Together In Digital Dreams

TREATS: Yeasayer @ Fallon + The Very Best remix Ambling Alp

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:03:00 +0000

Two days ago, Yeasayer performed Ambling Alp for Jimmy and his Fallon on his Late Night show. The sound couldn't have been much better and the music was solid as a rock. The wardrobes though?...a little eccentric, but that's Yeasayer. Love it or leave it.

[BTW, they'll be coming to Philadelphia on May 5th]

********

The Very Best are widely known for their damn good remixes and an even better debut album. Take a listen as they tackle this years most raved about single:

MP3 :: Yeasayer - Ambling Alp [Very Best Mulomo Remix]

NEW TO ME: PIKELET

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:57:00 +0000

When you think/eat Outback Steakhouse, you know for sure that it isn't "authentic" cuisine, but rather an Americanized rip off of Australia's great outback wonders. I can say [yes, from experience] that Australia is an amazing place with great cities, wildlife and music trends. And if you really want to drink Foster's in Australia, prepare to get verbally berated.

Meet Pikelet, a one woman psych-pop project fronted by Evelyn Morris from Melbourne and her 2nd studio album entitled Stem. With songs like "Weakest Link" and "Swooping Buzzards", it's easy to see why she has gained a following after touring with such notable acts as Jens Lekman, Beirut, Sufjan and Camera Obscura throughout Aus, Europe and New Zealand. As she employs that smooth/blip/pop style on the new album, it's doesn't take very long to become entranced by her soaring vocals, exciting new sounds and those catchy tribal drums [probably my favorite part of this album].

MP3 :: Pikelet - Weakest Link
MP3 :: Pikelet - Swooping Buzzards

Stem will be out Feb 17th [I think] via Chapter Music.

SNOW DAY VIDS - JONSI // WILD BEASTS // XIU XIU

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:22:00 +0000

While we settle for snowpocalypse part deux, let's imagine the warmth of a future summer, lean back and relax with a nice cup of steaming hot chocolate - 3 marshmallows please. Here are some fresh music videos for your snowed in pleasure.

Jonsi's new Gobbledigook-esque track "Go Do" gets the video treatment featuring fancy makeup, a pretty rad costume, a reliable carrier pigeon and a some damn nice land scape shots.

********

I think it would be pretty cool to float in mid air like that. Thoughts?

MP3 :: Wild Beasts - We Still Got The Taste Dancing On Our Tongues

********

Xiu Xiu - Dear God, I Hate Myself from Kill Rock Stars on Vimeo.

Kind of a gnarly video, but it seems like chocolate doesn't make everybody happy...

MP3 :: Xiu Xiu - Dear God, I Hate Myself

MP3: Love Connection - I Know You're Real + Trilogy

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:10:00 +0000

Melbourne, Australia's Love Connection is a 4-piece kind of chill/kind of pop indie band that kind of sounds like an upbeat Beach House with their harmonizing vocals and dreamy walls of sound.

MP3 :: Love Connection - I Know You're Real
MP3 :: Love Connection - Trilogy

Their debut album was released Jan 30th on Sensory Projects.

MP3: NEW Dr. Dog - Shadow People

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:52:00 +0000

Check out a spanking new track off of [Philly's own and proud] Dr. Dog's new album; Shame, Shame entitled 'Shadow People' - a summery pop driven catchy-as-fuck jam.

MP3 :: Dr. Dog - Shadow People

Shame, Shame will be out 4/6 on Anti Records. Just in time for your spring cleaning duties ;)

TOUR DATES:
02/09 - Rock Island, IL @ Rock Island Brewing Co.
02/10 - Cleveland, OH # @ Case Western University
02/11 - Bloomington, IN @ Video Saloon
02/12 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
02/13 - State College, PA @ State Theatre
04/14 - Toronto, Ont. @ Lee's Place
04/15 - Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
04/16 - Chicago, IL @ Metro
04/17 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
04/19 - Aspen, CO @ Belly Up
04/20 - Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
04/22 - Boise, ID @ Neuolux
04/23 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
04/24 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
04/25 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
04/27 - Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda
04/29 - Santa Fe, NM @ Santa Fe Brewing Company
04/30 - Dallas, TX @The Loft
05/01 - Austin, TX @ Emo's Outside
05/02 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live Studio
05/03 - Fayetteville, AR @ Majestic
05/05 - Birmingham, AL @ Workplay
05/06 - Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom
05/07 - Louisville, KY @ Headliners
05/11-12 - Boston, MA @ Paradise
05/13 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
05/14 - Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
05/15 - New York, NY @ Terminal 5
05/23 - Berlin, Germany @ Magnet
05/24 - Koln, Germany @ Blue Shell
05/25 - Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
05/26 - London, England @ Tabernacle
05/27 - Paris, France @ Nouveau Casino
05/29 - Barcelona, Spain (Primavera Sound)
06/11-13 Manchester, TN (Bonnaroo)

MP3: A Sunny Day In Glasgow - Nitetime Rainbows + Video

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:41:00 +0000

Philadelphia's own chill/dream-pop group, A Sunny Day In Glasgow, will be releasing a new EP on March 2nd entitled Nitetime Rainbows. You can be awesome and pre-order the limited [to 1,000 copies] 12" clear vinyl right now from insound.

Here's the tracklist:
A1 Nitetime rainbows (new mix)
A2 Daytime rainbows
A3 So bloody, so tight
A4 Piano Lessons

B1 Nitetime rainbows (Buddy System remix)
B2 Nitetime rainbows (Acid wash edit by Benoit Pioulard)
B3 Nitetime rainbows (Ezekiel Honig remix)

Here's Nitetime Rainbows:
MP3 :: A Sunny Day In Glasgow - Nitetime Rainbows

Here's a pretty rad video for So Bloody, So Tight:

MP3: NEW Erykah Badu - Window Seat

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:21:00 +0000

Soul/funk singer/powerwoman Erykah Badu will be releasing her 5th studio album this year entitled New Amerykah Part II [Return Of The Ankh] on March 30th. Check out the first single below called Window Seat - a chilled out funk jam perfect for this east coast snowpocalypse.

MP3 :: Erykah Badu - Window Seat

MP3: FREE ENERGY - Hope Child

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:46:00 +0000

Philadelphia's own [and Digi Dreams fave] Free Energy have [FINALLY!] released info for their debut LP. Stuck On Nothing will be out March 9th via DFA/Astralwerks and is about to blow the fuck UP. Here's another freebie track entitled Hope Child.

MP3 :: Free Energy - Hope Child

"How much do you want - How much will you give?"

VIDEO: St Vincent - Laughing With A Mouth Of Blood

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:26:00 +0000

With a song title like that and her mystical eyes/voice, you would think the video for "Laughing With A Mouth Of Blood" would be just as creepy and entrancing as her other music videos. But team ThunderAnt [Carrie Brownstein of Sleater Kinney and Fred Armisen of SNL] join Annie Clark to make it wonderfully humorous with their "brand" of awkward comedy.

St. Vincent - "Laughing With A Mouth Of Blood"

st. vincent | MySpace Music Videos

"Excuse me sir, this is an in-store, not a riot."

Watch St. Vincent step outside of the bookstore and into the Sanctuary of the First Unitarian Church in Philly on Feb 25th with Sweden's Wildbirds & Peacedrums. Get tickets here

REMIX: Yeasayer - Ambling Alp [Alan Wilkis Remix]

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:49:00 +0000

In usual Wilkis fashion, he has made an already enjoyable single way more enjoyable. If you haven't already, follow Alan Wilkis on twitter for links to his remix work. You won't be disappointed.

MP3 :: Yeasayer - Ambling Alp [Alan Wilkis Remix]

Eat that, Urban Outfitters.

NEW Balmorhea - Bowsprit

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:52:00 +0000

Bowsprit, a new track from Balmorhea's sophomore effort entitled Constellations, starts like many Balmorhea songs - slow and quite. But what's different about this one is it's pull. What do I mean? I mean that little anxiety attack you get when anticipation gets the best of you and the you can feel the build of that tugging string section - all the way to moon.

MP3 :: Balmorhea - Bowsprit

Constellations is out 2/23 on Western Vinyl. They will be in Philly on 3/2 with a Digi Dream favorite - Efterklang.

VIDEO: Surfer Blood - Swim

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:43:00 +0000

I don't know about you, but that's exactly how I get ready for a show

VIDEO: My Gold Mask - Violet Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:22:00 +0000

NEW Tallest Man On Earth out in April

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:31:00 +0000

Swedish folk singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson aka The Tallest Man On Earth made a huge hole in my iTunes with his debut in 2008 called Shallow Grave after he played a few sold out NYC shows with Bon Iver. He's returning this year with brand new tunes on a new label home. Check out the first single below.

MP3 :: The Tallest Man On Earth - King Of Spain

The Wild Hunt will be released on April 13th via Dead Oceans.

MP3: MOON DUO - Speed

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:12:00 +0000

From another dimension comes sludge, psych, punk and noise-trip music from San Fran in the form of Moon Duo. Be sure to catch Sanae and Ripley tear shit up this spring at SXSW and to look out for their mini CD/LP titled Escape on Feb 16th via Woodsist.

MP3 :: Moon Duo - Speed

[Speed is off of their second EP entitled Killing Time - available now on iTunes]

WEATHERVANE, WXPN + SHARON VAN ETTEN

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 04:09:00 +0000

The Weathervane Music Organization is "a new non-profit, community supported production company making music and video to support and advance the careers of amazing independent musicians" based out of Fishtown Philadelphia. Recently, they have collaborated with WXPN to bring our music loving souls a wonderful show featuring Sharon Van Etten and Daniel Smith [of Danielson] on January 26th @ World Cafe Live Upstairs. This event will be broadcast live on the net starting at 2:45.

Check out this little sneak peek:

Shaking Through: Sharon Van Etten - Coming Jan.26, 2010 from Weathervane Music on Vimeo.

While you visit The Weathervane website, please please donate to the cause of starving musicians. They and we will appreciate it greatly.

MP3s: GOLDEN AGES - Everything Will Be Alright + Right Season

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:36:00 +0000

Philly's got something brewing for you this year. It's smooth, psychedelic and trance-inducing with the likes of Animal Collective/Panda Bear, Atlas Sound and M83 thrown in the mix. Check out a couple songs by the city's own Golden Ages and be sure to look out for their debut LP, Tradition, sometime this year.

MP3 :: Golden Ages - Everything Will Be Alright
MP3 :: Golden Ages - Right Season

You can download a free copy of their EP over here

MP3: JOSIAH WOLF - The Trailer And The Truck

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:13:00 +0000

Josiah Wolf [brother of Yoni Wolf and drummer of WHY?] has a solo project coming out in the next few months or so named Jet Lag. Check out this little sneak peak called The Trailer And The Truck for a heavy drum and xylo combo covered by his no-so-Yoni vocals.

MP3 :: Josiah Wolf - The Trailer And The Truck

[Myspace page]

MP3s: jj - Let Go + My Way

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:24:00 +0000

Recently, I posted my excitement about the 3rd jj LP coming out in March chronologically titled jj n° 3. Here is a little taste of what to expect with the 3rd track, "Let Go" - which is exactly what I won't do with jj.

"My Way" is an extra little bonus thing that isn't featured on the new LP, but it does sample Lil' Wayne...

and Charles Manson...

MP3 :: jj - Let Go
MP3 :: jj - My Way

Here is a little poem from their old label, Sincerely Yours, about the two songs:

"OK, jj went to malaga to have some fun, get some sun and 2 albums done. it was back in the fall of 2008 when they had both lost their virginity to insanity and were looking for moments of clarity. a plane to spain felt like a reasonable opportunity.
so with money in the bank, nobody to thank, it started with a drank.
and a couple of hours later the on the 29th of september they had felt the first breeze coming in from africa, sweet winds of melodies pure and true.

and now, it's time to give it away to you, of course for free, for you to see how vacation could be. so, let go, cause this is my way."

jj n° 3 will be out March 9th

VIDEO: Surfer Blood covers Neutral Milk Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:21:00 +0000

RIP JAY REATARD

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:05:00 +0000

Yesterday gave the unfortunate news of the passing of garage-rocking, music-loving soul, Jay Reatard [Jimmy Lee Lindsey, Jr.]. He will be missed. Below are one of my personally favorite songs off of his latest album and a cover he did for a Nirvana "In Utero" tribute album.

MP3 :: Jay Reatard - It Ain't Gonna Save Me
MP3 :: Jay Reatard - Frances Farmer Will Get Her Revenge On Seattle

ALBUM REVIEW: EFTERKLANG - Magic Chairs

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:07:00 +0000

I once played Efterklang's sophomore release for a friend of mine at work one day and she immediately described it as "sounding like something from a disney movie." If she meant that it was magical, fantastic and beautiful, then yes, she would be right.

After touring extensively around the globe in support of their critically acclaimed release of Parades and signing to 4AD, Copenhangen's Efterklang are back in 2010 with a new collection of songs called Magic Chairs. As the title suggests, it is to be taken in through a pair of clean headphones and an open mind.

The album kicks off with "Modern Drift," a song they released as a single when they announced the date of the record. "Modern Drift" shows the band evolving into a tighter, more accessible band without letting go of that huge, big band sound.

MP3 :: Efterklang - Modern Drift

"Alike" opens with minimalistic drums and synths which are soon to be sent into orbit by Clausen's soaring voice and accented by warm brass. "I Was Playing Drums" is [as suggested] a drum heavy, beat driven tune that turns the record on its side for a second with its dark, doom-y and mysterious soundscapes full of strings and pounding pianos.

MP3 :: Efterklang - I Was Playing Drums

Fast forward a bit to "Harmonics" and be welcomed by soft crooning and light, calculated strings clearly influenced by Dirty Projectors and their friends in Grizzly Bear. "Scandinavian Love" opens with a faster beat than the rest of the album, but the prolonged vocals of Clausen and its minimalistic nature [in Efterklang measure] make it seem more laid back then it actually is, which may not be the best thing. "Mirror Mirror" makes up for what the pervious song loses. It's delicate, gentle, catchy, huge and soaring - exactly what Efterklang IS. I have witnessed them play this song live and it seemed as if the room just disappeared and we were above the dark night of Philadelphia.

MP3 :: Efterklang - Mirror Mirror

"Natural Tune" closes out the record on a soft [but large] note, leaving its listener captured in its beauty until it loosens its grip and almost immediately lets go - "I'm heading straight/heading back."

Overall rating: 8.5/10

MAGIC CHAIRS will be out Feb 22nd on 4AD.

If you EVER have the chance to see Efterklang perform live, take the chance and do it. Your appreciation for their large sound will surely bloom. Here are some dates with Balmorhea:

3/2 - Philadelphia, PA / First Unitarian Church [sanctuary]
3/3 - New York, NY / Le Poisson Rouge
3/4 - Boston, MA / TT The Bears
3/5 - Montreal, Canada / La Sala Rosa
3/6 - Toronto, Canada / El Mocambo
3/7 - Detroit MI / The Pike Room
3/8 - Chicago, IL / Lincoln Hall
3/11 - Seattle, WA / The Triple Door
3/12 - Vancouver, BC, Canada / Biltmore
3/13 - Portland, OR / Doug Fir
3/15 - San Francisco, CA / Bottom Of The Hill
3/16 - Los Angeles, CA / Spaceland

MP3 + DOWNLOAD: Twin Sister

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:44:00 +0000

Brooklyn's Twin Sister is hitting the music blog scene in a big way and they deserve every part of it. You can now head over to their website and download a 4-song sampler called Vampires with Dreaming Kids for free while you wait for their first "official" EP entitled Color Your Life to drop [March via Infinite Best Recordings].

MP3 :: Twin Sister - Ginger

Also check out the trailer for Color Your Life:

Color Your Life from Twin Sister on Vimeo.

MP3: NEW Ruby Suns - Cranberry

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:55:00 +0000

New Zealand's Ruby Suns are back this year with their 3rd album entitled Fight Softy. Check out the newest song, "Cranberry", below - a summery psych/tribal/pop fruit-based jam with heavy synths, flawless harmonics and sunny, but mellow, colors.

MP3 :: The Ruby Suns - Cranberry

Fight Softly will be out March 2nd via Sub Pop.

TOUR DATES w/ Toro Y Moi
03-14 Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room
03-22 Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
03-23 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
03-24 Washington, DC - Black Cat
03-25 Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
03-26 Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl
03-27 Cambridge, MA - Middle East
03-28 Winooski, VT - The Monkey House
03-29 Montreal, Quebec - Il Motore
03-30 Toronto, Ontario - Drake Hotel
03-31 Chicago, IL - Schubas
04-02 St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
04-03 Lawrence, KS - Jackpot Saloon
04-05 Denver, CO - Hi-Dive
04-06 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
04-07 Nampa, ID - Flying M Coffee
04-08 Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
04-09 Vancouver, British Columbia - Biltmore Cabaret
04-10 Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
04-12 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill
04-13 San Luis Obispo, CA - SLO Arts Center
04-14 Los Angeles, CA - Echo

DOWNLOAD: NEW DIRTY PORJECTORS 7"

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:30:00 +0000

After the phenomenal release of 2009's Bitte Orca, Dirty Projectors had two more songs to share with us - one of which they played on Fallon's late night show with the always entertaining Roots. You can now download those songs for free below:

DATES:
02-19 New York, NY - The Allen Room @ Lincoln Center
02-27 Los Angeles, CA - Walt Disney Concert Hall
03-03 Auckland, New Zealand - Montechristo Room
03-04 Wellington, New Zealand - San Francisco Bathhouse
03-06 Brisbane, Australia - The Lost Weekend
03-07 Meredith, Australia - Golden Plains Festival
03-09 Melbourne, Australia - The Hi Fi
03-10 Sydney, Australia - The Metro
03-13 Perth, Australia - The Rosemount Hotel