CMJ preview: Georgie James

"We Were Walking/ Back In My Evil Days"

NYC's CMJ Music Marathon kicks off in a few weeks and while we're still patiently waiting for an official schedule, a few dates have leaked and we couldn't be more excited. While the lineup is heavy on synthesizers and drum machines, there is still hope for boys and girls with guitars. One of the bands I'm most excited to catch is Georgie James. The Washington D.C. duo, which features former Q and Not U member John Davis, crafts rhythmically bouncy rock and roll of the best kind, soulful power pop. "Cake Parade" is like something off Rilo's More Adventurous. While "Need Your Needs" is a Rosebuds-y hand clap fueled groovy rocker that'll make you shake it even when you think you cannot possibly shake it anymore. Georige James will make you rattle your pig tails from side to side like a cold-war era adolescent. Sleepover jams indeed. Get ready for a pillowfight with Georgie James. Check them out 10/20 at the Mercury Lounge with Professor Murder and the Harlem Shakes, among others.


Georgie James- Need Your Needs
Georgie James- Cake Parade

more swedish music: Club 8

"Cuz I Need Heaven Just Like You"

No not S Club 7 or 8-Ball, Club 8 is among the elite elders of the swedish indie pop community (and what a sweet, sincere community it is). And yes, for the 74th time, WE LOVE SWEDISH MUSIC. Club 8 apparently claim some hypothetical indie rock homecoming king and queen title in their native land. To be quite honest I'd never heard of them 'til last week (shows what I know). Coincidently, their phenomenally titled The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Dreaming, their 8th LP, drops next Tuesday in Sveden (November 13th in the States). While the band is known for mellow-electronic dance cuts and a similar downtempo bossanova/trip-hop vibe, "Heaven" is jangly funk guitar complete with maracas and bongo's and pogo friendly rhythm that brings to mind fellow Swedes Peter Bjorn & John's whistl-tastic "Young Folks." With that morsel in your brain, Club 8 have been hustlin' Stockholm and surrounding areas since PB&J were eating PB&J. Yeah, thats lame, but seriously, Club 8's Johan Angergard runs the prolific Swedish label Labrador and has been playing music with the sexy, coy Karolina Komstedt since 1995 (Remember '95? Dookie and Suburban Grunge. Good times). Already a mixtape staple for late summer/early fall. Not gonna lie, I wish the new Rilo Kiley sounded a bit like this, but hey, you cant always get what you want. Dig "Heaven" below and peep the video of one of Club 8's biggest hits to date, "Missing You." (Warning: "Missing You" is a little cheesy, in the realm of Ween's "Friends" & the few unsincere moments in Sally Shapiro songs, but regardless it's kinda catchy).

Oh, yeah and John and Karolina are ridiculously, ridiculously good looking. Like almost obscenely good looking.

Club 8- Heaven

nu musick: Rilo Kiley

"You've Got the Moneymaker"

We've got the brand new single from Los Angeles Indie Darlings Rilo Kiley. "The Moneymaker" hit the 'net the other day is all big RAWK guitars, a super tight rhythm section and Jenny Lewis sounding like a sexy young Joan Jett. No doubt the Rilo sound has evolved with each album, maturing from the minimalist Casio drum laden indie-twang of Take Offs and Landings towards a truly successful mixture of clever indie song writing, ingenious pop sensibilities and classick rock adrenaline on the Execution of All Things & More Adventurous. There's a reason they've won over thousands of wide eyed youngsters and are bound to win thousands more with on August 21st when Under the Blacklight is released. If "the Moneymaker" is any indication, than Under the Blacklight may sound like Rilo got drunk with Siouxsie & the Banshees & Rick James. Seriously. Get "The Moneymaker" and watch the video below. The video is 70's porn in the vein of Fiona Apple's "Criminal". The song is much of the same. Regardless, Jenny looks great shaking her moneymaker. God bless.


Rilo Kiley- The Moneymaker