I felt my title was a bit boring so I’m trying to think of something else I should call my mixes. ‘MYSBLT mixes’ doesn’t quite roll of the tongue. I’m open to suggestions if you’re willing to share some ideas in the comments section.
This week has probably the most repeats for me since I started this. Three of the bands below I have had on previous mixes. If you didn’t like them the first time around, maybe you’ll hear something different this time. Enjoy.
The Big Guns Of Highsmith by Lightspeed Champion
From: New York, NY
Album: Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You 
Devonté Hynes is Lightspeed Champion. He was born in Houston, TX, grew up in England, and now calls New York home. He has an experimental style comfortable with classical as well as electronic sounds. I know this song is a little repetitive but I just love the choir style chorus. Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You just came out this past January.
Swim Until You Can’t See Land by Frightened Rabbit
From: Scotland
Album: The Winter of Mixed Drinks
I love this band. There is something so endearing about the lead singer’s voice and Scottish bands just know how to rock. This would be Frightened Rabbit’s third studio release (coming out this month) and it definitely sounds like them. I know people like bands because they sound a certain way, but somehow I always want bands to be evolving. Don’t get me wrong, The Winter of Mixed Drinks is a good LP, but it sounds like a continuation of the last one.
Little Lion Man by Mumford & Sons
From: London, England
Album: Sigh No More
I’m so bummed that I missed these guys coming through town. Another example of why I should have been listening to music last year. Mumford & Sons is just a GOOD folk rock band with beautiful harmonies, the right amount of banjo, and thought provoking lyrics. This song in particular speaks to me about way too many times in my life. Sigh No More came out last October but this band has been getting a lot of attention ever since early Summer of 2009. I highly recommend picking up this CD.
As Long As We’re Together by Andrew Morgan
From: Lawrence, KS
Album: Please Kid, Remember
I was really torn on this song because it does make me bop in my seat and Andrew Morgan’s voice is relatively unique…but there is also something cloying about it. And his voice kinda reminds me of John Mayer, which isn’t a good thing if you were wondering. After everything is said and done, it’s a pretty song and it does make me smile when I hear it. This LP was released early last year so you might have already heard it.
Up by Man/Miracle
From: Oakland, CA
Album: Shape of Things
Oakland love, baby!!! I feel like there aren’t that many bands out of the Bay Area that I ever get excited about, but these guys are changing that. This is their sophomore release and it just came out this February. This is another full LP that I can wholeheartedly recommend. Buy it now! You can catch them at SXSW and they’ll be on tour with Rogue Wave starting in April.
Jail La La by Dum Dum Girls
From: Los Angeles, CA
Album: I Will Be
Lo-fi, garage-rock, pop band. Nothing more, nothing less. Just good music. Signed by Sub Pop last year, you can get their debut LP on March 30th. The lead singer is Kristin Gundred (now using the stage name “Dee Dee”) from Grand Ole Party but this is definitely a divergent path for her.
Falling Asleep by FEATHERS
From: San Francisco, CA / New Orleans, LA
Album:
There is very little information about this “band?”. Big Stereo turned me on to them and their MySpace page says they are from San Francisco/New Orleans. I equate this song to a spacey, electronic, beach sound. I’m hoping we get to hear some more from this mystery group in the future.
Icarus by White Hinterland
From: Portland, OR
Album: Kairos
Ethereal and beautiful. I feel transported when I hear this song. Transported to some calm, gorgeous place. White Hinterland is 25 year old Casey Dienel who just recently moved from Massachusetts to Oregon and from what I understand, changed her sound along the way. Kairos will be out on March 9th.
Cold War by Janelle Monáe
From: Atlanta, GA
Album: The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe will be at Café du Nord on March 21st (and 22nd) and I’ll be there in the front row if possible. I’m not usually an R&B fan but her voice and those great beats just get me. Her previous release, Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase, got her a Grammy nomination and was a themed album about some futuristic city with androids. The ArchAndroid continues the story line and will be out May 18th. You can also hear another track featuring Big Boi from Outkast on her website.
Above drawing borrowed from Lacy Player Graphic Design
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.
Categories: Mixtape, Music Tags: Bat For Lashes, Bob Dylan, Brazilian Girls, Darker My Love, Esau Mwamwaya, Janelle Monáe, Mason Jennings, Monte Negro, of Montreal, Pacifika, Rose Hill Drive, Slow Club, The Very Best
