This is fine.
Julian Plenti is the new name for Interpol frontman Paul Banks. He is set to debut his new album Julian Plenti is…Skyscraper on August 4th via Matador Records. I wonder if it will be in the realm of people like Albert Hammond Jr and be an Interpol lite album? Based on this track, it seems JP is going off on his own a bit, which is a good thing in our book.
Download: Julian Plenti – Games for Days [MP3]
Men is two parts Le Tigre, and they will be making their way to Austin this Wednesday night at the Beauty Bar. It seems that the group is predominantly the work of JD Samson, but there are other contributions from her former band-mates. Men will be hitting the stage with Gretchen Phillips. Sounds like a danceable way to spend your hump day.
Download: Men – Off Our Backs [MP3]
With Lollapalooza inching closer and closer, now is a good time to start talking about the festival and some of the bands playing. We couldn’t think of a better way to introduce some bands to the public than with a free sampler from the fine folks at Lollapalooza. The itunes sampler includes hit tracks from festival artists like The Raveonettes, Langhorne Slim, Deerhunter, and a few others. Head to the Lolla site now to get your hands on it. Until then, here’s our favorite track from the playlist, Fleet Foxes single “Mykonos”.
Download: Fleet Foxes – Mykonos [MP3]
We’ve been closely following news that Islands will be releasing Vapours this September on Anti Records. Anything Nic Thorburn lays his hands upon turns up to be genius in our books, be it this band or Human Highway or the much missed Unicorns. This new track is a different approach to songwriting for him, with the empty space left open for his voice to soar.
Download: Islands – No You Don’t
As much as I was disappointed by At War with the Mystics, I still have a soft-spot, mostly due to my friends, for The Flaming Lips. Every once in awhile they come up with something brilliant, such as The Soft Bulletin; it seems now that they have a title for their upcoming album in the fall, Embryonic, it’s time for tracks to make their way to the web. Thank to our good friend over at Covert Curiosity for giving us the heads up on the new tracks. Enjoy the promising “Silver Trembling Hands.”
Download: Flaming Lips – Silver Trembling Hands [MP3]
From the ashes of Hockey Night comes the straight-nostalgic rockers Free Energy. Word on the street is that the man behind the production of the groups self-titled 7″ is none other than James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. You’ll find all sorts of reference points on this album from the days of old, but probably not the ones you would expect. Try this one on for size.
Download: Free Energy – Free Energy [MP3]
Sydney, Australia indie rock band Dappled Cities have some new music ready and waiting for their fans. The new single we have for you is called “The Price” and will appear on upcoming album Zounds. You can get your hands on that one August 15th via Dangerbird Records.
Download: Dappled Cities – The Price [MP3]
Just saw over on the Pitchfork that the huge Monsters of Folk collaboration now has a release date and a first single. If you weren’t already aware, the star studded project involves M. Ward, Jim James from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst from Bright Eyes, and producer Mike Mogis. The band plans to release their self-titled debut September 15th via Shangri-La Records. For now, here’s the first material from the project “Say Please”. Dig.
Download: Monsters of Folk – Say Please [MP3]
Creators of one of our jams of summer, Foreign Born, are playing at Mohawk on Sunday evening. To make the show more enticing, The Veils and The Other Girls will be opening things up. For only $10 this should be a great way to close down your weekend. Doors are at 8pm.
Download: Foreign Born – Early Warnings [MP3]
The Crayon Fields have been one of my favorite bands for the last several years; they blend jangly South Pacific pop with pure melody. Since they have a new album coming out this September, we’ve got a new song from the band to offer to you this Friday. It shows signs of great things to come in the very near future.
Download: The Crayon Fields – All the Pleasures of the World [MP3]
