A blog to promote the work accomplished by underground independent musicians and the occasional mainstream artist.
Welcome!
Have you ever: Wished your iTunes would be more full than it is? Been embarrassed by having too much (or any) Bruno Mars? Wanted to sound like a snobby hipster by talking about bands that no one knows? Wanted to feel something from listening to music?
If you answered yes to any of those questions. This blog is for you!
Welcome to 2013! This year started off with a bang with the release of A$AP's new album LONGLIVEA$AP. One of the songs on the album which I particularly liked, LVL, was produced by Clams Casino, a guy who I've heard of but never really explored, but his style is so unique. He's a terrific producer and electronic musician so I posted two of his songs below. Youth Lagoon also came out with a new album. This one sounds more manufactured to me and not just the doing of Trevor Powers: still great though. Finally, I had never heard of Soko until this month, but "First Love Never Dies" sounds like a something a female version of Bright Eyes would have made.
Red - Pop Blue - Electronic Green - Alternative Yellow - Hip hop
The lineup is finally here! After waiting almost a month more than usual the people at Goldenvoice have posted the lineup Coachella 2013. I've attached the link below and tickets go on sale TUESDAY JANUARY 29TH AT 10:00 AM PT. So if you haven't already purchased your ticket like me, be sure to be at your computer exactly at 10 am if not earlier setting up. For those of you who don't get tickets, don't fret! Many of the bands tour around Southern California during the week between the festivals. But if there is a year to go, it's this year. This might be my favorite festival line up I have seen since I've started following them. Below are 22 songs from the 22 bands I wish I could all see at Coachella, but I know conflicts will crush those dreams. The songs are listed in order of how excited I am to see them live and the songs I picked are mostly ones I haven't posted here yet but I still love. Some of the bands are lowered because I have already seen them a lot (Danny Brown and Cloud Nothings). From older rock bands like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Modest Mouse to newer bands like Youth Lagoon and Purity Ring, this Coachella is bound to be an amazing experience.
http://www.coachella.com/lineup
1. Dramamine - Modest Mouse
I've wanted to see Modest Mouse ever since I didn't go to their show in Chicago my junior year of high school. They don't tour as much anymore so any opportunity to see them live must be taken! Modest Mouse has so many great songs and albums, but I especially love the bridge in Dramamine.
2. Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
The YYYs are back. Since It's Blitz! came out in 2009 they have been MIA from the music industry, but Karen O and company are in the middle of making a new album that will be out this spring which I'm sure will be heavily incorporated in their set.
3. Clawlersout - Purity Ring
Purity Ring is a fun band to see live. They have these glowing orbs that change colors depending on the pitch. One could think that Purity Ring wouldn't sound good live, but their performance last summer at Pitchfork throws that theory out the door.
4. Limit to Your Love - James Blake
James Blake live and James Blake on record are not the same. For those of you fortunate enough to have good headphones or a bass heavy speaker system, you have heard the subtleties in James Blake's songs. Now imagine a more explosive version of that and that is what you will feel seeing James Blake live.
5. Younger Us - Japandroids
For those moshers out their, a Japandroids show is for you. Not only are the fans yelling every line of every song, but the massive mosh pit is an amazing way to experience Japandroids.
6. Afternoon - Youth Lagoon
Youth Lagoon will also be amazing to see, but for very different reasons. Trevor Powers is making a new album that will be out this spring and I'm sure that between his first album, The Year of Hibernation and this new one, he will play a stellar show.
7. 1901 - Phoenix
Another band with a new album coming out this year. These Frenchmen will throw a great late night dance party on the second night.
8. O.N.E. - Yeasayer
Yeasayer has this crazy electronic vibe. While I didn't like their new album as much as Odd Blood, they will throw a really funky show.
9. Islands - The xx
I haven't seen The xx live since 2009 and I don't know how well their sound will translate in an open venue. This show could be really hit or miss.
10. Fall In - Cloud Nothings
This show will have a very similar vibe and crowd to the Japandroids show.
11. Weekend - Smith Westerns
For those of you reading this in Chicago, these kids graduated from North Side College Prep in like 2008.
12. Other People - Beach House
One of the most pretentious sounding indie bands out now, but who cares they rock.
13. Scar Tissue - Red Hot Chili Peppers
They were really fun at Lollapolooza and I can only assume they'll be just as good here.
14. Cry Like a Ghost - Passion Pit
Both of their albums have been fantastic. Seeing them live will be a fun party with a bunch of 16 year olds.
15. Grown Up - Danny Brown
Danny is such a very unique rapper. His show will be the funniest hip hop show of the weekend.
16. Take Me to the Riot - Stars
This Toronto based band came out with a great new album in 2012 called The North.
17. Dark Star - Polica
In an interview Bon Iver's Justin Vernon told Rolling Stone that "they're the best band I've ever heard." So maybe you'll think so too.
18. Help I'm Alive - Metric
Also a Toronto based band, Metric, lead by singer Emily Haines, reinforces that New Wave is not only a man's game.
19. Oxford Comma - Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend has not had many shows in the past year. Their show at Pitchfork was great, so I assume their Coachella show will be great too.
20. Earl - Earl Sweatshirt
Don't be surprised if some of the OFWGKTA crew makes an apearence during the show
21. Back In Your Head - Tegan and Sara
They have a new album Heartthrob coming out in 2013
22. Teenage Crime - Adrian Lux
I'm only going to see him for this song. It's that good
With the beginning of the new year, I thought I would write a blog post that also had to do with beginnings. When making an album, every artist needs a stellar first track to get the listener hooked. Here, I have ranked some of my favorite first tracks from some of my favorite albums. Qualifications for the placement varies from developing a great build up (Sleeping Lessons), to starting off with a bang getting the listener excited for more (What Ever Happened?). Enjoy!
