DAYS OF MUSIC

KISHI BASHI, Manchester (from 151a, 2013) Kishi Bashi is the...

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:21:22 -0400

KISHI BASHI, Manchester (from 151a, 2013)

Kishi Bashi is the pseudonym of K Ishibashi of Jupiter One, and violinist of the bands Of Montreal, Sondre Loche, and Regina Spektor’s tour. In 2012 he released his first solo album, 151a, to much acclaim. His beautiful voice and the array of uplifting tracks make it one of the best, most unique releases that I’ve heard recently. If I hadn’t found out about him in 2013, he definitely would have made it on my 2012 faves list!

Manchester is without a doubt the catchiest track of the album—with soaring string arrangements and a build up of swirling vocals, it’ll inspire all kinds of emotions in you all.

This is the type of artist that I know I will follow for years. I devoured 151a and wish there was more and more for me to discover from him. Luckily he likes to experiment! Check out his beautiful cover of Beirut’s A Sunday Smile.

For live show info click here.

BellaMaine, Single Life (from the An Anxious Mind EP, 2013) This...

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:02:00 -0400

BellaMaine, Single Life (from the An Anxious Mind EP, 2013)

This song isn’t likely to revolutionize the face of music as you know it - but from the first time I heard its initial hook and the husband and wife singing duo’s passionate voices, I couldn’t stop humming it. Making catchy and fun songs is this WA-based band’s specialty. Show them some love and buy their self-released debut EP. Also go see them live, since I’m sure all that upbeat pop/alt country energy comes across on stage.

ALT-J, Dissolve Me (from An Awesome Wave, 2012) The British band...

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:05:00 -0400

ALT-J, Dissolve Me (from An Awesome Wave, 2012)

The British band Alt-J released its debut album An Awesome Wave in fall 2012. This tune here is my personal favorite, with its most pronounced trip-hop beats (a tune for spring, if you may. May it arrive quickly). Other tracks on the album are more pop, and heavy on the synth and thus less exciting to me personally. But really, this song makes the album worth the investment.

For more on these fellas, head over here.

PICKWICK, Lady Luck, ft. Sharon Van Etten (from forthcoming...

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:31:33 -0500

PICKWICK, Lady Luck, ft. Sharon Van Etten (from forthcoming Can’t Talk Medicine, out March 12th, 2013)

Seattle band Pickwick is on track to release its much-anticipated debut album on March 12, 2013. Other than putting out what appears to be a great record, these talented fellas had the delight to record Richard Swift’s song Lady Luck with the incredible Sharon Van Etten. Pickwick’s lead (Galen Disston) and Van Etten successfully channel Swift’s falsetto with their harmonies, while still maintaining that cool smooth groove.

Looking forward to delving into this soulful-seeming band when their LP comes out next month!

They will be touring in support of the release of their album. Check it here.

BAT FOR LASHES, Lilies (from The Haunted Man, 2012) Bat for...

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 09:31:37 -0500

BAT FOR LASHES, Lilies (from The Haunted Man, 2012)

Bat for Lashes is the stage name of British singer-songwriter-instrumentalist Natasha Khan, who released her third album in fall 2012, The Haunted Man. Lilies, like many of the songs on this album, is a gorgeous and (appropriately) haunting track that is heavy on Khan’s crystal clear vocals, accompanied by electronic beats and synth galore. It unfolds quietly and steadily—more like something to see you through your mellow Sunday morning, than to get you out the door to work. Surround yourself with beauty like this every day.

For live shows near you click here.

THE MALDIVES, I’m Gonna Try (from Muscle for the Wing,...

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:00:19 -0500

THE MALDIVES, I’m Gonna Try (from Muscle for the Wing, 2012)

This gorgeous track from Seattle band The Maldives infects with its simplicity. Alt-country isn’t normally my cup of tea, but in this case I find it to be straightforward enough to avoid cheesiness.

The band is playing a handful of shows in small venues on the west coast (US) next week. Hopefully they’ll be back on the road again soon, because they’re a good winter band to experience and re-visit.

LOCAL NATIVES, Breakers (from forthcoming Hummingbird, out...

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:00:00 -0500

LOCAL NATIVES, Breakers (from forthcoming Hummingbird, out January 29, 2013)

Dear goodness, this song is contagious. This is the first thing that I think about when I listen to the Local Natives. How do they know the tap into the populist indie heart? how?! I know the musicians of you out there can probably answer this pretty easily.

For their sophomore album, they joined forces with The National’s Aaron Dessner (seriously, who hasn’t lately?!). This definitely comes across in the broader, more ambitious sound of the album (it was available to stream on NPR a little while ago. It’s out next week!)

This song starts with huge, swaying harmonized vocals that recur throughout, and they’re the hook for the track. All the jagged notes in between are really just a segway for these waves of vocals.

Bless this hipster band’s heart. And I say this with the most love that I can muster (and that’s a lot. I have a big heart).

Their upcoming US tour is basically sold out coast-to-coast, but you can still check out the dates here (or if you live in Europe or Canada. Then you’re in luck).

FATHER MISTY JOHN, Only Son of the Ladiesman (from Fear Fun,...

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:00:31 -0500

FATHER MISTY JOHN, Only Son of the Ladiesman (from Fear Fun, 2012)

A moniker of Seattle musician J. Tillman (former drummer of Fleet Foxes), Father John Misty makes music that is all you’d expect from someone who describes the beginning stages of his album as the following:

I got into my van with enough mushrooms to choke a horse and started driving down the coast with nowhere to go. After a few weeks, I was writing a novel, which is where I finally found my narrative voice….

The songs are beautiful and affecting. They’ll take you on a journey far from home (unless you live in the desert, in which case - you’ll feel right at home!).

As with most songs I write about - I recommend you consume the entire album. With this one I will stress this even more—the narrative is easy to follow and the songs really have the full effect when heard in sequence. One song just won’t do! But it’ll get you started…

For tour info click here.

. JUNIP, Line of Fire (from forthcoming LP Junip, out April 23,...

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:40:18 -0500

JUNIP, Line of Fire (from forthcoming LP Junip, out April 23, 2013)

This Swedish trio, led by the gentle soul and voice of José Gonzalez, are releasing their sophomore album at long last in spring 2013. Line of Fire is the first track we get to hear from the album, and it demonstrates all the band’s wonderful traits - starting quiet, building up with control, and exploding in a concerted and emotional tangle of vocals and strings two-thirds through. Can’t wait to hear the rest. Great start to my most anticipated albums of 2013!

Download the track for free here

Photograph by Jon Bergmann

A very belated list of my top albums of 2012

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 20:40:10 -0500

Readers, I have failed you this year. It has been a rough one and I should have found solace in...

BENJAMIN GIBBARD, Bigger Than Love (Feat. Aimee Mann, from...

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 21:21:31 -0400

BENJAMIN GIBBARD, Bigger Than Love (Feat. Aimee Mann, from Former Lives, 2012)

Ben Gibbard, the frontman of Death Cab for Cutie, released a solo album in early October that has a more upbeat sound than most of the band’s releases to date, yet is “betrayed” by a dark undertone throughout (lyrics, people).

This tune here is a collaboration with Aimee Mann - a really good vocal combination, if I may say so myself. Much like Death Cab for Cutie, Gibbard’s album is digestible and catchy, though that;s not to say its quality is compromised. Enjoy! (I have.)

Coming soon to a U.S. city near you.

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE, Applesauce (from Centipede Hz, 2012) Those...

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 19:58:37 -0400

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE, Applesauce (from Centipede Hz, 2012)

Those who know me, have learned that I’ve taken in anything and everything that members of Animal Collective have recorded over the years. So you can imagine my excitement when the band’s new album finally came out a couple of months ago! I purchased it immediately but it’s taken me this long to wrap my mind around it. It’s a lot more rough around the edges, not much to sing along to, and definitely required repeat listens before I was even able to grasp what it is I’m listening to. This may sound negative, but I was up for the challenge. Now, almost two months later, I’m able to identify a preferred song (Applesauce) and let go of my longing for the Beach Boys touch that was so apparent in their previous albums, particularly Merriweather Post Pavilion. In a lot of ways, this album takes me back to their early releases like Here Comes the Indian (2003). They’re back to their four-member structure and their songs are more textured than ever. I think peeling off those layers has been the challenge for me, but again - a well worth endeavor indeed.

Image by Adriano Fegundes

GRIZZLY BEAR, Radio City Music Hall show, September 24, 2012 I...

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 17:35:15 -0400

GRIZZLY BEAR, Radio City Music Hall show, September 24, 2012

I went to this show, and almost died and went to heaven. I first saw Grizzly Bear at the original Glasslands in Williamsburg (when it was still a weird gallery/music venue/commune hybrid) in late 2004. Seeing them at a sold out show in Radio City Music Hall 8 years later made me proud like an old grandma!

Fuse magazine recorded the whole show, so you can enjoy it too! Fast forward to about 20-25 minutes in, when the show starts. BEAU-TI-FUL!

Also, if you haven’t read last week’s interview with lead Ed Dorste in New York Magazine, I highly recommend it. It’s sad to learn what legitimate success in the indie music sphere affords you these days.

[Hint: not much.]

LORD HURON, Ends of the Earth (from Lonesome Dreams, 2012) Here...

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 18:55:46 -0400

LORD HURON, Ends of the Earth (from Lonesome Dreams, 2012)

Here at Days of Music, diversity of sound is the name of the game. The previous post was about rapper/producer duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, and now we’ll discuss a much anticipated debut LP release by folksy act Lord Huron (I’ve been waiting patiently for two years!) This L.A.-based band is headed up by singer-songwriter Ben Schneider and offers a sound that evokes the likes of Fleet Foxes (harmonies, yay!) but with more rhythm and energy. I’ll admit that the band doesn’t an bring an earth-altering uniqueness to the table, but hey, I’m hooked. Case in point, this song here. Just listen up. You’ll get it.

Tour info here.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (ft. Mary Lambert), Same Love (from...

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 09:05:00 -0400

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (ft. Mary Lambert), Same Love (from The Heist, 2012)

Macklemore (i.e. Seattle-based rapper Ben Haggerty) and producer Ryan Lewis released their debut collaboration album last week, The Heist. This album will ingratiate itself on even the more extreme rap and hip hop skeptics of you out there. Same Love is my favorite, humming-at-every-chance-I-get, track from this album and its lyrics advocate for marriage equality. What more can I ask for. Onward!

They’re on tour between now and mid-December in Europe and the US. Most of the shows are sold out, it seems, but check this list out for updates.

THE WALKMEN, We Can’t Be Beat (from Heaven,...

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 13:02:11 -0400

THE WALKMEN, We Can’t Be Beat (from Heaven, 2012)

I’ll be seeing The Walkmen tomorrow (finally!). Their new album Heaven is a bit more solemn than their 2010 Lisbon album. It’s interesting to hear their big sound so tame, but I’ll take it. It’s good to experiment.

See you on the other side of Osheaga!

FUN., We Are Young (acoustic, featuring Janelle Monáe,...

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:14:30 -0400

FUN., We Are Young (acoustic, featuring Janelle Monáe, 2011)

Aye, FUN.! I’m so glad I can say knew this band way back when—, and am also super happy that their song We Are Young is now being played once an hour on every major and indie radio station around the country. There is no denying that this here is a kick ass song. This is why I’m happy I’ll get to see them in a daytime show at the Osheaga festival in Montreal at the end of this week.

I’m posting here an acoustic version of the song for the off-chance that you haven’t heard/seen it. Watch the original version here. Enjoyyyyy feeling good!

SIGUR ROS, Varut (from Valtari, 2012) At the end of this week...

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 00:03:00 -0400

SIGUR ROS, Varut (from Valtari, 2012)

At the end of this week I’ll be taking a road trip up to Montreal for a much anticipated and necessary vacation. The ultimate goal of the trip is to partake in Osheaga, an enormous three-day music festival that showcases an incredible laundry list of bands (many many of which have been featured on the blog over the years!). I’m going to try to post a song every day until I get there of a band that I plan to see.

On the first day, Sigur Ros will be performing! I’ve never seen this odd and eccentric Icelandic band live, but I’ve been following them since their very first album a-many moons ago. Their sound (with its invented language) is delicate but so very expansive. It fills a room completely, so I can only imagine what it’ll sound like outdoors, in nature…

This track here is one off their recent album Valtari. It’s the one that stuck with me after a few listens, but I’ve found that listening to their albums is an evolving experience. Next week, the favorite may be totally different.

Photograph by Anton Brink

GRIZZLY BEAR, Sleeping Ute (from forthcoming LP, September...

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 09:28:36 -0400

GRIZZLY BEAR, Sleeping Ute (from forthcoming LP, September 2012)

The Brooklyn band’s third album, Veckatimest (2009), was one of those albums that has been on rotation for years in my ears. I still haven’t tired of it. But…it’s time for some new material. Save for a bunch of shows here and there, Grizzly Bear seemed to drop off. Maybe it felt that way because they were so ubiquitous after the last album came out. But in any case, a ten-track fourth album is on its way and will be released in mid September. Hurray!

A month ago, the band put out the first single from the album, Sleeping Ute. This song is uncharacteristically explosive—dominated by energetic percussion and Daniel Rossen’s sprawling guitar. Only towards the end of the track does it take on the familiar air of one of their earlier quiet and ruminative songs.

Cannot wait for more tracks from this album. And! the! tour!

COLD SPECKS, Winter Solstice (from I Predict A Graceful...

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 22:10:51 -0400

COLD SPECKS, Winter Solstice (from I Predict A Graceful Expulsion, 2012)

London-based band Cold Specks is headed up by the Canadian singer-songwriter Al Spx, a 24 year old gal who adopted a pseudonym so that her parents won’t find out about her musical aspirations (life could be worse, people!). Intriguing personal story aside, this girl can sing from the heart. The tracks I’ve heard off her debut album, I Predict A Graceful Expulsion, are soulful (quickly becoming the theme of the week on the blog…), sparse and sharp. This is some dark stuff, but not of the variety that will keep you down - rather the type that will lift you up like the best of gospel music.

For more samples of this beauty, head over here.

She’s touring all over this summer (I guess her family knows of her endeavours by now?). Check here for locations and updates.