Mississippi Man does sound a bit like its name- playing a kind of folkish-southern-blues-Americana mixture that seems far removed from their home in Southern California. Recommended to us by Raymond Richards, our long-time session engineer, who also produced the band's debut EP (available on iTunes), Mississippi Man plays music that resides in the same musical neighborhood currently occupied by fellow SoCal bands like My Pet Saddle, Dawes, Leslie and the Badgers, The Union Line, and Olin and the Moon.
The group is playing a residency at the Silverlake Lounge in Los Angeles this month and touring up the west coast this January. Definitely check them out if they are playing near you.
Check out our session with the band below.
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Portland-based band Day of Lions are led by Gena Gastaldi, who writes bittersweet ditties that are powerfully simple in construction and timeless in quality. At times both charming and sad in tone, the music often amplifies the seemingly straightforward lyrics.
For instance, on the gorgeous ballad "You Are The One", Gastaldi sings, "You are the one I want to wake up all the days I have left", while hinting that commitment is far from mutual in the follow up verse, "don't need a ring, no I don't need much of anything, as long as you are near me." Sung over a mournful melody, the song could be interpreted as an expression of eternal love or as a balled of unrequited love.
For our session with the band (see below), the band played three original tunes, as well as a cover of the Andrews Sisters' song, "You Call Everybody Darling."
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A kinetic blend of nerve-tingling melody and jagged angles, Southern Belle has proven plenty already with an impressive debut record under their belts, and plans for two more next year. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, the group rides the kind of sweet/edgy line associated with bands like The Pixies and Nirvana, which is not to say that they sound like either of those bands. However, like those bands, they seem to create their own sonic template.
The band is comprised of Ross McLeron (lead vocals and guitars), Austin Jackson (lead vocals and keyboards), Nicole Perry (bass and vocals), and Max Lilien (drums). McLeron and Jackson frequently sing together, forming an interesting mixture of droll sing-along and manic angst. It's one of the most interesting vocal pairings you'll ever hear. Throw in the quirky, sad/shy vocals of Perry and you have a combination for alt-rock perfection.
Check out our session with one of the most promising new bands in the country. And if you like what you hear below, also be sure to check out the supremely catchy "Oh Tokyo", currently playing on the band's MySpace page, and available on their debut record.
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Portland's Leonard Mynx is a special talent who manages to conjure some great folk talents. Think of the poetic beauty of Bob Dylan or the hushed timelessness of M. Ward. His very fine record Vesper is highly recommended, especially if you like your music intimate, lyrically rich, and beautifully sad.
Mynx plans to usher in 2010 with 10 EPs... in his words, a celebration of the "end of 'oughts". Most of the upcoming records were recorded with Adam Selzer (Norfolk and Western, MWard) and features many guests including Adam Selzer, Rachel Blumberg (Norfolk and Western, ex-Decemberists, Jolie Holland, Bright Eyes), Laura Gibson, Cory Gray (Carcrashlander) Audie Darling, members of Loch Lomond, Weinland, and more.
For his Groupee Session, Mynx brought in the following players:
The New York Rifles are actually from Portland.. go figure. But aside from the geographic misdirection, the songs of leader Scott Young ring infectiously true. Combining punk energy with big hooks, the band at times seems like the most worthy heir to the manic, wondrous glory of legendary Irish band The Undertones (especially on songs like "My Bad Habits" and I Know A Girl").
The band will be touring west of the Rockies this December in support of its new CD, Make A Wish. Aside from Young, who sings and plays guitar, the band includes Kari Schafer (guitar, keyboard, back up vocals), Sean Moultrie (drums, back up vocals), and Brent Williams (bass, back up vocals).
Check out our session with the band below and also be sure to check them out in December if they are playing in a town near you. (One note: for our session, Chris Corbel filled in for regular bassist Williams).
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The Portland Cello Project is an indie orchestra, a band of cello players that numbers from 8-16 at any given time. Because most of the players are classically trained, the project allows them to experiment with mainstream music in its various forms. The group has worked with a number of singers and songwriters, including Laura Gibson, The Dandy Warhols, and The Builders and the Butchers.
Their performances are all over the map stylistically, ranging from classical to covers of songs by Salt N Pepa. For their Groupee Session, the ensemble was relatively small, just a four-piece, accompanied on one song by the very talented Justin Power. The performance with Power of his song "Seeds May Fall" is indeed one of our best session performances so far. They also cover a Norfolk and Western song ("Turkish Wine") and a Pantera song ("Mouth For War").
Check out the session videos (and audio) below and also be sure to check them out on tour this fall... they may be coming to your town soon.
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Autralia-native Andy Clockwise, who completed a residency at the Spaceland in Los Angeles in July, is an audacious performer and fine songwriter who combines in-your-face lyrics with big melodies. The song "My Generation", turns the celebratory spirit of the The Who classic on its head and shines a light on the self-absorbed, bored, and vain. It's also insanely catchy.
For our session, Clockwise demonstrated the diversity of his music, playing songs that ranged from the orchestral "Second Wind" to the rock anthem "Everybody's In A Band", which includes a satiric salute to Beyoncé. He's a confident sort (how many others would release a double-album debut?), with a look and confidence that is somewhat reminiscent of Elvis Costello, but with a cheeky approach to his lyrics that at times narrowly avoids straying into novelty but always grabs your attention.
Check out the session below.
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Aside from being finalists in the "Best Band Name" category, The Whore Moans are killer performers who bring punk energy to everything they do. (And that's a good thing.) The Seattle band definitely livened up our last round of sessions in Portland. While the band name may cause some to groan- is this a novelty act?- I can say unequivocally that you should take this band seriously if you like your music raw, passionate, and loud.
While we expected the punk passion, we were more impressed with the quality of the songs, especially, "White Noise Melody", which sounds like a cross between Rancid and Green Day. Also check out the high-wire act of drummer Jason on "Wall of a Song"-- yes, it is possible to stand on your drums while playing.
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Derby have released two highly recommended records that range from power pop to more melancholic rock. Fans of bands like the Pernice Brothers, the Byrds, Fountains of Wayne and a little band called The Beatles will likely find a lot to like in this band's music.
Based in Portland, Oregon, the group is led by Nat Johnson and Dave Juleek, who joined us for an acoustic set in this latest Groupee Session. Check it out below.
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Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Laura Gibson has captured a good deal of attention for her latest record, Beast of Seasons. With its quiet, often mournful tone, the record has a timeless beauty, accentuated by finger-picking guitar work and a voice that seems almost supernaturally haunted. In fact, much of the writing of this record was done when she was living next to a cemetery.
For this session, Gibson played solo, stripping each song down to its raw essence. When we sat down to talk with her afterwards, it was clear that her songs are inspired by her ruminations on the passages of life, its seasons, and ultimately its end. Look for our interview with her soon, as well.
Gibson is touring Europe this month, returning to the west coast of the US for some dates in October, before heading over to Japan for some shows.
Check out her Groupee Session below:
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Andrew Deadman has the weary croon of M. Ward, though his music sways along on a gentle ocean breeze. With songs both achingly beautiful and admirable in their restraint, he is clearly a talented songwriter with a voice perfectly matching the material.
Andrew is currently completing his debut album, something that will no doubt be highly recommended upon its release, based on the material we have heard thus far.
Check out session with the talented singer-songwriter below.
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Led by Elvis Estela, aka Nobody or DJ Nobody, and Niki Randa, Blank Blue play "psychedelic bass music" (Estela's term). Randa's ethereal voice magnifies the psychedelic mood. The band released its first record, Western Water Music Vol. II, in 2008 on Ubiquity Records and is currently working on the follow-up as a live band with Andres Renteria on drums and Brian Akio Martinez on bass. Nobody is a producer who has also toured extensively with The Mars Volta, Prefuse 73, Battles, Edan, Dntel, and Flying Lotus.
Check out the band's session with us below.
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The Hectors create shimmery landscapes of angular pop. You hear echoes of lots of great bands-- a little Pavement here, some Echo and the Bunnymen, a dash of the Pixies... but they manage to keep thing fresh with the distinctive voice of Corinne Dinner and a cohesive sound that manages to be both polished and blurry.
Although their music is more on the serious side, they band obviously has a great sense of humor, as showcased in this video:
Olin and the Moon are generating buzz in Los Angeles for their highly cinematic brand of alternative country. Led by singer/songwriter David LaBrel, the band also includes LaBrel's brother Travis on lead guitar, Marshall Vore on drums, Brian McGinnis and Kyle Vicioso.
Full of desparation, loneliness, and heartache, the band's songs seem decidely out of place for a band based in the sunny climes of LA, but then again most of the band members are from Idaho. Their new record, Terrible Town, is highly recommended. Between this band, Whispertown 2000, and Leslie and the Badgers, there's actually a nice little scene developing for LA fans looking for a little bit of twang.
Check out our session with these fine gents below.
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Johnathan Hylander and Sean Johnson played a manic brand of garage rock in E>K>U>K, but they've cleaned up a bit musically for their newest band, The Voyeurs- playing swirly, smart pop that is both insinuating and clever. Based on their track record in both bands, this is obviously a formidable pair. Both gentlemen are a part of many other LA-area bands and even get their hands dirty on the business side of things, with a record label (Otik Records) founded by Johnson when he was in high school.
The band's debut record, Well Known Drag, is a testament to pop precision. You hear echoes of The Zombies, Ray Davies, and even The Trogs in their music. It's easy to understand why this band was ranked in the Top Ten in our Emerging Thirty list for Southern California this past winter.
Check out our session with the band below.
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With a name like The Whispertown 2000, you might think the band is an Atari-loving synth band or perhaps a Ronco product of some sort. So you may be surprised to hear the outstanding alt-country tunes eminating from this decidely non-robotic group.
Hailing from Los Angeles, the band is led by Morgan Nagler, lead singer and songwriter for the group. Signed to Gillian Welch's Acony Records, they've completed two full full length record, the most recent being Swim, released late last year. Being on the same label with Welch is a reflection of the quality of their songs.
For our session, the band was relaxed and efficient, whipping through four excellent songs in the blink of an eye. The highlight of the session was "Erase The Lines", a growling head-bobber that veers from pensive whistle-along to aggessive rant.
In our video interview with the band, you'll hear how none other than Jenny Lewis (of Rilo Kiley) pushed Nadler and multi-instrumentalist Tod Wisenbaker together to form the band (later joined by Tod's brother Casey and Vanessa Corbala), as well as their introduction to Acony founder Welch.
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As you may recall, it was a miserable, chilly, rainy day when you came by for your session in February. I was not in a good mood. I was thinking about how I might stay warm, huddled in the rain between each session set, in the midst of five bands for the day. I was not focused on your performance at all. (Hey, I didn't have headphones either, so I had no idea what you were sounding like.)
Plus, there were alot of you. You crowded the studio. Having come in from the rain, it was a like a sticky fog in there. It was all your fault. I just wanted your session to end.
So imagine my surprise when watching your session videos this week to see that I actually missed one of our best sets of songs. While I was on autopilot, you were delivering the kind of passionate performances we always hope for.
I've now got your session videos in heavy rotation on my computer. You play emotionally-charged, rip-your-heart-out rock... but I also like the way you went all Radiohead on us with the mind-bendingly good "Homesick Atom". Unlike Thom Yorke's alien wail, your howls of pain are more authentically human, shrieking "goodbye" to some mysterious being...
So I am grateful, Seasons, that we have this keepsake from that dreary day.
Perhaps we shall meet again.. and next time, I'll be paying very close attention.
Sincerely,
Ted O'Neill
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Giant Drag has been in limbo for a a few years, after generating a good deal of buzz/success with its initial recordings. Definitely check out Hearts and Unicorns to see why the band's mix of melodic, edgy grunge-rock has struck a chord with so many fans. The band is led by the irrepressible, uber-talented Annie Hardy, who writes the songs, sings and plays guitar. She's joined by Micah Calabrese on drums and synth bass.
Calabrese actually left the band in 2006, with Hardy trying to continue on without him, but he has returned this year. It's unclear as to whether his return is permanent, however. He is clearly the anchor of the band, helping to level off the more careening personality of Hardy, and it seems like the band may only truly move forward with him in place.
The band also recently performed its first love show in some time at the Troubadour in Los Angeles.
We were fortunate to get the band in for a session soon after Calabrese returned to the lineup. Check out the session below.
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Brother and sister Ivan, age 15, and Ada, 13, of Tiny Masters of Today have captured the attention of the rock elite (David Bowie, Karen O, and more) and generated a lot of buzz (and airplay) since their debut a couple of years ago as the poster children (literally) of a new blend of super-charged, lo-fi electro garage rock. Now, with their second album, Skeletons, debuting this month, the band looks to build on their past success.
The new record sounds like nursery rhymes run through an apocalyptic boombox, full of propulsive rhythms and catchy melodies, but rubbed raw with an electronic wash that contorts and squeezes. "Pop Chart" is insanely catchy, a perfect blend of summer rhythms that attacks pop convention while celebrating its structure, similar to Weezer's "Pork and Beans" in its knowing wink of pop music formula.
We brought the band in for a live session last December, where they played more stripped down versions of four songs from the new record. "Big Stick" in particular receives a straight-forward treatment many may find more compelling than the more trance-like version on the record. It's clear that this band is not a mere novelty act, that there is a a creative bolt that should sustain a long career.
Check out the session video and audio below. We'll be posting our video interview with the band later this month.
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The music of Brooklyn band Motel Motel conjurs the astute eye of the vagabond, infused with the spirit of lost times and neglected souls. Part Americana, part rock, the songs from their debut record, New Denver, are like a travelogue of expressive folk-lore.
Check out our session with the band below.
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Castledoor has largely conquered the Los Angeles music scene with its brand of soaring pop gems. With the release of its debut album, Shouting At Mountains, a couple of months ago, the group is setting its sights on a national audience. Produced by Robert Schwatzman of Rooney, the album is an excellent introduction to the the band's sound, though they might have been better served to include some of the outstanding tracks ("Burn The Maps" and "Dumpster Diving") from previous EP releases.
Check out our session with the band below. This is a band worth your attention.
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Hailing from Athens, Georgia, the college kids of Nero and the Burning Violins caught our fancy when we heard their song "Rock and Roll Show" on their Myspace page. The slanted, wailing ode to the excitement of a live concert, sung as if waking from a drunken stupor, immediately captured our attention. The bass-free band is distinguished by the guitar work of Chandler Millwood, who slings the melody like a swerving ambulance in a riot-torn city.
Check out the videos and audio for "Rock and Roll Show" and "Outside" from our session with the band, as well as the audio-only "Jump Off/Liquor and Ants".
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Currently on hiatus, The Movies have been a mainstay in the Los Angeles music scene for some time. The outstanding LA music blog Web In Front put the band's last record, Based On A True Story, in its top four local albums of 2008. In fact, it would be hard for someone outside of LA to understand how legendary this band is amongst those in the know in the Silverlake area. The fact that they did not achieve the fame of another local band like Silversun Pickups confounds many.
At the center of the band is singer/songwriter Timothy James, famous for stage antics and being a general loose canon. The man can write some killer songs. "MIssed Opportunities", from their latest record, is an instant classic that will/should find life on several film and TV soundtracks in the future.
Hopefully the band's current hiatus is not permanent, but if it is at least we were privileged enough to capture the band live on video in our February session. Enjoy!
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The band formerly known as The Weather Underground (check out our previous session with them as that incarnation), seems to have emerged from a lineup change with a sense of purpose that is tangible not just in the logjammed tour schedule but also through more muscular, focused music. The leader of the band, Harley Prechtel-Cortez, has a literary sensibility that infuses each song with vivid imagery and an urgent approach that brings each song to the edge.
The fact that the band is unsigned is hard to believe, or would be if not for the current landscape of the music business, but there is no mistaking the powerful emotional resonance in every song the band produces. They craft an exciting mix of bluesy, soulful, folk-rock, amped up like a shot of adrenaline to the heart.
While not quite as soaring in melody, many of their songs conjur the supercharged emotional anthems of "Sunday Bloody Sunday"-era U2... and the lyrical voice of Prechtel-Cortez is also reminscent of Wilco's Jeff Tweedy; both have a gift for simple lyrical construct combined with clever wordplay that has ambition and shoots straight for the heart.
Red Cortez also seems to understand how important it is to connect with its audience. They have been giving their fans an inside look at their life on the road via their twitter account, homemade videos, and an active (even interesting) blog.
The band came back for another Groupee Session with us and played four songs (two from its excellent new EP, Hands on the Wall). For the last song of the session (listed first below, however), a song called "El Barco", the band sat in a circle for a more intimate presentation. As usual, it was a powerful performance from a band that always manages to connect.
Check out our session performances below.
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It's a family affair for Los Angeles (by way of Oregon) based band The Parson Red Heads. Songwriter and lead singer Evan Way is joined by his wife Brette Marie Way on drums, along with Sam Fowles (guitar), Aaron Ballard (guitar), and Andy Creighton (bass), but there are a legion of part-time/honoraray Parsons, including Groupee Sessions producer Raymond Richards. There is an innocent earthiness to this band's music, a harkening to simpler times, that is very much a reflection of the members of the band.
Fans of Wilco, Fairport Convention, and Crosby, Sills, Nash & Young will fall in love with this music. And you have to pull for the Parsons, who exude lightbeams of goodness in person. The band is releasing a new, limited edition 7" record entitled "Orangufang" tomorrow (April 28th).
Check out our recent session with the band below.
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On the outstanding track "Turn It Up", New York band Young Lords sound like a twangier version of the Rolling Stones, the twangy part evident in the drawl in the voice of lead singer Blair Van Nort. But the band's influences are many ("Pretty Little Mess" sounds like The Libertines, what with their slightly off-kilter vocals and jaggedly melodic arc), with hints of The Clash and even Tom Petty.
For our session, the band played four songs from its full-length record, Rodeo Songs. This is a group that clearly can crank out some anthemic melodies and a band worth keeping your eyes on. (Hey, you can even follow them on Twitter.)
Enjoy the session tracks below (video and audio).
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The Secret History are an offshoot of the band My Favorite, whose 80's-influenced sound brought the band a good bit of notoriety. The leader of that group, Michael Grace, Jr., has brought along many of his old band mates but also added a quite excellent new lead singer, Lisa Ronson, daughter of legendary musican Mick Ronson. The new band has released one EP - Desolation Town - with plans for a full length later in the year.
The group joined us for a session in Brooklyn. One song, "Mark & John (Bring on the Glitter Kids)", is a brilliant glam rock number, while the other songs celebrate 1980's-style pop-rock. All songs feaure Ronson's outstanding vocals, which are complimented by another female voice, Erin Dermody. Good stuff for anyone who yearns for the the shimmering sounds of the new wave/post-new wave era or the mod swagger of glam.
Check out the session below.
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Montreal's Black Diamond Bay is led by Patrick Krief, former member of The Dears. The band has just released one of the best records of the year- an ambitious collection of songs that are at times reminiscent of the otherworldy, emotionally-charged, soundscapes of Muse. Calm Awaits is highly recommended.
The band was kind enough to trek down from Canada for our Brooklyn sessions last winter. Check out the session videos below. Note that one of the songs ("Marching Backwards") is audio-only below.
Django James has mega pop pedigree (the son of Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics and Siobhan Fahey of Bananarama), and indeed he seems preternaturally poised for someone so young (18). Already an outstanding showman, James backs everything up with a collection of songs that are some of the most exciting we've heard. Part glam, part punk, part Brit pop, but always fresh, this is music with wild-eyed ambition and this is a group that is poised for pop greatness.
The band has not yet released a record, but check out the songs they did for our session below and you'll be anxiously awaiting its release. One highlight from our sessions was "Pretend It's Not Me", with a bobblehead serving as a percussion instrument- a first for the studio (watch the video to see what I mean).
Session videos and audio below...
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The Sammies are southern boys whose influences obviously range far from their native North Carolina. With two full-length records under their belts, the band's songs vary from punk to Brit pop to garage rock to, yes, southern rock. Led by brothers Frank Backgammon and Donnie Yale (all band members have adopted tongue-in-cheek names), the group does not take itself seriously but produces some seriously good music. We highly recommend their latest record, Sandwich.
The group met us in New York last winter for a session. Some of the nicest guys you'll ever met, they entertained us with stories about the drive up (seeing a deer in a Kia), "truck nuts", how a family farm was used as the backdrop for the movie "A Color Purple", and more.
Check our session with the band below- four songs, with videos for three of them, as well as a video interview with the group.
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Considered by many to be one of the best live acts in Los Angeles, The Henry Clay People have been building momentum and attention with their authentic brand of jagged, kinetic rock and roll. Led by brothers Joey and Andy Siara, with recent additions Jonathan Price and Mike Hopkins, the band's songs are rooted in traditional rock rhythms, but they manage to make them sound both familiar and fresh. Joey's voice is a teetering drawl that incites the propulsive vortex of sond like a spinning top whipping across a floor.
We first brought the band in for a session over a year ago, for our very first round of sessions. Due to some issues with the studio we were using at the time, those sessions were lost, however. Thus, we brought the band back again for another round, pleased to find the group as engaging, fun, and carefree as ever. Though their lineup has changed over the past year, the spirit of the band obviously has not. This session was recorded just before the band was to leave on its first big tour, supporting The Airborne Toxic Event. They are now back from that tour, headlining a residency at Spaceland in Los Angeles.
Check out their session below!
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Her hair like a mask, Jenny O. performs behind this filamentous veil, perhaps to insulate her from the world or perhaps to try to contain the near perfect strains that swell from her voice. Watching her performance of "Opposite Island" (see video below) was a thrilling experience and we suspect that her songs will leave many with such chills for years to come. One of the more extraordinary songwriters (and voices) we've come across, to be sure.
Jenny is finishing a record, which she hopes to release soon.
Check out the complete session videos and songs listed below.
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The debut album from The Shackeltons received gobs of critical praise from the likes of Rolling Stone and Spin when it came out last year. The band's music has punk energy, and lead singer Mark Redding spills his guts out for each performance. When we interviewed the band last fall (during the Bumbershoot Festival), though, we also discovered that the band does not take itself too seriously.
For this Groupee Session, the band shook the room(s) with its passionate, jagged stories. Especially impressive was Sean Hallock, who seems on his way to being one of the best rock drummers on the planet. But really, there is no shortage of intensity or talent in this band, with each player seemingly challenging the other to carry each song to the edge.
Check out the session videos below.
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On the song "Time Flies When You're With The One You Love", Frank Hoier displays the kind of clarity and pure melody that would make Hank Williams proud. Indeed, most of the songs produced by Hoier are admirable in the way that the songs breath, with straightforward lyrics that flow like a soft breeze across a wheatfield.
His latest record (recorded with The Weber Brothers), Lovers & Dollars, is a confident, striking dose of Americana, with the highlight being "I've Made Up My Mind", one of our favorite tracks from 2008.
Our session with Hoier was primarily an acoustic affair, with two of the songs featuring some accompaniment on drums. Check out the live session below!
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Brooklyn's The Shivers, led by Keith Zarriello and Jo Schornikow, create emotionally-charged songs... broken hearts, forgotten promises, fractured hopes and wrestless yearning.... the heart on the sleeve.
For their Groupee Session, the band literally gave us shivers with the Stax-y love growl, "Kisses". For our session anyway, the music sounded like modern soul with a twist of the blues, shaken and stirred. While the band has been around in various forms over the past 7 years, you get the sense that this is just a slow build that will pay off big for music fans one day (soon)... or simply that they are just realizing the kind of band they can be.
Check out the entire session below!
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The music of Brooklyn-based band Black Taxi is a bit hard to describe. While most songs feature solid pop-rock melodies, the guitar lines provide a harder edge and the use of trumpet and multiple drums frequently conjures the spirit of a battlefield.
Check out our session videos with the band below.
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This month's Artist of the Month is Washington, DC's Vandaveer. The band is led by Mark Charles Heidinger, who writes folk-rock songs that are both theatrical in tone and cinematic in imagery. You'll notice the influences- Bob Dylan and Tom Waits, especially- but there is greatness in both the writing and the delivery that is impossible to deny. When joined by talented sister Rose Guerin on backing vocals, the songs become even more enticing, lifted by the powerful combination of their voices.
Though not identical in approach or song-craft, Heidinger is somewhat reminiscent of Glen Hansard (The Swell Season and The Frames), in that you can imagine both as mesmerizing buskers, guys that can enthrall passers-by in the street with their literate, passionate songs.
The group released its first album, Grace & Speed, in 2007. The Washington Post declared that the music on that record has a "directness and immediacy that evokes pre-electric Bob Dylan." Now the band has a new record, Divide & Conquer, that will be released in France, Belgium & Switzerland on April 6th, 2009 via Alter. K Records / Discograph.
You can catch them on tour, as well, in the southeastern US and France over the next two months:
03/09 Washington, DC - The Black Cat 03/10 Roanoke, VA - The Water Heater 03/11 Charlottesville, VA - Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar 03/12 Atlanta, GA - The Earl 03/13 Athens, GA - Flicker Theater & Bar 03/14 Nashville, TN - The Basement 03/15 Lexington, KY - The Dame 03/16 Louisville, KY - The Green Building 04/11 Rouen, France - L'Emporium Galorium 04/15 Feyzin (Lyon), France - Epicerie Moderne Club 04/16 Orleans, France - L'Atelier 04/18 Paris, France - Le Divan Du Monde 04/19 Laval, France - Le 6 Par 4 04/20 Toulouse, France - Le Saint Des Seins 04/21 Bordeaux, France - Saint Ex 04/22 Tours, France - Donald's Pub 04/23 Tulle, France - Les Lendemains Qui Chantent 04/24 Reims, France - L'Appart Cafe 04/29 Nantes, France - Sputnik Bar 04/30 Le Havre, France - Be Pop Cafe
We brought the band in for a live session in Brooklyn this past December. Check out the outstanding acoustic performances below!
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Elizabeth Harper has been called a female Morrissey and, indeed, her voice floats above the music in a kind of somnambulic waltz. Musically, the band fashions the big shoulder pads of the 1980's, with Cures-ish arrangements and soaring synths.
Check out their Groupee Session videos below!
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Weinland
(tagged posts,
band site)
, 
The Sammies are southern boys whose influences obviously range far from their native North Carolina. With two full-length records under their belts, the band's songs vary from punk to Brit pop to garage rock to, yes, southern rock. Led by brothers Frank Backgammon and Donnie Yale (all band members have adopted tongue-in-cheek names), the group does not take itself seriously but produces some seriously good music. We highly recommend their latest record, Sandwich.
Spaceland
(tagged posts,
venue site)
, 
Her hair like a mask, Jenny O. performs behind this filamentous veil, perhaps to insulate her from the world or perhaps to try to contain the near perfect strains that swell from her voice. Watching her performance of "Opposite Island" (see video below) was a thrilling experience and we suspect that her songs will leave many with such chills for years to come. One of the more extraordinary songwriters (and voices) we've come across, to be sure.
