Category Archives: Spanking New Music

Fresh Tracks: Royal Baths – “Darling Devine”

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Artist: Royal Baths
Album: Better Luck Next Life
Hails From: Brooklyn by way of SF
Release Date: February 7, 2012
Featured Track: “Darling Devine”

I silently stalked the Royal Baths (formerly known as The Baths) during their debut album launch for Litanies last year, simultaneously in awe of their lo fi sound and androgynistic style. While it took a while to track down a consumable format for their music (no, I still don’t own a tape deck), they had no shortage of local live shows to satisfy my hunger; opening for some of my fav local acts like Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall and The Fresh and Onlys. Unfortunately for me those SF beer soaked bar room sets are over. The group recently signed with Brooklyn-based tastemaker label, Kanine Records, and relocated to the indie music mecca to release their sophomore album, Better Luck Next Life. How fortunate for them.

Low Roar – “Tonight, Tonight, Tonight”

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Artist: Low Roar
Album: Self Titled
Homeland: Iceland by way of San Francisco
Featured Track: “Tonight, Tonight, Tonight”

A simply gorgeous album. If you’re a sucker for pathos and Bon Iver (like me), this album is your anecdote. Ryan Karazija is the man behind Low Roar, who just released his debut, self-titled album this November. Ryan moved from San Francisco to Iceland and began writing this album as he found himself in a state of loneliness struggling to provide for his family in a foreign land. Anyone who as ever picked up and left a stable life in hopes of finding something new/better/different or just to escape from their past knows this feeling of despair, fear of the unknown, and hope of what’s to come. Dive in and wallow in it.

One Last Attempt At Missing Someone…

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Artist: Vic and Gab
Homeland: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Genre: Indie Pop
Featured Track: “I Haven’t Seen You”

That is the track description from song writing sister duo, Vic and Gab, that I stumbled upon trolling Soundcloud recently. And it is just … perfect. The description, the lyrics and the tune.  Indie pop perfection. Sounding like the next generation Tegan & Sara, the Wisco pair have made their childhood hobbies in music  their passion in life. Check out their entire EP on Facebook.

Fresh Tracks: Pontiak – “Lions of Least”

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Artist: Pontiak
Album: Echo Ono
Homeland: Virginia
Release Date: February 12, 2012
Featured Track: “Lions of Least”

Pontiak has been kicking around their Southern-inspired, good ‘ol rock ‘n roll since 2006. The latest effort by the brotherly trio, Echo Ono, is a concept album born under the inspiration to explore color and texture through song and music. Painting through music, if you will. What manifested is their love of loud music and the texture and color it produces. Music so loud it produces physical vibrations in your chest. Described as their most direct and concise album to date, “it was like walking to the top of a hill in a field and watching the sky expand, a vision fully realized.” Turn it up to 11 and see for yourself.

Analog Rebellion – “Father Abraham”

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Analog Rebellion – “Father Abraham”

I love it when Larry sends me his band picks, because he knows how to pick ’em. He’s turned me on to many winners over the years and this tip from Analog Rebellion is no exception. Check out the first single, “Father Abraham”  from the Dallas, Texas based duo’s forthcoming full length.

Daughter – “Love”

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Artist: Daughter
Album: The Wild Youth EP
Hometown: London
Release Date: Nov 21 2011
Featured Track: “Love”

One of the many lovely songstresses to emerge this year, Daughter, is the moniker of 21 year old North Londoner, Elena Tonra. “The Wild Youth” EP is her second release. Her first “His Young Heart” was self-released earlier this summer. Her voice is so lovely. Just listen. This girl’s got it. She’s gonna be big.

Oregon Bike Trails – High School Lover 7″

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Artist: Oregon Bike Trails
Album: High School Lover 7″
Homeland: Los Angeles, CA
Label: Father/Daughter Records
Release Date: September 13, 2011
Featured Track: “High School Lover”

Man, I’m stuck on this new tune sent my way from the good folks at Father/Daughter records. It’s from the LA-based group Oregon Bike Trails (no typo) who are set to release this tasty 7″ next week….on the very auspicious music day of 9/13. The sound is very Beck-esque and the perfect soundtrack to usher in California’s true summer. Get addicted.

James Vincent McMorrow – “Higher Love” (Steve Winwood Cover)

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James Vincent McMorrow – “Higher Love” (Steve Winwood Cover)

Dublin native, James Vincent McMorrow, is embarking on his first North American headline tour starting next week. And if you haven’t been tipped to his beautiful debut album “Early In The Morning” yet, you should get on that now. Move over Bon Iver.

9/8 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
9/9 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
9/10 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
9/11 Montreal, QC @ Sala
9/13 Toronto, ON @ Elmo
9/15 Chicago, IL @ Hideout
9/16 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
9/17 Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
9/20 Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
9/21 Seattle, WA @ Triple Door
9/23 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
9/24 Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater
9/25 Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater

Sea Pinks – “Fountain Tesserae”

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Artist: Sea Pinks
Album: “Dead Seas”
Homeland: Belfast UK
Label: CF/Records
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Featured Track: “Fountain Tesserae”

Sea Pinks is a three piece from Belfast formed as a solo side project by Neil Brogan, the drummer of the group Girls Names. He’s released several EPs on his own label CF/Records and is about to release his second full length on cassette (of course) called “Dead Seas” this September 6. Seeing as he’s already supported the likes of Nodzz, The Mantles, Let’s Wrestle and War Paint…I expect this won’t be the last you’ll be hearing of him.

Future Islands – “Balance”

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Artist: Future Islands
Album: “On the Water”
Release Date: October 11, 2011
Label: Thrill Jockey
Featured Track: “Balance”

“On the Water is a record that aims to both break your heart and heal your wounds.” 
That’s what the press release says anyway. But I know one thing for certain, the vocals of frontman Samuel T. Herring broke my heart the first time I heard “In The Evening Air”. Earning it a spot on my Best of 2010 last year. Needless to say, I have great expectations for their forthcoming LP, “On the Water”. This is a band you need to know, for sure.