Aderbat

"I need someone - somebody by my side"

I like Pennsylvania's Aderbat. Admittedly, they don't light in me the same fire as they used to, but they're a great band nonetheless. They've got, though a shy one, an akin-to-Buckley sound. The vocals are really raw, and I think that's the reason I was drawn to the band in the first place. Teamed with their smooth, modestly jazzy indie rock, it makes for a pretty interesting combination.

Aderbat - I Need Someone
Aderbat - Bye Bye
Aderbat - Hesitate

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase

The Grates

As a small celebration of recieving my first ever free CD in the post (starting a blog definitly seems worth it now) this is just a small post on the band I was sent. Female fronted Australians The Grates are a superb fun band who admit started as a bit of joke. You can hear the fun on Sukkafish which almost shouldn't be taken seriously with the way it is sung but for some reason comes across so sweetly that you'll adore it straight away. Its Inside Outside that really stands out for me though and think that its a great sing-a-long which I think sounds like a mix of Sleater-Kinney and Mates of State. I'm sure you'll disagree but have a listen and let us know.

The Grates - Inside Out

The Grates - Sukkafish

Later...

Rantings of Eva

"I'm a fool for you."

I'm not saying that Minneapolis doesn't have a great local scene - it does. But Atlanta/Athens area blows my mind. I could go on relentlessly about how many great bands are down in that area. Why this particular band hasn't already been signed and accounted for, I'm not quite sure. The Rantings of Eva were one of the first band's I featured on here a few months ago. Apparently, a new album has been in the works for awhile now. I haven't heard anything about it as of late. Too bad, too. They've got a really great, accessible sound. Their boy Ryan Flanagan has some killer vocals as well.

The Rantings of Eva - Still Holding On
The Rantings of Eva - Coming Down
The Rantings of Eva - Another Memory of You

more info...
Official Site
Myspace

The Stationary Set

"...resigning yourself to your father's shoes is nothing more than one big excuse to lose."

I'm not even sure how I came across these guys, but it must have been pretty randomly. The Stationary Set cites influences such as Ben Gibbard, American Analog Set, Ryan Adams etc. Most of these influences are pretty apparent upon the first listen to some of their tracks. The band, led by songwriter Andrew Lutes, creates unassuming, easy to listen to acoustic tracks. While most of the songs are still in demo form, its pretty easy to recognize the talent and find something you like in them. Sometimes you just need some mellow, down to earth songwriting.

The Stationary Set - Consider Yourself Absolved
The Stationary Set - True Happiness Is Just Around The Corner
The Stationary Set - The Bright Idea

more info...
Myspace
Quite Scientific (band's label)

Babystrange

"Real? It was never the real thing."

Looking mighty dapper, aren't they? Boston and the surrounding area is teeming with a lot of great talent. Babystrange is perfect evidence of this. They write loud, punchy indie rock tracks while still maintaining some pop sensibility. In fact, they're self proclaimed "neo-rock & roll/soul survivalists." What really impresses me about this band is frontman Eric Deneen's vocals. They're absolutely perfect for the kind of music his band is making. Again, it's one of those unexplainable things, you just need to hear it for yourself. I bought their new album called Put Out and have been wholly enjoying it. Apparently they've got a UK tour coming soon, which is very cool. Good luck guys, hope to be hearing more about you soon. Also, thanks to the band for permission to post up some tracks.

Babystrange - Jukebox Queen
Babystrange - Everybody Wants One

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase

Ikaros

"Why should I know better now?"

I wish this band would break in the states. They're great. Swedish (Who else wouldn't mind living in Sweden? The social welfare policy there is unreal, seriously. They've got you covered.) indie band Ikaros is the brainchild David Lehnberg, who has himself released five other solo albums under the moniker "Ariel Kill Him". His solo stuff is great as well, but I really like what he is doing with this band. I guess they're pretty big in Sweden (can anyone back me up on this?) because they're usually booked pretty solid over there. Also, they've offered up the whole album - a new, very different remixed version - up on their site. So, if you're interested in that somewhat agitated, electronic stuff, you might dig it. Check it out here (and go to the media section...). Otherwise, these three tracks from the original version of debut album Speak Music. Their label, Kasual Recordings, has some other really cool artists as well. In fact, I'll direct you right to Beezewax and Jettie.

Ikaros - The Monster Plaster
Ikaros - New
Ikaros - Concrete Sky

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase

Intonation

I'm going to Lollapalooza with a couple of friends this summer. Should be a blast. However, I'd rather be at Intonation instead. Why? Mike Skinner. I love Mike Skinner. It's also in Chicago. And it's loads cheaper. It's kind of a Vice Records spectacular. A lot of great bands playing. The only thing keeping me sane is the fact that Ryan Adams is playing at Lollapalooza. He, essentially, is the reason I'm going. Not a big post, but here's a Streets remix that Vice is sharing.

The Streets - When You Wasn't Famous (remix)

Also, if you sign up here, you've got a chance to win a couple of free tickets to Intonation in Chicago.

Chris Koza

"People can change, they can change - its not an illusion, it just needs some practice"

Chris Koza and his band are from Minneapolis. So, naturally, I'm predisposed to like them. And like them I do. A lot, actually. I got the disc randomly in the mail a couple of weeks ago. I had tossed it aside with the rest, thinking I'd eventually get around to it. I'm glad it was sooner rather than later, because Chris is awesome. I'm impressed. His blending of your standard radio rock with some definite country/folk leanings is right up my alley...
Has anyone from the area seen him live yet? It's definitely something I plan on doing soon.

Chris Koza - View From A Pier
Chris Koza - Candle In The Dark
Chris Koza - Goldmine

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase at official site

my mom is rad

My mom is rad - and not just on Mother's Day, either...

Page France - Mother
The Frames - God Bless Mom
Dear and the Headlights - Mother, Make Me Golden

Find Dear and the Headlights here, because I love them.

Dallas

I'm heading to Dallas early tomorrow morning until Sunday to see my older brother play some lacrosse. I've never been there, only to Houston and Galveston. Should be rad, I'm excited. I figured I'd post up some tracks from some of my favorites bands from the area. I'm sure I'm probably missing an obvious one, but this is what I came up with. If you're from the area and I'm missing out on a great band....enlighten me, yeah?

Radiant - That Girl
Radiant - The Kid With The Knife
Sorta - Alcohol Drip
Sorta - Sweet Little Bay
The Mermaid Purse - Tonight
The Mermaid Purse - Out of Reach
Midlake - Balloon Maker
Midlake - King Fish Pies
Salim Nourallah - All Waste The Days

recap

"All I wanted was going home - all they gave me was Louisville."

I went to see my boys play some rock and roll music last night. As usual, they were pretty incredible. Too bad they were playing with the Fray, because the crowd didn't really appreciate them like they should have. They've been picked up by a new label that sounds really promising, and the new disc drops in August. I'm really excited for them, they're the nicest guys. They played some new tracks, most of which I had already heard. However, hearing them with the whole band was great. Here's a few of them. It was from an acoustic show that Alex did not too long ago. Actually, I think Dave was there with him too. If you're not familiar with them - that sucks. Make me happy, they're my absolute favorite band. That's no small feat. Check them out here (and read my review of the disc, too).

The Damnwells - Louisville
The Damnwells - Golden Days
The Damnwells - Tonight and Forever (I'm not completely sure if this is the right title)

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase

Kraig has some Damnwells stuff up as well!

way too cool

Technology is way too much for me. Im doing this from my phone.

The Saturdays

"Let's just take a ride, we'll leave tonight.."

And now I'll set aside any quick wit or journalistic finesse I may have originally believed myself to possess to let my guard down and say, simply, that the Saturdays make me happy. Self-described indie/pop/country band from Birmingham are plently nice and have shared with me their soon to be released, but currently at the presses, debut disc entitled Go Slow. I've been quiet enjoying it. I avoided posting them tomorrow (but what a cute little gimmick it would have been...) to save myself from looking undeniably lame. So instead, rock some Saturdays on this fine Friday.

The Saturdays - Dear
The Saturdays - Comb Over
The Saturdays - Talking Out Loud

more info...
Official Site
Myspace

Shuffle!

I dropped my iPod Photo the other day, so it's going to be out of commission until I get Apple to fix it. Since my iPod is one of my everyday necessities (I don't think I could go a day without listening to it), I've replaced it with an iPod Shuffle I had laying around. I've compiled a list of the first seven songs I played today.

The Spinto Band - "Oh Mandy"
One of my favorite bands as of late. This song is an instant hit from their latest release, Nice And Nicely Done. I love the WB reference (I watch all the teen dramas on that network religiously, just ask me about Gilmore Girls, Everwood, and Smallville).

Squeeze - "Goodbye Girl"
Love the chorus on this song. I only have this and "Cool For Cats" by Squeeze on the shuffle, among other songs, so I'm surprised this came up.

Simple Minds - "Don't You (Forget About Me)"
The Breakfast Club is one of my favorite 80's flicks, and this song made the band huge (literally overnight).

Lionel Richie - "Hello"
Haha, am I a dork for having Lionel Richie's Greatest Hits on my shuffle?

Bright Eyes - "A Perfect Sonnet"
I bought the Every Day And Every Night EP because of this song and it was totally worth it.

Arctic Monkeys - "No Buses"
The Arctic Monkeys' attempt at a ballad, and it's quite good. Though their latest EP was just a filler in my opinion, this track definitely stands out from the rest.

E-40 - "Tell Me When To Go"
I'm from the Bay Area (or shall I say Yay Area) and the hyphy movement (wikipedia) is finally making waves everywhere. I'm not too big on rap, but shit like this makes me go nuts.

Enjoy. Be sure to sign up for the Stephen Fretwell contest, you've got nothing to lose.

win some Stephen

Another contest?
You know the drill. It's simple. Leave a comment with your email address, and I'll pick and random when the time is right.

What do you win?

• Signed Stephen Fretwell Poster
• Copy of his debut Interscope release, "Magpie"

this disc is killer, you should want to have it.
Thanks goes out to ICED media for this...


"It really doesn't matter; I'm going to New York."

As promised, I'm back with some more Stephen Fretwell for you. I'm really impressed by this young guy who calls Manchester home. His music is cathartic; the majors got this one right. It's a nice break from some of the other stuff they've been throwing at us lately. It's just got this great organic, mellow, pleasant vibe to it. For fans of alt-country and relaxed folk music. Seriously though, it's really just for anyone who digs well-written, sincerely delivered tunes by a young kid who has got big things ahead of him. I really wanted to give this disc a proper review, but alas...I've been slammed with school this week. Forgive me? Thanks. And thanks as well to the nice people over at ICED Media who not only sent me a copy of his disc Magpie, but are also letting me post up some downloadable tracks as well. Right on.

Stephen Fretwell - New York
Stephen Fretwell - Lost Without You
Stephen Fretwell - Play

more info...
Official Site
Purchase