No one in Walter Meego is named Walter. Ironically, the 3hive reader who tipped us off to Walter Meego is named Walter. But, lest you think he’s just one of these vain guys who’ll go see any band named after him, he actually went to see Caribou — who was known as Manitoba up until about a year ago — and Walter Meego was the opening act. Confused? Good. Now you’re ready for Walter Meego (the band, remember, not the reader) and their wry, funky, glitchy brand of “mutant dance” music.
Iron and Wine + Calexico + Salvador Duran = Quality Entertainment
Tessitura
We consistently receive excellent music tips from our readers and, when we do, small battles usually break out behind the scenes as the six of us stake our claim. Joe beat me to The Spectacular Fantastic but hasn’t posted it up yet. Squatter! As I was sniffing around I discovered a solo project from one of the members of The Spectacular Fantastic, Jonathan Williams, who records under the name Tessitura. Fans of the Elephant 6 collective and those who like a bit of psychedelia with their pop would enjoy a track or two from Tessitura. His bio puts it as blunt as possible: “Tessitura….just a guy writing and recording some songs of his own,” and, the bio fails to mention, “giving them away.” Look, anyone with songs like this floating around in their head would be doing the world a great disservice if they didn’t commit them to tape or ones and zeroes. The fact he’s giving them all away is pure bonus.
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The Warmth
Let’s all take a moment to thank the guy who invented the Internet. And we should probably thank the billionaires over at Google, too, for if it weren’t for these individuals, we wouldn’t have the machinery by which we can stumble upon new music purely by accident. Not only was I looking for another band when The Warmth came up, but I had misspelled that original band’s name — badly. Yet, there was The Warmth, offering up an electro-acoustic vibe not unlike Travis and David Gray — something vaguely familiar and comforting but hardly stuck in Dullsville. There’s precious little information available about the band’s latest album, Fox & Weathervane, on their website or, irony of ironies, through Google searches. But they do have some music to share, so take a listen while you try to figure out this mystery wrapped in a riddle wrapped in…a website.
A Poem by Matt Rohrer
New Buffalo
Here’s the message Liz sent us: “I’d like to direct your attention to a wonderful Australian musician, Sally Seltmann, aka New Buffalo. I saw her play here in Hobart at the start of the year and apart from being a stunningly beautiful woman, she has an amazing voice and writes songs that tear at your heart.” No kidding. And thanks, Liz, you really made my week. I saw a piece on Ms. Seltmann in The New York Times over the summer, but recycled the paper too soon and couldn’t remember her or the band’s name. After downloading these songs — especially the hypnotic, saxophone-laced “I’ve Got You and You’ve Got Me” — I’m even happier you sent that message. It came just in time for New Buffalo to make my end of the year top ten list.
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Richard Swift MP3 Added + West Coast Tour
The Adored
Guilty Pleasure Admission #38: I’ve got a thing for mod-influenced British post-punk with a hint of glam, a la These Animal Men, a British band who were so good (“Too Sussed” was just awesome) until they went full-on glam. California’s The Adored carry on this fine tradition, even enlisting Pete Shelley (yes, that one!) of the Buzzcocks for guest vocals on “TV Riot.” The Adored do owe a great debt of gratitude to the Buzzcocks and the other late ’70s British bands who blazed this trail before. Remember, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Guilty Pleasure Admission #39: the Bodyrockers. Any more quilty pleasures anyone cares to share?