Having a Good Time With North Highlands

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North Highlands, named after the hometown of singer Brenda Malvini, is a Brooklyn-based band made up of transplants. Guitarist Mike Barron, drummer Jasper Berg, bassist Andy Kasperbauer, and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Stewart are all from elsewhere, but their band bases them in Brooklyn. They’ve had a good year, with the recording of their first full length,

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Q&A: Stephen Ramsay of Young Galaxy

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It’s been a busy year for Young Galaxy. The Montreal-based electronic duo-turned-quintet released its third LP, Shapeshifting, and then hit the road, touring with fellow experimental electro-poppers Austra. With a month left in the year, the group figured it could squeeze in two more releases. On December 13, Young Galaxy will release a deluxe edition

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Preview: Austra, Young Galaxy and Tasseomancy at the Empty Bottle in Chicago

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Canadians invade the Empty Bottle on Monday (11/28). Headliner Austra is a Toronto-based band consisting of former members of Galaxy and Spiral Beach. Lead vocalist and chief songwriter Katie Stelmanis seizes crowds with her mystique and beckoning arm movements, while inviting everyone to join her and feel their songs. The music is electronic, fused with Stelmanis’ powerful

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The Music to Mend Fences

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Yesterday, I was able to talk on the phone with Christopher Mansfield, aka Fences. The Seattle-based singer-songwriter has put out some of my favorite records in the last two years: The Ultimate Puke EP and the Sara Quin (of Tegan & Sara)-produced Fences. Hot off the airplay of “Girls With Accents,” the rest of the

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