» introducing

MP3 // Freedom Fry “Earthquake”

cj mckinney — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:47:48 +0000

It seems the whole boy/girl duo creating happy indie pop songs has been done a million times over now with the breakout success of bands like Tennis and Cults. Freedom Fry haven’t changed the formula, but they’ve certainly done a great job trying to perfect it. Here’s their new single “Earthquake” which will be released valentines day on iTunes. If you’re into either of the aforementioned acts, chances are you’ll dig this…Catch the stream along with the official video below

MP3 // Deadhorse “New Bones”

cj mckinney — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:11:32 +0000

One of my favorite pop-punk acts of last year Half Hearted Hero released a split with Deadhorse to book end 2011. While I first overlooked Deadhorse’s contribution to the 7″ I was taken aback after hearing “New Bones”. The instrumental gem brings to mind mixes of Explosions In The Sky’s epic orchestration combined with Yndi Halda’s delicate grandeur. Check it out and pick up the split

New Bones by Deadhorse

INTRODUCING // One For The Team

cj mckinney — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:03:36 +0000

I stumbled across One For The Team recently after digging through my Last.fm recommendations. After hearing “Someone Elses Knife” I immediately went out and grabbed their last full-length Ghosts which will be having it’s 2 year anniversary this March.

Just like Minnesota natives Now, Now, One For The Team exude a sweet poppy charm that’s immediately endearing and constantly gratifying. Though musically I’m more inclined to draw comparisons to other indie pop powerhouses like Freelance Whales, Ghosts is a record well worth your time.

MP3 // SOMEONE ELSES KNIFE

Best Supporting Actress by ONE FOR THE TEAM from TAPES FOR LIFE on Vimeo.

MP3 // Museum Mouth “Sexy But Not Happy”

cj mckinney — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:38:05 +0000

Museum Mouth’s title track for their forthcoming full-length Sexy But Not Happy wreaks of self-indulgent apathy, meddling through a wall of gain-ey nostalgic surf-rock that takes cues from similar acts like No Age and Wavves. Their formula, much like the aforementioned, takes pride in being jovially sloppy while calmly endearing.

The band are set to release Sexy But Not Happy, their second full-length record next Monday 1/23 via Bandcamp. If the icy winter blues have you wishing for warmer days down by the beach, 6 pack in hand, Museum Mouth might be able to help you out.

MP3 // SEXY BUT NOT HAPPY

INTRODUCING // Icky Blossoms

cj mckinney — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:51:56 +0000

RIYL // TILLY AND THE WALL, FLOWERS FOREVER, WILD NOTHING, SMALL BLACK

If your familiar with Saddle Creek, Team Love or Tilly and The Wall chances are you already know Derek Pressnall, who compromises one third of Icky Blossoms. Apparently the TATW guitarist has branched off forming yet another band, Icky Blossoms. After releasing just 2 songs on bandcamp, Saddle Creek were apparently impressed enough to add them to their roster. They’ll be heading to studio shortly to record their debut full-length with producer David Sitek

In the meantime, you can enjoy the floating pop anthem “Perfect Vision” below.

Perfect Vision by Icky Blossoms

MP3 // Code Orange Kids “Walls (We Lose Eachother)”

cj mckinney — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:59:06 +0000

I came across Code Orange Kids after being introduced to last years Cycles EP, which came heavily recommended from my little brother (not the first, not the last time I’ll be giving credits to him). Clocking in at 5 tracks shading just under 10 minutes Cycles is a blistering display of no-frills hardcore, showcasing a group of youthful rage hellbent on destroying everything in front of it.

The band are currently on a full american tour with Xerxes. You can find those dates here along with my favorite cut off the EP. If you like it, go buy it.

Walls (We Lose Each Other) by Code Orange Kids

MP3 // Sombear “Easy Thief”

cj mckinney — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:06:25 +0000

The amount of quality music that has spawned from Minneapolis youngn’s Now, Now is ridiculous. Last year Jess Abbott introduced her awesome solo project Tancred which made it onto my best of 2011. Now, Now’s drummer Bradley Hale has now followed suit, debuting the first track from his solo outfit Sombear. You can stream the dreamy new track “Easy Thief” below.

His new EP Incredibly Still will be released February 21st via Bandcamp

MP3 // For All The Girls “Valerie”

cj mckinney — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:22:38 +0000

For the past few months I’ve been receiving emails from Damien Fairchild a self-described 13 year old kid from my local town who had been recording “14 songs for 14 girls” and was going to release them on February 14th…Which just happened to be his, wait for it…14th birthday

If it all seems a little far-fetched, it’s because it was. I later received this explanation from the man behind the complex trickery, Drew Danburry with his explanation:

“In 2010, I felt like I had hit a brick wall with music. I’d been touring nonstop and trying to make a living playing music for at least 6 years straight. Music was no longer fun. It was filled with pressure and expectation. And more than anything, I really wanted to enjoy making music again. To go back to the beginning and to start again. So I created a character named Damien Fairchild, to write songs through, similar to a method actor.

Given Danburry’s relentless touring/release schedule which included playing over 750 shows worldwide from 2005-2010, one can sympathize with his burnout, but alas he is back with the 14 song album, slated for release under the For All The Girls moniker.

You can stream one of my favorite tunes from the album, “Valerie” below

Valerie by For all the Girls

FATG // BAND CAMP
FATG // CD BABY

INTRODUCING // Indian Handcrafts

cj mckinney — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:45:28 +0000

Leave it up to Sargent House to do my the dirty work for me. After seeing that Indian Handcrafts were the latest addition to one of the most deadly labels in the scene, I had to check em out.

The canadian duo released a self titled EP this past year full of filthy metal hellbent on covering your speakers in a foot of dirty dirty sludge. It’s like listening to the unloved child of Lightning Bolt and DFA1979 and lucky for us the band are hitting the studio this spring to record their Sargent House debut.

Pick up their EP for 5 measly bucks

Starcraft by Indian Handcrafts

INTRODUCING // Matt Corby

cj mckinney — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:01:10 +0000

RIYL: Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, The Black Keys

After listening to “Brother” the first track off of Matt Corby’s new Into The Flame EP i’m sitting at my computer a bit aghast to how relatively unknown he is. The 20 year old Australian brings a furious and frenzied onslaught of bluesy, immediate bluesy folk rock that you’ll have a hard time trying to not replay. It’s hard to imagine this big of a talent will stay hidden here in the states for much longer.

You can connect with and find out more on Matt Corby at his facebook page

MP3 // BROTHER

INTRODUCING // Jethro Fox “Before”

cj mckinney — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:03:07 +0000

Jethro Fox is a solo artist outta Liverpool (REDS!!!). Combining a knack for shimmering summer worship pop and reverbed soaring vocals, Fox strikes gold on “Before”. From what I can, this looks to be Fox’s first and only track released at the moment, so if you like what you hear, you can follow him over at Facebook or Bandcamp

Before by Jethro Fox

INTRODUCING // Son Step

cj mckinney — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:51:55 +0000

Son Step got some cool vibes going on on “Forks”, the first song from their Spooky Tooth EP. As you can see in the new video above, the band developed a fractal sound of progressive soul, doubling up on lead vocals and drum kits. You can grab “Forks” below for free. If you like it, go pick up their EP on bandcamp

forks by Son Step

INTRODUCING // You Me & Us

cj mckinney — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:25:35 +0000

Part of my favorite time of this year is reading through the mass hoards of year end lists, digging through to find gems that I missed over the year. With sites like RYM, setting up your own site for commentary is no longer even a requirement. Browsing through lists last night, I came across You Me & Us.

The bands only release is the Paperweights EP. At 6 songs and only 11 minutes, Paperweights is sweet, short and too the point. Featuring vocals that are reminiscent of early Rilo Kiley over sunbathed shimmering lo-fi pop a la Best Coast, it gives off an aura that big things could be on the horizon for these guys. I for one, really really hope so.

The band is giving away their EP for free over at bandcamp, you can preview two of my favorites below.

MP3 // OFF PUDDING
MP3 // BRIGHT RED MARKER

INTRODUCING // State Lines

cj mckinney — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:59:21 +0000

I’ve had “Cancer” on repeat ever since I got my ears on State Lines new album Hoffman Manor. These guys have that unmistakable early 00- era sound that’s reminiscent of the early work of Brand New Taking Back Sunday and The Early November with a little bit of Tigers Jaw thrown in for good measure. Something about the simplistic realness of this song in particular has had me coming back to it all week.

You can name your own price and pick up the full record at the bands BandCamp. I’d highly recommend it

MP3 // CANCER

DOWNLOAD // Harrison Hudson “Every Girl”

cj mckinney — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:30:35 +0000

Here’s my obligatory Favorite Gentlemen post for the day. Just found out Harrison Hudson has a new full-length coming on 11/01/2011 entitled American Thunder. If you need some sunshine to help you through the bleek winter weather approaching, this should do the trick. Check out the hook-laden genius of “Every Girl” below. Grab more info from their official site

MP3 // EVERY GIRL

INTRODUCING // Sayde Price

cj mckinney — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:02:53 +0000

I don’t remember how I stumbled upon Sayde Price. I think it might have been on a video of her performing at a local rooftop concert. Suffice to say, I don’t know if I’ve ever done a write up on a local act. I’ve long disregarded the local Utah County scene, and it’s a fault of mine that probably warrants some criticism, but I digress.

Sayde Price not only has a fantastic voice, she’s got the songwriting ability to back it up. Her acoustic balladry brings to mind other towering songstress’s of her genre. Feist, Regina Spektor, and even Mirah are just a few comparisons that come to mind. I’m dumbfounded and a little bit emberassed how such obvious talent could be so close without me noticing.

Price has a full-length out which I’ve found available on Amazon. You can snag my favorite track “Dirt” below.

DOWNLOAD // DIRT

INTRODUCING // Vacationer “Gone” (Ft. Kenny Vasoli)

cj mckinney — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:02:53 +0000

I gotta give shout outs to All Things Go for keepin an ear out and turning me onto this exciting discovery. Long-time followers of BWC will take note that I’ve been a big fan of Kenny Vasoli whether it be during his time fronting pop-punk powerhouse The Starting Line or his dive into experimentalism with Person L.

Unbeknownst to me, Vasoli has been working on another project the past few months. Vacationer features the help of Body Language and the group just dropped “Gone”, a new track which gives you a good idea of the dreamlike groove-oriented direction being tread with the new project. Have a go at it, and if you like it check out some other stuff here

MP3 // GONE

INTRODUCING // The Little Indians

cj mckinney — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:39:04 +0000

Well this one came out of nowhere. Fans of You, Me, And Everyone We Know can stop lamenting about the bands messy disbandment from earlier this year. From their unfortunate ashes, former two of the band’s former members have teamed up to create the indie-pop duo of The Little Indians

The group released their first single today. “What Makes You Grin” is a dynamic indie pop gem full of refreshing and lively musicianship keen on blooming with each listen. The band haven’t put out anything else but if the rest of their output is this good, we’ve got a lot to look forward to

STREAM // WHAT MAKES YOU GRIN

INTRODUCING // Joyce Manor

cj mckinney — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:46:59 +0000

Joyce Manor is a band I’ve been listening to heavily recently, but one that I’ve neglected to give their fair press to given no other reason other than laziness. Out of all the band’s that have cropped up in the Summer of 2011′s Pop-Punk revival, there’s few that shine as bright as Joyce Manor. Shaped on sludgy, hook-laden guitar riffage made for late nights and sweaty packed basements, their dirty debut is a playful reminder of just how fun this genre can be when done right.

The band have already made plans for recording the follow-up this winter which will hopefully be put out sometime next year.

Have a go at some of my favorite tracks from Joyce Manor below.

DOWNLOAD // CALL OUT (LAUNDRY)
DOWNLOAD // LEATHER JACKET

INTRODUCING // The Front Bottoms

cj mckinney — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:40:42 +0000

A reader recently sent me a recommendation to check out The Front Bottoms. The New Jersey duo have been just put out their self-titled debut yesterday, so I checked em out and was immediately impressed. It’s like listening to the eccentric acoustic stylings of The Mountain Goats if they were combo’d with the awkward teenage angsty vocals of EOTS-era Tom Delonge. An odd combination indeed, but one that succeeds large in part to vocalist Brian Sella’s knack for penning a page of witty, exuberant verses that deliver themselves with a sense of genuine humility. Have a go on the new album which is available here and check out one of my favorite tracks from it below.

DOWNLOAD // THE BEERS