Builders & The Butchers - Where The Roots All Grow
The Builders & The Butchers were originally never supposed to play a
plugged in show. They were meant to play street corners, funerals,
basement parties, but never any place with a stage or a PA, but best
laid plans often change. These 5 Alaskan transplants to Portland could
not stand in the way of growth and committed themselves to the band.
They packed up and went on the road, touring with bands as diverse
The Decemberists, Brand New, Amanda Palmer, Portugal. The Man,
Murder By Death, Manchester Orchestra and more. Bringing a version
of Southern Gothic music that only someone from the northern most
state could, the band developed a passionate following for their
energetic and engaging show. The Builders songs take on an almost
sing-a-long quality at their live shows encouraging audience
participation with even the most cynical of crowds. This recording
captures the spirit of The Builders live at two sold out shows on one
night in March of 2009 at Mississippi Studios. No overdubs, no auto-
tunue, no "fixing it in the mix". Just the band live.
Via Audio - Animalore
Two years after the release of their critically-acclaimed album Say
Something, Brooklyn’s indie pop quartet Via Audio releases their
sophomore opus, Animalore, a melting pot collection of
eccentric sounds—songs infused with fairy tales, folklore, science
fiction, romance, seduction, and adventure.
Via Audio was formed in 2003 in between classes at the infamous
Berklee College of Music in Boston. After releasing a self-titled EP on
the small independent Kill Normal Records in 2004, the band first
garnered attention with Death Cab for Cutie’s guitarist Chris Walla
dubbed them his “new favorite band,” in his column for Under the
Radar Magazine.
Filter - Inevitable Relapse
“The Inevitable Relapse” is the lead single from the forthcoming Filter
album, The Trouble With Angels. Available first as a limited
edition vinyl 7” single, the song details a shattered man succumbing to
addiction, but can be read as a study of love lost, consumption or
obsession, depending on your perspective. Not to mention its isolated
bass line and thudding chord collapse both conjure and modernize Filter’s
breakthrough smash, “Hey Man, Nice Shot.” this is coming out two weeks
ahead of the digital single release.
Earl Greyhound - Soft Targets
In 2005, EG recorded their first album, Soft Targets, but they
also hit their first snag when drummer Chris Bear left to pursue his
fortunes with the band Grizzly Bear. Reluctant to release the album
without a permanent drummer, Matt and Kamara vowed to play
relentlessly until their dream drummer found them. Guitar player Kirk
Douglass (The Roots) witnessed a show and brought his friend and Gold
Crowns band mate Ricc Sheridan to the next few gigs. Ricc says, “I
awoke from a dream one night, and I knew this was my band.” A few
weeks later, a rockneck-inducing jam confirmed that the band had
found its soul mate, and they hit the ground running. Soft
Targets and EG’s wrecking ball of a live show earned them oodles
of fans and critical acclaim from The New Yorker, SPIN, Rolling Stone,
Brooklyn Vegan and Pitchfork, among others. The next three years were
spent touring the US, Canada and Japan as well as opening for Gov’t
Mule, Chris Cornell and Saul Williams.
Guggenheim Grotto - Universe Is Laughing
Over the past five years Dublin-based alt-folk duo The Guggenheim
Grotto has touched audiences in a way members Kevin May and Mick
Lynch couldn’t have imagined. From setting out as Dublin songwriter
circuit regulars, to building a devoted cult following in the U.S. with
warm embraces from media and competitive iTunes charting, the band
has captivated audiences and tastemakers on both sides of the pond
and undergone considerable personal growth along the way.
Hurricane Bells - Tonight Is The Ghost
Tonight Is The Ghost, the debut album from the band Hurricane
Bells, is a moody affair. A mix of somber undercurrents and chiming
guitars, the album is at once plaintive and triumphant, bathed in echo and
reverb. Yet there’s a looseness, hope, and soulfulness in its melancholic
tempest; a late night thundershower with a new day on its heels.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Mercy Seat
To celebrate the recent round of classic Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds re-
issues, Mute is releasing this extremely limited edition "Mercy Seat" 12"
that features both live and acoustic versions of the track. Packaged in a
gold embossed sleeve and pressed on white vinyl, this single is sure to be
a collector's item in no time.
Donavon Frankenreiter - Revisited
Aptly titled, Donavon Frankenreiter’s Revisited is not just a re-
recording of his 2004 self titled album; it’s a complete
reinterpretation...with a Hawaiian twist.
Slacktone - Warning: Reverb Instrumentals!
Slacktone is widely recognized as America’s best surf instrumental
band. Their sound is a hyper-kinetic mix of melody, speed, and jaw-
dropping technical skill. Formed in Los Angeles in 1995 from a group
of surf band veterans, they have since released four albums and toured
Europe 8 times. Slacktone’s music is featured in TV shows like the WB’s
Summerland, MTV Real People, Fox Sports Network, Boardwild, and
they were the house band for MTV’s "Rock N Jock Superbowl Party".
They wrote and produced music for 5 Slim Jim extreme sports
commercials, and also worked with Subaru for the release of their new
sports vehicle, Baja. They have played at numerous outdoor sporting
events including the US Open and OP Pro surfing events, NORBA
mountain bike races, and several snowboarding events.
Glitch Mob - Drink The Sea
Drink The Sea is the debut full-length from the Southern
California electronic trio The Glitch Mob. While it their first album, their
sound is familiar to a large and growing audience of revelers from their
extensive touring and popular mixtapes and remixes.
Read our Blog
