Blog: Keep It On the B-Side

Here is another band that I've written about way back when (2006!) and have a new album out. For a refresher I said: The duo is comprised of Steve Tannen and Deb Talan and this ( Say I Am You ) is their major-label debut. They stick to what they produce best which is sentimental, folky-pop. This also includes vocal and guitar melodies that are harmonically simple, yet pleasant. Just as a random thought, I don't think I've ever directly quoted myself. That's kinda fun. Moving on. How about a little updated background. Since we saw them last, Steve and [...]

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned Cajun Dance Party before. A while ago I got their demo through some sleuthy actions. But to recap, here are the nitty gritty details. The band is from London, and is comprised of Daniel Blumberg (vocals), Robbie Stern (guitar), Max Bloom (bass, backing vocals), Vicky Freund (keyboard, backing vocals), and Will Vignoles (drums). They're a bunch of youngsters (very early 20s) who play indie pop rock that's full of energy, creativity, and inventiveness. At the outset of their playing career they were too young to perform in London's bigger "name" venues, so they [...]

While my interview with Alan Wilkis gave some long-winded insight into the man and his music, let me try and condense it a little bit. Mr. Wilkis is from NYC and currently resides in Brooklyn. After receiving his degree from Harvard he was a member of various bands/projects that focused on more hip-hop than solo pop fare. With parents from almost opposite backgrounds and eclectic musical tastes Alan's music is a continuation of America's melting pot society. His influences cover a wide range of hip-hop, R&B, Motown, electronic, Latin flavor, and Rock. But what is probably most evident is his [...]

Recently, I was lucky enough to have musician Alan Wilkis send me his solo debut Babies Dream Big (2008) and I've listened to it numerous numerous times since. Because he was so gracious in sending me a free cd, I took the opportunity to conduct an email interview with the man behind the music. I'll follow up with a full album review, but for now it's great to get to know a truly new artist. Enjoy. Q: Give me a little personal background. Where are you originally from? Where did you grow [...]

I haven't come across a new band that I've been genuinely excited about after listening to their debut album in what feels like a number of months. Thankfully, Fleet Foxes came to me after glancing at a review of their Sun Giant EP at Pitchfork ( 8.7! ). I think I've sufficiently documented my rise and fall of emotions associated with Pitchfork through the years, that now I don't even read the content unless the reviewer has given something above a 8.5. Most of the drivel that is written is almost completely incoherent, asinine, and pretentious that it [...]

• Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal

Maybe this brings me back to being on the precipice of new releases. Death Cab for Cutie return today with their follow-up to their Grammy-nominated major label debut Plans (2005) called Narrow Stairs . If you're not familiar with "Death Cab" by name you've probably heard of lead singer Ben Gibbard's side project The Postal Service . Either way, the band is back to prove indie bands can be just as credible on major labels. The other closest competition would seem to be The Decemberists, but they haven't put out a follow-up. So, this will be [...]