mp3: The Skygreen Leopard

"Disciples of California"
While the Skygreen Leopards are set to release a new album on JagJaguwar, I'm currently digging on their 2006 release Disciples of California thanks to those bitches over at Butter Face, who dubbed the ode to the Sunshine State one of "8 albums to help keep you cool this summer." If anything can be said about the Skygreen Leopards its that they have done their homework in the paisley department, so much so that it can be hard to find anything but nostalgic glee and worry in their sedated, sun burnt voices. "Disciples of California," in name alone, eerily sums up the Skygreen Leopards aesthetic, as if the band miraculously used their vintage VW convertible to transport themselves back to the Laurel Canyon scene. While that might sound a little biting (and rather cliche), as an East Coaster whose spent very little time in California, I tend to believe that the mythology and ethos of the free willing Southern California seventies lives on, albeit in patches and nooks, in the state's native spirit. The Skygreen Leopard's MySpace describes them as "California's family band" and in that apt description their sound is summed up.

If you find yourself in (or going to) San Francisco on July 11th, the Skygreen Leopard will play a record release party at Amnesia. Their new album, Gorgeous Johnny, hits shelves July 21st.

The Skygreen Leopards- Disciples of California
The Skygreen Leopards- Dixie Cups in the Dead Grass

old: Lightning Dust "Listened On"

"You Feel Your Mind Start To Lose Control"
Soaked with rain waiting for the B48 to take me home, I was pleasantly relieved when Lightning Dust's "Listened On" came on shuffle. I often find myself going back to this tune, which I've never found the right moment to post on, as it's one of those essential slow motion soundtracks, perfect for rainy afternoons on public transportation, or walks through desolate parks when all you hear is the faint sound of a siren far off in the distance. Lightning Dust, which is Amber Webber and Joshua Wells from dark psyche rockers Black Mountain, play the sort of gothic folk you'd want to hear towards the end of a seedy noir film, the type where you're never sure who you're rooting for, if anyone. JagJaguwar hasn't had any news on the band in almost two years, though I've heard through the grapevine that they've been prepping the follow up to their ghostly debut. Recorded in "a dank cave and a bright blue house", Lightning Dust is the perfect companion for a lonely afternoons, as it provides just the right amount of sadness and comfort to get you through even the toughest of times. For fans of Marissa Nadler, Mazzy Star & Sharon Van Etten.

Lightning Dust- Listened On

Lightning Dust "Highway"

new: Bon Iver EP

"Forever Ago"

It's been over a year since Justin Vernon self-released the phenomenal For Emma, Forever Ago and alot has changed since his first NYC appearance. A lot. First off, Bon Iver sold out two nights at the legendary Town Hall, and tickets are going for over $150 on Craigslist (!). Luckily for the Brooklyn faithful, Bon Iver added a third date at Music Hall, which sold out in 13 minutes (but we got ours). Now, our good friend and west coast correspondent Dura notifies us that JagJaguwar has a webpage for a CDEP/12"titled Blood Bank, due out 1/20/09 (aka inauguration day, aka Animal Collective release day). From JagJaguwar:

The four song Blood Bank collection continues down the path forged by 2008's critically acclaimed For Emma, Forever Ago.

While still tied to the identity of the place where it was born, Bon Iver is no longer an unplanned entity synonymous with Justin Vernon. It is an idea, a place and sentiment that has now become as international as it is timeless. From the title track's remembrance of the winter warmth we seek, to the summer love tribute of b-side gem "Babys," Bon Iver's snow-blanketed harmonies live across the seasons. Still, there is a reverence for sabbatical, solitude and the winding down of time. As much as Emma is about the cold, the Blood Bank collection is about the warmth that gets you through it. You can feel the air move. Like a fire you've been stoking for hours and finally got to sustain itself, the heat blisters your face while your back is frozen solid.

Bon Iver has grown to include more than what was available at the much-fabled Wisconsin cabin, such as piano, slide guitar, and vocoder. As Justin layers on harmonies in the meditative R&B a capella "Woods", he declares "I'm building a still to slow down the time." It is as poetic as it is necessary. Both expansive and intimate, these four songs explore the darker and lighter natures of the seasons and what they signify, and offer a dynamic glimpse into the natural energy and refined craftsmanship that characterize Justin Vernon's music.

Tracklisting:
Blood Bank
Beach Baby
Babys
Woods

You heard it here first people. Make sure you thank Dura next time your in the Haight.

video: Bon Iver

"So The Story Goes"

#93.1 - BON IVER - Lump Sum
by lablogotheque

Bon Iver is a winter act. Justin Vernon's tunes just sound better when the sun sets at 4:30, plain and simple. And while I've had reservations about experiencing For Emma during Summer, this video from his session with Vincent Moon does a lot to quell my apprehensions. Not only is the new arrangement gorgeous but the glockenspiel and looser feel of "Lump Sum" make it perfect for drinking tea in the early morning while the sun is rising over the Manhattan skyline.

we saw: Bon Iver

"So Many Foreign Roads"

It's been just a little over four months since we first fell in love with Bon Iver at the Bowery Ballroom. Leaves died and fell from trees. Snow fell and covered evergreen trees and all the while we had our trusty handmade copy of For Emma, Forever Ago to keep us warm. For Emma... feels like drinking a mug of hot cider by the fire place in Northern New England, when the snow is thick and the only sign of neighbors is billowing smoke from a chimney three miles away. It's warm, it's comforting, it's folkie, and it feels like wearing your oldest, most favorite wool sweater.

Thursday nights free show at Sound Fix felt the same way. The atmosphere couldn't have been more fitting for Justin Vernon's atmospheric folk. Everything was right, from the chandelier to the dark golden light to the superb mix. And while the mix was superb, Justin's amp decided it wanted to pick up some Spanish radio frequencies, which it did for 80% of the show. Not one to let a little Merengue bother him, Justin played it off cool, saying that he had decided to do that, a little experimentation, after all he was in Brooklyn. Not gonna lie, for most of the show, it worked, adding a hint of CB radio warmth to his already cozy sound. Luckily, the Spanish radio cut out and allowed Justin the chance to play the ultra hushed "Re: Stacks" and hit the piano for a heart-wrenching cover of "Satisfied Mind", which was as good, if not better, than the versions by Jeff Buckley and Johnny Cash. Yeah, it was that sort of magical evening. And what better way to finish it off than with a totally acoustic version of "For Emma" in the middle of the utterly silent crowd.

After the show we picked up the vinyl copy of For Emma... (via JagJaguwar) and chatted with Justin for a hot second, who was just as charming and genuine as he was at CMJ. The evening finished with an epic drive through the snow covered streets of Northwestern Jersey at 3 am. The perfect ending for an evening with Bon Iver.

"Lump Sum" on The Current

This Week in Nu Musick

Get your wallets out, as tomorrow is the first big release day of 2008. Not only are two albums we've been dying to hear on vinyl finally getting released (Bon Iver, Grand Archives), America finally gets druggy with the Raveonettes, Cryptacize digs treasure and we also get a new fill of John Darnielle's drunken lullabies. It's a good week to be a music fan.

The Mountain Goats- Heretic Pride
Another great record from John Darnielle and company, this one departs from Get Lonely and The Sunset Tree, as it documents a series of character based tunes rather than Darnielle's interior dialogue. Nothing exceptionally new with the sound here, just great lyrics, affectingly nasal vocals and Darnielle's everyday poetics.

The Mountain Goats- Sax Rohmer #1{right click to download}



Grand Archives- The Grand Archives
We've been patiently awaiting this release since Mat Brooke uploaded 4 demos on MySpace over a year ago. Couldn't be happier to finally hear it on wax. We've had this one pre-ordered since Sub Pop put it up. They really need to come East soon.

Grand Archives- Torn Blue Foam Couch


Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago
Yep, one of my favorite records of 2007 finally gets a proper release by the nice people at JagJaguwar. And yes, it's coming out on vinyl(!). More importantly Justin will be at Williamsburg's Sound Fix Thursday night for a free performance. See ya there.

Bon Iver- Skinny Love


Cryptacize-Dig That Treasure
Asthmatic Kitty releases the debut from this band of minimalist SoCal sugar popsters. And by sugar, we mean this band was started in an apartment across the street from a sugar factory and their sound totally reflects it.

Cryptacize- Cosmic Sing Along


The Raveonettes- Lust Lust Lust
Following in the steps of The Magnetic Fields Distortion, or the other way around (Lust Lust Lust was released in Europe last Fall), the new Raveonettes record finds them dabbling in J&MC distortion and MBV Loveless-esque walls of noise. Walls of feedback behind '60s pop melodies and loads of digital delay make tracks like "Dead Sound" and "Candy" sound like they could be long lost demos on a remastered deluxe version of Psycho Candy.

The Raveonettes- Dead Sound

we love: Bon Iver

It didn't take much for me to fall in love with Bon Iver (pronounced: bohn eevair; French for "good winter" and spelled wrong on purpose). Seconds, literally seconds, after hearing him at CMJ I knew I was a very lucky gentleman. Bon Iver is Justin Vernon, who retreated into sylvan isolation last winter and ended up with a hauntingly beautiful companion piece, For Emma, Forever Ago. His music conjures up long lost walks through snow covered forests and the golden glint of an early winter's sun down. It feels like tweed and wool, itchy and warm. For Emma... is full of heartbreak and nostalgic longings and a simple sense of understanding. It's a break-up record, a collection of songs that will remind you of someone long gone and maybe even provide you a bit of much needed clarity. After his mesmerizing set at CMJ I was lucky enough to chat with Justin and grab one of his last handmade copies of For Emma.... Since then it's been passed around, loved, huged, cherished, and listened to non-stop by anyone I've given it to. It is my "FALL" record and it should be yours too. Unfortunately it's all sold out right now and won't be getting the proper treatment until early 2008 when JagJaguwar sets Emma free. In the meantime, you can stream the entire record HERE.


Bon Iver- For Emma
Bon Iver- Skinny Love

Bon Iver "Skinny Love" at CMJ, Bowery Ballroom