Free Bob Dylan Song

Bob Dylan is giving away a free song off of his new record coming out April 28th entitled Together Through Life. He says this new record is "inspired by the '50s-era Chess Records" and has a more "romantic edge". The free song is called "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'" and is only available for free until midnight tonight March 31st. To grab it go to bobdylan.com.

New Dent May Video

Dent May released his third video today via stereogum. The video is to the tune "Howard" which appears on May's The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele. You can read about the video here. I love the cats.



In other news, Nelo, who I mentioned in an earlier post, will be gracing the stages of Proud Larry's on Wednesday night. If your night calls for a good show, then I suggest going and seeing them.

Lykke Li Video

Lykke Li & Bon Iver doing 'Dance Dance Dance' in L.A from Lykke Li on Vimeo.

Joe Pug

Joe Pug was a playwright at the University of North Carolina, that is he was a playwright until the day before his senior year when he decided to move to Chicago and work as a carpenter. The 23 year old Pug replaced the stage with his guitar during the hiatus and found that words are equally translatable and imagery driven in song as they are in theater. Pug has to be one of the best song writers out there today. The songs are reminiscent of early Dylan with incredible lyrical depth and maturity matched with simple acoustic guitar and harmonica. In fact the only criticism that you can give Pug is that he is just like Dylan. I personally can think of few better compliments. His song "Hymn #101" has been added to the playlist.

Silversun Pickups New Album April 14th

I'm pretty excited that one of our favorite bands is coming out with a new album in a couple of weeks. Anyone who has ridden shotgun with Let is familiar with the Silversun Pickups. Their first full length album Carnavas came out in 2006 and really broke the band out. Two of the four singles from the album reached the top 10 on Billboard Modern Rock in 2007. They have a really cool sound blending soft melodies with heavy fuzz that shows a significant influence from the Smashing Pumpkins and My Blood Valentine. The new album is called Swoon and comes out April 14th. I added the first single from Swoon, "Panic Switch," to the playlist.

Passion Pit 1st Single

The first single off Passion Pit's forthcoming record Manners has hit the net. Their debut album is set to be released in May, and following their breakout EP Chunk of Change and hit single "Sleepyhead", expectations are really high. As BT predicted, they're going to be a break out band of 2009, but with the expectations, I can't say this song lives up to the hype. I'm not jumping to conclusions because the album as whole is probably going to be really good, but it's an alright song with the kiddie chorus, it's just not as good as "Sleepyhead".

Passion Pit - "The Reeling"
Passion Pit - "Sleepyhead"

Double Decker Full Schedule

Double Decker Arts Festival will be Saturday April 25th in Oxford

Music Lineup

Budweiser North Stage

10am Five and Dime

11am Hemptones

12:15 Art Vendor Awards Announced

1:00 Kenny Brown

2:00 Bloodkin

3:00 John Paul Keith and the 145s

4:30 Charlie Mars

6:30 Karl Denson's Tiny Universe

AT&T South Stage

10:30 Dickey Do and the Don'ts

11:30 Sleeping Bulls

12:30 Shannon McNally

2:00 The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker

3:30 Trombone Shorty

5:00 Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

7:00 George McConnell

9:00 Robert Randolph and The Family Band

Bonnaroo Artist Additions

Bonnaroo has added the following artists to this summer's festival:

Public Enemy
Ani DiFranco
Amadou & Mariam
Shadows Fall
Heartless Bastards
Tony Rice Unit
High On Fire
Passion Pit
Dillinger Escape Plan
Wailing Souls
The Itals
MURS
White Rabbits
Janelle Monáe
Hockey
Pretty Light

Also, Jimmy Fallon will be in attendance.

Sanders Bohlke on Primetime TV Tonight + Recommended Albums of Late

As I said in a post a few weeks ago, our good friend, Sanders Bohlke, is making moves. I got word yesterday that his song "Weight of Us" will be featured on ABC's hit show, Grey's Anatomy, tonight, Thursday March 26th, at 8:00pm CDT. This is huge for him. The song will also be available as a single on iTunes immediately following the airing of the show. There's always the possibility of the network editing the show, so it might fall off. Still, very likely he's in the show. Watch!

Now some albums to not let fall by the wayside:

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Beware: Nice little slice of Americana.






Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care: Awesome electro/smoove stuff.






Swan Lake - Enemy Mine: Dan Bejar, Spencer Krug, and Carey Mercer. C'mon.





Heartless Bastards - The Mountain: Just saw them at the Lyric. So great.





Dan Deacon - Bromst: Cool electro/dance album with songs that build and build.





Andrew Bird - Noble Beast: General consensus is he's a Jedi Knight/X-Men of music. Killer.

Dark Meat

Dark Meat is a pretty sizable collective based in Athens, GA. The group started when singer/guitarist Jim McHugh and bassist Ben Clack moved to Athens from North Carolina and subsequently met the other 14 members (that could be way off) to form the band in 2004. They just finished SXSW playing at My Old Kentucky and Aquarium Drunkard's venue. I added the song "Angel of Meth" from the expanded version to their 2006 album Universal Indians. Check it out - I only heard of them recently but really like it.

Recent Ramblings and Listenings

Now that I have had time to let the storm that was SXSW settle, I have come up with the following list of bands that particularly impressed me or that you need to hear.

1) Anathallo - I have posted about this band in the past and after seeing them live back to back in Austin this band has become one of my favorite acts out there. There stage show mimics the highs and lows of their albums. While Floating World gave Anathallo a place on lots of American playlists, the follow-up Canopy Glow proves that the bands maturing sound steeped in flowing melodies accompanied with booming percussion has found its niche. I strongly recommend buying this album.

2) Mumford & Sons - This U.K. quartet is part of a burgeoning folk movement in London that consists of artists like Laura Marling and the band Noah and the Whale. Featuring a bass, acoustic guitar, banjo, and keys the band mixes all four voices in harmony often going acapella. Rocking out in acoustic folkloric fashion, the band really impressed me in their sxsw showcase. They have an EP out on itunes that is worth checking out.

3) The Wrens - No secret here, but this band blew away my expectations in their live show. The singer threw his bass, hung it from the strings of the tent, gave it to the crowd to play, and jumped off the moniter all in a 45 minute set that only consisted of about 6 songs. If you don't own the album The Meadowlands you probably should buy it. Great indie pop music.

4) Nelo - Nelo is an austin based pop-rock outfit in the styles of Dave Matthews Band and Sister Hazel. Having had a close relationship to this band over the past few years, my cousin is the vocalist, has given me the opportunity to really watch the band grow. Had you asked me to analyze them last year I would have said that they were a fun and talented college band great for the back decks of fraternity houses throughout the south, but after watching their show at SXSW I can honestly say that this band is poised to produce great, easy-listening pop-rock. The growth is easily heard in the bands new songs like "Love Solution" and "Break Through" which carry a bigger weight than the floating somewhat bouncy pop on their self-titled debut album Nelo. They are releasing songs from their new E.P. Two Years Ago on itunes every month with the full E.P. available in July. The E.P. is a big step forward for a band who suffer from being outside the scene in a very 'scenester' town. Check it out.

5) The Tallest Man on Earth - This swedish folk music is made by one man and his acoustic guitar. Raw and gritty, the music seems full of emotion. Kristian Matsson, who literally is the band, is incredibly talented and the songs seems full of emotion. Good Stuff.

Lots of music is available for free this week including:

NPR sxsw concert series' including Blind Pilot, Avett Brothers, Dirty Projectors, Blitzen Trapper, and The Decemberist's available here for download and stream.

Leonard Cohen's Live In London album. Listen here.

The Decemberist's The Hazards of Love. Listen here.

Gomez A New Tide. Popular british rock. Listen here.

Obits I Blame You. Brooklyn Noise-Pop. Listen here.

Harlem Shakes Technicolor Health. Listen here.

Royskopp Junior. Norwegian pop techno. Listen here.

The Felice Brothers Release New Song

One of our good friend over at RadioCure's personal favorites, The Felice Brothers, have released a new song off their upcoming album, Yonder Is The Clock. The album is scheduled for release on April 7th. Enjoy.




The Felice Brothers - "Run Chicken Run"

Cymbals Eat Guitars

Cymbals Eat Guitars are an unsigned band from Staten Island, New York, however, they won't remain unsigned for very long. After receiving a great review and making their way to Pitchfork's best new music list, it's only a matter of time for them. It also doesn't hurt that they write great songs, but the buzz is always good. They met in high school covering Weezer songs, and even found one of their members on Craigslist. They now sound nothing like Weezer, but more like a little Built to Spill with some early Modest Mouse. Their self-released first album is out now and is called Why There Are Mountains. Tracks 1 and 4 from the album are available below.

Cymbals Eat Guitars - "...And the Hazy Sea"
Cymbals Eat Guitars - "Cold Spring"

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart

Pains of Being Pure At Heart are a New York-based band that just released its first full length album last month. Some of you may have seen them on ABC's new show, "Amplified" a little while back. Anyways, I've been meaning to post a song of theirs for a while because I really like this band. If you like shoegaze like the Smiths or My Bloody Valentine, then this will be right up your alley. I added "Everything With You" to the playlist.

Crocodiles

Crocodiles are a great new two-piece band out of San Diego, California. Formerly of bands called The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower, The Prayers, and The Vultures, Crocodiles, recently signed a two album deal with Fat Possum. Coming off their set at SXSW that SHL seemed to enjoy, they are set to release their first album entitled Summer of Hate some time this May. Some have compared them to The Jesus and Mary Chain or The Black Angels. Decide for yourself with the two songs posted below off their forthcoming album.

Crocodiles - "I Wanna Kill"
Crocodiles - "Neon Jesus"

New Header

Thanks to our good friend, Camp "Pelioclastes" Craig, for the new Grit Music header above. We appreciate him, his creativity, and his interest in our little site. Very cool. Thank you kindly.

SXSW wrap (3)

<-- Andrew Bird opens up Stubb's Barbeque for Ben Harper and Relentless7.






Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele plays for a responsive crowd before leaving to tour Europe with Animal Collective. -->







<-- Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears performing at The Parish.









My cousin chats it up with Kid Cudi on his Red Bull sponsored transportation. -->











<-- The Red Bull after show party stage equipped with tunnel. Erika Badu followed up this British duo.

SXSW wrap (2)

<-- The Decemberist's were one of the largest acts playing the festival. They mostly played songs off of their new Album The Hazards of Love.







These Arms Are Snakes rocked the indoor stage at the Paste day Party. Loud and full of energy. -->








<-- The Wrens were a highlight of the Paste day party's outdoor stage.









The Avett Brother's played to a full tent in the heat of the day. -->











<-- Passion Pit closed out the day for the Paste Party.










Cold War Kids starting a set at the outdoor Auditorium Shores stage. -->

SXSW wrap...

I never got the chance to write once the music got started but here are some pictures and highlights of the conference.

T-Model Ford kicked off SXSW with a set Tuesday night at Emo's. He was 1) drunk 2) infatuated, as the lower picture shows, with the girl whose dark hair you can see and 3) awesome live.











<-- Anathallo at the Paste Magazine day party on Wednesday. They were one of my favorites for the entire week.









Crocodiles rocked the Fat Possum day party at Emos -->








<-- Wavves was one of the most hyped bands at the festival. I bet they played 12 shows in the four days.









Nelo, a pop rock group from Austin that I am a bit biased toward, plays the late party at Antones Wednesday night. -->

SXSW day 2...

Not so much going on today for those of us here to see music. A few rumors have popped up saying that Elton John, Kanye West, Billy Joel, and Morrissey are going to play secret shows. Most of the musicians are arriving and filling the downtown streets of Austin. Lots of websites have free downloads of bands to watch. The best list I have found so far is 20 mp3 offered by spinner. Bands include Camera Obscura, Benjy Ferree, Cut Off Your Hands, Passion Pit, Crystal Antlers and more. Check it out on the link above and then click SXSW 2009 preview. More to come....

And so it begins...SXSW day 1

And so the beast that is South by Southwest has begun for me. I went to the Austin Convention Center today to gather all of my documents to make sure I am ready for the music portion of the conference that starts on Wednesday. The convention center was PACKED with hipsters, techies, media gurus, musicians, and fans all trying to get their schedules set and their twitters updated. Everywhere I looked people were sitting on the ground with their macs out posting on their blog or checking their facebook. It was hilarious. People were walking around interviewing people, taking pictures of people, writing about people, drawing about people, talking to people. I could not imagine a bigger conglomeration of personalities and profiles anywhere else in the world. Once I got my badge, I went to the rewards section of the convention center to get what I thought was my catalog of musicians and times, but was in reality the mix of stuff in the above picture. Three bags of stuff, one for each aspect of the conference (Interactive, Music, and Film) which included 15 magazines, condoms, party invitations, gum, sunglasses, huggies, a camera bag, and innumerable advertisements and free mp3 cards. Things are picking up in Austin as the interactive portion of the convention is coming to a close and the hype of music is building. More to come...

SXSW tip-Ups: The movie "I Love You, Man" with Paul Rudd and Rashida Jones was apparently a big hit. It premiered last night.

Need a Sufjan fix?

Have 2005's Illinoise and even the b-sides Avalanche in 2006 finally given you all they can? Do you need new Sufjan ASAP? A new state, a new bird, a new winter storm, a new serial killer, anything to fill the growing chasm that Sufjan holds in your musical soul. Have you held on through the dark recession with some minimalist guitar rock and melodic avant-garde, but you secretly long for a new orchestral creation with depth and feeling and huge feathered eagles wings? If this is your story there is hope! Here are two things that can hopefully hold you together until the next state appears on shelves.

1. Illinoize - This mix-tape created by Montreal producer Tor samples songs from several of Sufjan's albums including "John Wayne Gacy Jr." and "The Dress Looks Nice on You." Steven's multi-instrumental pieces provide a rather intriguing background for some of the hottest MC's in North America including Blackalicious, Outkast, and Aesop Rock. What's even better, the album's six songs are available for free here. Just to give a little taste, these are the opening lines to the "John Wayne Gacy Jr" mix:
"Lights, Camera, Action, the extra blazen I push is like Moses talkin to the burning bush..." You need to hear to this!

2. The Welcome Wagon -Welcome to the Welcome Wagon - This Sufjan produced album features none other than Rev. Vito Aiuto and his wife Monique (see "Vito's Ordination Song" on the end of Michigan). The album is the product of many nights sitting together after dinner playing creating tunes for old hymn's on their guitar and piano. The Welcome Wagon is seeped in Sufjan's melodic influence, and you may recognize Vito's voice from a few of the songs he backed on Sufjan's albums, but don't expect to catch this band for any live outings. Most of their time is spent tending to the comings and goings of the international Brooklyn community where Vito's church is. Simple, deep, and beautiful, Welcome Wagon is a melodic dive into traditional hymnody. I strongly recommend the album. The second song from the record "Sold! To the Nice Rich Man" is on the playlist.

Wild Light Video Premier

Wild Light, a New Hampshire quartet that has toured with the likes of Arcade Fire, dropped their first video a few days ago. The song that has made them popular "California on My Mind" is a disillusioned hymn to the famous-seeking California pilgrims. The song is real catchy with an explicit touch, so cover your ears, but enjoyable none-the-less. You can download a free copy of the song here.

Click for video: Wild Light - "California on My Mind"

Jack White's New Band

From Spin.com:

Alison Mosshart, vocalist for punk minimalists the Kills, and Jack White have joined forces as the Dead Weather, a new band also featuring White's Raconteurs bandmate Jack Lawrence and Queens of the Stone Age's Dean Fertita. Mosshart will sing, Lawrence will play bass, Fertita will play guitar -- and White will be on drums and vocals. Their debut single, "Hang You From the Heavens", is expected to be on iTunes tomorrow and is available for stream below, as well as "Are Friends Electric?".

Swan Lake

Swan Lake is the collective love-child of celebrated songwriters Dan Bejar (of Destroyer and New Pornographers), Spencer Krug (of Sunset Rubdown and Wolf Parade) and Carey Mercer (of Frog Eyes and Blackout Beach). They are releasing a new album on March 24th entitled Enemy Mine by way of Jagjaguwar Records. Their first album, Beast Moans, was released in 2006 on the same label. The band claims to take a more focused effort on collaborative song writing on Enemy Mine, instead of the avant-garde mash of styles heard on Beast Moans. Track 1 off the upcoming release is featured below. The song has a great hum and pulse to it, and the vocals have a definite Bowie-esque inspired feel.

Swan Lake - "Spanish Gold, 2044"

NPR SXSW Teaser

Props to my friend My-Linh for the tip up. NPR is offering a free ten song sampler of what to look forward to at SXSW. You can download it here. You should recognize a few names.

Benjy Ferree

Ferree is a D.C. based singer/songwriter (not in a John Mayer/Jason Mraz way) who's musical style is hard to sum up in one word. His voice reminds me of Jack White, and his music ranges from rock and roll to Americana to blues. Ferree released his first EP in 2006, and has since signed with Domino Records. His latest album, Come Back To the Five and Dime, Bobby Dee Bobby Dee, was released last month. The album is dedicated to Bobby Driscoll (Peter Pan) as a "musical eulogy to a forgotten child star who was chewed up and spit out by the Hollywood meat market." Check out "Pisstopher Chrisstopher" from the new album below. 

Thanks to JamBase for the bio.

Pisstopher Chrisstopher - Benj...

Yeah Yeah Yeah's album out tomorrow

Google removed my post about the Yeah Yeah Yeah's new album It's Blitz! because I had linked to a song that apparently was not released yet or something. The trial is pending. Anyway, the album comes out tomorrow and I am anticipating a big reaction to it. The single is called "Zero" and you can watch the new video for it below courtesy of AOL. The YYYs have changed their sound a bit to what I think is a lot more approachable to a wider audience. Think garage rock covered in the facade of plush electro rhythms and spun in a centrifuge so that the electro feel edges toward the front and the garage rock slides to the back. Then the whole thing is covered in Karen-O which gives it a bit of a bang into walls dancing feel. Thats about it. Go buy the album!

FLIGHT

Steven "Konrad" Bevilaqua has recorded some awesome shizzz under his latest moniker, Flight. He's got plenty representation, but no band cause he hates you. He's got 7"s coming from Hozac, Sweet Rot, and Kill Shaman Records, and is part of the ever famous/Mississippi's own Cats Purring that features Dent May and John Barrett's Bass Drum of Death. Konrad also played bass on Dent May's record. This music makes you want to strut down the street in leather whilst eating babies and punching grannies. I suggest you click his link and go listen to all the songs. In the meantime, check out "Flowers" below.

Flight - "Flowers"

CYHSY/Memphis in May

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah debuted a new song last night on the new Jimmy Fallon show which replaced Conan in the late night spot. The new song "Statues" can be downloaded for free at the Clap Your Hands Say Yeah website.

Also, Beale St. Music Festival in Memphis announced its line-up this morning. Noteworthy acts include:

All-American Rejects
Ben Harper & Relentless7
G. Love and Special Sauce
Medeski, Martin, and Wood
Al Green
Korn
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
Elvis Costello
The Roots
James Taylor
311
Fall Out Boy
Snoop Dogg
Dead Confederate
and of course, the only reason I would go this year other than Korn, Three 6 Mafia.

In Case You Missed It...

Antony and the Johnsons - "Aeon" performed live on Letterman. Gorgeous.

Sanders Bohlke

Got my hands on two unreleased tracks from our good friend Sanders Bohlke. "Search and Destroy" is a demo recorded from his home computer, and shows a lot of promise . "Weight of Us" was recorded in studio with Isidore, who is Jeffrey Cain of Remy Zero's side project. This song has a great melody with a lot of strings. Sanders has been around the Oxford music scene for more than six years, and is making the right moves to spark his successful music career. The conviction that comes straight from his gut, through his heart, and out his mouth, is something to be reckoned with. It comes through so cleanly in his live shows and in his recordings. The two songs are available for stream below. Not to be missed, check him out at these future dates:

April 2nd -Fondren Corner(Art, Eats, and Beats)- Jackson, MS
April 3rd -Proud Larry's- Oxford, MS

Sanders Bohlke - "Weight of Us"

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Sanders Bohlke - "Search and Destroy (demo)"

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Fat Possum's WAVVES scores big on P4K

Noise-pop solo act Wavves has made a big splash (no pun intended) lately with his recent self-titled release Wavves out on Mississippi's Fat Possum Label. Mixing old punk rock sound with pop riffs and 'ooooohhh and ahhhhhh' backing vocals, San Diego's Nathan Williams has created something that critics are excited about. An 8.1 on P4k with a move to the websites 'Best New Music' section is the fastest way to move products off the shelf in the digital-age indie markets. Great job Fat Possum for recognizing it! The music is rough to say the least and will certainly take some listening to get beneath, but if you like the garage sound then this is the new best thing. Sure to be one of the crowd pleasers at this years South by Southwest conference in Austin, Wavves is making moves in the right direction.

Wavves - "So Bored"
Wavves - "No Hope Kid"

Daytrotter Gold

Cold War Kids are todays featured Day Trotter artist, and they are giving away four recordings of songs from their new album Loyalty to Loyalty.  Although I didnt feel their second album as much as I felt their first album, four free tunes are certainly a reason to re-listen.  Go here to get the music and read the write-up.

The following albums, along with others, are available for full stream on Spinner:

Neko Case - Middle Cyclone

Wild Light - Adult Night - toured with The Arcade Fire

The Whip - X Marks Destination - Manchester Electro Rock

Bela Fleck - Throw Down Your Heart

Phish - Clifford Ball

Explosions in the Sky

One band that I am particularly excited about seeing at South by Southwest will not have to travel far to perform. The Austin, TX quartet Explosions in the Sky has been making outstanding instrumental rock music for almost ten years now and have seen relative success within their musical niche, but the cinematic blend of guitars and percussion certainly deserves more attention than it gets. Although, instrumental rock tends to lag behind mainstream music, Explosions in the Sky feels progressive and emotional despite the lack of words. Build-ups and let-downs blare through their songs which can last upwards of fifteen minutes. I have always been a big fan of instrumental rock bands like The Album Leaf or Questions in Dialect that speak through music rather than words, but Explosions in the Sky has found a way to stay locked in on my IPOD playlists. Their album titles like The Earth is not a Cold, Dead Place or All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone can perhaps put you in the mental context through which the music was written, but you may miss something beneath the layers of guitar and drum-beats if your mind stays locked on one idea. Check out their songs on the playlist. No hard thinking or serious paying attention needed. The music will take you, all you have to do is follow.