That’s it. I am moving to Germany. To follow a band.
(Seriously, if I could, I would.)
The Cardinal Sessions released two new Mighty Oaks videos today. Just the guys in a field making music.
So pure. So perfect.
I am in love with these songs.
More Mighty Oaks: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Just One Day EP
My world changed last October when I finally joined modern society and got an iPhone. Haters, hate all you want, but this tiny little pocket-sized device has become my constant companion and made it even easier for me to be a total music addict. I know NOTHING about interfaces and technology buzz words, but I thought it might be fun to share some of the apps that have led me to all sorts of new music. So, allow me to introduce you to your new app-addictions.
Got a favorite can’t-live-without-it music app that’s flying under the radar? Let me know in the comments so I can get in on that action, too!
1. Band of the Day | Download
What a simple, brilliant concept. Build a calendar. Assign an artist to each day. Introduce others to it. With cleverly crafted reviews, a streaming function that allows you to listen to several songs by each artist, and easy access to discography, videos and other listener’s thoughts, you can form a well-rounded assessment of the artist to see if it’s something you’d like to buy. The range of artists is incredible, too, representing just about every genre you can imagine. With iPhone-ready reading screens, the navigation is relatively intuitive, although with so much to see and hear, you can spend hours clicking around, reading and listening. The only downside, in my opinion, is that there are no push notifications to remind you to check in each day.
2. Tastemaker X | Download
Imagine the stock market but instead of trading stocks, you’re dealing in artists. Yup, that’s the name of the game (if you choose to play the game) at Tastemaker X. This app lets you prove your ear worth by “buying” up imaginary stock in artists and growing your portfolio – and your TScore (sort of your rating as an influencer) – as others buy in after you. You can trade stock back in at any time to get more notes. There’s no way to really buy notes with real dollars yet – you can only earn them through occasional promos that the app makers put out. However, the app is adding new features all the time – a new email today out talked about a host of on the verge functionalities, including a concert tracker for artists in which you have invested. Don’t expect to find your favorite really new artists (there’s still no Saints of Valory – grr), but there is a pretty good selection. Occasional interface glitches be damned, this is one of the most innovative ideas around and I love it. Download it today and get 2500 “notes” by entering the code THEFALL in the settings “Redeem Code” area. I’m JrzyGyrl, so follow me if you jump into the Tastemaker fun!
3. Songza | Download
Tired of Pandora and Lastfm? Let someone else build playlists for you. This groovy app allows you to find a playlist based on time of day, activity, mood, decade and more. The Concierge helps you pick music to suit your every need. Unwinding after a long day? Would you prefer laid-back acoustic or classic rock n’ roll? Classic rock? Choose from Muscle Shoals, Late Night Rock, or Smooth Rockabilly. And then sit back and jam out to some tunes. With sometimes cleverly and downright funnily titled playlists (Indie Music That’s Not Too Weird, Mustache Music (Or: Cool in the 70s), and This Will Piss Off Your Parents, for example), and extremely functional categories (NPR’s Ultimate Workout Mix, Influential Producers), you’re bound to find something that is right up your alley. And I guarantee you, even those of you who think you have the hottest ear around will find something new to listen to here. My ONLY gripe is that I can’t figure out, once I’m in a playlist, how to get back to the Concierge without quitting out of the app and starting over!
The vanguard Atlanta outfit Quiet Hounds is giving away their delicious new release for free.
Atlanta band Quiet Hounds is shaking up the music world in more ways than one. The masked wonders officially release their new album Megaphona today – and because they are in love with the art of making music and believe that it is a way to communicate with the world, they are giving the album away. That’s right, you can get it for FREE – for a tweet or by signing up for their mailing list. Just visit www.quiethounds.com.
If you didn’t read my review two weeks ago, let me just give you a one word description: perfection.
Musicians this talented deserve to be supported, so if you do pick it up and enjoy it, think about gifting a copy to a friend on iTunes.
P.S. If you are somehow just stumbling onto my blog or just learning about Quiet Hounds, you are late to the party…but it’s not too late to catch up. You can also get their first EP, Southern Charm, for free on their site.
I’m very lucky to have some just-as-obsessed-as-I-am music fans in my life. When two of them who don’t know each other start talking about a band, I tend to listen. So about three weeks ago when my friend Dru, who was one of the founders of Alternative Addiction, and my bestie/roomie/partner-in-crime and radio goddess Shelia both mentioned that they were loving the new Dead Sara record within days of each other…I had to check it out.
Dead Sara came to town last night and played The Fillmore opening for The Used … and all I can say is WHOA.
Let me repeat: WHOA.
I tend not to be a fan of female vocalists in general, but I had the same instant reaction to lead singer Emily Armstrong’s voice that I did when I first heard Grace Potter. Smoky, gritty, and holy POWERHOUSE Batman. There is no denying that this is a voice that needs – demands – to be heard. And man, is there anything better than seeing a singer on stage that is obviously feeling every word and note that he or she is singing? This is not soul music, but it was one of the most soulful performances I have seen in a long time. The band was on, and just as into it as she was, and the show crescendoed into a finale banshee-wail song, complete with buzzing, over-amped guitars and a kicked over drum set. It was a singularly fantastic rock n’ roll show. Period.
If they come to your town, you MUST go see them. But don’t take my word for it…let the video below speak for itself.
More Dead Sara: Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Debut album on iTunes and Amazon
Atlanta’s Quiet Hounds are perfect in their sophomore release, Megaphona.
We’re just one week out from Memorial Day and the official start of summer…so what better way to kick it off than with new music? Well, grab your surfboards, kids, and get ready to revel in the ethereal waters of Quiet Hounds’ Megaphona. Less than a year after hitting the scene with their self-titled release, the masked quintet from Atlanta is back with another sparkling five songs that will – I promise – once again leave you wanting more.
In keeping with their somewhat mysterious theme, the EP kicks off with a French exchange between an adult and a child, with the younger participant excitedly saying “Quiet Hound!” It’s just one of several artistic interludes … but after just one spin through Megaphona, you’ll likely be yelling out their name, too.
From the opening undulating waves of “Calling All Gamma Rays” to the tinkling fade out of the instrumental “1864,” the music is a study in lyrical poetry, shimmering harmonies, and truly original melodies. Toss in rich guitar, keys that range from dancing to experimental, inventive percussion, harmonica, and you’ve got a recipe for an unforgettable sophomore effort.
Every track offers something bright and new for the listener – the band plays with staccato rhythms on “Too Young, Too Wise.” They give us a foot-stomping, hand-clapping sing-along with “I Get Up,” (check out the live take-away video). They take modern-day twists on new-age on “Gamma Rays” and “Pocket Change.” The EP’s sleeper hit, “Worn Crush Corduroy,” sends us to a musical summer shoreline hangout with its snappy vocals, Beach Boys-reminiscent harmonies, and tonal guitar. Tying everything together in the perfect package is absolutely dazzling songwriting, starting with “wasted idle hours” and ending with the quest to provide for a family.
It’s a little EP with a huge splash. I think my friend Elise pinpointed the only negative thing you could possibly say about it – “Megaphona is great but I need more songs!!” You’d be hard pressed not to want more. The Quiet Hounds are doing something fresh, and unique – it’s impossible not to get excited about a band that’s doing that in today’s music world.
The official release date for Megaphona is June 4th and the band has a big surprise planned for fans. Until then, you can stream it on Spotify.
P.S. If you dig the live take away video for “I Get Up,” you can download the live audio track over on the band’s SoundCloud page.
More Quiet Hounds: Web | Facebook | Twitter
(I will be eternally grateful to my friend Allison for introducing me to QH – make sure you check out her blog at www.radiopotato.com for all sorts of musical goodness.)
jrzygyrl.com 