Proximal Records is a brand-spanking new Los Angeles imprint and on August 10 they’re issuing their debut official compilation, Proximity One: Narrative of a City. The release features songs from Proximal’s very own BearClaw, Benedek, Sahy Uhns, Lawrence Grey, Wake, and L.A. artists, Daedelus, Shlohmo, and Dâm-Funk. The latter just released a sexy-smooth song today. It’s got an relentless beat filled with warm synth tones and G-funk basslines. Check out “A Day at the Carnival” above. Also, on August 5, The Echo will host a release party for the comp.
The New Pornographers
“Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk” (Live on Letterman) Video
The New Pornographers’ fifth album, the chamber-pop suite Together, may have been a letdown for longtime fans, but it’s there best-selling LP to date. Last night they took another commercial victory lap by appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman. The indie supergroup blazed through a guest-heavy (hand claps!) rendition of mid-tempo piano-popper “Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk.” Love that guitar solo. They are touring now and will appear at Matador’s 21st birthday bash in Las Vegas on October 1-3. Also, enter the band’s “Together on Tour Soundcheck Sessions” contest by clicking the ad below.
Kathryn Calder
The New Pornographers
“Arrow” MP3
Jul 01, 2010
Another new Kathryn Calder (The New Pornographers) track is available to download today. The beautifully rendered “Arrow” is the fourth song on her debut solo LP, Are You My Mother?, out August 10 via File Under: Music. The breezy tune was recorded in one short day and captures the dreaminess of childhood without adults ruining the picture. Are You My Mother? will be released August 3rd, but is available digitally today on iTunes. Guests include The New Pornos’ Neko Case, Kurt Dahle, and Todd Fancey and members of Frog Eyes and Ladyhawk. Check out “If She Only Knew” and “Castor and Pollox” on the singer-songwriter’s MySpace. Calder is currently in the middle of a mostly sold-out New Pornos trek.
“In Between Times” MP3
Jul 01, 2010
Mice Parade was originally the solo project of New York percussionist Adam Pierce, who has also played in múm, Swirlies, The Dylan Group, HiM, and Philistines Jr. The group’s eighth LP, What It Means To Be Left-Handed, streets September 14 via FatCat. As usual for the quicksilver band, genres are blended thoroughly. That stylistic conceit is in full effect on lead download track, “In Between Times.”
This new cut features Temporary Residence artist Caroline Lufkin on vox and Pierce fleshes out the band with classical guitarist Dan Lippel and kick-ass post-rock skin-beater Doug Scharin (Codeine, Enablers, HiM, Rex). Also, there are the typical pan-global guests, such as Gregory & The Hawk‘s Meredith Godreau and the Swahilian singer Somi. The crashing of voices, percussing and mandolin make “In Between Times” quite a treat.
In addition to It Means To Be Left-Handed‘s original songs, the LP includes covers of The Lemonheads’ “Mallo Cup” and Tom Brosseau’s “Mary Anne.” The band plans to tour the U.S. and Europe in September and October. (Via Stereogum.)
Hamacide
“Carnies” MP3
Jul 01, 2010
Hamacide is the solo venture of Brooklyn-based producer/remixer Yusuke Hama and Mighty Little Machine is his debut LP. In 2007, Hama also released a full-length, called fascinating tininess…, under the alias Leyode with fellow Brooklyn fashion designer/vocalist Laurel Wells. That was issued through Guillermo Scott Herren’s (Prefuse 73) own imprint, Eastern Developments.
Mighty Little Machine is an entrancing suite of electronic-pop tunes with dollops of chillwave, hip-hop, R&B, pop, and bossa nova. Listen to the made-up language track, “Carnies,” featuring Fielded. It floats in and out of yours ears with ease. If you like that, also download the fuzz-pedal dance-rocker, “Broadway Dancers.” Mighty Little Machine drops July 13 via Stubtail.
The Honeydrips
“Hostvisa” MP3
Jun 30, 2010
Mikael Carlsson’s vastly underappreciated dream-pop solo project The Honeydrips is regrettably closing shop after some impressive singles and one LP, 2007’s Here Comes the Future. “I’ve said everything I wanted to say,” Carlsson wrote in a post on Sincerely Yours’ site. He offered “Höstvisa” (translated into English as “Autumn Show”) as a touching farewell track. It’s a cover of the tune with the same title, originally penned by Swedish/Finnish novelist Tove Jansson and composer Erna Tauro. Carlsson’s rendition sees him singing over Tomas Blank conducting Göteborgs Symfonietta. (Carlsson: “I am nothing more than a karaoke singer with no respect for copyright laws.”) (Via Sincerely Yours.)
The Books: “A Cold Freezin’ Night” Video
The Books’ ”A Cold Freezin’ Night,” is a pop-collagist’s dream off their upcoming full-length, The Way Out, due July 20 via Temporary Residence. The instantly likable track features found-sounds of kids spitting violent threats at each other over a fast-forwarding bass line. The highly addictive tune now has a band-made vid.
There’s tons of cut-up, nausea-inducing footage of ladies shooting rifles, people grooving, children playing with toys, and God knows what else. Watch the clip below. If you enjoy that, check out the mp3 for ”Beautiful People.” Also, Books gigs can be found here.
Best Coast
“Boyfriend” MP3
Jun 30, 2010
Unrequited love is major bummer and Best Coast‘s Bethany Cosentino knows that all too well. Her surf-pop debut, Crazy for You, is stacked with love ballads and lazy afternoon singalongs. It streets July 27 via Mexican Summer, but you can download and stream “Boyfriend” now. It’s a leisurely paced rocker with a ‘90s-rock soul. Frontwoman Cosentino longs for a nameless hunk throughout. Most devastating lyrics: “The other girl is not like me/ She’s prettier and skinnier/ She has a college degree/ I dropped out when I was 17.” Ouch. See summer and fall tour dates at Best Coast’s MySpace. (Via P4k.)
