Minneapolis-based trio Bad Bad Hats released their debut album, Psychic Reader this July via Afternoon Records. The opener of the LP, “Midway” is a dreamy, indie pop track befitting of a languid, summer soundtrack with its steady beat, distorted guitar and singer Kerry Alexander’s sweet warble.
On tour with The Myrnabirds this fall, DC locals can check them out at U Street Music Hall September 26.
It’s the dead of summer, and we’ve got another Remix Roundup for you to help keep you cool. This time we’re throwing down with some modern twists on old classics. First up is a mix of Marvin Gaye‘s “How Sweet It Is” by rising star and local DC producer, Eau Claire. Adding a tropical overlay and healthy helping of nu-disco to the original, this one has “feel-good” written all over it.
Eau Claire will be spinning at the BangOn!NYC Elements Music & Arts Festival August 22 in Brooklyn with the likes of XXYYXX, Amtrac and Autograf. Be sure to keep up with her on the interwebs as she plays a lot of local shows as well.
In keeping with the summery Marvin Gaye vibes, enjoy this edit of “Sunny” by Danish producer Notize. When the beat drops about 30 seconds in you can’t help but get into this golden groove.
And finally, shifting ahead a couple decades later we have Tracy Chapman‘s classic 1988 hit “Fast Car,” remixed by the Dutch producer known as Bauke Top. Upbeat and appropriately true to the original vocal line, Bauke Top allows you to enjoy this tune all over again with his contemporary rendition.
All three of these tracks are available for a free download, so visit the artists’ respective Soundcloud pages to snag ’em for your summer playlists.
Veering from his usual tender, airy alt-folk fare, James Vincent McMorrow has shared a new song that steers towards a more tense and serpentine electronic sound. While the Irish singer-songwriter doesn’t have plans to include it in a record at this time, he chose to release the mesmerizing single as a one-off, as the thought of wasted moments was apparently plaguing him when he wrote it. He notes on his Soundcloud page: “I recorded it with tempo because life to me is tempo, it’s rarely slow. This song is the connect from where I was, to where I’m going to be very soon.”
We can’t wait to see where that will be. In the meantime — stream “How To Waste A Moment,” along with the softer yet still exquisite effort “Red Dust” off McMorrow’s 2014 LP Post Tropical below.
Portland’s Pure Bathing Culture have shared the title track off their forthcoming LP, Pray For Rain. An offshoot of the group Vetiver — PBC was formed by Sarah Versprille and Daniel Hindman — who recorded the upcoming release with Grammy award-winning producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Chelsea Wolfe). “Pray For Rain” is an exuberant tune which contrasts upbeat instrumentation with sobering lyrics. Listen below and look out for the album to drop October 23 on Partisan Records.
Also check out their full tour dates below — DC folk can catch the indie act at DC9 Nightclub October 7, with Wild Ones supporting.
PBC Upcoming Tour Dates:
08/23 – Portland OR @ MusicFestNW
09/18 – Seattle WA @ Barboza
09/19 – Vancouver BC @ Fortune Sound Club
09/22 – Fargo ND @ Studio 222 *
09/23 – St. Paul MN @ Turf Club *
09/24 – Madison WI @ The Frequency *
09/25 – Chicago IL @ Schubas *
09/26 – Champaign IL @ Pygmalion Music Festival
09/27 – Cincinnati OH @ Midpoint Music festival
09/28 – Columbus OH @ The Basement *
09/29 – Cleveland OH @ Beachland Tavern *
10/01 – Toronto ON @ The Drake *
10/02 – Montreal QC @ Bar le Ritz *
10/03 – Boston MA @ Middle East Upstairs *
10/04 – Brooklyn NY @ Baby’s All Right *
10/06 – Philadelphia PA @ Boot & Saddle *
10/07 – Washington DC @ DC9 *
10/08 – Carborro NC @ Cat’s Cradle Back Room *
10/09 – Atlanta GA @ Drunken Unicorn *
10/10 – Asheville NC @ The Mothlight *
10/12 – St. Louis MO @ The Demo *
10/13 – Kansas City MO @ Record Bar *
10/29 – San Francisco CA @ The Chapel
11/01 – Santa Barbara CA @ SOHO Restaurant and Music Club *
11/02 – Los Angeles CA @ The Echo
11/04 – Phoenix AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom *
11/07 – Dallas TX @ Three Links *
11/08 – Norman OK @ The Opolis *
11/09 – Omaha NE @ Reverb Lounge *
11/11 – Denver CO @ Hi-Dive *
11/12 – Salt Lake City UT @ Kilby Court *
11/13 – Boise ID @ Neurolux *
* – w/ Wild Ones
Released July 31, Ghostpoet‘s latest single “Sorry My Love, It’s You Not Me” flips the switch on the old breakup cliché. The innovative British vocalist and musician, Obaro Ejimiwe released his third studio album Shedding Skin (from which the track derives) earlier this year via Play It Again Sam.
Watch the starry visuals for the bittersweet, meaning-seeking single below, which features verdant vocals from UK singer/songwriter Lucy Rose.
Following the release of their debut EP Religion earlier this year, Brooklyn folktronic band Howard will embark on their fall tour this week. Founded by Howard Feibusch (guitar, vocals) after a former project fell apart, the nascent group is rounded out by Myles Heff (bass), Chris Holdridge (drums) and Alex Chakour (synths, guitar). Together they create hypnotic, homespun polyrhythms through the use of acoustic guitars and layered electronics. For a sampling of their work, listen to “Money Can’t Buy” and “Falling” — the latter of which was sonically inspired by Other Lives.
Howard will be playing at NYC’s Mercury Lounge August 6, then stopping by DC9 Nightclub August 7. Be sure to come out to the shows if you’re in either locale and in the mood for live music!
Synthpop duo IYES are on a roll right now, releasing a trio of singles within quick succession in anticipation of their forthcoming EP. Standout track “So Crazy” is a colorful and kaleidoscopic duet that will hook you right from the start. Stream below and be on the lookout as the Brighton-based duo get ready to unveil their debut EP, Part One via Spotify on August 14.
Mac is back with a new mini-LP this week, arriving August 7 via Captured Tracks. The mini-album, Another One is a collection of love songs that was conceived and recorded in Mac DeMarco‘s Far Rockaway bedroom in Queens within the time span of just a couple of weeks. He’s teased a few tracks from the album already, including latest offering “No Other Heart” below.
It’s a warm and romantic jazz number that Mac wrote on the synthesizer. He tells NPR: “For some reason, the chord progression reminds me of a John Lennon chord progression because he had very simple, chunky piano parts in his songs. I like the chorus. I feel like the chorus is quite cute.” We couldn’t agree more — stream below and if you’re in the DC area, we hope you’ll make it out to see Mac at The Howard Theatre October 14.
Mura Masa‘s latest track, “Lovesick Fuck” was released a few months back — but has enjoyed a resurgence of sorts on the blogosphere this past week. It makes sense given its sax-y, summery vibes, steel drums and enticing vocal loops. The 19-year-old UK producer, alleged heartbreaker and beat-slayer, Alex Crossan falls somewhere between Ben Khan and Jai Paul with his production chops, which are demonstrated on his recent EP Someday Somewhere. Immerse yourself in this addictive AF beat below.
Newcomer Harrison Brome released his debut single, “Fill Your Brains” last month and it is a beaut. Appropriately dark and stormy, the Canadian artist explained to The Fader that the track is a meditation on “a moment in time where I witnessed people dealing with their problems through a form of escapism.” Fill your ears with this soulful tune below — and be sure to pick up a free download on Brome’s Soundcloud.
poetry in an empty coke can 