Gauntlet Hair "Top Bunk" (free download)

Gauntlet Hair just signed to Dead Oceans and will be releasing a self-titled album on October 18th, 2011. Check out the first single "Top Bunk" below. The pair (a four piece live) have been playing music together since they were fifteen and they like pancakes.
Gauntlet Hair "Top Bunk" by DOJAGSC

Neon Indian "Fallout" (new track)

Neon Indian is set to release Era Extrana on September 13th (an epic release day) via Static Tongues. The first track "Fallout" from the upcoming release is posted below for your listening pleasure. Get stoked for more nostalgic, lo-fi, electro-psych-pop from the very talented Alan Palomo.
Neon Indian - Fallout by Pretty Much Amazing

Twin Sister "Bad Street" (new video)

Twin Sister have just released the first video off their upcoming, debut, full length In Heaven out September 27th via Domino Records.The video was shot at lead singer Andrea Estella's family house in Long Island by Dan Devine (produced by Daniel Gausman) and features bandmates, family, and friends. The album can be pre-ordered now from Domino. Catch Twin Sister live in Vancouver on September 9th at the Vogue with Explosions In The Sky or at a venue near you (dates below) with Wild Beasts or The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart.

TWIN SISTER TOUR DATES

09-01 Tucson, AZ - Rialto %

09-02 San Diego, CA - SOMA %

09-03 Los Angeles, CA - FYF Fest

09-04 San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop

09-05 Big Sur, CA - Henry Miller Library %

09-07 Seattle, WA - The Crocodile %

09-08 Portland, OR - Holocene (MusicFest NW)

09-09 Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theater %

09-11 Boise, ID - Egyptian Theater %

09-13 Denver, CO - Fillmore %

09-14 Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater %

09-15 Marfa, TX - Vizcaino Park %

09-16 Dallas, TX - AT&T Performing Arts %

09-29 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge

10-01 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall +

10-02 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall +

10-04 Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater +

10-13 Lawrence, KS - The Bottleneck #

10-14 Oklahoma City, OK - U of O #

10-15 Memphis, TN - Hi Tone #

10-16 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge #

10-18 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar #

% w/ Explosions in the Sky

+ w/ Wild Beasts

# w/ Pains of Being Pure At Heart

Hypocrite In A Hippy Crypt "The Town Crazies" (free download)

Indiana's Hypocrite In A Hippy Crypt recently released his full length album Tweaker In The Park via Gulcher Records (Kurt Vile's first label). The eleven track album is "a collection of songs from over the past few years. Some are very personal, some are whimsical stories." says the current Indiana University student whom cites Weezer and Elliot Smith as well as The Beach Boys and The Beatles as influences. The resulting lo-fi, indie, pop album is hook-after-hook-good-times. Download the lead track "The Town Crazies" above and stay tuned for more from Hypocrite In A Hippy Crypt.

The Drums "Money" (new video)

The Drums are set to release their sophomore album Portamento on Moshi Moshi/Island on September 12th 2011. The first single "Money" recently got the video treatment from M Blash. Vocalist Jonny Pierce had this to say about the new album "things have become more personal this time around. stylistically, things have evolved a bit, but the real change has been subject matter. On our first EP and album we used a lot of surrealism and really romanticized everything. 'Portamento' is rooted in honesty."
As far as subject matter goes Pierce adds "This album touches on everything from my extreme religious roots to transgenderism to violence, and of course there's plenty of heartbreak stuff, which I couldn't get away from even if I tried." Watch the video.

Exitmusic "The Hours" (new track)

Exitmusic — The Hours by DOJAGSC
New York's wife and husband duo Exitmusic are set to release their From Silence EP via Secretly Canadian on October 4th 2011. New York Magazine's Vulture reports that the pair met while backpacking across Canada as teenagers. Check out the second single off the forthcoming EP here or over at Vulture now.

Young Galaxy "Blown Mind" (new video)

Montreal's Young Galaxy released Shapeshifting late last year via Paper Bag Records to critical acclaim including being named to the Polaris Music Prize Long List for the second straight year. The band is about to head out on world tour with Junior Boys (on the North American leg). The band also released a new video, this time for the track "Blown Mind" (above). Check out the video and get stoked to catch them live soon (dates below).

Young Galaxy World Tour Dates:
September 11 - Minneapolis MN - First Avenue *
September 12 - Winnipeg MB - West End Cultural Centre *     
September 14 - Edmonton AB - Starlite Room *
September 15 - Calgary AB - Republik *  
September 17 - Vancouver BC - Commodore Ballroom *
September 18 - Victoria BC - Sugar Nightclub *
September 20 - Seattle WA - Neumos *
September 21 - Portland OR - Doug Fir Lounge *
September 23 - San Francisco CA - Mezzanine *
September 24 - Los Angeles CA - El Rey Theater *
September 25 - Tucson AZ - Plush *
October 13 - Reykjavik IS - Iceland Airwaves
October 15 - Stockholm SE - Strand
October 19 - Oslo NO - Mono
October 20 - Göteborg SE - Pustervik
October 21 - Malmo SE - Debaser
October 22 - Hamburg DE - Indra Club
October 23 - Berlin DE - Comet Club
October 25 - Cologne DE - Elektroküche
October 26 - Amsterdam NL - Paradiso
October 27 - Paris FR - Flèche D’or
October 28 - Lille FR - Ground Zero Festival
October 30 - Manchester UK - The Deaf Institute
November 2 - London UK - The Lexington   

* w/ Junior Boys

CANT "Answers" (new track)

CANT - Answer (taken from Dreams Come True - Terrible Records / Warp Records) by Warp Records
Grizzly Bear vocalist Chris Taylor ( aka CANT) is set to release a solo LP titled Dreams Come True (via Terrible Records/Warp Records) on Sept. 12/13. Taylor teamed up George Lewis Jr. (of Twin Shadow) for assistance on the recording. CANT will be in Vancouver on October 2nd at the Media Club. Pre-order the album now here.

Cults at Venue July 21, 2011

Cults

Madeline Follin

Brian Oblivion (on keys for this track) far right

Cults were in Vancouver last night at Venue (it got moved from The Waldorf Hotel due to ticket demand). The bike rack out front of the club was packed with hipster mobiles and it was really full inside too. The Cults have played there once before (with Twin Sister opening for The Morning Benders) but this time all eyes were on them. They played a relatively short set but what do you want from such a new band. They played almost all of their songs including "You Know What I Mean" which singer Madeline Follin claims they'd only done live once or twice before. Of course their hit "Go Outside" got the biggest rise out of the crowd, I was most impressed with "The Curse" (I hope they pursue their darker side on the next album). After the shortest break ever, the band returned to play one last track for the encore which was "Oh My God" and just like that the hipsters returned to their  ten speeds and were off. A little wobblier and even cooler than when they arrived. All in all a very satisfying show. Beard out!

TV On The Radio July 20, 2011 at the Commodore Ballroom

Kyp Malone post costume change

Vancouver's infamous Commodore Ballroom was host to TV On The Radio for two consecutive nights  this week. I was lucky enough to be in attendance for the first show and it was awesome. I saw TVOTR for the first time in 2006 (again at the Commodore) and was totally blown away. Now, with two more albums of material (including Nine Types Of Light a Tasty Ears choice for Top 20 Albums of 2011 (so far)), they've done it again. They played the perfect set list of old and new including "Satellite", "The Blues From Down Here", "Dancing Choose", and "Will Do" to name a few. Dave Sitek added a little extra percussion along with sharing guitar duties with Kyp Malone who managed to make a costume change (just a hat but man...) near the end. Of course Tunde Adebimpe was dancing all over the stage hand wagging as only he can do. The whole band brought perhaps even more energy than the super stoked crowd. Part way through they slowed it down a bit with the beautiful "Keep Your Heart" before amping it up even further with four more tracks including the truly epic  "Staring at the Sun", "Repetition"*, "Wolf Like Me" trifecta that closed out the set (pre encore). After much hooting and hollering the boys came back out with the percussion heavy highlight "Method" before playing a couple of the previously mentioned tracks to send the crowd home completely satiated. What a show!

Tunde Adebimpe holding court in a wash of light

*(for those of you who don't know listen to "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" for a little context on this track)

Bon Iver "Holocene" (single)

"Holocene" by Bon Iver by DOJAGSC
So today is officially Bon Iver Day in the city of Milwaukee and Justin Vernon and co. are kicking off their tour at the Riverside Theatre tonight. Earlier this week the band released a second single from their sophomore release Bon Iver titled "Holocene" b/w Bon Iver's cover of Peter Gabriel's "Come Talk To Me".  The single is out now via Jagjaguwar whom also posted the track on Soundcloud (above). In case you missed it Justin Vernon recently did a great radio interview with CBC's Jian Ghomeshi which can be heard on their site CBC's Q.

Hooray For Earth "Sails" (video)

Hooray For Earth - "Sails" from Dovecote Records on Vimeo.
Hooray For Earth released their debut album True Loves earlier this year on Dovecoat Records. The latest single "Sails" recently got the video treatment from David Parker and Cole Schreiber and stars Madeline Zima (of Californication). Go!

Pure X "Easy" (video)

Pure X - "Easy" from Malcolm Elijah on Vimeo.
Texas' Pure X released their debut album Pleasure to rave reviews earlier this year (on Acéphal). The video for "Easy" is the first in a series that will explore the polar themes of the album. "Easy" was directed by Malcolm Elijah and explores specifically numbness and the pleasure of control. In other words it's kinky (no judgement).

Balam Acab 'Wander/Wonder' "Apart" (new track)

Balam Acab is set to release his debut album Wander/Wonder on TriAngle Records September 6th 2011. The second single "Apart" is posted below. Balam Acab is twenty year old Alec Koone. Koone had this to say about the album 

"It's not classical music, but in the tradition of a classical work like a Bach Cello Suite, I see it as more of a whole musical piece with themes/motifs/ideas reoccurring throughout, connecting the tracks together as opposed to simply being a collection of songs that sit next to each other in isolation. It's also an album that should be listened to loudly."  So crank it up and hit play already!

BALAM ACAB - Apart by TriAngleRecords

Macklemore x Ryan Lewis "Wings" (new video)

Seattle MC Macklemore and his producer/DJ Ryan Lewis have been on a tear since teaming up only two years ago. The duo recently released a video for "Wings" (above). Macklemore had this to say about the track “When I first started writing it, I didn’t really have the right idea. Am I writing it like “I’m so cool, I have all of these Jordan’s?” Am I writing about Nike and an anti-Nike song? In reality, it’s neither one of those, it’s just about sharing a fresh perspective."


Macklemore x Ryan Lewis clearly don't concern themselves with advertising placements but instead just keep making music and playing shows (I know, so old fashioned right?). Last year's VS (Redux) EP landed the duo at #7 iTunes Hip Hop Charts and their live show has garnered them a dedicated fan base and spots at big festivals like this year's Sasquatch.  

Girls "Vomit" (free download)

Girls have released the first single from their upcoming sophomore release Father, Son, Holy Ghost (out September 13th via True Panther) exquisitely titled "Vomit" (above). Singer Christopher Owens had this to say about the track "I wrote vomit before Girls was even a band or an idea, this is one of the first songs I ever wrote along with 'Substance' and 'Headache' what you're hearing in "Vomit" is someone who is at life's lowest, seeing the light, and becoming a songwriter." Puke has never sounded so good. Catch them live at Vancouver's Biltmore Cabaret on October 4th. 

The Shivers "Two Solitudes" (video)

The Shivers 'Two Soliutdes' from new album 'More' from Keith Zarriello on Vimeo.
Today The Shivers released a video for their track "Two Solitudes" from the bands latest album More out now from Silence Breaks. The video was directed by Joshua James Richards and stars singer Keith Zarriello (as the protagonist). The beautiful song (probably my favourite from the album) is as heart wrenching as the story told in the accompanying video. Depending on how oppressive your work environment is you may want to wait till you get home to watch this.

The Rapture "How Deep Is Your Love"

The Rapture will release their highly anticipated third album on September 6th, 2011 via DFA Records (artwork above). Download the first single "How Deep Is Your Love" by liking the bands Facebook page or give it a listen below. I would also highly recommend you see them live if you get the chance.
The Rapture - How Deep Is Your Love by DFA Records

Albert Swarm "Familialities" (new track)

Who is Albert Swarm? All I can get from the above picture is that he is from Finland but now calls Brooklyn home and that he is about to release his debut five song EP titled Held (out August 23rd) via Ceremony. Why? What did you get from the picture? For more information (like how good he is) check out the first single "Familialities" now (below).
Albert Swarm-Familialities by Tasty Ears

Washed Out "Eyes Be Closed" (video)

Believe the hype. Washed Out isn't just riding the chillwave but owning it. Washed Out's debut album Within And Without (released July 12th, 2011 via Sub Pop) is pure, blissed out baby making music (or at least a mad pash). The video for the first single "Eyes Be Closed" was directed by Timothy Saccanti (Battles, Flying Lotus, Animal Collective) and Alan Bibby and stars fashion model Coco Young riding the shit out of a motorcycle. Rad!

Brown Bird 'Salt For Salt' "Fingers To The Bone" (new track)

Rhode Island's Brown Bird are set to release a new LP Salt For Salt on October 18th, 2011 via Supply & Demand Music. The duo recorded the new album live to tape to capture the energy of their live show. With album artwork by fellow Rhode Islander Will Schaff (who has also done artwork for Okkervil River (not to be confused with lead singer Will Sheff) and Godspeed! You Black Emperor the album is both visually and acoustically pleasing. Download the first single "Fingers To The Bone" (below) now.
Brown Bird - Fingers to the Bone by supplyanddemand

Her Space Holiday "Anything For Progress" (an LIA Take Away)

As I'm sure you are now aware, Marc Bianchi is going to put his Her Space Holiday project to bed with one final release of a self-titled album on August 16th via his own label No More Good Ideas. The intimate acoustic performance of "Anything For Progress" is presented by Guerilla Waltz and Austin Town Hall for the new series "Lost In Austin". After fifteen years it will be hard to see Her Space Holiday go but with tracks like these the "holiday" won't really be over for a while.

Hess Is More "Creation Keeps The Devil Away" (video)

Hess is More - Creation Keeps The Devil Away from Hess Is More on Vimeo.
Mikkel Hess is set to drop Creation Keeps The Devil Away on October 11th, 2011 via Nublu Records. The title track has been given the video treatment (above) in which a hand flips through a deck of self-help cards in a smokey haze (smoke in videos is really trending today). The album was recorded and produced in New York at This Is Care Of studios. The new album is the highly anticipated follow up to 2009's Hits that earned Hess a spot on Time Out's Top 10 Album's of the year.

Tom Vek "Aroused" (video)

Well, as I'm sure all you (my avid readers) have already heard this track when I posted it last week, you can now watch the video here as well. The video (sponsored by Big Tobacco, (just kidding)) proves that you really can't be sexy without a smoke. I think the patch is pretty arousing myself but...

Pictureplane "Post Physical" (video, album stream)

Pictureplane's sophomore album Thee Physical drops July 19th via Lovepump United. Check out the new (official) video for "Post Physical" above and head over to Thee Physical now to check out the album as it streams in it's entirety. The album made Tasty Ears Top 20 albums of 2011 (so far), and will certainly be packing dance floors all summer long. Egedy tackles physical human contact in the age of all things digital by way of scuzzy beats and sexy vocals. Go!

Mister Heavenly 'Out Of Love' "Bronx Sniper" (new track)

According to the bands bio over at Sub Pop, "Mister Heavenly is... a trio of men who love dogs." The band is comprised of Ryan Kattner (Man Man), Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse) and Nick Thorburn (Islands/The Unicorns). The debut album from the trio Out Of Love is set for release by Sub Pop on August 16th. Indie super groups have almost never disappointed, and despite a goofy bio and hilarious photo, Mister Heavenly is a seriously good collaboration. Check out the latest single "Bronx Sniper" below then go see them live at the Biltmore Cabaret on August 19th (only the second show of the tour). 
Mister Heavenly - Bronx Sniper by subpop

The War On Drugs "Come to the City" (new track)

Come to the City by DOJAGSC
The War On Drugs was originally founded by Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile (Vile has since branched out) in Philadelphia. Granducile and band are set to release the twelve track 47 minute LP Slave Ambient via Secretly Canadian on August 16th, 2011. Check out the new single "Come to the City" (above).

Alexander "Truth" (video)

Alexander - Truth from Alexander on Vimeo.
Alexander is Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes singer Alexander Ebert's solo moniker. His debut self-titled album (came out March 1st via Community Music) is truly a solo project as he plays all the instruments and does all the engineering on the LP. Check out the brand new video for the very cool track "Truth" (above) now. Love the song, love the beard!

Black Lips "New Direction" (video)

Scion A/V Presents: Black Lips - New Direction from Scion A/V on Vimeo.
The Black Lips have released a third video from their latest album Arabia Mountain for the track "New Direction". The video, directed by Jake Burghart, is green screen flight over mountains and (Black Lips home town) Atlanta that wouldn't be complete without a couple stuffed animal cameos. Check out this very contagious track now.

Folk Thief 'Love, Heartache and Oblivion'

Vancouver's Folk Thief released Love, Heartache & Oblivion at the end of last year to rave reviews. The indie singer-songwriter's album has climbed into the Top 30 on the Canadian College Radio Charts. On July 22nd Folk Thief (Dave Hadgkiss) will head out on a Western Canadian tour with My Boy Rascal. Prior to hitting the road Hadgkiss is playing at The Railway Club on July 18th with Juno Award winner Jenney Whiteley. The acoustic album is a fun balance of driving guitar, dark songs, and beautiful harmonies reminiscent of Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young. Check out my favourite track "After the Accident" (below) now and/or buy the album on iTunes for more great songs like "A Light for Liberty".
After The Accident by Folk Thief

iceage "New Brigade" (WIN tickets)

Iceage - New Brigade from iceage on Vimeo.
New Brigade, the debut album from Denmark's iceage, was released in North America in May of this year on What's Your Rupture? There has been no shortage of hype about this band. Pitchfork gave the album it's coveted Best New Music distinction, Stereogum had a comment party, Vice magazine did an interview, Maximum Rock N Roll gave it a "New band Alert" to name just a few.  Everyone agrees that seeing them live is "the go". Tasty Ears and the Waldorf Hotel want to help you to catch iceage live at the Waldorf July 30th with Cult of Youth. Punk Rock doesn't need saving, it's not dead, it's 18 years old and has blood trickling down it's face while it shouts into a microphone. Watch the video above or listen to the tracks posted below and decide for yourself. Then, to win two tickets to the show, head over to Tasty Ears Facebook page and give it a Like or, if you've already liked it leave a comment mentioning iceage and the winner will be picked at random on Thursday July 28th.
Iceage - New Brigade by What's Your Rupture?

Cults "Go Outside" (video)

Go Outside, by Cults from Boing Boing on Vimeo.
Cults are playing in Vancouver on July 21st at Venue (moved from the Waldorf). Today they released a video for their song "Go Outside" (above). The video juxtaposes the upbeat track with footage of the events leading up to the the Jonestown Massacre. Through the magic of director Isaiah Seret, Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion appear in the vintage clips performing this song. See you at the show.

Deer Tick "Funny Word" (new track, performance)

Deer Tick - Funny Word from Welcome To The West on Vimeo.
Deer Tick likes to keep busy. They released The Black Dirt Sessions in June 2010 and toured extensively in support of the album. Then singer John J. McCauley III recorded and album with Taylor Goldsmith (of Dawes) and Matt Vasquez (of Delta Spirit) as Middle Brother before Deer Tick hit the road again. The band then took a brief hiatus as Deervana, playing several festivals. Deer Tick somehow managed in there somewhere to record a new album (set for a fall release on Partisan Records) and now they are back on the road. The band even made time  to record an intimate performance of the track "Funny Word" from the upcoming album for Welcome To The West (above). According to Deer Tick's website they don't plan on slowing down anytime soon, including another trip to Europe in the fall. Keep 'er going boys!

The Drums 'Portamento' including "Money"

The Drums - Money by WorkItMedia
The Drums are set to release Portamento via Island on September 12th. Check out the first single "Money" above and head over to Play to pre-order the album now. I was lucky enough to catch these guys at Sasquatch where they played a few new tracks for an elated crowd. Super amped for this release.

Big Harp "Everybody Pays" (free download)

LA duo Big Harp have released a second track "Everybody Pays" from their upcoming debut album White Hat (out September 13th via Saddle Creek). Recorded by Rilo Kiley bassist Pierre de Reeder at Nightingale Studios the eleven track album has drawn comparisons to Townes Van Zandt, Willie Nelson, and Captain Beefheart. Download the latest below courtesy of Paste Magazine.

Tom Vek "Aroused" (new track)

Tom Vek's latest album Leisure Seizure got a digital release on June 7th from Island/Cooperative Music/Downtown and will get a physical release on September 13th. The latest single off the album "Aroused" can be heard now (below) courtesy of WNYC. Go!

Male Bonding "Bones" (new track)

Male Bonding - Bones by subpop
Male Bonding are set to release their sophomore album Endless Now via Sub Pop on August 30th. The band recorded the album in two weeks (bass player Kevin Hendrick says "That's the most time we've ever had in a studio") at Dreamland Recording Studio in Woodstock N.Y. (where the B-52's recorded "Love Shack" and Dinosaur Jr. made 'Where You Been'). The 36 minute album promises new timbres and more guitars. The first single "Bones" can be heard above.

We Were Promised Jet Packs 'In The Pit Of The Stomach' "Act On Impulse" (new track)

We Were Promised Jet Packs will release their highly anticipated sophomore album on October 3rd via FatCat Records. After extensive touring the band retreated to Sigur Rós's studio in Iceland with (live sound engineer) Andrew Bush and mixer producer Peter Katis (Frightened Rabbit, The National) and recorded In The Pit Of The Stomach. The debut single "Act On Impulse" is available for download now through the widget below. No signs of a sophomore slump here.

Friends "Friend Crush" (video)

Friends - "Friend Crush" from stereogum on Vimeo.
Brooklyn based band Friends have a 7" titled Friend Crush via Lucky Number Music still available digitally at Bandcamp (the physical release has sold out). The 7" features the above track "Friend Crush" backed with "Feelin' Dank". Friends will be releasing another single titled "I'm His Girl" in September prior to their debut LP coming in 2012. Super catchy track.

Kyle Andrews "Lazer Tag with Imaginary Friends" (video)

The latest from Kyle Andrews Robot Learn Love will be released by Elephant Lady Records on August  16th. The first single "Lazer Tag with Imaginary Friends" just got the video treatment from director Ryan Kendrick. A little bit Scott Pilgrim a little bit Is Tropical's The Greeks a whole lot of video games in real life. Go!

CREEP remix Memory Tapes "Green Knight" (video)

Memory Tapes - Green Knight (CREEP Remix) from OFFICIAL CREEP on Vimeo.
Earlier this week Memory Tapes released his latest album Player Piano (which I'm totally digging right now). Just prior to the release of the new material Brooklyn duo CREEP remixed a track off of Memory Tapes first album Seek Magic titled "Green Knight". CREEP has made the track, well, creepier. The chilly remix is tripped out in the video filmed at the famous Chelsea Hotel. CREEP = sweet and Memory Tapes = super so I guess that makes this remix super sweet.

Milagres "Lost In The Dark" (performance)

Lost In The Dark by Milagres from Big Ugly Yellow Couch on Vimeo.

Milagres second album will be released by Kill Rock Stars on September 13th. The release of the album titled Glowing Mouth will virtually coincide with the Brooklyn bands tour in support of the album. Dates below. Go!

Milagres Tour Dates

07.16 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club #
08.10 Brooklyn, NY @ McCarren Park (L Magazine Summerscreen Series)
09.27 Boston, MA @ Middle East *
09.28 Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie *
09.30 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge *
10.03 Raleigh, NC @ Local 506 *
10.04 Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn *
10.07 Austin, TX @ Lamberts *
10.08 Denton, TX @ Dan's Silver Leaf *
10.10 Norman, OK @ Opolis *
10.11 Columbia, MO @ Mojos *
10.12 Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop *
10.15 Madison, WI @ UW Madison - The Sett *

# with Wild Beasts
* with Peter Wolf Crier

Blitzen Trapper 'American Goldwing'

Blitzen Trapper has set a date for their highly anticipated next album American Goldwing to be released via Sub Pop on September 13th. Give the title track a play above. It seems they took a break from touring just long enough to record the new LP. Watch for tour dates from these guys soon.

Girls 'Father, Son, Holy Ghost'

September 13, 2011 will mark the release of Girls second album (third record) titled Father, Son, Holy Ghost on True Panther Sounds. I've always liked Girls (seriously, a big fan) so I'm super stoked for this album to drop. This time around Christopher Owens and Chet White recorded with drummer Darren Weiss and guitarist John Anderson in a San Francisco office building. The many amps and tube and transistor recording equipment helped create the "sound" of the new work. Owens says "I still know I have to do it. I still love the songs and writing songs." If the track list reveals anything it's that we're in for a hell of a ride. Check it out.

Track Listing

1. Honey Bunny

2. Alex

3. Die

4. Saying I Love You

5. My Ma

6. Vomit

7. Just A Song

8. Magic

9. Forgiveness

10. Love Like A River

11. Jamie Marie

My Brightest Diamond "Reaching Through To The Other Side

Reaching Through to the Other Side by My Brightest Diamond
My Brightest Diamond has made a chamber pop album titled All Things Will Unwind that will be released by Asthmatic Kitty on October 18th. The Detroit native, who goes by Shara Worden to friends, has returned to the Motor City and given birth to a son. Both of these experiences are explored lyrically on the eleven track album recorded with chamber ensemble yMusic. Fancy yourself a DJ? Try your ear at a remix here. Beard out!

THE STEPKIDS "Wonderfox" (video)

The Connecticut trio The Stepkids released a new video today for a new track titled "Wonderfox". The Stepkids will release their debut, self titled, full length on September 27th via Stones Throw Records. The psychedelic video matches the psych-soul sound of the band. I hate the word fusion but they make it sound pretty damn good.

Wild Beasts "Catherine Wheel" (new track)

Wild Beasts - Catherine Wheel by DominoRecordCo
Wild Beasts will be releasing their second single off of this years Smother (a Tasty Ears Top 20 (so far) pick) titled "Bed Of Nails". The single will come as a signed, limited edition post card with art work by photographer Jason Evans. The single will be backed with the previously unreleased "Catherine Wheel". Check it out above.

Cut Copy "Blink And You'll Miss A Revolution"

Cut Copy will release another single off of Zonoscope titled "Blink And You'll Miss A Revolution" August 9th 2011. The single will be complete with remixes including the version below by Toro Y Moi. 
Blink And You'll Miss a Revolution (Toro Y Moi Remix) by cutcopymusic

Cut Copy is currently touring with Washed Out and Midnight Magic for most of the dates including the Vancouver show at the Vogue on October 7th. Tickets go on sale this Friday with presale available at cutcopy.net starting tomorrow. Zonoscope just made Tasty Ears Top 20 Albums (so far) so do yourself a favour and see them live. Go!

Dan Mangan 'Oh Fortune'

Dan Mangan will release his third album Oh Fortune on September 27th via Arts & Crafts.  Mangan was shortlisted for the prestigious Polaris Prize for his sophomore album Nice, Nice Very Nice and you can get a taste of the new album for free. Enter your email above to download the title track now.

Caveman Tour Dates (believe the hype)

Jimmy 'Cobra' Carbonetti (pictured above) doesn't just build guitars at his East Village shop (Cobra Guitars) but he also plays them in the band Caveman. If you haven't heard of Caveman yet, you will. They are about to explode but don't take my word for it, here's what New York Times Magazine had to say about them "Rumor has it that the entire music industry is chasing after Caveman, waving record contracts, but the gaggle of mischievous man-boys, led by a singer with an I.Q. purported to be off the charts, refuses to sign anything. Obscenely talented, and airtight in performance delivery, Caveman is finally getting over its commitment phobia, releasing its first album, “CoCo Beware,” this fall. 


If you get a chance I would highly recommend catching Caveman on their upcoming tour. I'll be the one at the back of the club with the beard saying "I told you so". Tour dates listed below.
Upcoming Caveman dates:
* w/ The War On Drugs
08/06 - Montauk, NY @ The Surf Lodge
08/18 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's *
08/19 - Brooklyn, NY @ Cameo *
08/21 - Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall *
08/22 – Burlington, VT @ Monkey Bar
08/23 - Montreal, CAN @ Casa del Popolo *
08/24 - Toronto, CAN @ Drake Hotel *
08/25 - Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig *
08/26 - Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern *
08/27 - Milwaukee, WI @ Club Garibaldi *
08/28 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry *
08/30 - St. Louis, MO @ The Biliken Club *
08/31 - Lexington-Fayette, KY @ Cosmic Charlie's *
09/01 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe *
09/02 - Washington, DC @ The Red Place *
09/15 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge (Album Release)

Dom "Damn" (new track)

Dom has released a track from their upcoming Family of Love EP (out August 9 from Astralwerks) via the bands Facebook page called "Damn". If you haven't already, you'll have to 'Like' the band before you can listen to the new track. As long as you're 'Like'ing stuff why not do Tasty Ears too. In other Dom news that you may not have already done, check out their new video for "Living in America".  

Top 20 Albums of 2011 (as of July 1st)

We're now half way through 2011 (I know, holy shit right?) so it must be time to make a list. Here is my list of the top albums of 2011 (so far).

20. Cults - Cults

Cults - Abducted by cultscultscults

19. Wild Beasts - Smother

18. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Belong

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Heart In Your Heartbreak by Dine Alone Records

17. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra

16. Cut Copy - Zonoscope

Take Me Over by cutcopymusic

15. Radiohead - The King Of Limbs

14. John Maus - We Must Become The Pitiless Censors of Ourselves

13. Cold Cave - Cherish The Light Years

Cold Cave - The Great Pan Is Dead by artsandcrafts

12. EMA - Past Life Martyred Saints

EMA - California

11. TV On The Radio - Nine Types of Light

TV On The Radio - "Will Do" by Interscope Records

10. Destroyer - Kaputt

Destroyer - Chinatown

9. Adele - 21

Adele- Rumour Has It

8. Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

7. Pictureplane - Thee Physical

6. Braids - Native Speaker

BRAIDS - "Lemonade" by BRAIDS

5. Smith Westerns - Dye It Blonde

Weekend by Smith Westerns

4. Antlers - Burst Apart

3. tUnE-yArDs - W H O K I L L

by terrorbird

2. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues by subpop

1. Bon Iver - Bon Iver


Finally a couple of bands that you'll be talking about soon:


Gardens & Villa - Gardens & Villa
Caveman - CoCo Beware


Alright, that's my list. Now go and tear it apart, you animals!