One to Watch: Abbe May – “Mammalian Locomotion”

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Artist: Abbe May
Album: Forthcoming
Release Date: May 2011
Homeland: Australia (Perth)
Track: “Mammalian Locomotion“ (original)

“Mammalian Locomotion (Kevin Parker & Cam Avery of Tame Impala) Remix”

Dang. The Australian invasion continues. This week it’s Abbe May – a gritty, bluesy, rock n roll throw down. “Mammalian Locomotion” is a track off her forthcoming LP due out in May next year. Kevin Parker and Cam Avery of Tame Impala have just crafted a remix of the track, making her ‘One to Watch’ status even more legit. Tour dates to be announced soon.

New Music: The Western States Motel

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Artist: The Western States Motel
Album: Freeway Freeway Riverbed
Homeland: California, USA
Release Date: February 2011
Track: “Country and Western Song”

The Western States Motel is the brain child of Monterey, CA native Carl Jordan. I fell in love with his home recorded EP, Painted Birds Flying in the Orange Mirror Sun, way back in 2008. Now he’s back with a new LP due out early next year called Freeway Freeway Riverbed.

Invisible Children Holiday Benefit @ The Troubador 12/20

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Guards – “Long Time”

Mountain Man – “Animal Tracks”

For you LA-based folks, there’s a great show for a great cause coming your way courtesy of KCRW on December 20 at The Troubadour. Best of all the event is being curated by friends Rollo & Grady and our very own Yours Truly. On tap for the line up are Mountain Man, Guards and an acoustic set by Deer Tick frontman John McCauley. There’s also a surprise, secret headliner in store that will be making their debut performance. Details will be announced soon but it’s good, trust me.

All proceeds will go towards Invisible Children’s programs to help the war-affected people of East Africa. Tickets are $15. Now go do some good and buy one  here.

The Black Ryder @ Popscene

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Photo by Adam Morse

The Black Ryder – “Gone Without Feeling”

Had the pleasure of catching the Australian-based shoegaze group, The Black Ryder, at Popscene last Thursday for their live San Francisco debut (along with the funny and talented @heyitsadam). Let’s just put it this way; I’m very fond of Australian bands, I like shoegaze and I really like hot women playing instruments. So it was a winning combination. Visually and sonically it was a sultry and seductive experience.  Supporting them for the show on bass was Dirty Laundry TV host, Malia James. And here I thought she was just another indie music blogger.

Their debut album, Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride, is out on tastemaker label Mexican Summer now.

Sonny Smith + The Sandwitches = Sonny & The Sandwitches

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Sonny & The Sandwitches – “Throw My Ashes Off the Pier”

Singer/songwriter Sonny Smith is a San Francisco treasure. The album “Tomorrow is Alright” released with his band The Sunsets is one of my favs. Now he’s teamed up with some members of another local group, the Sandwitches, to release an EP on Endless Nest December 11. The music is inspired by his near death experience swimming off the coast of Northern California. Pre-order here.

Terrorbird Holiday Bash 12/4: Maus Haus, Fol Chen, Exrays

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Terrorbird and Epicsauce present a holiday extravaganza this Saturday, December 4 at Bottom of the Hill featuring:

Maus Haus – “We Used Technology (but Technology Let Us Down)”

Fol Chen – “Cable TV”

Brent Amaker and the Rodeo – “Man in Charge”

Exray’s – “Hesitation”

I Never Listen To Your Mixtape…

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Artist: Lady Fortune
Album: The Light from the Television EP
Homeland: UK
Label: Moorhouse Records
Release Date: 12/13/10 (or 13/12/10 for you Brits)
Featured Track: “Mixtape”

Don’t you love when the lyrics to a song just nail it? Yeah, I got that feeling when I listened to this track from UK-based Lady Fortune. I knew from the moment I heard it that Nick (the vocalist who sent me it) and I were going to get along. I completely agree with his mixtape sentiments. (Eye to eye, Nick.) It reminds me of what I like most about music, which is it’s ability to more elegantly express or articulate a sentiment or feeling. Even if that sentiment is music snobbery.  With a sound a bit like The Strokes meets Jamie T., they’re beginning to make some buzz across the pond. Their new EP, The Light from the Television, is due out on Moorhouse Records next month.

Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride

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Artist: The Black Ryder
Album: Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride
Homeland: Australia
Genre: Shoegaze
Label: Mexican Summer
Track: “Let it Go”

Australian shoegazers, The Black Ryder, released their debut LP “Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride” on Mexican Summer earlier this year. A great title that conjures up the work and ethos of Hunter S. Thomspon. A good parallel because both are deliciously distorted. The band is scheduled to make their live debut in San Francisco Thursday, December 2 at 330 Ritch as part of Popscene. It’s a free show so get there early!

12/1 @ The Rickshaw Stop: Phantom Kicks, The Actors, Sunbeam Rd.

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Phantom Kicks – “Cut from a Different Clay”

The Actors – “First Date”

Sunbeam Rd. – “Rocketeer“

 

Stuck in My Head: New Mexico – “Chosen Ones”

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New Mexico – “Chosen Ones”

I have not stopped listening to this EP, Have You Met My Friend?, since it landed in my inbox. Fast, rough and dirty, it’s one of my favorites for 2010 for sure so make sure you pick it up. And this track in particular?  H.e.a.v.y. rotation. To the point where it’s become a morning ritual. Two cups of coffee and a shot of New Mexico and I’m out the door, ready to take on the world.

They’ll be hitting SF this winter and have a tentative date for January 26 at The Knockout. Yeah. Mark your calendars…get set…GO!