Video: Electric Tickle Machine Live at KEXP

NYC psych garage rockers Electric Tickle Machine debuted Blew It Again in October, and they’ve been accumulating fans ever since. The album, produced by Matt Boynton (Gang Gang Dance, Bat for Lashes) is a multi-faceted piece of work, ranging from compulsive singalong pop (“Part of Me”) to modernized Highway 61-esque tracks like “Bones.” Blew It Again is a hoot to hear, and the band’s energy on record implies that their live shows are a hell of a time.

Electric Tickle Machine also just participated in a wide-ranging interview with ABC news. In the interview, band mastermind Tom Tickle explains that their odd moniker is “a reference to the evolving relationship between humanity and technology and the vessels through which we process our culture, our art, our entertainment, and how we can look at doing something artistic within the context of a world where we already know the output.” If that hurts your brain too much, maybe simply consider Mr. Tickle’s disclaimer that Electric Tickle Machine “is not a euphemism for a vibrator.”

We at Owl and Bear are proud to offer a vinyl copy of Electric Tickle Machine’s debut album, Blew It Again. For a sample of their work, check out “Gimme Money” (MP3). Then, follow the instructions below.

To enter the contest, just comment below and include your email address in the form (your email won’t be visible to the public). The winner will be chosen at random on August 1, 2010.

Poetic Memory: Big Tree (List)

Regarding Brooklyn’s Big Tree, the live MP3 site Daytrotter.com says it best:

[They] harbor tree houses and nests in their heads, places that they shy away to when they need to feel things in their lives getting easier, even just for a second, for a half hour.

Kaila McIntyre-Bader leads this escapist ensemble, singing songs to help us envision our lives outside of urbania. In case that’s not enough for you, the band has taken the next step and actually recommended five places that will make Owl and Bear readers “Feel Really Good.”

The band is also on tour — with stops in San Diego on July 14 and 15 — so even if you can’t get to Redwood Forest in the near future, you’ll be able to travel with Big Tree from the comfort of your own fair city.
Big Tree’s Poetic Memory is below.

Contest: Win Tickets to see Robyn on 7/22 (San Diego)

Swedish electronica chanteuse Robyn will play the Belly Up Tavern on July 22, and we have two tickets to give away.

Known for her late 90s singles “Show Me Love” and “Do You Know (What It Takes),” Robyn is set to release three records this year. The first, the 8.5 Pitchfork-rated/Best New Music’d Body Talk Pt. 1 was released in June. The next two (try guessing their titles) will be released in September and December.

We have here two tickets to see Robyn on July 22 at the Belly Up Tavern. For your chance to win the tickets, send an email to contest@owlandbear.com with your name, phone number, and mailing address. The winner will be selected at random on July 20.

Contest: Win Shapes of Future Frames’ New 7-Inch

Photo credit: James Norton

Don’t let the name fool you — Shapes of Future Frames are a band whose time is now, and interest should only grow after they throw their release party at the Tin Can Ale House on Saturday, July 10th. For your chance to win a copy of the new record, keep reading. Continue reading

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