LOCAL NATIVES //
Loving this mellow Local Natives set performed in NPR studios this week. Also, check out some more Local Natives love in our previous posts. Enjoy!
Music to your ears - from mine - with love
<3 L.Sizzle
10 for 2010- WHERE ARE THEY NOW? //
It’s only appropriate for us to tell you how right we were when we made our predictions for bands to watch in 2010. So before we tell you who’s going to kill it in 2011, let us reflect… and GLOAT!
The above chart from NextBigSound.com shows how artists trend online through fan counts, song plays and comments. With almost 15 million fans, Drake was our best prediction followed by Local Natives, Fanfarlo and Screaming Females. Read below for a synopsis of each band/artists awesome year and please leave a comment and tell us that we told you so!
#1 Hank and Cupcakes- Hank and Cupcakes have a special place in our hearts.They are helped us celebrate our 1 year anniversary at the Glasslands last week. If you’ve ignored our affinity for them in the past year, its your loss! Check out pictures from our 1 Year Anniversary last week here.
#2 Local Natives- One of 2010’s most anticipated bands made themselves one of 2010’s most celebrated albums. Gorilla Manor made countless Top Albums of 2010 lists across the web including here at MV, and other reputable sources like Paste Magazine. We definitely told you so!
#3 Fanfarlo- These SXSW Veterans had a very Hollywood 2010 with multiple late night TV appearances and their songs were featured in movies like The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and Going the Distance.
#4 Zach Deputy- Releasing a few new singles in 2010, Zach Deputy, continues to delight his fans and acquire new ones. Touring extensively in the first half of 2011, fans lit up the dance floor on Jam Cruise this week.
#5 Neon Indian- Neon Indian took off like a rocket this year after releasing, Psychic Chasms on Lefse Records also the home of Keepaway. After receiving tons of love from every important music publication out there and of course all the NYC and Brooklyn locals he took the show on the road and even made an appearance on in February of 2010, on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
#6 Drake- This artist blew up so big that they had to cancel his free show on the Seaport in NYC this summer because the crowds got so big they were blocking traffic and the city was afraid for the public’s safety. You saw him perform with Jay-Z and Eminem even before he had dropped his first LP. Pretty good for a guy who then had no label and only a mix tape out. Although, everyone tapped Drake as someone to have major success in 2010 I don’t think anyone knew how big he’s actually be. Most recently he has collaborated with top artists like Rhianna and Nicki Minaj.
#7 Angus and Julia Stone- Another band making our Top Albums of 2010
#8 Stryk Nine- For 5+ years, these guys have been rockin the Boston area and beyond and 2011 was no exception. It was a big year for the “Boston Metalcore” group who just released their new single, The Life I Want. Highlights of the year include a shows with The Misfits, Soulfly and Powerman 5000 and the boys kick-off 2011 with a tour down south. Love metal? Show your support by “liking” them on Facebook… because we told you last year!
#9 Screaming Females- The Screaming Females have had a great 2010. They played the MOG music CMJ party with DOM and Yo La Tengo to a packed house at Brooklyn Bowl this year as well as Siren Fest on Coney Island this summer. Buzz has been building and anyone who can rip guitar and write lyrics like that deserves praise and attention. They started in New Jersey’s basement underground with two mini albums, Baby Teeth, 2007 and What If Someone Was Watching Their TV, which has since been reissued. After signing with Don Giovanni Records they released their first official LP, Power Move. 2010 saw the release of Castle Talk, by far the groups strongest and most polished album. If you’re a true rocker you will fall in love with this album. We predict that Screaming Females will have a killer year in 2011 too and that Castle Talk will become a classic. We already consider it as a favorite in our archive.
#10 Keepaway- Babystyle made our Top Albums of 2010, you didn’t see that coming?
MV’s Top Albums of 2010 // #31-40
The next 10 albums of awesomeness with video montage… in no particular order of course:
40. Das Racist- Sit Down, Man - Listen to the mixtape here and check out the September video from the Santos house party. Jay says…
“Go get it because it’s awesome.”39. Delorean- Subiza- Jess says…
“Get your dancing shoes on. This is the perfect mellow electro album.”38. Local Natives- Gorilla Manor-
“We have been telling you about this band over and over again. We chose them for our 10 of 2010 list in the beginning of the year and we can’t wait to see them next month at Governors Island. This album is full of memorable melodies, unforgettable hooks and strong.”37. Yeasayer - Odd Blood We all love this and here’s why:
“A favorite with all the Vagabonds, this album tracked perfectly a great listen from start to finish. One of those bands that you’re sure can’t sound that on point live, until they do.”36. The Roots- How I Got Over It- Another Vagabond favorite, we think:
“This album shines with collaborations featuring joint songs with The Monsters of Folk, Joanna Newsom and John Legend. Each track is better than the next. As usual we are impressed.”35. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings- I Learned the Hard Way- Laura says…
“The infectious, groovy and down-right soulful voice of Sharon Jones never gets old. Gospel, soul, and funk come together on their third album, which really sounds like the other two but none the less, a great album all around. Everyone needs a little soul :) Watch this awesome video from this summer in Prospect Park.”34. Beach House- Teen Dream-
“We’re not really sure why you haven’t picked up this album yet. But we told you so.”33. Broken Bells- Broken Bells L.Sizzle says…
“The musical brainchild of Brain Burton (Danger Mouse) and James Mercer, there’s no doubt you haven’t listened to this album about 47,000 times on repeat.”32. M.I.A. - /\/\/\Y/\
“Stay true to our girl MIA. M.I.A for life!”31. Black Keys- Brothers
“We are thrilled to see that everyone has finally caught on to the greatness that is The Black Keys. If you keep up with us you know we have been long time supporters and are stoked to see that their latest album, Brothers is getting the attention it deserves when their other albums went generally ignored.”
Favorite Albums of 2010 So Far
2010 has been a great year for music so far. We Vagabonds were so excited about what we’ve been hearing that we wanted to share our favorite albums from the past seven months. Some of the choices may be obvious, but we are hoping that the ones which aren’t turn you on to something new and exciting. The advantage of having so many contributors is the depth and variety we can pull from and we believe this list is a shining example of our diverse musical tastes and perceptions. We hope to excite you while broadening your musical horizons. As always you input is more then welcome, snooty comments and all. So have at it!
-music from our ears. to yours. with love. The Vagabond Team
My Gold Mask-1000 Voices
This duo hailing from Chicago is proof that you don’t need a big band to create a full rich sound. If you don’t believe us believe the EP and if you don’t believe that see them live.
Keepaway-Babystyle
Brooklyn locals, Keepaway made our list of 10 for 2010 in the beginning of the year and so far they have lived up to the nomination with stellar reviews from Pitchfork and Fader, signing with Lefsee, recording and releasing a killer EP and even opening for Yeasayer on Governors Island last month.
Black Keys – Brothers
We are thrilled to see that everyone has finally caught on to the greatness that is The Black Keys. If you keep up with us you know we have been long time supporters and are stoked to see that their latest album, Brothers is getting the attention it deserves when their other albums went generally ignored.
Sleigh Bells – Treats
This duo is a rock assault on pop music. Mixing the screaming guitars and pounding beats of Derek Mileler with the classic pop voice and lyrics of Alexis Krauss to create a sound never heard before.
Erykah Badu - The New Amerykah part 2 (Return of the Ankh)
This is the Erykah we all have been missing. Funky, quirky, catchy, but always with a valid point. This album was everything we wanted it to be and more. Welcome back Ms. Badu.
Gayngs - Relayted
Surprisingly this album didn’t get much love even with a superstar cast like Bon Iver, Solid Gold, Ryan Olson and rapper P.O.S to name a few. But we are here to give it all the loving it needs and so should you.
The Morning Benders - Big Echo
They turned to Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear fame to produce their sophomore effort and the results speak for themselves. Much of the album has that great balance of upbeat yet mellow with sleepy guitars, soft drums and an unmatched depth of lyrics along with catchy rolling choruses.
Broken Bells - Broken Bells
All we have to say is Danger Mouse and James Mercer. Get on this!
Oberhofer - ooo0000ooo00
Brad Oberhofer is one of those rare gems that we have come across. This album if you can call it that, it was never formally released (he won’t even call it that) was recorded in his mothers basement while he was still in high school. He plays all the instruments and sings all vocals. If it sounds this good in a basement recording studio imagine what the future holds.
Phanotogram-Eyelid movie
Released in February, Eyelid Movie has been a constant on our playlists. The album is complete and flows perfectly from one song to the next. It’s easy to listen to all the way through time and time again.
Delorean- Subiza
Get your dancing shoes on. This is the perfect mellow electro album to get you swaying in the summer sun from our boys in Barcelona.
The Roots- How I got over it
This album shines with collaborations featuring joint songs with The Monsters of Folk, Joanna Newsom and John Legend. Each track is better than the next. As usual we are impressed.
Frightened Rabbit-The Winter of Mixed Drinks
If Midnight Organ Fight ever made one of your lists then Winter of Mixed Drinks is sure to do the same thing. Another great album from a great band.
Janelle Monae - Archandroid
We are suckers for albums that have a story to tell from one track to the next. Like Kid A and Tommy, Janelle Monae’s, Archandroid has also captivated us.
Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
We have been telling you about this band over and over again. We chose them for our 10 of 2010 list in the beginning of the year and we can’t wait to see them next month at Governors Island. This album is full of memorable melodies, unforgettable hooks and strong rhythms.
Gorillaz- Plastic Beach
Everyone’s favorite cartoon band came back in action right where they left off with an impressive album full of great cameo appearances from stars including Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, Lou Reed, De La Soul and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble.
Crime in Stereo - I was Trying to Describe You To Somone
The fourth studio album from the Long Island based melodic hardcore band. It’s a surprising and ambitious follow up to their last release Is Dead and definitely turned some heads over here.
Gonjasufi - A Sufi and A Killer
You may remember him from a cameo appearance on the Flying Lotus album Los Angeles. It’s fitting since his new album sounds much like a Flying Lotus style ambient jam with Gonjasufi’s lilting, spooky vocals intertwined throughout.
Bonobo - Black Sands
Although this album seems to reach back and take ideas from his previous three albums it’s still a good listen packed with richness and textures that you begin to appreciate more and more after each listen. It’s a grower not a shower!
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - I Learned the Hard Way
We thought the last album was amazing this one blew us away. Nothing but good things to say. If you ever wish you were around during Motown’s golden age then you need to pick this up immediately.
Big K.R.I.T. - K.R.I.T. Wuz Here
This self released album has gotten this southern rapper tons of attention, especially in the blogesphere. Pitchfork says, “K.R.I.T.’s ear is his biggest strength; as a producer, tracks like “Return of Forever” and “Country Shit” find him revitalizing the staid indie rap template with the 808s and swagger of Southern rap.”
Das Racist - Shut Up Dude
Some people hate “joke rap” we think its clever and entertaining. You decide. Plus if you’ve ever heard “Combination Pizza Hut Taco Bell” then we are sure you’re curious about what a full length album from these guys would sound like.
High On Fire - Snakes for the Divine
Oakland, California-based power trio released this album back in February. On this album it is easy to hear the bands natural progression in to a faster, stronger, heavier band then in the past. If this is your genre you need to know these guys.
Vampire Weekend - Contra
The Vagabond team is split on this album some of us love it and others don’t understand the hype. However it seems that most critics are in love with it. Thoughts?
Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me
Joanna Newsom and her unique place in the world in between folk and indie rock music.
Caribou - Swim
In Dan Snaith’s own words, “dance music that sounds like it’s made out of water.”
Beach House - Teen Dream
Ummm, have you heard this album? Enough said.
jj - jj n° 3
You know us Vagabonds have a soft spot for elctro-pop duos from Sweden. This elusive duo is no different.
Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti - Before Today
A man known to hole up in a home recording studio and create hundreds of unreleased songs while only a few making it to public ears on mix tapes and EP’s. This was his first effort putting together a group of songs to be released and heard cohesively at one time and it’s no to shabby.
Fang Island - Fang Island
This album is happy and inclusive. Have a listen and let the good times roll.
M.I.A. - /\/\/\Y/\
Although not received very well some of us Vagabonds stay true to our girl MIA. We get what she’s trying to do and it’s still danceable. M.I.A for life!
Kurt Vile - Square Shells
His music eschews the electronic for the organic, which puts him at odds with much of what the hipsters are flocking to these days. Square Shells is a great follow up to his last release Childish Prodigy. Both are go-tos in our music library.
Flying Lotus – Cosmogramma
Global bass music matriarch Mary Anne Hobbs recently told The Fader “Flying Lotus, for me, is like the Hendrix of his generation. When speaking of his genre we are inclined to agree.
David Byrne & Fatboy Slim - Here Lies Love
Another concept album, yippie! Sharon Jones teams up with David Byrne and Fatboy Slim to tell the story of Imelda Marcos, former First Lady of the Philippines. The disco-y interpretation of her life is set to take to the theatrical stage in the future, but for now we can picture what it would have been like to live in Imelda’s shoes through Tori Amos, Cyndi Lauper, Sia, Florence Welsh (of Florence and the Machine) and Santigold.
The National - High Violet
Most of us love The National some of us don’t. If you’re an fan you are sure to love this album filled with sad songs, that deep unforgettable voice and the memorable brass and strings section to accompany it all.
Jonsi - Go
the lead singer of Sigur Rós first solo effort with moving lyrics and a voice that could move angels to tears.
Yeasayer - Odd Blood
A favorite with all the Vagabonds, this album tracked perfectly a great listen from start to finish. One of those bands that you’re sure can’t sound that on point live, until they do.
Dead Weather - Die By the Drop
Although not as impressive as their debut Horehound this album still kills it. With Mosshart on lead vocal and White shredding in the back there is no way to go wrong.
Angus and Julia Stone - Down the Way
Another pick for our 10 for 2010 we fell in love with this album from the Oz brother and sister duo. Her unique voice is enough to captivate audiances.
Festy Fun 2010 // Pitchfork Music Festival // Chicago, IL // July 16-18
If you are looking for a much larger festy experience this weekend and not looking to head to Iowa, Pitchfork Music Festival is taking place in Chicago and it promises to be a hipster’s dream. While it’s been sold out for weeks, extra tickets have just been released at the box office ONLY. Sway your decision? Here are MV’s picks for bands to check out:
L.Sizzle says…
Big Boi- The second half of Outkast, Big Boi is one of the most well-known must sees at the fest. Get to the stage early on Sunday!
Sleigh Bells- Here at MV, we looooove Sleigh Bells, and you should too. Check out this Brooklyn duo on Sunday for a guitar shredding, ear piercing set. It’s kinda like nails on a chalkboard but in an awesome, awesome way. I’m actually listening to them right now!
JP says…
LCD Soundsystem- DUH! ‘Nuff said.
The Tallest Man on Earth- This Swedish Folk group is perfect for the 4pm Friday set with a mellow, soulful yet gritty sound.
Titus Andronicus- Check out why MV writer Jay says these guys rock and see them Saturday afternoon.
Delorean- Barcelona based dance music, Delorean has a refreshing style all their own. See them Saturday afternoon.
Matt says…
Local Natives- We’ve told you about the Local Natives only about a million times. If you haven’t gotten hip to our advice, see them live and stop making excuses.
Kurt Vile- Philly based Kurt Vile has an electronic folk sound that is a welcome change on the crowded indie scene. Read Matt’s synopsis in a previous post.
Check out the full line up here: http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/index.php?d=all
Music to your ears - from ours - with love
<3 MusicVagabond
Festy Fun 2010 - Best of Bonnaroo: Re-living the Dream Part 1.
Warning: This blog posting may quickly turn into a nonsensical stream of consciousness. Four days of mind-altering musical performances has a tendency to create a blur of great lucid memories. Or perhaps that had something to do with those cookies that had the funny parsley bits in them. Anywho…
Thursday June 10.
It’s 10am. We picked up the RV from New York at 3pm yesterday. Drove straight through the night (thank you concerta and Ben’s ipod). Already put $200 of petrol in the beast, but it’s totally worth it.
Above: Setting up camp. Anyone who didn’t bring a futon… well, you lose. Our castle on wheels, the “Chateau” was renamed and coated with a dirty French accent “Lè Chateau”. Then 10 minutes later, stemming from a miscommunication combined with my tainted aussie accent, our vehicle was further transformed into “The Lush Toe”.
Above: Local Natives started my ‘roo off right (listen to their full set courtesy of NPR here). Followed directly by Miike Snow (below). Those Swedes really know how to get things rolling. When they fired up Animal, no mud could stop me from jumping up and down like a 7-year old on a bouncy castle who just drank their body weight in red cordial (Yankee translation: Kool Aid).
Day 1 in Manchester, Tennessee finished strong with sets from Neon Indian, The Temper Trap and The xx – ‘That Tent’ was this vags home that night!
The xx opened with Intro – no surprises there, no disappointments either. Rolling Stone posted a little snippet of “Shelter” with Romy breaking away into a hypnotic solo (watch it here), but I’m loving this fan vid of “Crystallized.”
‘Roo Life Lesson Number 1: After a certain number of adult beverages, navigating through the 75,000 tent maze back to “The Lush Toe” can prove difficult without a cellular device. My friend, lets call him Morris, learned this the hard way. He left his phone in NYC and left the rest of us in ‘The Other Tent’. He did, however, manage to find the futon at 3am. Props.
‘Roo Life Lesson Number 2: A festy futon is the best investment you’ll ever make.
- ‘Roo from my ears. To yours. With love. -k
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
Local Natives - Wide Eyes (Suckers Remix) //
Perhaps as a gift for taking them on tour, Suckers has created this remix of Local Natives’ “Wide Eyes.” (via Pretty Much Amazing)
-MW
10 for 2010: #2 Local Natives
Hello Vagabonds,
Today is the 2nd day of posting the ten artists/bands to watch for 2010. I’ve talked about this SoCal group before. They are signed to NYC record label, Frenchkiss also home to Passion Pit and the Dodos. The Local Natives are set to drop their album, Gorilla Manor in the U.S, on February 16th. As of now you can only find them on Amazon and or at Rough Trade Shops.
The entire album is amazing, every song will be stuck in your head for days. Keep an eye on this group. If I were a betting Lady I would bet that 2010 is gonna be an epic year for them.
http://www.myspace.com/localnatives
-music from my ears. to yours. with love. jp
