So a couple of weeks ago Labrador Records , the Swedish power house record label of such bands like The Radio Dept.., Club 8, The Mary Onettes and Sambassadeur, signed a 16 year old sensation named Amanda Mair. 16 years old, what was I doing when I was 16? Probably playing legos, yes still at 16. Anyways the single “House” will be released June 8th. She’s definitely in good hands with Labrador and hopefully she can open up for The Mary Onettes, since they had to cancel their concert due to the volcano I can’t pronounce.

Have a listen to something unique

Amanda Mair – House by TLOBF

On Wednesday night I got to see one of my favorite Swedish Bands, The Radio Dept. at the El Rey.  I’ve been waiting awhile for this band to come out west since they normally just play in New York.  I can tell a lot of other people were eager to see them play live as well, because the place was pretty packed. I’m not being biased, but they sounded really good live and they chose a good mix of songs for their playlist. My only complaint was that they maybe played for an hour including the one song encore.  My friends and I were hoping for more, but we still walked away enjoying the show.

If you missed them, they will be playing at Coachella this year… if you can afford the tickets.

Here’s a vid

On Pitchfork’s website The Pains of Being Pure at Heart has a single called “Heart in Your Heartbreak”  from their sophomore album Belong, that you can listen to. The actual single will not be release until December 14th. Have a listen.  Can’t wait until the new album.

The Radio Dept. also just released their Never Follow Suit EP a couple of days ago. You can also download for free the song “The One” here. It’s very dubtastic and I like it. This band seems to put out consistently good music. Oh, and did I tell you that they will be in concert at the El Rey Theater on Wednesday, February 16th?! They will finally make a west coast appearance that I know people, including I, have been eagerly waiting for.

Here are two bands that really caught my attention over the past months. The first band is called Gentle Touch. They’re a Swedish band that plays more of the synth pop genre and reminds me a lot of a German synth pop band named Camouflage. If you can’t remember Camouflage, they had a pretty big hit back in the 80′s with their song “The Great Commandment“.  Here’s a sample video of Gentle Touch

The next band is Beach House. They’ve been around since 2004, and released three albums so far.  Teen Dream, their latest album, is one that I can not stop playing. Whether it’s the music, melody or Victoria Legrand’s vocals I’m not too sure, but I just keep coming back to this album.

Please have a listen.

Tell me that didn’t get your ears perked up. I know you want more, so here’s some more.

Au Revoir Simone will be playing at The Echo on July 7. I believe the tickets will be $14 at the door and $12 online.

If you’re looking for a site that keeps track of all the bands that you love and tell you when they go concert,  you might want to check out this site called songkick. It tracks your favorite bands, emails you when they play in your area, and it’s free!

Sambassadeur just released a video for “I Can Try” off their new album European. I found this video on a site called stereogum, which is another cool music website if you’re looking for more sites to peruse through. Enjoy

Well, it was a sad day to find out The Mary Onettes had canceled their US Tour do to that damn volcano (which I still can not pronounce) that is disrupting the entire globe. How did I found out about this sad news you ask?  I went to the Viper Room website and noticed they weren’t showing The Mary Onettes on the calendar list for April 29th.  I being somewhat neurotic had to find out why and sent and email to their info department.  I honestly didn’t think I was going to receive a reply, but in a matter of seconds I did! I have to give a shout out to Sarah Berkowitz at the Viper Room for her quick response of the sad news, but she did inform me that The Mary Onettes are going to try to reschedule their US Tour in the fall after their European Tour.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed on this one.

In other Swedish Indie news The Radio Dept. is releasing their new album Clinging to a Scheme today! Go get it!

I decided to check out the Labrador Records site to see if any of the bands are coming out here to play and lo and behold:

US tour in April
19/4 – Philadelphia, PA – Marathon Bar

20/4 – Washington, DC – DC9

21/4 – New York City, NY – Mercury Lounge

22/4 – Boston, MA – Great Scott

23/4 – Columbus, OH – Summit

24/4 – Chicago, IL – Schubas

25/4 – Seattle, WA – Sunset Tavern

26/4 – Portland, OR – Holocene

27/4 – San Francisco, Rickshaw
28/4 – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar

29/4 – Los Angeles, CA – Viper Room

Yes I’m excited.  The question is can I get my lazy ass out to LA on a Thursday night?

On a side note:

Shout Out Louds released the album Work last week. Sounds more low key, but that’s not necessarily a  bad thing. It’s definitely a changed from their catchy Swedish Indie Rock that fans have been accustomed to.

Malory also released  an album called Pearl Diver in January to the ClubAC30 label.  Some other bands that you might have heard of off that label are: Airiel, Air Formation, Broadcast, Chapterhouse, The Daysleepers and much much more! Pearl Diver reminds me of  their last album The Third Face, but sort of a continuation or a progression of it.  I’m glad they finally finished and  released an album though, because I was starting to wonder if they turned out like so many other bands who just disappear  and are never heard from again.

The new Sambassadeur album is out!

I just downloaded the album today and there’s some pretty catchy songs like “Days” that should instantly be a hit with people. Most of the songs that I’ve listened of the album European still has that signature Sambassadeur pop.  It makes me think that I  should be riding a bike or walking around some city in Sweden, or for me Riverside which doesn’t have the same feeling when I think about it now.

I went to the official Sambassadeur website and found out they’re only touring in Sweden so far. I hope they come out to the States, and if they don’t,  The wife and I will take an unexpected trip to Sweden (just let me dream a bit Dear).

Here’s a sample of  “Days”

The Mary Onettes just released their album Islands yesterday and some songs that immediately caught my attention are: “Puzzles”,  “God Knows I had Plans”,  and “Dare”.  For those who do not know, The Mary Onettes is a Swedish Indie Band that has a retro 80′s sound to them.  Echo and the Bunnymen is probably the strongest artist that I can compare them to,  and that’s a good thing my friends.

I’m still listening to the rest of the album to find some gems and I’m hoping they come to the States for a tour. If I find anything, I will definitely let everyone know.

Here’s some vids to keep you busy.

Concerts

First, I’m sad to say that I missed the Band of Horses concert last week in Pomona. I heard from a friend that the show was great and they played a lot of new music from their next album. I guess I’m going to have to wait and hear it.  I also heard from the same source Grand Archives will be releasing a new album as well and I believe the release date is September 15th.

I am going to the Pet Shop Boys concert on September 24th at the Greek, They’re promoting their latest album Yes. What I’ve heard sounded pretty good, at least better than their last album. Oh, and Johnny Marr plays guitar on the album as well (I don’t know any other musician that plays in so many bands, it’s like he’s talented or something).

Other upcoming concerts that I’ll probably be missing are:

The Pains of Being Pure in Heart – Shows are September 19 at The Troubadour  and the 21st at the Casbah in San Diego. Their new EP Higher than the Stars is being release September 22nd and I should being looking forward to that.

Nocturnal Festival – It’s that time of year again and I’ll be skipping out on it this year. The concert is September 26th and it’s going to be at the NOS Events Center again this year. A big Booo! to that one. Last year was just so so and you can read the review here if you wish. I wouldn’t mind seeing Roni Size and Rabbit in the Moon perform live, but I don’t think it’s worth the price. I say move it back to LA and have some more big headliners and make it 18 and over please.  Hopefully next year.

Camera Obscura – The band is coming back to the States around November, but mostly on the east coast. They’re coming back to play the shows that they had to cancel from their previous trip and to make it up to their fans, what a band. I wish I can see them again.

Other Hodgepodge

Sambassadeur – is going to be releasing a new single in November and will be releasing a new album in January.  I can’t wait for that one and I will see them in concert this time. Oh yes, by the power of gray skull I will.

Pitchfork Media - has a few Camera Obscura videos of them performing live on their Cemetery Gates series. Too lazy to find the videos? Don’t worry I got you covered. I believe you don’t have to watch the annoying advertisement in the beginning of the videos, because I embed them in the post. You see, I take care of my peeps. Enjoy.

James

Honey in the Sun

French Navy