Wye Oak – “I Hope You Die”
Wye Oak released their EP My Neighbor/My Creator last week via Merge. The husband-and-wife duo is yet anther band to come out of Baltimore’s luscious indie scene that rose to national prominence with bands like Beach House, Animal Collective and Dan Deacon. If you’re like me, then this EP [...]

Here We Go Magic’s 2009 album was impressive even though it was a lo-fi experimental journey mostly directed by the singular vision of Luke Temple. Now the group is set to release the more “official” Pigeons on June 8th via Secretly Canadian.
Our first listen is a tune called “Collector”. It’s definitely more polished than any [...]

The catchy theme song for HBO’s new series, How to Make It in America (aka Entourage Part 2), is courtesy of Aloe Blacc. “I Need a Dollar” is the first single on his upcoming release via Stones Throw.

MP3:
Aloe Blacc – “I Need a Dollar”

Ok, we’ll admit it. We’re really, really, really excited for The National to release High Violet on May 11th. You might even say we’re giddy. Why? Well check out their performance of the opening track “Terrible Love” on Jimmy Fallon last night and try to tell us you didn’t miss Matt Berninger’s signature baritone.

If [...]

LCD Soundsystem decided to take their act to the runway at the recent Yves Saint Laurent fashion show in Paris on March 8th. Unfortunately, no official audio exists, but you can hear Murphy and company play a version of Peter Gordon’s experimental track “Beginning of the Heartbreak” in the video below. Sexy.
The much-anticipated, but yet-unnamed, [...]

Bay Area favorites The Morning Benders drop their sophomore release, Big Echo, today. Judging by the album’s coastal artwork alone, we might assume that the Berkeley-founded and now Brooklyn-dwelling band is sticking to their beach bum ways. But as The Morning Benders have grown, their techniques have matured as well. Big Echo moves away from [...]

Stranger Dance patron saints Spoon were the musical guests on Letterman last night, supporting their January 2010 release Transference. Britt and company were joined by protégé Stephen Patterson of White Rabbits.

MP3:
Spoon – “Got Nuffin”

San Francisco label Secret Seven Records recently released In a Cloud, a compilation of 14 unreleased tracks from some of SF’s best up-and-coming talent. The compilation with mastered by Paul Oldham, brother and occasional bandmate of Will Oldham.
The catch? It’s a limited vinyl release with only 500 copies. But something tells us this thing will [...]

San Francisco’s Honeycomb is an eight-piece ensemble led by Emily Ritz and featuring members of Geographer, Stitchcraft, The Dirty Snacks Ensemble. This beautiful live video was put together by One Night Music, a collective of volunteers who film intimate live performances of independent songwriters and bands in the Bay Area.
You can soak up some more [...]

Broken Social Scene – “World Sick”
Broken Social Scene will return after five long years of solo efforts with the release of Forgiveness Rock Record on May 4th, 2010. To celebrate the occasion, they’re giving away the first single “World Sick” on their myspace.
Even better, they’re hitting The Fillmore in San Francisco on May 1st, 2010 [...]