A few of my favorite new releases this week…
Alex G//Beach Music
[sandyalexg.com]
City and Colour//If I Should Go Before You
[cityandcolour.com]
Kisses//Rest In Paradise
[blowkisses.info]
Oberhofer//Chronovision
[facebook.com/OberhoferJamz]
Protomartyr//The Agent Intellect
[protomartyrband.com]
What are your favorite new releases this week?
A few of my favorite new releases this week, including new stuff from Bibio, Small Black, Vampire Weekend, and Wild Nothing. As always, be sure to visit Largehearted Boy for more new music.
Bibio//Silver Wilkinson
web//facebook//twitter//soundcloud//iTunes
The Handsome Family//Wilderness
web//facebook//twitter//soundcloud//shows//iTunes
Kisses//Kids in L.A.
web//facebook//twitter//soundcloud//shows//bandcamp//iTunes
MS MR//Second Hand Rapture
web//facebook//twitter//soundcloud//shows//iTunes
Small Black//Limits of Desire
web//facebook//twitter//soundcloud//shows//iTunes
Vampire Weekend//Modern Vampires of the City
web//facebook//twitter//soundcloud//shows//iTunes
Wild Nothing//Empty Estate
web//facebook//twitter//soundcloud//shows//iTunes
A few more worth a listen:
Beaches//She Beats
Blank Tapes//Vacation
The Dillinger Escape Plan//One of Us Is the Killer
Dungeonesse//Dungeonesse
The Fall//Re-Mit
R.E.M.//Green: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (remastered with bonus disc of rarities)
Sam Amidon//Bright Sunny South
Snowden//No One in Control
I know it’s the Christmas season, but Charli XCX’s synth-pop ballad “Valentine” was one of my favorites this year. So in keeping with a Valentines theme for today, it’s only right that I highlight The Temper Trap’s “Need Your Love”, along with tracks from the UK’s Citizens!, Brooklyn’s HAERTS (can’t wait to hear more from this duo, probably my most anticipated of 2013), and LA’s Kisses. And for my anti-Valentine’s Day readers, Deerhoof’s “Breakup Songs” and La Sera’s “Break My Heart”.
♩Charli XCX – Valentine [single]
web//facebook//twitter//soundcloud//shows//iTunes
I love this song. It’s been on constant repeat since first listen and i’ve yet to get tired of it. When you have a chance, definitely check out the music video (one of the year’s best) and the Gigamesh remix.
♩Citizens! – True Romance [from Here We Are]
web//facebook//twitter//soundcloud//shows//iTunes
“Breakup Songs” from the album Breakup Song. A bit confusing, but after eleven albums of energetic and delightful noise-pop, I expect nothing less.
♩Deerhoof – Breakup Songs [from Breakup Song]
web//facebook//twitter//soundcloud//shows//iTunes
As far as I know, this track is the first (and only) release from the duo. I can’t wait to hear more. Might be my most anticipated of 2013.
♩HAERTS – Wings [single]
facebook//twitter//soundcloud
Kisses released this single back in August, their first new track since their 2010 debut, The Heart of the Nightlife. I’m hoping this is the precursor of a new album in 2013.
♩Kisses – Funny Heartbeat [single]
web//facebook//twitter//soundcloud//shows//bandcamp//iTunes
Sees the Light is the second album by Katy Goodman (Vivian Girls, All Saints Day), whose pure and melodious voice, masks a tragically beautiful breakup record.
♩La Sera – Break My Heart [from Sees the Light]
web//facebook//twitter//shows//iTunes
Great follow up to 2009’s Conditions. Leadoff track, “I Need Your Love”, has been my favorite since first listen, but “Trembling Hands”, “Miracle”, and “Where Do We Go From Here” are a few more tracks worth a listen.
♩The Temper Trap – Need Your Love [from The Temper Trap]
♩[bonus] The Temper Trap – Need Your Love (RAC remix)
web//facebook//twitter//soundcloud//shows//iTunes
Make Music Pasadena was last week (i know, i know…i totally lagged on posting this) and it was super fun!
First and foremost, it was FREE. You can’t really complain about free music. On top of that, the lineup was quite impressive (I would’ve paid to see a lot of the acts that played), it wasn’t nearly as hot as it could’ve been, and the people watching was epic.
My only real complaint was the how they handled the main stage setup and crowd control. The Morning Benders set was basically ruined because it took Pasadena PD, and the laziest event security I’ve ever seen, way too long to clear a sidewalk. If this event continues to grow, the organizers are going to have to brainstorm quite a bit between now and then on how to allow for more peeps.
As far as the actual music goes, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Unfortunately, I was unable to stay ’til the end, so I missed out on Ra Ra Riot, Zola Jesus, Kisses, and Robotanists, but the acts I did catch didn’t disappoint.
Saint Motel was my personal favorite of the day. Butch was just as good live (maybe even better) than the recorded version, and their new track, Puzzle Pieces, was fantastic (but i’m a sucker for anything with piano or keyboards). Coming into it, I was most looking forward to NewVillager. I wouldn’t say I was disappointed, but after a strong start, they started to fizzle out by the end of their set. Either way though, I’m still super excited for their debut album (out Aug 16 via I Am Sound Music).
Best Coast definitely drew the largest crowd of the day (at least what I saw). This was my first time seeing them live and they definitely lived up to the hype. They kicked off their set with one of my favorite tracks (Crazy For You) and even played some new stuff (Gone Again – Free download courtesy of Adult Swim).
All in all, I had a great day and i’m already looking forward to next year.
♫ Saint Motel – Puzzle Pieces ♫
p.s. if you want some more free music in Pasadena, be sure to check out Seattle’s Motopony for KCRW’s Summer Nights at One Colorado this Saturday (6/25).
Make Music Pasadena is this Saturday (6/18), and in honor of this fantastic (AND FREE!) event, this week’s mix features all the artists i’m most excited about.
For those of you not familiar with the event, Make Music Pasadena is a FREE musical celebration throughout Pasadena. This Saturday, sidewalks, parks, courtyards, alleys, building lobbies and other unconventional performance spaces will become spontaneous musical stages and social gathering places. This year’s line up includes Best Coast, Ra Ra Riot, Morning Benders, Carla Morrison, Hello Seahorse!, Saint Motel, and much, much more.
For more info, be sure to visit MakeMusicPasadena.org.
♫ Carla Morrison – Yo Sigo Aqui ♫
2pm at the Luckman “World Music” Stage
♫ Saint Motel – Butch ♫
2pm at the Indie Rock Stage
♫ The Morning Benders – Excuses ♫
3pm at the Indie Rock Stage
♫ NewVillager – Rich Doors ♫
4:15pm at the Indie Rock Stage
♫ Best Coast – When I’m With You ♫
5pm at the Indie Rock Stage
♫ Ra Ra Riot – Can You Tell ♫
6:15pm at the Indie Rock Stage
♫ Jenny O – Well Okay, Honey ♫
8pm at the Emerging Artists Stage
♫ Seasons – Lights, Lost ♫
8:30pm at the Majestical Roof Stage
♫ Kisses – Bermuda ♫
9pm at the Emerging Artists Stage
♫ Zola Jesus – Night ♫
10pm at the Emerging Artists Stage
♫ Robotanists – Exiled State of Mind (Jay-Z Rework) ♫
11pm at the Majestical Roof Stage