Here's the video for Swim. This won't be the end of my Surfer Blood postings... 

The more I hear the new stuff from Midlake, the more excited I get. I know it may be difficult to get excited about dreamy psych/folk/baroque/pop thing but I am. The more Midlake explores simplicity and harmony and its inner Fairport Convention, the more I like. I am awake. 

My friend Bab wanted to know if I wanted to see them in SF on March 4th. I do. But I told him that I'd fall asleep which is probably true, so I won't go. I'm too tired to see shows on a Thursday in SF. Shit, I'd have to find a parking space. Ugh. Maybe I'll go if Bab drives. 

I've never been to Coachella. Perhaps I'm too old or too busy or don't live in SoCal. But damn I'd like to see this. Pavement for one. It's over my Birthday as well. Maybe I should treat myself. Anyone else going?

Besides Pavement... Yo La Tengo, Big Pink, Florence and the Machine, Deerhunter, Phoenix, Gorillaz, Edwin Sharpe, MGMT, Dead Weather, Yeasayer, PIL, Vampire Weekend, Them Crooked Vultures, and LCD Soundsystem hold my interest. I could give a shit about Jay Z. 

Download:Mercy (live) by Star and Micey

Sure I'll post your music if you're a band that follows me on Twitter... why not? Especially if it's as solid as Star and Micey. They're a Memphis based folk pop band signed to Ardent. Mercy is a live track recorded at Ardent studios. Ardent is famous for recording a bunch of awesome stuff including Big Star and the Replacements. 

Download: Norway by Beach House

I had a sign on top of my front door that said "Beach House". I bought it on eBay. One of the hooks fell off and I haven't replaced it. Any house I live in is a Beach House. The band Beach House is from Maryland. Their third album, "Wowza" "Teen Dreams", is coming out soon. They are pretty mellow, but I understand Wowza Teen Dreams picks things up a bit. I'm looking forward to checking it out. Maybe I'll fix that sign this weekend.

 
Download: Isn't It a Shame by The So So Glos

I heard part of this track twice on XMU and for some reason could not remember their name. I would always catch it in the middle and then could never put who it was to memory. I think I restarted this blog just so I could post this song. It drove me crazy for a week. I finally found it and present it to you.

Waiting For Something - a short documentary about Jay Reatard

Jay Reatard | MySpace Music Videos

 

Download: Mummy by Shotgun Showdown

Very cool Long Beach, CA band. Shotgun Showdown. Go there and support these ladies. Help them get things going. I think they've got something. 

I think I was stunned by Midlake's last record. Just a beautiful thing. The Trials of Van Occupanther. Their new album The Courage of Others will be released Feb. 2. Here's the first track. Acts of Man.    

Download Songs For Snakes - The Time You Lost Was Mine

So the SF Giants look geared for another year of heartbreak and let down and I'm FUMING that knucklehead Mayor Newsom isn't wearing a Giants cap at every public appearance.  What the hell is the matter with you?!? Maybe the boys would feel a little bit BETTER about themselves if they had a little SUPPORT, Gavin!  Forget that stupid torch, get out there and boost up the morale of our beloved ballplayers.

Well, at least SF has Songs For Snakes. Every once in awhile, Bill from SFS sends me a new batch of great songs.  So get 'em while their hot and check out "The Time You Lost Was Mine", a much needed dose of pop-punk goodness.

They are also looking bass player.  So quit that stupid web 2.0 startup that won't be around in six months and join something that matters.  Something you'll be proud of.  Oh and go support the Giants. Go Giants!

Post by Patrick Goddard

Download: Northern State - Sucka Mohterfucka

Sassy political shit from NYC. Produced by Adrock. On Mike Patton's Ipecac label. That's all I need to know. Northern State is now on my frequently played list. They should be on yours too. In fact I like them so much, here's a bonus track Oooh Girl. Now go out and buy their album. See them live. Do it.

Download: The Black Keys - Strange Times

Album comes out in the beginning of April. On Nonesuch. Produced by Dangermouse. Lots of hype. I hope it can live up to it. So far so good.

Download: Peanut Butter Wolf Valentines Day Mix

Peanut Butter Wolf. He's from San Jose. Right around the corner from Swedelife HQ. I saw him open for Beastie Boys last year. My kids loved him. So this is a mix he made a year ago. I thought I'd repost it. Happy Day Late Valentines Day!

Download: Team Robespierre - Ha Ha Ha
It is what it is. You know I was thinking that I'd like to have an automatic record review generator. You could just plug in some words like the name of the band, album, location of band, some basic descriptors (noisy, boisterous, outrageous, melancholy, intricate, etc), and style of music, then have it spit out the review. Everything seems to be so formulaic these days, I don't think anyone would notice. Just make sure your rating is in line with pitchfork and you're in the clear.

"Team Robespeirre is a noisy, boisterous outfit from Brooklyn. Their tiny songs explode with punk and new wave particles. Blah blah blah it's something that needs to be heard. Some other bullshit. I actually like it quite a bit. No kidding."

Download: The Dodos - Nerds

The Dodos are from my hometown San Francisco. They're another guitar/drum power duo but a bit more on the experimental side of the tracks. Most seem to embrace the blues straight up. The dodos make their own special kind of noise. So much so that they'll be playing the Noise Pop Fest. They are headlining the show on Feb. 28th at Cafe Du Nord with Or, The Whale. That should be a great night.

Visit: The Dodos

Download: The Magnetic Fields - California Girls

I've been selling off my CDs left and right. There's no reason to have them anymore and I can use the extra cash. But as I was doing so tonight, I picked up the new The Magnetic Fields. So far it's great. Funny, I almost forgot about them. Check out California Girls.

Get: The Magnetic Fields - Distortion

Download: Dale Strachan - Sad Gordon

I was looking for a Dale song called Morrissey Blvd. but it appears we didn't put it on his solo album. I can't figure out why. Did he not want that song on his album? I love that track and was disappointed when it didn't make the cut for The King Is Dead... I'll have to ask Tim about it.

Sad Gordon is about Dale's overweight beagle. At least that's what I think it's about.

Download: Or, The Whale - Isn't She Awful

San Francisco grande band Or, The Whale will be at the Noise Pop Fest this year. As is their right. They'll be at Cafe Du Nord on Feb. 28th if they can fit on the stage. Okay I'm making them sound larger than they are. I like a band with more than 4 people. Fills the eardrums.

More Noise Pop Info: Noise Pop XVI

(photo by prawnpie)

Wye Oak - Warning

Via brooklynvegan, found this song the other day. Quite nice jangly, dreamy indie pop.  Two piece. Girl and a boy. They make nice music and they are on Merge Records.

More Wye Oak on Myspace.

Not related, but... While a Tree Grew: The Story of Maryland's Wye Oak