M+A - Things.Yes

Italian duo M+A premiered the first track titled Liko Lene Lisa, a song taken from their forthcoming album, Things.Yes, due out on November 8 via Monotreme Records.

Liko Lene Lisa is a delicate and beautiful dose of electro-acoustic pop infused with dubstep elements evoking comparisons to the Postal Service, Panda Bear, Phoenix, Tunng, et al. The MP3 is available to stream/download through RCRD LBL.

M+A is Michele Ducci,19, (vocals, instruments) and Alessandro Degli Angioli, 22, (instruments) of Forli, Italy.

"We listen to music to understand what we do, and we do music to understand what we listen to. We record everything at home, in a mansard to be more precise. The 'home-made' policy corresponds to a definite aesthetics, particularly with regard to a pop range. It's like a scene from a thriller movie where, at the very crucial moment, there's a shot of the director and his assistants while setting up the play set. So yes, we do make pop, but with the unpretentious intention to thrill. Our band is made up by two components, not merged in a unique identity, but rather coexisting. Sticking to the common sense of the word, we never really felt like a group. With its naivety and brutality, M+A plainly represents our initials just to make the whole thing more tangible and real. It's two people moving forward parallel one another, though with countless meeting points."

BERGEN.JPG (soft version) from M+A on Vimeo.

Meshell Ndegeocello - Weather

This fall, Meshell Ndegeocello will return with her latest record Weather, out November 8th on Naïve in the U.S. Her ninth album in 20 years, Weather finds the eclectic songwriter expanding on her iconic style, a lush album of intimate songwriting. And in honor of the album’s release, Meshell has made “Dirty World” available for free download.

Produced by Grammy-winner Joe Henry (Aimee Mann, Solomon Burke, Ani DiFranco), Weather is the latest addition to Meshell’s diverse catalog. A strikingly organic record, the album finds Meshell experimenting with the sparse, orchestral melodies paired with thoughtful lyrics, all performed by a band of fearsome musicians. The album opens with the title track “Weather,” a spacey, soulful groove that sets the stage for the rest of the record. Tracks like “Oysters” and her cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel” find Meshell constructing hushed ballads, centered around mournful piano. These tracks are juxtaposed with Meshell’s defiant, soulful stomps on songs like “Rapid Fire” and “Dirty World.” The album also features all-star collaborations with the likes of Chris Connelly (ex-Revolting Cocks, Ministry), Benji Hughes, and Joe Henry.

Born Michelle Johnson in Berlin, Meshell Ndegeocello has spent that last twenty years forging a unique career that’s as distinct as it is critically celebrated. Arriving in New York in the early ’90s with a few bedroom demos and her bass, Meshell quickly struck out on her own, joining The Black Rock Coalition and eventually signing to Madonna’s newly minted Maverick Records. Her politically charged, sexually rebellious music crossed boundaries and norms, all while incorporating a bit of everything into her sound, including hip hop, rock, R&B, new wave, go-go and punk. Her neo-soul anthem “If That’s Your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t Last Night)” topped the charts, and cover of Van Morrison’s “Wild Night,” performed with John Mellancamp, became a ’90s classic. Quickly developing into a musician’s musician, Meshell has shared the stage with The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Alanis Morrisette, James Blood Ulmer, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Tony Allen, John Medeski, Billy Preston, Chaka Khan, and more.

Jonathan Coulton - Artificial Heart

Jonathan Coulton speaks to the outcast in all of us, in the voices of characters we know from our own sad little lives. Some of them may be monsters - mad scientists, giant squids, zombies - but his talent is in turning offbeat subjects into deliciously hooky pop songs that move us in surprisingly personal ways. His upcoming album, Artificial Heart, produced by John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants, is due out this Fall. It's a new direction for Coulton - he leaves behind the home recording gear for a studio filled with talented musicians and guest vocalists including Suzanne Vega, John Roderick of The Long Winters and Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara.

Coulton released the new MP3 for album track "Good Morning Tucson", a classic pop melody underscores it’s narrative about an aging morning news anchor who one day finally loses it.

The album opens with “Sticking to Myself”, a blistering, high-energy song about finding success, and then tearing it all down. “Nemeses” is a duet between Coulton and The Long Winters’ John Roderick that suggests the only real way to bring meaning into your life is to find your own worst enemy. The album’s title track, “Artificial Heart," has a bouncy, joyful melody that can't quite mask the feeling that drastic measures are sometimes worse than the problems they are trying to solve.

Artificial Heart is Jonathan Coulton’s first album of all new material since his infamous 2006 “Thing A Week” series, during which he created 52 musical pieces in 52 weeks. It's a strong addition to an already impressive discography that spans a decade. His song “Still Alive” is the closing soundtrack to the video game “Portal," and was awarded “Best Original Vocal Pop Song” in 2008 by the Game Audio Network Guild. This year, Coulton was asked back to write “Want You Gone," a song for Portal’s long awaited sequel. Fans who haven’t seen Jonathan Coulton live can catch him on tour with They Might Be Giants this Fall!

The Nocturnes New Album Out August 30, New Single

The Nocturnes is set to release their new album titled Aokigahara in two days time. Meanwhile, check out their newly released single titled Love.

Christopher Paul Stelling Covers 'Goodnight, Irene'

Unfortunately due to Hurricane Irene quickly descending upon New York City, Daytrotter’s Barnstormer tour has been forced to cancel their Brooklyn stop on August 27th, but Brooklyn’s own Christopher Paul Stelling has his own message for the storm. Left with a bit of time on his hands, he recorded this lo-fi video of the traditional folk song “Goodnight, Irene” made famous by Lead Belly in the 30’s.

Please enjoy and share this intriguingly relevant rendition of a true American classic on the eve of meteorological uncertainty. Also, be sure to catch Christopher at one of his upcoming shows, including 9/9 at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC w/ James Vincent Mcmorrow and Marissa Nadler.

The Dodos 'Good'

The brand new video by The Dodos featuring their new song Good, taken from the band's latest album titled No Color out now on Wichita Recordings.

Boots Electric - Honkey Kong

Boots Electric is Hollywood’s favorite son and Eagles of Death Metal frontman, Jesse “The Devil” Hughes. After creating three albums of dirty and danceable garage rock anthems, Honkey Kong is his first solo outing and will be released on September 19th by Dangerbird Records. It was produced by Tony Hoffer (Beck, Depeche Mode) and co-written with legendary keyboardist Money Mark, best known for his many collaborations with the Beastie Boys.

Honkey Kong is the sound of Boots Electric coming out of the closet. Under this moniker, Hughes expands his sonic palette while continuing to deliver the hooks that he’s known for. The electronic drums that kick off opening track “Complexity” immediately signal the new direction. The track is a mix of glam-pop, keyboard-heavy dance grooves, and Hughes’ signature brand of rock ‘n roll grit that drips with swagger. Elsewhere, he tries on space-funk synths on the track “Boots Electric” and “Trippy Blob” has some of his most absurdist lyrics yet.

Though a winking self-awareness has long been one of Hughes’ calling cards, he’s also written some of his most earnest songs yet. “No Fun” is an honest-to-goodness ballad and “Swallowed by the Night” is a soulful slice of honky tonk gold. Honkey Kong reveals what many already knew – beneath the tongue-in-cheek lyrics and his charismatic strut, Hughes has always been a gifted pop songwriter at heart.

Mariachi El Bronx - Mariachi El Bronx (II)

Mariachi El Bronx teamed up once again with John Avila, former member of Oingo Boingo, to co-produce their new album, which was recorded this past Christmas and New Year at Avila’s studio, Brando’s Paradise in San Gabriel, CA.

Mariachi El Bronx (II) bristles with intensity, drama and emotion – hallmarks of both mariachi and punk music. The 12-song collection contemplates the nature of love – a traditional topic in mariachi music, as men often hire bands to serenade the women they are courting – but Mariachi El Bronx brings a unique sensibility to the subject. The album opener “48 Roses” paints a picaresque portrait of a man with an insatiable appetite for love, while “Revolution Girls” details a border romance and “Poverty’s King” concerns a man trying to overcome class distinctions with a catchy come-on. A more somber note is struck in the tale of a fallen “Matador” and the bittersweet “Everything Dies”. “Mariachi El Bronx”, a tour-de-force instrumental, features Reyna de Los Angeles, America’s first all female mariachi ensemble.

Mariachi El Bronx (II) is set to release on September 12 via Wichita Recordings.

Peggy Sue - Acrobats

Produced by John Parish (PJ Harvey, Sparklehorse, Giant Sand, Eels etc), Peggy Sue’s second album titled Acrobats finds the band moving away from the acoustic sounds of their debut to something heavier but just as subtle and beautiful. Slated for a September 12 release via Wichita Recordings, Katy Young and Rosa Slade’s entrancing, dual vocals and Olly Joyce’s tribal drums are still present but are now more developed and breath-taking than ever before.

The full album tracklist is:

1. Cut My Teeth
2. Song & Dance
3. Funeral Beat
4. Changed and Waiting
5. Parking Meter Blues
6. All We’ll Keep
7. Boxes
8. D.U.M.B.O
9. Ruthie
10. Shadows
11. There Always Was

GusGus 'Over'

GusGus announced their new video of the new single 'Over' directed by Ellen Lofts and Thorbjörn Ingason.

Dad Rocks! 'Mount Modern'

Dad Rocks!’ upcoming Fall album release of “Mount Modern”.

Caveman - CoCo Beware

After months of anticipation, Caveman is pleased to announce the digital release of their debut album CoCo Beware on September 13th, followed by the physical CD and vinyl release on November 15th. Exploding out of the New York scene over the last few months, the band has decided to get this hot off the presses album out as soon as possible via a digital self-release. The fans wanted it, so the fans get it — a straight-ahead ethos for a band that’s about the music FIRST.


Recorded and produced by Nick Stumpf (French Kicks), CoCo Beware showcases the dreamy chamber pop and multi-part harmonies that have been turning heads at the band’s live shows for the better part of a year. Leading up to the release of their debut, Caveman will also be heading out on tour with The War On Drugs, hitting the east coast, midwest and Canada before returning to New York to celebrate their album release at the Mercury Lounge on Thursday, September 15th.

VHS or Beta - Diamonds & Death

VHS or Beta’s upcoming album, Diamonds & Death, is a journey full of thrilling moments and unexpected turns. The album’s electronic foundation is a byproduct of the many nights VHS OR BETA DJs have manned the decks and remixes they have done in the last few years. The self-produced album travels spectacular heights to gut-wrenching plunges and is an emotional rollercoaster. The songs unfold and mutate in unpredictable ways that will transfix dance floors and bedrooms alike. Diamonds & Death will be released September 27 on Krian Music Group/Chromosome Records.

Title track “Diamonds & Death” transforms from a minimal synth track into a dance floor behemoth. “I Found a Reason” is a pulsating summer anthem with a soaring refrain built on a foundation of rubbery bass, swooning synth and housey piano chords. The album’s quixotic nature juxtaposes dance floor stompers like “Watch Out” with experimental and throbbing psychedelic tracks like “Jellybean”. Diamonds & Death is an unpredictable journey full of breathtaking epic song-scapes.

VHS or Beta "Breaking Bones" from Graham Hill on Vimeo.

Girl In a Coma - Exits & All the Rest

San Antonio’s Girl In A Coma have left a permanent tattoo on the hearts of thousands with their piercing songs and nuclear performances. They’ve blazed a singular trail since Nina Diaz joined the band at age 13 and have found champions and comrades along the way including Joan Jett who signed them, Morrissey, Sia, Tegan and Sara, The Pogues and Amanda Palmer who have hand selected them for tours. In addition, Robert Rodriguez asked them to compose one of the key songs for his film Machete last year. All the while, they have been building one of the most impassioned and diverse fan bases in music. Girl in a Coma are that rare feral band, unaffected by trends, that has managed to stay wild and thrill us at every turn. Exits & All the Rest, their 4th album out November 1 on Blackheart Records, is the most heart-stopping turn yet.

From sharing stages with their heroes to experiencing Arizona’s controversial laws firsthand, the album was born in an especially intense period for the band. “Hope” is a pogo ready punk assault that speaks to the Arizona immigration dispute while daring you to stay still. Album opener “Adjust” is a tale of persecution and a sonic mindfield. Nina Diaz’s voice turns from a lament to a growl in a split second while the thundering combination of Phanie Diaz’s drums and Jennifer Alva’s bass rattle your ribcage. “One Eyed Fool” is a fearless and bare declaration of the universal need to be loved. “Cemetery Baby” underscores the bands ability to seduce you with melody no matter how tragic the message. “Smart” showcases GIAC’s own special recipe for a melodic pop song. The stomping rhythm of future GIAC anthem “Control” lays a foundation for Nina’s voice to build empires of heartbreak on. The stamp San Antonio’s music scene has left on the band is all over the album and it’s stabs of punk, tejano, rockabilly, classic rock and roll, rancheras, indie rock and ballads all contributing to a sound that can only be described as Girl in a Coma.

Scattered Trees 'Sympathy'

Asa - Beautiful Imperfection

Internationally acclaimed, French-Nigerian singer Asa gave the first taste of her new album, Beautiful Imperfection, with the sunny, reggae-tinged single “Why Can’t We”. Asa’s second album, Beautiful Imperfection, has already gotten rave reviews in other countries across the globe, and will be release in the US on September 6th through Naïve Records. As oppose to the political theme of her first release, Asa’s new music carries more of a celebratory and joyous feeling, embracing the listener with the warmth of her smoky vocals.

Three of the twelve songs on Beautiful Imperfection are in Asa’s native Yoruba language, and the remaining songs in English display the unmistakable and infectious lilt of her French-Nigerian background. Born in Paris, Asa returned to her family’s home in Lagos, Nigeria at the age of two. As the only girl in a family of four, living in an African city that was both vibrant and turbulent, young Asa sought solace in her thoughts. Music was a prominent aspect of her childhood life with Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill, Fela Kuti and the music of her homeland all playing a part in shaping Asa’s inimitable sound. With a vivid imagination and dreams of musical stardom, she would often take to an imaginary stage with her imaginary microphone and perform to her imaginary audience. Talking about “Dreamer Girl,” she notes, “When you catch yourself dreaming, you can sometimes sense that people nearby could hear you, and suddenly, you might feel like it’s a crime. But I’m actually the dreamer girl in the song.”

Megafaun Gives Free Single

Megafaun is giving away "State/Meant," the new single from their forthcoming self-titled album (9/20, Hometapes), as a free download.

On "State/Meant," Megafaun reach new emotional depths blending ghostly harmonies, banjo and other traditional instruments with noise and electronics. Recorded entirely in just one afternoon, "State/Meant" transports listeners to another end of the near limitless sonic spectrum the band explored at April Base in Fall Creek, WI. Brad Cook explains, "This song was a passing thought that erupted into such a complete piece of music in an afternoon. This was the one song where we essentially added nothing after the first day of recording."

Gramatik 'So Much For Love'

This is the official video by versatile producer Gramatik and his featured track So Much For Love, brought to you by Pretty Lights Music.

Polinski - Labyrinths

Paul Wolinski of British electronic-infused post-rock heroes 65Daysofstatic announces his forthcoming solo debut under the nom-de-tune Polinski. The disc, titled Labyrinths mixes sci-fi soundtrack moods with beat-laced anthems. It will be released in North America on November 7th, 2011 via Monotreme Records.

A video teaser featuring a mash-up of parts from all of the album's songs was released recently.

After ten years (give or take) on the road and on the record with 65daysofstatic, Paul Wolinski finally steps out from behind that particular outfit's notorious smokescreen and emerges as Polinski, a man with a laptop, some synths and a plan, in the meta-physical sense of the word.

In our childhood bedrooms and minds, the possibilities were always endless, there were worlds within worlds, and galaxies upon galaxies. If the suburbs outside seemed limited by how far we could get on our bikes, then in the real and unreal realities of space travel and science fiction we were satiated, if only momentarily. What if your bike could take off?

And it is to there that Polinski has returned, to soundtrack the impossible possibilities of the sci-fi mentality. Says Wolinski, "this is basically an album I daydreamed of writing back when I was 15 and just learning how to program MIDI...lots of beats and distortion and piano and big melodies, with a dance-y toughness."


Feeding himself a steady diet of 70s and 80s sci-fi movies and endless second hand paperbacks from the golden era of sci-fi publishing, and free of the myopic shortcomings of writing music in a room with 3 other people, this is music that is unconstrained in its search for warp speed, the 1.21 gigawatts that launches the listener back to the future.

Throughout, John Carpenter-esque synths collide with robot voices, Philip Glass style piano motifs pair up with punching rhythms, gliding melodies soar with the retro-futuristic furor of Bowie-Eno collaborations... Even in the thickest analogue bubblebath, the digital heart beats on.

LABYRINTHS from polinski on Vimeo.

Introducing Neil Finn's New Band, Pajama Club

Neil Finn’s mastery of pop song craft has always been evident with his work as the frontman for Crowded House and Split Enz. Fittingly, Neil was recently honored with the task of presenting a lifetime achievement award to Brian Wilson at the MOJO Awards. Neil new band, Pajama Club, continues to show his gift for melody while revealing a new side to his musical persona. The group’s self-titled debut album will be released on September 13th through Lester Records/Redeye.

For a taste of the new project, click HERE to download the Pajama Club track “These Are Conditions.” The song pairs a sexy garage rock stomp and infectious vocals, with electronic sounds sprinkled over top.

Pajama Club Teaser from Pajama Club on Vimeo.