This week’s mix is a combination of old and new tracks, because discoveries are fun, but sometimes re-discoveries are just what we need. Best Coast is on because Kristen saw them at The Mohawk, and also because it’s summertime. There’s also an older track from Shilpa Ray, when she had her Happy Hookers, because I saw a bunch of great bands at Union Pool, and she was the most vocal of them all. In newer music, Brigit reviewed Laura Marling’s new record Once I Was An Eagle, which shows the singer/songwriter “introducing us to a darker, more blues-driven, Marling.” Our featured artist was L.A. punk sisters Bleached, who Dan believes is one of the Southern California bands to breathe new life into the punk genre.
There’s also an older track from Gauntlet Hair, from their self-titled album released a couple years ago. They just premiered their video for new tune “Human Nature,” featuring a couple of the guys having flashbacks to seedy nights and running around Chicago. Having a debaucherous night is nothing original or that impressive, but if you can jog through the city that just kicked your ass the next day like it never happened, that is impressive. After watching that I backtracked and re-discovered “Keep Time,” which is also still a good time tune.
Bells Atlas is a fresh up and coming group, who has released brand new single “Incessant Noise,” a jazzy and soulful super rhythmic tune that pulls strongly from afro-beat roots. Perfect for warm, imbibing nights.
Portland based rockers Hausu dropped second single “Chrysanthemum,” off their debut LP due out later this month. They’ll probably remind you a lot of some of your favorite artists, but rather then try to pick out every reference, let’s just say Hausu is solid at the music they’re making.
Norwegian artist Jenny Hval announced a tour in support of her newly released album, Innocence is Kinky. She’s an intriguing artist who takes music to the performance art level, and she one of the most clever lyricists emerging right now.
Parquet Courts premiered new material on NPR’s World Cafe, and have announced 100 more shows. Not really, but I don’t think these guys ever stop playing. Considering that they remind me of a modern Mission of Burma, the energy is no surprise.
The enigmatic Father John Misty premiered his official video for “Funtimes in Babylon,” and his dancing is always ace. As the closer on this mix, we have live performance he did for KCRW, with plenty of his signature banter for about the first two minutes.
Expect a debut full length soon from Lucius, who has just signed with Mom+Pop, and has also shared a demo for “Until we Get There.” This cut is also featured on the label’s Boombox compilation, which you can listen to in it’s entirety here.
Tracklist:
Gauntlet Hair – “Keep Time”
Bleached – “Dead in Your Head”
Parquet Courts – “Stoned and Starving”
Shilpa Ray – “Venus Shaver”
Jenny Hval – “I Called”
Hausu – “Chrysanthemum”
Laura Marling – “Master Hunter”
Lucius – “Until We Get There”
Bells Atlas – “Incessant Noise”
Best Coast – “Sun Was High (So Was I)
Father John Misty – “Funtimes in Babylon” (Live on KCRW)
BONUS: Maine-bred emcee Spose made a fun interactive scavenger hunt video for “All Rs” which is literally, all Rs.
