Dancing Pigeons - Ritalin

I don't know a thing about the band Dancing Pigeons. However, I can tell you that they have released a excellent video for the track Ritalin. I have watched it three times simultaneously now and I can't tell you how much I love the expressions on the faces on the duelling men.  Definitely a "must see!"

And the song is not all that bad either!


Dancing Pigeons - Ritalin from Blink on Vimeo.

Blackbird Blackbird

For some reason, I woke up in a blissed-out mood and wanted happy, blissed-out, music to accompany it. Out of the blue come Blackbird Blackbird. I have been hearing about this band off and on for the last while but never really gave them a listen. I love it! Every song is getting me this morning and what this band manages to squeeze into their little two minute ditties is amazing.

There is something so easy about floating away in these excessively happy songs. Lyrical content is replaced by effects-laden vocal tracks of seemingly nothing. The ever-present pounding drums and swooping blips and blops are just perfectly executed. The songs just work. It reminds me of a great escape or a drive in the country, the music just keeps your toes 'a tapping.

I needed that today.

J. Tillman - Singing Ax

This excites me. J. Tillman has a new album coming out entitled Singing Ax. I personally got really excited about the email I received this morning because I have been obsessed with his music and musings as of late. Recorded by the always stunning Steve Albini in Chicago, this album is certain to be amazing and certainly worth every ounce of my excitement.

Check out the track:

Three Sisters - J. Tillman

Welcome to Daytrotter: Trailer

I know this is making it's rounds but man does it look great. I am so excited to see this film!

Fidel Catastrophe

Alright, I have not been excited about a band in a long time but I can't help but be ecstatic about the amazing Fidel Catastrophe. Reading the great STRATOSPHERING this morning left me full of joy. The blog introduced to a band that is worth getting excited about and definitely deserved as much promotion as possible. Plus, I shared the sentiment, shock actually, that Anticon have not snaped these guys up.

Anyway, these songs are so simple yet amazing. I have been listening all day and I have to highly recommend this band. Heck, if you want to help them press some vinyl, give 'em some money as well! 

Villagers

I don’t know what it is! Maybe it is the solemn mood that comes with an ever-so-slight depression or the anxiety of searching for change. Who knows? However, I have been greatly touched by simple acoustic music as of late. One such artist that I have been obsessed with is Villagers A.K.A. Irish tunester Conor J. O’Brien.

He is coming to Vancouver and playing the Media Club tomorrow night and I am excited. I never do this, but I have been listening to his music with baited-breath just hoping he can pull it off live.

See you there.
 

Photo taken by Enda Doran - www.endadoran.com

Mike Behrends

I have been listening to a lot of great music lately and finding time to present it here has come few and far between. However, I got a few minutes.

If you have not done so already, you have to check out Mike Behrends. Exploring the banjo/singer-songwriter genre, he has impeccable timing and is a fascinating listen. I love his songwriting and his, ever-so-slight, off key harmonies work impressively.

Check it out:

New Mexico - Mike Behrends

As If This Song Needed to Be More Inspirational!

Vanish Valley

Well, I have written next to nothing on here for quite some time and I feel awful about it. There is a massive job hunt currently consuming most of my waking hours and I have not really been seeking out a lot of music. However, I finally found a band that I thought was worth writing about: Vanish Valley.

I will let you listeners check them out but they instantly grabbed me with their hooks, melody, and great experimentation. I know that I tend to write those three redeeming qualities often but I guess that is what just draws me to great music. Hope you like 'em!