Highasakite – Since Last Wednesday

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highasakite

Meet Highasakite, the Norwegian indie-pop outfit whose name derives from the Elton John classic “Rocket Man.” The five-piece released their debut album, Silent Treatment earlier this year. With unique vocals and intricate instrumentation, Highasakite inhabit a “rare musical landscape, a place of long dark shadows, sudden flashes of glittering light, brooding silences and unexpected explosions of fierce percussion,” as their bio goes.

The group was scheduled to perform tonight with Louis Weeks at DC’s Gypsy Sally’s, but unfortunately was forced to cancel last minute due to illness in the band. Stream “Since Last Wednesday” below, available for free download on Soundcloud.

Louis Weeks – Fold

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Louis Weeks is a Baltimore-bred, DC-based composer and songwriter who produces music for tv/film by day, while crafting his own material by night. His debut LP, shift/away, released January 2014 is a masterful compilation of innovative indie pop that was put together over the course of two years. Weeks weaves together different instruments, sound effects and layering on the album to create a fantastic dreamscape, reminding us of the artistry of Owen Pallett. Listen to the compelling single, “Fold” below and check out his Soundcloud page for more. The word is that Weeks has a new album in the works, so we have that to look forward to as well.

Local DC brethren will have the chance to catch Weeks live next Wednesday, November 5 at Gypsy Sally’s, a show curated by Communion Records.

TV Girl – Birds Don’t Sing

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TV Girl is a postmodern pop band out of LA who released their debut album, French Exit this past June. The group incorporates looped samples, 80s-like synths, trip hop beats and catchy low-pitch vocals in what amounts to lovable lo-fi bubblegum pop. Piano, harps, xylophone and woodwind are also orchestrated in their songs, making for an easy and breezy listening style. Stream the track “Birds Don’t Cry” below and pick up the album on iTunes.

[NEW VIDEO]: St Tropez – Let Go

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St Tropez, up-and-coming Oakland outfit have just released the video for their latest single, “Let Go.” Filmed by director Carlos Marulanda (Sonambulo Films) in singer/songwriter Sanjay’s studio, the vid is an intimate live recording of the quintet’s blend of melodic, bittersweet pop in action.

Inspired by the rediscovery of a high school yearbook, Sanjay says the song is about clinging to old memories, and the difficulty of letting go — of even the painful ones. While the atmospheric sound of the original is still present here, the pared-down instrumentation and acoustic setting allow the lovely vocals of Sanjay and Lalin St. Juste to shine as they glide across the rhythmic guitar and percussion like a ghostly wave of nostalgia.

Watch below and look out for St Tropez’s debut full length to drop October 16.

Osca – Illume

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Osca

Osca, the London heartbreakers are back with another gorgeous ballad. Their second official single, “Illume” is a flawlessly executed, heartrending follow-up to their premiere track “Blood.”

In a press release, vocalist Jack Kenworthy explains that the track is about “simplicity and how that always means the most.” He adds, “I remember going to Glastonbury that year when I wrote it, and coming back remembering Rolling Stones set ender, ‘Satisfaction’, and the way everyone sang along to all the words. I came home and was messing around on the piano, and the chorus came quickly. I started singing ‘Illume” for no reason. It’s not a word you hear often but it fit the melody, feeling bright and colourful.”

Feel free to press play on this one over and over and over.

Spoon – Do You

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Most music followers are aware by now that Spoon, the beloved indie rock band from Austin, Texas released their first album in four years this August. After the hiatus — in which the individual members pursued various solo projects — they came together refreshed and reenergized to create the critically acclaimed new LP, They Want My Soul. Collaborating with two major producers, Joe Chiccarelli (My Morning Jacket, Morrissey, The Strokes), and later Dave Friedman (Neon Indian, MGMT, Tame Impala), the band manages to achieve a sound that is classic Spoon with a modern, synth-coated spin.

Their track “Do You,” with its infectious melodies, catchy guitar riffs and gritty chorus is probably the most immediately accessible on the album. Listen below, along with two of our other favorites, “Outlier” and “Let Me Be Mine.”

And in case you missed the memo, Spoon is playing not one, not two, but THREE sold-out shows at Lincoln Theatre in DC this week (9/2 – 9/4). Hope you didn’t slack on this one!

 

And just for fun, some vintage Spoon. We summon you to let us know your favorite Spoon track in the comments!

Tennis – I’m Callin’

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Tennis

As Tennis get ready to release their third album, Ritual in Repeat, the husband-wife duo have dropped a couple of tracks in anticipation, including “I’m Callin'” and “Never Work For Free.” Although both songs exhibit the usual effervescent dreampop characteristics we’ve come to love about the Denver-based pair, they sound more ebullient than ever on the new tracks. The springy chorus of their single “I’m Callin'” recalls the early pop sensibilities of Madonna’s first album (so what’s not to like)? Heck, even their website is a super fun exercise in nostalgia (involving an interactive spray can that reminds me of digital design software from the 90s).

The forthcoming LP — produced by Patrick Carney (The Black Keys), Jim Eno (Spoon), and Richard Swift (The Shins) — is due out September 9 via Communion. Listen to both new tracks below.

Tennis embark on their fall tour next month, making a stop at DC’s Black Cat September 25.

Beatenberg – Rafael

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Something tells me the new indie pop outfit out of South Africa, Beatenberg are not too keen on the fact that Rafa is out of the US Open this year. The Cape Town trio — Matthew Field (vocals/guitar), Ross Dorkin (bass), and Robin Brink (drums) — have a distinctly South African sound that falls somewhere between Vampire Weekend and Paul Simon circa Graceland. Although all classically trained musicians, Beatenberg believe that pop music can be serious too. On the subject, lead vocalist Matthew says: It’s about emotions, images and fleeting senses of things: the mad stuff that everyone feels and almost understands.

Watch the official lyric video for “Rafael” below as you ponder whether to place your bets on Federer or Nole this year. Also worth viewing is a live taping of the melodic song “Scorpionfish.” Lastly, listen to a collaborative remix of “Pluto” (Remember You) with DJ Clock for a preview of the highly infectious original (my favorite track, available for streaming only at HD).

The new album, The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg was released in South Africa August 15. Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait too long for the international release.

Stars – From The Night

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Stars

Stars have just released the first single off their forthcoming album, and it is a doozy. “From The Night” encompasses everything the Montreal group is known for — iridescent indie-pop with lush instrumentation and one of the best hooks I’ve heard in some time (anyone else hear the influence of The Police?). A more uplifting tune in their armory of pop noir, an interesting anecdote is that Stars’ recording studio was situated just above a discotheque, which inadvertently affected their sound.

In terms of the narrative, singer Torquil Campbell tells NPR that the track is a “letter to those of you who stayed home and didn’t take a chance on the possibility that a bassline and a hi-hat rhythm might save your life.” Lest you fear that Stars have gone too soft, however, Campbell adds: “Oh, and one other thing: It’s lonely. There is no lonelier feeling in the world than watching the sun rise as you walk home.”

The new album, No One Is Lost is due out via ATO Records on October 14. Check out their tour dates below, which includes a stop at DC’s 9:30 Club November 13.

 

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Aug 18, 2014 : Stratford ON, Canada – Stratford Music Fest
Aug 30, 2014 : Calgary AB, Canada – Xfest
Aug 31, 2014 : Edmonton AB, Canada – Sonic Boom
Sept 7, 2014 : Toronto ON, Canada – Riot Fest Toronto
Oct 5, 2014 : New York, NY – Modern Sky Festival
Nov 8, 2014 : Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall
Nov 9, 2014 : Boston, MA – Royale
Nov 12, 2014 : Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
Nov 13, 2014 : Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Nov 14, 2014 : Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
Nov 15, 2014 : Atlanta, GA The Loft
Nov 19, 2014 : Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
Nov 21, 2014 : Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
Nov 22, 2014 : Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre
Nov 23, 2014 : Buffalo, NY – The Tralf (Music Hall)

Years & Years – Take Shelter

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I’ve been hot on the trail of Years & Years for some time now, so I was excited to see that the London trio had released a new single since signing with Polydor Records. As evidenced by the new mega-label, these guys have been steadily gaining in popularity (and rightfully so), whose music The Guardian described as “like Disclosure in a good mood“! The track, “Take Shelter” packs another powerful pop punch, this time with a reggaeton-like rhythm underlying their polished electronic sound and frontman Olly’s infectious vocals.

The single is part of their upcoming EP, which is scheduled to release August 17. Take shelter in this track by streaming below.