AA's Frivolous Conquests - The Kills 10th Anniversary Tour Poster

Sound the golden trumpets of glory for I have succeeded in my quest to obtain a print of The Kills' Tenth Anniversary Show in NYC tour poster.

Designed by Rob Jones, only 235 were printed and I was lucky enough to snatch a copy in a fevered online auction battle. This beauty is now hanging proudly in my room. Huzzah!

The Chairman

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Melody’s Echo Chamber – Endless Shore

It’s been a while since I’ve been immediately drawn to a track, but after the first two bars of Melody ‘s Echo Chamber and you’ll know what I’m talking about. If the psychadelic guitars, a dance-able beat, and peach pie adorable vocals don’t get you then there is something seriously wrong with you.

True Romance

"Amid the chaos of that day, when all I could hear was the thunder of gunshots, and all I could smell was the violence in the air, I look back and am amazed that my thoughts were so clear and true, that three words went through my mind endlessly, repeating themselves like a broken record: you're so cool, you're so cool, you're so cool." 

First Aid Kit

Saint Lou Lou – Maybe You (Lauer Remix)

Saint Lou Lou, a pair of dreamy Swedish/Australian twins, are officially releasing their equally dreamy single “Maybe You” this week on Kitsune.

While the original is as chill and vaporous as dream pop comes, the remix by Lauer really kicks it up a notch with 80s-tastic synths and Drive inspired flourishes that bring out the full potential of the twins’ sultry vocals.

Have a listen to both the remix and the original below, and be sure to keep an eye out for this duo because they are definitely going to take the indie world by storm.

To stream all the remixes, head over to Soundcloud. 

AA Loves - Monomen

Flashback to 2007, a time when New Wave/Post Punk ruled the airwaves – okay not really, but I’ve been trying to get my hands on Monomen’s LP for quite some time and I’m pleased to say that I finally secured a copy.

I haven’t been able to find much from these New Wave rockers from Norway other than their debut LP, which is a real shame because they really knew how to pump out some synth-laden dance floor bangers. Even though I’m only about 5 years late in posting this, in honor of putting a successful end to Monomen Quest 07, have a good listen to “Drum of Glass” and “Stand Still Jane Fonda.”

Enjoy.

 

Tiffany Collins and her Booby Trap

Happy Thursday gents.

Tattoos, motorcycles – oh yea, and a babe – what more do you need?

For more on Tiffany Collins’ Booby Trap (her hand-built Buell Blast powered chopper – get your mind out of the gutter), head over to Chop Cult and for more photos from this amazing series head over to DicE Magazine. 

Black Pistol Fire – Crows Feet

Get ready for some serious southern twang infused skuzzy blues rock. Black Pistol Fire, the drunk and leering uncle of the Black Keys, is every bit as ungodly and unwholesome as a proper rock band should be.

Have a listen to “Crows Feet,” the lead single from Big Beat ’59, their sophomore album out on Rifle Bird Records, which just dropped last week.

Entertainment – Me and You

Rising London band, Entertainment is back with “Me and You,” another 90’s slacker rock tinted track – monstrous guitars, “can’t be bothered” vocals, and big, big, big drums – need I say more?

Yuno - Sunlight

The artist formerly known as unuomedude is back in a big way, and it’s not just his name that’s changed (it’s now more simply Yuno).

Taken from his forthcoming album V, “Sunlight” is a gorgeously hazy ode to that glorious ball of light in the sky and that magical time of year when clothes come off, beer flows freely, and the smell of barbeque is always in the air.

Have a listen to the fuzzed out dream pop of Yuno below, head over to Kickstarter, where he’s currently raising moneys to finish, record, and perform his debut album, and if you’re so inclined you can download the track at bandcamp for a “name your own price” deal.

Sleep Party People – The Dwarf and The Horse

Just an instant classic from Sleep Party People.

Dreamy music tainted by malice -- check. People wearing bunny costumes -- check. 

Yup, pretty much the best thing you'll see all day. 

TC and the Drop Bears – Baby Honey

There’s something about TC and the Drop Bears that is so damn pleasant – like drinking outside with your best friends on a perfectly sunny day, like driving to the beach with the windows down, like a lazy Sunday in bed with a special someone, like – do I really have to keep going or do you get it? Better yet, just listen to “Baby Honey,” some light indie-pop goodness with twinges of Vampire Weekend by way of Melbourne.

The Photography of Alex Prager

By combining the tabloid crime scene style of Weegee with the stylish 60s hysterical terror of Hitchcock a la Birds, Alex Prager creates some of the most dynamic and captivating work I’ve seen in a very long time.

There’s an uncanny voyeuristic quality to each of the photos as if we are privy to a moment that we shouldn’t be seeing. Perhaps, what’s most alluring is the underlying eeriness of each frame. Juxtaposing bright technicolor palates and small-towns with a lurking sense of odd, dark malice, Prager evokes David Lynch at his best.

What’s striking is that Prager is able to create a deep sense of depraved dread, yet there is a conspicuous absence of blood or gore which ultimately drives the terror inward. Like the great masters of horror, it’s the unseen and the unspoken that are the most terrifying as it sets our imaginations spinning.

Have a look at a few of my favorites below and head over to her website for more.

Sundress – California Dames

As a California boy living in New York it’s inevitable that as the summer stretches on, the yearning to return to the land of the golden sun hits a fever pitch.

Fortunately, there’s the sun-soaked sounds of Sundress to transport me to that magical land of California. On “California Dames,” these five Texans perfectly capture the essence of the Golden State. Perhaps it's because Sundress hadn’t actually been to California when they wrote their song that “California Dames” paints an even more idyllic, sepia-toned vision of that glorious state than most bands living there. 

“California Dames are waiting,” Ryan McAdams dreamily sighs throughout the refrain, so grab a beer, find some sun, and have a listen.

The 7” featuring “California Dames” and “Pilot Wings” is out on White Iris now.

Who?

Little Hurricane – Crocodile Tears

Take a journey into the dark mystical power of the bayou with the sweltering skuzzy blues rock of Little Hurricane on the instant classic “Crocodile Tears.”

Happy Friday.

High Highs – Once Around The House

In case you missed it, the Interwebs has been set aflutter with the release of the High High’s latest spectral beauty, “Once Around The House.”

Taken from their forthcoming debut album, “Once Around the House,” is every bit as lush, bittersweet, and cloud-like as the instant classics from their debut EP.

Listen below, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the LP, which is due out in January 2013.

Junior Prom – Take It Back

Time for a spontaneous dance party courtesy of Brooklyn-based Junior Prom’s contagious brand of sample-heavy dance floor bangers.

Francisco The Man – Tiger

With their soaring Lo-Fi garage rock Francisco The Man is indeed the man -- or men, four men to be precise.

Dream the summer away with their twinkling guitars, airy hooks, and sun-drenched sound. So good, it hurts.

The 7” drops on August 7^th via Small Plates.

Keith

Andy and Mick

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The Bilinda Butchers – Crystal Tears

A dark and steamy electronic banger courtesy of San Francisco dream pop duo The Bilinda Butchers.  

It’s good, so listen now and then hit repeat.

Dead Leaf Echo – Act of Truth

Check out the dreamy sounds of Dead Leaf Echo on “Act of Truth” – a track that simply floats from your speakers and evaporates.  

Grab the split 7” with Slowness now, which is out on Greenfuse Records now.