![[Video] Vell: "Fall Back" feat Lockness Monsta](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/4203577_lg.jpg)
"you spitting hot shit, family? I don't recall that." Here's a new video from Chicago's Vell, off his early 2012 release, Grinding Against The Grain . This beat is nasty, and both Vell and Lockness Monsta shine on their verses, making me dig the music a little bit more than the actual video. This one is worth checking out though, as well as going back to Vell's earlier release. Check it below.

Another variety show, no particular theme. It was set to be a sunny weekend, and that meant hitting the road. After a late Friday night at the station, I woke up early, grabbed my bike and went on a solid 10 mile ride. It was the first of the sort for 2012; the first of many. I need to get in shape for the 200 mile Seattle to Portland ride in July. Just about half way, I paused to snap the shot above. The Skagit Valley is known [...]

We've been doing up the floors in our house, stripping out the carpet, repainting the walls, painting the trim and doors, and laying down a rich brown woven bamboo (hence the lateness of this post and the general lack of posts this week). It's a project that should add equity to our house and, one day, our pockets. I threw this playlist together Friday morning and set to work stripping carpet from the hallway while it played in the background. Then I threw on some vinyl and rounded out the [...]

So this is it, the first FensePost Podcast. A few weeks ago I sat down and compiled a mix of various songs; some new, some old, most finding some relation to garage rock or garage pop. Hence the title, From The Garage . The theme is loose, so some bands fit and some don't. There are sixteen songs total here, stemming from local Seattle and Portland acts on across the world. New Zealand, Sweden, Canada... you get the picture. Enough banter - listen to the FenseCast already. [...]
![Vells: In The Hours [7-Inch Single Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/2264542_lg.jpg)
When I say that some of my favorite bands start with the letter V, I am not kidding. On FensePost, there are many reviews of Voxtrot—a near comprehensive collection of their recorded works. One band, however, that I list among my favorites (pre-Voxtrot) and that you have likely not seen or heard until now is Seattle's very own Vells . While most groups write songs with hints of sadness and give them an upbeat instrumental backing, Vells do the opposite. The songs are happy, sometimes joyous, but [...]
Here we are again with a new week and another avalanche of new album releases. Starting off with some notable solo efforts with Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth , Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene , and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam all releasing albums this week. Other highlights this week include albums from Rogue Wave , Les Savy Fav , Akron/Family , and Ben Lee . Most of which you can samples for below. What else is out this week that I may [...]
This week is another bank account drainer, as fall now seems to be in full swing, with a huge list of new releases compiled the unfailing Largehearted Boy . Several reissues (For Against, Immaculate Machines, Iggy Pop and box sets (Emmylou Harris, John Coltrane) complement this collection of independent and mainstream releases. A few highlights this week of albums from bands you typically hear on KEXP (or will soon) include Akron/Family, Carolyn Mark, The Donnas, Magnet, Rogue Wave, Hard-Fi, The Fall, Gravenhurst, Mary Gauthier, Ben Lee, and Les Savy Fav. Local bands Green Pajamas, Schoolyard Heroes, and [...]

Integretron 's excellent artwork by Nando Costa After a handful of repeated delays and push-backs, the Vells' second full-length record, Integretron , now roughly two years in the making, is finally set for a definite release. What's more is that Imputor? Records have declared it to be "Vellsmas" and are making the entire record available for download for a limited time. Tracks 1-7 have already been posted up, but they won't be up forever, so you beter get over there fast because Integretron is going to be one of [...]

Okay, so I'm aware that Summer's beginning to wind down, but I'm not ready to say goodbye just yet. I've created a mix, using the most special of ingredients, known to be very powerful against the threat of fall and it's plans to overtake Summer. Join me in listening to this mix all day long and riding Summer out as long as we can! P.S. It's not all twee, but most of it is, so whatever. You can download the big boy .ZIP file, or if you're into having yourself a buffet, you can download all songs seperately [...]

Seattle band Vells 's EPK says that "Vells have managed to fuse light and dark into a visceral musical experience that's good for the soul." I don't know if that's 100% true, but I think it's safe to say that, in the press photo above, they at least seem like they're capable of that. Vells - Light on the Right Psychic Emperor - Solar Mountain Sundown Update 7/11 : More tracks from Skatterbrain ! Vells - [...]