It’s the Triumphant Return of Texas rockers Ume, back with their first new music in 4 years! “Two Years Sleep” is the first unveiling off the upcoming “Other Nature” (out 7/20)!

Ume’s “Other Nature” was recorded with Grammy-winning producer/engineer Stuart Sikes (Modest Mouse, Cat Power, Loretta Lynn) over the course of 2 weeks in the band’s hometown of Austin, TX and it brings to life a deeply personal and transformative collection of songs written by powerhouse guitarist/vocalist Lauren Larson, while the world around her slept.

Playing through debilitating tendonitis, Lauren teamed with longtime Ume bassist Eric Larson and drummer Aaron Perez, as well as Don Cento on synth, to bring her home demos to life. Embracing spontaneity and a new adventurous energy, the band reformed in the studio to produce their most gorgeously dynamic record yet. The result is a massive and enchanting collection of 10 songs, showcasing the strength and fragility of Lauren’s voice, more confident and defiant songwriting, more dynamic and experimental guitars, textures of synths, and a smoldering, soulful rhythm section that takes the songs beyond where Ume has been on previous records.

This is the Ume’s first record since 2014’s “Monuments”. They previously released “Phantoms” on Modern Outsider in 2011 and self-released their EP “Sunshower” in 2009, but the story of Ume begins with Lauren falling in love with blasting subversive riffs as a 15-year-old self-taught guitarist in a politically charged noise punk band. Dedicated to performing like her life depended on it, Lauren’s music career took her from DIY youth run shows, like at the skatepark where she met bassist/husband Eric Larson — to performing with her guitar heroine Nancy Wilson of Heart and appearing on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations — to Ume playing major festivals like ACL and London’s Hyde Park with Black Sabbath.

“When it comes to art, psychedelia, and rock and roll, it doesn’t get much better.”—Village Voice

“A little like fuzzy shoegaze, raw garage rock and irresistible pop all rolled into one fiery package.”—NYLON

“has merged the sounds of heavy rock and ethereal indie pop with deft precision, finding new ground somewhere in between Warpaint, Metric and Mogwai.”—Relix

Listen: Ume – “Two Years Sleep”

Ume – “Two Years Sleep”

Chicago’s In Tall Buildings (aka Erik Hall) is a venerable one-man ensemble who wrote and recorded “Akinetic” at his home studio in Chicago, alongside kindred co-producer Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Iron & Wine, Califone). Hall performs every instrument on the album with the exception of occasional looming woodwinds from Elliot Bergman (NOMO, Wild Belle), yielding ten tracks of spacious and textured pop, plunging headlong into allegories of communication, loss, impulse, vice and mass-denialism.

As In Tall Buildings, Hall has performed with Lord Huron, Sharon Van Etten, Ben Watt and Matthew Sweet among others. A frequent collaborator and touring sideman, Hall has also recorded and toured with Wild Belle, NOMO, and His Name Is Alive.

That the new album was achieved by one person playing every instrument, gently guided by a veteran co-producer, denotes the new “Akinetic” as the greatest height yet reached for In Tall Buildings.

“The hardest-working man in Chicago prog pop, Erik Hall … construct[s] intricate home-studio epics that suggest Elliott Smith fronting Midlake, resulting in a deceptively smooth uneasy listening.”– UNCUT

“Equal parts expansive and intimate, anchored by Hall’s mellow tenor and ear for subtle but engaging composition.”– Consequence Of Sound

“Wide-eyed and instantly likable…”– PASTE

“…big-hearted, wistful, deftly arranged metropolitan pop…”– Stereogum

“…understated pop songs carefully constructed around guitars, piano, synthesizers and Hall’s riveting, whispery vocals.”– Wall Street Journal

“…lovely…the perfect soundtrack”– SPIN

Listen: In Tall Buildings – “Overconscious”

In Tall Buildings – “Overconscious”

Bob Moses have just unveiled the brand new track “Heaven Only Knows”! The song is the first new music from the Grammy-winning duo since their acclaimed debut album “Days Gone By” featuring their worldwide hit and Top 15 Alternative single “Tearing Me Up”.

Bob Moses is the Vancouver-bred, LA-based duo of Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance. Born from the Brooklyn underground scene in 2012, the band’s early single releases on taste-making electronic label Scissor & Thread and captivating live performances led to signing with Domino and the release of “Days Gone By”, which garnered them a pair of nominations at both the Junos and the Grammys (and a grammy win).

Meshing guitar licks, dance-floor ambience and classic songwriting, the duo created a sound that appeals equally to club goers And rock fans. Bob Moses will tour North America this fall swinging through all major markets (see our Tours page)!

Listen: Bob Moses – “Heaven Only Knows” (radio edit)

Bob Moses – “Heaven Only Knows” (radio edit)

Radio has Already been Embracing Calpurnia’s first single “City Boy”, which has now given way to the Newest reveal “Louie”! Both songs are found on the band’s debut EP “Scout” (out 6/15), produced by Cadien Lake James of Twin Peaks! Calpurnia’s led by Finn Wolfhard, best known for his performances on the small screen in ‘Stranger Things’ and the big on in ‘IT’.

Calpurnia‘s story is how teenage rock dreams are meant to unfold: four friends, all raised on a healthy diet of the Beatles, Nirvana and David Bowie, and a deep love for their respective instruments, retreat one day to a basement and begin jamming together. They cut their teeth on some cover songs and then, with just enough confidence and a dose of adolescent enthusiasm, they write and record their own tunes. And the results are nothing short of stunning.

“It was kind of destined to be,” Finn Wolfhard says of the almost serendipitous genesis of the rough-and-tumble Vancouver-based indie-rock foursome he formed with three of his now-closest friends. “We all just really clicked. And when I’m passionate about something,” the singer-guitarist adds of Calpurnia, who this spring release their debut EP “Scout”, “I like to get it done as quickly as I can. There’s not a lot of wasting time. I love just going for it. Go big or go home.”

“’Louie’ was an absolute blast to record. Finn recorded his guitar and vocals simultaneously to capture exactly what he was feeling in the moment, and this track finally gave me the chance to play slide guitar, as well as the Keith Richards inspired lead you hear at the end. Jack’s groovy bass line keeps the song moving along until Malcolm comes crashing in on the drums. The lyrics are written from the perspective of a guy who always leaves his partner, and though she does everything she can to hold down the fort at home, he never shows up. The guitar solo is meant to convey the longing she feels for him to come home, and the loneliness she feels without him at her side.”—Ayla Tesler-Mabe (Calpurnia lead guitar)

“Finn Wolfhard’s band Calpurnia is the real deal, in case you were wondering”—NME

“The breezy song features a catchy guitar riff and echoey vocals from singer/guitarist Wolfhard, plus an epic guitar solo outro.”—Billboard

“a swaggering, blues rock track inspired by the Rolling Stones…It’s an impressive debut for a band of 15-year olds. Hell, it’s an impressive debut for any indie rock band.”—Esquire

“like something straight out of the ending of a John Hughes movie…Obviously, Finn sounds great on the mic, but the instrumental parts are what really stand out”—MTV

Listen: Calpurnia – “Greyhound” (radio edit)

Calpurnia – “Greyhound” (radio edit)

Melbourne’s Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever are thrilled to announce that their highly-anticipated debut album, “Hope Downs”, will be released on June 15th! To coincide with this news, they’ve shared a new video and single, “Talking Straight.”

Fittingly recorded in a house in the middle of the Northern NSW bush, “Talking Straight” hits hard with its driving rhythm and melodic, interweaving guitars, while reflecting on the loneliness of being a small person in the big universe. In singer/songwriter/guitarist Joe White’s own words:

“The concept came about when I heard someone talking about the possibility of us, humans, being alone in the universe, and how sad that would be. The idea in this song is that we might be lonely, but we could be lonely together.”

“Talking Straight” marks the second release of new music from the band for 2018 and following up previous single “Mainland”. The two songs collectively show how, after a pair of buzz-building EPs, “Hope Downs” is truly that album that was promised.

The album title, taken from the name of a vast open cut mine in the middle of Australia, refers to the feeling of standing at the edge of the void of the big unknown, and finding something to hold on to. It’s a record that focuses on finding the bright spots at a time when cynicism all too often feels like the natural state. Rolling Blackouts C.F. are here to remind us to keep our feet on the ground—and “Hope Downs” is as delicious a taste of terra firma as you’re going to get from a rock band right now.

Listen: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – “Talking Straight”

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – “Talking Straight”

Cary Brothers’ new single “Crush” has Already picked up initial early play on KCRW and KEXP and is an instant habit-former inspired by the 80s—an ode to what he imagines Molly Ringwald would’ve danced to in the classic film The Breakfast Club!

“I was always pegged as a singer/songwriter because I’m the one guy writing songs, but my heroes were artists like The Cure and Peter Gabriel, who wrote in huge, melodic, romantic sonic landscapes. I was tired of feeling confined to a genre, so I finally made a record that reflects the music that has always inspired me. After some tough years personally, I needed to be inspired again. I needed to move forward.”—Cary Brothers (on “Crush”)

“Crush” is the new single from Cary Brothers’ newly released “Bruises” and is his first full length in 8 years. “It’s about getting beaten down and getting back up again. Mostly the getting up part,” says Cary.

Cary Brothers first gained critical acclaim with his single “Blue Eyes” from the 2004 Grammy-winning “Garden State” soundtrack, which was originally on his debut EP, “All The Rage”.

Following the success of “Blue Eyes,” Cary went on to release a handful of EPs and two albums, “Who Are You” (2007) and “Under Control” (2010). Throughout his career his music has appeared in multiple hit TV series such as Grey’s Anatomy, ER, Scrubs, One Tree Hill, Smallville, 90210, The Vampire Diaries and more. His work has made him one of the most-licensed artists in film and television.

Cary will head to Australia for dates with Joshua Radin next month following up some shows in China, and we should have US dates to announce for you soon (stay tuned)!

Listen: Cary Brothers – “Crush”

Cary Brothers – “Crush”

Dirty Projectors are BACK Already to follow up last year’s self-titled album, And they’re heading out for the First Tour In Five Years (head to our Tours page for dates)!!! Lead single/video combo is “Break-Thru” which you can see in all its glory below (and it Truly IS just that!).

“Lamp Lit Prose” (out 7/13) arrives just over a year after 2017’s self-titled “Dirty Projectors,” with Dave Longstreth’s band returning with a new album that is the yang to the yin of the 2017 effort. The songs signal a page turned for Longstreth: hope instead of heartbreak, a restorative balance.

Guitars have returned to the Dirty Projectors’ world, intricate vocal harmony too. “Lamp Lit Prose” is a recommitment to the sounds and ideals of Dirty Projectors, embracing the band’s trademarks while pushing forward the sonic envelope.

Produced by Longstreth at his studio Ivo Shandor in LA, the new album features guest appearances from Syd, Empress Of, Amber Mark, HAIM, Rostam, Robin Pecknold, and Dear Nora, as well as longtime DPs’ rhythm section Nat Baldwin and Mike Johnson.

Listen: Dirt Projectors – “Break-Thru”

Dirty Projectors – “Break-Thru”

Following up his current radio fave “Mr. Tillman” single out earlier in the year, Father John Misty is now out with his fourth album “God’s Favorite Customer”.

The 10 track long player was produced by Tillman and recorded with Jonathan Rado, Dave Cerminara, and Trevor Spencer and was written largely in New York between Summer ’16 and Winter ’17.

Father John Misty’s 2018 international tour schedule resumes April 28th in Cincinnati, OH for the National’s Homecoming Fest and currently runs through November 17th in Rust, DE at Rolling Stone Park. Highlights include a performance at the Hollywood Bowl with Gillian Welch on June 24th and Red Rocks with special guest TV on the Radio on August 15th.

“recalls psychedelic elements from the first FJM album….vocal melody moves like a druggy, half-lidded incantation that constantly threatens to wake up into a scene that’s more explicitly unnerving, that persistent piano line working against it to give the whole thing this darkly dreamy atmosphere, a Lynchian veneer of prettiness over something more sinister.”—Stereogum

“Damn, Tillman! Back at it again with the nice chorus and obtuse navel-gazing….concise and baroque” —NOISEY/Vice

“dances between psychedelic piano and guitar in a gentle, slightly disoriented twirl. And unlike the the meta commentary on ‘Pure Comedy’, this song is far more self-focused, as the title suggests.” —Consequence Of Sound

Listen: Father John Misty – “Mr. Tillman”

Father John Misty – “Mr. Tillman”

ASH‘s “Islands” is an open-hearted collection of songs drawn from frontman Tim Wheeler’s reflective lyrical axis dealing with friendship and betrayal, love and loss, and is an album which reaffirms the band’s status as one of the most idiosyncratic and singularly thrilling guitar bands in the world.

Twenty-five years on from their emergence as teenagers on Belfast’s DIY scene ASH Are Back with Another irrepressible track in “Annabel” that more than holds its own in what is a seemingly already over-stocked catalogue of hits.

“Where ‘Buzzkill’ was a poppy thrasher, there’s a bit more yearning in ‘Annabel’. The licks are still plenty tasty, but they’re wrapped around an undeniable sweetness.”—Consequence Of Sound

“Still with fire in their belly, new song ‘Annabel’ is online now and it’s a stomping, soaring indie punk monster with just a sprinkling of sugar on top….biting, singalong fare, that’s sure to go down a storm live.”—Clash Magazine

Listen: Ash – “Annabel”

Ash – “Annabel”

Beach House (Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand) released “B-sides and Rarities” in 2017, which served as a proverbial ‘cleaning out the closet’ to pave way for a new creative process. Their approach in the creation of “7″ was rebirth and rejuvenation.  Scally and Legrand used to limit themselves to what they thought they could perform live, but this time that limitation was ignored.  Also, instead of one long studio session, Beach House recorded when inspired by batches of songs, which resulted in five mini-sessions over the course of eleven months.

Unlike the last four albums, “7” didn’t have a producer in the traditional sense. Spacemen 3’s Sonic Boom (Peter Kember) became a significant force on this record by shedding conventions and helping to keep the songs alive, fresh, and protected from the destructive elements of recording studio overproduction and over-perfection.  The band’s trusted live drummer from 2016 to the present, James Barone, played on the entire record, helping to keep rhythm at the center of a lot of these songs.

“The balance, once again, is everything—weightlessness and ballast, vague hopes and creeping dread, sun and shadow.”—Pitchfork

“the tone is immaculate, just the right blend of messy and pristine. It’s like being forced out of a dream into a reality that’s somehow even brighter.”—Stereogum

“It’s a glorious evolution.”—NPR

“Like ‘Lemon Glow’, ‘Dive’ adds a slightly darker and grittier edge to the band’s signature dream-pop sound.”—NME

“fits neatly into the tonal lexicon of Beach House with Victoria Legand’s regal vocals perfectly accompanying Alex Scally’s shimmering guitar licks…it seems as though Beach House are moving into a slightly intense psychedelic territory.”--NOISEY/Vice

Listen: Beach House – “Dark Spring”

Beach House – “Dark Spring”