Tennis – Mean Streets

Posted on by poetryinanemptycokecan

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If you love indie and also happen to be nostalgic for the dulcet pop stylings of the 50’s and 60’s, then look no further than the new Tennis EP just released via Communion Records. Sample their track “Mean Streets” off the five track EP Small Sound below and grab it on iTunes today.

Tennis will be playing at DC’s Black Cat TONIGHT!

 

Tennis Tour Dates:
11/06 Washington, DC @ Black Cat
11/07 Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
11/09 Montreal, QC @ II Motore
11/10 Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
11/12 Bloomington, IN @ Bluebird Nightclub
11/13 Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar
11/14 Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
11/16 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
11/17 St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
11/19 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
11/20 Madison, WI @ The Frequency
11/21 Maquoketa, IA @ Daytrotter
11/29 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater

Cults – High Road

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In anticipation of their new album Static coming out October 15th, the Cults have released a couple new songs including the sweet but devastating lo-fi track “High Road.” The NYC based duo that premiered in 2011 with their eponymous debut record have a charming, fifties-inspired pop sound that reminds me a little of Camera Obscura. Enjoy it below along with my favorite off their first album, “You Know What I Mean.”

 

‘Cause I am afraid of the light, yeah, you know what I mean,
And I can’t sleep alone at night, yeah, you know what I mean.

Cults 2013 Tour Dates:
Oct 22 – The Sinclair, Boston, MA, USA
Oct 23 – Theatre of Living Arts, USA
Oct 26 – Life Is Beautiful Festival – Las Vegas, NV, USARSVP
Oct 27 – Life Is Beautiful Festival, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Oct 29 – Black Cat, Washington, D.C., USA
Oct 30 – Motorco Music Hall, Durham, NC, USA
Oct 31 – Visulite Theatre, Charlotte, NC, USA
Nov 1 – The Loft, Atlanta, GA, USA
Nov 2 Voodoo Experience Music Festival, New Orleans, LA, USA
Nov 4 – Emo’s, Austin, TX, USA
Nov 5 – Fitzgerald’s, Houston, TX, USA
Nov 8 – Launchpad, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Nov 9 – Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Nov 10 – The Irenic, San Diego, CA, USA
Nov 12 – El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Nov 15 – Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR, USA
Nov 16 – Rio Theatre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Nov 17 – Neumo’s, Seattle, WA, USA
Nov 20 – Bluebird Theatre, Denver, CO, USA
Nov 22 – First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Nov 23 – Metro, Chicago, IL, USA
Nov 24 – Grog Shop, Cleveland, OH, USA
Nov 25 – Lee’s Palace, Canada
Nov 26 – Webster Hall, New York, NY, USA

The Postal Service – Turn Around

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The Postal Service are back from a long hiatus with a 10th anniversary edition of their immensely popular 2003 debut album, Give Up. Released April 9th last week, the reissue contains a number of rare b-side gems, PS covers and two previously unreleased tracks – “A Tattered Line of String” and most recently “Turn Around” (audio below).

The group that originated as a side project for Death Cab For Cutie‘s Ben Gibbard, Rilo Kiley‘s vocalist Jenny Lewis, and producer Jimmy Tamborello has just embarked on a reunion tour in celebration of the release – the dates of which can be found here. I’m pleased to report that I will be seeing them in June at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, with opener Ra Ra Riot (who I was remiss for having not seen at 930 club!). Kismet.

 

Also check out the following remix of “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” (on the reissue as well) and one of my favorite original tracks, “Clark Gable.”

I want so badly to believe that there is truth, that love is real
And I want life in every word to the extent that it’s absurd.

Miike Snow – Happy to You

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Swedish electro group Miike Snow released their second full-length album Happy To You last March, and it is no short of amazing (featured on my 2012 ‘best of’ list). I had the privilege of seeing them at 930 club in DC last October and they did not disappoint (this post has been a long time coming).

Experience a bit of the magic with a clip from “Bavarian #1 (Say You Will)” below. “Devil’s Work” immediately following is another of my favorite tracks off the stellar sophomore album.

Chlöe Howl – No Strings

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Chlöe Howl is a newcomer out of the UK, whose debut single “No Strings” is sure to strike a chord with many. Hard to believe the singer is only 17 years old given the track’s explicit content; but there’s no denying the catchiness — or verity of the theme — of this well-crafted pop song.

With all this love you’re unprotecting, 
I’d hate to think of what you’re collecting …

Electric Guest – The Bait

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When the official new video for Electric Guest’s “The Bait” came across my inbox the other day, I was excited to give it a viewing (not always the case). Having seen the LA band live a few months back — I was aware of the group’s dynamic performance energy (frontman Asa Taccone can seriously dance!) — so I had a feeling it would be good.

The vid did not disappoint, as it is something of a cross between a Newsies number and scene from the musical Oliver. Off their 2012 debut album, Mondo, don’t be surprised if you find yourself snapping and tapping along to this one.

 

And if you can’t get enough, here’s a rad remix by French producers Michael Creange and WEKEED.

St. Lucia – September

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South African-born artist Jean-Philip Grobler, aka St. Lucia released his debut EP September this September. However, I first fell in love with his sound upon hearing the single “Closer Than This” last spring. Having traveled around the world with a choir in his youth and later honing his musical sensibilities across the pond, the electro-indie artist now produces his signature shimmering synths out of Brooklyn.

St. Lucia will actually be performing in D.C. this Thursday, December 13th at U Street Music Hall with British producer Alex Metric for the All Things Gold party. Should be a fun event – so if you have nothing better to do and enjoy these ditties as much as I do – go check it out.

I’ve got a feeling we will never get closer than this
I can’t imagine there’s a way to get closer than this

Alt-J (∆) – Something Good

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Although on the surface a band represented by a symbol might seem pretentious, at least Alt-J (∆) is a symbol that can be pronounced (unlike the artist formerly known as Prince). Nonetheless, I’m willing to give the UK group a pass as the symbol signifying change has intrinsic meaning to them.

Plus, their blend of indie pop with syncopated rhythms and folk influences is pretty awesome. “Something Good” is my favorite track off the band’s debut LP, appropriately titled An Awesome Wave. The recently released video showcasing the demise of a Spanish matador is a visual feat also worth viewing.