Luluc- "Tangled Heart"

Every year there's an album that sneaks up on me at the end of the year that I'm just kicking myself I didn't find sooner. This year that album & artist is Luluc, a duo from Australia that is now based out of Brooklyn, who released their sophomore LP Passerby this past Summer. I discovered their song "Tangled Heart"via an NPR end of the year list and it's hit me like a ton of bricks ever since hearing it for the first time.
It's the simple sparse one's that always do it to me. Give a watch to their just released video for the track here.



http://www.lulucmusic.com

The National (Perform on Saturday Night Live) 3/08/14

[HD] The National - Graceless - SNL 3-8-14 by IdolxMuzic

[HD] The National - I Need My Girl - SNL 3-8-14 by IdolxMuzic

2013 Highlights: Brazos-"How the Ranks Was Won"

Putting the spotlight on some tracks or Artists that maybe I was never able to get around to talking about during the year, but yet still played a major part in my music listening habits during 2013.

This former Austin band is now based in Brooklyn and they released their second full length in 2013 titled, Saltwater. It features the slow building jam "How The Ranks Was Won" that found me breaking out the air drums on many occasions.

http://www.brazosbrazos.com

Song of the Week: Bird Courage- "Mayshower"

A new discovery that I'm quite happy about finding is the three piece Brooklyn band, Bird Courage. The group originally started as a duo with founders Erik Meier (Vocals, Guitar, Ukelele) & Samuel Saffery (Vocals, Xylophone), who interestingly enough met through constantly crossing paths with each other while out busking in the NYC subways. The pair recently brought on board a new member Sean McMahon (Vocals, Bass, Percussion) to round things out and they just released a brand new single titled, "Mayshower" with the new unit. According to the band the new single is from an upcoming full length release called 'Maia Manu' that is in the process of being completed. They're hoping to launch a kickstarter campaign soon and raise funds to finish mixing and mastering in the next month.
Listen to "Mayshower" below and check out the bands site for more info and current tour dates HERE.

MAYSHOWER from jimjims on Vimeo.

http://birdcourage.com/

We Are Augustines cover Damien Jurado- "Ohio"

Well this is just a slam dunk for me, combining two of my favorite artists into one great listen. We Are Augustines tackle, Damien Jurado's "Ohio" which appears as the B-side to their "Chapel Song" single released in the UK. The track also appears on their recently released iTunes live session, along with the Bruce Springsteen cover, "Tougher Than the Rest" and the previously unreleased, "Ballad of a Patient Man."
You can also catch the band on TV tonight as they'll be performing on the Carson Daly show.  



www.weareaugustines.com/

JBM- "Winter Ghosts"

I know this is a little bit of old news to some, but I'm just coming off a little vacation, so you'll have to forgive me. Brooklyn's Jesse Marchant aka JBM recently released the second single, "Winter Ghosts" from his upcoming disc, Stray Ashes which comes out next month, May 22nd on Western Vinyl. Where the first single, "Only Now" builds to an explosive burst halfway through, the new track holds back keeping things quiet and mellow.
In other JBM news, if your in the NYC area on May 19th he'll be playing with Damien Jurado at The Mercurly Lounge, with the pair adding a late set at The Rock Shop in Brooklyn after the Mercury Show. I couldn't be more excited for these shows.
Check out his website for the all the ticket info and to download the first two singles, "Only Now" and "Winter Ghosts" HERE.




http://www.jbm-music.com/home.cfm

Daughter Live @ Glasslands 3/10/12

With SXSW kicking into full gear this week, you'll be hearing a lot about bands and artists to watch for 2012 and beyond. If her debut shows in NYC this past weekend are any kind of early indication, I think it's a safe bet you'll be hearing a lot more about UK's, Daughter (Elena Tonra). I saw her and her band play to a packed house at Glasslands gallery in Brooklyn on Saturday night and it was truly a mesmerizing set. Daughter's voice on record has that odd quality of sounding confident and shy at the same time, but in concert that innocence really shined through and stole the room. Elena seemed genuinely in awe that she was playing to a full house, even commenting a few times how grateful & surprised they were that people were showing up to their first U.S shows. Playing songs off her two EP's that were released last year, His Young Heart and The Wild Youth, the 3 piece took control of the room early with a stunning version of, "Landfill" with great backing vocals provided by the guys in the band. Other highlights of the set for me included the popular, "Youth", and "Love" which slowly builded until the tension explodes in the song. Switching to play acoustic a couple of times during the show, another standout track was, "Candles" off of her first EP, His Young Heart.
If I had one complaint abot the show it would only be that I wish she had more songs to play, and that it lasted longer. Hopefully there's a full length in the future toward the end of the year.
But for now both EP's are available, and they were just recently added on iTunes via Glassnote music.

To see more of our photo's from the show check out our Facebook page HERE.




http://ohdaughter.bandcamp.com/

Song of the Week: JBM- "Only Now"

Sometimes I get in a rut where I don't feel like posting or writing, and I wonder to myself why I actually keep this blog thing going? Then a song will come along out of nowhere and get me excited and I remember why I truly enjoy doing this, and why I started it in the first place. That's what happened to me this week when I stumbled across the music of JBM (Jesse Marchant). An artist that I had never heard of before seeing that he was opening some shows for Damien Jurado this coming May, one of which I'll be happily attending on May 19th in NYC. I decided to check out some of his music and I had one of those moments where the song starts playing and you literally say to yourself out loud, WOW. His track, "Only Now" is an emotional piano driven killer, that comes of an upcoming album titled, Stray Ashes, which releases this May 22nd via Western Vinyl. It's JBM's second full length and it was written & recorded up in the Catskills with the help of John Congleton, McKenzie Smith (Midlake) and Macey Taylor (A.A. Bondy).
Can''t wait to hear more of this one, give it a listen below and head over to iTunes to purchase the first single "Only Now."

JBM- "Only Now" MP3

JBM Tour Dates
05.16 Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern w/ Damien Jurado
05.17 Pittsburgh, PA @ Andy Warhol Museum w/ Damien Jurado
05.18 Somerville, MA @ Radio w/ Damien Jurado
05.19 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge w/ Damien Jurado
05.20 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's w/ Damien Jurado
05.21 Washington, DC @ Black Cat w/ Damien Jurado
05.22 Raleigh, NC @ Kings Barcade w/ Damien Jurado
05.23 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl w/ Damien Jurado
05.25 Nashville, TN @ The Basement w/ Damien Jurado
05.26 Bloomington, IN @ The Russian w/ Damien Jurado

http://www.jbm-music.com/home.cfm

We Are Augustines: "Chapel Song" (live on Letterman)

It's no secret what a big fan I am of Brooklyn's, We Are Augustines. The band nailed down my Best album of 2011 spot last year with their fantastic and underrated LP, Rise Ye Sunken Ships. So I was pretty pumped up for the band to be getting some well deserved recognition last week, with their U.S. television debut on The Late Show w/ David Letterman, where they played a scorching version of the album track, "Chapel Song." Watch below, and be sure to check out the bands website for all their upcoming tour dates.



http://weareaugustines.com/

Great Elk Reveal Debut Album Details

Brooklyn indie-folksters, Great Elk just announced plans for their forthcoming debut full length. Here's the details straight from the band themselves ..... "We're very happy to announce that on May 22nd, 2012 we will release our debut full length album, Autogeography. The new record was recorded and produced by D. James Goodwin (The Bravery, Norah Jones, Devo, many more) in Woodstock, NY in the Spring and Fall of 2011 and is without a doubt a giant leap forward for the band, both sonically and musically. It represents the first time Great Elk has been able to create and record in a truly collaborative manner and we couldn't be more excited about the result. We simply can't wait to share it with you."
There's no new music to preview as of yet, but give a listen to one of my favorite tracks from the band called, "Bow Echo" which comes off their 2010 self titled EP.  


 
http://www.greatelkmusic.com
http://greatelk.bandcamp.com/

Adam Arcuragi: Album Release Show @ Union Pool

I had the chance to attend the album release show for Adam Arcuragi last night at Union Pool in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. His new album, Like a Fire That Consumes all Before it... came out this week and like I said previously, it's fantastic. I'm relatively new to his music so this was my first time seeing him in concert. On record his music comes through as deeply intense and passionate, so I was anxious to see what he would bring to the live setting. It wasn't really a surprise but he delivered ten fold with an emotion filled set, opening with a one two punch of "Presidents Song" & "Oh I See." I've seen his music get described before as 'death gospel' and I guess I never really fully understood the description until seeing him in person. His soulful voice paired with the foot stomping and hand clappin' on stage and in the crowd definitely gave off that spiritual vibe.
Check out some pictures from the show below, plus more over on our Facebook page HERE.

 

Special thanks to Samantha Tillman at Sacksco.

http://www.adamarcuragi.com

High Highs-Stream Their New EP

Last month we spoke about Brooklyn band High Highs and their track "Ivy" which earned our 'Song of the Week' honors at the time. The dreamy blissful number was off the much anticipated new EP from the Brooklyn-by-way-of-Sydney trio.

Hailed as 'One's to Watch' for 2012 the wait is almost over for eager fans. The new 4 song EP is available this November 22, but you can also stream it now over on the bands soundcloud page or below.

  EP by highhighsband

http://highhighs.com/

'Song of the Week': High Highs-"Ivy"

How do you stand out from the thousands of other Brooklyn bands out there? Simple, create an utterly addictive dreamy track like this new one from High Highs called "Ivy." The trio who originally hail from the land down under are readying a new EP which comes out this November 22nd on Small Plates.   

You can give it a listen below and be sure to check out some of their older stuff like the gorgeous, "Open Season."

  High Highs - Ivy by dangervillage



http://highhighs.com/
http://highhighsmusic.bandcamp.com/

The National: title new album, set release date

I've been looking forward to this one for a long time. The National have confirmed a release date for their new album titled, High Violet this May 11th on 4AD. The bands 5th LP, is said to be edgier than it's predecessor, 2007's brilliant, The Boxer.
As soon as we get a confirmed tracklist, we'll let you know.
In the meantime check out the bands announced tour schedule so far.

MARCH
28 KNOXVILLE, TN - BIG EARS FESTIVAL 2010
APRIL
22 RICHMOND, VA - THE NATIONAL
23 RICHMOND, VA - THE NATIONAL
MAY
05 LONDON, UK - ELECTRIC BALLROOM
06 LONDON, UK - ROYAL ALBERT HALL
07 PARIS, FRANCE - LE ZENITH w/ PAVEMENT
08 BERLIN, GERMANY - HUXLEY'S NEUE WELT
09 BERLIN, GERMANY - ASTRA
21 LOS ANGELES, CA - THE WILTERN
22 LOS ANGELES, CA - THE WILTERN
23 SAN DIEGO, CA - SPRECKELS THEATRE
26 OAKLAND, CA - FOX THEATRE
27 OAKLAND, CA - FOX THEATRE
29 QUINCY, WA - SASQUATCH FESTIVAL
JUNE
02 BOSTON, MA - HOUSE OF BLUES
03 BOSTON, MA - HOUSE OF BLUES
04 PHILADELPHIA, PA - ELECTRIC FACTORY
05 PHILADELPHIA, PA - ELECTRIC FACTORY
06 WASHINGTON, DC - DAR CONSTITUTION HALL
08 TORONTO, CANADA - MASSEY HALL
09 TORONTO, CANADA - MASSEY HALL
11-13 MANCHESTER, TN - BONNAROO
16 JUNE: NEW YORK, NY - RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
JULY
14 DACHAU (MUNICH), GERMANY
16-18 LISBON, PORTUGAL - SUPER BOCK SUPER ROCK
27 BROOKLYN, NY - CELEBRATE BROOKLYN!

wonder if this one made the cut??


visit the band's official site Americanmary.com

Sharon Van Etten- download new song, watch new video

Brooklyn singer, Sharon Van Etten had herself a breakout year in 2009 with her album, Because I Was In Love, which appeared in our top 20 albums of the year list. Not looking to slow down in '10 Sharon recently sat down with music blog
Muzzle of Bees for a new video series they kicked off called, Broken Harbors, which saw Sharon perform the song, "A Joke or a Lie."
In other news Sharon just released a new mp3 over at Weathervanemusic.org for a new track titled, "Love More" which you can download for free here.


Broken Harbors: Sharon Van Etten - A Joke Or A Lie from Colin Bridgham on Vimeo.


visit SharonVanEtten.com

'Song of the Week': Bear In Heaven- "You Do You"

These guys managed to slip under my radar in 2009, with their second album Beast Rest Forth Mouth. I got turned on the Brooklyn bands song, "You Do You"' and I've been trying to catch up on getting familiar with them since. The band create a big layered spacey rock sound that you can hear not only on the above mentioned "You Do You" but also on the song, "Lovesick Teenagers" both of which you can listen to below.



"Lovesick Teenagers"

Uopcoming tour schedule:
01.28•Mercury Lounge (New York, NY)
02.16•Spanish Moon (Baton Rouge, LA)
03.06•Johnny Brenda's (Philadelphia, PA)
03.07•Rock N Roll Hotel (Washington, DC)
03.08•Local 506 (Chapel Hill, NC)
03.10•The End (Nashville, TN)
03.11•Pilot Light (Knoxville, TN)
03.12•The Earl (Atlanta, GA)
03.14•Will's Pub (Orlando, FL)
03.15•The Engine Room (Tallahassee, FL)
03.17•Mango's (Houston, TX)
03.23•Rhythm Room (Phoenix, AZ)
03.24•Casbah (San Diego, CA)
03.25•The Echo (Los Angeles, CA)
03.26•Bottom of the Hill (San Francisco, CA)
03.28•Berbati's Pan (Portland, OR)
03.29•The Crocodile (Seattle, WA)
03.30•The Biltmore Cabaret (Vancouver, BC)
04.01•Kilby Court (Salt Lake City, UT)
04.02•Hi Dive (Denver, Co)
04.03•Replay Lounge (Lawrence, KS)
04.04•Turf Club (St. Paul, MN)
04.05•Schuba's (Chicago, IL)
04.06•The Blind Pig w/Japandroids (Ann Arbor, MI)
04.07•El Mocambo (Toronto, ON)
04.08•Il Motore (Montreal, QC)
04.09•Middle East Downstairs (Cambridge, MA)
04.10•Music Hall of Williamsburg (Brooklyn, NY)

more at BearinHeaven.com

Ivana XL: Old songs, 'Old Swans'

Brooklyn singer-songwriter Ivan XL is out with a new 12 song LP of demos and unreleased songs from 2004-2006. The personal tunes according to Ivana were written at the height of her sadness about a broken relationship (actually the guy you see on the cover). Here's what she had to say about the new work ..."Why would you release a bunch of demos, Ivana? Doesn't a demo= an unfinished song, or note?" You might ask. And I would answer: Because. To me, they are the most honest version, and therefor, the BEST version. ..."I thought that I was going to die! But now, I know that I'm not going to die, and everything is happy. It is nice to have that part of my life documented."

You can check out our 'Field Recordings' session we shot with Ivana over the summer in Greenpoint, Brooklyn below.



Ivana XL on myspace.

Elephant Parade- "For You"

While doing my usual routine of perusing various music sites the other day, I stumbled on this great track from a band called Elephant Parade (courtesy of the site A Certain Romance). The two piece Brooklyn band (Estelle and Ido) have been around since 2005, and in '06 they released the album, Bedroom Recordings, a home made LP, which is a dreamy lo-fi pop gem, in the lines of a Gregory & the Hawk.
A little background on the band, they met at a bad eighties party in New York, where they found a lot of common grounds when trying to compose a list of music they would play if they could take over the DJ booth. Estelle came from the Gainesville, FL indie pop scene, where she released two albums with Brittle Stars (ShelfLife records) and also recording and performing with New York rock group, Human Television. Ido, was a video artist from Israel, who was composing experimental soundtracks in his bedroom, and playing with a few local bands. Before long the pair were playing shows around NYC with acts like Beirut, Chris Garneau, and Gregory & the Hawk. The band is currently mastering their new upcoming CD, but in the meantime you can get familiar with the band and their track "For You" below.

Elephant Parade- "For You" mp3

Elephant Parade covering Counting Crows, "Color Blind"


elephantparade on myspace.

Fanfarlo- Live at The Bell House 9/22/09

Watching Fanfarlo at The Bell House in Brooklyn last night, you get the feeling that this might be one of the last times you'll get to see the band in such a small and intimate style venue. Just one night prior in NYC, the band sold out The Bowery Ballroom, after the show got moved from the much smaller Mercury Lounge. Last nights show at The Bell House was the bands last of a quick one week tour of the U.S, with select dates on the East and West Coasts, and all this comes without the band even having a full on release of their fantastic debut Reservoir, which has only been available digitally or through the bands website. That will all change shortly as the group recently signed on with Atlantic/Canvasback for Reservoirs re-release, which is due out Oct. 6th.

The band who's music ranges from sweeping anthems to gypsy-infused folk, kicked off the night with a slightly stripped back version of "Drowning Men," with just three members, before swelling back later to it's usual six and seven. Besides a slight tuning problem in the middle, the band was tight throughout the set, interchanging instruments and harmonies, with Cathy Lucas especially strong, lending backing vocals, along with violin, mandolin and xylophone. With the just under one hour set, the band played mostly tracks off of 'Reservoir", with particular highlights for me being the full band sing along of,"The Walls are Coming Down", "Harold T. Wilkins" which I liked much better than the album version, the slow stomping "I'm A Pilot" and the delicate epic, "Comets." The band did manage to blend in a new song before the night was done called, "Waiting in the Wings" which showed a diverse sound that should quell the critics, before wrapping up the night with encores of "Ghosts," which saw the band handing out whirling noise-making tubes (check the video below) to help with the intro. The festivities ended with a cover of Neutral Milk Hotel's, "In The Airplane Over The Sea" before Balthazar lost his voice, which he said was starting to go on him.



for more info on the band visit Fanfarlo.com
photo credit- G. Paul Burnett/The New York Times (from Monday's Bowery show)

Grooms: ready debut, cover Chris Isaak

After two EP's and a name change, Brooklyn band Grooms (formerly known as Muggabears) are set to unveil their debut album, Rejoicer, which is available Oct. 13, 2009 on Death By Audio. The trio's sonically expansive sound has earned them a reputation of not being afraid to challenge their own, or their listeners perceptions of what they are, and has found them touring alongside bands such as, Crystal Stilts, Wavves, Ponytail, and Abe Vigoda to name a few. Part of that experimental vibe recently found the band tackling a cover of Chris Isaak's late 80's classic, "Wicked Game" which you can listen to on Stereogum here.
You can also check out the lead single, "Dreamsucker" off the new disc below.

Grooms-"Dreamsucker" mp3

Rejoicer track listing
1 - Dreamsucker
2 - Thumbs
3 - At the Pool
4 - Fag Feels Good
5 - Acid King of Hell (Guitar Feelings)
6 - Ghost Cat
7 - She-Bears
8 - C.J.
9 - Kier
10 - The Nights Were Walls (We Climbed Them All)

get to know Grooms on myspace