Farao – Bodies

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Farao

Just when you start to think you’re becoming aurally jaded, a Scandi indie-folk goddess emerges out of the ether to restore your faith in the new music scene. Such is the case with Kari Jahnsen, the London-based Norwegian singer-songwriter known as Farao. She just released her new single “Bodies,” which will be featured on her forthcoming debut LP Till It’s All Forgotten — out on September 11 via Full Time Hobby. The album, on which Jahsen composed and performed nearly all the instruments was produced by Mike Lindsay (of English group Tunng) and mixed by Grammy award-winning producer Andrew Scheps (Hozier, Lana Del Ray). The beauty of “Bodies” is that it unwinds in an unexpected fashion, expanding in all different directions all the while retaining its bedazzling and melodic musical core.

Farao’s first US tour kicks off in NYC this fall and concludes in LA. Full dates below — but DC brethren can catch the chanteuse at DC9 September 23.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

9/10 – Sebright Arms – London, UK
9/17 – Rockwood Music Hall – New York, USA
9/22 – Smiling Buddha – Toronto, CA
9/23 – DC9 – Washington DC, USA
9/24 – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, USA
9/26 – Music Hall Loft – Portsmouth, USA
9/29 – Hotel Café – Los Angeles, USA

 

Miami Horror – Love Like Mine

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Miami Horror

Australian outfit Miami Horror have just released their second LP, All Possible Futures via Dine Alone Records and are currently on tour in North America in support of the LP. The new record is ripe with post-disco dance jams inspired by ’80s rock groups along the likes of Talking Heads, New Order and INXS — as well as iconic pop stars such as Paul Simon and Michael Jackson. The sunny disposition on the album can be attributed to the band’s time spent writing and producing the album in LA.

Listen to the catchy lead single, “Love Like Mine” and check out their stateside tour dates below. DC peeps will have the chance to see Miami Horror live in concert at U Street Music Hall June 19.

Upcoming Tour Dates:
6/19 – U Hall – Washington, DC
6/20 – The Dolphin (DJ Set) – Philadelphia, PA
6/23 – Rough Trade – Brooklyn, NY
6/24 – The Sinclair – Boston, MA
6/25 – Fairmount Theatre – Montreal, QC
6/26 – Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON
6/28 – Electric Forest – Rothbury, MI
6/30 – Schubas – Chicago, IL
7/2   – High Watt – Nashville, TN

Hibou – Dissolve

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hibou

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

Little May – Hide

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littlemay

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

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

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gryffin

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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otherlives

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

Waterstrider – Nowhere Now // Frayed

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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

The Tallest Man On Earth – Sagres

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the-tallest-man-on-earth

Swedish folk singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson, professionally known as The Tallest Man On Earth released his new record, Dark Bird Is Home this week via Dead Oceans. The lead single from the record, “Sagres” is a texturally-rich, affective folk track, named for the secluded coastal village (and refuge for Matsson) in southern Portugal. Accompanied by an array of instrumentation — including violin, mandolin, and guitar — the most poignant moment of the song comes towards the end when he laments, “It’s just all this fucking doubt,” Matsson’s voice nearly breaking.

Currently on tour in support of the new album, you can find full tour dates on his website, but DC locals can catch him at 9:30 Club June 1. Stream “Sagres” along with standout track “1904” from his previous album below.

LANY – Someone Else

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SOMEONE ELSE (c) Sm

LA trio by way of Nashville LANY have just released a new song in advance of their tour that kicks off tonight in the district (supporting Tove Stryke) at DC9. The new jam, “Someone Else” is a silky smooth pop ballad that shows a softer side to the band than previous efforts. Be sure to check them out if you happen to occupy any of the locales listed on their tour schedule below.

2015 UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
Supporting Tove Styrke:
May 04 | DC9 Nightclub, Washington, DC, US
May 05 | The Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, US
May 07 | The Studio at Webster Hall, New York, NY, US
May 08 | Rough Trade NYC, Brooklyn, NY, US
May 09 | The Middle East Upstairs, Cambridge, MA, US
May 11 | The Shelter, Detroit, MI, US
May 12 | Schuba’s Tavern, Chicago, IL, US
May 13 | Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis, MN, US
May 16 | The Media Club, Vancouver, BC, Canada
May 17 | The Crocodile, Seattle, WA, US
May 18 | Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR, US
May 20 | The Chapel, San Francisco, CA, US
May 21 | Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA, US    

 

Maudlin Strangers tour:
June 18 | Constellation Room in Santa Ana
June 19 | The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ
June 20 | Beauty Bar in Las Vegas, NV
June 22 | The Loading Dock in Salt Lake City
June 24 | El Corazon in Seattle, WA
June 25 | Hawthorne Theatre Lounge in Portland, OR
June 29 | Bottom Of The Hill in San Francisco, CA
July 1 | The Echo in Los Angeles
 

July 31 | Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL

Life In Film – It’s What Happens Next That Matters Most

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Life In Film

Produced by the legendary Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths, Morrissey), Life In Film is the buzzworthy new band from across the pond that sound like a cross between The Arctic Monkeys and The Kooks. The London quartet scored a supporting gig with The Rolling Stones in the recent past, were chosen by Christopher Bailey for international performances with Burberry, and are currently on tour with fellow British darlings The Wombats. For a slice of their work, listen to the single “It’s What Happens Next That Matters Most” off their debut album Here It Comes, which drops May 5 next week.

Life In Film is opening for The Wombats at DC’s 9:30 Club tomorrow eve — so be sure to get there early if you have tix. And for old times’ sake, check out the vid of one of our favorite vintage Wombat tracks, “Let’s Dance to Joy Division.”