Category Archives: MP3’s

The Hold Steady – Constructive Summer

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Hold Steady Live

“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

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=OCZB3nSoNbU[/youtube]

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=IfQ_xQS_7mA[/youtube]

Site | MySpace | Amazon

Vandaveer – Grace & Speed

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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

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJD-io_tgbw[/youtube]

The Federal Reserve

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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

My Morning Jacket – Bonnaroo 2008

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On Monday, I got back from another jam-packed Bonnaroo. The music was great, the weather was great (for the most part), and I had a great time catching up with close buddies of mine.

My three favorite performances were: My Morning Jacket, Broken Social Scene, and The Raconteurs. Nomo definitely deserves an honorary mention.

My Morning Jacket played one hell of a show.  They played close to a four hour set from 12 to 4 am. It rained a tad bit during the show, which led to some technical difficulties, but it was nonetheless, amazing. The rain  was magical. It felt like the Truman show where the soundboard was controlling the drizzle/pouring down rain. Comedian Zach Galifianakis’ drunken appearance at the end put the icing on the cake (see video below).

MMJ did a Velvet Underground cover of “Oh! Sweet Nuthin'” that is among the best covers I’ve ever heard.  Below is a recording of it that isn’t the best quality, but hasn’t stopped me from listening to it over and over again. Check out MMJ tonight on Conan!

Here is a short video of MMJ playing Roo. It’s pretty neat, and captures how awesome this show was.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqv-YA-Gius[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyUdBvym53U[/youtube]

Zach Galifianakis’ MMJ Cameo

 Over the next few weeks we will be sharing more about Bonnaroo. For those of you who were there, tell us who you saw! What were your favorite Bonnaroo moments?

This is who I saw: Newton Faulker, MGMT, Battles, Zach Galifianakis, Nomo, Drive By Truckers, Umphrey’s McGee, Stephen Marley, The Raconteurs, M.I.A, Chris Rock, My Morning Jacket, Tiesto, The Disco Biscuits, B.B King, Iron & Wine, Jack Johnson, Pearl Jam, Rogue Wave, Orchestra Baobab, Yonder Mountain String Band, Phil Lesh, Broken Social Scene,and Derek Trucks.

Live At Bonnaroo 2008

My Morning Jacket – Oh! Sweet Nuthin’ (Velvet Underground)

Loaded:

Velvet Underground – Oh! Sweet Nuthin’

Bonnaroo Site | My Morning Jacket Site

Silje Nes

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http://indiemuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/silje/l_69745c5ad077a30b102766b1fb895be5.jpg

Silje Nes is a Norwegian singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who makes very delicate and beautiful electro-acoustic music. Her songs are simple yet intricate with soft vocals and a wide selection of instruments (all of which she plays). Sometimes experimental, sometimes poppy, Silje has a way of taking small sounds and realizing their full potential into whimsical collages of sonic art. The three tracks I’ve posted aren’t enough to represent her debut album “Ames Room”. The album is full of great music and I recommend you check out the rest of it here.

Starting out by working purely instrumentally, Silje made use of whatever equipment she could get hold of – guitars and an old synth, a cello, a drum kit, a laptop, as well as loop pedals to build layers of her own playing. Little by little she also found ways of including her own voice in the mix, both as texture and song, and her music has organically evolved from there.

– Fatcat Records

Silje Nes is for fans of múm, Amiina, and Tunng.

MP3: Silje Nes – Drown
MP3: Silje Nes – Ames Room
MP3: Silje Nes – Escape

MySpace | Fatcat Records |

Speedmarket Avenue

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 http://indiemuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/speed/FOTOPROMOWAY10_G.jpg

If you’re looking for some melody driven jangly indie pop from Sweden then look no further. Speedmarket Avenue’s new release “Way Better Now” provides us with plenty of upbeat catchy songs. The band doesn’t break any new ground, but instead they refine what has already been done in the genre. This does not mean that they don’t have their own style; with several vocalists, the occasional trumpet solo, and diverse percussion, their songs are distinctive enough to set them apart from their contemporaries. They efficiently and effectively create precise pop music.  I recommend Speedmarket Avenue for fans of Jens Lekman, Belle and Sebastien, and Camera Obscura.

MP3: Speedmarket Avenue – Accident

MP3: Speedmarket Avenue – Way Better Now

MP3: Speedmarket Avenue – The State of Harmony

Video for “Way Better Now”

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0RI9o35diY[/youtube]

Website | MySpace | Elefant Records

Port O’Brien

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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:

Jun 23 2008 7:00P
Brookdale Lodge w/ Black Francis (featuring some dude from some band called THE PIXIES) Santa Cruz, California
Jul 7 2008 8:00P
The Casbah w/ Builders and the Butchers San Diego, California
Jul 8 2008 8:00P
The Detroit Bar w/ Builders and the Butchers Costa Mesa, California
Jul 9 2008 8:00P
Muddy Waters w/ Builders and the Butchers ALL AGES Santa Barbara, California
Jul 10 2008 8:00P
Spaceland w/ Builders and the Butchers Los Angeles, California
Jul 11 2008 8:00P
Cafe Du Nord w/ Builders and the Butchers ALL AGES San Franciscoooooooo!, California
Aug 6 2008 8:00P
Cafe Montmartre w/ Bodies of Water Madison, WI
Aug 7 2008 8:00P
Schubas w/ Bodies of Water Chicago, IL
Aug 9 2008 8:00P
El Mocambo w/ Bodies of Water Toronto, ON ~ CANADA
Aug 10 2008 8:00P
Le Divan Orange w/ Bodies of Water Montreal, QC ~ CANADA
Aug 12 2008 8:00P
The Middle East Upstairs w/ Bodies of Water Cambridge, MA
Aug 13 2008 8:00P
Mercury Lounge w/ Bodies of Water New York, NY
Aug 15 2008 8:00P
Union Hall w/ Bodies of Water Brooklyn, NY
Aug 16 2008 8:00P
Johnny Brenda’s w/ Bodies of Water Philadelphia, PA
Aug 17 2008 8:00P
Black Cat Backstage w/ Bodies of Water Washington, DC
Aug 18 2008 8:00P
Cafe Bourbon St Annex w/ Bodies of Water Columbus, OH
Aug 19 2008 8:00P
Locals Only w/ Bodies of Water Indianapolis, IN
Sep 13 2008 2:00P
Monolith Festival @ Red Rocks! Denver, Colorado

Website | MySpace

Sigur Rós – Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust

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I usually reserve my listening to Sigur Ros during the late fall and winter months. Sometimes I’ll pretend that I’m in Iceland instead of the upper reaches of Michigan or Massachusetts. I even attempted to learn some Icelandic to understand the lyrics without translation. My self-taught Icelandic course has been put on hold, but my enjoyment for Sigur Rós has not. Their 5th studio album sounds the most optimistic; it feels much more like a summer album. The care-free cover art accurately foreshadows the music enclosed. They still have their ethereal sound, but it feels lighter and more organic. This is evident from their first single “Gobbledigook” which sounds like it could be an Animal Collective track. The band hasn’t changed into another tribal influenced indie rock band; they’re just expanding their already large sound. With cheerful bursts of horns and strings and a steady bass drum, the band seems more focused. The album has a clear direction and does not wander like ( ) or Takk (though I enjoy both those albums for that reason). They do have their epic songs: “Festival” clocks in at nearly 9 and half minutes and “Ára Bátur” is almost 9. This is still very much a Sigur Rós album and I’m glad. They are one of my favorite bands that have been consistently good their entire career. I felt compelled to listen to the entire album in one sitting which is a first for me this year. My favorite tracks are: Gobbledigook, Góðan Daginn, Ára Bátur, Ví Spilum Endalaust, Illgresi, Fljótavík, and All Alright (the first Sigur Rós song in English!)

You can stream the entire album here, but I’ve provided some MP3s from this album and some of my favorites from their back catalog as well. The album is released June 24th.

MP3: Sigur Ros – Gobbledigook

MP3: Sigur Ros – Góðan Daginn

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/15/Hvarf-cover.jpg

From Hvarf/Heim

MP3: Sigur Ros – Starálfur (Live)

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From Takk…

MP3: Sigur Ros – Saeglópur

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From ( )

MP3: Sigur Ros – Track 4

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From Ágaetis Byrjun

MP3: Sigur Ros – Svefn-g-Englar

About the Album | Website | MySpace

Grouper

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I stumbled upon Grouper randomly perusing some blogs I keep in my bookmarks. I downloaded it on a whim as it was described as ambient/folk/shoegaze. Interested in seeing how folky shoegaze would sound, I listened to the first track and knew that I had found something special. “Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill” is the 3rd album from Portland based musician Liz Harris. To define her music as folky shoegaze is incomplete. Her songs exist as hazy memories, lacking in detail, yet full enough to trigger a nexus of emotions difficult to describe. The instrumentation is mostly limited to layered vocals, electric piano and down-stroked guitar with the production quality weaving in and out of lo-fi. The sonic world that the album creates has a quiet intensity slowing submerging the listener.

I’ve taken a message from the MySpace page explaining her sounds better than I ever could:

dragging a dead deer in my ears feels like the relief of an unknown flickering series of burdens, dawning in my marrow moment a living freedom. lifted.

I recommend Grouper for fans of Low, Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon, Red House Painters), and beautiful female vocals.

MP3: Grouper – Disengaged

MP3: Grouper – Heavy Water/I’d Rather Be Sleeping

MP3: Grouper – When We Fall

Website | MySpace | Type Records

Mini Mix 2

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http://indiemuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/minimix2/minimix3.jpg

Here is another mini mix for you all. Included are new tracks from Sigur Ros, Wolf Parade, Lau Nau, and relatively new tracks from Mount Eerie and Fuck Buttons.

MP3: Sigur Ros – Gobbledigook

MP3: Lau Nau – Ruususuu

MP3: Fuck Buttons – Sweet Love for Planet Earth

MP3: Wolf Parade – The Grey Estates

MP3: Mount Eerie – In Moonlight

Sigur Ros | Lau Nau | Fuck Buttons | Wolf Parade | Mount Eerie