Ra Ra Riot

Syracuse, New York's Ra Ra Riot will be releasing it's second full length, the Orchard, on August 24, 2010. The group consists of a vocalist, bassist, guitarist, cellist, violinist and drummer. Their first album was indie rock with chamber music sensibilities. It's wonderfully contradictory with joyous noise, syrupy giddiness and dark tones throughout. I'm hoping for some more complex pop from these guys.

Tracklistings for the Orchard is as follows:

1. The Orchard
2. Boy
3. Too Dramatic
4. Foolish
5. Massachusetts
6. You and I Know
7. Shadowcasting
8. Do You Remember
9. Kansai
10. Keep It Quiet

Ra Ra Riot - Ghost Under Rocks (mp3) (buy)

Levi's Cover Songs

Nope, I'm not referring to Matthew McConaughey's adorable son's favourite bedtime songs.

Levi's (the iconic jeans company) has started a series of sessions call "Pioneer Sessions 2010 Revival Recordings". They've asked artists from different musical genres to record a musical track that is special to them. Best part, they're giving these songs away almost free (provided you sign up for a promotional newsletter you can totally ignore and send away as spam)! Two new cover tunes each week for 6 weeks!

The Swell Season is one of the first to put out a song. "Young Hearts Run Free" is originally a 1976 disco tune. Yes, that's right, disco! Don't worry, The Swell Season put their own spin on the song and it works beautifully.

The Swell Season - Young Hearts Run Free (mp3)

Check out the Levi's Pioneer Sessions 2010 Revival Recordings. There are many more fantastic artists such as She and Him, Dirty Projectors and Jason Mraz in the coming weeks that will be discussing their choice for cover tunes.

Come On Now

I'm not sure if Atlanta, GA's Gringo Star is the worst band name I've ever heard. Or if it's the most awesome thing ever.

And aside from the fact that their first full length is called All Y'all, this is some serious shit. It's southern swagger, straight forward garage rock with hints of jangly britpop thrown in. It's fantastically catchy with just the right about of cynicism and devil-may-care attititude to make it work.

Gringo Star - All Y'all (mp3) (buy)

International Waters

International Waters are a jangly indie-pop band based in Austin, TX led by Mitch Calvert (of my beloved Voxtrot). They've recently completed a 10" EP and will be recording their first full length this summer.

It's funny that their myspace states they sound like "post-partum depression." Those liars. It's nothing like post-partum depression, or maybe post-partum depression should sound this good! It's more like the "kaleidoscope of pop music" like their influences.

Check out a little sample below:

International Water - Flashes (mp3) (buy)

Letting Up Despite Great Faults

Los Angeles's Letting Up Despite Great Faults is wash of shoegaze dream pop with punches of electronic beats and guitar poking through the fuzziness. It's light, airy and sounds like the soundtrack (real or film version) of a modern day hipster romance.

It's a difficult task to create introspective, shimmery and subdued music by using mostly electronic beats. Alot of electro pop acts ends up sounding too cynical or futuristic or dance oriented. Here it sounds almost organic, only interspersed with pops bips and whirs that somehow create a warm fuzzy feeling.

Letting Up Despite Great Faults - Photograph Shakes (mp3) (buy)

Creatures Stirring

Interpol has made a special announcement:

"We're stirring.
Please take a moment to visit our website: www.interpolnyc.com
We want to show you something.
And make sure you come back soon."

That special something is a new song made available for a free download from their not-yet-titled forthcoming LP on their official site. Since that announcement was made on April 28th, 2010, the demand has been so strong, their server has spontaneous combusted. Keep checking back as more updates are made.

Interpol - Lights (mp3) (download from official site)