Denison Witmer - Are You A Dreamer? (Indie/Folk)

     I'm not entirely sure where the week went, something about blondes and beaches, so please accept my apology I'm going to sit through this class and write up about six posts just for you. This is mostly because my recently added playlist is absolutely swelling with free music, believe me, it would take you over a day straight to listen to what I downloaded this week. That being said nothing really connects with me today like Denison Witmer. A very good friend of mine introduced me to Noisetrade, a music sharing website over flowing with indie rock and folk music which is where I first heard of his album Are You A Dreamer? Anywho I'm willingly on the mailing list and I received an email that intrigued me, new music from Denison Witmer featuring Sufjan Stevens, that right there, just the mention of Sufjan and I'm there. Aside from the curb appeal, this release has more heart than everything you'll hear this week, hell maybe this month and really if you can sign Mr. Stevens to your cause then you have to have some kind of amazing talent. Don't let me prattle on though, just take it as a five star rating and download it here. One thing about Noisetrade, you'll be signed up for the email list, which is useful, and you'll be prompted to donate for the music, which I strongly suggest, if you don't then spam your Facebook friends, and your twitter followers and tell them I sent you.

Denison Witmer - Are You A Dreamer?

Hipster Humpday 4: Wintersleep

      Have you seen my ghost? Its really a good question, I think the tea is the only thing keeping me on this earth today, I have five hours of class starting at noon and I got maybe four hours of sleep last night, so please follow me down the narrow tunnel of sleep vision to today's post.

     Halifax, Nova Scotia, is apparently a breeding ground for indie/folk groups, don't ask me who else started there but I'm sure someone did. Anyway a week or so ago I was bored enough to watch Flashpoint, which was a good idea because both times I've seen that show the outro song is amazing, this time it happened to be Search Party By Wintersleep of the 2007 album Welcome to the Night Sky. This album tore me up...

I used to dream about saving the world 

Now i just dream about the holidays 

I used to write so many songs for my girl 

Now i just dream about floating away

     You can't get any more soulful without a permit. Very powerful stuff but its not only the lyrics and the eastern Canadian accent that make this album amazing, the guitars and drums are grade A indie rock, bordering on post rock which adds a whole new element to the songs. I don't have anything bad to say about Wintersleep, I'm glad to be Canadian and good sirs, your music has the power to touch hearts of stone, keep it up.

     Also please check out their website for bonus tracks from WTTNS and the headline track from their new album, and if you have a minute head on over to our Facebook page and give it a like, much obliged.

Editor's ABC's: Jhameel, Kasabian, and Local Natives

     Alright, if you don't remember Friday posts are about what I deem to be essential music from my library, short reviews, maybe a story and definitely a download. So lets get cracking.

      I was asked a couple weeks ago in my history of rock and roll class what my "guilty pleasure" music was, after a bit of deliberation I realized that it has always been Jhameel. Ever since TheBurningEar  posted a link to his second album The Human Condition, I've been a noticeably better person. From the first track this album is absolutely full of inspirational strings and his voice, oh his voice... just take a second to look at that picture, then listen to that album, you'll understand. Since then Jhameel released a five track EP entitled Dance, and I swear he brought disco back. So far in 2012 Jhameel has released a further five tracks available for download for the Waves album, all absolute masterpieces, I mean can you imagine the internet says he used to be a marine? With a voice like that? He should have been singing from day one so I could fanatical about more of his music.

     There are a few things that make me glad I'm British, Kasabian being one. If you have been hiding under a rock Kasabian is a four piece rock/electronica band from Leicestershire UK, formed in 1997. Their songs have been featured in many more video games than I would want to list and TV shows since Alias. I remember the first time I tried to find one of their albums at the local Sunrise, I purchased their first album, Kasabian, and ordered in the second, Empire, when Empire arrived I hurried to take it out of the case and snap, it broke, I don't remember being so depressed about an album... ever. But I got another copy for free and was rocking for quite some time, I must say though if you get the chance find their newest two albums, but only after hearing the first two, its interesting to hear the progression between albums. Do enjoy.

     The Local Natives, formerly known as Cavil At Rest, they produced one of the few songs that moved me enough that I learned how to play it on bass, and by god is it fun. I did a little research and apparently their amazing blend of surf rock, tribal drums, and sing along lyrics could also be called Loft Rock, look it up. That being said their album Gorilla Manor is a soundscape of indie style riffs just simple enough to let even the least classically trained musician follow along, if there is a single song on this album you can't sing or play along to let me know I'll promptly show you up.

     Well that's it for today's post, I kept my promise of a post every day this week, so please head on over to our Facebook page and wish me a happy birthday. I'll see you again on Monday.

Toxic Tuesday 23 : Red Eye Fugu + 3 Great Electronic Tracks

     So I've been feeling guilty over the last few days, I've been neglecting this blog and my personal life altogether. So today I thought I'd smash you with something new, almost brand new... Red Eye Fugu.

     Red Eye Fugu is Enzo Tiano, a very talented unsigned producer from Los Angeles, California. I did a bit of reading into his backstory and it turns out this chap emigrated from the Philippines at fifteen and soon after that discovered an urge to write and sing his own songs. Correct me if I'm wrong here but I believe he currently has two albums out, both full of memorable tunes and thought provoking tracks.

     His latest full length album, Watchers, was released back on September tenth and has been getting a good amount of exposure around the web. Watchers is a ten track masterpiece of science fiction goodness spanning just over half an hour. Averaging at about 108 BPM these tracks may not be our usual cracked out super electro but they will definitely get you on your feet. From what I understand (Which is never really much) the Watchers LP has its basis in many an end of the world myth which gives it a kind of eerie seriousness at times but Enzo quickly puts the pop back in electro-pop and creates an almost child like sense of wonder and excitement that soon had me staring at the clouds and smiling the day away.

     I've (Hopefully) included a Soundcloud box below where you can sample and download the tracks from Watchers, if you have the time I encourage you to link on over to the actual Soundcloud site and grab his previous EP Suspicious Characters. Also head on over to his Facebook to grab a little more knowledge about his past and present endeavors and the philosophy behind his albums. [Via: TBE]


Watchers LP by Red Eye Fugu

     Following the recent trend I've picked out a few recent tunes for you guys to peruse. First off another great new dub from Mord Fustang, then a brand new house track from San Francisco producer DJ Steven Zhu who is currently dropping a new track every week. Last but not least we have an absolute banger of a remix by The Chaotic Good, Discord By Midnight Conspiracy. Again all of these amazing tracks are via The Burning Ear, because I have fallen off my high horse and forgotten to check the blogs... maybe next week I'll steal from someone else. If you haven't already head on over to our Facebook to stay updated and to be a better person.

Mord Fustang - A New World

Zhu - Revelations (Vocal Mix)

Midnight Conspiracy - Discord (The Chaotic Good Remix)

Editor's ABC's : Death Cab For Cutie, Eagles Of Death Metal, and Freelance Whales

     First off apologies for this being my first post this week, I've been conned into working eleven hour days damn near all week. That being said if anyone feels like buying me a car then I would be able to post on time...

     So its been a long six months now, I can't really believe we're now into our seventh so lets take a look back in time at all our features starting with D... Dancing With Paris, Danger Mouse, Danny Deleto, Darren Styles, Datahowler, Datsik, Dead By April, Deathstar, Dillon Francis, Doctor P, Dream Jefferson, Dreamshade, and Drivepilot. Thats a hell of a lot.

    You all know about Death Cab For Cutie, the smash hit four piece alt rock band from Seattle, rocking Atlantic Records and having just released their eighth album not too long ago. Truthfully Codes and Keys didn't really live up to my expectations, I really don't think they can ever improve on Narrow Stairs, I really don't.

     Narrow Stairs was released in 2008 and like many other albums, was introduced to me by my best friend who happened to be living with me at the time. I must admit like a lot of his music I was skeptical at first, it would be another year or so before I was kicked off my heavy metal high horse and brought down to earth enough to appreciate the subtle poetry that makes up this entire album. Most every song can be interpreted as sad on this album, and with that melancholy piano in the background I have a hard time not feeling every expressed emotion that passes through my stereo, so take a chance on one of my all time favourite albums, I suggest "I Will Posses Your Heart".

     Along the way we've had many an artist starting with "E"; Earth, Emalkay, Ephixa, Evil Nine, Excision, and Explosions In The Sky, well maybe it wasn't that many.

     I had a hard time choosing for E, I had asked my friend Dagg for help and he chose Example, but I also had edIT, Evans Blue, Everything Everything, and of course my final choice, Eagles Of Death Metal.

     EDM is an electric collaberation between Jesse Hughes and Queens Of The Stone Age's frontman Josh Homme. I remember hearing "Wannabe In L.A." one day on the radio, and from there on it seemed as though my lifes mission was to hunt down and purchase all three of their albums. With each purchase I become more and more of a fan and it seemed as though every song became more hilarious as I progressed through the albums in a reverse chronological order. "Whorehoppin (Shit, Goddamn)" will always be one of the funniest songs to sing with your parents. To start you on your way you should hit their album Death By Sexy, then if you are a kindred spirit track the other two down and love life.

     For "F" we have Fall City Fall, Farewell To Freeway, Feed Me and Frightened Rabbit.

     If you've ever been lucky enough to have been on the recieving end of one of my famous music chats you'll know about Freelance Whales. Freelance Whales are a five piece indie rock band from Queens, New York. I'm not entirely sure how it was I ended up on their website one day but I distinctly remember finding their album Weathervanes and being very sad it wasn't available at my local record store. Long story short I ordered it in and fell in love.

     Weathervanes is a thirteen track masterpiece of modern music that never grows old. From track one you'll have a hard time counting all of the different instruments that flit across the tracks, and I would suggest you don't even try. Every song on this album is designed to put a smile on your face and if they don't then we seriously need to talk more.

     Well I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you didn't find the album download links then you should leave a comment here or on our Facebook, and again apologies for the lack of posts this week, hopefully the following few days will be better, but stick around and find out either way.

Hipster Humpday 2 : BadBadNotGood + 3 Great Alternative Songs

     Welcome to our second official Hipster Humpday. You're here because you feel that todays music just doesn't quite live up to your standards, and thats good cause it shouldn't. Gone are all the great names from yesteryear and they took the talent with them, or so we thought. Here to instill a new found purpos in your ipod, is BadBadNotGood, a three piece jazz band from Toronto. Also known as the "Odd Trio" these guys met at Humber College and bonded over some very soulful music, jamming all improv like to many a hip hop song. Wait hip hop? Yup their first album you'll be surprised to hear is a mixtape of hip hop put to jazz. Their new album BBNG is available at their bandcamp for the great price of free and is chock full of top notch jazz with the heart of hip hop. I myself rarely listen to jazz but BBNG had me driftin off all day and I can't say I didn't want to go.

     I figured I should make some of the Wednesday articles the same format as Tuesday, so stick around for three amazing tracks that have been floating me this week. Miami Horror, Reptar and Handsome Furs.

Miami Horror - Holidays Ft. Alan Palomo

(Right click, save as, to download)

Reptar - Stuck In My Id

(Right click, save as, to download)

Handsome Furs - Repatriated

(Right click, save as, to download)

     Thanks again for stopping in, hopefully I've shown you some of the amazing talent that's hiding just around the corner these days. If you like it or not, head on over to our Facbook page to stay updated about this and our other blog and to just be a better person. Also big ups to Gabe for letting me know about BBNG and a huge thanks to the publishers of the Burning Ear for not having me killed for stealing so much music.

K's Special #3: Frightened Rabbit

Alright, I forgot to post again last week since that was the day that classes started for me (sorry again...), so I believe I now owe two more "special" posts. Today will be just one of them, since I know C will not be posting until later this evening.

A couple nights ago, my friend was super stressed out about problems with her computer so she brought her guitar down into the dining room and was playing and singing some songs. Then she started singing this song by Frightened Rabbit that I love quite dearly, but I had forgotten about. I figure that this is as good a reason as any to post this band for you. I spent this morning downloading one of their albums, and I figured since I have the download, it was a perfect choice.

Frightened Rabbit is a Scottish band that I think has quite a unique sound, and it works very well for them.

 Download: The Midnight Organ Fight

I'm sure not everybody will enjoy this as much as I do, but I hope you will at least give it a listen.

Thank you again for all of your support, and sorry for our (specifically my...) lack of posts lately. I'll keep trying to make it up to you!

Ciao!

K.

Mellow Monday 3 : Audiodax and Plan B

     This is the part I hate, I really wanted to write this post on Saturday, thats when I was craving this music. But do to my scheduling fetish and the fact that my body chooses to sleep once every three days, we have to deal with it today. But don't let me get you down, or if you do prepare to be brought back up.

     Our first band today is a long time favourite of mine, Audiodax. I'v been an avid listener since their remix of Cheated by Mike Posner, from there I was amazed by the huge amount of original work that this duo have produced.

Audiodax - The Annexation

Audiodax - Pop Rocks

     Click clack those links for their first mixtape and newest album. There really is something special about Audiodax, maybe its the infectious beats, the cheerful lyrics or that trademark indie sound, either way I can't get over these two tapes. The only remix on either of the releases is listed above and the only guest appearance is by OnCue on Let It Fly. So let this album fly you through your troubles and check out the original sponsor post here and their website here. 

     Last week one day, bored out of my skull as usual I turned on the tv and watched Conan. Certainly it should be a daily occassion but this time it was different, see I actually stayed on the channel long enough for the musical guest, London Artist, Plan B. His new album The Defamation of Strickland Banks has already gone multi platinum, which is off the charts. I knew the name Plan B from a couple of amazing remixes I had kickin around on my laptop, the Nero remix of The Recluse, and the Doctor P remix of Love Goes Down. Those two tracks stopped my mind long enough to check out the album and was I ever surprised. Far from the dubstep I had affiliated with the name Plan B, "Defamation" was a combination of a forties swing jazz sound with modern UK rap, a clearly unique sound. This sound kept me floating all weekend and even caught the attention of my father who thought I had stolen some of his music. So please hit the Mediafire above or head on over to itunes or wherever you buy your best music from, cause this is way up on the list. Also watch the episode of Conan here.

     Thanks for all the love oh almighty viewer, its because of all of you that we have 3100 views from all over the world, and that makes me feel peachy. But what would make you feel better too is a chance to give us feedback and get up to date information... so like our page on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Suggestion Saturday 1 (Explosions In The Sky, Wye Oak, and Drivepilot)

     Saturday, saturday, saturday, what to do for a saturday? All this music what to share? How about music that you guys showed me? We've been getting comments and links in for the last week or so and today I plan on showcasing the best of them. they won't all have download links as of course this isn't music that I found myself, but feel free to listen to the videos and go buy the tracks or dig around for links. So without further ado Suggestion Saturday!

     We'll start of quiet today I think, its the long holiday weekend and even though we should be relaxing there is still lots to do. Queue Explosions In the Sky, a four man band from Austin Texas. Personally I'm not sure how to classify their music so for the moment we will just say indie. One of our new publishers linked me to a song of theirs earlier this week and it knocked me down off everything I had built up that day. The pure beauty of melody and all of the images that grew in my imagination was enough to make me search my itunes library. Sure enough I had a couple of their songs that I had looked over, I am regretting this now and I'm sure you will wish you had heard them earlier too. The only band that I can compare them with would be Godspeed You! Black Emperor, but enough rambling, close your eyes and hit play.

Head on over to their website to stream or buy their album!

     Our second artist today is Wye Oak, a duet from Baltimore, Maryland, consiting of Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack. Again we have the same sort of situation one of their songs was recomended by a friend and upon hearing it I had a look around, sure enough I had some of their songs. We've upgraded a bit from Explosions in the Sky, but only by adding vocals. They have a great easy listening sound that blends indie with folk and anything else they feel like. Check out their website for more info and a digital copy of their new album Civilian, or head on over to youtube for your fill of great indie rock.

          Now to finish with a bang! The last artist today is Drivepilot a DJ from Vancouver, British Columbia. A friend of mine heard one of his tracks in a montage on youtube, which is also where I get alot of my crazy electro. I was rootin around for dowloads but for the best part I suggest heading on over to his MySpace and using soundcloud to download the free tracks he has posted. Alot of his stuff requires payment so search around for the three tracks that are available for free dowload, his fresh sound is definately worth the trouble.

* 300 page views as of today, thanks for making this all worth it. Ed