Futurebirds – “Johnny Utah”

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Futurebirds – “Johnny Utah”

Don’t think for a minute that I would pass up an opportunity as good as this.  A song by a new Athens, GA band about Johnny Utah?  Played by my fav celeb, Keanu Reeves? Pfft..not even a question. So sorry, Futurebirds.  I’ll get your photo up another time.  But opportunity was knocking and I’m definitely answering this call.  You see, Keanu and I, we’re meant to be together.  We just haven’t met me yet.

Futurebird’s debut release Hampton’s Lullaby will be released July 13th via the lovely and fabulous Autumn Tone Records, the label founded by Aquarium Drunkard’s Justin Gage. And you know that if Justin’s behind it, it’s gotta be good.

Cowboy Indian Bear – “Mathematicians/ Colour”

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Cowboy Indian Bear – “Mathematican/Colour”

Something is afoot in Lawrence, Kansas.  This is about the fifth band inquiry I’ve received from that city in the past week yielding yet another band worthy of your attention.  This one by the name of Cowboy Indian Bear. Yes, that’s right. A name descriptive of the band’s sound, or so they say, to convey it’s “featherweight melodies, ghost-like echoes and whirring rhythms which creates an ethereal celebration that is tempered with a tinge of classic rock/pop.” Okay….let’s all get high and free associate.

Their full length album, “Let’s All Get High and Free Associate”, er..no, sorry, “Each Other All The Time” is out now.  All kidding aside, it’s good stuff.

Common Prayer – “Us vs. Them”

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Common Prayer – “Us vs. Them”

In a small town just south of Oxford in the United Kingdom, Brooklyn songwriter / Jason Russo (of Hopewell/ex-Mercury Rev fame) and a constituency of british pop talent hauled several half-tuned guitars, myriad scraps of rusty metal and a piano with a knee-high flood watermark into a cow barn to record an album which would come to be known as Common Prayer. Off key and quirky the album entitled, ‘There Is A Mountain’ will be released in the UK/EU on July 19th. In the meantime, they’ve made this track available for your listening pleasure. Enjoy.

Break It Down: Bibi Tanga – “It’s The Earth That Moves”

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Filtering through the new music in my inbox goes something like this: no, no, no, no, YES, no, no, no, no. This one was a YES.  More like a HELL YES. So irresistible I had to get up and break it down for a minute. Parisian groove master Bibi Tanga has a new album out this week called “Dunya“. Joining forces with producer Professeur Inlassable, they throw down some serious funky Fela Kuti-esque afrobeats and yummy rhythms. Break it down.

Sea of Bees – “Gnomes”

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Sea of Bees – “Marmalade”

Check out the haunting arrangements and beautiful melodies of Sea of Bees. Sea of Bees is comprised of Julie Ann Bee (aka. Jules), a virtual one woman band who released a debut EP last year and is quickly following it up with a full length album called, Songs of the Ravens. She’s already earned the favor of notable musicians like Jon Vanderslice and Jason Lytle.  With that kind of endorsement, you might want to check out her live performance this Sunday, June 6 at The Rite Spot in San Francisco and see for yourself what the ‘buzz’ is all about.

Chief – “Night and Day”

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Chief – “Night and Day”

Whoa…hey, check this number out from the Santa Monica 4-piece calling themselves Chief. Recently signed to Domino Records, the group will be releasing their debut album Modern Rituals on August 17.  Their sound has that kind of harmonic, melodic rock reminiscent of Band of Horses. They’ll be stopping by San Francisco’s Hotel Utah for a set on June 8th.  I think this is a show you might want to see.

Spanking New Music: ceo – “Come with Me”

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ceo – “Come with Me”

ceo is the new project from Eric Berglund of Swedish act The Tough Alliance. His debut album White Magic will release June 29th.  In the meantime, check out the single “Come With Me”. Sounds so deliciously Swedish, doesn’t it?

1. all around
2. illuminata
3. love and do what you will
4. white magic
5. oh god oh dear
6. no mercy
7. come with me
8. ***

Concert Picks ‘O The Week: Local Natives, The Middle East, Phantogram, LCD Soundsystem

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Holy crap kids, it’s another OCMD-infused, action-packed week of music on the San Francisco show circuit.  That is if last week didn’t already kill ya. Here are a few of my picks (with some back ups for the already sold out shows). Rock fist forever!

June 1: The XX + Phantogram @Great American Music Hall
June 2: Local Natives + Suckers @ The Rickshaw Stop
“Sun Hands”
June 2: The Middle East + Mumford and Sons @ Slim’s
“Lonely”
June 3: LCD Soundsystem @ The Fillmore
June 3: Local Natives + Suckers @ Bottom of the Hill
June 3: The Hundred in the Hands @ 330 Ritch (their US debut)
“Ghosts”