Category Archives: listen

interviews, listen

Poetic Memory: Olivia Broadfield (List)

Leave a comment

Olivia Broadfield

Given the slightest provocation, most people can’t wait to tell you about their favorite bands, albums, or influences. But when we asked Leicestershire, England’s Olivia Broadfield to compile this list, she demurred. “I don’t really have a very cool taste in music, but then neither is my music very cool, so I guess it makes sense. I managed to refrain from writing down Britney but only just.”

If you listen to her music (MP3: “Dont Cry“), you can tell that the modesty is unwarranted. Her style is a cross between (good) Regina Spektor and Feist, with a dash of electro-pop. A pianist since age six, and a self-taught guitarist since age 13, she also prides herself on her strong DIY ethic, which is impressive considering the richness of her sound. Olivia Broadfield’s debut album Eyes Wide Open is out today on Vagrant.

Poetic Memory is a regular Owl and Bear feature in which musicians disclose their influences—whether it’s albums, songs, artists, or something random. If you’re interested in being featured here, send us an email. Continue reading →

listen, music news, san diego

Anna Ternheim – What Have I Done (MP3)

Leave a comment

Anna Ternheim

The dark-yet-somehow-sweet “What Have I Done” (MP3) is Anna Ternheim’s first single from Leaving on a Mayday. The album was produced by Bjorn Yttling (Peter, Bjorn, and John) and will be released on August 11.

Ternheim will tour with Lonely Dear/Asobi Seksu this fall, and she’s kicking it off with a little Casbah love. If you like the MP3, check out her new video and tourdates after the jump. Continue reading →

interviews, listen

Poetic Memory: The Rest (List)

Leave a comment

The Rest

The last time Ontario, Canada’s The Rest played at the Casbah, we missed it. But we won’t make that mistake again. After all, according to their MySpace page, The Rest like all the things that we like: doing push-ups, shooting each other with water guns, howling at the moon, and delicious Thai food. (More details below.) We have other reasons, too. For one, their new album, Everything All At Once, is amazing. For another, they graciously agreed to write the latest installment of Poetic Memory. Also, they use the word “rascal” in their lyrics.

We’ve featured The Rest on our podcast a few times, but in case you missed it, here are a couple of MP3s. The wondrously haunting “Drinking Again” is definitely one of our favorite songs of 2009. Also, be sure to check out “Everything All At Once“, the epic titular track from their new album.

Poetic Memory is a regular Owl and Bear feature in which musicians disclose their influences—whether it’s albums, songs, artists, or something random. If you’re interested in being featured here, send us an email. Continue reading →

listen, reviews, san diego

Review: Local Natives; June 20, 2009 at House of Blues; San Diego

Leave a comment

Local Natives - House of Blues

L.A.’s Local Natives played their first show in San Diego on Saturday, and they sounded great—even though lead guys Taylor Rice and Kelcey Ayer seemed astounded that they’d pulled it off. It wasn’t because of band discord or unfamiliar material, though; in fact, Local Natives are nothing if not tight-knit and talented. Rather, the troubles that plagued the band were more ethereal—and possibly supernatural.

Fortunately, the faux voodoo vibe at House of Blues was strong enough to diffuse what the band chillingly called the curse.

Continue reading →

listen, music news

The Avett Brothers and Love and You (MP3)

Leave a comment

avbro12

We at Owl&Bear make no secret about our love for The Avett Brothers. Whether it takes the form of gushing over their impeccable live performances or praising our fair city for having the good taste to share in our Brother-ly love, the fraternal folkers sure do get a lot of press around here. And, what with the impending release of their new album, that’s probably not gonna change anytime soon.

Case in point: The Avett Brothers, in conjunction with Spinner, have just made their new single “I and Love and You” available as a free download. The song is the title track from their new Rick Rubin-produced album, and finds the duo maintaining the same creative heights they’ve been soaring at for their past few releases.

Judging by this song and the lovely “And It Spread”—which they played at their amazing Belly Up show last month—the new album will be nothing to shake a stick at, unless shaking a stick at things is just the weird way you show your love.