I like Wheat. I wonder if their name was inspired by the 70s rock band Bread. Or if they would have named their band Wheat had they formed during the low carb craze. Decidedly lo-fi and low key, this indie band has been rocking for more than 10 years running. Their newest effort, “White Ink, Black Ink” is due out July 21 on The Rebel Group.
Here’s a new track off the album, “H.O.T.T”. Ain’t these lyrics the truth…
“Half of the time I feel broke, cracked, peeled and weathered/ Half of the time I feel shiney and new. Half of the time I feel I’m clever/ half of the time I just haven’t a clue.”
San Francisco’s Kid Mud (aka Sean Duncan) makes good on his debut LP Now They Shut Us Downout today on New and Used Records. I loved his home recorded, one man band solo EP, Birds Will Move In, juxtaposing bleeps and bloops with acoustic longing. For Now They Shut Us Down, he keeps his independent recording flair but takes it up a notch with a host of collaborators, backing vocals and full-fledged recording studio. The result is a set of richly layered, finely crafted indie rock songs. Sparklehorse fans this is right up your alley.
San Francisco fans can catch Kid Mud play the Mission’s El Rio June 17.
Following the March release of the highly acclaimed MYSTERY EP, BLK JKS’ anticipated full-length debut After Robots will be released September 8 on Secretly Canadian.
More than likely you’ve heard of Deerhunter. Their last album, Microcastle, topped many ‘Best Of’ lists last year, including mine. But what about Circulatory System? Yeah, me neither but you soon will – trust me. I got tipped on their forthcoming album, Signal Morning, recently, took a listen and have been smiling ever since. It was like listening to Deerhunter on a Beatles Magical Mystery Tour. Holy head trip! This is fan-fucking-tastic, who are these guys?
As it turns out, Circulatory System has been around a while and share much in common with Deerhunter. Both were formed in 2001 in Georgia, have received critical acclaim and have front men tormented by disease. Circulatory System was founded by Will Cullen Hart after Olivia Tremor Control fell dormant in 2000. He and most of the other Olivias now comprise much of the band. Their eponymous debut album was released that same year to much critical acclaim and their long awaited sophomore release, Signal Morning, is finally due out September 8.
Seven and a half years in the making, Signal Morning has been sculpted from countless hours of recordings. The end product is a heady, complex and orchestral sonic journey. The songs, composed by Hart, explore his battle with Mutliple Sclerosis – much in the same way as Bradford Cox explores his plight with Marfan Syndrome in his work with Deerhunter and Atlas Sound. And like Deerhunter’s trajectory with Microcastle, I expect this album will explode and take them to a higher level.
P.S. Rumor has it that Olivia Tremor Control is together and recording again too!
The explosive Australian trio, Children Collide, appears destined for a break out in the US. Their 2008 album “The Long Now” was rated one of the top international albums of last year and now the band has set sites on America with their maiden North American tour, which coincides with the US release of the album earlier this week. Check their June tour schedule for a performance near you.
Wed Jun 10 – The Casbah, San Diego CA
Thu Jun 11 – Spaceland, Los Angeles CA
Sat Jun 13 – Blank Club, San Jose CA
Sun Jun 14 – Peter’s Room, Portland OR
Mon Jun 15 – Tractor’s Tavern, Seattle WA
Thu Jun 18 – Sho, Salt Lake City, UT
Fri Jun 19 – Marquis Theatre, Denver CO
Sun Jun 21 – TBC, Chicago IL
Mon Jun 22 – Smalls, Detroit MI
Fri Jun 26 – Khyber, Philadelphia PA
Sat Jun 27 – Harpers Ferry, Allston MA
Sun Jun 28 – Mercury Bar, New York NY
Mon Jun 29 – DC9, Washington DC
Fruit Bats new album, The Ruminant Band, is due out 8/4 on Sub Pop. After a four year hiatus, I’m looking forward to the upcoming album from Eric D. Johnson. Not that he hasn’t been busy in that time, playing with The Shins and Vetiver. But after a trying out his new material and band to a very eager audience earlier this year in San Francisco, it looks like his ruminations have finally crystallized into a full fledged album!
Check out the footage of them performing ‘The Ruminant Band’ on KEXP recently.
Apteka, the Chicago-based 4 piece is heading to San Francisco to bring their psych rock, shoegaze sound to The Rumble on June 3 at Harlot. RSVP for the event here then download a free copy of their EP on their MySpace page.
It’s an indie pop orgasm! The latest buzz on the street is the new band Discovery featuring Wes Miles of Ra Ra Riot and Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend. The duo are collaborating to produce a new album expected July 7.
In probably one of the more ingenious marketing launches of an album, the mysterious and elusive details of Dark Night of the Soul – the collaboration between Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse and David Lynch (yes, that’s right) – are now available. You can actually stream the album now on NPR Music.
The album was supposed to be released in July with a book of photographs by David Lynch. But due to ongoing disputes with label EMI, the album will not see an official digial or physical release. (Oy…labels.) So the band will be releasing the album as a blank CD-R with a note to fans to download it from an illegal filesharing network. For now you can enjoy a free stream of the album on NPR Music. Check it out now, while it lasts. You can pre-order the CD (albeit blank) with book of 100 original photos from David Lynch on the bands website now.
the OCMD 