Wavves - Whatever Happened to the Cool Jumper Sessions?

As much as I like Wavves latest album, King of the Beach, from hearing the few tracks that Nathan of Wavves wrote with Zach Hill a little over a year ago, which were available to listen to, I always felt that artistically those songs surpassed the creativity of King of the Beach. Although KOTB reflected much more of Nathan's personality, I feel that the collaboration between Zach and him was amazing. I've heard rumors of that particular album being released on Zach's home label, Sargent House. Recently, Zach and Nathan posted three tracks, from those sessions, on their respective blogs and Zach also posted a link to download the track "Horse Shoes".

Latest tracks by wavveswavves

Also check out the video for the title track of the latest Wavves album, King of the Beach.

Death Grips - Full Moon (Death Classic)

Zach Hill is a wanted man. Not in the sense that he's on the run from the authorities but in the way that many a musician wants his intense and erratic drum stylings as well as his unique production. He's been busy touring with Deerhoof in the project he created with Deerhoof member Greg Saunier called Nervous Cop. In the past he's also worked with Wavves, creating a complete album, which precedes the latest Wavves album, King of the Beach, that has yet to see much of the light of day. Rumor has it he is currently working on an album with David Scott Stone. If you aren't very familiar with Zach's work check out his early work with Hella and, obviously, his solo work.

About five months ago Zach started jamming out with friends and neighbors of his in the Sacramento area. This has culminated into a project known as Death Grips. Get a peek into the world of Death Grips with the music video for their song Full Moon (Death Classic) and also check out the Death Grips site filled with more videos and six downloadable songs.

Cold Cave - Cherish the Light Years

Cold Cave's newest album will be released next week on April 5th but I've been given the opportunity to stream it, before it comes out, on this blog. Check it out!

Zoobombs - Psychedilc Donuts Rock or Punk Floyd

My gripe with the current psych-rock revival is that there seems to be this slavish adherence to the former aesthetics; visually and auditory. While there are a few bands who have tried break the mold (very few successfully), others subjugate themselves to a style that grows quickly tired. While I do find some of these bands entertaining, I've come to the conclusion that both are missing components that truly separate themselves from the pack; the fact that they don't follow the pack.

Psych rock, for me, has always meant anything that was melodic yet with a rock n' roll foundation. Take for instance bands like Butthole Surfers or The Flaming Lips. Both bands began with this basis yet they have always accepted different aspects of different genres like punk and noise. And then along comes Zoobombs.

I was recently introduced to this band via my friend Dana Poblete's (Batwings Catwings) blog. I watched a few videos of them and listened to some of their music on their facebook and was blown away. This band is truly a good example of what psychedelic can be. Notice the lack of their adherence to the psych rock dress code and the ability to be, in Dana's words, "effortlessly cool". Yeah, I'm putting all psych rock posers on blast. I don't care if Zoobombs never blows up to massive proportions. I know that this band destroys everything else that comes out these days that even claims to be psych.

ZOOBOMBS Live at the CMW Daylight Riot from Mitch Fillion (southernsouls.ca) on Vimeo.

Kit - Ambrosia

This has to be the best video I've seen in a while. Kit has a new album available on Upset the Rhythm and the song in this video is on it. They're headed out soon for a tour of Europe/UK and hopefully a US tour to follow.

Kit "Ambrosia" from who ate my teeth? on Vimeo.

Jeremy Jay - Caught in a Whirl

Here's a cool little jam from Jeremy Jay. The footage on this video is from Jorgen Leth’s 1969 danish short film ‘Det Perfekte menneske’. This song will be on his new album that will be out on K Records which will be available this April.

Jeremy Jay - "Caught In A Whirl" from Jamie Harley on Vimeo.

Just a Number 05272011 - He Didn't Want A Love Song

Totally digging the Swedish band "Just a Number 05272011". Don't know much about them other than you can stream their song "The Pain" from their Soundcloud and check out the video for their song "He Didn't Want a Love Song" on Vimeo. Check them both out here.

He Didn't Want A Love Song from just a number 05272011 on Vimeo.

THE PAIN by Just a number 05272011

Michael Nhat - Bjork as a Teenager

I am quite sure that there is no other MC/producer/artist quite like Michael Nhat. From the very beginning, when just hearing about him through my buddies in Halloween Swim Team, watching a few videos and seeing pictures of his cover art, I instantly liked the aesthetics to his art. I'm pretty sure that many "heads" will pick apart his style and find elements of his work where they could compare him to other artists. Yet the simple fact remains that even with those kinds of critique, you would never have predicted the outcome that is Michael Nhat's art. And now with the recent announcement of his decision to leave Los Angeles for Philadelphia, PA, the talent that is Mr. Nhat will hopefully be a little more recognized. It sounds really cliche but sometimes you don't realize what you have until it's gone. Good luck in Philly Michael!

Michael Nhat - "Björk As A Teenager" from Joshua Clarkson on Vimeo.

Batwings Catwings - Endless Summer

How did I sleep on this one. Well, I guess it's only a month old but I still don't know how I missed this music video. Check out Batwings Catwings music video for their song "Endless Summer".

Ghost Animal - Youth

What is the sound of youth? How do you describe that sound? Would it be the yelps, screams, laughter, and hollering made in an elementary school playground? Would it be the silent shuffle of teenage feet onto a porch hours after they were expected to be home? Ghost Animal's latest album, Youth, would describe it with blissful, lo-fi pop filled with catchy oo's and ah's that would take many back to some of the most splendid moments of one more youthful days and nights. You can download their new album for free via the label Kill Hurt Recordings. If you purchase the cassette you get two bonus tracks. Also, check out the new video for their song "Young and In Love".

Ghost Animal - "Young And In Love" from The Tearist on Vimeo.

Halloween Swim Team - Look Back In Anger

So my friends in Halloween Swim Team have posted their cover of David Bowie's "Look Back In Anger", which was included on the Manimal Vinyl's David Bowie tribute "We Were So Turned On", on their Soundcloud. You can download it there or you can just pick up the whole tribute album which includes a lot of really great covers from a lot of really great artists like Sister Crayon, A Place to Bury Strangers, Vivian Girls, Warpaint, Carla Bruni, Duran Duran, and many others. You can pick it up directly from Manimal here.

Radiohead - Lotus Flower

Three words; new Radiohead video.

Batwings Catwings - Peacock Collection

Batwings Catwings have a new EP called "Peacock Collection"and it's ready to attack your ears. Download it here!

Zoo Music - Flowers in the Dustbin

Zoo Music, a label based out of San Diego, CA has a pretty awesome compilation out called "Flowers in the Dustbin" that features artists like The Dum Dum Girls, Reading Rainbow, and Crocodiles. Right now they have that comp available for download at Amazon.com for free for only a limited amount of time! Here's a direct link! Enjoy!

Sister Crayon - Music Video for "I'm Still the Same Person"

A few weeks ago I posted a link to Sister Crayon's song "I'm Still the Same Person" and today they just premiered their music video for it. Check it out!

Hausu - I am the Cold, You are the Dark

I often get friends asking me how I find out about the music I listen to. One of the ways I find new music is to just look around me and pay attention to what my friends are checking out. Thankfully Facebook makes it easy to see what my friends are getting into. Hausu, which is Japanese for "house", is a band that my friend Sam, from No Paws and Family Time Records, just recently "liked" on Facebook. I decided to check them out and give them a listen. I 'm a sucker for their jangly pop/brit pop sound and goth influenced vocals. Check out their video and download their EP for free on their Bandcamp page.

Hausu - The Haze from Santiago Leyba on Vimeo.

Sister Crayon - I'm still the Same Person

I first saw Sister Crayon at the most recent Manimal Festival and, other than Religious Girls and Halloween Swim Team, they were easily one of my favorite bands of the day. Next month they will be releasing their newest album "Bellow". For now Fader magazine has posted a track from their upcoming album on their site. Check out "I'm Still the Same Person".

Big Whup - B.O.N.I.Z.H.E.A.R.T.

I'm a huge fan of melodic pop especially the kind that doesn't take themselves to seriously. I like bands that don't take themselves to seriously in general. Which is why I like Big Whup so much probably. Big Whup takes the kind of pop that Belle and Sebastian is famous for and makes it their own. Here's the music video for their song B.O.N.I.Z.H.E.A.R.T. Enjoy!

And go see them tonight at Pehrspace!

Kevin Greenspon Tells It LIke It Is

Kevin Greenspon is truly one of my personal heroes. He writes really good songs that span across many different styles of music from folk to noise and he runs one of the best labels around. His label is one of the best not only because of his excellent taste and consistency but because of his personal ethics. He isn't shy about speaking his mind about things. For instance his stance on the current "music dynamic":

"The day I give in to a “promo guy” is the day this label is OVER. I’m kind of venting because I’m really tired of people who don’t know what this label is about, hitting me up like they are huge supporters and have the whole catalog blah blah but really just trying to make money off of MY FRIENDS - aka the artists I release. Not happening. This is a personal label- I do everything myself and everyone who’s ever supported me knows this firsthand. Guys in Beverly Hills with management companies obviously don’t know this.

In other news, my split CD with Cloud Nothings and re-issues of 4 sold out releases are going to be available in a few days. I’m really excited about all of them, they’ll be out just before I leave for tour and you can get all 5 of them shipped straight to your house for only $22 because I don’t have to kick back stupid fees to promoters or booking agents or managers or anyone in “the music biz.” Cheaper at the shows.

Thanks to everyone who has ever ordered a CD/tape, came to a show and said hi, emailed me saying you liked the music, or helped make me feel like I should keep doing this my own way instead of just throwing stupid money to a bunch of guys who don’t care about the music my friends and I make, who say “we can do the work for you” to every independent label they can google.

To the guys who took the bait: have fun selling $9 7”s."

For more on Kevin and his label Bridgetown, check out his Tumblr

Vice Cooler Wants Your Help!

Vice Cooler. He's a punk screamer and a rapper. He's a lover and a fighter. Right now he's fighting to raise money for the Survivor's Fund, which helps women who were orphaned by the Rwandan Genocide. How is he doing this? He's putting together a Kickstarter fund to raise money for the pressing of the benefit LP, NFJM 030. This LP will feature SoCal notables such as Gossip, XBXRX, and No Age along with other great bands like Deerhoof and Dan Deacon. There are different levels of rewards too for those who help out and I have to say they're pretty badass. Go to the Kickstarter fund page to get more info.

NFJM030 from Vice Cooler on Vimeo.