Bird Names - “Flush It (The Great Broom)” [stream]
from Naming Names, out now.
Inspired weirdness from David Lineal’s Bird Names – Naming Names is his 7^th album; the group features an evolving gallery of musicians that deliver whimsical, nuanced psychedelic pop that will make you want to don your eyeball-top hat and dance a gig – repeatedly!

Fields of Ohio - “Great Recession Watershed” [mp3]
from (fields of ohio) – free download on bandcamp
They describe their music as “Lo-Fi Acoustic Beats from Ohio/ New York City -
Music for Fields”.  I say they sound like RATATAT if they were to engage in glue-sniffing (rather than ecstasy-eating).

Thomas McNeely – “Common Year” [mp3]
DIY single
Thomas McNeely plays in numerous bands (That’s a Thing, Albert Adams, Decent Lovers, and the Honeycutters) around Asheville, NC  for a living, but enjoys throwing organ on top of acoustic guitar and incorporating iPhone drums and live percussion to explore his personal take on wry lyricism and traditional folk melodies.

Surly Gates - “Pisces” [mp3]
from Surly Gates EP - free download on bandcamp
Sand-blasted, sun-burned acid rock that celebrates the Texas psychedlia legacy with wailing guitar, fuzzy farfisa, and lysergic vocals.  Branded a “Texi-cali Freakshow” by one Warren Sawyer.

Matthew Squires and the Learning Disorders – “Deer Song” [mp3]
from How to Combust Your Life - ‘Pay What You Like” on bandcamp
Extremely likable and unassuming Texan that works with lots of different collaborators.  Of his music, Matt says, “I think, all things considered, the songs I write are much more listenable than the songs I don’t write.”

The Sleaves or the sleaves (everything in lower case) are the latest indie rock band to emerge from Greenville, NC. They are in the process of writing their first album, and sent along the single “No Man’s Land” for our audience. Its dark opening features Andrew Ditlevson plaintively murmuring–like an old Alice and Chains son– and then emerges as something more ethereal as Anne Ditlevson adds to the chorus. Add a glockenspiel and strings, and you have a winner! Nice work and another reason to be excited for the music scene in Greenville.

Check out – “No Man’s Land” [free download]

If you like “No Man’s Land”, go to indabamusic.com’s Hertz Movin’ With Music and vote for the sleaves.  Winners get a cash prize and national exposure. Help a young band gain some notoriety!

Follow the sleaves on Facebook and SoundCloud

Manzanita Falls – “Crabgrass” [mp3]
from Vinyl Ghost
released 17 April 2013
At once brooding and bright, “Crabgrass” is a nice introduction to this Bay Area band’s debut album. Their sound brands your mind with intricate arrangements of Americana instruments and smoldering, intense lyrical imagery.  Pay what you want for Vinyl Ghost on Bandcamp.

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Habits – “Hacksaw”
single
Trippy, neo-psychedelic electronic mess that appears cliché at first, and gets better with each second it plays.

Typhoon – “Dreams of Cannibalism“ [free download]
from White Lighter
out 20 August 2013
Portland-based band makes great use of its dynamic cast of instrumentalists, as “Dreams of Cannibalism” bursts with sound. I can’t believe we have to wait ’til August for this to drop.

No Middle Name – “When Forever Ends“ [free download]
A tastefully looped sample from “And I Love Her” and a nod to Serge Gainsbourg lure you into this song, which has an airy, summer afternoon feel. No Middle Name is The Title Sequence‘s David Bailey, who is planning to release the single “Another Season” this summer.

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Cheers…

Cartoon Monster

Cartoon Monster (Tory Fiterre) is a bedroom artist who has been going strong for well over a decade. It’s amazing that this is the first I’ve heard of him.  He has a monster collection of songs on SoundCloud, and several albums that you can name your price for on Bandcamp.

The vocals recall Mimicking Birds (or maybe Mimicking Birds recall Cartoon Monster), and there’s a playful energy to the music.

“Glowing Growing”

“Nervousness Gift”

“The Salish Sea”

Yie Yie

Yie Yie (Heather Ziegler) is a California college student who has recorded for over two years now. Her eerie, ethereal music will put you into a hazy daze much like the sirens were able to conjure to entice Ulysses and his crew. Yie Yie has several free recording via her Bandcamp page. Check out her collaboration with Cartoon Monster’s Tory Fiterre, below.

“A Tall Tree”

“Toes Touch Grass”

Rabbit Heart

Straight from their Facebook page: “Rabbit Heart is the cozy creation of Tory Fiterre and Heather Ziegler. A mixture of fuzzy lofi and warm feelings, soft vocals and haunting melodies.” Exactly, go check them out on SoundCloud and Facebook.

“Leaf Boat”

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Cheers…

Hey! back in the saddle after closing out the semester.  We have lots to drop on you this week, but thought we’d do it right and share some material from local folks this morning.  Check out Evan Kidd’s documentary, Spazz Out! Hear new demo tracks from Nolan Smock, and discover new material on Raleigh’s DiggUp Tapes label.

Evan Kidd’s Spazz Out!

Spazz Fest has passed us by this year, but its spirit still lingers in Evan Kidd’s “Spazz Out!”  Evan is a local documentary filmmaker who captured the heart of Spazz Fest 4, while providing a history of the festival.  The passion of Greenville’s music scene is captured well in this piece. A big thumbs up to Evan, who has a great eye with the camera and feel for sequencing. Watch the entire documentary, below.

Nolan Smock’s Kick Ass Demos

Late last month we featured the fuzzed out “Skinny Fucking Idiots” by Nolan Smock. The Charming Youngsters‘ frontman has taken to the bedroom to sketch out ideas in the midst of recording the band’s latest release.  It’s not clear if these are upcoming Youngsters’ tracks or side material, but Craig and I love what Smock’s doing on these tracks. Check them, below:

“On & On & On & On”

“Black Day”

“Brave Me”

Some Treats from DiggUp Tapes

Raleigh’s DiggUp Tapes has carefully developed a strong roster of local talent.  The label has a knack for identifying artists without much overlap, and round out the indie genre well with material appealing to those who yearn for the alternative, experimental, and the ‘pop’ varieties (e.g., dream, jangle). Enjoy the featured tracks below and check out their Bandcamp page for more.

Lilac Shadows – “Turn It Off”

T0W3RS - “Darla (I should just behave)”

Oulipo – “Offer Me” [free download]

Jenny Besetzt – “Dennison Corners”

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Happy Monday!
Enjoy my latest mix of “Corked” [mp3]

!!! (commonly pronounced Chk Chk Chk) – “Slyd” [mp3]
from THR!!!ER, out now
California dance punk revivalists change up personnel and embrace funk, new-wave, and afro-pop – definite signs of life from a veteran outfit!  Produced by Spoon’s Jim Eno.

Saturday Night Gym Club – “The Nowhere Team” [mp3]
from The Nowhere Team EP, out June 10^th.
Anglo-Irish collective of electronic artists with diverse musical tastes render an unearthly mixture of organic and inert elements spanning musical genres, time-periods, and the British Isles.

The Besnard Lakes – “People of the Sticks” [mp3]
from Until In Excess, Imperceptible UFO, out now on Jagjaguar.
This Montreal quartet represent the Masterpiece Theatre of indie rock.  Co-composers and band leaders Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas are meticulous and prodigious in their approach to opus-styled chamber rock.

Daughter – “Smother” [mp3]
from If You Leave, out now.
London singer-songwriter Elena Tonra is the creative force behind Daughter.  Her compositions are spacious, wistful, and heartbreaking; her voice floats through minimal yet dense arrangements like a small boat on a vast, fog-covered lake, with wind and rain periodically pushing and pulling the vessel towards danger and distress.

The Kingsbury Manx – “Future Hunter” [mp3]
from Bronze Age, out now on Odessa Records.
I’ve had a Kingsbury Manx disc on my shelf for at least 10 years (2001’s Let You Down) and never realized they were from Carborro, NC.  Hell, I didn’t even know they were still together!  I’m happy to rediscover these local guys playing vital, energetic, and nuanced alternative rock – a far cry from the bleak and minimal tunes on Let You Down.

Poor Things - “Morgan” [mp3]
from Hurricane Poor Things, out now.
Fine, soulful Scottish jangle pop with soaring guitar riffs and ooo-ooo vocals.

Totem Terrors – “Art of Falling (Fall Song Rev. 6)” [stream]
from Repeat Play Torrent Rar, out now on Diet Pops
A result of Kickstarter and fan-love, Repeat Play Torrent Rar (“an ironic nod toward music download culture”) is the debut album from Cardiff, Britain’s Totem Terrors.  Ten tracks exude playfulness, ingenuity, and sardonic wit, served over tight beats, extreme disco, punk, & rock melodies, and imbued with boy-tank-girl harmonies.  Order white vinyl from their bandcamp site.

Arctice Music - “Agostlay” [m4a]
single
From the inbox, fresh-faced youngsters from Surrey/Hampshire sounding like earnest, old-souls.  Influenced by the likes of Tame Impala and Pink Floyd, these guys are distinctive and deep. Keep it up, fellas.

Download: arctice-music-agostlay.m4a

Gapless mix of free and promotional indie rock songs in the key of spring. Click here to download ZIP file with all tracks and album art.

1. The Veils – Dancing with the Tornado (from Time Stays, We Go)

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Warmest Cheers

The Mast – “UpUpUp” [mp3]
single – released May 29^th: original and remixes available on bandcamp
Brooklyn-based duo build entrancing synth waves and heavy, primal rhythms as a backdrop for singer Halle Gafori delicate and delightful vocals.  This tune embraces electronica significantly more than the sounds on the band’s debut album, Wild Poppies, perhaps forging a new direction.

Polytype – “Cyclone” [mp3]
from Basic//Complex, out this summer
Provo, UT bringing the soulful, scientific version of indie rock.

Dirty Fences – “White Lies” [mp3]
from Too High to Kross out now on Volcom Entertainment
Raucous Brooklyn band seethes in acid, garage, and proto-punk rock – well-structured, fun, up tempo song.  Album cover draws me in….. (to a darkness?)

The Gorgeous Hands – “Desperate Mainstream” [mp3]
from Tender, forthcoming – check out their Kickstarter page!
Clever and catchy rhythm-rock from Austin four-piece.

The Burrow – “Fear of the Second” [stream]
from Powdered Cows, out now
From the Windy City, contemporary gothic rock with a unique drone; it’s like the second coming of Interpol.

Body Language – “What’s the Point”
from Grammar LP
out 15 July 2013 on Lavish Habits
On “What’s the Point”, Brooklyn-based Body Language unleash their hybrid sound of synth pop and R&B. Download the EP preview of Grammar here.

Denison Witmer
“Keep Moving Brother, Keep Moving Sister” [mp3]
from Denison Witmer
out 30 April 2013 on Asthmatic Kitty
The dreamy, delightful melody of this song is intoxicating. Witmer’s 10th studio album is self-titled, and reflects his interest in genuinely representing himself. In a world full of brand names and branding, Witmer announces, this is me. Fatherhood and perspective will do that to you.

Grandchildren – “Sunrise”
from Golden Age
out 7 May 2013
The six piece act out of Philadelphia is set to drop their sophomore release next week. “Sunrise” is majestic with its soaring harmonies and inviting rhythm. Stream and download the equally intricate “End Times” here. Fans of Local Natives will enjoy this release. Preview all of Golden Age here. Pre-order the LP here.

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Cheers…

Atoms for Peace – “Magic Beanz”
single
This sounds more like an idea than a complete track. Possibly an outtake from Amok?

Braids – “Amends”
from In Kind/Amends
out 10 June 2013
“Amends” is a bit more atmospheric than any of the releases from 2011′s Native Speaker. It pairs well with the rain outside my window.

Broke For Free – “The Gold Lining” [mp3]
from Gold Can Stay
released 04 December 2012
Another great track from Gold Can Stay. I’ve been listening to it all day. I’m either too lazy to queue something else up or it’s too good to want to stop. Go get this album on Bandcamp and while you are there, check out other releases from Broke For Free.

Pinkunoizu – “Tin Can Valley” [free download]
from Second Amendment
out 6 May 2013
Danish four piece unleashes an amalgam of surf music and shoegazer that will have you spiraling in your seat.

Tunng – “So Far From Here”
from Turbines
out 17 June 2013
Choppy, hypnotic rhythms pervade “So Far From Here”. Tunng just keeps rolling along.

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Cheers…