Category Archives: Spanking New Music

One to Watch: Imaad Wasif

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Imaad Wasif – “Priestess”

Meet my latest obsession, Imaad Wasif.  No stranger to the indie music scene, the Canadian born, Indian singer-songwriter and guitarist has been in numerous bands including lowercase, The New Folk Implosion and alaska!, but is probably best known as the touring guitarist for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. He also contributed to the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack.

His latest album The Voidist is his third solo release and explores his obsession with the idea of love and faith. Channeling the groovy, psychedelic 70s sound, Imaad is like a harder rocking, less kooky version of Devendra Banhardt. But like Devendra, he seems to fully embrace the free love, hippie aesthetic of that era.  Just take a look at his new video for “Redeemer”, featuring naked women worshiping the sun – and each other.

Imaad has been confirmed as a showcasing artist for SXSW 2010 and I look forward to seeing one of his legendary impassioned live performances in person.

New Brian Jonestown Massacre – ‘Who Killed Sgt. Pepper’

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BJM – “The One”

A new BJM album is set for release on 1/1/2010. The tracklisting for Who Killed Sgt. Pepper? was posted and streaming on their MySpace blog, but then retracted. The band just released a teaser, One EP, in the interim. Here’s the full LP track listing.

1. Tempo 116.7 (Reaching For Dangerous Levels Of Sobriety)
2. The Heavy Knife
3. Lets Go Fucking Mental (Melodica Mix)
4. White Music
5. This Is The First Of Your Last Warnings (Icelandic Version)
6. This Is The One Thing We Did Not Want To Have Happen
7. The One
8. Someplace Else Unknown
9. Detka! Detka! Detka!
10. Super Fucked
11. Our Time
12. Feel It (Of Course We Fucking Do)
13. Felt Tipped-Pen Pictures Of UFOs

SF Spotlight: Silver Swans

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Silver Swans: “Realize The Ghost”

I’ve been on an electronica kick ever since I got off the beach in Mexico. Something about sand and ambient grooves seems to go really well together.  That and I’ve been immersed in my Best Electro Pop 2009 Mixtape (coming soon). Which leads me to a tune I’ve been digging from San Francisco’s very own electronica duo, Silver Swans. Channeling eerie soundscapes reminiscent of The Knife, vocalist Ann Yu and  producer and musician, Jon Waters have recently released their dreamy, electro pop single ‘Realize The Ghost’ that will soon flourished into a full length debut on Tricycle Records in January 2010. Pay attention!

Stuck in My Head: Blakroc – “Ain’t Nothing Like You”

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Blakroc – “Ain’t Nothing Like You”

If you’re like me, you’ve probably listening to the new and much hyped Blakroc album that came out this weekend. For those not in the know (gasp!), Blakroc is a new collaboration between The Black Keys and a variety of notable hip hop artists, including Mos Def, Q-Tip and RZA to name a few. The album has already reached #1 on the hip hop charts on iTunes. While my soul is not stirred by this album, there are a couple of irresistible tracks firmly stuck in my head – like “Ain’t Nothing Like You”.  I love the raw, gritty beats thrown down by The Black Keys throughout the album.  The lyrics just seem to lose me, however. Guess I’m just not a hip-hop kinda girl. Regardless, I still firmly maintain that Mr. Auerbach is my own personal Jesus. ‘Cuz: “There’s nothing like you/You’re super cool.”

Surfer Blood – “Swim”

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Surfer Blood – “Swim”

By way of West Palm Beach, FL comes the latest super-hyped band enamored with that West Coast surf sound, Surfer Blood.  Their forthcoming debut, Astro Coast, will be released on Kanine January 19. They’re currently touring with Japandroids and will hit San Francisco’s The Rickshaw Stop tonight.  Catch a wave!  I think I’ll do the same myself.

Best Coast – “When I’m With You”

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The Best Coast – “When I’m With You”

The West Coast is definitely the Best Coast.  No doubt about it.  And Best Coast founding member Bethany Cosentino knows it too. The former Pocahaunted member launched the project after relocating to Los Angeles from New York and has fully embraced the West coast fuzzed out, surf pop sound. “When I’m With You” is the A-side off her latest 7″, Black Iris. Now if I can only find a vintage replica of that blue and white bikini…

Daisy McCrackin – “Tell Her”

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Daisy McCrackin – “Tell Her”

Wow. I’m not a typically not moved by folk music, but when I heard this song I had to stop what I was doing and give it my full attention.  Beautiful in all of it’s essence – her voice, the story, the music. Daisy is a San Francisco native who moved to LA in pursuit of acting, found her calling in music and has since then dedicated her creative passions to this pursuit. Her debut EP, “The Rodeo Grounds”, is out now on Aeronaut Records.

Pixie Carnation – “When Did the Lights Go Out”

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Pixie Carnation – “When Did the Lights Go Out”

@toomuchhappy Tweeted a while back: “If there was a music olympics Sweden would win a lot of golds. America would struggle. Britain would have a fucking empire.” I couldn’t agree more.  Proof to that point is Pixie Carnation.  Yet another outstanding up and coming band from Sweden.  When will it stop?  Not that I’m complaining but, my god, what’s in the water over there?

With an Americana-orchestral rock vibe, you’d be hard pressed to peg Pixie Carnation as your typical Swedish band.  The unsigned group self-released their debut EP, “Fresh Poems”, in May this year and it’s just starting to hit the US.  Keep your eyes on these guys.

Tindersticks – “Black Smoke” [Free MP3]

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Tindersticks – “Black Smoke”

The UK group, Tindersticks, will release their 8th LP, “Falling Down A Mountain,” on February 16, 2010 in North America. The album will be out January 25, 2010 on 4AD in the rest of the world. (Gah, it’s almost 2010 people!) Download a free track from the album, “Black Smoke”.  I dig it.

New Yeasayer – “Ambling Alp” [Free MP3]

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Yeasayer – “Ambling Alp”

Details of Yeasayer’s second LP have finally surfaced. Their new album, called Odd Blood, will be released on February 8 2010. Seems like a ways away, I know.  So until then you can satiate your craving with this free track from the upcoming album. The tracklisting for the album is as follows:

  1. The Children
  2. Ambling Alp
  3. Madder Red
  4. I Remember
  5. O.N.E.
  6. Love Me Girl
  7. Rome
  8. Strange Reunions
  9. Mondegreen
  10. Grizelda