Today, I'm honored to share with you Bard & Mustache's new EP, Bitter Painter , in its entirety. Unless someone ripped it and threw it online somewhere before this post was made, this is the only place you can currently hear Bitter Painter online. It was first released into the world last week at the duo's show at The Windup Space in Baltimore. So, for those of you who missed that show or the one in Monteclair, NJ this past Friday, here is the EP in all its glory. I highly recommend checking it out. When you [...]
Although the Sparta Philharmonic have been out promoting their fantastic new album over the past couple of months and are currently wrapping up the second leg of their tour, band frontman/singer/guitarist/cell ist/bearded gentleman Greg Bortnichak found the time to work on more music and is gearing up to hit the road with his new project, Bard and Mustache. Bortnichak is once again working in a duo format, but this time around the music is more folk-based and sees him focusing solely on cello. The other half of Bard and Mustache is Floridian songstress and multimedia artist Erin Murphy (The [...]
The Sparta Philharmonic released one of last year's best albums with (trans)migratory birds . Today, Mixtape Muse is proud and excited to premiere the video for album-standout "Maybe It's Best." The most striking and significant images in the video appear while frontman/guitarist/cellist Greg Bortnichak pulls a heavy rope along, racing through the woods with more intensity and heart than most Olympic runners. Thematically, it tackles connection and relationships, represented by various symbolic images throughout the piece. Watch it all below. MP3: Sparta Philharmonic - "Maybe [...]
Well, the year is over -- didn't see that coming. If there's one thing I can say about 2010, it's that it was the best and most productive year Mixtape Muse has had since it was born back in 2006. I'd like to thank all the artists, bands, and readers who helped make this year so awesome and successful. I would have never thought Mixtape Muse could have accomplished so much in a year. So, thank you all. Now, my choices for the top albums of 2010. Oh, the year-end list. It's just a troublesome thing. Are we [...]
The Sparta Philharmonic have released a new music video for their song "Everywhere At Once, And No Where To Go". The song comes from the Sparta, NJ turned Philly duo's recently released sophomore effort, (Trans)Migratory Birds . The LP happens to also be NJ's Atlas Records ' (who recently released a compilation ) first official release. You can pick up the new album here . The brothers duo currently don't have any announced dates, but you can keep an eye on their Myspace page for when they do announce some shows. [...]
It goes without saying that I think the Sparta Philharmonic's new album, (Trans)migratory Birds , is fantastic. It's an album brimming with pure passion and raw emotion, built by two brothers intently focused on producing the most honest music that they are capable of making. Every fiber of their being, every bit of themselves that they can offer, goes into their music, because, at its core, the Sparta Philharmonic is incredibly sincere and centered around heart. The band just released the video for album single "Everywhere At Once, And [...]
Below, you can check out the very first Mixtape Muse podcast. Feel free to download it and share it with your friends. Background info, or a preface, for this podcast can be found at the start of the podcast, so I won't waste your time by typing a bunch of words here. In regards to my production and editing, it's not the best -- hell, you can ever hear a motorcycle/car go by in the distance if you listen closely -- but it's raw and honest. If you dig it, share it! [...]
In the crazy ass world known as the music industry, the week immediately following CMJ is basically the most overwhelming five days of any blogger's life. That's because all the publicists who stepped away from the office to party work at CMJ are now back in said office, catching up on their work and consequently sending 1,732 emails. The goods new for you guys, of course, is that all these emails mean tons of new mp3s to include in this week's Friday mixtape. So please enjoy this haul of free music. We're going to go sleep. [...]
By Ali Nassiri Kind of an odd day schedulewise for me, so I can't post much today. I hope people have checked out the video below. Please do leave comments (or shoot me an e-mail at quinns@mixtapemuse.com) to share what you've been spinning (aka listening to). I'm about to hit the road, but I wanted to post a little something first. Two artists are releasing new material today that I think are worth your time. The first is The Sparta Philharmonic, [...]
Ladies and gents, you're attention please. I'd like to introduce a band that will make your Tuesday just a little more bearable. Greg and Alex Bortnichak are The Sparta Philharmonic , North Jersey expats who now call The City of Brotherly Love home. Woodshedding since the release of their well-received 2006 long-player Paper-Mache Mountains , the noisy duo are back with a vengeance as evidenced by (trans)migratory birds . Throwing a monkeywrench (or in this case, occasional cello) in the now tried-and-true guitar and [...]
Mp3: Elizabeth & The Catapults. You & Me | Web Mp3: Impossible Hair. You Can Own | Web Mp3: Sparta Philarmonic. Maybe It's Best | Web Mp3: Ten Million Lights. Kill Yr Idols | Web Mp3: Silver Swans. Secrets | Web Mp3: Roman Photos. Decline | Web Mp3: Findlay Brown. Promise Land | Web
It's crunchy, dreamy, riffy, soaring-hope you love it as much as we do. We'd love for you to please post and share "Maybe It's Best", an (in our opinion) stellar track off Philly-based Sparta Philharmonic's excellent "(Trans)migratory Birds", which we'd also love to send to you for review. Hit me up, OK? ABOUT THE RECORD: [...]
I recently interviewed The Sparta Philharmonic and posted the massive interview this week. These guys are friends and are really good dudes. They are completely dedicated to what they do and have kept at it for 10+ years, personally designing and hand-pressing their albums and booking all their own shows and tours. Up until a year or two ago, they were touring in a mid-sized Subaru station wagon. Now, they tour in one of those Honda Elements, managing to fit a bunch of guitars, a half-stack, drums, merch, luggage, and themselves inside. If you've read the interview, you know that [...]
Greg and Alex Bortnichak are two New Jersey natives who have developed their own unique brand of experimental rock 'n' roll. The brothers have been performing together as The Sparta Philharmonic for over a decade now and have toured the country a few times on their own dime, booking their way from coast to coast and packing all their equipment into one medium-sized SUV (at one point it was a mid-sized station wagon). It's hard not to admire the dedication these two brothers have for their craft. They have done things DIY since they first formed, driven not by any [...]
(Alex & Greg) Greg and Alex Bortnichak are two New Jersey natives who have developed their own unique brand of experimental rock 'n' roll. The brothers have been performing together as The Sparta Philharmonic for over a decade now and have toured the country a few times on their own dime, booking their way from coast to coast and packing all their equipment into one medium-sized SUV (at one point it was a mid-sized station wagon). It's hard not to admire the dedication these two brothers have for their craft. They have [...]
This afternoon, thousands of music fans will make their way to Chicago’s Union park for the sixth edition of Pitchfork Music Festival . As Consequence of Sound is partly based in Chicago, having a festival in our own backyard is a really big deal for us. Needless to say our coverage of the fest will be top notch! But for those of you who won’t be able to make it to Pitchfork, our Friday Mixtape has arrived just in time to make sure everyone receives a little extra somethin’ this weekend. [...]
Every day, Daily Downloads offers 10 free and legal mp3 downloads, plus free and legal live sets from around the internet. Today's free and legal mp3 downloads: Archeology : "Altar Song" [mp3] from Memorial other Archeology posts at Largehearted Boy Chain Gang of 1974 : "Hold On" [mp3] from White Guts [...]
This week, we'll all be posting our "Top 5 Albums of 2010 (so far)," one writer each day. In the past, I never could get myself to actually rank my top albums, just because I find it rather difficult. Plus, I feel as though it shouldn't really come down to a "who's better than who?" or anything. These lists are just a culmination of opinion, so let's not get all carried away. Based on their content, I felt like I should arrange my choices in the following order. [...]
Mixtape Muse
Happy Days Are Here Again
The NJ Underground
Consequence Of Sound
My Old Kentucky Blog
Planeta Pop
NeuFutur Magazine
largehearted boy
Kanye West Debuts “New Slaves” On Sides Of Buildings
Weekly Mix Vol. I
Teddy Killerz: Toys Riot
MP3: The Weeknd – Kiss Land
