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Spotlight: Haale

Matthew Montgomery

Haale / Courtesy of Planetary GroupHaale, from New York but of Iranian descent, crafts uniquely engaging music that combines progressive rock sensibilities (if there are such things) with traditional Persian style. Her debut, No Ceiling hits shelves March 18. The title track — an interesting juxtaposition of ethereal vocals, orchestral strings, and traditional percussion — and “Chenan Mastam” are posted below for listening and download.

Haale — “No Ceiling” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/haale_-_no_ceiling.mp3]

Haale — “Chenan Mastam” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/haale_-_chenan_mastam.mp3]

February 12, 2008 Tags: ,
Posted in Artist Spotlight, Downloads No Comments »

Bright Eyes release awarded with Grammy for art direction

Matthew Montgomery

Bright Eyes — <em>Cassadaga</em>Bright Eyes, the brainchild, if you will, of Conor Oberst, was awarded with a Grammy today in the category of “Best Recording Package” for Cassadaga. The release, designed by Saddle Creek graphic artist Zack Nipper, beat out Portland indie rockers Menomena’s Friend and Foe, Black Sabbath’s The Dio Years, The Fold’s Secrets Make You Tick, and GTS’s White Horse for the prize. The 50th Grammy Awards took place tonight in Los Angeles, Calif. The Flaming Lips, while nominated for “Best Surround Sound Album” for At War With the Mystics failed to pick up the prize; Wilco were nominated for “Best Rock Album” for Sky Blue Sky but likewise failed to net the “prestigious” awarding.

Bright Eyes — “Four Winds” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/brighteyes_fourwinds.mp3]

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February 10, 2008 Tags: ,
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Music Geek #7: Chiptune — Is there anything better?

Matthew Montgomery

Matthew Montgomery wears funny glasses in a Cedar City, Utah park.

Editor’s Note: The track previously included in this post was not written or recorded by Brandon Harrod of Laromlab, who has recently come forward and admitted to having essentially stolen the tracks and called them his own. More information is available at www.mushpotrecords.com.

That’s a brave question, isn’t it? I thought so. So often my questions are lacking in, well, braveness, so I thought I might give it a try. Still, I’m not sure how brave it really is, though, as it is still a question and not a bold statement. After all, I’m willing to admit some wrong in this.

Anyhow, I’ve been venturing into electronic music lately, as it has been something I’m woefully under-educated in. My good friend Derek, a veteran (of sorts) of electronic music, has been instrumental in this, and perhaps we might call him the catalyst. At any rate, It’s happened.

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Spotlight: The Terrordactyls | Indie pop group releases stop-motion video for “Devices,” features Kimya Dawson on vocals

Matthew Montgomery

The Terrordactyls / Courtesy of Fanatic PromotionThe latest video from The Terrordactyls, a strangely enticing lo-fi indie pop group, is a strangely enticing lo-fi stop motion endeavor. “Devices,” which features Moldy Peaches-veteran and Kimya Dawson on vocals, features, of all things, scissors speaking to each other. Read after the jump for the video. Michael Cadiz and Tyrel Stendahl, who make up The Terrordactyls, are quite capable of holding their musical own, as it were: See “Fall,” posted below, for an example.

Contributing vocalist Kimya Dawson may overshadow the two musicians, given the love a variety of teenagers have expressed for recent Ivan Reitman flick Juno — don’t get me wrong, I am quite a fan of the film, as well; I merely find the newfound love for The Moldy Peaches and Kimya Dawson a bit puzzling or, at the very least, surprising.

The Terrordactyls — “Devices” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/theterrordactyls-devices.mp3]

The Terrordactyls —”Fall” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/theterrordactyls-fall.mp3]

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February 8, 2008 Tags: ,
Posted in Artist Spotlight, Downloads, Video No Comments »

Kara Keith to release solo EP

Matthew Montgomery

Kara Keith / Courtesy of Killbeat MusicKara Keith, from Calgary, Alberta and previously of Falconhawk, will release her self-titled solo debut EP on Saved By Radio on Feb. 12. The EP can be purchased in the Saved By Radio online store. “Kick This City,” from the release and posted below, is an engaging, driving track that makes its name with synthesizers and keys, but is also home to smooth vocals from Kara Keith. With talent of this nature, it’s hard to believe that this singer and songwriter won’t go anywhere.

Kara Keith — “Kick This City” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/02-kick-this-city.mp3]

Kara Keith on MySpace

February 7, 2008 Tags: , ,
Posted in Artist Spotlight, Downloads, News No Comments »

Spotlight: The Buddyrevelles | Indie group releases new music video

Matthew Montgomery

The Buddyrevelles / Courtesy of Fanatic PromotionThe Buddyrevelles have a sound that is situated somewhere between indie pop and post-rock — a wonderful combination, if you ask me. They’ve just released a video for “The Foreigner,” a song that’s destined to at least cause a few toes to tap incessantly, and that’s really the goal, isn’t it? The tracks posted below were released on Don’t Quit by Solitaire Records. Read after the jump for the video.

The Buddyrevelles — “I Dream of Rodney” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/thebuddyrevelles-idreamofrodney.mp3]

The Buddyrevelles — “Moods” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/thebuddyrevelles-moods.mp3]

The Buddyrevelles — “The Foreigner” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/thebuddyrevelles-theforeigner.mp3]

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An interview with Say Hi, who released a new album today

Matthew Montgomery

Say Hi / Courtesy of Sneak Attack MediaEric Elbogen of Say Hi (previously Say Hi To Your Mom), who, today, release The Wishes and the Glitch, answers a few questions from MusicGeek.org regarding the new album, working with David Bazan and John Roderick, and more. Read after the jump for more of the interview, tracks from The Wishes and the Glitch, and links to purchase music from the group. Say Hi were previously the subject of a MusicGeek.org spotlight.

Say Hi — “Northwestern Girls” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/sayhi_northwesterngirls.mp3]

What’s the geekiest thing you did during the recording of The Wishes and the Glitch?

Well, cooping up in a bedroom full of music equipment for six months for twelve hours a day is pretty geeky, don’t you agree? I got nothing else.

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February 5, 2008 Tags: , ,
Posted in Downloads, Interviews No Comments »

Spotlight: Head of Femur | Eclectic indie pop group prepares for new album’s release

Matthew Montgomery

Head of Femur / Courtesy of Planetary GroupHead of Femur, a wonderfully orchestrated indie pop group, will release their new album, Great Plains, on March 25 on Greyday Records. The LP, their third, is a tightly constructed pop record with a flare unique to the group. The passionate songwriting embodied by the group can be heard in the trumpets, the multi-part harmonies, and the jangly, twee-inflected guitar work: This isn’t some one-off, pointless project. Head of Femur pulls influence from C-86, The Flaming Lips, The Smiths, The Beach Boys, The Beatles — the usual greats, really; touches of legendary pop writing make a distinctive presence on Great Plains, and that’s sure to set this outfit apart.

Head of Femur — “Isn’t It a Shame” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/12-isnt-it-a-shame.mp3]

Head of Femur — “Jetway Junior” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/04-jetway-junior.mp3]

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