Elbow – New York Morning

NY Morning

Having a strange name for a band, Elbow is an alternative rock group that hails from Manchester. This month they released their sixth studio album, The Take Off and Landing of Everything. Another exquisite song about the capital of the world, “New York Morning” was inspired by Elbow frontman Guy Garvey’s recent time in Brooklyn last year. The accompanying video — detailing the lives of New York City couple and CBGB scenesters Dennis and Lois — is a love sonnet to the city in itself and well worth a viewing.

https://soundcloud.com/mmmusic/elbow-new-york-morning

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Upcoming Tour Dates:

3/31, Birmingham, LG Arena
4/6, Glasgow, SSE Hydro
4/8, Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena
4/9, Manchester, Phones 4U Arena
4/11, Leeds, First Direct Arena
4/12, Liverpool, Echo Arena
4/14, Nottingham, Capital FM Arena
4/16, London, The O2

US Tour:
5/11, Washington, D.C., 930 Club
5/12, Boston, MA., Royale Night Club
5/13, Philadelphia, PA., Electric Factory
5/16, New York, NY., Webster Hall
5/17, Toronto, ON., Danforth Music Hall
5/19, Chicago, IL., House of Blues
5/20, Minneapolis, MN., First Avenue
5/23, Vancouver, BC., Commodore Ballroom
5/24, Portland, OR. Wonder Ballroom
5/25, Quincy, WA., Sasquatch Music Festival
5/27, Oakland, CA., The Fox Theater
5/28, Los Angeles, CA., The Wiltern

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Prinze George – Victor

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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

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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?

The-Preatures

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!!

Caveman – In The City

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Brooklyn continues to churn out good musicians at a rapid rate. Caveman released a self-titled album in 2013 under Fat Possum Records. The five-piece was formed as the individual members’ respective projects all disbanded (The Subjects lead singer Matthew Iwanusa and guitarist Jimmy “Cobra” Carbonetti, White Clam keyboardist Sam Hopkins, The End of the World drummer Stefan Marolachakis, and Elefant bassist Jeff Berrall).

They are playing a gig in Brooklyn March 5, and will be heading to Europe in late May.

Wild Ones – Paia // Curse Over Me

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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