John's New Music Blog

We've Moved! Come See Our New Home!

2013-02-04T20:38:00.000-05:00

We're moving to a new home and taking a new name, www.indiemusicexplorer.com. We've moved to a new platform that will give us more flexibility and new options. Come see our new home with the easy to remember address, www.indiemusicexplorer.com.

We Need Your Help!

2012-02-24T08:16:00.001-05:00

No, this isn't a plea for money (unless you'd like to send some and then by all means do so), but a request for the readers of John's New Music Blog to help choose a new name for the site.

Since I started this little corner of the Internet back in 2010, it's become much more than just one person posting their opinions about new music, but a place for artists to launch new music. We've helped bands break into the US, sponsored two albums, held a showcase for three performers at the John's New Music Blog Performance Space (my living room) and always trying to have some fun. So with that in mind, it's time for a new name.

The name should be short enough to work as a domain name as well.

So put your thinking caps on and send me your best ideas. Use either the comments section or email me your suggestion.

So you might be asking "What's the prize?" If the winner is close to Philadelphia, we'll buy them a drink and they'll have the satisfaction of knowing that their suggestion was better than all the other ones. If they're not close to Philadelphia, then the satisfaction of knowing they're more clever than anyone else will have to suffice. We reserve the right to reject all submissions and go with our own idea.

Good luck!

Fresh New Music -- Selebrities

2012-02-16T22:05:00.000-05:00

Today's featured band is Brooklyn's Selebrities, a retro-pop three piece that wouldn't sound out of place on the radio in 1983. The band is made up of Maria Usbeck on vocals, Jer Robert Paulin on guitar and Max Peterson on the keyboards. The band describes itself as "voguish, summertime goth" and several reviewers have compared them favorably to a certain Manchester band of the 1980's. I'm inclined to agree and say that their sound is both retro and contemporary in combines 1980's synthesizer lines with modern production values and techniques.

Photo by Lucy Bridger

Selebrities has a new single from their upcoming 7" release, "Night Heat." The video is very, very trippy and the song sounds straight out of 1983, but it's not dated at all. It's very similar to the recent single from M83, "Midnight City" and it drips sensuousness with every beat.

Selebrities - Night Heat from Selebrities on Vimeo.

The second track is "Can't Make Up My Mind," from their 2011 full length release Delusions. It's more in the style of The Human League and could have found it's way into a John Hughes, Brat Pack film soundtrack. If you like Summer Camp, you'll love this track.

Can't Make Up My Mind from Selebrities on Vimeo.

"Night Heat" will be out on Cascine on March 20; Delusions is available from Darla Records (12" vinyl or download), iTunes, and Amazon.

Today's Featured Band -- Still Corners

2012-02-05T21:10:00.000-05:00

After a long-ish break from finding new music, we're back with a some new bands and a contest (more on that later). First, today's featured band is London's Still Corners, a 1960's influenced four piece consisting of founders Tessa Murray (vocals) and Greg Hughes (songwriter) and Leon Dufficy (guitar), Luke Jarvis (bass) and Paul Mayhew (drums).

Photo by Cat Stevens (Thanks, Sub Pop)

Still Corner's first full length album is Creatures of an Hour and the first single is the gauzy, lo-fi dreamy track "Into the Trees." The track evokes the retro sound that have been the common theme of the past year made popular by Cults.

The second track is "Cuckoo," a shoegazy song that sounds a bit like M83 and Blouse.

Cuckoo from Still Corners on Vimeo.

Still Corners' Sub Pop debut album, Creatures of an Hour, is available from Sub Pop, and for download from iTunes, and Amazon. They are currently on tour in the UK and will hopefully be in the US before too long.

New Video from Summer Camp

2011-09-13T21:04:00.000-04:00

Sorry for being away for a while, I've been a little busy, but I'm back with the video for Summer Camp's latest single, "Better Off Without You," a summery tribute to all things Southern California circa 1973. Their debut album, Welcome to Condale, drops on November 8 on Apricot/Moshi Moshi.

Previously: Fresh New Music -- Summer Camp
New Single from Summer Camp

Today's Featured Band -- International Waters

2011-08-14T14:29:00.000-04:00

Today's featured band is Austin, TX's International Waters, a four piece consisting of former Voxtrot member Mitch Calvert on vocals and guitar, Ryan Hall on guitar, Alex Gehring on bass and Marcus Haddon on drums. The band describes their sound as "jangle pop" and cite The Smiths as one of their influences; Johnny Marr comes through in nearly every track. The band is streaming their album 1994 via their Bandcamp page as they look for a label to pay for a proper vinyl edition.

The video is for the song "1994," a song that's infused with surfpop and jangly guitar goodness that will have you listening to the rest of the album.

1994 - International Waters from Mitchell Calvert on Vimeo.

Here is the rest of the album for your listening pleasure:

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://internationalwaters.bandcamp.com/track/im-in-love-with-the-oni-gallery"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;I'm In Love With The Oni Gallery by International Waters&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

International Waters is currently working on new material and should be playing dates around Austin soon. In the meantime, their first EP, It Felt Like, is available for download from iTunes.

Today's Featured Artist -- Rachel Pearl

2011-08-08T21:35:00.000-04:00

Today's featured artist is Nashville's Rachel Pearl, an extremely talented singer and songwriter who I had the pleasure of meeting this weekend at the Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival in Atlantic City. Rachel is the writing partner of Merry Ellen Kirk and she's released two jazz albums and is working on a pop album. Rachel's first pop single, "Like A Video," is a Katy Perry influenced song that hits all the pop song high note with none of the irony; she plays it straight and succeeds.

If you're familiar with Rachel's other albums (Love Extravagantly and Keepin' It Old School), you'll notice that this is a big departure for her and her writing partner Merry Ellen Kirk, but after talking with Rachel and Merry Ellen at Elephant Talk, there's a lot of experimentation going on in the indie scene with pop sounds and songwriting techniques and you'll be hearing more poppier sounding indie music over the course of the year. I've already started to hear it in what's coming over from the UK, it's a bit more upbeat and the sound is fresher and not as filled with despair and gloom that indie rock is known for. The video exudes fun and captures the completely mad aspects of pop music, it looked like a lot of fun to make.

Rachel, with the help of some generous friends, self-funded her album and as soon as I have more information on the release date and distribution channels, I'll pass it along. For now you can download the "Like A Video" single from iTunes and Amazon, as well as Love Extravagantly (iTunes and Amazon) and Keepin' It Old School (iTunes and Amazon). I enjoyed meeting Rachel and talking about the new trends in music and learning that Nashville's music scene is more than just cowboys who think they can sing and play guitar. Watch this space for show dates in the Philadelphia area, you don't want to miss the chance to see her live.

Photo Credit: John's New Music Blog Staff Photographer

New Single from Summer Camp -- Better Off Without You

2011-07-31T20:08:00.001-04:00

Summer Camp, the London duo of Elizabeth Sankey and Jeremy Warmsley (previously featured here), have announced a new single from their upcoming debut album. The single, "Better Off Without You," is a summery '80's ode to breakups that could have come straight from The Human League circa 1983; I hope that the video includes a Rover SD1 (Jeremy Clarkson knows where they can get one cheap, just don't mind the water damage).

Summer Camp is self-releasing their debut album on their label, Apricot Recordings, and you can help bring the album to reality by contributing a few dollars to their campaign (they have all sorts of neat thank you's for pledging). I kicked in £50 towards the effort and if you like the single, you should too. Go to their PledgeMusic page to see what they are offering their contributors.

(H/T: Gorilla vs. Bear and Beachtapes)

New Music from Merry Ellen Kirk

2011-07-18T22:19:00.002-04:00

Merry Ellen Kirk has just released the single, "Field of Dreams" from her upcoming album The Firefly Gardens. We've featured Merry Ellen in the pages of John's New Music Blog a few times (here and here) and Merry Ellen's voice is somewhere between Tori Amos and Sarah McLaughlin with a little Amie Miriello thrown in for good measure. For someone who's only 21 years old, her singing and songwriting show her to be wise beyond her years. Take a listen to Field of Dreams and if you like it, send her a couple of bucks to help finish the album.

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://merryellenkirk.bandcamp.com/album/field-of-dreams-single"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Field of Dreams (single) by Merry Ellen Kirk&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

The video is for Merry Ellen's song, "Blinding Me," from her Invisible War CD, is about how eyes can actually be a hindrance in seeing what's really important. It's a beautiful song that gives you a good representation of her voice and her songwriting ability.

The Firefly Garden is still in the works so please help Merry Ellen make the album a reality by investing in her project (I did, you should too). The Invisible War is available from Merry Ellen's Bandcamp page.

Merry Ellen will also be playing the Elephant Talk 2011 Indie Music Fest in Atlantic City on Saturday, August 6th (click here for the schedule).

New Video from Cults -- "Go Outside"

2011-07-16T16:47:00.005-04:00

This is the new video from Cults for their excellent song, "Go Outside." I'm not sure how I feel about it, it's a great song, but the video is more than a little disturbing. The video features clips from NBC's coverage of Congressman Leo Ryan's ill fated trip to The People's Temple in Jonestown with bandmembers Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion digitally added to the scenes.

Go Outside, by Cults from Boing Boing on Vimeo.

I think the video is too clever by half, the band and the director are making a statement about the power of cults (get it, cults and get outside?), but by inserting the band into the clips, the message is muddled and Jonestown might be considered ancient history by their fans (if they even know what Jonestown was).

I love the band and the song, but the video just doesn't work for me. Go get the album from iTunes and Amazon and listen for yourself.

New Single from Blouse

2011-06-16T22:37:00.000-04:00

Last February we featured the Portland band Blouse, the Depeche Mode/The Cure influenced shoegaze band that released "Into Black." Blouse is back and recently released a new 7" single "Shadow" via Seattle-based indie megalabel Sub Pop.

"Shadow" is a throwback to the early '80's of Human League and OMD, it covers death and despair in with the cloak of summer.

Blouse - Shadow by subpop

The B side is "Nights & Days," a shoegaze track that highlights the vocals of singer Charlie Hilton with another '80's flashback. The track could have been released in 1983, but it doesn't sound dated like La Roux, but it's a logical progression from Depeche Mode and New Order's early albums to this track.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://bbblouse.bandcamp.com/track/nights-days"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Nights &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Days by BLOUSE&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Blouse is currently in the studio recording their Captured Tracks debut album. "Shadow" and "Nights & Days" is available on vinyl from Sub Pop and for download from Amazon. Their first single, "Into Black" and "Firestarter" is available from iTunes and Amazon.

Today's Featured Band -- Secret Mountains

2011-06-13T20:00:00.003-04:00

Today's featured band is Baltimore's Secret Mountains, a sextet consisting of founders Jeffery Silverstein and Kelly Laughlin and over time added Chris Muccioli, Cory Lawrence, Jake Winstanley, and Alex Jones. The band has a lo-fi, shoegaze sound with a good helping of American folk (it took a couple of listens, but it's there). Its as though Tennis started playing with Fleet Foxes and then met up with Company of Thieves to create a unique and inviting sound that will make you ask if you're still listening to the same band.

The first track is the band's new single, "Weeply Little Fingers," a spacey, shoegaze track that gives you a good feeling for the band's sound and Kelly Laughlin's vocal skills.

Secret Mountains | Ottobar from Michael Muccioli on Vimeo.

The second track is the title track from the band's 2010 EP, Rejoice. This was my first introduction to the band and this is almost two songs in one. The first part is psych-rock and the second part is part Catatonia and part Belle and Sebastian twee indie pop.

Secret Mountains - Rejoice from john andrews on Vimeo.

Rejoice is available for download from Baltimore based Friends Records and the band's first EP, Kaddish, is available from Baltimore's Fall Records, iTunes and Amazon. Secret Mountains is playing at The Mausoleum in Philadelphia on August 12th (details to follow).

(H/T: Beat the Indie Drum)

Pictures from the Radio 104.5 Summer Block Party -- She Wants Revenge and Company of Thieves

2011-06-05T12:38:00.002-04:00

The June installment of the Radio 104.5 Summer Block Party brought two really excellent bands to town, She Wants Revenge and Company of Thieves for the low, low price of free. I've been a fan of She Wants Revenge since I heard their self-titled debut album and swore they were from Manchester and not really from Los Angeles and The New York Post called the album "...an inadvertent Joy Division tribute album." They have toured with Depeche Mode and Placebo and are currently touring in support of their third album Valleyheart. Here are some pictures of Justin Warfield and Adam Bravin on stage at The Piazza at Schmidts in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia.

The next band was Chicago's Company of Thieves, touring in support of their new album, Running From a Gamble. The band shot to critical and commercial success with their first album, Ordinary Riches and the singles, "Oscar Wilde" and "Pressure." I apologize for so many pictures of frontwoman Genevieve Schatz, she was the only member of the band consistently in my line of sight and she was very, very easy to photograph.

She Wants Revenge's new album, Valleyheart, is available from the band, iTunes and Amazon. Company of Thieves' Running From a Gamble is available from the band, iTunes and Amazon.

A big thank you to Radio 104.5 for putting on the Summer Block Parties and bringing in great bands, The Naked and Famous and The Airborne Toxic Event are in town on August 6.

New Double Single from The New Division

2011-05-30T13:53:00.000-04:00

This morning The New Division released their new double single, True Lies///Saturday Night. Both tracks are inspired by early New Order/Depeche Mode, with a dark sound and equally dark lyrics. Both songs are heavy on the synthesizers and drum machines with haunting vocals by frontman John Kunkel.

The first track, "True Lies," is a sparse song that conveys the loss of trust and sadness between lovers; the heavy beat and deep vocal give the emotions behind lyrics extra emphasis, you can hear the pain in his voice.

The second track, "Saturday Night," is a bit more upbeat, almost danceable, but still with the heavy beat and dark vocals. It's about waiting for the perfect moment with the person you love when everything is just right.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://thenewdivision.bandcamp.com/album/true-lies-saturday-night-double-single"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;True Lies //// Saturday Night [Double Single] by The New Division&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

The double single is available as a free download from The New Division's Bandcamp page. The band will also be releasing their first full-length album, Shadows, on September 27, so check back for more details.

Today's Featured Band -- Help Stamp Out Loneliness

2011-05-29T22:37:00.000-04:00

Manchester has spawned many of the greatest bands of the last 35 years, (Joy Division, The Smiths, New Order, Stella Marconi, The Stone Roses, The Buzzcocks) and now the collective Help Stamp Out Loneliness (HSOL), joins that list. HSOL was started in 2007 by Bentley Cooke and Colm McCrory as a way to recover from their years in the twee indie pop band Language of Flowers but soon found themselves wanting to return to their debauched life in indie pop. Cooke and McCrory recruited four more members, Ben Ambridge and Louise Winfield from Star and Garters, Kath McMahon and their vocalist, D. Lucille Campbell.

HSOL recently released their first album, the self-titled, Help Stamp Out Loneliness, a 12 track masterpiece produced by Smiths producer Craig Gannon. Take a listen to the whole album below:

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://helpstampoutloneliness.bandcamp.com/album/help-stamp-out-loneliness"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Help Stamp Out Loneliness by Help Stamp Out Loneliness&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Help Stamp Out Loneliness is available for download from their Bandcamp site, their label, Where It's At Is Where You Are (scroll down), Amazon and iTunes. You can also download their free Record Store Day release, "Record Store," here. HSOL's previous singles, "Pacific Trash Vortex" (iTunes and Amazon) and "Torvill and Dean" (iTunes and Amazon) are also available for download. HSOL is playing dates in the UK in July, no word on plans to come to the US.

Latest from Cults -- "Make Time"

2011-05-19T21:37:00.001-04:00

The latest track to leak from John's New Music Blog's favorite band, Cults, is "Make Time." It continues the Phil Spector meets lo-fi beach rock sound that has come to define Cults.

(Original Soundcloud hosting of track was taken down, click here to go to The Hype Machine to hear it)

Cults debut album, Cults, drops on June 7, preorder from iTunes and Amazon.

(h/t: Beachtapes)

Ian Curtis (1956-1980)

2011-05-18T21:23:00.000-04:00

31 years ago today we lost a true genius.

Record Store Day Exclusive -- Cults "Abducted"

2011-04-24T21:35:00.000-04:00

If John's New Music Blog had a house band, it would be Cults in a rotation with Best Coast, The New Division and Tennis (Allo Darlin' and The Standard Fare on alternate Tuesdays and Thursdays). The only reason why we don't have a house band is lack of space and budget (plus the neighbors might have something to say about indie bands playing in the basement).

In honor of Record Store Day, Cults released a limited edition vinyl 7" single of "Abducted" and, thanks to Weekly Tape Deck, here's the song set to the 1967 French film Anna with Marianne Faithful and Anna Karina, created by director George Tanasie.

Cults - Abducted from George Tanasie on Vimeo.

If you didn't pick up your copy of "Abducted," you're out of luck, but Cults' album will be available on May 30th in the UK and June 7th in the US on Columbia Records (Amazon pre-order here, CD/vinyl).

Fresh New Music -- Seapony's New Single

2011-04-24T19:56:00.000-04:00

The fine people at Gorilla vs. Bear have the new single from Seattle-based Seapony (one of the first bands featured by John's New Music Blog). The single, "Blue Star" is taken from their upcoming Hardly Art debut album, Go With Me. If you're a fan of fuzzy indie dream pop, you'll want to check out the new single. It has the sunny feeling of Tennis (compare for yourself here and here) and you can't help but have a smile on your face when you listen to it.

Blue Star by Seapony

Here's their last release, Dreaming:

Seapony - Dreaming from Double Denim Records on Vimeo.

Seapony's debut album, Go With It, will be hitting stores on May 31st and you can pre-order it from Hardly Art. There's a pre-release single with a track that won't be available on the album which is available from iTunes and Amazon.

New Video from Tennis

2011-04-10T17:57:00.000-04:00

John's New Music Blog favorites, the Denver-based husband and wife sailing indie band Tennis, has recently released a video to accompany the song "Take Me Somewhere" from their Fat Possum debut album, Cape Dory.

The video, by Ian Perlman, captures Patrick and Alaina on board a sailboat on Chesapeake Bay. By using a 16mm film camera, Perlman gives the video warmth and depth, something that's missing from music videos shot on digital equipment and complements the song's lo-fi sound.

Tennis - "Take Me Somewhere" from Ian Perlman on Vimeo

Cape Dory is available from Fat Possum Records, iTunes and Amazon.

Fresh New Music -- The New Division

2011-04-05T21:23:00.000-04:00

The New Division released their new single, "Walk in the Dark" as a free download on their Bandcamp page. It's a great song that continues with the New Order/Depeche Mode influences that were heard on The Rookie. As readers know, John's New Music Blog is a big supporter and fan of The New Division and I encourage you to download their new single and share it with your friends. For those unfamiliar with The New Division, here's my review for their recent EP, The Rookie and an introduction to the band.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://thenewdivision.bandcamp.com/track/walk-in-the-dark"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Walk In The Dark by The New Division&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

The New Division will be playing The House of Blues in Anaheim on April 14th, the Silverlake Lounge in Los Angeles on April 28th, and The Viper Room (yes, that Viper Room) in Hollywood on May 20th. If you're in Southern California, I encourage you to check our their show and tell them that you heard about them from John's New Music Blog (no, I don't get a commission for plugging their shows).

New Local Music -- Reading Rainbow

2011-04-04T22:31:00.000-04:00

Today's featured local band is Philadelphia's Reading Rainbow, a two piece consisting of Rob and Sarah that's just come to my attention. Reading Rainbow is making some very good fuzzy, lo-fi indie pop and if you don't know who they are now, you will soon.

Reading Rainbow has been releasing records on a variety of labels since 2009 and they will be releasing a single sided 7" called "Cover the Sky" on Hell, Yes! on April 11. Take a listen below:

READING RAINBOW "Cover The Sky" by HellYes

Here's an earlier release from Reading Rainbow's November 2010 album, Prism Eyes, called "Wasting Time."

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://readingrainbow.bandcamp.com/album/prism-eyes"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Prism Eyes by Reading Rainbow&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

"Cover the Sky" will be available from Insound as a limited edition of 400 and will ship on April 11. Pre-order your copy today. Prism Eyes is available on vinyl and CD from Hozac Records, and for download from iTunes and Amazon.

If you want to see Reading Rainbow in person, they will be playing a No Wavelength all ages show at Danger Danger Gallery in Philadelphia on April 25th at 7:00pm with Grass Widow, Broken Water and Acid Kicks. Click here for the Facebook event invite.

(H/T: Gorilla vs. Bear)

Lissie's Cover of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance"

2011-04-03T15:58:00.000-04:00

Every so often an indie artist will wander into the Top 40 side of the pool to take a disposable pop song and transform it into something more memorable. Lissie's cover of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" is no exception and she shows why Paste Magazine named her their Best New Solo Artist of 2010 (scroll down the page) with her non-ironic and powerful cover. So without further ado, Lissie's version of "Bad Romance."

Lissie is on tour supporting her first full length album, Catching a Tiger, which is available for download from Fat Possum Records, iTunes and Amazon. Her debut EP, Why You Runnin', is available from Fat Possum Records, iTunes and Amazon. Click here for tour dates (all on the other side of the world this summer, so if you find yourself in Australia or Europe, you're in luck).

New Local Music -- Sweet Lights

2011-04-02T12:09:00.000-04:00

Today's featured band is Philadelphia's Sweet Lights, the solo project of The Capitol Years' Shai Halprein. The new single, The Shortest Man on Earth, is a gem of a song that has feet in both the Americana folk pop camp and the indie pop camp. The song is perfect for a relaxing day at the pool or as the soundtrack for a chill cocktail party.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;lt;a href="http://sweetlights.bandcamp.com/track/the-shortest-man-on-earth"&amp;gt;The Shortest Man on Earth by Sweet Lights&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Sweet Lights has made a few videos for their previous releases and here are two of the more innovative ones. The first is for the track "A Hundred Needle Pins" which is layered over the opening titles from various seasons of "The Cosby Show."

Sweet Lights - A Hundred Needle Pins from Sweet Lights on Vimeo

The second, and my favorite, is for the song "Relate to You." The video is by Lisa Eisner and it just exudes sex and passion. This song is another for the "Late Night Dance Party" playlist.

Sweet Lights - Relate to You from Sweet Lights on Vimeo.

"The Shortest Man on Earth" is available for free download from Bandcamp, along with the debut album.

Today's Featured Band -- Cults

2011-03-21T21:01:00.002-04:00

If the year were to end today, I would proclaim Cults, and their track "You Know What I Mean" as the band and track of the year. Their debut album isn't being released until May, but several tracks have made their way onto the blogs, and of the tracks I've heard, "You Know What I Mean" is a stomp the floor, pound the table, certifiable hit. It's a '50's throwback Phil Spector "Wall of Sound" meets lo-fi song and at the 49 second mark, be prepared to be blown away. You will be listening to this over and over again.

Cults - You Know What I Mean by cultscultscults

Cults will be at Johnny Brenda's in Philadelphia on Saturday, March 26 for an R5 Productions show with Asobi Seksu and Warm Ghost. I'll be there, click here for tickets. Their debut single, "Go Outside," is available for download from iTunes and Amazon.

(H/T: Gorilla vs Bear)