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Emily Jane White released a great new album, Victorian America, her beautiful songwriting had us wondering what some of her favorite music was, so we asked her to make a band playlist. Happily for us, and for you she obliged us. Her theme for the playlist: Songs featuring the Piano/Keys as the main instrument

1. Diamanda Gallas: “I Put A Spell on You” (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins)
I just discovered her album The Singer which came out in 1992, the album is mostly covers. Her amazing dramatic and gothic style really adds unique depth and charm.

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2. PJ Harvey: “The River”
This is one of my all time favorite PJ Harvey songs off the record Is This Desire?. The piano arpeggios clearly resemble the flowing of water.

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3. Hope Sandoval and The Warm Inventions: “Bluebird”
This is my favorite song off her new record Through The Devil Softly.

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4. Taken By Trees: “Julia”
I discovered Victoria Bergsman through her guest vocal on “Young Folks” by Peter, Bjorn, and John. Her part in “Young Folks” is so short but adds a lot of character. It wouldn’t be the same without her. The piano on “Julia” is basically used as a simple rhymthmic bass line. Simple piano is good for that.

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5. Francoise Hardy: “Il Est des Choses”
I really enjoyed finding this video on youtube which is how I discovered the song:

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6. Nina Simone: “Sinner Man”
“Sinner Man” was originally an American Traditional and Spiritual song. Nina Simone took it to new levels. Her version is earth shattering and ground breaking. One of the most moving songs of all time.

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7. Joanna Newsom: “Baby Birch”
I am always impressed with her ability to incorporate and use instruments other than the harp. This song displays her versatility and impeccable strength as a musician and vocalist.

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8. Rickie Lee Jones: “Magazine”
I just found this album in the dollar bin at my local record store. I don’t know very much about her but I’m happy to have picked up this record.

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9. Marissa Nadler: “Heart Paper Lover”
This is the first track off her last record Little Hells. An incredible record full of fantastic songwriting and space echo!

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10. Kate Bush: “This Woman’s Work”
This is one of my favorite Kate Bush songs off the album The Sensual World originally written for the film “She’s Having a Baby.” Supposedly Bush wrote this for a sequence in the film, from a man’s point of view, where he’s waiting helplessly in a hospital while his wife is giving birth in the next room. I haven’t seen the film in years. I’ve always felt like it was more of a breakup song.

Visit Emily Jane White
Buy her new album Victorian America

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This morning we are happy to share a new song from the outstanding upcoming record by Damien Jurado, Saint Bartlett. “Cloudy Shoes” is the sweeping album opener with gentle handclaps and call-and-response vocals awash in a retro sound contributed by album producer Richard Swift.

Damien Jurado – Cloudy Shoes

Damien Jurado and his Saint Bartlett band (an eight member orchestra better known as Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground) is going on a large US tour in support of Saint Barlett.

MP3 for “Arkansas” from Saint Bartlett
Press Alcove
Damien Jurado Official Site
Damien Jurado on Myspace
Damien Jurado at Secretly Canadian

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Hi. I’m Ted. I’ve been on the road with my band Bear Hands for almost 3 months straight now.  We’re in the midst of our 3rd tour in that time, and my diary is now full, so I’ll just write here instead.

5/4
We’ve been on tour with As Tall As Lions since April 23rd in Boise, Idaho. Last night we played at Vinyl in Atlanta, Georgia. When we arrived there was a line of fans around the block, preventing us from loading our gear in. If the sheer size of the line wasn’t enough of a hint, the magnitude of light that reflected off the metal in their faces–blinding us like a police officer shining a flashlight in our faces saying, “can I see some ID?”–was a clear sign that they were not there for us. HIM was playing Center Stage, one of the two other rooms in the same building.

Eventually we got in. After soundcheck, we hung out with Dan from As Tall As Lions, who, inspired by an Incubus Tribute Band sticker on the wall, regaled us with stories of tour mishaps in Australia.

We had a pretty good show. Not the biggest crowd, but it was fun and we were well received.  In the middle of the set a drunk middle aged man approached me and yelled “you got it, man” repeatedly, so that was nice.

Dylan and I have a running pool competition going, $1 a game. We went to play each other before ATAL’s set, but we were challenged by a drunk dude who liked to punctuate his sentences with high fives (“Brooklyn versus Atlanta, let’s go”) and his quiet friend. The friend was a shark and they schooled us, which is unfortunately no great feat.  But I feel like I won out because he bought me a couple of shots of whiskey.

As Tall As Lions played a great show, and were called out for a second encore.  Their fans are hardcore.

A pair of girls bought a 7″ from us, and revealed it was one of their 21st birthday, so we brought them backstage and gave them the second to last beer we had. Val came down and dropped the last one on the floor.  The girls told us to wait for them while they went to their car. They came back with a left-handed cigarette that we proceeded to smoke in our van.

Then we loaded our shit out, and I talked with a guitar tech for the band opening for HIM.  He seemed very proud that he was tech-ing for the guitarist that used to be in Evanescence.  Strange.

We left and knocked a couple hrs off our drive to Charlottesville, Virginia, before finding a cheap ass motel to rest our weary bones.

All in all, a quiet night. But better than the first time we were in Atlanta, when eating my first boiled peanuts was the highlight. They taste just like potatoes!
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5/5
Last night we were in Charlottesville, VA, on a day off from the ATAL tour.

We spent an hour or two walking along this “historic” brick road pedestrian mall.  There was some sort of traditional (not sure what tradition) dance going on there, with women in their 50s in Dutch-looking (pilgrim?) clothing, twirling very short ropes above their heads, skipping.  After their brief section of the show, they took the sidelines, unable to watch the men take their turn because they were too focused on trying to catch their breath.  I’m talking bent over, supporting themselves on their own knees, panting.  Tradition’s hard, man.

We played a show at a place called the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar.  It’s called that because it has a huge fake tree in it that twists along the ceiling, and because they sell tea.  And it is truly bizarre.  It was definitely a change from what we’ve been doing.  It was borderline DIY, in that it was a legitimate well kept establishment, but they moved the tables and chairs away from the small stage to set up a rudimentary PA, which we operated ourselves. The last time we were in Virginia it was to play another eatery/DIY-type punk show in Richmond at a place called Nara Sushi, where they served us an enormous platter of sushi.  It has since been shut down for health violations.

They were good peoples at the Tea Bazaar, and they served us some really delicious middle eastern food (it seemed quite clean to me).  Jordan, the promoter, was telling us about all the shows he has there and we all got giddy when we heard Washed Out came through and packed the place.  He’s been in heavy rotation on the van CD player.

It was a very small show, but familial, like DIY shows generally are.  The band we played with was called Bird Shit– a local two piece that had only played one show before.  They were pretty good.  Some earnest songs, kinda abrasive, fun music (more Death Set than Matt & Kim).  Kevin and Caleb, the dudes in the band, were cool too.  They are graduating from UVA this month.  One of them was in a few classes with that lacrosse player who just murdered his lacrosse player girlfriend.  When we asked what he was like, he was described as a “douchebag”.  I found that interesting for a moment before I realized that OF COURSE you’re a fucking douchebag if you shake a girl against a wall until she’s dead.  A douchebag or a John Updike character.  Soon he’ll be a douchebag in prison.

One of them offered us a place to stay but we had already Pricelined a hotel (shit!).  So that’s where we went.  Now we’re fucking stuck in stupid fucking traffic on our fucking way to Flipadelphia.

Visit Bear Hands

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Photos by Thirst’n Howl III
Leopold and His Fiction, Lemon Sun @ Bar Pink, San Diego, Ca.
April 29, 2010

Please read following quote or whole article in slightly inebriated slur and plenty of enthusiasm.

“San Diego!!!  You look good tonight…. San Diego!!! I wanna F^$% you!!!” shouted Daniel of Leopold and His Fiction, seconds prior to letting the Rock and the Roll ensue that was obviously promised by the opening.  Revved up Honky Tonk shoots forth from the amps and mics.  Bassist, Micayla Grace bounces barefoot and brazenly  from every corner of the small 5 ft x 5 ft area that the three piece inhabits.  Daniel falls to his knees as the Detroit fuzz escalates, and Jon brings up the tempo via the drums.  A new sound familiar to all causes everyone present to put their hands together and stomp their feet.  Once again, the gang has come in and swept a crowd off their feet.

Leopold and His Fiction have been a favorite of ours over here at IRR for quite awhile.  Daniel even did an exclusive Bionic Ear Session with us in which he recorded a song and our very own Travis did some of the Hand Claps.  Now you may be thinking to yourself ,”Big deal, I can clap my hands.”  And while that’s probably true, can you clap good enough to be recorded?  Think about that!  Now listen to it here and keep reading.

Leopold AndHisFiction (BionicEarRecording) by IndieRockReviews

Lemon Sun lugged equipment on stage shortly after, first item which was set up were a few psychedelic lights. Sometimes even in life, foreshadowing can actually be effective.  The good times were going to get gooder.  The small area of Bar Pink was somehow eliminated by the large sound of these 5.  Physics and reality be damned.  The psych rock ensued as lights swirled, heads fell back and forward, voices mingled ahead of guitars and keyboard, and a steady rhythm took our hands and eased us down the road.  The 60′s tinged indie rock careened forward as guitarist Patrick O’Connor continually prostrated himself as though bleeding the sound from his guitar and lead singer Rob Kolar climbed the drum kit as King Kong carrying his guitar high to strike down any and all aircraft.  Intricate song after ornately carved song continued until the lights fell, everyone slightly winded and completely sweated.  Smiles and high fives carried us all out into the night.

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Visit Leopold

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Our dearest friend Drew Danburry is releasing Goodnight Dannii on April 26th, and we think it’s his finest work to date. But you should come to that conclusion yourself by streaming the full album below these pointless words. If you are up for it, help support Mr Danburry by heading over to his site and buying the album, because that’s what some people do nowadays. But not everyone. Also the album artwork is a storybook created just for Goodnight Dannii that you can see by going here!

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Drew Danburry – Nirvana, by Kurt Cobain
(MP3 download – right click/save as):

Read our Interview with Drew Danburry
Buy Goodnight Dannii

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The latest and greatest MP3s in one download-able Zip File. Just click the link and hit play on your iTunes and you will be the owner of a butt load of new songs!

Click here to Download MP3 Grab Bag 16
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Bands and Songs featured this week:
Ane Brun – Spending Time With Morgan
Blitzen Trapper – Heaven and Earth
Braid – Grand Theft Autumn
Braid – I’m Afraid Of Everything
Braid – Hugs From Boys
Braid – Movie Clock Star
Dada Life – Love Vibrations
Deer Tick – 20 Miles
In Tall Buildings – Mosters Lair
Indian Jewelry – Oceans
Inlets – Robert
JARB – wahana psikadelia
Male Bonding – Years Not Long
No One Knows About Persian Cats – New Century
Right The Stars – We Got It All
Seinking Ships – You Didn’t Love Me
Teen Inc – Fountains
The Duke – You Were Right
The Middle East – Blood
The Radio Dept. – Never Follow Suit

Download past Grab Bags

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Lots of great, free, new music. All you gotta do is click the link and a zip file downloads to your desktop with all the below mentioned songs.

Click here to download MP3 Grab Bag 15 (zip file)

Featuring new songs by these bands:
Avi Buffalo – What’s In It For
Dr. Dog – Strange
Echo & The Bunnymen – Proxy
Fang Island – Daisy
Fang Island – Life Coach
Future Islands – In the Fall
Future Islands – Tin Man
Gil Scott Heron – New York Is Killing Me (featuring Nas)
Karnivool – Set Fire To The Hive
Lodger – Back Of My Mind
Trans Am – Apparent Horizon
True Womanhood – The Monk
Woven Bones – Alright

Download all our other MP3 Grab Bags - If You do you will have so much great music!

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Written by John Byron
Score: 6.5/10

Family Of The Year is a pop folk sextet currently based in Los Angeles and Through the Trees is their latest EP. I find the record, a collection of five songs, to be a bit underdeveloped — something like a poor man’s Belle and Sebastian. But the group, a favorite of Ben Folds, does reveal substantial potential at times. Melodies, in particular, are often catchy and interesting.

The first song, the acoustic ballad “Hero”, is probably the weakest of the set. It is bland and seems to drag (despite being less than two minutes in length). But things pick up nicely during the second track with the cadenced sing-along “Chugjug”. Here, over clapped hands and tambourines, a communal atmosphere develops. And the verse sways and swirls quickly but peacefully. The next two songs “The Barn” and “The Princess & The Pea” together serve as the record’s climax. The former has an dark, enigmatic feel and features a crackling synth-bass. The latter contains a measured, rhythmic energy but remains mellow. And each has a noteworthy melody which is creative and attractive. Still, I think the pair fails to break any new ground here. The final track “Stairs” returns to the family-style, upbeat folk for which the band is known. But like the opener, this song (aside from the amusing lyric) is somewhat forgettable.

Again, I will say that Family Of The Year shows ample potential. And they seem to have improved since their (2009) debut album Songbook. But the group has yet to fully cultivate a voice.

-Visit Family Of The Year

1. Tell us about the band?

Marching Band was started by Erik and Jacob when we met our first year in college. We called ourselves Second Language back then, and played more acoustic stuff, but the focus on melodies and arrangements were there from the start. We released three home made albums before we got signed in 2007. Right now we’re about to release our second album with U&L Records.

2. Have you ever been fed up with playing music or with band members, why?

Music has been a natural part of our lives all our lives. Jacob had been playing in many bands before and had been recording stuff for several years. And we both have always liked, and still like, the process of making an album. When you get the final CD in your hand it always feels very rewarding and that it’s been worth the trouble of making it.

3. What was your first concert experience? Do you remember how you felt once the concert was over?

Jacob went with his family to a Manhattan Transfer concert i Stockholm when he was about 4 years old. It was held at the big amusement park Gröna Lund and Jacob got lost. It took an hour for the family to find him by the police office because they couldn’t call out for his parents during the concert. He was reading black and white comic books when his family found him. It was probably his strongest experience of feeling rejected and had a deep impact on his personality; always wanting to make sure everyone’s happy and getting along…

4. Did you grow up wanting to play music, or when did the whole making albums thing come about and how?

See #1 and #2.

5. What qualifies you guys to be in a band?

Nothing. We just try hard being one. But we’re OK at dealing with conflicts at least. You have to be when it’s just the two of you.

6. Do you have a favorite song you have ever written? Why?

Our first song “Car” is a really sweet country ballad about a car crash. That first record it’s on will become a collectors item.

7. What is your greatness weakness as a band?

We’re great at not allowing any weak parts in our songs. That’s how we made it this far. Our weakness is probably that our live band members have to tell us to rehearse.

8. What qualities should a successful label or manager have?

Be really, really good with people and no BS. You have to have a great music taste and business sense at the same time.

9. What’s the scariest thing that has ever happened to you in your life?

We’ve both lived very comfortable lives. In South Africa we had to reverse our way away from a flock of elephants standing in the road. That’s the only scary thing we can think of right now. But it was more exciting than scary actually…

Marching Band – For Your Love

10. What’s the first thing you do when the band arrives in a new town while on tour?

Feel confused. Grab whatever free food there is.

11. Have you ever had an audience member give you the willies because they kept looking at you all weird?

No. Only pretty, nice, middle class, well behaved boys and girls at our shows…

12. Have you ever cried while listening to music? If so what were you listening too?

In church when Jacob was about 5 years old he cried when an American gospel choir visited the church he grew up in. It might have been a spiritual experience or just the overwhelming atmosphere they managed to build up in the room.

13. If you could re-record, or re-write any song of yours what would that song be?

Jacob regrets he ever recorded a song called “Waiting” on our first demo. It’s a just a huge cliché.

14. What’s the worst place you have ever played a show at, and why?

We played a night club in Sundsvall in northern Sweden once. There were 800 people in the building, 20 of them were staring at us 30 m away at the bar while the rest were dancing to “Cotton Eye Joe” in the basement.

15. In a perfect world how many albums would you have to sell to be happy?

Just enough to make a living out of it. Real happiness comes from other things. Like friends. Or Swedes winning Olympic gold medals.

16. What do you guys have planned for the future?

The new release with the supporting tours.

17. What music do you listen to when you are having a bad day?

Anything that doesn’t make it worse.

18. If you had your life to live over again, what one thing would you change?

We sing on our new album that we “have no regrets, it’s so hard to accept”. Maybe do some more things we’d regret? Just to know how it feels.

-Visit Marching Band

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Score: 8.8/10
Written By: Bear

Once when I was a younger man than I am now, my local cd store had me on hands and knees a couple times a week, squinting at album titles while hoping for a special find. One of these times I happened upon One For The Ride by Rocky Votolato’s first band Waxwing. If I was an archaeologist it would be similar to discovering the tomb of Tutankhamun…. eh, maybe not. But it was exciting, and that release made a huge impression on me with it’s unique orchestrations and wonderful musicianship (Rudy Gadjadhar is one amazing drummer), but what took hold of me most were the vocals. Since that time Rocky’s music and I have had time to grow together. With each release I find myself eager to hear what he has created. Unfortunately Waxwing called it quits around 2002, but, and this is a big “but”, from what I hear the guys have gotten back together and are working on new songs -and so the rumors begin. Let’s return to the task at hand, and that is getting the point across to you, dear readers, that True Devotion finds Rocky Votolato in his finest form. Like a race horse trained solely for the purpose of winning the big prize, so does Rocky Votolato spend months and years, pouring his heart out into songs that once released will hopefully have a huge impact on his fans. Read the full story