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I Am The World Trade Center is the vehicle of Dan Geller and Amy Dykes. The band, known for producing and recording all of their own tracks on a laptop computer, combines Dyke’s light yet confident vocals with a dizzying array of samples and loops.
Although the band was forced to take an abrupt hiatus in 2004 due to the unexpected diagnosis of Dyke’s Hodgkins Lymphoma (she has sense recovered and is in remission) their influence can be heard throughout the rest of their labelmates on Kindercore records.
Today’s track is from their 2004 offering The Cover Up.
Welcome to the sleeper hit album of the year. Glasgow’s Frightened Rabbit bring to the table their own brand of indie-rock. The new album, Sing the Greys, is an amazing album from the first track to the last. Check out today’s track for a taste and if you dig it, you can pick up the full album from our friends at eMusic.com.
There’s no denying that there is a lot of good indie music coming out of Sweden these days and making its way around the globe. There is even a whole blog devoted to it over at Swedesplease. And a good example of this is the self-titled full-length released just last month by Mixtapes & Cellmates.
The first single off of the album, “Quiet”, is an electronic-driven pop delight with shaky vocals and fantastic guitar accents. The link below is actually to a .zip file of the full digital single “package” which, in addition to an mp3 of “Quiet”, contains a remixed track and album art. So enjoy this gift from our Swedish friends, and head on over to their label’s site if you’re interested in picking up the full album.
NOTE: Since, as mentioned above, the following link is to a .zip file of the full digital single package, it is a bit large at ~15Mb
Oooh…indie girl pop :o)
The Icicles have a decidedly sixties pop feel but wrapped in the charade are sincere, and timely lyrics. Think Shins, think Camera Obscura, think whatever you want, but think about checking out this track right now.
After several false starts with other producers, this Grand Rapids, MI based group seems to have finally found kismet with engineer Britt Myers (Essex Green, Dressy Bessy).
The new album released this past week courtesy of Microindie.
“Alone Again” is a mellow, piano-led track that is a perfect fit for when you’re in a laid-back mood, looking for a track underscore your relaxation. The soft vocals and languid guitars compliment the piano lead, and do their part complete the lax mood.
Despite their name, this foursome actually hails from Bucks County, PA (go figure), and their latest EP, What The Hell Do I Know?, was just released last month on Ace Fu. And if you want more, you can also download a second track from the EP, “Screendoor“.
Kinetic Stereokids, hailing from Flint, MI, have developed a unique sound all of their own. Picture, if you will, beautifully melancholy lyrics and vocal lines interspersed with subtle yet supporting acoustic guitar licks and you’re halfway there. Now lay these on a bed of sublime hip-hop beats and ethereal electronica and you’ve just traveled the other half.
All of these elements come to play on the band’s latest release, Basement Kids, courtesy of Overdraft Recordings. Head on over to band’s MySpace page to sample more tracks or hit up the album’s page on eMusic.com to sample the entire LP.
Reigning from indie-fertile grounds of Northampton, MA, The Mitchells travel in the same vein as other influential Northampton alumni Dinosaur Jr. and The Silver Jews. In fact, fans of this brand of authentic indie rock should find solace in the sincere sounds of this northeastern trio. Other obvious comparisons include recent Hot Water Music and early Spoon.
Today’s track comes from the bands newest release, Slow Gears, which dropped this January courtesy of Pigeon records.
If you dig this track, be sure to head on over to the band’s MySpace page where you can pick up three more excellent tracks as free downloads.
I came across a link to today’s track while catching up on largehearted boy the other day. Usually, before I post a track to Kinky Origami, I will do a little background research on the band I’m writing about. I’ll find out who they are, where they’re from, etc. And since most new bands now days seem to have a website before they’ve played their first gig, it’s usually not a difficult task. But that’s not the case with today’s act. As a matter of fact, all they have is a MySpace page with a whimsical blurb that gives little insight into the band’s backstory, and includes this telling line: “I bet you where [sic] expecting to read more…... WELL TOO MOTHA F*CKIN BAD SENhttp://kinkyorigami.com/!Come to a Show we’ll tell you the rest of the story…”
So I guess they’d rather let their music do the talking, and who am I to disagree. The link below will take you to their MySpace page where you can download today’s track, “Box Turtle Isn’t She…” (I don’t know if that is the track’s full name, or if MySpace trucated it), and sample a few more tracks as well. Give them a spin and see what you think, and let me know if you find out any more about them :)
EDIT: After looking a little further, I also found today’s track on this band’s MySpace page as well. The two bands seem to have at least some members in common, so I don’t know if they renamed/reformed themselves or what…the mystery continues.
Today’s track is one that will wind its way into your subconscious and be stuck in your head for days. Unless of course you find yourself looping it over and over, unable to get enough. Either way, it’s catchy, upbeat feel and incredibly endearing vocals will have you hooked. With a fun beat that steadily drives the song, layers of sound weaving in and out, and hip-hop-ish vocals, this hard to categorize track is an indie-pop delight.
CocoRosie is the work of two sisters, Bianca (Coco) and Sierra (Rosie) Casady, whose combined bio reads like an imaginative piece of fiction. I won’t go into all the details here, but it’s definitely worth looking up one day if you find yourself intrigued. “Rainbowarriors” is the first track on their upcoming third full-length, The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn, which is due out next month. And you can also stream another track from the album, “Promise”, as well as some older material, on their MySpace page.
Ruby Isle is the electro-rock vehicle of piano rock veteran Mark Mallman, prog rock afficiando Aaron Lemay, and Kindercore Records founder Dan Gellar. The group is the bi-product of a high school friendship fueled by mixtapes and cigarettes in the glamorous city of Waukesha, WI between Mallman and Gellar.
After embarking on decidedly successful solo careers for some time, the two have joined forces again to create the electro-pop phenomenom you hear today. Add the driving steady rhythms of Lemay and we may well have achieved the electro pop holy trinity.
The bands debut, released on Gellar’s own Kindercore Records last week, is chock full the catchy electro sounds you hear on “Into the Black”. To get the full experience however, I recommend heading over to the band’s MySpace site where you can sample two more tracks in full streamy goodness.
The album is available now.
If, like me, you find the occasional anachronistic twist in your music collection to be enjoyable and refreshing, then The Scarring Party are the perfect act to add to your mix. More than just a novelty, this Milwaukee quintet creates very enjoyable music that combines an “old-timey” (think 1920’s/30’s) sound with more modern influences. And their unique style, which is far removed from today’s “indie scene”, has a certain sincerity to it that increases the appeal.
As described on their site, today’s track, “No More Room”, “Foretell[s] certain doom to the bouncing rhythm of tuba, bass, accordion, banjo, and tongue drum.” Honestly, what could possibly sound more fun than that? If you find yourself enjoying it as much as I have, be sure to check out “Eat Your Young” as well. And you can pick up a copy of their self-released debut, A Concise Introduction, here, if you’re so inclined.
Thomas Lunch is no stranger to the music scene, after a successful career spent playing throughout the country he has finally stood still long enough to create his full length debut.
Diagrams Without Instructions, released last month courtesy of San Diego’s Hi Fi Alliance, brings to the table fourteen tracks showcasing the full spectrum of Lunch’s talent.
I dare you to listen to this track and not be hooked. In fact, I know when you do that you’ll need more to fuel your electro-addiction, so KinkyOrigami is here to be your dealer. Check out “Tator Tots and Robots” to cure your download crave and check out Lunch’s MySpace site to let more tracks stream into your veins in pure streamy goodness.
Start your week off rock.
Chicago based The Foster Walker Complex bring to the table as much of a refined pop sound as you’ll find. The young band first came to being in a mere 2004 and since then has obviously gelled quickly.
Today’s track is from their brand new five song EP which is available for download directly from their website. Keep an eye out for their new full length as well, which can be sampled for free on the bands MySpace page.
Call Me Lightning recently signed to French Kiss and released their sophomore album, Soft Skeletons. The fact that they found a home at FK should give you a rough idea of what to expect from their sound. And if your thinking angular guitars, a danceable beat, vocals that are a little rough around the edges, and a bass line that drives the music, then your right on target.
While their style may be similar to others, their execution is superb, making Call Me Lightning definitely a band worth checking out. So give “Billion Eyes” a spin and get ready to dance. At least mentally. Like I am right now, because it’s hard to dance and type at the same time :)
Sometimes we get a song here that just stops us in our tracks. “Tell Me” is just one of those songs. Gentle with two soft voices, this track slowly steps along with haunting harmonies and lilting guitar. Listen to this song with a good pair of headphones and no distractions and you will be generously rewarded. Listen closely for the subtle cello slowly creeping its way through the shadows and don’t miss the attention to detail on the countermelody of the guitar between verses. This is a truly a finely crafted song.
Cocoon is the vehicle of Mark Daumail and Morgane Imbeaud of France. The duo has steadily garnered attention through appearances with the likes of Jude, I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness, and Echo and The Bunnymen and is now hard at work on their first album which will be available courtesy of Sober&Gentle.
If you dig this track you can check out a few more on their MySpace page including some which showcase the more upbeat side of the duo.
This is just a quick reminder to all of you who dug that amazing Fulton Lights track “Fire in the Palm of My Hand”. The new album has finally been released today! The album is available directly from www.AndroidEatsRecords.com or you can just tell your local record store to order it directly from Darla or Carrot Top. You collectors out there can still pick up the limited edition version of the CD from Catbird Records if you’re interested but you better hurry…they’re going fast!
You New Yorkers out there can check out the live CD release party on March 15th at Tonic with Frances and Still (dalek) who is now playing with Fulton Lights.
Also, as a special treat we have available another Fulton Lights track straight from Andrew, “Thank God for the Evening News“. This is an amazing track off of what is sure to be an incredible album.
audio/mpeg (6 205 ko) Fullerton, CA’s Cold War Kids bring to the table one of the tightest sounds in recent memory. Today’s track is from 2005 ’s Mulberry Street EP which first dropped onto the map courtesy of Monarchy Music Group.
If you dig this, however, you’ll love their newest full length Robbers & Cowards which dropped last fall courtesy of Downtown Records. Be sure to check out their MySpace site where you can sample their newest single “Hang Me Up to Dry” in pure streamy goodness as well as their own website where you can get your hands on an entire six song acoustic EP for the rock bottom price of free.
I’ve been a fan of Winterpills since “Pills for Sara” (circa 2005) so needless to say I was psyched to get some tracks from the new album. I’m glad to say that I was not disappointed.
“Handkerchiefs” is classic Winterpills. Dark, melodic, and sparse, Handkercheifs calls to mind cold winter nights filled with the fresh taste of coming snow. From the sampling of the other upcoming track, “Broken Arm”, available in streamy goodness on the bands MySpace page, this album is shaping up to be a fine compliment to the bands 2005 S/T debut.
The new album, Light Divides, dropped yesterday courtesy of Signature Sounds.
Happy Monday, let’s start the week off right.
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are pure blues rock, nothing more, nothing less, and this hardline, confident sound has paid off well for the group.
Veterans of tours with the likes of Trey Anastasio and Taj Mahal, the band has quickly made waves in blues and indie rock circles. After the well recieved debut of their previous album, Nothing but the Water, the band rapidly rose to indie stardom both in and out of their home stomping grounds of Vermont.
And if the star studded tourmates weren’t enough, or the quickly selling of their last album, the band has recently signed on to appear on this year’s Bonnaroo.
Grace and the boys currently has a new album in the works, hoping to drop in late spring. We’ll be sure to keep KO readers informed about the album’s progress, but in the meantime, check out today’s track from their previous album for a taste of what we’re in for.
There’s a growing scene of artists based primarily in NY (at least as far as the US scene is concerned) dedicated to the concept of making music using old video game hardware. Being fairly new to the scene myself, I don’t claim to know much; but I have heard some really good stuff that’s come out of it (you may recall this post about fellow “chip scene” artist Mark Denardo). However, until now I have not enjoyed anything I’ve heard as much as I do today’s track. This song was recommended to me by a friend, and I am happy to pass the recommendation along to our readers.
Anamanaguchi go beyond just making sounds with NES hardware, and integrate their 8-bit music with a full live-band setup (drums, bass, and two guitars). The electronic sounds mesh seamlessly with the more traditional components to create some of the most enjoyable power-pop I’ve heard recently. And unlike some 8-bit enthusiasts I’ve come across, Anamanaguchi’s sound doesn’t come off as gimmicky or dispensable.
“Helix Nebula” is definitely the place to start, but after that, you can actually download the entire album for free. Also, there’s a good interview with the band here.