Tag Archives: indie rock

Blitzen Trapper – Furr

Posted on by

122889

Artist: Blitzen Trapper
Album: Furr
File Under: Americana
Recommended if You Like: Dr. Dog, Pavement, Band of Horses, Bob Dylan
Featured Track: Furr


Portland’s Blitzen Trapper has been stirring up quite the buzz for the past year.  Their last album, Wild Mountain Nation, made my ‘Best of’ list last year and was a darling in the indie music blogosphere.  While some people didn’t take to that album’s lack of focus, I adored their schizophrenic romp through musical genres.  It was very reminiscent of Pavement to me – weird and whimsical, which is a good thing.

The sound from their fourth album, Furr, is much more refined, honed in and mature.  They seem to have grown up and figured out what works for them. And it works very well.  Furr is like Bob Dylan meets Dr. Dog.  They’ve taken the folk/Americana genre and played it out beautifully. No longer does the group sound like a bunch of teenagers trying every passing trend on for size. This album is cohesive and exudes a kind of confidence and talent that comes with maturity.  It’s the real deal.

Blitzen Trapper plays tonight at The Independent in San Francisco.

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

buy it at insound!

Bookmark and Share

Canadian Invasion

Posted on by

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!

Bookmark and Share

Free Music Friday: Arch M

Posted on by

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.

 

Bookmark and Share

Trendspotting: SF Bands You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of – Part 2

Posted on by

Deerhoof

Not to be confused with Deerhunter, which I used to do early on, Deerhoof definitely falls into that category of local ‘experimental’ bands. Like most bands in this genre, I usually have one of two reactions – 1) the band is being weird for the sake of being weird or 2) I’m intrigued by the tension created by the music’s unexpected shifts and dissonance. Deerhoof falls into the latter category for me.Listen to ‘Offend Maggie’:

Dreamdate

I don’t know much about Oakland-based girl band, Dreamdate, other than their tunes are short, catchy and make me feel good.  And at the end of the day, isn’t that all that matters?  Listen for yourself and see.

Listen to ‘Why Don’t You Make Me’:

 

 

Film School

San Francisco-based Film School is just the kind of psych/garage rock, newgaze sound I like.  Listening to them is like a game of ‘Name that Tune’ or early 90s musical influence – The Jesus and Mary Chain… My Bloody Valentine… New Order.  Whatever the case, it all sounds good to me.  Even better live.

Listen to ‘Two Kinds’:

 

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

buy it at insound!

Bookmark and Share

Ra Ra Riot – The Rhumb Line

Posted on by

 

Artist: Ra Ra Riot
Album: The Rhumb Line
File Under: Indie Pop
Recommended if You Like: Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend
Featured Track: Under Ghost Rocks

The best way I can describe Syracuse-based Ra Ra Riot is Arcade Fire meets Vampire Weekend – upbeat rhythms layered over rich orchestral-based melodies. And their live shows, with their huge ensemble cast, are raucous and infectious – just like Arcade Fire.  If you like either of those bands, it would be worth your while to give Ra Ra Riot a listen.  They were the darlings of SXSW this year and are fast becoming a critics choice for 2008 as well.

‘The Rhumb Line’ is the band’s first LP and a tribute to the recent drowning of band member, drummer John Pike, who co-wrote most of the lyrics for their debut album. The title of the album, ‘The Rhumb Line’, is fitting in both its nautical theme and meaning – a term for the constant course a vessel takes in a give direction.  Which is what the remaining band members have had to do.

See them live tomorrow, September 24, at The Rickshaw Stop or watch the video for, ‘Ghost Under Rocks’:

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

buy it at insound!

Bookmark and Share

Sam Champion – Heavenly Bender

Posted on by

Artist: Sam Champion
Album: Heavenly Bender
File Under: Classic Indie Rock
Recommended if You Like: Pavement, Stephen Malkmus, Built to Spill
Featured Tracks: Jealous Shakes, Be Mine Everyone, Dead Moon

Are you a Pavement fan?  If not, stop reading this RIGHT NOW.  I’m sorry to say we can no longer continue this relationship.  If you are, you’re gonna like the latest release, Heavenly Bender, from the Brooklyn-based quartet, Sam Champion.  Steeped in lo-fi, garage-rock jams, their sound may be a little too Wowee Zowee for the non-Pavement aficionado, but for me it’s the perfect combination as bands like Pavement /Stephen Malkmus represent everything I like in Indie Rock music – crunchy guitar jams sandwiched between sweet harmonies.  My indie rock PB&J.  That and I like the band’s sense of humor.  Check out their promo video below.

Listen to ‘Dead Moon’:

Listen to ‘Jealous Shakes‘:

Listen to ‘Be Mine Everyone’:

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

buy it at insound!

Bookmark and Share

the OCMD Mixtape: Sunshine Daydream

Posted on by


I’m in a 70s bohemian state of mind at the moment.  All I want are wide leg jeans, vintage print blouses and great big sunglasses so I can look at the world through yellow-tinged lenses and feel like this. Luckily there’s a new crop of lo-fi, AM Gold music to match my mood.  Enjoy my Sunshine Daydream. To get the MP3 file, sign up for the OCMD Mixtape newsletter.

  1. ‘Dead Moon’ – Sam Champion
  2. ‘Knowledge of Evil’ – David Vandervelde
  3. ‘Eye on the Dollar’ – Citay
  4. ‘The Shedding Path’ – The Lord Bird Dog
  5. ‘Heart of Chambers’ – Beach House
  6. ‘Sugar Man’ – Rodriguez
  7. ‘Lady Luck’ – Richard Swift
  8. ‘Don’t You Worry’ – Jim Noir
  9. ‘Nobody Does it Like You’ – Department of Eagles
  10. ‘Ain’t it Strange’ – Dr. Dog

White Denim – Shake, Shake, Shake

Posted on by

Austin-based White Denim seriously rock.  They have a stripped down Stooges/White Stripes vibe that just feels really good.  They’ve been releasing new videos to their forthcoming LP, Exposion, due out November 3. Until then, you can check out their EP, Let’s Talk About It, available on eMusic and RCDLBL.

Shake, Shake, Shake video:

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

buy it at insound!

Bookmark and Share

New Chad VanGaalen Album – Hooray!

Posted on by

My Canadian lo-fi hero, Chad VanGaalen, has a new album due out September 9 entitled, Soft Airplane.  And considering how much I loved his prior releases – Skelliconnection and Infiniheart – I fully expect this album to be on the top of my list for 2008.  

Chad also helped Flemish Eye label mate, Women, record their debut album this year with his signature lo-fi style.  Another album I adore.   

Here’s a track from Soft Airplane, ‘Willow’.

Bookmark and Share

Clinic – Tomorrow Video

Posted on by

I’ve been a long time fan of UK-based, Clinic.  They fit right in there with my Brit Rock fascination.  And the fact that they perform all their shows in surgical masks only adds to their eccentric allure.  They have a new album out, ‘Do It!’ – their fifth album.  Here is the new video for the track ‘Tomorrow.’

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

buy it at insound!

Bookmark and Share