Wildcat! Wildcat!- "Garden Grays"

The Los Angeles trio Wildcat! Wildcat! will be releasing their much buzzed about self-titled debut EP next month. The band just debuted another new track from the EP, the dreamy end of Summer jam, “Garden Grays.” 
The Wildcat! Wildcat! EP is out Sept. 10 via Downtown Records.

 http://wildcatwildcat.com/

New Music: Kalle Mattson- "An American Dream/Darkness"

Woke up pretty excited this morning to find new music from Canada's, Kalle Mattson. He just unveiled a new split 7" titled "American Dream/Darkness" which comes as a preview from his soon to be released third LP produced by The Wooden Sky's Gavin Gardiner. Seriously looking forward to hearing more from this down the road, stay tuned.

http://www.kallemattson.com/

New Video: The National- "Graceless"

If it seems like all things on the blog these days are related to The National, it's probably because they're my favorite band who just so happen to have put out my favorite album so far this year, Trouble Will Find Me. See the the bands take on the album track, "Graceless" below, which they just released a comical new video for.

http://www.americanmary.com/

Shakey Graves- "Roll the Bones" (live session)

One of Austin's finest, the one man show known as Shakey Graves. Watch and learn.

http://shakeygraves.com/

Song of the Week: Gambles- "So I Cry Out"

There may not be an artist's music that has touched me more this year than the work of Matthew Daniel Siskin, Aka Gambles. His 'Far From Your Arms' EP has been on constant repeat with it's stripped back raw sound and emotional lyrics cutting right through me.
Gambles also has a debut full length on the way called Trust, and it hits shelves this Oct.1. The LP features the heart-breaker of a track "So I Cry Out" which premiered yesterday on Stereogum.  


GAMBLES- "SO I CRY OUT"

so here we are
in the final stand
kids grown up
by the hardest
of circumstance
its sad to blame
when things
go from good
to dark
we tried a very
long time to start
so I cry out
and I cry out
and you
hide your eyes
so I cry out
and I cry out
our world
we can not
recognize
but if we had
made
what we tried
to have
that boy or girl
would have
been
so loved
had a dad
so I'll cry out
and I cry out
and you just
hold my hand
so I'll cry out
and I cry out
but you
cannot look
in my eyes
and love
has hands
while the moon
holds the tiniest
eye
but whose to choose
who will grow
who will laugh
who will die
so I cry out
and I cry out
and you
cannot look at me
so I cry out
and I cry out
I wish that I felt
differently
so here we are
in the final stand
kids grown up
by the hardest
of circumstance

find more at http://www.gmbls.com/

Rayland Baxter: 'AshkeLon'

Rayland Baxter has a new five-song digital EP, AshkeLon out tomorrow, Aug. 20th.
The EP is named after the town in Israel where Baxter spent a pivotal time of his life. It was recorded live in one day, at East Nashville's Casino studio, and features three new songs as well as alternative versions of "the mtn song" and "driveway meLody," which were featured on his critically acclaimed debut,  feathers & fishHooks.
Baxter says...“AshkeLon is where I started writing songs and where I have returned numerous times. For me, that was where this all began," ... "It’s a very special place. It’s my little green garden in the desert.” (via Paste)

http://www.raylandbaxter.com/

The National: Live on 89.3 The Current

Watch The National play tracks "Don't Swallow The Cap" and "Pink Rabbits" for 89.3 The Current.



and as long as I'm on my big The National kick today, you might as well check out their 'full set' from Lollapalooza from a few weeks back too.

http://www.americanmary.com/

New music from Volcano Choir- "Comrade"

Several weeks back the Justin Vernon led project Volcano Choir released the first track off their soon to be released LP, Repave called "Byegone." It was a big soaring number, extremely promising, and had me wondering what the rest of the album would shape out to be. Well today the band just offered up another new track titled, "Comrade" that is equally as impressive. Go give it a spin below.
Volcano Choir's 'Repave' comes out September 3rd on Jagjaguwar

http://volcanochoir.com/

Get to Know: RY X- "Berlin"

RY X has a new EP coming out called, Berlin this Aug. 28th. Originally from Australia but now based out of L.A., RY X has often been compared to Bon Iver due to his soft falsetto. Don't let that sway you either way though, just see for yourself and give a listen to the emotional title track below.



http://www.ry-x.com/

Watch Bears Den Cover "Don't Save Me" by Haim

U.K. trio Bears Den recently broke news that Agape, their debut EP will be getting a U.S. release date this August 27 via Communion Records. To celebrate the release, the band will be kicking off several tour dates in the States with Mumford & Sons and Daughter. 

If you head over to their website now you can grab yourself a copy of the song "Isaac" which is available for free download. http://www.bearsdenmusic.co.uk/

Also be sure to watch their excellent cover of the Haim track, "Don't Save Me" below.

Western Lows- "'Grapevine"

I've always had a little soft spot for some 90's shoegaze, and L.A. band Western Lows pay homage with their latest track, "Grapevine." The song comes off their recently released album Glacial which is out now via Jaxart Records.

 https://www.facebook.com/WesternLows

Die Mason Die- "You're Lonely"

Young and talented London quartet Die Mason Die's music has been described as ghost-folk. One listen to their haunting new single "You're Lonely" and you'll fully understand why. "You're Lonely" will be released September 9th via Young & Lost Club.

https://www.facebook.com/DieMasonDieMusic

Jesse Woods- "Lazerburn"

I've been long anticipating the upcoming debut LP, Get Your Burdens Lifted,  from Austin's own Jesse Woods. I first spoke of his music back in December sometime (read here) when he unveiled a song called, "Danger In the Dancehall" that was supposed to be off his debut. Whatever the delay was in the release I'm not sure, but now comes excellent news that Woods' debut rolls out next week on August 6th. Take a listen to a new track "Lazerburn" below.


https://www.facebook.com/JesseWoodsMusic

Local Natives- "Breakers" (Acoustic Live Session)

One of my favorite songs of the year off of one of my favorite albums. Watch Local Natives perform an acoustic version of their track, "Breakers" for the talented folks over at Green Couch Sessions.

http://thelocalnatives.com/

New Video: Gregory Alan Isakov- "Living Proof"

Gregory Alan Isakov recently put out a brilliant new album called, The Weatherman. It features this lovely track, "Living Proof" which he just released a new video for.

http://gregoryalanisakov.com/

Phosphorescent- "Terror In The Canyons (The Wounded Master)" live for Studio Brussel

Phosphorescent's latest disc, Muchacho is one of the finest 2013 has had to offer so far. One of the highlights off the album is the track, "Terror In The Canyons (The Wounded Master") which you can watch be played live on a rooftop in Belgium for the radio station Studio Brussel.

http://phosphorescentmusic.com/

Dan Croll- "In/Out"

Liverpool native Dan Croll is back with another infectious, hook filled track, this time with his new single, "In/Out." I've spoken in the past about how much I'm into his debut EP, From Nowhere which features both singer/songwriter and electronic elements that keeps his sound unique. If you haven't checked it out yet you really should, and in the meantime add this track to your Summer playlist to get things moving. 

http://www.dancroll.com/

New Music: David Ramirez- "Stone" (live from Ft. Worth)

Ever since discovering the music of Austin singer/songwriter David Ramirez late last year, he's become a real favorite of mine. Just a few short months ago saw the release of his EP called The Rooster, which features 5 captivating tracks that are not to be missed.
Today Ramirez unveiled a brand new song that he debuted for a live audience in Ft. Worth titled "Stone."

http://davidramirezmusic.com/

Gambles- "Far From Your Arms"

Gambles is the project of Matthew Daniel Siskin, who's debut EP Far From Your Arms came out this May. I heard the self-titled track from the EP just the other day and it has just left me floored ever since. It's one of the most raw, beautiful, and powerful things I've come across so far this year.


Gambles- "Far From Your Arms"
Far from your arms
it's taken me
through cities far
they've carried me
on the sound of a heart
barely holding on
you breath my lungs
you keep me strong

Smelled the cities hell
climbed the iron stares
traded clouds for dreams
lost a year at sea
on the sound of man
barely holding on
you breath my lungs
you keep me strong

But we're going down
nowhere I been
in a hollow sound
so hard to live

But through these roads
I move to you
heels dragging slow
but they drag for you
on the sound of a heart
stretched far so wide
you breath my lungs
stand by my side

But we're going down
nowhere I been
in a hollow sound
so hard to live

I'm an honest man
no harm to give
and on my blood
I will come home again

Far from your arms
it's taken me
through cities far
they've carried me
on the sound of a heart
barely holding on
you breath my lungs
you keep me strong

But we're going down
nowhere I been
in a hollow sound
so hard to live

I'm an honest man
no harm to give
and on my blood
I will come home again

more at https://www.facebook.com/iamgambles

Mother Falcon- "Dirty Summer"

I discovered this 18 piece ensemble out of Austin, Tx. a few weeks back and I'm absolutely hooked. They have a new album titled You Knew in stores now, and it features this infectious & joyous track called, "Dirty Summer." Watch the band playing a killer live version of the song below for the good folks over at 'Subway Tracks' in NYC.
Speaking of NY, the band is currently in the Big Apple doing a month long June residency before moving things over  to L.A. for the month of August. Check their website HERE for all the details.



https://www.facebook.com/motherfalconmusic

Get to Know: Foy Vance- "Janey"

Irish singer-songwriter Foy Vance recently signed on board with Glassnote Records, who will be releasing his new record, Joy of Nothing this August. It features this stunning track, "Janey" which you can catch below.
Here's a little about Vance via Glassnote's website: "Foy Vance hails from the seaside town of Bangor in Northern Ireland. As a child, Foy relocated with his father, a preacher, to the American Midwest settling in Oklahoma. With his father, Foy travelled the American South, widening his horizons and absorbing the rich musical traditions he was exposed to.  Returning to Ireland some years later, Foy began writing his own music, deeply shaped by the sounds of his youth."



http://www.foyvance.com/