Blonde Summer: Eleganza EP

With all of the digital methods of music delivery available, reaching hands into the old MML post office box and finding a bubble-packed CD submission remains our favourite way to find new sounds. In the case of today's featured artist, a kind personal note was attached, leaving us with no choice but to listen in the car on our way home. Regardless of seasonal disconnect between the band name and chilled winds blowing autumn colours all around our auto-audio experience, it's a good thing we took a moment for listening. Blonde Summer is the music project of Los Angeles, California songwriter Chris Pope (guitar, vocals), along with supporting musicians Matt Reid (guitar), Chris Livingstone (bass guitar) and Stephen Kurshner (drums) who have recently put together five beautiful tracks belonging to a debut EP release titled Eleganza. Each and every song could easily serve as a highlight for featuring here, but our attention quickly honed in on Blonde as a good representation of what to expect from this new collection of music. An immediate introduction of hooks and breaks trickling unexpectedly into a sound that might have you wondering if you've stumbled into the middle of a lost number from Damien Jurado's 2002 album I Break Chairs. Excellent song from a solid EP worth paying close attention to. The next chance to see them live happens in Los Angeles on Friday, October 29, as Blonde Summer performs at local Highland Park venue, Mr. T's Bowl.

MP3: Blonde

Space Siren

Months have passed since hearing from our friends at lovely Dutch label Subroutine Records, so we were just a tad excited in receiving our latest email update the other day. There is a new release to report here later this week, but first we have some quick catching-up to do. Earlier this year, Voorhout, Netherlands four piece Space Siren completed an impressive, self-titled double 7" single with four tracks deserving of a belated, yet immediate listen. Driving rhythm lines accompanied by a frequent spray of thickly layered guitars seem to be a perfect setting for the commanding yet somehow sweet vocals of a frontwoman known to us only as Gwendolien. The next live performance will kick off a string of regional dates, beginning tomorrow night, October 21, at Eindhoven venue PopEi as Space Siren takes the stage along with labelmates Nikoo who were featured here in March 2010. Now sink your teeth into the lead track from this 7" double single...

MP3: This Radar

There is also a video, created by Siebe de Boer, for the song This Radar. Enjoy as well.

Jed & Lucia: Superhuman Heart LP

Coming off a weekend full of taxing obligations, we needed and found the perfect place to rest our minds for more than just a little while. To begin this week, we are fortunate enough to have new material from a pair of musicians who have been featured here many times in the past. Jed & Lucia are the Berkeley, California based duo of Mark Reveley and Emma Lucia who were first adored here in August 2006 with a debut EP titled Candles In Daylight. Since that time, we've mentioned their experimental electronic side project Kite In The Air with reviews in both April and November of 2009 followed by a return to the original loveliness of Jed & Lucia with another offering titled Many Many EP in January 2010. All history aside, there is now a welcome update to report for this ongoing collaboration. The band has completed a collection of thirteen new tracks, titled Superhuman Heart, which are set to be released next month through fabled San Francisco label/rare music purveyor Ubiquity Records. In advance of this new LP, the first single, Apostrophe, has now been made available and will give an immediate idea of what to expect from the album. Warm southwestern winds and sand under foot, or a brisk midwestern fall with leaves whipping up against windows...all you have to do is close your eyes for listening. Beautiful.

MP3: Apostrophe

True Womanhood: Ghost Modern LP

Early on this year, in February 2010, we listened and fell deeply for Washington D.C. trio True Womanhood and their debut EP offering Basement Membranes. Over the summer, fortune was ours as the band stopped through Cincinnati for an August show at Northside area venue Mayday. The performance was lovely and frontman/guitarist Thomas Redmond was wonderful enough to slip us a promotional CD, including nine completed tracks wrapped in a simple brown sleeve with a receipt-like piece of paper listing the songs. Ghost Modern LP is the working title for this collection of new unreleased music which ended up being recorded and mixed by J Robbins (Jawbox... need I say more?). After having our hands and ears all over the promo disc for quite a while now, we need to remind all to keep True Womanhood very much in mind. The Ghost Modern release date, or even label(s) for that matter, have yet to be decided but we can give you one of many highlights as a preview. Expect another MML follow-up once the dust settles.

MP3: Last Rites

Small Radio: Le Migré 2

Revisiting previously-featured artists is most always a favourite music treat blog-side and tonight we have a healthy dose of experimental electronica from a duo easily deserving of another close listen. Small Radio is the collaboration of Scotland natives Colin Sweeney (Small Colin) and Scott Buchanan (Radio Scotvoid) who have existed as a transatlantic music project for quite some time, with Sweeney now living in Hönö, Sweden and Buchanan calling Salem, Massachusetts home. Since our original review in December 2007 and follow-up for the Le Migré EP last year in August 2009, the pair have completed another four tracks which were only just released through German netlabel Rec 72 last week. Le Migré 2 is the title of this most recent mini-collection of music. With a deep, rich series of introductions leading into clockwork beats and reaching tones to send our dental filings humming like tuning forks, we can see no possible way to go wrong with this new offering... enjoy.

MP3: Excellenti

The Tyler Trudeau Attempt

With the recent change of season and subsequent temperature drop, we felt an overwhelming need to revisit the warmth of summer with an impressive 7-inch single released through lovely Connecticut label February Records this past August. The Tyler Trudeau Attempt is a revolving cast of New Haven, Connecticut musicians fronted by... you guessed it, Tyler Trudeau, a long-time songwriter who has taken up residence in Brooklyn, New York in recent months. For those already listening and angling for a specific influence, genre or time period to pinpoint, your finger might not find a proper resting place and the beauty of this sound might be overlooked entirely. Although any ridiculous comparison on our behalf might include classic artists Dick Dale and/or Joe Jackson, please take time for listening to this infectious blend of energetic guitar-driven pop guided, if not tempered, by accenting waves of surf-goodness. Have a listen...

MP3: These Are Dark Times

These Are Dark Times happens to be the lead single from an already completed full-length release titled Something, Anything Else which will hopefully be made available soon-ish for 2011 once the right hands grab onto it. The next live performance will take place tomorrow evening, October 10, at local Brooklyn venue Fort Useless as part of their Songwriters Salon #8. Seriously looking forward to a full review once the full LP hits. We leave you with the video for These Are dark Times...

Grandfather: Why I'd Try LP

With another prolonged absence now in the books, both our email and PO boxes are brimming with new sounds and we have at least some of it sorted already. Starting by send date was probably the best idea for catching up... an idea that finds us front and center for the exact combination of guitar-meat, driving rhythms and fluctuating-yet-classic song structures we just so happened to be in need of today. Grandfather is a New York City trio consisting of musicians Joshua Hoffman (vocals, percussion), Michael Kirsch (guitar) and Jonathan Silverman (bass) who have completed a collection of nine songs which were just made available in August 2010. The new release, titled Why I'd Try, was recorded in Chicago at Electrical Audio with Steve Albini, mastered by Bob Weston of Chicago Mastering Service and is a lovely ride that balances waves of dissonance with a frequent descent into some warm smoke-filled basement lined with orange floral curtains and black light posters. Yes, it really is this good. Why I'd Try is currently available as a free digital download by visiting the Grandfather website but, after listening, you might also want to consider picking up one of 300 limited edition 12" vinyl records or the CD to hold firmly in hand. The next live performance will take place this Saturday, September 18, at Brooklyn venue Cameo Art Gallery. Have a listen...

MP3: AWOL

Architecture

Upon receiving new recordings from side-projects associated with previously featured artists, our collective interest is always piqued as the scramble for retrieving music files and spreading sound all over our little office space begins. In this particular instance, we are fortunate enough to bring you exactly one half, the female half, of Chicago, Illinois based lovelies Panda Riot. Musical collaborators Rebecca Scott (vocals, guitar, tambourine etc.) and Melissa Harris (vocals, keyboards, glockenspiel, etc.) have recently put together a handful of songs, under the band name Architecture, which will eventually belong to a debut EP in the very near future. Any extended commentary on our part would be futile at this early stage but, after having an listen to the preview, serious recommendations for closely following this duo can easily be made. Settle in with this beautiful track and expect an excited follow-up once the release date arrives...

MP3: Tomorrow

As an unexpected bonus, check out this R. Kelly cover song from Rebecca and Melissa. Love it!

Bonus MP3: Pregnant (R. Kelly cover)

Extra Special Bonus MP3: The Book Of Love (Magnetic Fields cover - Rebecca Scott)

Previous reviews:
Panda Riot: March 2010
Panda Riot: November 2007
Panda Riot: November 2006

Satin Gum: EP2

It's been nearly two years since our October 2008 feature of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania trio Satin Gum and we are now fortunate enough to have both updated news plus listening we can't recommend enough. As a follow-up to their self-titled debut EP, collaborating musicians Brian Spekis (vocals, guitar, keys), Dan Vavro (drums, backing vocals), and Travis Craig (bass) have recently completed five new songs for the aptly-christened release EP2. With emphasis shifting slightly away from a 'gazy wall-of-sound account first given here in 2008, the noticeable influence making its way to the surface now seems to be The Replacements, if not a classic slice of that particular time period of American rock'n'roll history, altogether. The monstrously effective guitars, vocals to honor (or taunt) Jeff Tweedy's past and various song structures full of catch-tastic turns within each track, easily lands EP2 towards the top of our favourite non-full-length releases for 2010. Visit the Satin Gum website for information on picking up a copy of the new EP and be sure to check out their next live performance, on September 4, at a nifty old building in Butler, Pennsylvania known as the Butler Art Center.

Have a listen...

MP3: Hip Shake Heartbreak

Sunkyeol EP

Seoul, South Korea-based label Electric Muse always seems to brighten our day with a simple click of an email send button from a magic little world of music we've both come to adore. This time around, our earful of loveliness belongs to a collection local musician-friends, from a variety of Korean bands, who have crafted a debut EP under the name Sunkyeol. Admittedly, the information we've been able to piece together on this particular music project is limited, however, there is a brief 2009 interview through Korean music resource Indieful Rok that might shed a bit more light for those interested. From the dreamy opening bells of Songstress to the concluding guitars falling into a sleepy haze for Aphex Convention, Sunkyeol delivers a beautiful EP, consisting of four songs, which require immediate listening rather than any further explanation. Enjoy the lead track.

MP3: Songstress

Purplespace: Eventually, Juliet...

As we've mentioned a few times earlier this year, 2010 is turning out to be an amazing series of months for EP releases from both new and previously featured artists. This time around, attention is once again focused in on Jacksonville, Florida based musicians John Hashtak (guitar, vocals), Tara Golden (vocals), Reed Clendenen (bass, vocals) and Jim Singleton (drums, synth) who were first featured here in October 2007 with their long-time music endeavor Starring Me. Since our very first exposure, the music continues to grow lovely little vines into our collective ear with the addition of their now thriving project Purplespace. As a follow up to the 2006 Purplespace debut Broken Bells and later full-length offering A Tiny Little Spark, which we fell in love with during February 2009, there is a brand new EP set to be released titled Eventually Juliet... that should become available at some point later this month. Five beautiful songs, straying no further than a local corner shop from the original sound, providing intensified vocal interaction and the fluid delivery in instrumentation needed to land us back into our chairs for an extended view of ceiling fans. A favourite track from the new EP for you now... complete suckers for bells, we are.

MP3: Counting Stars

The Hounds Below: Southgate House 8/6

The Hounds Below, a Detroit, Michigan four-piece consisting of musicians Jason Stollsteimer, Ben Collins, Molly Jean Schoen and Ben Luckett, happen to be making their way into our little world tonight, with a live performance at celebrated Newport, Kentucky venue Southgate House. Consider this an invitation to experience a unique take on classic rock-and-roll with a playful twist to send the senses bouncing wildly back and forth between Roy Orbison and Lux Interior. Please give the following song a good listen... an outstanding new band.

MP3: Love's No Longer Here

Related Link: Roy Orbison Wrapped In Cling-Film

Screen Vinyl Image: Remixes EP

With our continued effort in playing catch-up after the most recent hiatus, we need to reach back a few months for a release which happened to escape our collective radar at the time. To be perfectly honest, any mention of the term "remix" will usually find us scurrying for cover under a pile of old dusty hardcore records. This time around, however, the band in question was finally realized and manipulated tracks absorbed, leaving a sweet flavour developing almost instantly in our ears. Screen Vinyl Image is the Washington, DC duo of multi-instrumentalists Jake Reid and Kim Reid who were originally featured here in April 2009 with a belated review of the album Interceptors. Since that time, Interceptors was happily included in our 2009 Favourites Edition and Screen Vinyl Image have released their most recent project, an EP titled Remixes, through Virginia based label Custom Made Music. Each of the six tracks included in this EP are versions suited for a night-time drive rather than the confines of peripheral computer sound devices and make for the perfect precursor to an upcoming August EP/Cassette titled Ice Station via Fan Death Records. Check out the next live performance at local DC venue Velvet Lounge on August 15 and be sure to listen to the following song, aptly titled "What You Need", as remixed by French artist TeenageSinTaste. Lovely.

MP3: What You Need (TeenageSinTaste Remix)

The Harvey Girls: I've Been Watching a Lot of Horror Movies Lately

So, we've been away from our little music nest for nearly a month to the hour at this very moment. With both email and PO boxes filled with a variety of new treats, we have some serious catching up to do. Luckily for everyone's ears, a recent release is ours to report from a duo of musicians who seem to have a knack for raising chills up the collective MML spine with even a passing mention of possible new material. Multi-instrumentalists Hiram Lucke and Melissa Rodenbeek are the Portland, Oregon duo known to plenty of fans as The Harvey Girls. Originally featured here in September 2006, then again with side project Holland Buffalo in January 2008, and most recently for the release Nutate in July 2008, Melissa and Hiram now have a brand new album titled I've Been Watching A Lot Of Horror Movies Lately that deserves nothing less than an extended listen. For the sake of our sanity, please do not ask for an explanation of sound, influence or direction, as it would only find us scrambling endlessly in the wide expanse existing somewhere between Stephin Merritt and Steve Albini. Instead, visit their very own label/online community Circle Into Square to find more information on this new release and news updates for a bevy of like-minded artists. Portland is quite the lucky city to have The Harvey Girls as resident-musicians and you can check out a live performance on August 8 as part of the KBOO Community Radio PDX Bridge Festival. If only, in some parallel universe, we could be a band instead of a blog... this would most certainly be the one. Listen up.

From the 2010 full-length release I've Been Watching A Lot Of Horror Movies Lately:
MP3: Monster

Meeting of Important People: Quit Music EP

Meeting Of Important People is the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania trio of Aaron Bubenheim (bass, vocals), Matt Miller (drums, piano, vocals) and Josh Verbanets (lead vocals, guitar) who were originally mentioned here in November 2008, followed by a feature of their self-titled debut release taking place in May 2009. Not letting dust settle for too long, the band has now completed a collection of seven new songs belonging to their upcoming Quit Music EP. Having spent the better part of this weekend listening to these new songs, we have no choice but to list this EP offering as dangerously close to topping our current 2010 favourites list. Please take a moment to absorb the following two minutes and twenty-four seconds. Thank us later...

MP3: They Love Me In The City

Fangs Out

It's been quite some time since we've had the chance to visit the goings-on at Washington D.C. label Etxe Records, so when a new CD arrived in our mailbox the other day and we discovered the musicians involved reside here in Ohio, a sit down for listening was well in order. Fangs Out is the duo of Mark Peterson and Samantha Wandtke from Toledo, Ohio who formed in 2008 after having performed in various regional bands together for a number of years. The result of this ongoing collaboration and most recent music project is an impressive full-length debut album, titled Speech Shadowing, which was only just released yesterday through Etxe.



In experiencing this collection of 10 new songs for a first spin, initial thoughts lead us deep into fits attempting to conjure up some of the more ridiculous genre assignments now existing for music of the early 1980s, While there is certainly a hint of Siouxsie Sioux influence existing within the beautifully dark range of Ms. Wandtke's vocals, raw instrumentation and lo(wer)-fi recording accentuate each track, giving contemporary relevance that deserves more than a second listen. One of our favourite songs from the new album Speech Shadowing...

MP3: Omerta

The next live performance will take place tomorrow night, July 1, at southwest Chicago establishment Honky Tonk BBQ and the album release party will be held back home in Toledo on July 10 as Fangs Out take to the stage at local venue Woodchucks.

Starry Saints

Our seasonal blog slowdown manages to happen here at MML like clockwork every year as spring turns into summer. New music sits neglected in both our email and post office boxes collecting dust as we stare vacantly into the evening sky at lightning bugs. Time for some catching up today as we bring you an altogether dreamy sample of song from a music project we've been holding back for far too many moons. Starry Saints is primarily the collaboration of Portland, Oregon artists Allen Davis (vocals, guitar) and Clint Sargent (guitars, backing vocals) who we originally featured four years ago, in June 2006, as part of the band The High Violets. Since that first ancient mention, which was followed by a June 2007 live performance/photo-fest here in Cincinnati, these two founding members of Starry Saints have enlisted the assistance of local musicians Ron Thomas (bass) and Jason Wann (keyboard, percussion) to complete a full band lineup. The resulting sound enjoys a combination of early 90s post-shoegaze influence and earlier lo-fi garage hints, while flirtatiously batting an eye at more radio-friendly horizons. As for news updates, the band is currently recording a full-length follow up to their self-titled debut EP and will be performing live next Wednesday night, June 30, at local Portland venue Mississippi Studios. Give this concluding song from the EP a chance to develop... lovely.

MP3: The Long Fade

Army: Dora EP

During late September into early October of last year, we spent a few weeks featuring the music of seven different bands from wonderful Korean label Electric Muse. Having finished our multi-post marathon with no idea if there would be future correspondence, it was a recent delight to find a new email message with label news and a brand new release we can now share. Army is the Seoul, South Korea-based trio of Sejung Heo (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Seungwon Shin (bass, chorus) and Joohyun Yoon (drums, percussion, chorus) who have a debut collection of four songs titled Dora EP.



While the influences involved are decidedly western blues-rock, a classic genre we would usually cross any busy motorway to avoid, all songs included on Dora EP are massively catchy and deserve the same listening attention that left us slapping hands on thighs repeatedly. Army is an impressive addition to the Electric Muse lineup and the new EP will be celebrated with a live performance on Friday, June 18 at local Hongdae venue Club FF. Have fun chanting along with the lead track... nice one!

MP3: Wild Horse

Please visit the following links for past Electric Muse releases featured here at MML during 2009. Enjoy.

Atombook
Dabang Band
Orgeltanz
Starry Eyed
Vidulgi Ooyoo
Dringe Augh
Plastic People

Soda Fountain Rag: Reel Around Me

As difficult as it is for us to believe, well over two and a half years have passed since our first mention of the musician we have for listening today. Originally featured here in September 2007, then again in February 2008, Bergen, Norway multi-instrumentalist Ragnhild Hogstad Jordahl now has an upcoming full-length release with her tenured music project Soda Fountain Rag. The new collection of nine songs, recorded in Brescia, Italy, is titled Reel Around Me and will be made available on 10" vinyl through lovely Irish label Yesboyicecream Records (Yesboy Myspace). While patiently waiting for a hard copy of the vinyl to make its way overseas to our doorstep, a digital version of this latest offering arrived in our email inbox and all expectations were surpassed after having the chance to preview the music. Building on a simple formula of sweet, clever pop songs that draw on daily travels and observations, Soda Fountain Rag now seems to have acquired a beautifully enhanced range of moods to compliment a more commanding vocal presence. Our very first favourite pop album for the summer of 2010.

MP3: Are Philosophers Lonely?

Echodrone

Shoegaze. With that one word right out in front, some of our frequent visitors might feel the need to jump ahead straight away for listening. Just know that, once the featured song begins, there are exactly 2:06 minutes of an extended ambient introduction, which leaves plenty of time to settle in for an epic little ride. Echodrone is a San Francisco, California-based music project that originally took shape in 2005 with a call to musical arms through online classifieds. After a couple of lineup changes and a self-titled 2007 EP along the way, current members Eugene Suh (guitar, vocals), Meredith Gibbons (guitar, vocals), Brandon Dudley (bass) and Mark Tarlton (drums) now have an impressive 2010 full-length release to share.



The Sun Rose In A Different Place is the title of this new album we received in the P.O. box and have been listening to for the better part of a week now. The sound delivered embraces classic influences that seem to fall within a two year window of 1990 where the footwear fixation genre we hold so dearly is concerned. Distressed and layered enough to please the purists, while polished in a way that could easily invite new ears, Echodrone lends a sparkly new coat of varnish and their own unique spin to this distinctive style of music. Gravity is one of nine tracks that make up The Sun Rose In A Different Place and we can't suggest it enough. Have a listen...

MP3: Gravity