Tag: LA

Intimate Number From Runner

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Noah Weinman is a musician who sometimes performs solo, but also gets together with a musical collective of friends under the moniker Runner. Weinman recently made the move from the more gloomy Eastern coast of Rhode Island to the sunnier skies way off in L.A. For me, one can almost hear this transition in Weinman’s new song “New Sublet” as things start off fairly quiet, and subdued, but slowly some brighter elements get sprinkled in with a banjo and more urgent vocals. It feels like we just drove across the country. Lovely.

Runner will release this song as a part of a a new EP entitled One of One on September 23rd.

Mamalarky Share How to Say Video

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If your first introduction to LA’s Mamalarky was the riotous single “Fury” back in January, you might be surprised by their latest single, as it offers up a different view of the group…though one that’s always been part of their sound. This short number uses some of the same sharp guitar sounds ringing out, though they’re crafted in a jazzier progression, similar to what we’ve come to expect from bands like Dirty Projectors. Livvy’s vocal control is incredible, going for playful to soulful to angelic, all in the span of a few moments. The video is fun and spirited, starring Livvy herself using whatever she can for al little bit of classic air guitar work.

Progressive Folk From Crywolf

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I don’t know about you, but I love music that can be hard to pin down into a certain genre or one specific sound. Take for example this new single “Your Joy is Your Sorry Unmasked” from Justin Taylor Phillips and his recording moniker Crywolf. It’s a song which starts simply with some acoustic guitar over quiet, solo vocals yet builds and builds with these beautifully layered vocals and sparse percussion. As I continue to listen over and over, I am finding interesting and mesmerizing layers to peel back with each time I hit play. Quite a stunning song.

Nice Pop Number From Cones

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Los Angeles brother duo Cones built up a lot of buzz over the last couple of years having slowly dropped some singles here and there. After all the hype, the boys recently announced the release of their debut album entitled Pictures of Pictures out on September 20th via Dangerbird Records. As the release date draws near, a new single called “Laugh of the Party” has found its way to the interwebs. What you’ll find is a truly impressive piece of indie pop music which might remind you of a band like Generationals or even earlier, non sucky Vampire Weekend. It’s a hit. Maybe you should pre-order the new album now?

 

Check Out the New Criminal Hygiene Video

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Criminal Hygiene is an L.A. based band we have known for many years after meeting at SXSW one year and doing a show together afterwards. Well the guys went quiet for a few years after that, but have returned this year with a ton of new music and a new album on the way. Their latest single “Dangers of Convenience” can be found below and features the always enticing garage rock, in your face style which is what caused me to originally be turned on to the band. I’m happy for the boys to hop on to major label Dangerbird to release the new album Run it Again on March 1st.

Breezy Vibes from Jonny Kosmo

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If you know me, you know I have a penchant to stare dreamily out the window in my classroom; I wish I could take the kids outside and just enjoy the world. So, I’m always looking for tunes to accompany my daydreaming, like this Jonny Kosmo tune. It’s a way-relaxed number that recalls a touch of tropicalia, while almost pulling in an R&B lounge act at the same time…especially when that horn comes riding in before the 3 minute mark. So, if you feel like daydreaming, just quietly turn this track on and let it carry you off into the sun…or to the self-titled release out March 1st.

Promising New Single From Small Forward

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It’s a beautiful day in Austin, TX and I’d advise you to play some tunes which fit the current sunny skies and moderate temps. My new friends in Los Angeles based Small Forward have this new single called “Tearjerker” to perfectly fit the mood. Don’t let the track title mislead you, the song is full of bright, shoe gaze style pop music perfect for a morning drive on a crisp, lovely day. These guys are fairly new to the game right now and I’m told we will be hearing much more from them in the new year.

Give Brutus VIII a Chance

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There’s not a lot out in the world that sounds like Brutus VIII, the project of Jackson Katz (Slow Hollows). He just released his album AHackney Pursuit within the last few weeks, and now there’s this great video for “Watch Me Dive.” The song has this pulsating rhythmic push, driving you forward, and the deep throaty vocals are definitely something that gives the sense of a enchanting peculiarity to the track. The video is black and white, with a no-faced stranger dancing and grooving to the music. It’s not your run of the mill electronica, and for that, I encourage you to go enjoy the song.

Drifting Pop from Ruby Haunt

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On this new Ruby Haunt tune, the synth that opens the track took me somewhere unexpectedly. It’s sonically similar to the electronic sound used by M83 for “I Guess I’m Floating,” which immediately let me escape my body for a minute. I welcomed a collision of worlds, and only returned when the vocals just gently decided to walk into the tune. Interestingly, and perhaps induced by my M83 comparison, this song evokes some grand feeling of contemplation, of just getting lost in your own headspace. It’s a good way to spend a few minutes, warm electronic melodies and soft vocals letting you leave the world around you, albeit for just a moment. The band will release Blue Hour in September.

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