Shanee Pink has been sharing the spotlight with Mark Noseworthy of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros in neo folk duo Pink & Noseworthy. The Laurel Canyon singer/songwriter is now making her solo debut with new single "Spreading in the Light", a dreamy, nocturnal cut that oozes with atmosphere as it paces in a leisurely stroll. The song is the title track off her forthcoming EP, which is due on March 25th through North Street Records.
Stream: Pink Mountaintops “Ambulance City”
Steve McBean has remained staunchily dedicated to the different sides of hard rock with his main project Black Mountain for close to a decade now. However, his other significant project Pink Mountaintops has been just as worthy for other reasons – the former embraces sludgy riffs and proggy instrumentation, while the latter has a looser template that can vary from blissful psychedelia to reverb-laden indie pop. Now forget everything you’ve read in this description to begin to get into the mindset of what his latest full-length Get Back sounds like, since McBean has set aside his more genial side to deliver a ballsier record that has more grit and attitude. The story of this album started when McBean moved to Los Angeles, finding a likeminded soul in Icarus Line member Joe Cardamone and subsequently working together on an album that wholly embraces the hardy psychedelia that has shaped this city in many ways. Not to mention the fact that there’s a laundry list of LA-based musicians that collaborated in the making of Back like Rob Barbato, Annie Hardy and Steve Kille. "Ambulance City" is just one of the many rollicking layers found throughout the album, a pulsing rocker that rides a motorik rhythm as McBean and his cohorts implement some fuzz-flaked guitars. There’s much to dig in Mcbean’s newest endeavor, one that should introduce and please both old and new fans alike with its contorted explorations on how to reshape (and sometimes deteriorate) the classic design of rock n’ roll. Get Back will be released on April 29 through Jagjaguwar.
Stream: De Lux, “Make Space”
New wave space disco pioneers, De Lux, have shared another single off their upcoming debut LP, ‘Voyage,’ set for release in April on Innovative Leisure. A delightfully odd dance tune, "Make Space," has me wanting to bust out my glittery polyester jumpsuit and lucite platforms. There’s an absurdity to the duo’s music a la The Talking Heads, that is simply fun. The synthesizers and funk riffs make for a fantastically produced track, but at the end of the day, you just want to keep it on repeat and dance around your room with a hairbrush. So, stay inside today and follow those instructions in the song, "Move around, don’t fall, make space." – Jacqueline Caruso
Max and the Moon Release ‘Crazy’ EP, Play The Troubadour March 4
Ripe for pop radio, Max and the Moon’s ‘Crazy’ EP features catchy, upbeat songs you’ll be singing all day long. The title song and single, "Crazy," is a definite stand-out. The thumping beat and bluesy guitar riffs get your toe-tapping, while the R&B style vocals, remisicent of Justin Timberlake (in a good way, I promise), will have you singing along. It’s the perfect, feel-good tune for a rainy day commute. The lone ballad on the EP, "Losing the Agreement," leans in and brushes that hair off your cheek with the perfect balance of sensuality and sensitivity. While this song dims the lights, it doesn’t lose any steam. These OC boys know how to write a pop song and this EP ups the ante on production, poising them for a breakout. With a busy live show schedule already this year, don’t miss them at The Troubadour on March 4 with The Colourist. – Jacqueline Caruso
Blonde Summer releases new EP
Blonde Summer’s leading man, Chris Pope, is forever living in the 90’s, or at least his music is. His mellow garage rock sound has the feel of an everlasting winter, though it also has a warmth that places you in the dead of summer. His newest album, High Times, is Pope’s third EP installment, recorded in Ship studio with Aaron Espinoza. The EP goes through diverse selective styles, from breezy indie rock to synthpop to electroclash, with a 90’s grunge motif that brings back the musical styles that everyone knows and loves. Blonde Summer made headlines at CMJ in 2013, which I attended and unfortunately missed them perform. Forfeit yourself to his voice, drown yourself in his music and cut those ties with the 80’s – please. – Kayla Hay
Blonde Summer releases new EP
Blonde Summer’s leading man, Chris Pope, is forever living in the 90’s, or at least his music is. His mellow garage rock sound has the feel of an everlasting winter, though it also has a warmth that places you in the dead of summer. His newest album, High Times, is Pope’s third EP installment, was recorded in Ship studio with Aaron Espinoza. The EP goes through diverse selective styles, from breezy indie rock to synthpop to electroclash, with 90’s grunge motif that brings back the musical styles that everyone knows and loves. Blonde Summer made headlines at CMJ in 2013, which I attended and unfortunately missed them perform. Forfeit yourself to his voice, drown yourself in his music and cut those ties with the 80’s – please. – Kayla Hay
Video: Fuzz “Raise”
Fuzz is the biting power trio of Charles Moonhart, Chad Ubovich and garage rock prince Ty Segall, keeping true to their very apt name by channeling the more psychedelic side of garage rock. In the video for their banging single "Raise", which was one of the highlights on their self-titled LP last year, the band is shown in full performance mode on a tv screen as a child becomes morally corrupted by their jamming antics; not really, but he does turn into a monster. Director Matt Yoka had this to say about the video: "I felt it was my responsibility as a filmaker to warn parents that Fuzz is going to turn children into monsters". There’s no better way to describe it, isn’t there? Fuzz is available now through In the Red.
Artist to Watch: Street Joy
"Wandering in Your Mind" is the first single by fuzz rock duo Street Joy, a scorching garage burner that pummels with a scrappy guitar lead as it pierces through a stomping groove. Centered around the confident vocals of Jason DeMayo, the song weds a heavy melodic edge with Mersey-beat backup vocal harmonies courtesy of drummer Scott Zimmerman; imagine a period in the sixties where boy bands where beginning to expand their pop hooks with barn-burning licks and you get a good idea of where the duo stand. Finding that kinetic balance is what makes the track resonate, striking a soft focus mid-fi production that really makes that rattling distortion really pop out instead of submerging it with a thick, murky tone. The track is said to be the first in a series of singles, which should give more clues into their overall sound. At least this one track proves that they’re having a blast, offering a tight synchronicity that makes their official recorded debut a very anticipated one, indeed. – Juan Rodríguez
Stream: Bür Gür, “Bush”
Mixing the more absurd elements of Animal Collective’s looping, electronics and sound design with trip hop and droning psychedelia, Bür Gür offer something eclectically engaging for the ear drums. While they could be lost amongst the sea of young kids making music on their laptops in the suburbs of LA, they stood out to this skeptic for their unpretentious approach and attention-grabbing arrangements. Utlitizing loops and beats to fill out a sound driven by layered guitars and sparse vocals, their sound is best represented as experimental pop. Stream "Bush" below. – Jacqueline Caruso
Artist to Watch: James Supercave
Redefining the musical landscape of the eastside, James Supercave have only been performing since 2012, and haven’t officially released an album yet. With a sound as big as a David Bowie-fronted version of Pink Floyd, and an energetic live show to match, its apparent the young quintet are only scratching the surface of their creativity. The band’s first proper single (demos have been leaking for over a year), "The Right Thing" is an art pop opus. Melody and rhythm collide as each movement takes you on a journey of ever-increasing tension that bursts open to an ending filled with pounding drums, soaring strings, and frontman Joaquin Pastor’s signature vocal stylings. James Supercave’s debut EP ‘The Afternoon’ is set for release on Hit City USA in March, with a residency at The Echo the same month. Word on the street is, they’ll be joining Warpaint on tour in April. So those free shows every Monday in March are not to be missed. Stream "The Right Thing," below from the band’s soundcloud. – Jacqueline Caruso
Video: Jesus Sons, “All These Furs”
With the passing of Leonard Knight, the artist behind Salvation Mountain, this video for Jesus Sons‘ "All These Furs," feels more than appropriate. The cinematography captures a nostalgic beauty that not only honors the late artist and his work, but pairs like a fine scotch with the song’s celebratory energy. Following the migratory pattern of myriad garage rockers in their class, Jesus Sons transplanted to LA from San Francisco, only to enrich our rock scene further. If you want to get nerdy about gear, these boys can stand up to the test. While the aesthetic may seem a bit on the nose, Jesus Sons pull it off with pure authenticity. You get the impression that they really do drink their whiskey straight out of the bottle while riding motorcycles through the desert searching for raw life experiences. Snag their debut LP released last month on Mock Records, peep the video below and catch their raucous live set tonight at Harvard and Stone. – Jacqueline Caruso
Jesus Sons "All These Furs" A Carey Quinton Haider Film from carey haider on Vimeo.
Stream: FIM “Fast Cars”
Approahcing humor in songwriting is usually looked down upon, as if not taking things seriously makes you a goof in a musical climate where you’re more respected for being brooding and woundedly self-absorbed. At first glance, it’s easy to dismiss dance punk trio FIM, who willingly define themselves as extraterretrial psych rockers. Staying true to that sill descriptor, the foursome just released their most outlandish track yet, "Fast Cars", a brainy, robotic synth pop romp that is actually backed up by some considerable skill. Meaning, they take their humor seriously. It’s tempting to instantly raise the "novelty" flag, but when you’re incorporating an infectious rhythmic energy with such care there’s no reason to embrace the weirdness and let your inhibitions flow. FIM will be playing this and other songs off their latest EP "Alien Beach Party" at the Satellite on February 24.