Poetic Memory: The Old In Out (List)

San Diego’s music scene offers plenty of options. Want gorgeous jazz vocals shimmering with old-timey charm? We’ve got Erika Davies. Need a mainlined dose of fast, endlessly catchy powerpop? We’ve got The Powerchords. Have a hankering for exquisitely depressing tales of heartache, complete with eerie saw-playing? We’ve got Black Heart Procession. But if you’re looking for a band that rocks so hard they’ll shatter your pint glass, you need look no further than The Old In Out.

Blending the raunchiest elements of blues, garage rock, and psychedelia, The Old In Out are a hailstorm of loud guitar, sledgehammered beats, and sneering swagger. We recently had the opportunity to pick drummer Christopher James Carroll’s brain about what inspires him:

“I’ve found that inspiration comes from within and without. Everything and anything from a cool movie to seeing a great art show to watching the sun set, or reading a good book on a rainy day afternoon. The things that truly influence me are the things that create whole new worlds to peer into: worlds of mood, color, and shape that challenge and unlock new doors of understanding.”

We’ve been fortunate enough to obtain Poetic Memory lists from lots of musicians in the past, but his is definitely one of the more eclectic ones we’ve seen. Carroll’s multifaceted nature is also apparent in his music; in addition to his work with The Old In Out, he also drums for up-and-coming prog monster Shapes Of Future Frames. Carroll’s Poetic Memory can be found below. Continue reading

The Langley Sisters Make Sweet Honey

The Langley Sisters are three lovely ladies from London who specialize in Prohibition-era pop.

Gita, Rosie, and Edie — with a little help from Mr. Ed Harcourt — just released Queen Bee, a sweet seven-inch single that features the singing sisters and a variety of instruments, including guitar, cello, violin, and even the mystical banjolele.

They cite the Shangri-Las and Shirelles as influences, and after a listen, it’s easy to see the connection. However, Queen Bee is also a unique work that warrants repeated listens. As the precursor to their first full-length, it’s also a nice taste of what’s to come. Queen Bee is a limited edition white vinyl 7″ (only 400 copies pressed, each record is number stamped). Each one also contains a download code.

You can pick it up over at Velvet Blue Music‘s website or stream it here. Highly recommended.

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!

a san diego music blog (and more)