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It’s pretty hard not to like Secret Cities‘ Pink Graffiti. And it’s also pretty hard to put a genre label on it (acoustic-electro-folk-dream-pop?). It is certainly experimental and psychedelic, taking almost every sound imaginable and blending it into one super genre. The album is said to be about Brian Wilson and young people. Or to be more exact, “It’s about Brian Wilson and his work as a prism through which we view youthful things.” Definitely an interesting platform to jump from, and I think they did a tremendous job. You can’t go wrong with Brian Wilson is what this basically boils down to. |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Artist: Secret Cities Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Song: Pink Graffiti Pt. 1.mp3 |
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Pete Hobbs, the other half of the indie-pop duo The Boy Least Likely To, is working on his own in a side project called Diving At Dawn. “A Lot Like Love” is his first song — a soft, genuine, and heartfelt acoustic tune with chiming pianos and finger picked nylon guitars, set to a tape delayed backbeat of floor toms and side sticks. This being his first effort going solo, I’m looking forward to seeing what else he’s got in store for us. |
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| I’m really diggin’ this EP. Wonder Winds is Marmalakes first release and it’s jam packed with lively & catchy folk-pop tunes. From track 1 to the last, the EP grabs your attention and keeps it warm and snug throughout its short and sweet 23 minute run time. Hear the entire EP here, then head over to the Cactus Cafe in Austin on July 9th to check out their EP release show. Here’s my favorite off the EP, “Ode To Johnnie Martin.” |
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Philadelphia’s relatively unheard of Grubby Little Hands have released their debut album Imaginary Friends, and have released a couple videos to accompany it. Here’s the video for “Feel In My Back”, and you can check out the video for “Twelve Tones, Two Windows” by clicking here. Show them some love and swing by their Virb page to check out the rest of the album. |
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Regina, SK’s Andy Shauf plays that unique brand of indie-pop-folk, belonging on the same playlist as say Sufjan Stevens, Ryan Lindsey, The Weakerthans and Elliott Smith – with the strumming, picking and plucking of various stringed instruments, elegant vocal harmonies and lyrical poignancy. Shauf’s debut album Darker Days will grab you from the get-go with the whimsical first track, “Your Heart”, and will hold your attention throughout. Check out Andy Shauf’s live performances and video blogs online and catch him on the last leg of his U.S tour. |
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 I can’t get enough of Freelance Whales right now. These guys just finished up at SXSW and I’m sure they left a lasting impression on anyone who was lucky enough to see them. Here’s an acoustic performance of “Ghosting,” a song from their latest album Weathervanes. This was part of NPR Music’s Tiny SXSW Concert series. As always, their acoustic performances are great! |
Lightfoot- Will Uncoil When from Brett Vaughn McCullough on Vimeo.
| So heads up on this relatively new act from Washington D.C. This lovely lady goes by many names but currently is playing under the moniker Lightfoot. She is performing live at DC’s Rock n’ Roll Hotel this Friday at 8PM. Enjoy!
PS: Check back tomorrow for my interview with Jessica (Lightfoot). Hopefully I can get all the juicy details about her songs of heartbreak. |
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If you live near some sort of wooded area, you might want to load this album onto your iPod and head towards that direction. Peter Broderick’s 2008 release Home is a true folk gem, with acoustic lines and harmonies that I can’t get enough of. Give this album a good listen and you’ll have both a full grown beard and an extensive flannel collection in no time. Here are two of my favorites from the album. |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Artist: Peter Broderick Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Song: Maps.mp3 |
