Dead Letter Chorus

I haven’t done a post about a band in the alternative country-esque arena in a while. Today I will with this Australia band by the name of Dead Letter Chorus. Gabrielle Huber, the female vocals, reminds me quite a bit of Jenny Lewis from Rilo Kiley. But the thing that excites me about this band is that they don’t limit themselves to only Gabrielle singing. They will also have Cameron Potts coming in just in time to add a new layer to the album.

Their album, The August Magnificent, was released in Sydney back in 2008. After the release, they grew in popularity after playing several Australian shows and festivals. Now, in March, the album will finally get a release so everyone else can enjoy what the Aussies have been listening to for long time.

This spring, the Canadians will be lucky enough to see them in concert. If you’re one of those Canadians, let me show you their tour dates.

March 24 – Montreal, QC @ Petit Campus
March 25 – Ottawa, ON @ Zaphods
March 26 – Kingston, ON @ Clark Hall Pub
March 27 – Peterborough, ON @ Red Dog
March 30 – Hamilton, ON @ Casbah
March 31 – Guelph, ON @ E-Bar
April 02 – London, ON @ Call The Office
April 03 – Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace

Don’t forget to add them to your Myspace so you can listen to some more of their songs and they can remind you in a few weeks when the album is finally released.

Dead Letter Chorus – Down In The Valley

Their Myspace

Northern Portrait

I know, I’m a little late posting about these guys. I did that on purpose, really. When I listened to the album the first time, I was very impressed so I decided to give the album several listens before posting. I wanted to treat it right since I’m such a fan. Hopefully I’ll do it justice.

It’s hard to believe that “Criminal Art Lovers” is the first album from Northern Portrait, with only a couple of singles released previously to it. With each of the ten tracks, I’ll wonder why they haven’t released it as a single. The song “Crazy” is the only song that’s been on a previous single while the rest will be new songs for you fans, but even “Crazy” was mixed differently for the album and I like it’s version best. The lead singer impresses with his singing talents and intelligent lyrics. I can see this album becoming part of several bloggers’ “best of” lists, even though the year just began. The album is impressively solid.

I remember thinking, when I sat on my sofa and listened to the album the first time, “I almost wish Northern Portrait was from the 80’s and not a modern band.” I thought that because, the band is so talented and would have been a really big band at that time. In this modern music world, we’re bombarded with music on a daily basis and I worry Northern Portrait will get caught in the shrapnel and be forgotten. Let’s hope they don’t and this album gets the attention it deserves.

Northern Portrait – Criminal Art Lovers
Northern Portrait – New Favourite Moment

Their Myspace
Matinee Records

Satellite Crush

Elliot, the main writer for Satellite Crush moved from Ohio to London after graduating an art school. In London he saved every penny to get by and to write songs. Eventually he decided to move back to the United States to get away from the loneliness that came from living in England, so he found himself moving to L.A. where he formed the band and started recording the songs he wrote while in London. I can definitely hear the British influence in their music. They’re a fitting rainy day band.

Satellite Crush – Paris To London

Their Myspace

The Matinee Grand Prix

Matinee Records has started the year running on all cylinders when they put out their 50th release, “The Matinee Grand Prix”. It’s a proper record label compilation, showing off all the talent packed into this indie label. If you’re not too familiar with Matinee Records yet, then you should buy this album. Everything that’s great about this label has been stuffed into this release. I also have to add, I think this will be one of the best album covers for the year. As soon as I saw it, I was instantly interested in the compilation.

1. Northern Portrait – Stirling Moss
2. Strawberry Whiplash – Boy In The Bubble Car
3. The Lucksmiths – Get-to-Bed Birds
4. The Electric Pop Group – Believers
5. Clay Hips – Disappointed
6. Tender Trap – Danger Overboard
7. Simpático – Australian Idle
8. Cats on Fire – The Hague
9. Bubblegum Lemonade – Cuts Like A Dream
10. Math And Physics Club – I Keep To Myself
11. The Guild League – Bookmark

Matinee Records

Smoosh

Smoosh has released a new song for us. Have you heard of Smoosh yet? I hope so. They’re two sisters, one on drums the other on piano, that are about to release their third album and still aren’t aloud to go to 18 plus aged concerts. Crazy right? They were found by Jason McGerr, friend from their hometown of Seattle, as preteens. Now they’re living in Stockholm. I’m excited to hear what Sweden did to their music style. Here’s an interview recently given talking about what has been going on with the sisters.

Smoosh – We are our own lies
Smoosh – This Modern Love (Bloc Party Cover)

Their Website
Their Myspace

Chapel Club

Here’s a new band from London that’s starting to get quite a bit of buzz in their homeland. This five piece band, known as Chapel Club, doesn’t have a lot of music out in the world yet. Their dark pop fits in the likes of Editors or Interpol. Right now their Myspace page says they’re unsigned but their video on youtube was posted by Polydor, so they must have been signed. Let’s hope more material comes from these Londoners soon.

Chapel Club – O Maybe I

Their Myspace

Holiday Records Pop Compilation 3

Holiday Records released their third compilation album. If you’re not following their weekly free release, then here is a good opportunity to see what pop gems you’ve been missing.

Holiday Records – Pop Compilation 3

JJ YOURS0129

JJ is one of my favorite new bands. They released their debut album last year and will be releasing their second album in March. Until then, they have surprised us with two new songs. Some more exciting news from the band, they released their album on white vinyl. Here’s the link to buy it for yourself, YOURS0127.

JJ – let go
JJ – my way

YOURS0129

Eels

Eels have done it again and will be releasing his eighth album on January 19. I was really surprised to hear this when he just released an album last summer. I was lucky enough to get my hands on the album a little early. Over the years, I haven’t been a very big fan of Mark Everett and his band Eels. I’ve never had a reason not to like the music. I guess I never gave him a chance. Well, I have now. I’m impressed with the new album, End Times. The album consists of heavy dose of slow somber songs to help keep you warm on a lonely night. Although, he’s not afraid to break out into a guitar riff heavily influenced by 60’s rock and roll. But his shiny moments on the album would be the slow songs with cleverly crafted lyrics, like Little Bird.

Eels – Little Bird

His Myspace
His Website

Barzin on Bad Panda Records

Bad Panda Records has released a new song from one of my favorite bands right now, Barzin. I think everyone knows my opinion on this band by now. I’m not going to go into it again. They’re awesome. That’s all you need to know.

Barzin – It’s Come to This

Their Myspace
Their Website
Bad Panda Records