Mr. Moccasin

When it came to starting Mr. Moccasin, the duo that comprises the band has been quoted as saying that they wanted their music "to play with impossibilities and chance".  One doesn't need to look far to see why; lead singer Hanna Badalova was born in Baku, Azerbaijan where she developed an interest for poetry, a hobby that would act as a medium for telling the stories of her family fleeing genocide in pursuit of greener pastures in Baltimore.  It is here that she met Jared Fischer, who shared a passion for music and had actually been in a band for quite some time. Somehow, someway, despite starting their lives half a world away from each other, the two met.  Chance; it's what Mr. Moccasin was born from.  While this isn't an entirely uncommon occurrence in the world I mention it because it's important to the band's identity, and it shines through in the group's new single "Black On Black".  Coming from the forthcoming album XAHA, the track is an adventurous dive into the use of atmospheric, guitar-driven rhythms.  "Black On Black" draws a line between rock, folk, and punk, incorporating such styles and sounds without putting too many cards into one genre, instead coming across as universal.  Still, utilizing these aspects Mr. Moccasin is able to create a unique quality that sounds as equally ambitious as it does genuine. Considering their history, anything else would be a surprise.  Check out "Black On Black" below, and then be sure to grab the song for free over on Bandcamp.

Black On Black

Lazyeyes

Today the Brooklyn quartet Lazyeyes played in their first CMJ showcase, an honor that is deserved for the young band and their well-crafted version of indie rock.  So far we've only been treated to two tracks off their debut EP (which should be released in a month or so), but I've seen a sizable enough sample to declare my excitement for their future.  Lazyeyes sound strangely unique, mixing together elements of fast-paced alternative, guitar-driven punk, and subdued lo-fi.  I'm having trouble figuring it out, which could be part of the reason for my interest in them.  There is a tinge of beachy infusion, something most notably present in "Nostalgia", a beautiful song that rides the same groove Beach Fossils have been fantastic at producing.  The riff that propels the tune is high-pitched and clean while the vocals are blanketed in a film of dreamy fuzz, extending a hand out to those keen on surf rock.  Their other track, "Forever", is similar, except appears to be slightly more complex and slightly more inspired by punk rock.  Either way, both are intriguing examples of summer rhythms, despite the fact they may not appear as such at first glance.  I've posted "Nostalgia" and "Forever" below, so be sure to listen to those. Afterward, feel free to browse their Bandcamp and Facebook.

Lux Lisbon

The debut album from London rockers Lux Lisbon may have been released in January, but their new single "Your Heart Is A Weapon The Size Of Your Fist" is in full-swing.  Coming after the record's success, "Your Heart" is a fast-paced banger with swirling synths, blistering drums, and a passionate vocal track.  Part of what makes the song so appealing is tension-filled build, which starts off as a steady back with muddled lyrics.  It's not until "Your Heart" really breaks free that your exposed to the raw energy and emotion contained within.  During this explosion of sound we're also given insight into the complexity of everything that's going on, truly exposing us to how much of a gem it is.  Have a listen to it below to catch the vibe, and then head over to Bandcamp to snag the rest of their catalogue. There are also some goodies located at their Facebook page.  Enjoy!

The Natural Shocks

When looking at the cover for Kobayashi Maru, the newly released EP from Toronto rockers The Natural Shocks, what's the first thing you notice?  It's dark and foreboding, displaying nothing but a silhouette, giving weight to the tension of the unknown.  We can't even see the character's face. This sense of being hidden is an interesting one, especially considering that The Natural Shocks were based on a collection of songs inspired by Jim DeLuca's (lead singer) broad fear of death and the finality of it.  That was then, but Kobayashi Maru is now. So what has changed if anything?  If you listen carefully, there are some aspects that are consistent, like in "Chosen Ones" where DeLuca sings "makes you wish you'd live forever / won't regret it / come whatever / and now my days are drifting way", but overall the tone seems to be much more uplifting.  Underneath their heavily reverbed guitar lines lies great pop sensibility and does so in a way that slowly reveals itself.  For some reason, perhaps because the vocals sound slightly lo-fi, I can't shake the '90s alternative rock style.  Either way, in the end it doesn't matter if DeLuca still fears death or remains undercover in the album cover, Kobayashi Maru is a wonderful EP, carefully constructed and proficient in a variety of different sounds.  Best part is that you can snag it for free!  You can do that over at Bandcamp, with other outlets available at Facebook, Twitter, and SoundCloud.  I've posted my two favorites, "Daydream" and "Chosen Ones" below for your listening pleasure.  Enjoy!

 Daydream by The Natural Shocks

 Chosen Ones by The Natural Shocks

Harts

To add to the extensive list of dynamic and kinetic artists coming out of Australia, the Melbourne native Harts has recently thrown his talent into the mix.  Only two songs deep into his music career, Harts has already made quite a splash, catching the eyes of many fans.  One such enthusiast was Lars Stalfors of The Mars Volta, who has offered to mix the forthcoming EP Offtime, which is slated for a release later in 2012.  I find the draw to his songs to be a mix of energy, creativity, and the ability to hook on to his music.  "Back To The Shore" is an excellent example of this; the driving guitar riff is striking and unique, allowing Harts to be distinguishable.  When you hear "Back To The Shore", you're going to remember the piercing tone and you'll know who played it.  The first official single "All To Real" is similar, instead utilizing disco-like bass grooves to catch your eye.  I've posted both songs below for you to listen to, with links to his SoundCloud and Facebook for further exploration.  Hit it up!

 Back To The Shore by Harts

 Harts - All Too Real by Harts

Cloud Seeding

To start off talking about Cloud Seeding, you have to know what the concept behind it is (which is one I think is awesome).  To quote his website, the idea goes as follows: "Cloud Seeding is a music project by guitarist Kevin Serra. The project was conceived as a space for collaboration to showcase vocalists he admires. There is no one signature sound, no fixed or preconceived notions, just a space for improvisation that is free to change".  I just had to give him a shout out for this one, for it's what I think is a huge factor in what music is all about.  Serra has opened up his musical aspirations instead of limiting himself to one sound or idea.  When he sets out to complete a full LP, then yes, maybe it's time to change.  But for now, he's going with the flow and creating what he likes, something he does while simultaneously promoting his favorite singers.  Very cool.  The song below is his most recent contribution; the mellow, simmering, and almost dark "The Light", which features the beautifully voiced Nadine Carina.  Have a listen to it below with further information available at Bandcamp, Tumblr, Facebook, and SoundCloud.  Enjoy it!

 Cloud Seeding "The Light" (feat. Nadine Carina) by Bleek Records

The Cairos

Earlier this year, the Brisbane group of The Cairos released another EP, one that is entitled Colours Like Feathers.  The rocking, post-punking band did a very good job with it, creating a fast-paced and exciting blur of catchy riffs and boisterous drumming.  What I like about Colours Like Feathers is that the EP has a certain bite to it, the hooks infused into the tracks are good at grabbing you from the start and reeling you in, refusing to let go.  I guess this shouldn't be too surprising; this is their first release in almost two years, so this may be a little bit of their coming out party. I've posted a few songs from the EP below, the tension-ridden "Lena" and the explosive "We All Buy Stars", which also served as a single last year.  For more on The Cairos, you can visit their MySpace (yes, it still exists), Facebook, and of course Bandcamp.

Lena

We All Buy Stars

Father Sculptor

As discussed in my previous post about Father Sculptor, the band has announced that it will release a song every fortnight throughout the summer.  Yes, it's an ambitious task, but it's one that they've been keeping up.  The latest they've put out is "Aristide", which is a great study on fun and transforming guitars, an attribute which probably influenced NME to relate them to The Smiths.  "Aristide" is a little more sunny and bright than the previous "Frances", which took on a bit of a darker tone.  I've posted the stream for "Aristide" below, which will be offered as a free download on August 13th.

Hunting Grounds

Jumping back in time three years, the sextet that is currently called Hunting Grounds used to go by the name Howl.  Labeled as "rambunctious high-school buddies", this is more than befitting, and it would seem as though it's this trait that gives them the passion to perform live.  Still back in 2009, it was under this moniker they won the Triple J Unearthed High competition and jump-started their career, adapting to Hunting Grounds and releasing an EP in 2010 (they had another in 2010 still under Howl).  Now, we see the culmination of their history in the form of In Hindsight, their debut album.  Much of their playing style remains constant; they're loud, complex, and do all they can to fill your speakers with wonderfully orchestrated organized chaos.  As they say, their ideas are just as big as their ambition, and it seems pretty clear to me that In Hindsight is a testament to this claim.  I have posted two of my favorites below, "Wings" and "Mind Decays", so go ahead and stream those.  The album is available for stream here, and they also have a homepage which can help link you to all outlets of their social media.

Wings

Mind Decays

Father Sculptor

It starts off slow, slightly dark, oozing emotional syrups of melancholy.  With time we're exposed to sections of lively guitars, more fervent drumming, and waves of backing synths.  Throughout the course of its 5:14 runtime, we're treated to a developing sprawl of varying 1980s styles, which is interesting because the new single "Frances" by Father Sculptor sounds nothing like it would come from that time period.  Regardless, there are elements here that sound just as much post-punk as they do alternative, a strange contrast that actually finds itself uniquely engaging.  That's not even mentioning the deep and cavernous vocals to accompany, the style of which reminds me very much so of Future Islands, who have proven this pairing can come out successfully.  "Frances" is the most recent single to come from Father Sculptor, who are currently busy releasing a new song every fortnight for this summer.  You know what this means...more goodies!  "Frances" will be available for a free download on July 30th, but in the meantime you can stream it below, so go ahead and take a peek.

The Ludlow Thieves

If you happen to be reading this blog post right now you're most likely a music fan, so you don't need me to tell you that the opening song to an album can be very important.  It sets the table for what's the come and leads the remaining set off with a statement.  When I first heard "To Travel" by New York's The Ludlow Thieves, my first reaction was: "What a great opener!"  And sure enough, as the opener to their self-titled album The Ludlow Thieves, it functions beautifully.  It's a soaring conglomerate of majestic orchestral instrumentation, steady drum beats, and convincing, powerful vocals that was described to me as "Rod Stewart on two packs of smokes".  Truth be told, I tried hard to think of a better way to portray his voice, but I really couldn't, it fits wonderfully.  Despite the fact that the orchestra may sound a bit chamber-like, the guttural chorus brings the track right down to earth. In turn, this makes "To Travel" seem way more like a roots ballad than anything, which allows for a very unique sounding song...and one that works fantastically as their album's opener.  Well, I've gone off and praised "To Travel" to high heaven, but the rest of The Ludlow Thieves is most definitely worth a listen too, so I highly recommend it.  To get an idea of what I'm talking about, take a listen to "To Travel" below, and be sure to visit their SoundCloud for the full release.

 To Travel by theludlowthieves

Stars Are Projectors

Sometimes it takes a fine wine several years to mature and reach its maximum taste potential.  In the same light, sometimes it takes songs longer than the average 3 or 4 minutes to reveal a true meaning or point.  On this year's Wavelengths, the San Francisco band Stars Are Projectors recognize the patience in developing and building a song.  A majority of the songs on their new record extend beyond the 5-minute mark, allowing a sprawling landscape of ideas and styles.  Also in a lot of these longer tracks we see changes in tone, which at times seem to separate into two different songs.  This works well for a band that specializes in a predominantly post-rock technique, a genre which rarely sees any song under 4 minutes.  Within the 55-minute span of Wavelengths there is an abundance of treats hidden within the expanse; fantastically written guitar riffs, well-established atmospheres, and spot on production.  I've posted a shorter song in "Know My Name" below, but I've also included the longer "Two Days", which exemplifies their musical adventure.  You can download the album for free over here at Bandcamp.  More streaming and downloading available at SoundCloud.  Go pick it up!

 Know My Name by Stars Are Projectors

 Two Days by Stars Are Projectors

Conner Youngblood

Conner Youngblood has been on a pretty good tear as of late.  Besides recently graduating from an unknown, small-town college named Yale University, his songs "Monster" and "A Summer Song" became internet hits almost instantaneously.  Continuing on with his achievements, the blogosphere proved to be big fans of his debut album Sketches Pt. 1, he was a showcased artist at SXSW in March, and also played at the CMJ festival.  The song that's being pushed forward now, though, is "Gold", a take off of his new album conveniently entitled Sketches Pt. 2 (due out later this year).  This song may actually be my favorite that he has put out so far.  I find myself addicted to the fuzzy, slow-burning chords, which help create a very full and complete atmosphere.  So sit back and let this one simmer on you for a while, at least until Sketches Pt. 2 completes its drop...which is hopefully sooner rather than later.  The single is being offered for free over at his SoundCloud, so jump on over yonder for that gift.  You can stay updated on his progress at his Facebook page, and he also has a Twitter if you prefer that. A'ight, I'm peacin'.

 Gold by Conner Youngblood

Sam Page

In between the years of earning a PhD in Philosophy and teaching over 50 college courses, musician Sam Page was playing guitar on and off, contemplating the life of a rock star.  His newly released EP, Waiting for Another Spring, is a step in that direction.  Since its release in April of this year, Spring has been receiving a whole bunch of praise from a variety of sources.  One of the hits, and also probably my favorite song on the EP, is a track entitled "Pass Me By", which won the April Alternative Rock contest at OurStage.  It was selected the victor out of 280 other songs.  Much like the rest of the EP, "Pass By Me" has a fun swing to it, complete with heavy distortion and happy rifts.  It has a power popish feel to it as well, much in the same vein as someone like Weezer.  I've posted that particular song below for your listening enjoyment, but be sure to check out his other material (including the rest of the EP) at his homepage.  Enjoy!

Pass Me By

Wild Eyes

One of the things I've come to love about the shoegaze genre is that it's very anthemic; talented shoegazers use waterfalls of sound and bursts of noise that are very colorful.  The whitewash of chords has a particular artistry that can be either hit or miss, either the surge of energies is successful or it sounds like a waste.  Luckily when it's on, it's fucking awesome.  The L.A. based band Wild Eyes has a keen sense of what's catchy, and their newly released Blue Haze EP exemplifies this.  The 4-song release is an impressive debut, especially for a style of music that can fall apart so quickly.  Blue Haze holds it together, though, in what sounds like a mix of classic alt-rock like My Bloody Valentine and the sprawling arena-sized instrumentation of early U2.  Hopefully we'll see more outta these guys soon, and it'll be interesting to see where they take their sound from here.  In the meantime, I've posted two songs from the EP, the opener "Blue Haze" as well as "When Its Over".  Hit up Bandcamp for a download!

The Birdman Rallies

So I'm a little late on this one.  As you can tell from the last post, I have not updated the blog in ages.  I've been in South America for a couple weeks as well as starting summer classes, and needless to say I've been pretty busy. I've been sifting through all my old e-mails from people kind enough to send me over their music the past month or so, and one of the first that stuck out to me was the single "Storm Cloud Heat" from The Birdman Rallies. The "band" is actually a one-man project from York in the U.K., and he has been quoted as saying "[I] often take a sonic idea, say a repeated rhythmic noise or vocal sample, and building up textures around it, graft it onto a song".  The lead track from his new album moons really seems to demonstrate this.  The melodies are wonderfully unique, and the layers compile upon themselves to create a fun, addictive little tune.  One that, for me, is a great summer ditty.  I've posted "Storm Cloud Heat" below for your listening pleasure, and be sure to check out his Bandcamp for a free download of his album moons.  Hope you all enjoy!

Jordan Bolton

Much like the beginning of     "Maps" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the 19-year-old Jordan Bolton uses a similar quick strumming pattern to establish a platform for his new song "Love Was Always Cruel, It Just Wasn't Cruel To Me".  Building on top of this base, the solo artist manages to add some cozy guitar lines cradled by a comforting bass rhythm.  Bolton isn't new to this, though, there is a resemblance to similar atmospheres in songs like "Duluoz Nights" and portions of "Black and Grey".  Listening to his set you really see he's trying to stretch out and experiment with new ideas, and since "Love Was Always Cruel, It Just Wasn't Cruel To Me" is the first of a collection of three songs to be released, it'll be exciting to see what comes next.  Have a listen to the track below keeping in mind that Bolton is playing every instrument except the drums, and afterward head over to his SoundCloud to download his repertoire for free.

 Love Was Always Cruel, It Just Wasn't Cruel To Me by Jordan Bolton

Yes Sir Idol

Throwing Yes Sir Idol's new song "Heavy Conscience" on headphones is quite an experience.  Starting off with a strong drum rhythm, the percussion simply pounds into your ears, piquing curiosity of where it could lead.  It's hard to know at the time, but the song will display a variety of moods, shifting in and out of rigid beats and celestial electronic tides.  It's an interesting play, and thoroughly unexpected, but the contrast between a darker, heavier beginning and a lighter, more polished chorus works well here.  As someone who grew up with a multitude of influences, including a fondness of pop, it's cool to see it all mix together in "Heavy Conscience".  The track comes as a single from the debut EP Two Heart Race, which Yes Sir Idol plans to release as a free download on February 6th.  I've posted the song below, but there is also some more music on his SoundCloud for listening.  For people more into the pop side of things, "By Your Side" is an absolute must listen.  Checcckkkk it!

 Heavy Conscience by Yes Sir Idol

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