Lovedrug; new demos

"You're cracking, I'm sorry. There's nothing that can be done."

My love for Lovedrug runs deep - high school deep. I was pretty much permanently spoken for after hearing the band's Rock N Roll EP years back, and haven't parted ways with them since. After splitting with indie label the Militia Group, the band has made a go of it by themselves and has recorded a fantastic new round of demos this year. Two are downloadable below, and the other two are available to stream from their Myspace page. Spread the news, circulate the tracks - I implore you.

(MP3) Lovedrug - She's Disaster

(MP3) Lovedrug - We Were Owls

more info...

Official Site

Myspace

Purchase

Twin Atlantic; new single

"The sky is getting heavy tonight."

After the mid-September release of their mini album Vivarium, young Glaswegian band Twin Atlantic seems to be making a good run of things to close out 2009. The newest single, "What Is Light? Where Is Laughter?" follows the disc's debut, "Lightspeed." An acoustic b-side of the track is posted below, along with the video that the band shot on their recent, and first, visit to the United States. I've been sweating this band for the past year or so now. If you already have Vivarium, I suggest you look into buying last year's A Guidance From Colour EP as well as poking through the band's live videos.

(MP3) Twin Atlantic - What Is Light? Where Is Laughter? (acoustic)

more info...

Official Site

Myspace

Purchase

Brother Louis Collective

"We'll watch the world fall from the inside."

My last year's posts are pretty telling, and it's more than obvious that I've got a thing for the Scots. I still can't put down Frightened Rabbit's The Midnight Organ Fight, I become more acquainted each passing day with the Twilight Sad's entire catalouge, and the smattering of young Scottish bands that I've been spinning in-between have yet to outwear their welcome. Today's discovery of the Brother Louis Collective, from Glasgow, thus only fuels my Scottish fervor. The band's debut single, "These Barren Years", which I heard for the first time all but 20 minutes ago, was great enough for me to literally stop my day's doings in their tracks to share with you.

(MP3) Brother Louis Collective - These Barren Years

more info...

Myspace

Purchase

Kurran and the Wolfnotes; Whatabitch

"You're not the only one who feels like this."

As a follow up to last month's Kurran and the Wolfnotes post, albeit an untimely one, the band has since released their debut single, "Whatabitch," early last month. After seeing them perform a few weeks back at London's Borderline, I'm pretty much trying to soak up anything and everything Wolfnotes related. Posted below is the single's b-side, courtesy of NME's Daily Download feature. If you're in or around London, catch the bands Puregroove in-store on the 14th.

(MP3) Kurran and the Wolfnotes - Here To Fill You In

Kurran & the Wolfnotes - The Borderline, London, 22.10.2009

more info...MyspacePurchase

The King and the Thief

"I cannot count the hours I have wasted in my head."

It's a bit hard to articulate how much I love living in London. However, home is never a bad place to rest your head and, especially as Christmas draws near, I've been finding the idea of a flight back to Minneapolis a little more bearable. Moreover, one of my favorite local bands - The King and the Thief - has a show scheduled the Sunday following my arrival. Not a bad thing to come home too. They recently changed their name from Now and Forever, recorded two new tracks (posted below) with Ace Enders, and are currently in the process of writing for their upcoming full length. The band's debut EP, "Of Wounds and Blessings," is one of my favorite of 2008, and I can only imagine the new record will rival its predecessor.

(MP3) The King and the Thief - Clocks Are Grinning

(MP3) The King and the Thief - Fire Walk With Me

more info...

Myspace

Purchase

Datarock

Datarock, 24/11/2009 - The Garage, London

Since when do I like bands like Datarock? Since never, but since Tuesday. Since my three Norwegian friends promised me a good time was to be had with Bergen's track-suited pop duo. And since vocalist Fredrik Saroea was carried through the Garage's wall to wall crowd, with his guitar in tow, on the shoulders of the Swedish supporting band. That's probably when it happened.

(MP3) Datarock - Fa Fa Fa

too cool for school

Unfortunately, I have to leave London in the next few weeks for 9 months. I left my MSc programme at UCL and, as such, I have a bittersweet (mostly bitter, for the time being) flight back to Minneapolis ahead of me. Although I've joked and romanticized the whole notion of dropping out of graduate school since I made the tremendously unpleasant decision a few weeks ago, the reality is that I can barely tear myself away. I've spent twelve months of the last two and half years of my life here, and leaving behind a fantastic city and an even more fantastic group of friends is disheartening. Considering I'll be back next September to try my hand at a different MA programme and a different university (trial and error!), I suppose the feeling is only momentary.

I've posted the track below for obvious reasons. It's one of my favorites from a remarkably under-appreciated band.

Spouse - London

A Place To Bury Strangers

11.18.2009 - A Place to Bury Strangers, Relentless Garage, London.

I confess my ignorance. As of only a few days ago, I was almost completely blind to the brilliance of Brooklyn's A Place To Bury Strangers. Thanks to both the persistence and musical prowess of my good friend Dan, I've since been enlightened. We caught the band two days ago at Islington's Relentless Garage (and because I hate the fact that the Garage bowed to the "patronage" of the latest energy drink to hit the scene, I'm loathe to admit that the venue itself is actually quite nice inside), and after endless pots of coffee and a considerable amount of sleep, my poor senses have yet to fully recover. Although sight unseen (and unheard) to you, I can assure you that North London is probably still ringing. If you'll allow me my one contradiction - I've never left a show feeling quite as muddled AND revivified at the same time.

A Place To Bury Strangers - To Fix The Gash In Your Head

more info...

Official Site

Myspace

Purchase

Kurran & the Wolfnotes

Thanks to a great tip from a from a friend, I was able to catch London's Kurran & the Wolfnotes at the Borderline last night. After seeing them live, it's safe to say that their demos don't even do the band a modicum of justice. The band's debut single, "Whatabitch", will be released Nov. 2nd via indie label Chess Club. Check out a fantastic live in-studio version of the track below.

more info...
Myspace
Twitter

Stagecoach

"I'm fine, you're fine. Stop wasting my time."

England now has an answer to America's infatuation with the music of Rivers Cuomo - Stagecoach. Angular, smart, and ultimately far more enjoyable than I even care to admit, the band's new EP entitled We Got Tazers! is a five track collection (an additional remix makes it six) of infectious pop/rock. The groups self-ascribed myspace motto - "We like to party, we like to party, we like to party," holds remarkably true. The disc's title track, which is anchored by a sugary made-for-radio chorus, is followed in full force by four others with similar pop instrumentation. Included for sampling below is one of the disc's more decidedly alt-rock tracks - "Break". Alcopop! will launch the new EP next Saturday at Notting Hill Arts Club.

Stagecoach - Break

more info...

Myspace

Purchase

Early States

"Get me as far away as you can, maybe across this whole country."

Your reputation precedes you, Early States. Prior to actually giving the band a go and listening to the group's Powerlines EP, I had heard whispers about 19 year old frontman Zack Gray's indie brilliance. Since forming under two years ago, the band has already built up an impressive resume. After amassing a nice little collection of alt-rock gems, inking a deal with Wind-Up Records, and jumping on board this summer's Warped Tour - the young Norcal four-piece likely has a big few years ahead of them.

Early States - Smoke In My Eyes

more info...

Myspace

Purchase

the Rocketboys; 20,000 Ghosts

"Are you a stranger passing through here?"

I thought that last month's mini-obsession was two years too late. Turns out I'm right on time. The six-track Sing, Bird, Sing EP was all I had and knew of Austin's Rocketboys until word of the band's debut full length fell into my lap sometime last week. I was thrilled, certainly, to find that the new disc isn't much different in form or style than its predecessor. 20,000 Ghosts will hit the racks on September 29th, and comes courtesy of Paperthin Media. Fellow Texas natives Dignan will tour with the band throughout the month of October in support of the new album.

the Rocketboys - We Are A Lighthouse

the Rocketboys - Like Ice In Water

more info...

Myspace

Purchase

Milktooth

"Your arrows are in me."

Belmont grad David Condos teams with other young Nashville songwriters to form new group Milktooth. With a solo full length and sophomore EP already under his belt, Condos employs the talents of Michael Ford Jr. (who also dabbles in solo work), Ian Leach, and Noah Denney. Although David's bouts with his new band are decidedly more rock and roll, he doesn't stray too far from the foundations of his solo work. The band just wrapped up a short Southeast tour in support of their self-titled EP - available at a myriad of online retailers.

Milktooth - Your Arrows

Milktooth - If No One Ever Stops Me

more info...

Official Site

Myspace

Purchase

The Swell Season

"You were restless, I was somewhere less secure."

Everybody who is anybody knows and appreciates the earnest brilliance and labour-of-love intensity of Frames frontman Glen Hansard. The brilliance is only amplified when you add long time musical collaborator, Once costar, and former Czech girlfriend Marketa Irglova. Together they are the Swell Season. Glen still totes his barely-there guitar, and Marketa adds her signature airy vocal and piano accompaniment. The new album, Strict Joy, hits shelves on October 27th. Until then, you're advised to pick up the duo's self titled debut and the ever incredible Once soundtrack.

The Swell Season - In These Arms

more info...

Official Site

Myspace

Purchase

The Wooden Sky

"I keep on repeating all the last things you said."

If my days were spent galavanting back and forth between the great Northern cities of Toronto and Montreal, I'm sure I'd have some great stories to tell. Canada's The Wooden Sky, who release their first full length on August 25th, are some such storytellers. "The 13-track LP sweeps through countless rock and roll subgenres," reads the band's promo e-mail. Essentially, it has all the makings of a classic rock and roll record and comes complete with a heaping helping of alt-country and folk undertones. The band will be touring, starting in late September, through most of October in support of If I Don't Come Home, You'll Know I'm Gone.

The Wooden Sky - Something Hiding For Us In The Night

The Wooden Sky - When We Were Young

more info...

Myspace

Pre-Order

Jocasta Sleeps

"The last thing you want in the world is to leave without saying goodbye."

Without having ever been, it seems that Glasgow and I have some sort of strangely cosmic metaphysical connection. There's an acute difference between simply enjoying a song and wanting to fall off your chair every time you hear it - which is what a number of Glaswegian groups have done to me in the past few years. Jocasta Sleeps, whether they've adopted their name from Greek mythology or the world of Marvel comics I'm still unsure, is the latest young Scottish band to render me inarticulate. Their debut single, "Crayfish Cocktail", is now at most digital retailers. I've opted to post the single's b-side instead, as I find it a bit more evocative.

Jocasta Sleeps - Old Ideas

more info...

Myspace

Purchase

Wolf Am I

"We're all so perfect from afar..."

Alcopop! is nothing if not ultra consistent. I find myself enjoying each and every single artist they have thus far chosen to work with. Berkshire's Wolf Am I, formerly Kill the Arcade, is certainly no exception. The band's fiery new take on their tried and true alt-rock formula sets them, and their excellent new full-length Lead the Way, far above the rest of the muck and the mire originating from today's teenage neo-punk scene.

Wolf Am I - Glasgow 7

Wolf Am I - Lex Talionis

more info...

Official Site

Myspace

Purchase

SH Davidson

"Good luck is not my friend, it never sends me anything."

When Stephen isn't busy writing, playing, touring, and simply being extraordinary with his band Tellison (written about long ago, but loved very much still to this day), he moonlights as a noticeably more temperate version of his musical self. SH Davidson's collection of lo-fi folk tracks, the longest of which tops out at just over two and a half minutes, are worlds apart from his band's frenzied brand of fight-pop. He dabbles simultaneously in the best of both worlds. In all its simplicity, "Bookshelf" is one of my absolute favorite tracks and comes with the very highest of recommendations. It's too hard not to be effusive.

SH Davidson - Bookshelf

SH Davidson - Freud Links the Teeth

more info...

Official Site

Myspace

Survive Atlantica

"I've seen you float in and out for days."

The young London four-piece, Survive Atlantica, seem to have mastered the art of slow crawling melodies and gradual build-ups to a decidedly more epic chorus. The understated atmospherics and the obvious attention to instrumentation suggests that the band is developed far beyond their apparent years. "Circuits & the Sea", the first single from the group's debut album entitled I Woke The Devil is available for preview below. The album just dropped early this week but is, unfortunately, a bit hard to track down for those who reside outside of the UK.

Survive Atlantica - Circuits & the Sea

more info...

Myspace

Purchase

Nathanael Mehrens

"Does anybody ever listen to the things they're told?"

After falling in love with his short and certainly understated Here/There EP years back, I spent the many months that followed with the music of Nashville's Nathanael Mehrens always somewhere in the back of my mind. I was thrilled, no doubt, when he contacted me a few backs about the upcoming release of his new 6 track EP - For the Conscious. The disc's title track, which also happens to be my favorite, is included for preview below. You can find For the Conscious at a few major online retailers - take your pick.

Nathanael Mehrens - For the Conscious

more info...

Myspace

Purchase

There Will Be Fireworks

"All the songs you hate are the songs I always play."

I've been in the habit of looking to London to find my favorite UK music. As of late, however, the sounds of Scotland and the seemingly endless pool of talent from Glasgow, Edinburgh, and beyond never cease to surprise me. Throw There Will Be Fireworks into the mix with other native bands like the Twilight Sad, Frightened Rabbit, and Copy Haho - and you've got at least 3 or 4 of my favorite albums. The band's newly released self-titled disc is great from stem to stern...even the less than 2 minute interludes are anything but filler tracks.

There Will Be Fireworks - Foreign Thoughts

There Will Be Fireworks - Midfield Maestro

more info...

Myspace

Purchase

the Rocketboys

"I would sell you out in a heartbeat, because you can defend yourself."

Although music released back in 2007 can hardly be considered new, at least it's still fresh to this here set of ears. The Rocketboys, who have only recently shortened their name from their former Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys moniker, are a groyp of semi-shoegazing indie kids from the musical hotbed of Austin, Texas. The band's Sing, Bird, Sing EP is a collection of six slow-riding pop tracks. It's certainly familiar, but with enough cheek (on "Heartbeat" in particular) to set the band far enough apart from the rest of the pop/rock fray. Catch the band on tour with Dear Future throughout the month of July.

the Rocketboys - Heartbeat

the Rocketboys - Secrets & Numbers

more info...

Official Site

Myspace

Purchase

Arrows of Love

"My hands are burning."

Thanks to a tip from one of my favorite English imprints, Alcopop!, London's Arrows of Love just won over a new set of ears. Without breaking the bank, you can download the band's new EP for the mere price of an e-mail address. They're not looking to make as much as even a penny, they simply want you to listen. As an English indie super-group of sorts, the band is composed of members from Hush The Many (Heed The Few), Kid Harpoon, and even Jamie T. You have plenty of chances to catch the group play throughout the summer if you live in town.

Arrows of Love - Burn This Town

Arrows of Love - Desire

more info...

Myspace

Download

Frankie and His Fingers

"Just flip that 'charming' switch on."

It's a pseudo-discovery.  It was years ago when I first stumbled upon Frankie and His Fingers - when they themselves were only about 18 years old and I even younger.  The tracks that would later become the band's One Hell of a Skeleton EP were played in my house ad-nauseam. Only days ago did I revisit band's page to discover the addition of four new tracks, two of which are included below.  I like Frankie and His Fingers for everything they're not. They're not polished, the recordings are a bit rough, and most would think the whole musical package in general could use a little tightening up.  They'd be wrong, though, because these are the very qualities that make the band inexplicably great.

Frankie and His Fingers - This Grin Came With a Game Show Microphone

Frankie and His Fingers - The Coach's Daughter

more info...

Myspace

Purevolume (to download 2 additional free tracks)

Purchase

the Drums

"Wake up, there's a new kid in the town."

If New Order wrote less about doom and gloom and cared as much about surfing and summer beach-frolicking as do Jonathan Pierce and Jacob Graham, I'd have a helluva time telling you which band I prefer more.  The two Brooklyn transplants, who call themselves the Drums, have no problem genre bending, blending, and mixing the music of decades long past.  Their "fascination with 50s surf culture" coupled with the inspiration drawn from bands like the Smiths and Joy Division allows for an interesting catalogue of tracks that will live on long after the summer season.  The aptly titled Summertime EP hits the digital shelves on August 4th and is already available for pre-order.

The Drums - Let's Go Surfing

The Drums - Best Friend

more info...

Official Site

Myspace

Purchase

Still Life Still

"We really need to be friends."

With unflinching regularity, I am somehow able to overlook the endless pools of talent from Canada.  Off the top of my head, though I'm sure there's more, I could list my Canadian favorites on one hand.  It's starting to become a very serious character flaw.  Thus, the following band entered the fray a good time.  Still Life Still, from Ontario, just released their new Pastel EP by way of indie super-label Arts & Crafts.  The EP's title track, posted below, as well as of yet unreleased "Neon Blue" seem to be monopolizing my time lately...

Still Life Still - Pastel

more info...

Myspace

Purchase

You Animals

You Animals - "Halfway To Heartbreak"

Song of the summer contender...nevermind that the track isn't even released yet.  Too bad you'll have to log on and watch the video everyday for a month - which is exactly what you'll find yourself doing after hearing the track  - until you can buy it, download it, and carry it with you wherever you go.  The UK's You Animals will release "Halfway To Heartbreak" via Fear and Records on July 13th. The track is miles beyond infectious, but without the campy overkill that characterizes most of today's pop radio fare. The single's b-side is attached below and it too comes highly (highly, highly...) recommended.  Catch the band next month as they spend most of July rolling through England with a quick pit stop in Glasgow.  Check back with Fear and Records in the coming weeks to get your hands on a copy!

You Animals - You Left Your Heart In The City

more info...

Myspace

Purchase

Thomas J Speight

"There ain't no use in lying to you."

In the States, the long lost (but not forgotten!) CD single kicked the bucket years ago.  I remember the days when browsing the singles rack at Target and (R.I.P) Sam Goody was, at the very least, a regular weekly activity when I was really just a child at 9 and 10 years old.  The UK, however, has kept the much loved tradition alive.  London's Thomas J Speight, the most recent young songwriter to knock me off my feet and land me in a spot miles away, will release his first single late summer/early fall. Speight's obviously introspective demeanor on "This House" calls to mind the wistful, yet somehow still free and easy, tenor of Pneumonia-era Whiskeytown.  It's just one of the those tracks the world really ought to know about.  Nothing is available to purchase at the present...but you'll know as soon as I do.  A small smattering of London shows carries Thomas through the months of June and July until he rounds out the summer with a set of weekend gigs at Gloucestershire's Bloom Festival in mid-August.

Thomas J Speight - This House

more info...

Myspace

YouTube

All Get Out

"I do everything the hard way."

Loud as All Get Out, as they like to say.  The young group from Charleston, SC, rather than cruising on the coattails of label owner Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra, who himself is currently making the transition from indie-fame to mainstream, are instead riding the waves they've created for themselves.  With two popular EPs under their belt and, if I remember hearing correctly, a debut full length in the works and on the way, the band has made good use of Hull's creative guardianship at Favorite Gentlemen Recordings.  The boys are booked solid through the end of July as they travel through the deep South and hit parts of the Midwest.

All Get Out - Water and God

All Get Out - Wasting All My Breath

more info...

Official Site

Myspace

Purchase

Super Tennis

Gimmickry aside, North's London Super Tennis is a pretty great band.  The 3 piece's math-rock, fight-pop (I don't come up with this stuff on my own, trust me) stylings are undoubtedly an acquired taste.  Fans of countrymen This Town Needs Guns or Hot Club de Paris will find the band's instrumentation both familiar and appealing.  After releasing a free 5-song EP, on which the following two tracks were included, the band released their "Theme Song" single in April via Faux Discx/Banquet Records.  Not shows on the agenda as of the present, but check back regularly for some London dates.

Super Tennis - Theme Song

Super Tennis - The Pacific Has No Memory

more info...

Official Site

Myspace

Purchase