New Album: Tunng – Turbines (2013/06/17) [Full Album Stream] / First Single ‘The Village’ [Free Download]

:: A truly accomplished record, possibly my favourite Tunng album at all…

London’s folktronica pioneers Tunng are back with their fifth studio recording. The band based in London, Reykjavik and Somerset is now diminished to a six-piece comprised of Mike Lindsay, Becky Jacobs, Ashley Bates, Phil Winter, Martin Smith and Simon Glenister after founder and former frontman Sam Genders left Tunng in 2011 to pursue his own solo path with his new project Diagrams. The band continues with the other founding member Mike Lindsay as songwriter-in-chief and more or less the same lineup that first played live together as a loose collective back in 2003.

Tunng’s new album is entitled ‘Turbines’ and was released in the UK and Europe yesterday (June 17, 2013) via Full Time Hobby. North American release follows today. Recorded in a Dorset studio, it’s the first Tunng album where all six members where present during the entire recording process. ‘Turbines’ is produced by Mike Lindsay, the record is exclusively streaming in its entirety via The New York Times, head over and give it a listen cause it’s a truly brilliant one. Watch above the brand new official video for the first single The Village. You can download the track completely for free here by entering your email in the widget.

The band will be touring with ‘Turbines’ soon, with a bunch of European dates to come before the hit the road in the UK in October. Check out the complete schedule below, and listen to the album track So Far From Here.

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. Once
02. Trip Trap
03. By This
04. The Village
05. Bloodlines
06. Follow Follow
07. So Far From Here
08. Embers
09. Heavy Rock Warning

 

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Sat 06 July 2013 // Amsterdam, The Netherlands // Pitch Festival
Mon 08 – Tue 09 July 2013 // London, UK // The Lexington [Sold Out]
Fri 27 Sep 2013 // Copenhagen, Denmark // Loppen
Sat 28 Sep 2013 // Hamburg, Germany // Reeperbahn Festival
Mon 30 Sep 2013 // Berlin, Germany // Festsaal Kreuzberg
>> The full touring schedule is available here.

Follow ‘Tunng’ on:
Official homepage at: 
http://www.tunng.co.uk/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/thisistunng

Twitter at: 
https://twitter.com/thisistunng

Soundcloud at: 

Youtube at: 
http://www.youtube.com/tunngvideo

Read more:
The Line of Best Fit − Tunng – Turbines

BRAIDS – Amends / New Double 12″ Single ‘In Kind // Amends’ (2013/06/11)

:: Breathtaking and incredibly brilliant. This song so got me!

BRAIDS are an art rock / experimental rock outfit from Calgary, Canada. The Montreal-based band has now become a three-piece consisting of school friends Raphaelle Standell-Preston [guitar/keyboards/lead vocals], Austin Tufts [drums/vocals] and Taylor Smith [bass/guitar/percussion/vocals). The former fourth member Katie Lee [keys/vocals] left the band in 2012 during the recording of their upcoming sophomore offering. The record is entitled ‘Flourish // Perish’ and will drop on August 20, 2013 via Arbutus Records in North America and Full Time Hobby in Europe. It’s available for preorder here.

We can now enjoy the first taste of it in shape of the double 12″ vinyl single ‘In Kind // Amends’ that was released on June 11 via Arbutus/Full Time Hobby. It’s also available digitally as four-track EP. Check out the incredible Amends above. With these new tracks, the band turns to a more synth-driven, electronic sound which makes me even more curious for the rest the album. BRAIDS are having a bunch of European tour dates coming up this summer. Check out the schedule below and listen to the the other lead track In Kind.

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
A1. In Kind
A2. Near Enough
B1. Amends
B2. A Dawn In Me

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Fri 21 June 2013 // Paris, France // Les Nuits Boréales/Fête de la Musique 2013
Thu 27 June 2013 // Berlin, Germany // Lido
Fri 30 Aug 2013 // Liverpool, UK // East Village Arts Club
Sat 31 Aug 2013 // Liverpool, UK // East Village Arts Club
Mon 09 Sep // Paris, France // Nouveau Casino

Follow ‘Braids’ on:
Official homepage at: 
http://braidsmusic.com/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/braidsmusic

Twitter at: 
https://twitter.com/braidsmusic

Soundcloud at: 

Youtube at: 
http://www.youtube.com/braidsmusic

New Album: O Emperor – Vitreous (2013/06/14) [Full Stream] / New Single ‘Contact’ [Free Download]

:: A little less folky and slightly more psychedelic. Really like this new sound of O Emperor…

Contact is the second single from the eagerly expected sophomore offering by alternative rock band O Emperor from Waterford, Ireland. The band comprised of school friends Paul Savage [vocals], Alan Comerford [guitar], Phil Christie [piano], Brendan Fennessy [drums], Richie Walsh [bass] – all of whom originally met at Waterford’s Secondary School – 2010 released its debut album Hither Tither in Ireland to critical acclaim. When the record finally saw its European release last year, the band was long working on their second album. It’s entitled ‘Vitreous’ and drops today (June 14, 2013) on Ireland via the band’s own label Big Skin Records, but this time also European-wide via K&F Records. ‘Vitreous’ is self-produced by O Emperor and was recorded by the band in their own Big Skin Studio in Cork. As the record is officially released today, it is now streaming entirely via the band’s Bandcamp, check it out here.

 

O Emperor are giving away the new single Contact for free, you can download the track via the band’s Bandcamp (in any format you could possibly desire). It’s available since its single-release on June 06 via Big Skin/K&F. The song now also has an psychedelic and kaleidoscopic official video. It’s directed by … , watch it above. On occasion of the album release, the band will be touring Ireland in June and July, with a bunch of European gigs to follow in September. Check out the touring schedule below, and watch the official video for Holy Fool, the first single taken off ‘Vitreous’.

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. Grandmother Mountain
02. Holy Fool
03. Whitener, Pt. 1
04. Brainchild
05. Contact
06. Minuet
07. Land of the Living
08. Soft in the Head
09. This Is It

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Fri 14 June 14 2013 // Dublin, Ireland // Tower Records (1pm)
Sat 15 June 2013 // Waterford, Ireland // The Forum
Thu 20 June 2013 // Limerick, Ireland // Bourkes
Fri 21 June 2013 // Dublin, Ireland // Whelans
Sat 06 July 2013 // Wicklow, Ireland // Groove Festival
Fri 12 July 2013 // Cork, Ireland // Half Moon Theatre
>> The full touring schedule is available here.

Follow ‘O Emperor’ on:
Official website at: 
http://www.oemperor.com/

Bandcamp at: 
http://oemperor.bandcamp.com/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/OEmperor

Twitter at: 
http://twitter.com/oemperormusic

Youtube at: 
http://www.youtube.com/user/oemperorvideos

Soundcloud at: 

//

More ‘O Emperor’ on Music Pickings:
2012, Mar 03 − Debut Album Out Now in Europe: Hither Thither (2012/03/02)
2012, Feb 10 − Po [Official Video]

New Video: Father John Misty – Funtimes In Babylon [Official Video]

:: I think, one of the best new acts of 2012.


.

Directed by: Josh Tillman and Grant James

Funtimes in Babylon from Father John Misty’s 05/01/12 release, Fear Fun.

Father John Misty aka Josh Tillman

Follow ‘Father John Misty’ on:
Official homepage: 
http://fatherjohnmisty.com/

Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Father-John-Misty

Twitter: 
https://twitter.com/#!/FATHERJOHNMISTY
Tumblr: 
http://fatherjohnmisty.tumblr.com/

//

More ‘Father John Misty’ on Music Pickings:
2012, May 01 - Debut Album: Fear Fun (2012/05/01)
2012, Mar 22 − Nancy From Now On [Official Video]
2012, Feb 02 − Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings [Official Video]

Portugal. The Man – Plastic Soldiers / New Album ‘Evil Friends’ (2013/06/04) [Full Album Stream]

:: An outstanding track on a truly outstanding album! Can Danger Mouse please produce… everything?!?

 

Plastic Soldiers is my clear favourite, but only one of several standout tracks on the new studio offering by Portland-based psychedelic rock outfit Portugal. The Man. The band with origins in Wasilla/Alaska was originally founded by John Baldwin Gourley [lead vocals/guitar] and Zachary Scott Carothers [bass]. Now, on their eight studio recording, they have arrived as a fully grown five-piece with further members Kyle O’Quin [keys], Noah Gersh [guitar/percussion/keys] and Kane Ritchotte [drums]. The band’s new record is entitled ‘Evil Friends’ and was released in North America on June 04, 2013 via Atlantic Records. UK/European release was rescheduled to September 09 via Atlantic. European fans however don’t have to be disappointed, the record is streaming in its entirety below (via the band’s Soundcloud).

‘Evil Friends’ is produced by Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse. The collaboration between the prolific producer and the Alaskan rock band started out when frontman John Gourley found himself ringing the doorbell at Burton’s New York apartment. The latter first refused to record a rock band, but when they came to talking about the band’s 2011 album In The Mountain In The Cloud, and what they could do on the upcoming record. And the collaboration began. They recorded together in Los Angeles, working hard through several sessions at Mondo Studios, Eltro Vox Studios, and Kingsize Soundlabs. “After all, here was a band with an evolving lineup building new songs with a new producer trying to do something neither of them had done before.” - that’s simply put what band and producer tried to achieve (quoted from the band Facebook where you can read more about the record’s creation). Portugal. The Man are currently touring North America with worldwide gigs (Australia/Europe) to follow throughout summer and autumn, check out the schedule below.

The official video for the title track Evil Friends can be watched below as well. It’s directed by Michael Ragen and produced by the band’s own Zach Carothers.

 

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. Plastic Soliders
02. Creep In a T-Shirt
03. Evil Friends
04. Modern Jesus
05. Hip Hop Kids
06. Atomic Man
07. Sea of Air
08. Waves
09. Holy Roller (Hallelujah)
10. Someday Believers
11. Purple Yellow Red and Blue
12. Smile

Full Album Stream:

 

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Fri 07 June 2013 // Philadelphia, PA // Theatre of Living Arts
Sat 08 June 2013 // Washington, DC // 9:30 Club
Sun 09 June 2013 // New York, NY // Governor’s Ball
Tue 11 June 2013 // Toronto, Canada // Phoenix Concert Theatre
Wed 12 June 2013 // Buffalo, NY // Town Ballroom
Thu 13 June 2013 // Cleveland, OH // House Of Blues
>> The full touring schedule is available here.

Follow ‘Portugal. The Man’ on:
Official homepage at: 
http://www.portugaltheman.com/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/portugaltheman

Twitter at: 
https://twitter.com/portugaltheman

Soundcloud at: 

Youtube at: 
http://www.youtube.com/portugalthemanband/

Vimeo at: 
https://vimeo.com/portugaltheman

Read more:
Paste Magazine − Portugal. The Man – Evil Friends [Atlantic]

Debut Album: Airhead – Four Years / New Songs ‘Milkola Bottle + Autumn’

:: Great work!

.

For Years, the debut album from Airhead aka Rob McAndrews!

Cover Art:

Artist: Airhead
Title of debut album : Four Years
Release date: June 24, 2013
Label: R&S Records

Tracklist:
01. Wait
02. Milkola Bottle 
03. Callow
04. Masami
05. Pyramid Lake
06. Azure Race
07. Autumn
08. Fault Line
09. Lightmeters
10. Knives

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Follow ‘Airhead’ on:
Facebook at: 
http://www.facebook.com/airheaduk

Myspace at: 
http://www.myspace.com/airheadproduction

//

More ‘Airhead’ on Music Pickings:
2012, Aug 16 - Debut Single: Wait

New Album: Boards of Canada – Tomorrow’s Harvest (2013/06/10) / Live Album Transmission Tonight

:: So damn curious and excited for the whole thing…

Boards of Canada are back! The Scottish electronic/experimental duo -comprised of brothers Mike Sandison and Marcus Eoin - is based at the artistic collective Hexagon Sun in Pentland Hills/Scotland. They return with their fourth full-length studio recording, which is also their first album in eight years and their first original release since 2006′s Trans Canada Highway EP. The official announcement of the upcoming release – preceded by a cryptic advertising campaign that started on Record Store Day 2013 and a scavenger hunt that finally led to the announcement video (watch it below) – caused some heavy excitement amongst the duo’s following.

The album entitled ‘Tomorrow’s Harvest’ is set for release on June 05, 2013 in Japan and June 10 in Europe. North American follows in June 11. It’ll be available as double vinyl LP, CD and digital download. The record’s lead single Reach for the Dead was released on May 23. Watch above the official video directed by Neil Krug that takes us on a visual journey.

Boards of Canada will be streaming ‘Tomorrow’s Harvest’ live, but they’re doing it just once – and that is today (June 03 or June 04, depending on where you live). Transmission times are as follows: 13:00 PST | 16:00 EST | 21:00 UK | 22:00 EU | 05:00 JP (4TH JUNE) | 06:00 AU (4TH JUNE). Make sure not to miss it and visit the duo’s website 
http://boardsofcanada.com/
 on time.

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. Gemini
02. Reach For The Dead
03. White Cyclosa
04. Jacquard Causeway
05. Telepath
06. Cold Earth
07. Transmisiones Ferox
08. Sick Times
09. Collapse
10. Palace Posy
11. Split Your Infinities
12. Uritual
13. Nothing Is Real
14. Sundown
15. New Seeds
16. Come To Dust
17. Semena Mertvykh

Follow ‘Boards of Canada’ on:
Official homepage at: 
http://www.boardsofcanada.com/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/boardsofcanada

Twitter at: 
https://twitter.com/boctransmission

Soundcloud at: 

Youtube at: 
http://www.youtube.com/boardsofcanada

Read more:
The Quietus − Boards of Canada’s Tomorrow’s Harvest, Track-By-Track

New EP: Tahiti 80 – Bang (2013/06/10)

:: Don’t miss!

.

Cover Art:

Artist: Tahiti 80
Title of EP: -
Release Date: June 10, 2013
Label: Human Sounds

Tracklist:
1 Bang
2 Piano Theme Park
3 Middle of Nowhere
4 Call Up
5 Whatever (’89 Version)

Follow ‘Tahiti 80′ on:
Official homepage:
http://tahiti80.com/

Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/tahiti-80

Twitter: 
https://twitter.com/wearetahiti80

Rhye – 3 Days

:: Perfect, just perfect!

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Cover Art:

Artist: Rhye
Title of EP: Open
Release Date: February 07, 2012
Label: Innovative Leisure

Tracklist:
1. Open
2. Hunger
3. 3 Days
4. Open (Instrumental Version)
5. Hunger (Instrumental Version)
6. 3 Days (Instrumental Version)

Follow ‘Rhye’ on:
Official Homepage:
http://www.rhyemusic.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rhye

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Rhyemusic

Soundcloud:

//

More ‘Rhye’ on Music Pickings:
2013, Feb 27 – Debut Album: Woman (13/03/04) [Full Album Stream]
2012, Sep 29 – New EP: The Fall (12/10/09)
2012, Jul 13 – Open [Official Video] / EP ‘Open’

Amatorski – re​:​tbc

:: Immediately fell in love with the band…

.

Cover Art:

Artist: Amatorski
Title: re​:​tbc
Release Date: Mai 16, 2012
Label: Amatorski Records

Tracklist: 
1. Fading (Cartyeah rework) 04:06 download
2. Soldier (Opiate rework) 04:01
3. Never told (Styrofoam rework) 05:04
4. Peaceful (DopplAr rework) 03:09
5. 22 Februar (Marble Sounds rework) 04:15
6. 8 November (Lewis in Heaven rework) 04:22
7. The Cheapest Soundtrack (Hroski rework) 02:30

Follow ‘Amatorski’ on: 
Official Homepage: 
http://amatorski.be/

Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/amatorski

Twitter: 
https://twitter.com/amatorski

Debut Single: Bunny Suit – The Way [Official Video] // Live tonight w/ This Could Be Yours

:: A terrific piece of music I stumbled upon. The Bunny Suit Launch is strongly recommended if you’re in Berlin tonight!

The Way is the marvellous debut release of Berlin-based alternative rock four-piece Bunny Suit. The band behind singer and songwriter Cameron Laing [vocals/piano] is comprised of Phil Walker [guitar], Guillaume Cambon [bass] and Gidon Carmel [drums], completed by Alex Samawicz [trumpet] and Thomas Robrahn [acoustic guitar] for live performances. Bunny Suit was born on a London houseboat converted into a recording studio, and the band has gathered quite a lot experience in performing live – having played everything from small clubs to big-selling venues under their original name Quixote. After moving to Berlin, they decided to relaunch the band under a new name: Bunny Suit. You can download their debut The Way for free via the band’s Soundcloud - and you shouldn’t hesitate if you’re asking me.

Bunny Suit are going to play their band launch party tonight, in Berlin at Grüner Salon der Volksbühne. They will be supported by This Could Be Yours, Rooftop Runners, Big Nose. Doors open at 8 pm, the show starts at 9 pm. Hoping to see some of you folks around. If you’re not in town tonight, check out Bunny Suit’s upcoming concerts below, and read more about This Could Be Yours.

Bunny Suit:

Upcoming German Tour Dates:
Fri 26 Apr 2013 // Berlin // Kammerspiele
Fri 03 May 2013 // Hamburg // Metropolis
Sat 04 May 2013 // Hamburg // Soul Kitchen
Sat 18 May 2013 // Cottbus // Chekov
Fri 24 May 2013 // Berlin // Antje Oeklesund
Fri 19 July 2013 // Dresden // Artderkultur Festival
Tue 23 July 2013 // Hannover // Café Glocksee

Follow ‘Bunny Suit’ on:
Official homepage at: 
http://www.bunnysuitmusic.com/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/bunnysuitmusic

Twitter at: 
https://twitter.com/bunnysuitmusic

Soundcloud at: 

Youtube at: 
http://www.youtube.com/bunnysuit

//

As we are big fans of Berlin post-rock four-piece This Could Be Yours, I included their latest video masterpiece At Your Feet below. The video’s directed by Immanuel Esser, read more about it here. The guys will hit the road for their own little German headline tour, and I know they’re pretty excited on playing live for us. Check out the complete touring schedule below.

Upcoming German Tour Dates:
Fri 26 Apr 2013 // Berlin // Zosch
Sat 27 Apr 2013 // Braunschweig / B58
Fri 10 May 2013 // Worpswede // Scheune
Sat 11 May 2013 // Osnabrück // Maifest
Fri 17 May 2013 // Bremerhaven // Rockcenter
Thu 23 May 2013 // Berlin // about/blank

Follow ‘This Could Be Yours’ on:
Official homepage at: 
http://www.thiscouldbeyours.de/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/ThisCouldBeYours

Twitter at: 
https://twitter.com/tcbyours

Soundcloud at: 

Youtube at: 
http://www.youtube.com/tcbyvideo

Full Album Stream: Fossil Collective – Tell Where I Lie (2012/04/08) / Official Videos ‘Wolves’ and ‘Let It Go’

:: If I could give ten stars I would.

.

Wolves from Fossil Collective’s upcoming debut album “Tell Where I Lie”, available 8th April on Dirty Hit.

Stream the new record at Earmilk here.

Fossil Collective

Upcoming  Tour Dates:
April 10, 2013 //Duchess // York
April 11, 2013 // Bodega// Nottingham
April 12, 2013 // Jericho Tavern // Oxford
April 13, 2013 //Fruit // Hull
>> The full touring schedule is available here.

Follow ‘Fossil Collective’ on:
Official homepage: 
http://www.fossilcollective.com/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/fossilcollective

Twitter at: 
https://twitter.com/fosscollective

//

More ‘Fossil Collective’ on Music Pickings:
2012, Mar 02 – Debut Album: Tell Where I Lie (2012/04/08) / Single ‘Under My Arrest’
2012, Sep 01 – New EP: On and On [Full Album Stream / Free Download]
2012, Aug 07 – Let It Go [Official Video] / New EP ‘Let It Go’
2012, Feb 22 – Red Lights

British Sea Power – Monsters of Sunderland / New Album ‘Machineries of Joy’ (2013/04/01) [Full Album Stream]

:: Discovering new layers of sound everytime I’m listening… That’s the way I love music!

 

Monsters of Sunderland is taken from the fifth studio album by indie-rock sextet British Sea Power. The Brighton-based sextet is comprised of Scott Wilkinson [vocals/guitar], Martin Noble [guitar/keys], Neil Wilkinson [bass/vocals/guitar], Matthew Wood [drums], Abi Fry [violin/keys] and Phil Sumner [keys/guitar]. The record is entitled ‘Machineries of Joy’ and was released on April 01, 2013 via Rough Trade Records. It is availabe on LP, CD, DL and – pretty remarkable – as limited edition cassette including the album’s demo tapes. The band recorded and produced the album in Brighton with engineer Dan Swift, ‘Machineries of Joy’ was mixed by Ken Thomas who has previously worked with musicians such as David Bowie and Sigur Rós. If you wanna make up your own mind about mind about the outcome of this collaboration, head over to The Guardian where the album is exclusively streaming in its entirety. British Sea Power are currently touring the UK with gigs to follow in mainland Europe. Check out the touring schedule below, and watch the official video for the gorgeous title track and first single Machineries of Joy. The bike-tastic clip was made by Clare Tavernor and Angus Sutherland.

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. Machineries of Joy
02. K Hole
03. Hail Holy Queen
04. Loving Animals
05. What You Need The Most
06. Monsters of Sunderland
07. Spring Has Sprung
08. Radio Goddard
09. A Light Above Descending
10. When A Warm Wind Blows Through The Grass

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Sat 06 Apr 2013 // Newcastle, England // Northumbria University
Sun 07 Apr 2013 // Glasgow, Scotland // Oran Mor
Tue 09 Apr 2013 // Leeds, England // Metropolitan University
Wed 10 Apr 2013 // Nottingham, England // Rescue Rooms
Thu 11 + Fri 12 Apr 2013 // Manchester, England // Gorilla
Sun 14 Apr 2013 // Cardiff, Wales // Coal Exchange
>> The full touring schedule is available here.

Follow ‘British Sea Power’ on:
Official homepage at: 
http://www.britishseapower.co.uk/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/BSPofficial

Twitter at: 
https://twitter.com/BSPOfficial

Read more:
The Quietus − Reviews: British Sea Power: Machineries of Joy

New Album: Owel – Owel (2013/04/02) [Full Album Stream]

:: Wonderful!

.

Cover Art:

Artist: Owel
Title Of Album: Owel
Release Date: April 02, 2013
Label: self-released

Follow ‘Owel’ on:
Official Homepage:
http://owelmusic.com

Bandcamp:
http://owel.bandcamp.com/album/owel

Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/owelmusic

Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/owelmusic

New EP: The 1975 – Chocolate (2013/03/04)

:: Addictated to this song!

.

Cover Art:

Artist: The 1975
Title Of EP: Chocolate
Release Date: March 04, 2013
Label: Dirty Hit Records

Tracklist:
01 Anobrain
02 Chocolate
03 Hnscc
04 Heads.Cars.Bending
05 Me

Follow ‘The 1975′ on:
Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/the1975

Twitter at: 
https://twitter.com/the1975
Soundcloud at: 

//

More ‘The 1975′ on Music Pickings:
2012, Nov 24 - Hackman Remix: The 1975 – Sex [Free Download]
2012, Nov 11 - The 1975 – Sex

New Single: Jagwar Ma – The Throw [Official Video] (2013/02/25)

:: Had the pleasure hearing them opening for Foals last week, and it was hell of a live show! Check them out if you get the chance…

Jagwar Ma are Jono Ma and Gabriel Winterfeld and Jack Freeman from Sydney, Australia. With their 2012 debut single Come Save Me they have inspired people all around the globe for their baggy-inspired indie-dance sound. Their new single is entitled The Throw and was released digitally and as 12″ vinyl single on February 25, 2013 via Future Classic (Australia/New Zealand) and Marathon Artists (UK/Europe). The release features an extended version of the song and the b-side Four, and yes, it’s the first taste of the band’s much anticipated debut album due later this year. The song is sung by Gabriel Winterfeld, it was produced by Jono Ma and mixed by Ewan Pearson. The official video for The Throw is not directed by Jono’s brother Dave Ma – he directs a lot for Foals and has created their latest video for My Number – but once again by Andrew Lancaster, watch it above.

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. The Throw (Radio Edit)
02. The Throw (Extended Version)
03. Four

Follow ‘Jagwar Ma’ on:
Official homepage at: 
http://jagwarma.com/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/JagwarMa

Twitter at: 
http://twitter.com/jono_ma

Soundcloud at: 

Youtube at: 
http://www.youtube.com/user/jagwarma

Read more:
The Guardian − New band of the Day: Jagwar Ma (no. 1,444)

//

More ‘Jagwar Ma’ on Music Pickings:
2012, Feb 01− Come Save Me [Official Video]

Phosphorescent – Song For Zula / New Album ‘Muchacho’ (2013/03/19) [Full Album Stream]

:: Amazing record! Been listening to the stream all day long…

 

Song For Zula is the first single taken from the new album by Brooklyn-based experimental and alternative folk singer and songwriter Matthew Houck who’s releasing his music under the stage moniker Phosphorescent. His sixth studio album full-length is entitled ‘Muchacho’, the record is released today (March 19, 2013) via Dead Oceans. The album is streaming in its entirety over at NPR.org. Phosphorescent will head out for a US tour next week, with a couple of shows to follow in mainland Europe. Check out the upcoming dates below.

Cover Art:

Tracklist:
01. Sun, Arise!…
02. Song For Zula
03. Ride On / Right On
04. Terror In The Canyons (The Wounded Master)
05. A Charm / A Blade
06. Muchachos’s Tune
07. A New Anhedonia
08. The Quotidian Beasts
09. Down To Go
10. Sun’s Arising (A Koan, An Exit)

Upcoming Tour Dates [worldwide]:
Mon 25 Mar 2013 // Philadelphia, PA, // Johnny Brenda’s
Tue 26 Mar 2013 // Washington, DC // Rock & Roll Hotel
Wed 27 Mar 2013 // Pittsburgh, PA // Club Cafe
Thu 28 Mar 2013 // Bloomington, IN // The Bishop
Sat 30 mar 2013 // Denver, CO // High Dive
Mon 01 Apr 2013 // Salt Lake City, UT // Urban Lounge
>> The full touring schedule is available here.

Follow ‘Phosphorescent’ on:
Official homepage at: 
http://www.phosphorescentmusic.com/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/Phosphorescentmusic

Twitter at: 
https://twitter.com/Phosphorescent

Read more:
Pitchfork − Phosphorescent – Muchacho

New Single: Fractures – Twisted (2013/03/07)

:: That’s awesome!

.

Born out of studio experimentation, Fractures is the moniker of Mark Zito. Fascinated by different genres, Fractures explores the different and disparate styles that have influenced Mark with an output that is musically innovative and unique with his dark, atmospheric songs building to climaxes through their precise arrangements. [Press release]

Cover Art:

Artist: Fractures
Title Of Single: Twisted
Release Date: March 07, 2013
Label: Fractures

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Follow ‘Fractures’ on:
Official Homepage: 
http://www.fracturesmusic.com.au/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/fractures
Twitter at: 

Soundcloud at: 
https://twitter.com/fracturestunes

New Album: Suuns – Images Du Futur (2013/03/05) [Full Album Stream]

:: A record that needs your full attention! That deserves it!

The amazing Minor Work is taken from the second full-length offering by Montreal’s alternative rock quartet Suuns. The album entitled ‘Images Du Futur’ was released worldwide on March 05, 2013 via Secretly Canadian. The ten album songs were written and recorded during the Quebec Student Protests in early 2012. According to the band’s frontman, their new album came to be in a ‘climate of excitement, hope and frustration’ which is possibly reflected in the experimental, genre-crossing sound of ‘Images Du Futur’. The album has been very well received by the critics so far, read one of the reviews below. Make up your own mind, the album is streaming in its entirety over at CBC Music. Following the first single Edie’s Dream released last November, Suuns also have a new single out. The official video for 2020 is directed by visual artist Sabrina Ratté, watch it below. Suuns will start their North-American tour soon, followed by shows in mainland Europe, check for upcoming concerts in your area below.

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Tracklist:
01. Powers of Ten
02. 2020
03. Minor Work
04. Mirror Mirror
05. Edie’s Dream
06. Sunspot
07. Bambi
08. Holocene City
09. Images Du Futur
10. Music Won’t Save You

Upcoming Tour Dates [worldwide]:
Tue 12 Mar 2013 // Laval, QC, Canada // Studio Theatre
Sat 23 Mar 2013 // Toronto, ON, Canada // Lee’s Palace
Fri 29 Mar 2013 // Joliette, QC, Canada // Cabaret Arena
Sat 30 Mar 2013 // Terrebonne, QC, Canada // Moulin Neuf
Thu 04 Apr 2013 // Montreal, QC, Canada // Sala Rossa
Fri 05 Apr 2013 // Quebec City, QC, Canada // Le Cercle
>> The full touring schedule is available here.

Follow ‘Suuns’ on:
Tumblr at: 
http://suunsband.tumblr.com/

Bandcamp at: 
http://suuns.bandcamp.com/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/suunsband

Twitter at: 
http://twitter.com/suunsband

Read more:
The Line Of Best Fit – Suuns – Images Du Futur

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More ‘Suuns’ on Music Pickings:
2012, Nov 17 − Edie’s Dream [Official Audio]
2012, Jan 12 − Up Past The Nursery [Official Video] / Bambi

Local Natives – Heavy Feet [Official Video] / New Album ‘Hummingbird’ (2013/01/25) [Full Album Stream]

:: Beautiful in so many ways

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Cover Art:

Artist: Local Natives
Title Of Single: Heavy Feet
Release Date: January 25, 2013
Label: Infectious Music

Tracklist: 
1 You & I
2 Heavy Feet 
3 Ceilings
4 Black Spot
5 Breakers
6 Three Months
7 Black Balloons
8 Wooly Mammoth
9 Mt. Washington
10 Colombia
11 Bowery

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Hummingbird will be streaming on Soundcloud for the next two weeks.

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Follow ‘Local Natives’ on:
Official Homepage: 
http://www.thelocalnatives.com/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/localnatives
Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/localnatives 

More ‘Local Natives’ on Music Pickings:
2012, 02 Dec  - New Single: Local Natives – Breakers [Official Video]

New Album: Youth Lagoon – Wondrous Bughouse (2013/03/05) / Single ‘Mute’

:: I do love these guys!

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Artist: Youth Lagoon
Title Of Album: Wondrous Bughouse
Release Date: March 05, 2013
Label: Fat Possum

Tracklist:
01 Through Mind and Back
02 Mute
03 Attic Doctor
04 The Bath
05 Pelican Man
06 Dropla
07 Sleep Paralysis
08 Third Dystopia
09 Raspberry Cane
10 Daisyphobia

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Upcoming Tour Dates:
03-06 // New York, NY // Bowery Ballroom
03-13-16 // Austin, TX // SXSW
03-22 // Boise, ID // Treefort Music Fest
04-12 // Indio, CA // Coachella
04-19 // Indio, CA // Coachella
04-21 // Phoenix, AZ // Crescent Ballroom
04-22 // Tucson, AZ // Club Congress
04-24 // Austin, TX // Mohawk
>> The full touring schedule is available here

Follow ‘Youth Lagoon’ on:
Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/youthlagoon

Soundcloud at: 
http://soundcloud.com/youth-lagoon

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More of ‘Youth Lagoon’ on Music Pickings:
2013, Jan 17 – New Album:  Wondrous Bughouse (2013/03/05) / First Single ‘Dropla’ 
2012, Jan 06 – New Video: Youth Lagoon – July
2011, Dec 13 – Youth Lagoon – Montana / Debut Album: The Year Of Hibernation

Benoît Pioulard – Margin [Official Video] / New Album ‘Hymnal’ (2013/03/04)

:: Such a fabulous, diverse record. Songs of varying styles and great intensity!

 

Margin is the first single taken from the new album by Michigan-born and Seattle-based alternative folk musician, multi-instrumentalist and photograph-taker Thomas Meluch, better known by his stage moniker Benoît Pioulard. His fourth studio album is entitled ‘Hymnal’ and is released today (March 04, 2013) via the Chicago label kranky ltd. The twelve songs were written during a year spent in southeastern England and mainland Europe where religious iconography and the grand cathedrals became a source of inspiration. The record was recorded in Ramsgate (Kent, UK) in July 2012. The official video for Margin is directed and edited by Daniel Algarin. It depicts a businessman who’s seemingly in the middle of a crisis, watch it above. Benoît Pioulard is heading out for US tour in a couple of days, check for upcoming concerts in your area below. There’s also a remix of Margin by Zachary Gray waiting to be checked out, download it for free on Soundcloud.

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Tracklist:
01. Mercy
02. Hawkeye
03. Reliquary
04. Homily
05. Excave
06. Gospel
07. Florid
08. Margin
09. Censer
10. Litiya
11. Knell
12. Foxtail

 

Upcoming US Tour Dates:
Thu 07 Mar 2013 // Seattle, WA // Columbia City Theater  w/Tiny Vipers
Sun 10 Mar 2013 // Portland, OR // Holocene w/Cars & Trains
Tue 12 Mar 2013 // San Francisco, CA // Hemlock Tavern w/Young Moon
Wed 13 Mar 2013 // Oakland, CA // Life Change Ministries w/Skate Laws
Thu 14 Mar 2013 // Los Angeles, CA // Human Resources w/Sean McCann
Fri 15 Mar 2013 // Phoenix, AZ // Yucca Tap Room
>> The full touring schedule is available here.

Follow ‘Benoît Pioulard’ on:
Official homepage at: 
http://pioulard.com/

Bandcamp at: 
http://pioulard.bandcamp.com/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/pioulard

Soundcloud at: 

Youtube at: 
http://www.youtube.com/orangeromeda

Read more:
Fluid Radio − Benoît Pioulard: Hymnal

New Album: Everything Everything – Arc (2013/01/13) / Single ‘Cough Cough’ [Official Video]

:: Great!

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Arc is the second studio album by British indie pop band Everything Everything.

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Artist: Everything Everything
Title Of Album: Arc
Release Date: January 14, 2013
Label: RCA Victor Europe

Tracklist:
1. Cough Cough
2. Kemosabe
3. Torso Of The Week
4. Duet
5. Choice Mountain
6. Feet For Hands
7. Undrowned
8. _Arc_ (Album Version)
9. Armourland
10. The House Is Dust
11. Radiant
12. The Peaks
13. Don’t Try

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Upcoming Tour Dates:
04 Mar // Lido // Berlin
05 Mar // Atomic Cafe // München
06 Mar // Tunnel Club // Milan
08 Mar // Fleche D´Or // Paris
09 Mar// Botanique Rotonde // Bruessels
>> The full touring schedule is available here

Follow ‘Everything Everything’ on:
Official Homepage: 
http://www.everything-everything.co.uk/home

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/EverythingEverything

Twitter at: 
https://twitter.com/e_e_

Debut Album: Fossil Collective – Tell Where I Lie (2012/04/08) / Single ‘Under My Arrest’

:: Can’t wait to play their the new album!

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Artist: Fossil Collective
Title Of Debut Album: Tell Where I Lie
Release Date: April 08, 2013
Label: Dirty Hit

Tracklist:
1. Let It Go
2. Under My Arrest
3. Boy With Blackbird Kite
4. Wolves
5. Brother
6. Monument
7. On And On
8. When Frank Became An Orb
9. The Magpie
10. How Was I To Know

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Upcoming  Tour Dates:
April 10, 2013 //Duchess // York
April 11, 2013 // Bodega// Nottingham
April 12, 2013 // Jericho Tavern // Oxford
April 13, 2013 //Fruit // Hull
>> The full touring schedule is available here.

Follow ‘Fossil Collective’ on:
Official homepage:
http://www.fossilcollective.com/

Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/fossilcollective

Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/fosscollective

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More ‘Fossil Collective’ on Music Pickings:
2012, – Sep 01 New EP: Fossil Collective – On and On [Full Album Stream / Free Download]
2012, Aug 07 – Fossil Collective – Let It Go [Official Video] / New EP ‘Let It Go’
2012, Feb 22 – Fossil Collective – Red Lights

New Single: Cloud Boat – Dréan (2013/03/04)

:: Just beautiful… as always!

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Forthcoming double A-side 10″ / digital single on Apollo Records, out March 4th. Written, recorded and produced at home with friends. Mastered by Matt Colton at Alchemy Mastering, London.

Cloud Boat aka Sam Ricketts and Tom Clark

Artist: Cloud Boat
Title Of Single: Drean
Release Date: March 04, 2013
Label: Apollo Records

Tracklist:
1 Wanderlust 4:34
2 Dréan 2:44
3 Wanderlust (Old Appartus Remix) 4:33

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Follow ‘Cloud Boat’ on:
Official Homepage: 
http://www.cloudboat.co.uk

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/cloudboat

Twitter at: 
http://twitter.com/cloud_boat

Soundcloud at: 

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Mar 5 // London, United Kingdom // Waiting Room
Mar 6 // Birmingham, United Kingdom // Bulls Head
Mar 7 // Manchester, United Kingdom // Trof
Mar 9 // Bristol, United Kingdom // Start The Bus
May 29 // The Lexington, United Kingdom // London

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More ‘Cloud Boat’ on Music Pickings:
2013, Jan 19 – New Single: Wanderlust [Official Video]
2012, Dec 14 − New Song: I Left for a Reason (It Escapes Me Now) [Free Download]
2011, Nov 14 − Music Pickings Interview 001: Cloud Boat (November 10, 2011)
2011, Nov 05 − Bastion (Filmed exclusively for i-D Magazine)
2011, Oct 13 − Lions On The Beach
2011, Oct 06 − Bastion

New Single: Ajimal – This Human Joy (2013/03/25)

:: Was holding my breath completely amazed when I listened to this one first!

 

Last March, Newcastle’s Fran O’Hanlon aka Ajimal released his wonderful single Footnote to Love [Part One] via Bandcamp. It’s been a bit quiet around him since, but yesterday he announced the release of his new single. The song’s entitled This Human Joy and will be officially out on March 25, 2013. It’s encouraging us the look for and enjoy the beauty in all things, foremost the small and simple ones. This Human Joy is written by Fran O’Hanlon and was produced, engineered and mixed by Mick Ross. The single will soon by followed by a concept mini album ‘Childhood’. Ajimal applies his classical musical upbringing to create rich orchestral arrangements involving a cast of 50 musicians. We’re absolutely thrilled for more. Ajimal has a couple of upcoming live shows, check for the dates below.

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Upcoming Tour Dates:
Sat 06 Apr 2013 // Newcastle, UK // Mining Institute
Sun 07 Apr 2013 // London, UK // Communion, Notting Hill Arts Club
Sat 20 Apr 2013 // Manchester, UK / A Carefully Planned Festival

Follow ‘Ajimal’ on:
Official homepage at: 
http://www.ajimal.co.uk

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/ajimalmusic

Twitter at: 
http://twitter.com/ajimalmusic

Soundcloud at: 

Youtube at: 
http://www.youtube.com/ajimalmusic

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More ‘Ajimal’ on Music Pickings:
2012, Feb 04 − New Single: Footnote to Love [Part One]

Debut Album: Rhye – Woman (13/03/04) [Full Album Stream]

:: This album is fantastic! I have it on repeat and I never get tired of any of the songs.

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Mike Milosh and Robin Hannibal, the duo behind ‘Rhye’ will release on March 04 their highly anticipated debut album Woman.

Stream the whole album for free at Pitchfork up until the 4th of March, where it gets officially released!

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Artist: Rhye
Title Debut Album: Woman
Release Date: March 04, 2013
Label: Polydor

Tracklist:
1. Open
2. The Fall
3. Last Dance
4. Verse
5. Shed Some Blood
6. 3 Days
7. One of Those Summer Days
8. Major Minor Love
9. Hunger
10. Woman

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Apr 01 // LOS ANGELES, CA // Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetary
Apr 03 // SAN FRANCISCO, CA // Bimbo’s 365 Club
Apr 11 // CHICAGO, IL // Schubas
Apr 13 // TORONTO, ON // Great Hall
Apr 14 // MONTREAL, QC // Cabaret du Mile End
Apr 16 // BOSTON, MA // Sinclair
Apr 17 // NEW YORK, NY // Le Poisson Rouge
Apr 18 // WASHINGTON, DC // Sixth & I Historic Synagogue (downstairs)
Apr 20 // PHILADELPHIA, PA // World Cafe Live Upstairs

Follow ‘Rhye’ on:
Official Homepage: 
http://www.rhyemusic.com/

Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rhye

Twitter at: 
https://twitter.com/Rhyemusic

Soundcloud at:

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More ‘Rhye’ on Music Pickings:
2012, September 29 – New EP: Rhye – The Fall (12/10/09)
2012 August – Rhye – Open [Official Video] / EP ‘Open’

Joe Janiak – Down The Hill [Free Download] / Polaroid

:: What a voice! Raspy, soulful and captivating…

 

Joe Janiak is a 22-year-old singer and songwriter from Bath who’s now based in London. In 2012, he self-released a four-track acoustic EP as free download via his homepage and toured the UK opening for Benjamin Francis Leftwich. He’s been releasing three brand new tracks on his Soundcloud during the last weeks. Down The Hill is the newest one, and you can download it for free. Listen as well to the previous one Polaroid below. I guess these songs could be taken from an upcoming release by Joe, so keep your eyes peeled for news.

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Follow ‘Joe Janiak’ on:
Official homepage at: 
http://www.joejaniak.com/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/JoeJaniakUK

Twitter at: https://twitter.com/joejaniak Soundcloud at: 

Youtube at: 
http://www.youtube.com/JoeJaniakUK

New Single: Bell X1 – Starlings Over Brighton Pier [Official Video]

:: This song’s nothing but beautiful and magnificent!

Starlings Over Brighton Pier is the first single taken from the upcoming sixth studio album by the Irish rock trio Bell X1. The band is comprised of Paul Noonan [lead vocals/guitar/drums/percussion/kazoo], Dave Geraghty [lead guitar/banjo/piano/backing vocals] and Dominic Phillips [bass/backing vocals] from Dublin and County Kildare, or as they write about themselves on their Facebook: they’re just ”boys with guitars and drums and keyboards and singing“. The song is written and performed by Bell X1 and was produced by Peter Katis & Thomas Bartlett. It was released on January 28, 2013 via Belly Up Records. The new album ‘Chop Chop’ will be released on June 28, 2013 via Belly Up. Bell X1 will premiere the new album on June 29, 2013 in Dublin at the National Concert Hall. Tickets are on sale now via the venue website. Don’t hesitate if you’re around, they’re a brilliant live band.

Update: The band has published a video footage for Starlings Over Brighton Pier on February 28, 2013. It’s edited by Conor Jacob and Brian Kenny, watch it above.

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Follow ‘Bell X1′ on:
Official homepage at: 
http://www.bellx1.com/

Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/bellx1

Twitter at: 
https://twitter.com/bellx1

Soundcloud at: 

Youtube at: 
http://www.youtube.com/bellx1

New Album: Phoenix – Bankrupt! (2013/04/22) / Single ‘Entertainment’

:: I look forward to hearing more from Phoenix in the near future!

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Cover Art:

Artist: Phoenix
Title Of Album: Bankrupt!
Release Date: April 22, 2013
Label: Glassnote Records

Tracklist:
1. Entertainment
2. The Real Thing
3. S  • O • S • In Bel Air
4. Trying To Be Cool
5. Bankrupt!
6. Drakkar Noir
7. Chloroform
8. Don´t
9. Bourgeois
10. Oblique City

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Mar 28 // Queen Elizabeth Theatre // Vancouver, Canada
Mar 29 // Paramount Theatre // Seattle, United States
Mar 30 // Crystal Ballroom // Portland, United States
Apr 02 // Freeborn Hall at UC Davis // Davis, United States
Apr 08 // Marquee Theater // Tempe, United States
Apr 09 // AVA Amphitheater // Tucson, United States
>> The full touring schedule is available here

Follow ‘Phoenix’ on:
Official Homepage:
http://www.wearephoenix.com/

Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/wearephoenix

Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/wearephoenix