Monthly Archives: February 2011

02.04.11
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USF’s new album ‘Jamaica Plain EP’ Releases New Album

Male duo U.S.F. on Seattle label Highfives and Handshakes has crafted an aquatic club album, Jamaica Plain EP to be released on February 8 of this year.

“Point Break II,” whether or not is alluding to a sequel in song of the 90’s Keanu surf hit, or the reference just conjures images of surfing, but I can’t help but seeing the tops of waves arch over a surfer’s head as he/she cuts through them while this song plays.

The title track is a wonderful ADD reflection on multilayered synth with club beats, delicate melodies and psychedelia.  At first the track submerges underwater through a submarine ride of muffled wave and calming electronic effects, then forges upward into an epic stratosphere of sound. The sudden change of pace goes from chilled out oceanic grooves to heightened synth and booming bass drum determination, ending in a euphoric catharsis. It is truly a story told in sonic tropes.

“Greywolf” is one of two tracks with any vocals, and they are a Thurston Moore-ish fuzzy dictation.

All four tracks including “Branss” which has a M.I.A. base dance beat and helium infused sporadic vocals are all heady ambient pieces that make for an interesting EP that piques many moods.

 

02.04.11
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Delicate Steve To Premiere “Butterfly” Video On NPR


Don’t let his name fool as Steve Marion is anything but delicate when it comes to his playing and rockin’ arpeggios.  With the upcoming release of his full-length album, Wondervisions, Delicate Steve is premiering his video for the single “Butterfly” on NPR this week. 

In addition to the album’s release on Luaka Bop Records this week, Delicate Steve has also announced U.S. tour dates with shows kicking off Friday, February 4th at the Meat Locker in Montclair, NJ. Joining him for various dates on the road will be Akron/Family.

Check out Delicate Steve’s latest video for “Butterfly”.

02.03.11
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Art Vs. Science Vs. London


After conquering their native Australia, Art Vs. Science are hopping on a plane and heading for jolly old England. The band has announced a string of dates in the UK beginning on February 8th and running until February 15th. Peep a full list of dates and the band’s new single down below.
Art Vs. Science – Magic Fountain by Sainted PR

 

Tour Dates

Tue 8 February Cargo, London, UK with Gold Future Joy Machine + Proxies

Wed 9 February Breakout @ Proud with The Heartbreaks, Morning Parade, Young the Giant, Sad Day for Puppets

Fri 11 February CLUB NME, Koko, London, UK with Hesta Prynn

Tue 15 February Borderline, London, UK With Talking Pictures

02.03.11
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Vivian Girls Share The Joy


Spring may seem far away, especially for those of us plagued by a constant influx of snow, but the Vivian Girls were kind enough to send over a new song and some good news. The threesome-guitarist/vocalist Cassie Ramone, bassist/vocalist Kickball Katy and new drummer Fiona Campbell have announced an April 12th release date for their new album Share The Joy.

“The sound is more open, more free.  I think that this album really shows our strengths as musicians, and shows us melding together musically. Share the Joy has the most diverse batch of songs of any of our albums,” says Ramone of the album. And that is evident in the record’s first single, “I Heard You Say,” which can be listened to below and downloaded HERE.
Vivian Girls – I Heard You Say by WesleyAmbrecht

In a few days, the trio will take to the road for a nationwide tour, promoting Share The Joy.

Vivian Girls’ Tour Dates
02/22 Los Angeles, CA The Smell !

02/25 Miami, FL Bruise Cruise ~

02/26 Miami, FL Bruise Cruise ~

02/27 Miami, FL Bruise Cruise ~

02/28 Miami, FL Bruise Cruise ~

04/05 Asheville, NC Sage Café / Warren Wilson College #

04/06 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle #

04/07 Baltimore, MD Ottobar #

04/08 Washington, DC Black Cat #

04/09 Philadelphia, PA The Trocodero #

04/12 New York, NY Webster Hall #

04/13 Providence, RI The Met Café #

04/14 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club #

04/15 Montreal, QC Le National #

04/16 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre #

04/17 Detroit, MI Magic Stick #

04/19 Columbus, OH Outland Live #

04/20 Newport, KY Southgate House #

04/21 St Louis, MO The Firebird #

04/22 Chicago, IL Logan Square Auditorium #

04/23 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater #

04/25 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room #

04/26 Kansas City, MO The Beaumont Club #

04/27 Dallas, TX The Loft #

04/28 Austin, TX Emo’s #

04/29 Houston, TX Fitzgeralds #

 

! = w/ Catwalk, Cold Showers

~ = w/ Black Lips, Surfer Blood, Thee Oh Sees, The Strange Boys & more

# = w/ Black Lips

02.03.11
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Album Review: The Demon Beat “1956”


By Jess George

We’re almost a month into the New Year and I’m going to make a prediction: 2011 is going to be all about 1956. What on earth could this mean, you wonder? On New Year’s Eve, West Virginia’s esteemed trio of southern rockers, The Demon Beat, released their new album entitled 1956. This five-track masterpiece, which spans the course of about 38 minutes, is a hypnotic trip for the ears and the mind that is likely to leave you stranded in an altered state of musical bliss.

Each track, aptly titled “Movement 1” through “Movement 5”, progresses in effortless transition. This album is quite different from their last project, Shit, We’re 23, released in 2010. It has a heavier groove; it’s more haunting. It’s a stunning symbol of the growth this band has made in only a year’s time. In addition, the concept of this album focuses entirely on the unfortunate story of Carl Perkins’s missed opportunity of greater fame in 1956. Perkins was the original songwriter and performer of the tune “Blue Suede Shoes,” but a car accident rendered him unable to perform for an extended period of time. During this time, Elvis Presley recorded the song and enjoyed even greater success with the single than Perkins previously had. Heavy, right?

Guitarist/vocalist Adam Meisterhans, bassist Tucker Riggleman, and drummer Jordan Hudkins have created an album that begs to be played over and over again. The boys are currently touring the eastern portion of the country, but they will be making another trip to SXSW in Texas this March. You can find tour dates and other updates from the boys on their Facebook or their MySpace. To buy their album and check out other artists on the Big Bullet Records label, click here.
http://www.myspace.com/thedemonbeat
http://www.facebook.com/thedemonbeat