The U & U Show 377 | CMJ 2014 Preview Show #1

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Heart-Ships : Nadine : Foil (2014) 

-       First single of debut LP.

-       Debut EP, EP1 was a highlight of 2013.

-       Reminiscent of Modest Mouse and Frog Eyes.

Official Site : Facebook

OnlyReal : Punks and Potions : Days in the City EP (2013)

-       Debut EP

-       Also released 2 singles from forthcoming debut full length. Due out in 2015.

-       Vocalist over a blend of super catchy classic indie rock and electronic music.

-       23 yr old Niall Galvin bedroom project.

-       CMJ 2014

Soundcloud

The U & U Show 367 | Music for your 4th... and after

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Link Wray : Comanche : Link Wray & The Wraymen (1959)

-          3rd single.

-          Brilliant trail-blazing, distorted electric blues rock guitarist

-          Most famous for the song 'Rumble'

-          Neil Young, Iggy Pop, Jimmy Page and Peter Townshend all site Link as one of their major influences.

Official Site

Beck : Devil's Haircut : Odelay (1996)

-          5th album of 12 and his most renown.

-          Album also features 'Loser'

-          His latest, Morning Phase, was out in Feb 2014.

-          This track is the one I thought of immediately after hearing Link Wray's 'Comanche'

Official Site

U & U Show 366 | New HGM & Frightened Rabbit Solo LP

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Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats : Look It Here (2013)

-          Only one of two songs official out so far from this soul rock side project.

-          His previous work was much more mellow folk.

-          Brilliant live performer with either of his bands.

Official Site

Owl John : Red Hand : Owl John (2014)

-          Debut solo album from Frightened Rabbit’s lead singer, Scott Hutchison.

-          Sounds like Frightened Rabbit + Oasis

Official Site

U & U Show 364 | 7 Years of Shows!

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Death Cab For Cutie : The New Year : Transatlanticism (2003)

-       5^th album

-       Indie band that turned the corner in a major way into the mainstream since I’ve been doing the show.

Official Site

The Hold Steady : Stevie Nix : Separation Sunday (2005)

-          2^nd album

-          Just released their 6^th album, Teeth Dreams.

-          One of the greatest live bands I’ve ever seen.

-          Couldn’t think of a better song for a milestone show.

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

U & U Show 363 | More Folk + New Dune Rats

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Nathaniel Rateliff : Three Fingers In: Falling Faster Than You Can Run (2013)

-       3^rd full length.

-       I got so hung up on Nathaniel’s other project, The Night Sweats, when this album was released I completely missed one of the best folk albums of 2013.

-       Surprise highlight of my recent SF trip.

Official Site

Wooden Wand : Uneasy Peace : Farmer’s Corner (2014)

-       James Jackson Toth project's forthcoming album.

-       His last album, Blood Oaths of the New Blues, was a Best of the U & U 2013.

-       His track ‘No Bed For Beatle Wand/Days This Long’ was my favorite song of 2013.

MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

The U & U Show 357 | A Fun-Sized Edition as I Play in SF

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Benjamin Booker : Violent Shiver (2014)

-       Debut single for forthcoming debut LP

-       Sounds like it’s even just demo quality, but the potential for something good is definitely there.

-       Best of SXSW 2014

Facebook

Dune Rats : Funny Guy (2014)

-       Latest single. 3 EPs out as well.

-       Sloppy garage, REM-leaning act starting to carve out a name for themselves in a similar way as FIDLAR.

-       Tied for best act of CMJ 2012 with the Grizzled Mighty

BandCamp : HypeMachine : @DUNERATSS

The U & U Show 353 | SXSW 2014 Preview #6

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Cloud Nothings : I’m Not Part of Me : Here and Nowhere Else (2014)

-          4^th album’s first single

-          Higher production values that cleaned up and brought his vocals more into the forefront.

-          SXSW 2014

Official Site

Warm Soda : Renegade Mode : Young Restless Hearts (2014)

-       Just announced 3^rd LP.

-       Project started by Matthew Melton formerly of Bare Wires

-       Very similar vibe to Bare Wires

-       Slogan on BandCamp: 'JUST SAY NO to SXSW 2013' referencing Bare Wires' 2012 Sx break up.

-       SXSW 2014

BandCamp

The U & U Show 335 | CMJ 2013 Preview #1

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Lee Fields & The Expressions : Faithful Fan : Faithful Man (2012)

-          3rd album with the Expressions

-          Long-time soul singer

-          Playing CMJ 2013

Official Site

Nick Waterhouse : I Can Only Give You Everything : Time’s All Gone (2012)

-          Debut album.

-          First official single came out in 2010.

-          Blues and soul singer songwriter.

-          Playing CMJ 2013

Official Site

The U & U Show 318!

Stream & Download Here!

Mikal Cronin : Piano Mantra : MCII (2013)

-          S/t solo debut out in 2011.

-          Album is produced by fellow west coaster, Ty Segall.

-          Also in a surf-punk band called the Moonhearts & Ty Segall's backing band, just like Ty's in Mikal's band.

Facebook

Sunset Rubdown : Us Ones In Between : Shut Up I Am Dreaming… (2006)

-          2nd, of 4, albums.

-          Their 4th, 2009's Dragonslayer, was easily one of the best that year.

-          One of Spencer Krug’s many bands.

-          His Latest project, Moonface, had my favorite album of 2012. Heartbreaking Bravery.

-          New solo piano Moonface album in the fall of 2013.

-          Check out one of the most powerfully touching videos for this song HERE.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

The U & U Show 317! New Favorite Live Band

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. : Nothing But Our Love (DayTrotter Session) (2010)

-          Original is on their debut full length, It’s A Corporate World.

-          Their 2010 debut EP garnered them a lot of good reviews.

-          They have just overtaken the Hold Steady and Titus Andronicus as my favorite live band. This is the live recording that is the closest to their smile-inducing energy.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Cold Specks : Steady : I Predict A Graceful Expulsion (2012)

-          Full length debut

-          Powerful rough female vocalist.

-          An awesome video for the track 'Holland' can be found HERE.

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine : @ColdSpecks

The U & U Show 310! SXSW 2013 Preview #5!

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Dune Rats : Red Light, Green Light (2013)

-          Latest single.

-          2 EPs and 2 Singles out so far.

-          Sloppy garage, REM-leaning act starting to carve out a name for themselves in a similar way as FIDLAR.

-          Tied for best act of CMJ 2012 with the Grizzled Mighty

-          SXSW 2013

BandCamp : HypeMachine : @DUNERATSS

Youth Lagoon : Mute : Wondrous Bughouse (2013)

-          2nd album.

-          Trevor Powers recorded the debut at 20 yrs old

-          Beachy (at times), spacey indie pop.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Suuns : 2020 : Images Du Futur (2013)

-          2nd album

-          Just released video for this one, 2020.

-          Experiment, engrossing prog rock band from Montreal.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site

The UFO Club : July : The UFO Club (2012)

-          Debut LP from collaboration between The Black Angels and Night Beats.

-          Great dark psych rock… not a surprise considering the band's family tree.

Facebook : HypeMachine

Savages : Husbands : Flying To Berlin/Husbands (single) (2012)

-          Debut single.

-          One of the most buzzed about bands at CMJ 2012.

-          All female post-punk rock from the UK

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site

Lady Lamb the Beekeeper : Penny Licks : Mammoth Swoon (2010)

-          4^th of 5 minor releases.

-          Just released her tremendous studio debut in Feb 2013.

BandCamp

Diamond Rings : All Yr Songs : Special Affections (2010)

-          debut release. 2nd album was out in 2012.

-          Solo project from John O'Regan, the lead singer of the D'Urbervilles (they have a fantastic cover of Timber Timbre's 'Magic Arrow'!)

-          Reminds me a lot of the leading indie pop bands... Belle & Sebastian, Bishop Allen, Etc.

-          Don't watch the video for this song...

Myspace : Stream on HypeMachine

The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt! : Snowday : I Love You! I Love You! I Love You and I’m In Love With You! Have an Awesome Day! Have the Best Day of Your Life!! (2010)

-          Debut album

-          Self described as 'like a band meets gym class meets group therapy'

-          Quirky, eclectic. catchy, charming upbeat pop.

-          SXSW 2013

BandCamp

Josh Ritter : New Lover : The Beast In Its Tracks (2013)

-          7th album

-          By far the happiest, most grateful for the moment they're in musician I've ever seen perfom.

-          One musician that's been going strong for the entirety of my adult life and a constant on the U & U though out.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Pickwick : Blackout : Myths Vol. 3 (2011)

-          One of their earlier EPs.

-          Readying their full length this year.

-          Seattle band.

-          These guys will be one of the biggest bands to break out this year.

-          RIYL Cold War Kids

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site

My Jerusalem : Sweet Chariot : Gone For Good (2010)

-          debut full length. 2nd full length out in 2012.

-          Members of The Twilight Singers, Great Northern and Polyphonic Spree.

-          made a big impression at SXSW

-          This was their first single and was released like over a year ago! Time to revisit and remember why the anticipation was so massive for this record.

-          SXSW 2013

MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

You Won't : Who Knew : Skeptic Goodbye (2012)

-          Debut album

-          One of 2012's best albums.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

The Zombies : This Will Be Our Year : Odessey and Oracle (1968)

-          2^nd album of 5 total.

-          Very successful, though short-lived run in the late 60's

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site

The Memories : I’m Easy : Rainy Day Tape (2013)

-           

-          Very intriguing band just added to SXSW 2013.

-          Lo-fi glam/big beat  vintage rock.

-          Most of their songs clock in under 2 minutes

BandCamp

Japandroids : Crazy/Forever : Post-Nothing (2009)

-          Debut full length.

-          2nd album, Celebration Rock was one of 2012's best.

-          raucous anthem-filled post punk rock.

-          huge energy and distortion. You’ll want to see this song live and as loud as possible.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : Myspace : HypeMachine

The U & U Show 306! SXSW Preview Show #1!

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Thao Nguyen & the Get Down Stay Down : We the Common (For Valerie Bolden) : We The Common (2013)

-          4th album. Also one collab album with Mirah called Thao & Mirah.

-          if you are unfamiliar with Thao you need to correctly that quickly

-          If she ever were to propose to me, I would say yes.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Mikal Cronin : Shout It Out : MCII (2013)

-          S/t solo debut out in 2011.

-          Album is produced by fellow west coaster, Ty Segall.

-          Also in a surf-punk band called the Moonhearts & Ty Segall's backing band, just like Ty's in Mikal's band.

MySpace : facebook

The Black Angels : Don't Play With Guns : Indigo Meadow (2013)

-          4th album from the ominous psych rockers.

-          Formed in 2004 in Austin, TX

-          One of the greatest and loudest bands I've seen perform.

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Night Beds : Even If We Try : Country Sleep (2013)

-          Debut album.

-          Very talented vocalist.

-          Sounds like a cross between Ryan Adams and the Cave Singers.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site

Jim James : State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U) : Regions Of Light And Sound Of God (2013)

-          Solo debut from the My Morning Jacket frontman.

-          Part funk, part Phil Collins, all good.

-          One of music's greatest voices on display more than ever before.

Official Site

Blaudzun : Flame On My Head : Heavy Flowers (2012)

-          3rd album

-          Very successful Dutch singer-songwriter.

-          Reminds me of a bit of Frightened Rabbit.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site

Frightened Rabbit : Holy : Pedestrian Verse (2013)

-          4th album and first on a major label.

-          Midnight Organ Fight is their best to date.

-          Scottish accent stands out, but there seems to be something more than that to his vocals and make them truly unique.

-          The construct some of the most beautifully powerful and layered indie rock songs I've ever heard.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Allah-Las : Catamaran : Catamaran/Long Journey 7" Single (2011)

-          Debut Single.

-          SXSW 2013.

Official Site : HypeMachine

Mac DeMarco : Ode To Viceroy : 2 (2012)

-          2nd album

-          An album I slept on and never was too sold on despite massive critical praise, then their live show won me over.

-          The live performance was looser, heavier and more upbeat.

Official Site

Foxygen : Bowling Trophies : We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic (2013)

-          2nd full length.

-          Debut album that was just rereleased after Jagjaguwar signed them in 2011.

-          Funkier Rolling Stones feel.

-          SXSW 2013

BandCamp : Amazon : HypeMachine : @FoxygenTheBand

DUNE RATS! : Wooo! : SEXY BEACH EP (2011)

-          Latest single. 2 2011 EPs.

-          Sloppy garage, REM-leaning act starting to carve out a name for themselves in a similar way as FIDLAR.

-          Tied the Grizzled Mighty for best band of CMJ 2012

-          Just released 2 new videos for 'Red Light Green Light' from a forthcoming release. Red Version | Green Version

-          SXSW 2013

BandCamp : HypeMachine

Black Lips : Starting Over : 200 Million Thousand (2009)

-          5th album and one of the best tracks of '09.

-          Their 6^th album, Arabia Mountain, was my pick for Best Album of 2011.

-          New album due out in late 2013/early2014.

-          One of the most fun bands to listen to and see live.

-          Gloriously sloppy, garage rock.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : MySpace : Amazon : HypeMachine

Shout Out Louds : Blue Ice : Optica (2013)

-          4th album

-          Swedish indie rock/pop band leaning more mellow and poppier here.

Official Site

Unknown Mortal Orchestra : So Good At Being In Trouble : II (2013)

-          2nd full length, II, is out on Jagjaguwar.

-          Debut album, 2011's s/t, was a huge critical hit.

-          SXSW 2013

Official Site : Amazon : HypeMachine

Local Natives : You & I : Hummingbird (2013)

-          First single off forthcoming album.

-          debut album was 2010's L'Aventure.

-          Check out their DayTrotter Session Here!

Official Site : Myspace : HypeMachine

Nightlands : Time and Place : Oak Island (2013)

-          2nd full length

-          Act on Secretly Canadian, sister label of Jagjaguwar.

Official Site