SF Spotlight: Numbers Game – “Cold Cold Cold”

Numbers Game“cold cold cold”

Okay, really. I never ceased to be amazed at the sheer brilliance of our city’s very own cadre of bedroom rockers. Just take a listen to this one man act, Doc Matthews, calling himself Numbers Game. A recent transplant from Detroit, he now calls San Francisco home and recorded this track in his bedroom…of course. And if that’s not impressive enough, check out his video for the song “Love Dreams Love.” All DIY by Doc himself.  I love his early 80s throwback sound.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

SF’s Maus Haus To Kick Off Noise Pop [New Music]

Maus Haus – “Winter

San Francisco synth rockers, Maus Haus, are poised to break out. They’re already climbing the charts at CMJ and now they’re set to kick off this year’s Noise Pop festival at The Mezzanine with the likes of My First Earthquake, !!! and Sugar & Gold. The band will be unleashing their new 7 inch the same night (that sounds kind of perverted, doesn’t it?) featuring the tracks “Winter” and “Zig Zag”.  Consider yourself informed.

This Frontier Needs Heros – “Firefly” [Free MP3]

This Frontier Needs Heros – “Firefly

When this Brooklyn-based brother and sister folk duo contacted me about their debut album saying they toured the UK with one of my favorite bands, She Keeps Bees, I couldn’t help but take note.  Indeed there are similarities with their stripped down sound and stories of love, loss and longing, but This Frontier is a more folky variety. Check out the track ‘Firefly’.  And if you’re heading to Austin this year for SXSW, look for them on the schedule.

I Think I’m Having a Mid-Life Crisis…

Malachai “Snowflake”

Seriously. I’m coveting muscle cars? What’s wrong with me! I’ve never done that before. First it was the little old lady in the pristine 1974 Ford Mustang taunting me every morning as I drive down Van Ness en route to work.  Now this parks next to me on a daily basis, begging for my affection. Well, you have it pretty lady. Every time I see you I want to rip off my clothes and have hot, sweaty sex on your benchseat. And I didn’t even know your name. I do now. Dodge Charger. Year? You tell me.

Damn, what a badass car. It’s so Clint Eastwood. And you can’t have a badass car without some badass music. Bristol, England’s Malachai will do quite nicely in this beauty, thank you very much. Their new album, Ugly Side of Love, is as raw, vintage and hot as this machine. Just check out the track “Snowflake” and see for yourself. Perfection.

These New Puritans – “Orion” [Free MP3]

These New Puritans – “Orion

These New Puritans are about to release their second album, Hidden. Due to release in the US on 3/2, the album has already been greeted with astonishing reviews in the UK.  The band has cleared the track “Orion” for free download, which features the New London Children’s Choir, Japanese Taiko drums, chains, roto-toms and more. File this band under ‘art rock.’

SF Spotlight: The Northern Key

The Northern Key “Proof”

Channeling Elliott Smith, San Francisco’s Andrew Galluccio gives his take on indie folk as The Northern Key. His self-titled album is out now on SF’s very own Tricycle Records. Truly a local project, the album was recorded and mixed by The Morning Bender’s Chris Chu at Different Fur Studios.  Andrew will be performing at Noise Pop this month, opening for Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros at Bimbos on February 28.

Yeasayer – “Ambling Alp” (Alan Wilkis Remix)

Yeasayer – Ambling Alp (Alan Wilkis Remix)

Lots of remixes coming out for the new Yeasayer album and I like this one from Alan Wilkis. “Ambling Alp” is the first single from their forthcoming album Odd Blood due out this week on Secretly Canadian. The band starts an international tour this month and will land at San Francisco’s The Fillmore on April 17. Get tickets.