Witch gardens is made up of 3 chicks and a dude from Seattle. They blend playful slacker pop influenced by the 50’s and 60’s with vocal melodies that coast over shambolic garage psych. They have been together for only a few months now and have been busy playing shows. They recently released a split cassette tape with commemerative trading cards for 7 bucks over at their myspace. Witch Gardens will also be featured on an upcoming s.o.t.r. mixtape that will be available for download from the site soon.
From their beginnings as krautrock inspired semi-rockers, to their synthesizer filled “fly me to mars and I don’t want to come back” later work, they have covered many bases and covered it very well. The first time I heard Love Like Deloreans, or LLD, It was a shaky little 4 track mystery called “How To get Along with Others”. I instantly checked off a few factors in things that make songs enjoyable. The song’s palette was refreshing, bold, and big. It had actual leads! it had tangible melodies! It has a mysterious “what’s behind that mountain” feel; the song wanders, wonders and asks questions which are by the end answered, yet leaves you wanting more. More LLD!
Sickoftheradio.com is proud to releasevolume 5 of the R. Stevie Moore Tribute box set entitled“Not Quite Yet”. This volume includes tracks from Jad Fair, Earwak, Skizz Cyzykand, Augustita Lloret, Sleeping Bag, Bars And Tone, Astrid Quay Arts & Entertainment, and a bunch of other cool groups all taking a shot at various RSM songs. All songs compiled and arranged by R. StevieMoore, the man himself.
Sacramento’s G. Green have an uncanny ability for crafting playful slacker post-punk executed with such rugged charm & vitality comparable to groups like the German Measles and Home Blitz. Andrews unique vocals send vibezzz of loneliness & despair that reminisce of bratty high school feelin’s and TV teen romanticism. These scuzzy innovators are fast becoming my favorite guitar band with their infectious raw energy drawn from their DIY basement sound. Get their 7″ I will Not Withdraw This Statement via Malt Duck records here and check their Myspace for other releases/info.
A 45-mile drive south of Sacramento, you’ll run into a town—a somewhat edgy, road-trip, pit-stop type of town—and this is Stockton, California, home of Justin Vallesteros and Frankie Soto from Craft Spells. I can’t put my finger on the band’s direct influence—New Order, Echo and the Bunnymen, maybe even The Smiths. And these are all good bands. However, Craft Spells has a tropical/pop/thrash/dream-pop sound that evokes contemporary music like Beach House and Earlimart, too. They’re a pleasurable listen and definitely worth your time. Watch out for the band’s newest EP, Party Talk, coming in September on Captured Tracks!
Mazing Vids have been diagnosed with a specific type of psychosis. This particular psychosis has been known to affect 3 out of every 4 persons in the five borough area. Years of exposure to infinitely, dense amounts of glass, cement, and taxi cabs have been the sole cause of said mental disorder.
Similar patients,such as the bizzaro groupExcepter , have reported such side effects displaying proclivities towards synths, drum machines, and maniacal vocals. If you find yourself collecting synthesizers, drum machines, and or starting a band, please call your doctor right away as these may be signs of a serious condition.
Icy pole: by aussie slang, it’s a common name for a frozen flavoured water product. We’re not talking about a popsicle, here, though—we’re talking about the fantastic Australian quartet of Isobel, Tara, Lani and Kim. Together they’re known as The Icypoles, and they’re coming through with some intoxicating vocalization! It’s dancey, poppy, infectious stuff. Although I’ve only heard a few songs, they are definitely worth the listen. Click here to see what I mean.
Quiet Lights are moody, and dreary, featuring “Droning” female vocals, heavy percussion, and sharp guitars. Opening for A Sunny Day In Glasgow on October 26th at the Knitting Factory in NYC, but other than that, no shows to speak of.
Mindless Vinyls‘ psychedelic enfant terrible, Easy Tom, has released his LP, “Their Only Dreams”. ’Most of the songs are born from lyrics that pop in my head while I am driving around Los Angeles doing my day job,’ claims Easy Tom. And you can hear it – the album oozes claustrophobic gridlock. “Everyone’s got a chip on their shoulder, everyone’s checking out each other’s cars”, he sings on “Slow metamorphosis”, as guitars gurgle and playful keys bubble up from the 70s-informed cauldron. “Their Only Dreams” is available via Easy Tom’s bandcamp page.
