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Straight Shooting Saturday: Lady Low - The By Gods.

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Lady Low - Burning Like A Fever. Background - Released in mid October “Burning Like a Fever,” is the current single from Hollywood’s favourite romance rockers, Lady Low. Described as “where strings and heartstrings collide,” Lady Low is a rock sextet comprised of Jimmy Sweet (vocals, guitar), Eden Lee (vocals, drums), Shanel Chavers (vocals, synth), Kaitlin Wolfberg (violin), Corinne Olsen (violin), and Mia Siler (viola). Sweet had always wanted to start a band that combined love’s passion and old school rock and roll. After returning to L.A. by way of London, he formed Lady Low. Sweet started out with legendary San Francisco rock band, The Richmond Sluts. He still performs with the Goodtime Boys, a ‘70s cover band, along with members of Hot Hot Heat, Fleet Foxes, The Heavy, and Beachwood Sparks. While studying vocal performance at Ohio University, Eden recorded and performed with The First Street Heat, a nine-piece funk group. She has also been featured in SassafraZ and Tempo Tan...

Friday Pairing: The fin. - Cian Nugent

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The fin. - Night Time. Background - About The fin.  Hailing from the vibrant Japanese port city of Kobe on Osaka Bay, The fin. have become something of a reputed and singular attraction in their homeland due to their stylish Europhile blend of synth-pop, chillwave and dream-pop, complete with English lyrics addressing universal themes of everyday uncertainties. Often referenced alongside the likes of Beach House, Toro Y Moi, Mew and Washed Out, the quartet have, since forming in 2012, created a sufficient stir to have performed before thousands at major Japanese festivals including Fuji Rock, Rising Sun and Viva La Rock. Not content with such acclaim in one country alone, Yuto Uchino (vocals and synths), Ryosuke Odagaki (guitar), Takayasu Taguchi (bass) and Kaoru Nakazawa (drums), each aged 24, set their sights worldwide and in March this year embarked on a major nine-date tour of the US, which included a blinding performance at SXSW. The UK is next up and what better way to ann...

Thursdays Double Up: The Deadline Shakes - Niall James Holohan

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The Deadline Shakes - Sweeten the Deal. Background - Glasgow's The Deadline Shakes are Greg Dingwall (lead vocals, guitars and keys), Iain McKinstry (guitars and vocals), Martin McLeod (bass), Thomas Booth (drums) and Sam Clark (piano), with Michael Muir (violin) and Kiera Pollock (vocals).  Their debut album 'Zealots', produced by Greg in a tiny room in the east end of Glasgow, is the product of three years of hard work following the band's inception. Greg’s songs are often widescreen in scope, but lucidly lovelorn lyrics give the album a relatably human quality. This is an album recorded on a limited budget that sounds like a large scale, big studio production.  Each band member is a multi-instrumentalist who has a passion bordering on compulsion to create, a drive which underpins everything they do. Even the band's unique artwork is designed in-house by bass player Martin. Guitarist Iain has edited their music videos. Radio support for The Deadline Shake...

S Is For: Shirley Said - Seth Bogart

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Shirley Said - Crash. About Shirley Said (and we quote) -  Shirley Said’s sophisticated, experimental take on alt.digitalism was born in the town of Latina, near Rome, inspired by artists ranging from Bjork to Portishead, Talk Talk to Sonic Youth, as well as auteur's such as David Lynch and Ingmar Bergman. Originally a four-piece, the band performed at a series of prestigious national festivals and live video-based events, which emphasised their dedication to the visual as well as the aural. Subsequently relocating to London, Shirley Said resized to a two-piece, comprising Giulia Scarantino (lead vocal, synth, piano, fx) and Simone Bozzato (backing vocal, guitars, programming, efx). Their sensual, minimalist techno has sound tracked French docu-dramas, Italian TV series and an exclusive fashion film for Vogue. Earlier in 2015, the band’s double-A sided single, ‘Merry-Go-Round’/’Salvation’ firmly established them as one of the English capital’s most coveted electronica acts – the...

Paradise Animals - Monday Morning (from the album Day Bed).

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Paradise Animals - Monday Morning. And the band tell us - Appropriately, we're releasing our new single/video "Monday Morning" today. The single is from our LP "Day Bed" it's our very first full length. The album was recorded and produced by the whole band in both Northern Ontario and Toronto.   Day Bed is the place we go to rest in the daylight. A place where memories wash over us; a place where we pause and think about life. It's a collection of songs that highlights the warmth and happiness of family and childhood, the heartbreak of relationships, and the randomness of social life in the 21st century (album out November 13th) . I listened to the single and thought to myself, that this was 'an absolute must to feature'. I started putting this together, then upon opening both eyes noticed they had also sent a link for the album. So one album listen later, I reckon I have another contender for my top ten favourites of 2015. Seriously if you...

Sundays Alternative: Venkman - Eastward - The Beat Corporation

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Venkman - Andrew, You're Horizontal Again. What's the story - Venkman are Kate, James, Tom, Danny & Dave who create off-kilter funk from their hometown of Lichfield, UK, citing influences as diverse as Influenced by Michael Jackson, Kate Bush, Prince and Thomas Dolby. Having already been featured on 6 Music and BBC Radio in England and Scotland, Venkman were responsible for the most watched BBC Introducing session ever with their cover of Michael Jackson's 'Leave Me Alone'. They were also selected to feature in the Best New Music of 2015 on their local Introducing show. The band, who have already played with the likes of Carina Round, Outfit, Turbowolf and Coasts, next play live on 11th November with Dutch Uncles at The Hare and Hounds in Birmingham. The release of their EP 'Kakkorhaphiophobia' follows the success of their debut single 'Martial Law' and epitomises Venkman’s quirky brand of melancholic funk with haunting male/female harmon...

Saturday Pairing: Beliefs - Georgi Kay

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Beliefs - Leaper. What we are told - Toronto shoegaze band Beliefs are set to release their sophomore album 'Leaper' on November 13 via Hand Drawn Dracula.  Beliefs started abruptly when Josh Korody and Jesse Crowe met at good friend and former Bassist, Patrick McCormack's birthday party and couldn't stop talking about the music of the 90's. Through the love of My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth, the memory of reverb and fuzz was revisited and Beliefs was formed. Since their formation in 2010, Beliefs have released a two song single and b-side (Untitled, 2012 HDD) as well as a full length record (self titled, 2013 HDD, Manimal, No Pain In Pop) and are currently set to release their follow up, Leaper via HDD on November 13. Beliefs have been lucky enough to share the stage with fantastic artists such as; A Place to Bury Strangers, Disappears, The Breeders, Toy, Algiers, Moon Duo, Beach Fossils, and Suuns. Beliefs are prolific artists and musicians in the Tor...

Friday Three: Kissing Party - Private Island - The Salt Riot

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Kissing Party - Trash. (from the album - 'Looking back it was romantic but at the time i was suffocating). Background - Getting it's release on Hot Congress Records on the 2nd November 2015, just some of the comments made about Kissing Party include - Tired of Ty Segal? Bored with Beck? Wanna slit your wrists at the thought of another Jack White album...  From the Mile High City comes Kissing Party, your new favourite band whether you like it or not. -  This Is Indie Slop... How much emotional weight can one impart in a two minute pop rock structure?  Such is the game Kissing Party plays, as sampled on their new album "Looking back it was romantic but at the time i was suffocating'. At the forefront of the 'Slop Pop' movement, Kissing Party is the sound of debt, regret, heartbreak, hair dye & Pennsylvania. This is the band's second release on Denver's Hot Congress Records (Denver, USA) available on CD, Vinyl, Cassette and download. Kissing Pa...

Yonder Mountain String Band - San Francisco 2007 (IA)

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From the Internet Archive (IA) this is Yonder Mountain String Band Live at The Fillmore Auditorium on the 21st April 2007. The Yonder Mountain String Band (abbreviated YMSB and referred to by some as just "Yonder") is an American progressive bluegrass group from Nederland, Colorado. Composed of Dave Johnston, Ben Kaufmann, Adam Aijala, Allie Kral, and Jacob Joliff the band has released five studio albums and several live recordings to date. Founding member and mandolinist Jeff Austin left the band in 2014 due to creative differences and conflicting career goals. Just some of the bands history - In December 1998, the four musicians formed Yonder Mountain String Band which was to open for a band at the Fox Theatre in Boulder. They have since developed both a bluegrass and jam band fanbase, and can often be found on tour. Their debut album Elevation was released on Frog Pad Records, an independent record label run by the band, in fall 1999. From 1999 to 2001 they performed ...

Midweek Double: The Glorious - Home Lives

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The Glorious - I Wake Up. Promo words - The hauntingly beautiful single from Australia’s The Glorious, “I Wake Up” is the first release from Falcon, the Melbourne band’s forthcoming full-length album co-produced by Julian Mendelsohn (Paul McCartney, Belle & Sebastian). Neil Rogers of The Australian Mood, notably said The Glorious create a “captivating sound with great songs, soaring harmonies, and heartfelt playing.” Falcon will be released by The MuseBox on January 8th. “I Wake Up” is gently bathed in sparse, mournful piano and ghostly keyboards. Its gorgeously stark production allows lead singer and main songwriter David Mather’s chorus to soar while maintaining a hushed immediacy during the rest of the hymn-like track. Mather explains that “I Wake Up” was inspired by a lost loved one communicating with him via a dream. The tune represents his band’s unashamedly heartfelt approach to songwriting in that it is “a meditation on the possibilities of renewal, the sense of being ...

Phil Lesh and Friends - Live at Langerado 2008 (IA).

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From the Internet Archive (IA) this is Phil Lesh and Friends Live at Langerado Music Festival on the 9th March 2008. The sixth Langerado Festival was held March 6, 2008 through March 9, 2008, making it one day longer than the previous year. The festival took place on the Big Cypress Indian Reservation, thirty miles west of Ft. Lauderdale. Unfortunately earlier this month Phil Lesh reported “I was diagnosed with bladder cancer in early October, and have spent the last few weeks at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale doing tests and eventually surgery to remove the tumors. I am very fortunate to have the pathology reports show that the tumors are all non aggressive, and that there is no indication that they have spread". We wish Phil a full and speedy recovery. Phil Lesh and Friends is of course an American rock band formed and led by Phil Lesh, former bassist of the Grateful Dead. Around the time of this gig we are told - A new formation of Phil & Friends, including Lesh, La...

Monday Double: The Blue Dolphins - Manwomanchild

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The Blue Dolphins - Walking in the Sun. Background - Los Angeles, CA-based eclectic, melodic pop-rock duo The Blue Dolphins follow up this year's six-song Walking in the Sun EP with their sophomore full-length, Come On!, a fourteen track collection of California-sun soaked roots songs that travel the landscape of memorable melodies, intricate guitar solos, luscious vocal harmonies, and uplifting lyrics, all wrapped up in fantastic production. Comprised of two-time Grammy Award winner engineer Alfonso Rodenas on guitar and Victoria Scott on lead vocals, the duo released the Walking in the Sun EP in May, a prelude to the forthcoming full-length; Walking in the Sun contains six songs Come On!.  Prior releases include their debut full-length, 2012's My Favorite Word is Today and 2013’s In Between EP.   Come On! is a major push forward for The Blue Dolphins, reaching towards a more complex and fully produced music scenario, where sonic aesthetics and songwriting are richer a...

The Mosers - Cold Hearted Girl.

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The Mosers - Cold Hearted Girl. Background - Meet The Mosers.  Comprised of New Jersey natives, Mike Pellegrino, Dave Ryan, Rick Szpakowski and Matt Kulper, The Mosers have burst on to the music scene with their contemporary brand of gritty, in-your-face, no-holds-barred Rock and Roll. Fun-loving and fearless, The Mosers released their first single “Cold-Hearted Girl,” to rave reviews and their debut EP Ticonderoga releases today, October 23, 2015. On October 28, the guys will hit the road on a mass US tour with Interscope buzz band and New Jersey brothers, Young Rising Sons.  “Cold-Hearted Girl,” a bonafide smash, is a testament – not just to the foursome’s impressive musical chops, but also to their penchant for crafting delightfully relatable stories.  Highlighted by authoritative drumming, snarling guitar riffs and Pellegrino’s signature, whiskey-soaked growl, “Cold-Hearted Girl” is an ode to the heartache and rebellion that seem to define our adolescence. ...

Sundays Alternative: Vaudeville Smash - French Horn Rebellion - Ducky

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Vaudeville Smash - Richter Scale. Background - Australia’s Vaudeville Smash return with their new single Richter Scale, a synth-laden funk anthem with hooks for days. Having just returned from a hugely successful tour of Japan, where they signed with P-Vine records, this is the band’s first release since their world wide smash Zinedine Zidane in 2014. Vaudeville Smash has explored many genres but with Richter Scale and B-side Dangerous they revisit their first true love. Funk.  The single is out now and had worldwide radio premieres in Australia (on Triple R), in Japan (on Tokyo Inter FM) and in the US by on line heavyweight EDM Sauce.  "With Richter Scale, we channelled some of the great 80s boogie bands like Cameo and Midnight Star. We've set out to make a really great Funk album. It's our first love!" - Marc, Vaudeville Smash . Synth drive funk, can't disagree with any of their words above. Actually the synth element lightens the sound up, giving it a...

Liverpool & London Calling: Jimmy & The Revolvers - Cat Bear Tree

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Jimmy & The Revolvers - The Morning Paper. And we quote - Jimmy & the Revolvers are one of the UK's most exciting emerging bands. When they're not gigging up and down the country making new friends and fans wherever they go, they're running a monthly club night in their home city of Liverpool as well as finding the time to champion up and coming talent on the scene. Formed in early 2013, Jimmy & The Revolvers are Jay Rehm on Vocals & Acoustic Guitar, Jordan Wright on Vocals & Bass, Jimmy Moon on Electric Guitar and Ash Michael on Drums. Their debut AA side ‘Aimee’s Song/Frosty’ released in June 2013 became a favourite talking point for the city’s music bloggers and DJs who were drawn to the band's infectious melodies and harmonies. More glowing reviews followed the release of their four track EP ‘Sunday Morning’ on New Year’s Eve 2013, which gained airplay across the UK and was chosen as one of BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson’s Fresh Faves on his F...

Friday Variety: Cigars Of The Pharaoh - Bespin - Silent Feature Era

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Cigars Of The Pharaoh - Mystery Highway. Background - Sometimes a band just comes out of nowhere. You might hear it in the background at a bar, or it might hit you on the radio while you’re stuck in traffic. Chances are, if you’ve heard Sydney’s Cigars Of The Pharaoh, you’ll know about it. With a power-packed sound that tips its hat to the blues rock genre, Cigars Of The Pharaoh have risen up to bring the groove back to the Australian music scene with a punch that feels good. The band formed in the early part of 2015 as a four-piece - a mixed bag of guys with a multitude of musical influences and pasts that gelled from the get-go. From indie pop to hard rock, soul to RnB, this special union of musical minds has created something that’s fresh, based on everything they’ve learned and heard from a combined experience of many decades inside the scene. Cigars completed the recording of their debut EP within months of forming, such was the pace at which their unique blend of talents mov...

Thursday Three: Jumpcuts - Matt Stillert - The Sticklers

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Jumpcuts - Headlights. Background - Baltimore electronic new wave rock band Jumpcuts will release a limited edition 7” vinyl single and embark on a tour of the East Coast this October and November in support of their sophomore album Fiber Optic Bondage, due for release this spring. Following several national and regional tours, singer and multi-instrumentalist Andy Shankman tracked the songs “Headlights” and “Curses and Verses” at Baltimore’s Mobtown Studios with producer Mat Leffler-Schulman (Future Islands, Dustin Wong). Fiber Optic Bondage blends atmospheric synths, danceable beats, and Shankman’s introspective lyrics. Jumpcuts' resume includes tour dates spanning the eastern half of the U.S., opening slots for Phantogram and School of Seven Bells, collaborations with producers of Beach House and Celebration, and a featured performance slot on WFUM's Live From Cleveland. This fall’s string of shows will feature Steve Bryant, the NYC-based producer and drummer most recen...