Small Talk

Tallows - 2012 DEMO

Tallows - Small Talk

Sincerity, intimacy, and plenty of spirit. That’s exactly what you get with  Oklahoma’s Tallows and they’re only just getting started.

Given the sheer captivating nature found on their 2012 release it’s hard to believe that these two tracks are still in the demo stage, but regardless, Tallows has already ensured a spot in my bands to look out for throughout this year. You can find their track “Soft Water“on GROUPHUG’s I compilation here and if you want to grab the demo for yourselves then head over to bandcamp and pay a “name your own” price. Recommended if you’re a fan of The Postal Service, Foals, or This Town Needs Guns. 

GUEST MIX: CC/NN One half of FLASHLIGHTS & CCERULEANN and the creative force behind CC/NN.  For April’s guest mix things are getting extra funky. (I’m a few days late in getting this up so my apologies.) 1. Vanessa - imprintafter -This was a last minute addition. A friend, DJ baby shoe, suggested this track after he heard the others on this mix. I really enjoy this track. Really high quality chill wave with some Millionyoung like vocals.  2. Know Me (Le Chev Remix) - Frankie Rose -My sister recently bought a record player, and one of her first purchases was a Frankie Rose 7” with this remix on the B side. Just a chilled out low tempo disco type tune. Perfect for driving or just lounging around.  3. Gold (Snakehips Bootleg) - Bondax -The first time I heard this track I immediately thought it was off the new Justin Timberlake album, and as good as that album is, this track is leaps and bounds ahead of it. Smooth vocals with lots of awesome accent synths.  4. Scarlett Grove - Maribou State -This track just makes me want to be dancing in the jungle with this tracks lead vocals ripping through it. The percussion is amazing, and the minimal piano chords are a nice addition. A steady groove throughout the whole track will keep you dancing, or at least doing the hipster shrug.   5. Sweet On U - Real Cosby (unreleased) -From the new Real Cosby EP, Earl Juice, out 05/28/2013 on Shoeboxx Recordings. Real Cosby continues to drop new music that gets better and better. He is really honing his craft. His sound is familiar, yet has it’s own niche. I can’t wait for his new EP to drop. Big things happening in Colorado.  6. The Hardest Part - Kisses -I struggled including this track, because in the beginning of it, it doesn’t seem to fit so well. But this track just has a very special feeling for me. I have no idea what that feeling is or why I have it, but I really love the combination of “indie rock” fused with some awesome bass synths, and minimal synth pads.  7. iPLayYouListen - ODESZA -This song sucks you in with the intriguing vowel vocal chops, but keeps you cozy with some powerful undulating bass lines. It’s a nice place to be, fast enough to dance, but the feel is slow enough that you can just relax and enjoy the intricacies  of the background bells.  8. Porcelain & Pewter - Vyxor -VYXOR, what can I say about this pop genius? He’s taking contemporary electronic pop and not only injecting it with HGH, and steroids, but he’s making pop music interesting again. I LOVE pop, but it’s easy to lose yourself in it. You may not always fathom everything that went on in the track, but with Vyxor, your interest is piqued with every new crazy descending synth line or dazzling, perfectly in whack, break. I see big things for this guy in the future.    9. Shooting Holes - Twin Shadow - The little pickup that happens after the line, “Let’s sing a song, on our way back home” is the EPIC. And I hate using that word. It’s the ultimate pick me up. It says, “Hey remember that time you were sad? You don’t? Ya me either.” Plus who doesn’t want to shoot holes at the moon.  10. I Can’t Believe You’re Leaving Me (Fulgeance Rework) - The Bar Kays -This last song is another gem found by DJ babyshoe. The intro of this rework leads you to believe that you are in for a simple relaxing vibe throughout, but if you aren’t dancing like a crazy person to the sprinkler hi-hat’s and bass groove about forty seconds in, then you might want to check your pulse. 

GUEST MIX: CC/NN

One half of FLASHLIGHTS & CCERULEANN and the creative force behind CC/NN. 

For April’s guest mix things are getting extra funky.

(I’m a few days late in getting this up so my apologies.)

1. Vanessa - imprintafter

-This was a last minute addition. A friend, DJ baby shoe, suggested this track after he heard the others on this mix. I really enjoy this track. Really high quality chill wave with some Millionyoung like vocals. 

2. Know Me (Le Chev Remix) - Frankie Rose

-My sister recently bought a record player, and one of her first purchases was a Frankie Rose 7” with this remix on the B side. Just a chilled out low tempo disco type tune. Perfect for driving or just lounging around. 

3. Gold (Snakehips Bootleg) - Bondax

-The first time I heard this track I immediately thought it was off the new Justin Timberlake album, and as good as that album is, this track is leaps and bounds ahead of it. Smooth vocals with lots of awesome accent synths. 

4. Scarlett Grove - Maribou State

-This track just makes me want to be dancing in the jungle with this tracks lead vocals ripping through it. The percussion is amazing, and the minimal piano chords are a nice addition. A steady groove throughout the whole track will keep you dancing, or at least doing the hipster shrug.  

5. Sweet On U - Real Cosby (unreleased)

-From the new Real Cosby EP, Earl Juice, out 05/28/2013 on Shoeboxx Recordings. Real Cosby continues to drop new music that gets better and better. He is really honing his craft. His sound is familiar, yet has it’s own niche. I can’t wait for his new EP to drop. Big things happening in Colorado. 

6. The Hardest Part - Kisses

-I struggled including this track, because in the beginning of it, it doesn’t seem to fit so well. But this track just has a very special feeling for me. I have no idea what that feeling is or why I have it, but I really love the combination of “indie rock” fused with some awesome bass synths, and minimal synth pads. 

7. iPLayYouListen - ODESZA

-This song sucks you in with the intriguing vowel vocal chops, but keeps you cozy with some powerful undulating bass lines. It’s a nice place to be, fast enough to dance, but the feel is slow enough that you can just relax and enjoy the intricacies  of the background bells. 

8. Porcelain & Pewter - Vyxor

-VYXOR, what can I say about this pop genius? He’s taking contemporary electronic pop and not only injecting it with HGH, and steroids, but he’s making pop music interesting again. I LOVE pop, but it’s easy to lose yourself in it. You may not always fathom everything that went on in the track, but with Vyxor, your interest is piqued with every new crazy descending synth line or dazzling, perfectly in whack, break. I see big things for this guy in the future.   

9. Shooting Holes - Twin Shadow

- The little pickup that happens after the line, “Let’s sing a song, on our way back home” is the EPIC. And I hate using that word. It’s the ultimate pick me up. It says, “Hey remember that time you were sad? You don’t? Ya me either.” Plus who doesn’t want to shoot holes at the moon. 

10. I Can’t Believe You’re Leaving Me (Fulgeance Rework) - The Bar Kays

-This last song is another gem found by DJ babyshoe. The intro of this rework leads you to believe that you are in for a simple relaxing vibe throughout, but if you aren’t dancing like a crazy person to the sprinkler hi-hat’s and bass groove about forty seconds in, then you might want to check your pulse. 

Places To Hide - October

Places To Hide-October

Even months after I first featured their track “Getting Worse”, Atlanta’s Places To Hide still remains to be one of this blog’s most buzzworthy bands, and once you listen to their music it should be pretty clear why the reception to their emotional indie flavored, punk driven sound was so well received. I’ve been waiting for a full length from this four piece ever since I got my ears on their Getting Old EP and now that the album has a release date, I’m ready to be caught up in the brisk and passionate nature of Places To Hide once again. The upcoming LP will be titled Almost Nothing and though it isn’t set to drop until June 1st, the boisterous sounds of their latest track “October” is making the wait worthwhile. Another new track titled “Love Song” is available for your streaming pleasure over on bandcamp, along with the Getting Old EP, which is up for free download. Also, if you’re in a donating mood and want to support the band’s kickstarter campaign then you can do so here. 

Loving You Down

Bells Atlas - EP

Bells Atlas-Loving You Down

Regardless of your craft, soul and passion are two necessary things that speak volumes even during the loudest or most delicate of moments, and when it comes to Oakland’s Bells Atlas, there’s no shortage of either. The band will be dropping their debut EP on March 11th and if you’ve yet to get familiar with the smooth and inviting sounds of this four piece then allow “Loving You Down” be a proper introduction. Read what guitarist/ vocalist Derek Barber had to say about the track below and be sure to head over to soundcloud to hear another single from the EP titled “Video Star”.

“Loving You Down” refers to the weight of attachment that is involved in a relationship. It’s about a woman near the end of her life, revisiting some painful memories and deciding to re-craft the telling of her life story.”.

Sideswiped

Astronauts, etc. -

Astronauts, etc. Sideswiped

There’s something special about listening to music before the sun rises while everyone is still asleep. For some reason, things seem to click better and flow into the mind at a much more leisurely pace, and somewhere during the whole process, a connection is made. “Sideswiped” is the latest single from California resident Anthony Ferraro aka Astronauts, etc. and it’s been stuck in my head ever since 2AM last night. There’s a distinctive beauty and intimacy in everything that Astronauts, etc. does and this track is no different. Ferraro’s delicate, falsetto vocals are laced with emotion and if the spacey, piano driven sounds of “Sideswiped” doesn’t make you feel something then I don’t know what will. You can grab the track for free and hear more material to get lost in by heading over to soundcloud.

Bad Saint

Color Film - Living Arrangements

Color Film-Bad Saint

To be honest, when I first caught wind of Daryl Palumbo’s new project with Richard Penzone (former bassist of Men, Women, and Children) I didn’t really listen to it like I should have. I immediately thought “Where’s the new Glassjaw LP Daryl?”, and while I’m sure a lot of you thought the same, try to forget that Glassjaw even exists for a moment and take this as a promising new endeavor from a very talented group of guys. At times Color Film comfortably fits somewhere between bands like The Cure and The Smiths but with all comparisons aside, their approach to the new wave genre and music in general is just as captivating as it is refreshing. Daryl’s ethereal vocals sound increasingly mesmerizing behind Penzone’s lively, atmospheric bassline and the heavy yet calm 80’s esque tendencies of the band easily works to envelop listeners without sounding forced or rushed in the slightest. Look for their debut release, Living Arrangements, to drop sometime this year and be sure to check out the band on soundcloud and facebook as well.