New Videos from: She Keeps Bees

I was a huge fan of She Keeps Bees, the Brooklyn duo of Jessica Larrabee & Andy LaPlant. Their first two LP's, 2006's Minisink Hotel and 08's, Nests, are gritty, raw and power-packed with swagger. To my surprise I just found out that the band put out a new album last year called, Dig On, which somehow I completely slept on. I've been getting familiar with it the past several weeks and so should you. Start by watching two new videos the pair just released for album tracks, "See Me" and "Blind to the Cup" which you can check out below.



http://shekeepsbees.com/

Burn The Bowery: Favorites of 2008

20 Sigur Ros- Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
19 Weinland- La Lamentor
18 Lykke Li- Youth Novels
17 The War On Drugs- Wagonwheel Blues
16 Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes
15 The Secret Life of Sofia- Seven Summits
14 Laura Marling- Alas I Cannot Swim
13 Wye Oak- If Children
12 The Dodos- Visiter
11 Land Of Talk- Some Are Lakes

10 City and Colour- Bring Me Your Love
In what was a very good year for acoustic/folk based music, this one flew way under the radar. This solo project from Dallas Green is passionate and effortless. The man simply has a killer voice.






9 Point Juncture, Wa- Heart to Elk
This one may have appeared even higher if we just didn't recently come across it. Although it's still relatively new to our ears, it had to be included in the top 10. Gorgeous, dreamy, textured pop gems that seem to build and build.



8 Blitzen Trapper- Furr
Our 3rd entry from Portland in the top 20, Blitzen Trapper deliver a detailed new album that grows on you with each listen. Great rootsy old Americana feel, with excellent harmonies.






7 Jessica Lea Mayfield- With Blasphemy So Heartfelt
Amazing debut from the 19 year old Mayfield. Strong album from start to finish and she sounds wise beyond her years. A distinct fresh voice that we think you'll be hearing a lot of for years to come.





6 Helio Sequence- Keep Your Eyes Ahead Our 4th Portland band in the top 20,the album features two of the years strongest tracks in, "Lately' and "Shed Your Love". Singer Brandon Summers severely damaged his vocal cords, which led the band to re-invent it's sound. The result is an ambitious album that beautifully blends, indie rock and folk, with ambient and synth led numbers.


5 Ra Ra Riot- The Rhumb Line If you know the story of the tragedy the band went through, losing there drummer John Ryan Pike to a drowning accident while recording the LP, you can't help but feel the heartbreak that plays out on the disc. Pike wrote some of the LP's most ironic tracks such as, "Dying is Fine" and "Ghost Under the Rocks." Excellent melodic indie rock album.



4 She Keeps Bees- Nests
In a music world that is often times lacking some true soul to it, She Keeps Bees delivers. The NYC powerful two piece is gritty and raw, and frontwoman Jessica Larrabee is one of the finest there is.





3 Damien Jurado- Caught In The Trees
Usually known for his fictional storytelling prowess, Jurado gets personal on his latest disc and delivers his best work yet. For a guy that's been around as long as he has, it's about time he gets recognized for this disc.





2 Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago
What can you say, the guy had a killer year, but still one that I just kept coming back to again and again. One of the years most intimate records. It truly takes you away to that cabin in the Wisconsin woods, where you can feel the despair.





1 Frightened Rabbit- The Midnight Organ Fight
Raw, visually blundt, emotional, exceptionally strong songwwriting. Plays out very cinematically with a beginning, middle and end. You won't find a better album from start to finish then this one.

She Keeps Bees- Nests

Gritty, Soulful, Raw, Powerful. All words that can describe the new album Nests from Brooklyn's She Keeps Bees. SKB's is the dynamic two piece made up of Jessica Larrabee (guitar, vocals) and Andy LaPlant (drummer/producer). Often unfairly compared to Chan Marshall (Catpower), Larrabee is much more aggressive vocally and brings more swagger to the table. Born to a father who was an R&B drummer, you can tell Larrabee has the blues/soul music deep in her bones from the instant you hear SKB's music.
In a music scene that is sometimes truly devoid of any depth, substance, or authenticity, Larrabee and SKB's is a refreshing find among the pop tinged indie players of today.
Having recorded the album themselves, Nests is not overly produced & has very much a live atmosphere about it. LaPlant and Larrabee keep things simple with an in your face formula of Larrabee's husky vocals and assertive guitar playing , mixed with LaPlant's unassuming drumming. It's a formula that works well, whether it is on the menacing, dark acoustic number "Wear Red" or on "Gimmie" which showcases Larrabee's attitude and sex appeal along with her classic howl. "My Last Nerve" is a slow blues soaked number that builds around Jessica's powerful vocals, while "Release" could be the albums best, with it's infectious chorus and forceful drumming.

If your looking for a refreshing change from the same old same old music and appreciate something with some soul to it, SKB's is one not to miss. We look forward to more big things from SKB's in 2008.

She Keeps Bees on myspace.

She Keeps Bees- new songs

The dynamic duo She Keeps Bees, which is comprised of singer & guitarist Jessica Larabee and drummer Andy LaPlant have just put up three new songs from their new upcoming disc Nests on their myspace page. Jessica's voice, if you haven't heard it, is one of the more fresh and unique sounding talents out there, you could say it's a mix of Catpower with even more soul, with a touch of the rawness of early PJ Harvey.
The new disc 'Nests' from She Keeps Bees, which is the follow up to 2007's Shhhh EP, still doesn't have an official release date as of yet, but the three new tracks "Focus", "Release" and "Gimme" are more than promising enough to hold fans over in the meantime.