Venice Is Sinking

Venice is Sinking plays orchestral pop, Americana, slowcore, or space rock, depending on whom you ask. Founded in Athens, GA in 2003, this five-piece outfit eschews facile categorization. Its sound is familiar but hard to pin down, rooted in cinematic arrangements, subtle genre tweaks, and clear, ringing harmonies. The band’s 2006 debut LP, Sorry About … read more ➜

Guitar (shoegaze band)

‘Guitar’ is the idea to produce new unique guitar-based songs and sounds. Let’s say: Free the guitar sound a little bit from the guitar player! After the first Guitar album I decided to open the definition of ‘guitar’ and also work on all kind of instruments that have strings. Ayako Akashiba is the vocalist and … read more ➜

Hotels (new wave, post-punk)

I can’t give Hotels much credit for originality. Both their music and their band name are rather derivative (and confusing… “Motels”???) but the music is still good stuff and worth a few spins. The track “Near The Desert, Near The City” is very familiar sounding and sounds like something you could’ve heard at a friend’s … read more ➜

The Naked Hearts

The Naked Hearts formed in New York City in January 2008. Their unique brand of pop combines the grungy, stripped down style of early 90’s bands such as The Breeders and The Lemonheads with the structured elegance of bands like Blonde Redhead and Autolux. 01/28 Chapel Hill, NC @ The Cave 01/29 Washington, DC @ … read more ➜

Doves, news on new album, exclusive track

“So, where were we? Sorry to have kept you all waiting around for so long – we’ve been pretty much bound to the studio for the last three years, the powers that be only let us out for a couple of gigs last September (the Heavenly 18th birthday gig being a pretty special night for … read more ➜

Doves, news on new album

This is straight from the Doves: “Just wanted to start by letting you all know we’ve finally finished our new album & after a week of compiling the track order & other details I can confirm we’re all made up with it, we reckon its our most diverse record yet. Looking forward to it being … read more ➜

Swervedriver special reissues

“Pre-Order the Swervedriver CD Reissues, Get a Free Ltd Autographed Poster & Swervie Raygun! New Adam Franklin release named and dated. Hi-Speed Soul (in conjunction with Second Motion) is reissuing Swervedriver’s classic debut and sophomore albums, “Raise” & “Mezcal Head” on compact disc. Completely remastered, rare bonus tracks added, & a 16 page booklet with … read more ➜

My most listened to albums of 2008

I don’t pretend to have the broadest music taste. I also didn’t get around to listening to a lot of albums which others have raved about. Fortunately I found my good headphones this week (well, at least the one pair I’d lost) and have lots of free time during the next two weeks to catch … read more ➜

top albums of 2008

pitchforkmedia.com 2008 pitchfork readers poll allmusic.com favorite albums of 2008 pastemagazine.com 2008 best music nme.com Top Albums of 2008 kexp.org dj’s top 2008

Veil Veil Vanish this Thursday at Cafe Du Nord (recommended if you like: Interpol, The Cure)

 myspace profile Veil Veil Vanish is a San Francisco based 4-piece that brings dark, post-punk energy, shoegaze atmospherics, and modern indie aesthetics into the current era of pop music. Featuring ex-members of Andalusia , Astral & Jada Morning, Veil Veil Vanish began in January of 2006 and has since played venues throughout the US, with bands such as 1990’s (UK), … read more ➜

Black Nite Crash

RIYL: Darker My Love, Serena Maneesh, Singapore Sling Black Nite Crash – “Falling Down” www.blacknitecrash.com myspace.com/blacknitecrash available at: Custom Made Music Tone Vendor Interpunk Sonic Boom Records

Surf City

www.myspace.com/killsurfcitygo www.morrmusic.com Surf City – “Dickshakers Union” The opening guitar on this track reminds me a little of the Voom Bloom’s “Thoughts of Rena”. Voom Blooms – “Thoughts of Rena” Voom Blooms post from 2006

Footnotes 92-94 | Pitchfork

Adorable are easily in my top 5 of unknown bands… The following is from, pitchforkmedia Footnotes 92-94 | Pitchfork Pitchfork Adorable: Footnotes 92-94 [Cherry Red; 2008] Rating: 7.2 With their debut, Against Perfection, released at the tail end of the shoegazer era and just before the height of Britpop hysteria, Adorable arguably straddled both genres– … read more ➜

Asobi Sesku Reveal New Album Details

The following is from, Pitchfork Media – Today Asobi Sesku Reveal New Album Details Having let the anticipation build to a big shoegazey swell, Asobi Seksu are finally ready to let forth their latest crescendo in the form of Hush, the pedal-happy combo’s previously discussed third long-player. The set, assembled by core band members James … read more ➜

solar powered people

myspace.com/solarpoweredpeople threeringrecords.com Based in the center on the central valley, about an hour east of San Francisco, Solar Powered People have been making a name for themselves throughout California and everywhere else for that matter. This four-piece rock/shoegaze band consists of members: Tony Pennington, Ryan Coscia, Douglass McKinnon, and Dustin Morris. Over the years these … read more ➜

Donny Hue and the Colors

Tell Tall Tales is a collection of songs written and recorded by Donny Hue. It is currently a digital only release with 10 stripped down songs showcasing Donny Hue’s song writing craftsmanship, acoustic guitar and harmonica. The album was self recorded by Donny Hue in Brooklyn in 2008. The story of the Tales from Donny … read more ➜