Birds and Batteries just released a new EP entitled Unfold in anticipation for their upcoming LP Stray Light due in August. The EP is described as, “the complexities of love and conflict in the digital age”. Epic Fail is the latest track – it’s got a really nice vibe, a little dark, heavy synth.. very outer space-y.

Epic Fail by birdsandbatteries

Family Band recently came out with a new track called Night Song, off their upcoming record Grace & Lies. It feels dark, a little haunted. It’s got this creepy looped guitar and Kim’s creepy yet beautiful vocals. Listen, below.

01 Night Song

The jangly indie rock sputtered from vocalist Brad Oberhofer tells many a tales, every one of them echoing with youthful joy and sloppy optimism. Their live show will leave you smiling from ear to ear as you watch Brad spin, climb, lay down and smile while he “ooohs” and “aaahs” and “shhhhh’s!!!!” about the stage.

“Landline” is part of the exceptional first half of their debut album “Time Capsules II”, a start and stop glittery pop track, complete with “2,3,4′s!”, “Let’s Go!’s” and plenty of oooOOOOooOOO!’s.

Brad’s constantly immersed in young love throughout this album and when his young love doesn’t connect with his mobile he reminds her “Oh girl, If I dont pick up the phone you can call the Landline”.  Quirky, energetic, and always having fun with itself, Landline reminds us of the youthful spirit text messaging has rid us of, the time where you talked to your high school crush for hours over closed-door, parent-restricted romances, trying to find the one, the one that meant so much before the bar.

Rolling your eyes to the hook only shows your age.

02 Landmine

Toronto’s Bravestation just released a new (free) song today called Tides of the Summit – off their upcoming LP Giants & Dreamers out July 10th. This track is a goodie! Stream it below and download it here. Check out their tracklist below.

Tides of the Summit
Western Thrills
Signs of the Civilized
Fluorescent Scenes
Amaranthine
Lines in the Sand
Marble Sky
Kaleidoscope
Future Love

It’s been a few days since I posted, I’ve been crazy busy and generally occupied this past week but I caught wind of these remixes of Mr Little Jeans (of Arcade Fire cover fame) and loved it. Hope your weekend has been good! I’ve been shootin’ hoops in the court, ya’ heard me. Enjoy!

Runaway (Yelle DJs Remix by TEPR) by Mr Little Jeans

Runaway (WAVVES Remix) by Mr Little Jeans

This felt gooood. I found this video over at Yours Truly and it features Michael Kiwanuka, Ben Howard with his band, India and Chris, Ben Lovett, The Staves and Johannes from Bear’s Den jam to John Martyn’s ‘Over The Hill’. It was filmed during SXSW by Babysweet. While I’m not exactly sure what Babysweet is – I’m finding myself getting lost in the website of videos, so I’ll probably be here for a while. Watch this video, then do the same.

I keep asking myself, what do I have to do to get to finally see, “I Am Not A Hipster” my friend Destin Cretton’s film that premiered at Sundance, until I realized that I’ll probably just have to donate to this fund in order for it to get distribution. Admit it, the title is intriguing, you still ask yourself these existential questions everyday – am I a hipster? Am I not a hipster? WHAT AM I AND WHAT IS THE POINT OF ALL THIS? Or maybe that’s just me. Anyway, check out their video to find out more!

Dead Ends FREE DOWNLOAD by CANINES

I miss LA sometimes, especially because so many rad people exist there. For example – my friend Steffaloo – who’s music is only a reminder that I’m not in California (THANKS STEPH). I came across these remixes of her track On Fire and they are so so good. Especially this one remixed by Persona La Ave. It’s got her breathy vocals repeating in a cyclical, meditative trance. It sounds like summer to me. Listen, below. And this photo was taken by my friend, Landon Speers - you can check out more of them plus others with Purity Ring, Kuhrye-oo and more here.

Dr. Dog is one of the most underrated bands – that might sound strange considering they’re pretty mainstream-indie at this point but really, I don’t think people appreciate them as much as they deserve. Their records have meant a lot to me throughout the years and their lyrics are smart – they’re deep. Their latest record, “Be The Void” is no exception, Lonesome is one of my favourites too. Check out the video for it, above.

I haven’t heard much from Buke and Gase in a while but they just released a new track called Hiccup. I always liked that Radiolab with them called The Loudest Miniature Fuzz, heard it? Listen here.