Music Video: Cymbals Eat Guitars - Definite Darkness

Dive - Geist

I've been told that Dive are as close to the text book definition of a buzz band in 2012 as humanly possible, and I'm not so sure I can disagree. The first word out of nearly everyone's mouth is "hypnotic", they started as the side project of a band that's already established buzz, and of course they signed to Brooklyn darlings Captured Tracks without an EP to their name. OK now that that's out of the way, I can cut the cynicism. Captured Tracks is a really fantastic label, and Dive totally deserves a spot on their roster (and the chance at the spotlight that comes with it).

If you haven't been convinced by their music so far, Geist might change that. Diverting the "Real Estate channeling Person Pitch" route of their first few singles, Geist uses the same general sound but focuses the psychedelia into a meatier groove. I still have no idea what singer Z Cole Smith is rambling about, but he seems more intent on getting his point across than before. Hypnotic still seems apt, but I'm started to think those first few singles weren't... maybe I was just sleepy.

Geist - Dive
Sometime - Dive

Geist will be released on 7" next month on Captured Tracks.

Beach House - Myth

There's a new Beach House song... which means its safe to say the internet just exploded. "Myth" is the first single from their new album Bloom, to be released later this summer. The percussion feels colder, and the synths are slightly less cloudy than most of Teen Dream, but in general, "Myth" isn't too much of a departure. If the rest of Bloom sounds this good though, no one will be complaining.

Young Man - Fate

Youtube cover star turned original musician (think Indie Justin Bieber?) Colin Caulfield will release his 3rd album as Young Man. Although he's been touring with a full band for over a year now, Young man was always Caulfield's solo venture in the studio. The new album, Vol 1 is Young Man's first full band project and the rhythm section is a welcome addition. On his first two releases moments of bliss floated in and out of focus, but the etheral wanderings tended to drag on past their welcome. Anchoring Caulfield's knack for breezy melodies into a more committed form, Vol 1 may finally realize Young Man's untapped potential. Check out the first single below and keep an eye out for Vol 1, out May 22 on FrenchKiss.

Music Video: Ricky Kendall - Ozark County Blues

Gainesville's Ricky Kendall is one of north Florida's little hidden treasures. His previous projects, Jukebox Wagon and Paxico Via Mexico, received some modest notoriety regionally, but it's his more stripped down workingman's roots music that has really been putting him on the proverbial map of late. His music is simultaneously fresh but classic in it's tonality and playfully charming in it's splendid delivery. That along with a powerhouse voice and superlative lyrical stylings will most assuredly have us hearing much more from him in the near future.


This post was contributed by Paul Chapman, Jacksonville (via Tallahassee) musician/ writer extraordinaire. If you like his style make sure to check out his regular column for metrojax, Pump up the Volume.

Music Video: Sleep Party People - A Dark God Heart (NSFW)

I tend not to post NSFW videos (trying to keep it family friendly and such) but for this video I had to make an exception. Beautifully shot and with excellent pacing, its the best music video I've seen so far this year. Beyond that, the video captures the overwhelmingly eerie feel of the music all too perfectly. Sleep Party People take cues from dream pop, shoegaze and a combination of classical and electronic instrumentation to create a uniquely dark vision. If you need a comparison, imagine Gem Club injected with subtle terror, over processed vocals and a healthy dose of Donnie Darko influence. Originally the bedroom project of Danish multi-instrumentalist Brian Batz, the project converted unusually smoothly into a 5 piece for their live performances, which are more than worthy of your time.



A Dark God Heart is the first single off of Sleep Party People's second album, "We Were Drifting on a Sad Song" out April 9th on Blood and Biscuits.

Music Video: Cloud Nothings - No Future/ No Past

Cloud Nothings seem to have a thing for consistently bizarre  music videos. Their visual style on the new video seems to take a hint from their beefier new album, with unnerving realism and a bit of a Paranormal Activity vibe. Its still pretty weird though. Check the video out (thanks to Urban Outfitters?) on vimeo.


Cloud Nothings - "No Future / No Past" Official Video from Urban Outfitters on Vimeo.

Cloud Nothing's incredible sophomore album "Attack On Memory" is out tomorrow. Since I know you're already planning on buying it, you should probably go for broke and grab Porcelain Raft's Strange Weekend, while you're at it.