I’d previously shared a cool project with you guys called Monster Rally, it was an EP of fifties beach baby inspired tracks that looped old recordings and sounded like a perfect day at the beach. Well, Monster Rally just put out his free LP called Palm Reader where you can expect more of the same soft, nostalgic jams. This is lemonade-drinking music, despite the humid downpour that I’m staring at right now. Grab this LP for free on his bandcamp page.

Sweat Lodge Guru Records just put out his EP on cassette too so you can grab it here: http://sweatlodgeguru.com/about/

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Monster Rally- Steal

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Monster Rally- A Voice

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My friend Aaron from Ambassador Engine sent me over some stuff from his new project Paean. I think it’s worth checking out. It’s textured and expansive, it’s got that orchestral sound but it’s easy to consume. Yet it’s also darker and more aggressive, in the vein of Colour Revolt or mewithoutYou. Check out their myspace for more songs from their latest release ‘Songs for Us to Sing’.

My friends over at Solid Melts are releasing a cassette by the Australian duo ERASERS on August 3rd, limited 50 copies with a digital download. They’re a little spooky with whispy female vocals and buzzing electronics, it’s beautiful.

Check out Solid Melts Summer Sampler ‘An Empire of Fun’ featuring an ERASERS track, Cloud Nothings and C V L T S and more. Download it HERE.

ERASERS- Autumn Trees

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My friend Kevin over at Bridgetown sent over this great summer sampler featuring ten tracks from Weed Diamond, Ancient Crux, Vehicle Blues and more.

Download the mix here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?wmzj1dzzzuzvmon

And then you can grab their 7-album package HERE.

Last night I got word of a secret show, so obviously I wanted in. It was Born Ruffians, The Meligrove Band and The Wooden Sky playing to a modest group at the Garrison for a friend’s wedding fundraiser. What a great idea. I’d ask for any of these bands to play at my wedding. Last night was the first time I’d ever seen Born Ruffians play live and they were phenomenal, they had that full band sound thats even better than their record. I forgot how much I fucking love this band. They’re playful and sweet but they’ve got some pretty intricate and textured instrumentation, and they’re really tight. It was such a pleasure to watch.

Next up was The Meligrove band, which my friend Bobby so aptly described as ‘space rock’ a little heavier with distorted/fuzzy guitars- we ran out to get some sweet potatoe fries and came back for The Wooden Sky. I hadn’t seen them play since last year and they were gorgeous, I feel like they just keep growing and growing into this polished band. They were in fine form playing Tom Petty covers with fierce energy. They remain one of my favorite acts from Toronto. It was superfun, and well.. not really a secret now. (sorry)

Born Ruffians- What to Say

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The Meligrove Band- Halflight

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The Wooden Sky- The Late King Henry

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My friend Ryan is like a litttttle bit cooler than me. He’s a DJ, lives in LA and is roommates with THE Aaron Elliott. Word is, he’s also pals with Die Antwoord- a band I just recently interviewed, and yeah, I’m still confused. Anyway, check out his mix below because it’s pretty fucking cool.

Lilo’s Going Away Party Mixtape by Hi-Deaf by hideafmusic

I have never found more solace, wisdom, and inspiration anything on the internet quite like Daytrotter. The first session I ever heard was David Bazan, fittingly one of my favorite artists, I remember, listening to those songs over and over filling the space of a sterile library that I sat in every few days in the thick of the winter, during my last semester of college. I remember reading the words and these were the only words that gave the music justice, like the substance of salt, Sean Moeller extracted what we all felt and put it to words. It was there that I would consume a new dimension of music, the connection of what someone else felt, to myself. And we were feeling the same thing. His words, often poetic and poignant, were always thoroughly read. I’ve always been just as excited to read what Sean writes as I am to listen to the artist.

Daytrotter is one of my favorite things about the internet, it’s about fostering that community, sharing those ideas, even if you happen to live in the depths of nowhere (so do they) but there’s a hope in it, and a feeling that some things on here can and will last through the fads and the hype, and that’s good music. He honors and respects them in a way that most publicists and labels don’t. He doesn’t overhype them, nor does he lack in due credit, he simply opens up the gate and invites us in.

Alright, enough gushing. I’m so pleased to announce the release of a documentary on Daytrotter called Welcome to Daytrotter. It features some of my favorite artists and friends, and I’m pretty dang excited to see it. Check out the trailer below and see for yourself, and while you’re at it- check out Daytrotter right now because they have some KILLER sessions up with Sonny & the Sunsets, ARMS and Liars.

ARMS- Ana M

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ARMS- Emily Sue Pt 2

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Check out these tracks from a Canadian dude living in Sydney who makes bedroom songs that are all ambient and neo-soul. He performs under Guerre and uses pretty cheap equipment (his laptop and a program). All of those bedroom artists can now kick themselves for buying super expensive drum machines, pedals and whatever else they use. This rules. Check out his blog at Spirit If Records for more tracks all the time.

Guerre- Hey Light

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Guerre- Georgia

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Somewhere Craving the Night by Guerre

Check out this wicked remix for Blackbird Blackbird‘s ‘Hawaii’ by my friend Niva. Love both of these artists.

Blackbird Blackbird – Hawaii (Niva Remix) by NIVA

Chicago’s Night Gallery was sent to me via Rainbow Body Records and I think it’s pretty dope. It’s very synth-drenched, seduce you on the dancefloor kind of stuff. I’ll be living vicariously through these sounds as I spend the rest of eternity (see: Friday night) writing until I go cross-eyed. This album is aptly named ‘Constant Struggle’ by the way. Wouldn’t you know..

Night Gallery – Sex Curse by Rainbow Body Records
Night Gallery – Constant Struggle by Rainbow Body Records