Chrome Sparks – Marijuana

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Jeremy Malvin, who creates music under the name Chrome Sparks is a young musician and native of Ann Arbor, now residing in Brooklyn. His obsession for synthesizers can be clearly seen in Marijuana, a song from his EP Sparks released March 2013. Influenced by a background in classical percussion, Chrome Sparks’ music is filled with a cloud of arpeggiators and lead sounds. Jeremy can currently be found on tour with a couple of friends — with upcoming performances at DC9 April 30, and Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn May 2.

I feel music in your eyes
Rainbows, in your ears

HAERTS – All The Days

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Indie pop outfit and Brooklyn-based band HAERTS released their debut album Hemiplegia last fall. Signed to Neon Gold Records, the release is a four-track EP that includes a cut produced by Jean-Philip Grobler of St. Lucia. However, “All The Days” is by far the best track in this blogger’s opinion. Looking forward to seeing it performed live when the group opens for London Grammar at 930 Club on Monday. On another DC-centric note, HAERTS is also headlining at U Street Music Hall May 8. Check out more upcoming tour dates while you sink into the track below.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

4/14 | Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club (with London Grammar)
5/8 | Washington, D.C. @ U Street Music Hall
5/10 | Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl
6/6-8 | New York, NY @ The Governors Ball
6/12-15 | Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
6/19-22 | Dover, DE @ Firefly Music Festival
7/19 | Toronto, Canada @ Time Music Festival

SPEAK – Weiss + This Much I Know

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SPEAK is a new Austin-based band who recently released the stunning single “Weiss + This Much I Know.” The tranquil track begins with an Americana sound, slowly advancing into a beautiful progression of chords and leaving me wishing the song didn’t have to end at 3:18. Looking forward to hearing more from these guys. In the meantime, pick up the complimentary track here. And if you’re in NY, catch them opening for RAC at Rough Trade in Brooklyn tonight.

The KickDrums – Atonement

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Producer/singer/songwriter Alex Fitts heads the Brooklyn-based band called The KickDrums. With his hip hop background, Fitts is able to create an atmospheric sound on the track “Atonement,” with solid bass lines, and clear, melodic guitars.  The one-man band signed with Hopeless Records last year and has since released the LP Thinking Out Loud.

If you live close to Brooklyn, you can catch him playing at FreeCandy this Saturday, January 25.

Andrew Bird – Pulaski at Night

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This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for the brilliant artistry and musical genius of Andrew Bird. On November 12th he released new EP I Want to See Pulaski at Night, which is primarily instrumental save for the title track. Pitchfork describes “Pulaski at Night” as Bird at his best: “tightly crafted, lyrically witty, understated yet sophisticated” – and “stalwartly Romantic.” True, true.

A. Bird has a handful of tour dates coming up in December listed below, including a stop in Brooklyn. And how they’re not already sold out, I don’t know.

Half empty, half full
Cup runneth over
Horns of plenty, coffers full
We’re starting over

Upcoming Tour Dates:
12/6 Brooklyn, NY – Rough Trade NYC
12/9 Chicago, IL – Fourth Presbyterian Church
12/10 Chicago, IL – Fourth Presbyterian Church
12/11 Chicago, IL – Fourth Presbyterian Church
12/12 Chicago, IL – Fourth Presbyterian Church
12/16 San Francisco, CA – Congregation Sherith Israel
12/17 San Francisco, CA – Congregation Sherith Israel
12/19 Los Angeles, CA – Immanuel Presbyterian
12/20 Los Angeles, CA – Immanuel Presbyterian

Artist Spotlight: Au Revoir Simone

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The Brooklyn-based trio Au Revoir Simone have been on my radar since 2007, the year they went on tour with Peter, Bjorn and John and I was discovering the wonders of dreampop. Described by London’s The Times as “a collision between the Waitresses, Stereolab and Kings of Convenience, their music has power from what it holds back rather than spells out, and is just waiting to be fallen in love with (or to).” Indeed, their whimsical Still Night, Still Light LP from 2009 was on heavy rotation in my playlist at the time and still is — sample a few favorites off the album below, including a rad remix by Neon Indian and a disco edit of “Only You Can Make You Happy.”

 

After a long hiatus the group released a new full-length album last month, Move In Spectrums, which debuts a more space-age pop sound that diverges from their prior lighter fare. While it may not hold the same charm as their previous efforts, they have definitely paved the way for many female bands in existence today (ah hem, HAIM).

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Au Revoir Simone will be performing at DC’s U Street Music Hall tonight, and at the Highline Ballroom in NYC tomorrow!

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Oct 15 – Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall
Oct 16 – NYC – Highline Ballroom
Oct 18 – Boston – Brighton Music Hall
Oct 19 – Montreal – The Belmont
Oct 20 – Toronto – The Drake Hotel
Oct 22 – Los Angeles – Echoplex
Oct 23 – San Francisco – Slim’s
Oct 25 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir
Oct 26 – Vancouver, Canada – Electric Owl
Oct 27 – Seattle – Neumos
Oct 28 – Chicago – Lincoln Hall

BANKS – Change (The Chainsmokers Hot & Steamy Edit)

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Hot off the press is this ‘steamy’ new edit of BANKS’ track “Change” by The Chainsmokers. I can’t get enough of BANKS lately so it’s nice to hear another take on the track from the the NY-based producers. Pick up a FREE download by liking their page and check out the BANKS original below.

If you’re in NYC, catch the duo spinning at Webster Hall TONIGHT!