new Double Entendre - Street Music EP

Rolled out of bed this morning, checked my email and was very happy to see some correspondence from Ryan Daniels, aka Double Entendre.  Daniels' new Street Music EP is now streaming at bandcamp, available for download or in an incredibly limited run of just 15 cassettes.  There's something for everyone here, from the spin-inducing psychedelics of the title track to the more heavenly, harp-like oscillations of "This Perfect Day."  Faltering swells of acidic synths make up "Breathing in the Ether," while the fuzzed-up tin pan workout that is "Sometimes, Happy Times" took me back to Konono N°1's Congotronics in the best way possible.  "3-4 tbsp" is an ambient interlude complete with chirping birds and burnt-out key tones; "Onboard Currency" is an inspirational jam that chugs on and on towards the horizon.  Daniels offers up "Sometimes, Happy Times" and his remix of Andy & Zeus' "MCMLXXXI Choir" for free, but you should support the arts by buying the MP3s for $5 or a tape for just $6.  If you've ever bought anything from The Curatorial Club, NNA Tapes or Sweat Lodge Guru, you simply must buy this. 

Introducing: Hymnal

Austin/San Marcos musician Mich D. White, who records "dubbeatkrunk" as Kinder and ambient instrumentals as MDW, emailed me yet another project that was born of White's recent desire to sing and to explore a darker sound.  Hymnal's songs do indeed exist on a different plane.  While they're not necessarily "dark" per se, they might still be best heard in a room with little light.  These are chilled-out tracks with a bluesy, jazzy vibe to them.  Rightly or wrongly, I can't shake the thought of the subdued grooves of Deep Forest or a Southwestern Serge Gainsbourg.  Either way, there's lots of promise here, and I'm excited to see where White goes with Hymnal.  Follow Hymnal on bandcamp. 

From Christchurch's quake, Mount Pleasant's music

Tuesday's earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, was another tragic example of what can happen when earthly forces and human populations intersect with random chance.  Scores were killed and many more remain missing.  And yet, even in the midst of Christchurch's sadness and suffering, some positives can be found.  Hundreds of aid workers and eventually millions of dollars will flow to the area to help those in need and assist with rebuilding.  On a personal level, it's how I found out about Mount Pleasant's music.

Curious about Christchurch, I went to bandcamp and browsed the most recent music tagged with "Christchurch."  I was impressed by a lot of what I heard, but I was most struck by Mount Pleasant, a self-described glamour/pop artist who has been blogged about by all the usual suspects but who I somehow missed until now.  I came to learn that main contributor Jonathan Phillips' family home was severely damaged by the quake.  You can see photos and read his harrowing account at Mount Pleasant's blog.  If you're able, heed Phillips' call and donate to New Zealand's Red Cross here.

We can be thankful, though, that Phillips and his family survived and that we have a new Mount Pleasant album upon us.  "II Tough II Dance," "Safer" and "Florida" are chilled-out disco/funk/house tracks from upcoming album The Aztecs, due for release on March 16 via bandcamp.  By the looks of it, The Aztecs also features one Joanna De Vocht on production and vocals; her chanteuse lends an even smoother vibe to Phillips' already velvety tracks.  On these songs, Phillips and De Vocht manage to take the best of 70s disco and funk and combine it with 80s New Wave to make something that sounds familiar and fresh at the same time.  Listen to three Aztecs songs below, buy them at Mount Pleasant's bandcamp and keep your mouse clicked there for the full album on March 16. 

The Townhouses - "Backyard" / "Indian Elephant"

Here's a challenge: click play on The Townhouses' "Backyard" and "Indian Elephant."  Try your absolute hardest not to fall in love with both songs.  As it turns out, it's humanly impossible.  With "Backyard," I gave up about 45 seconds in; by the time the trumpet sauntered smoothly into the mix, I was simply gushing.  "Indian Elephant" unwinds more slowly, but when those skittering tones come forth to compete with the vocal swells, we're wondrously wide-eyed at the melodic interplay.  These are chilled-out dream pop tunes, perfect for getting all loved-up while lounging in a hammock.  Seems like fans of Air France and The Album Leaf should be all over this.  Making music from Melbourne, The Townhouses' music is available for pay-what-you-will download at bandcamp.



Follow The Townhouses on bandcamp / Facebook / Last.fm / MySpace / Tumblr / Twitter

(via Stadiums and Shrines)