photo by leslieloudspeaker
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.
photo by meetyouattheshow
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
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
photo by leslieloudspeaker
Delicate Steve of Luaka Bop played an exciting and searing show at Hi-Dive in Denver last night. The snowstorm we had all day caused for a lower turnout than I expected, but I love when that happens at that tiny venue. Don’t be fooled by the name, the only delicate thing on stage were this New Jersey guy’s elegant piano fingers shredding that guitar. All songs are instrumental, which I’m all about lately, you really get to focus on all the layers of sound they create. Their style of music is very positive though in comparison to a lot of the drudgy stuff I’ve seen lately, at moments having the entire audience jump up and down, and then being completely silent for two minutes, which I have always wanted to see work, a silent crowd and band. (Oh, for a Divided Sky with silence, shut up everyone!!) The crowd last night made sure that didn’t happen, however, they HAD to hear themselves say such funny things as “WOO” and “OK”. For maybe two seconds it was totally silent, and boy was that crowd exuberantly relieved when they dropped back into the song. They only have a few more dates for this tour, so keep your eyes open for his name. Delicate Steve Tour Dates
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
Video for “Ballad of Speck and Pebble”
photo by leslieloudspeaker
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
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
photo by leslieloudspeaker
This band is so California it makes me want to book a flight. They’ve got this Beach Boys/Paul Simon sound that makes you want to quit your crappy day job and go to the beach. I’m a sucker for bands that say their name in a song (looking at you, Morningwood) and this song is a good way to start the morning. The musicians are totally just normal guys as well, nice to see in a world of outlandish rockhobo wear.
BOLD band names are my personal pics. Blue is video links.
Wednesday, Mar. 20
Rose Windows – Moe’s Original BBQ, Denver (great lyrics, slow psych) Rose Windows- Heavenly Days
The Soft Moon – Larimer Lounge (thumping psych) come here for your psych fix
The Pharmacy – Moe’s Original BBQ (creative powerful garage rock, they tend to cause mosh pits among hipsters. If you like the Flaming Lips without confetti, check them out) I will be here
Thursday, Mar. 21
Champagne Charlie – Lost Lake Lounge (rough Man Man type vocals, goes well with whiskey) Champagne Charlie
Widowspeak – Moe’s Original BBQ, Denver (soft female vocals with building sound behind her) sexy psych
Old Man Markley – Marquis (rockabilly bluegrass with NOFX influences, from Fat Wreck Chords) Old Man Markley
Friday, Mar. 22
Fol Chen w/ Royal Canoe – Hi-Dive (indie pop, they had a song on Weeds during a popular Botwin showing her body again scene) for Erin
Paper Bird (video release), He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister – Oriental Theater (beautiful harmonies and ragtag instruments Americana with heart, really cute dresses) new Paper Bird video- GO MACON!!
Saturday, Mar. 23
Delicate Steve – Hi-Dive (screechy goodness) Delicate Steve- Wally Wilder
Billy Bragg – Gothic (story time)
Jars of Clay – Grizzly Rock (that Christian band that had that 40 Days song that I loved until I figured out it was about Noah)
Tuesday, Mar. 26
In This Moment – Fillmore (metal with costumes and ridiculousness and a hot chick)
John Statz- Walnut Room (guitar, banjo, barstool, heart pouring out)
Tartufi – The Armoury (huge sound from three people, blissful crescendos) Tartufi
Wednesday, Mar. 27
Waxahatchee- The Armoury (solo project of Katie Crutchfield from P.S. Eliot, amongst a sea of chicks with guitars, this one really stands out) Video for Grass Stain
Lord Huron – Bluebird (indie folk from CA. Not much stage presence but a pleasant sound) video of Lord Huron
FIDLAR, Wavves, Cheatahs – Larimer Lounge (loud good rock, all of them. Saw FIDLAR twice at sxsw I liked them so much, Wavves is about to go to the next level so see this show if you get self-worth out of bragging about seeing bands before they were big) FIDLAR Live Video
leslieloudspeaker 