
Swiss transplant Jason Albertini is now living in the Northwest, and his music with Helvetia is easily influenced by the sounds of the area, not to mention his recordings, since he's been joined by Scott Plouf of Built to Spil l. His new album, Helvetia's Junk Shop , will be released this September on Static Cult . This recording sounds a bit muddy, but it the vocals definitely meander through the song as you would expect from a band [...]
Enjoy a free download of "Leaning Towards An End," the new track from Helvetia's forthcoming album, Helvetia's Junk Shop, out September 15 on the Static Cult Label Junk Shop is the follow up the two acclaimed 2008 releases The Acrobats and Headless Machine Of The Heart. The new album was written, recorded and produced by [...]

Photography by Tsuru Okay, I begged and bugged you, over and over again, you guys really came through, as you know, but little did I know you'd get your money's worth this much on Saturday! Before we begin though, I want you to get "in the mood", the bicycle mood. So, first I need you to push play (while you download, of course) a lil' mixtape we put together... A bare-bones affair of bicycle themed songs to get your legs a-twitchin', your heart a-pumpin', and your [...]
In July of last year, Portland band the Prids (whose founding members met in college at Missouri Western State in St. Joseph) had a serious van accident on the road to L.A. when a tire blew. Several m... Continue reading "Roman Numerals contribute track to Prids benefit CD." >

I'm even guiltier than usual on lack of postings, but i guess that's currently the way The Lazy Canary has been rolling. Here's a new one on my radar that I've had on repeat. I was going to start throwing out some comparisons but i'll let you decide for yourself. Really feeling this track and excited to jump into their album The Acrobats released last summer I think. Download: Helvetia - Old New Bicycle

Here are my 50 favourite songs of 2008: the ones I really, really, really, really like. I decided not to include any artist twice, nor any songs from albums I heard last year. I made similar lists in 2005 , 2006 and 2007 . The best way to browse this list is to click the little arrow beside each song and then listen as you read. The things you like you can then download by right- or ctrl-clicking with your mouse. Please buy albums, singles and [...]

Photography by Tsuru Another mixtape already? Fuck yeah! Three songs that I'm just stuck-stuck on, pushed me, near-begged me, to get another going. This all happened yesterday as I kept tinkering with my ipod to hear the 3 songs over and over. Said "fuck it", built a playlist, started adding more songs, before you know it, I had a full CD worth of amazing tracks, pull a recent photo of mine that seemed to capture it all, a little flow tinkering in the playlist, and BLAM-O! [...]

Photography by normeli'y'ke Another recommendation, this time by long time friend Lysol. Helvetia, and their gem, The Acrobats . Another tough one to classify and describe, but I'm so glad I took the time to get to know it. The album is understated. That is to say, it doesn't come out and smack you upside the face. There's a certain subtlety that makes itself known (well, in an understated way, right?) right off the bat with our lead off title track. It's chill groove, humming keys, [...]

April was the best month for music thus far this year, although the months to come hold much in store, particularly with Death Cab For Cutie's Narrow Stairs album hitting stores on May 13th. This month we were able to get lots of sneak peeks at the album, especially with the release of their Daytrotter Sessions , which we were able to hear "Talking Bird" and "Cath...". My favorite song this month has to be Angel Pier's "Sacrifice", and although [...]

I had a feeling this week would be taking a turn for the worst, considering when I went outside earlier in the week, I had noticed that pollen was out and about in full force - which made me cry a little inside, as now I am racked with allergies. What better way to combat the spring allergy season then with some new album releases, which there are more than plenty of. A few albums i'm interested in checking out include A Silver Mt. Zion's 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons , Plants & Animals' [...]

It's a pretty great week for new releases. If you're heading out to your local record store here are a few we recommend. Also just a quick side note. We have decided to forgo an mp3 for the Raconteurs new album in fear of disappointing the Web Sherriff. He's been in such good spirits lately, wishing so many people Happy Easter . We defiantly don't want to be held accountable for upsetting him. Make sure you check the album out though because it is good. I recommend purchasing it on vinyl; I know that's what I'll be [...]
1. Miracle Fortress - Next Train - I'm going to pretend that this Monday, you're down. Maybe you're starting your first day back at a prestigious university after a lengthy break you wish could have continued for just another day or two. Maybe you have a proposal due at work and you stayed up all last night finishing it. Your girlfriend/boyfriend is growing distant by the second, you're broke, and it just started to rain outside. I'm going to pretend that this Monday, you're just in need of a spark, something to give you hope, something to give [...]

Helvetia - "Old New Bicycle" . If you think of an encyclopedia less like a contribution to science, less of a mountain of facts, and more like a friend to help you get through something, then you're beginning to understand The Encyclopedia Dan . It will contain answers, though maybe not the answers, to questions that I wish I could have read about before I finding out for myself. ... You can add your own in the comments. file under: travel: london it is very [...]
Prior to Monday afternoon, I had never heard/heard of Helvetia . Since Monday afternoon, I haven't really listened to much else. There's just a certain warmth and craggy fluidity pulsing through this Seattle trio's music that makes you want to stretch out and live inside your headphones. In fact, if Helvetia were an apartment, it would be the opposite of those stark, modern lofts lifted from the pages of Design Within Reach. Hell no. It would be one of those awesome brownstones with a roaring fireplace, ornate wood paneling and bookshelves filled with dusty volumes of lost classics where [...]

Portland's Saturna released Some Delicious Enemy this week on Nexus Underground. Saturna : "Pop Rocks" [mp3] from Some Delicious Enemy Saturna : "Roll Down" [mp3] from Some Delicious Enemy Saturna : "Just For Thrills" [mp3] from ...All Night other music blog posts: @lhb @hype @elbo.ws | @myspace [...]
Helvetia - "Gladness". Helvetia curl up with guitars. There are drums and voice but really it's the wrap of gold and silver that matters; the glimmer and warmth. It reminds me of Pinback - it's the same kind of cradle. If I had a conversation with this song it would probably go like this: Me: Nice boat. Helvetia - "Gladness": Thank you. Did you notice the gold and silver? Me: I did. Helvetia - "Gladness": The glimmer and warmth? Me: I noted that too. Helvetia - "Gladness": We can take you where you're going. Me: Even though your boat is [...]