Music Mixes and Best Of Lists

Kristen’s SXSW ’13 Mix – Part 6 – The Field Effect, Wildlife Control, The Wild Feathers

Posted on by Kristen

SXSW is my favorite time of the year for collecting new artists to watch. Far be it from me to keep these gems to myself. Here are some of bands and songs I discovered this year:

 

16. The Field Effect – “Ogunquit, ME”

This group from Boston was one of my post-SXSW discoveries. I heard this song on the Berklee Party Sampler and found it fun and refreshing. Here’s a clip:

 

17. Wildlife Control – “Analog or Digital”

Wildlife Control is one of those bands whose songs get into your brain without you even noticing. One day I just woke up with this song in my head. I actually had to track down where it had come from.  I immediately put it in my “SXSW mix” folder.

 

18. The Wild Feathers – “Backwoods Company”  

This band I saw a couple different times at SXSW and their live show elevated them from a band to check out to a must see.

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’13 Mix – Part 5 – Hudson Taylor, Blaudzun, Fetsum

Posted on by Kristen

SXSW is my favorite time of the year for collecting new artists to watch. Far be it from me to keep these gems to myself. Here are some of bands and songs I discovered this year:

 

13. Hudson Taylor – “Cinematic Lifestyle”

These two brothers from Dublin were a stand out from my early listening to SXSW artists. I’m not sure if I saw their name on any SXSW showcase lineups, but I’ve got my eye on them for future dates.

 

14. Blaudzun – “Elephants”

Blaudzun came to Austin from The Netherlands and grabbed my attention with this catchy ditty. Singer Johannes Sigmond has one of those voices, so effortless and clear that it instantly grabs your attention. Pair the voice with smart lyrics and a catchy beat and you have Blaudzun. Their first album to be released in the US, Heavy Flowers, is one to look up.

 

15. Fetsum – “Waiting For You”

This song feels like the warm sun on a summer’s day.  Germany’s Fetsum drew me in with the smooth vocals and kept me listening with positivity and fun worldly beats as showcased in this song.

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’13 Mix – Part 4 – The View, Six60, Jack Carty

Posted on by Kristen

SXSW is my favorite time of the year for collecting new artists to watch. Far be it from me to keep these gems to myself. Here are some of bands and songs I discovered this year:

 

10. The View – “How Long”

The View is a Scottish rock band…of course they made my list! Their album, Cheeky For A Reason, was one of my Austin purchases that I made after the band got high marks from a friend. The album title, by the way, is perfect!

 

11. Six60 – “Run For It”

The way this song revs up to that first glorious “boom” of sound was instantly compelling and is worth an 11 on the volume meter.  The more of Six60 I listen to, the more I realize that this band from New Zealand really had something special. Can’t wait for them to come back to The States!

 

12. Jack Carty – “She’s Got A Boyfriend” 

There is something about this Australian singer-songwriter that kept me glued to my seat when I saw him perform at The Australian party at Maggie Mae’s (despite having other places to be). I’ve since devoured all of his music including the new EP “The Predictable Crisis of Modern Life” which kicks Carty’s folk-based music up a notch adding new sounds and textures  while maintaining the solid songwriting and heart at the base of any good song.

 

~ Kristen

New Music Tuesday 5/7 Featuring Joshua Radin, Beware of Darkness, Natalie Maines

Posted on by Kristen

Quite a variety of new music released today. Here’s what will be going into my shopping cart.

Joshua Radin – Wax Wings

His first album released independently of a label. I’ve only heard one song, but it sounds like the Joshua Radin we’ve all come to know and love. Expect your new favorite love song to be found here…

 

Beware of Darkness – Orthodox

I have been waiting for this one…you wanna rock?

 

Natalie Maines – Mother

I’m a fan of The Dixie Chicks so I’m looking forward to hearing this album. It gets bumped to the top of the list because she covers one of my favorite songs, “Free Life” by Dan Wilson.

 

 

Other releases I hope to check out:

  • Lady Antebellum – Golden
  • Rod Stewart – Time
  • Patty Griffin – American Kid
  • Music of Nashville Season 1, Vol.2
  • She & Him – Volume 3
  • Fitz & The Tantrums – More Than Just A Dream
  • Savages – Silence Yourself
  • Little Boots – Nocturnes
  • HIM- Tears on Tape
  • Goo Goo Dolls – Magnetic
  • Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires Of The City
  • Noah And The Whale – Heart of Nowhere

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’13 Mix – Part 3 – Kassidy, Kid Karate, Kill It Kid

Posted on by Kristen

SXSW is my favorite time of the year for collecting new artists to watch. Far be it from me to keep these gems to myself. Here are some of bands and songs I discovered this year:

7. Kassidy – “One Man Army” 

My SXSW moment with Kassidy is one of my favorites (see top 10 sets). I’m looking forward to hearing their new “mini album” People Like Me which will hopefully make its appearance on American iTunes in the near future…there is just not enough music available from these guys!

 

8. Kid Karate – “Two Times”

This song strikes me as having a very “Jack White” quality. I like that. I like this song.

 

 9. Kill It Kid – “Pray on Me”

Another British rock band that makes my list (I do have my proclivities). I love the dueling male and female vocals and the unique sound which Wikipedia amusingly labels blues/grunge/Americana.

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’13 Mix – Part 2 – CHVRCHES, Everything Everything, Emma Louise

Posted on by Kristen

SXSW is my favorite time of the year for collecting new artists to watch. Far be it from me to keep these gems to myself. Here are some of bands and songs I discovered this year:

4. Chvrches – “Lies” 

Another band I was looking forward to seeing in Austin, but every time I tried, the line out the door was a bit too much of a deterrent. This Scottish electro-pop group sold out the Troubadour in June so fast that the added a second LA show at The Fonda (!). Rising stars for sure.

 

5. Everything Everything – “Duet”

They ended up cancelling their SXSW gigs, but I was incredibly grateful they kept their LA date at The Roxy. This song took this band from one I’d like to see to one I needed to see.

 

 6. Emma Louise – “Jungle”

This catchy pop tune from Australian singer Emma Louise caught my ear upon first listen…and didn’t let go. You have been warned.

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s SXSW ’13 Mix – Part 1 – Moon Taxi, The Virginmarys, Young Guns

Posted on by Kristen

SXSW is my favorite time of the year for collecting new artists to watch. Far be it from me to keep these gems to myself. Here are some of bands and songs I discovered this year:

1. Moon Taxi – “Mercury”

Moon Taxi was the first band I saw this year and they made a lasting impression. Went out of my way to see them again later in the week and this song transformed me into a dancing fiend!

 2. The Virginmarys– “Dead Man’s Shoes”

This Virginmarys was that one band I just didn’t quite get to see, despite multiple “almosts”. They were part of one of my favorite showcases from Wind-Up Records which also featured Civil Twilight, Young Guns, Jillette Johnson, and another fun new discover, Crobot.  I was fortunate enough to see these British rockstars when they came through LA and they lived up to all the hype and went beyond to play one of the more rockin’ sets in my recent memory. New band love!

 

 3. Young Guns – “Bones (Acoustic)”

Going to Austin, Young Guns was one of the bands I was most excited to see. They did not disappoint. I had been introduced to them via this acoustic track, but they put on an amazingly high energy rock show. Still, I will always contend, my favorite rockers are the ones who can best pull off an acoustic take on their tracks…and seeing them play an acoustic mini-set for Record Store Day cemented this band’s talent and a place on my “watch” list.

 

~ Kristen