Empress Of is the enigmatic new songstress out of Brooklyn with one of the more amusing artist sites I’ve ever seen. With her distinctive and engaging dreampop sound, singer/producer Lorely Rodriguez released her debut EP Systems last year and has been touring around ever since. Stream “Realize You” and “Hat Trick” below, and if you’re one of the lucky ones at SXSW, catch her at the Elysium this Saturday, 3/15.
Prinze George – Victor
Can’t stop listening to the indie pop ballad “Victor,” from the nascent Brooklyn-based group Prinze George. Against a bass-filled backdrop, foreboding piano and piercing synths, the sense of betrayal is palpable as vocalist Naomi Almquist pleads with the Victor in question at the chorus (1:07). Despite Prinze George’s as-of-yet sparse internet presence, if this stunning piece is indicative of what’s to come from the group, I for one will be anxiously awaiting their next single.
Sunny Levine – No Other Plans
With another Daylight Savings upon us, it seemed like the perfect time as any to share this track by the California-based artist Sunny Levine. Known for his work as a producer — having worked with big names such Pete Yorn, Scarlet Johansson, and Mickey Avalon — Levine also has his own solo project. Spring forward, and make “No Other Plans” but to listen to this gorgeous carefree tune below.
https://soundcloud.com/sunnylevine/no-other-plans-ft-young-dad
And I wonder what I’d do with all that time
How ’bout we ignore a couple of things
And get way too deep into details
The Preatures – Is This How You Feel?
Australian band The Preatures burst onto the scene last year in a powerful way with their second EP, Is This How You Feel. Fronted by Isabella Manfredi — whose vocal chops channel the likes of Stevie Nicks — the Preatures’ sound is referential to the rhythmic and tightly-sequenced pop of the 80s that seems to be making a comeback these days (much to my delight).
Take a listen to their ridiculously infectious, feel-good title track below. They’ll be playing a couple of shows in NYC this week, before hitting up SXSW the next and continuing the festival circuit with Coachella and Bonnaroo. AND — to let my DC friends in on a little secret — they’ll be opening for the as-of-yet-unannounced MS MR show at 930 Club in June!!
Wild Ones – Paia // Curse Over Me
Portland collective Wild Ones are re-releasing their debut album Keep It Safe via Topshelf Records April 1. Informed by a range of musical styles based on the various backgrounds of the members, their synthpop sound is a lush and retro melodic affair that fans of Tennis are sure to appreciate. Check out gems such as “Paia” and “Curse Over Me” below (available for free on Soundcloud), and listen as Danielle Sullivan casts a spell with her warbling vocals hovering effortlessly over the unique arrangements of Thomas Himes.
Take a look at Wild Ones’ extensive Spring tour schedule below.
Tour Dates:
3/07 – Phoenix, AZ @ VIVA PHX
3/08 – El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace^
3/09 – Denton, TX @ Dan’s Silverleaf^
3/10 – San Antonio, TX @ Korova^
3/12 – 3/15 – SXSW
3/18 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle%
3/19 – Washington, DC @ 930 Club%
3/20 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right
3/21 – Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground%
3/22 – Boston, MA @ The Sinclair%
3/23 – Boston, MA @ The Sinclair%
3/24 – Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall%
3/25 – Hamden, CT @ Spaceland Ballroom%
3/26 – Philadelphia, PA @ Boot and Saddle
3/27 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall%
3/29 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom%
3/30 – Cincinnati, OH @ MOTR Pub
3/31 – Louisville, KY @ Headliner’s%
4/02 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall%
4/03 – Chicago, IL @ Metro%
4/04 – Champaign, IL @ Mike N Molly’s
4/05 – Madison, WI @ UW Madison%
4/06 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
4/07 – Iowa City, IA @ Blue Moose%
4/08 – Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room%
4/10 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird%
4/11 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge%
4/12 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory%
^ = w/ In The Valley Below
% = w/ Typhoon
Four Tet – Parallel Jalebi
Four Tet, the well-known producer from the UK (aka Kieran Hebden), released his seventh album Beautiful Rewind at the end of 2013. Known for combining electronica with the experimental elements of jazz, Four Tet has a number of critically acclaimed works under his belt. No wonder his show at DC’s U Street Music Hall tonight is sold out. Check out his remaining tour dates below after listening to “Parallel Jalebi” off the latest LP.
Tour Dates:
2/28 – Washington, DC @ U Street Music Hall
3/1 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk
3/6-3/7 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex
3/8 – San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine
3/22 – London, UK @ TBA
3/29 – Birmingham, UK @ Rainbow Warehouse
4/10 – Mayrhofen, Austria @ Snowbombing
4/12 – Milan, Italy @ Design Week Festival
Osca – Blood
Formerly known as Kenworthy, the London quartet Osca debuted their first track, “Blood” earlier this month and it is a beaut. With piano-driven melodies and heartfelt harmonies, their sound is evocative of older, classic Coldplay. Also check out a live video of their gorgeous track “Heartache” and pick up a free DL of a fantastic edit below. As the young Jack Kenworthy in his earnest vocals sings, “And it’s like heartache, heartache, heartache in my bones… / Is this all I’ll ever know?”, his audible agony is heartbreakingly irresistible. Keep a lookout for these guys in the future.
Mr Little Jeans – Good Mistake
Combining all the best elements of Scandinavian pop, Mr Little Jeans, aka Norway’s Monica Birkenes has just released a new EP entitled Good Mistake. Describing her music as “pop that dances left of center,” the title track is a simple but sprightly piece of electropop that packs a punch in all the right places. Stream “Good Mistake” below and look out for her debut LP to drop March 25.
The Crystal Method – Over It (Bixel Boys Remix)
It’s not often that I go to post about an artist, only to discover that they are playing in my locale that very night. That is in fact, the case here with the Southern Californian duo Bixel Boys. Bringing their tropical house vibe to DC’s U Street Music Hall tonight, their latest remix of The Crystal Method’s new track “Over It” is a synthy and somehow summery twist on the the classic TCM sound. Stream the infectious retake in preparation for your Saturday night and check out their full tour dates below.
Bixel Boys Spring Tour Dates:
2.22 – D.C @ U Street Music Hall w/ Justin Jay + PillowTalk +option4
2.27 – London, ONT Canada @ London Music Hall w/ WE ARE GTA
2.28 – Toronto, Canada @ UNIUN Nightclub w/ GTA
3.1 – San Diego @ Bang Bang (BIXEL BDAY PARTY)
3.6 – San Diego @ Fluxx Nightclub w/ DJ SNAKE
3.7 – Dallas @ The Globe w/ Amtrac
3.8 – Chicago @ evilOlive w/ Autograf
3.13-15 – Austin @ SXSW
3.22 – Los Angeles @ LURE w/ Boys Noize
3.28 – Miami @ Nikki Beach Miami w/ Tommy Trash
4.4 – Denver, CO @ SnowBall Music Festival
Painted Zeros – Call Back
The Painted Zeros are a new band based out of Brooklyn, producing melodic and introspective dreampop. Stream their track “Call Back” below and pick up a free download of this gem here. They also have an upcoming EP S V A L B A R D set to release this Saturday, February 22 via the label Last Place Tapes.
poetry in an empty coke can 