i guess i'm floating

[Video] Yeasayer: "Madder Red"

2010-08-13T10:22:00.006-04:00

Before I get back to the grind of getting my Lollapalooza coverage up, Yeasayer have been stringing me along via Twitter about a new video they've been prepping. It's accompanying my favorite track from Odd Blood, "Madder Red", and the band were "wow'd and very excited" about it. Then they reminded me to "keep my eyes peeled" because it was coming tomorrow, only to Tweet "first ever video leak?" a few hours later. I'm glad a radical Odd Blood tune gets a good albeit head-scrating-WTF video directed by Andreas Nilsson, plus it stars Kristen Bell and she's a looker!

[Video] Arcade Fire: "Ready to Start" & "Month of May" (Live on The Daily Show)

2010-08-13T09:53:00.008-04:00

While The Walkmen played Fallon, Arcade Fire took their Billboard #1 album over The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. They played "Ready to Start", a perfect show opener, and "Month of May" - which started out as my least favorite song from The Suburbs but is growing on me, leaving the realm of "loathe" and entering the realm of "like". The video for "Month of May" is funny because Jon Stewart is so tiny compared to Win Butler, so much so that Butler offers to protect Stewart from bullies. Watch the tracks below and head over to Culture Bully for MP3s of their live jams.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Arcade Fire - Ready to Start
www.thedailyshow.com

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Exclusive - Arcade Fire - Month of May

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

[Video] The Walkmen: "Angela Surf City" (Live on Fallon)

2010-08-13T09:13:00.003-04:00

Aside from being a good late night show all around, Jimmy Fallon is certainly winning over a young (and important) demographic of the population with consistently good musical acts. It's great to see young bands on Fallon while people like Barry Manilow still play Letterman and the like. The Walkmen stopped by Fallon last night and performed a brand new track from Lisbon due out this September. I've always enjoyed The Walkmen and love 'em even more live, definitely catch a show while they tour if you can.

[Lollapalooza '10] Warpaint - 8/7/10

2010-08-12T17:50:00.004-04:00

With the sun shining early Saturday afternoon, Warpaint took to the same stage Harlem rocked out an hour earlier. After hitting the water fill-up station to avoid dehydration, I got back just in time to catch the female foursome tuning their instruments. Except when Warpaint tunes their gear, they do it all at the same time in a giant impromptu jam session that's fun for everyone.

Click below for full review + tons more photos!

Warpaint were a band I had heard an awful lot about during this past SXSW; nearly everyone I knew caught one of their sets and came away raving. I'm still not sure how I managed to miss them in Austin, especially considering they played more than a dozen shows over the course of a weekend. It only took one show for me to catch 'em this time and now I completely understand what everyone was talking about: Warpaint were awesome.

Aside from the smiles on their faces and overall good spirits, Warpaint have excellent chemistry as a band while together on-stage. They produced a sound I wasn't expecting, spacey guitar driven jams lasting far longer than a typical three minute track. To top it off, Warpaint have an excellent drummer and construct their setlists so they seamlessly flow together. Playing tracks like "Elephants" and "Billie Holiday" made it all the easier to hypnotically watch along.

[MP3] Warpaint - Elephants

[Lollapalooza '10] Harlem - 8/7/10

2010-08-12T12:41:00.002-04:00

Saturday started off with some delicious brunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, meeting up with some of the minds behind blog collective Strangers in Stereo. After a quick bite it was off to see Harlem, a trio I knew of by name but barely by sound. Having only heard a handful of tracks before their afternoon set, I approached the stage not knowing what to expect and ready to be won over.

Click below for full review + tons more photos!

First impressions made during a live performance are always important, many often serve as the "make or break" opinion for first time listeners. Who wants to surf the web looking for info on a band that was terrible live, let alone buy their album? Fortunately, that wasn't the case for Harlem.

This trio was peppy, charming, and play short garage rock tunes that blend the best of nostalgic genres gone dormant and the recent resurgence of lo-fi. All three members take turns singing songs, while usually joining in together on choruses. It's a jangly and jagged sound most powerful in cramped clubs in bars, yet Harlem managed to successfully rock out on a large festival stage Saturday afternoon.

[Lollapalooza '10] Dirty Projectors - 8/6/10

2010-08-11T18:46:00.007-04:00

I hadn't seen the Dirty Projector's live in over a year, something that pains me to admit. The last time I saw them, it was during Bonnaroo and the performance had an epic ending featuring David Byrne joining the group for "Knotty Pine". Although Byrne wasn't around to make a superb cameo, the Dirty Projectors performed one of my favorite sets of not only the weekend but of all the times I'd seen them prior.

Click below for full review and tons more photos!

Drawing a crowd embodying the very definition of rowdy and energetic, Dave Longstreth and his trio of lovely ladies took the stage as the Chicago sun was setting. Offering a few "Hello's" and announcing bashfully announcing they were the Dirty Projectors, the group picked up their instruments and launched into a radical rendition of "I Will Truck".

It was a fitting opener followed by the Bitte Orca familiar "No Intention", soon after giving way to "Imagine It". Which showcases one of the coolest things about this band, songs like "I Will Truck" and "Imagine It" sound strange and sometimes lackluster on recorded releases. Yet, when played live they explode into songs almost completely different and far superior than their recorded counterparts. That's when a band really flexes their musical muscle.

They breezed through favorites like "Knotty Pine" and "Temecula Sunrise", ultimately playing over half of Bitte Orca including a killer rendition of "Stillness is the Move". Seriously, Amber Coffman has a voice so pleasant and powerful it's unfair. It was a great way to kick-off Lollapalooza and put my ears into high expectations mode for the rest of the weekend.

[MP3] new Kanye West: "See Me Now" (feat. Beyoncé & Charlie Wilson)

2010-08-11T16:16:00.002-04:00

While editing photos from Lollapalooza a new Kanye West track surfaced outta nowhere, in a similar fashion to his ridiculous tweets. However, the new track is anything but absurd and makes me happy 'Ye isn't wasting time with auto-tune melodies. It was premiered by Hot 97 and features the woman with a better music video than Taylor Swift, Beyoncé herself:

[MP3] Kanye West - See Me Now (feat. Beyoncé & Charlie Wilson)

At this point I don't know what to expect on Kanye's next album, aside from some really good songs. It has to be if it was inspired by Avatar, Alexander McQueen’s collection, and Thom Yorke and Trent Reznor lyrics, right? And especially if he's working with Mr. Bon Iver himself, Justin Vernon! I guess we'll all find out in a few months..

[Video] new Young Man: "Wasted" (Live)

2010-08-11T13:32:00.002-04:00

Young Man recently opened up for Local Natives at a Governor's Island show in NYC. Wild Honey Pie caught up with him for a quick outdoor session that included the much-loved "Five" and a new song called "Wasted".

[Stream] Vice: "New Shoes"

2010-08-11T13:13:00.003-04:00

Not much is known about Seattle's Vice, but this little instrumental jam has been on repeat all day. A simple song for a simple day (via Double Denim Records):

<a href="http://vice.bandcamp.com/track/new-shoes">New Shoes by Vice</a>

[Lollapalooza '10] Chicago! Chicago! ..that toddlin' town!

2010-08-10T20:35:00.003-04:00

It's hard to beat summertime in the city of Chicago. The third largest city in the United States thrives under the warmth of sunlight and the comfort of a cool lakefront breeze. Something that's become as annual a tradition as the Fourth of July fireworks on Lake Michigan, Lollapalooza took over a weekend in the Windy City for the fifth consecutive year.

Although the festival was located in beautiful Grant Park again, there were some changes made to Lollapalooza's layout greatly enhancing an attendee's experience. Without going into too much detail, the stage setups and initial structure remained in tact but the parameters of the festival area expanded to an additional cross street. It may seem like a simple tweak, but it made maneuvering through some 80,000 people far less sweaty and stressful.

On top of a fully optimized layout, Lollapalooza hosted a solid artist lineup standing out as one of the best overall lineups of the festival season. There were interesting performances on side stages and enough diversity in the headlining acts to satiate a multitude of musical tastes.

The weather was fully cooperation and nearly every band I saw performed stellar setlists, pulling out all the stops in front of energetic crowds. Chicago is a great city and Grant Park is an even greater place for a festival. After this year and many summers spent on a farm in Manchester, TN, Lollapalooza has become my favorie music festival.

I'll have full recaps + photos of all the acts I saw throughout the next few days.. get ready!

[Stream] new Animal Collective: "Screens"

2010-08-09T12:36:00.000-04:00

In case y'all didn't hear, the soundtrack to Animal Collective's loved and hated film project with Danny Perez leaked the other night. Some scrounging mofos (via via) found one listenable track (of about five) on Soundcloud... and if you want to hear Noah Lennox doing his best Elliott Smith impression, you best take a listen:

I honestly didn't think we'd ever hear something like this from the Animal Collective bunch. It's an odd track (but a good one) that sees them simultaneously striking an oft-missed Sung Tongs chord while stepping the closest to losing their weird they've even gone. But "new territory" was the point of this ODDSAC exercise-- you can bet Panda Bear's upcoming Tomboy won't sound a whisper like "Screens."

[MP3] new Blackbird Blackbird: "Letting Go" (Update)

2010-08-09T00:12:00.001-04:00

Mikey from Blackbird Blackbird just sent over this new track called "Letting Go" -- the first song to drop from the upcoming odd-and-ends EP called Rarities, which a little birdie tells me will be available shortly. In the meanwhile, get down with this:

Update: Mikey also released the demo, so you can decide which you like best:

[MP3] Blackbird Blackbird - Letting Go
[MP3] Blackbird Blackbird - Letting Go (demo)

Mikey calls it "somewhat the result of a recent Best Coast/Wavves binge I’ve been on lately." I'm gonna pretend he didn't mention Best Coast and that this shit just came up organically, which seems to be the case. Dude doesn't give himself enough credit. Case in point.

<-- Blackbird Blackbird -->
Tumblr | MySpace | More MP3s | Buy Summer Heart

[MP3] new Levek: "Second Second" + Viernes cover

2010-08-05T13:10:00.002-04:00

We've been all over Levek's tunes for a while now, doing our best to get this guy's talents out into the world. We told you how he's a school bus driver by day and lo-fi bedroom songsmith by night. We've shown you his stellar a cappella covers of songs like Grizzly Bear's "Shift" and what he and Emily Reo can do with Beach House and a ukulele. What we never made clear, though, is that all of these compositions of his--every acoustic strum, every bongo slap, and every word sung--are recorded through the tiny little mic next to the tiny little camera on his laptop.

Never would have guessed that shit, huh?

[MP3] Levek - Second Second

Recently our friend Alberto Hernandez from the esteemed FL band Viernes sent us over Levek's a cappella cover of "Ancient Amazon / New Fashion" from their debut LP Sinister Devices.

[MP3] Levek - Ancient Amazon / New Fashion (Viernes Cover)

Some serious Brian Wilson shit going on here. Make sure to pick up Sinister Devices if you haven't yet, especially the gorgeous gatefold white vinyl.

[mpFree] Yellow Ostrich's Fade Cave EP

2010-08-04T17:25:00.002-04:00

We've always appreciated the sort of unique approaches to music creation that Yellow Ostrich (Alex Schaaf) has undertaken in the past and his latest EP, Fade Cave, is no exception. Using only a drum machine and his voice, and without sounding redundant (seriously), Schaaf has carved out six impressive tracks that generously sway from hypnotic hymnals to Beach Boys homages.

[MP3] Yellow Ostrich - Fog
[MP3] Yellow Ostrich - In The Past I Was An Astronaut

Download the Fade Cave EP for free here.

<-- Yellow Ostrich -->
Bandcamp | MySpace | More MP3s | Follow @YellowOstrich

[Video] Arcade Fire does "Wake Up" + others in 2003

2010-08-04T09:10:00.004-04:00

[via] Apparently this is the earliest known footage of Arcade Fire as we know them today, performing "Wake Up", "No Cars Go" and "Old Flame" on a visibly tiny stage in Toronto circa 2003. For those who weren't lucky enough to have seen Arcade Fire live between 2004-2005, this pretty much sums up the experience. Sorry if it stings a little bit, now y'all just have to sit up in the nosebleeds at MSG. Feeling really nostalgic right about now...

I shot this video of my buddy Richard's band at the Rivoli in Toronto when their self titled EP had just come out. The songs are Wake Up, No Cars Go and Old Flame.

Today (Aug. 3, 2010) their 3rd LP came out and on Thursday (Aug. 5) you can watch their show at Madison Square Gardens LIVE on Youtube (!?) at 10PM ET / 7PM PT at http://www.youtube.com/ArcadeFireVEVO

time marches on...

It certainly does.

[Stream] Candy Claws' LP Hidden Lands - Out Today!

2010-08-03T13:40:00.002-04:00

Yes, the entire music loving world is well aware that Arcade Fire released their new LP The Suburbs today. Today is also the release date of Candy Claws latest LP Hidden Lands, a band I've loved for a long time with an album so excellent you've got to hear it for yourself. Connor loved it so much his brain exploded, leaving cotton candy and strawberry cheesecake residue on his walls! Stream Hidden Lands below in its entirety below and prepare to wash your walls.

Support the band and buy Hidden Lands, after their car exploded they need it!

[mpFree] Pop Winds' The Turquoise

2010-08-03T12:14:00.006-04:00

I'm strapped to the couch with a bag of frozen peas strapped to my tennis ball-sized ankle, so you better believe I'm in the need for some free music to raise the spirits. Although their music doesn't provide one with Wolverine's rapid healing abilities, Pop Winds definitely will add some pep to your step.

The trio from Montreal combine alto sax, drum machines, keyboards, synth and distortion in a psych pop blender. Much like a little kid, though, they try to press all the buttons like "liquefy" and "purée" before hitting "blend". The results aren't a typical orange julius but the group's debut LP The Turquoise.

[MP3] Pop Winds - Met Some New Colors
[MP3] Pop Winds - Owl Eyes

These tracks aren't pop perfection but I really like the sax + synth mix, similar to the type of jagged pop songs Harlem Shakes produced on Technicolor Health. Hopefully they don't implode like the Shakes and if they do, at least they made me happily tap my uninjured foot.

Download The Turquoise for free here and check out their MySpace.

[mpFree] Beat Connection's Surf Noir

2010-08-02T17:31:00.003-04:00

Beat Connection -noun: 1. electro-pop duo from Seattle making waves in the blogosphere with an eight-song EP that's diamond from front to back; 2. also featured on IGIF's Endless Summer Mix.

Surf Noir -noun: 1. said eight-song EP from aforementioned Seattle bro collective; 2. genre of music that, according to a study performed by Brown Medical School professor Finkle Einhorn, makes life better for all those whose ears come into contact with it.

mpFree -noun: a series of free music releases promoted by IGIF with love, support, and raging aural hard-ons of affection and approval.

I don't need to say much more. Check out the two brilliant tracks below and then download the album. It's that simple »

[MP3] Beat Connection - Silver Screen
[MP3] Beat Connection - Sunburn

Download Surf Noir for free here, and make sure to check out more mpFree releases.

[MP3] new Young Man: "Fate" demo

2010-08-01T19:23:00.001-04:00

Here's a relatively new demo called "Fate" from Colin Caulfield a.k.a. Young Man, whose tunes are finally beginning to spread around the 'net like wildfire (with Brooklyn Vegan, Pitchfork, Prefix, and Free Williamsburg all recently hopping on the train). Check out the new demo below (via yvynyl):

[MP3] Young Man - Fate

Much aligned with the ways of Here We Go Magic, though perhaps more straightforward, Caulfield creates layered, hypnotic folky compositions that seem deceptively simple. Using multiple interwoven guitar licks and minimal percussion as a backdrop, Caulfield's intoxicating vocals shine and sooth with a playful inventiveness that matches the themes he's so far chosen to pursue -- growing up, exploring the world, innocence, and youthful stubborness.

"Fate" is actually an interesting turn for a guy whose debut album explores the world through the eyes of a child. Children are blessed in that they don't have to think about the future. They experience the world through an imaginative process that makes anything possible... and in that light, the concept of fate (the very definition of a lack of control) seems particularly disenchanting. Even still, staying true to his proven lyrical style, Caulfield provides a bit of optimism throughout the song: "It's no suprise / Fate isn't something new / oftentimes it's not what you do."

Previously: Hypeworthy'd | "Unfair" MP3 | "Playtime" MP3

[MP3] Young Man: "Heart of Chambers" (Beach House Cover)

2010-07-30T11:03:00.005-04:00

If Twitter isn't your cup of tea, you missed out on the great news about IGIF adored Young Man. The one-man-bainchild of Colin Caulfield, Young Man recently signed to Frenchkiss Records to (officially) release his debut EP Boy. It's a terrific album and Caulfield is a terrific talent, showcasing his skills on YouTube with a slew of fine covers. Before you get lost for hours on his YouTube account, here's another dreamy cover:

[MP3] Young Man - Heart of Chambers

It's not as orchestrated or layered as the original, yet that's the beauty of Young Man's music. He has an innate ability to create moving music wrapped up in delicacy so hushed and humble, one can't help but listen in awe and anticipating like a kindergarten during story-time.

Boy is set for release on Oct. 12^th with a small tour to boot!

<--Young Man -->
MySpace | More MP3s | Young Man Videos

Thursdays and Covers

2010-07-29T22:40:00.001-04:00

[MP3] Foxes in Fiction - Lately

Similar to the podcasts, it's been awhile since I've posted the always enjoyable Thursdays and Covers. Kicking off this week's collection is a new cover from terrific Canadian bedroom act Foxes in Fiction. I've been a fan of Warren Hildebrand's lo-fi folk/pop for quite some time, and his cover of Memoryhouse's "Lately" only increases my fandom.

[MP3] The Band in Heaven - Dreams

A new band popped into the inbox this week labeling themselves "Floridian shoegaze" and c'mon, what's not intriguing about shoegaze from "The Sunshine State"? This duo goes by the name The Band in Heaven and are close with other acts from Florida like Levek, Surfer Blood, Viernes and Blind Man's Colour. For a state often associated with orange juice and old people, they're amassing quite the music scene. I'll have a full write-up on The Band in Heaven next week but for now, enjoy their cover of The Cranberries tune "Dreams".

Shakira is one cute Colombian and quite a crazy dancer. I thought she'd never top busting into the mainstream with her dancing in the video for "Whenever, Wherever", but boy was I ever wrong. Not a lot of dancing involved in this live video from Glastonbury, where she covered "one of her favorite bands out there" The xx track "Islands":

[Podcast] I Guess I'm Podcasting - Episode 9

2010-07-29T12:14:00.001-04:00

I've not lived up to my promise of consistent podcast production this past month and I'm feeling guilty. After fielding lots of questions about a new podcast installment, I've decided the cure to this guilt trip lies within making a new episode! It's been awhile but I Guess I'm Podcasting is back and better than ever.

This episode is a fully enhanced podcast with chapter markers, album artwork, and song info to boot. Below you'll find a link to episode nine, which includes a whole lot of great music with a little bit of commentary.

Subscribe to I Guess I'm Podcasting for FREE - new episodes and mixes will automatically be delivered to your iTunes each week once they go live! For those not using iTunes simply add this feed into your RSS reader for updates as well!

The ninth episode includes brand new tunes from Arcade Fire, The Love Language, Suckers, Family Trees, Magic Kids, and Gamble House as well as some older favorites from St. Vincent, Dirty Projectors, Nirvana, The New Pornographers and many more. Full playlist and episode archive after the jump!

Previously: Ep. 1 | Ep. 2 | Ep. 3 | Ep. 4 | Ep. 5 | Ep. 6 | Ep. 7 | Ep. 8

[MP3] Mystery Claws: "Flashlight"

2010-07-27T17:46:00.003-04:00

It's great waking up in the summer when the sun hasn't fully ascended into the sky, the part of morning where the weather hasn't decided if it's going to be warm or hot. If you're experiencing the same type of scorching summer as me, cherishing the morning is necessary because you'll melt in the afternoon.

All the better though, Mystery Claws are a pleasant mist of water during dog days where the only wet things nearby are your own sweat saturated articles of clothing. Another L.A. outfit, California is churning out some recent acts reminding everyone not everything in the City of Angels revolves around Hollywood glitz and glamor.

[MP3] Mystery Claws - Flashlights

This won't be the best song to ever enter your ears, but it is great and makes for a catchy, refreshing listen. Aside from youthful vocal yelps, I quite enjoy the synthetic drums that kick in toward the end of the chorus. A lot. Mystery Claws contain members of Warpaint and Kisses brother Matt Kivel, is L.A. über-inbred?

Spin Mystery Claws' debut LP Hydaspia on Bandcamp and buy it for cheap!

<-- Mystery Claws -->
MySpace Site | More MP3s | Buy Hydaspia

[Stream] SPIN 25 Live Shows - The Flaming Lips, The National, The Black Keys

2010-07-27T15:05:00.005-04:00

In celebration of SPIN Magazine's 25^th Anniversary, they're throwing a week-long party in NYC featuring different bands each night. The schedule is pretty stout, featuring The Smashing Pumpkins, The Flaming Lips, The Black Keys, The National, Fang Island, Suckers, and many more.

If you live in NYC, checking out the performances during SPIN 25 presented by ZYNC from American Express is certainly worth it. If you're like me and regretably not living in NYC (yet), you can stream every concert live, online!

Check out the full lineup and other event details here.

Since we love Fang Island, check out this rad video in preparation for tonight's show. Seriously, I don't think this audience will ever be topped:

[Video] Caribou: "Sun"

2010-07-27T11:40:00.006-04:00

I'm not sure what's happening in this video, other than different genres and generations colliding in a small room where dancing is the language of choice. Perhaps Caribou lacked a video budget, this would definitely be cost-effective. Fortunately, the energy and dancing at his live shows are way better than what the video portrays. "Sun" is one of my favorite tracks off of Swim, yet in this case: song > video