Live : Bent Denim

This band so fresh, you can literally taste it. I want to note them in my blog because 1) they are from Texas [sort of, Texas + Louisiana] 2) I support friends 3) I saw them at their first show and 4) I can't pinpoint what Bent Denim sounds like and that means only good things. 

Ben + Dennis = Bent Denim

As I mentioned, I can't pinpoint what they sound like, it's in the works, but my friend, Will, described them as something like this: "it's a sound that forces you to listen...everyone usually thrashes and dances at a show, but at this show - people actually listened." They were great live and I got to hear another recorded track [exclusively!] and I cannot wait to hear more. I wish I stole those mp3 files so that I could listen to them on this roadtrip I'm about to go on, but I digress.

Check out this video, made by Will, and you'll hear exactly what I mean:

July 2013 : Music Haul

Honestly, this month's music haul is a little bleak. It could be the increasing busyness of this month, the slight laziness, or music just wasn't happening for me. Please tell me what I've been missing, hitting a music wall is the worst. After compiling this haul, I've noticed that a lot of the music I've been listening to is upbeat...because summer = upbeat...right? With the exception of rainy days...those days- I have to listen to artists like Bon Iver and Benjamin Francis Leftwich. 

From June to July, I've been listening to:
Growl. They were awesome at backyardtogetherness.
Vampire Weekend. Continuing to listen to their new album because it's consistently perfect for July/Summer.
Pacific Air.

From July, I've been listening to:
Benjamin Francis Leftwich. This might be due to the 24/7 streaming from my brother BUT, I kind of love him. He can serenade me all day, any day, every day. "Butterfly Culture" is my favorite song.
Jay Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail. I basically listen to "Holy Grail" everyday because J-squared rules. "Tom Ford" is a hit track, very danceable.
Smith Western's new album, Soft Will, because everyone wishes they could relive their high school prom. Smith Westerns never fail to make me feel that way even though we never had a live band at our high school prom, a girl can wish.
I tried to getting into country and I am failing. Am I doing it wrong? I'm from Texas after all...


Revisited:
(∆) Alt-J's Awesome Wave, because I just got it on vinyl. (eeeeee!)
The Morning Benders, because summer
Purity Ring, I really wish I saw them live, plz have a separate show aside from ACL
Justin Timberlake, because he can sing Africa by Toto
Local Natives, I like watching their La Blog Takeaway shows. Nostalgia rings through me because that was the first show I went to by myself.
Ellie Goulding, I started listening to her first album. She's amazing. Remember "Everytime You Go"?
Bon Iver, it rained here and there during July and I will put on Bon Iver every. single. time.

Single Tracks:
Run By Kill It Kid
Baby I Am Nobody Now by Andy Bull
King City by Space Ghost
In/Out by Dan Croll
Astronaut Etc's cover of Youth Lagoon's '17'
Africa by Toto

June 2013 : Music Haul

From May to June, I've been listening to:
I'm really going through a phase of Houses, so... expect them to be in every music haul until X. The track "A Quiet Darkness" is becoming my new favorite but my love will always stay with "Tenderly". I saw them live a couple of weeks ago. The sound was tragic and beautiful.
Daughter. You'd think this would be more of a winter jam but it makes for nice reading music or just laying-on-the-floor music. Their KEXP set is incredible. They're coming in September I think? I need a concert fund..
Still Corners. They're dreamy. I saw them earlier this month. "Fireflies" is a good one.

From June, I've been listening to:
Austin-locals, Growl - Thrashing, hyper, fun-time, summer time music.
Vampire Weekend and their newest album, Modern Vampires of the City. This album is quickly becoming one of my favorite albums of the year.
Pacific Air and their first full-length album, Stop Talking. I am pleasantly surprised with this album. I pretty much love every song sans "Intermission" but who knows, maybe it will grow on me. My favorite track has got to be "Play Nice" or "Sunshine". It's the summer, I couldn't not have "Sunshine" as a favorite track.
Imaginary Friend. Found this off of IC's mid-year favorite albums blog post. Reminds me of Sleeping At Last and The Head and The Heart (Sidebar: I hear THATH is releasing their second album soon, exciting!)
BOY. They aren't really new to me but I finally started getting into their album this month.
Dabbling in Porcelain Raft.


Revisited:

Bloc Party. With their recent announcement of a hiatus, I had to and then I found myself listening to them again and again. 'Signs', 'Kreuzberg', 'The Healing' - some of my favorite tracks.
CHVRCHES. Especially after I saw them perform live at the Mohawk earlier this month. So dancey. So feely. I like everything about CHVRCHES and I can't wait to listen to their debut album when it drops this September.
LUCIUS. Because they're amazing. I can't wait until they release their debut album in the fall!!
Jay- Z. Because I'm reading his book, Decoded.
Dry The River. They were one of my favorite acts at ACL 2012, if you get a chance to see them live- do it.
Alt-J (∆). "Bloodflood", can't get over it.
Lord Huron. Summer road jams. The road is calling me everyone, I need to go.

Single Tracks:

The Neighbourhood - No Grey and $ting
Washed Out - It All Feels Right
Smith Westerns - Idol
Mikky Ekko - Kids
Lana Del Rey - Summertime Sadness (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)
TV Girl - Easier To Cry
Andy Bull - Keep On Running
Rogue Wave - California

And this video:

May 2013 : Music Haul

 porch life

This music haul covers a lot of tracks (pun intended).
There's a different sound for all sorts of summers, here's what I mean:
Porch life - more folksy perhaps? You could also just do straight up rap, we do both.
Beach life - indie synth pop // light-hearted // maybe there are shakers involved
Road life - this can take two directions - 1) upbeat, blah blah blah OR 2) contemplative, maybe woodsy music
Choose one, choose all.

*Links take you to YT video or some listening link!*

From April to May, I'm still listening to:

Houses. Houses... and more Houses. I feel like I've been winding down my day with listening to A Quiet Darkness. I am stoked to see them when they're come to town in June. 'Tenderly' is my new favorite.
The Neighbourhood from time to time. Their album I love you. is made for cruising in your car.
Cayucas's Bigfoot album is your summer soundtrack to the beach, pool, or anything that is a body of water. Listen to 'A Summer Thing' and tell me I'm wrong.
Balmorhea, especially 'Baleen Morning'. So soothing. It's music for the hangouts that don't really require much talking, you can just sit there together, and be present.

From May, I've been listening to:

Kisses, Kids In LA is another summer album. Disco-y indie pop. SO L.A. (Just kidding, what does that even mean?)
Lily & Madeleine, because their dreamy voices. I'm having visions of First Aid Kit.
MS MR's debut album, Secondhand Rapture. 'Fantasy' is a great track and I also love 'BTSK'. Lizzy's voice is like a velvety Florence Welch. And a little bit more ghostly, orchestral- actually, I think that's why it reminds me a lot of F+TM but reinterpreted. Easily one of my favorite performances of South by. Kudos to them for being on the ACL bill this year.
Daughter's debut album, If You Leave. Elena's voice is purity.
Lorde, I posted about her below. Catchy beats. Reminds me a bit of Sleigh Bells, what do you think?
Giraffage, (I keep wanting to spell this "giraffe")

Revisited:

Tokyo Police Club's Champion and Elephant Shell album, dance-y road songs
Death Cab for Cutie's The Photo Album and Plans album, fleeting day sounds
Bloc Party's track 'Sunday' because it's just so dang good

Single Tracks:

Long Days by I will, I swear
Nova Scotia by Magic Man
Paranoia by Nosaj Thing x Chance The Rapper
Gun by Chvrches
Instant Crush by Daft Punk (ft. Julian Casablancas)
Try by Nosaj Thing (ft. Toyo y Moi)
West Coast by The Neighbourhood
3am Spiritual by Smith Westerns
Tessellate (Alt-J cover) by Ellie Goulding