Ted Leo Releases ‘Brutalist Bricks’, Announces U.S. Tour (MP3)
Photo credit: Matias Corral
Ted Leo’s The Brutalist Bricks — released last week on Matador — differs substantially from its predecessor, 2007’s Living With the Living, and that’s a good thing. Continue reading.
Watchlist vol. 5: The Drums (MP3s)
Hailing from New York by way of Florida, The Drums may be new to the national scene, but make no mistake—these youthful indie popsters are seasoned music biz veterans.
Comprised of Jonathan Pierce on vocals, Jacob Graham and Adam Kessler on guitar, and Connor Hanwick behind the titular kit, The Drums make plain and simple pop music and aren’t afraid to admit it.
If you like whistling, hand claps, and infectious hooks—and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t—you need look no further to find your new favorite band. (more…)
Shame, Shame on Dr. Dog (MP3)
Philly indie rockers Dr. Dog have just completed their new album, entitled Shame, Shame.
It promises to be full of sunny melodies and tight-knit guitars, building on the band’s already impressive body of work. Set to be released on April 6, Shame, Shame ought to be a nice little dose of good vibes just in time for Spring.
To help wet your Dog whistle, the band has made the first single, “Stranger” (MP3) available as a free download.
Dr. Dog will also be touring extensively throughout April and May. A San Diego stop is conspicuously — and, dare we say, shamefully — absent, but we’ll just assume they’ll add that date later. Tour dates are after the jump. (more…)
Review: Scout Niblett with Manuok; February 28th, 2010; Bar Pink, San Diego
Scout Niblett
With a name like a doggy treat and wearing an awesome pair of clogs, Scout Niblett took the stage at Bar Pink on Sunday in front of a few dozen people. To me it was satisfying to see that the singer, mousy and demure, actually does look and act like a “Scout Niblett,” if anyone ever could. (more…)
The Owl and Bear Podcast vol. 134
Keep all your crows away,
hold skinny wolves at bay.
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Download: Sparklehorse – September 21, 1998 (FLACs)
Photo credit: Getty Images
Spirit Ditch/Someday/Saturday/Heart of Darkness/Junebug/Cruel Sun/Hundreds of Sparrows/Tears on Fresh Fruit/Maria’s Little Elbow/Painbirds/Sunshine/Homecoming Queen/All Night Home/Happy Man/Saint Mary/Pig
Watchlist vol. 4: White Hinterland
When Casey Dienel and Shawn Creeden of White Hinterland decided to relocate from the Northeastern United States to the Pacific Northwest, they also took their band’s music in a whole new direction.
The change was born out of necessity; being in a new city without access to a piano — the centerpiece of their previous work — forced them to carve out a new sonic template, so they hunkered down in their Portland studio and started tinkering with loops and acoustic guitars.
The result is White Hinterland’s second full-length album, Kairos, set to be released on March 9 on Dead Oceans records. (more…)
The Besnard Lakes to ‘Roar’ Through San Diego (MP3)
Photo credit: Chris Gergley
The peasants rejoiced! O&B’s favorite “sonic bludgeoners” The Besnard Lakes are planning to pillage San Diego as part of their tour to support Are the Roaring Night, their new record. (more…)
Poetic Memory: The Clientele (List)
Photo credit: Andy Willsher
London’s The Clientele are coming back to the U.S. and Canada to support their new album, Bonfires on the Heath, and The Casbah is on their itinerary.
Their songs have been described as “dreamlike suburban landscapes” with a “trippy sense of menace,” and the album has been featured on year-end lists at The AV Club, Pitchfork, and elsewhere. It’s good stuff, and we’re pretty excited to see them play.
The Clientele’s Alasdair MacLean recently provided us with a fitting list of “5 Recommended Hallucinatory Children’s Books” — which is, without a doubt, the most creative Poetic Memory we’ve ever received. Full list of tour dates and Mr. MacLean’s Poetic Memory are below.
You can pick up Bonfires at the Merge store; it’s available in CD, LP, and MP3 formats. For samples of their music, check out “Harvest Time” and “I Wonder Who We Are” (MP3s).
The Owl and Bear Podcast vol. 133
Here’s your shovel, there’s the ground.
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Poetic Memory: April Smith and the Great Picture Show (List)
April Smith at the Casbah - February 8, 2010
If I was only allowed to say one thing about April Smith, it’s that she can sing. Fortunately, there’s plenty of space here to gush about the Brooklyn-based belter: she also has an electric presence, she writes damn good songs, and she’s pretty much destined for greatness.
When I recently saw her perform with Langhorne Slim, I wanted to find her after the show and say, “What are you doing here? You should be on Broadway.” I never got a chance to have the conversation. However, she was nice enough to provide us with a wide-ranging list of influences.
If you’re even remotely interested in April Smith, definitely check out her song Colors (MP3), download her recent Daytrotter session, and catch her on tour. It’ll be worth your while. Her first album, Songs For A Sinking Ship, is out February 23rd. Tour dates and her Poetic Memory are below.
Akron/Family Offer Admission for a Song (MP3)
Photo credit: Sebastian Mlynarski
At their recent shows, Akron/Family have been playing a song called “Woody Guthrie’s America” (MP3).
The song often becomes a sing-along that continues after the band has left the stage, and as a result of its anthemic nature, Akron/Family have collected over 20 versions sung and stomped by friends like Megafaun, Charlyne Yi, and Phonograph.
They’re now looking to hear your version — and as a way to encourage contributions, they’re offering free admission to anyone who submits their own interpretation. You can get started by visiting the Woody Project site, where you can download, stream, and sample the entire 25-song first volume.
If you’d like to contribute, send your own version to akronfamilywoodyproject@gmail.com, along with a photo and bio, and they’ll “post it as soon as we can.” More information about the project and Akron/Family tour dates are after the jump.
Lanterns Light the Way
San Diego’s Lanterns might have a luminescent name, but they have yet to enjoy the spotlight.
Despite high-profile gigs with bands like Matt and Kim, …And You Will Knows By the Trail of Dead, and These Arms Are Snakes, the four-piece has operated mostly under the local radar. But, thanks to a critically-acclaimed EP and two crucial shows on the horizon, all of that is set to change for the band. (more…)
Langhorne Slim to Play Casbah, M-Theory Instore Tonight (MP3s)
Kemado Records singer/songwriter Langhorne Slim has a bit of talent. (more…)
Watchlist vol. 3: The Middle East (MP3)
Is America ready for a Middle East invasion?
Ready or not, don’t fret. The deceptively-named band actually comes from the land down under — Townsville, Queensland, Australia to be exact.
They create music as beautiful and diverse as the Great Barrier Reef itself. Their strings, harmonies, and layers have delighted audiences worldwide, yet they remain one of Australia’s best kept secrets.
But now, they have their sights set on America. (more…)
Exit Stencil Records Announces ‘Free February’ (MP3s)
Exit Stencil Recordings, Owl and Bear’s favorite Cleveland-based indie label, has a special Valentine’s Day gift for you.
No, it’s not chocolate or flowers, or even chocolate flowers. It’s better: the label has made twenty of their past releases available for free download for the entire month of February, and they’re apparently doing it solely out of the kindness of their hearts. They say:
Exit Stencil is happy to announce our Free February month, where nearly our entire catalog will be available for free digital download! This includes almost all full-length, 7″, EP, and split releases, totaling around 20 records! No gimmicks, no asking for donations, no limit to the number of releases available to each person — just a free chance to check out a bunch of bands that we’ve been happy to have had the chance to work with over the past couple of years.
Exit Stencil bands that we’ve liked in the past include Blake Miller (MP3s), The Dreadful Yawns (MP3s), Hot Cha Cha (MP3s), and, well, all the other ones. This is a great chance to check out some new music, so download away!
Thrill Jockey Plans Jack Rose Memorial, Posthumous ‘Luck in the Valley’ (MP3)
Thrill Jockey Records calls Jack Rose “the most profound exponent of acoustic guitar playing of his generation.” (more…)
Tortoise ‘Prepare’ Winter Tour (MP3)
Our favorite Chicago post rockers are back with a new video and news of a winter tour. (more…)
Pale White Moon Lures Wolf (MP3)
If you’ve watched Showtime’s Emmy award-winning documentary series This American Life, you’ve probably heard the music of Pale White Moon. (more…)
Balmorhea Sail on ‘Bowspirit’ (MP3)
Since 2007, existential folksters Balmorhea have released three critically praised albums and an EP, so they’ve been around the block a few (or four) times. Their signature combination of classical elements and American folk strips the listener naked and bathes him in atmosphere, exposing him to the emotional elements of life. Their music is both patient and sprawling, meditative and mysterious, and it speaks to the world we live in (and beyond).
They’re currently preparing to release Constellations through Western Vinyl, due out February 23. In addition, the band will soon embark on a North American tour, which culminates at SWSW in March.
We’re lucky enough to have for your ears the first single from Constellations, entitled “Bowspirit” (MP3).
Complete list of tour dates after the jump. (more…)
Watchlist vol. 2: The Love Language (MP3)
In 2009, The Love Language released their brilliant self-titled debut. It went largely overlooked.
I take some pleasure in loving an under-appreciated band — a secret treasure that you don’t want to share, for fear that its meaning might be taken away from you. They’re bands that teeter on the edge of obscurity, armed with great songs that beg to be heard, and for at least a little while, they’re yours alone. But you know that the day will come when everyone gets wise and flocks to them too.
And there’s nothing you can do about it.
On the other hand, how can these bands get their deserved adoration if I keep them to myself? (more…)
Win “End Times” by Eels (Contest)
Your favorite slithering Southern Californians are back, having never left in the first place. To celebrate, we’re giving away three copies (count ‘em) of Eels‘ newest record.
End Times, the band’s eighth long player, will be released by Vagrant on January 19, and it follows up Hombre Loco, released just six months ago. For a nibble of the new material, check out ”In My Younger Days” (m4a) and “A Line In The Dirt” (m4a).
We’re happy to offer the latest effort from the band known for “offending” the Bush/Cheney 2000 presidential campaign; clearly, the title End Times was picked to please our praying president. Hopefully, he signs up for the contest.
For your chance to win the CD, comment on this post and include your email address in the form (your email won’t be visible to the public). Three winners will be chosen at random on January 31, 2010.
The Morning Benders Make ‘Promises’ You Can Keep (MP3)
If youthful exuberance were a baseball bat and pitch perfect pop songs were candy, The Morning Benders would be a ruptured piñata. The Berkeley, California natives are gearing up for a big 2010 that includes a new LP—Big Echo, out on March 9th through Rough Trade—and a headlining tour in support of the album.
On March 26th, they’ll be joined by opening act Miniature Tigers for an evening of indie pop goodness at San Diego’s dearly beloved Casbah. If you haven’t had a chance to hear The Morning Benders, we just so happen to have a fresh MP3 download for their new single, “Promises”. View the complete list of tour dates after the jump. (more…)
Watchlist vol. 1: Surfer Blood
Only a few days into the new year, and already so many albums to play. Here at O&B, we’re constantly on the prowl for new bands to love, and there certainly is no shortage of candidates.
That’s why we’re starting the O&B Watchlist, a semi-regular feature that allows you to sit back, relax, and continue to listen to the old standbys while we do the legwork and put the new guys to the test.
Now, the bands we feature may not necessarily be the brandest of new or the buzzingest of buzz bands. But the bands we choose for Watchlist will be ones that we dig: plain and simple.
After the jump, the first installment of the Owl and Bear Watchlist. (more…)
