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17 Aug 2009 23:13

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Music: ShortFormBand: SUNBEARS! makes us feel cheery and excited

Sunbears
  • Whoa, what is this?

    In our continuing effort to try new things, here’s our latest: Band coverage! This time, SUNBEARS! completely ignores our rules on brevity, but because we like their pop-laden music so much, we learn not to be such sticklers. Want to see your band here? E-mail us or bug us on Twitter!

    Listen to them

    Q1: In 15 words or less, describe your sound: Interesting music with a bit of pop-sensibility.

    Q2: Name three influences that inspire you, with three words each on why they’re awesome:
    Scriptures/texts (any religious/philosophical scripture/text will do): To get inside the heads of thinkers/spiritualists long past no matter how bonkers or completely boring they may be.
    The outdoors: Because there’s always something more to look at.
    Real smiles: Because it’s always inspiring to witness someone being truly happy.

    Q3: What’s a recent song you’ve been digging? Write ten words explaining why:
    Animal Collective – “My Girls”: I love the beginning with the triplet synth part, how swimmy it all is, until the beat drops on brings it all together.

    Q4: In 140 characters or less, how do you use social networking to get the word out: Just using things like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter to communicate with people in an everyday sort of way. “What’s up? What’s happening!? These are my thoughts…”

    Q5: In 15 words or less, what’s next for you? To keep pushing forward. Writing more tunes, Playing more shows. source

03 Aug 2009 23:08

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Music: ShortFormBand: Wheat loves coffee almost as much as music

Wheat plus Wheat's feet
  • Whoa, what is this?

    In our continuing effort to try new things, here’s our latest: Band coverage! This time, indie-pop stalwarts Wheat (fresh off a solid 7.4 on Pitchfork) discuss their love of music, coffee … and coffee. Want to see your band here? E-mail us or bug us on Twitter!

    Listen to them

    Q1: In 15 words or less, describe your sound: Syrup with cream. Maybe some caffeine, maybe some alcohol. Many mistakes kept.

    Q2: Name three influences that inspire you, with three words each on why they’re awesome:
    Family: I try harder
    Music: I feel lighter
    Coffee: I keep going

    Q3: What’s a recent song you’ve been digging? Write ten words explaining why:
    Bon Iver: “Woods” Amazing smash of lullaby and bad hip-hop vocoder awesomeness!

    Q4: In 140 characters or less, how do you use social networking to get the word out: We use Myspace, Facebook, the regular wheat website, and e-mail. (Is that social networking?) And we still use postcards. I know that might seem old school, but we love the tangible object.

    Q5: In 15 words or less, what’s next for you? Bring our new songs and love to the people. Another song, another record, another coffee.source

28 Jul 2009 22:01

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Music: ShortFormBand: You should know ukulele-strumming Skye Zentz

Skye Zentz
  • Whoa, what is this?

    In our continuing effort to try new things, here’s our latest: Band coverage! This time, a good friend of ours, Skye Zentz puts down her ukulele and throws us some love! Want to see your band here? E-mail us or bug us on Twitter!

    Listen to her

    Q1: In 15 words or less, describe your sound: Tropical entree smothered in bluesy overtones on picnic blanket next to Joni Mitchell’s dulcimer.

    Q2: Name three influences that inspire you, with three words each on why they’re awesome:
    Chris Merritt: Brilliant Melodic Bodywash
    Ani DiFranco: Feminine Guts Galore
    Rufus Wainwright Second generation folky

    Q3: What’s a recent song you’ve been digging? Write ten words explaining why:
    Beyonce – “Ego”: It plays with your head. Love those early Motown nods.

    Q4: In 140 characters or less, how do you use social networking to get the word out: I do what I can with what little digital prowess I have. In short, I connect.
    Tweet tweet, ya’al.
    From myspace to your face.

    Q5: In 15 words or less, what’s next for you? Bowling Alley Tour (Praying!), Nursing home and library gigs (Seriously.), Jello Slip-n-slide?source

23 Jul 2009 22:24

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Music: ShortFormBand: Psych-rockers Hopewell give us clever answers

Hopewell
  • Whoa, what is this?

    In our continuing effort to try new things, here’s our latest: Band coverage! This time, Hopewell (whose new album, “Good Good Desperation,” is worth the listen) brings us waves of dreamy guitar soundscapes (and some fun answers). Want to see your band here? E-mail us or bug us on Twitter!

    Listen to them

    Q1: In 15 words or less, describe your sound: Swept river manger up from strangers from the you. Swept river rolled hellfire wires.*
    * – Since this question is any credible musician’s worst nightmare, I put the lyrics to one of our songs into the “cut up machine” and generated a lyrical montage a la William Burroughs. That should do the trick.

    Q2: Name three influences that inspire you, with three words each on why they’re awesome:
    Lou Reed: genius now ornery
    Brooklyn, NY: Such modern history
    Vincent Gallo: Style over substance

    Q3: What’s a recent song you’ve been digging? Write ten words explaining why:
    Dirty Projectors – “Stillness Is The Move”: Makes me happy to see weird music so popular.

    Q4: In 140 characters or less, how do you use social networking to get the word out: Reluctantly we row the internet buzz boat down the stream. Watch this:
    www.facebook.com/wellhope
    www.twitter.com/wellhope
    www.myspace.com/hopewell

    Q5: In 15 words or less, what’s next for you? All Tomorrow’s Parties.source

24 Jun 2009 22:25

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Music: ShortFormBand: Spin Alley makes “Punkhop” for the masses

spinalley0624
  • Whoa, what is this?

    In our continuing effort to try new things, here’s our latest: Band coverage! This time, Austin’s Spin Alley, who freely mixes rhymes and oi’s, goes through the short-form grinder. Want to see your band here? E-mail us or bug us on Twitter!

    Listen to them

    Q1: In 15 words or less, describe your band’s sound: Loud, punchy, auditory experience of life. Guaranteed to get you moving.

    Q2: Name three influences that inspire you, with three words each on why they’re awesome:
    Kerouac: On the road
    Whiskey: Fuels the fire
    Marijuana: Um, we forget

    Q3: What’s a recent song you’ve been digging? Write ten words explaining why:
    Downsiid – “Pole Dancer”: Epitome of Texas Crunk, keeps heads and asses in motion

    Q4: In 140 characters or less, how do you use social networking to get the word out: We’re charming bastards when we want to be. Social networks let us share our charm with the world, connect with the old and find the new.

    Q5: In 15 words or less, what’s next for you guys? Tour sell tour sell tour sell tour sell tour sell sell tour, across the universe.source

08 Jun 2009 21:31

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Music: ShortFormBand: Meet MA46. They’re post-punky and proggy.

ma46_0608
  • Whoa, what is this?

    In our continuing effort to try new things, here’s our latest: Band coverage! For our first edition, Daniel Hengeveld of MA46 has gladly agreed to be our guinea pig. Want to see your band here? E-mail us or bug us on Twitter!

    Listen to them

    Q1: In 15 words or less, describe your band’s sound: Pop-post-punk plus prog predilections. Smart lyrics and bombast!

    Q2: Name three influences that inspire you, with three words each on why they’re awesome:
    Science fiction novels: vivid cultural examination
    90s Japanese glam: Pop melodies + hairspray
    Drum n Bass: WOMP WOMP WOMP

    Q3: What’s a recent song you’ve been digging? Write ten words explaining why:
    Phantom West – “The Life of Perfect Creatures”: Biggest wall of sound, sweet melody, about Laika. (Tim’s band)

    Q4: In 140 characters or less, how do you use social networking to get the word out: Twittering, Facebooking and MySpacing of course. We did a giveaway with a fashion blog recently & sent bloggers review copies & show invites.

    Q5: In 15 words or less, what’s next for you guys? Sporadic local live schedule while we record our full-length. Then, hopefully, West Coast tour! source