Late Summer 2015 New Music Playlist

Why not rock another playlist while there are still weeks of summer left? There’s certainly enough new music on the scene to choose from. In researching my latest picks, I also discovered plenty of crazy descriptive phrases to label the bands, from electropop, indie pop and rock pop to atmospheric rock, post-rock and rocktronica. Check out whatever perks up those listening ears, be it veterans such as The Dears, Mates of State, Beirut, The Chemical Brothers and Wilco or newer groups such as Penguin Prison, FFS and Baio. Listen on Spotify via this link or as a YouTube playlist.

1. “Fixations” – Gardens & Villa
Californian indie rock band Gardens & Villa recently relocated from Santa Barbara to L.A. and downsized to two people for its third album since 2008, Music for Dogs. This kicky tune, “Fixations,” by Adam Rasmussant and Chris Lynch, demonstrates a new direction while keeping layered textures intact

2. “Staring Contest” – Mates of State
“Staring Contest” is a typical blast of fun from the indie pop couple Kori Gardner (keyboards, vocals) and Jason Hammel (percussion, vocals), musical allies since 1999. The latest release is a self-produced EP, You’re Going to Make It.

3. “No No No” – Beirut
Santa Fe native Zach Condon returns with a new batch of songs following hospitalization for exhaustion after excessive touring for his last album in 2011. This sweet ditty is the title track for the upcoming release, with a familiar worldview embedded in the instrumentation.

4. “Cream on Chrome” – Ratatat
This Brooklyn-based duo of Mike Stroud and Evan Mast just released its fifth studio album since 2001, Manifique. The single “Cream on Chrome” spotlights their quirky rocktronica instrumentals that inspire Ratatat’s signature sound.

5. “In a Future World” – Telekinesis
Drummer and songwriter Michael Benjamin Lerner took a different approach for Ad Infinitum, his third album since 2008 as Telekinesis. As a happy newlywed in Seattle, he took to the basement studio to compose songs dripping with electronica as evidenced in “In a Future World.”

6. “Island” – Surfer Blood
Surfer Blood is an alt rock quartet from West Palm Beach that just released its third album since 2009, 1000 Palms. Singer John Paul Pitts brings a laid back vibe to the vocals for the band, as demonstrated in “Island.”

7. “ I Used to Pray for the Heavens to Fall” – The Dears
Canadian indie rock band The Dears is ready with a sixth album since 1995, Times Infinity Volume One (volume two will appear shortly afterwards). Frontman Murray Lighburn leads the way through another emotional rollercoaster with this song, “I Used to Pray for the Heavens to Fall.”

8. “Some Minds (featuring Andrew Wyatt)” – Flume
Flume is the stage name of Sydney-based multi-instrumentalist and electronic music producer D.J. Harley Streten. Here he enlists Miike Snow’s Andrew Wyatt for lyrics and shadowy vocals in this stand-alone single, following a debut album back in 2012.

9. “Sensual People” – Lylas
Singer and banjo player Kyle Hamlett is the mastermind behind Nashville’s indie rock quintet Lylas since 2005. The song “Sensual People” supposedly arrived in his dreams, an enchanting tune for the upcoming second full length release.

10. “Gone” – JR JR
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. changed its name after five years to JR JR and recently released this feel-good single, “Gone,” in advance of a third album. The Detroit indie pop twosome of Daniel Zott and Josh Epstein is clearly ready to keep the party going, whatever the moniker.

11. “Call Girl” – FFS
The single “Call Girl” is a result of collaborative recording sessions between Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand and the L.A. rock pop brothers pair, Sparks (Ron and Russell Mael). Songs on the self-titled album revel in heavy hooks and a collective swagger found in this supergroup.

12. “Calling Out” – Penguin Prison
Penguin Prison is the electropop musical project of singer, musician, producer and remixer Chris Glover since 2008. “Calling Out” is the exuberant sing along single from his second album, Lost in New York.

13. “Random Name Generator” – Wilco
Wilco dropped a ninth album without fanfare, Star Wars, that’s full of the gritty alternative rock this Chicago-based group is famous for after two decades. With singer Jeff Tweedy’s undercurrent of vocals, “Random Name Generator” churns along with relentless persistence.

14. “Sister of Pearl” –Baio
Chris Baio, known as the bass player for Vampire Weekend, is releasing a solo debut of his dance music as he also keeps busy as a D.J. and record producer. This tune “Sister of Pearl” is a fun introduction to the new debut, The Names.

15. “Wide Open (featuring Beck)” – The Chemical Brothers
British electronic dance music partners since 1991, Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons are back with an eighth album, Born in the Echoes. They entrust the vocals to Beck for “Wide Open,” just one of the many rock star appearances in the collection.

16. “Sparks” – Beach House
The song’s genesis is a vocal loop captured during a sound check before a Beach House concert. It serves as a bewitching introduction to the upcoming fifth album, Depression Cherry, by the Baltimore-based dream pop duo of Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand.

17. “All Yours” – Widowspeak
Molly Hamilton (guitarist and vocalist) and guitarist Robert Earl Thomas of Widowspeak recently traveled upstate from Brooklyn to record new songs in a barn. “All Yours” is a winsome title track for the upcoming release, the band’s fourth album since 2010.

18. “No Comprende” – Low
Low is an indie rock trio from Duluth, Minnesota, known for slow tempos and spare arrangements for great effect. “No Comprende” lucidly continues that mantra as featured on an upcoming eleventh album, Ones and Sixes.

19. “Sad Heart of Mine” – Caspian
Beverly, Massachusetts instrumental post-rock band Caspian is getting ready to release its fifth studio album since 2005, Dust and Disquiet. The group strives to convey a story in music, much more than just presenting building blocks of sound.

New Song by Mates of State, "Staring Contest" (New EP Out Today & NYC Tour Date July 10)

Since 1997, indie band Mates of State has embraced feel good harmonies and a sweetly positive outlook in punchy, hook filled tunes. The couple Kori Gardner (vocals/keyboard) and Jason Hammel (vocals/drums) clearly maintain the glow of musical compatibility in their self-produced EP You're Going to Make It, out today via Barsuk Records. As a fan and fellow suburban Connecticut parent, I interviewed Hammel for PopMatters in 2010 and caught them on tour in support of their last album, Mountaintops (2011). The wildly catchy single from that release, "Palamino," was an easy pick for my Fall 2011 New Music Playlist.

Family life has only strengthened the bond and it shows. The video even includes their tow-headed daughters. Magnolia as a dancer and June as a new student who launches a blow out party right in school. It is based on a true story of sorts as June once sang to a class instead of choosing to read a book as an introduction. Welcome back and sure, why not bring the whole family. Check out the video on YouTube or below and give a full listen to the five song EP -- although I warn, you it'll be over way too early. Mates of State will also be at Bowery Ballroom in NYC on July 10 as part of a summer tour.

Romantic Songs Playlist for Valentine's Day 2014

Here's another romantic songs playlist in honor of Valentine's Day 2014 -- the holiday perfectly placed in the dead of winter to remind us of the finer things in life. (It's always a good excuse for a nice dinner out at least!) Digging through my archives, I found passionately poignant songs that hadn't made it on my romantic songs playlists in 2013 or 2012, plus ones that have only appeared in the past year.


Things kick off with the music of two married couples that I've reviewed and interviewed, Mates of State's "Palomino" and The Submarines' "The Sun Shines At Night."  Their bands have been among my faves for years, and wish them well as always professionally and personally.  (At least in my marriage there's only one musician and one crazy music fan?)  From there it's another patchwork of love gone right or even wrong, hearts pumping either way.  Link to listen here, enjoy!

1. "Palomino" -- Mates of State
2. "The Sun Shines At Night" -- The Submarines
3. "Everday Feels Like Sunday" -- Of Montreal
4. "Your Silent Face" -- New Order
5. "On Melancholy Hill" -- Gorillaz
6. "Ya Hey" -- Vampire Weekend
7. "Bloodbuzz Ohio" -- The National
8. "HEART" -- Oberhofer
9. "Say That" -- Toro Y Moi
10. "I Got You Babe" -- UB40 Featuring Chrissie Hynde
11. " I Melt With You" -- Modern English
12. "Song For Zula" -- Phosphorescent
13. "Lost Cause" -- Beck
14. "Home" -- Brian Eno & David Byrne
15. "Is That Enough" -- Yo La Tengo
16. "Sing" -- Travis
17. "Same Mistake" -- Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
18. "My Body Is a Cage" -- Arcade Fire
19. "Almost Home" -- Moby Featuring Damien Jurado
20. "So Long You Pretty Thing" -- Spiritualized

Top 20 Songs of 2011

Just one more list for 2011 -- in no particular order here are twenty songs that filled my year with the sheer joy of discovery in a new tune, something to happily play again and again.  With such a diverse group of songs, there's something here for everyone to enjoy.  So there's no more excuses to be listening to the same old stuff, even if it's only a year old! Link to playlist on Spotify here. 

1.   Foster the People, "Pumped Up Kicks"
2.   Peter Bjorn and John, "Second Chance"
3.   Radiohead, "Lotus Flower"
4.   Cake, "Sick of You"
5.   Wilco, "I Might"
6.   Smith Westerns, "Weekend"
7.   Givers, "Up Up Up"
8.   Cults, "Abducted"
9.   M83, "Midnight City"
10. Mates of State, "Palomino"
11.  Portugal. The Man., "So American"
12.  Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., "Simple Girl"
13.  Toro Y Moi, "Still Sound"
14.  YACHT, "Shangri-La"
15.  Moby, "The Day"
16.  AM & Shawn Lee, "Dark Into Light"
17.  Art Brut, "Lost Weekend"
18.  Girls, "Honey Bunny"
19.  Washed Out, "Eyes Be Closed"
20.  My Morning Jacket, "Holding on to Black Metal"

Fall 2011 New Music Playlist

A change of season merits a change in playlists, especially when a bountiful harvest of international songs appear on the scene.  Long awaited releases from Wilco, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Mates of State anchor the list while Beirut, Neon Indian and Girls weigh in with solid collections.  Singles off new albums are a nice holdover until music fans can dig into fresh picks from Real Estate and M83.  Of course, there’s a welcome addition of new bands such as I Break Horses and Sister Crayon to keep the ears happy.  Listen at link here, enjoy!

1. “Midnight City” – M83

French musician Anthony Gonzalez formed M83 a decade ago with an unabashed love of electronica to create pop songs with a dreamy feel.  This is the single off the band’s sixth release, Hurry Up We’re Dreaming.

2. “Ritual Union” – Little Dragon

This Swedish-Japanese band gets its moniker from singer Yukimi Nagano’s nickname.  The group of high school pals started playing together in 1996 and this eclectic synth pop tune is the title track of their third album. 

3. “I Might” – Wilco

With a changing line up but under the leadership of singer Jeff Tweedy, Wilco has been part of the Chicago alt-rock music scene since 1994.  This solid single is off their ninth album, The Whole Love.

4. “Souls of Gold” – Sister Crayon

Sister Crayon is a quartet from Sacramento, California (home of CAKE, another similarly idiosyncratic band).  This song is off the group’s first official release, Bellow.

5. “Santa Fe” – Beirut

6. “East Harlem” – Beirut

Singer/songwriter Zach Condon began Beirut as a solo project and yet this six-member band is on its third album, The Rip Tide.  The world music influence is from Condon travels around Europe after dropping out of school, adding distinctive vocals to make it his own entire universe.

7. “How Deep Is Your Love?” – The Rapture

Drummer Vito Roccoforte and guitarist/singer Luke Jenner formed this New York City dance punk band in 1998.  After five years, the group is back with a new release, In the Grace of Your Love.

8. “It’s Real” – Real Estate

Real Estate is a quintet based in Ridgewood, New Jersey since 2008.  Their take on psychedelic indie rock is revealed in this carefully crafted single off their upcoming second release, Days.

9. “Polish Girl” – Neon Indian

Neon Indian also began as solo project by Alan Palomo, who rode the indie pop chill wave movement when it came on the scene two years ago.  His vocals are no longer buried for this catchy single off the sophomore release, Era Extraña.

10. “Palomino” – Mates Of State

Married couple Kori Garner (keyboards) and Jason Hammel (drums) has created infectious indie pop under the name Mates of State since 1997.  They’ve expanded the sound for this swirling single off their seventh album, Mountaintops.

11. “Hearts” – I Break Horses

I Break Horses is a Swedish indie band recently formed by Mana Lindén and Fredrick Balck.  This shimmering song is off their debut album of the same name.

12. “Same Mistake” – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is a quintet that met at Connecticut College and they are now based in Brooklyn/Philly. Their debut album was self-released in 2005, gaining notice without record company input.  Singer Alec Ounsworth brings an individualistic approach to vocals as usual in this song off their third release, Hysterical.

13. “My Mistakes” – Eleanor Friedberger

Eleanor Friedberger is also half of the Brooklyn band Fiery Furnaces with brother Matthew.  Here she breaks out on her own with emotionally charged results.  This song is from her raw and candid solo album, Last Summer.

14. “Honey Bunny” – Girls

15. “My Ma” – Girls

Christopher Owens (singer/songwriter) and Chet ‘JR’ White (bass/producer) formed this indie rock band in San Francisco, enlisting other members as needed for touring.  These two varied but still rebellious songs are off their second album, Father, Son, Holy Ghost.

16. “Year of the Tiger” – St. Vincent

Annie Clark is the avant garde multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter behind St. Vincent.  She has also performed with The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens. The majestic treatment for this song is indicative of the iconoclastic music on her third release, Strange Mercy.

17. “Dark Into Light” – Shawn Lee & AM

This collaboration formed through friendship let to the recent album, Celestial Eclectic.  The mesmerizing song features AM’s wistful falsetto over Shawn Lee’s percussion with lofty themes contemplating right and wrong.

Mates of State @ Webster Hall October 12

The stage at Webster Hall was covered with garlands of greenery and two puffy white clouds hanging from the ceiling for the Mates of State show October 12^th.  A full house of fans arrived to see indie pop’s married couple Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel, who have been creating music together for over a decade. After a deviation to a covers album last year, the duo is back on their game, offering up buoyant and carefully crafted songs about going through life as a twosome.  They took to their instruments to bang out an infectious mix of hits and new tunes off the latest release, Mountaintops.  There seemed to be lots of pairing off in the audience as well, yet everyone was ready to sing along and pump fists in support.  Gardner stood at command in front of her keyboards, wearing a graphic print top and her blond hair in a high ponytail, while Hammel sat at his drum kit in a dress shirt and vest ready to rock. Throughout the night, there were lots of knowing smiles and mouthing of words to communicate with each other -- when they weren’t busy singing of course.  Kenji Shinagawa supported them solidly on guitar and John Panos brought a magnetic stage presence, playing extra keys, trumpet and tambourine as needed to broaden the Mates’ signature sound.

Meeting up w/Kori after the show

The band began with “Get Better” off 2008’s Re-Arrange Us to get things rolling.  Then new songs were introduced: a rollicking beat in “Maracas” along with two compositions allowing a softer side, “Unless I’m Led” and “Desire.”  Although, the lyrics, You’ll learn to live without me, seemed an unlikely thought from this songwriting team.  The sentiment behind “At Least I Have You” sounded much more applicable, not that it really matters.  Crowd pleasers such as “The Re-Arranger,”  “Goods,” “Like U Crazy,” “Now,” and “My Only Offer” punctuated the night, along with more contributions from Mountaintops.  The soaring new single “Palomino” provided the finale with the band exiting to strobe lights, leaving behind a flashing energetic afterglow. 

Mates of State Unleash New Video for Palomino

When Jason Hammel spoke with me via PopMatters last year, he promised that a new “Mates” album would be ready soon.  With the release of Mountaintops September 13, it’s a promise fulfilled and the married duo are now on tour in support of the new release (next Wednesday, Oct. 12 as posted in "Next Up NYC" section to the right, other dates here).  Together with Kori Gardner, Mates of State have also produced an enchanting video for the opening track, “Palomino.” Long gone are the days of sparse production with Gardner playing keyboards and Hammel on drums.  “Palomino” begins with a lush cascade of sound, a solid introduction before those familiar synched vocals even begin. The band explained to npr that the song is a “reflection on childhood and life’s inevitable progression.”  Referencing an old zen saying to “Aim for Cold Mountain,” the idea suggests that “there is always going to be another peak in the distance.”

Director Jimi Patterson deftly uses rotoscope animation to tell the story, filming the live-action material first before digitally hand-painting all 3,240 frames.  The couple encounters a series of mountaintops, reflecting the theme of this album.  Along the way they even come upon little girls that look like the couple’s two tow-headed daughters, as featured on Gardner’s blog “Band on the (diaper) run.” This video follows their musical journey in a vast landscape of visual expression.

Interview with Mates of State June 2010

PopMatters occasionally sends out a list of interview opportunities to its writers and when I saw Mates of State on one recently I thought, sure why not? They live just up the road along the CT coast and record at Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport. I also remember enjoying a live session/interview on kcrw's Morning Becomes Eclectic a few years ago in support of their last CD Re-Arrange Us.

While a meet up was not possible (they were busy getting ready to go on tour) a 'phoner' was coordinated at 5:35 pm on a Friday. They have a new CDs of covers out called Crushes (The Mixtape) which was sent to me through an emailed link with a download code -- making me miss liner notes on an physical CD even more! After being patched through the pr office to Jason Hammel of the band, I quickly adjusted my questions to the male half of the group and here's what transpired. Tour dates and video with the interview on PopMatters.com as well. Check it out here.