Blog: Like Sugar

Gave this one a listen all the way through (thanks to It's A Trap! ) and I thought my readers may enjoy the soft beats and a voice that sounds a little like Erlend Øye . Finnish in origin, Paperfangs deliver a pleasant balance of synth and guitar. Their ep, titled AAVVAV is out now as a digital download. On March 26th, a limited edition cassette will be available with the exclusive track "A Lost Interview". AAVVAV by Paperfangs

Just found this live version of "Better Off Without You" by Summer Camp. Damn, that girl can sing.

Following a 15-year hiatus, the American indie-pop band Pontoons released its new single "Antidote". Featuring a distinct, ultra-catchy guitar hook, "Antidote" is a well-deserved follow-up to the band's early work, including its debut single "Juncos and Robins," which was hailed in Billboard magazine's N ovember 1994 review as "one of the best indie debuts of the year." Originally a three-piece, Pontoons are now a duo, made up of singer/guitarist Tom Hunt and drummer Christian Harper. After meeting up in New York City in 2010 and deciding to work together again, the two spent most of the next two years fine-tuning a selection of new recordings. They then enlisted old friend [...]

This beauty is showing up on a lot of blogs, but I feel the need to share it here. It's shimmering, soaring and it twinkles. Did I just use "twinkles"? I heard this for the 2nd time today, a small distance from my studio and I thought I had queued up a Pains of Being Pure at Heart track. This new Beach House track will appear on the new album "Bloom" (Sub Pop) on May 15.

Wish I was in the UK so I could catch SULK at one of their March tour gigs. *sulks* One commenter summed it up well: "Stone Roses + The Verve with Liam Gallagher Attitude = SULK. Best thing heard since ages." 15th March – Sheffield, The Leadmill 16th March - Manchester, FAC251 17th March - Liverpool, The Magnet 30th March - Dunfermline, PJ Molloys 31st March - Glasgow, Chambre 69 Tickets can be bought via This Feeling's website – www.thisfeeling.co.uk . "Back In Bloom" is now available. The single, which also includes the B-side "A [...]

The Mixtape Quandary features FREE music compiled from the web and lumped into short mixtapes for your listening pleasure. The editor, G. A. Gallant (previously known as DJ Narcolept) is the creator of the former mutli-show podcast, Faction-6. He states: "I have once again found the need to share music with the masses." The first mixtape available for free download: Lost In Winter (2012)

With vocals by Beth Arzy (Trembling Blue Stars). Lovely, gentle indie pop. I really like this act and recommend the track "Soulglad" in addition to this one. the liberation of love by charlie big time

Johnny Marr did a bit on last week's Portlandia on IFC. I loved his annoyed but polite look.

Test driving the new School Of Seven Bells "Ghostory" (on Vagrant Records/Ghostly International) as well as Fanfarlo's "Rooms Filled With Light" (on Canvasback) this weekend. I figure they'll be a good pairing on shuffle.

The talented multi-genre artist, Collin C. aka Slighter just posted the brilliant debut single from his new project "Sea of Vapours". Stop reading this immediately and press play! The single features Chris Carter and the warm guitar of John Girgus (Aberdeen, Languis, Non Ultra Joy). Follow the band on Twitter and Facebook . How To Love (feat. Chris Carter) by Sea of Vapours The B-side kicks ass: [...]

Stripmall Architecture announced that the first single from the upcoming album is available right now on beautiful clear vinyl 7" as well as digitally (via iTunes, Spotify and all other digital outlets). "We Are Not Cool" and "Dusk Drinks" were mixed by John Fryer (Depeche Mode /Cocteau Twins/ Wire) and mastered at legendary Abbey Road Studios. The vinyl, which comes with immediate digital download can be ordered right here . The band recently recorded a live performance of "We Are Not Cool" (the name reminds me of WOLY ( We Only Love You )) as part of [...]

It's bright and happy and synthy, and perhaps too sugary... but I like it like that. "Ester Ideskog composes synth-heavy electro-pop hits under her new alias Vanbot. Vanbot has been making music since the early teen years and was constantly searching for the right sound, but she often found herself a little too sprawling. After the completion of "Bitter is the sweetest part" her music finally found it's dressing. In the little studio with the oversized world map Vanbot's dreams can fly freely to compose electronic soundscapes inspired by synthesizers and drum machines." Wha? Just listen. [...]

I fell for this one instantly! All three tracks will make you smile. I'm a sucker for these girl/boy indie pop pieces. This one is particularly good if twee's your thing. Nottingham's Red Shoe Diaries released the lead single from their 10" EP on Fika Recordings When I Find My Heart today (Monday, February 27th, 2012). Ice & Snow has been released by Fika Recordings as a digital download single, available on a pay-what-you-like basis. It comes with two brand new b-sides: "Driving Blind" and "Saturday Love Rocket". Their EP "When I Find My Heart" is available to [...]

Spiritualized are back with a 7th studio album: Sweet Heart Sweet Light will be released on Fat Possum on April 17th, 2012. Below is the first track "Hey Jane". I caught them with The Jesus and Mary Chain back in the early 90's at the Palladium in Los Angeles. Talk about a dream-show! Spiritualized 'Hey Jane' by Spiritualized

Formed in the Sunset District of San Francisco, California, Modern Charms combine the dreamy influence of their natural surroundings with a fondness for the blissed-out and melodic sounds of the '90s... Below are two tracks from a six song recording session that will hopefully find itself released as a 12" in the coming months. S/T by MODERN CHARMS

Haven't had anything that excites me hit my inbox lately, so I am scraping about on my favorite blogs. I found this nice one by Sweden's Bombhappies on It's A Trap! : Ants by Bombhappies

Memoryhouse's dreamy debut LP "The Slideshow Effect" is streaming in full over at Spin . It's nice to hear this sound being published by Sub Pop. I find it annoying that Dum Dum Girls are used as a reference for Memoryhouse's sound. That act isn't bad or anything, but just nothing more than another band that sounds like many more out there. Not a point of reference, as nothing much that wasn't done before and better, is happening. Again, it's that point at which you decide to go in for familiar or new/the next thing. Ignore [...]

You will most certainly want to skip ahead to about 5 minutes, 30 seconds in. The beginning is unbearable, but the reward is an mini-interview with Grimes (aka Claire Boucher ). I highly recommend her " Visions " album. Her live show at Soda Bar is sold out, but I did catch her at The Casbah a few months ago. I am not sure who is doing the booking for Soda Bar, but some great acts (Blouse, Cold Cave, Grimes) are coming through San Diego thanks to them.

Losing My Mind (St. Etienne Remix) by moshi moshi music

I am excited to share a music video for "Raw Spectacle" by Miracle Fortress (taken from 2011's "​Was I the Wave"). It's directed by Emily Kai Bock ( Grimes ' upcoming "Oblivion") and shot by Neal Rockwell. I was impressed to read the whole video was made for around $800.