Thanks to an awesome reader, today was my first listen of San Francisco’s psych / funk outfit Monophonics. Today, the band released their album In Your Brain, and based on this single, it deserves further inspection. Implementing sounds of psychedelic soul with influences from the late 60′s but keeping themselves rooted in our own era, Bang Bang seems to be the perfect amalgam for fans of Sly & the Family Stone or Funkadelic looking for something new and exciting. The song oozes reverby goodness, soulful vocals, and a totally funky vibe.

From what I’ve read, the band will be in Somerville sometime in late June, so we here in Boston look forward to that.

Buy In Your Brain. And for you vinyl nerds (me included) grab their double lp.

The Tallest Man on Earth – 1904

I couldn’t be more excited about the idea of  a new record from Kristian Mattson (The Tallest Man on Earth).  And its right around the corner (6/12).  For now, we’ll settle (yeah this is settling) for a single.  Released today on Rolling Stone, 1904, the first single from his upcoming record, There’s No Leaving Now.  The track is very much his style, a personal, kind of somber sounding songwriters track but elevated with major chord strumming that creates an interesting balance between the two.

Check out the single, and grab yourself a preorder of the record now.

Mornin’ Old Sport – When The Bomb

If you are in need of a time machine, read HG Wells, or just turn on Mornin’ Old Sport, a Berklee alum band bringing back sounds of yesteryear… in fact way back to the days of the Great Gatsby.  A time in history before the war, a little ragtime, a little vaudevillian.  It’s catchy, breezy, and actually a wonderful sound for the warm weather that’s headed our way.

Look for the arrival of their forthcoming debut album Mornin’ Old Sport, out July 10th 2012

Mornin’ Old Sport Tour Dates
6/24 Oakland CA, The Question Mark
6/26 Salem OR, Christo’s
6/27 Portland OR, Stantonova
6/28 Seattle WA, Mars Bar
6/29 Caldwell ID, Dearborn
7/1 Fort Collins CO, Idaho House
7/2 Denver CO, Mouth House
7/3 Omaha NE, Side Door Lounge
7/4 Lincoln NE, Cultiva
7/5 Columbia MO, The Bridge
7/6 St Louis MO, 2720 Cherokee Performing Arts Center
7/7 Milwaukee WI, Riverwest Public House
7/8 Rock Island IL, Daytrotter
7/9 Chicago IL, The Double Door w/ Actor Slash Model
7/10 Ann Arbor MI, Far House
7/11 Indianapolis IN, Melody Inn
7/12 Cincinnati OH, MOTR Pub
7/13 Columbus OH, Worm Zone
7/14 Pittsburg PA, Assemble
7/15 Buffalo NY, The Vault
7/16 Troy NY, Troy Bike Rescue
7/17 Alna ME, The Yurt
7/19 Boston MA, Middle East Upstairs
7/20 Jamaica Plain MA, Whitehaus
7/21 Allston MA, Allston DIY fest – [Acoustic Stage headliner]
7/22 Hamden CT, The Outer Space
7/23 New York NY, The Living Room
7/24 Brooklyn NY, Public Assembly
7/25 Philadelphia PA, PhilaMOCA
7/26 Harrisburg PA, Bellevue Park Community Building
7/27 Baltimore MD, Baltimore Free Farm
7/29 Durham NC, Motorco Garage
7/31 Asheville NC, Jack of the Wood

Give a listen to multi-instrumentalist Ryan Monroe (of Band of Horses) and the first listen of his single “Turning over Leaves,” an interesting pop-oriented soul influenced track off his upcoming album A Painting of a Painting on Fire. This is definitely not what I was thinking I’d hear from a BoH alum, but I’m really digging the smoothness and delivery of this track. It’s really damn catchy.

Look for A Painting of a Painting on Fire 6/12.

I hate to limit a specific area to a specific sound but this rock duo, of 22-year-old Jan Paternoster and 20-year-old Dries Van Dijck, playing out of Brussels, Belgium is playing a dirty blues/rock that seems to be coming out of left field. To me, I smell a lot of similarity to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, this tune “High on a Wire,” is a dirty, gritty, riff-tastic tune that will turn some heads.

On June, 12, 2012, they release their US debut album,  My Perception, through Morovee Records and will tour later this month on the East Coast.

More BBR:
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Tour Dates:
TH May 17, 2012 Teaneck, NJ – Mexicali Café
FR May 18, 2012 New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place
SU May 20, 2012 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
TU May 22, 2012 Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
WE May 23, 2012 New Orleans, LA – House Of Blues
SA May 26, 2012 Atlanta, GA – Vinyle
SU May 27, 2012 Columbus, OH – The Basement
MO May 28, 2012 Indianapolis, IN – Melody Inn
WE May 30, 2012 Chicago, IL – Double Door
TH May 31, 2012 Detroit, MI – Shelter
FR Jun 1, 2012 Grand Rapids, MI – Intersection Front Room
SU Jun 3, 2012 Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
SU Jun 10, 2012 Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo That Stage
MO Jun 11, 2012 New York, NY – Double Seven Club
TU Jun 12, 2012 Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
WE Jul 4, 2012 Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest
SA Jul 28, 2012 Minneapolis, MN – Soundtown Festival

Its been far too long since Langhorne Slim has dawned a new album on us.  Be Set Free was released back in ’09, and finally we’re about a month away from the release of The Way We Move.  If you hadn’t seen it, the title track was released last week, and well damn, I’m in love.  It can’t be that easy to follow up his earlier records, but for god sakes, this track sounds like it does it.  It’s got a real honest quality that feels timeless.  If the plan was to make something that will stand the test of time, this may be the one.

Grab  The Way We Move, on June 5 on Ramseur Records.  Oh and Boston… lets all get out to see him May 25th at the Middle East.

The 50′s rockabilly aesthetic is always a good exploration, it was a fantastic era of rock and roll, that will always sound great to me, add in the punk elements, care free fuzz and buzz, and you’ve got something really attractive.  This Living Things 2 sided single is really killing me.  The St. Louis band really finds a way into my brain with their retro style, energy, and attitude.

Also, check out the film noir style video they released for Fake It Baby, Fake it.

Check out, Fake it Baby, Fake it (La Dame Nature) / Hell To Pay above and head on over to their bandcamp now to purchase.

Check out the new single “We Lost Magic,” from Empires’ second full length album, Garage Hymns, out June 12th.  Proving to be heading in the direction, the bands sound has progressed since their first record, and their Bang EP, “We Lost Magic,” sounds to me a bit like the way I’d have imagined the Killers should have gone, a really solid rock number that cleans out their sound and shows the direction they are headed.

Preorder Garage Hymns

Fort Frances – The Only Living Boy in New York (Simon & Garfunkel Cover)
Fort Frances – The Lowlands

The boys of Fort Frances have pulled off a few covers, and this to me is one of them. The staple Simon & Garfunkel song from their classic record Bridge Over Troubled Water, is aptly covered here and may make you thirsty for a good listen of the original. But I’d like you to also consider checking out Fort Frances, a Chicago three piece who released a really good record last year. I’ve taken the time to also share their track “Lowlands” off their record The Atlas. Also back in January, they sat in with Daytrotter to release one of my favorite sessions. If you haven’t given these guys a good listen, I think I just gave you two.

Check out a new track from The Walkmen’s upcoming record Heaven (out 5/29) titled “We Can’t Be Beat.” The track is features a tenderly plucked guitar layered beneath singer Hamilton Leithauser’s intimate vocals. The back-porch sound of this track feels very stripped down, and very basic, but really endearing, and Leithauser really lights it up with some soaring vocals.

Preorder Heaven, here.

The Walkmen Tour Dates:

5/11 – Main Street Arena – Charlottesville, VA
5/27 – Sasquatch Festival – George, WA
6/27 – WFPK Waterfront Wednesdays – Louisville, KY
6/28 – Plush – St. Louis, MO
6/29 – Summerfest – Milwaukee, WI
6/30 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN
7/20 – Deer Lake Park – Burnaby, BC %
7/21 – White River Amphitheatre – Auburn, WA %
7/22 – Edgefield – Troutdale, OR %
7/25 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO %
7/29 – The Lawn @ White River State Park – Indianapolis, IN
7/30 – Jacobs Pavilion – Cleveland, OH %
7/31 – Fox Theatre – Detroit, MI %
8/2 – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre – Toronto, ON %
8/3 – Osheaga Festival – Montreal, QC
8/5 – Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL

% – w/ Florence & The Machine

I know I’m a few days late on this, but I was on vacation, and I think it’s still worth noting. Passion Pit has debuted their new single, “Take a Walk,” which seems to be picking up right where they left of with Manners back in 09. Back to the multilayered electro pop from Michael Angelakos, that are altogether danceable, pop sensible and at times a total joy to listen to.  Check out the new single, and get pumped for a new record.

Look for Gossamer, the follow up to Manners, July 23rd.

Horse Feathers – Where I’ll Be

Brown Bird – Thunder and Lightning

Portland Oregon’s Horse Feathers is dropping by the Brighton Music Hall tonight, touring in support of their recently released fourth studio album, Cynic’s New Year. Rhode Island’s Brown Bird will support. This is definitely one of the stronger touring lineups out there. Should be a great night of folk music. And last I had checked the show is nearly sold out, so grab your tickets and get there early!

Doors are at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets are $15. See you there!

Over the last couple of years I’ve become a fan of Maps & Atlases, I really enjoy what they are doing, how they’ve expanded the math rock genre and found themselves a perfect sonic space.  They’ve recently released a new record (Beware And Be Grateful) and are touring like maniacs. Check out their video for single “Remote & Dark Years.”

Tour:

5/11 Chicago, IL – Metro
5/12 St Louis, MO – Firebird
5/14 Columbus, OH – The Basement
5/15 Akron, OH – Musica
5/16 Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
5/17 Ithaca, NY – The Haunt
5/18 Boston, MA – Middle East
5/19 Brooklyn, NY – Glasslands
5/21 New York, NY – The Studio at Webster Hall
5/22 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
5/23 Washington, DC – Rock and Roll Hotel
5/24 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506
5/25 Atlanta, GA – The Earl
5/26 Tampa, FL – Crowbar
5/27 Orlando, FL – The Plaza
5/28 Panama City, FL – A&M Theatre
5/29 Birmingham, AL – Bottletree
5/31 Dallas, TX – Sons of Herman Hall
6/1 Austin, TX – The Parish
6/2 Houston, TX – Free Press SummerFest
6/4 El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace
6/5 Phoenix, AZ – TBA
6/6 San Diego, CA – Casbah
6/7 Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room
6/8 Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
6/9 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill
6/11 Portland, OR – Bunk Bar
6/12 Vancouver, BC – Media Club
6/13 Seattle, WA – Crocodile Cafe
6/15 Boise, ID – Neurolux
6/16 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
6/17 Denver, CO – Hi Dive
6/18 Omaha, NE – Waiting Room
6/19 St Paul, MN – Amsterdam Hall
7/15 Cincinnati, OH – Bunbury Festival

This here is my mixtape for April.  Its full of songs that I loved this month, and I think is representative of a great month of music, and promise for more to come.

Tracklist:

1. River City Extension – Welcome to Pittsburgh
2. Deer Tick – Born At Zero
3. Ponderosa – Black Hill Smoke
4. Maps & Atlases – Fever
5. These United States – Born Young
6. Ocha La Rocha – Heavy
7. Casey Black – Little Bit Lonely
8. Ron Pope – Atlanta
9. The Great American Canyon Band – Burn
10. Jonah Tolchin – Criminal Man
11. Paul Burch – Great Chicago Fire
12. Mornin’ Old Sport – Katie
13. Woody Pines – Long Gone Lost John
14. Field Report – Taking Alcatraz
15. Larcenist – Starless
16. The Tallest Man on Earth – Graceland
17. Mozella – Another You
18. We Loyal – Arch of Glass
19. Heart-Sick Groans – If the Canary Stops Singing
20. Late Cambrian – Ryan Goslin

[download]

Not the first time I’ve made mention of Nashville’s Turbo Fruits, this band led by the former guitarist for now-defunct Nashville garage-punks Be Your Own Pet. Check out a new track from their upcoming (September 11th) album Butter.  The single is a fun, retro/throwback heartbreak rock track where singer sings “I’m trying to find myself / I feel like someone else / without my sweet thang” a common theme we can all probably relate to.

The guys will be touring with Deer Tick this summer…

Tour Dates w/ Deer Tick:
5/2 El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace
5/3 Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
5/4 San Diego, CA – Casbah
5/5 Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
5/6 Santa Ana, CA – Yost Theater
5/8 Las Vegas, NV – Aruba
5/9 Reno, NV – Cargo CommRow
5/12 Denver, CO – Moe’s
5/15 Lawrence, KS – Granada
5/16 St. Louis, MO – Firebird
5/18 Iowa City, IA – Blue Moose
5/19 Des Moines, IA – Vaudeville Mews
5/20 Omaha, NE – Waiting Room
5/21 Rapid City, SD – Crystal Cave
5/22 Billings, MT – Manny’s
5/23 Missoula, MT – Top Hat
5/25 Portland, OR – Mission Theatre
5/26 Seattle, WA – Comet Tavern
5/29 Bellingham, WA – Wild Buffalo
5/30 Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
6/1 Calgary, AB – The Gateway (SAIT)
6/2 Edmonton, AB – Starlite
6/4 Regina, SK – The Exchange
6/5 Winnipeg, MB – West End
6/6 Fargo, ND – The Aquarium
6/7 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
6/8 Madison, WI – Majestic Theater
6/9 Chicago, IL – Metro
6/10 Ferndale, MI – Magic Bag
6/11 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
6/12 Ottawa, ON – Mavericks
6/13 Montreal, QC – La Sala Rossa
6/15 Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club