This Week's Mix

As usual, here is my mix for the week. Have a great weekend.

The Stills - Don't Talk Down
Pela - Waiting On The Stairs
Proud Simon - Clockwork On and On
The Kooks - Kids (MGMT Cover)
Rahim - Through A Window
Motel Motel - Coffee
Her Space Holiday - Sleepy Tigers
The Week That Was - Scratch The Surface
The New Up's - Broken Machine
Michael Knight - Coronation Streets

Some New(ish) Music

This blog loves to share some great music from artists you most likely have never heard of before. I think that is one of my favorite parts of being a part of it. However, sometimes we neglect some of the artists that have now made a name for themselves. Trying to rectify that a bit, I would like to share some newly released music from a couple great bands. I would have done this sooner, but as you all know, the site was down for a couple of weeks while we switched servers. Since we are rolling again, here you go. I guess it's better late, than never.


The first song is a from the upcoming and aptly titled LP3 by Ratatat. The new CD is set to be released to the masses during the middle of July. The track is titled "Mirando" and is a little more experimental than those found on the first two releases. Is this a harbinger of what is to come? Time will only tell.

mp3: Mirando


The second song is from one of my personal favorite groups. Pela are currently on their summer tour and from the looks of it, it may be their only North American tour of 2008. The fellows are set to do more recording for their upcoming sophomore release that is due sometime in early 2009. To help that wait sit a little better with their fans, they have released a previously unreleased B-side, "Good Foot On A Bad Door Step."

mp3: Good Foot On A Bad Door Step

Pela Tour Cancellation

I received word that Pela had to cancel their tour, including the shows scheduled for DC and Philly. Here is the press release from the band:

"We are writing to you as our van heads back to New York. Billy has already returned to New York via plane, and is preparing for surgery.

During last night’s show at Schuba’s in Chicago, Billy fell off the stage, landing on a broken pint glass. This happened during the triumphant finale of the set; the stage was crowded with people dancing and singing to ‘Cavalry’, while a strobe light turned their vision into a cut screen movie. His left hand has a gash on the palm, and a deep slice in his pinky finger which also cut tendons.

We regrettably must announce that Schuba’s was the last night of the tour. We promise to make up each and every show as soon as possible and apologize to everyone who purchased tickets. Arrangements are being made with all of the clubs on how best to handle the situation. We will have more information soon.

Webmaster note: you can send your best wishes to billy@pelamusic.com and I'll forward them to him."

Hopefully everything turns out alright for Billy and we get to see the band soon.

Waiting On The Stairs

This Week's Mix

This week's mix is erratic like the weather. Enjoy your weekend.

Pela - All in Time
Benzos - We Have Names
Film School - Plots and Plans
The Warlocks - So Paranoid
Built To Spill - Gone
The Dandy Warhols - The Last High
Thee More Shallows - Night At The Knight School
Birds & Batteries - Ocarina
Cabin - Dance With Me
Crimea - Raining Planets

Pela Music Video

I am pleased to announce that the boy's in Pela have a new video for "Lost to the Lonesome." The video features the guys in an early 1800s small town trying to sell a miracle cure to the masses. Billy is dressed quite humorously in a preachers outfit, while he sells his wares to the crowd. The guys then get the crowd dancing around and praising him for helping them. It has a surprise ending as well, so check it out.



Lost To The Lonesome

Pela News

If you have followed my music tastes over the months I have been writing for this blog, you may have noticed that I have acquired a minor infatuation for the band Pela. They are currently in LA recording their next album and have been keeping a studio blog. They have posted videos, descriptions of new songs and the meanings behind the album. If you have ever wondered what all goes through the making of a record, head on over there and check it out. They will soon have a video up of an interview they did a few days ago and they usually update the blog a few times a week.

Song Writes Itself
Waiting On The Stairs

This Week's Mix

No story about this week, just good music. Enjoy!

The Aliens - I Am The Unknown
Soft - Dumb Blood
Dappled Cities - Beach Song
The Russian Futurists - Sentiments vs Syllables
Bloc Party - Sunday
Mason Proper - A Chance Encounter
Tokyo Police Club - Your English Is Good
The Crimea - All Conquering
Minus the Bear - Throwin' Shapes
Pela - Venom:

Pela / Two If By Sea @ Black Cat

Pela's Anytown Graffiti is one of my favorite albums of the year and I have been anxiously waiting for them to stop in DC for a show. Once I found out that they were coming to Black Cat with Baltimore's Two if By Sea on July 11, I started counting down the days. The best backstage shows always turn into sweaty messes and as the pictures prove, this one was no exception.

Two If By Sea

Going into their set, I was not familiar with any of Two if by Sea's music and had no idea what to expect. To my surprise, I got blown away. I think the majority of the crowd didn't really know what to expect either, but with the long guitar solos, fast paced drumming, strong vocals and solid bass playing, people really got into it and many started dancing. They were the perfect opener for Pela and they really warmed up the crowd well.

Pela

Before Pela began, I pushed my way through the crowd and made it to the front for what turned out to be a really crazy show. The guys started off with "Waiting On The Stairs." They went through the majority of their catalogue and they even played a strong cover of The Pixies' "Holiday Song." The show was so crazy that Billy started falling off of the stage and 3 of us had to catch him. A girl in the crowd even bought the band shots and they all took them together. All in all, it was the perfect high energy set and I can't wait for them to come back.

After the show was over, I got a chance to talk to both bands at the bar. I talked to Billy and Tom from Pela about how they felt about the tour, what they had in store for the future and their general feeling on the night. Billy actually mentioned the title of the new CD that they are starting to work on. If you head over to their tour blog, you can get more info on the upcoming album.

I will leave you with some mp3s and the links to the pictures that I took. Most of the pictures are horrible, but you get the idea.

Two If By Sea Pictures
Pela Pictures

Pela - Holiday Song (live Pixies cover)
Two If By Sea - Summer Borne For Sleep

Midweek in The District

It is Wednesday and there is a 2 horse race for which show you should go see in DC tonight. It's a tough choice to make, so you should choose wisely.

At Black Cat you have a really sweet show. The great Brooklyn band Pela is playing. They will be joined by the kings of Baltimore, Two if by Sea. These two bands playing a sweaty backstage show should be something else.

Pela - Lost To The Lonesome
Pela - Holiday Song (live Pixies Cover)
Two if by Sea - High Water Mark


Over at DC9, you have the band that has the city buzzing, Le Loup. This will probably be the last time that you will get the chance to see them at a venue this small in DC. They will be joined by another Brooklyn band, The XYZ Affair. In addition to the bands, Middle Distance Runner will be DJing.

Le Loup - We Are Gods! We Are Wolves!
The XYZ Affair - All My Friends

DC Shows Tonight

The DC area has a plethora of shows this evening. There are four of note and they include a good bit of international flavor. So there should be a little something for everyone.


Ireland's The Frames will be making a stop at 9:30 Club tonight. Margot & the Nuclear So and So's will be opening for what should be a great evening.

The Frames - Falling Slowly
Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos - Quiet as a Mouse


Brooklyn's Pela and Iceland's Bang Gang will be playing at Rock and Roll Hotel. They will be supported by locals Metropolitan and Five Four.

Pela - Lost To The Lonesome
Bang Gang - It's Alright


Scotland's Aereogramme is playing Black Cat. They are joined by Canada's appropriately named A Northern Chorus.

Aereogramme - A Life Worth Living
A Northern Chorus - The Millions Too Many


Finally, Kristin Hersh brings her arsenal of songs to IOTA. If you are a fan of her solo material, 50FootWave or Throwing Muses, you should be quite happy.

Kristin Hersh - Winter