[Video] Pennybirdrabbit: "Look For Love"
Pennybirdrabbit brings adorable to the next level with her video for "Look For Love," the single from her For Love EP out via OWLSA/Big Beat. The super sweet imagery reflects the loveliness of the LA singer/songwriter's voice, causing you to develop a crush pretty quickly.
Directed by photographer Angelo Kritikos, the music video shows Penny and Young as two lovers goofing off, breaking and entering, and eventually escaping jail, with a vey cops and robbers vibe that's all in fun. Watch the video and listen to For Love in its entirety here.
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[Video] Solids: "Haze Away"
When I realized Solids was a duo, I was pretty shocked. No way could two people create that much sound (other than Death From Above 1979). The Montreal based two-piece (Xavier Germain-Poitras on guitar and Louis Guillemette on drums), rip and rage through every track on their new album Blame Confusion released Feb. 18 via Fat Possum. Solids has been compared to Japandroids, Superchunk, Dinosaur Jr., and multiple other punk rock groups but have their own brand of grit and madness that I am digging on very hard.
Check out the video for "Haze Away," the latest single off of Blame Confusion, and scan their tour dates to catch a show in a city near you. I will be attending their show in Chicago this weekend at Schubas, so make sure to check back for a review coming at you next week!
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TOUR DATES
20/02/14 Silver Dollar, TORONTO, ON
21/02/14 Call The Office, LONDON, ON
22/02/14 PJ's Lager, DETROIT, MI
23/02/14 Schubas, CHICAGO, IL
25/02/14 Union Sound Hall, WINNIPEG, MB
26/02/14 O'Hanlon's, REGINA, SK
27/02/14 Vangelis, SASKATOON, SK
28/02/14 Wunderbar, EDMONTON, AB
01/03/14 Palomino, CALGARY, AB
03/03/14 Media Club, VANCOUVER, BC
04/03/14 Sunset Tavern, SEATTLE, WA
05/03/14 Holocene, PORTLAND, OR
07/03/14 Milk Bar, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
08/03/14 The Church, LOS ANGELES, CA
9/3/2014 The Void, SAN DIEGO, CA
10/03/14 The Western, PHEONIX, AZ
12/03/14 SXSW Festival, AUSTIN, TX
13/03/14 SXSW Festival, AUSTIN, TX
14/03/14 SXSW Festival, AUSTIN, TX
15/03/14 SXSW Festival, AUSTIN, TX
16/03/14 Circle Bar, NEW ORLEANS,
17/03/14 Proud Larry's, OXFORD, MS
18/03/14 The End, NASHVILLE,
20/03/14 529, ATLANTA, GA
21/03/14 Local 506, CHAPEL HILL
22/03/14 Crown 2, BALTIMORE, DC
23/03/14 Kung Fu Necktie, PHILADELPHIA, PA
24/03/14 Glasslands, BROOKLYN, NY
25/03/14 Mercury Lounge, NEW YORK, NY
27/03/14 Great Scott, BOSTON, MA
28/03/14 TRH Bar, MONTREAL, QC
29/03/14 TRH Bar, MONTREAL, QC
09/04/14 Casbah, HAMILTON, ON
10/04/14 Detour Music Hall, STE CATHARINES, ON
11/04/14 Jimmy Jazz, Kazoo Festival, GUELPH, ON
30/04/14 Birthdays, LONDON, UK
01/05/14 The Exchange, BRISTOL, UK
03/05/14 Live at Leeds Festival, LEEDS, UK
04/05/14 Sounds from The Other City, Lambchop, MANCHESTER, UK
06/05/14 Mono, GLASGOW, UK
07/05/14 Hare and Hounds, BIRMINGHAM, UK
09/05/14 013, TILBURG, NL
10/05/14 London Calling, AMSTERDAM, NL
14/05/14 Stengade, COPENHAGEN, DK
16/05/14 Oetinger Villa, DARMSTADT, GE
17/05/14 Prinzenbar, HAMBURG, GE
19/05/14 Nero Bar, BERLIN, GE
20/05/14 Kleines Forum, BIELEFELD, GE
21/05/14 Péniche, LILLE, FR
22/05/14 Les Nuits Botaniques, BRUSSELS, BE
23/05/14 File 7, MAGNY-LE-HONGRE, FR
25/05/14 Nouveau Casino, PARIS, FR
[Video Premiere] Barber Greene: "Desires"
Indie-folk rocker Barber Greene AKA Matt Evert is premiering his latest music video for "Desires," the first single off his upcoming record Takes, due out this Spring via Yes Club Records. Evert plays all of the instruments on "Desires,"proving his one man band a continued success with this sunny track.
The video was shot by Jess Price and follows Evert and company around Humbolt park in Chicago, while they shoot hoops with neighborhood kids and run around on the playground. The video matches the sound of "Desires" perfectly, capturing the carefree vibe and packing a ton of fun into just over two minutes. Evert keeps it short and sweet while convincing me that a little bit of sunshine can go a long way.
Barber Greene will be playing the Public House Records Showcase this Friday, Feb. 21 at The Burlington in Chicago with Landmarks, Ne-Hi, and Richard Album.
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[Review] The Tontons: "Make Out King and Other Stories of Love"
Hailing from Houston, groovy foursome The Tontons put themselves on the national radar with their brand new, soulful album The Make Out King and Other Stories of Love. Out officially today, the album has been streaming for the past couple weeks, inviting listeners to experience the buzz of The Tontons magnetic record before they can get their hands on a copy.
The band (singer Asli Omar, bassist Tom Nguyen, drummer Justin Martinez and guitarist Adam Martinez) have been together for the long haul, pumping out their seductive rock sound to everyone who would give them a chance. The Tontons don't fit into any one genre, but instead spread themselves over an array of sounds leaving you reeling and wondering how you are going to describe them to your friends.
"Our song is as random as our look. Like, you look at us and people usually don’t know what to expect or what we’re going to sound like, I think we like to keep people on their toes," Omar said during an interview with Ruby Hornet's own Jake Krez at Fun Fun Fun Fest 2013.
Make Out King comes out of the gate with the up-beat single "Magic Hour," which I believe is the best way to start off the album. This song is currently my favorite. It's surfer rock vibe eases you into the song only to blow you away with Omar's powerful, thick vocals. Her voice has a sultry rawness that reminds me of Amy Winehouse at times, mixed with a belty, strong sound of Genevieve Shatz from Chicago outfit Company of Thieves. Weird match up, I know, but oh so good.
The album plays a bit of tug-o-war between a fresh pop-rock sound and steamy, laid back, blues-y R&B ballads like "Kidd Cemetery." This song really stuck out to me because of it's sexy, cosmic sound and revealing lyrics. Omar sings "I hurt, you hurt, but it's all in fun." The album seems to be extremely personal, allowing listeners to envelop themselves in the stories. In "Bones 1," Omar sings about daunting life decisions like having children, getting a 9 to 5 and settling down almost as if she's convincing herself: "Today's not that day, I'm not that girl."
The Make Out King and Other Stories of Love shimmers, radiating strength and sadness, all the while making you want to dance. The buzz and boldness of the bass from Ngyunen, the sick dynamic riffs from guitarist Adam Martinez, and the steady super tight beats from Justin Martinez, operate smoothly with passion and precision allowing Asli Omar to wail and whisper over the tracks with deep lustrous vocals.
You can and should snag the album on The Tontons bandcamp or iTunes today!
[Video] Blouse: "Happy Days"
Pitchfork Music Festival Announces 2014 Headliners
The 2014 Pitchfork Music Festival will be July 18 through July 20 and is already on the top of my list for summer music festivals to attend. Pitchfork announces their headlining acts for this year including: Beck, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Kendrick Lamar, as well as the first round of acts for the festival. Pitchfork music festival is known for being one of the most selective festivals around, choosing the most intriguing and innovative emerging artists as well as long time musical legends.
Regular three-day passes are currently on sale for $130 and regular single day passes are available for $60. Don't miss your chance to experience the entire weekend, three-day passes go fast!
Grab tickets here and check out all of the artists named so far for this years' festival below!
Friday
Beck
Giorgio Moroder
Sun Kil Moon
Factory Floor
Death Grips
Haxan Cloak
Sharon Van Etten
Saturday
Neutral Milk Hotel
TuneYards
Mas Ysa
Pusha T
The Range
Ka
Circulatory System
The Julie Ruin
Wild Beasts
Sunday
Kendrick Lamar
Grimes
Slowdive
DIIV
[Video] Juan Wauters: "Water"
Juan Wauters takes us to his native land of Uruguay in this warm and ingenuous video for his latest track "Water" off of his debut solo record N.A.P. North-American Poetry. The video was shot on a recent trip to Montevideo, Uruguay and pays tribute to the town and it's people, opening with a drunken happy sing-a-long to "Hey Jude" with some of the locals Wauters met while in town. Wauters' voice is unpretentious and almost childlike, pondering his existence and purpose singing "Who's that in my skin? Has he done much for me?"
Wauters hits the road in the spring, joining label-mate Mac DeMarco on tour. Put some pleasant in your day by watching this video and check out tour dates to see Juan Wauters live.
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Juan Wauters Tour Dates
03/06 - Charlottesville, VA - Twisted Branch Tea Bazzar
03/07 - Savannah, GA - Savannah Stopover
03/08 - Nashville, TN - Freakin' Weekend
03/09 - Tallahassee, FL - Liberty Bar
03/11 - 16 - Austin, TX - SXSW
03/19 - Harrisburg, PA - Little Amps
03/31 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom*
04/01 - Oberlin, OH - Dionysus (the 'Sco) at Oberlin
04/02 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle *
04/03 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick *
04/04 - Wakefield, QC - Blacksheep *
04/05 - Sherbrooke, QC - Boquébierè *
04/06 - Montreal, QC - Societe des Arts Technologiques *
04/07 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs *
04/09 - New York, NY - Webster Hall+
04/10 - Durham, NC - Duke University Coffeehouse +
04/11 - Atlanta, GA - Goat Farm Arts Center +
04/12 - Baton Rouge, LA - Mud and Water +
04/13 - Austin, TX - Mohawk Outside +
04/14 - Fort Worth, TX - Lola’s Saloon +
04/15 - Oxford, MS - Proud Larry's +
04/16 - Nashville, TN - Exit / In +
04/7 - Asheville, NC- Grey Eagle Tavern +
04/18 - Philadelphia, PA- Underground Arts +
* w/ Amen Dunes & Mac DeMarco
+ Mac DeMarco
[Video] Dead Rider: "Blank Screen"
Dead Rider, the heavy rock Chicago-based project of Todd Rittmann (US Maple), release their new album Chills On Glass via Drag City on March 18. In anticipation of that album they created a video for "Blank Screen," a dirty synthy track with driving bass and ignitable vocals.
The video eerily skips through distorted images, layering faces on faces, bringing a visually eclectic representation of the track. Check out the video and upcoming tour dates for Dead Rider below.
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DEAD RIDER TOUR DATES:
Tue. March 25 -- Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
Wed. March 26 -- Pittsburgh, PA @ Brillo Box
Thu. March 27 -- Hamden, CT @ The Space
Fri. March 28 -- Providence, RI @ AS220
Sat. March 29 -- New York, NY @ Cake Shop
Mon. March 31 -- Annondale On Hudson, NY @ Bard College
Tue. April 1 -- Philadelphia, PA @ Boot And Saddle
Wed. April 2 -- Winston-Salem, NC @ Krankie's
Thu. April 3 -- Knoxville, TN @ Pilot Light
Fri. April 4 -- Dayton, OH @ Blind Bob's
Sat. April 5 -- Kalamazoo, MI @ 411 Club
Fri. April 11 -- Chicago, IL @ The Hideout