This Week's Mix

I feel bad about missing last week's mix, but that's what happens when the summer is winding down and you have way more things to do than you have time. With that said, here is this week's. It is a party mix to get everyone ready to dance at Rock and Roll Hotel tonight.

Boom Bip - Girl Toy
The Octopus Project - The Adjustor
The Epochs - Opposite Sides (Hays Remix)
The Republic Tigers - Golden Sand
The Wombats - Kill The Director
Low Vs. Diamond - Heart Attack
Mint Royale - Show Me
Michael Franti & Spearhead - Light Up Ya Lighter
Phoenix Jukebox - That Purp
The Hood Internet - R. Kelly vs Jens Lekman - If I Could Rock (It Would Feel Like This)

New Music From The Epochs

Ever growing in popularity, Brooklyn/DC indie-pop favorites The Epochs are at it again. "Hyena" is a new song the fellas have put out to hold us over, while they work on their new record. Although the guys play the song live, it will most likely not appear on the album and is exclusively a free digital single. Enjoy!

mp3: Hyena

Snowden, Colour Revolt and The Epochs

Still touring on the success of the 2006 release Anti-Anti, Atlanta-based Snowden (signed to Wilmington's own Jade Tree Records) have come a long way since I saw them at the tiny Continental Club in Austin back in '06. Recently touring with Kings of Leon, they had to push back recording their next album. At the show, make sure to check out the bass player. She is a show in herself.

Joining them for the tour is Mississippians Colour Revolt supporting a new album, Plunder, Beg and Curse. Things must be going much better than a year ago when they got their vehicle and gear stolen in Texas right before SXSW (most was recovered). Slighty infused with southern rock, but nothing that will make you feel like screaming "Freebird".

Also on the bill are regional favorites The Epochs. Bellflur joins the mix at the DC show.

5/13: DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
5/14: Philly @ North Star *Special All Ages Show*

Snowden - Time of the Season (Zombies Cover)
Snowden - Anti-Anti
Colour Revolt - Naked and Red
The Epochs - Opposite Sides
Bellflur - First To The Moon

The Mid-Week in the Mid-Atlantic

It must be spring. There are actually shows on Wednesdays. Here are a few to attend:

Regional favorites Jukebox the Ghost are growing quite a following in their new home base. Check them out at the North Star on Wednesday. Tally Hall and The Republic Tigers are on tour as well and joining Jukebox on stage. Afterwards, JTG heads north to Beantown, while all of you in DC get the other two at DC9 on Thursday.

4/16: Philly @ North Star
4/17: DC @ DC9 (Tally Hall/The Republic Tigers only)

Jukebox The Ghost - Victoria
Tally Hall - Spring and a Storm (via The Bomb Shelter)
The Republic Tigers - Buildings and Mountains

Another band traveling the 95 corridor is Dead Meadow. Catch them in DC on Wednesday, follow the van and see them again in Philly on Thursday

4/16: DC @ Black Cat
4/17: Philly @ Johnny Brendas

Dead Meadow - What Needs Must Be

Brooklyn based The Epochs invade Philly Wednesday night with two hometown bands sharing the stage, Neighbors On The Moon and Lightning Bug. I have seen Neighbors, and it is a highly entertaining show. Give the locals some love.

4/16: Philly @ The Khyber

The Epochs - Opposite Sides
Neighbors on the Moon - Monsters
Lightning Bug - Infinity Today

Doing the hometown CD release thing (album came out 4/8) is Public Record. They are at Johnny Brendas with ravens:and:vultures. Should be a great show.

4/16: Philly @ Johnny Brendas

Public Record - Comfortability
ravens:and:vultures - Willow

And now for something a little bit loud. In an odd place to play, New York's loudest band, A Place to Bury Strangers is in Central PA at Messiah College. Hope those Christian kiddos know what they are getting in to. This also happens to be the band's last US show for quite some time, as they are about to head to Europe.

4/16: Grantham PA @ Messiah College

A Place To Bury Strangers - I Know I'll See You

This Week's Mix

The tests are finally over and its time to party! There is no converging theme for these songs, but I enjoy listening to all of them.

The Dismemberment Plan - What Do You Want Me To Say? (Remix)
Rodrigo y Gabriela - Tamacun
Unwed Sailor - Little Wars
Lemuria - Get Some Sleep
The Billionaires - End of Summer Song
Misfortune500 - A Ready Defense
Teenage Prayers - I'm In Love Again
Sally Shaprio - Jackie Junior (Junior Boys Remix)
The Epochs - Opposite Sides (Remix)
Pop Levi - Never Never Love (Pink Enemy Mix)

This Week's Releases

This week features so many releases, that I don't even know where to start. Instead of talking about my favorites, I'll let you listen for yourself. There is plenty for everyone, so find something new. Enjoy!

The Epochs

The Epochs (Buy) - "Opposite Sides" & "Full Album Stream"

Bell X1

Flock (Buy) - "Rocky Took a Lover" & Full Album Stream

The Republic Tigers

EP (Buy) - "Buildings and Mountains"

The Mountain Goats

Heretic Pride (Buy) - "Sax Rohmer #1"

The Raveonettes

Lust Lust Lust (Buy) - "Aly Walk With Me" & Full Album Stream

Bon Iver

For Emma, Forever Ago (Buy) - "Flume"

Atlas Sound

Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel (Buy) - "Quarantined"

The Big Sleep

Sleep Forever (Buy) - "Bad Blood" & Full Album Stream

Headlights

Some Racing, Some Stopping (Buy) - "Cherry Tulips"

Throw Me The Statue

Moonbeams (Buy) - "Your Girlfriend's Car"

Apes (DC band)

Ghost Games (Buy) - "Beat of the Double"

Crushed Stars

Gossamer Days (Buy) - "Spies"

Speaker Speaker

Call It Off (Buy) - "We Won't March"

Flowers Forever

Flowers Forever (Buy) - "Black Rosary"

Monade

Monstre Cosmic (Buy) - "Regard"

No Kids

Come Into My House (Buy) - "The Beaches All Closed"

Panther

14 Kt. God (Buy) - "Violence, Diamonds"

American Music Club

The Golden Age (Buy) - "All Lost Souls Welcome You to San Francisco" & Full Album Stream

Megafaun

Bury The Square (Buy) - "Lazy Suicide"

The Epochs Remix CD

There is even more news from The Epochs. After releasing their new album digitally on iTunes, the guys have released a remix CD free for everyone to enjoy. The EP features 4 songs, including 3 from the new album and a remix of The Death Set. Grab the EP and don't forget the physical release comes out February 19th.

1. Opposite Sides(Hays Holladay Remix)
2. Head in the Fire(Hays Holladay Remix)
3. Giving Tree(Kotchy Remix)
4. The Death Set - Collision(The Epochs Remix)

The Epochs

Photo Credit: Doron Gild

Yesterday, The Epochs digitally pre-released their self-titled debut. You may have heard some of this album's first renditions, when I have used their songs in mixes. However, this release is totally remixed and remastered. The physical release will drop on February 19. The new version of "Opposite Sides" and the video for "Love Complete" are shared below.

Love Complete:

Opposite Sides

New Year's Eve Music Parties!

Don't have plans yet for Monday night? Fear not, as there are three great shows to attend in the DC area. What can beat listening to some great music while ringing in the new year?

DC:

The Epochs & Zulu Pearls - Mt. Pleasant
1801 N. Kenyon St.

This is the party that I will be at and it will most likely the smallest of the three shows. Festivities start around 10, so there is plenty of time to party before you come out. The Epochs are first and Zulu Pearls go on at the stroke of midnight and the party lasts however long it takes the last person to stumble home. The show is only $5.

Zulu Pearls - Dancing + Drinking
The Epochs - Opposite Sides

Georgie James & DJs
Rock and Roll Hotel

Over on H Street, there will be a huge blowout party at the R&R Hotel with Brightest Young Things, Georgie James and a bunch of DJs. Georgie James plays a shorter set than normal, but the party is sure to be a good one.

Need Your Needs

VA:

Last Train Home & Vandaveer
IOTA Club

In Arlington, you can have a real Indie New Year's Eve with some great local bands. This party is technically the only official concert and even after the music ends, the party keeps going. IOTA opens at 5, if you want dinner as well. I have not personally been able to see these bands in concert myself, but Joe tells me that they are worth it.

Last Train Home - I'm Coming Home
Vandaveer - However Many Takes It Takes

No matter which you pick you are sure to have a great time.

indie at the abbey: NYC's Indie Pop Invasion

Tonight is another round of indie at the abbey at The Abbey Bar in Harrisburg. It also happens to be my birthday show and one of my favorite bills to date. NYC indie pop is all the rage tonight, as the evening features Wakey!Wakey! and Brooklyn’s The Epochs. The show starts at 9, admission is just $2 and there are $2 off Belgians all evening long. You can even register to win a free tattoo.


A friend turned me on to The Epochs a little over a year ago. They are basically mellow indie mixed with synth and falsetto vocals. I once told somebody that they were the indie rock Bee Gees, but cooler. I think I'll stick to that. They just completed 6 shows at CMJ and will be touring most of December. Their CD drops in January and the buzz has begun to grow. As word of their killer live show starts to spread, it's only going to get bigger. See them now, so you can be one of the first.

For those of you elsewhere in IA's region of coverage, you can check them out next month with Middle Distance Runner and Mobius Band:

12/13: Lo-Fi Social Club, Baltimore
12/14: Rock and Roll Hotel, DC
12/15: North Star Bar, Philly

Mouths To Feed
Opposite Sides


Wakey!Wakey! is one of New York's best kept secrets. A mutual friend introduced me to Mike and his intelligent piano pop. Fortunately, I was able to convince him to make a trip south. I've been told that he puts on a great show, so come check him out on one of his rare escapes from the island. You won't be disappointed.

Falling Apart (Live)
Apology Song (Decemberists cover)


Upcoming Shows:

11/14/07
Tartufi (San Francisco, CA)
Low Red Land (San Francisco, CA)

11/28/07
Canadian Invasion (Philadelphia, PA)
Monogold (Brooklyn, NY)

12/05/07
The Jaguar Club (Brooklyn, NY)
The Shackeltons (Chambersburg, PA)

This series is brought to you by IA, Jersey Mike Presents, WiAB Records and Appalachian Brewing Company. It is sponsored by our friends at 717 Tattoo.

The Epochs & Slumber

The great Brooklyn band The Epochs are playing Galaxy Hut tonight and they will be joined by my friends Slumber. I checked them out together last month and took some pictures, so take a look and then get out for a great show.

Slumber Photos
The Epochs Photos
The Hailing Photos (also played on the August bill)

Slumber - Gold
The Epochs - Head in the Fire

This Week's Mix

Here is your mix for this week. I am off to college. We'll catch up in a couple of days, once I get settled in Blacksburg. Enjoy!

1. The Epochs - Head in the Fire
2. Boy Kill Boy - Suzie
3. Saturna - Roll Down
4. Kings of Leon - Fans
5. Kasabian - I.D.
6. Blonde Redhead - Falling Man
7. Albert Hammond Jr. - In Transit
8. Stars - The Night Starts Here
9. Minus the Bear - The Fix
10. The Sugarcubes - Birthday

Amie Street Hits The Road

The newbie digital music service Amie Street is about to head out on its first ever tour. Three of their most popular artists will be co-headlining the event that will take place in the artists respective cities. The Dead Trees will be representing Boston, The Epochs will be representing New York City and Middle Distance Runner will be representing DC. There will also be an additional local artist on several of the dates. The itnerary is as follows:

3/19/07: Great Scott, Boston, MA
3/21/07: Piano's, New York, NY
3/22/07: Galapagos Art Space, Brooklyn, NY
3/24/07: Rock and Roll Hotel, Washington, DC

I'll be at the DC show, so stop by and say hi. If you don't remember what makes Amie Street so unusual or you want to sign up with some free money, read the post that I wrote in January.

The Dead Trees - Shelter
The Dead Trees - Television
The Epochs - Mouths To Feed
The Epochs - Tug Of War
Middle Distance Runner - Man Of The People
Middle Distance Runner- That's A Lie

Introducing Amie Street

So things have been quiet around here lately. Yeah, yeah... what's new, right? Even when it does not seem like it, I am always working on something. Today, I wanted to talk about one of my projects and a special deal that I negotiated for all of you.

Over the past couple of months, I have been sharing some ideas with an upstart digital music store. The site is called Amie Street. I believe so much in what they are doing, that I agreed to contribute to their site. I am writing some features for them and providing a weekly recap of the best indie tracks of the week. Chris is even going to pitch in when he gets the chance.

The thing about Amie Street, is that it isn't your normal music store. There are several things that set them apart.

To start off with, they are all about the underground. Most of their artists are unsigned or on labels that you have never heard of. To give you an idea, their best selling indie track of all time is "Naturally" by Middle Distance Runner. This is really cool, because they are promoting these bands and only these bands. The quality acts are being exposed on the main page, the way Justin Timberlake and Foo Fighters are exposed by iTunes. They cater to all genres as well.

The artists retain the rights to their music and they don't have to sign an exclusive contract. Amie Street keeps the first $5 a track makes and the artist gets 70% of all sales after that. They also offer special deals for the artists to extend to their fans, which also helps the artists gain stature on the site. The artists can put a couple of tracks up or their full body of work. It is entirely up to them and they can add more, whenever they desire. There is no waiting around for the music to post either, it's immediate. Even cooler, is the fact that they can reach fans all over the world.

You can test out new artists without it costing you very much. Every track starts out free and stays free, until it has been purchased 15 times. As the track continues to sell, it goes up in price. Each track maxes out at 98 cents, after 85 purchases.

It is actually possible for YOU to profit off of a song. When you purchase credits, you receive REC's. You use these to recommend your favorite tracks. If you recommend a track when it is free and it goes up to 98 cents, you can cash out and get 98 cents credited to your account. If you recommend a track when it is worth 5 cents and you cash out at 35 cents, 30 cents is credited to your account. How you do it, is entirely up to you.

When you purchase a track, it is yours. You can download it as often as your would like, wherever you would like. Plus all tracks are unprotected mp3s, so you can play them anywhere and on any device.

The system rewards good artists and fans with good taste. That sounds like all of you, right? Now the question is, do they have any good artists? The answer is yes. Just to start off, I will tell you that you can purchase music from IA favorites like Middle Distance Runner, Cedars, These United States, The Epochs, The Jaguar Club, The Payola Reserve and Saturna. The really cool thing, is that you will be buying their music for much less than you would pay anywhere else and they will receive most of the profits. If you catch it early enough, it's free.

Since I love my readers, I negotiated a deal for all of you. When you sign up, enter "instrumental" as your promo code. This will hook you up with free money and REC's, that will allow you to start exploring the site with zero risk. To make it easier on you, I am writing a weekly recap of my favorite songs. So check that out on their main page and you should be all set. I will be updating that early each week. If you are an artist, I'd love to see your music there. I love to access music as soon as I want it. Alright, I am done. Go explore. If you join, look Chris and I up and be our friends. Our user names are joepcas and chrisanalysis.

Questions? Comments? Fire away...

Tracks that you will find on Amie St.:
Middle Distance Runner - Naturally
Cedars - This Century
The Epochs - Mouths to Feed
The Jaguar Club - The Sirens
The Payola Reserve - Lay In Wait
Saturna - Blanket of Stars

Chris's Favorite Songs of 2006, Part One

*Update: The Epochs Link Has Been Added*

So I've been M.I.A. for some time. I blame many things: holiday turkey, flights to and from Chicago, and marathons of Law & Order (seriously - can we make a rule that the USA network needs to stop with the eight hours of SVU? Please? For the sake of my productivity?)

But tonight (this morning?) marks my return! Yes, I am late on my "favorites" list, but I had hoped to share a few things that you may not have heard, and some that you probably have.

This past year, I listened to a lot of things that were from the Washington DC area - much more predominantly than I did things from around the country. However, this list is just a random smattering of things I really liked. Some of them I've mentioned before, and I'm going to build on this list as I have the time over the next week or two. So stay tuned - I'll post parts two, three, four....well, however many there end up being. They're alphabetical because I'm just going through my playlists and picking out favorites at random. Enjoy!


Angela Desveaux - Heartbeat

I wrote about this tune after seeing Angela play alongside locals Revival, and this stood out that show as the obvious single from her album Wandering Eyes. This isn't necessarily the most revolutionary or inventive song...its just really catchy, and has such a pitch-perfect melody. Natural and effortless - as any pop song should be. The country twinge is perfect for a winter evening.


The Bonapartes - Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow

The Bonapartes are no longer; they were not terribly well known outside of our fair District of Columbia. This five piece was a DC band that did a few shows outside of the District, and split up earlier this year. However! They put out an EP in LATE 2005 (okay, I'm bending the rules) that really had some gems on it. While "Concentric" was the track that was hawked as the single, I think this one is a bit more catchy - albeit more straightforward. Mosey on over to their MySpace page to check out "Concentric" as well - but "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" ultimately did more for me. They'll be missed.


Calexico - All Systems Red

This closing track from Calexico's Garden Ruin is just fantastic...I love the slow building crescendo, the subtly determined vocals at the helm of a cresting wave of instrumentation. When those drums fall in - if you don't get goosebumps, you're missing out. Just a wonderfully beautiful song from this seasoned band.


Cedars - Holiday for the City

Cedars put out a new EP this year titled Another Season, and it is such an amazing accomplishment for them that I can't help but include this song on my list - but I had a hard time choosing between "Holiday for the City" and "Lamb" (featuring Aloha vibraphone player TJ Lipple). As a triumph of songwriting and arrangement, this fantastic DC foursome has created an atmospheric sound that is distinctly American, yet echoes some of the best of sounds from across the pond. This is among the catchiest from the EP, and one of my favorite songs of the year. To hear the rest, head over to Amie Street.


Damone - Now is the Time

Guilty pleasure alert. Okay, its cheesy. But man...it rocks. RAWKS. I stumbled across this band during South by Southwest last year - my friends in Exit Clov were playing on the same showcase (I have NO idea who put that bill together...). In any case, I loved this record. I played it over and over and over againagainagain. Honestly, the only reason I choose this song over the single, "Out Here All Night," is because of the way Noelle delivers the line "well then you can bet that I know who they are" at the end of the second verse. She sort of clips off the end of the phrase and makes it sound perfectly natural and yet injects it with this perfect "fuck you" attitude. Man, this rocks. RAWKS.


Deleted Scenes - Trying to Remember a Dream

So I reviewed Deleted Scenes for the last magazine that I wrote for, and I compared them to the Shins. I don't really like the Shins very much. But I do like this song quite a bit - its a quiet, catchy tune from this DC group - and shows a lot of promise for them. Its off their debut EP, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else they come up with as time goes on.


The Epochs - Mouths to Feed

Harmonies and more harmonies! And crazy rhythm changes! And pianos! And a fantastic arrangement! And weird percussion blips! WOO! And I'm sold. For more, check these guys out over at Amie Street.


Exit Clov - Violent Berries

Exit Clov are friends of mine, admittedly, but I greatly admire their songwriting and musicianship. Like Cedars, Exit Clov put out an EP this year that shows incredible growth - Respond Respond contains this beauty of a track that should make any indie rock playlist in the country. Simple, lush and quite wonderful, pay particular attention to the harmony breakdown in the bridge - the split vocal beginning when Susan and Emily sing "I play the game, and hope that the day won't fade away," is just stunning.


Faithless - Miss You Less, See You More

No Roots did not come out in 2006. It actually came out in 2004. But I don't care. I found this band this year, and wish I'd known about them for years. For dance music with a rock influence, I don't think there is anything better than Faithless. The album is a concept where every song is written in the same key (C), and thus flows together from track to track. Thus I had a little trouble isolating a personal favorite - but I think this one does quite nicely. DEFINITELY find this band if you haven't heard them before.


Forget Cassettes - Venison

Oh man...what would happen if you combined Sonic Youth with the Smashing Pumpkins, and invited Caithlin de Marrais of Rainer Maria to sing? Forget Cassettes would happen. And you'd have one of my new favorite bands. This opening track off of Salt is particularly demonstrative. Awesome.


Gnarls Barkley - The Last Time

Yes, "Crazy" is the single of the year. We all know it. Everybody and their mom has written about it. But actually...I might like this song just as much. The disco-neo-soul crafted here is just as catchy as the first single, and the "doo-doo" backing vocal is about perfect. As a closing to St. Elsewhere, it is a phenomenal cap to one of the best records of the year. If you haven't heard it yet, you should. Now.


Grand National - Talk Amongst Yourselves

I just love the way that this song is structured - the synth arpeggios that open the tune are fantastic, and I don't know that there is a better disco influenced rock epic from the past year. For some reason, I feel like strutting down 14th street like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever whenever I hear this one. Now if only I can find a white leisure suit...if any kind reader has one and wants to send it to me, email me...please.


That's it for part one. I'm sleepy. And posting these tunes takes awhile. I'll try and post more this week.

Oh! And if any of you make it out to the Soft Complex show this coming weekend, do say hello. We've got a number of them coming up in the next month - you can check our website for details. I'd be thrilled to meet anybody there and say hi.