Hibou – Dissolve

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Hibou is the handle of young Seattle-based artist Peter Michel who recently signed to Barsuk Records. Last week he shared the lead track, “Dissolve” off his forthcoming record, due for release September 18. The self-titled debut LP was written, recorded and played by Michel in the walk-in closet of his apartment — fueled by summertime fancies such as surf-pop melodies, ’80s synths, and soda pop! “Dissolve” is a dusky, warm, and luminous electronic track fused with distorted vocals, sonically similar to Trails & Ways.

Hibou will be touring across North America this summer opening for Cayucas, so be sure to scope out the tour dates below.

2015 Tour Dates:
7/14 – Casbah – San Diego, CA
7/15 – Constellation Room – Santa Ana, CA
7/16 – Bunk House – Las Vegas, NV
7/18 – Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT
7/20 – Larimer Lounge – Denver, CO
7/22 – Riot Room – Kansas City, MO
7/23 – 7th Street Entry – Minneapolis, MN
7/24 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
7/25 – Loving Touch – Detroit, MI
7/26 – The Garrison – Toronto, ON
7/28 – The Hollow – Albany, NY
7/29 – Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA
7/31 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY
8/01 – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, PA
8/03 – Rock & Roll Hotel – Washington, DC
8/05 – The Earl – Atlanta, GA
8/06 – Gasa Gasa – New Orleans, LA
8/07 – Fitzgerald’s – Houston, TX
8/08 – Three Links – Dallas, TX
8/09 – The Parish – Austin, TX
8/14 – El Rey – Los Angeles, CA
8/15 – Soho – Santa Barbara, CA
8/16 – Catalyst – Santa Cruz, CA
8/17 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA
8/20 – Electric Owl – Vancouver, BC
8/21 – Barboza – Seattle, WA

Shura – White Light

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British songstress Shura has been captivating us with her singular sound since the release of debut single “Touch” just over a year ago. “It’s like someone’s taken something really shiny and rubbed it with sandpaper,” Shura says speaking of her ’80s-esque pop sound which reminds us of early Madonna. On her new number “White Light,” Shura combines influences diverse as Arthur Russell-inspired disco and the undulating psych-rock of The War On Drugs to create another dynamic and refulgent effort.

While Shura is currently at work on her debut album, look out for “White Light” to drop July 24 via Polydor. Stream the single along with the equally dreamy track “Just Once” below. Those in the Tristate area can also catch Shura performing at Mercury Lounge in NY July 28.

Public Service Broadcasting – The Other Side

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Following their 2013 full-length, Inform-Educate-EntertainPublic Service Broadcasting returned with new material this year, launching their second album in February. For those not familiar with PSB, the London duo use samples from archival footage and public information films to create guitar-driven electronica with an unusual but compelling and historical landscape.

In their new LP, The Race For Space, the astral act fly us back to the historic events between America and USSR in the quest for outer space from 1957 to 1972. The suspenseful track “The Other Side” — about Apollo 8’s orbit around the moon and their momentary loss of contact with NASA ground control — shows how the instrumentation seamlessly adapts to the spoken word to create a cinematic and inspirational tune.

PSB also recently released a remix EP of their single “Go.” Listen to LA-based producer Kauf‘s minimalist and stellar take below, and look out for PSB to be revisiting North America on tour sometime this fall.

Little May – Hide

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Sydney trio Little May has a handful of select US tour dates this month, gracing the District with their presence this Sunday, June 7 in support of The Vaccines at 9:30 Club. The indie-folk outfit has a sound that has been compared to First Aid Kit, Fleetwood Mac and Haim. Stream their single “Hide” for a sample of their sweeping acoustic production and delicate three-part harmonies, and look out for their debut full-length to be released via Capitol Records later this year.

As a bonus, listen to the Duncan Murray bootleg of the lauded Little May track below. The London producer flips the vocal and ups the tempo, giving it a completely new and equally enchanting vibe.

Little May US Tour Dates:

6.6.15 – Gentlemen of the Road Stopover Tour – Seaside Heights, NJ
6.7.15 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC
6.8.15 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
6.10.15 – The High Watt – Nashville, TN
6.11.15 – Bonnaroo – Manchester, TN
6.13.15 – Rough Trade – New York, NY

Louis Weeks – Fire

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Today marks the release of Local DC artist Louis Weeks‘ independent sophomore album, haha. Whereas the last album, shift/away was a solitary affair — his latest effort shows him embracing “togetherness” and a bigger, more spontaneous and joyous sound overall. Employing the talents of fellow local musicians Noah Berman (guitar), Ethan Helm (woodwind), and Matt Honor (drums and cymbals) to play on the record, Weeks was able to achieve a more robust and full-band sound.

Although we love the full spectrum of Weeks’ sensibility, the lead single off the LP “Fire” is a prime example of this new dynamic with its orchestral horns, saxophones and swinging percussion. Aside from the obvious levity that the album title suggests, ‘haha’ is meant to represent two halves, as well as a sense of cohesiveness. Weeks tells the Washington Post: “The record is also about the joys and difficulties of trying to articulate the world around you. When you write ‘haha,’ you’re trying to express something that is inexpressible. In that moment, your feelings have reached the limits of language, and you’re free.”

Support the ingenious composer by purchasing the album on his bandcamp page here.

Braids – Taste

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In what is being hailed as their strongest album yet, Canadian act Braids released their third record Deep In the Iris via Arbutus this April. Although it contains the characteristically nuanced production and sophisticated soundscapes the art-rock outfit is known for, it’s also the most organic, lyrically powerful, emotionally raw and sanguine album they’ve put out to date.

Listen to standout track “Taste” for a shining example of their complex melodies and exquisite instrumentation. Braids is also currently on tour supporting Purity Ring so be sure to check them out if you have the chance.

RMX ROUNDUP: Years & Years + Gryffin / Major Lazer + Paige / Great Good Fine Ok + Shook

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Welcome to another Remix Roundup! Kicking off this edition is Gryffin‘s brand new edit of one of our favorite Years & Years‘ tracks, “King.” Speaking about the mix, the NY producer said “I’ve been a huge fan of Years & Years for quite some time so it was a huge honor when I was asked to remix their track. On this one I wanted to preserve the emotion and fun atmosphere of the original but give it a lively, euphoric vibe.” He nailed the euphoric vibes all right — stream this stunning rendition below.

Next, Major Lazer‘s “Get Free” gets a major facelift from Paige, another NY-based producer. While the original from Major Lazer (Diplo‘s side project) starring the Dirty Projectors‘ Amber Coffman on vocals has a more laidback vibe — Paige injects the mix with a deep house groove and big bass sound, making it a dance floor pleaser for sure. Pick this one up for free over on Paige’s Soundcloud page.

Finally, Shook shakes things up with an official new edit of Great Good Fine Ok‘s “Too Much To Handle.” The original from Brooklyn duo GGFO has already been mixed a number of times, but this sparkling and summery retake by the Dutch producer is by far our favorite with its refined production and playful synth lines. As an aside, GGFO will be playing at DC’s DC9 Nightclub this week on June 4, so be sure to check them out if you’re nearby!

Other Lives – Reconfiguration

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When we heard that Other Lives, the Portland-by-way-of-Oklahoma band was coming to the District, we had to do a preview of their work (full disclosure: this writer has roots in the panhandle state). Biases aside, the group’s new record Rituals, released earlier this month merits exposure in its own right.

Comprised of Jesse Tabish (piano, guitar, vocals), Jonathan Mooney (piano, violin, guitar) and Josh Onstott (bass, keys, percussion), the Stillwater, OK natives made a concerted effort to stretch themselves on their third studio album. Co-produced by Joey Waronker (Atoms for Peace, Beck, Milo Greene) — the LP is said to be a direct reflection of the trio’s relentless drive for precision. “In our heads we’re haphazardly trying to write classical music. Every sound, every drum beat has to have some sort of purpose,” says Tabish about their orchestral rock sound.

For a sampling of what the new album has to offer, listen to the first single and watch the compelling video for “Reconfiguration,” an elegantly constructed track of moody atmospherics. NPR noted, “Other Lives is always exploring new textures and ‘Reconfiguration’ is full of driving rhythmic layers anchored by a piano hook that serves as a skeleton on which to build their floating synth and vocal melodies.”

Currently on tour in support of Rituals, Other Lives will be stopping at DC’s Rock & Roll Hotel June 1. Other upcoming tour dates are listed below.

Other Lives Upcoming Tour Dates:

5/29 – Music Hall of Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY
5/30 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY
6/01 – Rock & Roll Hotel – Washington, DC
6/02 – The Southern – Charlottesville, VA
6/03 – Haw River Ballroom – Saxapahaw, NC
6/05 – 3rd & Lindsley – Nashville, TN
6/06 – The Earl – Atlanta, GA
6/10 – Fitzgerald’s Downstairs – Houston, TX
6/11 – Mohawk – Austin, TX
6/12 – Club Dada – Dallas, TX
6/13 – Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK
6/16 – The Crescent Ballroom – Phoenix, AZ

GRRL PAL – Nerve

GRRL PAL

GRRL PAL Is a new duo from Australia who are on a mission to release a song a month until the end of 2015. Their latest track, proffered for the month of May is called “Nerve” and might be the dreamiest offering to date in their platter of “star-dusted bedroom pop.” Comprised of Danny K on production and Jay LeKat on vox, the duo show a more delicate, restrained side of their electropop sensibilities on the single, revealing more complexities with each ensuing listen.

“Nerve” will be released on a four-track EP due out sometime in August. Hear the single below, along with one of their more exuberant releases off their 2015 debut EP, Paradise. Co-produced by Parker Ighile (Nicki Minaj, Rihanna), the track “Dare” was inspired by a boozy game of spin the bottle — so take a chance and give it a spin, okay grrrl?

Waterstrider – Nowhere Now // Frayed

Waterstrider

Just yesterday we were commenting on the thriving music scene in Oakland, and the quintet known as Waterstrider is another shining example of this. The group released their debut LP, Nowhere Now independently in April and are hitting the road in support of Trails Of Ways later this month. Although the entire album is quality, the title track is a brilliant example of what the group is capable of with its tropical percussion, warm, wistful melodies, and soaring falsetto vocals from Nate Salman (which at times resemble Michael Angelakos’ of Passion Pit).

The five-piece have also shared a new song called “Frayed” that will be featured on a compilation album of Bay Area artists by new label OIM Records, due out June 23. Incorporating afro-beat rhythms, heavy synth lines and infectious hooks into the lighter number, it might be out favorite Waterstrider track yet. Talking to PopMatters, Salman explained that “‘Frayed’ came from an experience of pure bliss and confusion bundled together: the un-satisfaction of temporary romance, and the struggle to maintain sanity in the midst of a magical moment.”

Stream both tunes below and if you’re in the DC area, be sure to catch their set at DC9 June 14.

Waterstrider Upcoming Tour Dates:

5/28 Oakland – Leo’s
6/6 Los Angeles – The Bootleg HiFi
6/7 Phoenix – Valley Bar
6/9 Austin  – Red 7
6/10 Dallas – Club Dada
6/12 Atlanta  – 529
6/13 Chapel Hill – Local 506
6/14 Washington, D.C. – DC9
6/16 Philadelphia  – Kung Fu Necktie
6/18 New York City – Mercury Lounge
6/19 Boston – Red Room @ Cafe 939
6/20 Brooklyn – Palisades
6/22 Cleveland – Beachland Tavern
6/23 Chicago – Schubas Tavern
6/24 St. Paul – Turf Club
6/26 Denver – Larimer Lounge
6/27 Salt Lake City – Kilby Court
7/10 San Francisco – Great American Music Hall