The Ex-Girlfriends Club

Oddly enough, setting foot into an unfamiliar music venue still leaves us distracted by the compulsory grotty black carpet, tangled rope lights and occasional waft of patchouli drifting from a booth along the wall. It never gets old but, truth be told, one of our favourite preoccupations is music that emanates from the PA system before, between and after sets. In most cases, the selections are classic or easily recognizable while, in other instances, we end up humming random anthems from bands we don't know at all on the way home in our car. Enter tonight's featured music project which could easily be a favourite sound from either the main stage or a demo CD left behind the bar. The Ex-Girlfriends Club are a Portland, Oregon-based music collective that have an impressive self-titled debut EP that will be released next Tuesday, March 2. Although the band members seem to be listed by nickname only for now, we will make mention of a little connection with local PDX band Saturna (originally featured here in April 2007...shhh!) and ask that you join us, bottle in bag, for an especially thick coat of sparkle-blue nail varnish and listen to this raucous, glam-tastic loveliness.

MP3: Your Prescription
MP3: Tower

Yes, we are now officially in love with this band and hope you have a similar experience (with or without nail decoration). The next live performance will take place Friday, February 26 at long-time Portland venue East End. Aside from this event, you can find more music for listening and information on the upcoming EP by visiting the following links...

The Ex-Girlfriends Club website
The Ex-Girlfriends Club blog
The Ex-Girlfriends Club MySpace

Hallo... I Love You!

Although the term ear-bleed has been an ongoing staple in describing indie rock outfits that suit our fancy, we quite often neglect to detail our much-welcomed toothache when it comes to the sweetest of electronic pop. Tonight we have a perfect example of what happens to be an adored sound with Hallo... I Love you!, a Liverpool, UK music project that formed almost exactly one year ago. Musicians Chris McIntosh of 28 Costumes, Andy Donovan from Elle S'Appelle (who we featured in September 2007), Robert Whiteley and AnnaMarie Owens have a brand new debut single that will will be made available through their very own label Rekord Meister on March 8, 2010. A brief description of you can expect from a purchase of the new release quoted in the press release we received... how lovely is this?

"The single, Walk Me To The Sea will be released on deepest sea-blue 7” vinyl on March 8th 2010. It will be presented to you inside lovingly hand made fuzzy-felt bags complete with under-the-sea themed fuzzy felt shapes with which you can design your own sleeve and have 'insane' and 'endless' amounts of fun in the process! The release will also be available through all decent download sites."

For additional listening and information, visit the Hallo... I Love You! MySpace page and also plan a visit to Sheffield venue Bungalows And Bears for the next live performance tomorrow night, February 19. The band was kind enough to supply us with the B-side from this new single and we now have the fortunate pleasure of forwarding it straight into your ears. Stringent beats accompanied by a lightly threaded hint of classic 80s fare in the vocals and we are in the bag for sure. Here you go...

MP3: What Does It Mean?

MML Update: Monzano

Digging ourselves out of a snowstorm seems to have left us exhausted, chilled and exactly one day behind in reporting a decidedly warm new release from a band we featured many moons ago. Our original mention of Oslo, Norway four piece Monzano took place over three years ago, in November 2006, with a mostly distracted ramble and preview for the track Poster Boy which would eventually belong to their full-length debut High Horses & One Trick Ponies. Since this 2007 release (2008 through Japanese label Friend Of Mine Records), musicians Sjur Lyseid (of The Little Hands Of Asphalt), Eivind Bøe, Magnus Rauan and Eivind Almhjell have taken the time to craft another 10 songs that serve as a perfect evolution for this guitar-pop sound we had almost forgotten all about. The brand new album, titled By This Time Last Year Everything Will Seem Younger, was just made available yesterday 2/15 through Oslo based label Spoon Train Audio (Spoon Train MySpace) and we have a listening experience to share. Such a lovely pop song that might just give you a good indication of what to expect from the new album.

MP3: Cold Waters

KC Quilty: Clover/Coriander LP

It's early morning, late at night or wherever you find yourself at this particular moment and for once we happen to be punctual in presenting a brand new album release on the exact day of its birth and subsequent journey into many ears. Before getting started, attention needs to be directed towards our October 2009 introduction of today's featured artist in which reference was made to an adorably shy fund-raising campaign, via Kickstarter, that is somewhat responsible for the collection of songs we are ready to bang on about. New York City based duo KC Quilty has a brand new, debut album titled Clover/Coriander that was just made available minutes ago through NYC label Cooling Pie Records (CPR Blog) and we've now had a chance to shake loose a few floorboards of our tiny office space with the sound. No need to waste time here... let's dig into the very first track.

MP3: Clothes

Clover/Coriander was recorded in various locations with the assistance of local musician-friends over the past several months. The end result is ten ridiculously solid songs that highlight the guiding Hersh-esque vocals and downright monstrous guitars of Sadie Dupis as well as the driving rhythms, auxiliary accompaniment and underlying direction of Julian Fader. The CD release party/live performance takes place this evening as KC Quilty takes the stage at local Brooklyn venue Spike Hill along with Magnetic Island (formerly Renminbi who we featured in 2007 & 2009) so check it out and pick up a copy at the show. We leave you with another lovely song from Clover/Coriander that was randomly plucked for, if no other reason, a simple word association with the previous track, Clothes.

MP3: Tags

As a quick side, it's not often we find ourselves with a debut release that escapes any single tedious or awkward moment... this really is a good fucking record.

Yahoos

As an occasional treat that comes with maintaining our little MML blog, we sometimes have the fortune of discovering impressive new music in different stages of completion... or considered a work-in-progress by the artist. Tonight we just so happen to have a good one to share. Yahoos is the solo music project of Bobby Theberge, a multi-instrumentalist from Atlanta, Georgia, who served as drummer for the now-defunct Marietta based outfit Moros Eros a few years back. With a handful of new demo tracks for download or stream and additional contact links on the Yahoos Bandcamp page, Bobby is preparing to release a debut, self-titled EP for early 2010. Consider this a brief introduction, but look for more comprehensive updates in the coming months. Lo-fi goodness awaits...

MP3: Red Bulging Eyelids

Sex Jams: Post Teenage Shine LP

Early last year, in April 2009, we featured the Vienna, Austria four-piece Sex Jams and their lovely debut single On Our Way Home Is Nowhere. Since our initial mention, musicians Lukas (guitar), Katie (vocals), Christoph (drums) and Flo (bass) have remained busy in putting the finishing touches on a brand new, full-length release titled Post Teenage Shine. The new album will be made available in 180 gram vinyl accompanied by a complimentary digital download through Austrian label Noise Appeal in March 2010. There will only be 300 copies for sale so it might be a good idea to contact the label straight away for pre-ordering purposes. The following song alone might just serve as a good reason to grab your copy of this new offering. Have a listen...

MP3: Aeroplane Waves



Oh yes, this album really is good and the heavy influence of Sonic Youth remains thoughtfully incorporated into every track. A solid release from beginning to end, Post Teenage Shine delivers a wonderfully accurate series of kicks to the abdomen followed with a gentle pat on the head threaded into each turn. For those having a difficult time waiting until March, local Vienna labels Noise Appeal and Fettkakao Records will have 200 copies of the 7" single Julie Had A Brother available on February 19 to coincide with a live performance at Wiener Neustadt venue Triebwerk to launch a handful of regional dates in support of both new releases. We leave you with a preview of the new single... sink those teeth in.

MP3: Julie Had A Brother

The Dogs

While there were no plans to feature music on MML this evening, we've been listening to an impressive young band over the past few days and decided to sneak one in on you... shhh! The Dogs are a Chicago, Illinois-based four piece who released a self-titled debut album in November 2008 and now have another full-length collection of songs, titled Free Write, to share. With their somewhat subdued sound that enlists the accompaniment of a handful of additional supporting musician-friends, the band manages a series of downright juicy turns and twists within each of the tracks that belong to this latest offering. Free Write can be freely downloaded by visiting The Dogs website and you can also follow occasional updates via their ongoing journal Dogblogblog. Especially lovely sounds can be found with the following song we were particularly fond of...

MP3: Walla Walla, WA

True Womanhood: Basement Membranes EP

Our bad little habit of researching music blog aggregators for the saturation-factor before a listen to music files landing in the old inbox nearly had us missing out on today's featured artist. Luckily enough for our collective ear, the accompanying message sent was kind and brought a smile as we ended up surrounded with the sounds of an energetic young band that most definitely deserves an extended listen. True Womanhood is a Washington, D.C. trio consisting of musicians Thomas Redmond (guitar, vocals), Melissa Beattie (bass, aux) and Noam Elsner (percussion, aux) who have only been a musical troupe for the better part of this past year. In a fairly brief period of time, the band has been steadily building a well-earned stir and have just released a debut EP, titled Basement Membranes, which was made available last week through Baltimore label Environmental Aesthetics (EA MySpace). Beyond the easily spotted vocal inflection of a certain Mr. Yorke and underlying influence of Sonic Youth, it might have been the unexpected rough-edged ...Trail Of Dead guitar feed and jilting off-beats that turned our passive smile into an evil grin. All comparisons aside, True Womanhood is a band well worth following closely. Here you go...

MP3: Shadow People
MP3: A Diviner

Dynamic Truths

Every now and again, we have the chance to jump into our waaaay-back machine in order to present an obscure band that might not have received proper consideration during their first go at the whole music thing. In the case of today's featured artist, there is cause to believe a revival of sorts is underway and the music suggests a definite reason to pay attention. Dynamic Truths were a Richmond, Virginia based post-post-punk outfit that existed between the years 1996 and 2000, with a 7" single released on Merge Records in 1998 and a track that belonged to an early Yep Rock compilation we have failed to locate. The good news? New Jersey label Little Black Cloud (LBC MySpace) will make available a collection of 15 mostly unreleased songs that span the brief history of Dynamic Truths, titled Understanding Is Overrated, on March 16, 2010. There are only 250 copies of this CD retrospective for sale, so contacting the label directly for pre-ordering purposes might be a fairly good idea. Have fun with what we consider a sound that seems to deserve every bit of pop n'crackle our old beat-to-hell vinyl stash has to offer.

MP3: Sailors Of The Highway

Jed and Lucia: Many Many EP

Plenty of previous dates/links to report with today's featured duo... so let's get started. Our original review of Chatsworth, California-based musicians Jed & Lucia happened well over three years ago, in August 2006, with mention of a debut EP titled Candles In Daylight. Since that time, contact was almost completely lost until we recently began providing occasional updates for their experimental side-project Kite In The Air in April 2009 and November 2009. As an unexpected treat, we can now present the brand new release Many Many EP which consists of five hauntingly beautiful songs to serve as a lovely reminder of how easily our casual gaze through an office window can end up lasting for hours. From the opening guitars and playful electronic accompaniment of the lead track Many Many to a quiet descent in Rigidity, Jed & Lucia leaves us with one of our first favourite listens of 2010. A preview for you...

MP3: Spaceman

Alli Millstein: Human Nature EP

So we've spent the better part of this new year attempting to tie up loose ends from the past 12 months, but at some (this) point we need to let go of our guilt in missing numerous blog-related emails and move forward with 2010. As a final farewell to close out our 2009 files, we present the lovely vocalist/guitarist Alli Millstein from Hartford, Connecticut and her recent collection of songs titled Human Nature EP. Although the featured track, Mend My Heart, clocks in at a mere one minute and forty-five seconds, there is ample time to become smitten with what we consider an honest and beautiful vocal delivery. The next live performance will take place this Saturday afternoon, January 23, in Red Hook, New York at a chocolate mecca/music venue known as Taste Budd's Cafe. For those with a sweet tooth, ear or both, show up at 2pm and also be sure to visit the Alli Millstein Sonicbids page where you can find additional information.

MP3: Mend My Heart

Collider: BBM EP

Sorting though our email inbox, we've found a belated treat that probably should have been mentioned a few weeks ago. Late to the punch might be an understatement, but we can now share some outstanding new music with you. Collider is a San Francisco, California based rock outfit who released a debut EP, titled Down In Saturines, in early 2009. As a follow up, the band recently made available yet another self-released gem in a collection of eight songs, titled BBM EP, on New Year's Eve. After our initial (and quite extended) listening session, the sound and/or influence seems to fall in a delightful place somewhere between Rush and Ride, if we are allowed such ridiculous comparisons. Give these new songs a chance to build into a flurry of aneurysm/orgasm-inducing guitar tones and you just might feel the need to carry on listening.

MP3: Time Concerns
MP3: Modern Ends

*Bonus* From the February 2009 release Down In Saturines EP:

MP3: Drop Out And Off
MP3: Isolator

If you are enjoying these songs, pay a visit to the Collider Bandcamp page where both EPs and a single are completely free for download. The next live performance will take place this Friday, January 22 at local San Francisco venue Rockit Room. Check em out.

Chariots of Tuna: I'm So Good at Shining

Since an extended winter cold snap seems to have taken seasonal residence in our little corner of Ohio, we can think of no better way to defrost the ears than with a previously featured artist who has a decidedly warm new guitar pop single to share. Chariots Of Tuna is the oddly named, Brooklyn/Queens, New York four piece we made original mention of last year in July 2009 with their impressive EP Fondness Makes The Heart Grow Distant. If you have the chance, we recommend a visit to our previous review for links that might give a better understanding of the history and accomplishments of the musicians involved with this project. The brand new single from Ben Morss & company is titled I'm So Good At Shining and is now available for free download through lovely Connecticut-based label Tweefort Records (Tweefort MySpace). Once again, we are smitten with what we can only hope might be the precursor to a full-length album for this band.

MP3: Seven Miles Away

Dana Falconberry: Halletts LP

Late last year we made mention that Austin, Texas was not particularly familiar ground for our music exploration, but sometimes the cage needs to be rattled a bit and today's featured artist did quite the job of it. Our original review of Michigan native turned Austin blossom Dana Falconberry happened in September 2006 with her impressive Paper Sailboat EP. A more recent follow-up took place in April 2008, when we posted a video from Dana's full-length debut Oh Skies Of Grey, and now there is a much-welcomed update to report. The brand new self-released LP, titled Halletts, will be made available next week with a live performance/release party to coincide at local Austin venue Mohawk on January 14. For those not familiar with the vocal stylings of Ms. Faconberry, expect a warm treat in her distressed, yet overwhelmingly enchanting delivery. Such a beautiful song as a preview for the new album... please have a listen.

MP3: Nightingale

*Bonus* A YouTube video for the song Baby Blue Sky from the 2008 album Oh Skies Of Grey.

MML Update: Stellarium

There are a handful of upcoming releases we have been saving for the new year, but a unanimous decision was made to provide a noisy burst to initiate 2010 with music that might just make a head or two explode or at least leave your ears fizzling for a while. Stellarium is the Singapore based music project of a multi-instrumentalist simply know as AZ who we first featured under the band name Disco Ditto in June 2008. A few months later we received the first recordings from Stellarium and did a brief follow up in October 2008. As a welcomed update, the band now has a new full-length debut album that is self-titled and very much worth the time in listening. Additional information on picking up a copy of the new release or checking out their next live performance at local Singapore venue Blackhole (January 23), pay a visit to the Stellarium MySpace page.

For those who appreciate the lovely noise that can result from layers of fuzzed-out guitars with a heavy JAMC influence and shoegaze hints threaded into every turn, the following track will be a good starting point for the new album. Enjoy at maximum volume.

MP3: Chocolate & Strawberry

MML: Favourites Edition (2009)

Belated as it may be, our own little addition to the annual year-end mountain of "Best Of" lists will probably be the last you'll have to endure. After spending the better part of our extended holiday weekend listening to featured artists from this past year, it became clear that we would need to limit ourselves in only listing full-length albums. From one of the most influential indie-rock musicians of all time to a college student in New York, our survey of each release has been a comprehensive and enjoyable listening experience. That being said, please pay little attention to the fairly arbitrary number rankings and spend time exploring links to what we consider ten of the most enlightening music collections made available during 2009.

10.) East Hundred

Album Title: Passenger
Artist Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Previous Review:December 2008
Links: Website & MySpace
MP3: Plus Minus

9.) Opsvik & Jennings

Album Title: A Dream I Used To Remember
Artist Location: New York City via Norway/Oklahoma
Previous Review:June 2009
Links: Website & MySpace
MP3: Windswept

8.) Purplespace

Album Title: A Tiny Little Spark
Artist Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Previous Review:February 2009
Links: Website & MySpace
MP3: I Needed You

7.) Screen Vinyl Image

Album Title: Interceptors
Artist Location: Washington, D.C.
Previous Review:April 2009
Links: Website & MySpace
MP3: Fever

6.) Burning Hearts

Album Title: Aboa Sleeping
Artist Location: Helsinki, Finland
Previous Review:December 2008
Links: Website & MySpace
MP3: I Lost My Colour Vision

5.) The Legends

Album Title: Over And Over
Artist Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Previous Review:September 2008
Links: Website & MySpace
MP3: Always The Same

4.) Sticklips

Album Title:It is Like a Horse. It is Not Like Two Foxes
Artist Location: Annandale-on-Hudson, New York
Previous Review: March 2009
Links: Blog & MySpace
MP3: Bedding Wells

3.) Buke And Gass

Album Title:+/-
Artist Location: New York City, New York
Previous Review:February 2009
Links: Website & MySpace
MP3: Sleep Gets Your Ghost

2.) Bob Mould

Album Title: Life And Times
Artist Location: San Francisco, California
Previous Review:March 2009
Links: Website & MySpace
MP3: City Lights (Days Go By)

1.) The Sky Drops

Album Title: Bourgeois Beat
Artist Location: Wilmington, Delaware
Previous Review:August 2009
Links: Website & MySpace
MP3: Swimming With Fishes

Renminbi: Surface EP

A Sunday evening this close to the holidays could have easily found us in a tangle on the couch with ambient beardy-man music echoing endlessly throughout the house... yeah, right. With the correct volume levels, floorboards should be rattling around your computer right about now. Our original review of Brooklyn, New York duo Renminbi happened just over two years ago in November 2007, and we now have some belated news to report as an update/highlight before 2009 is in the books. Founding musician Lisa Liu (guitar, vocals) along with SMV (keyboards, vocals) have received a well-deserved amount of attention since our initial mention and have released their most recent collection of songs, titled Surface EP, which was produced by Don Fleming (Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth) earlier this year. For a perfect balance of building tension and the recurring flurry of guitar goodness serving as release, we can offer the following track, Set-Up, as an instant favourite from Surface. Have a listen and also visit the Renminbi MySpace page for additional music and information.

MP3: Set-Up

Elisa Ferrari

Surprising as it may seem, Austin, Texas has never really been a frequent destination for our music explorations. Not that we have anything against the enormous annual arts festival or equally regarded music scene all of those other days the year has to offer. It just seems a daunting task to sort through the gazillion or so artists who happen to inhabit this particular music mecca. That all changes today as we bring you a lovely female vocalist and her unique take on traditional American folk music. Elisa Ferrari is an Argentinian-born singer/songwriter based in Austin who has spent most of her life surrounded by musical influence. From receiving a nylon-stringed guitar as a childhood Christmas present from her uncle, to a Master's degree in ethnomusicology, Ferrari continues her momentum having assembled a backing troupe of local musicians and releasing a November 2009 full-length album titled Isla de Niños. Let's get started with a preview... shall we?

MP3: Yellow Box



For those who are already listening with interest, the balance of music contained within the new album Isla de Niños is an equally impressive and beautiful listen. If the haunting accompaniment of piano, resonating bells and clever hints of guitar were not enough to send your senses off to sea, Ms. Ferrari's warm vocals might easily have you settling into a favourite chair, cocktail in hand and head kicked back, for a blurry ceiling fan meditation session. An unexpected, yet welcomed treat for late 2009. As for the new year, Elisa Ferrari will be performing live on January 15 at local Austin venue Momo's. One last gem of a song from this latest release...

MP3: Bali

The Sky Drops: Christmas Feels Like Halloween

After releasing their long-awaited debut album Bourgeois Beat earlier this year, which was featured here in August 2009, the Wilmington, Delaware duo of Rob Montejo and Monika Bullette probably could have perched on a successful new release and just watched as well-deserved attention rolled in. Instead, The Sky Drops have remained both active and incredibly festive in deciding to record a holiday song, titled Christmas Feels Like Halloween, that we can now share. It seems like only yesterday we first made mention of this outstanding band. *sniff*

MP3: Christmas Feels Like Halloween

*Bonus Track* Monika along with legendary musician Hangnail Philips from a few years ago... classic!

MP3: The Finest Gifts

MML Video Update: Little Big Adventure

Little Big Adventure is a Stockholm, Sweden based solo music project we originally mentioned back in May 2009 as one of a handful of new releases from Labrador Records. We now have an update for this particular artist with a new video of the lovely song Happiest Times which belongs to The Hateful Eye EP we featured earlier this year. Have a look at what could easily be our return from the pubs on any given evening, and a listen to this beautiful song.



As an added bonus we found while poking around, there is also a Little Big Adventure website with additional information and a section where plenty of previously recorded songs can be downloaded. A couple of these less recent experimental songs that piqued our interest in a big way...

MP3: I Water Plants
MP3: Ben And Jerrys

Why Write?

Now that an extended food-related holiday weekend is in the books, we finally have the chance to dive back into our neglected little music blog for what will hopefully be a busy week. In starting things off, our attention is now directed towards solo folk artist Jacob Faurholt from Århus, Denmark and his latest music project Why Write? As a follow up to three full length albums, including his most recent entry titled Are You In The Mood For Love?, Jacob and friends have recorded five new songs for an aptly titled debut release 5 Song EP. With mixing/mastering assistance from extraordinary American producer Kramer, as well as Montreal, Quebec label What A Mess! Records (WAM! MySpace), the new songs were made available just over a week ago on November 18. For those who've decided to listen while reading, the featured track Burning Holes is threaded heavily with simple mid-80s indie rock goodness that could have easily been released by one our favourite labels back in the day. If that were not enough of a recommendation for further listening, pay attention to the droning backdrop that eventually sends this song into a spiraling treat for even casual fans of modern day psychedelia. Here you go...

MP3 Burning Holes

Kite in the Air: Magic Marker EP

After listening to an extraodinarily good new single from San Francisco, California-based music project Kite In the Air for the better part of this past week, we received late word last evening that their sophomore EP, titled Magic Marker, was actually just released... within the past 24 hours! Our original feature of their debut, self-titled EP happened a few short months ago when the weather was warming in April 2009. Now that leaves are falling and local temperatures have also taken a steep dive, we find ourselves with a more settled, ambient sound that loses no energy at all in what we consider an overwhelmingly effective next step for this troupe of artists. With a lightly experimental, yet perfectly danceable, backdrop once again produced by Mark Reveley and Mike Genius of WZRDZ, the beautiful vocals of Emma Lucia (Jed & Lucia) we first discovered in August 2006 have not shed an ounce of versatility or loftiness. Be it folk, electronic pop or almost any other genre classification we can imagine, Ms. Lucia's voice could well enough be at home in any setting and is always a warm experience for our collective ear. Additional music and information can be found on the Kite In The Air MySpace page... a song from the new Magic Marker EP for you:

MP3: Stretch It On

Hot Lava & The Sad Cobras: New Split 7"

Revisiting an artist we've featured in the past is always a treat, so it only stands to reason that our collective attention span might grow exponentially when two previously-mentioned bands are involved in a combined new release. We originally featured Richmond, Virginia based Hot Lava in January 2008 with a quick follow-up for their debut album Lavalogy in March 2008. Since that time, they've signed to Bar/None Records and continue to gain plenty of well-deserved attention around the planet. The Sad Cobras are an equally impressive music project from Roanoke, Virginia we also reviewed around the same time in May 2008. Together, these two bands now have self-released a 7" split single with a total of six brief songs to share that all seem to playfully embrace the quirk/fun-factor noted by various media entities. At the same time, both bands provide their own serious introduction to regional Virginia music scenes which require immediate attention, by our estimation. The release party was held this past Friday night 11/13 at local Richmond venue Plaza Bowl as Hot Lava opened for Shonen Knife. Have a listen to a track from each side of the split single and be sure to explore the links above for additional music. We definitely need to grab a physical copy of this one...

MP3: Hot Lava - The Auctioneer
MP3: The Sad Cobras: Team Mother

Free Electric State

Of all the various "most-livable" or noteworthy areas of this country to the south of our little Queen City, only one sparks our interest enough to consider an extended visit (relocation) for its music scene alone and today's featured artist is a lovely new ingredient in the mixture we've only just discovered down in the Triangle. Free Electric State is a shoegaze-influenced quartet consisting of musicians Shirlé Hale (vocals, bass), David Koslowski (guitar, vocals), Nick Williams (guitar, vocals) and Tony Stiglitz (drums) who are based in Durham, North Carolina. The band is currently recording a debut full-length album titled Caress, which will be released through local label Churchkey Records in April 2010, and they were kind enough to send a demo track for our previewing pleasure. If the song Hawks, finished or not, is any indication of what can be expected from the balance of music contained within this upcoming LP, consider us new fans and look for a full review of Caress early on next year. Listen up.

MP3: Hawks (demo)

**Note: Since we weren't exactly clever enough to figure out what Sessions at Studio B was all about, a jump ahead to the following live performance date is in order as Free Electric State takes the stage at Raleigh venue Slim's Downtown Distillery on December 4. Local folks now have plenty of time to adjust their schedules for the event. For additional information and music, pay a visit to the FES MySpace page as well as the FES ReverbNation profile. It's all very much worth a bit of your time.**

MML Update: Herr Nilsson

Herr Nilsson is a Bergen, Norway-based musical troupe who easily won our ears with their most recent pair of EP releases in Today Is My Birthday which was happily featured here in October 2008 and No Man Is Iceland as a follow up in December 2008. Almost exactly one year later, we have some wonderful news and an excellent new song to share. Long Live Herr Nilsson, the band's third full length album since 2005, was just completed and is set for a release date that will soon be disclosed. We are fortunate enough to have received the first single belonging to this new album and can only hope the balance of music is even half this good. From warm and simple beginnings that build into an understated festival of brass accompaniment, Traffic Jams easily allows our blushing little love-fest with this band to continue. Have a listen... please.

MP3: Traffic Jams

Additional music can be found on the Herr Nilsson MySpace page and vocalist/guitarist Terje from the band was nice enough to remind us of the Herr Nilsson blog where more information exists for the the upcoming album. If that were not enough, we also have a YouTube video for Traffic Jams. Enjoy!

KC Quilty

In early 2008, our travels landed us just across the Ohio River in a smoke-filled Kentucky hotel room the night before an ever-evolving troupe of NYC lovelies known as Le Rug were to perform at a local Cincinnati venue. It was there we met multi-instrumentalist Julian Fader who happened to be half of the percussion duo for this particular music collective at the time. A month later, we ended up featuring Julian's outstanding solo music [February 2008 review + download] and are now fortunate enough to have another update for you. KC Quilty is the Brooklyn, New York based trio of Sadie Dupuis (guitar, voice), appropriately named Ethan Bassford (bass) and of course Julian Fader on drums. Aside from various regional live performance dates, the band is currently putting a few finishing touches on their debut album, titled Clover/Coriander, which will be released through Julian's own label Cooling Pie Records towards the end of 2009. Hopefully? After having an extended listen to the new tracks that were sent our way, we can easily recommend paying attention to this young music project. Good and noisy guitar rock balanced by lovely female vocals guiding the course always piques our interest and this time we have a telling new preview to share.

MP3: Supernova

*Please Note:* In order to properly produce, manufacture and distribute physical copies of the upcoming album Clover/Coriander, the band has created a Kickstarter Page complete with a bashful yet instructional video on how to donate funds for the cause. What do you get in return? We wondered the same thing. There is a Cooling Pie Records Blog entry that details the ridiculously kind lengths this band is willing to go in order to gain your support... by dollar amount in case you hadn't guessed, and I believe they are dead serious about the $2000 range.

Plastic People

Our series of featured artists from Seoul, South Korea based label Electric Muse is unfortunately coming to its conclusion but, before our virtual music flight departs Incheon, we've saved an outstanding duo to leave your ears humming along. Plastic People is the long time music project of Min Kyu Kim (guitar, vocals, programming), who happens to have founded Electric Muse in 2006, and Ju Mi Yoon (vocals, keyboard). After a self titled debut EP in 2002, these two musicians released a pair of albums in Songbags Of The Plastic People (2003) and Folk Ya! (2006) followed by another EP and eventually the music we find ourselves with today. Snap is the title of their latest full-length offering which was made available earlier this year. A listen to the lead track for you...

MP3: Under The Shadow



For those who are hopefully already listening, Snap is a collection of 12 beautifully understated indie-rock songs that seem to draw influences ranging from later Yo La Tengo to early Homestead Records days with a slight hint of shoegaze goodness threaded into some of our favourite selections for good measure. For additional listening and information, please visit the Plastic People MySpace page and also be sure to check out an upcoming live performance as they take the stage, along with friends, October 25 at an annual Seoul event known as Grand Mint Festival. Another lovely song from Snap...

MP3: History

*Bonus* From the 2006 album Folk Ya!
MP3: The End Of Summer

Many thank-you-type love ramblings are in order for the folks at Electric Muse for sending us a box full of amazing music to share with our listeners over the past few weeks. We would also like to give a heads up on a blog that has been following our posts all the while. Indieful Rok is an outstanding resource for all new music from Korea and Korean artists around the world. We highly recommend bookmarking them for your daily music travels. Until our next visit.... 감사합니다 xoxo Casey & Michelle

Dringe Augh: Individually Wrapped EP

Our unintentionally sparse and drawn-out coverage of various releases from the Electric Muse label will be in the books by the end of this week, but not before we conclude our visit to what we have discovered to be an amazing music scene within Seoul, South Korea. The first of our last three musical entries, which deserves immediate listening attention, is British folk-influenced vocalist/acoustic guitarist Dringe Augh who began writing, recording and performing solo music in 2001. After producing and self-releasing his debut EP Milky Way as well as several demos along the way, Dringe Augh has a new collection of 7 songs in an EP titled Individually Wrapped that was made available through Electric Muse earlier this year. Since we are not well versed in acoustic folk and usually try to avoid describing music as any type of texture, landscape or ice cream flavor (distressed wood, beach at dusk, mint chocolate chip) we will simply explain the result of our listening experience as involving an extended gaze through the windows that keep this little office space warm... very warm. Lovely.

If you find the female vocal accompaniment particularly striking, the woman responsible is Eujie Song of local Seoul duo Sogyumo Acacia Band. Have a listen...

MP3: Tutelar (featuring Eunjie Song)

Vidulgi Ooyoo: Aero

After spending the better portion of our week away from updating MML, the opportunity to revisit Vidulgi Ooyoo who we first featured here almost exactly one year ago. [October 2008 review + details + music] is once again a treat for the ears. Thanks to our friends at Korean label Electric Muse, our hot little hands are now in possession of the debut, full-length release Aero we spoke about last year. However belated this secondary recommendation happens to be, please take time to explore what we consider a compulsory audio experience for those in need of a proper shoegaze fix. Low volume for daydreaming or computer speakers at full force and the slow building tension will not fail to wash you out to sea... over and over again.

MP3: Siren

Vidulgi Ooyoo MySpace
Vidulgi Ooyoo Cyworld
Electric Muse Last FM

Starry Eyed: Sweet Night

As a continuation of our little love-fest with Korean label Electric Muse, we once again reach back into their archives for music that was released in 2008. As a follow up to the debut album Lo-Fi Dancing Star in 2005, Seoul-based trio Starry-Eyed completed their sophomore offering, titled Sweet Night, just this past year. The listening experience contained within these twelve tracks is not one of a predictable or even consistent nature by any measure. Instead, Starry-Eyed toys playfully with an endless supply of classic indie rock influences which seem to fall within a three year radius of 1992 by our best estimation... in this case, a very good thing. We've almost-randomly plucked a pair songs that should give our regular visitors a good indication of what to expect from the balance of lovely music belonging to Sweet Night. The first track featured, "Paprika", has an instant flavor of New Order, while "Nasa", an instrumental, builds slowly from its innocent beginnings into the scorching guitars we were perfectly in the mood for.

MP3: Paprika
MP3: Nasa

Orgeltanz: From The Cradle To The Grave

Another lazy Sunday is well underway and we have quite the departure from our usual content to share as a conclusion to the weekend. After spending the past few days taking in this particular celebration of international music, we can easily recommend today's featured artist and their most recent release. Before we get started, a brief excerpt from the press release and a song that deserves your immediate attention.

"Orgeltanz suggests their musical style by the name: orgel, the music box that plays music through a mechanical spring and tanz, meaning “dance” in German. The strain of a song that you hear on the street, and the swinging footsteps in line with the rhythm; when you take a break from the repetitive life and put a smile on your face, Orgeltanz’s music approaches, frolicking."

MP3: A Way To Get Free Champagne



Orgeltanz is the folk-minded five piece troupe of mostly acoustic musicians Marca Marco (accordion, vocals), MiOng (guitar), Angel (violin), Kkangile (percussion, vocals), Shoonguli (guitars, more) and DongWoo (contrabass, electric bass) who are based in Seoul, South Korea. Since their beginnings in 2005, the band has enlisted the visual accompaniment of belly dancer Eshe and have completed a full-length debut album, titled From The Cradle To The Grave, which was released through the Electric Muse label in 2008. The resulting listen to this collection of songs is a refreshing escape from the limitation in influence and sound we usually associate with the patronizing term "world music". The variation of moods and truly global representation of instrumentation we experienced within From The Cradle To The Grave could easily be at home in a busking environment on any street, in any city around the planet, while also providing the perfect soundtrack for daily listening from computer speakers at home. For additional information and music, visit the Orgeltanz MySpace page as well as the Electric Muse Last FM profile. Another lovely song from the debut album. Enjoy!

MP3: Sokdak Sokdak

Dabang Band: Last One EP

As was vaguely mentioned in our introduction to the multiple features we have planned from Korean label Electric Muse, not all of the catalogue being explored is comprised of recent releases... or even bands that still exist, for that matter. Today we have a couple of impressive indie rock songs that belong to a 2006 EP aptly titled Last One from the now defunct Jeonju, South Korea based four piece Dabang Band. After reading a dated press release on the band, it seems this was the last of three EPs that Dabang Band made available since their formation in 2002. The final lineup is listed as Myoung Jae Yi (vocals, guitars), Thai Iv (drums, backing vocals), Yoon Ho Sang (guitar, backing vocals) and Jung Sung Hwan (bass, backing vocals). We would seriously love to know what, if any, music projects each of these artists are currently involved with. Have a listen...

MP3: 45
MP3: It's A Lie

Atombook: Warm Hello From The Sun

It's been a long time coming, but we are now fortunate enough to dig into the catalogue of music that was sent to us by Korean label Electric Muse. To start things off, we've unwrapped the plastic from the first CD and found an amazing collection of 16 tracks that have kept our attention without a single song ignored in the listening process. From what information we've gathered, Atombook is currently a four-piece consisting of musicians simply listed as SP (guitar, vocals). Yeunbyul (synth, vocals), Sooyoung (bass) and Hankil (drums) who have been writing and recording music together since 2002. The most recent album, titled Warm Hello From The Sun, was released in 2008 and is brimming with the sweetness that is usually reserved for Swedish indie-pop bands while offering a perfect glimpse into the classic American folk music that seems to be an underlying influence throughout. There is additional information and music to be found on the Atombook MySpace page. Please have a listen to the following two songs that belong to Warm Hello From The Sun and be prepared to adore this band...

MP3: All The Ways To Find Nothing
MP3: Ice Cream (Magnapop influence?)

As an added bonus, we present a youtube video of the title track Warm Hello From The Sun... in love yet?

MML Label Feature: Electric Muse

A few short days ago, we received a large package in the post containing past and present releases from the kind folks at Seoul, South Korea-based label Electric Muse. After spending quite some time listening, we have decided against any sort of cheap multi-band feature in exchange for individual reviews for each of the artists. Be prepared for quite a few audio gems to find their way into your ears as we explore this impressive stack of CDs over the next couple of weeks. For an early start, please visit the Electric Muse MySpace page as well as the Electric Muse Cyworld profile for an abundance of lovely music. Our plan is to get started tomorrow night and hopefully continue every other evening with new sounds... see ya then! xo.

Church: Songforce Crystal LP

Another Sunday is almost in the books and we have a fitting band, if only by name, to re-visit with their most recent full-length LP being released just over a month ago. Since our October 2008 review of Portland, Oregon based experimental trio Church, musicians Brandon Laws (vocals, guitar, moog, taurus, banjo), Richard Laws (vocals, drums, sampler) and Cristof Hendrickson (fender rhodes, minimoog, omnichord, glockenspiel) have enlisted the assistance of percussionist Lane Barrington to complete the expanded new lineup. The result is an impassioned, yet subtle new collection of songs titled Songforce Crystal which is now available through local labels SoHiTek Records and Tender Loving Empire. Between listening moments of building tension and various levels of disheveled release in which song-structures could easily come unglued, Church manages to lure our ears into a deep, dark celebration of how effective the utilization of experimental electronic means to support basic analogue instrumentation can be. Each and every song is beautiful in a way you are hopefully already listening to with the featured track Opposite People. The next live performance will take place tomorrow night, September 21, as Church takes the stage along with Sea Wolf at a Portland venue known as Mississippi Studios. A preview for you...

MP3: Opposite People

MOIP: Brittney Lane Don't Care (Video)

Exactly what the subject line says. We originally featured Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based lovelies Meeting Of Important People in November 2008 with a follow-up of the band's impressive self-titled debut in May 2009. A brand new video for the track Brittney Lane Don't Care for your audio and visual pleasure...

Last Tide: The Broken Places EP

Once again, our email inbox proves to be a valuable little nest for discovering impressive new music and we now have another fine example to share this evening. Last Tide is a lovely new Washington, D.C. quartet who seem to embrace less than subtle hints of a three year radius surrounding the year 1989 where indie rock and/or shoegaze are concerned. This is quite a good thing. A debut EP, titled The Broken Places, is set to be self-released next month and a CD release party is scheduled to take place October 26 at local DC venue Black Cat when Last Tide shares the stage with Austin, Texas based outfit Ringo Deathstarr. For additional streaming music and information on picking up an early copy of the new EP, please pay an extended visit to the Last Tide MySpace page. Two completely different previews from this new mini-release for some of our regular visitors... be prepared to love 'em.

MP3: A Traitor In My Mind
MP3: Shapeshifter

Horse Shoes: The Imperial School EP

We've finally returned home from our vacation in a lovely mountain range down south and have some serious catching up to do here at MML. With our suitcase still half-full and email/post box in need of thorough investigation, it was a refreshing treat to quickly find impressive new music from one of our favourite labels in Portland, Oregon based Shelflife Records (Shelflife Myspace). Horse Shoes just so happen to be the duo of musicians Drew Diver and Jacob Graham who originally began creating music together in rural, northeastern Ohio. After some time spent in Florida, they now reside in Brooklyn, New York where finishing touches have been made to their September 22 debut EP release The Imperial School. More music and information can be found via links provided above as well as the Horse Shoes Myspace page and frequently updated Horse Shoes Blog. If you are even remotely a fan of classic British indie pop in the spirit of New Order or more recent artists we've mentioned from various Scandinavian music scenes, The Imperial School EP will not disappoint in the least. Please have a listen...

MP3: The Imperial School
MP3: Changing Winds

Girl Loves Distortion

MML originally featured the Washington D.C. trio of Chistopher Goett (vocals, guitar, bass, synths, organ), Steven Rubin (bass, guitar, vocals, organ) and Jenn Thomas (drums, vocals, percussion) in February 2008 with a preview of the Girl Loves Distortion debut LP Earth Beings on Exhibit, followed by another mention in September 2008 as the belated release date finally came to fruition. Now, after sifting once again through that rickety old postbox attached to our living quarters, we are more than pleased to report another outstanding collection of songs. You Better Run, Your Highness is the sophomore full-length release that was recently made available through DC-based label Etxe Records (Etxe MySpace) only a few short weeks ago. Instead of our usual extended and gushing blather regarding this lovely band, we can simply state that You Better Run, Your Highness is easily another favourite release for 2009. Have a first listen to what has us so smitten...

MP3: UFOs (Unidentified Fascist Operators)

For additional information and listening, pay an extended visit to the Girl Loves Distortion website as well as the compulsory GLD MySpace Page. The next live performance will take place September 4 (yes, tomorrow night!) at local DC venue Black Cat on the main stage. Love this band.