Much happens on the debut album from this Santa Barbara art-pop act and it all unfolds so beautifully and colorfully that you would be hard-pressed to complain. Using slow-motion rhythms, affectionate vocals and dreamy synthesizing keys (oh and a politely inserted flute) Gardens & Villa's self titled album attempts to pull together a set of ethereal melodies. Meanwhile, the band comes up with a spellbinding collection of songs that in its best moments recalls the dancier moments of dream-pop predecessors the Human League and Mazzy Star. Recorded at labelmate Richard Swift's Oregon studio, this would explain why so many of the songs-especially [...]
It seems the only way to break out creatively in this over-saturated music scene is to branch out and expand past a simple recorded album paired with a tour. Enter Breathe Owl Breathe ; who is currently touring with Laura Gibson in support of their combination children's book and vinyl 73, The Listeners/These Train Tracks . Their 2010 full-length Magic Central reached a kind of fruition on a modest scale and really only displayed a fraction of the creative prowess of Micah Middaugh (guitar, vocals), Andréa Moreno-Beals (cello, vocals) and Trevor Hobbs (percussion). [...]
Florida's own SUNBEARS! (that's their band name, I'm not yelling at you) have finally been touring this great USA with their new album You Will Live Forever . Seriously, it's about time. They have already released two ace EPs; the psychedelic and bombastic FOR EVERYONE and the consciousness-expanding and mind-shattering Dream Happy Dreams . You Will Live Forever , the 13-track Kickstarter-funded album has launched SUNBEARS! into the blogosphere and for good reason. You Will Live Forever is a playful display of psychedelic pop music for [...]
We here at Kata Rokkar and Snob Theater are honored and privileged to be involved in the prestigious comedy festival, the one and only San Francisco Sketchfest. The line-up for this Snob Theater is beyond ridiculous; Chris Fairbanks (Fuel.tv, The Daily Habit), Sheng Wang (Comedy Central Presents, Comedians of Comedy), and Coree Spencer (Bridgetown Comedy Fest, Comedian on Comedian). In addition we are lucky to be featuring local indie pop heroes and all-around amazing supergroup Still Flyin' to bring the tunes to this epic event. Still Flyin' [...]
Some of you may have heard 20102s touching and true classic rock revivalist album La La Land from the brilliant Montreal act Plants and Animals . For those of you that haven't, it's about time you hop on the band-wagon. In addition to their fantastic live shows, the band has this uncanny ability to craft songs that roar and rock while still emoting the feelings of joy, loneliness, and personal freedom. The End of That , which comes out February 28, 2012 comes the closest to bridging the gap between the disorder, rock adventure, primal infusion [...]
I remember when my friend used to be in film school and I'd go to these "film festivals" that showcased the final projects of the students. Yeah, this kind of reminds me of that but the song that goes along with this questionable video is already on repeat for me. Damien Jurado's Maraqopa will be released on February 21st and he'll be at the Bottom of the Hill with the lovely Peter Wolf Crier on April 13th. Mark your calendars. [...]
Full of mature, breezy coffehouse tunes interwoven with mellow instrumental passages, Prologue shows The Milk Carton Kids to be a terrific folk and blues duo, a basic pair of witty storytellers, and-in the murky visions of these talented two, the album never feels the least bit cluttered. Whether in a tantalizing upper harmonies that recalls CSNY or their sandy-throated midrange, there's not a weak moment on this dark-horse gem of an album. Which by the way is free via their website . You can catch The Milk Carton Kids tomorrow (Jan. 17th) at [...]
If you find something you like on this list, download the complimentary MP3 and click the album art, which will take you to the Amazon MP3 page so you can purchase it (some of these albums are $5 or less). 25 // Glassjaw – Coloring Book EP/Our Color Green EP Eight years in the making and completely worth the wait, both the Coloring Book EP and the Our Color Green EP expose the bands reason for generating a dedicated fan base of true post hardcore and [...]
If you find something you like on this list, download the complimentary MP3 and click the album art, which will take you to the Amazon MP3 page so you can purchase it (some of these albums are $5 or less). 50 // A.A. Bondy – Believers It's about time Bondy takes the full on band direction without tip-toeing around it like the last few albums. Oh wait let me re-word that; his last two where spectacular, but this is a sound that he's been hiding for a while and it's [...]
Editor's Note Happy New Year! Some of you are probably wondering what happened to us. Well work, family, and of course organizing our little (not so little anymore) variety show Snob Theater has taken quite a bit of time away from the website. We've had probably the best year so far and I'm happy to announce my favorite records of 2011 to launch the reboot of Kata Rokkar. I don't review albums at all but i do listen to a shitload and it's been a great and surprising year for new music. [...]
You are cordially invited to a very special evening with Snob Theater . This night of humor and brilliant music will be accompanied by the quirky comedy of Jesse Elias , the classiness of Mary Van Note , the clever quips of Alex Koll , and Brooklyn's own fantastic funny-man, Rob Cantrell (HBO, Comedy Central, NBC, CBS). In addition we will have a special performance by the very talented "man-of-variety" Drennon Davis . [...]
It was a special night at Cafe du Nord; at least that's how the venue treated it. It was the first time I'd seen the venue set up chairs in response to a show. So as a fan Marissa's past work and slightly impressed with her recent self titled album, I was looking forward to an intimate evening of emotional acoustic music from two very talented ladies. Emily Jane White Opening was the silvery brilliance of one Emily Jane White . I've had Emily perform [...]
Noise Pop Festival will be spreading it's true indie rock love all across this great city of ours February 21st to 26th. To announce their packed and impressive line-up, Noise Pop hosted a small launch party with local rockabilly punk rocks The Ferocious Few. Check out our overdue but cool pictures from the show... Ferocious Few Ferocious Few Ferocious Few [...]
Best Coast I was lucky enough to catch Best Coast play an intimate and playful set at the Windows Phone Launch Party at Dogpatch Studios. Granted it was a corporate insulated party that was filled with 21+ young entrepreneurs and tech geeks, the redeeming charisma of Best Coast made it worth while. For More Pictures, Click Here . Best Coast Best Coast [...]
As this year of music comes to a close, I find myself scratching for greatness from the many albums that resonated with me. Little did I know that Philippe Bronchtein and his band Hip Hatchet would sneak in there and secure a solid spot as one of the best EPs of the year with this recently released Coward's Luck . If you dug the vulnerable and disarming Men Who Share My Name , you'll quickly fall in love with this. Enjoy. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] [...]
Lets by honest, most holiday music sucks ass. Even when an indie rock band tries to cover an old classic or pull out their own original holiday flavored glittery pop tune. It's a ploy and a marketing tactic that makes me puke tinsel every year. However, there are exceptions. Take for instance our own Foxtails Brigade and their contemporary folk (or Anti-Folk) style have made an original collection of "anti-holiday" music called Time Is Passed . If you aren't familiar with Foxtails piercing flutter and dark poetic nature, you can easily familiarize yourself with [...]
Tomorrow (Saturday, December 3rd) from 2PM to 7PM, our friends at The Bay Bridged will host their first The Bay Brewed , a partnership with the City Beer Store and the SF Brewers Guild, and a chance to sample beer and meet the brewers behind 21st Amendment, Anchor Stream, Beach Chalet, Lagunitas, Magnolia, Social Kitchen & Brewery, and Speakeasy. In addition, the loud and fun punk crasher Terry Malts , dub-like psych-rock group Extra Classic , our favorite desert rockers Sleepy Sun , and the always entrancing Weekend will provide music while [...]
A few weeks ago we caught our favorite "almost about to be the next big thing" band, Geographer play an intimate and stripped down set of their best tunes for a very small audience. Thanks to Noise Pop , BAMM.tv , Audyssey , and TheNeighborhood.tv for this amazing video experience. Enjoy.
We are giving away two tickets to see everyone's favorite beach rock sweethearts Best Coast play one of two private shows here in San Francisco at Dogpatch Studios courtesy of the Windows Phone. In addition, you will be provided cocktails and snacks to pack your face with. It's 21+ and if you choose to RSVP (if you don't win), click the picture below but make sure you show up wicked early; entry is based on capacity. All you have to do to guarantee a spot is type BESTY COASTY below and the [...]
The people (person) at hungover productions have created a perfect representation of the energy behind the band Water & Bodies . The band's first full length album, Light Year can be listened to in it's entirety here and can be downloaded here . Tour Dates Dec 10th - Bend, OR @ Silvermoon Brewery w/ Empty Space Orchestra Jan 7th - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre (All Ages) w/ Falling Up & Ruth Jan 20th - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir (21+) w/ Rag [...]
kata rokkar...
Watch: Trailer for Dave Grohl’s documentary, Sound City
Childish Gambino - "Heartbeat" (Official Music Video)
First Aid Kit – Emmylou
Hardwell Bootleg Pack 2012
Circo Voador anuncia shows de The Kooks, Foster The People, Friendly Fires, Gogol Bordello e mais
