We'll be right back...

Hey Folks...I know some of you have been wondering where the hell we've been. Well first it was vacation in October and well this month it's been recovering from last month. With that being said...we're taking December off as well. There's a TON of other stuff we have to take care of here at HQ and it needs to get done sooner rather than later. So with that in mind, we'll be back January 1 and hopefully we'll have a few surprises for you then. You'll just have to wait for that though...

Thanks as always for the support...and to quote the Mickey Mouse Club..."See You Real Soon..."

Why? Get Mumps

Nipping at the ragged heels of their eagerly devoured Sod in the Seed EP (which you can download for FREE here), WHY? at last unleash their fifth long-player, Mumps, etc, a meticulous work of morbid fascination and offbeat romanticism dubbed Mumps, etc. Though there is a mysterious sickness (perhaps of the mind) that lurks about these thirteen songs, one might also imagine the title as describing the musical state of these three Midwestern men as they bring their sound into glisteningly buff focus.

Yoni Wolf, brother Josiah and Doug McDiarmid are in the pocket, the unbreakable rock core at the center of a spinning ball of sonic kaleidoscopie. And all the things we love about them are still true: the grinning sun-warped choruses, that jangly Western lope, those confessionals cut with wry wit and crude details, set dancing down the odd knots of complex poetic daisy chains. It's just that ... well, all of it sounds better than ever this time around.

You can hear this for yourself as WHY? is on tour.
Here are the dates...
10.05 Düsseldorf, Germany: New Fall Festival
10.06 Evreux, France: L'Abordage
10.07 Paris, France: Maroquinerie
10.08 Brighton, England: Old Market
10.09 London, England: Electric Ballroom
10.10 Manchester, England: Central Methodist Church
10.11 Bristol, England: Fleece
10.12 Glasgow, Scotland: SWG3
10.13 Oxford, England: The Bullingdon
10.15 Berlin, Germany: Volksbühne

10.18 Cincinnati, OH Lois & Richard Rosethal Center for Contemporary Art Black Box Theatre
10.20 Pittsburgh, PA Altar
10.24 Richmond, VA Canal Club
10.25 Athens, GA 40 Watt
10.26 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
10.27 Orlando, FL The Social
10.28 Tampa, FL Crowbar
10.29 Tallahassee, FL Club Downunder
10.30 Mobile, AL Alabama Music Box
10.31 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon
11.01 Houston, TX Walter's
11.02 Dallas, TX Sons of Hermann Hall
11.03 Austin, TX Fun Fun Fun Fest
11.05 St. Louis, MO Luminary Arts

Download:  Jonathan's Hope
Download: Probable Cause
Revised 3.0 Version (with Twitter button)
Tweet

Herve Knows Night Turns Into Day

The third single from Hervé’s acclaimed debut album, Pick Me Up, Sort Me Out, Calm Me Down, comes in the shape of the club thumping Night Turns Into Day, featuring the vocal charms of Lottie Tricity.

Hervé, under his various guises, has built a reputation on club anthems and the title track is no exception, with blistering bass, pounding kicks and big room keys all coming to the fore. All this power is complimented perfectly by the subtle vocal musings of Lottie, who lifts the track into slightly more pop territory, without loosing any of its club bite.

Download: Night Turns Into Day (Mighty Mouse Remix)
Tweet

Neov's Windvane Released

Hailing from a small village in eastern Finland, two brothers Anssi and Samuli Neuvonen started making music way back when they were children.  They formed the band Neufvoin, released a few well-received EPs and toured throughout Europe. But, after a series of line up changes, the members started a new life in 2012 under the name Neøv.

Several areas of the band's hometown, Kuopio, are built on islands as the city is surrounded by lakes. As one might suspect such an environment worked it's way into the sound of the band.  Their songs are expansive but quiet, grandiose but intimate.  And when it boils down to it...good.

They've just released a new single and Korallreven remix of 'Windvane.' Windvane previews the band's debut album, Orange Morning, to be released this winter and produced by members of Rubik.

Download: Windvane
Download: Windvane (Korallraven Remix)
Tweet

Lost on Indian Trails

Indian Trails was formed in early 2011, when Nico and Antti thought they wanted to try and do something musically lighter after five years of mostly hard-rock band experiments. In early summer of 2011 Jouni Mathias was found via internet and after first practice he joined the group and the band was officially born.  Leo Richard and Joel Alex joined the band at early winter 2011

The groups first single and song they wrote together was "Lights," which was later recorded and now released. After a year of so of writing music it was time to record first EP.  Called Brighter Night was released in April.

Download: Anchor
Tweet

Hyperheart Will Fill You Up

Unlike so many Swedish bands, Hyperheart doesn't sound frivolous, jolly, or jangly,  Oh no, Hyperheart are far to detached and electronic for that.  This is a group who embraces the stark conditions in which their country is often thrown in and use it to their advantage.  The result is clinically precise synth pop that sounds as expansive as a snow covered continent.

Hyperheart's latest single Fill Me Up is just like that...detached and epic but none the less absolutely gorgeous.  If you can imagine the Tindersticks and Depeche Mode lost in a land of synths and snow you know exactly where Hyperheart are coming from.  It's all a bit harsh and blunt but in that tough love kind of way.

Download: Swallow
Tweet

Lets Release A hitRECord

hitRECord, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's open collaborative production company who have just released a double vinyl album Move On The Sun. As part of their quarterly subscription series, the hitRECorderly, 78 artists including Wilco’s Nels Cline, Cibo Matto & Joseph Gordon-Levitt himself came together to make Move On The Sun, a genre spanning spectacle in the form of a double vinyl album.

Gordon-Levitt (Dark Knight Rises, Looper, 50/50, 500 Days of Summer) launched hitRECord in 2010 as a professional production company that uses the Internet to collaborate with artists (100,000 and counting) from all over the world, forming a community around the art they make together. Artists of all creative focuses (video, audio, image, text) can log on and contribute to hitRECord. As with all hitRECord productions, if and when an artist’s work is used, hitRECord splits the profits 50-50.

Download: Moving Hollows - Move On The Sun
Download: Ryan Patrick - Electric Loss
Tweet

Caviare Days Whip Up A Tasty Treat

Caviare Days consists of Swedish sisters Lina and Maja Westin. Their driving force lies in creating a well-tailored but dirty rock, that is more baroque than minimalist and more organic than mechanical.

Their full length album, to be released Oct 9 2012, is produced by Mats Björke of Mando Diao and Jorge Elbrecht of New York based Violens. It is mastered by Frank Arkwright at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. In 2012, Caviare Days are involved in an exiting collaboration with the fashion brand GANT together with the New York based designer Michael Bastian. They created the soundtrack for the mod inspired Fall collection, presented during New York Fashion Week in February and to be released in August.

Download: You'll Qualify
Tweet

Harlan Relives 1984

LA-based artist Harlan is pleased to announce his second release, the 1984 EP, out digitally on September 25th. This follows his previous Native Son EP which was the perfect blend of funk, soul, and R&B.

Harlan grew up studying classical music. While studying cello at Berklee School of Music, Harlan decided one day to pick up his roommate's guitar, having never played before, and wrote his first song. Soon the cello was replaced by the electric guitar and a musical style influenced by funk, soul, rock, R&B and 90's hip-hop began pouring out. Harlan's music is filled with memorable hooks and stone cold grooves and sounds something like Frazier Chorus meets Prince.  Check out a few tracks below and relive 1984.

Download: 1984
Tweet

Fossil Collective Goes On and On

Not ones to let time stand still, Fossil Collective return with a new EP, On & On on Dirty Hit and an accompanying lengthy UK tour this October.

It follows the release of their acclaimed debut EP Let It Go, that saw the band tour with soul singer Ren Harvieu and Benjamin Francis Leftwich, as well as completing their first solo UK jaunt.

October tour dates
Fri 12 Oct Doncaster, The Leopard
Sat 13 Oct Manchester, Deaf Institute
Sun 14 Oct Newcastle Cluny
Mon 15 Oct Glasgow King Tuts
Tue 16 Oct Liverpool Shipping Forecast
Wed 17 Oct Bristol Louisiana
Thu 18 Oct Birmingham Hare & Hounds
Fri 19 Oct Nottingham The Bodega
Sat 20 Oct Oxford East Oxford Centre - Gathering
Sun 21 Oct Cardiff SWN
Mon 22 Oct Norwich Waterfront
Tue 23 Oct Cambridge Portland Arms
Wed 24 Oct Brighton The Hope
Thu 25 Oct Exeter Phoenix Arts Centre
Fri 26 Oct London Old Queen's Head
Sat 27 Oct Leicester Academy 2
Sun 28 Oct Leeds Brudenell Social Club
Mon 29 Oct Sheffield Soyo
Tue 30 Oct Manchester Apollo (supporting The Civil Wars)

Stream: On & On
Tweet

Beaten By Them Build Kinder Machines

Kinder Machines is the third full-length album from SF/NYC/Melbourne quintet Beaten by Them. Formed in San Francisco in 2005, the band has since been quietly at work, creating original and enduring experimental and cinematic post-rock music.

Recorded live to analog tape on a farm in the wine-producing region of Sonoma, California, the album is an invigorating collage of acoustic instruments and multi-layered rhythms that puts melody in the forefront.

Kinder Machines sounds huge, and is presented in a unique limited edition, individually numbered hard-cover book CD package and is released on October 16th.

Download: Salvador Divinorum
Tweet

Street Party In Soho Take Their Time

Street Party In Soho are a young band hailing from Newcastle Upon Tyne.  Although less than 1 year old they are already making waves Tyneside and are now ready to cross the bridge and go global. 

Taking their influences from such bands as Bloc Party,Bombay Bicycle Club and The Libertines, the band sound a bit like a more northern version of Maximo Park.  In fact at times during their single Take Your Time you'd swear Paul from Maximo was singing.  Needless to say, this is good stuff done properly.

The band release their debut single Take Your Time on Monday 29th October.Catch the band live around the UK this month and next.

Tour dates:
September
Friday 28th Newcastle - Dog & Parrot (single launch)

October
Thur 18th Northampton - King Billy
Fri 19th Sheffield - The Redhouse
Sat 20th Liverpool - Lantern Theatre
Sun 21st Manchester - Retro Bar

Download: Take Your Time
Tweet

Viva Le Modulaire

French house via Mexico...as odd as that sounds that's exactly what Modulaire is all about. Take a bit of nu-disco, a bit of Stardust, some Latin spice and you have the groups new EP Glamour.

The sound Modulaire creates is a strong fusion between filter and phaser with the mandatory funky basslines, and freshly washed out synthesizers. It's energetic, sparkly, shiny, and looped into infinity leaving Glamour to sound like the best thing to come out of 1998/99 that was never released.

Modulaire create the sort of tunes that someone like Bob Sinclair would love to have in his arsenal.  And while he doesn't have them you can below.

Download: Glamour
Download: Carolyn
Tweet

The Pauses & Great Deceivers Release Record & Tour

 

Leading Florida indie label New Granada Records will pair two of Orlando's most consistently celebrated indie rock bands on one 12-inch split: The Pauses and Great Deceivers. Representing the Orlando vanguard, both bands have made scene ripples and music press fans recently - The Pauses last year with their J. Robbins-produced debut album, A Cautionary Tale, and Great Deceivers over the past couple of years with two regionally acclaimed albums, House of Stairs and Seasons in Reverse. But even to those familiar with either of them, the expansion in sound from both bands here makes this 12-inch split doubly momentous.

On The Pauses side, "The Beginning of Things" is one of their most distinctly anthemic songs to date and mirrors their trademark intelligent angles with new shades of stuttering, nearly hip-hop electronic patterns. But, mysteriously, no Auto-Tune. In contrast, the quieter "Formerly" is acoustic reverie gently diffused with spare symphonic flourishes.

For their part, Great Deceivers have traded in their subtly moody dreamscapes for a more muscular, extroverted rock sound. Their signature nuance and complexity are still there, but newfound power and size drive these bracing tracks into Yuck's hood. Just listen to the noisy '90s guitar climax on "Phantom Strength" and the grainy brawn of "Foresight is 50 50."

The Pauses Fall Dates:
9/06 - Jacksonville, FL @ Underbelly’s – Record Release Show w/Great Deceivers
9/07 - Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub - Record Release Show w/Great Deceivers
9/08 - Tampa, FL @ New World Brewery - Record Release Show w/Great Deceivers
9/09 - Lafayette, LA @ Atmosphere
9/10 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk
9/12 - Scottsdale, AZ @ The Rogue Bar
9/13 - Los Angeles, CA @ Silverlake Lounge
9/16 - Portland, OR @ Tonic Lounge
9/17 - Seattle, WA @ The Comet Tavern
9/18 - Boise, ID @ The Boise Venue
9/20 - Denver, CO @ The Walnut Room
9/21 - Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Saloon
9/22 - Atlanta, GA @ Five Spot

Download: The Pauses - Beginnings of Things
Download: Great Deceivers - Phantom Strength
Tweet

Michna Is Moving Mountains

The Moving Mountains EP -- set for a September 18th release on Ghostly International -- is the first new material the world has heard from New York producer Michna in nearly four years, since the release of his highly-acclaimed debut album Magic Monday in 2008. The new EP represents another great leap forward in terms of both songwriting and production, providing a neat summation of Michna's versatility by covering more musical ground in 20 minutes than most artists do in an entire album.

It's been quite a while between releases, but Michna's been anything but idle during this period – he's done everything from painting to production for the NBA to remixes for DM Stith, Joy Orbison and Kelis.

Download: Wanted Exotic
Tweet

The Hermit Crabs Know Time Is Relentless

A very welcome return of Scottish pop favorites The Hermit Crabs! The first release since the celebrated ‘Correspondence Course’ EP in 2009, the new ‘Time Relentless’ EP shows the band in remarkably fine form across four new songs mixing acoustic and electric guitars with nice bursts of percussion and keyboards.

Lead track ‘On The Spectrum’ is the comparison of two relationships set to jangling guitars, with an ace chorus about taking photographs, kissing in the rain, and talking about the blues. ‘Time Relentless’ combines classic Hermit Crabs orchestration with lyrics taken from a poem by Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree from his autobiography ‘The Flying Scotsman’. Keyboards and chiming guitars set the perfect tone for the stunning imagery of the poem. ‘Stop This Now’ is an upbeat two-minute pop hit about another relationship, showcasing twinkling guitars and exquisite harmonies, while final track ‘So Blue’ is an autumnal, mid-tempo tale about supporting a friend through a somber time, with layered instrumentation that builds to an especially melodic conclusion.

Limited to 1000 copies in custom minijacket sleeve, ‘Time Relentless’ is another Scottish pop triumph for the Hermit Crabs!

Download: Stop This Now
Tweet

It's An Endless Summer for Bondax & Justin Martin

Bondax are Adam and George; two 18 year old school friends from Lancaster, already with a wealth of support from the likes of Annie Mac, Nick Grimshaw and Pete Tong at Radio 1 behind them.

Bondax release 'Baby I Got That/It's You' on 16th September through Just Us/Relentless so keep your eyes peeled for the official video dropping next week!

Dirtybird's very own Justin Martin has stepped up to remix Bondax's huge tune, 'Baby I Got That'

Entitled 'Justin Martin's Endless Summer Mix' - just in time for the last rays of our kind-of-but-not-quite Indian Summer - Justin Martin has transformed 'Baby I Got That' into a blissed-out, hands in the air extended edit; perfect for Ibiza terraces, party vibes and chilled out sun-kissed moments. We live in hope there will be more of those to come...

Download: Baby I Got That (Justin Martin's Endless Summer Mix)
Tweet

It's a Nerd Revolt

From the very first conversation, m.0 and the iLL.F.O. bonded over a love of synthesizers. It was the start of a friendship that would inspire them to reach for their dreams.

But it was more than just starting a band. They shared a vision of what a 21st century artist could be. The tools kept getting more powerful, and you could broadcast your work instantly. Having total creative control, you can share ideas and express yourself... which might empower others to live their dreams too.

From all these late-night conversations, the seeds of Nerd Revolt were planted.

With their eponymous debut album, Nerd Revolt has unveiled a more confident and refined sound. Dark, complex, and synth-heavy, their self-produced record captures an emotional journey and tells an inspiring story of liberation. the iLL.F.O. (lead vox + synths + programming) delivers hypnotic, confessional lyrics and psychedelic soundscapes, while m.0 (synths + programming) holds it down with his production, sound design, and engineering skills.

Watch out because this revolt is just gaining traction.

Download: Fallen
Tweet

Acid House Kings Celebrate 20 Years

As you may or may not know, Acid House Kings have been around almost since the invention of acid house. And in that time, this twee/indie pop band has released some of the most monumental jangly pop the world has ever heard. If you're a fan of the genre than it's a good chance you know classics like, "Say Yes If You Love Me," and will never forget them. Their albums are all like that...classic.

Well the fine folks at Labrador have decided to help celebrate the bands 20th anniverary by reissuing three classic out of print albums on 180g vinyl and deluxe digital editions. They're reissuing 97's Advantage Acid House Kings, 02's Mondays are like Tuesdays and Tuesdays are like Wednesdays and 05's Sing Along with Acid House Kings.  You can of course purchase them here.

While you're ordering why not have you're own 20th Anniversary celebration with a bunch of remixes and fun below.

Download: This Heart Is A Stone
Download: This Heart is a Stone (Azure Blue Remix)
Download: This Heart is a Stone (Johan Hedberg 4/4 Mix)
Download: This Heart is a Stone (Invisible Twin Remix)
Download: This Heart is a Stone (Chill Mix)
Tweet

The Asteroid Shop's Distant Luxury

Meet The Asteroid Shop; the brainchild of Eric Brendo.  As The Asteroid Shop Brendo takes the band into a world full of elegance & pain, of ease and tension all at once. This is especially evident on several tracks like “Dandelion,” “Destroyer” and “Ashes.” The band skims through the same vast sea as contemporaries Richard Hawley, Spiritualized and Richard Ashcroft and channeling, at once, the likes of Mazzy Star, early Pink Floyd, The Secret Machines and of course, My Bloody Valentine.

The Asteroid Shop is a rare treat for folks who still look for craft in their songs.To date the band has released a self-titled album and in 2012 the band has regroupled to create the new EP Distant Luxury which you can check out a track from below.

Download: Distant Luxury
Tweet

Head To The Outlands

OUTLANDS is the midnight duo of disco-noir extraordinaires Mark and Melissa, broadcasting their bewitching beats straight out of Blacksburg, VA. After sending around a demo of the single “Com Ocean,” the pair were picked up by cassette label, Chill Mega Chill Records. OUTLANDS retreated from the scene only to re-emerge a few months later bearing their entirely self-produced debut EP, a celestial concoction of Mark’s tripped-out dance beats and Melissa’s hauntingly sultry vocal melodies.

Existing somewhere between the four-on-the-floor thump of disco, the sensuality of 90s R&B, and the hypnotism of their electronic contemporaries, the resulting blend of sounds found on the OUTLANDS EP leaves it truly peerless. From the first subterranean, rumbling basslines of “The Looming” to the hi-gloss sheen of “Sisters/Lovers,” OUTLANDS has crafted a mesmerizing collection of songs that is destined to soundtrack the steamiest of after-hours dance parties.

Download: Com Ocean (Mirror Kisses Bad Dream Remix)
Tweet

Jan Works For The City

JAN, aka Kim Talon, will release a self-titled debut album on November 13th. With riot grrrl-infused vocals, fuzzed out guitar lines, and blissed out grunge rhythms, JAN is a genre-straddling album that packs a mean punch.

Known for being the latter half of art-rock band Eagle and Talon, Kim is now joined by Chloe Saavedra (Smoosh) & Melinda Parks (Har Mar Superstar) when performing live. The album was produced by John Goodmanson (Blonde Redhead, The Gossip, Sleater-Kinney) in Seattle at London Bridge Studios.

Having collaborated with Reggie Watts and toured with Sia and Obi Best to name a few, Kim Talon’s talent explodes into the forefront on her new solo foray. JAN will be on tour in Fall 2012 – stay tuned for North American dates coming soon!

Download: Work For The City
Tweet

Reflections of Summer Days

The Reflections were born when Darian Zahedi and Jon Safley began collaborating together earlier this year, often sending ideas back and forth while on the road with other projects. Along with bassist, Brady Wills they finished up an album's worth of songs and spent the better part of Spring at Brightstreet Recorders with producer/engineer, Kenny Woods (Jenny Lewis, Lykke Li, Vampire Weekend).

A hypnotic blend of classic indie pop with dashes of chillwave melodies, "Summer Days" is the first offering of their debut full-length, Limerence, set to be released in early 2013.

Download: Summer Days
Tweet

Head To Bear Mountain

Bear Mountain began as the bedroom project of Ian Bevis. After releasing early demos and remixes online, Ian caught the ear of long-time friend and collaborator Kyle Statham. Together, the two friends brought the sounds to the stage by blending live instrumentation with dance style electronics. Their sound has been described as a mixture between Cut Copy and Passion Pit, infusing lead singer Ian Bevis’ vulnerable and emotive vocals.

The debut album from Bear Mountain is titled XO, a collection of songs that is unmistakably fresh and powerfully captivating. From lush synth sounds and chopped vocal samples, to tropical drum beats and house drenched kicks, the album manages to capture the feeling of the infinite and the impossible, all rolled into one. In a world where dance music is being destroyed daily by nu-metal kids it's nice to see that someone remembers how to make uplifting stuff.  XO has just recently been released via the usual channels.

Download: Congo
Tweet

The Comtron Group Fights Fraud

The Comtron Group strives to be the acknowledged global 
leader in all rapidly evolving commercial markets. Unparalleled in their ability to understand market requirements, to anticipate evolving needs and to act as an indispensable resource we present to our investor relations The Comtron Groups latest innovation: 'Comtron, the electronic dance music act'



Recognizing the growing trend in mass entertainment industries, The Comtron Group acquired two Dutch producers and added them -provided with limitless financial resources and a clear set of instructions- to Comtrons vast legions of employees. These fine men took all necessary actions to create content for Comtron Groups Comtron, the electronic dance music act, resulting in tracks to be compiled on mass media carriers which will be marketed around the globe from now on under The Comtron Groups company motto: 

'Follow the Money'



Enjoy the lead single ‘Fraud’ from 099, the first EP that Comtron will be releasing on Magnetron Music.

Download: Fraud
Tweet

James and Evander Get Remixed

After dropping their debut LP Bummer Pop, back in May, the Oakland, CA duo James & Evander are back with remixes from a handful of friends and sonic soul-mates to accompany their first full-length. As such, six of the album's tracks get re-imagined into even spacier and synth-laden territory by Cascine's RX Gibbs, Sweden's Bam Spacey, and Brooklyn resident Courtship, among others.

Tracklist:
01 - Can't Forget (RX Gibbs Remix)
02 - How It Feels (The Major Cities Vs. Heart Island Remix)
03 - CTSOF (Bam Spacey's Tropical Refit)
04 - Ambigamy (Parentz Remix)
05 - Living the Dream (Courtship Remix)
06 - Nostalgia (shortcircles Remix)

James & Evander's debut LP, Bummer Pop was built on what had started as a pair of synth nerds geeking out in their apartments, last year J&E parted ways with the delicate indietronica that defined their early output, successfully adding a layer of subdued vocals to their sound with 2011’s Constellating EP.

Download: CTSOF (Bam Spacey's Tropical Refit)
Download: Bummer POP Remixes
Tweet

Calling Dr. Beat

Dr Beat, aka San Proper is a well-respected artist from the Amsterdam underground club scene. Over the last fifteen years, he has been spinning and playing live from major clubs and festivals to smaller bars and dodgy underground locations. Working close with fresh and genuine labels and organizations like Instant Replay, Rush Hour, Perlon, Dekmantel and Trouw he is known for setting the tone for quality tunes.

His first five releases with Rush Hour were based on presenting his musical friends from Amsterdam with his “Proper A’dam Family Series”, ‘Part 4’ with O-Boogie got picked up by Laurent Garnier, who did an edit of ‘Magnificent Speech Funk’. His break through record “Keep it Raw” was released on Perlon, after producing a remix for Ricardo Villalobos. From there and a few other records Dr. Beat wound up at his current home on Instant Replay Silk and has just released his latest single, FormulaMarzAgain.  Perfectly timed w/Curiosity roaming the Red Planet the tune starts off deep and disco but slowly moves into martian territory.

Download: Formula Marz Again
Watch just for the heck of it...

Tweet

Dressy Bessy Are Something To Love

As promised, Denver-based indie rock band Dressy Bessy is back with the second installment of its “Summer Singles” collection. Comprised of the songs “Something To Love” b/w “Wind Me Up”, volume two is available now via the band’s Bandcamp site. While Dressy Bessy is offering the single as a free download, donations are encouraged, as the band will forward all proceeds to Colorado wildfire relief organizations.

Dressy Bessy lead singer and guitarist, Tammy Ealom, along with lead guitarist John Hill (also of The Apples in stereo), bass player Rob Greene, and drummer Craig Gilbert are having fun releasing a series of upbeat summer pop singles, but can’t help feeling a debt to their home state of Colorado. “We’re just torn up about all of the loss involved with the wildfires here, says Hill, adding, “We can’t raise as much as some, but hope that we serve as example and make the point that every dollar counts in this situation.”

Download: Wind Me Up
Tweet

Vitalic Return!

Techno maverick, Vitalic, will release his eagerly anticipated album, ‘Rave Age’ on October 22nd through Different Recordings. Renowned for his blistering, sought after productions, Vitalic will up the ante with an incendiary, brand new live show coming to a venue near you later this year.

Mixed by legendary production wizard, Stephane Alf Briat, known for his work with Air and Phoenix, ‘Rave Age’ is a ballsy, firecracker of an album that showcases not just a passion for big room, electro smashers and electronica, but a broad set of influences that stretch from punk and film soundtracks to disco and indie dance.

Showcasing a myriad of talent roped in to give this album added punch, it features the vocal efforts of Joe Reeves (Shit Disco) on ‘Fade Away’ and ‘Next I’m Ready’. French starlets Owlle and Rebeka Warrior (Sexy Sushi) appear on ‘Under Your Sun’ and ‘La Mort Sur Le Dancefloor’. Mickael Karkousse from Belgium electro rockers, Goose, lends his skills to ‘Rave Kids Go’.

Download: No More Sleep
Tweet

Letting Up Despite Great Faults

Letting Up Despite Great Faults has released the first single "Visions" off their new album, Untogether, due out Oct. 9. The new track "sums up the sentiment of the the whole release," says frontman Mike Lee. "Confident, with a sense of being lost," Untogether is an album that radiates infectious melodies, heartbreaking sentiments, and danceable dreampop.

The new album sees the band continuing to refine and expand their sound, picking up where last year's Paper Crush EP left off. The EP's lead single 'Teenage Tide' was featured on the television show 90210, with Rolling Stone calling it "a blissful, shimmery track" and USA Today raving, "it captures the essence of teen dreams." In 2009 the band released its self-titled full-length, which was met with unanimous critical acclaim.

Download: Visions
Tweet

Finn Riggins Are Big News

I must admit I don't know much about the mighty Finn Riggins. Hell, I thought they/he was some Irish folk singer that sang about Guinness and Dublin.  So with that in mind, I'll share what I've learned outside of the fact that they're a great band.

The collaborative brainchild of three music school graduates from the University of Idaho -- Cameron Bouiss, Eric Gilbert and Lisa Simpson -- Finn Riggins relocated to Boise in 2009 where they've become key players in the young music and art scene of Idaho's largest population center. Eric Gilbert is the festival director and talent buyer for Boise's Treefort Music Fest, which made its debut in March. They also played the first ever Boise Showcase at SXSW this year with Built to Spill and Youth Lagoon.

So you could say that Finn Riggins owns Idaho and judging by their output of quirky indie rock (and cool videos) it's well deserved.  As if to prove that point...check out their tour dates...they may very well have played every nook and cranny in the state!

Tour Dates....
Aug. 4 Heise, ID - Kelly Canyon Music Festival
Aug. 8 Jackson, WY - JacksonHoleLive! w/ The Features
Aug. 9 Priest Lake, ID - Millie's
Aug 10 Sandpoint, ID - Downtown Crossing
Aug 12 Moscow, ID - John's Alley
Aug 16 Stanley, ID - StanleyStreet Dance
Aug 17 Boise, ID - Radio Boise PRE Fat Block Party w/ Brainstorm + Buster Blue + Ssssnake
Aug 23 Idaho Falls, ID - D'Railed w/ Tartufi
Aug 24 Jackson, WY - Pink Garter Theater w/ Tartufi
Aug 25 Pocatello, ID - Old Towne Block Party w/ Tartufi
Sep 1 McCall, ID - Salmon River Brewery

Download: Big News
Tweet

Fergus & Geronimo Surprise Us

Like some of history’s most well-regarded and oft-reissued acts, Fergus & Geronimo is doing exactly what they are compelled to do for their anticipated sophomore LP Funky Was the State of Affairs: making an album that actually plays like a cohesively complete statement.

And yet the record is entirely unpredictable, even as it tackles reoccurring themes, which the band says include, “aliens, technology, intergalactic dating/hooking up, the Roman Empire, and the earthling resistance movement.” 

Though at times it sounds like fairly serious subject matter, the group employs a sharp-tongued attack with the same sort of gallows humor cracked wise by the likes of their equally Doubting Thomas inspirational figures, everyone from the Mothers of Invention to Devo. 

You can hear this for yourself below.  "No Parties," is a jumpy, punky, new wave tune that seems to have a nervous twitch about it that propels the whole thing into pop oblivion.     If this and "Roman Tick," are anything to go by we're in for a coneheaded blast from the past that's as cool as it is interesting.  Known for throwing left hooks, Fergus & Geronimo may have just thrown us a right one out of nowhere with Funky Was the State of Affairs.

Download: No Parties
Download: Roman Tick
Tweet

Freedom Fry Are Tasty

Freedom Fry is the French & American duo of Marie Seyrat and Bruce Driscoll. Based between Paris and Los Angeles, the pair met when Marie worked as a stylist on a video for Bruce's other band, Blondfire (Where The Kids Are). After being blown away by hearing Seyrat sing with her whispery, unique, French accented vocals, Driscoll asked her if she'd be interested in writing some songs together. The first five songs they ever wrote together became 2011's Let The Games Begin EP.

Their following single Earthquake garnered rave reviews and was a single-of-the-week in the well respected French music mag, Les Inrockuptibles. They continue to write songs for their debut LP and in the meantime they're releasing a steady stream of singles & videos leading up to its release of which you can check out below.  If you ever liked Ivy...you should do yourself a favor and have a summer fling with Freedom Fry...

Download: Summer In The City
Tweet

Red Ax Jam Cross the Line

Red Ax Jam (Jared Rood, Paul-Peter Merron, Josiah Gladwell, Nima Chatrizeh and Max Davey) are a new London based blues rock influenced band. That sound more like they're from deep in the heart of the American South than the bustling metropolis of London.

Gritty, snarly, raw, and uncompromising Red Ax Jam turn their amps up to eleven and just kick some arse wherever they manage to show up. It's not complicated stuff but it doesn't need to be because it's hooks are what lure you in and overrun your mind.

They've just released their single Cross The Line and its available from all the usual outlets.

Download: Yeah, It's About You
Tweet

Borgeous and Club Life Know It's You

After spending the last couple of days in the indie disco...it's time to head out to the club and get our groove on. Here to do just that is Borgeous & Club Life. While I normally don't like the whole "electro house," thing because it's primarily NOT electro nor is it very house. Put it this way, if house is a feeling than electro house is like a beat-down of tuneless noise in a dark alley. Anyway, there are exceptions to every rule and that's where these guys come in.

Taking a proper song and roughing it up just a bit, Borgeous & Club Life with the additional help of Sophie Leonard have created a dance floor gobbler of such magnitude it's impossible to escape from. Taking a huge pop hook, running it through enough commercial house to make it huge, and then sharpening it's edges with electro house touches the whole thing is one massive jam that should be Top 40 somewhere, if not everywhere.

Borgeous & Club Life answer the question, "You know it's summer when...." And It's You who knows that answer.

Download: It's You
Tweet

Slam Donahue Pull A Quick One

When you name your band Slam Donahue I think you can expect listeners to view you a certain way. It's all in the name...it's kind of violent and my mind went straight to some cage match wrestling imagery. But as the say goes, "You can't judge a book by it's cover." And that's especially true with this bunch.

Slam Donahue is anything but violent. In fact, these guys are so sunshiny, frivolous, and jolly that they're probably Disney employees. Anyway, they've just released their rather sinister EP Hemlock Tea. Once again, a red herring as judging by the first tune, "I Turn On," it's not really to sinister at all. This is all jumpy rhythms, strummy guitars, folky rock vocals, and a sense of this being a feel good hit of the summer.

Hear for yourself...just don't drink the tea. I mean they sound happy...it doesn't mean they are happy

Download: I Turn On
Tweet

Making Marks Makes One

Making Marks, from Oslo, Norway are the latest addition to Fika Recordings label. After 5 years as My Little Pony, they’ve slimmed down to a 4 piece to become Making Marks. They’ve gigged with the likes of Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Asobi Seksu and Marit Larsen, toured extensively around Europe and the USA, including appearances at SXSW.

The debut single from Making Marks, Ticket Machine, will be released by Fika Recordings in October 2012 on 7″ vinyl. They’ll be in the UK playing some shows in September. A full length album is due in the spring of 2013.

Download: Hard To Be Good
Tweet

The Young Evils Plot A Return

The Young Evils have returned with a new EP, Foreign Spells, and while their alluring boy-girl harmonies remain the band have taken a darker turn down pop's corridor, combining '60s doo-wop melodies with a bombastic rhythm section and noisy guitars. Gone are the cheery acoustic strummings of Foreign Spells' predecessor, 2010's acclaimed debut Enchanted Chapel. The band instead opted to focus on creating a sinister pop framework to underscore the talents of the band's better half, starlet Mackenzie Mercer.

If the infectious pop The Young Evils conjure has strayed from its sunnier former-self, so too have their lyrics, revealing the band's propensity for the dreary and dark. "Dead Animals is what we'll become" members, Mercer and Nelson proclaim in the four-track EP's first single "Dead Animals." The song perfectly exemplifies the band's duality, charming but realistic and gloomy all at once.It's disturbing and true...but yet easy on the ears.  Check it out below.

Download: Dead Animals
Tweet

Romans Head Back...Way Back

What would happen if Spoon went a bit glam? Well that's question Romans might know a little something about. Just releasing their debut single, Mystery Girl, Romans will make you forget everything you knew about rock n’ roll. Bonded together by Jeremy Fury (Singer for Ohio-based band, We Are the Fury) and Craig Bonich (Guitarist of Head Automatica and Jaguar Love), Romans strive for a timeless sound that knows no boundaries.

Incorporating the best parts of 50’s Doo Wop, 60’s Brit-Rock, and 70’s Glam, Romans bring together an array of sounds to create the perfect blend of musical nostalgia while looking forward. With elements of The Rolling Stones and a nod to T-Rex and Ziggy Stardust era David Bowie, there is no denying that Romans are in love with the past...and the future.

"If you go far enough into the future and look back at a specific period from the past, everything seems to blend together," Fury says.  And that's where these Romans want you to lend them your ear.

Download: Mystery Girl
Tweet

Dinosaur Jr Bet On The Sky

On September 17th 2012 Dinosaur Jr will be releasing a new album entitled I Bet On Sky through [PIAS].

The tracklisting is:
1. Don't Pretend You Didn't Know
2. Watch The Corners
3. Almost Fare
4. Stick A Toe In
5. Rude
6. I Know It Oh So Well
7. Pierce The Morning Rain
8. What Was That
9. Recognition
10. See It On Your Side


I Bet on Sky is the third Dinosaur Jr. album since the original trio – J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph – reformed in 2005. It marks the band’s 10th studio album since their debut on Homestead Records in 1985 and their first since the 2009 album Farm.

Listen: Watch The Corners

Jon Lindsay Launches A Summer Wilderness Program

Jon Lindsay has been on a pretty incredible tear since emerging on the national indie rock scene in 2010. After going solo in 2009 from prominent roles in several well known bands (most notably Benji Hughes and The Young Sons), the Oregon-born, North Carolina-raised singer/songwriter/instrumentalist released 2 critically acclaimed EP's, a stunning debut LP (2010's Escape From Plaza-Midwood), and a debut LP Rumormill for his side band, The Catch Fire, all while playing upwards of 150 national shows between 2010 and 2011.

Up next is Lindsay's highly anticipated LP #2, entitled Summer Wilderness Program. This new record LP is a tight yet expansive 12-track concept album that finds Lindsay revisiting some previously established strengths while also exploring plenty of new territory, as his listeners have come to expect.  If you can imagine Ben Gibbard in a bit of a power pop mood you've pretty much got Jon Lindsay pegged.  It's super melodic stuff that's got just enough spikiness to it to keep in interesting.  Check out, "After Dark," and I think you'll agree.

Download: After Dark 

VanShe Have An Idea Of Happiness

Idea Of Happiness, the first single off Van She's forthcoming album by the same name, is available digitally today worldwide. The remix package includes edits by Jonti, Herve, SebastiAn, and What So Not.

To say that it's awesome would be a severe understatement. Taking electro and giving it a bit of sunshine, retro sheen and high gloss, Idea of Happiness is a blinding single that looks back to their past but blasts itself forward into the summer. Idea of Happiness is the sort of song you'll be singing all summer long, so you might as well get started now and download it below.

While you're trying desperately to get Idea of Happiness out of your head, Van She's new album will be released in July via Modular.

Download: Idea of Happiness (SebastiAn Remix)
Tweet