Category Archives: Spanking New Music

White Denim ‘Exposion’ Released Today

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Whoo hoo!  I just bought my first album today via Topspin!  And it was the much anticipated debut LP from my favorite Texas rockers, White Denim, to boot.  The album is being digitally debuted with the new platform in advance of the album’s physical release on November 3.  In case you don’t recall from my prior posts, Topspin is a cool new technology platform that is helping artists circumvent labels and market directly to the fans.  It allows artists to offer a variety of ‘value add’ options and services to their fans.  

Take a trip to the White Denim site and you’ll see what I mean.  You can:

  1. Download the album in MP3 format with artwork for $8.99,
  2. Download the album in lossless FLAC format (for all you sound junkies) for $13.99,
  3. Or subscribe to the ‘band’ for a yearly membership of $29.99 and receive their new album in 320 kbps format, a 12″ copy of the album, a 7″ copy of the “Let’s Talk About It” EP , and a collection of unreleased digital live tracks. Plus a lot more goodies throughout the year. 

Cool huh?  It’s a whole new way to consume music and the artist gets to reap the rewards. What a concept.

Here’s Shake, Shake, Shake:

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The Western States Motel – New EP

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The Western States Motel is the name given to the work of Monterey, CA native and Los Angeles resident Carl Jordan, whose first endeavor was the soundtrack to a short documentary on Johnny Cash’s infamous 1968 concert at Folsom Prison.   His latest EP, Painted Birds Flying in the Orange Mirror Sun, was recorded in the confines of his LA home and sounds like a sunnier, more optimistic Elliot Smith.  And that’s A-OK by me.

Take a listen to ‘Oh World‘:

Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

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Canadian Invasion

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The best thing about my ‘job’ as a blogger (I say that with air quotes), are the presents I get in my inbox from new artists and record labels promoting their goods.  It’s like a treasure hunt, sometimes the hunt leaves you empty handed but other times you hit jackpot.  That’s the way I felt this week as I listened to two new releases from Canadian artists, The High Dials and Wintersleep. Check it out for yourself.

The High Dials

Montreal-based The High Dials make lush, intelligent psychedelic pop; dreamy anthems built on bittersweet melodies, bright harmonies and moody guitar sounds.  They already have a notable fan base with the likes of Brian Jonestown Massacre, who’ve declared them the ‘best band in North America’ and Rod Argent, legendary songwriter of the Zombies. Their new album ‘Moon Country‘ released this week.

The High Dials play this Saturday, October 18, at The Hotel Utah in San Francisco.

 

Listen to: These Days Mean Nothing to Me

 
Open Up the Gates


Wintersleep

I’ve been listening to this album from Halifax- based, Wintersleep, repeatedly since I got it.  Their new album, ‘Welcome to the Night Sky’, rose to the top of the Canadian indie rock charts drawing comparisons to acts such as Radiohead, Mogwai and Low. The album, which has been called a masterpiece by many, is now available in the US and expected to take America by storm. I’m hooked.

Don’t miss Wintersleep at Slims in San Francisco November 24.

 

Listen to:   Weighty Ghost

Listen to: Drunk on Aluminum

 

Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

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Free Music Friday: Arch M

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Arch M – 21st Union

This up and comer from South London calling himself Arch M has been enthralling me lately with his lo-fi aesthetic.  His EP cassette, Mountain Tan Commericials, is available for free download here, and his full album Moon Tan should be released on the Cavern label some time soon. 

Check out the track 21st Union.  So nice.

 

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Brett Dennen – Hope for the Hopeless

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Brett Dennen’s third album, ‘Hope for the Hopeless‘, is due out October 21 and will be followed by a 11 city mini tour, San Francisco included.  The mini-tour is a return to the smaller venues Brett began playing just five years ago. Dennen and his full band are preparing a larger headlining tour for early 2009. 

Take a listen to the track, ‘Make You Crazy’ featuring Femi Kuti and be sure to catch him at one of these stops.


November 3             Portland, OR             Doug Fir

November 5             Seattle, WA            Triple Door
November 6             San Francisco, CA            The Independent
November 7            Los Angeles, CA            Hotel Café

November 8            Los Angeles, CA            Hotel Café

November 10            Denver, CO            Walnut Room

November 11            Austin, TX            The Continental Club

November 13            Chicago, IL            Schubas

November 14            Annapolis, MD            Ramshead Onstage

November 15            Philadelphia, PA            Tin Angel

November 16            Boston, MA            Passim
November 18            New York, NY            Canal Room

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