2011Candy - February Edition One

Background: Kopecky Family Band released a limited edition, hand-assembled split 7” vinyl with friends, and Seattle locals Ivan and Alyosha on February 4th 2011. Animal and I Was Born to Love Her feature on the two-track release.

Both bands have long been vinyl enthusiasts and thought it the ideal time to offer their friends and fans a limited edition piece of music to not only listen to, but to keep as a creative addition to their music collection. The artwork was designed in-house by Kelsey Kopecky, and the vinyl was lovingly packed and assembled at Kopecky Headquarters.

Kopecky Family Band is readying themselves for a busy 2011 after achieving much in 2010. The band kicked off the year at SXSW in Austin, wowed locals and industry execs at Next Big Nashville, and floored the likes of Bob Boilen at CMJ in New York. A solid work ethic and collaborative approach to songwriting resulted in two EP releases in the second half of the year - The Disaster and (Of Epic Proportions), plus well received ‘seasonal’ tracks for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The band is now back in the recording studio and plans to release a brand new EP in April off the back of another stint at SXSW 2011.

2011Candy Says: Listening to The Disaster and featuring the first song from said EP, I am personally delighted to have been introduced to the Kopecky Family Band, superb harmonies that remind me of the Arcade Fire, with a definitive and different musical style, highly recommended.
Listen: God and Me. Web: Official.

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Background: Inspired by italo, electro and the 80s new wave movement, Teeel aka Jim Smith credits his sound to marathon movie watching and being an obsessive gear head. Crammed in a 10x10 teal painted room, stacked with synthesizers and walls covered with vintage Moog ads, Jim creates music that is perhaps best described as hypnotic soft-vocal, synthpop.

2011Candy Says: There is a richness to Teeel that reminds me of another band covered later in this edition (OMD) however the vocals here are far softer and dreamy, the layers are built in a considered manner and the result is wonderful synth pop.
Listen: Triangle Waves. Web: Moodgadget.
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Background: Helen Brown was born in Vancouver, Canada, but raised in an Athens, Georgia-based religious cult, and was blinded in one eye from a childhood baseball injury. As an adult, she dropped out of Evergreen and traveled the country for a while as a nomadic psychedelic folksinger, before forming her first band One Eyed Tramps. For years, she lived alone in a mountaintop in southern Alaska, where she befriended a Cherokee Shaman (later revealed as a fake) who encouraged her to pursue a frustrating academic career. Rampant drug use, frequent fainting on stage, and occasional self-inflicted knife wounds on stage led to more interest in her stage antics than her music. However, a few sides did emerge in the late ’90s (recording dates unknown), which feature a unique mix of country, girl group, RandB, and ghoulishness. Crude and amateurish at best, these recordings are appreciated for their sincerity and intensity of feeling.

Earth Girl Helen Brown comes to us from Sonny Smith's (Sonny and the Sunsets) uber-ambitious 100 Records project. The band now consists of Smith himself, as well as Heidi Alexander and Grace Cooper of the Sandwitches. The Story of an Earth Girl EP (out March 1st) is available for pre-order now via Forest Family Records.

2011Candy Says: This is an incredible song that reminds me of both the 1960's and has a groove that is timeless. Wonderful.
Listen: Hit After Hit. Web: FF Records.
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Background: Vladimir Valette - the singing and the writing, Benedetto Socci - the knob-twiddling.

Electronic pop duo The Mystic Underground have released their latest single entitled Pride Of St. Mark's. The song, produced by Super Buddha (Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Franz Ferdinand), is a three and half minute tip of the hat to the rich punk and dance music scenes of New York's recent past and how that influence still resonates to this day.

Just recently featured on Tom Robinson's Fresh On The Net show (BBC 6 Music), the song is a prime example of what The Mystic Underground are about. Tales of life and love. Woe and elation. Rhythmic pulses serving as the backdrop to the human experience. In short, life...set to a dance beat. The single is available now on I-Tunes and Amazon.

2011Candy Says: No shortage of electro pop this time around and The Mystic Underground have a punchy vocal lead in Vladimir Valette that suits the tempo and rhythm perfectly, I am hearing the Human League at times but in a positive manner.
Listen: Pride Of St Mark. Web: Official.
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Background: With the release of his debut EP Sidewalk Friend, 2010 has proven to be an exciting year for Toronto singer/songwriter Nick Teehan.  A natural singer with a clear, lazy baritone - equal parts Tom Waits and Frank Sinatra - Nick Teehan is a unique voice, his songs fresh, energetic and unpredictable; his lyrics imaginative, irreverent and arrestingly insightful.

Growing up in suburban Oshawa (the Canadian equivalent of suburban Detroit) Nick felt most free after dark, whether he was watching rented Charleton Heston movies, wandering the city’s forest paths, or trekking south to yell and throw rocks at the 4:00 a.m. train.  His teenage afternoons were spent pushing carts at the local grocery store and cruising his rusty old bike across town on the sidewalk.

Moving to Toronto to study jazz saxophone, Nick found himself drawn not to the city’s glittering lights but to its in-between places: abandoned factories, parks, boarded-up churches, rusting bridges.  Nick cites the loneliness and solitude of post-industrial Ontario as one of his biggest sources of inspiration; other inspiration comes from legendary songwriters like Rufus Wainwright, Leonard Cohen, and Irving Berlin.  When filtered through Nick’s unconventional imagination, the results are vivid dream-images: benevolent robots in a post-apocalyptic world; love-starved raccoons; an undead orchestra marching down Queen Street.

Nick has found some success as a saxophonist - playing the MuchMusic Video Awards, Ottawa Jazz Festival, Summerfolk Festival, and performing with Toronto funk/rock bands Barbarella and Pure Finesse - but songwriting is his true calling, where he relishes the freedom to explore.   He’s supported by a talented six-piece band that includes his older brother  Rob Teehan, also a Juno-nominated composer; the pair enjoy a fruitful collaborative relationship and plan to co-produce Nick’s first full-length album, expected in 2011.

2011Candy Says: This song has a beautiful mix of instruments none of which dominate and all of which compliment each other, Nick's vocals are sublime and the whole tempo just makes me want to hear more and more from this guy and the band.
Listen: Sidewalk Friend. Web: MySpace.
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Background: From our friends at Paper Garden Records - There's something about Danish bands that we just can't get enough of these days.  The latest to hit our bloodstream, standing side by side with fellow Danish bands Mew, Oh Land, Oh No Ono and Efterklang as well as Paper Garden & The Lovely Hearts Club's Frederick Teige, Dad Rocks! and Alcoholic Faith Mission, comes Anchorless.

Reminiscent of bands like American Football and early Appleseed Cast, Anchorless' self-titled EP is a delightful listen which borders on the edge of several genres.  The Lovely Hearts Club is particularly fond of 'A Step Too Steep', which features a 90's-era pop sound like you would find from Harvey Danger or Deep Blue Something...but SO much better! This gem was discovered last April through the same label/management as Alcoholic Faith Mission and are thrilled to finally help bring it to the surface for all to hear.

2011Candy Says: Denmark, Sweden - there is something that's been going on in Scandinavia since the start of this century musically, that should have seen them take over the whole world by now ! Latest case study Anchorless, fast, punchy, confident and another example that they have something special in the water over there.
Listen: A Step To Steep. Web: MySpace.
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Background: After a decade plus hiatus from the music business, jazz vocalist Erin Dickins is back with a new album and a new attitude. A founding member of the original jazz vocal group Manhattan Transfer, Dickins’ latest CD Nice Girls is a collection of beautifully recorded, exquisitely performed and brilliantly chosen gems - from cool sultry ballads to swinging arrangements. The release is the perfect soundtrack to Erin Dickins’ comeback.

Though she began recording Nice Girls in 2009, one could say that the opus has been in the making for the better part of the last two decades.

Having recorded with a virtual who’s who of musical geniuses— from James Brown and James Taylor to Leonard Cohen and Talking Heads—Erin Dickins quit the music business cold turkey. “I had not found my authentic voice as an artist, and it was time. I moved to Honolulu, as far away from New York as I could get,” she says. “It was there that I finally learned that what matters is the gift of music I have been given, and my willingness to share that gift.”

The highly accomplished singer/performer was lured back into making music after producing a show for Habitat for Humanity, a favored charitable organization. Working with 200 amateur performers on the show sparked Dickins’ creative juices for the first time in a long time.

Soon thereafter, Erin Dickins was invited to perform again and the ball began rolling from there. “It was meant to be. Everyone and everything I needed—musicians, writers, producers, songs and support team—all arrived, as if on cue. I couldn’t have stopped this if I wanted to.” Erin Dickins will be performing several spot dates throughout the U.S in 2011.

Thankfully for fans of good music, Dickins’ return to jazz will not be short lived. She is currently in the early stages of writing and pre-production for the follow-up to Nice Girls with Frederick. And the pair is even tinkering with the idea of a live album.

2011Candy Says: I started listening to Erin without realising just who I was hearing. To say that she has class, would simply be an exercise in stating the bl##ding obvious! Wonderful music from one of the best, would you expect anything less?
Listen: Nice Girls Don't Stay. Web: Official.
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Background: Some quotes - "I lost track of Carey Ott after his Dualtone release Lucid Dream. That was one of the great lost albums of the decade in my opinion and it's nice to see he's still out there making music. " - No Depression

" He is the kind of talent that bridges generations, smashes genre walls and can make you effortlessly grove and endlessly dream at the same time. He's a kid in a sandbox, a man making grand designs--and the kind of artist whose gifts are seen rarely in any given generation. " - Chicago Tribune

" Windy City rocker reborn as Music City marvel.perceptive lyrics, supple and persuasive vocals, and melodies that cling like superglue." - Uncut Magazine

" His sweet vignettes ooze an epic-indieness, like a Rufus Wainwright or Teddy Thompson." - Maverick Magazine

"A moody melodicism that will appeal to Anglophiles who gravitate toward polished Britrock. The kind of pop that can appeal to both collegiate types and their moms----a la Coldplay." - The Tennessean

"A voice that conjures up an instant intimacy with incredible pop sensibilities." - eMusic.com

"As a melodicist, Chicago singer/songwriter Carey Ott is in the Neil Finn school of low-key classicism." - All Music Guide.

2011Candy Says: Sometimes it is far easier just to quote others hence the above examples. If you enjoy the featured track it just keeps getting better the further you dig so check this man out.
Listen: Ain't No Upside. Web: Official.
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Background: Deborah Crooks is a seeker. The San Francisco Bay Area-born and bred singer/songwriter grew up at the nexus of two tectonic plates; close to a city known for its history of social, musical and political upheaval. These underlying conduits of tension seem bred into those from The Bay Area, but few more so than Crooks. As a performer Crooks wasn’t born until her twenties, even though she remembers writing songs as a young child. Something in those early ditties spoke to Crooks’ sense of Becoming, illuminating a self that was yet to be. These days Crooks is a vibrant artist carrying on the San Francisco tradition of powerful female singer/songwriters with literate lyrics and progressive musical attitudes; well respected within the music scene and increasingly so outside of it.

The lid came off of Crooks’ creative self during her studies at Colorado’s The Naropa Institute. The ecumenical Buddhist-based educational philosophy of the school inspired Crooks to take up Buddhist practice, begin studying yoga and to see her creative side as a spiritual outlet. Around the same time Crooks experienced the Telluride Folk Festival, and was inspired to walk in the footsteps of artists such as Michelle Shocked and Shawn Colvin. Little did Crooks know that she was embarking on a new life path. If yoga became the rock upon which Crooks life was built, music became the lifeblood.

The various tensions that swirl about the life of Deborah Crooks have catalyzed a songwriting talent that is soul-wise and edgy. Combine this with Crooks’ distinctive voice and you’ve discovered an artist capable of owning a room. Deborah Crooks doesn’t so much blow you away as she creeps into the questing places in your soul and insinuates herself as the reflective voice that sheds wisdom on a worrisome world. It’s this quality that first gained Crooks the attention of RockerGirl Magazine for her 2003 debut EP 5 Acres. The Roberta Donnay-produced EP landed Crooks on the RockerGirl Discoveries compilation and gained Crooks a national audience for the first time. In 2007 Crooks followed up with an EP entitled Turn It All Red, a stepping stone to her first full-length album Adding Water To Ashes, released in 2009. 2010 has seen the release of two EPs from the prolific singer/songwriter. It’s All Up To You was made possible by a Bay Bridged Grant and shows Crooks’ social conscience in full force, while Other Halves displays some of Crooks’ most focused songwriting to date alongside a stunning cover of Neil Young’s “Heart Of Gold”.

2011Candy Says: That alt country feel that I am a sucker for exudes through the featured song and is a great shop window on Deborah Crooks. If you like the song insist on hearing more and don't be surprised by the diversity of styles you will hear.
Listen: Lets Move. Web: Official.
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Background: Sunbeam is the brainchild of music producer Brian Hall. After several previous (and relatively fruitless) efforts in more “serious” projects, Hall decided to change things up and start a new band with his wife, Amy. Band mates were found in close friends, and serendipitously, the band had an immediate chemistry.

A 6-piece baroque pop band from Portland, Oregon, Sunbeam channels diverse influences such as Cat Stevens, Nick Drake, and The Zombies. The typical sentiment in modern folk music might be one of melancholy and withdrawal, but Sunbeam aims to in addition evoke everything from the romanticism of David Bowie and the childlike wonder of a Shirley Temple film.  Sunbeam is both refreshing and distinct for they are neither gimmick nor novelty but a genuine attempt to musically move past the dredges of indifference and express the experience of life to the fullest. Founded in 2010, in the band's relatively short existence, they've already played to a packed house at Portland's Crystal Ballroom and are looking toward an ambitious tour this Summer.

Sunbeam’s debut album, Sunbeam and the Lovely Ghost, is slated for release early this Summer (2011).

2011Candy Says: This is the sort of song and the sort of band I want to hear on the first sunny spring day of the year. Cheer yourself up naturally with Sunbeam, you can even unwind to them, now that's special.
Listen: Bulldogs. Web: Official.
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Background: Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, one of the UK’s most iconic bands, are back with their first new album in 14 years. The appropriately entitled ‘History Of Modern’ via Bright Antenna Records through Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group, has already sold over 100,000 copies. And what a return!

Andy McCluskey has called it ‘our best album since Architecture and Morality’ – and few would disagree. The album was produced by OMD and mixed by one of the UK’s most in demand producers Mike Crossey (Artic Monkeys/Blood Red Shoes/Razorlight).

Last autumn the classic OMD line up of Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Martin Cooper (keyboards) and Malcolm Holmes (drums) embarked on their sold-out 'History of Modern' European tour. The press raved. The Times praised their “well-crafted song structures, lush arrangements and energetic stage performance” while Q Magazine declared them 'soaring synth-pop of the highest order'.

The tour is now officially heading stateside this March with North American stops including Boston, NY, LA, SF, Toronto and playing select shows at this year’s SXSW. It will be the group’s first US outing with the original line up since their 1988 stadium tour with Depeche Mode. After three years of critically acclaimed sold- out concerts in the UK and Europe these dates will feature the band mixing their most celebrated and classic hits; ‘Enola Gay’, ‘So In Love’ ‘If You Leave’ and ‘Souvenir’ with new songs, creating a distinctly contemporary live show.

It's nearly thirty years since OMD first harnessed their creative and commercial powers, and 2010’s comeback album 'History Of Modern' proves they still have a way with a warm melody and interesting lyric.  For all their love of experimental German music, the Wirral duo remains at heart, slaves to the pop song. History of Modern is a powerful, pulsating, vibrant testament to their shared pop sensibility. Tracks such as ‘Pulse’, ‘Save Me’, ‘Sister Marie Says’ and ‘The Future’ are huge dance floor fillers while down tempo gems ‘Bondage Of Fate’, ‘If You Want It’ and ‘Sometimes’ are simply beautiful, classic OMD songs that invoke their pioneering and influential electronic roots. Many of today’s electro artists such as LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, Mark Ronson, The XX,  MGMT and The Killers have repeatedly cited OMD as a massive inspiration.

March 5       Toronto, ON             Phoenix Concert Theatre
March 6       Montreal, QC            Le National
March 7       Boston, MA              Paradise Rock Club
March 8       New York, NY           Webster Hall
March 10     Washington, DC        9.30 Club
March 11     Pontiac, MA               Crofoot Ballroom
March 12     Chicago, IL               Park West
March 14    Atlanta, GA              The Loft
March 16    Houston, TX             House Of Blues
March 17     Austin, TX                SXSW
March 18     Austin, TX                SXSW
March 19     Austin, TX                SXSW
March 20     Dallas, TX                Granada Theatre
March 22     Denver, CO               Bluebird Theatre
March 23     Salt Lake City, UT     Depot
March 25     Los Angeles, CA       The Music Box
March 26    Oakland, CA              The Fox
March 27    San Diego, CA           4th and B
March 29    Los Angeles, CA       The Music Box

2011Candy Says: It's OMD who are playing the USA next month! Can't write anything else I'm down in my garage digging out my original vinyl copies and getting ready to wake the neighbours up electronically!
Listen: If You Want It. Web: OMD USA Tour Tickets.
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Background: Neon Hitch's got a nice buzz going on right now thanks to a series of covers she put out late last year that put her on Hype Machine's most popular charts for weeks. She's a great story. As a kid, Neon grew up on a bus, travelling the world as a trapeze artist and street performer. BBC even did a documentary on her life. At age 10, Neon began writing poetry, which led to her writing lyrics. Over the next several years, Neon found herself traveling with friends all over Europe, and living in squats in London while trying to pursue a singing career. In 2007, she signed to The Streets' Mike Skinner's indie label The Beats Recordings (a subsidiary of Atlantic's 679 Recordings) and went on tour with Skinner. She performed her first major show opening for rapper 50 Cent at England's Nottingham Arena before the label shut down in 2007. Since then, she's worked with artists ranging from Mark Ronson to Mike Snow (appearing on Blanco's remix of "Burial") and Deadmau5 (she sings on "I Can't Behave Myself" on the new album 4x4=12). She also co-wrote the iTunes No. 1 single "Blah Blah Blah" on Ke$ha's No. 1 album Animal.

Neon Hitch's debut album, Beg, Borrow, and Steal will be out on Reprise Records later this year. The album is shaping up to be a collection of striking songs that deploy Neon's soulful, jazz-inflected vocals atop an organic backdrop of eclectic pop melodies and hip-hop tinged beats.

2011Candy Says: As the old tired cliche goes, here's one to watch out for. No seriously here is someone to watch out for this year. You may not have heard of Neon Hitch first here, but if you have be sure to mention us when you hear her on the radio or see the videos.
Listen: Get Over U. Web: Official.
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Background: ..The Prids are not only a really good band but they are also very nice people. They are all lucky to be alive after their van took a turn for the worse last year. They are what is good about independent music. They are getting out there and bringing a unique and worthwhile thing to their audience, this is what it's all about... ..Henry Rollins.. ..At first I thought The Prids are great cuz they rock so hard, especially Mistina's physical bass playing. Then I got into the way she and David sing together. But after a few year and records I realized that what makes them really special is that they write good songs--lyrically, melodically, rhythmically, and dynamically good songs... ..Doug Marstch- Built to Spill.. ..I remember the first time I saw the Prids. I had heard a couple of their songs and thought they were great, but was blown away by the power and intensity of their live show. I was completed enraptured by their set. They are one of the best bands I think I have ever seen and they write some of the best songs I have ever heard. They are continually on my list of shows to go to and albums to get my hands on... ..Oliver Ackerman- A Place to Bury Strangers.

2011Candy Says: More quotes above and plenty more positive comments from those in the music business for The Prids to be found if you look. Check out this song and catch them live if you can and make sure you listen to more of their music if you like this song!
Listen: I'll Wait. Web: MySpace.
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Background: From Portland, Oregon, We Miss The Earth, dont give much away on the PR front. They describe themselves as influenced by the Beach Boys, Chameleons UK, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Lassie Foundation, Man...or Astro-man?, Medicine, Mighty Lemon Drops, My Bloody Valentine, OMD, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, Ride, SF59, Skywave, Slowdive, The Sound, Spacemen 3, Spectrum, Spiritualized, The Swirlies, Ultra Vivid Scene, The Velvet Underground. After that you just have the music to go on...

2011Candy Says: OK so the info I have on 'We Miss The Earth' is limited, very limited, great song though and kind of finishes this round up off perfectly with their genre crossing sound that in part encompasses a number of the bands and artists in this edition of 2011Candy.
Listen: Incentive. Web: MySpace.
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Listen:

The Guess Who - St Louis USA 1974.

The Guess Who are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Initially gaining recognition in Canada, they also found international success from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s with numerous hit singles, including "American Woman", "These Eyes" and "Share the Land".

This concert  performed at The Ambassador Theatre, in St Louis, MO, on the 6th May 1974 was one of the last show before guitarists Kurt Winter and Donnie McDougall left the group and is considered by a good number of fans as the overall best line up.

Broadcast live on FM by radio station KSHE (the source of this recording), the concert is both fascinating and a testimony to the band getting on with the job when the bass amp fails and a probable electrical outage left the band with no option early on but to do a couple of unplanned acoustic numbers "Artificial Flowers" and "Sour Suite" both of which actually add to the gig and are well received by the audience.

The concert performance is superb and just builds and builds after the early technical problems, the only downside is the radio presenters need to fill any natural gaps with inane commentary. I have no idea of what format KSHE operated at the time of this concert (by the fear of silence it may have been top 40?) however amusingly for me the DJ's compulsive need on a few occasions to 'say something' actually gives this gig a more historical nature now. Oh whatever! the DJ is at best a mild irritant and the concert remains a gem.

Source: FM Broadcast.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps.

Genre: Rock, blues rock, folk rock, garage rock, hard rock.

Set:  Full Set

Set List: 

Disc One
01. Intro (radio announcer etc)
02. Bus Rider
03. New Mother Nature
04. Artificial Flowers
05. Sour Suite
06. (comments)
07. Undun
08. Albert Flasher
09. Runnin' Back To Saskatoon
10. Glamour Boy
11. Self Pity
12. Clap For The Wolfman
13. These Eyes
14. Star Baby
15. (comments)
16. Straighten Out
17. Bye Bye Babe

Disc Two 
01. Medley: American Woman / Truckin' Off Across The Sky / No Sugar Tonight
02. Share The Land
03. No Time 
04. (Applause and into) Orly 
05. (KSHE comments again!) Leave It To Beaver Theme (Burton Cummings & Bill Wallace)

Band Line Up:

Gary Peterson
Bill Wallace
Burton Cummings
Kurt Winter
Donnie McDougall
 
Website: Official HERE.

Download links (three) in comments below.

2011Candy - January Edition Two

Background: The elusive and talented man behind a long list of film scores and musical projects, Ben Lovett, is unveiling a new opus that spans the country and includes an all-star carnival of contributing musicians, film directors, kids, choirs, and painters.

The Lovett collective are releasing Highway Collection, available March 15th, 2011.

Through a nomadic and exploratory lifestyle, Ben Lovett has created an album of compelling variety, captured in motion, each song brilliantly crafted ‘from a different part of another life’, into a diverse philosophy of sound deep enough to sink a ship.

On Highway Collection you find a driving pulse and child-like innocence akin to The Shins, layered with zany and dreamy backing vocals a la The Flaming Lips, floating above the rolling drumbeats of a modernized Strawberry Fields-era Beatles, all led by a constantly evolving voice with an eloquent message of mature and heartfelt universality.

Lovett's eclectic cast of contributing musicians includes members of The Avett Brothers, The Mars Volta, and Cursive, to name a few, additions by Money Mark, Electric Owls, Ponderosa and appearances by talents involved in projects as diverse as the Eels and Spiritualized to Against Me, The Zac Brown Band and the Sonos Quartet.

Ben Lovett has composed original scores for 12 films, including Last Goodbye, starring Faye Dunaway; the Sundance critically acclaimed The Signal, in 2007; and was awarded Best Score in the 2009 Brooklyn International Film Festival for his work in The Last Lullaby.  You’ll also spot his name in the opening credits of MTV Films 2010 original movie, My Super Psycho Sweet Sixteen II, having composed the score to both the cult favorite and it’s predecessor in 2009.

Having also produced several acclaimed albums that include Hot Water Music vocalist Chris Wollard’s solo debut, Chris Wollard and The Ship Thieves, and the Epitaph-released Patent Pending (2006) from collaborative project Heavens with Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio, it’s no surprise that Ben Lovett’s own debut is a masterpiece of production.

2011Candy Says: I really love the featured song and it's just a taste of some great music, the mood builds from the opening beats as a masterful anthem unfolds.
Listen: The Fear. Web: Official.
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Background: Forming in the summer of 2010, Vermont’s Chamberlin is ready to release their debut album, Bitter Blood on March 1st via Roll Call Records/EMI. Recorded in Burlington, VT Bitter Blood was produced by Scott Tournet of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, whom Chamberlin will be touring with from January 13th – February 12th.

Locked away in their secluded cabin in Goshen, VT (population 200), Chamberlin has written an album stained with the influence of whiskey-fueled bonfires, harsh winters, and the women that seem to run perpendicular to their lives. From the electric opening track, "Fools" – a stormy, scathing rebuke of two lovers – to the resolute, mostly a capella "Sixty Days," the nine songs on Bitter Blood are photographs, or perhaps photograms, of Chamberlin's world, with varying degrees of aperture.  Despite its title, Bitter Blood is not without pleasantries.  “Turn Around," the B3-laden third track, may even sound best as a drink-in-hand, late-night back porch sing-along. While first single, “Dust”, beautifully sums up their musical tenor with heavily percussive, electric guitar laden verses countered by the rim shots and acoustic drop out of the chorus.

2011Candy Says: Sometimes keeping the music stripped back and allowing great vocals and harmonies to stand out makes all the difference as is the case with this song, which is enough for us to want to hear a lot more from Chamberlin.
Listen: Dust. Web: Official.
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Background: Shayfer James can be described pointedly as a myth in wolf's clothing. Referred to by his rapidly growing group of followers as The Villain King of New Jersey’s underground noirpop music scene, Mr. James is devilishly captivating and deliciously unusual. From the worn bottom of his ripped black boots, to the wrinkled top of his black pinstriped hat, Shayfer James is the portrait of vagabond royalty. A man of bewitching grace, grisly humor, profound story telling, and whiskey-flavored wit. The self defined “spawn of the elephant and the empress”, Mr. James attributes his musical and lyrical abilities to his early exposure to pipe smoke, demons, and jesters” and his oddly chivalrous nature to his life-long apprenticeship to L.V.S.” (his mother's father).

When Shayfer James approaches the piano, there is a certain power and mischievous charm that surrounds him. A bewitching sense of foreboding builds as his fingers touch the piano, and as he begins to sing, we are immersed in his darkly lyrical and evocative stories. His wry poetry is stitched seamlessly to peculiar arrangements that are simultaneously unsettling and familiar. Mr. James lures us into a devious world where the gods tear wings from angels and every man has a siren waiting to devour him.

Mr. James'’gift for songwriting is singular. The songs on his first full-length album, The Owl and The Elephant range from beautifully sad to frightening and furious, and his performances are tailored to match. His style is theatrical, but never contrived.

2011Candy Says: Shayfer James has a class and style that hits us from the opening notes, this is oh so professional and yet loose and devious enough to please the Beehive big time.
Listen: Siren Song. Web: Official.
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Background: Once upon a time in the not so distant past, the band The District which comprises of six friends escaped New York City and descended upon Wellfleet, Massachusetts in the dead of a sleepy New England winter to chase ghosts and make a record. Ron Pope, Zach Berkman, Paul Hammer, Will Frish, Chris Kienel, and Mike Clifford wrote songs, drank whiskey, played blues in the middle of the night, and came away with a collection of songs that they decided to christen Wellfleet. The record is bold and evocative of varied moments from American musical history while finding a way to rest squarely in the here and now.

Wellfleet is built on the shoulders of stories about confusion, faith, love, grief, trust, and above all else, hope. It's a record that was brought about by a sense of brotherhood and togetherness. Accomplished on their own - the record marks the reunion of these 6 musicians and close friends. Band member Ron Pope has sold over 500,000 singles on iTunes in the past two years and performed on MTVs TRL. Paul Hammer is one half of the Brooklyn indie group, Savoir Adore, which has developed a strong cult following in both the US and Europe after releasing their debut album on Cantora Records. Zach Berkman was a castmember on MTVs Starmaker and his music has been featured on various prime time TV shows. Furthermore, the band includes the former guitarist of V2's The Rosewood Thieves, Will Frish and solo artists Mike Clifford and Chris Kienel.

2011Candy Says: OK so there is a story to go with this band as you can see from the above promo material we received. Bottom line is always the music which as the featured song demonstrates is spot on. It charms us and conjures up images of the band sat around singing to themselves and enjoying the vibes.
Listen: Open Arms and Broken Heart. Web: Official.
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Background: Zoey Van Goey are Matt Brennan, Michael John McCarthy, Kim Moore and Adam Scott. Brennan, McCarthy and Moore, hailing from Canada, Ireland and England respectively, formed the initial trio in Glasgow in 2006, with Scott becoming a fullyfledged member in 2010.

In 2009, they self-released their debut album The Cage Was Unlocked All Along securing fans at radio such as 6 Music‟s Marc Riley & Gideon Coe and more recently some unlikely airplay from none other than Lou Reed on his NY Shuffle show. The release also stirred up a flurry of press adoration: “pop that comfortably resists pigeonholing” (The Big Issue), “our new favourite band” (MusicOMH), "irresistible pop thrills... definitely one of Scotland's finest at the moment" (Sunday Mail) to quote just a few.

Zoey Van Goey kicked off 2010 by impressing the ever-discerning Chemikal Underground faithful as the label’s newest signing at its 15th anniversary bash. As the year ended they found themselves headlining centre stage at the Belle and Sebastian-curated ‘Bowlie 2’ All Tomorrow’s Parties festival. And in between they tested out new material at a series of Difficult Second Album Syndrome research gigs in Glasgow.

The title of the resulting long-player, Propeller Versus Wings, has been inspired by Powell and Pressburger's magnificent A Matter of Life and Death, a film with which it shares a sense of romance and adventure. Perhaps emboldened by the addition of the multi-talented Scott (as well as the results of their research), this collection of songs sees Zoey Van Goey displaying a newfound musical confidence, borrowing freely from disparate styles whilst still sounding like themselves, in a fashion not dissimilar to heroes such as Yo La Tengo and The Magnetic Fields.

Thus Propeller Versus Wings swings from the slow burn of opener “Mountain on Fire‟ which overflows with a heart-wrenching gentle tenderness that many bands aspire to but very few pull off, to the evocative period jazz of “My Aviator”; from the Spektoresque piano balladry of “Escape Maps‟ to the bubblegum-punk revenge-of-the-nerds tale that comprises “Robot Tyrannosaur”.

2011Candy Says: Sometimes all you need is great pop music, the sort that delivers on the class of the band rather than just the skills of the studio engineer. Add to that an element of folk and as far as we are concerned you are home and dry. The featured track emphasises the pop aspect you need to grab a copy of the album to see just how good this band is (and they are great).
Listen: The Cake and Eating It. Web: MySpace.
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Background: Moments before the ball dropped on 2011, New York’s Bodyface dropped their debut album Bias which is set to wind the clock back to the heyday of rock.

A statement against image obsessed scenesters and musical martyrdom, Bias delivers unapologetic punk rock with dance inducing hooks that bitch slap you out of your self indulgent sorrow.

Having formed three years ago, Jared Kerr (Vocals/ Guitar), Roger El Asmar (Drums) and Matt Lyons (Bass) have already toured Europe and in the process gained a reputation for their intensity and command onstage.

Their powerful presence has also extended to the airwaves with 104.3 FM’s ‘Out Of The Box’ regularly sending the bands song ‘Get Away’ into the stratosphere.

To hail the release of Bias, Bodyface will embark upon a West Coast tour in early March kicking off in Portland on the 3rd. In the meantime those lucky enough to live in the bands hometown New York can catch them at The UC Lounge Jan 29th.

2011Candy Says: It's rock music. Low hung guitars, plenty of attitude and the tightness of any class punk outfit. Sometimes keeping it simple and streetwise is all you need to dust off your personal air guitar and join in!
Listen: Sunrise. Web: Official.
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Background: Hailing from the failed steel town of New Castle, Pennsylvania, When Summer’s Gone embodies the spirit of a populace convinced their best days are behind them but still can’t quite give up hope for the future. Dave Graziani handles vocals and guitar while drummer/bassist Chris Lepri provides the rhythmic background that keeps the duo on track. Graziani and Lepri have been friends since high school and have played in numerous bands together and apart over the years. After a decade of dealing with pretentious egos and the writing whims of others, Graziani and Lepri decided to go it alone together, using their close musical ties and shared influences as a springboard to writing no bullshit rock and roll.

When Summer’s Gone was formed in 2007 as a studio project, and debuted to the world on MySpace in 2008. In spite of the lack of live shows, When Summer’s Gone has developed a strong following. The band’s 2009 debut album, December, earned rave reviews, and was referred to as a solid, powerful blend of Alice In Chains, Incubus and Sevendust. Much of When Summer’s Gone’s reputation is based on the juxtaposition of style and intellect; the band blends a working class hard rock sensibility with a story-telling style handed down from Dylan to Springsteen to When Summer’s Gone. In the process, Graziani and Lepri manage to create music that speaks to the first generation who can’t rightfully expect to live better than their parents did. It is this no-nonsense, working-class approach to songwriting that sets When Summer’s Gone apart from the pack. This sound continues and with a bit more finesse on When Summer’s Gone’s newest EP, Matinee.

2011Candy Says: Music that builds as it plays, with the above background info giving more than enough of a hint about where this band are coming from (both literally and musically). Powerful and layered music with enough rock and energy to keep you interested.
Listen: Echoes. Web: Official.
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Background: Balkans are back at it again. The Atlanta, GA band is releasing the 'Edita V' - 7" on February 22nd and a new self-titled album on May 10th (US, May 9th in the UK), both on Double Phantom Records (Roman Photos, Abby Gogo, Carnivores). A few days ago My Old Kentucky Blog premiered their new video for the b-side "Cave," shot on Super 8 by director Tony Summerlin at a fair in the band's hometown.

The band's forthcoming LP is chock full of the raw, heavy guitar fuzz Balkans have become known for. After releasing several seven inch singles through local labels, they're more than ready to unleash their debut record to the world.

2011Candy Says: We are definitely doing some guitar rock this time around. Balkans up the energy on this song and then duel guitars with some class. No nonsense music and ideal if you are in the mood for a severe rock blow out!
Listen: Edita V Website: Official.
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Background: Hailing from the romantic landscapes of England’s Devon Hills (loads of hills in Devon, sound more romantic than Plymouth or Torquay though - beehive editor) , The R.G Morrison sound is as sentimental and nostalgic as the antiquated thatched-roof cottage surroundings.

Fronted by indie haven Drift Records and Drift Record Shop founder Rupert Graeme, this four piece began entrenched in the folk roots of Crosby, Stills and Nash, yet the beautifully composed ballads are sung in a humbled and understated whisper akin to Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, while the perfectly harmonized lyrics give a solemn breath akin to Low.
Just as you wander into the contemplative songwriting, reverb-rich lines of electric guitar wash through whilst the traditional elements of folk are tweaked with analogue synthesizers, adding a raw and contemporary edge to the intimate sincerity of this ‘Cult Balladeer’ (Word Magazine).

Having toured across Europe in 2010, playing The Rolling Stone weekender, through Germany supporting John Hiatt, Spain and Switzerland, and fresh off headlining Spain’s Tanned Tin Festival this month, The R. G Morrison are ready to bring their intimate rendition of Lo-fi Americana to North America, with Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy drummer Alex Neilson along for the ride to showcase at the 2011 SXSW Festival, Canadian Music Festival, with a quick visit to New York along the way.

With the stand-out success of previous releases ‘Learning About Loathing’ (Drift Records first release, 2007) and the latest record ‘Farewell My Lovely’ (Drift Records, in partnership with Loose Music, June, 2010) selling out all beautifully hand-detailed copies in their homeland UK, there’s no doubt that the understated, gritty and glowing talent The R.G. Morrison will be making more than a splash when they cross the Atlantic this March.

2011Candy Says: OK so I am bound to show some favour to a band who originate from the next county to where home is for me these days. Actually no! No favour this is just wonderful music from a superb band who could just as easily come from the over side of the Atlantic. I reckon you will hear more about these folk in the coming months.
Listen: Introducing Diamond Valley. Web: MySpace.
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Background: When Italy's A Classic Education was in the States for last year's CMJ festival, they popped over to Philly for a Shaking Through session and shared insights into their creative processes along with some new music. Below is what Shaking Through had to say.

They have a name inspired by the school system in Bologna Italy, but we assure you A Classic Education is far more exciting than their namesake. Singer/guitarist Jonathan Clancy and his fearless indie pop outfit bravely came all the way to the Philadelphia to record a session for Shaking Through.

It's not often that music coming from Italy has the ability to take root in the U.S. "We always joke about the fact that being a band from Italy is like starting at a minus 10 points. You have to do that much extra to get to 'zero' to be on pace with everyone else," says Clancy. A Classic Education's humble yet determined attitude make them a perfect addition to Shaking Through, a series created to help establish sustainable careers in music. After a quick listen, you'll know what we're talking about.

The band was selected for Shaking Through by guest Curator Elise Oleksiak of the smart Brooklyn-based music BLOG "Pixelhorse." "I love pop music. I love music that is well written, well composed, well executed..." says Oleksiak. "People need to know their music. People need to hear them and see them!..."

The group recorded "Night Owl", a dreamy love story between a boy and an owl, deftly capturing the band's elegant and soaring pop sound. It's a band favorite for its unconventional song structure: three parts that fail to repeat, all jammed into three minutes. Even without a verse or chorus to be heard, "Night Owl" still holds true to A Classic Education's irresistibly engaging pop sensibility. "I thought this tune would work nice in a studio with a big room sound," said frontman Jonathan Clancy.

Formed in 2007 by Canadian singer and guitarist Jonathan Clancy and his Italian mates Luca Mazzieri and Paul Pieretto, the band has grown to a six piece with the addition of Giulia Mazza, Federico Oppi and Stefano Roveda. They've released recordings on small indie labels Bailiwick, Holiday Records, and recently on California's Lefse Records. Their latest EP, "Hey There Stranger," has Spin Magazine, Gorrilla Vs. Bear, FADER, and Brooklyn Vegan all singing the praises of A Classic Education.

According to the band, it's far more difficult to balance musical aspirations and work in Italy. The members of A Classic Education have a banker, radio manager, photographer, computer programmer and psychologist among their ranks, meaning they had to book vacation time to fly over to the states. In one marathon trip, they recorded their full length in Brooklyn with Jarvis Tavenerie of the band Woods, they played CMJ and drove to Philadelphia to record "Night Owl" at Miner Street.

When they come back in March for a US tour and an appearance at SXSW, they'll certainly have to tie up lose ends with work. Regardless, they're excited to be back in the U.S. playing music. "It'll mean giving up secure jobs and lives! But we like that idea."

2011Candy Says: If you cant be bothered to read through the above background on this band then just listen to the featured song. Then see if you don't read up on them. 'I Lost Time' is just one great song in every aspect - loving them.
Listen: I Lost Time. Web: Official.
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Background: Seattle-based sci-fi pop band Hotels, one of KEXP’s ‘top discoveries’ of recent years, are back with a new single. 'The Bat Watusi' is a pace-quickening taster of the delights in store on Hotels’ new album, On The Casino Floor. The noir-punk track is Hotels at their most lithe and propulsive, with an insistent rhythm section, sci-fi synths and unashamedly rocking guitars. The song repeatedly strips itself back to a muscular yet dreamy core, only to build into a tight celestial rock frenzy.

On The Casino Floor sees Hotels take their addictive and singular meld of post-punk, shoegaze rock and cinematic pop and launch it into outer space. The band has managed to leap headlong beyond the consummate songcraft of acclaimed sophomore album Where Hearts Go Broke into the creation of a wildly inventive and immersive song-suite. The concept album’s seven masterful cuts tell the story of a secret agent, his former mentor and current arch-nemesis, and a nefarious prince’s plan to destroy Earth during the grand opening of the universe’s only outer space casino complex...

“Hotels fuse elements of new wave, goth, and surf so seamlessly that genre tags will be the last thing on your mind when you hear their bittersweet, atmospheric pop songs” – Time Out New York

“With angular guitars, sober vocals, omnipresent synths, and a taste for the cinematic, Hotels come off like the ultimate ’80s soundtrack band, something akin to a cross between the dreamy haze of M83 and the angst garage rock of The Strokes” – PopMatters

2011Candy Says: As those of you that read the detail on Beehive Candy will know, I have tremendous respect for Seattle's KEXP. So as 'a top discovery' of the station in recent years these guys slapped the personal radar good and proper. I am still not sure what sc-fi pop is but I have been reminded of why I respect KEXP. Hotels are exceptional and lets not forget this is about them and not the radio station. Superb band!

Listen: The Bat Watusi. Web: Official.
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Background: Columbus based Max Sollisch is Dolfish and he is releasing his debut EP 'Your Love Is Bummin' Me Out' on Indiecater this Valentine's day. As well as being available digitally the EP will also be released on cassette tape.

'Your Love Is Bummin' Me Out' contains 5 tracks and is all over around the eight minute mark. We think you'll be completely smitten by Dolfish at that stage though because pithy bittersweet tales rarely sound this good. Your Love Is Bummin’ Me Out is Indiecater’s third physical release and because everyone knows CD’s are dead we decided to release it on cassette as well as our default digital delivery. Everyone who buys the cassette (€8 which includes worldwide postage) will also get a digital copy for when they ditch their walkman. For those of you who prefer to shop from us over the iTunes of this world you will be rewarded with the full artwork and lyrics in your digital bundle!  

2011Candy Says: Oh just go and buy this! We are in a state of being blown away and don't want to spoil the moment by writing anything else whilst listening.
Listen: Your Love Is Bummin' Me Out. Web: MySpace.
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Background: Peter and Jo went to high school together outside of Boston, trading home recordings and exploring rooftops. After graduation 2007, they finally got together in an attic to write and record a huge collection of very strange pop songs on a cassette four-track. Then they went off to colleges on opposite coasts, and so much for the band, until, a year later, Peter dropped out of college and moved back to Boston.

The Great Valley recorded their reunion tape Sophia’s Skull/White Gloves in another attic, eating only pumpkin and coconut products, sleeping during the day, and recording through the night. Jo went back to nearby Bard College and Peter moved into the Spookcat House in Jamaica Plain with the members of Prince Rama and Quilt. The Great Valley started playing through the Boston house show circuit and quickly earned the tag line “Halloween Every Night” and a reputation as the spookiest, most mysterious pretend-pop band on the block. They founded Spooky Town Records in 2009 to release their split LP with Prince Rama Divine/Journey, and a bunch of material from other weird pop groups around Boston.

Over the next year, The Great Valley toured up and down the east coast and molded all of their spookiness and their inverted 60s pop influence into the five songs on the Holiday, Holinight EP. The EP was recorded by the band on a bunch of analog equipment from the 80s (SPKY TWN Studios) and released as a free download in the summer of 2010. Jo perfected his drumming-while-keyboard-playing trick and Peter plugged his guitar into an octave harmonizer so that, despite being a duo, the band could reproduce the lush arrangements of their recordings live.

The Great Valley found a new home for SPKY TWN Studios in an abandoned house in Tivoli, New York, where they wrote and recorded their newest full-length In the Silver Dream. The album spins the spooky duo in a new carnivalesque direction with synthesizers and pitch-bent guitars and broken, enigmatic double crooning. Released on pink vinyl in January 2011 by the band’s own SPKY TWN RECORDS. The Great Valley is currently working on a hot new surprise at home in Tivoli. They both plan on graduating from college in a few months.

2011Candy Says: Interesting final track for this round up. The Great Valley seem to have loads going on within this song, that it took a second listen to take it all in. As lovers of music that takes us in an alternative direction and delights us at the same time, consider it job done in this case. (we reckon you will give it another listen to).
Listen: Tall Smoke. Web: Spooky Town.
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Listen:

Rachel Unthank and the Winterset - Radio Session 2008

These days they are known as The Unthanks and for good reason as Rachel Unthank explained - It makes me very happy and proud to be changing our name to The Unthanks, and relieved too, as my sister Becky has shared lead vocals with me from the start. Back then when she was just 17, about to start university and unsure about committing indefinitely to our partnership, we chose a name that gave her the freedom that was perhaps key to us still being together now.

Back in 2008 they were still Rachel Unthank and The Winterset, and this short session is from December 2008. It makes a fine introduction to the band who are an English folk group from Northumberland. They made their debut performance at Towersey Village Festival in August 2004 and in May 2005, launched their debut album, Cruel Sister at Holmfirth Folk Festival. Cruel Sister received support from a number of DJs on BBC Radio 2 and was subsequently awarded Folk Album of the Year by Mojo magazine.

Their 2007 follow-up album, The Bairns, was nominated for the Best Album award at the BBC Folk Awards 2008 and also nominated for the 2008 Mercury Music Prize. The album debuted in the UK Top 200 Albums Chart at number 178 in the week after the Mercury prize award ceremony.

The band were nominated for three further BBC Folk Awards in 2008 (Best Band, Best Live Act, Horizon Award), and were successful in one category, receiving the Horizon Award at the ceremony in The Brewery, London.

Their third album, Here's The Tender Coming, was released in September 2009. Their fourth album, Last, is planned for release in spring 2011.

Source: BBC Radio.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps.

Genre: Folk.

Set:  Studio Session.

Session List:

1. Tar Barrel In Dal
2. Felton Lonnin
3. This Endris Night

Website: Official HERE.

Download link in comments below.