“Constructive Summer” is the lead song off the Hold Steady’s fourth and soon to be released (July 15h) album, Stay Positive. The Hold Steady is unabashed in their reverence for Springsteen, someone I never got into, but an influence easily appreciated in their sound. Their songs are sincerely melodramatic, turning even the most mundane adolescent memories into epic victories or hallmark stories, typically laced among fluid piano breakdowns and sharp, classic-rock guitar solos. The hooks are huge, and the stories even bigger.

The song opens: “Me and my friends are like/the drums on Lust For Life/We pound it out on floor toms/Our songs are sing along songs” amid overdriven power chords and intricate, angular guitar spurts. It’s a one two punch to the adrenaline gland. They’re drinking on top of water towers and raising toasts to “saint Joe Strummer,” doing everything I’ve always romanticized as summer.

As my first official post with indiemuse, I’d like to share it with you. And if you dig this sound, grab a copy of Boys and Girls in America, and work from there.

m4a: “Constructive Summer” - The Hold Steady

From their first album, The Hold Steady Almost Killed Me

“Certain Songs” - The Hold Steady

Site | MySpace | Amazon

Several months ago I featured These United States, and mentioned how much the DC scene is changing from the punk scene it used to be known for. The new alternative/folk scene emerging is really exciting to witness. Gypsy Eyes Records is among the  best independent labels in DC, and carries many of the artists that are changing the way DC, and the rest of the world, experiences music.

One of their signed musicians, Mark Charles Heidinger, a.k.a Vandaveer, is worth your attention. I’ve been listening to his 2007 release, Grace and Speed, pretty much non-stop recently. It’s great folk music for just sitting back and hanging out. When I’m looking for something a little lighter to listen to than Nick Drake, I put on Vandaveer. Mark has a gift for story telling, and really pleasant vocals. His new sound draws a nice distance from his former rock band, The Apparitions. Tracks like “However Many Times It Takes” are bound to bring Dylan to mind.

Every song on this album, besides “2nd best” which I don’t care for all that much,  is stellar. I can’t even give you a list of my favorites, they are all fantastic. Other album reviews bring to light how the first half of the album has much more solid lyrics than the second half, but I don’t necessarily think that has to be viewed as a flaw with the album. Heidinger shows a lot of song-writing talent, much more than the average musician. Though some songs are better written than others, it doesn’t make his songs bad in any sense, some are just less lyrically based.

Vandaveer is currently on tour with There United States (who he is involved with) in the UK. Go to their site to check out their tour dates.

Grace & Speed (2007)

Vandaveer - However Many Takes It Takes

Vandaveer - Grace & Speed

Live Performances:

Vandaveer - The Streets is Full of Creeps

Site | Myspace | iTunes |Amazon

I wrote this after seeing the Federal Reserve, a collective of established, and like-minded alternative/folk musicians,  perform on June 2nd at Iota in Arlington, VA. They played acoustic sets, and used basic folk instruments (including the chair for percussion). Not gonna lie, I was a little  tipsy when I wrote this, and it’s advisable that you just skip down to the bottom. You’ve been forewarned!

Tonight, I saw the face of music. Music is when a group of friends decide to play together for no other reason then to play. Music is when there are no backstage’s or VIP’s. When there are no tickets or merchandise. Music is when there is no order. When there is no formula.  No sets. No expectations. Just music. Music doesn’t tolerate bureaucracy. It sure knows how to disguise itself, but it’s not music. Not fully.

Music allows for mistakes. It allows you to make a fool of yourself. If it doesn’t, then it’s worth asking why it’s being done. Is it for fame or fortune?

Music is entrapped. It’s asked to be freed. It wants to be listened to. Piracy concerns are concerns of fools.

In today’s world, it’s difficult for music to be music. The demand can’t be that pure. Musicians need to eat. Label execs need to buy luxury cars.  But that doesn’t mean all has been lost. Not after nights like tonight.

Thank you Federal Reserve for showing me the face of music.

 The Federal Reserve collective is made up of These United States, Vandaveer,  Kitty Hawk, Revival, Brandon Butler, Rose, Let’s French, and more. They play the first Monday of every month at Iota, and their tour schedules usually dictate who shows up. Mark Charles Heidinger, of Vandaveer, explains that the idea of a collective formed after “several of us relocated from parts all over and thought a collective of some sort might ground the group in the scene and serve as a mutual launching pad.” Several bands from the collective have been signed to DC’s Gypsy Eyes Records and a Federal Reserve compilation can be purchased from their store.

These United States -  First Sight | Site

Vandaveer - However Many Takes It Takes | Site

Kitty Hawk - Move Me | Myspace 

Brandon Butler - Sparks | Site

Revival - Hollywood | Myspace

I first heard Port O’Brien opening for Rogue Wave back in October of 07, and at first I sort of brushed them aside as another indie band that would be forever opening for other indie bands, never quite able to break on through. After having listened to their album All We Could Do Was Sing, I feel bad for feeling that way. It wasn’t that their live show was unenthusiastic or fun to listen to, I had intentions to look them up after the show, but I never got around to it (maybe it was because Rogue Wave’s show was too awesome). The album is much fuller than what I remember of their live show; it has string arrangements, some sound clips of the ocean, and layered vocals. “When I Woke Up Today” was both the opening and closing song for their set. It sounded better the second time when the audience started to sing along, sounding more like it does on the record. Though I’m not sure of the nautical experience of Modest Mouse or the Decemberists, Port O’Brien seems to have some authentic experience as it is poignantly expressed in “Fisherman’s Son”.

Every summer, Van works on his father’s commercial salmon fishing boat, the Shawnee, on Kodiak Island in Alaska. The work is exhausting and the weather could be much better, but the contrast between the serenity of the wilderness and the rigorousness of the labor seem to cause quite a bit of musical inspiration.

- from their website

The album has its soft and delicate moments as in “Don’t Take My Advice” and its rockin’ out moments like in “Pigeonhold”, but it all works together in the end. Don’t be a fool like me and brush this band aside, give them a chance and I think you’ll enjoy them. Here are a few tracks for your listening pleasure:

MP3: Port O’Brien - I Woke Up Today

MP3: Port O’Brien - Fisherman’s Son

MP3: Port O’Brien - Don’t Take My Advice

Catch them live at one of these upcoming dates:

Website | MySpace

Pitchfork.tv put this music video by the Books up on their website Friday. Though this track is from their 2nd full release “The Lemon of Pink“, I had just seen this video from 2003 for the first time. I was interested in seeing how the Books would make a music video with their type of music. Would it be a bunch of video samples strung together to form some sort of coherent piece with a few shots of the band interdispersed? or something just as unconventional as the music itself. It turns out it was closer to the former. With juxtaposed shots of Suzuki method violin recital and the occasional clip aligning itself to the rhythm of the music the video has its moments where everything comes together. I think it’s a great music video.

MP3: The Books - Tokyo

This is a stupid From Thought for Food
MP3: The Books - Motherless BastardFrom Lost and Safe

MP3: The Books - It Never Changes to Stop

Website | Tomlab Records

Today’s song of the day comes from Flemish Eye records’ up and coming band Women. “Black Rice” is a simple, lo-fi, catchy little pop rock song. Just some two note guitar riffs, a hint of glockenspiel and piano, the simplicity only leaves me wanting more. I’m interested in hearing the rest of the album when it comes out July 8th.

“Recorded by label-mate Chad VanGaalen and the band members, the 10 song, self-titled album by Women is an explosion out of the gates for this young band. Sometimes light and spacious, at other times eerie and dense with an ominous weight, this debut flirts with the noisy beauty of the Velvet Underground and effortlessly toys with the intricacy and playfulness of Deerhoof as crude percussion beats out a pulsing tattoo of clatter.” - from their press page.

But don’t take their word for it, listen yourself and check out their website for another track.

MP3: Women - Black Rice

If you live in or near Canada, try to catch one of their shows:
June 11 :: Winnipeg, Royal Albert
June 12 :: Saskatoon, Little Pictures
June 13 :: Calgary, Broken City
June 14 :: Edmonton, The Velvet Underground
June 14 :: Calgary, Marquee Room
June 16 :: Kelowna, Whitehouse Productions
June 17 :: Victoria, Lucky Bar
June 20 :: Vancouver, Little Mountain Studios
June 21 :: Vancouver, Hoko’s
June 24 :: Lethbridge, Knights of Columbus Hall
June 26 :: Calgary, Broken City
Website | Pitchfork’s Review | Myspace |

I’ve been listening to the Shivers music for several years now. They do a great job balancing the familiar with the unfamiliar. The diversity of their albums and songs take me from something that I feel comfortable with to something that is new, angst, and generally unpleasant. But then, by the time it really starts to bug me, it’s gone. It becomes easier to breath again.

I think that it what draws me to the Shivers so much. The singer/guitarist of the Shivers, Keith Zarriello, has proven that he knows the difference between what is pleasant to the ears and what isn’t. When it comes to folk melodies, The Shivers are among the best; they very rarely mess up harmonic instrumentals. So why intentionally veer from that into uncomfortable, loud clashing?

That’s the beauty of The Shivers. They are musicians who simply don’t care what you want. They know, I would think, that some of their music makes them lose listeners. Those listeners who enjoy their mellow music aren’t going to necessary like their more experimental songs. But the Shivers are okay with that. They are not going to alter their vision to sell more records. By not allowing the listener to influence their music, they are able to stay true to their music, and say and play what they want. Think about how many songs about pain are so pleasantly played instrumentally. Is that always what pain feels like? Keith knows it’s not.

Sure, this could sound like justifications for bad talent. Once you listen to the Shivers music though, and their new album, Beaks to the Moon, you will realize that’s not the case. The Shivers make beautiful, honest music. At times, the truth, or at least Keith’s truth can hurt or be undesirable, but this album is wonderful to listen to. In my opinion it has a perfect balance.

Beaks to the Moon (2008):

The Shivers - Lonely Road

The Shivers - Love Is Good

Album- Charades (2004)

The Shivers - Beauty

The Shivers - L.I.E.

The Shivers - SoHo Party (This is an example of the diversity I’m talking about. Listen through whole song)

Album- Phone Calls (2007)

The Shivers - The Road

The Shivers - Half Invisible

The Shivers - New Direction

Site| Amazon | iTunes | Myspace | 911 Truth (This ones for you, Keith)

Continue Reading »

Dear Apple Marketing Team,

I hate you. I hate you so much.

Who sings the soul-melting song featured in Apple’s famous Macbook Air Commercial, you ask? The answer would be Yael Naim (יעל נעים), and the name of the song is “New Soul.”

Yael Naim - New Soul

Site | iTunes

Continue Reading »

I really enjoy this song. It’s been in my music library for a long time, but I haven’t listened to it consistently until now. I love the beat, Rocher’s voice, and the lyrics. Especially the lyrics–in the first verse, he starts each transition with the word he used to finish the last. Take a listen.

Etienne de Rocher - Meditation # C.O.B.

start with the C / C is for care / care that I take
then it’s the O / original / original flow
then it’s the B / B is for beats / beats on my streets
let the songs fall like rain / fall into my brain / and grow sipsey canes
grab a pad and a pen / say goodbye to your friends / and become something new
like all things do…

so hold on to your hope / grab on to the walls / and trust in your crew
don’t question the O / just move to the B / do what you do
start with the C / the C is for care / to see it all through
say goodbye to your friends / let it come to an end / and become something new
like all things do…

His Myspace page sums up his bio:

“Raised in Tuscaloosa Alabama by French professors. Came out to Berkeley to study Physics, dropped out to play African drums and record songs on my 4 track. Started a garage band called C.O.B., then went solo and somehow started playing with some of the Bay Area’s most lauded musicians. Hooked up with producer Dan Prothero and worked long and hard on my debut album.”

For a more complete bio, check out his site. To learn even more about him, check out his label, Fog City Records. Buy the song and album on Amie Street.

If you’ve streamed our Indie Muse radio show in the past you may have heard me play “Get Up and Go” by Broadcast 2000. It’s an outstanding song, and the EP it’s featured on, Building Blocks, leaves me anticipating a strong debut album. Broadcast 2000 comes out of London, and is the solo project of 26-year-old Joe Steer. His diverse musical talents make him a refreshing artist to listen to, combining cello, double bass, guitar, ukulele, glockenspiel,banjo, percussion and his own layered vocals. It’s hard to classify Steer’s music, but I would call it a mix between Sufjan Stevens, Coldplay, and Beirut. The vocals in “Run” could lead you to believe Chris Martin stopped by for a session.

The Building Blocks EP was recorded, mixed and mastered in Steer’s north London flat. From my understanding, it has a June release in the US, and is available digitally in the UK iTunes Store. Broadcast 2000 just recently signed with Groenland Records; I’ll keep you updated on any announcements regarding the debut release.

Building Blocks EP:

Broadcast 2000 - Get Up and Go

Broadcast 2000 - Run

Site | Myspace