Surfer Blood

Who: Surfer Blood

Hail From: West Palm Beach, Florida

Label: Kanine Records

Active from: 2009 - current

Sound Like: California Surfer Guitar Rock with indie sensibilities and an old school Weezer sense of humor

At first I was almost reminded of Vampire Weekend who really doesn't do much for me. Upon 2nd and 3rd listenings this band's music feels a lot more complex and cynic. They have a song about youthful longing for sex/love and how fake or wrong (but good) the journey with someone can be.....all of this, while watching Twin Peaks!!! How the fuck can you go wrong with that? Like I said they almost reminded me of Vampire Weekend, but they are missing that bands sun shiney spin to their guitar licks. Give them a couple listens. They'll grab you. This is going to be one of the bigger "bands to see" this year at SXSW. Start looking for your day shows now. I know they will be at the Villiage Voice Media day show at La Zona Rosa on March 19th. Keep an eye out on the Interwebs on RSVP and info to get into that show.

Astro Coast - Surfer Blood

My Top Ten Albums for 2009

I'm running behind but here is my top ten for 2009

10. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

The Pains Of Being Pure At Hea...

9. The XX - xx

xx - The xx

8. Discovery - LP

LP - Discovery

7. Delorean - Ayrton - not on lala, so....


6. Miike Snow - Miike Snow

Miike Snow

5. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Pho...

4. The Memory Tapes - Seek Magic

Seek Magic - Memory Tapes

3. Passion Pit - Manners

Manners - Passion Pit

2. The Big Pink - A Brief History of Love

A Brief History Of Love - The ...

1. Wild Beast - Two Dancers

Two Dancers - Wild Beasts

Memory Tapes

Who: Memory Tapes

Hail From: NJ

Label: unsigned

Active from: ?

Sounds Like: Slightly David Lynchian (maybe with a rainbow coming out his ass) mellowed out dance music

Memory Tapes is producer Dayve Hawk. He also produces music as Memory Cassets, Wierd Tapes as well as Memory Tapes. Outside music he is a stay at home dad in NJ who claims to be bad with computers. He has a Blogger site to discuss his music.

Kid Sister

Who: Kid Sister

Hail From: Chicago, Il

Label: Downtown/Fool’s Gold

Active from: 2006 to current

Sounds Like: 1987 J.J. Fad/Queen Latifah era fun rap with 90's dance vibe

Her moniker refers to her older brother J2K of Flosstradamus. The music: Is it epic? Is it gonna make you think? No. Is is gonna make you shake your ass and dance? Yes! The whole album isn't a bulls eyes, but the dance hits and right on target. Skip "Big n Bad" she samples on of the more horrid overplayed dance hits of the 90's. I caught her at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, TX and had a blast. I highly recommend checking out her live show.

Kid Sister - Right Hand Hi (video) You have to follow the link cuz the record label has disabled embedding for some lame ass reason

Switch Board - Kid Sister

Control - Kid Sister

The Big Pink

Who: The Big Pink

Hail From: London, England

Label: 4AD

Active from: 2007

Sounds Like: Early 90's alternative electronic with fuzzy guitars

I'm totally in love with band! The remind me of my 1st days going out to clubs and dancing my ass off. Their are doing their 1st U.S. tour right now, but are going no where near my loving Austin, TX.





And then there is the radio hit!

New Boyz

Who: New Boyz

Hail From: Los Angeles, CA

Label: Asylum/Warner Bros

Active from: 2009

Sounds Like: Cool Kids rip off, but lyrically more 80s centric

The Cool Kids opened up the road for Hip Hop to go back to its roots. Taking us back before Gangster Rap and hip hop’s current manifestation and infatuation with money, bling and status. Taking us back to when hip hop was fun. It was about kids entertaining themselves. Yes, a lot of underground hip hop kept that beat alive. There are tons of great intelligent fun hip hop out there. See Jurassic 5, Blackalicious or even their MC Gift Gab. However, I think it took our culture’s current crush of their fantasy version of the 80’s along with music’s continuing respect for its roots. Bring in the new youth and here you go. Out in Cali a hybrid of breakdancing called jerkin had developed. It basically is poppin with more focus on the lower body and foot work. The New Boyz have brought that dance into the lime light with "You're a Jerk." I love their lyrics. It is very reminiscent of UTFO. There are insults flying back and forth but they are all in good fun. They are also making it their own. Hip hop in SKINNY Jeans...the hipster look has invaded hip hop my friends....look at those bright ass 80's colors. Check'em out:

Way 2 Many Chickz - New Boyz

Tiga

Who: Tiga

Hail From: Montreal, Canada

Label: Turbo Recordings

Active from: 2001 to current

Sounds Like: Pants off Dance off

I've had this album for awhile and Shoes is by far my favorite track. For whatever reason I'm just getting around to seeing the video. I am loving it!