We love us some Bass Drum of Death! The Oxford, Mississippi 2-piece gave us a little taste of new material today via the band’s Tumbler. The song is called ‘I Dunno’ and can be streamed below. Along with the track, the post read “this is just a rough mix and unmastered, so you may hafta crank it.”
This is the first bit of new material from the band whose debut full-length, ‘GB City,’ dropped earlier this year via Fat Possum Records… Also check out the official video for ‘Get Found,’ which is one of many killer tracks from that LP… ‘GB City’ is available now HERE… And if you’re still craving some more, Bass Drum of Death did a set over at Daytrotter back in June. Stream that full session HERE:
We definitely consider ourselves enthusiasts of The Strange Boys! ‘Be Brave’ was one of our top albums from 2010 and their debut LP, ‘The Strange Boys and Girls Club,’ still decorates our ears habitually… So, with that said… we are embarrassed to admit that the release of their 3rd full-length, ‘Live Music,’ wasn’t even on our radar! A big thanks to Nashville’s Dead for the heads up! — We are still diggin’ our teeth into this one, so how about you do the same… Stream the full ‘Live Music’ LP below and check out the video for the album’s first single ‘Me And You.’… Pre-order your copy HERE and for a simple exchange of an email address, get a download of the single:
Alabama Shakes are coming back to Chattanooga this Saturday, October 15th, but this time dropping by JJ’s Bohemia… and we had the pleasure and privilege of interviewing lead singer Brittany Howard about their debut EP, the band’s future and more:
Alabama Shakes finished a brief tour opening for Drive-By Truckers last month, which stopped by Track 29 here in Chattanooga… From where the band was at this time last Fall, when known as just The Shakes, 2011 has been quite the break-out year! How have the past few months of increased acknowledgment and appreciation been treating you and the band?
“Let me say first and foremost, I am humbled by how people are responding to our music. I love you folks, too. You get it, which in a by-and-by way, means you get us as people. That’s pretty awesome and I wanna say thank you…
The past few months have been adventurous to say the least. We’ve gotten a lot of welcomed attention and we now have a lot of important decisions to make… I think that all of this may be a wonderful dream with everybody I know walking around in it. We’ve been writing songs and we’ve been anticipating coming to your towns and sharing them with you. It’s what we’ve always done, but now — people are coming out to hear them — and they know the words. Feels good. It’s encouraging.”
[Video: ‘You Ain’t Alone’ filmed at Track 29, Chattanooga, TN]
We’ve noticed on Alabama Shakes’ Facebook page, the band has traveled to New York City, Los Angeles and have been recent Nashville regulars, even playing a gig at Jack White’s Third Man Records. There is also a picture posted that features bassist Zac Cockrell wearing a Fat Possum Burnside Style hat. [see pic below] Smells like a record deal is in the work to us… Would you like to elaborate? And if so, any idea of when we should expect the first full-length?
“Well, the way I see it, if you wanna share something with everyone you’re going to need help reaching those people. We’re looking for the best partners to help us do this. I’ll tell you this much, we’ve been eating good.
I would compare our first full length to a woman who is 10 months pregnant: Our baby is huge and fully formed , but it’s just not ready to come out yet…. could be any time… and you’ll definitely know about it.”
The band just dropped their debut EP last month featuring 4 jaw-dropping tracks that were recorded at Bomb Shelter Studios in Nashville earlier this year. Will we be hearing any more recordings from these sessions in the near future?
“We decided to put out this four song EP when we realized people were wanting this music. The true design of these sessions was to have something to show for ourselves. Those few tracks are just a taste of what this album is going to be like. Keep an eye on Third Man for a 7-inch surprise!”
One of many things we love about Alabama Shakes is the energy that is felt between the 4 of you during a live show. You can tell every single member has such a strong association and role in the band, something you don’t see very often. Could you please give us an interpretation of the creative inspiration and band-enthusiasm that your fans observe and receive during these live performances?
“I can’t speak for everyone on this, but I’ll tell you about myself: When I get to play with Zac, Heath and Steve, I feel invincible. I love them as musicians and I love them as people. It’s like, I get to sing into this microphone about whatever I want and I got a 42 decibel rock ‘n roll band that’s gonna give me courage and back me up on it. I feel free and easy. I don’t care what someone is thinking, I forget if I’m hurting, I’m not worrying about bad news, and I don’t care for that little while about those bills I have to pay back at home. I’m just reveling in my own world.
So, I guess what they’re witnessing is us all thriving in our own little space — we just happen to be on the same page.”
Chattanooga was fortunate enough to get a taste of the Alabama Shakes at Track 29 and we are flattered that you are performing once again in Chattanooga, but at a smaller venue, JJs Bohemia. What do the Alabama Shakes expect from Chattanooga this Saturday, and is there anything else you’d like your fans to know?
“Wear your dancing shoes.
Bring a sweat rag.
Leave your fear.
It’s gonna be a different kind of night…”
——
Alabama Shakes debut self-titled EP is out now! Download a copy HERE or pick-up a physical copy in-person this Saturday (10/15) at JJ’s Bohemia… and we are giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky reader for that show! Click here to enter!
A couple of weeks ago we reported about the 7-inch release party at Nashville’s The Basement for the Denney and the Jets single ‘Killin’ Machine’ (see full article here)… Well, also sharing the stage that night and celebrating a release of her own, the new full-length LP ‘Walk of Shame’ was Nikki Lane.
After finally digging our teeth into the album, we are anticipating and hoping that this is the future of country music. The album gives a fresh take to country’s roots, giving it a modern twist that is refreshing to hear. From start to finish, the LP hit above and beyond our expectations and we can’t stop listening… But don’t take our word for it, stream the full ‘Walk of Shame’ LP below (compliments of Paste Magazine) and check out the video for the LP’s first single ‘Gone, Gone, Gone.’
‘Walk of Shame’ is available NOW via IAMSOUND Records… pick up your copy HERE or digital HERE… No vinyl at this time (our only complaint) Update: Vinyl drops November 22nd! Pre-order yours HERE!
… And here’s a live performance of that same single accompanied by Carey Kotsionis at The Mean Eyed Cat in Austin, TX:
Tennis unleashed a new track that premiered today via Gorilla Vs. Bear. The single is a cover of The Zombies’ ‘Tell Her No,’ which can be streamed below… This single’s release also included the announcement of a new 7-inch from Tennis that was produced by The Black Keys’ drummer Patrick Carney, which will be called ‘Origins’ and be released soon via Gorilla Vs. Bear’s Forest Family Records… Preorders are not avilable yet, but will be soon HERE… until then, stream/download The Zombies cover and check out the original song below. Also, check out the full GVB premiere article HERE:
We Are Trees are a band from Virginia Beach that dropped their 2nd EP, ‘Girlfriend,’ earlier this year. But unfortunately, as of last week, we don’t know if this band will be around anymore to see live. When preparing for the article, we stumbled across this Facebook post from the band’s offical page: “i guess “last show ever” is a little exaggerated…we will be going on an indefinite hiatus. THX FOR THE FUN TIMES EVERYONE.” This was referencing a Williamsburg, VA show the band was calling its ‘last show ever.’
Regardless, this is a great band you should get to know. Stream the band’s 2 EPs below and a couple of videos as well including a killer live rooftop performance… and if you dig what you hear, pick up the 2 EPs on vinyl HERE via Collective Crowd Records… and hopefully this isn’t last we’ll hear from We Are Trees:
Nashville’s Denney and the Jets first vinyl release, the 7-inch single ‘Killin’ Machine,’ dropped this week via Jeff the Brotherhood’sInfinity Catlabel and has been on sale for a couple weeks at Grimey’s New & Pre-Loved Records. But today marks the official release day with that band’s album release party, sharing the stage with Nashville’s Nikki Lane(who is also releasing a record tonight) and Alabama Shakes (headliners) via The Basement in Nashville. On top that, the artwork for the 7-inch (shown above) was designed by Those Darlins‘ Jessi Darlin!
If you are in the Nashville area tonight or are close by, this is definitely a can’t-miss-show! Doors open at 9, only 7 bucks… But if you can’t make it, pick up your copy of ‘Killin’ Machine’HERE. There are only 350 of these limited edition, hand numbered suckers, so move fast!… and check out the a-side below.
Alright, this is Hardly Art Records’ year. We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, everything they’ve released in 2011 has been gold! To add to this hot roster list is the band Shimmering Stars, a 3-piece from Vancouver who have dropped their debut LP ‘Violent Hearts’ this month. A 14 track gem that was recorded in the garage of frontman Rory McClure’s parents from a band he started as a recording experiment in the Spring of 2010… amazing! See for yourself. Download the single ‘Nervous Breakdown’ below and check out the video… ‘Violent Hearts’ is out now and available HERE:
We love us some Bass Drum of Death! The Oxford, Mississippi 2-piece gave us a little taste of new material today via the band’s Tumbler. The song is called ‘I Dunno’ and can be streamed below. Along with the track, the post read “this is just a rough mix and unmastered, so you may hafta crank it.”
