Gold & Youth - Time to Kill

Gold & Youth are sharing this track which you can download for the price of an email address if you go to their website. Maybe it's the male/female vocals, or perhaps it's the hypnotizing beat, but this is a track that really gets under your skin. See for yourself.

Gold & Youth - Time To Kill by Arts & Crafts

Patrick Watson - Into Giants

Patrick Watson's fourth album will be out on Secret City/Domino records on May 1st in the US. Here's the first single from the album, Adventures in Your Own Backyard. This album brings the band back to a more personal space. "Into Giants" is a lush and layered soundscape for their voices to glide across. You'll find something new to like in this song with every listen. See for yourself.

Patrick Watson - Into Giants

Jenny Gillespie ft. Sam Amidon - Creature of Our Make

Sam Amidon has long been the source of my pick-me-up music. Just one listen to his album All is Well can turn my entire day around. So when I saw that he collaborated on three songs with the talented Jenny Gillespie, I was positive I was going to like it.

Jenny Gillespie is releasing her EP Belita on April 16th but you can stream it on soundcloud. Here’s the wonderful opening track from the EP, “Creature Of Our Make”, featuring Sam Amidon on backing vocals and violin, and Jim White on drums.


Sam Amidon and Jenny Gillespie formed a correspondence when Amidon was sent this video of Jenny Gillespie covering his song "Saro", the rest is history.

Chic Gamine - Closer

Chic Gamine at La Tulipe // Credit: Tete

Sometimes, in all this noise, I miss hearing a simple voice, especially female voices. Looking at my personal list of 2011's top 10 records, none of them were female fronted. So to show some love for those that sometimes get overlooked, here are four great female fronted songs to listen to right now. If I wanted to be honest I'd admit that I looked for these songs to keep me from listening to old Tori Amos records. All from the (legal) SXSW torrent too.

Chic Gamine - Closer [site]
"Don't forget your heart here" 
2009 Juno Award Winners

Doe Paoro - Can't Leave You [Bandcamp]

Elle King - Good To Be A Man
Love sarcasm in songs. And in general.
She only has myspace and twitter so here's a youtube video

Amy Bezunartea - Restaurants & Bars [site]
Can't find love in a restaurant or a bar.

Bad Weather California - You're My Friend

Bad Weather California released their second LP last week, appropriately named Sunkissed. It has that California sunshine vibe dripped over it like sweet honey but with a bit of a punk/garagey essence to it. In some instances, it just sounds like a bunch of friends jamming on the beach. It's a nice picture to have painted in your mind as we head out of this winter that's been dreary even despite the mild weather. It's a sweet album that has warmed my heart with just the right mix of pop and garage rock. Obviously I'm struggling to describe what this sounds like, but at least you should know there's a random sax that pops up in a few tunes and it makes everything feel just right. It's a joyous listen start to finish and a welcomed respite from the usual folk and indie rock that rules my headphones. I'm ready for the warm weather and summer jams now. Stream on Bandcamp.

Bad Weather California - You're My Friend
"Just remember what I've always told you, you're not a fuck up, you're my friend."
Bad Weather California - I'll Reach Out My Hand

BOY - Drive Darling

So the wonderful and ever amazing Josh Ritter has a video out today, but somehow I found myself watching this other video, recorded for Mahogany Sessions at an out of the way studio, for the 10th time. It's unbearably pretty, it's beautifully simple, and it reminded me of all the drives I've taken with the people I love(d). Their debut album Mutual Friends is dropping later this Spring.

Niklas von Arnold - City Lights

This isn't something I'd normally post but I let soundcloud play some tracks for me this morning and this is what I took away from it. At first, I thought it was a James Blake type trying to pull off R. Kelly. But then it became it's own R&B jam with a good beat that I played on repeat a few times. All I know about the guy is he is Swedish and you can listen to more on the RecRecRecords soundcloud page. You can watch the video for City Lights here.


Here he is covering Van Morrison's "Crazy Love" too.


Niklas von Arnold "Crazy Love" Van Morrison cover from Rec Rec Records on Vimeo.

Rhye - Open

Shut up and listen. Please.


(via Listen Before You Buy)

Do you have chills? Is your jaw still on the floor? Are you already pressing repeat? Are you looking for your Sade CDs? That might have been my reaction, but I hope it's yours too. This gorgeous Rhye song is what I'm calling the sexiest song since this one or this one.

You can download the song and find more info on Rhye's facebook page. The clear 12" vinyl is available for purchase here. The debut EP from duo, Rhye, this vinyl contains the single "Open" along with 2 other songs, "Hunger" and "Three Days" from the upcoming LP. It's backed with lush instrumentals on the B side.

Damien Jurado Covers

Photo via Sarah Jurado, from The Seattle Times' press room concert

The Seattle Times has been posting these sessions all week long where various Seattle musicians cover Damien Jurado's songs from the past. I'm loving these two and looking forward to what the rest of the week holds in store. Damien Jurado's 12th(!) album Maraqopa comes out Feb 21 on Secretly Canadian Records.

Jeremy Enigk (Sunny Day Real Estate) - Last Rights from Caught in the Trees

Pickwick - I am the greatest of all liars from Holding His Breath Ep

Jon Russel (Head & The Heart) - Beacon Hill from Saint Bartlett

(All via Seattle Times)

Suitable lyrics for Valentine's Day cards

I first saw this Death Cab For Cutie inspired card and started thinking of all the other lyrics that would be appropriate for cards for the indie music lover in your life. There are an infinite number of options and these were what came first. I hit a wall while browsing the more extensive discographies of bands like Wilco, Elliot Smith, and Ryan Adams. In some cases the lyrics are grossly out of context and may be found in a heartbreak kind of song. Sometimes that one sweet line has a way of standing out above the real meaning of the song. Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite romantic lyrics.

Make 'em smile
I've been looking for some time, in a room full of pennies for my dime. It ain't easy to find a girl like you to be mine. -Middle Brother

I want you to make the days move easy -Dawes
Dawes - If I Wanted Someone

If I could bring a light to shine upon the dark
and disobey the night so young
But I still say we're too old For cliches - Wilco

Everybody I know wants to be your friend
but I just want to hold you when the music ends,
that's all, all I ask.
Is that too crass? - Allo Darlin'

Whimsy

Love doesn't care... if you prance around in your underwear. -The Shivers

The Shivers - Love Is In The Air


Declare your love

I traced my finger along your trails
Your body was the map
I was lost in there
Floating over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you and now you're mine - Great Lake Swimmers

I'm in love with the world through the eyes of a girl who's still around the morning after. -Elliot Smith

Home is wherever I'm with you -Edward Sharpe (via Etsy)

I am a moth who just wants to share your light, I'm just an insect trying to get out of night. I only stick with you because there are no others. You are all I need. - Radiohead

Win them back
Just three words my dear. You meant everything. - Ryan Adams

The sentiment I'd like to leave you with the most can be nicely summed up with the following. 

Happy Valentine's Day from NMC.