Did you know Isaac Brock, lead singer of Modest Mouse and Ugly Casanova , worked for Sub Pop as a scout? Yep, he introduced Sub Pop to some great acts, including The Shins, Iron and Wine, Wolf Parade, and Holopaw? It's a real shame Holopaw's name hasn't gotten more out there, because they are worth everyone's listen. In my opinion, their 2003 release is better than their 2005 release, Quit +/ Or Fight. Both albums have a sound that is similar to that of Brock's side project band, Ugly Casanova. This similarity is present because Holopaw's lead [...]
If it weren't for certain smaller record labels, the music scene would look quite different than it does today. It is very possible that some of your favorite musicians would have gone undiscovered. That is why I decided that the record labels should get their time in the sun on Indie Muse. A "mother's day" for record labels, if you will. "Wait a minute, I thought you hated record labels," you say. Umm. Yes, that is mostly true. But I don't hate all record labels. I like smaller labels, who treat their bands with respect, and are in the business [...]
Recently, I've posted several covers and remixes , so I decided why stop there. Over the past few weeks, I've been liking Tobias Hellkvist's cover of Efterklang's song "Step Aside." Efterklang is a Danish band I know absolutely nothing about. Tobias Hellkvist is a Swedish artist, who likewise, I know absolutely nothing about. So to sum up, some Danish band named Efterklang wrote a song entitled "Step Aside," and some Swedish musician named Tobias Hellkvist covered the song. okay i kid... I know a little bit about Tobias Hellkvist. He is 22 years old, and an [...]
I've been listening to Bob Dylan's music more now than ever before. Just curious, what's your favorite song (if you can pick?) Perhaps you can even divulge why it's your favorite. I know it's hard. But you are stranded on an island with nothing but your iPod. It has just enough juice for one more song. No, you can't pick Justin Timberlake, for everything deleted off your iPod during the crash, except for every Bob Dylan song ever produced. For me, I've got to say "Mr. Tambourine Man." I don't really know why it's my favorite Dylan song though, it [...]
OK Go is at it again. If you haven't seen this music video yet, watch it. It will blow your mind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =iAQZ_uui1SY
If you don't know Uruguayan singer/songwriter Jorge Drexler, you may actually know some of his music without realizing it-he won an Oscar for his song "Al Otro Lado Del Rio," featured on the soundtrack Motorcycle Diaries. If you like vocals in foreign languages, specifically Spanish, you'd like his work. In this case, however, I am plugging a song Drexler did in English- a cover of Radiohead's "High and Dry." This is a beautiful rendition of Radiohead's song, and I know there are people out there who can't understand why an artist tries to touch a song that was [...]
If you like Mojave 3, Red House Painters, or Whiskeytown, the band Dolorean may appeal to you. Their recently released album, You Can't Win , is slow-tempo, so if you are looking for a cheerer-upper, look elsewhere. Some songs on the album do not click that well for me, but there are others that are relaxing to listen to. I'll tell you right off the bat, with a mellow album like this, you really have to be in the mood, or it could come off as boring. Al James, the leader of the quintet, states that he [...]
I have always been a big fan of the duo Electric President, and last week, Ben Cooper released an exciting album under his side project name Radical Face. The album is entitled Ghost , and succeeds in offering catchy pop songs interwoven with what would otherwise be considered folk melodies. The wide range of sounds often takes place in the same song, sometimes with songs going from almost complete silence to seconds later, upbeat pop. There is a focus on real instruments on this album (including unique ones such as the accordion, banjo, and of course, hand clapping), [...]
Actually, the accurate name of the song of the day is "You Kept Me Waiting Too Long Long Long Long Long Long Long Long Long." The song is a remix of The Television Personalties song by the same name, perhaps with the word "long" used a few less times. The song comes off the bands new four-track remix EP, My Dark Places Remixes . I actually like this remix by E*Vax (Evan Mast of Ratatat) more than the original. My Dark Places Remixes (2007): E*Vax (Ratatat) - You Kept [...]
The past few weeks I've been listening to some of The Shivers music off their new album, Phone Calls . Keith Zarriello, who seems to be the only consistent member of the Brooklyn band, has a variety of interesting music, and can also be noted for his songwriting. His music ranges from folk/country, to more lo-fi/alternative. However you want to classify his music, it is quite relaxing, and his love song "beauty" on Charades is a masterpiece (as anyone who has heard the song will confirm). Some of his songs over the years have [...]
Did I call it, or did I call it. In my last Wilco post I stated, "Wilco has creative ways of releasing their material, and working with the fans, so we can probably expect some sort of album streaming, possibly even before the release." Well, tonight is your lucky night. Wilco just announced a semi-secret (oops) listening party tonight at 10 pm Central time, for their upcoming release, Sky Blue Sky. The album's set release date is May 15. Sudden change of plans for tonight. You can access the stream at Wilcoworld.net . See you [...]
Every single day, I hear about a new ridiculous issue with one of the most loathed companies in the world, the RIAA. The new conflict to arise just happened yesterday after the Copyright Royalty Board, the group overseeing statutory licensing for US-based internet radio stations, announced the new royalty rates for streaming radio performance rights. To break the situation down simply, the RIAA is demanding an unfair amount of money from webcasters. With the new implemented prices, a station with 1,000 listeners will be paying over $150,000 a year to stream 24/7. This price will keep going up dramatically over [...]
I have seen a few too many times someone being told that they are "too old" to do something, such as learn a musical instrument. It is true that many of the great musicians of the world started playing during childhood, but that doesn't mean that a person who is a bit older doesn't have the potential to produce great music. I don't know anyone who would dispute that a 22 year old is still young, but if that's the age they are just starting to learn an instrument with intentions of being a recording musician, to some that is [...]
You may have heard that satellite radio companies XM and Sirius announced a plan to merge on Feb. 19, after striking a 13 billion dollar deal, provided they pass the FCC regulations. The merge will be saving both companies billions of dollars, but the real question is, will it matter? I have yet to this day to understand why these companies, both investing ludicrous amounts of money over the last six years without profit, believe they have ever had, or will have, a fighting chance in the radio industry. These companies together have already spent billions of dollars, and their [...]
Back in September, I got postive feedback on Ugly Casanova, so I thought I would post their two track EP, Diggin' Holes . This rare EP came out about a month after the bands 2002 Sub Pop release, Sharpen Your Teeth . Neither of the songs on the EP can compete with Sharpen Your Teeth's "Hotcha Girls," one of the best songs in the world, but they are both still unique and gratifying. For those of you who don't know, Ugly Casanova is the side project of Isaac Brock, lead singer and guitarist of [...]
The Birdman is back. If you checked out other music blogs recently, you may have already heard that Andrew Bird's new album, Armchair Apocrypha, leaked yesterday-I didn't have time to make a post yesterday, so I'm a few hours behind the game. Regardless, I am absolutely positively in love with this record. It is, by far, going to be one of the best albums of 2007. The actual release is March 20th, on Fat Possum Records. Beware of those quick to judge "playa haters" out there saying Armchair Apocrypha isn't good. Some listeners, unfortunately, dismiss albums after an [...]
Many of you will probably be buying The Shins new album, "Wincing The Night Away," tomorrow or soon after, and I thought I would offer a suggestion. Starting this month, Sub Pop put into effect an awesome policy where if you buy the vinyl, they will include a coupon to download the MP3 files of that album. That means for a few more bucks, you can get the same music as you would from an iTunes download, but in addition, you'll also get a great collectors album. About a year ago, I started collecting a few vinyl's, and [...]
Wilco fans have been anxiously awaiting an album release, or even news of a release, after the bands 2004 gem, "A Ghost Is Born." Now we've got answers. On May 15, given that Nonesuch doesn't mess up the release like Reprise did with "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," I am happy to inform those of you who don't know, that Wilco, the best band on earth (possibly universe), will be releasing "Sky Blue Sky". Thanks to Wilco's more than generous recording policy, many of the songs that will potentially be on the album have been recorded in live format. Knowing [...]
Indie Muse
Bison - Quill
Neutral Milk Hotel- Aeroplane Over the Sea
Shinichi Osawa – Big Beach Mix 2012
Mr Fogg - Eleven
