It was pretty apparent to Vince and I a few weeks back, that seeing a Mike Cooley solo live show was pretty much as close to seeing a live Townes van Zandt show as we would every get. Present was, the dry wit, small room of devoted fans, tastefully imperfect fingerpicking, whiskey sipping, and the songs that make Cooley (in our estimation) one of the greatest living American songwriters. Steve Earle once famously quipped: "Townes van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy [...]
Last week we posted the new Mary Onettes' single "Evil Coast" and yesterday the band released the video for this excellent, wintry, synth-laden track. Hit the Waves drops March 12 on Labrador.
Fleetwood Mac indie-fans rejoice, or run and hide. You decide!
From the upcoming and much anticipated Italians Do It Better Vol II, coming soon.
We're off for the week folks. Vince posted an artist to watch piece on standout rising star Laura Mvula in September, and yesterday we caught the gorgeous video for "She." A true talent and artist to watch for 2013. Her debut EP is available now in the UK. Beautiful.
With their new single "Evil Coast" Sweden's Mary Onettes continue the trend of producing remarkably consistent and satisfying wintry-pop. Their previous output finds them still surprisingly under-appreciated in the US despite still stellar albums. Today, we received the excellent news of the new track below and a new album Hit The Waves (due March 2013 on Labrador).
Jessica Pratt: "Night Faces" Jessica Pratt is an artist you almost don't want to learn more about. They're so fantastic in that mysterious little world they've created for you through their music. The one black and white cover photo is enough. You don't care where she's from, where she recorded the album, or who she's working with. Just let the songs on her fantastic self-titled album do all the storytelling. We could go on about her influences, vocal inflections, lo-fi demo recording, etc. but we'd rather just let you listen to the [...]
There's been lots of love for Icona Pop on Stark over the years, but this is the first time we've every used a Swedish embed code. Their self-titled new EP is out now, and sounds like they have arrived at the fully realized sound they've been striving for.
Beach House's Bloom is out now on Sub Pop.
To continue our 2 post Caitlin Rose theme, Ms. Rose turned us on to the fantastic writing of Daniel Romano several months ago. Continuing in the somewhat odd tradition of Canadians composing excellent Americana music, Romano channels vintage Parsons and Gene Clark, and in-turn (of course) Sweetheart -era Byrds. With a melancholic deadpan vocal and stellar production, Romano captures the elusive sadness of true country all the while remembering to always keep that pedal steel and fiddle uplifting, no matter how dire the lyric. A true standout writer. Come Cry with Me [...]
Exciting news today, as longtime Stark favorite Caitlin Rose announces her new album The Stand-In Feb 25 via Names Records (in the UK). No word yet from her US label ATO on the US release plans, but we welcome the new track "No One To Call Below." Featuring Rose's signature vocal, "No One To Call" recalls the best of More Adventurous era Rilo Kiley intertwined with the warm glowing instrumentation and harmonies of the classic 70s-era Rondstandt anyone who follows her social media knows she loves so well. [...]
We're stoked to finally see Canada's Cold Specks live tonight at Mercury Lounge in NYC. In case you aren't familiar, you need not look further than lead signer Al Spx's voice. Arresting to say the least. Enjoy our favorite track "Blank Maps" above via that highly coveted, Vincent Moon-produced La Blogotheque session. Can't wait for this one!
Stream School of Seven Bells ' Put Your Sad Down EP in full above. Is that a 12:46 track? Off to radio! But seriously, Ghostory is a front runner for my Top 10 year-end list. Enjoy the new EP.
I like this. Sometimes we break from our solid Stark-core material. Caught this in our Fader newsletter. While not as immediate as an Azealia Banks or Nicki Minaj - I think there's something here. Amy Kabba ( A*M*E ) is 17, from South London via Sierra Leone, signed to Universal, and seemingly poised for the big time. UPDATE: I really like this.
Tame Impala: "Endors Toi" Trippy vid for the equally trippy, and best song on Tame Impala's fantastic new record Lonerism , out now on Modular.
Weird how these things happen. We recently started revisiting Doldrums ' debut EP Empire Sound and remarked (this morning actually) how much we were enjoying it. Into our inbox drops a PR announcing Doldrums' debut full length Lesser Evil releasing on February 26 on Arbutus Records. Their new video for "She is the Wave" is below. The song is jarring and anxious, lined schizophrenic beats and melodies. An intriguing first look at the LP for sure, but the jury is still out on the song over here.
Chvrches: "Lies" CHVRCHES hit our radar back in May , and GVB posted this delightful BBC 1 session today. Enjoy kids.
It's been a big few weeks: the East Village blackout, Sandy devastation, Brooklyn relocation, voting, and election day -- not to mention CMJ just a few weeks back. We're pretty faithful to our faves here, so we're taking a few seconds from the chaos to get this blog up on its feet again with the new single from longtime favorite Sally Shapiro . Today, she announced the follow up to 2009's My Guilty Pleasure . Somewhere Else is out February 26. The excellent new single "What Can I Do" is below. We're [...]
Sinkane: "Runnin" A lot of excitement around the Stark office for this new album from DFA artist Sinkane . Mars is out now, and features the standout track "Runnin'" which got the video treatment from Philip Di Fiore. Sinkane is on tour with Yeasayer and Toro y Moi. Dates after the jump. Album is only $5.99 at iTunes as well! Tour Dates: [...]
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![The Mary Onettes - Evil Coast [official video]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/youtube/udkGvzZdDVQ_130.jpg)
Noteworthy (Stream): Kanye West – Black Skinhead (SNL Performance)
Kanye West Performs “Black Skinhead” & “New Slaves” On ‘SNL’ Season Finale: Watch
Watch Fred Armisen’s SNL farewell with Carrie Brownstein, Kim Gordon, J Mascis, Aimee Mann
Watch Kanye West on Saturday Night Live, performing “Black Skinhead” and “New Slaves”
Video: Kanye West Performs New Songs “Black Skinhead” And “New Slaves” On Saturday Night Live Finale
