Guilt Free Pleasures

Freelance Whales on NPR

2012-08-23T00:48:00.002-04:00

The Freelance Whales are one of my favorite bands to listen to. The way they mix acoustic and electronic sounds is very indicative of this generation ... wanting to move forward and yet loving aspects of the past. Their euphoric sound is catching and makes you want to come back for more. What caught me today was the song "Spitting Image" featured on NPR's All Songs Considered. It has more of

Silverdocs - The Waiting Room

2012-06-29T22:17:00.000-04:00

In honor of today's healthcare decision, I'll finish up my Silverdocs review with The Waiting Room, which was probably my favorite film of the festival (though I will admit it was really hard to pick a favorite this year). I will admit I was a little reluctant to see this film - I thought it would just make me angry because of the pathetic state of our healthcare system in this country. But I

Silverdocs - Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey

2012-06-24T22:32:00.002-04:00

Silverdocs opened with Don't Stop Believin, Ramona Diaz's (second from the left) film about Arnel Pineda, a Phillipino singer who got discovered on YouTube by iconic American band Journey and is now their lead singer. It was great to have such a joyful film to kick off the festival, and it was cool seeing Neil Shohn (fourth from the left) in the flesh - I can't believe Arnel wasn't there

Silverdocs - Guggenheim Symposium

2012-06-22T13:05:00.001-04:00

Tuesday night at Silverdocs was the Guggenheim Symposium, in which they honored filmmakers Joe Berlinger (right) and Bruce Sinofsky (left). I had been to a really interesting panel last year at Silverdocs where Joe Berlinger talked about his long-running legal struggles with Chevron over his film Crude. What Berlinger went through with Chevron is completely horrible, though that's a post for

Unicycle Loves You: New video and MP3

2012-04-08T22:32:00.002-04:00

A quirky, colorful and fun house party is the scene of Unicycle Loves You latest music video for the song "Garbage Dump." This song if off their new album Failure. Here is the MP3 of "Garbage Dump" [MP3].Upcoming Tour Dates:4/6 - Middle of The Map Festival - Kansas City, MO4/7 - Heavy Anchor - St. Louis, MO4/10 - Garden Bowl - Detroit, MI4/11 - MOTR - Cincinnati, OH4/12 - Wilbert's - Cleveland,

New Tour Dates and video: The Big Sleep

2012-04-01T15:41:00.003-04:00

After a literal "big sleep" of several years, the Brooklyn-based duo The Big Sleep is releasing a full-length album entitled Nature Experiments. Set to be released on Frenchkiss Records this month, the album is said to be full of "restless rhythms" and "blow-out beats." To catch a glimpse of their work, check out their video for "Valentine" by clicking here.Below are their upcoming US an UK tour

Joy Formidable on Jimmy Kimbel Live

2012-03-18T20:32:00.003-04:00

In case like me, you were not fortunate enough to attend this year's South By Southwest in Austin, Texas, you can catch a bit of the action here. The Joy Formidable, a sort of "grungey-pop" trio hailing from the UK, played on Jimmy Kimbel Live a few nights ago. I got the chance to check this group out at the Midpoint Music Festival in Cincinnati this past fall. It was quite a good show. It

Other Lives @ Red Palace - 2.21.12

2012-02-22T23:59:00.002-05:00

Last night I went to the Red Palace to see Oklahoma-based band Other Lives. I've been a fan of them for quite a while and they have been generating some well-deserved buzz. The show was sold out and it was quite packed - they probably could've sold out an even larger venue, honestly. First up was Australian-based Wim. I knew nothing about them before the show but I was impressed. The 5-piece

Maps & Alases Teaser

2012-02-12T23:59:00.003-05:00

Yes, I am blogging about Maps & Atlases yet again. I am excited about their upcoming album and could not resist listening to a little teaser. And now you can too:Maps & Atlases - WinterThe song is quite catchy with a diversity of rhythms and moods. The refrain, with the repetitive and yet gradual guitar riffs draw you in, making you want more. "The initial inspiration to write the song 'Winter'

Maps & Atlases Latest

2012-02-07T22:17:00.002-05:00

Maps & Atlases are one of my favorite bands to listen to as of late. Therefore the release of a new album is quite exciting. Fans, you'll have to wait just awhile yet as their second album, entitled Beware and Be Grateful is due out via FatCat on April 16 (USA April 17). This new album is full of all sorts of marvelous sounds and melodies. It has definite electronic influences and some

New Tour Dates: Mates of State

2012-01-26T22:01:00.002-05:00

Connecticut indie-pop group has announced some new Spring tour dates starting this February. The duo just released a new self-produced record entitled Mountaintops, which was released in September of 2011 to much adoration and praise. Mates of State also recently performed on the Late Show with David Letterman. You can view the performance here:Mates of State on LettermanSpring Tour dates:Feb 16

New video & Tour Dates From fun.

2012-01-03T21:21:00.000-05:00

When I first went to check out this video, I was going CRAZY because I knew I had heard the song but not the original version, so I kept wondering if it was a cover or what. Then I realized I had heard it on Glee. To be honest I think I like the Glee version better, but it's still a good song, a fun(.) video (...get it?) and Janelle Monae (*heart*) is in it briefly. The one other weird thing: it

Seedy Seeds Show, Goodbye Southgate House!

2011-12-31T16:52:00.004-05:00

This past Thursday, the Seedy Seeds delivered a wonderful performance at the Southgate House in Newport, Ky. The Seedy Seeds are a fun folky/electronic band from Cincinnati. With a mixture of drums, banjo, acoustic guitar and recorded beats, they put on a show that makes you want to jump and dance. They played a good amount of my favorites including "My Roots Go Down" and "Oh, Cincinnati." Click

Los Campesinos

2011-12-26T07:18:00.006-05:00

I think I have been a bit late on this one....by about three months. I am blaming a very disappointing second album for my tardiness.Back in 2007 I absolutely loved Los Campesinos!, my favourite single of 07 was a tie between their 'You! Me! Dancing!' and Mumm-Ra's 'She's Got You High'.Then in 2008 they released their debut album 'Hold On Now, Youngster...' and EEP 'We Are Beautiful, We Are

Heartless Bastards Announces Tour Dates

2011-12-04T23:28:00.002-05:00

With new tour dates, and a new record entitled Arrow and set to come out February 14, 2012, there's a lot going on with the Heartless Bastards. Click here to hear "Parted Ways," their first single off Arrow. If you'd like to listen for free, go to their Soundcloud page here. The song felt in some ways like a trip back to the 70's. Although it also has indie-rock tones and influences, reminding me

Losers

2011-11-28T12:17:00.001-05:00

So, second post about ex Coopers then, the first one's here and you should certainly check it out.I was sat at home procrastinating as one does when working from home and checked hotmail. I only do it on occasions when I'm truly bored as it's such an old email address, but sometimes, just sometimes, it brings me joy. The joy to be had was an email from Tom Bellamy, using TCTC mailing list and

Red Kite

2011-11-24T12:05:00.003-05:00

I am extremely excited about this band, probably the most I've been in a while. I've had to re-edit this post twice since hitting 'publish' as it seemed to read as a hectic and excitable teenager rather than my 28 year old self, but I guess writing about someone who's music played a big part in your latter teen years will do that, change your mindset slightly, if only for a minute.So this is

Death Cab Yeasayer remix

2011-11-08T20:06:00.003-05:00

Hey friends! So I was immediately intrigued when I stumbled upon this as I love Yeasayer and Death Cab for Cutie. I was also intrigued as I would not think to put these two in the same category, Death Cab often going after the melancholy, indie rhythms and Yeasayer going for more experimental and psychedelic sound. The beginning starts out and I'm wondering "okay is this going to work?" Then it

Kitten Covers

2011-11-03T14:59:00.002-04:00

This might be the one of the best things I've ever seen: http://thekittencovers.tumblr.com/

Guest post - a CMJ review

2011-11-03T11:45:00.001-04:00

It is my pleasure to present a guest post by my friend and fellow live-music-enthusiast, Matt Kennedy. Delta Hotel, Dustin Wong, Blue Kid and Chelsea Wolfe @ Le Poisson Rouge, Saturday October 22nd (Part of the CMJ music festival) Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it to Le Poisson Rouge in time to catch Delta Hotel, and I don't think it'd be fair to fake it by just looking at a few of their

New video from Kina Grannis

2011-11-02T16:18:00.000-04:00

This is a cute stop motion animation video that was filmed over 22-months apparently and used more than a quarter of a million jelly beans. Crazy. I admire the people who have the patience to do this kind of thing because I definitely wouldn't.

New video from the Ting Tings

2011-10-18T15:16:00.001-04:00

It doesn't strike me as having quite the instant "stuck in your head immediately" catchiness of "Shut Up and Let Me Go" or "That's Not My Name" but I think that's just because it's slightly less simple. I definitely dig it and the video's fun. I'm sure it will be the next hot thing very soon and we will be hearing it everywhere.

Tune-Yards @ Black Cat

2011-10-17T15:21:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday, I finally got to see Tune-Yards again. It's been far too long since I last saw her live (and I missed her the last time she came through DC) and this is the first time I've seen her since her new album came out. Anyway, on to the show review: Opening for her was Pat Jordache. I can't find anything on the internet that says his age but, boy, did he and his band look young! I had a

New video from Fanfalro!

2011-10-13T13:29:00.000-04:00

These Brits were one of my favorite break out groups from 2009 and I've been waiting with bated breath for them to come out with new stuff. They finally have! Here is a new video for their single "Deconstruction." It's a little bit different of a sound from their last album, but the poppy goodness is still there in spades. Their new album will be coming out in early 2012.

Clifton Heights Music Festival

2011-10-09T23:05:00.004-04:00

This past Saturday I band-hopped around the Cincinnati neighborhood Clifton Heights at the Clifton Heights Music Festival. Of the 30 or so bands playing at six different venues, I saw about 10 or so acts. It was walking around the neighborhood from venue to venue. This made year five for the festival. Starting with four venues in one, the festival has grown to quite an ordeal. The intent is to