Tag Archives: saint motel

(31) Days of Good: 12.20.12

explorers_club_grand_hotel

This six-piece from Charleston, South Carolina does a mighty fine job of channeling the Beach Boys (with a hint of the Ruby Suns mixed in).  They have a great “vintage California sound” that always seems to brighten up my day.

The Explorers Club – Run Run Run [from Grand Hotel]
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grizzly_bear_shields

It’s been three years since Edward Droste and company released the critically acclaimed and fan friendly Veckatimest.  This year the band released Shields, their fourth album.  This album didn’t just meet my expectations, it exceeded them.  “Half Gate” is easily one of my favorite Grizzly Bear tracks.  Probably second favorite (after “Two Weeks”).

♩Grizzly Bear – Half Gate [from Shields]

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m_ward_wasteland_companion

The seventh solo album from one of the best guitarists in the biz today (and  the “him” in She & Him)

♩M. Ward – Primitive Girl [from A Wasteland Companion]

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saint_motel_voyeur

Saint Motel are a Los Angeles four piece with a very fun and dynamic indie pop sound.  This year’s Voyeur is their debut full-length.

Saint Motel – 1997 [from Voyeur]
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tame_impala_lonerism

Australian rockers Tame Impala released their second full length this year.  This record was a surprise favorite of mine.  I’m not a huge fan of classic rock and even less so of the classic rock inspired sounds being produced today.  With that said, these guys have definitely lived up to the hype and I’m really happy I took a chance on them at Outside Lands this year.

Tame Impala – Why Won’t They Talk To Me? [from Lonerism]
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[new music roundup] 7.10.12

A few of my favorite new releases this week, including the latest from Dirty Projectors, Saint Motel, and Twin Shadow.  As always, be sure to check out Largehearted Boy for more new releases this week.

 

Dirty Projectors//Swing Lo Magellan

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Dusted//Total Dust

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Holograms//Holograms

holograms.se//captured tracks//facebook//iTunes

 

Marina and the Diamonds//Electra Heart

marinaandthediamonds.com//facebook//twitter//iTunes

 

Saint Motel//Voyeur

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Twin Shadow//Confess

twinshadow.net//facebook//twitter//iTunes

 

What are your favorite new releases this week?

[recap] Make Music Pasadena 2011

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 AgainFree download courtesy of Adult Swim).

All in all, I had a great day and i’m already looking forward to next year.

Saint Motel
Saint Motel
Saint Motel
Pasadena PD ruining The Morning Bender's set
The Morning Benders
NewVillager
NewVillager
NewVillager
Best Coast
Best Coast
Best Coast Crowd
Best Coast (would've been such a good shot, had it not been for the douche fist-pumping with the water bottle)
People Watching
Creepy Guy in Gold Unitard and Russian Hat

♫ 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).

Mid-Week Mixtape: Make Music Pasadena 2011

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