New To Know: Brazos + Anders Ponders + Sergeant

Brazos
There is something so casual and smooth about this Texas trio that makes their music ripe for the movie soundtrack picking. On tracks like For So Long Now, the vocals are parsed from the instrumentation in a way that lends it feeling of a lilting conversation. Then in a quick turn to Kid they push out an appropriately playful arrangement while maintaining the story telling lyrical approach. This music is constructed with a engaging intent and intelligence that, as a whole, reads like a landscape witnessed from the passenger seat during a road trip; every element unique but threaded together by proximity and the familiarity of the frame. They are out on tour with White Denim (including a stop in Philly on November 13th at Kung Fu Necktie)
Day Glo

Anders Ponders 

There isn’t a single second in Anders Ponders’ new album Nodes Of Overtones that isn’t completely nourishing for your soul, ears and heart. This Minneapolis artist possesses a pure wit which leads to some incredible turns of phrase (see the Discus Incident) and when combined with his lush instrumental arrangements causes your cheeks to blush with excitement. Ponders explores mythology, astrology and opera with a whimsy and curiosity that are undeniably evident in this collection of seven ditties. Building from a viola base Ponders creates intricate arrangements of instruments and vocals to wrap around his words and ultimately his audience. This will undoubtedly be on my winter soundtrack and I unreservedly demand you give it repeated listens to, please. Nodes of Overtones is out on the 10th.

Pomegranate


Sergeant
To round out this edition of NTK I give you this grand Scottish quartet. Influenced greatly by classic UK pop they boys of Sergeant have clean instrumental lines and simple narrative lyrics suggesting maybe the slightest country leanings. Choosing to avoid building the next epic pop ballad instead they include just enough guitar, percussion and vocals to achieve their goal placing them out in front of a mess of bands muddling trying to include all the catchy/trendy/jangley components they can get their hands on. The music Sergeant is making is good clean fun that will take you back to simpler times. Toss in their self titled album and clear your head. They are yet to make it over to the US but if your luck enough to be in the UK they’re all over the place for the next few months.
It All Comes Back To Me

New To Know: So Many Dynamos + Backwords + Sunny Day In Glasgow

So Many Dynamos
This Missouri foursome is addictive. Their music goes deep; catchy at first listen, witty and alluring on the second go ’round and finally, as you listen to it even a little more closely you note the complex proficiency. Its is a pop-punk influenced by the mechanized beat of video game soundtracks. Their bio aptly calls them spaztic but with the amount of attention they give to creating chord changes that catch you off guard and phrasing that separates them chaos to what I would call intentional spaziness. Give them a listen. I’m sure you’ll find something that will hook ya. They are also on the road (mostly east- including a CMJ stop on the 22nd) and you know you wanna see this live.
New Bones
Backwords
The best way I can describe Backwords music is to say they mosey. They mosey through western, lo-fi, folk, pop sound to create a easy on the ears & light on the soul. They skitter on the edge of any single definition while avoiding getting too caught up in the traditions of any one genre. For many groups this would mean a jumble of musical ideas landing all of the place. Backwords, however, manage to pull in these assorted inspirations to create a consistent sound fancied up with truly enjoyable lyrics worked in there. Now that this Philly/Brooklyn based group has a firm grip on their sound I look forward to seeing how/if they push it in new directions.
The Beggars And The Bread
Sunny Day In Glasgow
This Philly band’s shoegaze music washes over, under and around you. Ethereal and sweet they evade any abrupt or disjointed musical transitions. Instead layering airy loose guitars & synths with fantastic dreamy lyrics. SDIG makes the kind of tunes I’d listen to while studying, were I still in school. Alas I am not in school but still really love these guys. They have a rotating list of band members some appearing on both record and live while others simply show when they can. Still, they manage to convey their intricate arrangements whether there are 4 or 8 people involved. I consider them a stellar example of the variety of incredible music coming out of Philly these days. They are about to adventure around the East and midwest ending up home at Johnny Brenda’s on December 15th.
Ashes Grammer/Ashes Math

New To Know: Fitz & The Tantrums + The Drums + We Were Promised Jet Packs

I’m feeling a little retro with this week’s NTK picks.
Fitz & The TantrumsBreakin The Chains Of Love


I have been hoping someone would champion the return of good Motown soul sound so when this gem was delivered to my in box I’ll admit I was as giddy as a school girl. There is a lot to enjoy in Fitz’s sound. There are danceable melodies and easy lyrics to sing along to and it all leaves you feeling that much happier. Fitz’s vocals are smooth and truly reflect the feeling of the era he is trying to replicate. I cannot wait to see this act live and hear what else they have to offer.

The Drums - Let’s Go Surfing


This video when I first saw it struck me as a nice trip back to the halcyon days of The Beach Boys and beach blanket boogies. Now, I’m not saying The Drums are of Beach Boys quality but there is certainly promise there and they can really create a wholly enjoyable and smart aural experience. As a project by a couple of best friends it is pretty easy to understand where they draw the “fun” that is undeniable in their music. They will be releasing their Summertime EP on September 15th with a full album dropping sometime early next year.

We Were Promised JetpacksShips With Holes Will SinkThese boys don’t really fall in my retro theme but anyone who has been reading TWIAPC for a while knows I have a total weakness for Scottish bands. I had heard WWPJ a little last year but it wasn’t until I gave a good bit of ear time to These Four Walls, their most recent album, that I realized they wickedly talented. Much like Frightened Rabbit they are capable of building a song from an initial balladish melody into jangly epic pulse racer. Their drummer provides a strong slightly frenetic beat to which loud but tight guitar riffs are added and subtracted to fit the phrase of the song. They are addictive and I’m really looking forward to seeing them in October when they pass through town. Download These Four Walls and listen to the full thing. Its all good. **photo courtesy of Neil Thomas Douglas

New To Know:Mando Diao + River City Extension + Mark Mallman

Mando Diao
I have quickly become addicted to this posse of Swedish lads. They create a punchy pop sound that over the course of their existence have smartened up and acquired a wee hint of Motown rhythm countered with a skotch of southern edge. There are quite a few delectable tracks , The Wildfire or You Can’t Steal My Love. Its the kind of music you put on when you have some intense ya-ya’s needing to be danced out. You can hear bits of their next album, Give Me Fire, on here but the Gloria, employs some early wall of soundesque lady background vocal. I Wanna Dance With Somebody makes you want to do just that. Go acquire any and all Mando Diao you can get your hands on and try to spread the love so that they may stray in their extensive European touring to come state side.

River City Extension
This is another group that immediately left a big impression on me. I wrote about them briefly a few weeks ago after their lead singer played a moving solo set with Dinosaur Feathers. Then… I listened to their album Nautical Sabbatical. This entire album is a pleasure to listen to. They cover some good genre ground from the soundtrack friendly Its No Ha Ha to the banjo picking awesomeness of Clever & Quickness its layer upon layer of rollicking good music. There are a whole slew of folks who contribute their skills to build RCE’s layers, which means there are more opportunities than usual for things to get messy; however, it stays within the lines to push its way into your heart and keep yers feets a stompin. I’m beyond anxious to take in their live show, which of course I’ll report back to you diligently.

Mark Mallman

When I first saw Mark Mallman live I was a sophomore in college and he was insane. He screams he is in your face and at times I thought I was witnessing a breakdown. I saw him many more times over the course of my college career (he is a Twin Cities artist and they love to play the Cave) and after a while I realized there was definite method to his madness and my fandom was cemented. He popped into the main stream when his side project Ruby Isle released their full length album last year to wide praise. But his solo work deserves as much, if not more attention. He has an album coming out so he will be doing a whole bunch of touring [including PHILLY!!!! on Sept. 22nd] it is now your duty to go out and experience the whirl wind that is Mark Mallman. For your enjoyment here is the video for Invincible Criminal,a single of his new album, as well as one of my fav. older tracks Knockout on 22nd

New To Know : Floating Action • Mama Bear • Drug Rug

Here is the second edition of New To Know where I point you in the direction of some newish bands that I’ve been digging lately. Get your shovel ready cause you’re about to join me
Floating ActionSilver Lining
This group of fellas just floated (I couldn’t resist) a new bunch of covers out in the indie music ether. They touch on Pepi Ginsberg, Beck, Little Joy and this simple take on Rilo Kiley’s Silver Lining. For some reason it just keeps getting caught in my head. Their take on M Ward’s Absolute Beginners is another fav. They are on Park The Van’s label and incidentally Park The Van is in need of your support. They are asking people to purchase something from their online store to get them through them tough times. Floating Action”s Versions would be a good place for you to throw your cash towards this good cause.

Mama BearYou Make Me Feel Like Hips
This is one of those groups that is just simply really really good. The first time I heard You Make Me Feel Like Hips I was sucked in to the Brooklyn twang (a varietal notably different from the true southern variety but no less enjoyable and distinct) and simple adoring lyrics. After chasing them down and hearing a bit more I’m pleased to report its all this good. I’m hoping to lure them down to Philly this fall so, as always, keep checking the concert listings. (sketch by Mike Applebaum)

Drug RugNever Tell
These two have a corner on 70′s-ish feel good pop vibe. Without getting too lovey dovey about it they are making tunes you can sing along to as well as. Hannah Please (which I like for more reasons than my sister’s name is Hannah) has an interesting distortion effect on the vocals that softens what would otherwise be a shouty punkish track making it fit in to the rest of synthy experimental album. They will be in Philly at Kung Fu Necktie on August 15th and their album drops on July 28th.


The Chop - It’s Never Enough
I can’t really put my finger on what it is I like about The Chop. The vocals, curious instrumentals and loops are, of course, notable and successfully set them apart from the masses. But, usually that’s not enough to get more than two listens out of me. Mehbee its their overall playfulness, appreciable quirk factor and the potential to be great live that keeps me interested. You give it a listen and let me know what you think.

New To Know: One For The Team • Ida Maria • Swimming In Speakers • Chris Garneau

I have been on a new music spree lately. I don’t know if its a matter of me really digging through all the emails to find the gems or simply pursuing some of the tidbits that cross my path whether it be via Twitter, myspace or suggestion I’m always ALWAYS interested in new music. There’s a lot of new stuff I want to share but I’m going to break it down for you in a few installments in hopes of making this a regular feature.
One For The TeamFirst, a band the hails from my hometown of Minneapolis, One For The Team is a quartet that has done a very nice job for itself grabbing the attention of MTV producers (they popped up on an episode on Real World: Brooklyn) and regular audiences alike. After giving their new album, Build A Garden, a listen its easy to see why. The vocals, provided by Ian and Grace are in sync enough to sit well in your ear but distinct enough to lay well on top of the indie pop instrumentals. Give them a hear they may just be your new favorite band.
Best Supporting Actress

Ida Maria -

I got the absolute fucking pleasure to see Ida live at Bell House in New York a few weeks ago and felt my heart go pah pitter. I had heard, and very much liked, her sassy punky tunes prior to the show but watching her perform the layer of vulnerability and realness behind such songs as Oh My God and Keep Me Warm became far more apparent. Shes ballsy brash and in your face. Her lyrics are simple and manage to cut straight to the heart of some sentiments I have often felt myself. Ahem, “you think I’m in control?” Get her stuff. ALL OF IT. And when she’s near see her. I’m uber giddy to catch her at Monolith this fall. Here is a bit of the actual performance I caught.

Ida Maria “Oh My God” Live at the Bellhouse NYC from AbzPunkPhoto on Vimeo.

Swimming In SpeakersSwimming In Speakers first EP is the product of a home recording project by two friend’s in up state New York. The result has a little indie softness countered by a bit o’ pop synth with a whole lot of potential. The beautiful harmonies are lulling but literally just a hint off the beat so you are pulled along through the tightly woven tracks.
In Knowing

Chris Garneau -
Personally, I’m a generally more of a ninja girl so when I read the title of Chris Garneau’s single No More Pirates I couldn’t resist. I happily categorize this as a song that lives up to its awesome title. The rest of the material on his new release, El Radio, is also exceptionally good. Its a delightful romp through interesting syncopation, peppy piano, haunting strings and playful lyrics. He’s from Brooklyn so hopefully he’ll be dipping down Philly way soon.
No More Pirates