Video: Planets Around the Sun - “Water Dub”.

04 May 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Here's the pretty stunning video for Water Dub by Portland, Maine astral folk collective Planets Around the Sun. The piece was directed by band member Ian Paige and shot in collaboration with Daniel Rozin and his "Snow Mirror" interactive installation at the Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art in Portland. Previously: Planets Around the Sun - Slow Horse Read more → Here's the pretty stunning video for Water Dub by Portland, Maine astral folk collective Planets Around the Sun. The piece was directed by band member Ian Paige and shot in collaboration with Daniel Rozin and his "Snow Mirror" interactive installation at the Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art in Portland. Previously: Planets Around the Sun - Slow Horse

Hits Incorporated: “Stranger”.

04 May 2011 — Henning Lahmann

"North Mississippi Infotainment Cult" Cats Purring apparently has formed a supergroup aptly named Hits Incorporated, and below you can grab the collective's debut single which the nice folks dropped yesterday. Totally into this unashamed, sleazy pop perfection. Hits Incorporated - Stranger Read more → "North Mississippi Infotainment Cult" Cats Purring apparently has formed a supergroup aptly named Hits Incorporated, and below you can grab the collective's debut single which the nice folks dropped yesterday. Totally into this unashamed, sleazy pop perfection. Hits Incorporated - Stranger

Premiere: BAnanas Symphony - “Free Kicks”.

03 May 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Philadelphia wunderkind Yohsuke Araki is quite a regular on these pages (last time only yesterday with his wonderful band Blackhawks), and in fact we got every reason to feature the works of this baby genius on a regular basis. That's why we're very proud tonight to announce the first proper release by Yohsuke's long-time solo project BAnanas Symphony: Two Sided is mostly a gathering of some of his finest gems that have already made some well-deserved blog rounds before, but above all it is the long-overdue re-assurance of the guy's immense musical talent. The piece will be released May 10 via Alchemist Records on cassette, CD, and digital (that is the colorful cover art above). All further details can be found over here. Below, take an exclusive listen to the new BAnanas Symphony tune Free Kicks that simply includes everything we love about this music and that is in all its honest simplicity probably my favorite BS song to date. BAnanas Symphony - Free Kicks Read more → Philadelphia wunderkind Yohsuke Araki is quite a regular on these pages (last time only yesterday with his wonderful band Blackhawks), and in fact we got every reason to feature the works of this baby genius on a regular basis. That's why we're very proud tonight to announce the first proper release by Yohsuke's long-time solo project BAnanas Symphony: Two Sided is mostly a gathering of some of his finest gems that have already made some well-deserved blog rounds before, but above all it is the long-overdue re-assurance of the guy's immense musical talent. The piece will be released May 10 via Alchemist Records on cassette, CD, and digital (that is the colorful cover art above). All further details can be found over here. Below, take an exclusive listen to the new BAnanas Symphony tune Free Kicks that simply includes everything we love about this music and that is in all its honest simplicity probably my favorite BS song to date. BAnanas Symphony - Free Kicks

Malibu Wands: “Malibu Hounds (Skeptic Sleeper)”.

03 May 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Malibu Wands is one of the numerous creative monikers of the incredibly prolific William Cody Watson, and since the abandonment of Pink Priest it appears to be his main focus. Revolving around harsh noise and mesmerizing patterns of ambient sounds, Malibu Wands is Watson's most experimental project to date and one that's deliberately not an easy listen. Take Malibu Hounds (Skeptic Sleeper), one of four versions of Malibu Hounds which will all be bundled on an upcoming free release, a track that's an almost ten minute long trip into the outer realms of psychedelia. A seriously mind-altering, stunning experience. Update: The whole EP is now available over here. Malibu Wands - Malibu Hounds (Skeptic Sleeper) Read more → Malibu Wands is one of the numerous creative monikers of the incredibly prolific William Cody Watson, and since the abandonment of Pink Priest it appears to be his main focus. Revolving around harsh noise and mesmerizing patterns of ambient sounds, Malibu Wands is Watson's most experimental project to date and one that's deliberately not an easy listen. Take Malibu Hounds (Skeptic Sleeper), one of four versions of Malibu Hounds which will all be bundled on an upcoming free release, a track that's an almost ten minute long trip into the outer realms of psychedelia. A seriously mind-altering, stunning experience. Update: The whole EP is now available over here. Malibu Wands - Malibu Hounds (Skeptic Sleeper)

Teen Daze: “Waves”.

03 May 2011 — Henning Lahmann

So with all those big news yesterday, we think it's about time this morning to just sit down for a minute, close the eyes, and re-evaluate stuff. Good thing is that Mr. Teen Daze graciously sent over the soundtrack for this little exercise last night, nothing "finished or official or anything like that", just "a little taste of stuff" he's working on. Wish every demo was as delightful as this one. Stay calm, everything's gonna be fine. Teen Daze - Waves Read more → So with all those big news yesterday, we think it's about time this morning to just sit down for a minute, close the eyes, and re-evaluate stuff. Good thing is that Mr. Teen Daze graciously sent over the soundtrack for this little exercise last night, nothing "finished or official or anything like that", just "a little taste of stuff" he's working on. Wish every demo was as delightful as this one. Stay calm, everything's gonna be fine. Teen Daze - Waves

First Listen: Trudgers / Vehicle Blues Split.

02 May 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Last night, I finally received the soundfiles of the eagerly awaited split release between Chicago, Illinois shoegaze devotee Gabe Holcombe aka Vehicle Blues and the musically more, say, pragmatic but by no means less passionate California dude Brent Mitzner, known for the honest and bare lo-fi rock'n'roll he creates as Trudgers. And the term "split release" never made more sense, as it is not only an artistic but also a commercial collaboration, the C32 being put out jointly by Brent's and Gabe's very own little imprints, Hi Shadow Records and Lillerne Tapes, respectively. Take an exclusive listen to one track by each artist below, Trudger's gloomy and carthartic Dead Geranium and Gabe's devastatingly beautiful East River Pipe cover Sleeping With Tallboy, and go here for details on how to order one of the wonderfully crafted tapes. Trudgers - Dead Geranium (Version) Vehicle Blues - Sleeping With Tallboy (East River Pipe Cover) Read more → Last night, I finally received the soundfiles of the eagerly awaited split release between Chicago, Illinois shoegaze devotee Gabe Holcombe aka Vehicle Blues and the musically more, say, pragmatic but by no means less passionate California dude Brent Mitzner, known for the honest and bare lo-fi rock'n'roll he creates as Trudgers. And the term "split release" never made more sense, as it is not only an artistic but also a commercial collaboration, the C32 being put out jointly by Brent's and Gabe's very own little imprints, Hi Shadow Records and Lillerne Tapes, respectively. Take an exclusive listen to one track by each artist below, Trudger's gloomy and carthartic Dead Geranium and Gabe's devastatingly beautiful East River Pipe cover Sleeping With Tallboy, and go here for details on how to order one of the wonderfully crafted tapes. Trudgers - Dead Geranium (Version) Vehicle Blues - Sleeping With Tallboy (East River Pipe Cover)

Vektroid: “Planetary Zones”.

02 May 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Literally stellar tune by Washington State-based electronic producer Vektroid. Planetary Zones is the latest track to leak from Vektroid's forthcoming debut full-length Starcalc, which is gonna be "an experimental response to artists like Com Truise and Ford & Lopatin and the late 80s new age/soundscape movements", according to the artist. A lot of analogue synth chirps we find here indeed, heavily reminiscing early arcade game soundtracks, all slightly dark, with some splendid hip hop beat patterns to keep the whole thing tight and nicely fraying towards the end after the princess has been rescued. Starcalc will be out May 13 though Vektroid's bandcamp. Vektroid - Planetary Zones Read more → Literally stellar tune by Washington State-based electronic producer Vektroid. Planetary Zones is the latest track to leak from Vektroid's forthcoming debut full-length Starcalc, which is gonna be "an experimental response to artists like Com Truise and Ford & Lopatin and the late 80s new age/soundscape movements", according to the artist. A lot of analogue synth chirps we find here indeed, heavily reminiscing early arcade game soundtracks, all slightly dark, with some splendid hip hop beat patterns to keep the whole thing tight and nicely fraying towards the end after the princess has been rescued. Starcalc will be out May 13 though Vektroid's bandcamp. Vektroid - Planetary Zones