Exitfare

Exitfare has moved

2010-03-06T20:23:00.001-05:00

Please find us a real blog again at http://exitfaremag.wordpress.com/. Update your bookmarks, etc etc

Exitfare is still dead...

2010-01-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

... but not really.

Go here (or don't, we don't really care): http://exitfareisdead.tumblr.com/

THE END.

2009-10-18T03:09:00.000-04:00

WE'RE MOVING ON. DETAILS TO COME.

Silver Swans

2009-09-23T19:38:00.002-04:00

"Realize the Ghost" [Audio]

Everyone has a different side, especially musicians, and it's always great to hear that. We all know Ann Yu as the vocalist for LoveLikeFire and are unique ability to create dramatic and memorable songs, but in her side project Silver Swans (with Jon Waters), she shows her keen sense of anchoring dancefloor fillers with beautifully swirling hollow vocals and intricate electro instrumentals that lift you into a dream state...a constant, yet enjoyable struggle between vocals and electronics.

Their debut album Realize the Ghost is out in January on San Francisco-based Tricycle Records.

them:youth "Bows and Arrows"

2009-09-22T17:35:00.003-04:00

Myspace // "Halo" [Audio]

Splitting the difference between bands like Delphic and Doves, London-based them:youth may be young, but they are already creating quite a buzz throughout the capital. John Kennedy and Zane Lowe are already on board, and the band's first single dropped on the uber-hip Another Music=Another Kitchen. The good times for them are only going to get better.

Lemons

2009-09-21T13:07:00.003-04:00

Myspace // "Vamos a Considerar" [Audio]

Monterrey, located in NE Mexico, is the hottest spot right now in the country for new music, and it's across genre lines as well, from dance to acoustic to indie. It's truly an exciting time to be a fan of MX indie rock. Lemons, who have just released their debut EP del Uno al 5, plays an immediately classic sound reminiscent of the Strokes or the Kooks. I am really pleased with what I've heard so far, so let's hope they make it to the States sometime soon.

Fuck Her, or the Terrorists Win

2009-09-18T15:58:00.003-04:00

Last FM // "Hipsters" [Audio]

The two musicians that form the nucleus of Mexican group Fuck Her, or the Terrorists Win have their hands in a lot of quality groups, like Album, Club Comfort, and Mr. Raccoon, but this act, which only began as a quick project on the side, has already created a ton of buzz. It's not out of the question to call them the MX Postal Service, as sonically they are very similar. As well, Roberto Polo is similar to Ben Gibbard in many ways. While there are currently no plans to record more material, there are also no plans NOT to record more. To grab the bands only EP, visit The Poni Republic. It's free to download, like much of the music on this brilliant site.

Jamie T "Chaka Demus"

2009-09-16T12:37:00.001-04:00

Myspace

You might remember new track "Sticks N' Stones" from earlier this summer, a pure dose of summer fun showing that Mr. Treays had not lost his step one bit. Jamie T's second album, Kings and Queens, hit UK shelves last week -- this is the latest single from the disc.

"Chaka Demus" is also available as a standalone EP which contains the title track and three songs not found on the album.

Cancel the Astronauts

2009-09-14T01:30:00.002-04:00

Myspace // "Intervention" [Audio]

Scottish group Cancel the Astronauts has a firm grasp on playful indie rock, falling somewhere between the style of bands like the Strokes and the irreverence of some of their local counterparts like Come On Gang and We Were Promised Jetpacks, describing their music as "twisted love songs." Their debut EP is out now, and if you want a little sampling before making the purchase, head on over to their Last FM page to download several of their demos.

Manic Street Preachers "Jackie Collins Existential Question Time"

2009-09-11T12:12:00.003-04:00

Myspace

Coming out earlier this year in the UK, Journal for Plague Lovers continues on the same path as the Manics' previous effort: a late career call to arms reminding fans why the band has always been vital, and washing away the band taste that Know Your Enemy left in everyone's mouths.

While I was in England on the album's release date (on my 30th birthday, no less), other Stateside fans will get the opportunity to buy the new album at non-import prices this Tueaday when it official hits stores. Alternately, buying it here from the band will net you a ten song remix compilation as well. While the band's remixes have never been spectacular, this time around folks like Saint Etienne, Four Tet, and Patrick Wolf had their chance to do a reworking, so this one may be worth checking out.

Additionally, for the first time in a decade, the band will be touring the US, starting in Seattle. Dates below:

September
Mon-21: Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s
Tue-22: Vancouver, Canada @ The Commodore Ballroom
Thu-24: San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Fri-25: Los Angeles, CA @ The Avalon
Mon-28: Denver, CO @ The Bluebird Theatre
Wed-30: Minneapolis, MN @ The Varsity Theatre

October
Thu-01: Chicago, IL @ The Metro
Fri-02: Detroit, MI @ The Majestic Theatre
Sun-04: Toronto, Canada @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre
Tue-06: Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live
Wed-07: New York City, NY @ Webster Hall
Thu-08: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club

May 68: New Song and We Have Band Tour

2009-09-10T12:53:00.003-04:00

Photo by Tom Cockram

Myspace // "Carla" [Audio]

Manchester dance pop/rockers May 68 are back with a new demo, and a string of tour dates with We Have Band. We been loving their music for the past several months around the Exitfare offices, and we're glad that more people are starting to catch on.

Thursday 10th September - MANCHESTER @ Ruby Lounge
Friday 11th September - LIVERPOOL @ Korova
Saturday 12th September - SHEFFIELD @ Plug
Tuesday 15th September - LONDON @ ICA
Friday 18th September - MANCHESTER (Friends of Mine) @ KRO Bar w/ LoveLikeFire

France + the Habsburgs

2009-09-02T12:26:00.001-04:00

Myspace // "Jenny is Connected" [Audio]

The influence of the Fall's Mark E. Smith can be felt far and wide, and I've always enjoyed the bands that wear their love for him on their sleeves, but even moreso, those bands that improve upon what he created are tops in my books. Some would way that's not hard to do, but bands like Elle Milano, Hatcham Social, and Sunderland's France + the Habsburgs have done wonders with Smith's aesthetics, totally reinventing the system to come up with something entirely their own.

Noise Beat Propaganda

2009-09-01T13:20:00.004-04:00

[Photo Credit: Dsek World]

Myspace // "Can't Let You Go" [Audio]

Mexicali is a border town on the Mexican side of the US/Mexico border, a city that straddles two worlds, one a developed nation and the other a developing one. Noise Beat Propaganda is a band that has their feet firmly planted in both worlds, even singing in both Spanish and English. The band's recently release debut EP We're in Love, Yeah Right, came out earlier this year on Poni Republic, and at times reminds me of such hyperactive indie bands like Johnny Foreigner, but there's is definitely something quite a bit different going on here.

Download the EP for free from Poni Republic.

Mumford and Sons "Little Lion Man"

2009-08-31T15:09:00.002-04:00

Myspace

If I am not mistaken, this is the band's first official video. Good times.

Los Romanticos de Zacatecas

2009-08-28T14:43:00.004-04:00

Myspace // "Nuestro Amor" [Audio]

Although most of the recent headlines about Mexico have involved drug wars and murders along the border, the country remains one with a vibrant indie music scene, one that seems to be undergoing quite a renaissance right now, something that economic and political strife is bound to do. It's been quite a mission, but thanks to the help of some great people, I have uncovered a host of amazing new bands coming out of Mexico.

One of those groups is Zacatecas-based Los Romanticos de Zacatecas, who have been influenced by the likes of the Strokes and other similar NY bands. The band's eponymous EP, released this year on netlabel Delhotel Records, is available in its entirety for free on the label's website. The five songs included within are fun, engaging, and honors their influences effectively.

Hello Seahorse!

2009-08-27T13:32:00.004-04:00

Myspace // "Bestia" [Audio]

It might be political and economic strife or it just may be a good time to be a musician, but it seems as though Mexico is going through a musical renaissance with a host of unique new groups popping up all over the country.

Hailing from Mexico City, three-piece Hello Seahorse! have been playing out for a few years and already have several releases under their belts, and they have played north of the border as well. This year's Bestia is their finest work yet, and shows that the group has a knack for crafting catchy, laid back electronic pop tunes. They are doing a number of dates in central Mexico this summer, but those of you in Chicago, look out for them at Logan Square Auditorium in November.

Check out the video for "Bestia" here.

Mellowdrone Returns

2009-08-26T14:59:00.003-04:00

Myspace // "Elephant" [Audio] // "Wherever You May Go" [Audio]

To be honest, I totally forgot about Mellowdrone. Their early EPs and first album were excellent pieces of dark electronic indie, but in the ultrafast world of new media and the internet, there are five promising new bands every day, and any group that goes dormant for even a few months is bound to be forgotten by many.

When Mellowdrone returned this year, it took me awhile to give them a fair shake. I was buried under by so much other stuff it was tough to pay attention to yet another band.

Listening to their new album, I am liking what I hear. It's pure Mellowdrone -- the band has not lost a step, and for all of you that may have forgotten about them, give them another chance.

Their new album Angry Bear is out now on Coming Home Records.

The Drums

2009-08-25T12:52:00.003-04:00

Myspace // "Don't Be a Jerk, Johnny" [Audio]

Not quite sure how to pin down Brooklyn's The Drums. Could they funtimecore? The tunes are catchy and fun, but in the least cheesy way possible. It makes you wonder how Brooklyn could ever be grumpy when you have a band this positive, that's shining this bright. They somehow filter Britpop through '60s American garage and make it work.

If Surfside 6 were on the air in 2009, we know who would be doing the theme song.

The Rakes New Album Gets a US Release

2009-08-21T00:48:00.003-04:00

Myspace // "1989" [Audio]

They emerged at the top of their scene five years ago, and while many of the new wave-redux bands have fallen by the wayside, it seems as though The Rakes have held on with consistently solid material. Their third album, Klang, has been available since March in the UK, but it will get a digital release on 20 October in the US. This will be coupled with a short tour hitting several markets across North America.

OCT 31 - LOS ANGELES, CA - THE ROXY
NOV 1 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SLIMS
NOV 3 - SALT LAKE CITY, UT - THE URBAN LOUNGE
NOV 4 - DENVER, CO - THE BLUEBIRD
NOV 6 - MINNEAPOLIS, MN - TRIPLE ROCK
NOV 7 - CHICAGO, IL - DOUBLE DOOR
NOV 9 - TORONTO, ON - MOD CLUB
NOV 10 - MONTREAL, QC - PETIT CAMPUS
NOV 11 - BOSTON, MA - GREAT SCOTT
NOV 12 - NEW YORK, NY - HIGHLINE BALLROOM

Chew Lips Get Remixed

2009-08-20T00:26:00.001-04:00

Myspace // "Salt Air" (Plastician remix)[Audio]

Last month, London-based electronic popsters Chew Lips released their second single on Kitsune, "Salt Air." It's yet another promising statement from the group who have quickly become one of the in demand outfits in England. Posted below is a remix from Plastician, which is unavailable on this single.

Manila Chapter

2009-08-19T00:27:00.003-04:00

Myspace // "Television" [Audio]

My love of former Newcastle stalwarts Kubichek! has only grown since a they disbanded a couple years ago. Three of the four guys went on to form the solid Black Flashes, but nary a peep has been heard from them in quite some time. Recently, former Kubichek! singer Alan McDonald has been playing guitar in Manila Chapter, a band that retains some of the flavor of his former outfit, but also looks into the future with new textures and new sounds. It's early days for them, but you can listen to three choice demos on their Myspace now.

Bombay Bicycle Club "Magnet"

2009-08-18T13:29:00.003-04:00

Myspace

Before this album came out earlier this summer, I mentally picked the songs that I thought made sense as the singles, and so far I've been on point. The concept for this video is simple, but it's also effective in showing the energy of this young band, especially the near epileptic fits of lead singer Jack Steadman. The video's style even has a touch of R.E.M. circa late '80s.

The single is out 14 September in the UK, and their debut album is out now.

NewIslands

2009-08-17T14:11:00.004-04:00

Myspace // "Don't Stop Dreaming" (demo) [Audio]

If you're into this sort of thing, Mat Horne loves these guys. If you need a bit more convincing, this Northampton group does quite a bit of synth-assisted rocking, but not in any obvious way. It's not a group that I got on the first listen, but with some time, I started to understand the appeal and now, I really can't get this tune out of my head. Word is that they'll be opening some Miike Snow dates in the UK.

Stricken City

2009-08-14T00:36:00.004-04:00

[Photo Credit: Sam Seager]

Myspace // "Don't Spit at Her Face" [Audio]

Whether it's pop or indie, I can't really say, but there is really something effortlessly classic about the tunes that London-based Stricken City create. Their quirkiness rarely, if ever, becomes too obnoxious for their own good, and it allows them to fit in nicely next to bands like Amazing Baby and Land of Talk.

The band are set to release an 8 song EP through Pure Groove on 12 October, a gatefold CD/DVD package in very limited physical quantities. Pre-order your copy now and get a high-quality digital download on 14th September. A U.S. vinyl release will follow on 3rd November through The Kora Records.

Blood Red Shoes in the Studio

2009-08-13T00:34:00.004-04:00

[Photo Credit: Tom Beard]

Myspace // "Carry Knots" [Audio]

A band that we have covered ad nauseum since their very early days, Brighton duo Blood Red Shoes are in the studio hard at work on their second album, which as far as I know has no release date or title. They were nice enough to record two video diaries which will give you a peek into the process. For more updates, check out their Twitter.

Studio Diary - Part One

Studio Diary - Part Two