MML Update: The Secret Life of Sofia

As strange as it seems now, it was almost two full years ago when we originally featured Brooklyn, New York based artist The Secret Life of Sofia, including members Kyle (vocals, classical guitar, electric guitar, keys), Eric (guitar, vocals, bass, keys, percussion), Steve (drums, bells, keys, vocals) along with live addition Fraser (bass, percussion, vocals) and the outstanding track Hospital Inside Me [July 2006 review + MP3 download]. As an update we've been sitting on for a few weeks now, there is a brand new, full length release, titled Seven Summits, to announce and we highly recommend you take a good extended listen. The songs involved are actually true stories Kyle decided to interpret after a mountain climbing experience in Colorado. Although a complete departure from some of the earlier material we were originally smitten with, the new songs we've taken in are absolutely beautiful. For more music, you can visit both The Secret Life Of Sofia website as well as The Secret Life Of Sofia MySpace page. There are currently a handful of live dates so far this summer but that list will be expanding quickly... hopefully into the Midwest and specifically the Cincinnati, Ohio/NKY area.

Hats off to the band for remembering MML and sharing the new music with all of us....

MP3: Outside

Adam Heart

No, we haven't disappeared. Instead, your friendly neighborhood bloggers are currently still buried with nerves, finance and general moving type worries that have kept us away from this magic button machine during most of yet another week. As reparation for those bewildered souls who actually wondered enough to message us with their concerns, we now kick off a week of daily music with a glam-tastic artist from Central/Northeastern Ohio (pronounced "Ahia") we've been meaning to showcase for quite some time. Adam Heart is an impressive multi-instrumentalist who was originally born in Frankfurt, Germany, but now calls Ohio (please say it with me again... "Ahia") home. Adam's four piece backing band, The Children Of Light, currently consists of Dom Vercillo (lead guitar), Phoenix Rainbow (bass), Alexander Nevermind (guitar, effects) and Kyle The Great Elkins (percussion) who are loosely based around the small college/industrial town of Ashland, Ohio. With enough spare change, willpower and maybe even some sort of trashed, yet elegant, tour van... this troupe might just be paying a visit to your local venue very soon. Let's throw a couple of songs at you before momentum finds them featured all over the place.

MP3: Electric Prophet From On High
MP3: Okay To Be

Oh yes, this is a very good thing. To find the track we feel is a certain show-stopper you will need to visit the Adam Heart MySpace page and be sure to click on the song Strictly Ballroom Baby while there. As an added bonus, we have a late night television YouTube video version of the same song with the band playfully lip-synching as improvisation. Enjoy!

Heroes of Popular Wars

Another week away with a mountain of paperwork and un-resolved housing issues makes for a nervous murder of MML bunnies and a not-so-updated blog... however, we can now take a deep breath in bringing you a treat in the form of Brooklyn, New York based quartet, Heroes Of Popular Wars. I'm not sure that many bands we've featured recently can eclipse the balance of experimental electronica vs. acoustic/hungry guitar offerings that seem to fall effortlessly into the ear with what is believed to be a natural lead track in Goodbye. We've also attached the telephone-tastic song There's The Bell in order to seal the deal... just don't try to place an outgoing call while listening. More music is available upon visiting the Heroes Of Popular Wars MySpace page. The next live performance will take place at Philadelphia, PA venue M-Room (M-Room MySpace) June 11, followed by a second chance to fall in love June 13 at Brooklyn/Williamsburg staple Don Pedro's.

MP3: Goodbye
MP3: There's The Bell

The Sad Cobras

So we've been away from the blog for a week of painful home buying negotiation and a mountain of related paperwork we certainly wouldn't wish upon anyone. The chase (no pun) to become true adults and happy homeowners is far from over but we needed to take a deep breath in returning to another submission of music we love... in other words, please be patient with us. Today's featured audio treats belong to a Roanoke, Virginia based quartet known as The Sad Cobras. Aside from the tracks made available below, the members of this band are also involved with an impressive local music collective in The Magic Twig Community which includes additional projects The Young Sinclairs, Boys Lie, Sunking! and The Power Animals among others. After visiting all of these incarnations, a thought came to mind that we just might need to take an entire week to showcase all of this music. Our first listen, where TSC are concerned, revealed wonderfully off-kilter vocals in a DEVO-infused and highly recommended track Body Cast... which is a great place to start sharing the sounds. Here we go.

MP3: Body Cast




Body Cast is just one of the songs you will find on the brand new, self released album titled No More Graves and you can listen to more of it by visiting The Sad Cobras MySpace page. The next live performance will take place at Richmond, Virginia venue Nara Sushi (on the Terasu?) June 7 with previously featured VA favorite Hot Lava. The following are a pair of additional tracks from the new release. The mood is decidedly more subdued but equally lovely.

MP3: Bernice
MP3: My Fondest Memory

MML Video: Dana Falconberry

Our initial feature of Austin, Texas based artist Dana Falconberry happened around a year and a half ago [September 2006 review + download], just as the outstanding EP Paper Sailboat was beginning to land some well deserved attention. As an update, we bring you a brand new single, titled Love Will Never Leave You Alone, in the form of a YouTube video. This new track will eventually belong to the upcoming full length debut album Oh Skies Of Grey which is set for release, without any specific date, later this year. Tomorrow night, April 27, you can catch a live performance, with musicians Erika Maassen and Gina Dvorak rounding out the full band experience, at Houston, Texas venue The Mink. If this new single is any indication of what to expect from the new LP, we just might have another year end "best of" mention on our hands. Take a moment to visit the Dana Falconberry MySpace page also for additional info and music. Happy Saturday to all...

From the 2006 EP Paper Sailboat:

MP3: Sadie

I Love You Airlines

In continuing what seems to be an occasional theme here at MML, we have yet another good NYC artist with a penchant for interpreting various and highly listenable moments of the 1980s. After glazing over the promotional email and management pop/glam rock description for the band I Love You Airlines, we had a few listens and decided that there was more of a feverish urgency involved somewhere within the recordings. An extended visit to the I Love You Airlines MySpace page revealed, to our delight, that this New York City duo of Edi Kearns (vocals) and Paul Rechsteiner (bass) have bands such as Bad Brains listed as influences. There are also a number of additional tracks you will find while visiting, including a favorite of ours in Diamond Disguise from the latest self-released EP titled A New High. The next live performance will take place May 25 at Washington D.C. venue DC9 as part of the monthly electro-pop event Taint.

MP3: The Snow Leopard

Dead Leaf Echo: Pale Fire EP

At some point in 2006, we received a kind message from NYC based artist Dead Leaf Echo (DLE MySpace) and, for reasons we can only chalk up to dysfunction on our part, communication was lost before we could feature the band's debut release Faint Violet Whiff. The sound, at that time, was decidedly 80s with more of a Roxy Music feel than anything we could attach to the crop of proto-shoegazers that would follow a few short years later... but now we have an updated story to report. The New York City trio of LG (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Mike DiLalla (bass) and Liza B (keys,vocals) recently mailed us a new offering we can recommend without hesitation. Pale Fire is the title of this brand new EP, and what we believe is the the lead track from it was actually mixed by UK shoegaze/dreampop extraordinaire Ulrich Schnauss (Ulrich Schnauss MySpace). The next live performance will be a definite highlight of an event, sponsored by the lovely and growing Loveless Music Group (LMG MySpace), that is set to take place April 23 at local Brooklyn venue Rehab. Expect plenty of future updates on DLE from MML.

MP3: Pale Fire

Oh, and before I forget. The band is currently exploring the idea of adding an additional member in the form of a quality percussionist. Please contact DLE directly if you are interested.

Red Kitchen

Sometimes, it really is what the featured artist doesn't have that is a secondary draw after a few listens to the music. With no official website, label, or even any type of one-sheet submission, a simple email communication was all that was needed to create a stir here at MML. Red Kitchen is the music project of multi-instrumentalist Matt McClure from Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. As it was explained to me last week, every song Matt has recorded over the past seven years is part of an ongoing/extended concept album addressing an ageing man and his life as advanced Alzheimer's disease sets in. While this fact alone might pique your interest enough to listen, please know that the music we've heard is a cozily disheveled collection of anthems that stand well enough on their own without any further banter on our part. You can listen to more of these tracks and contact the artist if you so desire, by visiting the Red Kitchen MySpace page. Now that you have at least some sense of backdrop for the music, please give a listen and pay attention to the lyrics.

MP3: The Wake Or 110 Days

City Breathing

If anyone just so happened to ask if a song, ok... any song clocking in at over nine minutes, could hold our attention beyond a standard cocktail and cigarette, I would probably be looking carefully for signs of eye redness and/or a Frank Zappa printed t-shirt. This time, however, all bets are off as our collective attention is focused on an impressive entry in the form of a new Roses & Hello label release, titled Look How It's Snowing Upwards, Look How They Move Towards Heaven, from Brooklyn, New York based trio City Breathing. Current contributors Arun Antonyraj, Marwan Kanafani (no, not that Marwan Kanafani... - Michelle) and Ron Tucker have created a true gem in this debut full length album that had our heads spinning nicely after repeated listens. Additional music can be found on the City Breathing MySpace page and there is more information available upon visiting the City Breathing website. The next live performance will take place April 26 @ local Brooklyn venue Monkey Town. Once you give today's featured track exactly 3 minutes to build its lovely base, a shoegaze-threaded and quite epic departure ensues. Plenty of you MML regulars will appreciate this one.

MP3: A Memory of Fingerprints

For another track and our first mention of the band, please visit our previous post from Feburary... right here.

Phillip Eno

It's not often we have the chance to feature this much of the back catalogue for one artist but, when we do (and actually enjoy it), you can be sure that an audio experience well worth a few listening moments awaits. The first thing we need to explain is that Phillip Eno is not a distant cousin of popular namesake Brian... or any one person at all. Instead, what we have to share is the work of primary musicians/married couple Lito Vales and Nerissa Vales from Astoria, New York. Along with various friends, Lito and Nerissa have been churning out an amazing amount of music since 2002. The sound floats somewhere close to shoegaze, with strong electro-pop hints and a few other influences (Stephin Merritt) that are failing to register in my brain right now. We were originally only going to feature the few songs we received via email but, after visiting the band's label, Cactus Killer (Cactus Killer Myspace), we found a virtual treasure trove of outstanding music to download. The big news is that two new albums will be released, in the very near future, for 2008. For more information and plenty of additional music, you can visit the Phillip Eno website as well as the Phillip Eno MySpace page. Before beginning with the music, be sure to have a fresh cocktail and/or pack of cigarettes on hand for the ride. Very nice.

From the 2006 release Candelaria...
MP3: Young Thug
MP3: For The Love Of Renaldo Moon

From the 2005 release Comfort Room...
MP3: Fake #1
MP3: Holiday On The Moon

From the 2004 self titled release Phillip Eno...
MP3: My New Day
MP3: Ingrid

From the 2004 release Almost A Love Story...
MP3: You Say
MP3: Brood X

From the 2004 release ETC...
MP3: A Prophecy
MP3: Grand Avenue

Finally, from the 2002 debut release Manila Guerilla...
MP3: Quicksand
MP3: Sinking

Codpiece

Today it gets good and noisy here at MML as we bring you Long Beach, California rock ensemble Codpiece. The featured track is one of five that belong to a November 2007 self released EP titled Epic Code. Within this debut offering, you can expect to hear plenty of the influences listed on the Codpiece MySpace page as well as a few that had us sorting through our old music collection for comparisons. While the sound is decidedly JAMC, there is definitely Ramone(s) flavor as well as a hint of early Archwelder thrown in for good measure. You can catch the band live tomorrow night, April 10, by making your way to Los Angeles venue Mr. T's Bowl. Need a healthy dose of feedback? Yes?? We thought so. Now might be a good time to turn the computer speakers up a notch or two. Good stuff.

MP3: Whenever I'm With You

MML Preview: François Virot

Photo: Beatriz Lanchas

After a few days of welcomed but taxing family obligations and an unfortunate car engine explosion (don't ask), we finally have the opportunity to settle back in with some outstanding new music we've been listening to all the while. Our first feature of Lyon, France based multi-instrumentalist François Virot happened well over a year ago [December 2006 review + download] with a follow up on one of his noisier side projects, Clara Clara (Clara MySpace) almost a year later [October 2007 review + download]. Now we have the good fortune to report an upcoming full length release, simply titled Yes Or No, which will be made available through Clapping Music (Clapping MySpace) on June 5. Our first complete listen to the new album revealed a collection of songs that, while keeping with the previous theme of experimental campfire-folkiness, gave us a new take on Mr. Virot's warm and playful direction. For more music and information, visit the François Virot website as well as the much visited François Virot MySpace page. The next live performance will take place in Berlin, Germany on April 13 as François takes the stage at Madame Claude. The itinerary for a summer tour of the U.S. is also in the works and you can place a safe bet that we will be front and center for the Chicago show. The following two tracks are lovely and a highly recommended preview of the new album. Enjoy.

MP3: Not The One
MP3: Where o Where a

Affordable Hybrid

As a complete departure from our most recent offerings here at MML, we decided it best to club you over the head with an excellent post-punk rock band we've had on full volume for the past couple of days. Affordable Hybrid is a young quartet from Vänersborg, Sweden with a current lineup consisting of members Samuel Järpvik (guitar, vocals), Joel Eriksson (guitar, vocals), Lars Löfgren (bass, vocals) and Mikael Björklund (destroying his drum kit). The band has been active in both recording and performing live since 2003 and has easily captured our attention with a sound I can only place between Fugazi and some of the more coherent material we remember from Jesus Lizard. Here is a first listen to a track that might even give Ian MacKaye a reason to smile blushingly.

MP3: Say Ah



Say Ah is just one of 13 tracks that belong to the late 2007 debut album, titled The Snake Was A Mistake, which was recorded over the summer by fellow musician/producer Dieter Schöön and released by the band's current label Tell Me That You Love Me. We've had a chance to take in the entire thing and all songs are equally impressive. For those who'd like to hear more, there is also an Affordable Hybrid MySpace page where you can find plenty of music, both past and present, and an extensive list of their upcoming live performance dates. The new European tour kicks off this Saturday, April 5 at the local (annual) Vänersborg music festival widely known as Fairfest (2008). We now leave you with another track that could possibly give you a semi-understanding of our earlier Jesus Lizard hint. Can you tell we like this band?

MP3: It Might Be Too Late

MML Preview: Tomihira

Back in the earliest part 2006, we received our very first music care package from San Francisco, California based artist Dean Tomihira. Contained within the bubble wrapped envelope he sent was a copy of an amazing 2005 full length release titled Play Dead. That CD ended up traveling with me, almost immediately following it's arrival, over to London, UK for a second visit with MML editor and now resident concubine (wife) Michelle [... cheeky git! - ed.] After listening constantly for the duration of what can only be described as a mutual courtship with the perfect soundtrack, we posted a brief write-up on the music [March 2006 review + download]. As a follow up, a couple of months later, we revisited Dean's music with an excellent New Order cover song [May 2006 review + Mr. Disco MP3] that made its way onto a certain tribute album you might also want to check out. There is plenty of music to explore on the Tomihira website and additional information to find at the Tomihira MySpace page.

Now we get to the good stuff... a new track has been made available for us to share with you. The mood is consistent with everything we've grown to love including an equal balance of Dean's unmistakable vocals and light tension that falls gently into the warmest depths of our ears. The upcoming, yet to be titled album is currently being tweaked and polished and, with much anticipation, we look forward to the finished product. We highly recommend you have a first listen (even if @ 98 kbps)...

MP3: Ringers Off (New for 2008!!)

From the New Order tribute album Community 2 (2006)
MP3: Mr. Disco

From the release Play Dead (2005)
MP3: World Class
MP3: Pillbox

Starfish100

We originally were not going to post anything this evening since my impacted wisdom teeth have decided to all sing painfully in unison today, but after a large dose of ibuprofen, I get to feature a band that we have been happily listening to for a few days now. Starfish100 is an indie pop/rock four piece from São Paulo, Brazil consisting of members Demys Schneider (vocals/guitars), Angelo Bijelli (vocals/guitars), Néo (bass) and André (drums). The band started out in 2001 when Demys arrived from London, UK and so they vocalize in both Portuguese and English. While the music is radio-friendly enough for a wider listening audience, there are also a few hints of a couple of late 80s/early 90s artists we at MML just so happen to love... both of which can found listed as influences on the Starfish100 MySpace page. While visiting there, be sure to check the videos and download some of the music. The next live performance will take place on April 5 at local São Paulo venue/club Berlin.

MP3: Untrue
MP3: Por Mais Que

As if the songs were not enough... here is a great YouTube video for the track "Untrue"

MML Buzz: Uncut/Japan Release Date!

Long before the MML music blog existed, we inhabited a small, experimental corner of the internets in the form of a MySpace group page. During these not-so-glorious early days of late 2005, some friends were made and my first foray into the whole "dancing about architecture" type thing was born. Today's featured artist was the original subject of our affection and continues to be a staple of our daily listening regimen. The first exclusive took place last year [March 2007 review + video/downloadables] well after Toronto, Canada based quartet Uncut released their sophomore, 2006 full length album Modern Currencies. In avoiding another day late/dollar short (no pun) scenario, we've decided to give a timely announcement of the band's Japanese release date of April 2nd for Modern Currencies. The added bonus of two previously unheard tracks, in store for eager listeners such as ourselves, will accompany the new Japanese offering which will be made available through 51 Records (51 MySpace) next month. Word on the "mean streets" of Canada is that there will be more new music to follow, embracing the most recent addition of guitarist and resident camel tamer Chris McCann. We might just have to wait for the new material, much like a young boy sitting on the curb (baseball mitt in hand) hoping for dad to leave the pub to gather him for ball practice... meanwhile, there are a few treats from the past to revisit. Let's listen once again, shall we?

From the 2006 release Modern Currencies:
MP3: Darkhorse

From the 2005 release Those Who Were Hung Hang Here:
MP3: Copilot
MP3: Taken In Sleep

*Bonus MP3*: Taken In Sleep (Live) ...a long, long time ago

Secret Knives

So a holiday weekend we are not particularly interested in is well underway, and our knee-jerk response is to do the following: a) cook lots of food, b) drink, c) listen to music. Since we have an eight pound ham boiling away in Coca-Cola with onions (thanks Nigella) and our collective liver is now feeling especially dapper, it was decided to feature an entire EP of new music for all to listen. We originally received an email from a really nice bloke named Blink, who just so happens to run the Wellington, New Zealand based record label A Low Hum, late last week. After poking around his links for a while, we discovered that, aside from the annual music festival he hosts, there are a handful of quality artists who are a part of his label and definitely deserve a second take. Today's featured music is the complete debut EP release, titled The Wolves, from local Wellington, NZ outfit Secret Knives. Information on the band is scarce at best but, if you are a fan or are at least familiar with the 2005-era Swedish music onslaught from labels like Labrador, there is a high probability that some of these new tracks will be an enjoyable listen. Here goes...

MP3: The Wolves
MP3: The Thief (*especially recommended*)
MP3: The Cage
MP3: Not In Love
MP3: The Skeleton (*especially recommended*)
MP3: The Transformer
MP3: Kerze

The French Semester

First of all, we need to give a big thank you shout to those who are now visiting MML via proxy server from China! Very cool. Today's featured artist gave us an instant thought/memory of Sebadoh days upon first review but, after a few listens, we were almost certain at least one of the creative forces involved must be the proud owner of an old Strawberry Alarm Clock record... and yes this is a very good thing. The French Semester is a Los Angeles, California based indie rock quartet consisting of Riaz Tejani (vocals, guitar), Bryan Sullivan (vocals, percussion, keys), Gil Disloquez (bass) and Mark Bullivant (drums). The band's upcoming, full length release titled Open Letter To The Disappeared is currently available for pre-order through Germany based label Beyond Your Mind Records (BYMR Myspace) The next live performance will take place tonight at local Hollywood venue Relax Bar. Lovely to have another good Winter song to bring about the much needed warmth of Spring for those of us who endure seasonal climates... brrrrr.

MP3: Winter Song

*Bonus* Ok, so maybe I was not completely accurate with my comparison here... but the following is still one of my favorite songs/guilty pleasures of all time.

MP3: Strawberry Alarm Clock - Incense and Peppermints

Skylight

For regular visitors who might feel a bit neglected as a result of our lack of updates where shoegaze and related fuzz-tastic music are concerned, this might just be the post for you. Today we feature Skylight, a band that originally started out in 1990 with founding musicians Perry (bass, guitar, vocals, loops) and Brent Martino (guitar, programming, keyboards, loops), who, at the time, were residing in Boston, Massachusetts. After plenty of lineup changes and an eventual break in 1996, the duo reformed eleven years later in Chicago, Illinois with 2007 additions Kim (vocals) and Grant (drums, evil chants) to complete the full band once again. The years of separation might seem amazing enough, or at least worthy of note, but once we had a listen to the band's new demo track Winter Nights there was an instant recognition that the music was indeed a product of first-hand experience. More songs are available upon visiting the Skylight MySpace page so you had better glance down at the footwear and adjust your volume to ear-bleeding levels. Silly I know... but damn, this is good.

MP3: Winter Nights

The Alligators

It's just another Sunday and when the mood hits to feature an outstanding band we know absolutely nothing about, we are more than happy to share the music. The name was what originally caught my attention since a funk band of the same name used to play a Columbus venue my mother would drag me to when I was all of 10 years old. That was the (late) 70s...eeek! From what little information I gathered, The Alligators are an indie pop-rock quintet loosely based in Provo, Utah with current members Becca, Nate, Julian, Russell and Steve kicking up some of the most refreshing tracks we've heard so far this year. Again, our information is limited at best here but, there seems to be a forthcoming EP for 2008 and today's featured songs are listed as being a part of the new release. The next live performance will take place March 22 at local Provo venue Velour Live Music Gallery. We highly recommend you take a moment to listen to this band. Also expect a follow up once the new EP surfaces.

MP3: Oh Oh Oh
MP3: I'm Dungeons You're Dragons (RIP: Gary Gygax... yes, I was one of those nerds).

Vanilla Swingers

While a number of obligations have kept us away for a few days, we've continued our listening duties and have another good one to share with you today. Since it will be raining all weekend here in the Queen City, the intro and steady, low key tone of today's featured track works well enough with our misty window view out over the Ohio River. Vanilla Swingers, a London, UK based duo of Anne & Miles, have a self titled debut that is set for release in May of 2008. The nine songs contained within the album tell a story of time travel between two people who finally revisit one another in the year 2015. The music was mixed,in part, by renowned producer/multi-instrumentalist Ian Catt and mastered by Kramer (yes, that Kramer) of recently re-born Second Shimmy. From the handful of songs we've taken in so far, the feel is decidedly 80s synth-based pop, threaded with a balanced measure of guitar accent and shared vocals that create warmth not usually found in retro offerings of this variety. A complete listen to the new album will give us a chance to piece together the story involved... we are looking forward to the May release date and live performances that are planned in support.

MP3: I'll Stay Next To You

Russian Spy Camera

I can't remember how we originally stumbled upon today's featured artist over a year and a half ago, but it's a good thing we did [July 2006 review + Curanderismo.mp3]. Since our last visit, Athens, Georgia based Russian Spy Camera seems to have grown from a duo into a three piece and have also just completed a follow up to their debut offering You Are A Vulture. The new full length release, titled Mutiny In The Kitchen With Knives, twists up an odd but highly listenable mixture of turns within each track and throws plenty of curves we can recommend for sure. The Russian Spy Camera MySpace page has some upcoming live dates and a few of the new songs to check out, but the best part is this... you can download the entire new album completely free (but please donate if you can) while visiting the Russian Spy Camera website. The following three tracks belong to the new release and are in no particular order. Enjoy.

MP3: Bleeding At The Gums
MP3: Pixels In Your Soup
MP3: Hotels

Bob Mould / Halou @ The Grog Shop, Cleveland, OH 3/8/08

It's hard to believe now, but the first Bob Mould show (post Hüsker Dü) I had the opportunity to attend took place in Cleveland, Ohio during the Workbook Tour in May of 1989. A couple of years year later, I returned to Cleveland and actually had the chance to participate in an interview with Mr. Mould for WUJC (now WJCU) at a long since defunct club called The Empire in 1990. I still have the cassette tape of that interview we recorded with a Sony Walkman and will have to try to convert it to an updated format one of these days.



Lately, we haven't had the chance to take in many of Bob's live performances, and our visits up to northeastern Ohio are even less frequent, so braving a predicted snowstorm to make our way back to Cleveland seems to be the plan this weekend. Bob Mould will take the stage on Saturday, March 8, at The Grog Shop in support of his brand new full length release, District Line, which we previewed here on MML last December. We are more than excited and will be there, front and center, to enjoy the set.

From the February 2008 release District Line:
MP3: The Silence Between Us



As an added bonus, the opening act this Saturday evening will be San Francisco, California trio Halou, who we featured just over a year ago [December 2006 review + download]. The band now has a brand new 6 track EP, titled Sawtooth, which is an incredibly good listen. To hear more of the new music, stop in for a visit to the Halou MySpace page and be sure to make it to the show early this Saturday... snowsuit and all.

From the February 2008 EP Sawtooth:
MP3: It Will All Make Sense In The Morning

Hot Lava: Lavalogy

Yes, we realize this is the back cover of the new album, but the artwork is really good so you will have to wait to see the front.

As a follow up to our most recent post, just over a month ago [January 28 review + Mummy Beach MP3], we finally had a chance to take listen to the entire new album from a Richmond, Virginia based four piece/love-volcano known to many as Hot Lava. Front woman/band founder Allison Apperson was kind enough to float us the remastered tracks and we were then left with the difficult task of figuring out which song to feature. After playing paper-scissors-rock enough times (3 out of 5) to have a few cocktails, we found the following track a good representation of what you can expect from the new full length release, Lavalogy.

MP3: link removed... expect big things from Hot Lava!!

There are several additional gems within the new album including (our picks) Over It, Ghosties, Blue Dragon and yet another, titled BrainEX, that can be heard upon visiting the Hot Lava MySpace page. The CD release party will take place this Saturday, March 8, as the band performs at local venue Rumors Boutique (Rumors MySpace).

Micevice: Experiments on the Duration of Love (1998)

Since we are off and running to hunt'n'gather our groceries for the week, this will be a quick post with a highly groovable song to make the day just a little more complete. Today's featured track was originally circulated as part of the full length album Experiments On The Duration Of Love which was recorded in 1998 then released in 1999 by a fledgling Italian outfit calling themselves Micevice. Thanks to the wise folks at Italian label MyHoney Records (MyHoney Myspace), we now have a chance to explore this obscure, decade-old classic with a new ear of appreciation. Monti-Chiari, Italy-born founding member Giovanni Ferrario had been creating music, in various forms, since the mid 1980s and has since been involved with a number of experimental musical projects, many of which can be found on the Giovanni Ferrario MySpace page. Be sure to listen to the 2002 track Raise A Shout while visiting Giovanni's MySpace... you might just thank us.

MP3: Queue For Sedatives

MML Update: Backslick

When we manage to do updates for previously featured artists and go to look back at our original words [October 2006 review + download], the similarities are sometimes frighteningly close to our current thoughts while listening to the new material. Such was the case with today's re-featured four piece of Khaled Saibi (vocals/guitar), Peter Valtersson (guitar), Dan Holmgren (bass) and Adam Petersson (drums) who make up the indie pop-rock outfit Backslick from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band has a new self-released EP, titled Shake It Out, which can be heard (and purchased?) if you visit either the Backslick website or the Backslick MySpace page and contact them directly. They just might just love to hear from you. If the energetic and pointed beat along with an occasional but decidedly addictive guitar accompaniment are not enough to send you back a couple of decades, Khaled's off-kilter vocals will certainly have you searching through the post-punk section of your classic 1980s record collection for a direct comparison. The next chance to catch a live show will be April 5 in Vänersborg as they've signed on to be a part of FairFest 2008.

From the 2008 EP Shake It Out... an updated version of an older song titled "Push Him Into Something Good" that originally belonged to the EP Hallelujah Moment (2006)...

MP3: Push Him

From a 2007 Backslick Promo... I can't be the only one who wants to dust off those old records and cassettes from The (English) Beat after listening here. Great song also...

MP3: Truth

Fairmount Girls

We've been tightening our belts to save some cash for a new roof over our milk milk lemonheads and have limited our time out on the town as a result of being semi-responsible adults. This past Saturday we took a rare break from our...um, break to meet a good friend who was in town to see the band City Breathing from Brooklyn, New York. We arrived late to Northside Tavern and missed the NYC opening experience but met a few members of the band who were really nice. After settling in with a couple of beers, a local outfit we were not familiar with took center stage and captured plenty of our attention. Fairmount Girls are a Cincinnati, Ohio five piece consisting of members Melissa "Fairmount" (portable Italian organ), Dana Hamblen (drums), Beth Cheek (bass), Pat Hennessy (fancy guitar) and Randy Cheek (another guitar, noise, gadgets) who all share vocal responsibilities and have been around for something like 12 years! The band put on an exceptional live performance and afterwards Dana was kind enough to slip us a nicely weathered copy of a 2006 EP. Shall we listen?

MP3: Queen For A Day



Oh yeah, it's good... and the perfect excuse for us to feature some local flavor. I checked the insert of the EP we were given and it seems that most of the music was recorded by former Afghan Whigs bassist John Curley in his studio Ultrasuede right here in Cincinnati. Since the Fairmount Girls website is currently a work in (or out of) progress, you will need to pay an extended visit to the Fairmount Girls Myspace page for additional info and music. I think it's time for another song.

MP3: 4am

*Bonus* We were unfortunate enough to miss the opening act City Breathing, so we figured it would be a good idea to give a quick shout... yo, word!.

Bonus MP3: City Breathing - Footsteps: Leaving The Scene

Heroes of Switzerland

If you are a regular visitor to MML who shares our penchant for shoegaze and some of the related music that followed during the early 1990s, please don't think for a second that we've forgotten what often has us listed as a shoegazey-type music blog. Today's featured artist goes a long way in restoring our place in the footwear fetish department and the music might just make your must-have list this week. Heroes Of Switzerland is the Nottingham, UK four piece of Ian Lockwood (vocals, guitars), Jon Crannage (bass), Jez Sullivan (guitars) and Matt Power (drums) who originally converged in 2003 under the band name Monaural. Since their current incarnation as HoS, a debut EP, titled Disposable Fiction, has been made available, and now the full length release, Comfort In Fear, is set for distribution on February 29. Both can be purchased/pre-ordered if you visit the Heroes Of Switzerland website. Of course there is also a Heroes Of Switzerland MySpace page where you can do the same and add a new friend in the process. Here is a first listen to one of the many shoegaze-infused indie rock tracks from the upcoming release Comfort In Fear.

MP3: Wonderland



Aside from the obvious, what impresses us most here is that Heroes Of Switzerland employ a clean sound that stays away from the peripheral noise many other bands misuse/mistake as some sort of traditional wall of sound. An added result of being able to hear basic song structure is that a number of pre and post-shoegaze era artists bubbled up to the surface while listening. It is possible, and quite probable, that you will be able to hear the influence of anything from Ride to Amusement Parks On Fire to Buffalo Tom to Swervedriver while taking in the track Compliancy from Comfort In Fear... have a listen.

MP3: Compliancy

The next live performance will take place March 13 as HoS pays a visit to an über trendy area of London to take the stage at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen.

MML Update: Soda Fountain Rag

Sometimes we receive emails and don't even need to open them up right away to know good news has fallen upon us. Such was the case, just the other day, when a message arrived from Irish label Yesboyicecream Records (Yesboy MySpace). After gleefully reviewing our mail and attached goodies in the form of a zip file, we are happy to report that previously featured Norwegian artist [September 07 review + download] Ragnhild Hogstad Jordahl, a.k.a. Soda Fountain Rag, has finally completed a much awaited new 14 track gem titled It's Rag Time. This full length album is listed with a formal release date in April, but you can actually pick up a copy right this second if you know where to go. For more downloadable music and information, there is also a Soda Fountain Rag NRK Urørt page to visit. The handful of new songs we've listened to are absolutely wonderful and, if they are any indication of what can be expected from the balance of music contained within It's Rag Time, we might have a serious contender for year end honours on our hands. I think it's safe to say that MML has a little music crush going on right now...

MP3: Don't Kill The Clowns
MP3: You Sit And Wait For Life



...and since we've been been drinking beer and taunting our felines with a cheap laser pointer we picked up at the gas station yesterday, you get a bonus song from 2007.

MP3: I Wanna Be Your Cat

The Sugarettes: New Video

It looks like we get to stick around in the Netherlands for another day thanks to a message from the folks at Subroutine Records (Subroutine MySpace) regarding a new video available from a favorite band of ours. We originally posted about The Sugarettes at the beginning of January '07 with a second review to follow in September '07 and a Best of 2007 mention just last month. Can you tell we like them? Today we have a new video for the song Ready Steady which features the younger sister of the band's bassist Cox Dieben as head cheerleader... and what video would be complete without cheerleaders? For more music and information about the band, we highly recommend a visit The Sugarettes MySpace page. The video is well done and a lot of fun. Just think cheerleaders, basketball and lollipops...

From the 2007 release 'Love and Other Perversities':
MP3: Ready Steady

From the debut 2006 EP 'Sugarette City':
MP3: Claps

New Killer Stars

There will be no attempts to describe today's featured music as any type of texture, soundscape or ice cream flavor... oh no. What you get, instead, is a heads-up on the solid indie rock three piece of Sytse (guitar, vocals), Cesar (bass, vocals) and Jelle (drums) from Leeuwarden, Friesland, Netherlands. This noisy trio, also known to many as New Killer Stars, has been around for just over a year now and have a great new EP to show for their collective efforts. Hebrew Matthew is the title of the new release and you can hear more of (and get your hands on) it by paying a visit to the New Killer Stars MySpace page. While there, you will notice a string of regional live performance dates and some amusing info on the band. There is also a New Killer Stars website with a few additional items to check out. We still can't decide whether the band is more interested in walking away from problems or sorrow, but we can tell you one thing... this track is really good and a raucous way to kick off the weekend.

MP3: Walking Away

The Hectors

We've been running this music blog for over two years now, and it's kind of ridiculous that the simple thought of putting up our email address for people to get in touch never occurred to us (check the right sidebar for the bright pink non-link). As a result of making our contact info more readily available, we have been receiving an amazing amount of great new music, and what you have for listening today is a perfectly good example. The Hectors are a four piece including members Robert Bonilla (guitar), Corinne Dinner (voice, guitar), Erik Greene (drums, percussion) and Jim Saunders (bass) from Los Angeles, California. Aside from having one of the longest song titles we've run across in a while, the track featured today offers Corinne's beautifully strong vocals drifting through a steady, gaze-threaded guitar accent that had us listening repeatedly. I Drove All The Way From Bridgeport To Make It With You belongs to the recently released (kinda-late 2007) EP titled Sometimes They Collide which is available through the band's label Tarantism Records. You can listen to more of the latest EP on The Hectors MySpace page and download additional music upon visiting The Hectors website. This is yet another great band that has me reevaluating all of those "cornfed" Midwestern barriers I've had when it comes to appreciating indie music from Southern California.

Ohh... and before I forget, the next live performance will take place February 21 at local L.A. venue Spaceland.

MP3: I Drove All The Way From Bridgeport To Make It With You

**BONUS** From the band's previous self titled debut EP:
MP3: Darren

I Make This Sound

Just when we thought that all of those 2005 era (yes that was ages ago) indie bands of more than five members had fallen out of favour, a new music collective sneaks up and has us smitten with what we are listening to. I Make This Sound is a lovely seven piece consisting of members Mike Hopkins (drums), Heather Kafka (keys, vocals), Jeremy Levy (percussion, vocals), Jillinda Palmer (keyboard), Matt Peter (bass), Jonathan Price (vocals, guitars), Greg Weigel (guitar) and Brittney Westover (keyboard, vocals) from Los Angeles, California. Wait a minute... is that eight members? Anyway, the music is perfect for our Sunday around the house and will probably raise a few eyebrows amongst those MML regulars who view the art of music as some sort of landscape. We just like the way this sounds while dancing around and cleaning the kitchen. For more of what you are hopefully already listening to, stop by the I Make This Sound MySpace page. There is also an I Make This Sound website that is currently a work in progress. The song featured today belongs to a brand new EP, titled Staring At Yourself, which is set to be self-released next week with a party to coincide at local Los Angeles venue The Echo on February 13.

MP3: One Two Three!

Julian Fader

Almost a month ago, a favorite NYC band of ours paid a visit to the Queen City and we finally had the chance to meet some of them. Le Rug (who we've spoken about here, here, here and here) ended up coming into town a night early before playing local Northside venue Gypsy Hut. To our surprise, Lisa Liu, of previously featured indie rock outfit Renminbi, was part of the entourage. Also among the musicians who showed up that evening, as a part of the percussion duo (yes, Le Rug has two drummers), was today's featured artist. Julian Fader is a multi instrumentalist from New York City who is more than worthy of note on MML. The song presented today builds and falls into all of the right little places for our ears and, for some strange reason, I can think of a certain someone who just might find the music of this young artist as appealing as we do. There are additional lo-fi live recordings to be found on the Julian Fader MySpace page and you will hopefully be able to purchase the finished product once Cooling Pie Records makes a few important things happen. Here ya go...

MP3: Dark Entry

(Note to Julian & Co... That kick ass music shop you visited here in Cincinnati was Shake It Records)

Girl Loves Distortion

There's a ton of exciting primary election coverage to finally give our television a purpose this evening, so it only seems fitting to feature a band from the nation's capitol. Well... that might not be entirely true. It's actually pure coincidence but also the perfect excuse to post more outstanding indie rock recently found within our email inbox. Girl Loves Distortion is the trio of Jenn Izza (percussion, vocals) Steve (bass, guitar, organ, vocals) and Chris (guitar, bass, organ, vocals) from Washington D.C. The band's self-released full length debut, titled Earth Beings on Exhibit, was produced by Hugh McElroy (Black Eyes), mastered by Chad Clark at Silver Sonya and will be available for purchase at some point early in March. There are a number of additional tracks to stream on the Girl Loves Distortion website as well as a pair of demos for listening at the GLD MySpace page. If you are a fan, or are even familiar with some of the mid to late 1980s bands (from cities like... um, Boston) who shaped the post-hardcore fuzz rock era back in the day, you will most definitely want to adjust the volume on your computer speakers to the highest possible level. Great stuff.

From the March 2008 release Earth Beings on Exhibit...
MP3: Transition + Resistance

Kickers

It's Superbowl Sunday here in the States but, as not-so-avid sports fans, we can assure you this feature has nothing to do with athletics or the commercial hell one must endure to figure out if they've won any money in the office pool. Instead, what you get today is an incredibly talented indie rock band that had us listening repeatedly. Kickers are a Montreal, Quebec based duo consisting of musicians Victoria Morrison (guitar, vocals) and Anne Gauthier (drums, vocals). The band is currently shopping for a label and I can't imagine them having a difficult time of it. Actually, it's unsigned bands like this one that have us contemplating starting our own little label one of these days (but shhhh). If you enjoy the two songs featured here, stop in for a visit to the Kickers website for a couple of additional tracks which are equally impressive. The band also inhabits a compulsory Kickers MySpace page where you can find yet another song not available on the website. Big Big recommendations from both of us on this one. Enjoy, and expect some buzz...

MP3: New In The News
MP3: Euro Disney

7oi

7oi is the music of an artist named Joi from Reykjavik, Iceland.
Joi was nice enough to send these amazing songs at the end of 2007.
Joi learned how to spell his name on a calculator and didn't look back.
Joi has a 7oi Myspace page you should visit often.
Joi has a 7oi website with more music.
Joi we like very much... please listen.

MP3: Bad Times Were Enjoyed By All
MP3: Ejection Stagecoach

Scary Mansion

An early morning start to work granted us an equally premature departure this afternoon, so we had some extra time on our hands this evening. Instead of cleaning the house we decided to visit a few other music blogs we love/miss and Music For Robots is where we found today's featured treat. Scary Mansion is primarily the music project of Brooklyn, New York based artist Leah Hayes. To complete the full band lineup, Leah enlists the assistance of Bradley Banks (bass) and Ben Shapiro (drums) as well as a few additional musicians who are mentioned on the Scary Mansion MySpace page. The songs featured here are both part of the brand new January 22 full length release Every Joke Is Half The Truth which can be found and purchased through California label Zum Records. To check out the next live performance you only need to stop by local Brooklyn venue and audio hub Soundfix Records tomorrow night 1/31 @ 8pm. These tracks are highly recommended and we will definitely be picking up a copy of the new CD this week. Also be sure to visit the Scary Mansion website for Leah's equally impressive artwork.

MP3: Captain
MP3: Sorry We Took All Your Money

the papertiger sound

Ok, I have to be up by 05:00 am for work related nonsense so this will be a really quick feature of an experimental indie artist you will most definitely want to check out. Dan Gelder has been invoved with several music projects dating back to 1996. He is currently based on the "edge of the fens" which, as my British wife attempted to inform me, is in the eastern portion of England. The music of Dan's present solo incarnation can be downloaded completely free (please donate) upon visiting the papertiger sound website. There is also a papertiger sound MySpace page for your ears to add a new audio companion. These two featured tracks are brand new and an excellent listen.

MP3: magnetic north
MP3: forecast

Hot Lava

Our week spent mostly away from the computer was a good thing, but now we have some catching up to do with a number of brief posts this week. First up is a band that was originally featured as part of our 2007 Holiday Mix. In case you didn't check into them the first time around, Hot Lava is a super fun indie rock quartet from Richmond, Virginia. The track featured today will be a part of an upcoming (late February?) full length release tentatively set to be titled Lavalogy. You can listen to additional music on the Hot Lava MySpace page and there is a Hot Lava Virb profile to investigate as well. The next live performance will take place February 14 as WRIR hosts a Black V Day evening at local Richmond venue/bistro Cous Cous.

MP3: link removed - expect big things from Hot Lava!!

Lime Spiders: Slave Girl (1984)

No review this time... just a classic song I had on the brain and subsequently buried somewhere in the hard drive of my computer. Check out Wikipedia if you need more info on this Australian indie rock band. After forcing both of my cats to dance with me to this song, a restful night sleep is in order.

Have fun with this one.

MP3: Lime Spiders - Slave Girl (1984)

The Vera Violets

This might just be our first borderline-shoegaze artist of the new year... and yes, this is some good stuff. I consciously mention the term borderline as a true compliment since today's featured artist rolls out a fantastic sound that pre-dates 1989 by around five years. The Vera Violets are a six piece from Tampa, Florida that have a brand new, full length release titled Dirty Rainbow. The new album was released only a few short weeks ago in late December '07 by way of a perpetual MML favorite label Safranin Sound. There are more music treats on The Vera Violets MySpace page and additional info on The Vera Violets website. You can also check out the band's Virb profile but I have no idea what that is and didn't look into it. The next live performance will be for the official CD release party and will take place Friday, 25 January at local Tampa venue Crowbar. We look forward to seeing this TVV bunch live someday. Big thanks to Jonathan from the band for allowing us to get our filthy mitts on a couple of these outstanding new songs.

MP3: In The Sun
MP3: Little Ms. Misbehave

Sir Salvatore

Just a quick post on another fun one from our email inbox today. Sir Salvatore is a four piece from San Francisco with members Tim Botsford (bass), David Lean (guitar/vocals), Alejandro Soini (drums/vocals) and Eric Szyslowski (guitar) churning out some catchy new pop/rock songs. The brand new sophomore EP was self-released only a week or so ago and is titled Continental Breakfast. You can check out more music upon visiting the Sir Salvatore MySpace Page and there is additional info to be found on the Sir Salvatore website. It's always good to hear new bands giving things a whirl... don't ya think?

MP3: Townies
MP3: Ambalina

Polynya

The shop is now officially open for 2008. When we receive new music for a potential feature on MML, the mistake of searching music blog aggregating websites to investigate the saturation (buzz) factor is sometimes made. In the case of today's artist, there seemed to be a post for nearly every track from their recent debut release, so the pretty CD that was sent remained in it's plastic wrapping... that is, until today when we finally had a proper listen. Polynya is a five piece indie rock outfit consisting of Amelia (drums, vocals), Andrea (utility, keyboard, guitar), Luke (vocals,guitar), Pat (keyboards, programming) and Thom (bass). The band is based in Chapel Hill, and surrounding areas of North Carolina, but please don't let location indicate any cliched post-Superchunk/Merge muck. Instead, what you will find is a dream-tastic delivery of well conceived, simple song structures presented with each musician illuminated in equal measure. We chose three songs (which are featured below) randomly, since the entire CD is far too solid to dissect. For more information and to pick up the self released (Childhood Pet Records) 13 track gem, pay a visit to the Polynya Myspace Page. There is also a Polynya ReverbNation profile to check out. These three songs are just lovely and the balance of music you can expect from the CD is highly recommended.

MP3: Old West
MP3: Without A Trace
MP3: Islands

Holland Buffalo

If you are going to wake us up from an early January hibernation session it'd better be for good reason. Today's featured artists did just such a trick a few days ago in the form of an email. We originally featured Portland, Oregon based duo The Harvey Girls almost a year and a half ago [September 2006 review + download]. From what I've gathered, it seems Melissa Rodenbeek and Hiram Lucke have been busy over the course of the past 18 months, putting together a new music collaboration with Sheffield, UK artist Feedle (Feedle MySpace). The fruits of their combined labor can be heard when you check out the Holland Buffalo MySpace page... and we highly recommend you pay them a visit. This formidable new music project embraces the warm experimental stylings most Harvey Girls fans are familiar with, while giving the newly acquainted a solid base from which to explore past and present material from either side of the Atlantic. It's all very good new listening and a great way for us to wake up to the start of a new year.

MP3: Electricity
MP3: Optimistic

(Note to Melissa & Hiram: we need more pictures of Mushi Mushi!!)