Diamond Rings

Helloooo,

I am about to begin finals but I figured I'd share a new song right before I fully engulf myself in calculus and existentialist philosophy for two days. Diamond Rings is the solo project of John O'Regan, a Canadian indie musician from a band called The D'Urbervilles, who I have yet to check out. I have been really feeling his solo stuff I have found on the internet, particularly the song, "It's Not My Party." Although this song is very synth-pop-esque, guitar work is very every in Diamond Ring's other indie hit, "All Yr Songs," which is my second favorite. Both "All Yr Songs" and "It's Not My Party" appear on Diamond Rings' debut album, Sepcial Affects, released back in October. O'Regan channeled his inner Ziggy Stardust for the album and has already been compared to the great Bowie himself. He's also fresh off touring with Robyn and playing at SXSW this week, so hopefully he'll gain even more exposure.

Stay golden,

Brian

Seapony

Hello again,

One song has been on stuck in my brain the last 48 hours since I first heard it. Seapony's "Dreaming" has already led to comparisons to Best Coast and the Pains of Being Pure at Heart. The Seattle band takes the fuzz-pop sound and make it their own and don't sound too similar to any one band. Pitchfork actually called this one back in November when they reviewed the single. Their fuzz sound never gets in the way of the catchy guitar riff and lead guitar work. I now can't wait to see them live as they visit Santa Cruz on May 28th and San Francisco on May 29th. You can find "Dreaming" and "Late Summer" on Itunes as free downloads when searching Seapony. Also, check out "So Low" as that is another one of my favorites. Seapony presents a sound that exudes a sense of mellowness and bliss and this sound is the reason I have fallen in love with them.

Stay golden,

Brian

Cotton Jones

Hey guys,

Sorry for such a delayed post but I've been drowning in midterms and papers and finally can take a breath. Anyways, I have loved Page France for almost 5 years now yet the past few years but haven't been rewarded with anything new. Then, I stumbled on Cotton Jones. I fell in love with Cotton Jones' new single, "Egg On The Sea," and then went to find out more about the band. Turns out they are a two-piece from Maryland made up of Whitney McGraw and Michael Nau, the latter being the brains and leader of Page France. They blend melodic acoustic guitar with simple yet catchy piano, whistling at times, and subtle organ/synths to create unique folk-pop sound.

They have also released two solid albums before the "Sit Beside Your Vegetables" EP. Go check out Cotton Jones as they are currently on your on the East Coast. Since their tracks have been recorded in northern states as well as Georgia, it gives Cotton Jones different perspectives, influences, and sounds. Much of their lyrics are also very optimistic and full of hope, both of which I am for the future of this duo who compliment each other perfectly.

Stay golden,

Brian

Cotton Jones Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thecottonjonesbasketride

Pretty Lights

Herro,

I could not handle the prosaic ode to mediocrity that was also known as the Black Eyed Peas halftime show and I decided instead to rummage through music blogs for some new music. I am elated to have found out that Pretty Lights uploaded unreleased remixes to his website of songs such as Kanye West's "All of the Lights" and Pink Floyd's "Time" last month and he has also decided to launch his own label, Pretty Lights Music.

Prior to today, I thought Pink Floyd to be untouchable but Pretty Lights has produced a remix to please both Pretty Lights fans as well as Pink Floyd fans. Pink Floyd happens to be one of my favorite bands of all time and "Time" happens to be one of my favorite songs of all time. I give Pretty Lights two thumbs up for the remix and for having the balls to touch a song with such stellar lyricism and one of the best guitar solos of all time. Touche Pretty Lights, Touche.

Download it here:

Stay golden,

Brian

Passion Pit

Hello,

A few weeks ago one of my friends asked me if I had heard the new Passion Pit song, to which I replied, "What the fuck are you talking about? 'Dreams'? Because that was a long long time ago on the re-release of Manners. No, "All These Trees."

This is the Passion Pit song everyone missed. I am a pretty avid follower of Passion Pit but I dropped the ball on this one. They recorded it for American Express' ZYNC holiday campaign back in December and it became available for download right after Christmas. Same old lovely electro-pop Passion Pit + jingling bells+ Christmas cheer= "All These Trees." I didn't fall in love with it on my first listen, but it has indeed grown on me and now I can't stop listening to it. Even though it is somewhat Christmas-themed, it is still great outside the holiday season as well. Go give it a listen and you can download it here:

http://www.facebook.com/zync?v=app_103525709721253

Also, I am posting my favorite remix of "Sleepyhead", done by Borgore. It is pure fucking unadulterated awesomeness.

Stay golden, Brian

GIVERS

Hello all,

I just attended the Ra Ra Riot concert at the Great American Music Hall on Saturday with absolutely no knowledge of the opener's name or music. I was a little bummed because I originally thought Pepper Rabbit (who you should also check out) was opening but they are only playing two shows with Ra Ra Riot in Oregon this week. So Givers, a band from Lafayette, LA, was set up open.

I soon learned that Givers had toured with the Dirty Projectors and also Ra Ra Riot and had played SXSW before as well. Fronted by Taylor Guarisco on guitar/vocals and Tif Lamson doing percussion/ukelele/vocals as well, Givers plays with an overwhelming energy that my friends and I instantly fell in love with. With guitar that sounds a little Vampire Weekend-esque, and an extremely talented drummer in Kirby Campbell, Givers puts on a show that has crowds with no previous knowledge of them instantly jumping and dancing.

Their recordings are solid but do not do justice to their frenzied and enchanting live performance. GO SEE THEM LIVE.

Stay golden,

Brian

Big City Sound Girl / Grown For A Minute

Hello everyone,

I am just checking in for a quick post of two incredibly unique hip hop songs. First, it is a group from Winnepeg called The Lytics that is set to play at SXSW this year. "Big City Sound Girl" has a refreshing hip-hop sound that is reminiscent of the 90's with samples in the background that almost sound like Gold Panda. Secondly, e-dubble just released "Grown For A Minute" on Friday as his 50th straight Friday Freestyle single release. e-dubble, from Philadelphia, is talented at rapping as well as producing, each song having high production quality. His use of Jonsi's "Boy Lilikoi" sample is also used to perfection for his song.

Stay golden,

Brian

Of Monsters and Men (and other good shizz)

Hello again,

It has been far too long and I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's. After a few week hiatus that consisted of finals, superfluous amounts of wine and other alcoholic beverages, and also a week without internet, I now come to you from Sea-Tac Aiport outside Seattle, WA, as I have finally gotten a free moment to write before school starting tomorrow. 8 am tomorrow marks an awful morning taken up by business calculus which makes me want to punch babies and then a class for learning to teach the performing arts to children. I have no idea what the hell I will be doing being that I do not know shit about performing arts let alone teaching it.

Anywho, I have a few song recommendations that have been constantly playing on my Itunes. First, it is an Icelandic band named Of Monsters and Men. Their song, "Little Talks" has become one of my recent favorites. I guess I just have a thing for Icelanders since Sigur Ros/Jonsi and Jens Lekman are favorites of mine as well. Of Monsters and Men provide a fresh sound consisting of a great female/male duet with catchy acoustic guitar and chorus. Although they do not have an album to sell, their songs are easy to find to download over the internet. Below is a great live version of the song from a radio station session.

Secondly, I can always use more Edward Sharpe in my life. I have heard several remixes of "Home," but Whole-Z's remix has become my instant favorite. I first heard of Whole-Z a couple years ago for his mashup album, "Fire In The Whole", so I decided to give his remix a listen when I saw it on a music blog. In my book, it is definitely superior to the Party Supplies and Myndest remixes and it gives a new way to listen to one of the best songs of 2010.

Stay golden,

Brian