5 Acts: May 2007

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Area Shows

I'll be out of town for a few days, but that doesn't mean you should miss out on some great DC shows. Tomorrow night (June 1 - Happy Birthday, Whitney Havice!) Black Cat has locals Nethers opening up for The Comas and The Broken West.

Nethers - Hung Herself In A Birdcage

The Broken West - On The Bubble

Not a rare occurrence with Black Cat, the venue hosts a second night of great music this weekend on Saturday (June 2) with Monster Bobby, Smoosh, and The Pipettes.

Smoosh - I Would Go

The Pipettes - Judy (Blue States Mix)

On Tuesday night (June 5) DC9 will have Locksley, a group you should definitely check out if you enjoy bands like The Strokes.

Locksley - The Past And The Present

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Sea Wolf

Los Angeles, CA

"You're A Wolf" is one of the hottest tracks on my iPod right now. Sea Wolf is Alex Brown Church and his full-length is available now from Dangerbird.

"You're A Wolf"

Sea Wolf on MySpace

Sea Wolf on The Hype Machine

CocoRosie

New York, NY

Although several reviews I've seen about the latest from CocoRosie have torn it to all hell, I really enjoy most of it. I'm certain that this track will remain one of my favorites for the year.

"Rainbowarriors"

CocoRosie on MySpace

CocoRosie on The Hype Machine

Kenna


Make Sure They See My Face is finally out June 19.

The Chemical Brothers

London, England

We Are The Night will hit stores in the UK July 2 and in the US July 17. "Do It Again" is the first single.

"Do It Again"

The Chemical Brothers on MySpace

The Chemical Brothers on The Hype Machine

The Clutters

Nashville, TN

Here's one to get you outta bed in the morning...

"9999 (Ways To Hate Us)"

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Foals

Voxtrot

Handsome Furs

Lavender Diamond

Ryan Adams

Monday, May 28, 2007

The Mary Onettes

You Say Party! We Say Die!

GoodBooks

iLiKETRAiNS

Radical Face

Sunday, May 27, 2007

tour: Pelle Carlberg

Stockholm, Sweden

Pelle Carlberg is starting a mini U.S./Canadian tour tonight at Luna Lounge in Brooklyn. His new album, In A Nutshell, is getting released July 3 on the always impressive Twentyseven Records. I highly recommend checking this one out if you like other Swede acts like Loney, Dear.

Dates:

05/27 Brooklyn, NY - Luna Lounge
05/29 Toronto, ON - The Supermarket
05/30 Detroit, MI - Small's
05/31 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
06/01 Washington, DC - Crooked Beat Records
06/02 New York, NY - The Delancey

"Clever Girls"

Pelle Carlberg on MySpace

Pelle Carlberg on The Hype Machine

Here's the video for "I Love You, You Imbecile"

Saturday, May 26, 2007

tonight: Bellman Barker

Washington, DC

Come out tonight to see locals Bellman Barker at Rock & Roll Hotel for their record release party!!!

"I Do I Do"

Bellman Barker on MySpace

Bellman Barker on The Hype Machine

Friday, May 25, 2007

Coyote Bones - Living Breathing Demons

Thursday, May 24, 2007

The Concretes

Stockholm, Sweden

EDIT: (In response to the comment "How about a little information on the song? New, old??")

This track is from the latest album from The Concretes. Hey Trouble is only available right now as an import from the label Licking Fingers. It marks the first release for the band since the 2006 departure of lead singer Victoria Bergsman (also known for her contribution to "Young Folks"), who is putting out her first solo record next month. Even though Victoria contributed distinctive vocals to The Concretes, I think their latest effort is just as solid as their previous.

"Kids"

The Concretes on MySpace

The Concretes on The Hype Machine

New Buffalo

Tarwater

Ulrich Schnauss

Coltrane Motion

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

The Phoenix And The Turtle


Yucaipa, CA

I am officially smitten over Phoenix And The Turtle. I highly recommend this fantastic Cali quartet if you like bands like Ra Ra Riot or Arcade Fire or any other band that makes great use of those stringy paddle things.

"Disco Funeral"

Phoenix And The Turtle on MySpace

Phoenix And The Turtle on The Hype Machine

The Corto Maltese

Austin, TX

If you enjoy Wolf Parade, you can now adore The Corto Maltese. This sweet little demos EP I have from the guys is doing nothing but making me crave a full-length.

"Providence"

The Corto Maltese on MySpace

The Corto Maltese on The Hype Machine

Mussels

Brooklyn, NY

Little Voices from Mussels is one of the best debut albums this year. I love it more and more with every listen.

"Cannon On A Clothesline

Mussels on MySpace

Mussels on The Hype Machine

Black Moth Super Rainbow

Pittsburgh, PA

Dandelion Gum from Black Moth Super Rainbow is a collection of eclectic psyche pop - definitely not one to miss out on!


"They Live In The Meadow"

Black Moth Super Rainbow on MySpace

Black Moth Super Rainbow on The Hype Machine

Rondo Brothers

San Francisco, CA

I suggest Rondo Brothers for anyone who is feeling groovy...

"Crazed"

Rondo Brothers on MySpace

Rondo Brothers on The Hype Machine

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

tonight: The Rosebuds

I guarantee that Night Of The Furies from The Rosebuds will be in my top five albums at the end of this year. Tonight they're at The Rock & Roll Hotel in DC - doors 8pm, show 9pm. Bowerbirds and Le Loup (who I hear are amazing live) are opening.

Monday, May 21, 2007

The National

Brooklyn, NY

I really came in to the game late with Alligator two years ago. However, I'm all over The National in '07, and I'm fairly certain that Boxer is my favorite album thus far.

"Apartment Story"

The National on MySpace

The National on The Hype Machine

Codebreaker

Milwaukee, WI

For those of you wanting to dance...

"Here Come Cowboys"

Codebreaker on MySpace

Codebreaker on The Hype Machine

Small Sails

Portland, OR

So highly recommended if you like The Album Leaf...

"Aftershocks And Afterthoughts"

Small Sails on MySpace

Small Sails on The Hype Machine

Derek White

Motocade

Sunday, May 20, 2007

sunday: random

Saturday, May 19, 2007

dawn Landes covers "Young Folks"


Yeah, for some reason she doesn't like to capitalize the first letter of her first name. Oh well. Anyway, I really enjoy her bluegrass take on "Young Folks." Link for the song below...

dawn Landes - Young Folks

dawn Landes on MySpace

Friday, May 18, 2007

Pale Young Gentlemen

Madison, WI

Pale Young Gentlemen are damn good, and I'm not certain why more people aren't talking about them. Here's the best band you don't know about. Spread the word!

"Fraulein"

Pale Young Gentlemen on MySpace

Pale Young Gentlemen on The Hype Machine

The Playing Fields

London, England

The Playing Fields are highly recommended if you're into older Snow Patrol or more recent Arab Strap. I've been listening to their disc Hello New World pretty much nonstop for the past two days.

"Lights Out"

The Playing Fields on MySpace

The Playing Fields on The Hype Machine

Let's Go Sailing

Los Angeles, CA

I first posted about Let's Go Sailing back in October of last year after receiving her EP. And now I couldn't be more pleased with the full-length, The Chaos In Order. You should be enjoying it too - purchase it directly from Shana at the Let's Go Sailing MySpace Page.

"Heart Condition"

Let's Go Sailing on MySpace

Let's Go Sailing on The Hype Machine

City-State

Washington, DC

Swirling guitars and eerily beautiful vocals make for a near perfect full-length for this DC band. Monument easily puts City-State in the same league as their district mates Cedars. Expect to hear a lot more from these guys!

"Mary"

City-State on MySpace

City-State on The Hype Machine

Acute

Thursday, May 17, 2007

My Teenage Stride - That Should Stand For Something

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Thursday, May 17: Patrick Wolf

Taking a little time out from beating the hell out of his drummer (pictures and story here in case you missed it), Patrick Wolf is set to appear tomorrow on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic with Nic Harcourt. Wolf will perform in support of his new album The Magic Position, one of my very favorite discs of '07. Morning Becomes Eclectic airs from 9:00am -12:00pm PST online at KRCW.com and at 89.9 FM in the Los Angeles metro area. Patrick Wolf will also be touring the west coast with a series of dates that kick off in L.A. tonight and finish in Seattle for the 2007 Sasquatch Festival where he’ll join a lineup that includes Beastie Boys, Bjork, Arcade Fire, Interpol, Spoon, Bad Brains, and more.

some live dates:
05-16 Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour
05-18 San Diego, CA @ The Beauty Bar
05-19 Las Vegas, NV @ Art Bar
05-21 – 22 San Francisco, CA @ Café du Nord
05-24 Portland, OR @ Lola’s
05-25 Vancouver @ Media Club
05-27 George, WA @ Gorge Amphitheater (Sasquatch Festival)

performance on a bus: Feist


Feist performed "I Feel It All" on The Jimmy Kimmel show last night, and she's still amazing even playing on a moving public bus!

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Gentleman Auction House

Saint Louis, MO

Sweet sweet indie pop - a feel-good track of the moment (or for all times) from Gentleman Auction House...

"A Hospital Or Heaven"

Gentleman Auction House on MySpace

Gentleman Auction House on The Hype Machine

Director

Dublin, Ireland

Director comes highly recommended if you like bands like Idlewild.

"Big Cities"

Director on MySpace

Director on The Hype Machine

The Muggabears

Brooklyn, NY

I didn't think The Muggabears could top their last EP, but they may have done just that with Night Choreography! Order it now through Insound by going here. Or if you're in New York, go see them on Thursday at The Delancey!

"Dead Kid Kicks"

The Muggabears on MySpace

The Muggabears on The Hype Machine

Bears

Columbus, OH

And here's another bears band that has put out a great EP! Charlie and Craig of Bears have said that the music on Shortest Day Of The Year is quite different from the songs on their debut full-length. However, I think it'll find a warm welcome in anyone's heart.

"All I"

Bears on MySpace

Bears on The Hype Machine

Tim Myers

Los Angeles, CA

Tim Myers is one of the latest artists to celebrate the inclusion of his music on Grey's Anatomy, as his track "Momma's Boy" was recently featured on the show. Here's one of my favorites that is yet to be officially released.

"Calm Down"

Tim Myers on MySpace

Tim Myers on The Hype Machine

Monday, May 14, 2007

Manic Street Preachers

Nurses

Chicago, IL

There isn't much I can say about Nurses except that I LOVE THEM!!! You will too.

"Wait For A Safe Sign"

Nurses on MySpace

Nurses on The Hype Machine

Taxi Taxi

Brooklyn, NY

Terence Bernardo is the main man behind Taxi Taxi. He's also one-half of the group White Mud Free Way.

"X Marks The Spot"

Taxi Taxi on MySpace

Taxi Taxi on The Hype Machine

Muscles

Melbourne, Australia

Someone recently described Muscles to me as a musical wet dream. I couldn't agree more!

"Ice Cream"

Muscles on MySpace

Muslces on The Hype Machine

Justice

Paris, France

This track features the vocals of the always lovely Uffie.

"The Party"

Justice on MySpace

Justice on The Hype Machine

Sunday, May 13, 2007

sunday: random

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Sloan

Toronto, ON

Sloan is playing at Black Cat here in DC tomorrow night.

"Before The End Of The Race"

Sloan on MySpace