WORLD PREMIER VIDEO - ANGUS & JULIA STONE

I love, love, love this song...so I was thrilled to hear they just released a brand new video for their single, "Hold On." I was even more thrilled to actually see them in the video this time!

ONE NIGHT ONLY!

The Temper Trap has invaded Seattle to play a SOLD OUT show at The Showbox tonight! We'll be there covering all the action, so check back next week for our review. If you haven't seen the interview we did back in L.A., check it out!

IT'S FRIDAY. TIME TO DANCE.

Kids of 88 - Downtown (Official Video) from Dryden Street on Vimeo.

Kids Of 88's released their new video for "Downtown." Having just supported Passion Pit in Auckland and Scissor Sisters in Australia, the band is gearing up to release their debut album Sugarpills - out in Australia and New Zealand on August 16th through Dryden St.

YOUNG THE GIANT LIVE AT THE TROUBADOUR

Well-written, catchy and danceable indie rock tunes should be an easy sell to an LA audience, right? Let's throw in some gold microphones, skinny jeans and loafers and we're set for a night in indie rock heaven. Somehow, the Sunday night crowd at The Troubador was slow to get their feet tapping.  In spite of the lack of energy from the house, Sameer Gadhia and Company of Young the Giant played their set with a cool confidence. They conveyed a reticence to bare all coupled with the promise that once they did, we wouldn't be disappointed.  With a voice and demeanor like Brandon Flower without the Mormon underpinnings, and a stage presence that is reminiscent of Julian Casablancas, this appealing yet somewhat formulaic indie rock band definitely knows it's audience on a large scale. Sameer has a voice with substance, charisma, and passion that, when coupled with the harmonies of Eric Cannata (guitar/vocals) and Francois Comtois (drums/vocals) creates a solid wall of vocal sound.  The ironic part is that when the music stopped, the banter wasn't hitting the same mark. His encouragement to "get closer, hold hands and dance" after their first song felt a little contrived.  Young the Giant played a great set and by the end of it, Sameer's comment "come stop by and see us after the show, we want to hear what's going on with you" felt genuine and honest.

This was the first night of their month long residency at The Troubadour in West Hollywood (now postponed as they're going on tour with Marina and the Diamonds).  There is something to be said for their committment to each and every song, each lyric, each guitar lick, every kick drum.  The passion for their music is all over their faces and the songs have a great balance of substance and sugar.
What was most impressive was the constant non-verbal communication between the Bass player (Payam Doostzadeh) and the Drummer (Francois Comtois). It's a testament to their capacity as musicians and proves that when your rhythm section communicates, timing is impeccable.  All-in-all I'd recommend checking them out while they're still at The Troubadour. It's a great venue to see a band like this play. 

Young the Giant is:

Sameer Gadhia - vocals
Jacob Tilley - guitar
Eric Cannata - guitar/vocals
Payam Doostzadeh - bassFrancois Comtois - drums/vocals


Check out their myspace page for info on tour dates and their most recent music video. www.myspace.com/youngthegiant

Remaining dates in the August California residencies:
8/11                      Detroit Bar                          Costa Mesa, CA 

8/16                      The Casbah                         San Diego, CA
8/18                     Detroit Bar                           Costa Mesa, CA

8/23                       The Casbah                      San Diego, CA

Tour Dates with Marina and The Diamonds:
9/1                        The Paradise                     Boston, MA
9/2                        Webster Hall                     New York, NY
9/3                        World Café Live                 Philadelphia, PA
9/5                        The Wonder Bar                Asbury Park, NJ
9/6                        9:30 Club                            Washington, DC
9/8                        The Opera House              Toronto, CA
9/9                        Lincoln Hall                        Chicago, IL
9/10                      Triple Rock                         Minneapolis, MN
9/13                      The Crocodile                   Seattle, WA
9/14                      Doug Fir Lounge              Portland, OR
9/15                      The Independent             San Francisco, CA
9/17                      El Rey Theatre                  Los Angeles, CA           
 


PHOTOS: MATTHEW SCHAEFER
STORY: MATTHEW SCHAEFER

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - M.I.A.

M.I.A. has a new video!! The video is for her single "XXXO" and it's a lot lighter than her last one. Check it out!

EMPIRE INVASION

Empire of the Sun is bringing the spectacle to L.A. Tonight kicks off their 4 night stint at the Music Box in Hollywood. I was supposed to be at this show tonight, but as you know I'm in Seattle. However, I will have my peeps covering it and will have photos + review up next week.

In the meantime, check out "Standing on the Shore" from their NYC show.

A FULL SCOOP

We now have the full performances from the artists that had  sessions with Matt the Ice Cream Man!

Check out the full performance from The Temper Trap @ the Sasquatch Festival.

KT TUNSTALL LIVE AT THE HOTEL CAFE

The UK's singer/songwriter KT Tunstall is back, and back with a new addition to her already amazing sound.  Before Musicbleep headed up to the Pacific Northwest, we had one last night at the Hotel Cafe (one of our favorite places, as you should know by now).  And what a finale evening as residents of LA.  The small, intimate venue was completely packed with music enthusiasts and industry types, all there with a common bond, Ms. Tunstall. 

It has been a while since her last release, but she has a whole new album and sound, that will be out for you to take a listen soon.  Keeping with her unique style and approach, she definitely added a surprising element to her usually acoustic ways.  KT bonded singer/songwriter sounds with electronic dance beats and executed it very well.  I have to admit, as first, I was a little taken back, but soon grew to love and dance to songs off of her upcoming album, Tiger Suit, which comes out very soon....October 5th to be exact, so be ready, and I'm sure there is a tour to follow.  It was KT solo that night, but you would have thought she had a full on band.  If she plays your city, make sure you check her out!  You won't be sorry - she's a delight to see live!

You can check out some of her new songs and read up on her latest news at www.myspace.com/kttunstall.   Songs from TIGER SUIT that I'm really feeling are: "Push That Knot Away," "Glamour Puss," "Difficulty" and "Fade Like A Shadow"...oh, and (Still A)Weirdo" - probably my favorite off this album!  It's a great album, I can't wait for you all to hear it!

STORY: CORY RADKE

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - SARAH BLASKO

Whimsical Australian indie-pop/singer-songwriter, Sarah Blasko is back with a new video for the song "No Turning Back".

TODAY, Sarah Blasko’s haunting new collection of songs, As Day Follows Night (Dramatico Records), hits stores stateside. As Day Follows Night was produced by Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn, and John, who has also worked on records by Lykke Li, Shout Out Louds, and Primal Scream.

The album has already been on quite the ride around the globe, cementing Blakso as a sensation in her home country of Australia, where she’s earned multiple Australian Recording Industry Awards. After receiving massive praise when the album was released in the UK this past Spring, the singer and songwriter has her sights set on the US – keep a lookout for tour dates to be announced soon.

Album is avialable now from AMAZON.COM



Blasko has also recorded a cover of “Seems Like Old Times,” a song performed by Diane Keaton in Woody Allen's Annie Hall.

Sarah Blasko "Seems Like Old Times" (Annie Hall) by Sneakattackmedia

KCRW WELCOMES MASSIVE ATTACK

A rare performance from Massive Attack went down at Morning Becomes Eclectic last week. It was their first time ever to perform on U.S. radio. Watch what happened!

THE POSIES DEBUT NEW MUSIC

The Posies premiere their first song “Licenses To Hide” off the anticipated CD Blood/Candy (Out Sept 28th) with Ryko. The single, featuring angelic guest vocals from Lisa Lobsinger (lead singer of Reverie Sound Revue and vocalist of Broken Social Scene), debuts on Spin.com www.spin.com/articles/exclusive-new-song-posies.

In addition to Lisa Lobsinger’s contribution, Blood/Candy is brimming with cast of guest musicians and “for the first time in their 23-year career,” according to a recent NME.com feature. Kay Hanley of Letters To Cleo lends her voice on the ethereal “The Glitter Prize,” UK punk legend and ex-Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell contributes his pipes on the opening track, “Plastic Paperbacks,” and Paco Loco of Australian Blonde and Paco Loco Trio makes an appearance on “Enewetak.” The band also recruited Grammy-nominated string arranger Phil Peterson, who has played on recent albums for Owl City and Nada Surf.

The Posies begin their international tour in Spain on September 28, the same day their album drops in the U.S. The band will travel across Europe and the United States until the end of 2010. U.S. tour details will be announced soon. See Europe dates on http://theposies.net/.



03 Licenses to Hide - The Posies by musicbleep