Modern Drift // Efterklang

Absolutely beautiful. I love how there are multiple pianos going and playing, each part melding it together into one sound. It's one of my favorite songs off of their 2010 album Magic Chairs. 
This video is an outtake from the music documentary called An Island filmed by Vincent Moon. Definitely check out the trailer to the documentary, they just released this DVD for order.

Delta Spirit // Devil Knows You're Dead (EP version)

This is my favorite version of this song and the reason why I decided to research Delta Spirit. Just for a couple more days, their The Waits Room EP is available on their blog to download for free. Click this link and make sure you don't miss it.

Lucy Rose // All I've Got

Female artists have been infiltrating my iTunes and I can't say I hate it. It's actually nice when I put on a song in the car and I don't have to sing in my faux-bass voice. Lucy Rose I believe is relatively new, she has a single out and an EP with remixes on it. (She's also got her own Earl Grey tea line) Suggested to me by a friend who described her voice as "flower petals". This Beatnik Session is one of my favorite videos by her. Enjoy.

The Tree Ring : Generous Shadows

I have wanted to write about this San Diegan quartet for a long time and now that the season is changing, it's the perfect time to. The Tree Ring, composed of Joel P West, Kelly Bennett, Douglas Welcome, and Darla Hawn, released their first record, Generous Shadows, this past February. It is the perfect wintertime/falltime soundtrack. In my opinion, you have to listen from Track 1 ("Haida") to the very last track ("Generous Shadows"), in order, because it sounds like it's telling a story.

There's a soft beginning in "Haida", an instrumental interlude in "Song For H. Korth", a climax at "Wore It Deep", and then the graceful ending in "Generous Shadows" where it leaves you with wanting more. This record has a light hearted and heavy tone at the same time. I love it and I can't wait to see where The Tree Ring goes from here. Grab this record. 

Scottish Winds // Frightened Rabbit

So I got into the game for Frightened Rabbit a little late, so what, who cares? I say, as long as you discover the artist(s), it's all that matters. This video is probably the icing on top of the "I-really-love-Frightened-Rabbit" cake and let me just add the cherry: this song, Scottish Winds, that is on their EP - it's up for grabs (FREE) on their website right now. Click this, sign up for the e-mails, download and enjoy.

P.S. Scott Hutchison's singing by a river. What's not to like? And, watch his cover for Death Cab's "Different Name For The Same Things" here.

Midnight City // M83

M83's newest album Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is out today! I streamed the album via UO's Blog and I can't get over "Midnight City", here's the music video. Get the double album on amazonmp3 or iTunes.

Skinny Love // Birdy

You guys know I am in love with Bon Iver but this? This? Wow, I am blown away by this cover from Birdy. Caught a whiff of this girl's (Get this: she's only 15.) voice from this blog and I'm not looking back. I cannot wait for her album that is due November 7th in the UK and November 15th in the states. Watch/Listen "Without A Word", one of her demos and then get back to me about how you love her.

Sound // Soundcloud

"Sound is kind of like a color you can hear...the hidden choir." Vibrations produce sound. Sound creates music. 

Hear from sound experts and friends of SoundCloud why sound is so important to the way we connect with the world. 

Fascinating. Have you ever taken off your headphones, gone on a walk, and just listen to your surroundings?

Live // Death Cab For Cutie

So as I've mentioned earlier in my blog that Death Cab is kind of the reason I started getting into music. Pre-DCFC, I listened to a lot of Asian singers (like Trish...anyone?)-that's what I did in my adolescent stage... until I started watching The OC. The OC probably started a lot of things for me but let's just stick to the topic of music. When I saw Ben Gibbard with his giant glasses swaying with his guitar, I had to look up whatever song he was playing. It was "The Sound of Settling" and then I moved onto "A Lack Of Color" and it goes on from there.
Every time Death Cab came to play in Texas, it wasn't near my hometown and it was always on a weird day like Tuesday or Wednesday. Fast forward ~5 years later, my teenage dream finally comes true and it really felt like a dream. Telekinesis was their opener:

Telekinesis

They were pretty good. This band is also from Seattle, WA. I didn't know any of their songs but I danced and clapped accordingly. The crowd seemed to rock with the band but it was just a warm-up to who we were all waiting for. And after a clean up that progressed to a short set-up, there was fog, the dimming of lights, the band came out and the beginning of "I Will Possess Your Heart" rang through the theatre:

Some notable performances:
-"Photobooth" took me by surprise. Before the show, I searched set list so I could get an idea but I didn't see this one. It was a nice surprise; the teenager in me who crushed on Seth Cohen's love for Death Cab started to come out during this song. I sang it as if I was serenading Chris Walla.

- An interesting transition from "Blacking Out The Friction" into "St. Petersburg Cathedral". I wanted more of the "ba da bum bum bum" part, you know what I'm talking about? It was very subtle when performed live.
- "We Look Like Giants" was heavy on the instruments and that made me a happy girl. I love when you're completely encompassed with music where your thoughts intertwine with the guitar or drums or keys. Visually, I felt like I was seizing and I didn't hate it.
-After 1 minute of cheering and chanting, Death Cab played an encore and then ended with "Transatlanticism". A hauntingly beautiful song. My favorite album and one of my favorite songs. You could hear Chris's distinct guitar.
All in all, worth the wait. (Also, I realized Ben Gibbard is TALL.)
Until next time Chris, Ben, Nick, and Jason.

"I Will Follow You Into The Dark"

Dog Is Dead : your childhood EP

Earlier this year this United Kingdom band, Dog Is Dead, caught my eye but I couldn't find any of their music. I think I was searching incorrectly because it was as if fate wanted me to find them again when I saw their Burberry Acoustic video via my friend's page. The video was beautifully done, shot in their hometown, Nottingham. They have a sweeter sound than Two Door Cinema Club but the pop rock part is something that is definitely there. I  also have to mention their harmonies. I think that's what got me. I love it and I want more. You can get their 'Confessions EP' free when you sign to their e-mail list here.


dog is dead - your childhood EP by Dog Is Dead

Gold Panda // Marriage (Star Slinger Remix)

I already like Gold Panda but this remix shows it in another light. Different, but still true to itself. The visuals are pretty rad too. Star Slinger, I need to take a closer look at you because I like what I hear.