Archive for the “Free MP3s” Category
 ELF POWER have released nine albums, two EPs and a handful of singles since their formation in 1994. They have toured across America, Europe, and Japan.
In anticipation of their 10th studio album ELF POWER, the band’s newest eponymous release, the band has announced dates for a national tour, beginning on along the Eastern US seaboard this September, and conclude with a show at Terminal 5 in NYC to support of Broken Bells (Danger Mouse and James Mercer of The Shins).
The new record explores darker places melodically and texturally in what might be their most fully conceived and rewarding album ever.
In Memory of Vic Chesnutt
ELF POWER the album, is dedicated to the memory of dear friend, mentor, and close collaborator Vic Chesnutt, much beloved in the close-knit Athens community, who committed suicide in late 2009. The Elves recorded a collaborative album, DARK DEVELOPMENTS, with Chesnutt in 2008 and toured extensively with him through the years. The songs and recordings on the album found shape in the vacuum caused by Vic’s loss, and finds the band exploring the void created by his departure.
Tracked initially by Andy LeMaster (REM, Bright Eyes, Drive By Truckers) at his studio Chase Park Transduction, then brought to bassist/engineer Derek Almstead’s home studio out in the Athenian sticks for overdubbing, rumination, and general tweaking, this double-faceted strategy proved beneficial for the development of the album as a whole.
 ELF POWER A return, however, to the familiar realms of home-recording encouraged the Elves to harken back to their initial experimental and communal forays. Freedom from the tyranny of the ticking studio clock allowed for key contributions from old Elephant 6 pals Will Cullen Hart and Bill Doss of the Olivia Tremor Control and some characteristically esoteric instrumentation: Circulatory System’s John Fernandes’ and Heather McIntosh (recently of Gnarls Barkley and Lil Wayne’s touring bands), contributing string arrangements; the beautiful Mellotron they borrowed from REM; and Laura Carter’s contagious Moog and drummer Eric Harris’ experiments with fidelity and texture. This duality in production makes for a layered and varied listen.
Elf Power’s Upcoming Fall 2010 Tour Dates:
09/14 – Charlotte, NC @ Snug Harbor
09/15 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Nightlight
09/16 – Washington, DC @ DC9
09/17 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Rock Shop
09/18 – Northampton, Mass. @ Flywheel
09/19 – Rosendale, NY @ Market Market
09/22 – Richmond, Va. @ Strange Matter
09/23 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ Magic Garden
09/24 – Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Brillobox
09/25 – Cincinnati, Ohio @ Midpoint Music Festival, Blue Wisp
09/26 – Bloomington, Ind. @ The Bishop
09/27 – Madison, Wisc. @ High Noon Saloon
09/28 – Chicago, Ill. @ Schubas
09/29 St Louis, Mo. @ Off Broadway
09/30 Lexington, Ky. @ Al’s Bar
10/01 Nashville, Tenn. @ The End
10/02 Athens, Ga. @ 40 Watt
10/11 New York, NY @ Terminal 5 (w/ Broken Bells)
The new ELF POWER sees release on September 14, 2010 on Orange Twin Records.
 Tags: Broken Bells, Elf Power free mp3 download, Elf Power new album, Elf Power tour dates, fall tour dates, free mp3 download, Gnarls Barkley, Lil Wayne, REM, Vic Chestnutt
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I continue to lament the cruel actuality that album jackets, cassette covers and CD jackets have been lost to cover flow. It isn’t the storage o the media that I miss so much as the exploration of all the players, producers, engineers, locations, liner notes, lyrics and inner sleeve art that will never be seen, known or considered.
So when an artist is about to release a new CD in this day and age, it is an incentive to invest in the hard copy and check out what was involved in its creation. Rip it, sell it back to Amoeba if you must, but considering that its still gonna cost you $9.99, you may as well have that moment of unwrapping your new little prize and participating in the experience the artist would have liked for you to enjoy.
And if you agree with the above, then Humboldt Lagoon is a great indie artist to do it with – a fantastic and vibrant artist with cutting, exploratory tracks that encompass amazing musicianship, production, lyrics and sense of adventure that really recalls the heyday of the indie music revolution.
We talked a lot more about Erik LaVergne’s project in our Artist of the Month profile, so for now, I close by urging you to check out Humboldt Lagoon’s debut album – available May 11th, 2010.
And hey, if you think cover sleeves are bullshit, then you can always still download the digital version.
Humboldt Lagoon’s debut album available from CDBaby, iTunes and other usual suspects May 11th, 2010.
Find out more at:
http://www.humboldtlagoon.com
As an added bonus, we are offering an exclusive mp3 download from the album.
Tags: Erik Lavergne, free mp3 download, Holy City, Humboldt Lagoon, indie releases, indie rock, indie rock bands, music blog, new CD, new indie music
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Five years ago California band Elogy would be major label and radio darlings, but we live in a new paradigm for music and so they go it independently.
Based in Orange County, California, the members of Elogy came together 4 years ago under the leadership of Derek Cannavo. Transforming an old warehouse space into a fully functional, state of the art studio, Elogy began to develop their sound and their organization from scratch. Using their classical training as a foundation, the band quickly amassed a large catalogue of songs, and as they brought their music to a live setting, their sound began to evolve as well. Now, after almost half a decade, Elogy is pleased to finally be releasing its debut album, an album that is founded on classical training and solid musicianship but that is far from traditional.
The product of a half-decade long process of evolution and development, the band’s upcoming indie release “One” showcases a band that has taken its time to perfect and hone its sound. With sweeping melodies, well thought out synth lines, and driving vocals, Elogy has recorded an album that is distinctly new, but that still evokes contemporaries like Coldplay or Muse.
We wanted to know more about how a band that five years ago would have easily been snatched up by the majors and pushed hard on mainstream radio is navigating the new music distribution paradigm:
MusicZeitgeist: Tell us about recording this record – what were you thinking in terms of the end goal? Did you have a particular audience in mind?
We didn’t really think too much about who we were going to reach with the album during the recording process. We all respect each other a lot musically and have very high musical standards, so if a song was strong enough to pass through the band’s filters we felt it was good enough to be heard by others. On any given day we would find ourselves obsessing over a particular sound we designed from scratch or that we just stumbled upon, and that made us feel confident that we were creating something new with each track. We loved documenting our new discoveries throughout the album, but we also made sure that the vocals tied everything together, making Elogy’s sound ever-changing but at the same time very distinct.
MZ: Recorded music is in a vastly new paradigm – how do you plan on marketing and selling your new record?
We’ve accepted that the average listener is bombarded with tons of new bands and music daily. People own iPods full of singles by bands they hardly know, so we didn’t really focus on keeping our sound in a box. We just focused on making an album that someone can enjoy all the way through while leaving out fillers or “down time” songs, as we call them. All we can do beyond that is play an amazing live show and continue grabbing at people’s hearts, even if they don’t want to hand them over immediately.
Catch Elogy April 30th at The Gypsy Lounge, Lake Forest, CA
Tags: best new indie music, California, Coldplay, download music, Elogy, free mp3, indie music, Muse, music blog, The Gypsy Lounge
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Dr. Tragic Josh prescribes twelve music vitamins to keep your ears and soul healthy and happy and ready for anything.
1. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings – I Learned the Hard Way
Soul, baby.
2. Daniel Martin Moore – The Hour of Sleep
Simple and sweet. Classy. But maybe just a little sappy!
3. Field Music – Them That Do Nothing
Wonderful!! Long Live XTC!!!!!! Continuing the long tradition of quirky pop.
4. Joshua James – Dangerous
Way more enjoyable than it should be.
5. Land Of Talk – May You Never
Am I nuts or does this remind you of the B52's without all the schtick?
6. The Watson Twins – Lady Love Me
Lovely groove and I love the vocals. really laid back, it sneaks up on you.
7. The Frames – Falling Softly
I'm way behind on this I know (duh!), but it's great, and i never really listened to it when it first came out.
8. Nana Grizol – Cynicism
I love this song. I'm not in love with the vocals, but by god it's a great little song. Love the arrangement. Simple and effective.
9. The Bird And The Bee – Meteor
Another one that's slightly older, but I came across it thanks to shazam, and it rocks.
This'll put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.
Has a bit of old Wall of Sound vibe to it. Great song. Simple.
These guys are amazing. Just check out the record.
Happy listening to you.
Tags: Air France, B52's, Daniel Martin Moore, Field Music, Joshua James, Land Of Talk, Nana Grizol, Sally Seltmann, Sharon Jones and the Dap-KingsSharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, The Bird and the Bee, The Frames, The Hype Machine, The Watson Twins, Titus Andronicus, Tragic Josh, vitamins, Xtc
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Tragic Josh sprays rainbows of musical beauty over the disenfranchised youth of today. Come revel in the glory of his select aural spectrum of love.
1. Bowerbirds – Ghost Life
Just a really lovely song that'll keep you till the end. much to your surprise.
2. Electric President – The Violent Blue
I can't honestly say that I think this dude is the best advert for this band, but I do like this song. It takes it's time and knows how to carry it's momentum. The last third is probably the best.
3. White Birch – The New Kingdom
These guys are incredible. But apparently all Norwegians sound like Erlend Oye.
4. Vic Chestnutt – I Flirted With You All My Life
Never really heard much of his stuff, bought an album once but was kinda disappointed, but this is just a beautiful song.
5. The Antlers – Atrophy
I'm sure you're all aware of these guys so this really isn't news to anyone but myself. I overlooked them amidst all their hype, but have recently come to appreciate what a wonderful record they produced thanks to a number of other blogs. An old dog can in fact learn new tricks after all.
6. Sharon Van Etten – Love More
Exquisite. She's gorgeous AND amazing.
7. First Aid Kit – Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
These guys are amazing. My new favourites, and what an amazing cover.
8. First Rate People – Girl’s Night
Infectious and fun, just what pop should be like.
9. Herb Albert – Rotation (DJ Harri Edit)
Old school brilliance. This was what Ibiza used to be about.
10. Cold Mountain Child – Of Self
Something reminiscent of classic Dire Straits. OK, and a fair chunk of Iron and Wine as well!
11. Spirit Spine – Enchanted Island
Incredibly simple and sparse. and short. too short. but that's good.
12. Liars – No Barrier Fun
Great vocals, and a fantastic arrangement. Love the beat and the cello.
What are you listening to this week? Post your comment!
Tags: best new tracks, Bowerbirds, Cold Mountain Child, download mp3, Electric President, First Aid Kit, First Rate People, free mp3, free music, Herb Albert, Liars, Sharon Van Etten, Spirit Spine, The Antlers, top songs, Tragic Josh, Vic Chestnutt, White Birch
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