Hotels, Sleepover Disaster, Skycamp, James Lanman (san francisco local show)

Here is your chance to catch a pretty good local show for cheap that is filled with quality music! http://sonicliving.com/event/1240860 Hotels: http://www.alternapop.com/2009/02/17/hotels-new-wave-post-punk/ Sleepover Disaster: http://www.myspace.com/thesleepoverdisaster Skycamp: http://www.myspace.com/skycamp James Lanman: http://www.myspace.com/jameslanman

Interpol, news on the upcoming 4th album

“It’s been a long time. We shouldn’t have left you… After the touring for OLTA came to an end, we all dispersed to tend to our individual personal lives. …And to get our ducks in a row. Now the band has reconvened, and we are rehearsing new songs. We find ourselves marveling at the tremendous … read more ➜

Dead Heart Bloom

“After releasing two EPs in 2008, Dead Heart Bloom completes their 3 EP series with the release of their latest, In Chains. The series, embracing several styles yet lyrically and conceptually tied together, is released on the band’s own KEI Records. If you haven’t checked this (and it’s 2 predecessors) out, you’re really missing out. … read more ➜

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