5 Acts: September 2007

Sunday, September 30, 2007

New York

Saturday, September 29, 2007

saturday shuffle

Friday, September 28, 2007

Friday, Friday

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Interpol - No I In Threesome

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

I Was A Cub Scout

Long Bennington / Collingham, England

I'm completely infatuated with these two at the moment. Synth crackle pop!

"Teenage Skin"

I Was A Cub Scout on MySpace

I Was A Cub Scout on The Hype Machine

Athlete

Deptford, London

I've never been a huge fan of Athlete, but I can't stop listening to their latest, Beyond The Neighbourhood. The beginning of this one reminds me a bit of a song by Headlights and oddly enough they also have a song entitled "Tokyo." Hmmm...

"Tokyo"

Athlete on MySpace

Athlete on The Hype Machine

The Narrator

Chicago, IL

Whiny wonderful rock from the windy city.

"Panic At Puppy Beach"

The Narrator on MySpace

The Narrator on The Hype Machine

Iron And Wine

Austin, TX

Sam kicks it up a notch on this track.

"White Tooth Man"

Iron And Wine on MySpace

Iron And Wine on The Hype Machine

Nina Nastasia & Jim White

Monday, September 24, 2007

The Deadly Syndrome

Los Angeles, CA

The Ortolan. Definitely my favorite CD right now.

"I Hope I Become A Ghost"

The Deadly Syndrome on MySpace

The Deadly Syndrome on The Hype Machine

The Mugs

Brooklyn, NY

I'd love to catch a live set from The Mugs, but they only have a couple dates scheduled right now - this Friday at Schubas in Chicago and a WOXY.com lounge act on November 13.

"Asleep All Day"

The Mugs on MySpace

The Mugs on The Hype Machine

Fior Fiero

Philadelphia, PA

Fior Fiero is an electronic duo comprised of Roger Thomasson and Marco Panella. I highly recommend them if you enjoy acts like +/-.

"Satellite"

Fior Fiero on MySpace

Fior Fiero on The Hype Machine

The Most Serene Republic

Milton, ON

Population is the name of the new disc from The Most Serene Republic, and it'll be available October 2 from Arts & Crafts.

"Battle Hyme Of The Republic"

The Most Serene Republic on MySpace

The Most Serene Republic on The Hype Machine

Art In Manila

Omaha, NE

Art In Manila is the latest project fronted by Orenda Fink. They're playing twice this week in DC, opening Wednesday and Thursday nights at 9:30 for Rilo Kiley. Hot hot!

"Our Addictions"

Art In Manila on MySpace

Art In Manila on The Hype Machine

Sunday, September 23, 2007

sunday shuffle: VWXYZ

Friday, September 21, 2007

Cary Brothers - Honestly

Cary Brothers seems to be a singer/songwriter fave among everyone. Here's his video for "Honestly," which is part of the soundtrack for Feast of Love.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

Dublin, Ireland

I still haven't had a chance to see Once, but here's a great song from the critically acclaimed film.

"Falling Slowly"

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova on MySpace

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova on The Hype Machine

Jens Lekman

Angered, Sweden

I haven't been able to get this one outta my head for days.

"The Opposite of Hallelujah"

Official Jens Lekman

Jens Lekman on The Hype Machine

Jeremy

Stavanger, Norway

Two guys but only one guy's name. Neither of them is a Jeremy.

"Someday With You"

Jeremy on MySpace

Jeremy on The Hype Machine

Steve Goldberg And The Arch Enemies

Eldridge Skell's The Rude Staircase

Washington, DC

"builds tension and grabs attention by really cramming darkness into the spaces between sounds in an uneven interstitial bumpy car ride soundtrack on dusty dirt road donkey trail of desire."

"A Gaggle Of Swans"

Eldridge Skell's The Rude Staircase on MySpace

Eldridge Skell's The Rude Staircase on The Hype Machine

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Cajun Dance Party

London, England

The only chick in this band doesn't like to wear pants. I've only seen her in dresses.

"Amylase"

Cajun Dance Party on MySpace

Cajun Dance Party on The Hype Machine

The Start

Jose Gonzalez

Göteborg, Sweden

A Swedish genius covering Massive Attack. I don't think there's any way this one could turn out bad.

"Teardrop"

Jose Gonzalez on MySpace

Jose Gonzalez on The Hype Machine

Rogue Wave

Oakland, CA

It seems that someone's been listening to Band Of Horses a little too much. Still, I think I like this new disc from Rogue Wave better than the last.


"Lake Michigan"

Rogue Wave on MySpace

Rogue Wave on The Hype Machine

A Place To Bury Strangers

Brooklyn, NY

Self-proclaimed as the loudest band in New York.

"She Dies"

A Place To Bury Strangers on MySpace

A Place To Bury Strangers on The Hype Machine

Sunday, September 16, 2007

sunday shuffle: JKLMN

Muscles

Here's a video for "Sweaty" from Muscles. Guns Babes Lemonade is out on Modular next month, and it's spectacular. Can't we get this guy to the States sometime soon?

Muscles on MySpace

Muscles on The Hype Machine

Saturday, September 15, 2007

saturday shuffle: ABCDE

Friday, September 14, 2007

Kevin Drew - Backed Out On The...

Los Campesinos! - We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives

The Concretes - Kids

New Young Pony Club - The Bomb

Thieves Like Us - Drugs In My Body

The Hype Machine says...

tonight: The Teenage Prayers

We're lucky enough to have The Teenage Prayers breezing through the district for their No Sex Tour. If you're feelin' sexy (or not sexy) tonight, you should come to The Red & The Black for a great show.

The Teenage Prayers on MySpace

The Teenage Prayers on The Hype Machine

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Rilo Kiley on Jimmy Kimmel

In case you missed it...

Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining

Rilo Kiley - The Moneymaker

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

contest: Devendra Banhart

Oh, DB! Who'd like to go see this godfather of the freak folk revolution on October 1? I've got two tickets for the DC show at the 6th & I Historic Synagogue. Please e-mail me (5ActsBlog at gmail dot com) and for the subject line include the title of his new disc coming out Septmber 25 on XL. I will pick a winner at random in one week. Good luck!

Devendra Banhart on MySpace

Devendra Banhart on The Hype Machine

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Lounge Act: Pash

Support Pash and WOXY.com by listening to the Lounge Act today at 3:30pm ET.

WOXY.com Lounge Acts

Pash on MySpace

Pash on The Hype Machine

Hearts Of Palm UK

Echo Park, CA

I have one word to describe this electro-pop duo - adorable. Hearts Of Palm UK is highly recommended for fans of other chicky groups like Au Revoir Simone.

"Portugal 1"

Hearts Of Palm UK on MySpace

Hearts Of Palm UK on The Hype Machine

Rhythm King And Her Friends

Berlin, Germany

Here's some more hot electro beats from a super duo. The latest from Rhythm King And Her Friends is entitled The Front Of Luxury, and it's out next month from Kitty-Yo.

"Work Song"

Rhythm King And Her Friends on MySpace

Rhythm King And Her Friends on The Hype Machine

Le Loup

Washington, DC

Le Loup loves the complicated titles. Their much anticipated debut - The Throne Of The Third Heaven Of The Nations' Millennium General Assembly - is out today via Hardly Art. I guarantee you'll agree that this is one of the loveliest and most experimental of the year. Catch their official album release party September 29 at Black Cat.

"Outside Of This Car, The End Of The World!"

Le Loup on MySpace

Le Loup on The Hype Machine

Dirty Projectors

Brooklyn, NY

Dirty Projectors have several dates with Ecstatic Sunshine before they head off to Europe for a major tour beginning October 15. I hear the live show makes you appreciate this bunch even more, so check their MySpace page to see if they're coming near you.

"No More"

Dirty Projectors on MySpace

Dirty Projectors on The Hype Machine

Petra Haden

Los Angeles, CA

Here's Petra Haden doing an awesome cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'." It's from a great covers album - Guilt By Association. Please invest some time to listen to the rest of this compilation. It even features Luna covering Paula Abdul's "Straight Up." Does it get better than that?

"Don't Stop Believin'"

Petra Haden on MySpace

Petra Haden on The Hype Machine

Monday, September 10, 2007

Feist: Diary of a Commercial Whore


Thee More Shallows

La Fleur Fatale

Butcher Boy

Brush

The Special Pillow

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Hang The DJ - 09/07/07

01. Lali Puna - Faking The Books
02. Trembling Blue Stars - Idyllwild
03. Charlotte Gainsbourg - Set Yourself On Fire
04. Maps - Don't Fear
05. Young Galaxy - Outside The City
06. To My Boy - Talk
07. Caribou - Sundialing
08. The Fiery Furnaces - Ex-Guru
09. Junior Boys - In The Morning (Hot Chip Remix)
10. Mylo - In My Arms
11. Ra Ra Riot - Each Year (RAC Mix)
12. Bloc Party - Hunting For Witches (RAC Mix)
13. Shiny Toy Guns - Le Disko
14. Muscles - Ice Cream
15. Jamie T - Calm Down Dearest
16. Calvin Harris - The Girls
17. Digitalism - Pogo
18. Feist - 1234 (Van She Remix)
19. The Bird And The Bee - F-cking Boyfriend (Peaches Remix)
20. Kate Nash - Mouthwash
21. Coconut Records - Nighttiming
22. The Shins - Australia (Peter Bjorn And John Remix)
23. Peter Bjorn And John - Young Folks (Diplo Remix)
24. Tilly And The Wall - The Freest Man (CSS Remix)
25. You Say Party! We Say Die! - Monster
26. Blonde Redhead - Spring And By Summer Fall
27. Silversun Pickups - Dream At Tempo 119
28. The Thermals - Here's Your Future
29. White Rabbits - The Plot
30. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - 10x10
31. Love Of Diagrams - Form And Function
32. Howling Bells - Low Happening
33. Forget Cassettes - The Catch
34. Los Campesinos! - Sweet Dreams Sweet Cheeks
35. Oh No! Oh My! - I Love You All The Time
36. Modest Mouse - We've Got Everything
37. Regina Spektor - Hotel Song
38. Love Is All - Talk Talk Talk Talk
39. Pash - The Best Gun
40. The National - Apartment Story
41. The Western Civilization - Bruise The Paper
42. Bound Stems - Rented A Tent (A Tent, A Tent)
43. The Eames Era - When You Were A Millionaire
44. +/- - Ventriloquist
45. The Rosebuds - Cemetery Lawn
46. Rilo Kiley - Breakin' Up
47. The Concretes - Kids
48. Cloud Cult - Take Your Medicine
49. Grizzly Bear - Knife (Girl Talk Remix)
50. Tears For Fears - Shout
51. New Young Pony Club - The Get Go
52. The Myrmidons - Clap (See The Stars)
53. Teddybears - Different Sound
54. LCD Soundsystem - Someone Great
55. VHS Or Beta - Burn It All Down
56. Poni Hoax - Budapest
57. Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
58. K-OS - Sunday Morning
59. Kanye West - Stronger
60. The Teenagers - Homecoming
61. Northern State - Better Already
62. Foals - Hummer
63. The Cribs - Men's Needs (CSS Remix)
64. Throw Me The Statue - Lolita
65. Thrushes - Heartbeats
66. Handsome Furts - Dead + Rural
67. Iron And Wine - Boy With A Coin

tonight: The Alphabetical Order

The Alphabetical Order will be putting out I Am Magically Happening! next month. Until then, you can get your fix of this local DC band tonight at Velvet Lounge.

The Brunettes - Her Hairagami Set

Múm - They Made Frogs Smoke Til They Exploded

UNKLE - Burn My Shadow

The Eames Era - When You Were A Millionaire



Immaculate Machine - Jarhand

tonight: Blisspop

The one and only Mr. Will Eastman has put together a fine late night event for this evening at 9:30 Club. Doors are at 11 and there will be live performances by The Dance Party, Soft Complex, and Georgie James.

Friday, September 07, 2007

Hang The DJ at Rock & Roll Hotel

Please stop by Rock & Roll Hotel tonight and say hi to me! I'll be DJing upstairs, and downstairs will be a night of comedy with Pleaseeasaur and Neil Hamburger. Doors are at 9, and It all starts around 9:30.

Rock & Roll Hotel
1353 H Street NE
Washington DC 20002

Thursday, September 06, 2007

The Last Town Chorus / Mark Olson

NOVA people: please make some time tonight to check out Mark Olson (founding member of The Jayhawks) and labelmates The Last Town Chorus at Iota in Arlington. Show starts at 8:30!

Mark Olson on MySpace
Mark Olson on The Hype Machine

The Last Town Chorus on MySpace
The Last Town Chorus on The Hype Machine

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

tonight: O'Death / Rock Plaza Central

Rock Plaza Central will be blessing us this evening at Black Cat, one of many stops for their first US tour! Also playing tonight and joining the band for most of the tour will be their New York buddies O'Death.

Chris Eaton from Rock Plaza Central comments: “You know, we’re probably too old for this sort of thing. And we basically picked an awful time to release and promote a CD because we also ‘released’ two children within the same couple of months. The last six months have meant turning down a lot of offers because we couldn’t find a way to do that without neglecting our duties as parents. And husbands. And boyfriends. And girlfriends. This tour is how we’ve come to solve the problem. I’m just happy we finally have this chance to make music together with fans in places we never thought we’d be.”


Make sure to catch these two collectives when they gallivant through your area. Dates below (US and Canadian).

09/05 Washington, DC – Black Cat
09/06 Oberlin, OH – Oberlin College
09/07 Champaign, IL – Void Room

09/08 Chicago, IL – Schuba’s with the Signing Choir
09/09 Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
09/12 Seattle, WA – Neumos
09/13 Portland, OR- Dante’s
09/14 Vancouver, BC – Pat’s Pub
09/19 San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Shop
09/20 Los Angeles, CA – The Echo
09/22 Claremont, CA – Pomona College

09/23 Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room
09/24 Tucson, AZ - Plush
09/26 Austin, TX - The Mohawk
09/27 Dallas, TX - The Cavern

09/28 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks
09/29 Birmingham, AL - The Nick

09/30 Atlanta, GA - The Earl
10/01 Athens, GA - Tasty World
10/02 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506

10/03 Nashville, TN - Exit In
10/04 Lexington, KY - The Dame
10/05 Windsor, ON - Phog Lounge
10/06 Toronto, ON - Sneaky Dee's
10/09 Hamilton, ON - Casbah

10/11 Guelph, ON - E-Bar
10/13 Montreal, QC - Casa Del Popolo
10/14 Ottawa, ON - Zaphod's

O'Death on MySpace

Also! How had I not heard RPC's cover of "SexyBack" until just now? Please check it out below played to JT's video. Amazing! I wonder if I'll be able to get a special request/dedication tonight...



Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Bridges And Powerlines

See below for some hot live dates for Bridges And Powerlines.

09-15 Delancey, NYC
09-26 ABC Tavern, Harrisburg PA
09-27 Soapbox, Wilmington NC
09-28 The Cave, Chapel Hill NC
09-29 Lit Lounge, NYC
10-13 Metro Gallery, Baltimore MD

Also, to celebrate this mini-tour the guys have posted three new tracks on their MySpace page from their 2008 full-length. I can't wait to hear the rest of it!

Bridges And Powerlines on The Hype Machine

Yelle

Words cannot describe the brilliance...

Monday, September 03, 2007

Happy Labor Day


So I thought I'd be clever and post a few songs with "labor/labour" in the title. Unfortunately I only came up with one in my music library. Hope everyone had a relaxing weekend!

Frente! - Labour Of Love