a couple of years ago, High Highs came from Australia to the Big Apple with a mission: get frantic New Yorkers to chillax a little. They are succeeding, and while they are at it they are spreading their gentle and soothing vibes in every corner of the world. The band is in the studio finishing their debut album, but found the time to realize this incredibly pretty video of the single "Once Around the House" – which is today’s Vimeo "staff pick".

Photo Source: Erik Blood

Erik Blood is playing at Vibrations 2012 tomorrow, the second annual day festival curated by Cairo. Other musicians performing include King Dude, Night Beats, Witch Gardens, Stickers, and more.

Blood’s latest is the full-length Touch Screens which came out earlier this month. His music tends to oscillate between raucous, drum-driven works and subtler, pulse-beat pieces which lift their bouyant weight to levitate.

"The Lonesome Death of Henry Paris" introduces itself orchestrally before mutating into a hypnotic pairing of bass and beat. His vocals are clear, without effect, speaking sans reservation; their forthrightness makes for good storytelling. Urgent noises start to erupt halfway through, including the entrancing reverberations of a siren-like synth.

"Constance and Casey," on the other hand, tears right into the fabric before letting up on the gas a bit. The guitar see-saws and whirs like My Bloody Valentine; the passages which bookend the shoegazey, psychedelic spinning are tap your foot, come and sing along worthy.

Touch Screens malleability as an album is of the highest order, revealing its water-like quality that allows its sonic forces to form whatever shape is necessary for the song at a given moment.

Make sure to check out Volunteer Park tomorrow August 25 between 1:00-10:00pm for Vibrations. Attendance is free! Listen to "Amputee" below and check out Erik Blood’s bandcamp to stream the entire record. You can purchase a copy for $10.

– Cameron LaFlam

Brooklyn’s Skaters are hard at work to become one of the most fun indie rock band in NYC. This is the second video they release this year. Probably inspired by* the [orange sexy alert if you browse from work!!!] Esquire video of Daisy Lowe dancing on the track "Tiger" by Dave Sitek’s Maximum Balloon, their new video of "I Wanna Dance" focus its attention on a cute African American girl dancing in various places – probably in Brooklyn. Enjoy it below and don’t miss their next show when they’ll be opening for the Whigs on September 19th at the Bowery Ballroom.

*Some of our more open minded writers (we pretty much only listen to NYC bands) suggest that this video could be an answer to the [blue sexy alert if you browse from work!!!] Black Keys’ video of "Lonely Boy".

With their sound that often builds on heavy drum patterns as single stroked guitar chords chime down over distant synthesizer pads, and passionate vocals frequently giving way to atmospheric lead guitar figures, ambient psych-pop band Fort Lean will headline a free end of summer party at Rockaway Beach Boardwalk this Sunday, August 26. Songs like “The Precinct” come at you with measured pacing by way of a deceptively calming descending chord progression, until the big coda crashes you over the head with layers of guitars, cymbals and voices.

Also playing are (The) Tony Castles, who operate on an even dreamier level as on their song "Black Girls in Dresses," offering also a distinctly soulful element carried by lead and background vocals. Atmospheric and spacious, the instruments used in their songs are unpredictable, creating an appealing sense of wonder.

There are two more NYC bands on this bill: theatrical rock quartet Workout and synth-droners Behavior, while a DJ set by Timmy (Of Call Box Lounge Fame) will keep the crowd pumped after the live music. – Dave Cromwell

Brooklyn based, gritty pop duo (sometimes trio) Slam Donahue last night released their new EP "Hemlock Tea" with a show at Bushwick’s new venue Delinquency. The band has a knack for simple, catchy melodies, delivered by front man David Otto’s alto, slightly reminiscent of Billy Corgan’s nasal sneer. – The first single from the EP, "Bug in the Sun," was added to our NYC Indie Rock SoundCloud Channel here.

Talented Brooklyn emerging singer/songwriter Frances Cone (one of our NYC Artists on the Rise a few weeks ago) will join LA based Indie/Folk outfit Milo Greene for a special performance at Bowery Ballroom on August 29th. Frances recently released her first single “Come Back” along with this music video, while Milo Greene has toured with The Civil Wars, after releasing their debut album this past July – if interested you can win VIP tickets to the private event by visiting this site. – Chelsea Eriksen

Pockets feeling a little light? Swagger misplaced? Subwoofer blown? Don’t fret NYC party people, get yourselves some Weekend Money. Take some electro-infused grind-worthy beats, lace them with some gritty street raps and get ready to sweat. Producer Ne$$ and Baghdaddy cite influences from Jimi Hendrix to Mobb Deep and are currently in the lab finishing up their premier ep tentatively titled “Naked City.” If you’re ready to drop it like it’s hot then seek them out, just be prepared for them to run their bass all up in your face. Check out the video for "Insomniac" here. -=brokeMC

MiniBoone‘s latest music video for punchy pop-rock romp "Brand New Thing" embodies every kid’s dream. You know, candy, junk food, soda, and … sasquatch? Well, it must be some kid’s dream: some very awesome, party animal kid’s dream to be precise.The song, off 2011’s On MiniBoone Mountain EP, lends itself extremely well to this… ahem… quirky video. Both are pulsing with energy and emphasize a tongue-in-cheek take on life; the New York-based five-piece didn’t cut any corners when it came to absurdity and a musically good time. Be sure to check it out – this could very well be the most ridiculous just-under-4-minutes you’ve spent in some time. – Corinne Bagish

Fresh from their graduation ceremony at Yale this past spring, the new-to-Brooklyn trio Plume Giant is hitting the road in support of their full-length album “Callithump.” The record comes after an eponymous EP in 2010, and shows off the band’s jovial fusion of folk and fiddle, highlighting playful harmonies with their male-female vocals combination. “Callithump” was recorded over an 11-month stretch around tour and exam schedules, and will be released on August 28, with a US tour to follow. Fellow local folkies Tall Tall Trees will join Plume Giant for their record release show at the Mercury Lounge on August 31. – Devon Antonetti

If you think their previous records were insane, this one’s about to blow your head off. On September 25th, Providence based (but constantly associated to the Brooklyn DIY scene) noise-rock duo Lightning Bolt will be dropping a seven-track compilation of some favorite unreleased recordings, ‘Oblivion Hunter’ (Load Records), which they’ve introduced with King Candy (streaming below). Nerve-wrecking explosion of gritty basslines, aggressive drums and howling vocals reminescent of Japanese noise aesthetics fusing from beneath the chaos, the track fully captures the furious energy of their sets, and opens an EP already much anticipated, with some teasingly tasty alliterations in the titles (Fly Fucker Fly or World Wobbly Wide) and a strongly suggested ‘not for the faint-hearted’ label. Currently on a tour which started in DC on Tuesday (8.21), the duo will – prior to the release – be shaking up Brooklyn’s 285 Kent on September 20th.

(Photo by Todd Zimmer)

Editor’s note and correction: Shelf Life is the second album release from The Hearts of Darkness. The band’s first album, a self-titled LP, was released in 2010 and available at Bandcamp.

"Welcome to the Middle of the Map!
Kansas City, to be exact!
I’m Les Izmore, and I’ve brought some friends along!
They go by …

THE HEARTS OF DARKNESS!"

The opening cadence of the very first song, the title track to The Hearts of Darkness’ new album Shelf Life, is not an introduction.  It is not a gentle request for your attention.  What it is … (deep breath) … is one of Kansas City’s most bombastic frontmen throwing down the gauntlet and defying you to turn your attention away from the forty-five-minute barrage of music and lyrics that comprise the first full-length effort of a band whose reputation as a live act without peer has been growing since its inception in 2008. Their progression has followed the standard blueprint of sought-after success: play gigs, become known for their live shows, record an EP, play more gigs, get asked to play high-profile slots in such big-ticket events as Farm Aid and Kanrocksas, release a bonafide album. Two years in the making, Shelf Life brings together the beat of West Africa, the spirit of New Orleans, the funk of James Brown, the rhythm of Fela Kuti, and the soul of Count Basie.  There’s also no shortage of KC pride here; HoD makes it very clear that they are raising the hometown flag high throughout the record.

Not bad for a group that bandleader Bob Asher describes as a "side project" when they came together nearly 5 years ago.  He says that most of the musicians (anywhere between 12 and 19 on a given night) had little to no experience playing in a band, so the Hearts of Darkness sound was carefully cultivated along the way.  The result is a collective that is amazingly tight in spite of its sometimes sprawling stage presence – and a presence they are, with Izmore and a formidable trio of dynamic, compelling ladies providing the lyrics to music that demands movement from the listener. While the rhythm is almost always on full-speed-ahead mode, the messages aren’t always simply about having fun and dancing the night away, as witnessed by such tracks as "Standing on the Corner" and "Got to Hustle."  Chad Meise at The Cooler Studio does yeoman work in capturing the energy of a live performance, but vinyl and plastic can only do so much, so attending HoD’s CD release party (emphasis on "party," as The Good Foot will be laying down the soul groove sounds as well) is highly recommended.

What’s next for The Hearts of Darkness?  According to Asher, some well-deserved down time, as the band will be cutting back on performances for the rest of the year and gearing up for 2013, with new songs at the ready. The target to kick back into full swing is around Mardi Gras time – and what better event for such an unstoppable musical force to flex its muscles? Shelf Life will either be the start of a new sonic addiction or the latest dose of an already-ingrained habit.  As Les and the ladies ask in "Numeration," how far will they go before they stop?

Here’s hoping we don’t find out where the “stop” is for a long, long time.

The Hearts of Darkness will be releasing Shelf Life at a special release party this Saturday, August 25 at Knuckleheads Saloon at 8:00 pm. They’ll be accompanied by special guests The Good Foot.

–Michael Byars

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Check out this new video from Thee Water MoccaSins, "Fumbling Toward the Abyss" from their album From The Rivers of Missouri and the Banks of Fear. This is the first of eight videos released by the band. They’ll also be performing tonight at The Riot Room with special guests Be/Non and Olivetti Letter.

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