From My Ears

Erik Hassle

2009-04-07T10:19:00.000-07:00

For fans of Sam Sparro, I can easily recommend the Swedish musician Erik Hassle. Rumor has it that he was just signed for an impressive sum of money at Island UK and I'm not surprised. I predict Hassle will be on American radio in a matter of weeks.

His singing is incredibly skilled for someone approaching 21 years old, and Hassle's lyrics revolve mostly around stories of heartbreak and relationship matters. This music is obviously not life-changing or innovative (we can let Radiohead take care of that genre) but it's the kind of talent that is very easy to appreciate. The song "Hurtful" is a pop gem, listen to it here.

The 3 Hour Tour

2009-02-17T10:19:00.000-08:00

This weekend I went to an awesome event called the Three Hour Tour on a yacht in Newport Beach. I had the privilege of watching nine different singer/songwriters perform and it was a total blast! The highlight of the afternoon was, hands down, Kevin Hammond. He's a local artist with serious vocal skills and a really good sense of pop music. This isn't the kind of music I would normally post about, but it's also the kind that appeals to everyone. It's sweet, well written and well executed pop. Hammond wrote the song "Maybe" when he was just sixteen years old. Listen to the track here.

Other highlights of the tour included Andy Davis, a multi-instrumentalist who unfortunately had to perform most of his set with iPod accompaniment. Regardless, he was a total entertainer and kept everyone in the audience laughing. Joey Ryan, a solo artist who performed mostly low key acoustic pieces, seemed to be an audience favorite. But Kevin Hammond wins my vote for the day. And he's unsigned! Someone's gonna snatch it up soon.

Spotlight: Suckers

2009-02-12T11:51:00.000-08:00

In a time where bands like Fleet Foxes and Animal Collective are pleasing fans and critics alike, it's not surprising a band like Suckers would catch my attention. The track "Easy Chairs" echoes the possibly AC-influenced melodic chanting but evolves into a uniquely charming and totally radio-worthy track. This is totally Summer music in February, so you have to love it. Listen to "Easy Chairs" here.

RIYL: Fleet Foxes, Animal Collective, Spoon

Feel-Good Music

2009-02-10T12:02:00.000-08:00

It's February in Los Angeles and it's raining, cold, and just generally unpleasant. That means that it's time for some feel-good tunes to lift our spirits and keep us dancing. What else was Indie Pop created for?

The LA-Based group Sean Na Na definitely fits the feel-good bill. They've released one album on Dim Mak records, with a couple others released in the early 2000s - but this is the first I had heard of the group before learning that Sean Tillman is also known as the artist Har Mar Superstar. Tillman has mentioned that the Sean Na Na moniker allows him to make more serious and reflective music than his previous Har Mar ventures - but I wouldn't call his tracks very serious. The song "Photo Booth" has some catchy Americana elements tossed in to make an all-together exciting track that you'll be singing along to in no time. Check it out here.

Anhorse [pictured] are performing in San Francisco's Noise Pop festival in late February. The band is a rock duo stationed far far away in Australia. They've opened for Deathcab for Cutie as well as one of their most noticable influences, Tegan and Sara. The band echoes Tegan and Sara's simultaneously simplistic and irresistable style. Listen to "Horizons" here.

Update!

2009-02-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

Yours truly has now started interning in the A&R department of a major record label. Woo-hoo! That means you can be expecting a lot more posts to be popping up over the next few months - considering I'm listening to somewhere between 50 and 150 bands daily. See you soon!

White Blank Page

2009-01-09T12:33:00.000-08:00

It amazes me that a band like Mumford & Sons has not completely blown up yet. The band makes folky songs that aren't necessarily limited to the characteristics of the genre. Think Fleet Foxes' stellar harmonies with a bluesy garnish. The vocals remind me of an older Paolo Nutini (wraspy voice, foreign accent) and the lyrics to the song "White Blank Page" have me hypnotized. Click to listen.

Keytar, Anyone?

2008-11-10T18:48:00.000-08:00

The LA-based Juliette Commagere has been playing in a band called Hello Stranger for some time now. Her new CD "Queens Die Proudly" is her first solo effort - and it has been in my CD player for weeks now. I tried to describe her sound to someone and what I came up with was something along the lines of, "It's like the epic-ness of Sigur Ros but with female vocals and more synth." So, if that sounds good to you, do it up here.

Stuck In My Head

2008-10-28T19:24:00.001-07:00

It's October, which means it's starting to get colder in Boston and I'm spending more time locked inside listening to music. Here are the tracks that have been stuck in my head lately.

I snagged the Mason Proper CD "Olly Oxen Free" from my internship at Pirate! Promotions in Cambridge and I can't remember the last time I lucked out so much with a random music choice. This is indie rock, yes, but it's also truly exhilarating. It makes me excited for this genre of music to expand in the coming years. Check out the song "Fog" here.

Whispertown 2000's track "Restless" is definitely worth checking out. It was produced by Blake Sennet and has guest appearances from both Sennet and Jenny Lewis. Listen here.

I saw No Kids [pictured] open for Mirah very recently and this band blew me away. I was not expecting much when the band began with a typical "We are electronic minimalists" vibe but as their set continued, I was super into it. Their music has a sort of hip hop/synth pop feel coupled with the soft voice of a kid who looks like he got beat up in gym class on the regular. Listen to "The Beaches are All Closed" here.

Locally Grown

2008-08-13T11:55:00.001-07:00

I was born and raised right here in Los Angeles, California. So that basically means I have to represent, as well as hype up the music scene here. Luckily, however, there are lots of quality local bands to plug. Below are some favorites.

If you have ever received a mix CD from me, odds are I've placed a track from the Silverlake-based Castledoor. I first heard of these guys through a DJ at Indie 103.1 FM, a radio station I work for in Los Angeles. They also played one of the free shows at the Hammer Museum last summer and totally rocked it - not to mention, they signed my poster and kindly chatted with my friends and I. So not only are these people good human beings, they also make good music! Casteldoor plays upbeat, melody-driven indie pop. What does that mean, you ask? It means that their tunes instantly inspire you to sing along. They are easy to listen to without boring anyone, put on an awesome show, and they are all really cute! Listen to their new EP here or check out my favorite tracks "Burn the Maps" and "Magnetic Forces".

Let's Go Sailing is a charming band fronted by LA-resident Shana Levy, who named the project after a bumper sticker on her father's car. Levy cites Elliott Smith as one of her primary music influences - which is hinted at by her delicate pairing of senimental lyrics and beautiful music. The song "Sideways" which can be found on the band's Myspace is a truly gorgeous piece of music. The song begins with soothing piano that's gradually joined by numerous string instruments, followed soon after by Levy's picture-perfect vocals. She sings, "I have no probelms dipping in my feet/the trouble comes when I have to jump/And all the reasons not to seem pretty good at the time." You can see the video here. This song is personal, but not too private - which means it's relatable; something I really appreciate in music. Though the tracks are personal and sentimental, they are not "downers" by any means. Check out the band here.

Bedroom Walls is a band that sounds very similar to what their name would suggest. It's sleepy, dreamy melodic music that would be more than appropriate appropriate for a lazy day in bed. Imagine a lot of "oooh's" "aaahhs" and "doo doo doos" mixed together with slow-moving guitar parts and smooth female vocals - that's Bedroom Walls for you. Frontman Adam Goldman describes the band's sound as "Romanticore" about which he said, "Romanticore is like emo for people who aren't retarded." But I'll just say if you're into Autolux, Blonde Redhead, the glockspiel or triange, etc - check out "In Anticipation of Your Suicide" at the band's Myspace

You know who is really good? The Pity Party. They've done the whole Sunset Junction/SXSW deal and played tons of shows throughout LA - so they have a substantial local following. But for my East Coast buddies back in Boston, you guys need to check this out. I don't really feel like going into too much detail - so maybe you could just trust me on this one. Their music is innovative and the packaging for their EP is both environmentally conscious and adorable - made from recycled billboard vinyl and cardboard showcasing local artist Donald Dzerigian's sketches. Listen here.

I used to be a huge At The Drive In fan. I'm talking undying, walking to the moon and back, romantic and osbessive love for this band. And that's why I like Eagle and Talon. They have similar high-energy post-punk feel to them - but it's led by two cute chicks. Does it get any better? When I first heard the song "Dropped Down", I played it 3 times back-to-back every morning for at least a month. It's that good. The song has an infectious (though miminalist) beat, a melody that is catcy as hell, and sassy lyrics. Who couldn't like that? This band brings it - just when you think each song has hit its peak, they whip out something new. Listen to them here as soon as possible!

French Folk Music Does It For Me

2008-08-07T14:43:00.000-07:00

I just cannot get enough of the French. Their films, their food, their adorable music-making citizens. These are some of my favorites lately.

This cover of Outkast's "Hey Ya" by the folk band Cocoon is cute as hell. Yes, I admit that I am easily won over by French musicians. I am also a sucker for folk music, and covers, and Outkast, so this essentially combines all of my favorite things. Cocoon is a two-piece band and their latest album "My Friends All Died in a Plane Crash" is much more uplifting than its morbid title would suggest. This band brings it - theyv'e got ukeleles, some tamborine, guitar, and really gorgeous vocals. Their Outkast cover is quality, but check out their Myspace for some equally charming originals here. (RIYL: duets, Elliott Smith, folk, my taste in music, cute shit)

SoKo is a French singer and actress I have been listening to for quite some time now. She initially got her start when a director asked her if she could sing on-screen. SoKo has a certain real-ness about her that is ridiculously appealing. The songs she writes are very genuine - and they keep getting better. Her song "I Will Never Love You More" is both unique and amusing. She sings "I will never love you more than singing in the shower. I will never love you more than my Mac computer." and basically the entire song goes like that. But it's good. Really. Her other songs include "I Think I'm Pregnant" - which I should not even have to describe lyrically. She hasn't put out a full album yet but you can check out the songs from her EP here. If one song puts you off, keep listening! They all sound a bit diffrrent.

Shake It Fast!

2008-07-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

It's summer - which means there's a surplus of music that is determined to make you dance. I'm into this trend, to say the least. If you'd like to shake your ass to some quality jams, read on!

Right now, it's all about artist Santogold. Rolling Stone, Spin, and BBC have all named her 'artist to watch' in 2008 - and for good reason. The Wesleyan graduate draws some signficant M.I.A comparisons, but don't be fooled, she is no copycat. Santogold's music has obvious 80's and new wave influences in songs like "Creator" and the latest track "L.E.S. Artistes" - a satirical take on typical Lower East Siders. Santogold's sound is pop music in that it's catchy and high-energy, but it's also a lot more. Check her out here. You won't be sorry.

I could not think of a band that inspires ass-shaking any more this summer than Boston's Passion Pit. Headed by the elusive musical mastermind Michael Angelakos, this innovative electronic band is seriously onto something. Passion Pit uses a refreshing mix of samples, unruly synth, and infectious drumbeats to create intricate tracks like "Sleepyhead" and the adorable lovesong "I've Got Your Number." Recently signed to Frenchkiss Records, Passion Pit's latest EP is expected to drop this September. And it's gonna be good. This is the stuff that compels you to blast music from your car and bounce spastically in your seat. It's also the music that makes you wish you had a cute boyfriend to write incredibly catchy electropop lovesongs about you. Listen to Passion Pit jams right here. And if you're in the New York area, check out their shows all during the month of August!

Had I beeen writing in this blog last summer, I probably would have written about the UK band The Noisettes. Why? Because they are fun. They make energetic, exciting, rock 'n roll music. And I feel cool when I listen to it. The band's Myspace describes singer Shingai Shoniwa as, "Billie Holiday on PCP while patrolling the stage like an Amazonian Warrior with an eye for fashion." This is very accurate - and I cannot think of any better reason to check out their page and listen to "Scratch Your Name" right here! Also, while you're there - bug them to release a new record.

The catchy powerpop of Late of the Pier has been pulling me in for quite some time now. I will admit that the band's hotness was what initially drew me in - but seriously. This stuff is good. It is just poppy enough to appeal to the masses, but posesses a just enough electric quirkiness to keep us hooked. If you're tired of the Chromeo and MGMT scene, I'd recommend checking out this band for something equally entertaining but a little less played out. Listen to the fast-paced track "Focker" here.

Let's talk about international music...

2008-07-21T13:49:00.001-07:00

The Do (pronounced like the first note on the muscical scale) are a Finnish/French duo based out of Paris. It probably helps that both Dan [music]and Olivia [vocals] are completely adorable as well as French - but their music is simplicity at its best. Olivia's voice is reminiscent of the quirky and loveable artist Mirah. The band channels older folk/pop music to create a sound that is unexpectedly unique and guranteed to capture your attention. Listen to the tracks "On My Shoulders" and "At Last" here.

I have been trying to turn people on to the Scottish band

Glasvegas for a little over a year now. Personally, I am a sucker for any musicians who sing with an obvious accent - so this is where Glasvegas hooks me in. They aren't exactly 'unknown' as their single "Daddy's Gone" was voted #2 single of the year by the UK-based New Musical Express. The band was recently signed to Columbia records to release their self-titled album this year. But they have yet to receive the same hype in America. Glasvegas is rock music with an emotional twist - singer James Allen injects personal stories into the band's music, resulting in a product that is not only catchy but connects to the listener on a more intimate level. Check out a clip of the heartfelt song "Daddy's Gone" here.

Anyone who hasn't heard of Swedish artist Lykke Li by now is significantly missing out. Li's sweet high-pitched voice and innovative beats are a breath of fresh air. When I say that her music is unlike anything I have heard recently, I mean that it is both genre-bending and lyrically unique. The sound of her music not only varies from song to song, but within the songs themselves. If you enjoy upbeat, quirky, and slightly bizarre music, check out the track "Until We Bleed" here.

It begins...

2008-07-10T17:05:00.001-07:00

Behold! The creation of my very own music blog. I have decided to start this blog simply for the purpose of recommending music to my friends; and any other people who might trust my judgement. I figured writing in this blog will make more sense than sending sporadic emails to people who ask me what music they should be listening to.

So! I hope this blog will spread precious auditory knowledge to all of you. Stay tuned for my first post!