Spanish Prisoners: 'Los Angeles Guitar Dream' MP3

The title of the song signals what's in-store; tremolos, ethereal waves and dreamy vocals. That's pretty close, but there's something unexpectedly fresh and clean about the sound of Spanish Prisoners. "Los Angeles Guitar Dream" is an awesome title too -- I can't believe no one has used it -- and to be honest I'm a little jealous. But these Brooklynites own each syllable as they nod to legends like Roxy Music and Siouxsie & the Banshees, a different kind of "dreamy". Those two acts have pretty distinct, and very contrasting, sounds and styles that have stood the test of time, but hopefully it will make sense to you.

You can download the band's new 3-song EP Los Angeles Guitar Dream for free by clicking here. Other tracks included vary in approach like the humorous "Ask Isaac Asimov" (wish I could) and "Kiss the Lawn Goodbye", which may or may not be a cutting remark about the impact of several recent Home Depot closures/layoffs in California.

|||Spanish Prisoners: "Los Angeles Guitar Dream" MP3|||

VOICEsVOICEs recording with Prefuse 73

Nothing bad can come from this marriage of experimental musicians. Two L.A. space cadets who specialize in feel-based atmospherics, liquid guitars and loops venture into the studio with one of the Warp's most influential and dynamic artists to create something out of this world. I was sold after my first VOICEsVOICEs live experience last year -- a transporting and cerebral experience of sound -- and this forthcoming EP that the trio are working on should blow my mind once again. Here's an excerpt from the duo's producer, Prefuse 73 maestro Guillermo Scott Herren via L.A. Record:

"Why I chose to produce: "VoicesVoices" ?????
1. I have a hard time understanding how a band that sound so sick on just a raw live recording can still be selling e.p.s out of their trunk.

2. I want them to not have to sell e.p.s out of the back of their car, so I said I’m down to help them produce their music and take it wherever they want to take it as far as my studio is capable.

3. I like the way they do business. There is no business. No money involved allows me not to be on the phone with a label dude.

4. They sang “Happy Birthday” to me the other day. That pretty much ruled in itself.

5. They kill it live. I can’t even categorize their music based on how they make it. It can be listened to in so many different ways.
————————————–
O.K. - I don’t what else to say besides the fact that I’d never produce someone’s record when I’m in the middle of my own shit storm if I didn’t think it was already amazing as it is. Draw your own conclusion here and listen"

Enough said. VOICEsVOICEs have already played more live shows than most bands will attempt in their entire career. Still, you can catch them all over town this summer and fall, and you'd be foolish not to.


- Photo courtesy of Inflight at Night

Summer Cats: 'Hey You' Stream

In the past five years Australia has predominately been known for it's electro-pop darlings and early metal-psych worshipers. So I was happy to discover an outfit that fans of The Pastels and Heavenly would swoon for, Melbourne's Summer Cats. The quintet ooze boy-girl pop harmonies and catchy, sugary, keyboard and guitar melodies that would fit seamlessly into the Sarah records catalog.

"Hey You" is taken from the band's forthcoming full-length Songs For Tuesdays coming July 14 on Slumberland. You can also catch Summer Cats during their inaugural American tour next month.

|||Summer Cats: "Hey You" Stream|||

Schedule:

7/11: Mai's Cafe – Ventura, CA
7/12: The Echo (Part Time Punks) – Los Angeles, CA
7/13: the Knockout – San Francisco, CA
7/15: The Blue Lamp – Sacramento, CA
7/16: The Backspace - Portland, OR

Ulrich Schnauss: 'It's Raining Today (Scott Walker cover)' Stream

I finally got a hold of this amazing disc honoring the brilliant and inspiring music of Scott Walker. 30th Century Man isn't a soundtrack to the documentary (2007), it's a homage where selected artists pay tribute to the legend by covering his songs. And so many of these artists really poured their souls into it.

This Ulrich Schnauss version of "It's Raining Today" is amazing. He creates luscious synths and samples that mirror an oceanic world -- highlighting the original melody.

|||Ulrich Schnauss: "It's Raining Today" Stream|||

Check out the details and track listing of this release, which you can buy here:



1. “Duchess” by Peter Broderick
2. “Big Louise” by Sally Norvell
3. “World’s Strongest Man” by Damon & Naomi
4. “Manhattan” by Saint Etienne
5. “The Electrician” by Laurie Anderson
6. “The Seventh Seal” by Nicole Atkins
7. “Montague Terrace (in Blue)” by Dot Allison
8. “The Bridge” by Bee & Flower
9. “Rhymes of Goodbye” by Stephanie Dosen
10. “It’s Raining Today” by Ulrich Schnauss
11. “A Lover Loves” by Jarboe
12. “Such a Small Love” by Little Annie & Paul Walfisch

Extra: Scott Walker: 30th Century Man is playing at the New Beverly Cinema this week on July 1st and 2nd.

Spoon: 'Got Nuffin' MP3

It's probably not news to you that Spoon will release a new EP tomorrow, the band's first new music since Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. If you were unaware then Surprise! Spoon is releasing a new EP tomorrow called Got Nuffin via Merge.

It's got a really catchy bass line, driving skins, and Brit's juicy-vibratoed guitar solos featuring different styles and personalities in each chorus. Reminds me of something recorded in the Kill the Moonlight sessions, and you can't beat that. Get the download over at I Guess I'm Floating. Here's the EP details:


Got Nuffin:

1. Got Nuffin
2. Tweakers
3. Stroke Their Brains

Get Got Nuffin tomorrow on CD, 7", 12" or Download HERE.

Autolux adding tour dates, gearing up for an album release?

I still have absolutely no idea about the album release date of Transit Transit, and I don't know anyone who does. However, the L.A. trio who knocked the pants off of fans and critics with 2004's Future Perfect can start feeling a little more optimistic about the release of the band's sophomore effort. Autolux is adding shows to its current touring schedule. That's got to mean something right?

Schedule:
8/28: Outside Lands Festival - San Francisco, CA
9/8: Black Cat - Washington, DC
9/9: Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA
9/10: Paradise - Boston, MA
9/12: All Tomorrow's Parties (New York) - Monticello, NY
9/14: Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
9/15: Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY

Autolux's MySpace page has also confirmed that the group will be posting tour dates for fans in these select cities very soon: Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, Madison (WI), Chicago, Pittsburgh, Omaha and Denver.

'Kick out the Clots' featuring BRMC, Great Northern, Dead Meadow and more!

This is a benefit show for Spaceland's Jennifer Tefft. Jen was recently hospitalized due to a blood clotting disorder, and the bills associated with this are beyond shitty. She’s put together a crazy-good lineup to help pay the outrageous medical costs. You can't beat a $25 cover for the cause and powerhouse lineup.

The show is this Thursday, July 2nd at 7PM and is an 18+ event. I didn't know this, but apparently the Moving Units are still a band, yet they're only doing a DJ set?

Bands:
She Wants Revenge
NO LONGER PLAYING: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (acoustic)
Ladies Choir (Eleni Mandell, Becky Stark & more)
Great Northern
Dead Meadow
Moving Units (DJ Set)
Living Things
Rocco DeLuca
Nico Stai
Useless Keys

DJs:
Sylvia (Sinking Radio)
Dia (Club NME, etc.)
Bronson (Buzz Bands)

Update: From BRMC's Myspace page:

"BRMC PULLS OFF BENEFIT SHOW: Due to unexpected events, BRMC will no longer be able to perform at The Kick out the Clots benefit at The Echoplex this coming Thursday. The band is so sorry to do this to Jennifer and to everyone who bought tickets, but the decision was unavoidable."

The Twilight Sad: 'I Became a Prostitute' Stream

Scottish space-rock wizards The Twilight Sad have unveiled another devastating, and totally straightforward, track from its upcoming album Forget the Night Ahead. The quartet up the tempo and lay down some heavy guitar warping on this, the first single coming August 3rd on Fat Cat. Sounds like a lost jam from Interpol's Turn on The Bright Lights...or should I say Kitchens of Distinction? Either way this song is really good -- lots of emotion and tension in the vocals.

|||The Twilight Sad: "I Became a Prostitute" Stream|||

Indie Classics Become Penguin Books

Desinger Huw Gwilliam took loads of classic albums and transformed them into signature Penguin style books. Check out the entire collection here and some great samples below. Just to make it clear, these are not really books.

Belle & Sebastian - Tigermilk:


Broadcast - The Noise Made By People:


Lali Puna - Scary World Theory:


Primal Scream - Screamadelica:


The Wedding Present - Bizarro:

Other inner-nets

How is this guy's latest album not in the "Best New Music" category?

Update: When this was originally posted last night the Pitchfork review of Bibio's 'Ambivalence Avenue' was not in the "Best New Music" category. Weird right?

New Mew over at Stereogum!

Aquarium Drunkard has an interview with Will Cullen Hart (Circulatory System/Olivia Tremor Control).

Anyone catch the uncontainable Art Brut during their week-long L.A. binge? L.A. Record has live photos.

I'm pretty excited to see Sonic Youth when they return to L.A. this fall at the Wiltern. I had no idea that tickets went on sale earlier today until I visited You Set the Scene.

Amateur Chemist shot some radical photos of Dinosaur Jr. for the OC Weekly.

Girls have a new album and tour in store for fans. There's also a newly mastered version of "Morning Light" at their MySpace.

Jax over at Rock Insider is featuring this dope video of St. Vincent performing "Marrow" on Late Night with David Letterman. Annie Clark should be the official role model for every young girl in America. What a talented chica she is.

Michael Jackson Dies at 50

According to TMZ, Michael Jackson has passed away:

"We've just learned Michael Jackson has died. He was 50.

Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back.

A source tells us Jackson was dead when paramedics arrived."

Update: LA Times announces that the King of Pop has been pronounced dead.

Bibio: 'Ambivalence Avenue' MP3

Bibio's new Warp release Ambivalence Avenue is a record you must own. Drafting lines and compositions that recall Boards of Canada, Prefuse 73 and Caribou. It's a melting pot of musical brilliance, and this title track can do no wrong.

Overall, the songs found on Ambivalence Avenue bounce back and forth between organic, hazy guitar ballads and conceptual, beat-driven electronica. I have a feeling that most of these tracks will come across as background music or "Folky" to the average listener, but there's a childlike freedom and playful psychedelia that pours from the melodies, which is undeniable. It feels soothing and familiar -- kind of like a re-imagining of the "Pinball Theme Song" from Sesame Street. A track like "Ambivalence Avenue" is high on imagination and leaves any folk comparisons in its wake.

|||Bibio: "Ambivalence Avenue" MP3|||

SOSMIX - 19

Hi. It's the long overdue SOSMIX. It's also officially summer, and summer in Los Angeles kicks ass. Not sure what that means other than this mix reflects the bright and sunny vibes happening in my head.

|||Download: "SOSMIX - 19" ZIP|||

1. A Sunny Day in Glasgow/Solus: "Panic Attacks Are What Make Me "Me" (Solus remix)"
2. Black Moth Super Rainbow: "Twin of Myself (The Go! Team remix)"
3. Bodycode: "What Did You Say"
4. Circulatory System: "Overjoyed"
5. Daniel Rossen: "Waterfall"
6. Deerhunter: "Rainwater Cassette Exchange"
7. Discovery: "Orange Shirt"
8. Frankel: "Weather Balloon"
9. Polvo: "Beggar's Bowl"
10. The Radio Dept.: "David"

The Depreciation Guild: 'Dream About Me' Video

If there ever was a video that fits the essence of an artist's music it's this colorful clip for The Depreciation Guild's new single "Dream About Me". The song is much poppier and pristine than the trio's high-flying and bleached out In Her Gentle Jaws, but still refreshing and more interesting than 99% of any indie rock I've heard all year. At the same time, if you removed Kurt's vocals and replaced them with shoegaze legends Miki Berenyi or Andrew Sheriff you might not even recognize this band.

The Depreciation Guild's new single "Dream About Me" is coming soon on Kanine Records. Pre-order the limited-edition white vinyl goodness complete with digital downloads.

The Depreciation Guild: "Dream About Me" - Directed by Jack Ferry:



(via P4K)

Ian Rogers at NARM

Ian Rogers is a household name for music biz nerds and people following the new channels that are being created and re-structured for musicians who want to make a living and keep making great art. This clip is ancient in internet-speak, but the message and dialogue that flows between Rogers, interviewer Eliot Van Buskirk (WIRED), and a few audience members is refreshing -- and answers a lot of questions. I also like that Rogers addresses the uncertainty of the industry that still exists, which in turn makes it exciting for all artists at the ground level with no label to push/market their music.

A Sunny Day in Glasgow reveal 'Ashes Grammar' details

A Sunny Day in Glasgow has unveiled the artwork and track listing for its highly anticipated follow up to 2007's brilliant Scribble Mural Comic Journal. The new full-length is titled Ashes Grammar and will hit digital outlets/record shops on September 15 via Mis Ojos Disco.

CD/Download artwork below. Vinyl info/artwork (limited to 250 copies on colored wax) can be found here.

Track listing:

1. Magna For Annie, Josh & Robin
2. Secrets At The Prom
3. Slaughter Killing Carnage (The Meaning Of Words)
4. Failure
5. Curse Words
6. Close Chorus
7. Shy
8. Lights
9. Passionate Introverts (Dinosaurs)
10. West Philly Vocoder
11. Evil, With Evil, Against Evil
12. The White Witch
13. Nitetime Rainbows
14. Canalfish
15. Loudly
16. Blood White
17. Ashes Grammar
18. Ashes Maths
19. Miss My Friends
20. Starting At A Disadvantage
21. Life’s Great
22. Headphone Space

Polvo: 'Beggar's Bowl' MP3

Those who read this blog know what a huge fan I am of North Carolina's Polvo. I have so much respect for the quartet as musicians and innovators who have released several amazing indie-math-rock albums in the 1990s. Their records are basically classics at this point.

As previously reported, The band signed to Merge this year and will release In Prism (that's the cover art above) on September 8. Here's Polvo reminding everyone what they do best on "Beggar's Bowl". Tricky time signatures, note bending, solos, and repetitive overlapping tones -- it's all there:

|||Polvo: "Beggar's Bowl" MP3|||

Other inner-nets

According to P4K, Air is set to release its fifth album, Love 2, on Oct.6 via Astralwerks. The full-length is preceded by the singles "Do the Joy" (July 6) and "Sing Sang Sung" (August 25).

Silversun Pickups just took the #1 spot on Billboard's "Hot Modern Rock Tracks" chart. Dang.

Amusement Parks on Fire will play a small gig this Saturday at Long Beach's Prospector restaurant/venue.

U.K. arena/prog-rockers Muse are reportedly releasing its fifth studio album on September 14 (via Chromewaves).

Over at Stereogum, Black Moth Super Rainbow's "Twin of Myself" gets remixed by The Go! Team.

Dead Body Found at Bonnaroo

This is sad. A dead body of an unidentified young man, believed to be in his twenties according to the Tennesseean, was found at the Bonnaroo grounds by a cleaning crew. More here.

The Radio Dept.: 'David' Stream

It's been way too long since The Radio Dept.'s last full-length, but thankfully the trio return to sweep indie poppers off their feet on June 24th with a new EP titled David (Labrador). And just in time too. I'm sooooo tired of being bombarded with PR blasts and promises of "new and exciting music", or, "there's just something really nice about these guys", and my favorite, "it's the new low-fi!". It's actually the "new shit-tastic" from my point of view and always feels so technically lame, thoughtless, scrappy, dull, or simply murky and flat for the sake of getting a blog post from you girlfriend's buddy who's "really into Dirty Projectors" and "gets it". Fuck it.

On a happier note, The Radio Dept.'s next full-length, Clinging to a Scheme, is supposedly coming out shortly after this release. More details on that as they come in. Is it just me or does the title track "David" remind you of a more saddened and ethereal take on OMD's classic "(Forever) Live and Die)"? Forgot how rad OMD are/were.

|||The Radio Dept.: "David" Stream|||


Order the David EP here.

Blur: 'Coffee & TV' Live Video!

Wow. Are you excited about the Blur reunion yet? If not, you should be after these recent live versions that have surfaced on YouTube -- taken from the quartet's East Anglian Railway Museum gig on Saturday. Here's one of my faves "Coffee & TV":

Blur: "Coffee & TV" - East Anglian Railway Museum (6/13/2009):




Here's the jaw-dropping setlist (via NME):

She's So High
Girls & Boys
Tracy Jacks
There's No Other Way
Jubilee
Badhead
Beetlebum
Trimm Trabb
Coffee & TV
Tender
Country House
Charmless Man
Colin Zeal
Oily Water
Chemical World
Sunday Sunday
Parklife
End of a Century
To the End
This Is a Low
Popscene
Advert
Song 2
Out of Time
Battery in Your Leg
Sing
For Tomorrow
The Universal

BuzzBands.la at Echoplex tonight!

In an earlier post last year I made it clear that the L.A. Times music section would be a pointless read without Kevin Bronson's musical expertise and coverage of Los Angeles music and beyond. I still feel the same as I did back then and haven't given that section, or the paper in general, a second of my time. This flyer below is a celebration and thanks to everyone who loves music and reads Buzzbands.la (Re-post).

Other inner-nets

Not sure if you've noticed but I've been extremely busy in the past month, even missed some prime shows around town because of it. Need to get a schedule so this blog doesn't become stale.

Here are some great links to other destinations:

The WARP Records 20th anniversary box set looks sublime. It includes a combination of CD, vinyl and stunning artwork. Preorder here.

Micachu is offering a free download of older material titled "Kwesachu". It's a 51 minute-long take on grime, idm, pop and ambient-psych all wrapped up into a mini-orchestra of sorts.

Wow. So far, the Sunset Junction lineup looks about as exciting as a bowl of Cream of Wheat. If I was in Grande Ronde -- one of L.A.'s most under-appreciated bands -- I'd be pissed over that an act like War Tapes are playing two slots later in the day.

Derek Miller writes a sharp and precise review of Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest over at Passion of the Weiss.

Good news for budding vinyl shops Origami and Vacation, vinyl sales are strong in 2009 (Pop & Hiss).

L.A.'s only shoegaze/ethereal hotspot, Club Volaine, is back at Roberto's in China Town. I haven't been there in years.

Camera Obscura: 'Honey in the Sun' Video

As long as Tracyanne Campbell and her mates continue to make great pop gems like this then I can wait for another Belle & Sebastian album. Both bands have a knack for dramatic songs that focus on the details without being too crafty. Although, I like that Camera Obscura's vocals add a bit more mystery underneath the bouncy, vibrant pop.

I think it would be cool to hang out with Campbell. She seems like the kind of gal who's not afraid to throw back a few dark lagers or make fun of surface-level chicks cruising into bars. Unfortunately, I'm going to miss them tomorrow night at the Henry Fonda.

Camera Obscura: "Honey in the Sun" - Directed by Blair Young:



(via Spinner)

Frankel: 'Weather Balloon' MP3

Frankel (Michael Orendy) returns with "Weather Balloon", a brand new track featured on his forthcoming album Anonymity is the New Fame, coming June 23 on Autumn Tone. The song starts off gentle and relaxing with Orendy's acoustic guitar slowly inching towards a vibratoed electric charge. But be patient, because all of the elements are soon joined by a rhythm section and, eventually, a glowing cloud of keys that adds atmosphere and mood. "Weather Balloon" is half acoustic folk (much like his excellent debut Lullaby for the Passerby) and half space pop, which hints at a promising and more dynamic sophomore effort. Resistance is futile:

|||Frankel: "Weather Balloon" MP3|||


- photo by Luxpix

Farmer Dave Scher: 'Surf Out Sunset' Stream

If you've been living in Los Angeles as a fan of KXLU radio, Beechwood Sparks or the amazing All Night Radio the name "Farmer Dave" should ring a bell. For those who need a quick introduction Dave Scher is an accomplished musician, having played pedal steel & lap steel with the likes of Elvis Costello, Interpol, Jenny Lewis and many more distinguished artists -- not a bad resume right? I was stoked to wake up this morning with a tip to Kemado's site and saw that Dave is releasing his first 7" single featuring the tracks "Bab'lone Nights" and "You Pick Me Up", which you can pre-order here.

The first stream that caught my ear was "Surf Out Sunset", an atmospheric and warm summer ballad that nods to the psychedelia explored with All Night Radio. The songs from his forthcoming 7" can also be streamed at Dave Scher's Myspace page.

|||Farmer Dave Scher: "Surf Out Sunset" Stream|||


Schedule (all shows with Jenny Lewis):

6/4: Madison, WI - Barrymore Theatre
6/5: Chicago, IL - Park West
6/8: Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero Theatre
6/9: Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
6/10: Boston, MA - House of Blues
6/11: Washington D.C. - 9:30 Club
6/12: Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle

Update: Farmer Dave's debut solo record, Flash Forward To The Good Times, drops August 18th on Kemado. Guest appearances include members of Entrance, Jonathan Wilson and Devendra Banhart producer Thom Monahan.

Other inner-nets

Polvo are releasing a new album on Merge in September titled In Prism (via P4K). If you could only see how excited I am right now.

Speaking of awesomeness, Kevin Bronson's Buzz Bands is shaming all blogs by presenting a show with a pretty epic lineup, including the much-missed Lassie Foundation. Sharing the bill are Amusement Parks on Fire, Magic Mirror, and The Broken Remotes.

Aquarium Drunkard presents Memphis & The Delta Blues Trail: Great Destinations. Buy it, read it, know it.

Get your concert guidelines and recommendations at YSTS.

Fluxblog is offering a new Sonic Youth track, "Walkin' Blue".

I kind of feel bad for Wavves because their music is so terrible yet they are treated with fragility and praised beyond belief (not really their fault). However, I actually feel even worse for Mika Miko. Not because their new video and song is pure lameness, but they too are being judged and heralded for such over-reaching musical characteristics. Look around the inner-nets and you can already see the path that's being outlined and highlighted for them by so many bloggers and journalists. This is exactly what happened to major labels, alternative radio and top 40 artists in the late 1980s, and it continued into what that system is now: broke and lifeless. I can already see the trend moving into the indie rock spectrum as artists who lack in talent, skill and imagination are grabbing headlines and actually being billed at major festivals...why?

Circulatory System: 'Overjoyed' MP3

This is a very nice surprise. Circulatory System will return after eight years with a new album titled Signal Morning (Cloud Recordings) on August 8. This little taste of sunshine is called "Overjoyed" and it sounds as bright and melodic as its title suggests -- with added value kazoo! Longtime fans of the CS are gonna fall in love with the band all over again.

|||Circulatory System: "Overjoyed" MP3|||

National Skyline: 'Bloom' Video

National Skyline return with its second video installment from Bliss & Death, "Bloom". The clip illustrates the hazy, atmospheric nature of the track while our shadowy character reinforces that there's only one guy working the magic on this album, and that's Jeff Garber. Still my favorite L.A. artist/album release of the year. Go to the band's MySpace page to read about another upcoming EP.

National Skyline: "Bloom" - Directed by Nathan Rosser:

San Diego's 'Street Scene' festival announces lineup

I went to Street Scene back in 2004 (Qualcom Stadium) and it played out like a big party run by professionals -- nailing down the best bands while providing lots of space, alcohol, food and ease for all music fans. Now that they've brought the festival back to downtown in the past couple of years I have no experience to comment on.

The lineup was just announced and it looks...small. Other than M.I.A., Black Eyed Peas and Modest Mouse I think Silversun Pickups will have the largest draw. Some other great bands I'd love to catch down in the Gaslamp District are Deerhunter, Band of Horses and Calexico. Maybe it's time to rethink the Wavves booking?

Initial lineup (August 28 & 29):

Black Eyed Peas
M.I.A.
Thievery Corporation
Modest Mouse
The Dead Weather
Cake
Silversun Pickups
Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band
Band of Horses
Girl Talk
MSTRKRFT
Chromeo
Mastodon
Ozomatli
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
Devendra Banhart
Bassnectar
Shooter Jennings
No Age
Calexico
West Indian Girl
Ra Ra Riot
Deerhunter
Donald Glaude
Matt and Kim
Los Campesinos
Grand Ole Party
LA Riots
Anya Marina
Holy F**k
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
Blue Scholars
Crocodiles
Wavves
Zee Avi
Extra Golden
Carney