Olin: “Cymbals”.

14 Jun 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Well I guess no one needs to dig very deep to come up with some solidly underpinned Ariel Pink comparisons here, but in any case I'm pretty stoked on this deliberately weirdo lo-fi synth ballad Cymbals here by unknown San Francisco dude Olin. Almost Maus-y vocals heavily buried under multiple layers of synthesizer patterns that are gently meandering along a sloppy drum machine line or briefly, all it needs to get us unreasonably excited on a Tuesday morning. Olin's four-track self-titled debut EP is the first release by Easy Tapes, the label recently launched by Andy Johnson of both Sick of the Radio and Tony Bonanza fame. You should go here to download it for free. Olin - Cymbals Read more → Well I guess no one needs to dig very deep to come up with some solidly underpinned Ariel Pink comparisons here, but in any case I'm pretty stoked on this deliberately weirdo lo-fi synth ballad Cymbals here by unknown San Francisco dude Olin. Almost Maus-y vocals heavily buried under multiple layers of synthesizer patterns that are gently meandering along a sloppy drum machine line or briefly, all it needs to get us unreasonably excited on a Tuesday morning. Olin's four-track self-titled debut EP is the first release by Easy Tapes, the label recently launched by Andy Johnson of both Sick of the Radio and Tony Bonanza fame. You should go here to download it for free. Olin - Cymbals

Former Selves: “Zones”.

14 Jun 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Our long-standing dearest Berkeley, California dude Paul Skomsvold aka Former Selves has finally assembled the tunes for his "proper" debut release Fait Accompli on stellar label Bridgetown Records, and to our surprise it's not a mere cassette or vinyl but a DVD that's been crafted in the backyards of the Golden State. If you wanna stick to the music, you may stream the whole thing via Paul's bandcamp, but we highly recommend the combined aural and visual experience that is provided by the silver disc, so get a little foretaste below with the gently psychedelic vibes of Zones, and then head over here to order the DVD. While you're at it, we suggest you also cop Bridgetown's brand new Summer Mixtape, featuring 21 songs from all 15 songs of the imprint's summer batch, including another one by Former Selves. You may also download it directly right here. Former Selves - Zones Read more → Our long-standing dearest Berkeley, California dude Paul Skomsvold aka Former Selves has finally assembled the tunes for his "proper" debut release Fait Accompli on stellar label Bridgetown Records, and to our surprise it's not a mere cassette or vinyl but a DVD that's been crafted in the backyards of the Golden State. If you wanna stick to the music, you may stream the whole thing via Paul's bandcamp, but we highly recommend the combined aural and visual experience that is provided by the silver disc, so get a little foretaste below with the gently psychedelic vibes of Zones, and then head over here to order the DVD. While you're at it, we suggest you also cop Bridgetown's brand new Summer Mixtape, featuring 21 songs from all 15 songs of the imprint's summer batch, including another one by Former Selves. You may also download it directly right here. Former Selves - Zones

Sad Ghems: “Loss” (Excerpt).

13 Jun 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Our fav homies over at MJ MJ Records are not at all shying away from the real weirdness, and after all why should they, right? Milwaukee's Sad Ghems are up for some seriously amazing shit here, a cassette comprising merely three tracks that are spanning over no less than 50 minutes. One of those heavy bangers is Loss, a thirty-minute trip through the dark realms of insane psychedelia, a demanding but nonetheless seriously satisfying aural experience. Take a listen to an excerpt of Loss below and then head over here to cop the whole tape (and help MJ MJ achieve their goal by the way). Sad Ghems - Loss (Excerpt) Read more → Our fav homies over at MJ MJ Records are not at all shying away from the real weirdness, and after all why should they, right? Milwaukee's Sad Ghems are up for some seriously amazing shit here, a cassette comprising merely three tracks that are spanning over no less than 50 minutes. One of those heavy bangers is Loss, a thirty-minute trip through the dark realms of insane psychedelia, a demanding but nonetheless seriously satisfying aural experience. Take a listen to an excerpt of Loss below and then head over here to cop the whole tape (and help MJ MJ achieve their goal by the way). Sad Ghems - Loss (Excerpt)

Video Premiere: sayCet - “15”.

13 Jun 2011 — Tonje Thilesen

It's been over a year since Paris-based Pierre Lefeuvre of SayCet released his gorgeous second album Through The Window, an album which would definitely have deserved a few more honorable words at the end of the year in my opinion. Directed by Zita Cochet, this blissed-out video collage quite honestly makes me want to drop all that I have in my hands and go out traveling again. Have a peak below yourself. Read more → It's been over a year since Paris-based Pierre Lefeuvre of SayCet released his gorgeous second album Through The Window, an album which would definitely have deserved a few more honorable words at the end of the year in my opinion. Directed by Zita Cochet, this blissed-out video collage quite honestly makes me want to drop all that I have in my hands and go out traveling again. Have a peak below yourself.

Video Premiere: Gracie - “Untitled”.

13 Jun 2011 — Henning Lahmann

We've already been banging to the perfectly lush and hazy summer vibes of Gracie's Untitled for a little while now (since April to be exact), and this morning the Philadelphia dude behind the moniker named Andrew Balsia put up this absolutely appropriate video collage to go along to even further enhance your sundrenched spirits. Gracie's aptly titled debut For Summer EP will be out June 20 via the awesome folks over at Absent Fever. And this is what we came here for: Gracie - Untitled Read more → We've already been banging to the perfectly lush and hazy summer vibes of Gracie's Untitled for a little while now (since April to be exact), and this morning the Philadelphia dude behind the moniker named Andrew Balsia put up this absolutely appropriate video collage to go along to even further enhance your sundrenched spirits. Gracie's aptly titled debut For Summer EP will be out June 20 via the awesome folks over at Absent Fever. And this is what we came here for: Gracie - Untitled

Samaritan: “Dig Work”.

12 Jun 2011 — Henning Lahmann

In the May edition of Altered Zones' monthly mix series from last Monday, the curator, enigmatic Berlin via Manchester producer Holy Other featured the sick track Do To You by fellow Englishman Sam Martin aka Samaritan, a move that would have escaped my attention completely if it hadn't been for his mate Sam Johnson of London's Forty Ounce Clothing who started spreading the word. We're glad he did, as Norwich-based Martin perfectly knows how contemporary British urban/underground electronic music has to sound like. We don't dare to attach the "post-dubstep" sticker to these beauties, so just go and see for yourself. Part of the Jurys Vol. 1 is available for free via Smaritan's tumblr, and it's truly awesome. Samaritan - Dig Work Read more → In the May edition of Altered Zones' monthly mix series from last Monday, the curator, enigmatic Berlin via Manchester producer Holy Other featured the sick track Do To You by fellow Englishman Sam Martin aka Samaritan, a move that would have escaped my attention completely if it hadn't been for his mate Sam Johnson of London's Forty Ounce Clothing who started spreading the word. We're glad he did, as Norwich-based Martin perfectly knows how contemporary British urban/underground electronic music has to sound like. We don't dare to attach the "post-dubstep" sticker to these beauties, so just go and see for yourself. Part of the Jurys Vol. 1 is available for free via Smaritan's tumblr, and it's truly awesome. Samaritan - Dig Work

Live on WFMU: Sun Araw - “Crown Shell”.

12 Jun 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Last Tuesday, LA psych god Cameron Stallones aka Sun Araw visited the mighty folks at WFMU over in Jersey City to have a little chat with Talk's Cheap's host Jason Sigal and to record a little, absolutely mind-boggling live session. The whole thing aired on Thursday, June 9, and is now up here for streaming and download. Below, enjoy the ten minute masterpiece Crown Shell from Sun Araw's upcoming, fifth full-length Ancient Romans, due August 23 (watch this space for ordering details), and then be sure to head over to the Free Music Archive to get a terrific thirty-minute improv and Hive Burner from the 2008 debut The Phynx (and the interview as well). Sun Araw - Crown Shell Read more → Last Tuesday, LA psych god Cameron Stallones aka Sun Araw visited the mighty folks at WFMU over in Jersey City to have a little chat with Talk's Cheap's host Jason Sigal and to record a little, absolutely mind-boggling live session. The whole thing aired on Thursday, June 9, and is now up here for streaming and download. Below, enjoy the ten minute masterpiece Crown Shell from Sun Araw's upcoming, fifth full-length Ancient Romans, due August 23 (watch this space for ordering details), and then be sure to head over to the Free Music Archive to get a terrific thirty-minute improv and Hive Burner from the 2008 debut The Phynx (and the interview as well). Sun Araw - Crown Shell