These United States fall on the Devendra Banhart side of the folk scale in terms of their “freakiness.” I imagine their songs would take you on quite the headphone trip; I’ve yet to put them to such a test. From what I’ve heard thus far from their forthcoming debut, A Picture of the Three of Us at the Gate to the Garden of Eden, my expectations are ratcheted up something fierce. It’s as if I’ve just picked up a new novel, fallen in love with the first chapter, and I’m feeling like I’m on the cusp of reading The Great Americana Novel. As if…
The Ettes
The day I’ve been waiting for has finally come. After waiting 19-odd months, today is the day we bring you a new song from the Ettes. Look at Life Again Soon, out March 11, picks up where their debut Shake the Dust left off, continuing their self-described beat-punk, adding a little more 60’s reverb to drench Coco’s coo-ing, a little more of Jem’s dirty bass, and whole lot of more of Poni’s pounding the snot outta her drum kit. Catch them if you can on their way from Florida to SXSW.
Original Post 6/20/2006:
Yes, it happens to me several times a year, maybe even a month, where I find my new favorite band. For the past week and a half now, the Ettes are my new favorite band. We here at 3hive try to avoid personal and patronizing (ie., brown-nosing) statements such as that in our quest to share the sharing, but with the Ettes, I just can’t help myself. Their girl-lead, blues-inspired garage rock is sharp and pulsing and induces a state of air-guitaring and posturing. See what I mean?
Bricolage
Bricolage plays the smart, snappy, pop music I enjoyed listening to as a younger man—back in my high school days and early college years. This is the sort of song I’d listen to while getting ready for a date, gelling and blow-drying my hair (when there was enough to warrant such a styling) and dressing according to the glossy templates found in men’s fashion magazines (not unlike the Bricolage boys themselves). The upbeat, breezy sounds signified the budding hope and possibilities every new girl, every new date, held. Currently living the myriad of possibilities one such date produced I still follow my youthful listening habits matching the music to my mood. And these days Bricolage-type moods grossly outweigh the stormy, dark, and depressing adolescent funks that often followed less successful outings with the young ladies of my youth.
Ben Kamen
It’s certainly not all-weather folk, but Ben Kamen’s somber strumming and vocalizing mingle nicely with the raindrops on the roof today. Kamen has a new EP that he’s giving away for free on his website, from which the two new tracks below are taken. That’s mighty nice of him. What’s nicer is that if you’re willing to do Kamen a Radiohead-style solid and pay for the music he’s otherwise giving away, he’ll send you a limited edition (1 of 100 — No. 98 is to the left) 3″ CD with a hand-painted cover. Now, perhaps you’re all iTuned out and that offer holds nothing for you. But if you ask me it’s good to remember that music ain’t just something you download – it’s something that’s created—and in this case created just for you.
Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers
I had Monday and Tuesday off this week, so it is with considerable surprise that I had the realization that, hey, today is Thursday! That would be my day to post, and since I had nothing planned or ready, well, meet Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers. Straight outta Shawnee, Oklahoma, this crew serves up solid roots music with a bit of a creepy edge to it. I’m not sure what “Traipsing Through the Aisles” is about, exactly, but Crain sings “I did something wrong” so many times at the end of the song that, no matter how sweetly she croons, I kind of believe her. Look for The Confiscation EP to be released in summer 2008.
Monade
New out today, in the U.S., on Too Pure Records is the third album by Monade, featuring Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab on vocals and songwriting duties. I haven’t heard the complete record so I can only speak of this track, “Regarde.” From those few minutes however I can tell you that Monstre Cosmic is more fleshed out than their bedroom debut, and more cohesive as a pop song than many tracks from A Few Steps More. Fans of Stereolab won’t need their arms twisted to give Monade a listen. I’m pretty sure they’re all in the know already. For those of you who haven’t heard Stereolab, an elite few I’m sure, you’ll quickly realize what you’ve been missing out on for years: a serious groove and a seriously gorgeous voice. The difference between Stereolab and this latest from Monade? A certain down-to-earthiness as Sadier trades the spacy effervescence of the latter for grittier, found sounds from her neighborhood.
The Federalists
For this President’s Day, a holiday usually celebrating George Washington’s birthday, let’s look at the modern namesake of the party of John Adams, second president of the United States. The Federalists (the band), with their smart indie rock and a penchant for occasional flashes of electronics, hopefully will not repeat the political mistake of the Federalists (the political party) in opposing with War of 1812, which led to their eventual demise after Andrew Jackson’s surprise victory at New Orleans.
Science For Girls
If I reveal producer Darren Solomon’s musical pedigree you may very well choose not to listen to his newest endeavor, Science For Girls. I guess it depends on how comfortable you are with your closet favorites. I’ll leave his former employers unnamed and leave the sleuthing up to you. Solomon lays a smooth, electronic foundation to each of his songs—gentle rhythms, rich keyboard riffs, scratchy hip-hop beats—then turns mic duties over to various, flying-below-the-radar New York-based singers (Bronwen Exter [wow!], Boots Ottestad [The Getaway People], and Paul Brill). They’re icing on this trip-hop, brazilian pop, chill-out layered cake. The vocoder vocals on this track are the edgiest element on Science For Girls’ easy-listening debut. I can easily hear Science For Girls being obliterated by the WB, Gray’s Anatomy, Starbucks muzak machine. Get to SFG before they do.
Jim Bryson
Sorry I don’t have anything lovey-dovey for Valentine’s Day. Instead, here’s an update on Canadian singer-songwriter Jim Bryson, whose “Satellite” is one of my favorite 3hive songs ever. There are a few new songs from his Kelp records release Where the Bungalows Roam and a bunch of Canadian tour dates on his website, which also offers up plenty of downloadable live tracks and demos. Checking out this new material, all low-fi and laid back — I especially like “The Wishes Pile Up” — reminds me how comfortable it is to listen to Bryson. He’s like an old frind from college playing songs in your living room. How about some shows in Windsor, Jim? I’d cross the border for that.
If By the Bridge [MP3, 4.3MB, 192kbps]
All the Fallen Leaves [MP3, 5MB, 192kbps]
The Wishes Pile Up [MP3, 4.7MB, 192kbps]
Original post: 12/31/04
These long, slow, sad, and self-deprecatingly beautiful country songs from Ottawa-based Jim Bryson match perfectly with the blinding-sun, hoarfrost-covered days we had earlier in the week here in Detroit. Come to think of it, they also match fairly well with the longing-for-even-just-a-moment-of-sunlight, totally gray slush days we’re having now.
Reed KD
This is one of those albums that sneaks up on you bit by bit, note by note, melody by melody. A subtle record that, after hearing it once or twice, lies dormant for a spell until you find yourself humming one of its tunes. “Empty Bottles” has been floating around in my head for weeks. The simple, rich harmonies are sweetly palpable, not unlike the sensation I experienced the first time I ever listened to Either/Or. Self-released on his own Dirty Laundry label, The Ashes Bloom will likely get lost in the glut of mass-market releases racing for your attention this year. Slow life down to bike ride speed and enjoy Reed KD.