Hotbox Dick’s 2013

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Tom Marshall posted a song left off Traveler called “Hotbox” today, and I’ve listened to it 17 times now. They need to hotbox Dick’s, it’s only fitting. Heck, just play it live anywhere!

Relix link to “Hotbox”

Shakey Graves Concert Review- He’ll get in your SOUL

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Shakey Graves is a one man band to be reckoned with. Just when you think there are enough folk/blues singer/songwriters, someone like Shakey Graves fires through proving you wrong. Hailing from Austin, he’s recently finished a residence at The Parish and went on to become a big buzzed about musician during sxsw. When he walked up to the Denver show in his cowboy hat and leather jacket, fans were stopping him to shake hands, take pictures and tell him thank you. The word has really gotten out! The venue was packed clear back to the soundboard at Hi Dive, filled with people who had heard about this guy and his drum suitcase. He didn’t disappoint. Playing with ease and singing with conviction, he had the audience clapping and in awe, leaving them yelling for an encore, which he gladly played. Next time he comes through town, he’s going to have a big show, and it definitely won’t be free.

On a personal note, when reading his bio, I came across his old headshot. I knew Alejandro instantly from old castings and working on Spy Kids 3. Small world! I’m glad the ghost of Shakey Graves decided to haunt him, guy has talent galore, and I’ve gotta say, the ladies LOVE him, I saw y’all all swooning at the front last night!

listen to his album free here

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Pickwick – Band to Watch

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Pickwick have released one of the best albums this year, Can’t Talk Medicine. Indie-pop enthused with the bluesy soul of singer Galen Disston, a guy who listens to his dad’s vinyl collection of Grateful Dead and cites Bob Dylan’s lyrics as an influence, giving a positive sound to this Seattle band, a town known for it’s grunge and sludge. Incredible energy live, caught them at sxsw and the audience was dancing, an activity seldom seen there. Catch them live in Boulder on May 8th.

listen to the album, buy the album, check out tour dates

“Lady Luck” cover with Sharon Van Etten

“Hacienda Motel” live video

Music to See in Denver 4/2-4/8

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Tuesday 4/2
Parenthetical Girls – Hi-Dive – experimental indie pop from Portland video for “A Song for Ellie Greenwich”

Hidden Towers – 3 Kings – post hardcore rock trio from Vancouver, they are touring for their first full length album

Wednesday 4/3
Shakey Graves – Hi-Dive – one man band from Austin, used to play on the streets, now he’s having a moment. True talent. video with story of his name and song

Acid Baby Jesus – Lost Lake – fuzzy punk from Greece, you may have seen them open for Black Lips a couple years ago: video for “It’s On Me”

Cold War Kids – Gothic – Long Beach based moody pop trio with piano. I LOVE these guys. Some friends don’t like the singer’s over-pronunciation, I love it, so make your own decision: new single from latest album

Thursday 4/4
Spiritualized – Bluebird – space rock from England following the demise of Spacemen 3

Airborne Toxic Event – Ogden – for people who like this song

Merchandise – Marquis – these guys are good live video of Merchandise

Deer Tick – Gothic – see them if you haven’t, even the lead singer solo is great their main video

Friday 4/5
The Suspects – 7th Circle – Houston, TX ska band I’ve been seeing my whole life, great ska

Saturday 4/6
Detective – Lions Lair- awesome band on the rise, favorite at sxsw some of their music

Slaughter – Grizzly Rock – gotta do some people watching at a hair metal show at least once a year

Monday 4/7
Purity Ring – Gothic – sugary dance pop, openers Blue Hawaii are pretty good so come early. For a good time read their Youtube comments where people fight over who was a fan first. Purity Ring Video

Stream the new Rilo Kiley unreleased tracks including Too Short remix

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Pitchfork Advance is streaming the album right now, check out that remix of “Dejalo” with Too Short I mentioned last week for yourselves! Album out tomorrow!

Jenny and Too Short

new Rilo Kiley release

Phosphorescent New Video

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Phosphorescent (boy do I question my spelling every time) from Dead Oceans mesmerized the audience when I saw them at sxsw, slow layering of beautiful sounds, they are very good at creating soundscapes and making you forget the world around you. They released their video for “Song for Zula” today, and it’s even more mesmerizing now. I feel like reading Clan of the Cave Bear.

video for “Song for Zula”

NEW RILO KILEY!! Unreleased Tracks on New Album

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My life is complete. Next month an album of unreleased tracks, B-Sides and rarities will be released by Rilo Kiley. Just got the advance copy and this Jenny Lewis obsessive is in LOVE. Every single song is just perfect, and fans will be ecstatic. No need to comment on any different kind of sound, this is the early Rilo Kiley you love. Can the Postal Service Red Rocks show come any sooner??

video for new single “Let Me Back In”

pre-order here

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New Black Angels Album Streaming Now

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When I moved back to Austin in 2009, an old college friend introduced me to Christian Bland the very first day. All I knew was that he was a tall, sweet guy who could really rock a striped shirt. 20 something The Black Angels shows later, I am a total fangirl. These guys caused the resurgence of psych rock in Austin and run Austin Psych Fest, now 6 years running. Couldn’t be more proud or more excited about their success and only see them getting bigger. The new album is streaming today, and it’s wonderful as expected. Root for these guys, they work hard and are kind people.

free stream of the new album

link to Austin Psych Fest

Boats – catchy indie pop, goes great with water activities

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Boats out of Winnipeg are really getting some buzz. Noisy pop with hooks galore, and great lyrics about unusual themes. The first time I heard “Great Skulls” I just hit repeat repeat repeat. Stream the album for free at Kill Rock Stars.

link to stream and buy full album

Marnie Stern- She’s Killer

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Every female at sxsw wanted to be Marnie Stern from Kill Rock Stars. She has made many “Greatest Female Guitarist” lists due to her confident and technical fretboard tapping style. Heavily layered music with so much jingle-jangle it almost makes my head spin, this is perfect music for exercising or dancing frustrations away. She can scream with the best of them, too, while at the same time coming across like a modern day Juliana Hatfield.

quick video of her shredding technique

link to full audio of the new album and pre-order

Marnie Stern Tour Dates