Tennis (Denver, CO)

MP3: Tennis – Take Me Somewhere

Tennis were the undisputed blog darlings from this past summer. The husband and wife duo’s glowing lovestruck songs just somehow seemed the perfect fit for lazy days in the park and warm summer nights.

The denver duo recently signed to Fat Possum and announced plans to release their debut LP “Cape Dory”on January 18th. The first track revealed off the record “Take Me Somewhere” is a pensive breezy track filled with amazing oohs and a great hook.

Tonight they will play the Echo in Los Angeles with Sonny & The Sunsets – ALSO AMAZING. Be sure to download both tracks and see them tonight!

MP3: Sonny & The Sunsets – Death Cream

Thanks to Gorilla vs. Bear for this tasty tid-bit. Lo-Fi Pop duo Pearl Harbor have officially changed their name to Puro Instinct and have just released a new EP.

Changing band names seems to be a trend in Los Angeles these days. The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra=Walking Sleep. Afternoons=Shadow Shadow Shade. The Muslims=The Soft Pack. The Weather Underground=Red Cortez.

I quite liked the name Pearl Harbor so hopefully Puro Instinct grows on me.

Maybe this means I should change the name of this website?

The band will also be touring later this summer with Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti. You can also pick up a new digital EP direct from the band for only $5 on bandcamp. All the money goes straight to the band so be a dear and buy direct.  The EP will be out on vinyl later this summer on Gloriette.

MP3- Puro Instinct – California Shakedown

PURO INSTINCT TOUR DATES
Jun 19 2010 Showcave Eagle Rock, California
Jul 9 2010 Echoplex Los Angeles, California, US
Jul 10 2010 Bimbos San Francisco, California, US
Jul 12 2010 doug fir Portland, Oregon, US
Jul 13 2010 Neumo’s Seattle, Washington, US
Jul 14 2010 Biltmore Vancouver, British Co, CA
Jul 16 2010 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, Utah, US
Jul 17 2010 BLUEBIRD DENVER, Colorado, US
Jul 19 2010 7th St. Entry Minneapolis, Minnesota , US
Jul 20 2010 Lincoln Chicago, Illinois , US
Jul 21 2010 Pike Room Pontiac, Michigan, US
Jul 22 2010 Mod Club Toronto, Ontario, CA
Jul 23 2010 la sala rosa montreal, Quebec, CA
Jul 24 2010 Irving Plaza NY, New York , US
Jul 25 2010 Middle East Boston, Massachuse, US
Jul 27 2010 Johnny Brendas Philly, Pennsylvan, US
Jul 28 2010 Rock N Roll Hotel Washington D.C., US
Jul 29 2010 LOCAL 506 CHAPEL HILL, North Caro, US
Jul 30 2010 Earl Atlanta, Georgia , US
Jul 31 2010 Bottle Tree Birmingham, Alabama , US
Aug 2 2010 Hailey’s Denton, Texas, US
Aug 3 2010 Mohawk Austin, Texas, US
Aug 5 2010 Plush Tucson, Arizona, US
Aug 6 2010 CASBAH SAN DIEGO, California, US
Aug 7 2010 Detroit Bar Costa Mesa, California, US

Neverever now call Los Angeles home by way of Glasgow, Scotland. I had the pleasure of seeing them live back in late 2009. They were the last band to play but MAN was I capitavated and in awe.

I am a sucker for classic rock n’ roll tunes circa late 50s early 60s. Neverever sits comfortably amid the sock hops and teenage culture of the time. Their sound is part glam, part retro with everything enveloped in a blanket of lo-fi fuzz and delicious noise. Singer Jihae Meek’s voice is deep and sultry and it almost sounds like your listening to them on a vintage radio adding even more to the summer lovin’ vibe.

Neverever recently released their debut album Angelic Swells on Slumberland Records – The label home bands like Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Stereolab. you can pick up a copy of the album right here.

If you live in Los Angeles you can catch the band at their CD Release show Tomorrow June 12th at the Kibitz Room in Hollywood and again June 14th at Synchronicity Gallery with Nodzzz, Animal Style, and Dunes.

MP3 – Neverever – Young and Dumb

UPCOMING SHOWS:

Jun 12 2010 The Kibitz Room at Canter’s, Neverever Angelic Swells RECORD RELEASE PARTY!!! Hollywood, CA
Jun 14 2010 Synchronicity Gallery w/ NODZZZ, ANIMAL STYLE, & DUNES L.A., CA
Jun 18 2010 Fresh and Fabulous Cafe w/ the Avocados & Catwalk Oxnard, CA

I got to know Brian and Dave of Japandroids a little bit this spring while Avi Buffalo were on the road with them. There is no denying how dedicated, hardworking, and absolutely crazy these guys are. Haha. Some of the coolest dudes I have ever met.

The band have been on the road for well over a year and are continuing strong after the release of last year’s much touted and loved LP Post-Nothing.

Japandroids have been releasing a series of five 7 inch singles this year – The 2nd and most recent of which for the below track “Younger Us” which is a rawkus post-punk anthem with an energy and genuine spirit that I think only Brian and Dave could pull off. These guys are the real deal. Download the track below and pick up the 7 inch right here.

MP3 – Japandroids – Younger Us

So most of you who follow me on Twitter know what a huge fan of WASHED OUT aka Ernest Greene I am. Yesterday the project unveiled a new single recorded for Kia Adult Swim Singles Program featuring Caroline from Chairlift. This track has been on repeat for the last 24 hours. It is quite the breezy hypnotic tune. Sooo good.

MP3 – WASHED OUT feat Caroline Polacheck – You and I

You know – Last.fm has proven to be one of the best tools to finding new music I’ve used in recent years. My most recent last.fm discovery – Cloud Nothings from Cleveland, OH.

Tracks like “Hey Cool Kid” showcase  lo-fi infectious pop gems with the typical high gain vocals + distorted guitars you would expect to hear from a bedroom recording.

Then you hear tracks like “Even If It Worked” (the b-side of their new “Didn’t You”  7 Inch coming out June 24th) which is a better recording that lets the deliciously catchy hooks breathe. The lyrics thrust me right back into that time period of post high school love affairs with earnest vocals and jangly guitars. Without a doubt Cloud Nothings show a lot of promise. Download two tracks below!

Cloud Nothing’s debut LP  Turning On is out now on CD on Bridgetown and on vinyl from Speaker Tree. The band  are currently on tour with WAVVES. Remaining dates can be found below.

MP3 Cloud Nothings – Even If It Worked Out
MP3 Cloud Nothings – Hey Cool Kid

Jun 20 2010 IL MOTORE w/ WAVVES Montreal, Quebec , CA
Jun 21 2010 METRONOME w/ WAVVES Burlington, VT
Jun 22 2010 GREAT SCOTT w/ WAVVES Boston, Massachuse, US
Jun 24 2010 KNITTING FACTORY w/ WAVVES New York, New York , US
Jun 25 2010 ROCK AND ROLL HOTEL w/ WAVVES Washington DC, Washington, US
Jun 26 2010 THE BARBARY w/ WAVVES Philadelphia, Pennsylvan, US

I think this is the month for new music introductions. There is a lot of music from Los Angeles that I have been listening to lately that never makes it up on this site. Not because I don’t like the tunes – but because I’m so self-conscious about over hyping an act that I absolutely love.

One such act is Long Beach, CA’s Katie The Pest. I have been meaning to feature them for MONTHS. They have been my secret obsession for the longest time and today I felt the need to let the cat out of the bag.

Katie The Pest have been around for years and are adored down in Long Beach. I only discovered their music last November. Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter Talia Rose’s haunting voice with dual vocals over sweeping guitars is positively mesmerizing. Their tracks may be simple and low-fi but oh are they amazing. Driving beats, sweet but sassy melodies, and angular guitars complete the mix. You could easily classify Talia with contemporaries such as St Vincent and Tickley Feather but if you ask me her voice is much more eccentric and far more fabulous. I love listening to their latest album This Giant Will Kill You in my car as I’m cruising down to the south bay. It’s perfect driving music.

The band have been recording a new album and playing a shows here and there. Warren Woodward – singer and guitarist for The Valley Arena performs with them occasionally. Check out a new track entitled “Le Weekend” that the band placed up on their myspace page as well as my favorite track from This Giant Will Kill You – “Pretty Special” posted below. “Pretty Special” includes a 30 second intro of Talia talking with the producer in the recording studio – which was intentionally left on the record

Katie The Pest will be performing at the L’Keg Gallery this Friday May 16th. Admission is only $5. I highly highly HIGHLY recommend checking them out.

[MP3] Katie The Pest – Pretty Special
[MP3] Katie The Pest – Le Weekend

BONUS MP3s:
[MP3] Tickley Feather – Natural Natural
[MP3] St. Vincent – These Days (Jackson Browne Cover)