The Acorn recently came through Dallas on tour with Calexico. I didn't get out to the show and now I'm KICKING, physically KICKING myself. Not because I missed Calexico (though I'm sure they were great), but because I missed these guys. I'll be playing this song on Dallas Does Indie Episode #117 next week, but I just had to give you a taste now. They recently released an EP called Tin Fist and the song below is from their album Glory Hope Mountain, both are excellent.
So last week Thom Yorke decided to celebrate the presidential election by putting up on the Radiohead site a free download of a remixed version of Harrowdown. Regardless of your political preference, you cannot deny that free stuff is awesome (btw - I really like the concept of retail and restaurants giving away free stuff on election day).
Loosely speaking, French Miami is a rock band. Using rock music as a starting point, French Miami use its structures as the glue holding together more abstract musical ideas: dizzying, jagged guitar riffs anchored around pulsing synths, harmonized finger-tapping accenting tightly wound grooves, precise stop-start timing. And although part of a lineage of a number of great bands from the Touch and Go/Southern golden era, Jason Heiselmann's melodic, memorable vocals weave the bands more technical ideas into a unique realm which may too gritty for pop, yet too hooky not to be.
Since forming in 2006, French Miami has ascended up the San Francisco totem pole earning themselves a reputation for as a local favorite with their raucous live performances. As a trio, French Miami is busy on stage swapping roles. The lack of a bassist not very noticeable by just listening as their smart guitar interplay and synth work give the band plenty of low end. Singer Jason Heiselmann seamlessly eases between baritone guitar, drums, keyboards, and tackling vocals, while multi-instumentalist Roland Curtis plays double duty as well on guitar and synths. Drummer Chris Crawford stays locked on the drums, his signature BOOM! creating the backbone of their sound. For French Miami, it's not making up for not having enough hands for a bass, it's about pushing the limits of what a three-piece group can play and sound like; without set limits onstage, they're a band that sound more expansive than any "power trio" ever could be.
FRENCH MIAMI S/T OUT NOVEMBER 18th, 2008 Their stellar self-titled debut will be available in stores 11.18.2008 as a self-release and digitally through Dinner Party Recordings.
From time to time I like to give random presents, mostly to those I'm really close to, but also to random strangers. Such is the case with my new blog entry. I'm calling it Hugs & Mp3's. Enjoy.
Hearts of Palm, based out of Los Angeles, have an album coming out called For Life. I doubt that this title has anything to do with spending time in the clink, or their loyalty to the LA Gang scene, but you never know.
H.o.P. just had a full write up done in the LA Times, and were proclaimed a "Buzz Band."
The first single off the album was mastered by Henrik Jonsson (Peter, Bjorn and John, Robyn, Lykki Li), and it just so happens that I have it right here for your downloading pleasure. Check it out, and let me know what you think.
Also, Todd Goldstein, better known as Arms will be releasing a new album coming up in June. Below is a track I have been enjoying from that album called Kids Aflame.
I said I wasn't going to do it this year, and then I did it anyway - just on a smaller scale. We already brought you 10 SXSW artists and their labels. On Episode 101 I will dive into what you missed at the festival, and some bands you'll no doubt begin to see popping up everywhere.
A friend of mine, can't say who he/she is because I don't know them per say, told another new friend about the Dallas Does Indie Podcast awhile back. This turned out to be providential for me because my new friend emailed me about my new favorite artist, Eugene Francis Jnr. Below is an excerpt from the Bio I was sent, and then even further below are some songs I'd like to share because I really love you. Also, here is the link to the MySpace.
Partial Bio: Bored and fed up. Eugene Francis packed his little, junior guitar, and some threads and headed off to America on a Kerouac. During a late lock-in @ The White Horse Tavern (NYC) under the watchful eye of Dylan Thomas. Eugene Francis was enlightened by a friend who told him to move away from the pop-rock music he had been making and look for something to call his own.
Up to the challenge Eugene Francis headed back home to the Welsh Hills to start work.
Just like the construction of chitty-chitty-bang-bang, he disappeared to work on his project behind locked doors. He emerged 4 months later holding in his hand the proposed album 'The Golden Beatle' and the word 'Folktronica' would never be the same.
MP3's: Eugene Francis Jnr. - Poor Me (mp3) Eugene Francis Jnr. - Kites (mp3)
Plan on hearing Eugene Francis Jnr. featured on Episode #98 next week
As made famous by Scott Reitherman, singer and song writer, not to mention endless talent. Based out of Seattle, Throw me the statue is definitely worth the listen...check out episode 83 for a little more.
Black Before Red is an indie-rock quartet based out of Austin, TX. They have a sound reminiscent of The Beatles, or Pinback, or Violent Femmes, with a little Shins, but whatever you think they sound like this band offers unique compositions that make them worth listening to repeatedly.
You can purchase their album, Belgrave to Kings Circle from their myspace page.
Here are a few mp3's to get you started, and listen to Episode 82 to hear some more.
MP3s and songs played on DDI are for sampling purposes only. Please support these artists
by purchasing their music. If you have a complaint regarding a song played, please utilize the
form below and request that it be removed. I will endeavor to remove the song as quickly as
possible.
Get Heard. For those wanting to submit music to the show, you can email me .mp3's by
clicking here,
