L.A.

White Fence shares exclusive 7″ b-side

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Tim Presley, known for releasing music last year at an unheard of rate under the name White Fence, is at it again. With an alarming five albums, one of them being a two-disc set that came out in a little less than a year ago, he’s gearing up for the release of his new album, Cyclops Reap, on April 9th. Songs on the album include Fragility, Pink Gorilla, New Edinburgh and Chairs in the Dark – all hold true to the psychedelic rock feel that we all know and love. Presley’s new song, "Fragility", is written like a delicate love poem, which endows you with a relaxing tinge while evoking big emotions as well. However, "Pink Gorilla" is one of the more obscure songs on the album; make sure to leave the candles and romance at home because this one will induce an obnoxious amount of dancing. Presley doesn’t let avid listeners down, as Cyclops Reap is surely a great attribute to his ongiong legacy of keeping up with the ever-lasting sounds of garage. – Kayla Hay

San Francisco

Fox and Woman Release New Single – Belly of a Whale (Side A & B) + US Show Dates

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San Francisco based "chamber pop" band, Fox and Woman have released a new two- part single from their debut LP, The Side Down. Their single, Belly of a Whale is one piece that is broken into two halves, and both songs are respectively called Belly of the Whale (Side A and Side B). Fox and Woman’s vintage and innovative release, along with their music composition style makes this band refreshingly unique to listen to.

Their music is beautiful and artfully expressed. You can catch Fox and Woman performing live in the Bay Area, this Spring.

Fox and Woman US Tour Dates:

4/25 @ The Night Light, Oakland, CA
5/31 @ Bottom of The Hill (CD Release Party!), San Francisco, CA
6/20 @ Subterranean Arthouse, Berkeley, CA
6/21 @ Modesto Unplugged Music Fest, Modesto, CA

NYC

Azar Swan announces single on Pendu

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“Lusty,” the first single by NYC’s Azar Swan (# 56 in our Best of 2012 Poll for Emerging NYC Artists, previously known as Religious to Damn), defies easy categorization. A toxic blend of jungle rhythm and technopunk aggression provide the sweltering backdrop for singer Zohra Atash’s ominous gothic vocal style. What makes “Lusty” (streaming below) so visceral, however, is the way its beastial lyrics burn with a kind of sexual frustration that feels both dangerous and pornographic. Beware Azar Swan, and look out for a new single coming soon on Pendu Sound . – Brian Chidester

Chicago

From Our Open Blog: Ty Maxon @ The Hideout

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Ty Maxon returns to the Hideout on Friday, March 29th! Small Houses and Sean Hoots(of Hoots and Hellmouth) will also be joining the bill. Join us! Calling Of The Crows is definitely a record that needs to be listened to in its entirety. Just checking out a couple songs doesn’t really give you the full effect.

Luckily after about a minute of the first track, “To Theoda,” you won’t want to turn it off. Instead it will take over your headspace and flow through your body until it quietly drifts away with the final notes of the seven and a half minute “Mostly Everything.” It leaves you asking, like Maxon himself, “What have you done to me?” -Music Defined

Philadelphia

New Video: “Our Song” (Piss Couch Session) – Radiator Hospital

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So we’re pretty much enamored by the way Radiator Hostpital (a.k.a. Sean Cooke-Parrott) effortlessly makes upbeat strums of major chords matched with heart-wrenching lyrics so beautiful. It’s a good reason why we made the oh so short EP, Some Distant Moon, our December 2012 Album of the Month. Here’s a new beauty called "Our Song" from his upcoming album due out this spring that he performed for Maggot House’s Piss Couch Session. Enjoy!

Nashville

It’s Happening Tonight: Space Jam Dance Party

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Our local basketball team, the Nashville Pioneers, who officially introduced themselves to us back in December are throwing a party tonight at Cult Fiction Underground. DJ John Stamos and DJ Tanner are on DJ duty in the main room, while the cinematic masterpiece, Space Jam, will be playing on a loop all night in the theater room. So if you’re a music fan who doesn’t really give a shit about sports but does enjoy dancing, drinking, and nostalgia, then this is right up your alley!

Festivities kick off at 10 pm, and the event is 18+ and free, though a suggested $5 donation will go toward the benefit of a local non-profit. All of the other information you may need can be found here.

L.A.

Houses to Join Baths and Cold War Kids On National Tour

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Real life couple and the musical duo behind Houses, Dexter Tortoriello and Megan Messina, are having a very busy 2013. Following a string of shows at SXSW, their sophomore album, ‘A Quiet Darkness’ is set for release on April 16th via Downtown Records. The opening track, “Beginnings,” is sparse and ominous. The droning, understated and melancholic harmonies mixed with the growing intensity of the ambient instrumentation create a larger than life soundscape that sets the listener up for the dark ride ahead. The entire album is ambitiously conceptual: a married couple attempt to reunite along Highway 10 after a nuclear disaster, ending tragically with their inevitable deaths. If that’s not enough, the duo spent time capturing found sounds and videos in abandoned houses along the real Highway 10. The layers of intentionality and artistry put into this body of work make it rich with texturally chilling atmosphere. Houses are set to spend April touring with Cold War Kids, followed by a long run in support of Baths. – Jacqueline Caruso

Philadelphia

Where Is My Mind?: Dangerous Ponies’ Chrissy Tashjian

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After pulling back from the brink of breaking up, Dangerous Ponies have returned, refreshed with a wonderful new EP Tenderheart. The band just went on the first part of their current extensive tour, which included a stop at SXSW, and they are getting ready to head out on its second leg in support of their new album. But first, they’ll be celebrating the release of Tenderheart tomorrow night at MilkBoy Philly with family, friends, fans, freshly pressed 7” vinyl records and new bassist Andy Black (formerly of Nicos Gun). We had chance to catch up with Dangerous Ponies frontwoman Chrissy Tashjian to discuss the band’s trials and tribulations since the release of their self-titled LP and what’s in store for the future of one of our favorite indie pop outfits. You can read what she had to say HERE.

Austin

Jason Blum Releases “Radio Dial”

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Jason Blum’s new album Radio Dial came out this past Tuesday.  While Jason calls Austin home now he has not been a stranger to seemingly everywhere.  Just like turning the radio dial each adjustment is like moving to a new town for Blum.  He has hints of all his former residences living in his songs such as New Mexico, West Texas, New York, New Orleans, Washington DC and even Beirut on his newest record.  You might say that Jason’s destiny was to become a musician.  Blum’s father was a singer songwriter also and the two would sit and make up words to music thus teaching Jason how to write songs from an early age.  You might recognize another familiar Austin voice on Radio Dial.  His friend, Kat Edmonson appears on the song Blooming in the Sun.  Although delayed slightly, the CD release party in Austin is set for April 19th at Strange Brew Lounge. – Courtney Pierce