Class Actress "Keep You" (new track)

Rapprocher, the upcoming debut album from Class Actress is set to be released on October 18th via Carpark Records. The dreamy-pop single "Keep You" is available now (below). The eleven track love-affair is Elizabeth Harper's creation with the help of producers Mark Richardson and Scott Rosenthal. It's about yearning. Do you want to hear some of it? Click play already.
Keep You by Class Actress

Active Child "Playing House" (with HTDW)

Active Child by VagrantRecords
Check out this killer new track from Active Child (featuring How To Dress Well) titled "Playing House" from the upcoming album You Are All I See out August 23rd on Vagrant records. What do you call it when two lap-top, indie-pop, bedroom recording, artists get together? Well, so far at least, you'd call it fucking good! Catch Active Child at the Electric Owl here in Vancouver on September 24th.

Hess Is More 'Creation Keeps The Devil Away'

Denmark's Hess Is More will release Creation Keeps The Devil Away this October 11th on Nublu Records. The first single also called "Creation Keeps The Devil Away" is available now (below) and is B-sided by a piano version of the track performed by Hess' brother. Mikkel Hess's last album Hits earned a spot on Time Out Magazine's Top Albums of The Year in 2009. The multi-instrumentalist and singer has scored for theatre, composed for film and continues to collaborate with other musicians. Over the last two years these genre defying collaborations have evolved into the upcoming album. 
Hess is More - Creation Keeps The Devil Away by nublu

Zola Jesus Conatus "Vessel" (new track)

Vessel by ZolaJesus

Zola Jesus will release a highly anticipated second album on October 4th, 2011 on Sacred Bones titled Conatus. The highly anticipated album from Nika Roza Danilova's (Zola Jesus) will be her third LP. The first single "Vessel" (available above) bodes well for the upcoming release. If you somehow missed this gothic, distinguished vocalist in the past couple of years I'm betting you'll have to be under a much bigger rock this time around. 

Track list

SIDE A

01. Swords

02. Avalanche

03. Vessel

04. Hikikomori

05. Ixode

06. Seekir

SIDE B

07. In Your Nature

08. Lick the Palm of the Burning Handshake

09. Shivers 

10. Skin 

11. Collapse

All songs written and performed by Nika Roza Danilova 

Produced by Nika Roza Danilova and Brian Foote 

*Conatus will be released in Europe by Souterrain Transmissions

Beirut Releases Album Art, Tour Dates

Beirut will release their highly anticipated next album The Rip Tide on August 30th on Pompeii Records. In support of the new album the band is hitting the road for their first North American tour in four years. I was lucky enough to catch them their last time through Vancouver (May 22, 2008) and it was probably the best show of the year (they played virtually every song they new and still left us wanting more). I highly recommend catching this band live (if it hasn't already sold out). Check out the first single off the new album titled "East Harlem".


Joining Beirut leader Zach Condon (ukulele, trumpet, piano, vocals) on the road is Perrin Cloutier(accordion, piano), Paul Collins (electric bass, upright bass), Ben Lanz (trumpet, piano, tuba), Nick Petree(drums), and Kelly Pratt (trumpet, euphonium). A six piece band who has consistently honed their live show throughout the band’s career, Beirut puts on an undeniably solid and confident performance and shows a singular band maturing both on record and in concert.

BEIRUT TOUR DATES:
Thu. June 30 -- London, UK @ Hyde Park w/ Arcade Fire

Sun. July 3 -- St. Gallen, Switzerland @ St. Gallen Fest

Tue. July 5 -- Ferrara, Italy @ Costello PIazza

Thu. July 7 -- Republic of Serbia @ Exit Festival

Sat. July 9 -- Slovakia @ Pohoda

Tue. July 12 -- Arles, France @ Arles Fest

Thu. July 14 -- Meco, Portugal @ Super Bock Super Rock

Sat. July 16 -- Valencia, Spain @ Benicassim Festival

Mon. July 18 -- Lyon, France @ Les Nuits de Fourviere

Wed. July 20 -- Nyon, Switzerland @ Paleo Festival

Fri. July 29 -- Portland, ME @ State Theater

Sun. July 31 -- Montreal, QC @ Osheaga

Tue. Aug. 2 --Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix

Thu. Aug. 4 --Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix w/ Owen Pallett

Fri. Aug. 5 -- Sun. Aug. 7 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza

Wed. Aug. 10 -- Vancouver, BC @ Commodore

Fri. Aug. 12 -- Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom

Sun. Aug. 14 -- San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands

Fri. Sep. 2 -- Dorset, UK @ End of Road Festival

Sun. Sep. 4 -- Stradbally, Ireland @ Electric Picnic

Tue. Sep. 6 -- Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy

Thu. Sep. 8 -- Amsterdamn, Netherlands @ Paradiso

Mon. Sep. 12 -- Paris, France @ Olympia

Wed. Sep. 14 -- Brussels, Belgium @ AB

Fri. Sep. 16 -- London, UK @ Brixton Academy

Wed. Sep. 21 -- New York, NY @ Terminal 5

Thu. Sep. 22 -- New York, NY @ Terminal 5

Wed. Sep. 28 -- Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium

Tue. Oct. 4 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre

Sun. Oct. 9 -- St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant

Tue. Oct. 11 -- Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Hall

Tue. Oct. 25 -- Richmond, VA @ The National

Thu. Oct. 27 -- Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse

Sat. Oct. 29 -- Austin, TX @ Stubbs Waller Creek

Fri. Nov. 11 -- Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts

Sun. Nov. 13 -- Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory

Givers "Up, Up, Up" (video)

The Givers released their debut album In Light on June 7th via Glassnote Records. Here is the official video for their latest single "Up, Up, Up". It gets my vote for indie song of the summer. Cool video too. Keep it "UP" kids. Yeah, that just happened. 

Big Harp "White Hat" (performance)

Husband and wife duo of Chris Senseney and Stephanie Drootin-Senseney are Big Harp. The band is set to release their debut album White Hat via Saddle Creek on September 13th. Big Harp is the product of a classic boy meets girl story complete with babies, weddings, and all. He's from a small Nebraska town of less than 3,000 people while she hails from 8,000,000 plus Los Angeles, together they combine classic country and folk music with indie and punk rock for songs about gambling and guns and, of curse, love.

Caveman CoCo Beware "Old Friend"

New York's Caveman will release their debut album CoCo Beware on November 15th with a digital self-release on September 13th. Below is the first single titled "Old Friend". The band is also heading out on tour with War On Drugs in August. Caveman has already opened for Edward Sharp & the Magnetic Zeroes, White Rabbit, Here We Go Magic, Wye Oak, and Yuck. Drawing comparisons to Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear you can bet you'll be hearing more from these guys like right now. Go!
Caveman "Old Friend" MP3

Okkervil River w/ Titus Andronicus and Julianna Barwick at The Vogue

Okkervil River

Julianna Barwick

Monday June 20th saw Vancouver's Vogue Theatre playing host to Okkervil River with Titus Andronicus and Julianna Barwick. Barwick hit the stage first and completely on her own creating lush soundscapes with almost exclusively her own voice and a looper. Her latest album The Magic Place narrowly missed Stereogum's Top 20 Albums of 2011 (so far) and truly is a thing of beauty. 

Patrick Stickles of Titus Andronicus (beard)

Titus Andronicus

Tasty Ears gave Titus Andronicus' The Monitor #1 album of 2010 on our year end list. This is the third time I have seen them live and they just keep getting better. Lead singer Patrick Stickles graciously (if unwittingly) granted me a short audience where he answered a few questions. In the mini-interview (or minterview) I asked him what it was like touring with Okkervil River to which he responded "they are very nice." Stickles further added that Titus came to tour with Okkervil after having been approached by Will Sheff and company to do so. When asked if they were working on new material Stickles admitted it was hard to do. "Because you're in Canada?" I pressed. To which he cleverly responded that it would ruin their whole "Americana" thing they have going on but no, it was hard to write new material while being on tour all the time. He then added that they "had a few, new tricks up their sleeves." Stickles continued "Actually it's more like the same old tricks." Either way I'm super amped to hear it. Until then here's a link to the bands latest video for "No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future"

Headliners Okkervil River were up next. The band is touring their latest (and critically acclaimed) album I Am Very Far but also played everything you'd ever want to hear from their back catalogue. The highlight came when the bass player (Patrick Pestorius) broke a string and had to change it ("that never happens" he said). Singer Will Sheff played a solo acoustic number that had the audience in awe. 

Sheff (playing solo)

Okkervil River is, not surprisingly, a seriously good band live. I was a fan going in but a huge fan coming out. They chose great acts to open and they closed strong. During the encore the band announced they had one more song before launching into "Black" which left me wondering "what about "Unless It Kicks"?" but the cheeky buggers played both back to back. Awesome! Be sure to catch them at the Malkin Bowl on August 23 when they open for The Decemberists.

HTRK "Eat Yr Heart" (new track)

HTRK (pronounced hate rock) has just signed to Ghostly International for the North American release of their Work (Work, Work) LP on September 6th. Just in case you don't find the album quite melancholy enough you should know that the band finished producing the album whilst grieving the suicide of their bassist Sean Stewart. With ten tracks of reverb drenched vocals and synth arpeggios over heart-wrenchingly slow beats and noise HTRK seem to embrace doom while crafting beauty. If Jack White can throw a divorce party then Work (Work, Work) is a celebration for the apocalypse. 
Eat Yr Heart - HTRK

Rubblebucket "Worker" (new track)

Rubblebucket's album Omega La La dropped earlier this week via Sin Duda Records. This young band has a lot going for them, from arrangements through to their live show, they are infectiously fun. Here's the latest single "Worker" from the new album.
Rubblebucket - Worker

Radiohead "Staircase" (video)

Earlier this week, Radiohead released a video of a live performance of a new song called "Staircase". The video is From The Basement and features Clive Deamer as the other drummer. Nice to see Radiohead making so much new music this year. Keep it going boys.

Yacht "Utopia" and Dystopia (The Earth Is On Fire)" (Double video)

YACHT Utopia / Dystopia (The Earth Is On Fire) from DFA Records on Vimeo.
Shangri-La, the latest album from Portland's Yacht, was released on iTunes through DFA records earlier this week. The album will be digitally available everywhere June 28th. Yacht also released a trippy double video for the first two singles off of the album, "Utopia" and "Dystopia (The Earth Is On Fire)". Band member Claire L. Evans had this to say about the video directed by Rene Daaler:
"It still feels pointedly surreal, but we had the opportunity to work with Rene to make two music videos for Shangri-La: “Utopia” and “Dystopia (The Earth is on Fire).” They're companion pieces -- together they make up a short film straight from the mind of one of our favorite artists of all time."

Tony Castles "Juice" (new track)

This week Brooklyn's Tony Castles released a 7" titled Juice b/w "Heart In The Pipes" on clear vinyl via Famous Class. Tony Castles was formed in 2008 and is comprised of high school classmates Paul Sicilian and Gabriel Wurzel  and college classmate Willie Miesmer. Check out the rad, new track "Juice" below.  
Tony Castles - "Juice"

Milagres "Here To Stay" (new track)

Glowing Mouth, the debut album from Milagres, is set to be released on September 13, 2011. "Here To Stay" is the name of the latest single off the upcoming LP. Hit it!
Milagres "Here To Stay" by Tasty Ears

John Maus "Head For The Country" (video)

We'll have to wait till June 28th for John Maus' latest album We Must Become The Pitiless Censors of Ourselves (on Ribbon Music) to drop but we don't have to wait another second to hear the latest single "Head For The Country". The video was shot entirely in his hometown of Austin, Minnesota. Catch his intense live show when he comes through your town on his current tour with Puro Instinct.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra "How Can You Luv Me" (YoursTruly video)

Yourstru.ly Presents: UMO "How Can You Luv Me" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) released their self-titled debut album this week on Fat Possum. The band did a performance at Different Fur studios for Yours Truly last week (above) and will be on 'The Daily Habit" on Fuel TV this Friday including performances of two new tracks. Catch them live in Vancouver July 23rd opening for Yuck. They will also be opening for Toro Y Moi for several dates in the fall. WARNING: This may just be your new favourite thing!

Case Studies "The Eagle, or The Serpent" Free Download

As a huge fan of Dutchess & The Duke I was immediately stoked to hear singer Jesse Lortz had a solo project about to drop called Case Studies. Below is the track "The Eagle, or The Serpent" available for download or simply to get you stoked too.. The album, The World Is Just A Shape To Fill The Night, will be available August 16th on Sacred Bones. This cat can writes some seriously good tunes and with no shortage of guests on the album it's sure to be a goody.
The Eagle, or the Serpent by Tasty Ears

Gold Panda "MPB" Free Download

MPB by Gold Panda
Gold Panda released Lucky Shiner only nine months ago but is already headlining his own tour as well as appearing at some of the years biggest festivals (including Sasquatch, Primavera, and Glastonbury). His debut album garnered excellent reviews including the coveted Guardian First Album Award. The release of "MPB" coincides with a tour announcement that will find him at Seattle's The Crocodile on October 26th. Download "MPB" from the player above (if you are just popping your Soundcloud cherry, it's down arrow on the side of the player).

Clams Casino Rainforest EP "Natural" (video)

Tri-Angle Records will release Clams Casino's Rainforest EP on June 28th. The video for "Natural" (directed by Jennifer Tiexiera) is posted above. 


"Rainforest is an isolationist hip-hop epic that accords perfectly with the Tri Angle aesthetic while also affirming and deepening Clams' singular production style; it's a new benchmark in the bedroom hip-hop revolution, the real shit, and totally essential."

-Boomkat

The Beard Interview w/ This Will Destroy You

This Will Destroy You released Tunnel Blanket to much critical acclaim in May. The album charted at number 25 in it's first week on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart. Guitarist Jeremy Galindo recently responded to some questions from The Beard while on the European leg of their tour. Here is what he had to say.


TE - You've posted some hilarious videos via your Tumblr page. My favourite
is The Cat Massage video, are you cat people? Which of your own songs do
you think would best score the video?

TWDY - I am definitely a cat person. As much as I miss home and legit mexican

food while I'm on the road, I definitely miss my cat the most. And he
definitely has experienced some cat massages. I think Villa del Refugio would give a great ethereal touch to that video.

TE - Prior to the tour your van full of gear was stolen, then you got very sick

shortly into the tour forcing you to cancel a (the Vancouver) show. Were
you able to adequately replace your gear? and get healthy? Has the tour
otherwise been going well? and what's the weirdest thing that has
happened to you on the road? 

TWDY - Both the van and all the gear were recovered. That definitely made our

lives a lot easier. Health wise we are all doing well, but we're all
going to crazy town. We've had a lot of weird things happen to us.
Most of which I can't go into details. Let's just say, we've seen cars
blow up, almost burnt a building down in Europe, acid/stripper
parties, hard falls down a long flight of stairs... We'll keep it at
that.

TE - My friends and I like to make up band names, I understand you guys like to

toss around band names too, what would you call yourselves if you were just
naming the band now or what are some of your favourites? I'll go first
a favourite of mine is "Slow Clap for Lazers"

TWDY - Beach: A rape crystal

TE - You've rejected the rather vague label of "post-rock" and have labeled

yourselves as "Doomgaze". How would YOU define Doomgaze?

TWDY - That was really more of joke, but it caught on somewhere in the

internets. I just find the label "post-rock" stupid. What does that
even mean? After rock? It's just stupid. I really don't care what
people call us or whatever genre they want to throw us into. As long
as we are happy with what we are making, it shouldn't matter.

TE - On April 1st you famously announced that the band was

breaking up, but it turned out to be an April's Fools Day prank. Are
you pranksters with each other? What's the best prank (aside from that
one) that you've pulled? (or been duped by?)

TWDY - Surprisingly we don't really pull pranks on each other. One of the

bands we toured with once turned our van into a crime scene while we
were sleeping at a hotel. That was pretty funny.

Thanks to Jeremy and This Will Destroy You for taking the time to respond. Beard out!

Com Truise "Brokendate"

Galactic Melt will be the first full length LP from Com Truise (available July 5th via Ghostly International). Hot off of remixing artists such as Twin Shadow, Neon Indian, and Daft Punk he is ready to drop his debut album. The latest single "Brokendate" is posted below. 
Com Truise - Brokendate

Jonti "Firework Spraying Moon" (video)

Jonti (formerly Danimal) debuts the video for "Firework Spraying Moon" (available as a 7" from Gatefold August 9th) from the full length album due in October via Stones Throw. Jonti has recorded with Mark Ronson, Santigold, and Sean Lennon as well as producer John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr., Kurt Vile, and Sonic Youth). Despite guesting on many recordings himself Jonti has decided to do it all himself for his solo album.

Deer Tracks "Dark Passenger"

Deer Tracks are set to release the The Archer Trilogy Pt. 2 on July 5th via The Control Group. Below is the first single titled "Dark Passenger". The Swedish duo of David Lehnberg and Elin Lindfors handle every aspect of their music from writing to recording to production.
Deer Tracks - Dark Passenger

Yuck "Shook Down" (video)

Yuck - Shook Down from Yuck on Vimeo.
90's revivalist band Yuck released a video late last night via their blogspot page. Here is the trippy video for their forthcoming, double A-side 7" UK single "Shook Down" (the other A side is "Milkshake").

Wild Beasts "Loop The Loop"

Wild Beasts - Loop The Loop by DominoRecordCo
Wild Beasts released Smother via Domino Records earlier this year to rave reviews. Here's the latest single "Loop The Loop" a favourite of mine and, as it turns out, the bands as well.

Antlers "Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out"

The Antlers: Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out from Blake Patrick on Vimeo.
It wasn't till about 6:30 on Day 2 of this years Sasquatch Festival that my brain flipped over from the first stunning performance of the event. Antlers hit the stage at about 6:20 (just in time for "magic hour") and played a forty-five minute set of exclusively new material until the last song (when they played "Two"). Watch the video for "Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out" above. See them live at Venue Sept. 8th, 2011. Go!

Evelyn Evelyn "Sandy Fishnets" (video)

Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley are taking the Evelyn Evelyn sisters to Edinburgh this August for a short tour. The amazing video was animated/directed by Vince Mascoli. Follow the ill-fated mariner's tale of the twins that feels like Tim Burton re-imagining an early Walt Disney film.

No Surrender Medicine Babies "Young World"

Young World by Tasty Ears
No Surrender released their long awaited sophomore album Medicine Babies via ZerOKilled yesterday. To get you all onboard here's the latest single and album opener "Young World" for your listening pleasure. "No Surrender and Radioclit, making future music for your grandchildren's children's children." Believe it!

Dom Family Of Love EP, "Living In America" (video)

“I want to pump out as many records as possible, and actually make a difference in pop music. No matter how a.d.d. it all sounds, the more I write, the more I really wanna do this thing.” - Dom


Family Of Love EP will be available from Astralwerks on August 9th, 2011. The five song EP finds Dom and band in a proper studio with Nicolas Vernhes (Animal Collective, Deerhunter, Björk) on production detail. Above is the latest video for their "hit" single "Living in America" off of last year's Sun Bronzed Greek Gods EP. Check back here for new tracks from Dom soon.

Matt & Kim "Block After Block" (video)

Matt & Kim were probably the best show at Sasquatch this year and now they've released a video for "Block After Block" that follows the two around New York. Matt & Kim sport their joyous, shit-eating grins as they take over the city, block after block.

Bon Iver "Calgary" (video)

Bon Iver's self-titled sophomore album drops June 21st via Jagjaguwar. The video for the first single "Calgary" was co-written by Bon Iver front man Justin Vernon. With the new album and an amazing live show, one can only hope they announce a Vancouver date soon.

Ki:Theory "Holiday Heart" (video)

The cover art for Holiday Heart comes alive and busts a move in this Ki:Theory video for the single of the same name. The B-side of the single finds Ki:Theory teamed up with Holy Fuck to remix "Natural Selection" by UNKLE. 

Pictureplane "Post Physical"

Post Physical by PICTUREPLANE
Pictureplane has released another track from the upcoming album Thee Physical (out July 19th on Lovepump United). The new single is appropriately titled "Post Physical" and it oozes sex through a gauze of satiated synths and sequencers lying in a heap on the floor. 

How To Dress Well Just Once EP "Suicide Dream 3" (video)

Yourstru.ly Presents: How To Dress Well "Suicide Dream 3" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.
How To Dress Well is releasing a limited edition 10" titled Just Once (EP) on July 21st via Yours Truly's Love Letters Ink label (with the digital available July 12th). Last fall How To Dress Well's Tom Krell's closest friend suddenly, and unexpectedly passed away. Krell wrote "Suicide Dream 3" in the dark days that followed. After some time passed Krell came up with a different approach and re-imagined the track into an orchestral work. Krell further transformed "Suicide Dream 1" and "Suicide Dream 2" as well as "Decisions" to close out the EP. Some of the proceeds from the EP will be donated to Mindfreedom.org to benefit those with mental health issues.

Pure X "Dry Ice"

Texas' Pure X have released another new single titled "Dry Ice" off of Pleasure available from Acéphal Records on July 5th. If you haven't noticed, this is the third time I've posted about this band, so check it out already. Go!
Pure X "Dry Ice"

Jessica 6 See The Light "East West Funk"

Jessica 6 have a new album See The Light out now on Peacefrog Records including the new B-side MP3 (however that works) single "East West Funk". Made up of former members of Hercules and Love Affair it's no wonder Jessica 6 have been infecting the dance floors of the world with disco fever. 
Jessica 6 - East West Funk

Memory Tapes "Yes I Know" (video)

Memory Tapes has a slick new video for his latest single "Yes I Know" from the full length album Player Piano available from Carpark Records July 5th. The amazing video was done by brother's Eric and Aaron Epstein. Player Piano from Memory Tapes, July 5th... I'll be the one with the beard saying "I know, right!".

First Rate People "Someone Else Can Make A Work Of Art"

Hot off a tour with Born Ruffians, Ontario's First Rate People have released a new single titled "Someone Else Can Make A Work Of Art" via their Bandcamp page. The pop track contrasts nicely with their previous release of the dance floor number "Funny Games" proving that First Rate People aren't to be pigeonholed. The tour must have been a success as Born Ruffians singer Luke Lalonde is featured on the new single. Hit play now!

Frightened Rabbit "Scottish Wind" (live)

The BBC recorded Frightened Rabbit perform a new song titled "Scottish Wind" at last weekends RockNess Festival in Scotland. The band performed on Saturday along the banks of the Loch Ness as well as this acoustic set. Perhaps it's the acoustic performance but this new song sounds like a return to the sound that got me into Frightened Rabbit in the first place. That "Scottish Wind" blows strong from behind that beard.

Black Lips release album, play Daytrotter, Webster Hall

On June 7th Atlanta's Black Lips released their sixth full length album Arabia Mountain on Vice Records to rave reviews. Coincidentally, the band kicked off a west coast tour that will find them playing at Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom this Wednesday, June 15th. The busy Black Lips did a Daytrotter session last week and if that's not enough you can check out the band in the new Pitchfork video series "+1" below too. Black Lips "so hot right now."

Crystal Antlers "Two-Way Mirror"

Two-Way Mirror by Tasty Ears
Crystal Antlers have released a second single "Two-Way Mirror" the title track off the new album set to drop on July 12th. Featuring production/mixing from Jack Endino (Nirvana, Mudhoney, etc.) Two-Way Mirror will be released by Recreation Ltd. and as you might have guessed from the above track, the album rocks.

The Rapture In The Grace Of Your Love

DFA White Out Sessions - How Deep Is Your Love? by The Rapture from DFA Records on Vimeo.
This Rapture is actually happening and it's going to be unbelievable (or so I'm told). Yes, The Rapture (the band not the second coming or whatever) is back and signed to DFA records. Their new album In The Grace Of Your Love will be available September 6th 2011. Here is the first single courtesy of DFA's Vimeo account titled "How Deep Is Your Love?". This is really just a teaser so consider yourself teased. This band absolutely kills it live and this new track is something to get stoked about for suressies. "Let me hear that song."

Bright Eyes "Jejune Stars" (video)

Bright Eyes has long been one of my absolute favourites and having just seen him play an amazing set at Sasquatch I'm particularly smitten with him at the moment. What better way to celebrate it then with a fresh new video from Conor Oberst and company and a practically live one at that. Go!

Little Dragon Ritual Union "Little Man"

Yourstru.ly Presents: Little Dragon "Little Man" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.
Little Dragon have shifted the release date for Ritual Union to July 26th via Peace Frog/ EMI allowing time for the release of a remix EP featuring Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Tensnake. Little Dragon's third LP was recorded, as usual, by the band in Gothenburg, Sweden. Singer Yukimi Nagano asserts that "We're all about writing in our space, our bubble. We haven't really recorded in any fancy studios. We'd rather be in our junkyard." Nagano is referring to the Seal Colonie,  the Gothenburg art colective where the band lived together in their early days. Having made guest appearances on the Gorillaz Plastic Beach, Raphael Saadiq's Stone Rollin', and (side project of Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio) Maximum Balloon's self-titled LP it's time for Little Dragon to drop their first full length album in two years on hungry audiences. Check the session they did with Yourstru.ly above.

Thundercat The Golden Age of Apocalypse "Daylight"

Thundercat - Daylight
Stephen Bruner (aka Thundercat) will release his debut album The Golden Age of Apocalypse on August 30th via Brainfeeder. The Flying Lotus produced, thirteen track album is a bass-centric, electronic jazz odyssey including guest performances from Erykah Badu, Brunner's brother and more. Thelonious Monk once said "You've got to dig to dig it, you dig?" but sometimes the artist just sucks you in. Whoa man, heavy!

Tomorrow's Tulips Eternally Teenage "Casual Helplessness" (video)

Tomorrows Tulips - "Casual Hopelessness" from jack Coleman on Vimeo.
Alex Knost formed The Japanese Motors at the age of seventeen and the band went on to tour with the likes of Modest Mouse. More recently Knost started writing songs with his girlfriend Christina Keyes which has become Tomorrow's Tulips. The band is set to release their debut album Eternally Teenage on July 19th via Galaxia Records. Their second single "Casual Helplessness" has, like the title track, been given the video treatment. Tomorrow's Tulips will be announcing dates for this summer's tour soon.

Twin Sister In Heaven

Twin Sister - Bad Street by DominoRecordCo
Brooklyn quintet Twin Sister are following up their wildly successful Color Your Life EP on September 27th on Domino Records with the debut ten track LP In Heaven. Recorded in apartments between day jobs In Heaven is a labour of love. Twin Sister honed their craft by releasing over 100+ demos on their website prior to a relentless tour that brought them to Vancouver's Venue with Cults and the Morning Benders. "Bad Street" is the first single off the upcoming In Heaven.

My Morning Jacket Debut at #5 on Billboard Chart

Circuital the latest offering from Kentucky's My Morning Jacket sold 55,000 copies, placed #5 on the Billboard Albums Chart and #1 at Indie Retail all n it's first week. The band is playing at 8pm on the "What" Stage at Bonnaroo marking their first main stage appearance at the festival even though they've been a staple their for some years (including a late night set in 2008 that lasted nearly four hours). Last night the band marked another first by playing Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (for a longest ever performance on the show to date at six minutes). The video for "You Wanna Freak Out" is above courtesy Mr. Fallon and NBC. Circuital is available now (obviously) and the band is scheduled to play Vancouver's Orpheum June 29th. I've seen MMJ at Sasquatch and the one off Pemberton Festival and they are truly epic live. Singer Jim James is also an avid beard farmer. Keep it going fellas. 

Kyle Andrews Robot Learn Love "Lazer Tag With Imaginary Friends"

Lazer Tag with Imaginary Friends by Tasty Ears

Kyle Andrews sure can write an über-pop-y hook and that shouldn't be held against him. Andrews' latest album Robot Learn Love out August 16th on Elephant Lady Records is no different. The Nashville artist has placed tracks on Grey's Anatomy as well as in Dell, Doritos and Holiday Inn commercials. The new ten track album appropriately explores modern life and love through the lens of technology. The latest single "Lazer Tag With Imaginary Friends" is yet another example of his pop sensibilities. 

The Rosebuds Loud Planes Fly Low

The Rosebuds - Woods
The Rosebuds fifth album Loud Planes Fly Low is out now via Merge Records. The first single "Woods" is posted above. The Rosebuds will be here in Vancouver at the Media Club on July 12th just ten days before they join Bon Iver's tour in Milwaukee as an opening act. 

Gardens & Villa "Star Fire Power"

July 5th will mark the release of the debut album from Gardens & Villa on Secretly Canadian. Here's the latest single from the upcoming LP titled "Star Fire Power". Watch the Noise Coalition Session of "Orange Blossom" or the video for "Black Hills".
Gardens & Villa - Star Fire Power