Wanna Be James?

It's always great to hear from artists we have featured in the past. Sometimes we are contacted as a result of a new single, video or album, however, this time we have a completely different project on our hands. If you are a regular visitor to MML, you might remember the Greek band Wild Honey we mentioned last year [June 2006 review + download]. Lead vocalist/guitarist Annita had one of the sweetest voices we had heard in a while, so it was decided to include Wild Honey in our year end 2006 Relapse also. The latest band, Wanna Be James?, is a complete musical departure as Annita (the owner) teams up with Anthony (the pet) to present a sound that effectively bridges electronic pop and punk-threaded indie rock. This duo/couple from Athens, Greece met and formed in the summer of 2006 and now continue sharing vocal, guitar and programming duties. They enlist the assistance of three additional local musicians for live performances. The forthcoming EP, which will be the sophomore release from Wanna Be James?, is not yet titled but will include the following two tracks. Deep Blue Sea is a finished product while Spin remains a semi-acoustic demo for now. Both songs, finished or not, are fantastic.

MP3: Deep Blue Sea
MP3: Spin (acoustic demo)















The band's self-released debut EP, titled Killing the Wasters, is currently available at local Athens music shops Jinx Records and Vinyl Microstore. You can also pick up a copy if you contact them directly by visiting the Wanna Be James? MySpace page. While there, you can listen to the new material as well as the entire Killing The Wasters EP which they have uploaded onto a flash player. As a bonus, the following is one of the more raucous tracks from the debut.

MP3: Get Close To You

Make Me

After several days away from our little music fixation, we returned to find some minor (massive) computer problems which required our immediate attention. The bad news? Our magic button machine lost plenty of the music files that were not backed up at the time. The good news is, we are now back to semi-full speed and have a really good band from Northern California to share with you. Make Me is primarily the duo of Zola Goodrich (lefty bass/vocals) and Claire Haynie (keyboards/vocals) from Oakland who have been creating their own brand of noise together since 2004. With the addition of Wes Chase (drums) and Jeremy Sullivan (guitar), they have completed the full band for the purpose of both recording and their active live performance schedule.













The two tracks featured today belong to the band's debut self released album itonlyhurtsthefirsttime which was made available a few months earlier this year. If you visit the Make Me MySpace page there are additional songs from the debut as well as information on the various means by which the album can be purchased. At first listen, Oakland/San Francisco gave a nearly overwhelming sense that a rare outtake from the soundtrack of the 1983 movie Valley Girl had been found... but don't take this as a criticism or quip at all. Some of the music is quite similar to a number of artists who once inhabited Sarah Records' lineup during the late 1980s. The refreshingly simple guitar-pop structure combined with what I can only describe as "darling" vocals and keyboard accent easily lead us to highly recommend this band. Have a listen.

MP3: Oakland/San Francisco
MP3: One More Hour

If you are going to be in the Los Angeles area and would like to check out Make Me performing live, your next chance will be this Saturday, November 3, as the band travels down the coast to take the stage at LA venue Pehrspace [Pehrspace MySpace] along with local act Stop, Revolt and El Olio Wolof from Merced, CA. Should be good.

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

Trembling Blue Stars

So I've been in bed with a cold for most of the past week and haven't really thought much about posting music. Recently, a few strong recommendations for today's artist were thrown my way so I mustered up the energy to pay attention for a few moments. Glad I did. Judging by the number of previous releases and myspace page views, I can probably guess it a safe bet that some of you have heard or are at least aware of this band. In case you are not familiar, Trembling Blue Stars are an experimental indie pop outfit from Brighton, UK consisting of founder Bobby Wratten (guitar, vocals), Keris Howard (bass), Beth Arzy (vocals) and Jonathan Akerman (drums, percussion). This music project, and subsequent band, began as the solo undertaking of Wratten in 1995. For those who remember the few good artists who ended up inhabiting the Sarah Records lineup during the late 1980's, Bobby Wratten's previous incarnation with The Field Mice might ring a few bells. In 1996 Trembling Blue Stars began releasing albums through UK based LTM Recordings (LTM Myspace) and have continued more recently as a part of Spanish label Elefant Records (Elefant Myspace). The latest full length offering titled The Last Holy Writer was made available earlier this year and is receiving plenty of critical praise. This track is beautiful...have a listen.

MP3: Say Goodbye To The Sea

As if the xylophone and warmly expressive cello line in that song were not enough, there is another track titled November Starlings from the latest release in the form of a Youtube video featured below. Also be sure to visit the Trembling Blue Stars Myspace page for more information and music. Enjoy.

MML: Weekend Milk Mixer (Vol. 1)

There is supposedly the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the US taking place this weekend here in Cincinnati, Ohio. Unfortunately for my liver, we reside two blocks from this giant festival and will need to set new records in the beer drinking department. For this reason, we will deviate from our usual fare in order to present an assortment of music for your listening pleasure. All of the bands we've featured this time are worthy of a full review on MML and I plan on getting to some of them in the coming weeks. For now, enjoy a random sample of what we have been listening to lately and be sure to check into some of the links for more information and good music.

Rebecca Scott

We originally featured the music of Chicago shoegaze two-some Panda Riot at the end of last year [November 2006 Review + download.] Rebecca Scott is half of that duo and has recorded a really nice cover of The Magnetic Fields song "Book Of Love" from the 1999 69 Love Songs trilogy. Expect new music from Panda Riot very soon.

MP3: Book Of Love (Magnetic Fields Cover)

The Dora Steins

Another great band from Sweden? I think you can safely place that bet. To check out more upbeat and really good music, stop in for a visit to The Dora Steins Myspace page. They also have an official website for additional information. If you like this song, it is very important that you visit Ramp Music to vote for the band. Just skip the intro page and it only takes a minute. We just voted!!

MP3: Didn't We Have Fun

The Jealous Girlfriends

This Brooklyn, New York outfit is receiving praise from all corners of the music blogosphere and for good reason. Our first feature of this band was posted this past January 2007 All of the links you will need are there. This is a definite favourite.

MP3: The Pink Wig To My Salieri

Black Tambourine

Thought I'd throw in a classic from Slumberland Records for good measure. This track was released in November of 1991 as part of the four song 7 inch single titled By Tomorrow. Band members Brian Nelson and Archie Moore were also both a part of Velocity Girl at various points in time.

MP3: Black Car

The How

Another, more recent artist from Slumberland Records. I have to admit, I know absolutely nothing about this band aside from the fact that they sound just like The How... I mean The Who. You get it, ah? This song was released in September of 2006 as part of a 7 inch single titled Happy Matt.

MP3: I Was A Boy

Film

Film is a band from Athens, Greece that I have been meaning to feature for quite some time. If you appreciate female vocal fitness that brings to mind Kate Bush, this song will instantly have you melting where you stand. Some of the other material from this band is more guitar based and I hope to feature that aspect of their sound very soon. There is a Film Myspace as well as a Film Website for you to look into. Great stuff.

MP3: Alarm

Fundias and The Medium Mindblowers

When I tell you this band is from Sweden, you might guess that a sweet pop song is coming your way? Guess again my friend. This is straight forward indie rock with plenty of energy. The lyrics are Swedish language but for some reason it really doesn't matter at all. There is more raucous yet outstanding music to be heard on the Fundias and The Medium Mindblowers Myspace page as well as their website.

MP3: Smebacker

Vox Von Braun

Ok, I saved something really good for last this time around. The sound is luxuriously gritty and might bring to mind a favourite moment or two from the back catalogue of The Jesus and Mary Chain. Vox Von Braun is from Groningen, Netherlands and is signed to one of our new favorites in local label Subroutine Records. Have a listen, then pay a visit to the Vox Von Braun Myspace page for more music.

MP3: Lord Of Pesetas

Snow Coloured Kid

Last week we featured indie pop artist Ragnhild Hogstad Jordahl who has a previously released EP through Limoges, France based Anorak Records. While poking around on the Anorak MySpace page for more information, we found another musician that piqued our interest. After checking around a bit more, we discovered a recent review on Indie MP3 and were amazed that we neglected to listen on one of our regular visits. Snow Coloured Kid is the one man music project of Anssi Konttinen from Kotka, Finland along with three additional musicians/friends to round out the full band. The track featured today belongs to a self titled debut EP that was released April 2007 through the above mentioned Anorak Records. For some reason, the song structure here kind of reminds me of Game Theory's 1986 album Big Shot Chronicles and that is more than a good thing... however random the comparison may seem. For more music we can easily recommend from the EP, and to send a compulsory friend request, visit the Snow Coloured Kid MySpace page. It's all very good.

MP3: I Hope You're On My Side

As an added bonus, the following is a 2006 untitled demo track from Snow Coloured Kid that just so happens to be another excellent guitar pop song.

MP3: Untitled (Demo 2006)

The Sugarettes

One of the first artists we featured to kick off 2007 was an excellent indie rock quartet from the Netherlands [January 07 review + download]. The track posted then was part of a 4 song EP, Sugarette City, by a band that had us hoping they would follow through with their promise of a full length release by year's end. As our good fortune would have it, a brand new offering is now complete and will be available in only a matter of days. As mentioned in our previous review, The Sugarettes are a four piece outfit consisting of members Joep van Son (guitar/vocals/melodies), Iskaa (vocals/guitar/), Marnix van den Broek (percussion/programming/vibes) and Cox Dieben (bass/vibes) from Eindhoven, Netherlands. Each of the members have been performing in various local/regional bands for years (most notably Iskaa with her current mainstay Foam) and have recently found a collective home for their brand of energetic indie rock.




















Love and Other Perversities is the title of the new album which is set to be released through Groningen based label Subroutine Records (Subroutine MySpace) who added the band to their lineup earlier this year. Production duties were handled by Lucien Kleintjens of another local music project, Bad Cheetah. After first listening to the two new tracks featured today, it was easy to realize this new material as an impressive and natural extension of the previous EP. As the spirited cheer that begins Ready Steady winds itself into the body of the song, it becomes evident that the Sugarettes are willing to depart from the early 90s sound that is threaded so nicely through much of their music. Enola Gay (don't worry, it is not a cover of that awful OMD song from 1980) brings the band back to familiar ground as strong hints of sonicyouthesque goodness prevail. If these two songs are any indication, the new release will be a treat. Take a listen...

MP3: Ready Steady
MP3: Enola Gay

The CD release party will serve as the band's next live performance date as they travel 2 hours north to Groningen venue Vera Club on October 4th. For more music and information, visit both The Sugarettes MySpace page and The Sugarettes website. This band is highly recommended.

Soda Fountain Rag

Photo by Eirik Lande

Ok, how much fun is this indie pop song? While this is a only brief track at just over two minutes, it serves to extend my sense of summer that will be sorely missed in a few short weeks... and besides, I've always been a sucker for the kazoo. Soda Fountain Rag is primarily the one woman music project of Ragnhild Hogstad Jordahl from Bergen, Norway. The music is produced by Anders Kaasen who also assists (guitar) along with Lars Jakob Stava (bass) on stage for the live performance dates. There is previous material to check out including an EP from French based Anorak Records (Anorak MySpace), a full length album on Italian label My Honey (My Honey MySpace) as well as an upcoming fall release by way of Ireland's Yesboyicecream Records (Yesboy MySpace). For more studio recorded and live music, pay a visit to the Soda Fountain Rag MySpace page. There is also an Soda Fountain Rag NRK Urørt profile with a ton of downloads if you click where is says "Last Ned" on each song. Oddly but nicely enough, some of the other tracks I listened to brought to mind Claudia Gonson and her initial offerings via Future Bible Heroes. The next live show will be this Saturday, 15 September 2007, in Copenhagen at the Kaninkanon 5 indie pop festival.

MP3: Red Tape

MML Pop Quiz: The Original Shoegazers?

Before the term shoegazers first was coined by the NME and soon adopted widely by the British music press, there were a handful of bands that most now consider the precursors to that specific genre. While I believe that the swirling guitars of American bands who gained exposure in the UK during the mid 80s (Dinosaur Jr., Husker Du) were heavy handed fuel for the original sound, the pre-existing structure that would shape this new movement most definitely evolved within the UK. The "mystery track" featured today was released in March 1985, around four years before the original joking mention of the term shoegazers, as part of a four song EP by a band most of you know... We were revisiting some music over a couple of beers the other night, and had to double check our home audio system to make sure this was the same band we had originally chosen. The track and/or artist will be easy for some of you to identify while others of you might require a few additional listens.

Can any of you name the artist? Extra points for the title of this amazing instrumental song...

MP3: March 1985 - Mystery Shoegaze Track

Hate Everything You Hate

The days are ending earlier as the boil of summer makes way for the promise of a dank new season. I can almost taste my past as the leaves change colors around me and music is no exception to this phenomenon. For some strange reason, I associate shoegaze with Autumn, so today's raw demo makes for a perfect start to this brand new week in September. Hate Everything You Hate is the one man, DIY music project of 33 year old Tsuyoshi from Tokyo, Japan. When listening to the new demo track Kisses Bloomed we have featured today, you might notice a traditional take on footware fixation accompanied by a sonic boom lowered through your chest via Tsuyoshi's bass guitar. If this is a demo, I can't wait to listen to the finished product. For more music, information and to add a new friend, visit the Hate Everything you Hate MySpace page. There is also an HEYH Audioleaf profile with an older song. This is good stuff... take a listen.

MP3: Kisses Bloomed

Elle s'appelle

The last time we visited the Merseyside area of northwest England for music, we were delighted to find a band whose presence has since received plenty of attention [July 2006 review + download]. This time around we have another wonderful find in a guitarless trio of artists who might just be the new darlings of an area that is constantly submerged in great musical offerings. Elle s'appelle is a three piece pop outfit consisting of members Andrew Donovan (vocals,bass), Lucy Blakeley (keyboards,vocals) and Owen Cox (drums) from Liverpool UK. For additional tracks and the band's live performance schedule, stop in for a visit to the Elle s'appelle MySpace page. Since they have yet to create an official website that I am aware of, the most updated information you can find is available on their MySpace blog. Elle s'appelle plays tomorrow night at local Liverpool venue Barfly (formerly The Masque). I would love to see this band live.

MP3: She Sells Sea Shells

Red Fox Grey Fox

It's been forever since I visited some of my own favorite music blogs, so it was decided to make the rounds on a couple of occasions last week. One of the more fortunate of these adventures was to MFR where I found plenty of good stuff including today's featured artist. Red Fox Grey Fox is a pop threaded, indie rock quartet consisting of Peter Miller (vocals, guitar, keys), Jeremiah Satterthwaite (guitar, keys), Stephen Lindquist (drums, keys) and Benjamin Pien (bass guitar, keys) from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band's new full length CD From The Land Of Bears, Ice and Rock was made available August 7 through Minneapolis based Say Rah Records (Say Rah MySpace) which is an branch of parent (and equally good) label Afternoon Records. When listening to the lead track Building A Building, the first thing you might notice is Peter Miller's unique vocal tone. His range is an amazing treat that lends a refreshing departure from many artists the band lists as being influential to their sound. Somewhere around the 1:50 mark of this song, the band jumps into a beautiful gallop that had me hooked for repeated listens. If you would like additional info, upcoming live dates and more great music, check out the Red Fox Grey Fox MySpace page. This new release deserves a high recommendation from MML... quite addictive, don't you think?

MP3: Building A Building

Nyles Lannon

N. Lannon, or Nyles Lannon, is an artist we have been following for quite some time. In case you are not familiar, Nyles was once the guitarist/frontman for San Francisco, California based outfit Film School. Beyond his departure from that ongoing project, there are a couple of solo releases that serve to highlight his penchant for both experimental electronica and folk guitar (folktronica). The combination of these two styles are rarely presented in a manner that we can recommend for listening, but whenever Mr. Lannon comes out with new music we are prepared for something exceptional. The upcoming full length, 11 track CD Pressure will be available September 18 through the Badman Recording Co. (Badman MySpace). You can also get your hands on this gem (and it is all very good) via CD Baby. For more music and September live performance dates, stop in for a visit to the N. Lannon MySpace page There are also downloads available on the N. Lannon website. The following is a YouTube video of Hollow Heart from the 2004 release Chemical Friends.



From the upcoming Sept. 18, 2007 release "Pressure":
MP3: Next Obsession

From the 2004 released "Chemical Friends":
MP3: Demons

From the 2004 released "Astronomy For Children":
MP3: This Morning