Photo by Owen Behan This past weekend, I happened to discover a small little pack of opossums living underneath my back deck (true story). They were...oh sorry, wrong opossum write-up. This particular Opossum is a band from New Zealand, has a lot less hair, is significantly bigger, and happens to make spacey, '60s psych-tinged pop. The band is helmed by Kody Nielson, formerly of The Mint Chicks and occasional touring member of Unknown Mortal Orchestra (he also happens to be the brother of UMO's Ruben Nielson). Opossum's debut LP, Electric Hawaii [...]
It seems as though I increasingly find myself struggling more and more with the upkeep of Mixtape Muse, especially this past week. In regards to last week, I didn't want to do anything with a computer (it's what I stare at all day after all) following work, and outside of relaxing after getting home I just wanted to ride my bike as much as possible. It was a pretty scary and, in some way, uncomfortable thing to feel a disconnect with music, something that's been my life outside of school and work for more than a decade now. More than [...]
Patrick Watson - Adventures In the Backyard The backyard seems like the place you’d find some sort of oasis from what lies beyond your front door, especially as a kid. But aging has a funny way of making the magic of the backyard seem like child’s play, a distant memory. Times when dreams felt more authentic than reality feel so distant from now. And yet, Montreal singer/songwriter Patrick Watson makes it feel as though this [...]
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 [...]
Raleigh indie folk rockers Bowerbirds will be performing at the Ottobar tomorrow evening, touring in support of their brand new album, The Clearing (Dead Oceans). For those unaffected by that news, I recommend checking out the band's recent 10,000 Takes Session featuring a live performance of The Clearing 's "This Year" as well as their North Shore Session featuring a performance of two other tracks from the new album: "Overcome With Light" and "Brave World." Treat yourself to The Clearing 's gentle [...]
Japandroids - Celebration Rock In 2009, Vancouver duo Japandroids (guitarist/singer Brian King and drummer/singer David Prowse) released their debut album, Post-Nothing , a unique blend of fuzzed out, distortion-heavy guitar muscle and air drum-worthy percussive weight that matched ‘90s rock ‘n’ roll volume and tone with garage rock’s blistering, energetic edge. It was one of the most critically acclaimed releases of that year, which inevitably lead to questions as to what would come next. [...]
You know that classic Neutral Milk Hotel album In An Aeroplane Over the Sea ? Well, now it's a lot more hip hop thanks to UK producer/DJ Psycosis. If you haven't already heard it, here is Neutral Bling Hotel's In My G4 Over Da Sea -- yes indeed. Jay-Z and Jeff Magnum? Yep. It doesn't always fit together seamlessly, but it's fun and a good time. DOWNLOAD: Bandcamp / Mediafire
Santigold - Master of My Make-Believe It’s been four year since Santigold’s debut album, Santogold , and a lot has changed in the world of alternative pop music. A good amount of this four-year span was spent working on the sound for a follow-up, and it certainly shows in the rich, eclectic instrumentation and attention to detail. With help from producers and guest musicians such as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner, TV On [...]
Yes. Yes. One yes for "Yes, that's correct" and one for "Yes, I'm so happy this album is on its way." Bloc Party will release Four their, you guessed it, fourth studio album on August 21st (US) and August 20th (rest of the world). The album marks the band's return after a 2+ year hiatus and the first release of all new material since 2008's Intimacy . Four will also see the band debuting with their new label Frenchkiss (surprising and super awesome). Man, August, huh? Why wait to hear it? Check out a trailer [...]
Photo by Kyle Johnson Long before Fleet Foxes exploded into indie superstardom, two members of the band (bassist Christian Wargo and keyboardist Casey Wescott) formed half of a guitar-driven indie pop band called Crystal Skulls (they're currently the only remaining members). That group's 2005 debut album, Blocked Numbers , has always been one of my favorite under appreciated gems, always proving to be a most enjoyable listen. When Wargo and Wescott became members of Fleet Foxes, Crystal Skulls, understandably, was put on ice. While they never really broke up, there has [...]
Lo-fi bedroom pop that sounds like a dream permeating the confines of a bedroom. It's dreamy, charming, and uplifting -- a welcomed change, and reprieve, from all the depressing things we hear about in the world these days. Nomadic Firs (aka Ryan Boos) takes the warmth and intimacy of tape-based lo-fi music and mixes in elements of electropop as well as a sort of '60s sunshine pop glimmer, crafting something that's capable of being subtle and expansive. As the summer heat begins to settle in, it sounds like a fitting soundtrack for the months ahead. [...]
A few weeks -- er, months (time, where you at?!) -- back, I heard a song called "New France" by Orbital, an electronic duo out of Sevenoaks, England. At that particular moment, I had no idea who they were, but soon came to discover the duo of Phil and Paul Hartnoll has been making music since 1989. What drew me to the song, outside of its great production and pacing, was its rather incoherent vocal hook, courtesy of Zola Jesus. The only real discernible word seemed to be "lion" -- which I, honestly, only picked up on after watching the [...]
After building a sizable following as a remix artist, Berlin DJ Theatre of Delays recently debuted his first original song entitled "Sophie." It's a mix of instrumental electro/disco and electropop that's accessible yet deep, as well. Anyone can produce a beat and throw a bunch of synth on top of it, but it doesn't necessarily mean the music will project a sense of purpose, or care. But here, Theatre of Delays demonstrates great attention to pacing, particularly the relationship between the song's layers of percussion. Theatre of Delays - "Sophie" [...]
Oh no, it's Monday. Well, if it feels as though you're living inside of "Office Space," then you could probably go for a serious pick-me-up -- you know, something to really get the week started off right. So here's a wonderful, buzzy tune called "The Trip" from Ipswich five-piece The Waxing Captors. It's the sound of power pop attempting to knock down the walls of rock's garage, and it's bound to wake you up with all this energy. First, we catch the guys literally taking a trip. But, much like the song, [...]
What's slick like electro, infectious like funk, and packed with rock 'n' roll attitude? A Spirit Animal. Does that sound like something you'd like to see live? Well, you're in luck if you happen to live in NYC or the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area. The New York band only has two shows lined up at the moment, the first of which is tonight at Cameo Gallery in Brooklyn along with Flying Cars. And THIS Sunday, May 20th, these dudes will be gracing the fine stage of Red Palace in D.C. along with Vamos and Flying Cars. Based solely off some YouTube [...]
My Goodness - "Blackout Baby" The first time I heard this song, I thought it was some lost MC5 b-side. But the MC5 were never this bluesy, and they never did sound this Southern fried. "Blackout Baby" has that raw, sort of guttural punch that sounds big and hits even harder -- like the MC5 meets Led Zeppelin. It only takes one electric guitar, a drum kit, and a howling set of pipes to stir up this storm of bluesy rock 'n' roll, and that certainly says a lot about the [...]
Francis - "Traktor" Although the name is rather simplistic, Francis has a lot to their name. Take for example "Traktor," the first single from their latest EP, This Must Be Blood (Strangers Candy Records). It's a lovely pop song wrapped in a haze of near dream pop guitar that darts over the rattle and roll of percussion and thumping bass. If you dug that, you can download This Must Be Blood for free right [...]
I Can Chase Dragons - "O'Donoju" Time is of the essence, and I'm afraid I'm running rather low on it this week and this particular evening. Listen. But don't thank me if you enjoy it, thank Paper Garden Records. More? Look below for the whole album. Expansión by I Can Chase Dragons!
When We Were Promised Jetpacks performed at the Black Cat in DC this past Wednesday, it marked the 41st date of their current North American tour. And while the Scottish four-piece may have appeared somewhat drained physically, their performance didn’t suffer and was rather thunderous. What’s more, they took hardly any breaks in their hour-long set, playing as though the comfort of their homeland was embedded deep within the fabric of their post-punk/rock-meets-shoegaze sound. Even with earplugs in, that sound was very loud, making the band’s already monumental riffing sound a good deal more pummeling. [...]
As we all know by now, Adam "MCA" Yauch of the Beastie Boys passed away yesterday at the age of 47. I'm working on a piece for next week, but I wanted to share this video that features the group's entire set from a 1999 concert in Glasgow. Enjoy. R.I.P. MCA.
Mixtape Muse
[Listen] Daft Punk - "Horizon" (Japanese Bonus Track)
MP3: Daft Punk – “Horizons” (RAM Japanese Bonus Track)
Giorgio Moroder – Live at Deep
Introducing: Swords
