Month: October 2010

Mountain Goats’ Darnielle takes iPhone onstage, sings into it at show

Mountain Goats’ frontman/pretty much only man John Darnielle is known for being a bit eccentric, especially onstage. Self-proclaimed Darnielle fan Brandon Korch found this out first hand while filming him, touring as duo The Extra Lens, during a show at D.C.’s Rock and Roll Hotel on Wednesday. About halfway through the track, Darnielle notices Korch,… Continue reading Mountain Goats’ Darnielle takes iPhone onstage, sings into it at show

Bullets in Madison’s new b-sides compilation

Just because I’ve been busy going to CMJ shows the past few days doesn’t require me to write about CMJ artists, nor does it allow me to ignore the blog because of CMJ-related activities. Did I mention CMJ? I’ll shut up now. I know it’s the last thing most of you want to hear, and… Continue reading Bullets in Madison’s new b-sides compilation

[MP3] Chad Valley: “Ensoniq Funk”/”Up And Down”

Here’s a couple of fun tracks from upbeat Oxford grooveman Chad Valley. The style is mindboggling, with synth and beats flying around your head like those keys from that scene in the first Harry Potter movie. Well if each of those keys was making just one note in this song. Right? Harry Potter anyone? Well… Continue reading [MP3] Chad Valley: “Ensoniq Funk”/”Up And Down”

[MP3] MillionYoung: “Calrissian”

MillionYoung, who is Florida’s Mike Diaz, will be playing at I Guess I’m Floating’s upcoming Floating Fest at CMJ and the blog has graciously shared his fantastic track “Calrissian.” The song has the sort of washed out, ambient vocals we’ve come to love in today’s indie scene, with rambling Discovery-esque synth and straight-up Christmas bells.… Continue reading [MP3] MillionYoung: “Calrissian”

[MP3] Esperi: “Dialled”

An artist who plays bells with his feet. This is the type of music we’re after at Knox Road. But seriously, Esperi, aka Chris Lee-Marr, from Scotland, makes gorgeously intimate music. When I listen to “Dialled”, his newest song, I visualize a screen awash with sound waves. Touch the screen and an array of soothing… Continue reading [MP3] Esperi: “Dialled”

M.I.A. releases “Bedroom To The Hallway To The Road To The World” to continue to make some kind of point?

M.I.A.’s latest album got panned pretty roundly, and in seemingly some kind of face-saving apology, the indie-rapper has been releasing a handful of new standalone tracks. The newest of said tracks, “Bedroom To The Hallway To The Road To The World,” is a sort of droning, typical M.I.A. b-side that honestly I think most people… Continue reading M.I.A. releases “Bedroom To The Hallway To The Road To The World” to continue to make some kind of point?

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan @ Rock and Roll Hotel

“What is she? Some kind of magician?” my wife inquired as Isobel Campbell shaked, rattled, and pounded several unique percussion tools during “Back Burner.” Indeed, she is. As the songwriter in her unlikely indie-folk collaboration with enigmatic Mark Lanegan, Campbell has masterfully orchestrated the musical backdrop to highlight perfect vocal constrasts. Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan… Continue reading Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan @ Rock and Roll Hotel

[MP3] Maur Due & Lichter remix Zero 7 and José González’s “Futures”

Remember Maur Due & Lichter? The electroacoustic Austrian duo whom I fell in love with after listening to their debut album, Another Day. Well, they’re back with a bonus remix of Zero 7 and José González’s tune “Futures” from The Garden. Maur Due & Lichter’s take on the song makes it an even glitchier Zero… Continue reading [MP3] Maur Due & Lichter remix Zero 7 and José González’s “Futures”