Southeast Engine

In our attempt to present music from all over the world, we sometimes neglect to feature artists who exist regionally, if not here in our own backyard. I spent the better part of six years (during the early 90's) attending university, working and wandering the streets of a dreamy little Ohio town at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. While inhabiting that fairly special place in time, I quickly realized a local music flavor that extended beyond the usual indie fare commonly found in most college towns. That place I remember so fondly is Athens, Ohio, and today's featured musicians call it home. Southeast Engine is an outstanding six piece, folk based rock outfit currently consisting of members Adam Remnant, Leo DeLuca, Adam Torres, Jesse Remnant, Gaelan Mullins and Michael Lachman. The band is signed to Misra Records who have made available a reissue of the 2005 album Coming To Terms With Gravity as well as the brand new full length October 2007 release A Wheel Within A Wheel. For a listen to both new and older tracks, visit the Southeast Engine Myspace page. This is where it gets good. The next live performance will take place this evening at local Newport, Kentucky venue Southgate House. Tonight's show will also be a record release party for Cincinnati rockabilly band The Flux Capacitors who handed me a solid demo while leaving Southgate House the other night. There is also supposed to be a third band but I'm not sure if it will be local act The Delusionals or Towhee from Dayton, Ohio. Either way, it sounds like good fun so I had better finish my beer and get walking over the river to check it out. Take a listen...

MP3: Coming to Terms With Gravity (2005/2007)

MP3: Quit While You're Ahead (2007)

Muscle Snog

This is the first of a few vacation/mental health days away from the office for me and, coincidentally enough, a perfect opportunity to search for new music. After some morning internet travels, digging around myspace for like-minded music folks, I stumbled upon today's featured artist. From what little information I could find in English, Muscle Snog is a collaboration of six musicians from Shanghai, China who seem to each have their own related music projects. For more information and music, there is of course the Muscle Snog Myspace page where we found them as well as a Muscle Snog Neocha profile and another band page for good measure. If you are a regular visitor to MML, you will appreciate the shoegaze qualities of the following track. The song begins with a full two minutes of that signature "wall of sound" guitar we love. If you are patient, what follows is a sizable rhythmic pounding accompanied by distorted vocals that might have you listening more than a few times. Enjoy.

MP3: Mind Shop Is On Sale

There is also a youtube video of the same song during a live performance at local Shanghai venue 4live that took place earlier this year. Although the footage is a bit shaky, this video might give you a better idea of how good and noisy the band can be.

MML: Music Updates & News

Bob Mould: District Line / Circle of Friends

First, the big news... A new full length solo release from former Husker Du / Sugar front man and guitarist Bob Mould is set to be titled District Line. It will be released through Anti- on February 5th and promises an ending track that was originally cut from Bob's debut 1989 solo release Workbook. For the most updated information you can get your hands on, visit the Bob Mould Blog. There is also a Bob Mould Myspace page as well as an "Ask Bob" article that runs locally for Washington CityPaper. Check this out, the track listing for District Line... We are very excited!

01 Stupid Now
02 Who Needs to Dream
03 Again and Again
04 Old Highs, New Lows
05 Return to Dust
06 The Silence Between Us
07 Shelter Me
08 Very Temporary
09 Miniature Parade
10 Walls in Time

Also, results are in where the new Circle Of Friends DVD is concerned and they are not so good. Of course I am joking. The sound quality is excellent and the behind the scenes stuff is all very cool. A good quality preview can be found at Trixie and there is also a Youtube version of the same song (A Good Idea) which we have posted below. Bob continues to be a big favorite after all of these years.

The Black Watch: New Previews on Myspace

Our original discovery of Los Angeles, California based artist John Andrew Fredrick and his long time music project The Black Watch were originally featured in the earliest part of this year [January 19 review + download.] Since that post, the band lineup remains the same for a yet-to-be-titled, full length, 13th release. You can listen to three of the new tracks on The Black Watch Myspace page and find an extensive biography/discography on The Black Watch Website. The track we are featuring today, Tatterdemalion, belongs to the most recent 2006 release of the same name. Enjoy this one.

MP3: Tatterdemalion

The Sky Drops: Hang On Video

After releasing our favorite EP in recent memory with Clouds Of People, The Sky Drops now have a video for the track Hang On that can be viewed below. We first featured this Wilmington, Delaware duo over a year and a half ago [May 2006 review + download] with a follow up earlier this year [April 2007 review + download]. The band is currently in the middle of a limited tour that will bring them within walking distance of our front door on November 16th when they take the stage at legendary Newport, Kentucky venue The Southgate House. Also performing that night will be another previously featured artist Lab Partners and we will probably be hanging out with this guy for a beer or maybe several? See you there! (it is required you know)

MP3: Hang On

Clara Clara: December Release "AA"

We don't make a habit of posting instrumental noise rock here on MML but this is really good. If you remember our feature on François Virot late last year [December 2006 review + download] it will make perfect sense that a side project of this Lyon, France based artist is completely raw and without polish. The new full length 11 track (45 min) submission, simply titled "AA", will be released through SK Records at some point mid December. I've had a chance to listen to the entire thing and it is all very good. Check out the Clara Clara Myspace page to hear more new music and the Clara Clara Website to do the same. Expect a full review of this band in the near future.


MP3: Nous les +

Sarandon: New Slumberland Single

When listening to a new EP that brings to mind the late 80's offerings of Bucky Pope & Company, it's difficult not to appreciate the trash-funk underpinnings that are present. To be honest, I am completely unfamiliar with this band but will tell what little I have found. Sarandon is primarily the music project of an artist named Crayola that was formed around 2003 in South London, UK. There have been some recent lineup changes which have resulted in a title for the new 3 track single Joe's Record. Like my wife, ex-bassist Joe seems to have given up the comforts of the UK in exchange for our wonderful currency and high fructose corn syrup. All quips aside, this is an excellent single that is now available on the band's new label Slumberland Records (SlumberSpace) There is also a Sarandon Myspace page for you to visit and listen to more music.

MP3: The Linguist


Have a good weekend,
Casey

Henry Morgans Solokarriär

Our recent shortage of updates might seem like a lackadaisical turn of events, but there will be a return to normalcy once a few music-related side projects are complete. For now, we have quite the mountain of catching up to do. I received a message a week or so ago from an artist we had previously featured earlier this year [February 5 review + download] with a follow up a couple of months later [April 17 review + download]. The message was regarding a new limited release EP (30 copies) that would be sent to us. After just noticing that these new tracks have since been made available online, we decided not to wait for the arrival of the hard copy. Most people who visit this blog come for very specific music. If you enjoy the Swedish portion of our content, you will be extremely satisfied with the music showcase today. Henry Morgans Solokarriär is the one man music project of Christoffer Davidsson from Uppsala, Sweden. After only a year and one month of recording as a solo entity, the result of Christoffers's new efforts really should be heard. Take a first listen.

MP3: The Good Ones














The new release, titled Memories EP, was recorded and produced by Christoffer during the past few months in true DIY/bedroom fashion. If you stop by the Henry Morgans Solokarriär website, the entire EP is available there as a free zip file download. Free or otherwise, these are four tracks you will want to pay attention to. The new material can also be heard, and compulsory friend invite sent, while visiting the Henry Morgans Solokarriär MySpace page. Besides his own music project, you can also find Christoffer taking on remix duties for Skipping Stones Records artist Celestial. It's all good stuff. The following is a second listen from the new EP... enjoy!

MP3: Red Eyes

PS: Another good link for more related music.... c/o Happiness

Starring Me

The temperature dropped substantially today and Fall is now officially in full effect. It's that time once again to revisit the coats and sweaters that have kept me insulated for years. With music, it will be much the same here on MML, and today's featured artist makes for a wonderfully warm segue into the brisk close of another year. Starring Me is the low key, indie rock trio of Tara Golden (vocals), Reed Clendenen (music/vocals) and John Hashtak (music/vocals) from Jacksonville, Florida. If my calculations are correct, the band has been in existence since 2002 with a self titled, full length debut in 2003 and a later album titled Perfect In The Night that was made available in 2005. The featured track today will be a part of a yet-to-be-named upcoming long player you can expect to be released somewhere close to the '11th hour' of this year or, at latest, the beginning of 2008. For now, there is more information, another equally good new track and some earlier music available on the Starring Me MySpace page for download. From there, you can visit the Starring Me website where you will be able to listen to full versions of the band's previous material from Perfect In The Night. The CD is available for purchase there. Starring Me will kick off a handful of live performance dates commencing November 3rd at local Jacksonville venue Jack Rabbits. This band is a truly independent DIY project that should not be overlooked. Very nice.

MP3: Goodbye

**Bonus** From the 2005 release "Perfect In The Night":

MP3: Waves

Punch And Judy

Sunday might otherwise seem like a proper day to rest on our laurels and post something relatively quiet but, after only a few listens to new material from a previously featured artist, it was decided to kick in your doors (ears) with some outstanding indie rock. We originally posted about this band almost exactly one year ago [October 2006 review + download], and have since mentioned them in our most recent Swedish music roundup. Punch And Judy are a five piece rock outfit from Göteborg, Sweden consisting of Olof Astrom (vocals), Bjorn Vestlund (guitar), Daniel Straneus (guitar/noise), Edvin Thorbjornsson (bass) and Jonas Abrahamsson (drums). Both of today's featured songs belong to an upcoming EP, tentatively set to be titled Voyeur, that will be self-released just before or shortly after the new year. The first track, Kids on Meth, opens with what seems to be a lo-fi practice session but, after less than 20 seconds, it quickly explodes into the controlled riot we were hoping for. While taking no time to settle, diving into the second track A Punch-Up, it was amazing to notice that Punch And Judy remain unsigned. After that second song, something clicked far back in the dark reaches of my twisted little brain. I can completely see this band as the new indie rock darlings of a label like... ohhh, let's say PBR?? Is it just me, or could they easily fit into that lineup? For now, you will need to visit the Punch And Judy Myspace page for more new music and to add on as a friend. The next live performance will take place 13 October at local Göteborg venue Kontiki Slottsskogen. We highly recommend you take a listen to Olof's off-kilter vocals and the raucous accompaniment that completes...the punch.


MP3: Kids on Meth

MP3: A Punch-Up

The Floor Is Made Of Lava

Just over a year ago, I was dating a British girl and was slightly depressed about our frequent goodbye-visits to the airport. After one of those visits, my spirits were raised substantially when I found a Danish band that offered a track titled "Do Your Sister" (romantic, I know) and promptly posted it here [July 2006 review + sister download]. A quick email check yesterday morning and some great news appeared from the raucousness that continues to be this band. The Floor is Made Of Lava is an energetic indie rock trio from Copenhagen, Denmark who have a debut, full length release ready for distribution on October 15, 2007 through DK based label Tabu Records (Tabu MySpace). All Juice No Fruit is the title of the new release and, after listening to all of the tracks, it seems that a seriously solid rock record exists beyond the humorous subject matter we were originally smitten with. To participate in the mayhem and listen to more new music, we highly recommend a visit to The Floor Is Made Of Lava MySpace page. The band also inhabits a more recent addition with their TFIMOL website as well as a spirited TFIMOL blog. In support of All Juice No Fruit, there will be a string of regional live performance dates beginning October 10 at Malmo, Sweden venue Debaser. Consider the new CD a sound purchase and the perfect excuse to do someone's sister.

MP3: IKEA Did A Job On You
MP3: Do Your Sister

Side note: I married that British girl and dragged her from one evil empire to another... No more airports. :)

HeartsRevolution

When making our rounds looking for new artists on various online music resources, a find like today's featured track has us considering the possibility of posting music on an hourly basis, abandoning of our current sporadic pace... if only this were our day job. For now, we bring you a New York/Los Angeles (uncertain of the specific domicile but I'll guess NY) boy/girl duo who are creating an addictive brand of fuzzed-out electro pop, raising the attention of multiple media sources in the process. At first listen, Tom Tom Club came to mind, however hopped up on steroids or remixed, but after repeated exposure without being able to contain the "dance thing" or take our collective seat, the addiction was sealed. HeartsRevolution definitely has an unusual take on promotion as they enlist a DIY refurbished ice cream truck, known as HeartsChallenger, to serve as a kitsch store, transportation and record label HQ all in one go. The song presently featured, C.Y.O.A. or Choose Your Own Adventure is part of a split single with wildly popular Crystal Castles in both glow-in-the-dark and heart shaped vinyl if you visit the HeartsChallenger Store. There are also a couple of amusing shirts you can (and I might) buy there... neon green suits me don't you think?

Foxes and Bunnies... Fire and Snow... We're all just lost, don't know which way to go... Oh yes, this is quite fucking good.


MP3: C.Y.O.A