Kurt Vile is a great guy. I once drunkenly got him to play piano with me (I don’t play piano) in the green room at Mohawk in Austin, and I think he even got me my next drink. Is that name-dropping? It makes it more personal and we know for a fact he’s nice. Anyway, his new track “Never Run Away” is fantastic. Play it in the car. Follow the Spin link below and download it for free:
photo by Clash Music
Jake Bugg from Mercury Records is the real deal. Comparisons to Dylan abound by critics, he’s got the retro folk sound down. I do not get starstruck ever, but when I saw him at sxsw I couldn’t even go up to him, I was so intimidated. He’s got “it”. English kid raised on Donovan and The Beatles, he picked up the guitar at 12, and now at 19 he’s ready for the big leagues. Fans of singer/songwriters and folk will love him, he’s already big in the UK, he’s about to pop in America. Plus, he’s really cute. Check him out, he’s impressive and genuine and I wish I had his swagger.
photo from DailyRecord
Akron/Family – This crazy experimental rock band from indie label Dead Oceans is famous for their wild, high energy live shows. The new album captures the joy and fun you feel at the shows perfectly. Layered and hypnotic, this album gets you to that blissful level. It kicks off with a bang with “No Room”, linked below, and the album blends so cohesively all the way to “Samurai”, leaving you with a feeling of peaceful calm. Fans of their earlier work are going to love this. They will be playing in Denver at the Larimer Lounge on 4/10, buy your ticket now, it will sell out.
photo by dlanderson
photo by leslieloudspeaker
You Me & Us Just the distorted sweet but irritated vocals beachy fuzzy pop punk I’ve been looking for. There will obviously be many comparisons to Rilo Kiley, but You Me & Us get the point across in two minute punches that pack a lot of bite. Listen and download their EP in its’ entirety here and see them live ASAP: You Me & Us and tour schedule (and no, it doesn’t quite make sense to me either unless they book way in advance): You Me & Us Tour Dates
photo by leslieloudspeaker
Haley Bonar – As I was catching some air conditioning in a friend’s car who works for SXSW (hey Tara at Roadway Productions!) I heard a familiar sound. Rolled down the window and there at the Doritos’ BoldStage was Haley Bonar, singing “Bad Reputation”, which I’ve heard many times on NPR. Playing both guitar and organ while looking damn cute doing it, Haley commanded the stage with her sweet voice and fantastic backing band. She’s recorded with Andrew Bird, and has a side project called Gramma’s Boyfriend, a “no-wave, new wave, punkish kind of thing that sounds like the Twin Peaks High School prom band”. Can’t go wrong with that description! “Bad Reputation” by Haley Bonar
photo by leslieloudspeaker
Suuns – Montreal boys from Secretly Canadian that had me hook, line and sinker from the first note. It’s fascinating to watch the smiling singer turn it on and just look pure evil when he sings. If you like fuzz, wildness and and danceable psych, these guys are a mustsee. This video is worth waiting through the ad: Video for Suuns “2020”
Parquet Courts – perfect American punk via Brooklyn and TX. See them live, they don’t need much introduction. Just see them. Even if you think you don’t like punk, the crowd falls in love instantly. Video for “Borrowed Time”
I walked into Holy Mountain at SXSW an hour early to catch Holydrug Couple and heard the most beautiful noise coming from the back tent stage. These are the moments you yearn for at Southby, the perfect unknown (to you) band. The drummer from Woods (video) joins up with some New Hampshire friends, a flute and an organ and creates a psych sound that is all their own. When seen live, their music breathes, layer upon layer faster and faster until the prettiest blast comes from everywhere around you, letting you live in MMOSS’s noise forcefield for a moment. It’s early in the year, but their latest Only Children is already on my Best of 2013 list.
Full album audio- Only Children
The Ruby Suns Christopher – dreamy synth-pop from New Zealand with danceable beats and haunting vocals. I would put this album on when cooking dinner for a special lady friend. Favorite track: “Drammatikk” Kingfisher Call Me Video
Pissed Jeans Honeys – raucous crazy fuzz-filled riffs and high energy, hardcore rock/punk band from Allentown, PA, heard them from the street in sxsw and was completely blown away, they can even get old people to slam dance. I’m pretty sure the drummer is not human, arms should not be able to go that fast. Check them out for loud, sweaty fun. Favorite track: “Cathouse” Bathroom Laughter Video
Mogwai Les Revenants – big, beautiful sounds with minimal vocals, lush instrumentation, the band has been around for years but the new album sounds perfectly modern. I’m a sucker for cello so this album sucked me in right away. Slow, steady, lush soundscapes. Favorite Track: Modern Hungry Face Video
Survival Knife Name That Tune 7″ – Out of Olympia, WA, this 7″ has two fantastic singles on it, brand spanking new band and recording (but not brand new musicians). They have a King Crimson sound to them that lovers of rock will dig. Keep your eyes on these guys. Favorite track: “Name That Tune”
Low The Invisible Way – 20 years later, this band still gives me goosebumps. Minimalistic instruments, shockingly beautiful lyrics, vocals and harmonies. Their new album makes me want to take a road trip to the Badlands. Fans of Neutral Milk Hotel will love this new album, produced by Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. Melancholy beauty at it’s finest. Favorite track: Plastic Cup Plastic Cup- amazing lyrics
leslieloudspeaker 