Air Review: The band release their new EP, America's Son, this coming spring. Listen to the title track below.

Air Review is a Dallas quintet. They played their first show in May of 2009. Their dynamic, versatile, and energetic live shows have landed them primary support slots for an eclectic group of acts including Portugal. The Man, The Boxer Rebellion, One Eskimo, Blue October, Flyleaf, Bowling for Soup and Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights. Their forthcoming EP, America’s Son, promises to further establish Air Review as a sonically diverse and ambitious act that stands to break out in a major way in 2012, simply by staying the course it has already set. The tracks “America’s Son”, “Low Wishes”, and “Waiting Lessons” have received international acclaim from the blogosphere, which include a feature in The Huffington Post. The EP will be released in the spring with one more single to be released soon.

Download America’s Son here. Even if you don’t download the MP3 (why wouldn’t you), do take the time to watch the video above, well worth the watch. The track itself is a gorgeous slow-burner for that lazy summer day listening. Granted we’ve a long way to go yet until the summer but America’s Son should do a lot in helping you get there a bit quicker.

Air Review: America’s Son by rewindmagazine

Video: Air Review: America’s Son

The Detours release their new EP, Ignite, on March 12th

It’s all crunch, crunch, crunch for your Monday with some new music for you from The Detours (Glasgow, Scotland) who release their Ignite EP on March 12 this year.

Formed in 2006, The Detours’ combination of energetic guitar riffs and soaring sing-a-long choruses has seen them amass a legion of loyal fans. The band have had the pleasure of sharing stages with many distinguished artists including Bury Tomorrow, Asking Alexandria, The Answer and Slaves To Gravity to name but a few. A slight re-jig of the primary lineup in 2010 saw the introduction of the very experienced vocalist Matt Littlefair. With his arrival, a maturity in the band’s songwriting developed, and his cleaner vocal added new dimensions, possibilities and commercial appeal.

Having appeared live on Channel 4’s ‘Orange Unsigned’ show, and beaten off over 10,000 other acts to win Live & Unsigned 2009, The Detours have unsurprisingly become renowned for their dynamic live shows. With their debut EP, Ignite, they hope to capture that energy for which they’ve become so well known. Opening track One Last Chance recalls Four Ways To Scream Your Name-era Funeral For A Friend, the title track riffs itself into a frenzy, while Free simply soars its way to the finish line.

2011 was a year of firsts for the band; first festival appearance, first single launch and first music video. 2012 welcomes The Detours with open arms, and will kick off fully when they play select Scottish tour dates with Attack! Attack! this February.

Check out The Detours Official Website or follow The Detours on Twitter.

Ignite by The Detours

More new music for your Friday, this time from California with Coast Jumper’s For Youth. Grab the download below or check out the album Grand Opening, released August 2011.

Coast Jumper forwent the luxury of dingy motel rooms and camped out across the country, packing their lives into a car that would take them from the blank winters of their youth to where they would eventually complete their five-man lineup in California.

Meeting as teenagers in upstate New York, the members of Coast Jumper spent four years growing up together under the same roof, enduring the harsh winters, friendships come and gone, life. Sequestering themselves one winter in their dimly lit basement, Coast Jumper assembled the collage that is Grand Opening. Equal parts ambiance, aggression, harmony, and release, it’s about lost loves but it’s also about new ones. It’s about finding purpose and meaning in something, but also becoming disillusioned with the whole damn thing. It feels like a bunch of kids growing into themselves. In that basement, they took an oath to never stop.

Grand Opening Tracklisting

• Sutures i
• For Youth
• Lawless
• Don’t Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)
• Disabler
• Please Stay Awake
• Infinite Something
• Windowsill
• Sutures ii
• …to the West!

Sharliza - New single Claustrophobia out February 27th

With some synth pop for your Friday, here’s Sharliza Jelita’s new single Claustrophobia which sees a digital release on February 27th.

The enigmatic Sharliza Jelita returns this February 27 2011 with her brand new “eclectro” pop single Claustrophobia. The follow up to 2011’s No Go Pogo’ and Is That Your Underwear On The Floor?, this single marks the third release to be taken from her forthcoming album Strange Things. In her own words…

Claustrophobia is the mood on the tube or the train. Doing the same journey to work every day. Being ensconced in small man-made spaces every day. And coming home to do the same things every day. Video games – hallelujah

Sharliza’s life is one furnished with events that have served as a rich pallet of inspiration. Orphaned at 15, she travelled to a variety of different countries, encountering a wide range of different lifestyles and people. Her varied experience and eccentric outlook on life makes for observational songwriting with a sense of humour that goes beyond the usual pop song topics of partying, misguided arrogance and sex. Claustrophobia is about living an anonymous, monotonous life in a dirty city and wanting to leave, if not for money and distracting computer games.

It was the likes of Duran Duran, Suede and Radiohead that drew Sharliza Jelita to UK shores. She fronted a band called the Rrrs and quickly became guitarist in the electro-pop collective Death Metal Disco Scene (featured in Dorian Lynskey’s First Sight feature in The Guardian). Sharliza’s own solo work owes more to the influence of Hot Chip, Stereolab and the flamboyance of Janelle Monae.

Now based in London, her live performances are what draw in the crowds, regularly throwing in all manner of theatrical props from mechanical rabbits, feathers and flying fridge magnets, which have led to her shows being described as ‘Hot Chip meets Sesame Street’.

Narrow Sparrow are a new band out of Chicago, Illinois dabbling in the realms of experimental pop and electronica. Their debut EP, Synthworks, is available as a free download on their Tumblr blog sleepytimeindreamland.tumblr.com. This is their new view for latest track Spooky Head chopped up to old 1920s movie footage.

Grab an MP3 here or take a watch above, listen below.

Barna Howard, releases his self-titled debut on February 21st.

New music for you this Wednesday morning in Dublin comes from Barna Howard out of Missouri (US), currently resident in Portland. With a new self-titled record on the way this February, he counts Bert Jansch, James Talley, Townes Van Zandt and Neil Young among his influences. You can definitely hear the Neil Young influence on his vocal stylings and top to bottom this is one of those credits-rolling-up good earthy folk songs which bodes well for the rest of the album. Vocal style aside, it’s the picked melody that wins it for me on this one.

The ten-track album (of which this track is number six) drops on February 21st by way of Mama Bird Recordings. Grab Promise, I Won’t Laugh here or start playing below.

Diagrams: Black Light, Out Now vya Full Time Hobby

With a raft of four star reviews under it’s belt from main stream media and an 8/10 Drowned In Sound review, Diagrams‘ Black Light is available to buy and download now, dropping yesterday. The album contains this week’s iTunes Single Of The Week, Tall Buildings, along with Night All Night and Antelope. Give them a play below via SoundCloud or drop over to iTunes to pick up a copy of the album. You’ll get a digital booklet with the album purchase on iTunes.

Diagrams is the brainchild of former Tunng co-frontman, Sam Genders. If you like what you hear and you’re in the London area you’ll find Diagrams live on stage tomorrow (Wednesday January 18th) at The Lexington with support from Fairewell and Patterns.

Listen to ANTLERS by The Star Department (Dublin, Ireland)

Antlers is the latest release from Dublin’s The Star Department and is the first single to be taken from their forthcoming debut album The Pea Green Boat, due for release later this year. Field Music’s David Brewis took care of the mixing on this downtempo release. Grab yourself a free download over at BandCamp.

Dawn Mitschele - This Time Next Year. Listen or download below.

Filed under ‘soul medicine’, here’s some easy listening to get you going through the night. Just before Christmas, Dawn Mitschele out of San Diego / Southern California, released This Time Next Year. In January 2009, Dawn was named by San Diego Magazine as one of “50 to Watch” in the new year and in May of 2009 she released her first full length Album, “In the Moonlight.” She has a supporting band with local musicians, Johnny Cicolella, Dan Diaz and Jason Ford, though the list continues to grow as more guest musicians often add to the collaboration. You can grab her current album In The Moonlight now or hold on to February 14th for her new EP Love Remains which should contain this track on release.

You can follow Dawn Mitschele on Twitter, Facebook or drop some dollars and pounds on iTunes and CD Baby.

Blogging in motion, as we tend to do, we’re going to build up the shape of the site here in front of you over the next few hours so please don’t mind the building works, too much.

We’re about to start redirecting the site to rewind.ie, your new home for Indie Switch online. Our Twitter account has also changed over so you can follow us there at @rewindmagazine.

Back shortly…

Take a listen to Dublin-based Heritage Centre’s Don’t You Ever Give Up On Yourself? You can also track the band on The Facebook here. It’s been a long time since they band have made any public performances but you can catch them in The Grand Social in Dublin on January 28th for the official single launch.

Take a listen to Spirit Of The High here or above.

Your poison for today’s daily pick is Baby, It’s Fine, from A Classic Education, taken from their debut album Call It Blazing. Video directed by Jamie Harley. The band are about to hit the trail (from tomorrow) for the best part of 4 months cris-crossing the US on tour with Cloud Nothings and Ganglians. You can grab the MP3 from Pitchfork here (original post here).

Similarly, NME premiered the new video for A Classic Education’s “Baby, It’s Fine” from their debut full length Call It Blazing (out now). This video was directed by the illustrious Jamie Harley and marks his first video using originally filmed footage. A Classic Education will be embarking on a huge run of the US with Cloud Nothings and Ganglians (dates below).

More From A Classic Education

A Classic Education – Forever Boy by A Classic Education

The shortlist is as follows:

• And So I Watch You From Afar – Gangs (Richter Collective)
• Bell X1 – Bloodless Coup (Belly Up Records)
• Cashier No 9 – To The Death Of Fun (Bella Union)
• Lisa Hannigan – Passenger (Hoop Records)
• The Japanese Popstars – Controlling Your Allegiance (EMI)
• Jape – Ocean of Frequency (Music Is For Losers)
• Patrick Kelleher & His Cold Dead Hands – Golden Syrup (Osaka Records)
• Pugwash – The Olympus Sounds (EMI/1969 Records)
• Tieranniesaur – Tieranniesaur (Popical Island)
• We Cut Corners – Today I Realised I Could Go Home Backwards (Delphi)

Meadhbh Quinn, Meteor’s Head of Brand and Marketing Communications:

“Today’s shortlist is representative of the vast wealth of musical talent we have in Ireland today. The Meteor Choice Music Prize is unique in that judging focuses simply and solely on the music, as opposed to sales or airplay, it was established to highlight, promote and showcase the work of Irish artists and we’re very much looking forward to the award show in March.

Meteor has a longstanding association with music, it resonates with our customers and we are passionate about supporting and celebrating Irish musical talent within the country. Our work with the Choice Music Prize gives us the opportunity to share the best of Irish music with Meteor customers through exclusive gigs such as our recent Snow Patrol, Lisa Hannigan and James Vincent McMorrow concert’s, and through free downloads and competitions.”

The Meteor Choice Music Prize live event will be broadcast live on Today FM in a special four hour extended programme during the Paul McLoone show. Tickets for the Meteor Choice Music Prize live event will go on sale from all Ticketmaster outlets and from http://www.ticketmaster.ie on Friday January 13th, priced €22.50 including booking fee.

The winning act will receive €10,000, a prize fund which has been provided by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA). All of the shortlisted acts will receive a specially-commissioned award, courtesy of the Recorded Artists Actors & Performers Ltd (RAAP). Most of the shortlisted albums will be available through retail partners HMV and once again, Culture Ireland will fund the attendance of key overseas delegates at the event.

Gracie: Tryck R Treat

Although it’s not quite Halloween anymore, Philadelphia based artist Andrew Balasia, aka Gracie, has plenty of tricks up his sleeve for the new year. His Treehouse EP is out February 7th on Small Plates Records. And to support the new album, Balasia also has a few east coast dates scheduled.

The moniker of Philadelphia, PA.’s Andrew Balasia, Gracie is one of those artists who can get under your skin. We mean that in a flattering sense, of course. Gracie’s For Summer EP, released in June on Absent Fever, leaves an undeniable impression on the listener. Tracks like “For Dylan, From Africa” and “Untitled” are brooding but bright electro-infused shoe gaze which build, layer-upon-layer, from ambient noise to orchestral sounding crescendos. “Sisters” is the first track from Gracie’s forthcoming Treehouse LP. The haunting vocals and the bellowing bass on “Sisters” combine for an overwhelming sensation, all the while remaining organic and natural in its execution. Though not always immediately revealed, Gracie’s music is inspired and absorbing, a wealth of sound worth diving into. Treehouse will be released in January 2012 via Small Plates Records.

Gracie’s second offering from the upcoming album, “Tryck R Treat,” deviates from the more electronic feel of the previous single, “Sisters.” In place of the glitched out, vocoded vocals is Balasia’s smooth and organic delivery. Much like all of Balasia’s work, it’s a diverse and rich sound, floating effortlessly between genres and distinctions.

Press play below to listen to the track or check out more of Gracie here.

Upcoming Gracie shows

• 1.18.12 Kung Fu Necktie w/ Pressed And, Bermuda Bonnie Philadelphia
• 2.3.12 Johnny Brenda’s & WXPN Present: Bandcamphunter Philadelphia w/ Snowmine, and Tumblewolf

About The Beautiful View

Listening to the new songs from the San Diego based quartet The Beautiful View will make you think “sounds like this should be on the radio”, which isn’t a bad thing in this case. There’s a familiarity that the band brings to the table, an honesty; unpretentious, politically incorrect and (as a contrast to the current local scene) they are as “un-indie” as a band can be dressed in Gucci shoes, tailored clothes and their shows often end in a boisterous conversation at the back bar with a tab worth of shots as long as
your arm. They are having fun.

The band blends traditional rock genres from Blondie and even Duran Duran with modern rock bands like The Killers and Franz Ferdinand , Bloc Party, The Bravery, and even Interpol. For some reason the band conjures up images from the Miami night club scene in Scarface and perhaps that’s because they grew up ten miles from the border in Chula Vista, a city close enough to the Tijuana headlines of cartel drug wars. The city was affected by the border violence but safe enough for kids to feel the conservative vibe of San Diego all while growing up across from a country stricken in poverty.

And Chula Vista (Spanish translation; Beautiful View) has a surprisingly rich tradition of successful artists in bands ranging from “indie” Black Heart Procession, “punk” The Zeros, and “rock” The Dragons and “hardcore” P.O.D. Those influences ring true beneath the rich vocals of Aaron Magnan, the tasteful leads of Adrian Cordero and the masterful rhythm section of bassist Paul Rich and drummer Duane Allan. Each of them taking a prominent role in the group’s layered songwriting and performances.

Magnan, Cordero, Rich, and Allan all met in high school and the four have been friends ever since. The band started in May of 2007 and The Beautiful View earned their stripes playing a ton of new shows while earning a notable following and developing a stage presence with explosive live shows until the band decided to take a step off the stage in 2011 and dedicate all their efforts to creating a full length album. It was recorded at Black Box San Diego with Mario Quintero and mastered at D2 studios in Burbank.

The ten song release coming out on Requiemme Records/Bug Music.

Album Sampler

Full Track Listing

1. The Horseman
2. The Spaniard
3. Nothing Like The Joy of a Southern Woman
4. Mercy is a Cold Shower
5. Bells
6. Praying Bones
7. Ides of March
8. Alphabet Judges
9. Always Only Me
10. Here She Comes

Upcoming Live Shows

• 1/12/12 San Diego The Casbah
• 1/18/12 Los Angeles The Silverlake Lounge w/Auditorium and College Kids
• 1/21/12 Fresno Audie’s Olympic
• 1/27/12 Scottsdale, Az The Rogue Bar W/Ladylike
• 3/15/12 Austin SXSW
• 3/16/12 Austin SXSW Jackelopes
• 3/17/12 Austin SXSW Official Showcase
• 3/18/12 Austin SXSW
• 3/19/12 National Dates TBA

Like what you see and hear? Check out the band on Facebook, Twitter or TheBeautifulView.com.

After First Fortnight, you’ll be able to catch the band touring with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds in February before doing their own shows in late February / early March.

Check out the band on CashierNo9.com or take a listen to their 2011 album release To The Death Of Fun on Deezer.com.

North College Hill is the new album from Cincinnati’s The Minor Leagues, the latest in a string of releases from the Cincinnati seven-piece to pair stinging melancholy with insidiously catchy melodies. The Minor Leagues’ last two records covered the end of a relationship and the end of the world in overblown concept-album fashion, and this new album continues the streak with ten songs of bittersweet rust-pop about North College Hill, lead singer Ben Walpole’s crumbling Midwestern hometown. The band paints a baroque portrait of the neighborhood-as-history, detailing childhood memories in a faded palette of strings, bells, and guitar jangle.

The entire record delights in nostalgia, with Brill Building arrangements filtered through the drive and sing-along choruses of 90s Brit-pop, all set against a backdrop of lush instrumentation. Beginning as an attempt to capture a certain place, North College Hill becomes more about holding on to lost time, with nods to 19th-century flu outbreaks, Nell Freudenberger, and Falco along the way. The band’s past work has earned them comparisons to recent popsmiths like Belle & Sebastian and The New Pornographers.

Take a listen to track six from the album here, Secret Codes.

Full Tracklisting

1. City On A Hill
2. Ghost Maps
3. Smoke
4. Sister
5. Lucky Girls
6. Secret Codes
7. Please Don’t Throw My Love Away
8. Weekends Are The Worst
9. 1985 Forever
10. You Can’t Go Home

The Minor Leagues Live

The band have two dates coming up in the immediate future

• Fri 17th February @ Pete’s Candy Store – Brooklyn, NY
• Fri 24th February @ MOTR Pub – Cincinnati, OH

North College Hill is out on January 31st on datawaslost and you can find more on The Minor Leagues by visiting Bandcamp, Facebook or MinorLeaguesMusic.com. A pre-order of the digital release is only $5.

Their writing often takes a contemporary approach to rhythm and song structure with use of compound time and phrasing. Their songs can sound complex at times but when it all comes together there is a resounding simplicity of melody that anyone can identify with. The careful blend of effects help aid the transition of their instruments into subtle textures and alternate voices. This gives their songs more depth and clarity.

The band have been quite active in the studio over the course of 2011, finally making the move onto the live circuit later last year with a debut hometown show in Kilkenny, Ireland, in December gone. The video above was filmed at Cleere’s Theatre, Kilkenny. With a series of dates around Ireland the the hometown show in the bag, the band return to the studio for the early weeks of this year to score some new material. Hopefully it’s not too long before we see them on the live scene again.

One for fans of A Perfect Circle / Tool for sure. Get more on SoundCloud.

Dead and Over by saturnsvirtue