene.  Last year it was Girls, the year before that, The Dodos.  This year I’m putting my bets on The Morning Benders.  The Berkeley-based group are getting ready to release their next album, Big Echo, on March 9th and boy do I like the direction they’ve headed with their sound. The album’s opening track, “Excuses”, has a bit of a throwback sound to 50s du wop. Very symphonic, harmonious and just lovely. Check it out.