So, I had a realization early this week that I’m obsessed with The Bandcamp platform and wanted to go back and do a little round up of all my discoveries from this past week. This is that round up.
Spirit Spine is Joseph Denney, the Indiana native recorded Glossolalia between August and November of 2010 in his parents basement. The title of the album refers to the religious practice of speaking in tongues so it’s no wonder that the album is a sprawling, desert epic that, “…follows the story of a preacher traveling by airplane who crashes into the desert, leaving him the only survivor. As a result, the preacher must wander the desert in search of food, water, and civilization. Along the way he questions the religion that brought him there and the God who may, or may not, exist.”
Starfucker/STRFKR, Portland’s favorite pop tarts, released two tracks from their forthcoming LP titled Reptilians. It’s the bands second full-length and first with Polyvinyl. Lyrically, the album focuses primarily on death and the end of the world and yet, you find yourself happily dancing along. They are on tour in the US right now.
Lord Huron is something of a mythical creature here in Los Angeles. At a recent show at Silverlake Lounge, the LA Weekly reports, “five guys took the stage and blasted the Lounge with pretty tropical pop melodies that would make Vampire Weekend weep with envy and Panda Bear do a double take. It was the kind of music you would expect from a beachside resort on a distant planet far far away.” Fans of white kids making tropical indie pop should feel their ears perk up.
Monogold is some more indie tropical pop from the hipster bookend of Eastside LA… yes Virginia that’s right, Brooklyn. You’d think that Animal Collective released an album called Merryweather Post Pavillion a few years ago and everyone got like, inspired or something…. Nah.
If you are stuck in the white blustery tundra that Brooklyn has become this winter, well, I’m sorry. Take solace in the fact that bands are making music that sounds like places they’ve probably never been to and it’s kind of awesome. You can listen to it in the snow pretend and it’s sand, because it’s so cold it’s hot.
Magic Man is the Boston based duo of Sam Lee and Alex Caplow. They write from their dedicated Bandcamp page that,
After months of planning and preparation, the first release from Magic Man is ready for you to hear. The songs were written at several different locations in France, including a chateau, a farm, a circus festival, and a beach cottage and brought back home to the states for further recording and editing (most of which was done in small dorm rooms and transmitted between band members with the aid of the world wide web)
This album is free, and you should get it yesterday.
RÜFÜS is a sparkly electronic trio from Sydney who you’ll be hearing more from in the coming months. Think old Junior Boys. It’s fun and slightly fae.
Shilan n-Tenere is a compilation of recordings of guitar music from three regions of Senegal and Mali — Fouta Toro, Timbouctou, and the Adrar d’Ifoghas. Each region differs in language and culture, but all have a popular music based on the guitar, and their respective local guitar bands. The official release is a 12″ vinyl release, a collaboration between Mississippi Records and Sahelsounds.
Love,
R
