California Dames

Let's talk about local music.
Do you ever feel like you're obligated to support local music even though the scene really sucks? [Or to be PC, isn't quite your cup of tea?] It's one thing to support local venues, especially the independent ones; that's kind of a no-brainer. But adhering to the ethos that just because a band exists in your city/town, you have to like it? I don't follow. I feel this way in large part regarding the Dallas/Fort Worth scene. I get imbued with "SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC" messages every time I step into a nearby coffee shop, or check Facebook. I would like to support the little guys, really I would…but I don't support shit. So there's that.

Thank god we have Sundress. Sundress are from Denton, Texas' "little Austin," and they're one of the few local acts that I've been following - and enjoying - for some time. Now that they've put out their official debut 7", and are getting some national attention, it's probably a good time to stop being an asshole and start actively supporting these guys. After all, they are insanely likable. Their sound is shoegaze of the best sort, twinged with garage-derived reverb and a beachy listlessness. If you're the type that prefers pigeon-hole genres, I'd call it "lake boathouse whilst smoking a j" rock. Yes. That's totally it. In other words, it's pretty hard not to get on with.

Download their first single below, and if you're the vinyl sort, go order it on White Iris. Keep an eye out for upcoming shows, and support local music!

California Dames - Sundress

LOOSE L!PS M!X: Summer Sun

Photo by Benjamin Evans

Because I've been unintentionally neglecting LOOSE L!PS a bit, I'm going to try to make up for lost time and missed music with a couple mixtapes. In the days when mixtapes graced this page fairly regularly, they were known as M!Xes. We'll stick with that.

Today's M!X is called Summer Sun, because I worship at the altar of alliteration and am horrible at unique titles. It's supposed to be played at any time in the summer…sun. 24/7 preferably. It's perfect for pool parties, driving around with the top down, or backyard BBQs. I wouldn't really recommend it for lovemaking, but am also assuming you don't get down on your lawn in broad day light. (though if you do, props.)

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M!X: Summer Sun from LOOSE L!PS on 8tracks.

Stream the M!X on 8tracks and via the above player, download the M!X via the Zip Folder below, or grab a few choice selections from the Tracklist (in blue).

LOOSE L!PS M!X: Summer Sun

1. Sur La Planche - La Femme

2. Goldmine - Colleen Green

3. Royal Oats - Emil & Friends

4. Hidden - Erika Spring

5. Spring Break Up - Tacocat

6. Afria Talks To You - Delicate Steve

7. I Wonder Who She's Kissing Now - TV Girl

8. This Head I Hold - Electric Guest

9. Missing You (feat. Ad-Apt) - Louis La Roche

10. Hands (Goldroom Remix) - Alpine

11. Closer Than This (Viceroy Remix) - St. Lucia

12. Getaway Tonight - Opossom

Download Entire Playlist Via This: ZIP Folder

Hands

Erik Mowinckel

We've already established that Goldroom is awesome, right? Just a year ago he was borne on the waves of the pacific ocean like the goddess Aphrodite, carried to the shores of Malibu by a giant clam, compelled to bring to the world the light and love of…discobalearichouseambienttropical beach pop. Fact.
Despite being released this past winter, his remix of Melbourne outfit Apline's grooving Hands has somehow made its way on to every summer mix I've made thus far. His rendition is so infectious, so perfect, that even the most hardened of electro dissenters fall under its spell.

Alpine - Hands (Goldroom Remix) by Goldroom

And if that weren't enough (it wasn't), Goldroom's remix of Shelby Grey's Wild Youth was released just today. It's an upbeat, sunny number, perfect for that apartment pool party you're having. The remix is a part of the Wild Youth Remix EP, released by Holographic People, a label that we haven't given enough love in the past. That will change. It's a boutique dream pop (think songs akin to the Drive soundtrack) label with some pretty impressive acts given its size. It's run by a Swedish girl who now lives in Barcelona, which basically means she has the best life ever.

Shelby Grey - Wild Youth (Goldroom Remix) by Goldroom

Be sure to buy both tracks, and in the meantime tease yourself with this original: Hands - Alpine

1904

Now you know when believing is hard but you go now
And you feel what you drag across the floor


Lukasz Wierzbowski

In case anyone missed the news, The Tallest Man On Earth released a new album just a week ago. For those of you unfamiliar with The Man, he's a singer-songwriter type, whose folky style, voice, and effusive lyrics harken heavily to a certain Bob Dylan. Now, I'm not crazy about Bob Dylan...
But I am crazy about Swedes.

Kristian Matsson has the good excellent fortune of being Swedish, though you would never guess upon first (or second, or third) listen. He does Americana better than most native musicians, weaving emotive and poetic lyrics with simple instrumentation, often accompanied by a sole acoustic guitar. While his earlier albums drew heavy vocal comparisons to the aforementioned Dylan, I find Matsson's voice considerably more listenable; his tone isn't nearly as nasal. His latest album, There's No Leaving Now marks an expanse of his style, with the introduction of multitracking. Don't expect massive arrangements, rather he toys with subtle instrumentation. But as first single 1904 demonstrates, while his style may be shifting some, his themes and lyrical prowess remain the same.

Download 1904, buy There's No Leaving Now here, and be sure to catch Matsson live in Dallas (or your city) on August 29th.

1904 - The Tallest Man On Earth

The Chief

Get up, Stand up, Chin Up


Sophie Tajan

Whenever I hear the word "Wildcat" in relation to music, I always think of this.
Rawr.
But Wildcat! Wildcat! are completely unrelated to Ratatat, except perhaps in their shared musicality. While Wildcat! Wildcat! are stylistically different from Ratatat, the former leading towards the "pop" side of the indie-electro spectrum with the latter leaning towards the "rock", both groups share a knack for near-flawless song construction, and the ability to craft an unforgettable hook.

Wildcat! Wildcat! are actually three guys from LA, who make falsetto-topped music that sounds like what you'd get if you threw a bunch MGMT, Passion Pit, and Local Natives vinyls in a fire, melted them together, trimmed the fat, and stuck the result on the record player you bought at Urban Outfitters. If someone were to ask me today to play them a song that exemplified the "indie-electro genre"--if we are to admit there is such a thing--anything by Wildcat! Wildcat! would do the trick. The beauty in these songs is that while the formula feels familiar, the execution and production are so sublimely symbiotic that they don't feel trite. The band doesn't indulge in a single excessive note or beat; every refrain, every sax solo, every "woop" has a purpose, keeping every song to the pop-perfected formula of just around 3 minutes in length. All they need is one of those right time right place situations, and these guys could/should/will probably blow up.

The Chief was just released this week. Stream it, download it, love it.
The Chief - Wildcat! Wildcat!
Bonus: Mr. Quiche - Wildcat! Wildcat!

Be sure to connect with LOOSE L!PS
Like on Facebook // Track on the Hype Machine // Follow on Twitter

My Heart Beats

Ryan McGinley

I think I've made it known that, generally speaking, I am not a fan of all-girl bands. Obviously there are notable exceptions, but the whole man hating thing gets old, fast. Feminism in music is fine, but bitterness doesn't look good on anyone. But guess what? Despite what the name may suggest (or at least, what I assumed upon seeing it), Veronica Falls are NOT a girl band. Yes they have a female lead vocalist, but they also have a male lead vocalist. If this isn't true equality--the apex of feminism--I don't know what is. And the best part is, they're pretty great

Though I discovered them rather late in the game (their self-titled debut album came out towards the end of last year), they hit my stereo just in time to serve as perfect, upbeat, sunny day rock. Veronica Falls are from England, which shouldn't come as any surprise, as they inhabit that never-gets-old poppy yet stomping indie rock niche their country's musicians perfected. Take My Heart Beats as a prime example. It could very well be a Belle & Sebastian song, but a glossy new proverbial coat of paint packages it for the younger set, and it passes as something fresh. While Veronica Falls owe a nod to the past, their future's looking bright.

My Heart Beats - Veronica Falls

1 Out Of 2

Breakbot is back. It's not that he ever really left (thank goodness), but he spent a considerable amount of time focusing on releasing remixes rather than original material. But just this week, he released his third EP of original material, 1 out of 2. Like his unforgettable first single, Baby I'm Yours, the EP's title track also features French vocalist Irfane, who adds a touch of class with his smooth croon. And like his first single, this one is also pretty close to perfect.

As an on-point Viceroy tweeted, "Breakbot is the electronic Elton John." By this I assume he means that Breakbot can do no wrong (I mean can you really think of a terrible Elton John song?), in which case, I agree wholeheartedly. Sure he's an electronic artist, and French no less, but Breakbot's style transcends genres, which has allowed him to create some of the best pop songs of the past decade. Not convinced? Time will tell.

1 Out Of 2 was released Monday, in Europe [buy it here]. Still waiting on that US release… Until then, stream the dancey Oliver remix below, and head over to our Facebook page to hear the original.

Breakbot - One Out Of Two (Oliver Remix) by weareoliver