New: Lia Ices

A new signing on Bon Iver's JagJaguar label... so you kinda know what to expect. And you shouldn't be disappointed. Lia has a certain Cat Power mixed with flashes of Joanna Newsom quality to her singing, that fits perfectly with Justin Vernon's stylings. Mr. Vernon actually features on the debut single from the album 'Grown Unknown' (released on the 25th of Jan), and you can check it out below... Enjoy

Lia Ices - Daphne feat. Justin Vernon


R. Hunter

Coachella 2011 line-up: I just went from 6 to midnight

This makes me very, very excited. As soon as I find someone willing to join me on a road/camping trip I will be shelling out the $310 for a ticket and requesting a week off work in April... To be completely honest I haven't even taken the time to read the names of the artists in the smaller print... don't know if I need to, it's already that good. So the question remains... who's coming with me?

What's the deal with Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti?

In pitchfork's latest "Top 100 Songs of 2010" list their track 'Round and Round' took out number 1... I  don't claim to know everything about popular music but I thought that it was quite odd that a song from a band that I had heard nothing of was better than anything else in 2010. I was curious, so I decided to check it out, and despite that fact that the song is slowly growing on me, I still maintain that it definitely is NOT the best song of 2010. Then I listened to the full album and discovered that it too wasn't blowing my mind despite all the hype... and then, like the cherry on the cake, I saw them in this clip from Jimmy Fallon's show:



... and I just don't really know what to make of this band. The lead singer (I assume named Ariel Pink) looks like a tranny version of the Olsen twins, and he has one of those to-cool-for-school hipster attitudes that makes me wonder if he would prefer to be elsewhere instead of performing on stage... I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I just don't get it... but you can make up your own minds of course.

R. Hunter

New: The Decemberists

The Decemberists will release their 6th full-length album tomorrow titled 'The King Is Dead", and it's a beauty. Their style could be placed somewhere in the realms of indie, folk, country and rock which creates a great flow as you listen to the CD with each song offering up something unique. Below you can sample one my favourite tracks off the new album which, I think, Colin Meloy wrote for his son Henry... Enjoy

The Decemberists - Rise To Me


R. Hunter

New: James Blake

Definitely one to watch in 2011. Mr Blake is kinda like the bastard child of Antony & The Johnsons, Bon Iver, a keyboard and a drum pad. Those are some big raps but it's exciting to think about what this guy can put together in the next couple of years seeing as he is still so young. Apparently he wrote, recorded and produced the entire album over the last year and a half, so be impressed. Blake works within the realms of a minimalist sound, and although it may take a few listens to get used to, there's no doubt that this guy is talented. Here are a few of my favourite tracks of his debut full-length self-titled album, due on Feb 7th... Enjoy

First up, the very impressive video clip to the anticipated first single 'Limit To Your Love'

James Blake - Lindesfarne II


R. Hunter

New: Madvillain

This makes me very excited. Madvillainy was one of my favourite albums of 2004 and anything these guys do together is pretty amazing. This latest tasty teaser can be found on the latest Stone's Throw podcast mixed by Peanut Butter Wolf. The whole 50 minutes is definitely worth a listen as it showcases what the great people from Stone's Throw will be up to this coming year, but you can also just check out the opening two tracks from Madvillain below... Enjoy

NB: knowing MF Doom, I'm not even sure if this is the final cut of the tracks, or whether or not they are the full tracks and not just a sample preview, but it's exciting either way.

Madvillain - Avalanche/Victory Lap


R. Hunter

Gayngs

I'm still trying to work out who exactly is in this band. According to Wikipedia there are 23 band members in Gayngs, ranging from Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) to a rapper named P.O.S... but I guess it doesn't matter who it is but rather what type of music they are making. I first heard about them when they were signed to Bon Iver's record label, but I didn't hear one of their tracks until Pitchfork.com gave them spot 99 on the top songs of 2010 (which you can hear below). I am now officially a fan of their retro, soft-rock inspired slow jams (and their band symbol that you can see above), and I hope you will be too... Enjoy

Gayngs - The Gaudy Side Of Town (#99 on Pitchfork.com's Top 100 of 2010 list)


Gayngs - By Your Side (an unreleased Sade Cover featuring Bon Iver on vocals)


R. Hunter

New: Rockie Fresh

Another solid rapper from Chicago (see Kanye and Lupe Fiasco) who has just released his second mixtape titled 'The Otherside'. Rockie Fresh's newest outing boasts a swag of featuring artists and tight production, to go along with his well-constructed lyrics. This kid is still only 19 and seems like he has a lot to offer, so please keep an eye out for him in 2011. You can check out two of my favourite tracks off the CD below... Enjoy

Rockie Fresh - What's The Hurry feat. Imogen Heap


Rockie Fresh - Time feat. Mr. Hudson


R. Hunter

New: Diamond Messages

Heard a couple of tracks from these guys lately and I'm impressed. They have a certain RJD2-esque dream-pop thing going on which is great for listening to in your down time. As far as I know they have only released a short 4 track EP that you can sample over here. From what I've heard so far I'm interested to see what they will be doing in 2011... Enjoy

Diamond Messages - Liquid Summer


Diamond Messages - Smoke and Mirrors


R. Hunter