Astronauts is the new project from Dan Carney, formerly of critically-acclaimed East London alt-folkers Dark Captain. After his former band finished in 2012, Dan decided to go it alone, enlisting the help of a few friends – most frequently former bandmate Michael Cranny – basically, when he needs it. Continue reading “astronauts | in my direction”
far out magazine | childhood | rosa brook
“The wonderment of spontaneity and serendipitous findings are rife with both good and bad stuff, but the good stuff prevails.”
So, I’m tweeting, as I am want to do. All pliant and dextrous fingers doing what the brain bids then. Eyes taking it all in, searching fervently for a cool bit of cool to share. I am determined and in the end a very lucky “sum bitch”. Continue reading “far out magazine | childhood | rosa brook”
jade hopcroft | leave you alone
When Jade Hopcroft opens up her mouth take cover! With her latest Leave You Alone she let’s fly with such irresistible and succulent shrapnel. Her lyrics are double-edged too, for they eviscerate those with an inability to resist such beauty. But Ms. Hopcroft also reveals her vulnerabilities meted out in degrees of magic spell and infinite fragility, and if that isn’t the moon upon a stick then I shan’t tell you what is. Peace. Continue reading “jade hopcroft | leave you alone”
chris staples | dark side of the moon | american soft lp
The song Dark Side of the Moon is taken from Chris Staples’ Barsuk Records debut American Soft, available August 12, 2014.
In the end there are no casual Chris Staples fans. The man inspires devotion. The turnaround from casual listener to evangelist is nearly instantaneous. Play his music during a road trip with friends and inevitably someone will ask, “Who is this?” And a lifelong fan is born. Such is the unaffected power of these songs, of this voice. Chris Staples fandom is rewarding and lasting (despite his understated approach to promoting his own work, which — as it should be with all artists — seems secondary to the effort he puts into the making of it). We follow where he leads, and our numbers are growing. Peace. Continue reading “chris staples | dark side of the moon | american soft lp”
edj | edj
Eric Donald Johnson (born June 7, 1976) is an American singer-songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the leader of the influential folk-rock band Fruit Bats, and for his frequent collaborations with bands such as The Shins, Vetiver and Califone. He has also scored films, most notably Our Idiot Brother and Smashed. In 2014 it was announced he would begin a new solo recording project called EDJ.
And now, may I present to you the track Lose It All, All The Time taken from the forthcoming debut solo release EDJ out August 5th via Easy Sound Recording Co. I got an advanced copy of the album (full album review coming soon) and it soundtracked tonight’s family supper, in which I threw together my Yukon Gold and Sweet Potatoes w/ Kale and Swiss Chard recipe. Family. Food. And good music. Yes, seconds please. Peace. Continue reading “edj | edj”
the other guys | blow my mind | official video
Instant classic Hip Hop duo The Other Guys sync up with Von Pea and Donwill of Tanya Morgan for the offical video of their latest single, Blow My Mind. The track is one of 13 from their upcoming HiPNOTT Records debut album titled Seeds of Ambition. Production credit by The Other Guys. Blow My Mind has Isaiah verbally sparing with Von Pea and Donwill over mellow fellow beats, making the track sound effortless and giving listeners a glimpse of what’s to come on the forthcoming album. Continue reading “the other guys | blow my mind | official video”
the mercy beat | an act of mercy | sweet | video
The Mercy Beat hits low. They know what we like and they use it against us. Here they offer their track, “Sweet,” in a capsule of cinematic eye-candy. The video is nice but I reckon so is the rest of the aural anatomy that is sure to follow. I hereby dub TMB Seductive and majorly Rockeous. The last word I made up, totally apt. More please! Continue reading “the mercy beat | an act of mercy | sweet | video”
paul cook & the chronicles | radar ep
Paul Cook & The Chronicles offer up a bit of bright, uptempo and unrequited love. The track “Radar,” comes to your ears via London, UK. Look for the Radar EP to drop June 2nd, 2014. Paul Cook & The Chronicles is a promising solo project for indie singer-songwriter Paul Cook. The Radar EP precedes the fourth and final album in Paul Cook & The Chronicles ‘Volumes’ which drops later this year. Peace. Continue reading “paul cook & the chronicles | radar ep”
tuneyards | water fountain | video | lyrics
Tune-Yards unveil Water Fountain, the first glimpse of what we can half-way expect to hear from their forthcoming 5th LP Nicki Nack due out May 6th viz 4AD Records. There is a lot of poly-rhythmic goings on with this track (no surprise there), but as always Merrill Garbus & company deliver. You can pre-order the Nikki Nack LP (and other mediums) at their super cool Kung Fu Store and make sure you check out the new video and lyrics below. Peace. Continue reading “tuneyards | water fountain | video | lyrics”
saintseneca | happy alone | video | tour dates
Saintseneca is led by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Zac Little who originally hails from rural Appalachia. The band evolved playing acoustic performances alongside an array of electrified punk and hardcore bands at DIY house shows. On their upcoming record they combine a wide range of acoustic instrumentation with synthesizers and electric guitars to create a seamless blend of soaring vocals and vibrant post-punk energy. Check out their live performance of Happy Alone courtesy of Bad Racket. And look for their forthcoming Dark Arc release out April 1st via Anti, Inc. Pre-order on iTunes. Upcoming tour dates after the jump. Peace. Continue reading “saintseneca | happy alone | video | tour dates”