Here we are. Our second show. The Sophomore Slump. But what’s that? Our show is dictated only by how good music was in Blogland for the week? Well then, if that’s the case, this might not be so bad after all. In fact, we’ve got a great show lined up.
We’ll be hopping around from blog to blog in hopes of finding the cream of the crop. Basically, music that you’ll be hearing everywhere else four moths from now. Probably in some commercial for a product you won’t even notice. So without further adieu…
Gustaf Spetz – Golden Feathers
Our first step on this magical bus ride takes us to Sweden. Really, it seems we’re going to Sweden a lot lately. Peter, Bjorn, and John, Likke Li, and countless other headliners are all coming from the neutral country. If people are still waiting for the next big city scene, you’re in it. But this time, its not folk, its not metal, and its not grunge. This time, pop is king. And its being done with the greatest of ease. Gustaf is from Uppsala, Sweden and has a new disc called Burn It, Crush It, Smash It. Recommend-ed.
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – The Golden Age
From Copenhagen, Denmark (already, i'm sensing a theme). The album isn’t due out until mid April but bloggers are already falling in love with the tracks they’ve been able to get their hands on. No doubt due to the love the band is getting from iPodcommercials and Gossip Girl. I would say that the opening reminds me of a Jamie Cullum hit, but I’m not sure the band would appreciate that. You can find a live version of that song on iTunes as well as their debut album Fruit out next month.
Say Hi – Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
Now we move on to the death of a band, or rather, the death of a name. Say Hi To Your Mom is looked at as one of the first buzz bands to come from the net, and they’ve definitely ran the gamut of Tomorrow’s Next Big Thing to The Guy Who Threw The Party That No One Came To. But with their new album comes a new identity of sorts. The group has let go of its maternal side and is now known simply as Say Hi. And all of their friends have come rushing back like nothing ever happened. Consequence of Sound goes on to say about the new disc, “its not a masterpiece, but if Ooh’s and Aah’s is another step in the right direction, the next steps Say Hi take could lead them to the album of their career.”
Or, The Whale – Call & Response
The name bugs me, but only because I want to know what comes before the "Or." The Fish? The house? The petunia? Douglas Adams? Their newest release Lightpoles and Pines is getting a second life after having its first go round in 2007 to little notice. They’ve since toured and promoted, and toured and promoted to the now critical acclaim status that ended in a reissue of the record.
Elemeno P – Baby Come On
One of the many, many, many bands playing this years SxSW festival. According to Fuel Friends, they frequently incite spontaneous dancing, which is my kind of party.
Bruce Peninsula – Crabapples
So, I know you’re never suppose to say that one of your kids is your favorite, but if tonight’s highlights were children, this one would definitely get my hand as the rest fell from the cliff. The band is called Bruce Penninsula. They’re a 10 piece outfit from our northern neighbors in Canada. They mix soul, indie, drum line, and a kitchen sink for cliché measures. Their album A Mountain Is A Mouth is one of the most original sounds I’ve heard this year so far.
Company of Thieves – Oscar Wilde
The band comes from Chicago, IL but has basically come out of nowhere to one of the more blogged bands out there, getting attention from both ends of the spectrum – from Buzzgrinder to MTV’s own blog. No doubt in part due to their creative video, in which they reenact the opening scenes of the Wes Andersen movie Rushmore. Seriously, if nothing else, scroll to the end of the write up and WATCH THE VIDEO.
Crocodiles – Neon Jesus
Our unintentional theme for the show has been bands from around the world. Swedish, Danish, Canuks-idish (sorry, Canada. I needed you to fit in). Anyway, we need look no further than our own San Diego to find the Echo & The Bunnymen inspired Crocodiles. Stereogum has dubbed them a Band To Watch, as well as compared them to a perfect mix of Velvet Underground and Jesus and the Mary Chain. So if you like all of those bands, you'll like this one. I do.
Royksopp – Happy Up Here
And now back to our regularly scheduled theme. The Norwegian duo has been providing the beats to make butts boogie since 1998. The band has been a staple at the Europe version of the MTV music awards for quite awhile now as well as picking up Mac commercials and providing music for Austin City Limits. A new remix has hit the net along with the version we just played, and you can pick up their new album Junior on March 23. This featured song makes me really wish I had glitter to fall from the ceiling at my command. Ce la vie.
Shirley Anne Lee – There’s A Light
Our next artist may not fit the fabric of our show, at least not traditionally, since this is our second show. Her name is Shirley Ann Lee and she had her indie cred back in the 60’s. We were turned on to this amazing new track through Gorilla vs. Bear who assured us we’d be blown away, and they were definitely right. The Numero Group has just unearthed a collection of tracks that were hot in some of the smaller towns up north when Soul was hitting its peak. The compilation is called Downriver Revival and you can find it in stores now. A precursor to all of the female soul throwbacks that are dominating your earbuds today.
The Sand Pebbles – The Day The Summer Fell
Australian. Dreamy. And has nothing to do with Namomi Watts (which is a shame really.)
Bodies of Water – Dear Boy
Naptunes – Smile Away
The blog Aqarium Drunkard is responsible for both of these tunes covering Sir Paul McCartney. They are the curators and label of sorts for a whole album of cover songs. Actually, its all L.A. bands covering the complete McCartney 1971 solo album, Ram. The story gets better, because you can go to the blog’s site and download the complete album for free, though donations are accepted, as all profits will be going towards No More Landmines, the fantastic cause that helps and empowers communites around the world by removing the threat of landmines and exploded weapons. A cause championed by Sir Paul himself.
The Tombots – Accounts and Thoughts From A Staircase
I honestly can't find much info about the band, but i heard the song online and liked it well enough. I'll say they're from Manchester, which is what we say when we have nothing else to say about a band.
Papercuts – Primitve
The one man band of Jason Quever, also known as Papercuts. Leargeheartedboy just featured it for a free download in their Daily Downloads section and its been getting a ton of reviews. Out the Other describes it hypnotizing bass and trance-like melodies as being the cause to non-stop repeated listens that they’ve endured. Also watch out for the hidden messages in their songs of “Buy our album.” Its due in stores April 14.
And that is officially a wrap on another Week of The Feed. I'm your host and producer, Kyle Meredith. The Feed is co-produced by Todd Smith at MixWorks Studio in Louisville, KY. You can now subscribe, both to the feed and to the podcast, which i recommen, and I have provided both links at the bottom. Thanks so much for checking the show out. Very appreciated. Now, enjoy some video's, yeah? Just hit play, there's a ton of 'em in there.
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