Battles Dross Glop 2  – the second album in a 4-part Battles remix series, out on 12-inch vinyl (Feb 21), features remixes of their recent Gloss Drop by Shabazz Palaces, Kode 9 & The Alchemist. You can listen to Shabazz reworking “White Electric” above with Ishmael Butler waxing poetically on “Reaganomics, Bushonomics, Obamanomics”.

Subscribe to the full vinyl series at Bleep.com until Feb 26th. http://bleep.com/index.php?page=release_details&releaseid=34495

Kacey Underwood and Brit Alice Costelloe aka Big Deal just released a new video for “Talk”, off their most recent album Lights Out.  Directed by the talented, Brooklyn director Yoonha Park (Washed Out, Deerhoof and Beach House) the video  captures the bands innate ability to tap into the innocence, insecurity, wonder and (sometimes unrequited) love and lust of relationships. With a combination of sparse interweaving lo-fi guitars, emotive lyrics, set against the fuzzed out chords of an electric guitar and the tones of a boy / girl vocal create a sound that is sweet and seductive. Understated and discreet, it feels like a love note passed between classes.

Big Deal will be coming to the US in March for SXSW, including two special shows in New York and a show in Los Angeles, marking the band’s live debut in the US.

DOWNLOAD MP3: BIG DEAL: “CHAIR”

Brooklyn band Motive have been playing around town for quite some time now, opening up for larger names like The Vaccines and Bear Hands. After releasing their self-titled debut EP last year, they’re kicking off 2012 with a series of new songs and music videos and this premier stream of “What’s So Bad”, the band’s newest single. Produced by Chuck Brody (Phantogram, Bear Hands), the theme of the song is the dissatisfaction of being a young adulthood — the thrilling feeling of having your whole life ahead of you, yet being plagued by an irrepressible, discontented frustration. Like most of Motive’s work, the track is heavy in both guitar and drums, and its slightly fuzzy and distorted vocals [reminiscent of  Julian Casablancas' drawl] are completely appropriate given the inconsistency of the subject matter.

The Black Keys Follow up their buzz-worthy viral video for “Lonely Boy”, with a new video for ”Gold On The Ceiling” off of their late 2011 release, El Camino. The video, directed by Reid Long, keeps it simple, following the band through their recent world tour intertwining studio footage with clips of the band behind-the-scenes and performing on stage.

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. Creating music in a 10×10 teal painted room, stacked with vintage synthesizers and guitars, TEEEL creates music that ranges from hypnotic synthpop to dreamy disco and dark electronica. Although TEEEL is a fairly new solo project, Jim Smith is no rookie in the music industry. He’s been producing a wide range of music, performing with bands and DJing in clubs since the late 90s. His debut album, AMULET (Moodgadget Records) has generated quite the buzz in the blog world as well as being featured on KEXP radio. “Dark Passenger” was featured as “Song of the Day”.

You can check out a night of electronic bliss this Thursday at 11:15 at Lit Lounge in New York City with Teeel performing along with Starfawn, Jacob 2-2, and Crozet. Doors open at 8:30pm.  Lit Lounge is 93 2nd Ave. (btwn. E5/E6th St). Click HERE for more details.

TEEEL – “University Heights” (Coming 2/22/2012)
Original Cover Art by: Hayden James Mitchell

TEEEL – “Amulet” (Moodgadget Records, February 22nd, 2011)

Amulet by TEEEL [iTunes]

TEEEL – “Amulet” (Moodgadget Records, September 27, 2011)

Amulet (Remixed) by TEEEL [iTunes]

Remixes by Teeel

Brooklyn’s indie strummers Leland Sundries’ 2nd release The Foundry EP is out Feb 21, 2012 on L’Echiquier Records. Led by Nick Loss-Eaton the EP was recorded in Greenpoint, Brooklyn in an old creamery building with Loss-Eaton on resonator guitar, banjo, harmonium, harmonica, and vocals.

The lead single “Apparition” is now available for free download.

Mercury Prize nominated indie-electro-pop quartet, Metronomy, are set to release The English Riviera Unreleased Remixes, via Big Beat Records and Because Music, on March 6th.  As the title would suggest, the collection features thirteen reworkings of tracks from the group’s critically acclaimed third album, The English Riviera.  The English Riviera, which has sold over 150,000 copies worldwide, was proclaimed by NYLON Magazine the 2nd best album of 2011 calling it a “sexy and sultry…modest masterpiece.”  In addition to two new reworks of the single ‘The Look’ (which Huffington Post ranked among their top songs of 2011), the release presents left of center versions by much loved producers Benoit & Sergio, Ewan Pearson, Camo & Krooked, Jesse Rose, Soul Clap, and more.

Comprised of multi-instrumentalist front-man Joseph Mount, keyboardist Oscar Cash, drummer Anna Prior, and bassist Gbenga Adelekan, Metronomy are heading out for a North American Tour this Spring.  The tour, which puts the foursome out on the road with Brooklyn indie band Friends, will showcase Metronomy’s signature sound and bring a much needed spark of bliss to end the of Winter.  The group is particularly excited to announce their inclusion on this year’s already sold out Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California as well as Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida.

LISTEN TO ‘CORINNE (BENOIT & SERGIO COVER)’ HERE: 

METRONOMY TOUR DATES

Sat March 24       Miami, FL                         Ultra Music Festival

Sun Mar 25          Atlanta, GA                      Masquerade

Tue Mar 27          Washington, DC                Rock N Roll Hotel

Wed Mar 28         Philadelphia, PA               Theater of Living Arts

Fri Mar 30            New York, NY                   Irving Plaza

Sat Mar 31           Boston, MA                      Brighton Music Hall

Sun Apr 1            Montreal, QC                    Metropolis Theatre

Mon Apr 2            Toronto, ON                     The Hoxton

Wed Apr 4            Chicago, IL                      Lincoln Hall

Thu Apr 5             Minneapolis, MN              7th Street Entry

Thu Apr 12           San Francisco, CA           Slim’s

Sun Apr 15           Indio, CA                         Coachella

Sun Apr 22           Indio, CA                         Coachella

If you’re into bands like The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, My Bloody Valentine and Los Campesinos!, check out Chattanooga based noise-pop Moonlight Bride and their new EP Twin Lakes (out feb 28th). 

New music from South Florida noise duo – The Band in Heaven is available on 7″ featuring the track “Sludgy Dreams” on HoZac Records
Watch the original Alice Cohen created video for “Sludgy Dreams” above or the alternate version – “Sludgy Dreams/Sleazy Dreams” HERE.

Soft Lighting is the solo work of Bryan Cox, Kansas City based musician/producer. Equipped with a Juno60 and a bedroom studio, Cox makes his own brand of light headed pop music influenced by Italo Disco, 80s film soundtracks and contemporary Chillwave artists.

Soft Lighting – Slow Motion Silhouettes (3/1/2012)

Soft Lighting on Facebook

The four-piece band from Boise, Idaho known to the universe as Shades bring an eclectic mix of woozy melodic synths, crunched drums, smooth vocals and sweet vibes. “Clear Motions” will be released in January. We’re very excited to share a fantastic collection of songs that flow brilliantly into each other as warm waves grab the soul with emotion. Perfect for fans of Small Black, Washed Out, and love Shoegaze Electronica.
Shades on Facebook

BUY ON iTUNES

The War On Drugs are excited to share the brand new video for the dylan-esc track “Brothers,” one of the many highlights off their stellar Slave Ambient. Following the more kaleidoscopic videos for “Baby Missiles” and “Come to the City,” the “Brothers” video, definitely takes a different approach with its bleak western narrative. Here’s what the director team of Brewer, a pair of brothers (Ben and Alex), had to say about the video:

“We kept picturing it as the soundtrack to a dark western like Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid or Unforgiven. That is where the deranged T.V cowboy character came from. We wanted the video to feel like the most exciting five minutes taken out of a longer movie. The biggest challenge in the filming was how to make the old cowboy (played by David Weindel) seem threatening, and how to make the nurse (played by Tallie Medel) seem like she was dealing with the situation the way a normal person might really handle such a nightmare.”

The War On Drugs’ “Come to the City” 7-inch single is available this week on Secretly Canadian. Listen to the b-side, “Don’t Fear The Ghost” 

Husband is Gianlorenzo (Buzz Aldrin) and Chiara from Bologna.  Offsetting the driving Italo-pop dronetronica rhythms of their track “Slow Motion” is this strangely uneasy video filmed and edited by Ailien Reyes, which features the duo’s shared love of volcanoes.

Fader have just posted Rick Rubin’s remix of “On’n'On” by Justice. It’s from the EP for the song they have dropping on Monday. Check below for links and a hilarious note from Justice’s manager/label head Busy P:

Stream: Justice, “On’n’on (Rick Rubin Remix)”

ONCE UPON A TIME RICK RUBIN

It all started in 1989, I visited my brother in Canada, where he was living with my dad. We went record shopping, probably one of the first time I was buying my own records, my first real choices let’s say. Before that I was just the little brother, listening to what the family was listening, following my brother’s music taste ; Pink Floyd, Led Zep, Metallica, The Cure etc…I ended up with a bunch of cassette tapes : RUN DMC “Tougher Than Leather”, THE CULT “Electric” and BEASTIE BOYS “Licensed to Ill”. Don’t ask me why, but a funny name appeared on the credits of each tapes! produced by RICK RUBIN
No need to lie to you, at that time I did not know what was the meaning of it and I don’t think I really cared… Skateboarding was all I had, every week-end, then almost everyday, I cruised in the streets of Paris. Naturally (thanx to Thrasher magazine) I discovered SLAYER, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS and DINOSAUR JR (but we don’t need them here) And again! THAT name RICK RUBIN was written in the credits, even in capitals on the back of the records. Who’s that guy ? Is he the manager of the bands? nope Is he running the label or something ? nope… errr I mean YES! not always, but wait, are you telling me that man created DEF JAM with Russell Simmons ???? The label of LL COOL J, BEASTIE BOYS, PUBLIC ENEMY… OUI it’s him!
Oh I see now, he’s also behind the clash AEROSMITH vs RUN DMC “Walk this way”, what’s wrong with that man, sorry I meant how cool is that ?
I remember watching the video on MTV (hello Headbangers Ball!), probably one of my first musical shock, that man is a genius! Time goes on and here we are in 2008, Ed Banger records is only 5 years old, we released JUSTICE first album and the band is touring the USA. RICK RUBIN is running Columbia records from his house in Malibu. Our friend Kevin works at Columbia emailed me saying RICK RUBIN loved the album!

“guys” (me speaking) “i just got a message saying RICK RUBIN loved the album!”
“shut up Pedro!” (the boys spitting on me)
“and he wants to meet you…” (me almost crying, yes yes I’m not shy sharing this with you now)

We drove all the way to Malibu and entered RICK RUBIN’s world. For privacy reasons I will not speak about it here. Rick asked the boys about sampling, compression, and few other producers fantasy, me I was just dreaming (awake) We hang out, had a tea and took this memorable photo.

Time goes on and here we are in 2011, Ed Banger records is now 8 years old, we just released JUSTICE “Audio Video Disco” second album
and the band is about to tour the world.

“guys”(me speaking) “i just got a message saying RICK RUBIN loved the album AGAIN!”
RICK RUBIN is running Columbia records from his house in Malibu. Our friend Kevin is now Dilpo’s manager emailed me saying RICK RUBIN loved the album!

I will not waste your time repeating the same jokes… I prefer to share with you this piece of music, the kind of story you hear about someone meeting his hero. RICK RUBIN accepted to RUIN (or remix) JUSTICE new single. Not only it’s a dream, it’s an honor to have him on board.

Monsieur DJ Double R I salute you!

Celestial themes such as violent star systems and lunar tranquility set the groundwork for ”Nothing Exists but Atoms and the Void”, the sophomore release from Brooklyn-based band, Spaces. Band members, Duke Ahrens and Franco Colon, continued with an unconventional approach to songwriting by building a recording studio in a decommissioned ferryboat. The pair drew inspiration from their surroundings to create music that reflects the beauty and wonders of the Universe. This ambitious album encompasses a sonic landscape from intense rhythmic movements to introspective orchestral pieces, making Spaces voyagers of the over-saturated post-rock galaxy.

‘Into the Darkening Blue’ is the second release from Australian indie kids Buckley Ward off their upcoming album So Pretend. The tracks  nonchalantly precise harmonies and unabashed melodies swell in testament to Buckley Ward’s versatility and previously unsuspected dance-ability. Jimmy Allen’s plaintive vocals are a come-hither wink over a bed of guitar and keyboards – a promise of guiltless goodtimes to get your heart racing. ‘Into The Darkening Blue’ comes complete with a chiller thriller video clip with a killer twist.
Into The Darkening Blue – Buckley Ward by showoffservices
So Pretend by Buckley Ward

Leeds quartet Alt-J (aka ‘triangle’, aka △) is a band that should be on everyone’s music radar in 2012.  On their AA sided single Matilda / Fitzpleasure - released courtesy of Infectious Music-  Alt-J masterfully gush bright reverb-drenched blues vocals over a variety of heavy bass fuzz, guitar scratching, skittish percussion and intricate vocal harmonies.

Fitzpleasure by alt-J

Tessellate (demo) by alt-J

Tessellate (demo) by alt-J

We’ll Be Gone By Then by Crozet

This Free EP from Crozet covers the likes of John Waite, Yo La Tengo, Geneva Jacuzzi, Memoryhouse and Teen Daze. Enjoy the beautifully crafted album filled with fuzzy synths, pulsing bassline and 80s drum machine beats. Crozet comes through with their distinct sound and really does the originals justice. Download this collection of covers for by clicking HERE

Alterations EP by Crozet

Darin Rajabian and Caroline Myrick met at a Michigan house show in early 2010. They soon discovered a mutual infatuation with dream-life, dancing, and pop music, and began work on a new project to incorporate Caroline’s soft vocals with Darin’s classic euro-disco inspired tracks. The music evolved, and after months of work, they formed the sound of Nightlife.

Nightlife – Radio
Nightlife gives you this synthpop gem entitled “Radio” Playful synths, rigid drums, and delicate vocals come together in the 6-track EP. Buy online or CD
Radio – EP by Nightlifepop