03

Apr

CocoRosie – “After the Afterlife”

I am still not sure if I am invading on CocoRosie’s recording session in her bedroom by listening to this or not, but it sure does have an intimiate sound with the comfort of D.I.Y. ethics (none of that mainstream recording equipment here, man). “After the Afterlife” appears to be coming out on their next full length CD which is slated for May 27th, and entitled Tales of a Grass Widow. If the rest of the CD is anything like this track, then you can definitely count me in. Check out “After the Afterlife” below!

46 days ago Short URL Comments

Acoustic/Ambient/Indie

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13

Aug

Capital Cities – “Nothing Compares 2 U”

Capital Cities takes a stab at Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” by throwing in some up-beat vocals and an electronic, yet still elegant in an indie sense, feel onto the track. Although my favorite use of “Nothing Compares 2 U” will always be Girl Talk’s “Play Your Part Pt. 1” (skip to 3:50 to hear the Sinead part. You’ll have to sit through a little bit of Lil’ Wayne, but it is worth it), Capital Cities does a really great job of creating a more updated, and more fun version of Sinead’s otherwise really sad song. In order to describe this track (and the band in general) their Soundcloud account decided to use probably the best turn of phrase: “Their electronic-infused pop rock represents all that is right in modern music making and makes the perfect soundscape for a day at the beach–or a night in the dark part of town–as long as you’re ready to dance.”

If you are in the mood to move, check out Capital Cities’ version of “Nothing Compares 2 U” below.

279 days ago Short URL Comments

Ambient/Electronic/Indie

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13

Aug

Eternal Summers – “You Kill”

This video for “You Kill” is fantastic because it shows a nice, simple kick back narrated by the soothing tones of indie rock band, Eternal Summers. The all around feel good (and adorable, in some weirdly nostalgic way) video is perfect since summer is now coming to a close. This video emulates everything about a summer kick back, including that one awkward guy who just completely EATS it. As summer ends, I will continue to hold onto this kick back ideal when I have to go back to school in the fall. Also, watching this video was a nice break from them big booty bitches type videos I usually am forced to watch. Alas, the life of a hip-hop music blogger. Anyway, you can check out the video below for Eternal Summers’ “You Kill”.

280 days ago Short URL Comments

Indie/Rock/Video

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06

Aug

Elliott Smith – “Alameda” (Alternate Version)

I thought that when Elliott Smith died that the New Moon album would be his last album (which was released in 2007, and he died in 2003) and that nothing would get better than that. Then Autumn de Wilde released her photo book, Elliott Smith, which had a CD in the back of it with a few more gems from his last live show at Largo. I remember replaying “All My Rowdy Friends” over and over again and tearing up every time. And now, Kill Rock Stars makes my heart aflutter once again by releasing this alternate version of “Alameda”. The original was released on Either/Or in 1997, but in remembrance of his life, Kill Rock Starts released this single in order to promote their Elliott Smith discography release for an extremely cheap $49. “Alameda” (regardless of “alternate version” or “album version”) is a fantastic, amazing, and most of all, beautiful song.

Even though Elliott Smith has been dead for almost 10 years, I still listen to him almost every day, can basically quote every song at the drop of a hat and will defend “Ostriches and Chirping” until the day I die (it is a genius connector, I don’t care what you say!). With this alternate version of Elliott Smith’s “Alameda” I will be able to go on another Elliott Smith streak and I suggest that you join me. Or at least listen to enough Elliott Smith to differentiate this version with the original.

287 days ago Short URL Comments

Folk/Indie

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01

Aug

Desaparecidos – “MariKKKopa”

I am probably too obsessed with Conor Oberst and everything that he touches (Monsters of Folk, Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band and, of course, Desaparecidos), but I have been this way since I was 12, so there is no stopping now. I have been there through the good, the bad and the sort of ugly sounding, but stayed a fan throughout it all. I even rounded up every EP he released and then, A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995 – 1997, the CD he made when he was 13 – 15. And now, he is back with Desaparecidos, who has not been heard from since the early 2000s, with a punk rock song about immigration and his distain towards Sherriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, AZ.

Continue reading →

292 days ago Short URL Comments

Indie/Punk/Rock

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11

Jul

Los Amparito – Dicen (con Nubla)

Los Amparito, a band from Guadalajara, is also the name of a sandwich thats sold on a particular ally there. Los Amparito is led by Carlos Pesina who’s creating wonderfully layers of synth over Spanish guitar. The song “Dicen” feels like hot wind blown in your face from a drive down the freeway (for us in southern California, to Mexico). The guitars maintain the distance from focusing on the song too much, and vocals act as a soft reminder that yes, you are actually listening to something. Although Los Amparito has plenty of songs via SoundCloud, there has yet to be an EP or LP available. Despite the simplicity of “Dicen”, more of their songs have deeper cultural roots too. For example, check out the video for “4500 millones de años de soledad” [45 million years of solitude] featuring home movies as well as civil and military footage. I personally don’t come across a lot of indie-electro-folk music from hispanic artists (not looking hard enough), but Los Amparito pulls it together beautifully. Hopeful for a debut LP soon.

Los Amparito – Dicen (con Nubla) by pepepe

312 days ago Short URL Comments

Electro/Folk/Indie

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09

Jul

Misun – “Coffee”

Must be something about the summer heat, but I have found myself recently listening to a lot more folk/indie pop music. But before you all go thinking that I have swapped out pre-made beats for guitars, do not fret. After all, Cruel Summer is coming out this summer and, soon after that, a new Kanye solo release, Watch the Throne pt. 2, Big Boi’s newest solo release, and much, much more.

But anyway, back to this track. Yes, it starts out with an acoustic guitar and a synth pop sort of beat, followed quickly by some whistling, but before you think this track is all about an 1980s slow jam, Misun’s lead singer begins to sing in her husky and soothing voice. It would seem that those are the only few instruments used on the entire song, in fact (besides some vocal harmonies in the back). The whole song is extremely well put together, and I cannot resist listening to the chorus over and over again.

Check out Misun’s “Coffee” below!

314 days ago Short URL Comments

Folk/Indie

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09

Jul

Parlovr – “You Only Want It ‘Cause You’re Lonely”

Parlovr’s first single off of their newest album, Kook Soul, is “You Only Want It ‘Cause You’re Lonely”. If you are not familiar with Parlovr, they have a chilled out WAVVES enthusiasm and Diiv-esque musical vibe about them. “You Only Want It ‘Cause You’re Lonely” not only has a great title, but also provides just the beach going tune I need on these 80+ degree days in Southern California.

Check out “You Only Want It ‘Cause You’re Lonely” below, and get ready to hit the beach (or at least the pool).

315 days ago Short URL Comments

Chillwave/Indie/Surf

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29

Mar

Van She – Idea of Happiness

Stream the title track “Idea of Happiness” from Van She’s upcoming album below. Idea of Happiness comes out July 10, 2012 on Modular. I was hoping Van She’s next release would be one of their excellent remixes, but excited to hear the rest of this album nonetheless!

417 days ago Short URL Comments

Dance/Indie/Pop

13

Feb

Earl Is Back

461 days ago Short URL Comments

Hip Hop/Indie/Rap

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