Ok…so, i’ve just put together a little teaser cd that will give everyone an insight to what i’ve got spinning in my cd player now.
What i’ve done is load up about 18 songs or so to a sharing site in zip file format. Feel free to download and arrange them in any order you see fit. They are defaulted to alphabetical right now because i am lazy. I’m also so lazy that i’m only half-assing my track comments.
To get this out of the way now, i’d like to say that if you like the music here, go support the artists. Buy the cd, but a t-shirt, see a concert, donate some gas money, something….anything helps when you’re out there trying to make a living and make music at the same time.
The file can be found on: http://www.badongo.com/file/2216140
The Songs are:
Arthur and Yu - Come to Me — Sonya Westcott, former Rogue Wave bassist, went up to Seattle and started up this band with another musician and it sounds pretty darn good. I just found this track a few days ago and am already looking forward to the full length release.
Ben Kweller - Penny on the Train Track — i first *really* heard this song on a flight from California to Texas and it stuck in my head so much that i had to remember exactly what i was hearing so i could remember to tell my wife about it when i landed.
Brian Bergeron - Speed — Speaking of my wife, she is actually the one who tracked this guy down. usually, i’m intorducing her to music…this time, she found the New England gem and passed the great tunes on to me. Yay.
Cat Empire - Hello — I don’t know too much about this song. I heard it on the radio a few weeks ago (thanks, DJ Janice!) and loved it’s catchiness and great little upbeat melody.
Cold War Kids - Hospital Beds — Cold War Kids are really cathing on in the indie world an have come a long way since i first saw them last year. They have a helluva stage show and really put a little extra something to all their music. The best part is that it sounds just as good live as it does on the raw-sounding album.
Foreign Born - We Had Pleasure — I saw these guys opening for Rogue Wave last year on my birthday. I was selling merchandise for the band, and these guys were set up next to us. I chatted with them all night and they were not only great people, but great musicians as well.
Guster - Satellite — This is my requisite Guster song…all of my mixes pretty much have one. These guys started the whole indie music ball rolling for me. This is their newest single and it really showcases how far they’ve come from the old acoustic guitar and conga drum days.
Islands - Don’t Call Me Whitney, Bobby — Ok, ok…i’ll admit it: MTV2 sometimes has good music. The show subterranean is well represented here on this cd, as many of the songs here have been on there. Most of them, this one included, i had not heard before the show. This track is as damn catchy as they come…complete with "doot doots" to boot (boots).
King of France - Mexico — Another Rogue Wave opener…this time, it was also for Nada Surf. These guys also put on a great show and were nice enough to randomly hand us a set list after the show. Very nice guys that have some great little quirky music.
Nada Surf - Imaginary Friends — Nada Surf needs almost no explaination. These guys are more than just their radio hit "Popular". They’ve put out so many good songs on so many quality albums, it was hard for me to pick just one to put on this. So, i went wth one of my faves.
Rogue Wave - Debaser (Pixies cover) — Oddly enough, this is the only cover on my mix. This song stick in your head and doesn’t go away easily. Just ask my wife…who keeps singing it throughout the house on weekends. Maybe Roge Wave didn’t write it, but they sure made it sound just as good as the one’s who did.
Sparrow House - Last Fall – Sparrow House is a side project from Voxtrot member Jared Van Fleet and is nice, moody lo-fi at it’s best. Don’t believe me? Check out his myspace page for other examples…like "When I am Gone". The guy can really write some beautiful songs.
Syd - 6:45 — This is one of Syd’s older tracks, but one of my all-time faves. I couldn’t have a mix without my Northeast pal and decided to go back a bit for this one. It’s a great song that really reminds me of my time in Boston, what with all the talk of waiting for trains and all. New stuff is coming from this guy soon…and if you like this song, the new stuff will blow you away. Trust me on this one.
The Comfies - Medicine — Syd’s drummer, Sam Smith, is also the drummer for Nasheville-based Comfies (formerly Harper). They have a nice EP out right now that runs up and down the volume and tempo dial. In the few songs they toss out, it satisfies almost every taste and keeps you wanting another bite.
The New Pornographers - Sing Me Spanish Tecnho — This song is another MTV2 find. I’ve known of the band for a while, but this song really got me into them much more.
The Walkmen - Loiusiana — Again, more MTV2 finds. Nice catchy indie rock, with a tinge of country that i’m all for promoting out there. Blend the genres, mix it up…mmmm…yummy.
Viva Voce - From the Devil Himself — Wow…MTV2 again…darn Subterranean. This song really stood out to me for it’s retro feel. Listen for Beatles, Beach Boys, Mama’s and the Papa’s…good stuff.
Voxtrot - Soft and Warm — Austin’s Voxtrot is really heating up the indie scene lately as well. This song really jumped out at me when i first heard it, and continues to be one of my favorites still.
So, there you go kiddies. Download, listen, support, repeat.
Let me know if you love it or hate it. But, if you do hate it, at least pretend you tried to like it…like taking a bite of sauerkraut.
~ Rock ~
- The Shins - ‘Australia’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHTSxw6zN1E
- Death Cab For Cutie - ‘I Will Follow You Into The Dark’ (Plans version): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfBw0IWwO5U
- Menomena - ‘Wet and Rusting’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iqg3LVx2Ws
The nineties were a big part of music for me. Of course, i loved songs from all the decades up to that point. But, I think most people have a special place in their heart for the music of their High School years. Having graduated in *gulp* 1993, i was on the cusp of a world of changing music. I started High School listening to "hair metal" and ended up finding stuff like The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, Primus, Jane’s Addiction, and a smattering of grunge-related music. I consider 1988-1993 the "real" era of alternative music, as opposed this mainstream crap that passes for alternative these days. Back in those days the local alternative radio station really rocked some good tunes and had some great DJ’s (George Gimark and Jeff K spring to mind). I was young, formidable, and stepped into a music scene that i’m still a big part of almost two decades later. It’s been a fun ride, folks. 
