New Spring Music

I love spring. The days become longer, flowers start to appear and new music rapidly arrives.

I simply can't wait to hear the following:

M. Ward – A Wasteland Companion (April 10 2012)

Andrew Bird – Break It Yourself (March 6 2012)

Santigold – Master Of My Make Believe (May 1 2012)

The Shins – Port Of Morrow (March 20 2012)

Missy Elliott (TBA, June 2012)

Ocean vs. Daughter at Balliceaux

The adorable Flanna Sheridan of Ocean vs. Daughter played a wonderful show at Balliceaux this week. Her music is sweet and ghostly and I'm currently listening to the song Apollina on repeat.

Fortunately, the entire Ocean vs. Daughter album is available for free on their bandcamp page.

Ocean Versus Daughter - Appolina directed by Emile Rafael on Vimeo.

M.I.A. Bad Girls Video

I adore M.I.A. and this video has instantly become a favorite of mine. Her outfits are INSANE and the hook is catchy.

Live fast, die young
Bad girls do it well
Live fast, die young
Bad girls do it well

Wisconsin Pride

I love this Wisconsin tattoo Justin Vernon of Bon Iver has.

The tattoo says:

I said remember this
as how it should be

You can listen to a live Bon Iver performance on NPR here

photograph by Mads Teglers.

Karen Elson and Jack White

I'm disappointed that supermodel Karen Elson and musician Jack White couldn't make it work. They were too cute to be true.

Currently Streaming: Bon Iver

NPR is streaming Bon Iver's new album right here.

Enjoy!

New Spring Music

1. Party Store - The Dirtbombs
In Detroit, liquor stores are called "party stores" because they hold the contents to start your party. I love that The Dirtbombs pay tribute to Detroit's decaying party stores and to it's early techno music. Rolling Stone could not describe the music better: "Detroit's music has always driven across racial and genre boundaries. But when a longstanding garage-rock band with a black frontman loads its album with covers of Euro-inspired Motor City techno classics, galaxies implode." It's a crazy album, and it's fun to listen to.



2. Wounded Rhymes - Lykke Li
I saw Lykke Li perform at The Fillmore in San Francisco and it was one of my favorite concerts. She's an energetic performer with a unique voice AND she can cover Lil Wayne like no other Swed before her. I love her new album and I have the track "Get Some" on repeat.



I'm also looking forward to new albums by

Peter Bjorn And John (March 29), The Kills (April 5), TV On The Radio (April 12), Architecture In Helsinki (May 3), and of course, Lady Gaga (May 23)

New Girl Talk Album: All Day

Girl Talk is a mash up artist and a favorite musician of mine. You might not think that the Jackson 5 and Britney Spears could work well together, but Girl Talk is able to blend them, along with 100s of other pop artists, together in a single track. His albums are really fun and great to workout with.

Because Girl Talk illegally samples from other artists, he is unable to sell his work. Fortunately, he can provide it to us for free under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

You can download his new album All Day for free here.

/\/\ /\ Y /\

Thank you M.I.A. I have a new favorite song. XXXO

Arcade Fire Album Artwork

I don't know which I love more, the music or the album artwork for Arcade Fire's latest release. Montréal-based artist and designer Caroline Robert created the look as well as this fabulous tote.

I never thought about love when I thought about home

I had an incredible time at The National show last night in Royal Oak, MI. Lead singer Matt Berninger has an amazing voice. He also has a background in graphic design which may explain why everything associated with their band is so wonderfully designed.

Jenny & Johnny

Jenny Lewis has teamed up with her boyfriend Johnathan Rice to form the band Jenny & Johnny. Their album, I'm Having Fun Now will be out August 31. The Daily Candy is offering a free download of their song "Big Wave" if you give them your email address.

In Heavy Rotation: Coconut Records

I'm crazy obsessed with Jason Schwartzman. Not only has he starred in fantastic films like The Darjeeling Limited, I Heart Huckabees, & Rushmore, he also stars in the hilarious HBO series Bored to Death. AND he formed the band Coconut Records. I love this video for the song "Microphone." Somehow he manages to rock a t-shirt of himself.

Summer Music in Detroit

I've been so fortunate to see bands I love come to the Detroit area. I'm so excited to see She & Him and The National perform right down the street from my apartment! The New York Times is currently streaming the new National album that debuts May 11. Click here to listen.

Yay! New Spoon Album!

Spoon has announced that their newest album Transference, is due out January 26!

01 Before Destruction
02 Is Love Forever?
03 The Mystery Zone
04 Who Makes Your Money
05 Written in Reverse
06 I Saw the Light
07 Trouble Comes Running
08 Goodnight Laura
09 Out Go the Lights
10 Got Nuffin
11 Nobody Gets Me But You

The band is also giving away free tracks at their site:

http://www.spoontheband.com/

Photo by Autumn de Wilde

Ms. Blank in the D.

Amanda Blank opened for Matt & Kim at the MagicStick in Detroit. It was the most rowdy show I've been to. She's going to blow up. I can feel it. Amanda showcased her "no pants necessary" attitude.

Meet Ms. Blank

I've been obsessed with Amanda Blank ever since hearing her on Spank Rock's track, BUMP. She's trashy yet classy and the only person in the world that pull off cigarette earrings. I'm so excited for her upcoming debut album that will feature: M.I.A., Santigold, The Cool Kids, Lykke Li, and Diplo. Two of her tracks have been release and are available for free here.


Also, The Cool Kids have a great free mixed tape available on their MySpace.

Wilco, Wilco, Wilco will love you baby.

Wilco The Album released on June 30th, and it instantly became a favorite of mine. The album manages to include heavy lyrics, and light-hearted dance songs featuring Feist. I also love how they manged to get a camel for their photo shoot and display the suits they wore at last year's Lollapoolza. The album art is by famed music photographer Autumn de Wilde.