Benjamin Francis Leftwich is a singer songwriter from the UK who just finished his first tour of the US of A in support of The Jezabels. He shot some songs on this tour with In The Open. One of these, Pictures, is available for viewing now.  It is of the artist at the Golden Gate Bridge. Go HERE to check it out.

 

California Wives have signed with Vagrant Records. Do not let the name fool you, these are Chicago boys. They released a self-titled EP a few years back that seemed to blow up the collective dress of the music media. They harkened back to an 80s sound that held nostalgia—but the band wasn’t reviving anything but incorporating the old with the new to create their own distinctive “thing.”

And you can hear what that is below by listening to, and downloading, their tune, Marianne. The band is finishing up their full length right now and a release date is coming soon.

Blind Benny is an ethereal rock band.  You would think those two things mutually exclusive but I assure you they are not. They are releasing a debut EP, September 4, 2012 but you can see the video for their track, No Honor, below. You can also download it free HERE.

The band will be playing at Pianos (we assume the one in NYC) on May 31 for a preview performance of the EP.

Originally performing as Jade (the name of the band’s singer) but changed the moniker to be more all inclusive.  Jade, herself, released a solo ep, It’s My Heart, Cookie.

Have a listen, check out their show and wait patiently for September.

The Dig’s new record, Midnight Flowers, comes out May 29 and the band has some dates set up—record release shows, all of which are below. I saw them play. I remember being impressed. They were opening for someone and I recall thinking; the main band must be pretty damned good to have a group like THIS opening for them.

I probably thought it more eloquently than that.

The band is also lending a track to the charity compilation, Turn the Tide: Songs for Last Call at the Oasis. This music goes along with a movie of the same name and relates to the worldwide water crisis. A good cause. You can check out the single and download it below. But do remember the film.

Fixers recently released Pop Meat/Your Corrupter, the group’s first US release. You can now hear/download the Memory Tapes remix of the lead single from that EP, Crystals. Check it out below or at Soundcloud.

The band often bring up the Beach Boys—mostly in the context of harmonies and surf samples. Fair enough but don’t think Kokomo. The remix throws a sort of funky curveball into the whole thing. Check it out.

Milkman is heading out on tour…the Doing Bodies Good Tour. Of course dancing is actually good for you so THIS Milkman is not bullshitting you. Milkman is a mash up artist who creates house music. His actual name is Gregg Luskin and he hails from San Diego. We have posted on him before but he is worth revisiting. Check out Aeroplane below.  If you go HERE you can download the track free (I think).

The tour mentioned above (dates below)  is only four cities so if you are nearby? Head into DC, NYC, Boston or Philadelphia (despite my current hate for the 76ers).

If you want to find out more on Milkman head to www.MilkmanMusic.com.

Milkman Doing Bodies Good Tour
w/ XXXChange and Billy Van
May

16 Philadelphia at Union Transfer
17 Washington DC at The Fillmore, Silver Spring
18 Boston at The Royale
19 Brooklyn at Music Hall of Williamsburg

Amanda Mair’s self-titled record comes out June 5, 2012 on Labrador. The record was produced by Philip Ekström of The Mary Onettes and written with Johan Angerard (Club 8, Acid House Kings).

Check out and download the Swedish artist’s single, Sense, below. The video is below as well. Mair first signed to Labrador at the age 15. Her record has received solid reviews and the video has a slew of Youtube admirers.

Marissa Nadler has a new single, Apostle, available for free. The track is off her upcoming full-length release, The Sister. Nadler is also playing dates on the East Coast which are below. Nadler is a recording artist who you need to hear—if you haven’t already. Her music is sparse and dreamy.

She has received tons of positive reviews for releases and live shows and was on a load of “best of” lists for 2011.

MS MR’s new single, Hurricane, is available for download. The release date for this single is coming soon. The band is also heading out on the road with Marina & The Diamonds this summer. You New York types can check them out at Grasslands in that magical place called “Brooklyn.”

Tour

* w/ Marina & The Diamonds

6/1 - Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands Gallery
7/10 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre*
7/11 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore*
7/13 - Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theatre*
7/14 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market*
7/15 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom*
7/18 - Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall*
7/21 - Chicago, IL @ Park West*
8/14 - Washington D.C. @ 9:30 Club*
8/16 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall*
8/17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of the Living Arts*

Masha Qrella, a singer/songwriter and founding member of Berlin bands, Contriva & Mina, is releasing her first record in several years. Analogies comes out on June 5, 2012 from Morr Music. You can listen to or download the track, Crooked Dreams, via Soundcloud below.

This record is Qrella’s take on pop music—a smattering of indie, a tad of folk and a smattering of anthemic  old school AOL radio. It isn’t necessarily what everyone would consider “pop” and that is a good thing. Imagine an avant-garde take on pop music but done with affection rather than irony.