This is pretty close to a non-stop mix with several songs that should get you bopping in your seat or maybe even dancing around the room. It slows down a tad in the middle but then picks back up for the finish. Enjoy.
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:
Kristoffer Ragnstam – Sorry For Being The Man Of 1000 Questions
Album: Wrong Side Of The Room
When I post a singer/songwriter it’s usually a folk song but I guess the Swedes do it differently. Definitely more of a indie pop/rock. Please listen to his new LP, Wrong Side of the Room, because the whole thing is really good.
The Dandy Warhols – Mis Amigos
Album: Earth To The Dandy Warhols
Why didn’t anyone tell me that I love The Dandy Warhols!?!?! I agonized over which song to pick of their latest LP, …Earth to the Dandy Warhols…, ultimately going with the one that made me bop up and down in my seat the most. I love how eclectic the album is but somehow it all sounds like it’s the same band. Very good stuff.
Matt and Kim – Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare(link to rcrdlbl.com)
Album: Grand
More indie rock, this time from a Brooklyn, NY, duo. It feels like a relatively sparse track with some simple sounds but they put it together just oh so nice. This comes from their upcoming release, Grand.
Fredrik – Black Fur
Album: Na Na Ni
More Swedish invasion. I definitely have a soft spot for their indie pop. I came across this sextet thanks to Stereogum’s Band To Watch which rarely steers me wrong. The track comes off their July release, Na Na Ni, and has a slight wistful sound to it but still makes you move in your seat.
Ra Ra Riot – Can You Tell
Album: The Rhumb Line
This Syracuse band is considered indie rock with chamber pop…I guess that’s the violins although I feel like that could describe most bands these days. This great little song with lyrics that I think we can all relate to can be found on their August release, The Rhumb Line.
Donavon Frankenreiter – Your Heart
Album: Pass It Around
Originally a professional surfer from Downey, CA. (isn’t that place landlocked?) He actually rented a home from Jack Johnson’s parents and they surfed and played guitar together while growing up. I would say his new record, Pass it Around, is a bit more into the pop/rock style than I usually like but this track stood out to me.
Shwayze – Mary Jane
Album: Shwayze
Apparently Shwayze is just one guy but every time I’ve seen him perform there is someone else on stage so I’m sure I’m missing something. Anyways, he/they come from Malibu and do a decent job of combining acoustic guitar and rap in the self-titled LP. Not that I would actually purchase it since the lyrics are obviously aimed at a younger crowd.
Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream
Album: Walking On A Dream
Australian duo with a self-titled debut out this fall (check for it under imports). I think these guys fit in the electronic alternative genre. I have to have one song per week with some decent electronica. You can also enjoy their intentionally silly video over here.
Pepper – Freeze
Album: Pink Crustaceans And Good Vibrations
Hawaiian band with heavy ska and reggae influence. This song just makes me laugh every time because it sounds like they sampled Arnold Schwarzenegger. Obviously just a funny party song, not a whole lot of depth and I have to say the rest of LP, Pink Crustaceans and Good Vibrations, falls into the same category.
The Stills – Eastern Europe
Album: Oceans Will Rise
I must have listened to Oceans Will Rise four times trying to figure out if there was anything on it that I liked. It wasn’t until Steregum put up this track that I finally heard it. Odd how that happens. If you don’t know The Stills, they’re from Montreal (more talented Canucks) and this is their third album. Another pop/rock sound that I think needs to lose the indie badge, but still a decent band.
The Briggs – Mad Men
Album: Come All You Madmen
A drinking song if I ever heard one. You might think this band was from the UK but you’d be wrong. They hail from a different two letters, LA. This opening track off Come All You Madmen is fun but the rest is pretty much just more of the same. And I think it’s odd to hear an Irish fighting song about LA.
The Apples in Stereo – Onto Something
Album: Electronic Projects for Musicians
Sunny pop band from Denver that doesn’t make excuses for it’s sugary catchy songs. Their most recent release, Electronic Projects for Musicians, got the Colbert Bump when they performed a song about the famous TV host, “Stephen Stephen” on the show.
I know I’m super late but I have good excuses. I’ve been distracted by the Olympics and by my newly purchased motorcycle (super excited!!!)
Apparently I’m in a dancing mood this week with quite a few electronic/house/club/rap sounds. Don’t worry, there is plenty of indie in there too.
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:
Passion Pit – I’ve Got Your Number
Album: Chunk of Change
This Boston based electro-pop band is my favorite find this week. I think they exemplify that indie edge that I love. Just dancing over into the experimental enough to make it interesting but not so much as to lose those of us that love powerpop. Look for the re-release of their EP, Chunk of Change, next month. I don’t know if anyone has noticed but I have a problem with lengthy songs and this is the first song over six minutes I have ever posted. I like it THAT much.
Walter Meego – Keyhole
Album: Voyager
Not a solo artist as you might guess from the name, but an electronic duo out of Chicago. I feel like they have hints of Daft Punk and Ratatat but with a voice. I picked the slightly darker song with a driving beat but I would highly recommend checking out their entire new LP, Voyager.
Panther DLX – Tell Tale Signs
Album: Into The Night EP
Trio from Australia with an electronic dance sound. Their new EP, Into The night, will release sometime next month. They definitely have that 80′s feel but in a good way.
RQM – Miss Pacman (Oliver $ Rmx)
Album: Miss Pacman
This song makes me wish I had a real hifi with a serious subwoofer. MC living in Barcelona, this is his first solo single, Miss Pacman. I’m loving the electro-pop and this particular remix of the song by Oliver $.
The Cool Kids – What Up Man
Album: The Bake Sale
I’ve been sitting on this song for quite some time waiting for the appropriate time to mix it in. This seems like the right week. This hip-hop, alternative rap duo first met up in Chicago. I like the simplicity of their sound reminiscent of Run DMC. Their debut release, The Bake Sale, came out last June and deserves a listen by other rap fans. Or bicycle fans can at least check out “Black Mags” on their myspace page.
Plushgun – Just Impolite
Album: Plushgun
Originally a solo project by New Yorker, Dan Ingala, Plushgun became a full band after the internet success of this song. They just release their self-titled EP and the other three songs are all just as a infectious.
Hilotrons – Lovesuit
Album: Happymatic
This Ottawa band reminds me of Talking Heads. A lot. If you like the sound, you should definitely check out their new LP, Happymatic.
Human Highway – Moody Motorcycles
Album: Moody Motorcycle
Another band from Canada (those talented Canucks). I would call this sound indie-pop with a folk influence. This is the title track from their new LP, Moody Motorcycle.
Pierre de Reeder – I’ll Be Around
Album: The Way That It Was Rilo Kiley’s bass player just came out with a solo LP, The Way That It Was. Sounds to me like a really good singer/songwriter and I look forward to hearing more.
Harlem – South of France
Album: free drugs ;-)
This post-punk band from Austin, TX, is obviously heavily influenced by The Pixies. Who can fault them for that. This track is off their debut LP, free drugs;-).I think we are going to hear a lot from these guys in the near future.
Altspeak – 7 Shots
Album: It’s Up To You
A Seattle band that sounds like they came out of Britain. There is a simple punk sound with a pop sensiblitiy that I am a sucker for. If you like them, you can download the ENTIRE new LP, It’s Up To You, from their website for FREE. What are you waiting for!?!?!
Kings Of Leon – Crawl
Album: Only by the Night
These guys are considered to have a Dixie/Southern bent to their indie sound. Guess it makes sense with them being from Nashville. This is their latest single to get us ready for the full length LP, Only By The Night, due out soon.
Real quick shout out to Suz and Rosh for commenting that the Jaguar Love song, “Bats Over The Pacific Ocean,” sounded similar to “Lost In A Supermarket” by The Clash. I’m impressed that folks know their Clash and I’m happy that other people hear the same weird things as me.
This week, we start out rocking, before a quick slow down with some folk sound, coming back out with modern flamenco into a nice dance beat with a little psycho-soul, some disco, and finishing off with afro-pop.
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:
Darker My Love – Pale Sun
Album: 2
L.A.-based psych-rock quartet. I highly recommend checking out their new LP, 2. Sometimes they rock it, other times it feels jangly, and then you get that spacey-trippy vibe. Rock Insider is offering this track as a download over here.
Monte Negro – Give Me Love (No Llores) (New Album Version)
Album: Cicatrix
This particular track isn’t brand new, but the album it’s on is, Cicatrix. Monte Negro is a bilingual Los Angeles band with an even mix of alternative rock and rock en español. Another LP that I think everyone should give a listen or at the very least, you have to go over to their myspace page and play “Me Duele No Estar Junto a Ti.” I had a hard time choosing between the two songs but I opted for the more mellow reggae sound. Several multi-lingual artists this week starting with this band.
Bob Dylan – Dreamin’ Of You (Unreleased, Time Out Of Mind)
Album: Dreamin’ Of You (Single)
This is a previously unreleased track from Tell Tale Signs. You can download it for free from his website. You can actually understand what he’s saying and it’s a great song.
Bat For Lashes – Prescilla [Live]
Album: Live Sessions [EP]
Singer/songwriter from Brighton, England that sounds like she’s heavily influenced by Tori Amos. She started writing songs after a big black horse visited her in a dream. Guess that’s as good a reason as any. This is off her new EP, Live Session – EP.
Mason Jennings – Your New Man
Album: In the Ever
Such an earnest singer/songwriter that injects some truth and spirituality in almost everything he does. In The Ever was released a couple months back and I have really been enjoying it. The honesty in this song reminds me of the Amber Rubarth track I posted a couple weeks back. I was torn between this one and “I Love You And Buddha Too” so be sure to head over to myspace and give it a listen.
Slow Club – When I Go
Album: When I Go (Single)
Folk duo out of the United Kingdom. They just released this single and it’s such a pretty tune with thoughtful lyrics.
Rose Hill Drive – One Night Stand
Album: Moon Is the New Earth
Straight forward rock band from Boulder, CO. They are being compared to Queens of the Stoneage and I do think that most of their new CD, Moon Is The New Earth, is harder than the song I picked but nowhere near QOTS. This particular track has a hint of the Beatles or other classic rock groups.
Pacifika – Paloma
Album: Asunción
I’m just going to steal allmusic.com‘s summary since it’s perfect: “Latin-influenced Canadian rock ensemble Pacifika make deeply emotional, melodic pop that mixes in a variety of styles including electric rock, bossa nova, folk, and some electronic flourishes.” This modern flamenco comes off their most recent LP, Asuncion. And this would be multi-lingual artist number two.
Brazilian Girls – St. Petersburg
Album: New York City
This band is not from Brazil, but from NY and has only one girl in the downbeat quartet. Sabina Sciubba is known for wearing unusual face masks while on stage and speaks five languages (multi-lingual #3, although I don’t think she shows that off in this track). Their new LP, New York City, is a journey with a very dark feel to it. You can download this song over on Audio Drums.
Janelle Monáe – Many Moons
Album: Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase
I love this song! Janelle Monáe is originally from Kansas City but got into the Atlanta music scene. Her style is considered psycho-soul in the same vein as Cee-Lo Green and Outkast, also out of Atlanta. Missy Elliot and Diddy both became fans of hers thanks to myspace. Her debut EP, Metropolis: The Chase Suite, has a sci-fi theme to it. Did I mention that I love this song!!! It opens with the same melody/notes/tune that Sesame Street used for its pinball video that counted to 12! It’s awesome!
of Montreal – Id Engager
Album: Skeletal Lamping
This indie-pop group hails from Athens, GA. Their ninth album, Skeletal Lamping, will be out in October. Nice disco-esque track with some bizarre lyrics that includes ninjas.
Esau Mwamwaya – Kamphopo
One of my favorite blogs, Gorilla vs Bear, has been promoting this guy for quite some time. At first I didn’t like the afro-pop sound, but it has grown on me. Guess that’s just proof that getting the music out there is important. Esau Mwamwaya grew up in Lilongwe, Malawi and now runs a second-hand furniture store in London. His new record (untitled still) includes collaboration with M.I.A., Vampire Weekend, and Santogold. “Get It Up” is also a great track and you can hear it over on myspace. Oh, and this is my final multi-lingual artist.Update: Esau Mwamwaya is now known as The Very Best.
Oh, you know, the usual. Some indie, some rock, some folk, a cover (for good measure), and a little dance beat at the end.
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:
The Enemy UK – Away From Here
Album: We’ll Live and Die In These Towns
I think you can guess where these guys are from. They remind me of The Fratellis in that I want to punch my fist in the air while drinking a beer and enjoying a live performance from them. I would recommend giving their new CD a full listen.
Scars On Broadway – Funny
Album: Scars On Broadway
This band includes members from System of a Down. Pretty straight forward rock group, but this one track on their debut release caught my ear. I think the only reason it works for me is the crazy digital synth sounds behind his voice.
Jaguar Love – Bats Over The Pacific Ocean
Album: Take Me to the Sea
Consisting of members from two defunct groups, Blood Brothers and Pretty Girls Make Graves, this west-coast indie trio has a lot of potential. This song is a bit unrelenting in its driving beat but in a good way. The cadence reminds me of a song by The Clash. See if you hear the same thing and let me know in the comments which song I’m talking about.
Architecture in Helsinki – Like It Or Not (Version 2)
Album: Like It Or Not
Okay, I know the song starts a little odd, but you have to give it a chance (at least to the 0:45 mark). I came across this Australian indie pop group thanks to Urban Outfitters. Actually, Liz told me about the site first, but I think credit should go to UO. You can LSTN to the tracks they picked, or you can download the whole mix. Pretty cool.
Annuals – Around your Neck
Album: Wet Zoo (EP)
Back stateside, this happy indie sound comes from North Carolina. Three of the band members have played together since childhood. The same band also goes by Sunfold the only differences being the songwriter and style of the music.
Fujiya & Miyagi – Dishwasher
Album: Lightbulbs
I thought this band was some unusual indie duo from Japan, but I’m was sorely wrong. It’s a trio from Brighton, England. There is something funky about this song that really makes me happy. You can download it from Stereogum if you’re so inclined.
The Explorers Club – Lost My Head
Album: Freedom Wind
Do you like the Beach Boys? Then you will love this band. I couldn’t listen to the whole CD in one sitting, but I think the banjo in this track made me pick it out. The harmonies really are beautiful. This South Carolina sextet has been featured on The O.C.. Damn mainstream television making indie bands not cool to like anymore! (That’s a joke. I’m a fan of all the exposure good music can get)
Blitzen Trapper – Furr
Album: Furr
Alternative country rock from Portland, OR. Song reminds me of the Chris McCandless story and my friend Jim who’s headed back to Idaho. (Best of luck of CJ!) Free spirits are important in this world. Blitzen Trapper has a new CD coming out in September and you should definitely give it a listen.
Blitzen Trapper – Crazy On You
Album: Bridging The Distance
So I’m breaking some of my own rules. Posting the same band twice, in the same mix, right next to each other, and it’s not even new. I mentioned last week being a sucker for covers and this one is just too awesome. Apparently Blitzen Trapper is also known for their lo-fi/electronica covers. I love it.
The Faint – The Geeks Were Right
Album: Fasciinatiion
This particular track isn’t all that new, but it comes off of The Faint’s new CD, Fasciination, coming out August 5th. I also felt a need to post something from this post-punk/new-wave band from Omaha since Alexa is celebrating her birthday at the show this very evening. (Happy Birthday Alexa!)
Natasha Bedingfield – Pocketful Of Sunshine (Johnny Vicious Radio Mix)
Album: Pocketful Of Sunshine (Remixes)
Natasha Bedingfield, originally from New Zealand but now in London, raced up the pop charts with this song back in January. A new CD of remixes has just been released. This particular one is by DJ Johnny Vicious out of the New York club scene.
Yelle – Ce Jeu
Album: Pop-Up
French pop singer that is known for catchy dance tracks with dirty lyrics. If anyone can translate, feel free to tell me what she’s singing about. The song was actually released last year but the video just came out bringing it some more attention. I figured it was a good excuse for me to figure out how to embed video in a post. So enjoy some serious 80s action:
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Kristoffer Ragnstam – Sorry For Being The Man Of 1000 Questions
The Dandy Warhols – Mis Amigos
Matt and Kim – Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare (link to rcrdlbl.com)
Fredrik – Black Fur
Ra Ra Riot – Can You Tell
Donavon Frankenreiter – Your Heart
Shwayze – Mary Jane
Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream
Pepper – Freeze
The Stills – Eastern Europe
The Briggs – Mad Men
The Apples in Stereo – Onto Something
