Smith Westerns

This is my favorite band right now.

DOM in Northampton

DOM kicked off their spring tour with a last minute hometown show at the Iron Horse on Saturday in Northampton. On a whim I decided to attend with a few friends. DOM started 10 mins early and played a very tight 45 minute set to friends and family in attendance. DOM shows are a lot of fun, everyone was dancing on the floor and really into all of the music. It was great being in their hometown amongst the people that knew the band the most. A chant for drummer Bobby K was started by the crowd at one point. I doubt that happens anywhere else.

Their new material sounds really polished and is catchy as fuck! I'm telling you, DOM is going to blow up in '11 even more so then they did last year...that is if they want to. Living in America is still their anthem and forever will be, it's such a feel good song and was one of the best songs from last year. These guys have perfected their live show while still maintaining their party image. Wavves sucks live compared to DOM. After they finished what seemed to be a new Happy Birthday anthem DOM yelled 'Alright! Lets get fucked up! Party at my house' I think he was serious...we would have checked it out if we didn't have to drive all the way back to Hartford. I am so glad we decided to make it out for the show, it was a blast and DOM are cool dudes. Hope to see yall soon. Have a great tour.

Here is a small clip I took during the show of Bochica

Girls - Heatbreaker

Girls have a new EP coming out in November called 'Broken Dreams Club'. The song 'Heartbreaker' is a live staple for Girls shows. The song is a sad sad number, like most of Girls music...but I love it so much. I guess I can just really relate with Chris. Grab the track for free below.

Free Download of Heartbreaker

Morning Benders Acoustic Performance

Check out Morning Benders playing over a half hour live set! Really wish I could have made it out to NYC to see them...they have one of my favorite albums of this year.

True Panther Tracks

I've got two new tracks from one of our favorite labels True Panther Sounds. Cloud Nothings who will be playing with Fucked Up at Toads on Sept 7th (Be There!) the song is 'Leave You Forever' another fuzzy, jangly, perfect song from this band. Every song they release ups the ante, these are true rockers from Ohio. Be sure to see them when they come to town.
Leave You Forever by truepanther

The other song is from Real Estate, who just recently played a show here in the Cut. This song is soooooooo Real Estate. Lofi beach haze and this band does it best. You can buy both of these tunes on upcoming 7'' releases. Stream them for now, grab them and throw them on your Autumn Playlist
Out Of Tune by truepanther

Beach House - White Moon

Autumn is just around the corner and with these three rainy days in New England we are getting a sneak peak at what September is going to feel like. Fall is my favorite season for numerous reasons. Everything about it is perfect... from the cool brisk days, the leaves changing colors, halloween, and fall harvest... autumn really is just the best. The music has a certain feel to it during this time of year. A little bit slower, a lot more acoustic. I tend to get into more folk type acts during this time. This track is the perfect song to put in the #1 spot on your fall time playlist. It's a new song from Beach House. 'Teen Dream' is currently our second favorite album this year, and 'White Moon' sounds like it could be tacked right on to the end of that stunningly beautiful album. This song is as dreamy as you can get. I love how Victoria sings in a hush, it's never too much. Alex's tranquil guitar licks meld right into Victoria's shimmering piano. Download that shit, yo!
Beach House - White Moon (Itunes Session) by subpop

Phoenix: MTV Unplugged

 I <3 Phoenix. Watch the rest of their MTV Unplugged performance HERE

Phoenix - New Music - More Music Videos

Phoenix - New Music - More Music Videos

Phoenix - New Music - More Music Videos

Phoenix - New Music - More Music Videos

Wild Nothing - Your Rabbit Feet

Wild Nothing's album 'Gemini' has been on constant rotation since I got it. It's a top five album for this year, there's no doubt about it. Jack churns out perfect 80s British dream pop songs and “Your Rabbit Feet” is no different. Seeing them live at Daniel St. in Milford was a real treat. One of my favorites bands this year, and with only about 20 people in the audience, very intimate. 'You Rabbit Feet' comes from a new label called Warmest Chord, which was apparently started by some guys in London. Download it below and then go over to the Warmest Chord bandcamp page to stream Wild Nothing's other new track 'Golden Haze. You can buy that at the bandcamp.
Wild Nothing - Your Rabbit Feet by berman1125

Best Coast - Boyfriend

“Boyfriend” is the first song on Best Coast’s debut album, 'Crazy For You'. They gave it away as a free download earlier today, and you can grab it at the bottom of this post. “Boyfriend” has the same lo-fi feel that we saw on her early 7″ singles...just not as much reverb on the vocals, much like she actually sounds live. Beth played it on her stop in CT back in April. Can't wait for the album!!
Best Coast - Boyfriend by berman1125

Cloud Nothings - Didn't You 7''

Garage rock wonders Cloud Nothings blew me away with their Record Store Day Performance. They are true rock n rollers. Their album 'Turning On' has been in OA's Albums Always Spinning column almost since this blog came out. It's irresistibly catchy and innocent. They are putting out a new 7'' on Old Flame Records. 'Didn't You' and 'Even If It Worked Out' is the groups best work to date (except for Cant Stay Awake). They use the same successful formula of hooking you in with catchy as fuck riffs and lyrics, jangly guitars, reverb soaked vocals, and killer drums. Their drummer is a bad ass mother who don't give an F about nothin. And wouldn't you know it, you can download the entire thing once your done reading this sentence....butttttt you should own the vinyl.
Cloud Nothings - Didn't You by berman1125
Cloud Nothings - Even If It Worked Out by berman1125

Girls - Lysandre

Girls are still riding the wave of one of 2009's best albums. 'Album' was the first record I ever bought on vinyl. Here they are with the debut of a new song in Vancoover at the tail end of May. Looks like Chris chopped off his long hair!

Depreciation Guild, Wild Nothing - Tomorrow Daniel St.

Tomorrow night, Manic Productions Presents: Wild Nothing and The Depreciation Guild at Daniel St. in Milford. Tickets will cost you $8 and doors open at 8. Gotta be 21+ to party. Buy tickets at Red Scroll or at the door. Opening for both bands will be Eula, I saw them open for Titles. They are a really cool new wave punkish group out of New Haven, get in early and check em out.

Wild Nothing, 'Gemini' is one of my favorite albums of the year. It's a one man project from Jack Tatum who added band members to form a live act. I love the use of the drum machine, drenched guitar riffs, and a touch of synth. It is a great summer album. Honestly, they are the reason I am going to the show....you should too, because when you realize you want to see them, then they will be opening for much bigger bands at much bigger venues. I want to pick up a vinyl and see how this amazing album translates in a live setting.

Depreciation Guild, I admit, I know not much about this group. This is what I found about them... Backed solely by a Nintendo Entertainment System, the band blankets their sound with the crushing blows of its 8-Bit 2A03 sound chip. Drawing inspiration from classic dream-pop bands such as Pale Saints, and Cocteau Twins, as well as 80’s synth-pop masters such as Bill Nelson, Gangway, Scritti Politti and YMO, The Depreciation Guild have artfully cultivated a unique sound that strikes a balance between progressive and retro-chic.


Wild Nothing - "Board Games" from Ian Perlman on Vimeo.

Childish Gambino First Concert Ever 6/30

Mr. Donald Glover himself told us via his twitter that he, aka Childish Gambino will be having his first ever concert on June 30th at The Creek and The Cave in Queens. 8pm and tickets are $5 at the door. I am really excited to see what Donald has in store for us, it would be really great to meet him too. What a cool dude, so it seems. Check out his blog/website http://www.iamdonald.com/ He is always posting about what it is you need in order to live the good life. You can still download his two free rap/indie mixtapes at the link I posted two lines below. His new album 'Culdesac' is out July 4th weekend, it will be free. You can download that, when it comes out at http://www.childishgambino.com/ See you at the show!
I Be On That (ROUGH) - Childish Gambino by berman1125

Best Coast Debut Full Length

Finally! Beth and Bob are releasing their first full length after many many 7''s. 'Crazy for You', is due out July 27 on Mexican Summer. The 29-minute LP was recorded by Cosentino and musical partner Bobb Bruno in L.A. with Lewis Pesacov of Fool's Gold and Foreign Born producing. I am so excited to hear this. I caught a show and chilled with Beth for a little bit when she came through CT a few months ago, they are really cool. I am hoping the album sounds a lot like the first single 'Our Deal'. Beths voice really shines through on that track. It's not the fuzzy reverb drenched pop tunes we are used to hearing. Sounds very Beach Boys. Check out the track list below. Needless to say, I can not wait to hold this vinyl in my hand. The album cover is priceless...I love Snacks!
Crazy for You:
01 Boyfriend
02 Crazy for You
03 The End
04 Goodbye
05 Summer Mood
06 Our Deal
07 I Want To
08 When the Sun Don't Shine
09 Bratty B
10 Honey
11 Happy
12 Each and Everyday
Bonus Track: "When I'm With You"


Sorry I havn't been blogging that much. Just finished my two week dmb bender, and I am flat out tired. I did get around to 3 posts today. But it's summer and I am not spending my free time inside with my laptop on my lap. It's good to take a break from the internet and then come back all refreshed. However, I have been out of the music loop for the past two weeks and have not listenend to a lot of new material. But that's okay, looking forward to spending some more time with mother nature...I'll still be updating the blog, it just may not have a post every day. Cheers!

Free Sub-Pop Sampler

You may remember when we posted a Sub Pop 2010 Sampler in Janurary. They have now updated the list, putting some of the new singles on it...and it is available FO FREE at Amazon. This is must hear music, and it's free...there really is no excuse for you not to have these tunes on your Ipod. New Wolf Parade track, Beach House, Male Bonding, Avi Buffalo, Dum Dum Girls, are just a few of the names on the list. Head on over to Amazon to get the free download.

FREE Download of Sup Pop's 2010 Sampler ------>HERE!!! and thanks to @LittleLala for the tip!

Elm City Popfest May 14-15

The Elm City Popfest returns this weekend for three days and 17 bands of indie-pop revelry in the southern section of CT. Following the success of the first Elm City Popfest this past November, festival organizer and Tweefort/Feburary Records founder Danny Goodwin had to dig deeper this time around in order to top the original. Doubling in size, this installment of Elm City Popfest offers a range of local, regional, national and even international talent. Also, in addition to Artspace, there will be shows held at New Haven's 'Cafe Nine'. Head on over to CT Indie for the low down on what's happening and who is playing where. There is going to be tons of local talent like The Wee Bees and Womens Basketball playing so be sure to get out and support your local indie music.

Check these links out for what ya need:
February Records
Elm City Popfest
Tweefort Records Twitter

Full Lineup:
Day One - Friday, May 14th

9:30 The Wee Bees (New Haven)
10:30 Steven Deal (Milford, CT)
11:30 Veronica Falls (UK)
12:30 Boy Genius (NYC) feat. Mr. Ray Neal (of Miracle Legion)
@ Cafe Nine
doors 9pm / FREE / 21+
Day Two (DAY) - Saturday, May 15th
2:30 Roadside Attractions (New London, CT)
3:15 The Fictional West (New Haven)
4:00 Midstates (Chicago)
4:45 Panda Riot (Chicago)
5:30 EULA (New Haven)
6:15 The Field Recordings (Danbury, CT)
@ Artspace
doors 2pm / $5 / ALL-AGES
Day Two (NIGHT) - Saturday, May 15th
8:30 Procedure Club (New Haven)
9:15 The Secret History (NYC)
10:00 The Butterflies of Love (New Haven)
@ Artspace
doors 8pm / $5 / ALL-AGES

Day Three - Wednesday, May 26th
9:00 Allo Darlin' (UK)
9:45 Horowitz (UK)
10:30 The Tyler Trudeau Attempt (Brooklyn/New Haven)
11:15 Women's Basketball (Brooklyn/New Haven)
@ Cafe Nine
doors 8:30pm / FREE / 21+

DP @ Wesleyan

I'm goin to see Dirty Projectors at Wesleyan today and you (probably) are not. Be jealous.

Vivian Girls Play Daytrotter

The Vivian Girls brought their summer pop musica to Daytrotter during SXSW this year. Check out their really really really good session below. Beautiful job ladies!

Free Download and Stream of The Vivan Girls Daytrotter Session----> HERE

New Best Coast Tracks

Yes, this is another re-post...but Best Coast is very busy right now releasing new material.  They have a new 7'' single which you can get with buying a pair of eskuche headphones. You can also stream the 7'' which includes new songs 'Far Away' and 'Everyone's Gone' at the website. You can download 'Far Away' below. It's another pop gem...fuzzy, poppy, beachy, sad, everything we have come to love from Beth.
Best Coast - Far Away by berman1125

The song comes from Bethany aka Best Coast. It's featured in a web series as a prequel to an xbox game? Okay, sure! The song is beautiful. It's more country She & Him then fuzzy Best Coast. You can really hear Beth's voice shine through. She also does the oo'as and ahh's in the back. The song 'Our Deal' is again, about a boy and being confused about said boy. It's all wrapped up in that summer cali goodness that we love :) The song will be on the full length album due out later this year. Il post a download when I find it...until then you can stream it.


Best Coast 'Our Deal' Steaming ----> HERE

Avi Buffalo 'Whats In It For' Video

We let you stream the Avi Buffalo album here last week, now it's your turn to go buy it. Still need some convincing? Check out the music video for 'Whats In It For' the lead single off the new album. Now go buy.