Tiny Desk Concert

Local Natives blow my mind. If you don't know about them yet, you are a lost cause. Here they are playing for NPR offices.

2011 So Far

I have been doing a lot of traveling this month so that has given me tons of time to listen to new material, but not a lot of time to blog about it. So far I have been listening to Cloud Nothings, Toro Y Moi, Cut Copy, Tennis, James Blake and Smith Westerns. Cut Copy's new album 'Zonoscope' has floored me. This could have staying power like Toro y Moi last year and Beach House. Zonoscope is dancy, catchy, retro, just perfect. I was blown away after my first listen and it has been getting constant play since. I just want to dance every time I put it on.

I also really like the new Smith Westerns LP 'Dye It Blonde'. They really nailed the right tone for that album. Whatever they are using for their electric sound works out perfect for them. They are going to blow up this year. I really enjoy the new Tennis album despite it getting some beatings on the internet. It's a minimalist album...it's just so soothing to me.

Cloud Nothings and Toro y Moi had two of my favorite albums from last year, but I fear they may have hit the sophomore slump. Cloud Nothings album is still good, overall their lyrics are too repetitive. Their new song Should Have does kick major ass though. Toro teased me with two amazing new tracks 'New Beat' and 'Still Sounds' the two videos I posted before this. They are instant pop gems that I can't stop listening to. The only problem is, they are the only two tracks on the album I am completely in love with.

People have some serious hard ons for the James Blake album, but I don't see it. Maybe I'm not deep enough or I need to listen to it a few more times, but I'm not sold on him. There is one song that I really like on it. 'Wilhelms Scream' is a great track. Well I am off to the Dirty D for the weekend, download this playlist! It's what im jammin to.

Best of 2011 Playlist http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LLCO0S6P

Still Sounds

Our favorite musician from last year has a new album coming out in February. 'Underneath The Pine' is his new effort and instead of the sampling electro we loved in the first album, he keeps the chill factor around while getting a fuller sound with a complete band. Chaz is showing us that there is a hell of a lot more to him that turning some knobs and pressing buttons, this man is a class act musician. He also seems like the coolest fucker on the planet...I will be seeing them this spring, after two failed attempts last year. Here is the music video for Still Sound. Super retro, I love it. Oh ya, and if you are wondering...my dance skills are about as good as Chaz.

'New Beat' has been floating around the interwebs and now has a video as well. Enjoy these two and be sure to pick up the album.

Toro Y Moi "Still Sound" {Official Video} from stevedanielsfilms on Vimeo.

Best Coast - Letterman

Best Coast is doing the whole late night run, they stopped by David Letterman for a perfoance of Each and Everyday. Beth mentioned before going on that she was very nervious. The song seems kinda rushed...like the band wanted to play it in 30 seconds to avoid messing up. They still pulled it off though. Oh, plz marry me Beth. Thank you

PS22 Covers Ariel Pink

Wow. These kids are amazing....I think this is my favorite cover they have done

NC Trip

Sitting at my Dad's dealership on a computer screen that is bigger then my TV in my room. I'm talkin 32'' HDTV. Pretty dope. It's going to be a long drive but I have weed, movies, and Zonoscope.

Have a nice weekend, ill be at the NHL Allstar Game.

Matt & Kim - Cameras

Matt and Kim - New Music - More Music Videos

This is my favorite Matt and Kim song. Funny video too.

DMB WILL Play in 2011

It's official folks, DMB will be playing music for their fans in 2011. They will not be touring the country, but according to DMB's Website they will play shows this year. Here is what we know so far.

'2011 is our 20th anniversary as a band and we want to celebrate by playing music together.  While we are still taking the year off from touring, we have decided to plan four multi-day, multi-artist music events that will take place this summer.  We will be sending out save the date emails and announcing more information soon but we wanted to share the news with our fans first.'

HALLELUJAH! Looks like this could be a mini DMB festival. The rumored venues are SPAC, Alpine, WPB, and The Gorge...See you this summer yall!

Local Music Alert!!!!

 

We are in for a treat tomorrow night. John McCauley and Ian Oneil of the great band Deer Tick will be performing at Daniel St at 8pm. The show only runs $10 but is 21+. If you don't know anything about them (shame on you). They have a very twangy, grungy-folk vibe. John's voice has some Bob Dylan qualities to it. Opening for them are The Shivers, from NYC. I really don't know too much about them, but from what I was listening to on their myspace...they sound really good! 

The real reason for making it out to the show is for Heirlooms. They are a Hartford based band that looks to make some moves in 2011. Jesse Stanford started the group on his own. Friends were joining in, adding their input and small touches to the songs...now they have a 5-piece band and a four song EP. You can download the EP for free HERE. Written, recorded, and produced entirely by the band this EP is an impressive debut. They seem to be very subtle, placing just the right textures in the right spots. They kind of remind me of Fleet Foxes, which is one of my favorite bands. Really excited for this show! I hope to see yall there tomorrow, be there early Heirlooms is on first.

Coachella '11

BE THERE

Cloud Nothings - Cloud Nothings

Cloud Nothings are one of my favorite bands. They had a kick ass first album that made #5 on our albums of 2010 list, and have a self titled album coming out at the end of January that you can pre order here. These guys know how to rock. I saw them last year in New Haven, I was deaf for 3 days. 'Should Have' follows the same successful formula that you will find on their first record. I can't wait to get the new one, and hopefully see these guys again this year.

Cloud Nothings - Should Have (Live) from Nick Dierl on Vimeo.

Dave Matthews John Varvatos ad

Donald Glover on Conan

For those of you that don't know...Donald Glover is my idol. Just look at that pimpin suit.

Colleen Green

Colleen Green has gotten a mention here once before. Her song 'Worship You' is reverb drenched bliss. Catchy tunes that sound very Dum Dum Girlsish, turns out they are friends via twitter. Colleen has gotten around to setting up a bandcamp page, you should check it out right HERE. Look to see her name popping up more frequently in 2011.

Colleen Green - Worship You by berman1125

Best Coast - Jimmy Fallon

Best Coast stopped by NYC yesterday to pay a visit it Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. They performed Boyfriend. Beth you looking better then ever gurl!

Shell Games

Bright Eyes is getting back together and there is a lot of hype surrounding their return. Their new album 'The People's Key' is said to leave the folk behind and be much more of a rock album. I'm looking forward to what Conor has in store for us,  I hope it's a dark album. There is a lot more electric which you hear on our first look at the new album. 'Shell Games' is heavy with electric guitar riffs, not the fluffy acoustic we are used to hearing. There is a touch of synth in there too, just the right amount. I really like the sound of this track even though it is very different then anything from Conor. I am looking forward to this album coming out. Free Download http://www.mediafire.com/?swehx58i6se5eo0

It's On

2011 is on bitches. I had this shit blastin when midnight hit. Donald Glover for life. My New Year resolution, back to hittin the blog. I can't leave you hangin on the first! Download this now. Happy New Year
http://www.mediafire.com/?ya3y2ms2u710yuu

Oxygen Ashtray's Albums Of The Year

1. Toro Y Moi - Causers of This

  2. Beach House - Teen Dream

3. Wild Nothing - Gemini 

 4. Local Natives - Gorilla Manor

 5. Cloud Nothings - Turning On

6. Beach Fossils - Beach Fossils

7. LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening

 8. The National - High Violet

 9. The Arcade Fire - Suburbs

 10. Magic Man - Real Life Color

11. Girls - Broken Dreams Club Ep

12. Morning Benders - Big Echo

13. Wavves - King of the Beach

14. Beast Coast - Crazy For You

15. Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid

16. Happy Birthday - Happy Birthday

17. DOM - Sun Bronzed Greek Gods

18. Teen Daze - Four More Years/Everything

19. Childish Gambino - Culdesac

20. Tame Impala - Innerspeaker

21. Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be
22. Twin Shadow - Forget
23. Tennis - All their music
24. The Drums - The Drums
25. Sufjan Stevens - Age of Adz
26. Surfer Blood - Astro Cast
27. Sleigh Bells - Treats
28. Freelance Whales - Weathervanes
29. Vampire Weekend - Contra
30. Tallest Man on Earth - Wild Hunt
31. Gayngs - Relayted
32. MGMT - Congratulations
33. Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo
34. Ariel Pink - Before Today
35. Harlem - Hippies
36. The Soft Pack - The Soft Pack
37. Marcus Eaton - As If You Had Wings
38. Delorean - Subiza
39. Broken Bells - Broken Bells
40. Jonsi - Go
41. Matt and Kim - Sidewalks
42. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
43. Woods - At Echo Lake
44. Frightened Rabbit - Winter of Mixed Drinks
45. Crocodiles - Sleep Forever
46. Bonobo - Black Sands
47. Emanicpator - Safe in the Steep Cliffs
48. Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More
49. Owen Pallett - Heartland
50. Yeasayer - Oddblood
51. Deer Hunter - Halcyon Digest
52. How to Dress Well - Both Albums
53. The Walkmen - Lisbon
54. Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me
55. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - I Learned the Hard Way
56. Free Energy- Stuck on Nothing
57. Salem - King Knight
58. Four Tet - Love in You.

Well there it is! My favorite albums from the year 2010! It has been a decent year, with the early stuff having some real staying power. Toro Y Moi takes the #1 spot. I love everything Chazz does and that album is literally perfect. Every song on the album has had its moment at the #1 spot. Beach House is #2. Victoria Legrand is a goddess with the most beautiful voice ever. Teen Dream is another perfect album from start to finish. I find their music to be so visual. Wild Nothing, they are real talent. I saw them live this year, great guys and amazing performers. Their album is 80's fuzzy guitar dream pop. My favorite! These songs are so catchy to me. These three albums were by far my favorite from this year.

I gave Local Natives #4 because I love that album so much and it was re-released this year. Cloud Nothings are one of my favorites. Super reverby, you can hardly hear any vocals or actual guitar chords, but it's so raw. This band knows how to rock the fuck out, cheers guys! Beach Fossils are Lofi indie gods that have catchy guitar riffs that I love to try and re-create, you guys are true inspiration. LCD Soundsystem put out one of their best efforts yet. This album is so much fun, love throwing this on at a party and just having fun to it. The National and The Arcade Fire put forth extremely solid albums this year. They are both well established and are continuing to grow in different directions with their music. Magic Man rounds out the top 10 with some local talent. These guys built an album with depth and textures I was really impressed with. This album was in my top ten the moment I heard it.

I would like to mention that all of the albums on this list were good. If you made the list, I enjoyed your album this year. Morning Benders has some of my favorite songs this year, Wavves and Best Coast ruled our summer, the perfect soundtrack. Happy Birthday, you guys rock...keep being weird. Teen Daze, I don't want to just include Four More Years...I love everything you have put out so far. Each track gets better and better. Donald Glover, thank you for being my role model, you are the fucking man.

PS. Kanye's album didnt make the list...it was good but he's just not going on my list