[Weekly Mix] 2016.01 (3)

Pre-order LP/CD: http://www.slumberlandrecords.com/catalog/show/293
Pre-order iTunes: http://smarturl.it/wolvesitunes

Scene reports. Regional styles. It all seems charmingly antiquated these days, given how social networking cross-pollination has transcended space and time. But with a hyper-literate, tightly wound, and irreverent brand of post-collegiate rock, Bent Shapes may just be the most quintessentially Boston band of the last few years.

Since forming the group under the name Girlfriends in 2009, principal songwriters Ben Potrykus and Andy Sadoway have largely ignored indie trends leaking from the "industry cities" in favor of churning out earnest, expertly-crafted pop and post-punk laced with “some of the tightest punk poetry around” (Liz Pelly).

2013’s "Feels Weird" (Father/Daughter Records) offered a glimpse at the discomfort and desperation of youth, with self-reflections on personal growth and decay. Over a year of critical acclaim from outlets as diverse as Maximum Rocknroll and Pitchfork, a tour with John Vanderslice, and shows with Fucked Up, Ted Leo, and The Bats followed, culminating with the addition of guitarist Luke Brandfon and bassist Jenny Mudarri.

Bent Shapes spent early 2015 recording "Wolves of Want" with Elio DeLuca (Titus Andronicus), although Potrykus and Sadoway began writing what would become their second album long before "Feels Weird" was even released. “The basic format for how songs came together was the same: Ben would write a guitar riff or vocal melody along with some chords and then we would hash out the arrangement in our rehearsal space,” explains Sadoway. The band took their biggest risk in the studio, electing to record "Wolves of Want" purely analog with 16 tracks. “Even with a relatively small number of tracks, we were able to bring in some additional instruments that we hadn’t added to our palette before: cello, trumpet, trombone to name a few,” says Sadoway. “My favorite part of tracking was when Luke and I got to play a Steinway grand together during the outro of ‘New Starts in Old Dominion.’”

Thematically, Wolves of Want is an album full of meditations on mental illness, the struggle to bring goodness into the world, and faith in humanity as a renewable resource. These themes are particularly personal to Potrykus who was diagnosed with multiple anxiety disorders after experiencing acute symptoms on-and-off for years. “I talk about it openly, because what helped me when I felt isolated and alone was reading books and listening to interviews by comedians and writers that had dealt with the same thing. The mainstream perception of a given disorder isn't always accurate, and I don't want anyone to feel like I did when things were at their worst,” explains Potrykus. “Writing about it was cathartic for me, as well -- documenting how I was feeling gave me a way of contextualizing a personal crisis that made it seem like something I could overcome.”

"Wolves of Want" will be released by Slumberland Records on March 11, 2016.


Buy LP/CD

Bent Shapes - New Starts In Old Dominion

Brothers in Law - Oh, Sweet Song

'Ines de Castro' is the first single from David Vassalotti's Broken Rope LP on on 2/12/2016.  Order your copy here - http://wharfcatrecords.com/store/david-vassalotti-broken-rope-lp

Order from Apple Music here - https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/broken-rope/id1074173803

As modern life spirals further into chaos and confusion, David Vassalotti’s newest album Broken Rope, a follow-up to his revered out-of-print 2011 LP Book of Ghosts, presents itself as a soundtrack for the tumult
.
Vassalotti, a Florida-based songwriter and performer for critically acclaimed 4AD signees Merchandise (amongst numerous other projects), has used this record as an opportunity to delve further into his own diverse world of personal interests. Broken Rope is a passion project, with Vassalotti handling all of the writing, performing, recording, production, and art design.

From lo-fi guitar pop sounds (a la Flying Nun staples like The Clean and The Verlaines), to elements harsh industrial noise and musique concrete, Vassalotti weaves together a wide array of musical influences with a steady hand. Similarly, the album’s lyrics draw from literary references as far- reaching as Portuguese history, Russian folklore, and Spanish poetry.

Ambitious as it may be to cover so much ground, there is a rational flow and unity that ties the record together. In the chaotic globalism of the 21st century Broken Rope may not be the compass that helps us find our orientation, but it can still serve as a mirror to help shape our concept of where we fit into the fray. This is an adventurous album for uncertain times.

PITCHFORK: D. Vassalotti "Swallow My Pride"
“Tampa's Merchandise have a decade of artful hardcore and experimental pop under their belts-- but the devastating solo output of guitarist Dave Vassalotti is their best kept secret”

David Vassalotti - Ines De Castro

Taken from C Duncan's forthcoming four track EP which is released on FatCat records digitally on the 19th of February.

C Duncan - Pearly - Dewdrops' Drops

From his sophomore album "It Calls On Me", available on Feb 19th, 2016 from Trouble In Mind Records (www.troubleinmindrecs.com)

Doug Tuttle " It Calls On Me" (Trouble In Mind Records)

Dusk and Dawn is the eponymous first single from the EP "Dusk and Dawn"

HURDLES NEW EP ‘DUSK & DAWN’
01/02/2016

Belfast based indie pop 4 piece Hurdles have been creating slick guitar driven synth laced pop in the vein of Phoenix & Bombay Bicycle Club since November 2012.

Hailing 3/4 from Northern Ireland (Niall Hanna, Eoin Bleeks and Thomas Bannon) and 1/4 from Bedford, England (Ross Haymes) they were brought together over a love of danceable indie, drawing on frontman Hanna's Irish trad background and tunings to give their music a truly unique sound.

Their music has been heard by millions thanks to the likes of BBC Radio 1 Introducing, 6 Music's Steve Lamacq and BBC Radio Ulster’s Across The Line all championing their music.

‘Dusk & Dawn’ is the band's second 4 track EP following on from their debut ‘Where To Start' in October 2013. Featuring former single ‘France’ voted best NI track of 2014 by Chordblossom.com, ‘Dusk & Dawn’ sees the band pushing themselves in every element of their music. From the upbeat indie pop opener ‘Closer’ to the funk drenched ‘Wake’ the band locked themselves away writing the most comprehensive tracks to date. Lead single ‘Dusk & Dawn’ showcases Hurdles ability to effortlessly combine addictive guitar riffs with smooth synth pop to a high polished degree.

Dusk & Dawn was recorded at Start Together Studios in Belfast and features the following tracks

Closer
Dusk & Dawn
Wake
France

Credits:
Niall Hanna - Vocals & Guitar
Thomas Bannon - Guitar
Eoin Bleeks - Bass & Synth
Ross Haymes - Drums

Press Quotes:

'Hurdles' strengths lie in their intuitive command of what they do best: impressively executed, confidently delivered, increasingly compelling guitar pop' (BBC Across The Line)

'Hurdles represent the freshest brand of indie pop available' (Chordblossom)

‘Control’, the lead single from the EP, perfectly showcases their growth and passion for heightened live impact, as well as comprising nods to influences Phoenix and The Strokes.' (The Unsigned Guide)

'They wear their influences proudly, careering off on clear guitar lines and catchy rhythms, knowing there are few musical pleasures than pure indie pop done well.' (Harmless Noise)

'If Hurdles can maintain the standard set here on their next release, then it’s not a question of if but when they make it big.' (Golden Plec)

Links:
www.wearehurdles.bigcartel.com (Website / Merch)
@wearehurdles
www.facebook.com/hurdlesofficial
www.wearehurdles.bandcamp.com
www.twitter.com/wearehurdles
www.youtube.com/hurdlesofficial

Dusk and Dawn

Head On To Nowhere

Second single from our new album 'KMF'.

Itunes : https://itunes.apple.com/no/album/young-you/id1073360983?i=1073360985
Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/album/3aqmNW7He8nnSUUWcTVT1y

Young You

"Strange Brush" appears on Pillar Point's full-length album, Marble Mouth, out January 22, 2016. Marble Mouth was produced by of Montreal's Kevin Barnes & recorded at Barnes' home studio in Athens, GA with Drew Vandenberg (Toro y Moi, Deerhunter, of Montreal).

Order Marble Mouth:
Polyvinyl - http://bit.ly/marblemouth
iTunes - http://smarturl.it/marblemouth
Amazon - http://bit.ly/marble_mouth
Bandcamp - http://bit.ly/marblemouth_BC
Stream / Download - https://PillarPoint.lnk.to/marblemouth

Pillar Point - Strange Brush

From the upcoming LP release February 26, 2016 titled 'Don't Worry It Will Be Dark Soon'. Produced by Ted Gowans and Caleb Shreve. 

06 Hunter Gather

Into The Atmosphere

From the forthcoming album 'Swooner', out March 4th, 2016.

Lyrics: 
Down on King street Kelly's getting dark at the pharmacy.
Who knows when he comes home tonight.
Hot breath, Toronto
let's get lost again underneath the glow. 
High heels hopscotch the streetcar lines. 

Hear the delay decaying
text threads fraying
home feels so far away
and it makes me

Down for getting dark 'cause the dark gets me 
and all the other lovers make it so heavy.
Takes a little emptiness to feel complete
when crowds come ever-thicker and liquor it comes free.  

Drums loop in my head.
Feel most alive when my phone is dead.
All my true friends are within reach.
Cold breath, Toronto
we go bar to bar through underground tunnels.
Meet up at breakfast for the autopsy.



Get Dark

The New Album 'Man About Town' Available Now.

Watch the official video: http://smarturl.it/CosmicLoveYT

Download on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/ManAboutTown
Store/Vinyl: http://smarturl.it/MayerStore
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/ManAboutTownAmz
Google Play: http://smarturl.it/ManAboutTownGP
Spotify: http://smarturl.it/ManAboutTownSpfy

Lyrics:
If I had a dollar
For every dream of you and me
I'd buy myself a rocket
And shoot into your galaxy
There wouldn't be no parts unknown
I'd search every uncharted zone
And when it's time to come back home
I'll send ya
My antenna
Is pointed at

My cosmic love
You’re my cosmic love
From the stars above
You're my cosmic love

Incoming transmission
I'm crashing through your atmosphere
There's no interference no
I read you darling loud and clear
Because you're my

My cosmic love
You’re my cosmic love
From the stars above
You're my cosmic love

My cosmic love from up above
You are the one I’m thinking of
My cosmic love

www.MayerHawthorne.com

Man About Town

Cosmic Love

Get it on iTunes

"Bullet From The Gun" off the Lonely Cities EP available now! 

iTunes:  www.smarturl.it/LonelyCities
Google Play: www.smarturl.it/LonelyCitiesGP
Amazon: www.smarturl.it/LonelyCitiesA
Spotify:  www.smarturl.it/StreamLonelyCities

Follow Tigertown
Facebook: http://facebook.com/tigertownband
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tigertown
Instagram: http://instagram.com/tigertown/
YouTube: http://youtube.com/user/tigertownband

Bullet From The Gun

First song off Kane Strang's "Blue Cheese" out February 26th on Ba Da Bing/Flying Nun. Preorder here: http://www.badabingrecords.com/store/kane-strang-blue-cheese-cdlp-pre-order

Kane Strang "Full Moon, Hungry Sun"

Hearts On Fire

This re-tooled version of Ballerina in the Rain, complete with backing vocals from dj. flugvél og geimskip emerged from recent recording sessions in Reykjavík with the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Nick Zinner, and will be released as a 3-track single on 11th March.

The single will also feature a Ballerina in the Rain remix from super-fan Damon Albarn and a President Bongo (ex Gus Gus) remix of Northern Gannett (the original versions of both tracks can be found on Fufanu’s Few More Days to Go debut album, out now).

Order 'Few More Days to Go' here: https://OLI.lnk.to/fewmoredays

Fufanu Online:
http://www.fufanu.net/
http://www.facebook.com/fufanumusic
http://www.twitter.com/fufanumusic

Ballerina In The Rain (Revisited w/ Nick Zinner)

What Follows

Shit Robot - OB-8

Death Kneel - Bare Outline Of A Fantasy

NEW MUSIC! 'Never Be Like You feat. Kai'. We were sending ideas back and forth online, then met up in NYC and this is what we did.

Order the Skin vinyl at http://flu.me
Watch the "Never Be Like You" film clip: http://smarturl.it/FlumeVEVO

Stream Skin: http://smarturl.it/SkinStream
Spotify: http://smarturl.it/SkinSpotify

Download Skin on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/SkiniTunes
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/SkinAmazon
Google Play: http://smarturl.it/SkinGooglePlay
Beatport: http://smarturl.it/SkinBeatport

Follow @Flume
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flumemusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flumemusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/flumemusic
Spotify: http://smarturl.it/FlumeEssentialsSP
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/flume
Apple Music: http://smarturl.it/FlumeConnect

Follow Kai
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/listentokaimusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/listentokai
Twitter: https://twitter.com/listentokai
SoundCloud: @listentokai
Website: http://www.listentokai.com

[Weekly Mix] 2016.01 (3)

Niche Music