Kings of Morning Television

I'm not sure how I feel about the recent success of Kings of Leon. A part of me is really happy for them, but, part of me wishes they were the greatest band nobody knew about. But, regardless, here's video from their Today Show appearance this morning.

Oscar And The Trash

This song seems really fitting today. All the way from Auckland, New Zealand Oscar And The Trash bring us a delightful piece of electronic pop, that tickles our rainy day sensibilities. Great piece of music that isn't quite melancholy, but, there's something sweet and sad about it.

MP3: Oscar And The Trash - Mind Rewind

New Headlights This Fall

It's only been a little under 18 months since the release of the last Headlights album Some Racing, Some Stopping, but they are set to release their third album on October 6. It's not looking like it's going to be an upbeat record, they've described it as "far more elegiac than rousing," but, I'm sure it will be just a good as their previous work.

A Sunny Day In Glasgow

Are there really sunny days in Glasgow? If there were wouldn't Glasvegas and Camera Obscura be a little happier in their lyrics? Philadelphia's A Sunny Day In Glasgow has that charming, low-key quality to their music. Kinda chamber pop with a little bit of Enya influence? Believe me, it's not "Orinoco Flow," but, it is just as delightful.

MP3: A Sunny Day In Glasgow - Ashes Grammar/Ashes Math

SSPU Do Dave

The Silversun Pickups were on Letterman last night (still) performing "Panic Switch." Such a catchy tune and their performance was spot on. I was particularly delighted to see a lot of close up of bassist Nikki Monninger throughout their performance. Good call Late Show director!

Girl In A Coma "Static" Video

Looks like Nina's copy of On The Road is as worn out as mine is.

I Didn't Know You Like To Get Wet

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Austin band Octopus Project for Best of Texas blog The Squawker. Basically, they are an instrumental band like compatriates Explosions In The Sky... but, sometimes they just wanna sing. And when they do, it turns out pretty sweetly and twee-ey.

MP3: Octopus Project - Wet Gold

Tour dates:

7/28/09 Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace
7/29/09 Montreal, QC @ Il Motore
7/30/09 Boston, MA @ TT the Bears
7/31/09 Providence, RI @ Jerky's Live Music Hall
8/02/09 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
8/03/09 Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
8/04/09 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
8/05/09 Chapel Hill, NC @ Cat's Cradle
8/06/09 Atlanta, GA @ Starbar
8/07/09 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jack's
8/08/09 Houston, TX @ Free Press Summer Fest
8/13/09 Tucson, AZ @ Plush
8/14/09 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
8/15/09 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
8/17/09 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
8/18/09 Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
8/21/09 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
8/22/09 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge

Under The Cover

Is it twee or is it chamber pop? Eh, pretty much the same thing really. Pastel and Tenniscoats have teamed up to make a collaborative album titled Two Sunsets. In it, they cover the sweet feedback sound of Jesus and Mary Chain's "About You."

MP3: Pastel/Tenniscoats - About You (Jesus and Mary Chain cover)

All The Indie Kids Get Loaded

Yesterday I watched a video of a friend of mine from his Minnesota vacation. Dude is a huge fan of Prince and went to Paisley Park to look around. It was pretty interesting. What does that have to do with indie kids getting loaded? Well, the band who sings "Loaded," Idle Hands, comes from the land of Vikings, Kirby Puckett and Prince.

"Loaded" reminds me of summers past, going to the the lake, the river or just a party with my old chums. Basically, it reminds me of good times... great song.

Their fanastic debut album The Hearts We Broke On The Way To The Show will be out on September 15.

MP3: Idle Hands - Loaded

Get Yer Fixer

PJ's new single "The Fixer" from forthcoming album Backspacer is out now and I'm glad to hear it. Their last album... meh... I wasn't to hot on it. It had a few good songs and that was about it. "The Fixer" is sweet relief from music that was overwrought with political subject matter. It's nice to hear them just rock out again without an agenda behind it.

New Telegraph Canyon

This weekend, when I wasn't blowing insulation in my attic, I found myself listening to the stream of Telegraph Canyon's new album The Tide and The Current... spectacular. I can't wait to actually be able to see them play for once... which should be tomorrow night.

You can listen to the entire album here, for free and junk.

The Monsters of Folk Teach You Manners

The project Monsters of Folk featuring Jim James, M. Ward and Conor Oberst if finally here. The first single "Say Please" isn't too bad. I don't know what I was expecting it to sound like, but, I was really just hoping it wasn't going to suck balls... and it doesn't.

MP3: Monsters of Folk - Say Please

New Burial

After coming upon Burial's minimalist electronic soundscapes last year with "Ghost Hardware" I've been smitten with his dark, glitchy sound. It's definitely not peak hour, big room house, nor is it break beats you're going to do a lot of coke to. But, it is interesting listening.

[purchase album]

MP3: Burial - South London Burroughs

Smiling On The Inside... Maybe

On yesterday's edition of DC9's "DC9 in Space" featured local act Smile Smile. I know the name and who they are, however, I know very little about them. But, watching this video is like watching two people who can barely stand to be around each other, well, be around each other... it's charming and makes you cringe all at the same time.
I'm a little sketchy on the details, but, I think they once dated and one of them cheated and they are continuing to make music together. Like a really tiny version of Fleetwood Mac.
Their song new song "Beg You To Stay" is fantastic and apparently written about their experience together. Now that I've been initiated into the Smile Smile lifestyle, I think I'll be coming back for more.
MP3: Smile Smile - Sad Song

About Last Night... James McMurtry

I should've had this up yesterday at the latest, but... Saturday night I bore witness to the a James McMurtry show at Sons of Hermann Hall. I took my nephew who is a big fan of McMurtry, I personally only knew his song "Choctaw Bingo." Needless to say, I was impressed by the man's twanged up rock.

What the man lacks in stage presence is made up for with his rapier wit as he commented in between songs. It was one of those shows where you show up only knowing one song and leaving wanting to buy the man's entire catalogue. Not only was McMurtry on fire that night, but, the Hall was like an oven! Apparently the a/c had gone out and it made for a very uncomfortable night in the packed venue.

Openers Eastwood did a terrific job as usual. It was a pretty big night for them opening up for such a well known act... and they delivered in spades.

MP3: James McMurtry - Choctaw Bingo

New Clientele

The first time I bore witness to The Clientele was several years ago when they opened up for Spoon at the old Gypsy Tea Room. It's one of the times when it pays off to see the opening band instead of drinking your way through their set hoping to make it.

They are returning with a new album Bonfires on the Health, which isn't due out until October 6, but, they are dropping their new single waaay early, "I Wonder Who We Are." It's the same ol' Clientele you've come to know and love, a little bit of the bossa sound wrapped up in chamber pop--basically... good stuff.

MP3: The Clientele - I Wonder Who We Are

Jaydiohead Brings The Encore

After the excellent first Jaydiohead album that came out earlier this year Max Tannone has just put out his follow-up, Jaydiohead: The Encore. Unlike his first effort, this one is a little more subdued and slowed down compared to the urgency of his first album.

You can get The Encore as a free download here... and if you haven't already downloaded Jaydiohead, I highly suggest you get it.

MP3: Jaydiohead - Reckoner's Encore

That Throwback Sound

For those who know me, one of the things I'm totally infatuated with is music and popular culture from the olden days... particularly the swing sound and pin-up art from the 40's. I could go into why, but, I don't really have enough time. So, when there are people who have a passion for the same time I usually really like them. Take Dita Von Teese for instance--not only is she physically stunning, she dresses in the 40's fashion respectfully, not ham handed like Brian Setzer.

That being said, say hello to Kitty, Daisy and Lewis. These London kids are on a sound that no one else would have the balls to even try. They sound like they walked USO tour with Benny Goodman. Their sound isn't just retro, it sounds authentic to a tee. Swing, R&B, jump Blues... if you heard them on the radio you would wonder why there isn't any vinyl scratching and hissing.

MP3: Kitty, Daisy & Lewis - Goin' Up The Country

Out of The Folkie Jungle

It's weird how a particular type of music will take off out of nowhere. Last year the pastoral harmonies of Fleet Foxes hit the blogosphere and the band took off like a rocket. With that type of success is often followed by imitators aping a sound that they hope will get them noticed. I mean, if it worked for Creed it has to work for other bands, right?

While Bagheera does sound a lot like the Fleet Foxes the harmonies they at least throw in a little bit of electronic effects and middle eastern flare into the mix to differentiate them from the Seattle band. Their EP Hollow Home is a nice piece to get you through and withdrawal you may be experiencing from lack of new work from My Morning Jacket, Great Lake Swimmers or... Fleet Foxes. However, even though their sound is directly in line with other bands, they stand out from the small crowd and stand on their own.

MP3: Bagheera - Horizon Lined With Scars

There Is Hope...

There was a time when I would listen to Mazzy Star's Tonight So That I Might See on a daily basis. The hushed, warm vocals of Hope Sandoval that came through the speakers sounded inviting and almost like an incantation.

Well, Mazzy singer Hope Sandoval is back for her second album as Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions with Through The Devil Softly. The album also features Colm O'Ciosoig of My Bloody Valentine who was onboard as collaborator for her first album. Through The Devil Softly drops on September 15, kid.

MP3: Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions - Blanchard

Weezy Bear

It seems like Grizzly Bear is the go to indie band if hip-hop producers want to be cool. But, they're the go to band again as NYC's The Soundmen has combined GB with Lil' Wayne for short remix tape Veckaflyest. Not being a big fan of Weezy's, I was pleasantly surprised by how good the songs are.

You can download the album here.

MP3: Grizzly Bear & Lil' Wayne - Hate The Cheerleader

LehtMoJoe Interview

Today, we will leht (get it?) you into the world of LehtMoJoe, a local producer who is slowly creeping his way into the iPods of music fans all across the country. He's remix a wide range of artists, indie and major alike, as well as original work.

If he keeps up the quality of work he's been putting out of late, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he rises to the heights of Chicago's Flosstradamus or producers of that ilk.

Bona Fide Darling: You've remixed a ton of different artists, where do your musical tastes lean?

LehtMoJoe: Front. Back, side to side. I love classic rock mostly, but obviously listen to just about everything. I generally don't listen to music I like, or know, while driving, always trying to find something new to get into. Something buried in between Clear Channel stations. It's a great source of inspiration, and samples.

BFD: A lot of your records have a electro feel to them and I know you produce hip-hop as well. Do you think those two genres are getting closer to merging?

LMJ: For better or worse, yes. Hip Hop is the easiest genre to blend with others because of the open source nature of it's production. While mainstream labels were reluctant to try anything interesting or daring with their rappers, bedroom producers had no reason not to throw a Talib Kweli 'pella over the sound of a dishwasher. Now that it's "cool" to sound "techno" you are seeing more and more rappers want electro style beats, some are homages to the days of Afrika Bambaataa, some are more forward looking. Sounding.

BFD: Is there an artist you would like to remix or just work with?

LMJ: I'd love to take Chris Cornell's album Scream and completely re-work it. Such a terrible, album by the greatest vocalist in rock. As far as actually sitting down in the studio and working with, Jack White would be the most interesting. Such a vicious tone and great songwriting ability. David Bowie, for sure and MJ was always on that short list too.

BFD: What kind of response have you gotten from your remixes?

LMJ: Mostly positive, some threats. It's funny how you can spend several weeks on an original track, release it to the web, and not get too many people to listen to it. But spend two hours on a mix for the latest release of an indie act and quickly get it played on BBC Radio 1. I guess that's not really funny, but ya know, it's a figure of speech. I enjoy remixing, keeps my skills sharp and makes me giggle when something starts to come out cool.

BFD: What was the first record you bought?

LMJ: Is it bad for a musician to not remember? I think it was a toss up between Weird Al Yankovic's "Off the Deep End" and Kriss Kross' seminal masterpiece "Totally Krossed Out". I didn't buy many albums growing up because I would mostly listen to what my older brother and parent's listened to. Alot of Motown from my mom, rock from my dad, and alternative rock from my brother. Conversely, I never really listened to my sister's Mary Kate and Ashley tapes much.

BFD: Do you see, or would like to see yourself working beyond the borders of Dallas?

LMJ: I'm from Dallas but don't consider myself a "Dallas musician". Other than traces of cocaine, there isn't much in my music to label it a Dallasites' work. On my upcoming album " Spaghetti Western ", one of the feature vocalist was actually from Vegas, we would just bounce the files back and forth. The internets is crazy man.

BFD: Is there a specific approach you take to bands you remix?

LMJ: Either match the vocals, or stray completely away from the original composition. I've received acapellas from indie acts who haven't released the actual track yet, so it's a complete shot in the dark in regards to how they envisioned their song to sound. I actually like working like that, gets interesting results.

BFD: Can you give us any details about your album?

LMJ: Spaghetti Western will be available July 31st on iTunes and at the CD Release party, aka "Gimme Da Gold Party" at The Granada Theater on the 31st as well. It will be a free show featuring Free Agent, Anonymous, and Mount Righteous, so come on out and uproot that tree. Album features 12 tracks of brilliance. There's singing, rapping, and technoing all in one.

MP3: LehtMoJoe - Johnny Jazz

MP3: LehtMoJoe - Tom Petty

MP3: Smashing Pumpkins - Cherub Rock (LehtMoJoe Remix)

MP3: Michael Jackson - Beat It (LehtMoJoe Remix)

MP3: Peter, Bjorn & John - Nothing To Worry About (LehtMoJoe Remix)

Yeah, They Local

When it comes to an artist who has been doin' work don't look anywhere other than Denton's Robert Gomez. The man seems like he's constantly working: record label owner, solo artist and trusty sideman to local musicians. Despite not being a household name he's been featured as NPR's "Song of The Day" and an instrumental version of his song "Hunting Song" was featured on David Byrne's website.

His new album Pine Sticks and Phosphorus has been in a steady rotation around here lately. He has a bit of the California late sixties folk sound, a little bit. It's not the straight up sound of The Mamas and The Papas, but the influence seems to be everywhere on the album. "On This Day" is just as sweet as it is joyful and haunting. It's indicative of what you find throughout his third album, dreamy indie-pop.

Gomez will play City Tavern in Dallas on July 11 as one of the stops on a nationwide tour.

[purchase album]

MP3: Robert Gomez - On This Day

Just Leht Me Beat It

I didn't write anything about Michael Jackson's death because all you had to do was log onto any blog or tune into any channel and there was all the news you would need. Suffice it to say, I was a lot more moved than I thought I would've been... I even got choked up a couple of times watching the news about it. It's weird when a musical icon you grew up with passes away... no matter how big of a freakazoid he turned into. But, I digress.

This week we have a boat load of tributes coming out: mash-ups, remixes, covers, etc. But, local producer done good LehtMoJoe has unleashed a beast with his remix of Jackson classic "Beat It." He put a hard bangin' beat to it, chops up Eduardo Van Halen's guitar parts and generally turns the song on it's ear.

I highly suggest you get this one.

MP3: Michael Jackson - Beat It (LehtMoJoe remix)

Ride My Polynya

Seeing a band name like Polynya made me pause and wonder if that was a real word or something completely made up. Upon further review... it's a real word. It's a sea surrounded by ice, like in the arctic.

The music of Polynya is anything but cold or distant. It harkens back to the day when it wasn't completely unheard of to hear a female voice singing alternating songs in a band, much like this band. Their sound is warm and inviting and can easily draw comparisons to either The Sundays or Belly... or a poppier version of the Pixies.

MP3: Polynya - People In Pictures