JayeL Audio

Influence is largely the theme of the majority of mixtape number two for this week. Teen Daze kicks things off with an Earth, Wind & Fire sampling dance party. Speaking of influence, does the piano fueled opening of Miike Snow’s “Devil’s Work” remind anyone else of Van Halen’s “Right Now”? I swear I just flashbacked to middle school. Charming female songstresses Alex Winston and Oh Land cover The Black Keys and The National, respectively. Even Mayer Hawthorne and Electric Guest offer up soul and Motown related gems. Elsewhere, The National demo a new track that sounds, well, like The National. We welcome back The Shins, which sound like the old Shins, but aren’t really the old Shins. Lastly, I have to say, I’m really enjoying the blues rock inspired sound of Cold War Kids new demos. I’m certainly intrigued by the addition of a new lead guitarist in Modest Mouse’s Dann Gallucci.

JayeL Audio 1-27-12: DOWNLOAD (.rar)
1. Teen Gaze – Let’s Groove
2. Electric Guest – This Head I Hold
3. Johnny Headband – Over There
4. The Shins – Simple Song
5. The Concept – Gimme Twice
6. Gospel Music – Apartment
7. Midi Matilda – Day Dreams
8. Ed Vallance – Crystlalline
9. Mayer Hawthorne – Stick Around
10. The National – Rylan (Live on Q)
11. Miike Snow – Devil’s Work
12. Meg Myers – Adelaide
13. The Big Pink – Hit the Ground (Superman)
14. The Oh Hellos – Hello My Old Heart
15. Alex Winston – Everlasting Light (The Black Keys cover)
16. Dana Falconberry – Petoskey Stone
17. Cold War Kids – Minimum Day
18. Kishi Bashi – Bright Whites
19. Diagrams – Tall Buildings
20. Water Town Bucket Boys – Meet Me Where The Crow Don’t Fly
21. Boxer Rebellion – Losing You
22. Oh Land – Bloodbuzz Ohio (The National cover)
Thanks to CoS, All Things Go, Mixtape Maestro, PMA, Largehearted Boy and the interwebs.

I don’t know why I didn’t see this coming. Combining my current favorite Atlanta band and one of my favorite Southern rock classics, Turf War meets CCR. Turf War gives “Bad Moon” a little extra twang and Southern garage rock. Why not?
Bad Moon Rising by turfwar
Turf War on tour:
2/10 – ATLANTA, GA – 529 BAR
2/11 – AUGUSTA, GA – SOUL BAR
2/12 – BIRMINGHAM, AL – WORKPLAY
2/13 – NEW ORLEANS, LA – SIBERIA
2/14 – AUSTIN, TX – 29TH STREET BALLROOM
2/15 – DENTON, TX – ANDY’S BAR
2/16 – NORMAN, OK – THE DELI
2/17 – TULSA, OK – SOUNDPONY
2/18 – MEMPHIS, TN – LAMPLIGHTER

Hangout Music Fest is doing what they and most festivals do when it comes to line-up announcements: make you wait. I have faith organizers will top the past two years in creating a sun filled beach weekend with great artists all weekend, but it is a tad excruciating. Especially since I’m already committed (basically) with a ticket and reserved beach condo (on the beach, btw).

So what should I do until the line-up announcement? Probably make a wish list. Here is what I sent fellow HOF veteran Brian P as my predictions for the 3rd Annual Hangout Music Fest:
The Black Keys
The Beach Boys
Pearl Jam
Big Gigantic
Pretty Lights
Mumford & Sons
Big Boi
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Childish Gambino
Fitz and the Tantrums
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Avett Brothers
Passion Pit
RJD2
Girl Talk
Edward Sharpe
Railroad Earth
Trombone Shorty
Janelle Monae
Tom Petty
Givers
Gary Clark Jr
Gomez
Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr
Jessica Lea Mayfield
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Alabama Shakes
Primus
Walk the Moon

Obviously, there will be more acts than I guessed, but any thoughts? Comments? My list is a tad on the indie side, so its certainly more of a wish list than actual expectations, but I can dream right? In fact, Hangout hasn’t really dove into hip-hop acts (AT ALL), so Big Boi and/or Childish Gambino are essentially a pipedream. The rumor I heard about Dave Matthews Band seems logical, but time will tell.

Based on the past 2 years of line-up release dates, I’m betting next Friday, February 3rd will be the day. Leave your guesses in the comments!

I’m a sucker for any song that mentions anything Michigan-related. Most recently Bon Iver’s “Michicant” and Sujfan Stevens’ charming album cover for Michigan. The latest track to file under that category is Dana Falconberry‘s “Petoskey Stone”. The song’s elegant feel and Falconberry’s serene vocals match the subject matter no doubt. Oh and Petoskey stones are pretty amazing too (KNOWLEDGE).

Dana Falconberry – Petoskey Stone (free .mp3 via Crossbill Records)
Props to MTV’s The Hive.
Pick up Dana Falconberry’s EP Though I Didn’t Call It Came at Amazon today for $3.96
Catch Dana Falconberry in NYC this week and like her on Facebook:
01.27.12 – New York, NY @ Living Room
01.28.12 – New York, NY @ Gutter Bar

“> photo via Burn Away
The post 2011 wrap-up/holiday catch up is always a tough one, but brings plentiful music from artists new and old. The return on Lettercamp is in full swing on electro pop anthem “Oh Well”, Florence and the Machine put together one of the best covers of 2011 (“Take Care”) and Tennis expands on their reverb pop sound with “Origins”. Electric Guest show off the reasons Danger Mouse is producing their debut, The Rubens continue their building buzz (“My Gun”) and Frankie Rose shines with retro pop. Lastly, who is excited for the long awaited comeback of Santigold?

JayeL Audio 1-23-12 – DOWNLOAD (.rar)
1. Florence + The Machine – Take Care (Drake cover)
2. Electric Guest – American Daydream
3. The Rubens – My Gun
4. Santigold – Big Mouth
5. fun. – One Foot
6. Outasight – Let’s Go
7. Nneka – My Home
8. Lettercamp – Oh Well
9. The Features – From Now On
10. Mausi – sol.
11. Dirty Ghosts – Shout It In
12. Fibes, Oh Fibes – Cerahtonia
13. Frankie Rose – Know Me
14. Crystal Fingers – Follow
15. School of Seven Bells – The Night
16. Tennis – Origins
17. Digital Leather – Young Doctors In Love
18. FAN-TAN – 1989
19. Tanlines – Brothers
20. Mayer Hawthorne – No Strings
21. Water Tower Bucket Boys – Walkin’ The Road
22. Young Heel – Love You Down (Ready For The World cover)

Oh and be ready for another mixtape this week. Props to CoS, All Things Go, PMA and Largehearted Boy

If you check this site, you already know all about songstress Alex Winston and one of her early tracks “Choice Notes”. In preparation for Winston’s debut album King Con on March 5th, the track was updated and a video was just released. The video features Charlie Brown-style ghosts, historic Cafe D’Mongos and some interesting parts of Detroit. Slightly less creepy than the “Sister Wife” video. Check it.
Alex Winston – Choice Notes by Black Math Music
Like Alex Winston on Facebook

While Givers didn’t put on the show I hoped they would until the last three songs played, I’m still hopeful to see them in another setting. Their energy seemed cage with such a short set and inside on a chilly January evening. I’m certain they would live up to the hype at an outdoor venue or festival.

Check out my review of the show at Atlanta Music Guide.

Also, pick up their debut album In Light at Amazon for $5.

Just like their other releases, Big Gigantic released their latest glitchy jazz-infused album Nocturnal for free on their website. Cop Nocturnal here and catch them on tour.
Big Gigantic – Its Goin Down (free .mp3)

January 2012
1/18 – Belly Up – Aspen, CO # (tickets)
1/19 – Aggie Theater – Ft. Collins, CO ?
1/20 – Boulder Theater – Boulder, CO §
1/21 – Ogden Theater Denver, CO #
Jan 26 – 30 – Mayan Holidaze – Mayan Riviera, MEXICO
# – w/ GRiZ & FISK
? – w/ GRiZ & Acidophiles
§ – w/ GRiZ & Crushendo

February 2012
2/1 – The Coliseum – Tallahassee, FL ~
2/2 – The Vault – Gainesville, FL
2/3 – Crowbar – Tampa, FL ~
2/4 – Jax Live – Jacksonville, FL ~
2/8 – WorkPlay Theater – Birmingham, AL *
2/9 – Cannery Ballroom – Nashville, TN *
2/10 – Buckhead Theatre – Atlanta, GA * (tickets)
2/11 – Orange Peel – Asheville, NC *
2/12 – Jefferson Theatre – Charlottesville, VA *
2/14 – Westcott Theater – Syracuse, NY *
2/15 – Higher Ground Ballroom – Burlington, VT *
2/16 – Royale – Boston, MA *
2/17 – 9:30 Club – Washington DC *
2/18 – Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA *
2/19 – Webster Hall – New York, NY *
2/22 – Mr. Small’s Theatre – Pittsburgh, PA %
2/23 – Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH %
2/24 – Royal Oak Music Theatre – Detroit, MI (tickets)
2/25 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI % (tickets)
2/26 – Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH %
2/29 – The Blue Moose – Iowa City, IA %
~ – w/ Sir Charles
* – w/ Adventure Club
% – w/ Paper Diamond

March 2012
3/1 – Barrymore Theatre – Madison, WI ^
3/2 – The Vogue – Indianapolis, IN ^
3/3 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO ^
3/4 – Slowdown – Omaha, NE ^
^ – w/ Minnesota
3/18 – Buku Music and Art Project – New Orleans, LA
3/25 – Ultra Music Festival – Miami, FL

May 2012
5/25 – Bella Music Festival – Geneva, MN

Partnerships like this always intrigue me. Singer-songwriter Aleksandra Denton aka Shura and electronic producer Cyrus Shahrad aka Hiatus missed a connection early in their careers at one of Denton’s solo shows. By way of chance, Shahrad heard an engineer mention he was recording with Denton and he jumped at the chance to work with her. After crafting “River” together, the two decided to become a musical pair, thus Hiatus & Shura was born.

Soulful and enchanting vocals from Shura mixed with lush, minimalist production by Hiatus make this a duo I hope to hear more from soon. Ambiance for the looming cool months ahead.
Hiatus and Shura – First by Hiatus
Hiatus & Shura on Facebook

At some point during November, I happened to stumble along LA duo Electric Guest‘s hypnotic, reverb-filled “American Daydream” (free DL) and folk strummer “Troubleman” (check the breakdown at the 4 minute mark). Then I found out their debut is going going to be produced by Danger Mouse, look out. The guys’ latest cut “This Head I Hold” sounds even more diverse with funk drenched vocals and throwback Motown-like production.

While these fellas only have a few LA shows lined up, something tells me they are bound to be everywhere in 2012 once people give them a chance. Being named one of MTV’s artists to watch in 2012 certainly helps.
American Daydream by ElectricGuest
Troubleman by ElectricGuest
February 6, 2012-The Echo-Los Angeles, CA
February 13, 2012-The Echo-Los Angeles, CA
February 20, 2012-The Echo-Los Angeles, CA
February 27, 2012-The Echo-Los Angeles, CA
Like Electric Guest on Facebook and catch them in LA: