Depressed Hipster Stormtroopers

Late one morning last week I rolled out of bed and down the hall into the office/studio coffee in hand. I do what I do first every morning and check my email. staring back at me from my inbox is an email titled Boba Fett on drums! I rub my eyes and sip some coffee. It's still there. A few more clicks and...


Chicago's Scattered Trees made this video themselves less than a month ago. This is the first release off their upcoming album Sympathy (out April 5th via Roll Call Records). The band had literally "scattered" across the country previous to this album leaving most to question wether Scattered Trees were still a band. Now they are about to play SXSW and were recently in the top 10 on Hypemachine.

Louise Burns and the Moonshiners

This last weekend was a busy one and so much fun. Started Friday night down at the uberhip new Waldorf Hotel Cabaret/Tikibar for an early show with Louise Burns and Shimmering Stars. Louise Burns and The Moonshiners opened (with Debra-Jean) guesting on supporting vocals. A short but very sweet set from her was followed promptly by the Shimmering Stars. They got the crowd on its feet and onto the dance floor with a few songs from last years EP before playing a couple of new tracks and closing with Sabians (from last weeks video). They came out for an encore with a Beach Boys cover to send all the hipsters on their way.

Shimmering Stars

My way was off to the Cobalt for another SXSW send off show. I was too late for No Gold and Teen Daze (which was too bad judging by the very excited crowd). I did get there just in time to catch headliners Basketball. Despite a few technical problems and a (by this point) overly drunk and excited crowd, they rocked a high energy set. Keep an ear out for these guys a sort of Jane's Addiction meets Yeasayer with a sprinkling of Nine Inch Nails. Good stuff.

Basketball

Saturday was the Cold War Kids at The Vogue. I've been a fan since their first album and I'm not really sure about the over produced sound of the new album but I am sure about their live show. It's a very carefully crafted set of old and new and doesn't miss a single song that one would need to hear. Focusing mainly on the latest album of course but not leaving out Mexican Dogs, Audience of One, We Used to Vacation or Hospital Beds. They closed the night with a short encore ending with my favourite St. John. After a perfect set singer Nathan Willett even came out for some handshakes and photo ops. All left very satisfied.

Cold War Kids

Nathan Willett (centre) of Cold War Kids
 posing for photos after the show.

Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes posted on Twitter yesterday a download link for three new songs he had written but didn't know what to do with. The first of the three beautiful folk songs is a collaboration with Ed Droste (of Grizzly Bear). If you like either of those bands or folk music then I highly recommend it.

Out today is the latest from Kurt Vile titled Smoke Ring for my Halo. Check out his Don't Look Down video session over at Pitchfork. Check out the track Jesus Fever here.
Kurt Vile - Jesus Fever by Pretty Much Amazing

Also out today is much hyped band Wye Oak's latest Civilian. Available on iTunes and appearing live in concert (unconfirmed) at the Media Club March 27 with (an also unconfirmed) Music in the Afternoon set at Zulu Records earlier that day. Here is the title track off the album.
Wye Oak - Civilian by cityslang

Currently streaming over at Hypemachine is the highly anticipated, upcoming release from Oh Land. Check it out before you buy it next week right here on Hypem.

A little tease from a favourite band of mine Wild Beasts popped up on many blogs recently is a song called Albatross. The album drops on the same day as another favourite of mine's Antlers new album does (looking forward to that day). Here is Wild Beats new single Albatross
Wild Beasts - Albatross by rockfeedback

All upcoming concert listings are now in the sidebar. Go!