I’d be hard-pressed to pinpoint exactly when and how I learned of this all-female garage quartet from the fertile music breeding ground of the California Bay area, but I can safely say that I am glad I did as they’ve quickly become a favorite of mine. The four UC Berkeley alums collectively known as The Splinters offer a unique blend of lo-fi rock and pop reminiscent of predecessors like The Shangri-Las all the while revealing a penchant for 90’s riot grrrl punk. The band has recently released their first full-length record, Kick, via Double Negative Records last month and performed a few showcases at SXSW. Do yourself a favor and pick up their solid album today.
Watch the music video for “Mysterious” (Directed by Natalie Tsui) here:
Performing “Electricity” live at a house party in Oakland in March:
Download “Mysterious” here (Courtesy of The Fader):
Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam a.k.a. M.I.A. is no stranger to controversy. Much of the eccentric U.K.-based recording artist’s works have incorporated very strong socio-political messages accompanied perfectly by uniquely dance-able, highly infectious tunes. More recently, outside of the musical aspect of her illustrious career, Arulpragasam has made broad statements regarding pop musician Lady Gaga in an interview with British publication, NME, touting her as a ‘mimic’ and going on to allege: “People say we’re similar, that we both mix all these things in the pot and spit them out differently,” she said, “but she spits it out exactly the same. None of her music’s reflective of how weird she wants to be or thinks she is.” (NME Interview).
Now, following an airborne advertising campaign in promotion of the June 29th U.S. release of her upcoming third full-length album (in the form of a blimp during rapper Jay-Z’s set at the recent 2010 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival), M.I.A. has released a controversial new music video for a recently distributed track entitled “Born Free”. The video, which was directed by French director Romain Gavras (whose portfolio includes Justice’s “Stress” and Simian Mobile Disco’s “I Believe”), is one chock-full of violence, nudity, and lots of explosions and gore. The song is pretty dope, too.
Check out the NSFW music video for “Born Free” here:
What do you think of the new music video and song? We’d love to hear your opinion in our comments section below.
The five member Portuguese band Orelha Negra (Black Ear) mix latin infused funk with sample based Hip Hop and turntablism into winning combination that can not be denied. Orelha Negra’s funky rhythms and perfectly selected samples definitely bring a much needed freshness to today’s musical world. No autotune or overused 909/606 drums for these Portuguese soulful funksters. They lay it down right and tight ala Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings and UK’s Alice Russell.
Unfortunately the album is not for sale via U.S. iTunes but can be purchased through iTunes Portugal. However you can purchase their singles, “Lord” (album track) and “Blessed” (not on the album) through iTunes US. As a bonus for EOLA readers here’s the new single “A Cura” which is unavailable for purchase in the U.S.
California’s own The Morning Benders are steady on the rise in the indie rock circuit. The success of their second full-length, Big Echo, (which was produced by Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor and released last month) has allowed them to support big-name acts such as Yeasayer and MGMT in the short-span of their existence. A new video for the single, “Promises” has been released and is really nothing short of greatness.
The Temper Trap’s abrupt widespread success is no breaking news. The Australian indie/alternative rock group’s 2009 debut record Conditions was an instant hit as listeners the world over were quickly wooed by the band’s captivating blend of U2-esque guitars and the perfect pinch of pop sprinkled throughout. I mean, even renowned producer DJ Shadow gave the band his stamp of approval with his signature mix of their upbeat anthem “Science of Fear” and, needless to say, being featured on the soundtrack of the flick, (500) Days of Summer didn’t hurt at all either. The band continues to sell out shows worldwide and recently performed at Coachella.
Check out the band’s latest music video for the opening song “Love Lost” (directed by Dougal Wilson):
Ann Arbor native Andrew Mayer Cohen, better known as Mayer Hawthorne is steadily on his way to becoming a household name. The minstrel of soul turned heads with his breakthrough debut record, A Strange Arrangement, and as a result, has already circumnavigated the globe sharing his retro-inspired brand of pop with sold-out crowds.
To commemorate the end of his two-month U.S. tour (which wraps up at The Warfield Theater on April 15th with indie juggernauts, Passion Pit), record label Stones Throw, Bay area street clothiers HUF and design artist Freegums have collaborated on an exclusive tee and USB drive pack to be sold at a special release party. The heart-shaped USB drive comes pre-loaded with Mayer Hawthorne’s cover of Tony Bennett’s classic, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”.
Peep the music video for the track here:
Stones Throw x HUF x Freegums Release Party:
DATE: Thursday, April 15th - 10pm - 2am
LOCATION: Eve Lounge - 575 Howard St, San Francisco, CA
PERFORMANCES: DJ Sets from Mayer Hawthorne & Sake 1
(Hosted by Fran Boogie, Donwill & Trackademicks)
Pictures of the collaboration pack after the jump: (more…)
The South Carolina (by way of Seattle) indie rock band Band of Horses has recently released a new music video for the song “Compliments” in anticipation of their new third full-length album, Infinite Arms. The video, which was directed by Chris Wilson, is a dizzying foray into natural landscapes with surreal effects. More important to note is the band’s now polished songwriting and improved production quality (which may or may not turn off their established fanbase). As Infinite Arms will be available on May 18th through Sub-Pop Records, we can only wait and see if the rest of the record follows suit. Catch them on their tour now!
It’s no surprise that Barcelona-based synthpop band Delorean are garnering great attention with the anticipation of their full-length record Subiza. The Spanish collective made huge waves with their last release, the Ayrton Senna EP, which showcased their unique blend of dreampop and electronica and are currently touring with Miike Snow throughout North America.
Peep the retro-inspired and visually stimulating music video (directed by Weird Days) here:
In commemoration of the Dr. Martens 50-year celebration, Stones Throw’s Dam-Funk has covered “Things That Dreams Are Made Of” by British synth-pop band, The Human League. Director Ace Norton also took the helm in the creation of a visual accompaniment as seen below:
Catch Dam-Funk on his short European trek:
EUROPE TOUR
Apr 01: Dam-Funk in London
Apr 02: Dam-Funk in Paris
Apr 03: Dam-Funk in Bristol
Apr 09: Dam-Funk in Amsterdam
Apr 09: Dam-Funk in Brussels
Apr 10: Dam-Funk in Rotterdam
Apr 11: Dam-Funk in Rome
Apr 15: Dam-Funk in Moscow
Apr 16: Dam-Funk in Moscow
Apr 17: Dam-Funk in Athens
Listen and download the track below (via Stones Throw):
Quite honestly, I haven’t heard a song by this band that I haven’t liked. These British math/indie rockers have meticulously crafted their songwriting into an artform in and of itself; it’s hard not to find yourself in awe of how they come up with some of their time signatures and riffs/beats. Following the success of their debut record, Antidotes, many speculated for the band to fall into the sophomore slump, almost rightfully so as the album was near flawless.
Foals, however, seems to refuse to fall into such a hole. The song is a great single and broad statement by the band that they refuse to be pigeonholed into whatever semblance of a genre fans and critics may have thought they fit in. The video itself is an amazing progression as well and a haunting accompaniment to the 6 minute + song, beautifully shot in Inverness. I hope the rest of the record is as good as this song, knowing their talent, I’m sure it will not disappoint.
The new record Total Life Forever is set for release on May 10.
Indie Spotlight: The Splinters
